I will be happy if running and I can grow old together…
Instagram would have you believe that running is only for those who get to take pictures on the top of mountains or after getting a medal at a race… Saskatchewan farmer runners know better…
in Saskatchewan there are only two marathons… one in the spring in Saskatoon and one in the fall in Regina… I have to drive 2 hours to get to one and 4 hours to get to the other… so ‘Medal Monday’ is not a realistic thing for most of us farmers… also, mountains tops… not an option… dirt road selfies anyone?
the solitude of running here is something that I have made peace with… it has made running very personal and my ‘why’ behind running has to be for myself… no one else knows what I am doing or sees where I am going…
when I was younger and I discovered sports – most importantly basketball – the feeling of running up and down the court, sweating – with my face turning purple… that feeling was the closest I had to knowing myself… it was the most comfortable I have ever been in my own skin… (although a purple face might not look comfy – believe me I was right where I needed to be)
orange, black bean quinoa salad
Ingredients:
Salad:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup corn (I use frozen)
- 1 can black beans, strained and washed
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1-2 oranges, segmented
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
- avocado (optional)
Dressing:
- 4 tbsp lime juice (1-2 limes)
- zest of one lime
- 3 tbsp orange juice
- 4 tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 2 tsp maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp cumin powder
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- freshly cracked black pepper
Directions:
- begin with the quinoa by rinsing 1/2 cup dry quinoa in a strainer and then add to 1 cup water in a saucepan and bring to a boil… when it is boiling, turn heat down and put on lid… cook for 15 minutes until done
- add the other salad ingredients to a bowl and add the quinoa when cooked
- shake together the dressing ingredients and pour over
- chill in the fridge before serving
then when I moved out to the farm and had my kids, I just took care of them and the farmer and forgot how good it feels to be depleted, sore and sweaty… when I first started running again, the fatigue in my legs felt like a welcome old friend…
I love dogs… they love running with me and we can experience flying around together, the breeze in our face and the sun beating down on our backs…
and when we return to our yard and I watch them happily lay in the shade I think to myself that they get it… they get how great it is to travel somewhere on your own 2 or 4 feet
find someone that loves seeing you purple in the face, sweating and exhausted and you know you have found the right person…
I made the farmer come watch me play basketball when I was in college… I think I needed him to see me in my happiest state of being… no makeup, no hair done up nice, no nice clothes on to hide who I truly am… (oh wait – that is how I looked in college)
running strips that all away from you… it strips you of your pretences and the image you are trying to create for yourself and you feel pretty naked and vulnerable… it exposes how determined and positive you are… you cannot run well and at the same time tell yourself that you suck… I’ve tried… you have to be kind to yourself…
if you ever are starting to doubt human character, you need to go watch the finish line of a marathon… (set your calendars if you are in Saskatchewan – there are only two of them)… better yet, the Beaver Flat 50 is this weekend – go watch the finish line of an Ultramarathon and you will believe in the human spirit again… you will see tears, love, support, courage, compete, and community…
you can’t be cool and run… you can’t be pretty and run… you can’t hide anything and run… you see someone for exactly who they are… and it is beautiful…
I’ve watched parents this time of year at cross-country meets sobbing as they see their little ones running around and it begs the question… why does running bring that out? I think the answer is determination… when little Junior’s lungs and legs are screaming, it is their brain that has to decide to keep pushing
one of my favourite movies growing up was Chariots of Fire… my family watched it over and over again…
the line that always stuck in my head was when Eric Liddell says “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.”
beef and olive empanadas
Ingredients:
Pastry:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temp
- 1 (8 oz) pkg of cream cheese, at room temp
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling the dough
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Filling:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 cup green olive, sliced
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 2 tsp maple syrup
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- hot sauce to taste
- 3 large egg yolks
- water
Directions:
- for the pastry – process butter, cream cheese and cream in the bowl of an electric mixer… add flour and salt and mix just until combined and dough holds together in a ball… turn the dough onto a well-floured surface… divide into three pieces… flatten into disks and wrap each in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes but ideally overnight… take out 15 minutes before rolling if chilled overnight
- for the filling – heat oil in a pan and add onion and bell pepper and salute for 3-4 minutes… add the beef and strain when it is done cooking to remove the fat… place back in pan and add the olives, raisins, syrup, salt, pepper, cumin and hot sauce… cool completely in the refrigerator
- dust a rolling pin with flour and roll the dough out… using a 4 inch circle cutter, cut the disks… scoop around 2 tbsp of the filling into the center fo the dough circle… wet the edge of the dough with a finger, turn over and crimp edges with a fork or folding over in a decorative pattern
- place on a parchment lined baking sheet and cover with saran wrap and place in refrigerator… (or I froze mine)
- when ready to bake, brush egg yolks/water mixture over them and bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes (a bit longer if frozen but cook from frozen)
- let rest and serve with lime wedges
now I’m not running at any paces that would make someone feel pleasure to watch… but I relate to this quote for how it feels inside of me… we were made to run… your body knows that and when you run, you are rewarded
there is also pie… you could reward yourself with pie
I will be happy if running and I can grow old together…
i feed a farmer 
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