Sometimes I just have too much to tell you.

Just warning you, there are a lot of pictures today.

First, let’s rewind to Friday night when we went to pick raspberries.

IMG 8281

This is turning into a yearly tradition for us. You would think that Brooke would be too young to be really good at this but holy cow…  She nailed it.  She was so good at picking the ones that were ready to be picked and putting them in her little bucket that was tied around her waist.

IMG 8261

Utah people, you still have two weeks to go try this!  I am pretty sure Brooke and I each ate a lb as we were picking (they tell you that you can eat as much as you want while you are out there) and then took a lb home for $2.50.  The couple that own this patch are seriously the nicest people you will ever meet in your life.  

IMG 8244

It was a good night and now we want to live on a farm.

IMG 8242

Fast forward to Sunday.

Megan had never had a turkey burger in her entire life until yesterday when I made her and her roommate come over for lunch to try one on a salad.  The verdict was that she loved it.  Spinach, turkey burger (pan seared… from Costco), avocado, feta, carrots, cucumber, almonds and TJ’s Asian Peanut Dressing.  

IMG 8356

I also made sweet potato fries to eat with our salads.  I just chop up the sweet potato, toss them in olive oil and South Africa Smoke seasoning and bake at 400 degrees for about 35-45 minutes.

IMG 8352

Next stop was to my parents’ house and Brooke was thrilled to see my sister.  PS sissy is more than half-way done with her pregnancy!  She is still running but having some SI Joint pain:(

Brooke says my sister’s name at least 40 times a day.

IMG 8366

 Chicken burrito/tacos for dinner.

IMG 8371

And I brought THE BEST PEACH DESSERT THAT YOU WILL EVER HAVE IN YOUR LIFETIME.

Megan’s Life Changing Peach Dessert:

10-12 peaches

3 oz peach jello mix

1 can of sweetened condensed milk

1 cup of sugar (she uses stevia or sugar in the raw)

1 tbs corn starch

2 cups water

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 container cool whip

1 package of shortbread cookies

Cook water, jello mix, cornstarch and sugar together until dissolved (on stove).  While that is cooling, peel and slice peaches.  

In a separate bowl mix sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and cool whip together.  Put shortbread cookies in a ziplock and smash.  Spread 1/2 of the cookies on bottom of a 9x 13 pan, next layer sweetened condensed mixture, add peaches, pour mellow mix over top, pour remaining cookies over that.  Put in fridge for 3-4 hours.  

She also added to make sure to—> “Devour.  Feel really happy.  Sneak back for seconds or thirds.  Call Megan and thank her for changing your life. Eat another spoonful.  Go to bed. Wake up and eat the rest for breakfast.”

My whole family loved it and my dad made sure to tell me that this dessert was DEFINITELY blog-worthy.

IMG 8374

Brooke asked for Minnie Mouse hair yesterday and I did my best to fulfill her wish.  

IMG 8387

GOOOO DEENA!!! Seriously, so so incredible.  

Screen Shot 2014 09 21 at 8 20 12 PM

12 days until marathon day.  The taper continues (I ended with 41 miles last week and I will probably do about 30 this week).

————————————————————–

Who else has a fall marathon or half-marathon!?!? How many more days?

Anyone have a birthday coming up?  How many more days until your bday?

What is your favorite day of the week?

What is a food that is pretty common to most people that you have never tried before?

You May Also Like

99 comments

Reply

Less than two weeks until my first marathon!!! I was having a ton of butterflies before I ran 20-miles and now I feel much more confident! I am ready for this!

Raspberry picking sounds so fun! I would love to go apple picking or … any kind of fruit picking!

Reply

I’ve been totally following your journey, & you’re going to kill it! (guess I should post this on your blog…) I can’t wait to read about it!

Reply

Your sister’s pregnancy is going by so fast and it feels like mine is going so slow! She may pass me up! I was so sick until 24 weeks I had to stop running. I can’t wait to get going again!

Reply

Raspberries are my favorite fruit so it’s certainly something I want to do. I have never been! On the east coast and in jersey we have a ton of peach picking, blueberries and even strawberries…but no raspberries (that I know of)!

Brooke is so cute and totally rocking her Minnie Mouse hair!

