I almost had a meltdown this morning with regards to my knee and foot injuries. Usually I can handle it pretty well. But occasionally I’ll have a moment where any female-related emotions are released into one giant spout of venting.
My biking helmet was on; I was ready to head outdoors. Then an innocent bystander (aka, my mom) fell victim to this release of emotion. I let my forehead lean into the wall with a loud c-l-u-n-k, as I exclaimed, “this is so frustrating!” The instant I did it, I felt like a whiny 2-year old who wanted the purple bike instead of the red one. Awful, awful. I know I should be thankful that I can even bike! Where was this pity party coming from, anyways?
My mom just smiled and patted me on my way out the door. I think she knew a long bike ride would bring me back to planet earth. 😉
I pedaled my way past grassy fields of farm land, while taking in some vitamin D (it was supposed to pour all day…psh! Love it when the weather men prove incorrect. 😀 )
It didn’t take long before I realized how silly I was being. I think this whole process of having an injury is teaching me the lesson of living in the present. The now. Just enjoying where I’m at and making the most of it by enjoying other things that I love. Yes, I am a runner. But I’m also more than that. I have so many other loves and passions in life, and this is just a good opportunity for me to explore some of them. Such as biking. 😀
And, after this morning’s rendezvous, I can honestly say that biking is pretty awesome. 
On to the next topic of this post: butter.
Butter is one of those foods that is oftentimes shunned by health conscious foodies and adored by chefs. I kind of prefer to stand in the middle. 😀
While butter is indeed high in saturated fats and should be limited in your diet (while monunsaturated fats such as olive oils should be encouraged,) I can honestly say that I will always have real butter in my house. It lasts forever (since only a small amount is ever needed) and it adds such a depth of flavor to certain dishes. Tonight it was used to make a creamy white sauce for some homemade scalloped potatoes. This recipe takes some time but is totally worth it (and, most of the time is hands-off, “in-the-oven” time. )
Creamy Scalloped Potatoes
- 2 lb. potatoes (about 6 medium)
- 1 T butter
- 3 T. flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2-1/2 c. milk (I used 1%)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 c.)
- pat of butter to spread on baking dish
- Wash potatoes. Cut into thin slices.
- Heat 1 T. butter in saucepan over low heat until melted. Blend in flour, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring and smashing the lumps constantly until smooth in texture.
- Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly with a whisk. Boil and whisk for 1 minute.
- Arrange potatoes in lightly buttered 2-quart casserole in 3 layers, topping each of the layers with 1/2 of the onion and 1/3 of the white sauce. Top with remaining potatoes and sauce.
- Cover and cook in 325 F oven 40 minutes. Uncover and cook until potatoes are tender, 60-70 minutes longer.
Makes 6 servings
I think these fancy schmancy potatoes put my sardines to shame, but oh well. It tasted amazing and that’s all that matters.
This is my last full week of classes before I graduate! I can hardly believe it. 😀
Question: Do you ever cook with butter? I love using it in moderation, where I think that the little bit of flavor it offers will shine through and make it totally worth it. 😀
Running To Slow Things Down 
The only thing I try to avoid in my diet is saturated fats from commercially raised animals. Organic Valley sells this product called “pasture butter” which is essentially made when the cows graze on grass the most so it has a rich yellow color and is higher on omega-3’s. It’s absolutely amazing for adding flavor or frying an egg in.
I agree with Evan 100% on this. He took the words right out of my mouth.
I’ve definitely had moments like that when I just want to throw a tantrum like a toddler. Usually ANY type of exercise helps me out, too. 🙂
I most definitely use real butter. I’m not against the other butter substitutes, but I don’t use butter very often, so I’m all for the real thing. 🙂
I don’t use butter very often, but when I do it tastes so good! I always make sure to use the good stuff too. 🙂
Exercise is such a wonderful thing, and I always feel better (if previously not so much so) after a long workout of any kind. Sorry to hear about your little episode, but you are doing the right thing for yourself by letting your body heal itself. You have said many times before how creative this has made you with finding new ways to incorporate fitness into your life. You are such a positive thinker and it is so inspirational to read your posts everyday. You will be back to normal in no time, and in the mean time- enjoy the biking and the walking. 🙂
Thank you so much, Justine, for the words of encouragement! 😀
Gorgeous photos – glad you had an amazing bike ride! I love scalloped potatoes – it has been way too long since I have had them.
I remember when I was on crutches and got stuck because both crutches fell… and I just stood there, facing the wall, and banged my fist against it and cried. Sometimes you just have to feel it, face the emotion, and then you’re more capable of moving forward. It’s not easy to be limited to what you can do… but there’s always someone worse off. So you have an amazing attitude to be focusing on what you can do. You’ll probably really fall in love with biking during this time of recovery. 🙂 And I definitely use real butter in moderation. It’s mostly reserved for dessert baking. My cookies just don’t come out as perfect if I use a substitute.
Yeah for real butter!;)
A little bit makes such a huge difference. Try it on fresh bread with a little salt…needs nothing more! Or as the final step in making risotto…mmm
Hope you’re having a great day girl!
x Julia (Taste of Living)
My relationship with butter is a work in progress!
I needed this post today though, as my mother is making dinner which does contain quite an amount of butter to improve the taste, and of course I am sitting here stressing. This post did actually help me calm down, as it was another reminder that no one “dies” by using a bit of butter now and then.
Oh, and your ride sounds great 🙂
Sounds like the long bike ride did you well! The pics are beautiful! I’d LOVE to get a bike and take some long peacefull rides myself!
a long bike ride will cure anything for sure 🙂 i am a firm believer!
i don’t cook with butter but i use olive oil for everything!
Moms are always so good for letting us vent then helping us come back to reality!
We don’t use butter in our house 🙂 We cook with oil and use margarine in baking.
I often cook with butter. It tastes great and you only need a little bit to go a long way.
Momas are great! What would we do without them?!
I do cook with butter. But no fake butter. I make sure its real and organic.
xo
Jocelyn
Butter is good stuff. For sure. Especially on potatoes and the like.
I once splurged on a very expensive jar of coconut butter…so so amazing. I might try to make it an occasional buy …its so expensive,,,not possible to have it all the time!