Sterling School, Greenville

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Sterling Elementary in Greenville, SC might just win the award for most enthusiastic crowd of the SFT! Q&A could have continued indefinitely and I was lucky to receive an impressive number of hugs after my presentation. Managing an entire school’s worth of K-5th graders might seem like a difficult task, but Sterling’s students were rapt with attention. Enjoy these photos courtesy of Principal  Johnstone.

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Sterling Elementary is a leader in the community, promoting healthy eating and locally sourced products whenever possible. Thank you, Mr. Johnstone and the students of Sterling for a wonderful visit!

Granola, courtesy of Edible Education

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A bowl of granola, yogurt & berries served in a ceramic bowl and eaten with a metal spoon.

Such basic creature comforts become an absolute treat while on the road; especially when you’re used to a breakfast of instant oats consumed from a tiny cooking pot with a plastic spoon. I present, courtesy of my lovely host Ann from Edible Education, an extra tasty granola recipe. Nourish your body and your soul!

Edible Education Granola

5 c. oatmeal

1 c. coconut flakes

1/2 c. sliced almonds

1/2 c. chopped pecans or walnuts

1/4 c. agave nectar or honey

1/3 c. pumpkin seeds

1/2 c. maple syrup – real

1/4 c. ground flax seed

1/2 c. warm water

1/4 c. butter, room temperature

1/2 c. dried cranberries

1/2 c. raisins

Combine all ingredients except the raisins and cranberries. Spread out on foil-covered sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook until slightly browned. Add raisins and cranberries afterward and store in a sealed container.

255 Calories per 1/2 c., 12 g fat and 6 g. protein.

One small change at a time…

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During blustery and chilly days of bike touring sometimes you need to add a little cheer to your life. Such was the case for me while pedaling along VA hwy 360. I had stopped to refuel my snack supply at an isolated gas station and began chatting with the construction worker restriping the parking lot. The conversation began by running through the usual dialogue about where I was coming from/going to, sleeping arrangements and exclamations of surprise. Then he said, “Well, you must be pretty healthy then, huh? No drinking or smoking for you!”

I replied that I enjoyed an occasional adult beverage but didn’t smoke at all, ever. “My lungs are what keep me pedaling. I have to take care of my body.”

After a contemplative pause my new acquaintance looked up and said, “You know, usually I would have a cigarette right about now. But today? I’m not going to.”

I left him working diligently in that parking lot, perhaps contemplating quitting smoking and perhaps not. Either way, for at least that day there was one less lit cigarette in the world. This encounter was the exact motivation that I needed to put my head down and keep the pedals turning into the unrelenting headwind. Meeting this man reminded me that you never know who you will come across along the road or in life. Act positively, react with kindness and treat everyone with respect. Perhaps you will just change someone’s life.