Reply

Just had a half marathon yesterday but a less than stellar experience and certainly no records! my birthday is in october and just another reason for me to love fall! Any kind of fruit picking is plain fun and my kids are now old enough to do well with apple picking too. I remember my daughter at 18 months being a pro at raspberries, it is made for the little ones :)

Reply

I have a half marathon in less than 2 weeks and my full is the Richmond in just under 8 weeks!!! I am already praying for good weather! :)
I LOVE raspberries!!!!!
Deena and Kara……AWESOME!!!

Reply

Bestest/weirdest/amazingest food combo: dipping my chicken nuggets in my frosty from Wendys. I know, but try it, you won’t regret it.

Reply

NYC Marathon in 40 days! I’m so excited!

Favorite day of the week, probably Saturday because I usually don’t have anything planned, so I can spend time with the family and just sleep in and relax.

I’ve never had a cheeseburger. I’m not a big fan of cheese, so I’ve never put it on my hamburger before. Not sure that I want to try it. I know, its probably really weird.

Reply

those berries look amazing and i am now seriously craving some!!! i’ve never eat tuna from a can and i feel like that is weird to people…

favorite day of the week— saturday!!!!

Reply

I do have a few halfs coming up but I’m still injured so we’ll see.

Also, I’m pretty stoked it’s Apple season and I’ve been devouring freshly made apple fritters so maybe I have gained a little weight, oops.

Reply

No races yet but I just finished two half marathons this month.

My favourite day is Saturday because I get the whole day, and next, with my son away from my work and his daycare!

It’s not a food but I haven’t tried coffee!

Reply

Raspberry picking sounds awesome!!! I went on a camping vacation to Orgeon and there were blackberries EVERYWHERE. They tasted so much better and sweeter than the ones you buy in a store.

Reply

I love turkey burgers on salads! In fact that’s what I was planning on making for dinner tonight :) yum!

Reply

I love fruit picking!
I’m running the Chicago Marathon and the Flying Monkey Marathon. I’m a little nervous about the monkey.
And…Sunday is my favorite day of the week:)

Reply

26 days until my first marathon (Grand Rapids Marathon).
I am so nervous/excited/scared.

Reply

Those salads & sweet potato fries…yummmmm!

Reply

I ran philly yesterday and it was so inspirational!
She is FAST!!!

We might go apple picking today :)

Happy Monday

Reply

I love Brooke’s Minnie ears! No marathons/halfs for me – unless you consider labor…in which case I’m right ahead of your sister (by about 2 weeks)! Sad she’s having some joint pain, hopefully it goes away soon!!

Reply

33 days until Half #7 for me! I want to eat every inch of that peach dessert you made – I don’t think I’d be able to share

Reply

I have a marathon on Nov 23rd so still quite a bit of time and I’m not counting down the days quite yet…I think I have 9 weeks left.
I would say that Saturdays are my favorite day of the week because I do my long run, no work, and can relax and get excited for a rest day on Sunday!

Reply

We went raspberry picking at Phelps a few weeks ago and I want to try this one too! I think they should weigh my kids pre and post picking to see if they should charge us!

My husbands birthday is on Wednesday and I meet people with his same birthday all the time. It seems like a pretty common one. And I’ve only met 2 people in my life that share mine!

Reply

I’m amazed by how many people haven’t had a turkey burger! I love the sweet onion seasoned kind!

I’m debating whether I should do a half marathon on October 25. I’d really like to because I haven’t raced in a long time, but a good friend has her bachelorette party that weekend so if I do it I’ll be EXHAUSTED that whole time. Hmmm decisions decisions.

Reply

oh me oh me… I have a full in 18 days… holy Hannah it’s coming! I’m not in freak out mode… why does three weeks sounds longer than 18 days!

For some reason my favorite day of the week is Thursday… I love them.. maybe it’s the anticipation of Friday and the weekend!

Reply

I have never had almond butter because for one, I never liked almonds and two, I developed an almond (and walnut) allergy as I got older. No biggie since I live on peanut butter! I have the Runner’s World Half coming up along with the 5k and 10k to complete the hat trick!

Reply

That is so interesting because I also developed an almond allergy as I got older. So weird, I always thought you were born with any sensitivities….at least peanut butter is so yummy!

