EATING | scrambled eggs with cottage cheese, spinach and tomatoes. I am usually not a big fan of eggs for breakfast, especially not every day, but lately I’ve been enjoying this combination after my long runs on the weekends.
DRINKING | half decaf coffee. I started mixing regular and decaf coffee a few weeks ago, thinking that if caffeine had anything to do with my episodes of racing heart and dizziness, then I’d gladly try and reduce my intake. I never had any sensitivity to caffeine before, but maybe that has changed? So far, I cannot tell if it’s made a difference, but I figure it also didn’t hurt.
LOOKING FORWARD TO | the Cool Blogger’s Walking Club in October. Elisabeth is hosting again. We’ve had people from around the world participate in previous events, and it’ll be fantastic to see again where people get their steps in! Come join us!
WEARING | my RoadID wristband. That is nothing new, but I think I never mentioned it? Have you heard of RoadID? It’s a company that makes custom-engraved identification tags that can be worn as a wristband, shoe tag, or watch attachment. It provides critical emergency and medical information if you are hurt and unable to speak, like your name, a contact person and a phone number and any medical information that might be important. I feel safer wearing it (especially when I am out running). I currently have a wristband but would also love to get an attachment for my Garmin.
THINKING ABOUT | NaBloPoMo, which will be coming up sooner than we all think! Are you considering joining again this year? It’s only 6 weeks away! I KNOW! I can’t believe it either.
LOVING | this month! It’s truly one of the best months (weatherwise) here in Northern California. The rain hasn’t arrived yet, it still feels like summer, but the daily high temperatures have cooled off a little bit. It’s quite pleasant.
ENJOYING | my long runs. It feels really good to build up the mileage again. Not every run feels the same, but it’s the best feeling when you feel like you can keep going. Susie Chan, one of the Peloton instructors, often says in her classes that “nobody was born running a mile” and it’s such a good reminder of what happens when we show up for ourselves again and again.
BUYING | the pre-cooked chicken meatballs from Trader Joe’s, because they’re tasty and great protein sources for breakfast and lunches (see above). I’ve only recently discovered them and wanted to share (because items are easy to miss with all the rotating items that Trader Joe’s has.) Anything you recently discovered and want to share?
Elisabeth
September 22, 2026 at 12:10 pmI need the walking club this year! I’m hoping for some great fall weather :)
I think those RoadID wristbands are such a good idea. My sister always keeps hers on. Smart on so many levels!
I have been cutting off caffeine by 10:30/11 am and it seems to help my sleep, but I really should likely cut it out completely. I don’t get a big surge of energy from the caffeine so I should cut it since I can get the same “warm mug” feeling from drinking decaf.
San
September 23, 2026 at 10:40 amSame! I don’t get a huge surge of energy from caffeine, so I have no problem lowering the intake… as long as I get my nice, hot comfort drink in the morning :)
Glad to hear your sister also has a RoadID. Smart!
J
September 22, 2026 at 6:56 pmI love Autumn in NorCal! Spring is better because I love how green things are, but Autumn is great because it’s a relief after the heat of summer. Even when it’s hot, the sun goes down early enough that it cools down. Such a relief.
You add cottage cheese to your eggs? My SIL ads sour cream, and I think this would be similar…make it creamy and keep it from drying out.
San
September 23, 2026 at 10:41 amOh, interesting… I have never added sour cream to my eggs but I can definitely see that being tasty. The cottage cheese has a similar effect for the texture, I guess.
Isn’t autumn lovely in NorCal? :)
Birchie
September 22, 2026 at 7:06 pmI haven’t had TJs meatballs, but that’s because I have a stash of Costco chicken meatballs that is going to last me for a while. They are very handy.
Your breakfast plate looks like the perfect post-long run meal.
San
September 23, 2026 at 10:41 amOh yes, I get the Costco chicken meatballs too sometimes… super-handy!
Michelle G.
September 22, 2026 at 7:12 pmI’m excited about the CBWC and the CBBC, and maybe I should start thinking about NaBloPoMo early. I love all these fun bloggy things!
