Welcome! I’m so happy you’re here. I’m Danae Halliday and this is Recipe Runner, a food blog focused on balanced, easy, and delicious recipes. I created Recipe Runner in 2012 as a way to share recipes that I use to fuel my runs, but don’t worry, you don’t have to be a runner to enjoy these recipes. They’re for anyone who loves good food that makes them feel their best!
Quick Bites
Years Blogging: 14 years. I’ve developed and tested over 1,100 original recipes.
Education: I have a bachelors degree from Arizona State University in interior design and business.
Personal Life: I live in Denver, Colorado, but I’m originally from Tempe, Arizona. I’m 42 and recently divorced. Definitely didn’t see that on my bingo card, but life rarely goes as planned and we adjust. I love running, strength training, anything outdoors, cooking (obviously), coffee, and going out for cocktails and good food with friends.
Running – I ran cross country and track in high school, took a break from running in college and picked it up again immediately after. I’ve run more half marathons than I can remember and 5 marathons. I haven’t raced since 2014 because I’ve been in a constant injury cycle due to overtraining and undereating (a result of my eating disorder and REDs). I’m working to get healthy enough to race again because, wow do I miss it!
Eating Disorder: I developed anorexia at the age of 28, but didn’t get help or a formal diagnosis until I was nearly 39. I’m currently working towards recovery, but it’s a process, and by no means linear. If you’re interested I share more of my story below.
My Favorite Recipes: Greek Chicken Skewers, Bang Bang Salmon Bowls, Chicken Fajitas, and Caramel Apple Crumb Pie
My Story
I learned how to cook and bake from a young age, I have my mom and two grandmas to thank for that. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing and I love sharing it with others. I started Recipe Runner at the same time I started getting into racing marathons. I needed meals that would help fuel my training, plus thinking up new recipes became a nice distraction while I was out on a 15 mile run.
It’s also when my eating disorder started. Unlike many people, my eating disorder started when I was 28. The comment that set it into motion was, “I thought you’d be smaller for as much as you run”. I internalized that and started down a path to “fix” my body so I looked more like what I thought a runner “should” look like. At first I had short term gains in my running and found myself getting faster, which further complicated things because it was reinforcing the idea that smaller is faster. Unfortunately, the faster times were short lived and followed by constant injuries. This went on for years. I would try to train for a race while I was underfueling and overtraining, and then end up injured. But I couldn’t see that that was the problem, I just thought I wasn’t trying hard enough.
It wasn’t until 2023 when someone pushed me to get professional help and was given the diagnosis. I spent a lot of years thinking I could fix this on my own only to fall deeper into the eating disorder loop.
Where Am I Now?
I’ve undergone multiple types of therapy and treatment and for now feel like I’ve landed on a couple things that are working. I wouldn’t say that I am recovered, but I’m working on it and more recovered than I have been since this started. A few things that have helped me when recovery feels hard that I also think many people might need to hear in a society focused on size and overwhelmed with diet culture are:
- All food has a place. No food is good or bad. You can have a bowl recipe for dinner because it’s a balanced meal full of nutritious ingredients and it makes you feel good and gives energy. And you can also have ice cream (my favorite) or a couple chocolate chip cookies for dessert because those foods bring you joy.
- Remembering that eating often and enough is what will get me back to running the way I want. Which is, being able to race, not feeling constant fatigue, and not having an injury every 6 months.
- Restricting food or groups of food (unless medically necessary) just leads to thinking about and craving them more. It takes up a lot of brain space, can lead to unhealthy habits, and creates a lot of unnecessary stress around food.
- Food isn’t something that has to be earned. You always deserve to eat.
My Food Philosophy
Balance. That’s my philosophy. I spent so many years obsessing over calories, carbs, fat, how healthy something was, how much or little of something I was allowed to eat, that I forgot how to just enjoy food. Food became the enemy and something I had to have complete control over. I still loved cooking and creating new recipes, but I could never appreciate them the way other people did.
The past few years I’ve been working to unlearn the behaviors I taught myself and to practice what I preach to others. What I’ve found is that my body and brain work their best when I eat a variety of foods and eat enough. Vegetables, fruit, meat, dairy, and grains. That not every meal has to be perfect and made from scratch. That it’s ok to have a burger and fries. That having a bowl of real ice cream instead of protein ice cream or banana “ice cream” doesn’t make me unhealthy. Food isn’t just fuel, it’s also meant to make us feel happy and create memories. I missed out on that for years and I don’t want to anymore and I don’t want anyone else to go through that same experience.
So, when you come to Recipe Runner you’ll see a little bit of everything. Oatmeal and egg dishes, nutritious dinners along with comfort food, colorful salads, fun appetizers and cocktails, and delicious desserts. I’m not here to tell you what you should or shouldn’t eat, but rather inspire you with all types of foods that will hopefully help you achieve whatever your goals are and help you feel your best!
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of recipes can I find on Recipe Runner
You’ll find a little bit of everything, but I lean into a lot of 30-minute dinners, one pan meals, and bowl recipes. I like to create recipes that use fresh seasonal ingredients, are nutritious, balanced, and give you energy.
Do you test and eat all of the recipes
Yes. When I decided to share that I’ve struggled with an eating disorder, my first concern was that people might think that I don’t eat the food I make. I want to assure you have I have tested, tasted, and eaten every recipe that you’ll find on my site. I would never and will never share a recipe with you that I’m not proud of.
Do you follow a specific diet?
No. Years ago I followed a couple restrictive diets that played a role in my eating disorder and creating fear around certain foods. I know this isn’t the case for everyone, but for me it’s important to include all foods in my diet. Many of my recipes fall naturally into the categories of gluten-free, high-protein, vegetarian, and low carb, but I don’t promote or follow a specific diet. I also try to include serving suggestions if a recipe is lacking in one of the macronutrients.
What are your favorite things to cook?
I love food that’s colorful and full of texture and has bold, bright flavors. It also has to be easy to make, which is why I have so many one pan/skillet recipes. Southwest and Mediterranean inspired food is my favorite. I often meal prep on the weekend so that I always have something ready to go during the week. Not only does it make life easier, but it keeps me accountable for making sure I always have something on hand to eat.
Let’s Connect
Looking for more ways to follow me? Find me on:
Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, concerns, or just to say hi at danae@reciperunner.com
Reader Favorite Recipes
Honey Chipotle Chicken Rice Bowls
Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Blueberry Peach Feta Salad
Spicy Shrimp with Feta Dip
Skillet Chicken Fajitas
Chicken Cheesesteak Skillet