Reply

Bummer about your sister’s SI joint pain. I am 32 weeks and had to quit running about a month ago due to the same thing… couldn’t even walk! Fortunately it’s lessened but I’m afraid to try to run too much again because I don’t want it to come back!

Reply

My first full marathon on December 6th! I will be halfway through training at the end of the week.

Reply

I have a half on 10/12 and then another on 11/8.
And my 41st birthday is on 10/25!!

I can so appreciate the masters category ;) go deena!

I have never tried ketchup on eggs. Looks gross but apparently half the world eats eggs that way.

Reply

I am obsessed with berries. It’s a problem because I can eat a little thing of blackberries in 10 minutes and they’re so expensive! Sounds like I need to get out to Utah (although, pretty sure the cost of plane tix would more than make up for the savings on berries!)

There’s not a common food that I’ve never tried I don’t think BUT I am least picky eater in the world except I don’t like EGGS AND BACON! I so, so wish I did. I feel like eggs are the perfect food–cheap, easy, great protein and supposedly delicious–the only problem is I can’t get em into my mouth without gagging!

33 days til my first ever marathon–Marine Corps!! WOO!

Reply

I ran RnR Philly yesterday, I was fun running the same course that Deena killed!! I can never get my sweet potato fries right, I’ll have to try it your way.

Reply

I have my last 1/2 of this season in less than 2 weeks!

I am pretty adventurous when it comes to food, so I like to try everything :)

Reply

My 25th birthday is coming up in about a month and a half and I’m pretty sure I’m going through a quarter life crisis. Please tell me it gets better from here!

Reply

I have a marathon in 40 days, and I get butterflies just typing it!
I have never eaten a lot of junk foods–twinkies, ring dings, kraft mac and cheese…no thanks.
Way to go Deena!
I remember when taking my kids fruit picking was an “event”, now it takes them about 15 minutes and I have more than enough fruit! However, they get to do the baking or we make jam!

Reply

Good luck with the rest of your training! I hope it goes well and that you feel fantastic for your race!!!
~Bre

Reply

I have the SoJo half marathon in 26 days! It was my first half marathon a few years ago so it has a warm place in my heart. The pressure is off a little as I achieved my goal at the Big Cottonwood. I would still like to shave about 10 minutes off my course time from last year. I am so excited for your marathon! Enjoy the taper (as best you can)!

Reply

I’m running the Atlanta Half Marathon on Thanksgiving Day! It’s my favorite race, and this will be my third time running it. Burn lots of calories then go stuff your face guilt-free. What’s not to love?!

Reply

My birthday is coming up in 13 days! It’s the big 33!

I also have a half coming up in 34 days! Training was going great, but then it got sidelined by a hip/IT band/knee combo injury so I’ve been going to physio and swimming for the last little bit. The PT says no running until the end of the month, soooooooo hopefully I’ll be able to pick up with it all again in October for my Oct.26th Half date! If it doesn’t end up going well, at least I’ll have music on the course to enjoy as I walk on by! It’s the inaugural Vancouver Oasis Rock n’ Roll!

Reply

5 days until my marathon!!!!!!!!
Current status: taper madness. I don’t know what to do with myself!

Reply

What a fun day! I was definitely a Minnie Mouse fan when I was little too, and I refused to take off this giant red bow with white polka dots (a la Minnie) for about a year of my life.

I actually haven’t signed up for any races this Fall because I’ve been nursing a silly Achilles for a while but I am dying to get back out there. For now, I am enjoying being the support team for all of my running friends and for my boyfriend who is running his first (and he swears last) marathon in Chicago in a few weeks! I am going to try my best to enjoy being on the sidelines for this one, which will likely involve me drinking a lot of coffee and screaming my face off when he comes by. Keeping my eye on Spring races for now!

Reply

oh my gosh all your food looks AWESOME! I would love to find a pick your own raspberry place near me! that sounds amazing (and delicious)

Reply

my grandma use to take us berry picking when we were little – the farm we went to jokingly weighed kids when they came in and again when they left to get the amount of berries they ate while picking.

I have a half marathon in about a month.

My birthday is in December – so I guess that’s coming up!

Reply

I ran a half marathon yesterday – PB! No where near as fast as you ;-)

I’ve never tried shwarma (or however you spell it) before – although everyone else around me has. It just doesn’t appeal to me.

