Even though it is so easy to microwave a sweet potato, whenever I take the time to slice it up, toss the wedges in olive oil and salt and roast them in the oven, I am always glad I made the extra effort.
The sweet potato wedges stole the show this evening.
We ate them with roasted broccoli and pork, but I only went back for seconds of the potatoes.
Now it’s time for the return of a long lost blog feature!
Questions of the Month: July
In March I started “Questions of the Month,” figuring it would be a neat monthly feature on the blog where I could answer some questions I received repeatedly that month. Well, the feature died a month after its debut because I completely forgot about it until a reader emailed me last week asking me if I planned to bring it back.
It’s back, baby! Let’s get to it!
- What kind of harness do you use when you take Sadie on a walk or run?
We use the Gentle Leader Easy Walk harness for Sadie and I cannot recommend it enough.
It goes around her belly and shoulders, leaving her neck free and doesn’t seem to bother her a bit. If Sadie tries to pull, the harness basically makes her walk around in a circle. I makes walking or running with Sadie a lot more pleasant!
- I wanted to ask you about what made you want to run your first half marathon and what running base you had when you began training. I’ve been running (short distances) for several months, have run a few 5Ks, and running a half marathon is the next thing I’d really like to accomplish! Based on the running-related posts that I’ve read, it seems that we are pretty similar when it comes to running… .I’m not a natural runner at all, but I really enjoy the workout is gives me!
I got into running when I graduated from college. I found myself craving a new challenge in my life and began looking into running races, thinking that running a 5K would be a neat accomplishment. I made it my goal to run the 3.1 mile race non-stop in August 2007. After that race, I ran a 10K and started training for my first half marathon in October using Hal Higdon’s novice training plan. I completed my first half marathon before the end of the year.
Blog posts related to half marathon training include:
- So You Want to Run a Half Marathon
- Training for a Half Marathon on a Treadmill
- My Half Marathon Training Plan
- My Half Marathon Reflections
- Chicago Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon Playlist
- Savannah Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon Playlist
- What is your favorite kind of peanut butter?
I am not a peanut butter snob by any means. I typically buy Skippy Natural because it is inexpensive and tastes like the peanut butter from childhood without the crazy ingredients. Justin’s Nut Butter and Peanut Butter and Peanut Butter & Co. also make a mean jar of peanut butter.
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I think I’ve noticed this in other meals you’ve posted, but… do you eat the skins on sweet potatoes? I didn’t even realize you could/were supposed to do that.
Yes! I love the skin!
Mmmmm I agree with Julie! Try it with the skin because it’s so much heartier, tastier, and full of fiber. At least I think it’s good 😉 Just make sure to wash it reeeallly well~ And your workout outfit looks so cute and colorful Julie!
I honestly had no idea! I feel so out of the loop. Can’t wait to try it 🙂 Roasting them sounds like a really good idea.
You’re in for such a treat! The skins are really delicious.
I have another question that I’ve been wondering while reading your blog. I know that you always workout in the morning before breakfast.. do you eat a small snack beforehand or are you able to do a workout on an empty stomach? Working out right after I wake up is sometihng that I would love to do, but I find I have to eat breakfast first. Thanks for your input!
hi corinne! for me, it totally depends. i cramp up really easily and typically need to avoid eating 60 min. before a workout to prevent cramping. since we wake up at 5 a.m. and head straight to the gym, i’ll often go on an empty stomach b/c i’m not about to wake up at 4 a.m. just to eat. plus, i’m not hungry then anyway. on the weekends i always eat before working out b/c i have time to digest and when i wake up later, i wake up hungry. during the week i’ll eat something light at 5 a.m. before a workout sometimes if the workout is a strength workout that i know won’t make me cramp up like running intervals might. such a long answer, i know!
Thank you so much!
I use that harness on one of my dogs, too. It works well most of the time, but sometimes he fights the resistance when he sees another dog!
My other dog is a Dachshund, and his stubby little legs slip right out of if. Oh well!
I just discovered Justin’s Vanilla Almond Butter. It is the BEST EVER! But I’m totally there with you. I typically buy Peter Pan PB because it’s what I grew up with.
