Kissing the Rain and Stuffing my Belly!

So this is the time of year when I pick a few races to train for in order to make sure that I can squeeze into a swimsuit by June. You couldn't pay me enough to put one on right now....not on your life!

When your passion is cooking and eating food, there needs to be a plan and ongoing effort for exercise, or the desire for health and happiness would be out the window.

It takes me a little longer because I seem to balance out my hard work with delicious rewards at the end – like I did this weekend. I have convinced myself this time that I totally deserved it.

My friend Sally and I are training to run a half marathon in April and the Ragnar Relay race in May with 10 other friends. We are committed to running our training races – “rain or shine” and our credo of “no cry babies aloud” certainly bit us the butt this weekend.

What’s 8K right? True, but an 8 K with 55 mph wind gusts and rain/hail pelting us in the face is another story – my God man…talk about a test!

It didn’t start that way – I mean look at last weekend – ahhh…. sunny, warm 58 degrees and birds a chirpin! Friendly waves from my fellow runners passing me by, bikers swirling past as the gentle wind graced their faces…. everyone said hello as if they were singing heeellooooo.

Another friend and fellow optimist always says that you can’t let the weather dictate your moods – but what about this? This is pushing it a bit no?

So when I woke up on Saturday morning to lace up my shoes, I heard the wind bellowing outside pushing against my bedroom window. When I opened the front door and step out onto the sidewalk, my sneakers met a puddle and soaked my socks immediately.

The cold wet rain...ugh... nope, I’m not gonna let it bring me down. I have to admit, if Sally wasn’t crossing that bridge to pick me up and keep me honest, I am not sure if I would have kept going. I had a fantasy of putting on my pajamas and climbing back into my warm pillowy heaven of a bed.

Okay, now is the time when I need to make deals with myself. I will be lazy and sleep in tomorrow. And if I get out there, I will make a huge Sunday breakfast and stay in to watch girl movies for the rest of the day J

Deal!

So Sally picked me up and we ran...and ran...and got completely soaked! With a little chafing and some chapped cheeks, we made it through the rain!

We had such a great time along with the rest of New York. When we were running, I remember taking a deep breath and the air and water penetrated my nostrils - So fresh - At that moment, I felt so alive - it is times like these when you know you are living life!

So now my reward. That afternoon, I went through all of my favorite cookbooks to prepare for my treat the next morning. I wanted to make new recipes, play in the kitchen and prepare of feast for Jeff to enjoy...and that I did.

On the menu for a Sunday morning Brunch Feast:

• French Toast on Fresh Tuscan Bread with Apple Chutney
• Herbed Pork Sausages w/Fresh Thyme and Sage
• Homemade Chai Tea Latte w/Cardamom, Cloves and Cinnamon
• Fresh Mixed Berry Salad with Mint

This Chutney was amazing- I can't get over the flavors! I ate spoonfuls of it. I can't get it off my mind. It was great over french toast and mixed with maple syrup...OMG!

The surprise of the day was how ridiculously delicious this chai tea was! So yummy and full of spices. Great to finish off a great brunch on a cold and rainy day. I even had leftovers for a second cup later in the afternoon.

Another lovely weekend. Great run on Saturday. And a warm, leisurely Sunday morning...

"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby." - Langston Hughes

If you were here this weekend, I would have had you run in the rain with me and then I would have filled your bellies :)

Thank you for reading,

Love Butter