Food Friday: Sour cream lemon pie

Finishing up this layered sour cream lemon pie.  Yum!

I love everything about Thanksgiving food, except candied yams.  I don't love candied yams. I don't like my stuffing jazzed up.  Traditional stuffing is best for me!  I prefer my pumpkin in pie rather than cheesecake or soufflé and I want it served cold without whipped cream.  I do, however, welcome additional recipes and desserts - especially desserts! Here is my own recipe for a lemon pie that is a hit around the Green Household.  Enjoy!

Sour Cream Lemon Pie

1 ½ C sugar

3 Tbs cornstarch
3 Tbs flour
Dash of salt
1 ½ C water
3 egg yolks – slightly beaten
2 Tbs butter or margarine
1/3 C lemon juice
1 C sour cream
1 baked pastry shell

Combine sugar, cornstarch, flour, and salt.  Gradually stir in water.  Cook in medium saucepan over medium heat until thick and bubbly.  Reduce heat and cook two more minutes – stirring constantly. Remove from heat.  Stir about one cup of hot mixture into beaten yolks.  Combine this with mixture in saucepan and return to a gentle boil.  Cook and stir for two more minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in butter.  Gradually stir in lemon juice.  Divide filling and pour one half into pastry shell.  Allow remaining filling to cool a bit.  Then add the sour cream and beat until combined and smooth.  Spread sour cream mixture over bottom layer of filling.  Allow to cool and then chill in refrigerator prior to serving.

To make things easier still, a graham cracker crust can be used. If desired, do not separate the mixture. Add more sour cream for a completely creamy lemon pie dessert!

Did you miss last week's post about Turkey Salad Sandwiches? Visit my Recipe page to find all my Food Friday posts.

Do you have a Go To recipe for Thanksgiving?  Please tell us about it in the comments below!

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!
Carol - aka Running Granny Green

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

 

Guest Blogger: Donetta writes about courage

Donetta Loya was born and raised in Arizona. She moved to Parma, Idaho eleven years ago with her family. She is a wife of 31 years, a mother of 6 children and a grandmother of 8.

     Donetta attended Eastern Arizona College. She has been a home-schooling mom for 17 years, a piano and voice teacher for 28 years. Her most recent accomplishment is fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming an author. Her first book was published May 2013. Since then she has

published 10 different books—3 fiction novels and 2 novellas,  a woman’s inspirational, 2 journals, an organizer and a children’s cookbook with her 12 year old daughter, Gretchen.

     Donetta also loves to read, garden, sew, and watch classic movies.

 

Thanks Carol for asking me to be one of your guest bloggers. Hmmm….

Where to start?

     I recently added a section to my blog called “A Happy Homemaker.” I love being a wife and mother! I have been lucky enough to be a stay-home mom for many years.  I thought of my homeschooling experiences, my years of teaching music. I thought of my recent bout with cancer that lead to my leap into becoming an author. I thought of my spiritual experiences and the blessing my life has been filled with over the past few years. I thought of how great it is to just be alive!

     I realized then that the message I want to share was to tell you that you can be anything you set your mind to! There is no limit to what we are capable of accomplishing. The trouble is beginning and making that change.

    I have a cross stitch saying on my wall that I found the first year I was married. “Each Moment is a New Beginning.” These words have influenced me for years. I see them every morning when I wake up.

This phrase can be applied to life in so many ways.

     Begin again if you find yourself heading in a direction you know doesn’t feel right. Start over when you have offended someone, apologize and go forward. Stop and start again if the project you have been working on just isn’t working out. Sometimes these things are hard to do, but you can!

     So many times we find ourselves in a rut, but you are afraid to stop and change the direction you have been going. We keep plowing ahead because we have always gone in that direction. It is like Dr. Seuss’ Zaks. A north going Zak and a south going Zak meet up. Each standing in the path of the other. Well, these obstinate beings would not budge—not to the east, not to the west. So they stood there not advancing, not progressing, because they were so stubborn about changing their course.

    Sometimes we are just like those Zaks. We tell ourselves that we have to keep on the same path, keep doing the same things because that is just how it is! Our family did it, the community expects it … excuses. So many excuses stand in our way of taking that leap of faith in ourselves to be able to stop the nowhere direction we are going and take the steps to begin accomplishing our dreams.