San
September 23, 2026 at 10:42 amBloggy things are the best :)
ernie
September 22, 2026 at 8:39 pmThis post is chockfull of great things. The ID band. I should get one for Reg because he is epileptic. But really, it is smart for anyone. Your breakfast looks amazing. This sounds crazy, but I’ve only recently discovered cottage cheese. I only tried it for the first time over the summer. I’m trying to eat a 1/2 cup every day to add more protein to my diet. I can’t say I love it, but I’m learning not to hate it. I’m excited that there is a Trader Joe’s being built very close to my house. I don’t think it’ll be ‘here’ for a few years, but it’ll be amazing. The next closest one just isn’t in an area I frequent.
San
September 23, 2026 at 10:43 amOh definitely, a RoadID wristband would be great for someone like Reg! I’d definitely recommend it.
Not crazy that you only recently discovered cottage cheese… I was “late to the party” myself, but now I love adding it to all kinds of things (and I even like it plain! I know not everybody does!).
Catrina
September 23, 2026 at 2:01 amI love eggs! I have a boiled egg with quark the first thing in the morning before I go for a run. I should try cottage cheese!
Nice that you are enjoying your long runs! I find them so soothing and calming.
San
September 23, 2026 at 10:43 amA hard boiled egg with quark! Now, that’s GREAT protein, but a really odd combination – haha. Do you mash it all together and add any spices?
Nicole MacPherson
September 23, 2026 at 5:02 amOooh what a lovely pool!
I drink like an entire pot of coffee first thing in the morning and then no more caffeine after 9 am. This is probably not the healthiest habit, but it’s the one I have!
Of course I’m joining walking club!
San
September 23, 2026 at 10:44 amGirl, we all need a vice! You enjoy your coffee! It’s my comfort in the morning too :)
Jenny
September 24, 2026 at 5:30 amOooh! NaBloPoMo! In six weeks, you say? That’s coming up SOON. I’m excited!
Ha… September is probably the worst weather month in South Florida. But that’s okay… we have our best weather coming up.
Suzanne
September 24, 2026 at 8:09 amI love cottage cheese in a half of a bell pepper, sprinkled with some seasoned salt. My idea of a perfect snack! Unfortunately, bell peppers have been really bad this summer. For some reason, I keep buying the cottage cheese and then, since I don’t have a bell pepper to hand, the cottage cheese ends up going bad. I should remember that I like it as a dip for carrots and celery, too!
Yesssssss to all the bloggy events! I am here for all of it, and totally plan to do NaBloPoMo this year!
Five for Friday – suzanne day by day
September 25, 2026 at 2:29 am[…] San mentioned that November is right around the corner, and with it, NaBloPoMo. I am planning to participate this year, while reserving full rights to drop out at any time. But I am a little bit concerned that I won’t be able to come up with enough topics to achieve the requisite number of posts. To that end, I am resurrecting my Ask Me Anything form. Please let me know if you have any burning questions I can address via post. […]
Stephany
September 26, 2026 at 5:12 pmEvery year, I’m like, “Should I do NaBloPoMo this year?” and then when the fall comes around, I know I gotta do it because I enjoy it so much! I think I might steal J’s ABC idea from a few years ago.
We had the most BEAUTIFUL fall day here today, and I want to hold onto it. Alas, we’ll be back in the 90s soon enough.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
September 27, 2026 at 3:58 amYes, definitely joining the CBWC as my steps this year are a distaster. I need to get moving again. And I have a weekend with lots of walking planned early October so double yeah.
Will you be surprised when I tell you I am all in for NaBLoPoMo. Probably not. Will I surprise you when mentioning I have four posts already scheduled and three are in the making?
Anne
September 30, 2026 at 3:24 pmI need your weather. Midwestern allergies are killing me this year. You do not even want to know how much caffeine I need to get through the days right now – partly due to all the antihistamines, partly due to stress, and partly due to the time of year. I’ll just keep drinking enough for the 2 of us, okay? ;)
Alas, NaBloPoMo is not going to happen this year, BUT! Maybe I can try for EvWeBloPoMos (Every Week Blog Post Months)? (Sorry, that was bad.)