I always microwave my sweet potato but wish I had the time to roast it! I always get home from my internship starving and am definitely not willing to wait! Haha
I was raised on Peter Pan. I mean, my mom and sisters would go through the largest jar in < a month.
But now I am all about either making my own, or Jif Natural. (I do not discriminate against creamy or crunchy. Peanut butter is beautiful in any form.)
omg loooove peanut butter and company peanut butter 🙂 I’m personally a sunflower seed butter fan though lol
What kind of sports bras do you wear?
That dog will never stop being cute 🙂
AHhh LOVE sweet potato fries roasted in the oven. And YES, Justin does make a mean nut butter. Yumm 🙂
peanut butter & co is amazing – do you just get their regular peanut butter or do you go for the flavoured ones? I could pretty much live of of Dark Chocolate Dreams.
I love walking our dog in her harness… definitely better control and doesn’t choke her!
Also just wanted to say that I ran a few 5Ks but never anything longer and I finished my half just fine. Just gotta put those miles in and train smart!
I have to make sweet potatoes soon – your look so good!
I love all peanut butter too but the Jif natural is my fav. And I just saw that Jif has a chocolate peanut butter now!
There is absolutely nothing better than a sweet potato baked in the oven for an hour or so. I agree, microwave does the trick but I think I would rather have a true baked sweet potato than dessert (and that is saying A LOT!)
Skippy Natural is also my go-to pb! It’s slightly sweet but like you said, no crazy ingredients!
yum skippy natural! but i also do not discriminate against peanut butter brands :-p
Just wondering what sold you on getting a Vizsla. My husband and I are talking about breeds of dogs we would love to get, and a Vizsla has been at the top of my list for a while. My husband had never heard of them until a few months ago when we started talking about it, and he’s still not convinced. We’d like a dog we could take out for runs and enjoys being outside, but isn’t crazy-hyper all the time.
I love roasted sweet potatoes! I typically make them at least once a week for dinner. I also enjoy roasted red potatoes with rosemary or roasted carrots. Basically any vegetable is better roasted!
The Skippy natural PB is pretty tasty, but my favorite is Smucker’s Natural Creamy…yum! It’s the perfect combo of roasted peanuts & salt 🙂
I’m a Skippy Natural girl too- cheap & cheerful :)!
Dark chocolate peanut butter. CHUNK.. YUM!
I eat the skins off sweet potatoes too! My grandma use to tell me that s where all the vitamins are.. haha!
Just ordered my first jars of Justins Nut Butters last night!!! Can’t wait!!!
Love your doggie! Sadie always brightens my day 🙂
Thanks for sharing the info for the harness. I currently use a harness that goes over my fur child’s neck. Although she doesn’t seem to mind it, I always feel bad.
I always do traditional fry shapes for my potatoes, I really want to try the chip shape, those look great!
I love roasting potatoes in the oven. 🙂 They taste so much better that way.
I love all kinds of PB too!! It is crazy to see all the ingredients added to some of them though. I love roasted sweet potatoes and the skin is the best part!
best breakfast is an egg white omlette (or scramble) with roasted sweet potato wedges, YUM and soo filling! keeps me satified until lunch!
Wow those potatoes look so delicious! I do love roasted so much more, but most the time I am too hungry to wait around for that and just pop in the microwave! ha
I usually buy Skippy Natural too! We get chunky and creamy everytime…I never know which one I’m going to be craving in the moment! ha
Was Sadie just a puppy in the above picture? I always pictured him so much bigger!!!!
nope! that pic was taken just a few weeks ago. 🙂 she’s only 38 lbs.
It’s nice to hear that you aren’t a natural runner. I have never been a fast runner and I have never even ran more than a mile straight so I have nowhere to start from but I have always wanted to run a 5K. From your story I gathered that you didn’t do any training before your first 5K? I looked up the Hal Higdon plan and the plan for the 5k looks pretty good so I am thinking I might try it but I think I am just scared of failure…
When you next roast your sweet potatoes you should try sprinkling a bit of cinnamon on them. It is freaking awesome!