     I have always dreamed of writing a book. But it wasn’t until I found out I had cancer to realize that I hadn’t done everything I wanted to do yet! I still had goals that I had not achieved. Of course, truth be told. If I had not had those months of healing and being forced to change my course, I would not have started writing again. I would not have published my book, “Darla’s Decision.”

     So I say to you--Be brave and make the change!  If there is something you have always wanted to do—then just do it! Make your plan and go for it! Don’t wait until it’s almost too late to even have your new beginning.

You can also find Donetta on Facebook and Google+. Her books can be found on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Some books are available on kindle and nook. Or finds more info on A Happy Homemaker.

 

Visit my Guest Blogger Page to get to know all my blogging friends!

 

Happy Running!

 

 

My next book cover reveal!

Here you go! Check out the cover of my next book, The Hard Run: Painful Lessons from a Running Granny. It is on track to be released in January 2015. 

 

Can you see that little runner on the front cover?  That’s me running my first half marathon, the High Desert Trail Run! It was truly painful!

Read excerpts from the book HERE and HERE. 

You can be one of the first to get a signed copy by visiting my Etsyshop.

Happy Running!

 

Tuesday’s Training Tip: Get over your fear

My first 5K Race. (I'm on the far right.) I was scared!

Beginning running can be scary, I will admit.  There are so many unknowns.  You might wonder if running is something you should even try.  What if it hurts? What if I’m not very good at it?  What if I don’t love it? Having questions is no reason to avoid trying.  My mother used to tell me, “You’ll never know unless you try.”  Well, I tried and now I know.

I guarantee it is going to hurt.  There are a lot of things in life that hurt, many of them should be avoided.  However, there are many things that cause us pain that actually improve our lives.  Running is one of those things. I expound upon this subject in depth in my soon to be released book, The Hard Run: Painful Lessons from a Running Granny.

You very likely will not be good at running – at least not at first.  That’s okay.  You weren’t good at walking or crawling when you first tried those things, but you didn’t quit.  Give it some time.  You may never be a fast runner, but you can be a stronger runner and stronger person if you stick with it.

You may never love running. Even if that love does happen running often takes a little time to grow on you.  While you are waiting for that fondness to develop you might as well keep running, because it is good for you. I often say, “I don’t love running.  Running loves me!”

I am certain there are more questions that soon to be runners may be pondering.  Anticipating what could go wrong is often more terrible than the actual activity.  So give it a go.  “You’ll never know unless you try.”

If you are still afraid, you can contact me and I will see what we can do to chase that fear away! Comment below or message me on Facebook.

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!
Carol - aka Running Granny Green

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

What's up this week? Nov 10

It's been a busy week for this blog, thanks to my Guest Bloggers. I'm so glad I added this feature to the site.  Thank you for giving them some love.  If you missed anything, their posts are all archived on the Guest Blogger page.

It's been a beautiful week and I am loving the autumn sunsets.  Here is one of my favorites, just for you!

From my front door!

In other news …

Here is what you can expect from the blog this week.

Tuesday – Tuesday's Training Tip will address conquering your fear of running.

Wednesday  - Drum roll, please!  I will be revealing the cover of my next book for this week's sneak peek of The Hard Run: Painful Lessons from a Running Granny. Don't miss it!

Guest Blogger Thursday – This week’s guest is my friend, Donetta.  She is a stay-at-home mom, home schooler, cancer survivor, and fellow writer.  I am excited for you to get to know her.

Food Friday – Another recipe for using up Thanksgiving leftovers is on its way.  Watch for my directions for Enchilada Suizas con Turquia!

What information would you like to see included on this blog site? Please comment with questions or ideas for future posts and as always …

Happy Running!

More shoes, please!

It’s my birthday week and guess what I want for a gift?  That’s right, running shoes.  My hubby doesn’t think that new running shoes sounds very exciting, but he doesn’t understand. Nor do I understand why he needs so many ski jackets.  I have two – an old one and a not so old one.  They work great for me. He has many more.

My running shoe collection is something like this …

One pair of neutral (no stability) road shoes that are light and fast and feel very slick in the rain.  They are about ready for an upgrade.

