Dear Runner's World {August issues}

I've changed since becoming a mother. There's the obvious things: sleeping less, jiggling more, all the crying.

And there's the obvious things. Just ask my running friends or the people in the front row of my group ex classes.

I've gone from a girl who bought a size small sports bra, not caring about support, to someone strapping on a 34D in the hopes that the girls will stay put. So it was with great interest that I read the "Real Bra-Vado" story in your most recent issue. (Ironically, I turned the page to this story as I was pumping. No joke.)

The image associated with the headline and intro featured three women who were chosen, more than likely, based on a directive to be diverse. The image was striking in its beauty and determination. At first, I was impressed to see a plus-size model. Well done, RW. First there was the story about being "fat and fit" (your words, not mine) and now a shapely girl modeling a sports bra.

Except she wasn't wearing a sports bra. It was a tank. It covered her belly, came down to her hips. The other girls ... well, they didn't have shirts on and the bras hit at the heart line. Flat bellies for days!

Still, I tried not to be annoyed. I didn't want to get all hormonal and ragey while I was trying to enjoy my 15 minutes of solitude.

I quickly flipped past the A/B page (no use getting excited about things that will not be useful for the next few months) and waffled on the C/D selections. I'm definitely a D, even after a good feeding.

My blonde beauty, as I've now claimed her, was with the D/DD picks for best bra. She was modeling a style that confounded me – a ladder back sports bra. I can't even get on my Moving Comfort Fiona without hooking it in the front and scooting it around before pulling up the straps. There's no way that I'd manage to get a bra with multiple elastic straps across the back over my head, down my shoulders and flat on my back. Nope. Not going to happen.

But the style is not my issue. I am agitated that this model, the one I called a blonde beauty, is never shown face-on with a sports bra. She's covered up in a tank or shown from behind. Sure, maybe people don't want to see that. I certainly don't want to see myself in just my Juno right now (so sorry so honest) but if you were going to act that way, why not find a big busted lady who has a smaller wasist.

Wait. WAIT! I almost forgot. The other models were runners and my girl ... well, she does a walk/"jog." JOG. JOG! As much as we preach that no matter the pace we are all runners, you called her a jogger.

For future reference, your copy desk might want to think a little more critically next time.

All the best,
Kimberly

The Power Lunch {aka Get Shit Done Hour}

I have a sourdough starter.
 
It's revolutionary, I know, and incredibly sexy. You have to feed it and love it. You have to make sure it's still alive, not too hot or too cold. You have to let it out every once in a while and play with it. Really, it's a lot like a dog - except that you get to eat bread at the end or give it away to people who like bread, which makes people think you are a nice. A dog just craps on the floor and stares at you.

 

But, back to the bread.

I had to go home at lunch this afternoon to manage the two batches of Extra-Tangy Sourdough Bread I had working. (See, just like a dog!) I had made the dough this morning, and I gave it the required four hours to "relax." I was on step 3, which required me to add additional flour, sugar and salt, and then move on to the kneading, step 4. As I am in the new school of bread making, I fully embrace the stand mixer for kneading. It saves my arm muscles for things like bicep curls and frees up my time for other things.

In the case of today, it allowed me to switch over laundry, put four pairs of dirty shoes in the washer (three pairs of my sneakers and Miles' Converse low tops), hide some Easter basket goodies from curious toddlers and prep dinner.

Tonight, it's Meat and Grain Burgers from the Runner's World Cookbook. Mark had requested beef burgers so I bought a package of beef ... Laura's Lean Beef and decided to use that recipe, adding a whole bunch of stuff that I will not tell him about. Keep your fingers crossed that he does not read this before dinner. When I get home tonight, I just need to fire up the grill pan and spend 10 minutes in the kitchen before we can enjoy our first meal of the year al fresco.

In that hour I spent at home, which is about 10 minutes away from the office, I felt more accomplished than I have in a long time. Domestically speaking, of course. It was nice. It didn't hurt that it is a gorgeous day, and I got to feel the sun on my face as I drove and crack the kitchen window as I prepped.

Normally, I will spend the lunch hour working or going out to eat. Every few weeks, I might throw in a workout. I like the latter the most, followed by restaurants and then work. However, today's sense of "git-r-done" almost makes me want to try this once a week or so.

Then again, doing laundry might get old ... older than it already is. Let's make it every two weeks.

Tell me: How do you spend your lunch break?

***

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Running to the kitchen: A cookbook review

I was told by a wise not-so-old vegan that baked tofu would change my world, especially as a new semi-vegetarian.

And she was right.

From the first bite to the last (five days later), I relished the texture and flavor of the baked tofu. Maybe it was my mad skills or the curry powder or the "garnishes" - edamame, brown rice, grape tomatoes and seeds - that made it so great. No matter. I had found a dish, the first in a while, that I didn't mind eating at my desk all week.

I'd love to take credit for the creation but the Brown Rice with Curried Tofu Salad recipe is among 150 in "The Runner's World Cookbook: 150 Ultimate Recipes for Fueling Up and Slimming Down --While Enjoying Every Bite."

Full disclosure: I received a copy of the cookbook, for free, in advance, to review but I chose to make the dishes and all opinions are my own.

From the editors: Runners need to eat well in order to perform, and what they eat can have a direct influence on how they run. The Runner’s World Cookbook is the perfect combination of performance-boosting nutrients to maximize performance with easy, delicious, and quick recipes. This cookbook contains 150 recipes sourced primarily from the authoritative voice in running itself, Runner’s World magazine, along with exciting additional content. These recipes are intended to maximize a runner’s performance

The Brown Rice with Curried Tofu Salad was suggested for recovery but I found it to be a hearty and forgiving lunch that I could take to work. It had protein from the tofu, edamame and seeds, complex carbs from the rice and color from the tomatoes. I love curry, and I relished the simplicity of the flavorings that allowed it to shine through.

While I was running around the kitchen (ha - get it), I also made a batch of the Creamy Potato-Spinach Soup. I loved how easy this recipe came together and the volume it made. I served it for an informal dinner with my in-laws and niece, and there was more than enough to go around among four adults and two hungry toddlers.

I did make a double batch that evening so that I could send some home with my mother-in-law + freeze, and we were both happy with how well it thawed and reheated. Another week of lunches for me!

While I've featured lunch/dinner fare of the vegetarian variety, the cookbook has breakfast, snacks and smoothies recipes, meat and poultry main dishes, fish and seafood main dishes and dessert recipes. I have a number of other them bookmarked, too - Chickpea-Pesto Tomato Soup, Grilled Vegetable Polenta Casserole, Sticky Toffee Figgy Cupcakes.

The gorgeous photos, beautiful graphic display have me excited to actually use a cookbook again rather than relying on Pinterest finds. The hardback book without a jacket makes it easy to have in the kitchen while cooking and - bonus - you don't have to worry about causing a $1,000 damage if a drop falls on it.

"The Runner's World Cookbook" (288 pages, Rodale, $26.99) is available in hardback and on Kindle.