Reply

I’m in week two of training for my third marathon! And my birthday is in almost exactly a month — can’t wait!

Also, I wish we had a place close by to pick raspberries — I think my kiddos would love it!

Reply

My Grandpa grew berries on his farm and we used to pick them all summer long then freeze for the winter. We had to stop though because I was allergic to them and would break out in hives. A few years ago I tried eating then again and thankfully no longer allergic to them. That would make me sad too cuz berries are my favorite.

Reply

I have my third half marathon on Saturday! I’m very excited, but I hate the taper. It always kills me mentally because I have more time to get down on myself, but trying to stay positive!
Plus, my Dad just rode his 12th century ride last weekend! I’ve got the best inspiration :)

Reply

Love the Minnie Mouse hair! So cute! You guys are going to have so much fun!

Thanks for the recommendation on the turkey burgers from Costco. I’m going to have to check those out!

Reply

Raspberry picking is SO FUN!!!! I have been dying to go apple picking and its on my list of things to do this weekend!!! :) :)

I am soooo excited for my marathon….it is four weeks from yday, eeeek!!!!! :) :) Only one more week until I begin the Taper Crazies!!!

Reply

I want to pick raspberries! And apples. And go pumpkin picking. Maybe I should live on a farm. haha

Reply

Mmmm I just bought a basket of peaches and now I know what I’ll be making!

Reply

I’m running the Chicago Marathon in 20 days (I’m just running with my sister or friend that are both doing their first marathons) and then I’m running the Runner’s World Half in PA 7 days later… it’s going to be rough but also so awesome! haha :)

Reply

Fridays! Especially now that Ross has them off and it means that I still have the whole weekend left.

I feel bad for your sister and her SI pain. I hear ya. And it always is the suck to have to stop running (I haven’t ran since Monday because the hamstring pain is back with a vengeance. Waaaaaaaaaaa!)

My half birthday is coming up next month. Don’t even try and tell me that isn’t a thing.

Just pinned Megan’s dessert. I will be making that soon because I have been dreaming about it since she posted the picture on IG. So glad there is a recipe to go along with it now.

Reply

I wish i lived in Utah so I could go pick/eat fresh raspberries! No fall marathons, but I do have a 10 mile race next month so I’m looking forward to that.

I think Friday’s are my favorite, since you have the whole weekend still in front of you.

And my birthday is TOMORROW!! Yay for fall birthdays :)

Reply

Love your blog – great posts! You are totally inspiring! I have a fall half coming up – the Staten Island Half Marathon 0n Oct. 12. It will be my third Half this year. I’m a super slow runner compared to you – Average split coming in around the 9 minute mark but for this Half I hope to break into the 8 minute category. Really enjoy your blog and you should know you are a wonderful, positive and inspirational person. :)

Reply

I ran a 1/2 marathon yesterday. I didn’t get the PB I was hoping for but it was my favourite race to date! so much fun and far more important than a PB.

Reply

Okay, those Costco turkey burgers are to DIE FOR! I could legitimately eat one daily for the rest of my life and die happy.

I have never gone berry/fruit picking…so sad! Maybe one day I won’t live in the arctic tundra and will experience this wonderfulness. So glad you had fun! :)

Reply

Oh, my goodness! The picture of Brooke and your sister is the cutest thing!

Reply

I actually ran at the Philly RnR half yesterday and it was my first half marathon. The verdict – I loved it! I’m trying to think of my next race – I’m thinking the Runner’s World 10k next month sounds nice :)

Reply

12 days until the St. George Marathon for me too….CAN’T WAIT!!! The taper is getting harder starting today!! The turkey burger/sweet potato fry combo sounds amazing-thanks for the idea!!

Reply

I am running the Halloween Half on Oct 25. I’m a little ahead on my training, so I need to figure that out…and my daughter’s 3rd birthday is the same day. I always wanted an fall birthday (mine is in Feb) so I live vicariously through her and I’m so excited.
I’ve never tried Mountain Dew (if that counts as a food). It just always looked so unnaturally colored I couldn’t bring myself to try it. Also never had turkey burgers….