One pair of stability shoes that have a tendency to jam a couple toes.  These are bright and pretty and also about ready for an upgrade.

One pair with lots of cushioning and better tread for dirt roads and trails.  Also on the “needs replaced” list.

Three more pairs that have been retired to yard work, camping, and hiking duty.

Okay, so maybe I can have more empathy for his ski jacket fetish.  He has one for blizzards, one for warm days, one for windy days, another for super cold days … If I get a new pair of shoes, I may need to get him a new coat – just to keep it even.

I am hoping to make a trip to The Pulse or Shu’s Idaho Running Company in the next few days.  They are my favorite running stores.  They both give great service and can help you find the right show for you. I promise to post pictures of my fancy new shoes once I have obtained them!

Do you have a fitness item you love? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Happy Running!
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My most popular post about a tattoo

I think it looks like a tribal tattoo.  No?

It's the weekend and I am busy with family stuff, so I thought it would be fun to share my all time most popular post.  It happens to be from my other blog, but I think it fits here.  Please give it some love as my Guest Bloggers have been very popular and I'm feeling a little competitive about it all!  Actually, I am loving the input from my guests and my readers seem to be loving them.

Click on over and read my most popular post ...
How to Make Your Own Tribal Tattoo 

While you are there check out the new look and let me know what you think. (Orange isn't really my color, but I kind of like it on the blog.)

Have a great weekend and as always,

Happy Running!

Food Friday: Turkey salad sandwiches

Turkey salad with dried cranberries

I love November, partly because it is my birthday month, but mostly because I love the tastes and smells of Thanksgiving, and I love leftover turkey and stuffing! All those leftovers can be dangerous. According to the USDA “Let's Talk Turkey” fact sheet, refrigerated leftover turkey, stuffing, and gravy should be consumed in three to four days.  Leftovers can be safely stored frozen for up to six months. Try this turkey salad recipe to add a twist to leftover turkey sandwiches.

Turkey Salad Sandwiches with Dried Cranberries

3 C chopped turkey (Light or dark meat, or both)

½ C diced celery
¼ C diced onion
¼ - ½ C dried cranberries
¼ C roasted nuts (Walnuts or almonds - chopped, or cashew halves)
½ C mayonnaise or salad dressing
Lemon pepper to taste
Dash of ground mustard
Splash of Lemon juice

Croissants, pita bread, or tortilla wraps.

Combine all ingredients and allow flavors to meld in refrigerator for 1 hour before serving.  Measurements can be adjusted to taste and moisture preference.

Serve cold on choice of bread with a lettuce leaf and a slice of cheddar or provolone cheese if desired. Variations might include red grapes, diced apple, or olives.

Did you miss last week's post about Homemade Turkey Stuffing? Visit my Recipe page to find all my Food Friday posts.

Do you have a Go To recipe for Thanksgiving leftovers?  Please tell us about it in the comments below!

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!

Carol - aka Running Granny Green

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Guest Blogger: Karli writes about knowledge

Meet Karli, this week's Guest Blogger.  Karli is a stay-at-home mom and Health Coach with Take Shape for Life.  Doesn't she look great? Read what she has to say about knowledge and how she is applying it to her life.

Have you ever experienced a period of discomfort when you realize something has to change in your life?  Maybe it’s your health, your finances, your attitude, a relationship, or a career move.  That’s been me for the past couple months.  I’m 75 pounds lighter than I was in high school and college and because I’ve been able to basically maintain that loss for a period of over 10 years, I find myself getting pretty comfortable-even arrogant-at times.  But lately I’ve had this nagging feeling.  Because I still recognize and know some areas that need changing, habits that need broken and created, and attitudes that need adjusting. 

I grew up believing that knowledge is power and ignorance is bliss.

I’ve learned over the past several years though, that having knowledge does not equate to having power.  If simply knowing things made us powerful, we would all be unstoppable and none of us would ever struggle with personal weakness.  We would identify a weakness, study up on it, acquire the necessary knowledge about that weakness, and it would suddenly and painlessly become a strength.

We do ourselves a disservice when we say that knowledge is power.  Knowledge is a commodity-we can access and gain it easily.  There is a plethora of information available at our fingertips and it’s easy to learn what we need to know. 

But knowledge isn’t power.  Applied knowledge is power.

