How to Celebrate Earth Day EVERYDAY!

Earth Day should be everyday!!

This past year, we have made a huge effort to LOVE on planet Earth! We've cut WAY back on the amount of plastic and paper goods we use and have made a conscious effort to utilize reusable goods when possible. I started thinking about how much we threw away every day, and then thought about how if everyone threw away as much as I did, how much that would be. Think about it! It makes my stomach hurt!!

I compiled 10 SUPER EASY ways to produce less waste. I hope you will consider adopting some of these ideas!! PRETTY PLEASE on behalf of myself, our future generations, those who call the ocean their home, and Mother Earth!

22 MILES & 8 Reasons Why you should TRAIN with a group

Less than 21 days until I will run my first marathon. Today I did 22 miles, the most I have ever run. Four more miles would have been doable, from both a physical and mental standpoint. That gives me an extra boost of confidence for race day! Running with a group has undeniably helped me get to this point. My long runs would not have been as successful if I was on my own.

My focus for 2015 was CHALLENGE. What better way to challenge myself than run a marathon right (read more here)? On January 1st, with encouragement from my sweet friend Stephanie, we both signed up for Fleet Feet Nashville's marathon training group. I used to HATE running with other people because I'm kind of competitive, so I was a little nervous at first! It was the BEST thing I could have done for myself!

Veggie Ramen (with Legit Eggs)

I took a few short cuts, especially with the broth. Added some roasted sweet potato, which is DELIGHTFUL, but not the most ramen-authentic thing in the world. You know what was authentic? The soft boiled egg with runny yolk. A perfect pillowy island with golden streams of yolk pouring out.

No Bake Mocha S'mores Pie

I made two pies to celebrate PI day!

One was a Peanut Butter Banana pie. The recipe comes from Collards & Carbonara - Southern Cooking, Italian Roots, written by the chefs of Hog & Hominy; Michael Hudman and Andy Ticer. IT WAS SO GOOD!! (And so bad, health wise.)

The second one I made, was a Coffee S'mores Pie. DELICIOUS CITY. It should probably be named Mocha S'mores Pie because the blend of coffee and chocolate is more mocha-ey than coffee-ey (pretty sure neither of those are actual words). DELICIOUS CITY. The recipe is very approachable, no baking required. Plus, I got to use my kitchen torch. Win win.

Girls on the Run and The Dailey Method - Special Donation Match Classes

Here is a super easy way to support GOTR Nashville or the Girls on the Run chapter in your area!

If you are in Nashville, mark your calendar for Sunday, March 1st, at 3 pm! In support of the Girls on the Run "One in a Million" campaign celebrating the milestone of serving our one millionth girl, The Dailey Method Nashville will be holding a special donation match class! Minimum $10 donation to attend class. All donations will be matched by TDM Nashville with all proceeds going directly to Girls On The Run Nashville! Hope to see you there!!

To learn more and to sign up, click here!!

Snowed In and Roasted Sweet Potato, Farro, Kale Salad with Warm Cinnamon-Honey Dressing

If you are making a trip to the grocery store, you should pick up some ingredients to make this rockin' Roasted Sweet Potato Farro Kale Salad with Warm Cinnamon Honey Dressing. This recipe is great for the following situations:

Showing off at a dinner party
Bringing the best salad to a potluck
Providing the only healthy item at a potluck (Are potlucks generally unhealthy or is that just a Southern thing?)
Tricking people into eating something healthy thats actually VERY delicious
Meatless Monday!!!
A warm meal for a snowy day

Marathon Training - Week 7: 18 miles and still smiling

Week 7 finishes up with 18 miles. Last Saturday, 2/14/2015, our long run was 17 miles, and it was one of the worst runs of my life. This weekend, our group training run was canceled. I was actually kind of relieved because it was supposed to rain all day Saturday and it was still super icy out. There was no way I was going to miss this week’s long run. My only option was to run on the treadmill. Yep. 18 miles. On a treadmill. Inclines included.

It was tough, and I really looked forward to water breaks, but I felt GREAT!! So much better than last week, in fact, I finished smiling! Granted running on a treadmill and running outside are much different, but my celebration here is for getting through 18 miles without being a Negative Nancy and without feeling like my legs were made of cement.

17 Mile Struggle and Love

I hobbled over to my car as quick as possible. As soon as I got myself in the car, I took a deep breath and called P. I glanced at the stack of clothing lying on the passenger seat. My nephew’s last basketball game of the season started in 15 minutes. There is no way I was going to make it.

‘IT WAS AWFUL. Really, really difficult. It was so hilly.’ And then the tears came. I was so disappointed in myself. This was the worst run that I can remember. I didn’t enjoy very much of it and finished with a less than admirable attitude.

S'mores Rice Krispie Bars & Precious Moments from the first week of GOTR!

To celebrate the start of the Spring season of Girls on the Run, I made S'mores Rice Krispie treats. What brings you back to childhood more than a good ol' rice krispie treat? The recipe is at the bottom of this post, but first I wanted to share some precious moments from the first week of Girls on the Run! Here's a teaser: "Is there anything you are hoping to learn from Girls on the Run? Anything you are excited or nervous about?" "I am really nervous about getting Ebola."

Running a MARATHON

Here's something I never thought I would do but have always secretly wanted to try. It kind of feels like jumping off a diving board to say this. That might not be a big deal to you, but I HATE swimming and when I was little only a box of Lucky Charms cereal could coax me into the deep end and off of the diving board. My first big CHALLENGE of 2015.

I am running a marathon.