A dinner fit for a running girl?

Shoot y'all, I hope so.

Training for September's half-marathon during the summer is not as basic as I thought it'd be.

For one, it's hot as balls out there.
For two, it's humid as balls out there.
For three, I prefer to run out there.

And so you see part of the problem.

Additionally, I am an underperforming self-hydrater during the best of times, and downing large amounts of protein isn't my go-to meal. When I was pregnant with Jack, my doctor repeatedly said to me, "You must eat more protein." So I found the love for a white bean chicken chili and proceeded to eat family-sized portions as often as I could.

I eat a great, well-balanced, healthy diet, but yesterday, a friend said, "Remember, you also need protein." Same song, second verse déjà vu, and I soon found myself at the market buying steaks. They hit the spot and made for a good excuse to pop the cork on a beautiful Grgich Zinfandel we've been tending.

pan-seared filet mignon with roasted cherries

I also roasted some purple potatoes and made Heidi Swanson's Pan-Fried Giant White Beans with Kale, a recipe I'd had saved in my "To Try" pile forever. Fortunately, I'd put some dried butter beans on to soak the night before and so was ready. 

pan-friend giant white beans with kale

Do y'all eat butter beans? They are a huge lima and have a pale, creamy hue. I grew up eating them on a regular basis and love their velvety texture and bigness. I bring bags of dried butter beans back from Lake Charles. Though I'm certain I could find them here, it makes me happy to eat Camellia brand beans because they're a Louisiana company. 

Camellia butter beans

Get some. Take a big handful and let them run through your fingers. They are like the smoothest pebbles at the beach, sanded away to baby's-butt-soft over the years. I love it!

I feel good today and am drinking water like it's my job. Stubborn is as stubborn does, but I'm trying.