Without application, knowledge is worthless.  In fact, I’d rather live in blissful ignorance than to know something that could be helpful to my personal growth and not apply it in my life.  {For instance-it was MUCH more fun to eat an entire pan of lemon bars before I knew what I know now about balanced healthy eating!}

Enter the discomfort I’ve been feeling the past couple months.  I KNOW what I need to do.  I KNOW what needs to change.  I have so much knowledge about all things regarding health that I even coach others on their journey every day….but that knowledge is really nothing to me personally if I’m not willing to actually apply it in my own life. 

So I’ve been making the hard choices.  I’ve been stopping to think about what I really want.  I’ve been challenging myself about why I do certain things or why I resist doing others.  I’ve been choosing activities, habits, and options that will take me toward what I want most instead of what I want now.

And it feels good!  And I’m empowered, because I don’t simply know things, I’m applying the things I know.  THAT is the sweet spot.  That is where the real power lies.

What knowledge are YOU going to apply today?

Karli (:

Follow Karli on her Health Confessions Blog, Facebook, and Instagram: @healthconfessions.

You can also read Karli's Top 3 Fitness Tips

Visit my Guest Blogger Page to get to know all my blogging friends!

Happy Running!
Follow me on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram.

Another sneak peek from my next book

Ouch!

 

Here is another sneak peek from my current writing project. This book has a different focus than my previous works. It’s coming together and on schedule to be released shortly after the beginning of 2015, just in time to get everyone excited about the racing season – OR NOT if that isn’t your thing.

This excerpt is from the "Runners' Knees Lesson."

"Things were going well until I decided to dodge an oncoming car. I was certain it was headed straight for me. That is when I located a chunk of missing pavement with my left foot. I rolled my ankle and went down fast, landing hard on my right knee.  I did a quick assessment for possible injuries.  The ankle was sore, but strong. My knee, however, didn’t fare as well.  I left a bit of it on the road along with a part of my running tights. 

Three days later I was running the same route in the daylight with some middle school cross country runners.  Things were going well until one little guy decided to trip on the edge of the pavement.  He went down fast, landing hard on his right knee. He also left a bit of flesh on the road! I convinced him to walk for a bit.  He eventually began a slow jog and then finished the run!  We took a photo of our matching runners’ knees and developed mutual respect for one another.  It was a bonding experience!

What did I learn from the Runners’ Knees Lesson?

Shared trials can create and strengthen lasting relationships.  Think about an old roommate from college.  You studied, starved, and stayed up too late together.  Prior to those experiences you may never have sought her out in a crowd. However, the time spent together as struggling young adults cemented your friendship and you still send Christmas cards to one another. 

Some friends have been made by experiencing the same trials, although not at the same times, such as those who reached out to me in friendship and understanding after the sorrow of miscarriage. Their ability to empathize came from a difficulty of their own.  Although they were no longer in the middle of the same trial, their ability to express understanding at a time when it was greatly needed left a lasting impression on me.  For some, I can remember the very instant they reached out to me, where we were, and especially how it made me feel.  It gave me hope."


Do you have a friendship that was forged through a shared experience? I would love to hear about it.

Happy Running!

Watch for The Hard Run: Painful Lessons from a Running Granny due for release in January 2015.

 
   

Tuesday's Training Tip: Get over yourself

Runners come in all shapes, sizes, and abilities. 

So you think you want to be a runner?  Well, all runners know this little secret. You are going to have to get over yourself! Before you get offended, please read on …

I was once a non-runner. At the tender age of 47 (you read that right) I became a runner.  Runners run.  That’s all there is to it.  Non-runners who wish they were runners tend to come up with all kinds of excuses why they can’t, shouldn’t, or won’t run. I know.  I found several.

“I’m too old to start.”  Yep, I said that.

“I don’t like to run.”  I said that one a lot!

“It hurts to run.”  Uh-huh.

And then there is this one …

“I don’t want anybody to see me trying to run.”

Well, for those of you who are hanging onto this excuse, I have some news for you. NOBODY is looking at a runner and thinking this …

“Boy, that runner sure does look stupid.”

Nor this …

“That runner shouldn’t be running. She’s too big, old, fat, short, weak …”

In fact, those non-runners driving by in their cars with their car snacks by their side are most surely thinking something like this …

“I wish I were a runner. I wish I was strong enough, brave enough, in shape enough … to run.”

