As most of you know, when I visit my parents my dad always sends me home with two loaves of homemade sourdough bread. I carefully transport it back to Charlotte with me like it’s precious cargo. It almost always gets a second look from security but they just end up threatening to confiscate it because they want to eat it! 🙂
I drove to Florida for the first time when I went home in September so rather than send me home with baked bread, my dad sent me home with the starter and instructions on how to feed it when I arrived home. I fed it and then stuck it in the back of the fridge, where it sat haunting me for six weeks. Every day I would think, “today is the day I’m going to start the sourdough baking process” and then I didn’t. Honestly, I was overwhelmed by it and past bread baking attempts have been just okay, at best.
I finally worked up the courage to start the process last Sunday by feeding my starter and on Monday I went through the multi-step process to assemble the dough. There were no fewer than 5 phone calls to my father made. 😉
After an overnight rise in the fridge, I was ready to bake on Tuesday morning. The dough seemed to have done everything it was supposed to so I said a little prayer and got to baking. Imagine my complete elation when I opened the oven to find this. I immediately texted my parents a picture.
I sliced it after letting it cool completely and it was perfect…taste and texture. I know you might be thinking, “she is getting really worked up about this bread.” But it felt like a big deal for me to take on something that I look up to my dad so much for after all he’s taught me in the kitchen. Especially after I put it off for so long because I was fearful that I’d fail. He’s been trying to convince me to just bake my own for years.
So baking sourdough was the highlight of my week. How about that? I can’t wait to do it again and I have a quite a few friends who want to get in on my starter!
Here are a few other things I’m loving right now.
Working with Dr. Bradberry at Greenapple Sports & Wellness
I have been seeing Dr. Bradberry once a week for the last 4-5 weeks and it’s helping so much with my running. I’m crossing my fingers and toes and knocking on all the wood in my house when I say this but nothing is hurting like an injury and run recovery is feeling easy. I think this is the first training cycle this has happened….ever. This week we did a stride analysis which we’ll review next week. I can’t wait to hear the results on that!
I do stem every time I visit on areas that are sore or have caused me problems in the past. He also does small adjustments to me (mostly in the alignment of my hips and the rotation of my pelvis) as well as active release which hurts like a mother but the results are worth it.
If you live in the Charlotte area and need some bodywork done, Greenapple has been my top pick for over two years now. They work with tons of athletes which I appreciate because I find that many doctors say, “Don’t run and take an anti-inflammatory.” Greenapple is a hybrid of bodywork + physical therapy where they show you exercises and stretching/rolling techniques to use at home. Let me know if you have any questions. I’ve said this a million times but regular bodywork and massage has made a huge impact on how my body feels.
How many Reese’s are too many Reese’s?
The marketing team for Reese’s sent me some Reese’s love after I shared on Instagram that it was my favorite candy. I’ve been eating either one big cup or two pumpkins daily for oh about 10 days now. Zoey also helped herself to one this morning (totally blaming that one on her dad since I wasn’t home). I had a momentary freak out over the chocolate but she seemed more than fine. My girls love peanut butter like their mom!
While we’re on the nut butter topic…Blind Spot Nut Butters
A reader recently purchased Blind Spot Nut Butter. She has been in the fitness industry for over 15 years and is excited about this new venture. I told her I’d be happy to spread the word. She sent me some samples to try out and I love the Squirrely Tail. It’s a blend of cashews, almonds, walnuts, sucanet, sunflower seeds, ground flax and salt.
Use code PBRUNNER at checkout for 10% off the nut butter collection through 12/17/16. Look out for two seasonal flavors coming on November 21, Shortbread Cookie and Coconut Macaroon. Yum…I can’t wait. I know you guys will love this nut butter so please check it out and support reader Jeanean.
Related note: I am always happy to try and support all of you and your businesses in any way possible. #girlpower
My First StrideBox
I was recently introduced to StrideBox when the company reached out to me about featuring my Running 500 Workout in one of their boxes. StrideBox is a monthly subscription box for runners where you receive a curated box of gear, accessories and nutrition products to fuel your runs and races. I’ve received two boxes now and I really like them! If you’re into running, I think it’s well worth the $15/month.
