Training:
Well, sad to say last week SUCKED. I came down with a rotten cold, which left my chest heavy and my heart even heavier. I managed to get in Tuesday’s 4 miler, and Yoga on Wednesday but the rest of the work week I was down for the count. So yesterday when I hit the road for my 12 miler, I knew it would more than likely be tough. See, solo long runs when you are feeling strong can be really awesome…but when you are already feeling low, the miles can really hurt when you are alone with your thoughts.
When I don’t run, I am not able to release all the life crap that piles up, which leads to a very unhappy Michelle. As the sunshine beamed down on my face, I could feel the energy draining from me rapidly. WHY did I pick a route that had NO shade when I set out for my run mid morning? DUMB DUMB DUMB. Realizing I would run out of water, and had picked a route with NO fountains and NO shade, I decided to turn around for home early. But 9 miles are better than no miles, right?
This week I work all but Friday, so while seeing everyone post on social media about the ‘holiday’ weekend filled with BBQ’s and vacations I am left feeling slightly bitter. And I don’t like this feeling. So today I am going to get out of the house for a couple hours and go consignment shopping with my neighbor in hopes to regain my smile. Gosh, where the heck did I put it, anyhow?

Weight Loss:
None. Nope. Not a single lb. My nutrition was good minus a few bites of artichoke dip at Friday’s work pot luck, and I’ve cut back on my nightly date with wine but so far, no luck with losing anything. So glad I bought one size bigger capri pants and shorts…sheesh. LOL!
Weekly Goals:
My goals are to get through work and weekend duty with out any casualties, to include myself. I’ll be doing my 20 miler solo, on Friday which is my one day off, and to say I am nervous would be an understatement.
Recipe:
Despite being sick all week, I really wanted to get my recipe posted for this week. I’ve made a healthy and tasty dish!
Baked Trout stuffed with lemon and herbs
4 previously cleaned trout-ask your fish monger to make sure they are fresh
1 lemon, sliced
Fresh herbs-dill, thyme, parsley are great!
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil. Spray with cooking spray. Season your fish both inside and out with the salt and pepper, and stuff with the lemon and herbs. Drizzle with EVOO, and cover with foil. Bake for 25 minutes. I removed the heads and tails to serve, because they wouldn’t fit on the plate, LOL!

Sautéed Kale with Sopressata salami
6 pieces of sopressata salami sliced, and chopped
1 bunch of kale that has been rinsed and de-veined
Drizzle of EVOO
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil in a pan, and heat to medium heat. Add in your salami, and sauté until golden brown. Drain any grease from the pan. Add in your kale, and toss gently in the salami and remaining oil. Season with kosher salt and pepper and cook for 5-7 minutes.

Sweet Potato hash
One sweet potato, peeled and cubed
Smoked paprika, kosher salt, pepper, dried oregano, fresh thyme and one clove of garlic, smashed but keep in tact so you can remove.
Pat of unsalted butter and a sprinkle of brown sugar (shhh, my secret to get the potatoes to crisp up)-save this step for last.
Heat coconut oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add your potatoes, seasonings, herbs and garlic clove and cook for 20 minutes. Five minutes before serving add the butter and brown sugar, cooking still at medium to high heat.

Dinner is served!
How do you deal with ‘off’ weeks? I’ve found my delving in to my ‘other’ passions it helps keep me centered somewhat still. Have you ever cooked a fish whole? What was the best part of your week?
Have a great week, y’all. Remember, to keep movin’ forward!!
❤ Michelle
Love the recipe! I’m sorry you’ve been down with a cold! But at least you worked out and got something done! Bonus! Awesome consignment shopping find! I need to find better stores like that! 🙂 I deal with “off” weeks in ways that most do. I internalize too much and worry too much. I need to work on getting better at not over thinking darn it! We are human and to feel odd about holiday weekends etc. is tough but remember you’re contributing to your family who’s very appreciative! Xoxo hon. Hope you feel better ASAP.
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Thanks so much, Sarah! Hope your weekend turned out better!!
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Sorry to hear you have been under the weather. Hope you feel better and can get thru the 2 0miles coming up. Hard to do by yourself! That recipe sounds tasty!
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Thanks, Lacey!!
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So sorry you had a yucky week. Being sick is never fun. I bet your body is still recovering, so don’t be too hard on yourself for a bad run day. We all have them. You’ll attack 20 next week and will hopefully feel much, much better! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Teri. I seem to always get this way when I’m reminded I am in a job I don’t love. Add in losing my weekends and holidays and it makes me in a foul mood. Wish it didn’t!
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Off week or not, you’re still awesome to me, Michelle! Heck, if we didn’t have bad weeks then we couldn’t have good ones either…good thing it is all in the past and doesn’t matter anymore! You can either run FROM it, or you can LEARN from it, according to my main man Rafiki! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZfGTL2PY3E
Sorry, I love The Lion King! Have a great week and stop worrying about your runs…we do this for fun, remember? 🙂 Thank God we are healthy enough to enjoy running!
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Thanks so much for your awesome support, Chuck!
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I had somewhat of an off week myself this week, with some bad runs and a weird calf thing. Ugh! Hate that. Hope you have a better week this week! Food looks delish 🙂
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Thanks! Hope you have a better week, this week! And that your calf feels better soon!!!! xoxo
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Those recipes look fantastic! I’ve never cooked a whole fish before, I’m gonna give that a shot. I have off weeks, I’ve been feeling ” off” ever since my last race. What helps me is Writing out my plan to get back on track. I’ve also come down with a cold this week, it’s a real pain in the butt.
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This was my first time cooking a whole fish, too! It was delish!! Ugh, hope you feel better soon!!! It sure seems to be going around!!!
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Sorry to hear that you’re sick. It seems to be going around. Hopefully you’ll be feeling 100% better soon!
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Thanks so much!!
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I hope you’re feeling a lot better now. Good on you for getting those 9 miles done. Not an easy task when you’ve been sick.
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Thanks, Char! I’m still a little stuffy but considerably better!!
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Ha! I don’t know yet how I deal with off weeks. I feel like I’ve been having a couple of off weeks already. I hope you’re doing okay. I can’t imagine having a cold in the spring. 🙂
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Thanks! I feel much better this week thankfully.
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I hope you are feeling better! Off weeks tend to seem more stressful and I usually end up stress eating. Which really helps nothing. I am working on trying to cut back on that bad habit. I hope you have a better week!
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Thanks, Fallon!!! I feel ya on the stress eating. I didn’t used to do it, but find myself turning to food more and more!
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I hope you’re feeling better after the weekend! Being sick always puts me in a rotten mood.
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Me too!! Thanks hon!
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Look at those awesome eats!! Hope u get to 100% real soon friend!!
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Thanks love!! xoxo
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Sorry to hear you had an off week and hope this one’s turning out better after some well-deserved rest. 🙂
By the way, I just nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. Details at http://www.mostlyhealthyliving.wordpress.com/2015/05/26/one-lovely-blog-award/ if you want to participate. (No pressure!)
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Thanks so much, and thanks for the nomination!!! I’ve been having some writers block so maybe this will help me! ❤
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You can totally do that 20 miler by yourself, I’ve got faith in you.! 🙂 hopefully this week will be a better week for you.
and yea, I was in the same boat when it came to everyone posting about their Memorial day cookouts and parties. I worked Memorial day and that Saturday so the only outside I was seeing was from my desk. pooey.
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Off weeks are necessary–they force you to rest a little bit. But having a cold is no bueno, and I hope that you are fuuuuullly recovered! Those dishes look amazing. I love simply prepared fish–let it speak for itself!
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Thanks, Suz!! I am feeling much better this week, and praying my 20 miler goes well! ❤
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Big Hugs
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Thanks!!
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Ugh bad runs happen. But then they’re usually followed by a nice good run. Good luck on your 20! I admire you so much for pushing through those solo long runs you’ve been doing! They are making you so so strong ❤ Hope you are feeling better this week!
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Thanks so much. I would love to have a partner for my long runs, but no such luck! ❤
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Is there a running group near you? That’s the only way I’ve found people to run with. None of my friends run long distances
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There is….but all of my friends are either much faster, or slower than I am for the most part. It’s ok. It will make me stronger I hope. 🙂
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I’m sorry you were sick. I’ve been dealing with freakin’ allergies for the first time in my natural life! What the hell is THAT all about? Sheesh. I will say an Off Week makes the On Weeks that much better. Without the bad, you can’t appreciate the good, right? 🙂 Feel better, Lady!
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thanks hon, think its the pre-taper funk mixed with crazy weather. ❤ ❤ ❤
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I bet you’re totally right. 😦
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