I know. I was once one of them.  And the runners that happen to be in a car while you are running are thinking …

“Look! There is a runner!  Maybe we could be running buddies!”

“I’m jealous. I wish I was running right now.”

“Wow. I hope I can still run when I’m as old as that guy!”

“I am so proud of that runner out there getting in shape!  Way to go, Runner!”

When I first began running my running buddy and I would search for the most hidden routes we could find to avoid being seen, but I got over that. I have learned that if I admire other runners when I am inside a car, then surely others are not judging me while I am on the run. 

It doesn’t matter if you have great running form or a cute outfit. The car riders cannot tell what your pace is and they don’t care.  They only know that you are out there putting one foot in front of the other.They respect that, especially if they, too, are a runner. So get over yourself and just run!

Tell me what is keeping you from switching from a non-runner to a runner?

Tune in every Tuesday for more training tips and visit my Training Tips page to find all the tips you may have missed or find them all in my book, Run at Any Age: A Beginners Guide for Adults. Available on Amazon and Kindle.

Happy Running!
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What's up this week?

Eagle Island State Park.
I went for a little run here!

I’m sure you are all dying to hear about my Sciatica Saga.  Well, maybe not, but I am dying to update you!  Things are really good.  The massage I was so skeptical about has worked wonders.  I am not back up to speed just yet, but I am running a little bit and walking without pain.  For that I am grateful!  I hope to be able to introduce my massage therapist to you as a Guest Blogger in the near future.  Until then, contact me if you need a referral.

In other news …

Here is what you can expect from the blog this week.

Tuesday – I’m adding another new feature!  This IS a running blog of sorts, so watch for the kickoff of Tuesday’s Training Tips tomorrow. This weekly post will have info about running tips, nutrition, recovery, motivation, and relaxation.  You don’t have to run, but you might want to give it a try.

Guest Blogger Thursday – This week’s guest is my friend, Karli.  She is a stay-at-home mom and health coach.  I am excited for you to get to know her.

Food Friday – Its Turkey Time and I have discovered many ways to use up that big bird. In November I will be sharing some unconventional recipe ideas for using turkey leftovers.

What information would you like to see included on this blog site? Please comment with questions or ideas for future posts and as always …

Happy Running!

Homemade Turkey Stuffing

Only a few simply ingredients!

It’s Food Friday and since November is upon us I thought I would share my recipe and instructions for making Homemade Turkey Stuffing. This stuffing recipe has evolved from an old version in Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook.  Using dried French or Italian bread adds weight to the stuffing.  There are no fancy ingredients in this recipe. This NOT a diet dish!  It is classic comfort food at its best!

Homemade Turkey Stuffing

3 – 4 loaves French or Italian bread (Cut into cubes and dried)

One Medium Onion

Several stalks celery

One stick butter or margarine

1 tsp Salt

½ tsp Pepper

2 – 4 tsp sage (To taste)

2 cups Chicken Broth (This varies according to bread dryness and volume.)

Dried French or Italian bread cubes

A couple days prior to making this recipe, cut bread into one inch cubes.  Place on cookie sheet and dry in oven on low heat, or cover and set out to dry on counter.

When ready to assemble stuffing, dice onion and celery.  (This can be done ahead and stored in food storage bag overnight.)  Cook vegetables in butter until tender.  Add salt, pepper, and sage.

Place bread in large bowl.  Sprinkle additional sage over bread, if desired.

Drizzle vegetable mixture over bread and toss to combine.  Pour chicken broth over bread mixture.  Work with hands to ensure bread is moistened throughout.  Dressing should stick together when squeezed into a ball.  Water can be added if more liquid is needed.

Stuff turkey and roast until interior temperature reaches 165°.  This is a large recipe.  Excess dressing can be baked in a casserole or crock pot.  The crock pot method will maintain moisture and allow for pre-dinner sampling!

Stuffing will have a dense texture.  It really might stick to your ribs! (You better plan to participate in a Turkey Trot to burn a few extra calories before dinner!)

Do you have a favorite recipe that my readers need to hear about? Comment below or message me so we can share it here.

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!

Carol - aka Running Granny Green

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.