Fall Lip Gloss
While I like lip stick and wear it when I’m going out, it’s not practical for my day-to-day. I always keep a selection of lightly tinted lip glosses on hand in my purse to give myself a little color while still looking natural in my workout gear. I picked up three new colors at Sephora and I love them! From top to bottom…Sephora Ultra Shine Lip Gel in Plum Fiction, Indian Sari and Earth and Fire. Also important to note is that none of these lip glosses have any shimmer. I prefer a solid color without the extra glitz for every day.
My Tribe
Dogs are just the best. (Even when they steal your Reese’s.) I am grateful every day for these furry things. Arnie the old guy isn’t doing to well these days. He’ll be 15 in January which is so amazing, but sad to watch him slowing down.
And that’s all I’ve got. I’m pumped for the Charlotte Marathon Weekend. I can’t wait to meet so many of the runners who have been training with me over the last 12 weeks! Race expo tomorrow. 🙂
Have you ever baked bread?
Any new favorite products or services to share?
Anyone racing this weekend?
I love baking bread! I tackled croissants last holiday season and it was so much fun. As runners, we need our carbs, so bring on the bread! 🙂
Diana
betterthanalive.com
Baking bread is so intimidating to me. It’s definitely a process. I’ve never done sourdough though. Maybe I should?
Homemade sourdough is the best!!!! I felt so accomplished when I successful made my starter and baked my first bread!
Yes to bread-baking, no to sourdough! I want to try (and am so jealous of your loaves). I recently ordered from Bread Srsly and LOVE, but I would to learn to make my own.
Thank you so much for the shout out! Glad you liked our products. Squirrely Tail is our biggest seller and is Paleo friendly – we changed the sweetener to Sucanat.
I have done sourdough starters before but never in the fridge – I didn’t realize you could! I’m going to need to get my hands on some starter now!
This week, I baked a recipe for Election Cake (recipe from OWL Bakery in Asheville). It uses a pre-ferment as it doesn’t use chemical leaveners like baking soda or baking powder. The cake tastes like a cross between bread and cake and has a crumb that is more like bread. It turned out great. It’s not too sweet and had bourbon soaked dried fruit. I received a surprise gift from a supplier for a hearth loaf bread pan, which I am excited to use. It’s made by USA Pans and all the reviews I’ve read about their products make me want to only use their bakeware. I’m planning on taking my first stab at making white bread and sourdough with this pan very soon.
I will be heading to the Charlotte Marathon expo this afternoon to pick up my race packet. I can’t believe it’s here. I look forward to meeting you, Jen, and all the other local runners. It’s been a really great journey to prove to myself that I have the discipline to train alone and overcome my dislike for running. Even though I’m not 100% loving running as most do, I’ve gotten past the “suck” and have actually surrendered to the peace and solitude of running. Thank you, Jen!
I loved reading about the bread baking and now I am inspired to try!
The bread looks fantastic! I am a huge sourdough fan. I’m always so scared to bake. If you add a little too much of something cooking it’s usually okay but baking, not so much. Have a great weekend!
Good luck at your race! I didn’t realize it was this wknd already! And congrats on the bread – that’s awesome! I totally get your excitement over it.
Greenapple is where I went when I had my knee injury. Love them! Also your sourdough looks amazing!!! 🙂
I love sourdough. It’s my favorite! When my husband travels to San Francisco, he always brings me back a loaf on the plane too! I’d love to bake my own because I’ve never found any here in Charlotte that compares. I’m sure it’s ‘the water’, but I’d love for you and your dad to share a post on how to create a starter!
Is it just me or do Reese’s pumpkins taste better than any other Reese’s?
I made a sourdough started and baked sourdough weekly for about a year or so. I became busy and ended up throwing out the starter but it’s really easy to make one and I like that sourdough bread only requires a few simple ingredients.