This is why I run: Blue Bell Ice Cream

So, technically I'm taking a break from running because of a foot injury, but that isn't stopping me from hopping on the bicycle as a replacement activity. And I'm going to be logging a lot of miles now that Blue Bell has release a new flavor:

 

Photo courtesy of their website: http://www.bluebell.com/the_little_creamery/press_releases/press_cpb.html

Oh Blue Bell, you are one of my great loves in life. And now you have combined two of the greatest flavors into one of your brown rimmed cartons. Such a thing of beauty. 

I'm so glad the ten commandments don't explicitly state that a love for ice cream is a sin. It could maybe fit under the category of idolatry, but come on. That sounds like a stretch. 

This is why I run: Frozen Yogurt

I'm not really a runner. I think I've written about that before, but I'm too tired to check through the archives and see. Basically, all you need to know is that I was the girl in middle school who whined on running day in P.E.. Can you blame me? We had a gym teacher who used to chase us in a golf cart around the track, with a flame thrower scorching our hair and chihuahuas nipping at our heels. It was torture and I hated it. It motivated some kids into running, but I wasn't fooled. I didn't want to run even when I was chased by the scary flame throwing, chihuahua yielding gym teacher. 

Now my motivation for running is food. I loves me some food. Basically, I now run so I can eat whatever I want. This is a pretty brilliant plan, because I'm pretty sure there's math involved with weight management: don't put in more calories than you're burning. So when you love food as much as I do, you have to figure out a way to burn some calories. Thus, running. Although in these adventures I've learned that I really do enjoy running and it makes me feel energized. Husband's solution to any ailment is to go running. Got a stomachache? Go run. Think you're coming down with the black lung, Pop? Go run.

Tonight I did something that would make personal trainers cringe. First, I went to an hour long yoga class at my gym. This wasn't easy-peasy-gentle-yoga. This was 90% of the time in downward dog yoga, with some Pigeons and some Crows and some whozywhatsits mixed in between. By the end I felt pretty good and all limber and stuff. Then I went for a run which pretty much undid all that limbering up I just did in Yoga. I had to though, because today starts my half-marathon training plan and I am really trying to stick to it. Never mind that it was still 101º out at 8pm. It was a hot and slow run, but I did it. 

So then, I was a hot mess and really stinky. Which of course means frozen yogurt for dinner was the best decision I could make in that moment. I went to get some from our neighborhood shop. My hot mess self sat in the middle of the Walmart parking lot, in my pretentious Lululemon outfit (I hate how much I love their clothes) and ate me some frozen yogurt. It was a pretty great night. 

Yum.

Hippy Grocery Store Heaven

I just found out two of my favorite hippy grocery stores are merging. Sunflower Farmers Market and Sprouts Farmers Market.

This is going to be the Brangelina of grocery stores. I'm psyched.

Little Disciples

The church where I attend and currently serve as intern has a weekly dinner on Wednesday nights. We call it a potluck, but not many bring food to share because the church provides plenty for all. And it's free.

This might be one of my favorite things about this church. Besides the Passing of the Peace which usually takes 10 minutes in the service, I love these Wednesday night dinners. I love to fellowship with these wonderful Children of God and learn their stories.

I was particularly struck tonight as we gathered to eat. I sat down and was chatting with one of the kids before dinner was ready. Once everyone hopped up to get their food, this young child offered to get my plate for me. She told me to come with so I could pick out the food. She has a broken arm in a cast, which made it a bit hard for her to hold the plate, so I helped her with that. But she insisted on putting the food on the plate.

I was amazed by her servant's heart and her desire to serve another person. I had to laugh though, when she yelled her mom to fix a plate for her. Guess she wasn't interested in serving herself!

I love these little glimpses of disciples really getting what it means to live in community and serve one another.

Burrito Goodness

The alarm clock goes off and I spend a brief minute trying to remember what day it is. Tuesday. I don't have class until 1pm. Why am I getting up so early? Oh, right! It's burrito day! This is the day when I make my weekly pilgrimage with a good friend to La Cocina De Consuelo, a hole in the wall restaurant with the best breakfast burritos in Austin. We drive the 2 miles to the restaurant, and are hit with the aroma of freshly made tortillas as we walk in the door. The man behind the counter knows our faces and he almost knows what we're going to order. Perhaps in a few weeks he'll know our "usual." We order at the counter and take a seat, anticipating the deliciousness that is about to hit our taste buds. So much goodness wrapped in that delectable tortilla. We chat about life and school as we scarf down these amazing burritos. Time stands still. Is this heaven on earth? Maybe, just maybe.

Ah, burrito day.