Prairie Fare: Stretch Before Tackling Spring Yardwork
Julie Garden-Robinson
I was not eating a popular breakfast cereal.
Those sounds were emanating from my joints. I was stretching at my computer while taking part in a virtual yoga activity.
My tired body felt better after our stretching activity on that Monday evening.
I should have stretched before we did a “weekend warrior” project in our backyard in the unseasonably warm weather the previous weekend.
Our 35-year-old maple tree lost its abundant leaves after the snow fell early last winter. The strong winds of Fargo, N.D., trapped leaves against the fence, under trees and all around our house. Branches needed trimming and hauling.
Prairie Fare: Think About Your Choices When Grocery Shopping
Julie Garden-Robinson
No one actually said that.
However, I was the woman in aisle 5.
I imagined someone in the security area was wondering why I was taking such a long time looking at products.
I had the day off from work and my husband did not. I dropped him off at work and went grocery shopping.
I discovered that 7:20 a.m. was an ideal time to have the grocery store to myself. I saw a total of four shoppers, just like in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I enjoyed a peaceful time meandering around the grocery store.
North Dakota State University Extension food and nutrition specialist
“This would make a good column,” my husband announced as he walked into the kitchen clutching a handful of papers.
Oh, boy, what did I do? I thought to myself.
“What were you trying to print?” he asked.
“I was printing a recipe,” I noted.
I thought I clicked on “print recipe” not “print everything.” I should have called up the recipe on my phone, but the screen is very small.
I began paging through 30 pages of comments about the recipe.
When I arrived at the recipe at the bottom of my new stack of scratch paper, I had bad news.
Prairie Fare: Try a Salad Buffet
Julie Garden-Robinson
“I am going to eat my leftovers,” my older daughter announced.
“Did Mom make something healthy?” my husband asked.
I usually make healthful food, I thought to myself.
“I want to eat my leftovers,” my daughter continued.
“Your food will be fine if you eat it tomorrow,” I said. “Trust me on this one.”
I almost said “end of discussion” but I think they figured that out.
I was sauteeing chicken strips and I had plates, mixed greens, thinly sliced apples, croutons, shredded cheese and various salad dressings lined up on the counter.