After writing my Miracle post, I felt that I needed to get back to posting my favorite weekly posts. I love collecting these, and even though I’ve not written a Reader post in a month, I always “star” my favorites as I read. Except of course, those times when I am so busy. that I click “mark as read” so those 100+ unread posts will stop yelling at me.

Have you ever read a great book, seen an inspiring movie, or heard a great joke, and thought, “I’ve got to share that!” Of course you have! Here are a few things from my Reader in the last week month that inspired and motivated me, made me happy, sad, and angry, made my stomach growl, and made me laugh.

In My Reader: Vegan Recipes

Oh She Glows, Spiced Red Lentil, Tomato and Kale Soup. I know that it is almost winter when I suddenly want soup. It may still be 80 degrees outside, but Angela’s soup sounds delicious and just right for winter.

Fragrant Vanilla Cake, Raw Mexican Dark Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake. First of all, you need to click through just to look at this gorgeous thing! Amy’s desserts always look so decadent and amazing.

The Sweetest Vegan, McDonald’s Baked Apple Pie Homemade Vegan. I’ll admit it: in my pre-vegetarian days I had a weakness for Mickey D’s apple pies. (That’s a lot less shameful than the admission that during my first pregnancy I had constant cravings for the filet-o-fish!). Tasha’s recipe looks a lot healthier too (no sugar!).

The Naked Kitchen, Naked BLT. I admit it. I used to love the taste of bacon. Like Sarah, I gave it up long before I became a vegetarian, but this recipe promises to bring the salty, smokey, sweet flavor back into my life (without harming any sweet, intelligent pig).

In My Reader: Fitness Fun

Miss Zippy, #10 Things I Don’t Get. I don’t think that controversial is quite the right word, but Miss Zippy opined on many of the popular trends in running these days (and I agreed on almost all of them – I do kind of like huge races).

Tri-ing to Be Athletic, All This Exercise is a Pain in the Neck. I truly try to occasionally skip one of Julie’s posts here, but they are just too good. She is just such so talented and funny!

Arena Fitness, Fitness Formula: Seven More Ways to Save December. As the title suggests, Jonathan had an original Seven Ways to Save December, but I liked this one better (maybe because the first suggestion is to get a massage).

Fun & Fit, Prevent Shin Splints: 3 Calf Stretches. As a cross country coach, I found these stretches from Alexandra and Kymberly very helpful. Shin splints are one of the most frequent injuries that I see with new runners, especially those who join the team late.

 

In My Reader: Blogging Tips

Pushing Social, How to Write an Interesting Blog. One of the things that I am afraid of. Am I boring? I hope not, but I did read Stanford’s post with interest.

Healthy Living Blogs, Savvy Blog Talk: Blogrolls. While my Weekly Reader posts are kind of like a blogroll, Julie points out the reasons to keep your actual blogroll current and interesting.

Social Mouths, The Death of the “How To” Article. While the “how to” post has been a staple for bloggers of all specialties, from healthy living to techy, fashion to DIY, guest poster Tommy tells us why it might be time to re-think how you approach writing your own.

In My Reader: Health, Activism, and More

The Blog of Bruce Bradley, Another Big Food Head Fake. As a former food industry insider, Bruce lays it on the line and has no mercy on his former cronies (my word, not his). Here he discusses how food marketers try to fool us into believing that they are serving up healthy food.

Vegansaurus, Pet CPR: Learn How with Vet Tech David Watts. Of course you prepare to save the life of your child, clients, or random stranger. How about the life of your devoted pet?

Girlie Girl Army, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Debut $55,000 Backpack Made From Crocodile Skin and Prescription Pills. This is just gross and disgusting. Ugh. How they have changed.

Now it’s your turn. What fabulous, inspiring, interesting things have you read this month? Include your own if you think it fits. And please, don’t miss my post, Two People, a Community, a Brain Tumor, and a Miracle. Because I think it fits.