Schemin’ and Steamin’

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I spent the morning scheming with Molly Barker.  Molly’s the founder of Girls on the Run.  We’ve been scheming a lot lately.  I have a fun joint project to reveal next Monday! It’s going to be…. well, suffice it to say that it’s going to be interesting.

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While we took a break from brainstorming, I asked Molly if she ever steps back and realizes what she’s done with GOTR.  She started the program in 1996 at a local elementary school, and since then, the program has grown to hundreds of councils all over the United States and Canada.  Nearly 1/4 million girls have gone through the program!  When I was at the last GOTR 5K, I looked across the starting line and saw nearly 3,000 girls lined up and thought, “I wonder if Molly is just awed at what she started.” She said that while GOTR is just part of her every day life now, it does blow her mind to really think about what her small idea grew into.  Pretty amazing what you can do if you have the passion for it!  She said the first ten years were the hardest because it felt like it was all on her (and she had two small children!), but now so many other people are involved and help run the ship.  The keys to success, according to Molly?  Passion and teamwork.

 

Our lunch:

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I posted about this super simple meal a week or so ago, but I had to make it again – it is so easy and SO delicious.  My favorite part is the steamed kale.

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All you do is combine the following ingredients in a big bowl (and leftovers taste amazingggg):

 

Steamed kale (cooked per this method)

Chopped plain baked tofu (thinly sliced and baked at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or so, until browned)

Brown rice

Generous amount of red wine vinegar and olive oil salad dressing (from Trader Joe’s)

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Back to work I go!

{ 24 comments }

 

  • Rebecca @ Naturally Healthy and Gorgeous January 23, 2012, 3:10 pm

    What an inspiring woman and story!

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb January 23, 2012, 3:20 pm

    delicious and so easy!

    molly barker is such an inspiration. thank you for sharing 🙂

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat January 23, 2012, 3:22 pm

    Wow, Molly is AMAZING!! Congrats to her and all of her accomplishments with GOTR – you two ladies are huge inspirations!

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) January 23, 2012, 3:22 pm

    what a delicious lunch indeed!

  • Sarah @ The Strength of Faith January 23, 2012, 3:26 pm

    Well … Does it ever blow your mind to think about what Operation Beautiful has turned into? 🙂

    • Molly Barker January 24, 2012, 10:47 am

      AGREED. Caitlin inspires me EVERYDAY!!!

    • Amber K January 24, 2012, 2:38 pm

      That was exactly my first thought!

  • Emily January 23, 2012, 3:33 pm

    Can’t wait to hear what you and Molly have coming down the pipeline!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife January 23, 2012, 4:07 pm

    Can’t wait to see what the scheme is!!

    That is a great recipe: teamwork+passion. Loveit.

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed January 23, 2012, 4:08 pm

    Can’t wait to hear about it!

    That looks yummy, need to pick up some kale stat.

  • Allison January 23, 2012, 4:41 pm

    That reminds me of the frozen mushroom risotto from TJ’s that we love- we add spinach and bell peppers, serve it up with chicken, and have a great meal!

  • Laura @ She Eats Well January 23, 2012, 4:47 pm

    Lunch looks delish. Sometimes, simple is best when it comes to food. As for GOTR, that is an amazing accomplishment. I’m so glad a program like that exists and continues to grow.

  • Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs January 23, 2012, 5:37 pm

    Ooh, excited to hear about the new project!

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats January 23, 2012, 5:44 pm

    I never heard about GOTR until your blog and I find it an amazing organization! I am all for helping girls feel confident about themselves and this program seems like an amazing way to do that!

  • Kristyn January 23, 2012, 6:04 pm

    Oh my LORD I cannot wait for your reveal of the schemin you been doing with Molly!!! 🙂 🙂 you two are like chocolate and peanut butter 🙂

  • Army Amy* January 23, 2012, 6:45 pm

    It is always inspiring to see people take their passion and make it happen!*

  • Deva @ Deva by Definition January 23, 2012, 8:06 pm

    I’m excited to see what comes of your scheming.

  • Marissa C January 23, 2012, 8:11 pm

    Funny story about kale…Zuppa Toscana (made with lots of kale) was the first meal I cooked post baby. I ate it 2-3 days straight. My child was a nightmare during this time period. Turns out Kale is a type of cabbage. Cabbage doesn’t sit will with little tummies! I knew this and ironically still messed it up! So beware of the kale post baby!

  • Anna January 23, 2012, 8:21 pm

    I just came back from a GOTR info meeting!! Hopefully will be working outreach here in Atlanta. There was another girl there who discovered the program through your blog. Ahh, the blogosphere!
    And then I heated up leftover channa masala mini quiches. HTP for the win tonight!

  • Megan January 23, 2012, 10:01 pm

    I found out today that I am switching schools and becoming a head coach this season! I’m pretty excited and nervous as this is only my second year of GOTR!

  • Anna January 23, 2012, 10:27 pm

    Dude, that first picture of Molly is trippy. If you’re taking a picture of her with BOTH your hands ON your tripod, who or WHAT is taking the picture of your picture? Your head-cam?! Hah.

  • Kris January 23, 2012, 10:27 pm

    I made the easiest, tastiest dish along the same lines last night. I started with wild rice and brown rice in veggie broth since they needed the longest cooking time, then added in lentils, and when it was finished and steaming, added green onions and kale and let it sit five minutes. I tossed it all and finished it with nooch and a little pesto, although it was great today without the pesto. Oh, and today I added in leftover tofu and some Siracha.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin January 24, 2012, 8:02 am

    It’s amazing how a small idea can turn into something so huge! Molly is such an inspiration. And so are YOU! I can’t wait to see what you two are planning. 🙂

  • Amber K January 24, 2012, 2:39 pm

    I never would have known all about GOTR if it wasn’t for your blog. Thanks for all you’ve done to help spread the word of such an amazing organization.

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