Reply

I’ve got two weeks (from yesterday) until the Portland Marathon. Getting really pumped and excited. Then it’s just one or two small races until the New Year. I love ending my seasons with a boom!

My favorite day of the week is Saturday because it always means I get to spend a full day with my hubby.

Reply

I think I could make that peach dessert gluten free. Nice. Thanks :)

Reply

My fall is actually kind of busy, race-wise! I have a trail half marathon this Saturday – my first trail race! I had a bad week last week due to some muscle soreness and now I’m freaking out a little about not being ready, but I’m planning on using it more as a training run anyway for my trail 50k in December (aka it’s just a long run and practice to get the feel of racing on trails since I have never done it.)

Next month I’m also running the Berkeley Half Marathon, and I’m going for a PR in that one.

Reply

Mmmm… raspberries and blackberries fresh from a farm! That sounds so good! I feel like I would eat my weight in berries if I went on a little adventure like that hahah.

Favorite day of the week – definitely Friday, especially Friday morning. Something about knowing the weekend has arrived instantly puts me in a good mood. :)

Reply

All of your food looks amazingly delicious!!!! I have marathon #10 in 19 days!!! I can’t wait to hear about your marathon!

Reply

Marshall University Marathon — 41 days… (Jeez, that’s coming up fast!)

Love the look on Brooke’s face on the porch swing.

“Back in the day” I picked berries as a way to make money for school clothes. I think it was really a way for my mom to get us kids out of the house. We got paid by the flat. Your berry picking adventure looks more fun.

Reply

I wanna go pick some raspberries!! Yum!

I’m thinking of doing the Provo haunted half at the end of October! I know you did it last year. Is there anything I should be worried about for that race? Or is it just a fun race?!

Reply

I ran the Fox Valley Marathon yesterday! It was beautiful! I’m thinking about running a half in November. I love fall races. My favorite day of the week is Friday. I love it because it means a quiet, relaxing family night with my husband and children. I grew up keeping kosher so I have never had a lot of common foods: bacon, shellfish, McDonalds…

Reply

My very first marathon is on nov 2, I am in the peak of my training right now. Feeling hungry all the time but body feeling good!
Favorite day of the week is Sunday! It is my rest day from running and my day off with hubby!
I like a lot of foods, the most recent kind of common food I tried this week was beets. The jury is still out on that one lol!

Reply

Brooke must have a knack for details! My little sister is also pretty good at finding the best of the best at pick your own farms.

Reply

Deena Kastor is amazing!!! I’ve never gone raspberry picking before but I suspect I would love it. I’m rather fond of blueberry picking in Maine. In china theres not a lot of berries… smog probably suffocates them all. Oh well

Reply

That peach dessert looks incredible! I just ran a half marathon last weekend in Leesburg, VA (Divas Wine Country race). It killed my knees, but I have another one coming up called Grete’s Great Gallop half marathon in NYC’s Central Park. I’ve done it every year since I have lived in NYC. It’s a great race but also very hilly, hoping to recoup my knees over the next two weeks to get them primed for this!

Reply

A little nervous about the Chicago marathon in three weeks but I will take your advice and trust the training! I think that dessert is a must in my carb loading!

Reply

Your marathon is SO close!! Such good looking food you ate this weekend!

Reply

According to my Marine Corps App: 33 days, 19 hours and 19 mins until my marathon.

Reply

What a fun tradition! I want to go berry picking :)

xo

Reply

Cannot wait to go apple picking. I think my toddler will love it. Those turkey burgers look amazing. Any meal with avocado is a win for me. Just posted a great recipe yesterday for Italian turkey burgers with apples: http://www.aimforhealthybites.com/turkey-burgers-with-apples/

Reply

My birthday is 5 months away which is a long time but I’m turning 18, so I’m literally counting down the days, I’m so excited!! Favourite day of the week is Saturday, because I can finally sleep past 6:30!! I wish there was somewhere near by me to pick raspberries, they’re one of my favourite fruits!

Reply

I am running the Dallas Half Marathon on December 14. According to my Hal Higdon app, it is 83 days away! My training starts TODAY!!!!

