Author Archives: megan

Old Mill Days

Posted on July 23, 2013 by megan

To celebrate 125 years of Oakesdale and 25 years of Old Mill Days …

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you start with a cowgirl hat, braids, and boots …

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Or if you’re my mother, you pose in front of the coolest pink truck you can find while wearing your “miller” outfit.

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Marathon Journey in July

Posted on July 23, 2013 by megan

I’m up to four miles. It’s been in the 90s, but the smell of fresh rain on my morning run after a beautiful storm the night before … a wonderful way to start the day!

Photo Jul 09, 3 40 10 PM

My 4th of July Trail

Posted on July 13, 2013 by megan

Photo Jul 09, 3 40 58 PM

This path took me along the outer edge of Canoe Island, part of the San Juan Islands in Washington State. I am told the total circumference of the island is 3/4 of a mile, so I ran two laps. Trail running is an entirely different ballgame. I had sore muscles where I hadn’t even noticed muscles before! But the sound of the water lapping at the shore as I ran was marvelous. Continue reading →

Gretchen’s Grains

Posted on July 8, 2013 by megan

When I heard my cousin-in-law, Gretchen, was expecting again, I was impressed. With quite a few of us completely immersed in parenthood, I had that “I don’t know how she does it” thought. I knew we both had the same goals to feed our kids healthy, nutrient-filled foods, but how on earth was she managing with three boys under the age of 2??!!

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Well, she’s sharing her secret … and not just with me. She’s started her own business called Gretchen’s Grains. It all began with her need for healthy and quick accents to a busy mom’s meals. As a mom with little ones, I can relate. When whole-grain rice takes an hour, it requires some planning … and sometimes, there just isn’t time. So pre-cooked frozen grains it is. Duh! Find yours in the frozen foods section at a Whole Foods or local coop near you. Way to go Gretchen!!!!

My Marathon Journey in June

Posted on July 7, 2013 by megan

Sure, summer weather makes it a lot easier to get some exercise, but summer travel can sometimes put a damper on our best intentions. I decided if I was willing to lug my running shoes all over the Northwest this past month, I’d better be willing to use them! And as it turns out, a looming half-marathon is a very good motivator. Guess that’s the point, right?

My official “training” does not begin until later in July. In the meantime, I’m just working on being ready for that training to begin.

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And it’s an awesome way to start any day The Foothills of Boise, Idaho, are home to seemingly hundreds of running and biking trails. Visiting family a few weeks ago, we enjoyed a run most mornings, and I kind of kept up with the seasoned runners. Clocked 3 miles a day … and learned it’s much easier to run when you’re with good company. And the views, well, they speak for themselves. Inspired!

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And the following weekend I was in Portland, Oregon, for a college reunion. While the company was also wonderful, they slept in a bit, so I enjoyed some muggy morning runs solo along the Willamette River. I ran 2.5 miles and learned that a path filled with folks happily enjoying their own morning exercise is also a good motivator.

Glad I brought my running shoes. I look forward to the next path this marathon journey takes me on.

Grilled Cheese? Yes, please!

Posted on July 6, 2013 by megan

A food cart, by definition, is a mobile kitchen that is set up on the street to facilitate the sale and marketing of street food to local pedestrian traffic.

On a recent visit to Portland, Oregon, for a college reunion, I experienced the growing trend firsthand. Food carts have evolved! Airstreams and Shastas are serving it up all over the city. Food for this farmgirl’s heart, for sure.

Photo Jul 01, 11 31 40 AM

We decided on grilled cheese sandwiches from an Airstream called The Grilled Cheese Grill … had to be good, right? And this was not just any old grilled cheese! I had the Jersey, which consisted of sauteed mushrooms and Swiss on rye with added sauerkraut. The fan favorite at our table was definitely the BABS, made with bacon, apple, blue cheese, and Swiss. Consensus? A grilled cheese made in an Airstream is delish!

Photo Jul 01, 12 48 47 PM

We topped off our choices with cold, Northwest-brewed beer—served farmgirl-style in canning jars—from the Captured By Porches bus next door. Yes, this farmgirl would definitely say that Portland can serve up some good eats and drinks in the most fashionable of ways.

Got Milkshakes?

Posted on July 4, 2013 by megan

With so many cows running around the farm these days, we have plenty of milk for things like a weekly batch of Parmesan cheese, butter, and occasionally some ice cream. Nevertheless, we were more than happy to receive a special ice cream delivery from Susan at Halo Top Creamery. “Why, yes, of course, we’d be happy to taste-test ice cream made with a gamut of organic ingredients, cage-free eggs, and hormone-free dairy.” Hmmm, but we have all this milk of our own and … wait a minute, this sounds like a recipe for 4th of July MILKSHAKES!

It’s been a little warm around here and our crew is pretty awesome and we have an important holiday to celebrate this week and we’re swimming in fresh strawberries and milk …

Saralou was the first to take the taste test and … it’s good!! Like, really, really, really good.

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Karina was wide-eyed with amazement. At only 80 calories for one 4 ounce serving of ice cream, it’s as healthy as it is delicious!

Happy 4th of July from all of us at MaryJanesFarm!

QUICK N’ EASY MILKSHAKES

1 cup Halo Top Ice Cream
1/4 cup organic milk plus things like chocolate chunks, fresh plucked strawberries, apricots …

My Goal

Posted on June 15, 2013 by megan

I officially signed up for a half marathon. Let me explain. I am not a runner. I never have been.

During physical therapy last year, I realized I needed a goal. After an accident that rattled my existence, I decided if I was going to have to start over, I didn’t just want to get back to where I was, I wanted to go beyond. So 13.1 miles it is. I may not run it all, and hopefully I am able to at least walk it, but when I cross that finish line and think of where I’ve been and where I am … well, I can only imagine. And that’s what I’m doing while I push myself just a little bit harder each day.

shoe_tragedy-2060 Continue reading →