Long Runs and Strawberry Tea Bread

Monday morning comes and the lyrics by Wilson Phillips go through my head

…..Monday, Monday

can’t trust that day

Monday, Monday

Sometimes it just turns out that way…

That song is a little tough to figure out but it was playing in my head as I lay in bed.  I got up with the alarm and was going to do a long run today.  My back was in spasms so I decided to go back to bed.  “Monday, Monday” kept repeating.  I didn’t get back to sleep.  I hear “I thought you were going to do your long run?”  What was Ted doing talking to me before 5 AM in the morning?  Couldn’t he see I was pretending to be asleep?   I answered simply  “I decided not to”. 

At 4:50, I gave up and got up.  Shane and I ran outside for 8 miles.  It was 65 degrees.  The back spasms stopped as soon as I got into my run. That’s typical. Too much time spent in the kitchen always seems to result in a sore back.   Since I was immediately setting out for my run, I needed quick carbs and decided on pure fruit gel. 

100% natural: Apple, banana, concentrated apple juice, and lemon juice.  It tastes like a squirt of apple sauce to be honest. Quite fresh tasting and goes down easy.  50 calories, 13 g carbs, 12 g sugars.   These might be good to add to shake for flavor!

It was nice outside.  I couldn’t bring myself to listen to the news only to hear more coverage about the oil spill and all the damage it’s causing.  The lives of people and the destruction of wildlife.  It’s all just so heart wrenching.   Instead, the outside air and sounds of nature   in the morning, loud against the background of human silence, is one sure way to awaken the senses and make you grateful the day is new and filled with all sorts of opportunity  .  Even though that day is MONDAY! 

It’s strawberry season in New York.  Pick your own berries.  The farms are advertising like crazy.

In the grocery store, berries are available from local farms so if you don’t have time to take a ride and pick your own, simply look for your favorite source at the grocery store.   Tassleberry Farm berries are available at Hannaford’s.

I had some extra berries and decided to make a strawberry bread.  I call this Tea Bread.

 Strawberry Tea Bread

• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 2 cups + 1 TBS flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1 cup sour cream, reduced fat or fat free
• powdered sugar (optional)
• whip cream and strawberry preserves (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 F.  Spray a 9 x 9 square pan with non-stick flour baking spray.

Toss the sliced strawberries with the 1 TBS of flour and set aside.

Mix together the 2 cups flour, baking powder, salt and ginger and set aside.

Cream the butter and sugar.  Add the eggs and the almond extract and the sour cream and mix well.

Blend JUST UNTIL MIXED, the flour and butter mixtures.  Stir in carefully the strawberries.

Turn into  the prepared pan and bake 30 – 35 minutes or until lightly browned.

Serve topped with a sprinkling of powdered sugar

Don’t forget your strawberry…

Or whip up a quick batch of whipped cream with heavy cream and a little powdered sugar – whip until peaks hold form

Serve with whipped cream and a heap of strawberry preserves, like a a scone!

Super easy. Super good.

What other flavor, other than ginger, might pair really well with strawberries?

Joanne