Reply

I am running the B.A.A Half Marathon in 19 days! I am so nervous! My favorite day of the week is Sunday. I love lazy Sundays, especially in the fall when it is still warm enough to sit out on the deck and read while enjoying a Shipyard Pumpkinhead beer. This is also my favorite time of the year to enjoy the SoWa vintage market and open air market in Boston. The food trucks there are amazing!

Reply

My birthday is on October 17! I am excited about it, the older I get the more happy I am and settled I am in my life. My first half marathon in 10 years is the Marine Corps half marathon in Jacksonville on October 3 and I am thrilled! I’ve had a crappy run and a great run so I think I’ve got the highs and lows out-of-the-way :-).

Reply

5 days until my next half! I’ve really got the full marathon itch again… it’s been almost a year since my last full and I think I’m having withdrawals. You run so many cool races! Enjoy your taper :)

I love Sundays because my husband is home and it’s nice to have the whole family together! Or maybe even Saturday’s because I know the next morning we “sleep in” (at least until the toddler wakes up).

Reply

I have the Hokie Half Marathon on October 12, and can’t wait!

Friday mornings are definitely my favorite time of the week!

Reply

Trader Joe’s has a really good Chile Lime Chicken burger that I love to put on salads!! I have a fall marathon in 26 days. Eek! I’m definitely not feeling confident yet, but I will get there. :)

Reply

I have two half marathons and a 15k race coming up! The first one is this Saturday-only 5 days away!!

Reply

I have never had kabocha squash. Maybe not a globally popular item, but it seems to be fairly popular in the fitness blogging world.

Reply

Great Sweet Potato Fries Recipe! (because you like ’em a lot!)
Cut your potatoes and shake them (in a produce bag from the grocery store) in this awesome stuff called ARROWROOT POWDER. Trust me. It’s the best. Drizzle some olive oil in there and shake ’em again. Then shake ’em with some season-salt.

Bake them on parchment paper at 425 until they look crispy then flip them over and do it again. (About 15 minutes on each side). They will turn out much crispier than they do otherwise!

Reply

The raspberry picking looks absolutely wonderful! Great deal!
Also, not sure if that was the oil you used, but you should never use EVOO on high heat. The smoke point is too low for EVOO for the 400 temps. It will cause a chemical reaction and ruins the taste of the food as well as it can produce cancer causing compounds. Stick to regular olive oil or grapeseed oil for high heat :)

Reply

Deena Kastor is such an inspiration! That peach dessert sounds so good :)

Reply

I have a half marathon in 20 days! It’s my first race where I have a time goal for myself, so I’m starting to get a little anxious.

9 days until I hit the big 3-0! I feel like I’m supposed to be freaked out, but I don’t really feel any older.

My favorite day of the week is Saturday because that’s the day I run with my running group. :)

Reply

Hey Janae!!!

I just finished a 1/2 marathon yesterday. Had a ton of fun. Didn’t finish with the time I had hoped – but I finished!! Today is recovery for me so I’m taking the day off:) Good luck with your continued tapering.

Reply

I turn 40 in 27 days!!

Reply

hey thanks for stopping by and reading my recap from the weekend. I felt like a celebrity! ;)

I love Brooke, enjoy your taper. :)

I have never had a turkey burger…so I will come over the next time you are cooking.

Reply

Marine Corp Marathon Oct. 26th. Not sure how many days that is-but I ran a great twenty yesterday.

Reply

Finished my 2nd marathon this past weekend at the Top of Utah marathon in Logan. I felt great!! It was such a better experience from my first one. And I cut 42 min off my time! It felt amazing!

Reply

I have a 1/2 marathon in 2 weeks and a full in November.

We pick a berry called Saskatoons around here, they are high up in very tall bushes, Brooke would need to be lifted in order to pick! Your peach dessert looks amazing, looks like Brooke is dancing beside it! I would be too!

Deena is unbelievable!

Reply

I just had my fall marathon, and I nailed it! On my 4th attempt I finally got that BQ I have been trying for. So happy!!!!

Reply

I have a half marathon this weekend 9/27, 10/11 and then my FIRST FULL 11/15!! I am SOOOO EXCITED!

Reply

Mmm, all of the food looks delicious!

Reply

16 days until my first half marathon!! I’m running it in Victoria, BC. It’s gonna be slow but I’ve gotta start somewhere I guess:)

Leave a Reply to Tedi Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *