Movin' it with Michelle

The first recipe I’ll share since so many have requested it, is my roasted carrot and red pepper with onion puree. This can be served with your favorite protein, salad, or whatever sounds good to you at the time!

This awesome 'mash' can be substituted for your basic mashed potatoes! — This awesome ‘mash’ can be substituted for your basic mashed potatoes!

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees
Gather the following ingredients:
4 large carrots, chopped into bite size pieces
2 red peppers, chopped
1 small white onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
Mix these ingredients in a large bowl, and season with avocado oil, kosher salt and pepper, Mediterranean oregano and basil, cayenne pepper, and cumin. I don’t ‘measure’ more so use a pinch of each until it smells just right…
Mix well, and spread on a cookie sheet that has been lined with aluminum foil (spray with cooking spray) and roast at 375 degrees for about 25-30 minutes.

While the veggies are roasting, get your food processer out…add 1/2 cup of veggie stock, 1 pat of unsalted butter, and a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Take the roasted veggies out of the oven, and let cool for about five minutes.
Transfer them into your food processor and pulse on high until you achieve desired consistency.

Next, we have a super easy pistachio crust that will add a yummy crunch to any protein.

What you’ll need:
2 cups of pistachios (I employ my daughter’s help to de-shell them)
2 cloves of garlic
2 teaspoons of lemon zest
2 teaspoons of avocado oil
Kosher salt, pepper, oregano and basil to taste
Throw it all in your food processor and pulse until the mixture is at a breadcrumb consistency.
I used Tilapia that I patted dry and seasoned with kosher salt and pepper. Place on a baking rack that has been sprayed with non stick spray, and liberally apply your pistachio mixture on top of your protein, and bake at 375 for about 20-25 minutes depending on the protein. Serve with your favorite sides, and enjoy!

I am trying my best to come up with healthy substitutes for family favorites that will leave my family and our appetites satisfied.
I am realizing that the extra weight I am carrying is my fault, and my fault alone.
I have substituted breakfast for protein shakes, and am choosing proteins and veggies over French fries and chips (98% of the time).
I am placing my health, and my happiness in my OWN hands, and have seen so many fabulous changes in such a short time…
I am down 4 lbs, with 6 lbs to go, and am not giving up on my dreams of a sub-2 hour half marathon.
I am not letting distance snobs that say “oh it’s JUST a half marathon” take away from my joy…

For part of moving forward, is starting at square one-with healthy eats, positive attitudes, and above all-confidence in all that you do…be it work, cooking, family, or fitness…the race is yours to win…

Keep Movin’ forward, gang…

❤ Michelle

moving forward, running, strength, training

T-1 Week-Not feeling ready…

April 28, 2014 Movin' it with Michelle

I haven’t posted all week. Ack…my goals of posting twice a week just didn’t happen this week, but I am allowing myself a touch of slack. Work has been crazy busy, and I am still trying to find my way. We are in our inspection window, and I am a bit terrified to say the least not knowing all the ins and outs of the lab. But all I can do is my best, right?

I didn’t feel ‘myself’ this past week, feeling extra bloated, tired and yucky to say the least. I still managed to run 3 times logging my last long run of 8.3 miles yesterday before my half marathon this coming Sunday. I woke up yesterday with the sun, so decided to get up and go to run club. Most of my run club friends are super speedy on Saturdays so I don’t feel guilty if I miss attending, because often times I end up running alone. A friend offered to run a slower pace of 10+ minutes miles with me, so I happily joined the group at 0645 hrs. for our group run. The first few miles are always tough, but I found myself able to settle in and able to run at a ‘chatty’ pace the next couple miles. Around mile 6 my ITB started to get pissy, so I stopped to stretch quick and kept going. This by far was not my strongest run, but I felt great to be out there running with friends. The added nearly 10 lbs of winter weight is NOT helping me at all, and I am having such a hard time shedding said pounds. Between 2 years of marathon training, weight gain, chiberia and eating like I am still training for a marathon (which I am NOT), I am finding myself in an unknown place. I have only been ‘overweight’ after having kids. I don’t know if it’s being over 40, loving food too much, or WHAT…but I am struggling.
I wanted to work out today, but have had a sick little one all weekend so my last two days were spent taking care of her vs. doing anything enjoyable sadly. It just goes to show all weekends can’t be great ones. My weekend was spent cleaning the house, cleaning up puke, and tending to an unexplainable fever…fun? No…but I pray my little one feels better soon.
My half marathon is one week from today, and for the first time in two years I am terrified of the distance. This isn’t my first rodeo, but I feel undertrained, overweight, and SO NOT READY.
Here’s praying the half marathon God’s are with me on Sunday…I’ll need all the help I can get.

dedication, food, goals, moving forward, Uncategorized

The rebirth of so many things…Weekend wrap up!

April 21, 2014April 21, 2014 Movin' it with Michelle

I have had, the BEST weekend, nearly EVER. Ok, that is exaggerating…but this weekend truly was stellar. And in being a part of this amazing weekend, I was reminded of how far I’ve come in life.

Friday night was spent with my family and friends watching our good friend’s son perform in his last high school performance of “Guys and Dolls.” We’ve watched him grow from a young sophomore, to a well seasoned senior that literally stole the show. I was in awe of his talent, and seeing him come out to greet the audience waiting to cheer on the performers yet having him zero in on my 7 year old holding a single rose to congratulate him made me swallow a huge lump in my throat. The adults spent the remainder of the evening huddled around a fire drinking wine and talking and I thanked my lucky stars for all the amazing people I’ve met since retiring from the Air Force.

As posted in my previous blog, I got my long run done on Saturday, and it was a really great run. We were lucky enough to spend the evening with friends again Saturday night, and I went to bed happy. The Easter baskets were set out, eggs hidden, and my alarm set for church.

I woke up to my husband snuggling with me, and my 7 year old crawling in to bed to wish us a Happy Easter. Can you get a better start to a day? I don’t think so…My husband was even so sweet to surprise me with an Easter card that held an ITunes gift card…he knows me too well.
We went to church, saw my RBF and her family, and I felt so blessed with such an amazing service while being surrounded by my family and friends.
We went out for breakfast, and came home for our annual at home Easter Egg hunt, and spent the rest of the day outside. I truly felt reborn having spent the weekend with some of my favorite people, running, and catching some much needed Vitamin D.

We grilled out tonight, and my hubby made some amazing steaks. I only had a small portion, but it was yummy! I did make a delicious roasted carrot, red pepper and onion mash that was off the chain! Holler if you want the recipe!

Grilled steak with chimichurri, roasted carrot, red pepper and onion mash and good ole corn on the cob!

I’ve learned a lot since retiring from the Air Force…stripes, race times, money, PR’s, NONE of that validates who I am. Nope…I validate ME. I let others dictate my happiness for far too long…It feels good to take control. And as always, KEEP MOVIN’FORWARD.

dedication, goals, moving forward, running

Finding myself on the trails…

April 20, 2014 Movin' it with Michelle

I haven’t blogged all week…yes, total blogger fail as my goal this year was to blog at least twice a week. But I found some inspiration on the trails tonight, and feel compelled to share it with you all…

I am 41 years old…or young, depending on how you look at it. My outward appearance shows the normal signs of aging, with crevices deepening under my eyes, and on my forehead. But my heart and soul, although wise with age, state otherwise…

Today I had an 8 mile long run planned, and I had to giggle at the fact I was a bit daunted by my last two long runs…last weekend was a 10 miler, which was plain HARD. Last year at this time I would say when someone asked me how far I was running that I was “only” going 8/10 miles, but after a winter in Chiberia and lack of running long, I have a new found respect for distance running.

That being said, I found out a lot about myself today during my 8 miler…

1. I love to run.
2. Running can be hard.
3. Waving and high fiving other runners is something I will always do…
4. Respect others on the trail as much as you respect your own space. We are all out there MOVING for a reason…
5. There comes a time during nearly every run (for me) that I forget I am running…and suddenly I am flying, dancing, and moving with the wind…the trails are simply my platform, and I find a joy in that moment of euphoria that compares to nearly nothing…
6. Sometimes, if not nearly always, you need to forget all the reasons you ‘can’t’ and push forward to all the reasons you CAN.
7. Take all the negative energy, lack of support, and naysayer CRAP, and use it as fuel to keep you moving forward.
8. Prove ’em wrong, always, and prove to yourself that fear is simply fuel for your success.
9. Run with your heart first, and your legs will follow suit.
10. Respect, Love, and Embrace every single distance.

Here are some photos seen from my run today…

Keep Movin’ forward, gang…

❤ Michelle

Uncategorized

Sunday, summation…

April 14, 2014 Movin' it with Michelle

I wasn’t going to post tonight…I didn’t run any amazing races or break any PR’s…yesterday I ran my 10 miler solo, and it. was. hard. I spent my weekend “off” running, doing chores, yard work, and cooking.

I reached out to several friends, and was amazed at the outcome. I watched movies…listened to my favorite music, and spent time with some pretty amazing people.

The word amazing seems to highlight my life. Yet with the caveat that my life is hard just like everyone else’s. Yet I choose…to find the amazing in…EVERY…SINGLE…day.

Ten miler, done…housework, done…family time, spent…

This week brings on my taper…I will run, do yoga, and work out…and I will cherish every single moment.

Life…is…good.

food, goals, moving forward, running, strength

Two things, Tuesday…Gluten Free goodness and more!

April 9, 2014 Movin' it with Michelle

Something…is different. But we will get to that a bit later.

Topic number one is….DINNER!
As I spoke about in my last post, I am working making quick yet healthy meals during the week since my work hours no longer allow 2 hours of prep time and cooking in the kitchen.
Although I am not gluten intolerant (at least by what I know medically) I do know that avoiding it has helped my IBS tremendously. I try to buy all gluten free pasta, quinoa, rice, sauces and dressings when I can find-them which is more times than not as the selection has truly grown 10 fold in the last few years. I picked up some gluten free soy sauce last weekend, and figured a nice stir fry was in order for dinner tonight.
What you will need:

A Wok for the stir fry
A sauté pan for the chicken
1 pot to boil your water for the noodles

Ingredients:
1 package of skinless chicken thighs, cubed into 1 inch pieces (place in a bowl)
ADD to the chicken:
2 teaspoons of Chinese all spice seasoning, pinch of kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons of gluten free soy sauce
4 cloves of garlic, minced
Mix well, and set aside to marinate

Veggies:
What is in your fridge? The selections are limitless!
I used:
2 cups of shitake mushrooms, sliced
6 radishes, julienned
1 baby Bok Choy, sliced at an angle
1/2 of a red onion, chopped
2 cups of fresh broccoli
2 scallions, chopped, and set aside for garnish

Pasta:
One package of Gluten free rice Pad Thai noodles

Next, fill 4-5 cups of water in your pot to boil for your rice Pad Thai pasta…
Then, quickly sauté your chicken in a skillet until cooked through, and set aside, should take about 10 minutes.

Your water should be boiling now, but before your drop in your pasta, heat some light oil (avocado or Grape seed) in your Wok on high heat.
Drop your pasta in salted boiling water (cook for about 8 minutes or until al dente), and then stir fry all of your veggies in your Wok. Season the veggies with salt and pepper, and a dash of the gluten free soy sauce. The last 2 minutes add your chicken to heat through
Drain your pasta, and serve the delicious stir fry mixture over the top! Garnish with the reserved scallions, and serve! Quick, and easy and on the table in about 30 minutes.

Topic number 2…are you ready?
I have been retired from the Air Force for almost 3 years now. In those 3 years I have felt lost, tired, and have lacked more motivation then I care to admit. Frankly, it was tough to hang up my uniform, and put on a different ‘hat.’
It’s early to judge…but so far, I am really liking my new hat. I am letting go of things I can’t control, and embracing the future.
It is a pretty cool feeling…

Sweet dreams, Movers…

❤ Michelle

dedication, food, goals

Monday Motivation and things…

April 8, 2014 Movin' it with Michelle

After getting on the dreaded scale this past weekend, I decided it was time to, well, quit being lazy. I have kept a pretty clean eating plan, but whoever said it’s 80 percent what you eat, and 20 percent workouts, well, LIED to my 41 year old body. I don’t drink soda, don’t eat fast food more that 2 or 3 times per YEAR, and cook extremely healthy meals.
Yet here I sit…with 7-8 lbs of unneeded weight that simply hurts my knees. I am a smallish type person, so gaining 5-10 lbs for me, is HUGE. Don’t judge…
Our Chiberia winter killed me, and nearly all of my motivation to work out. I ran occasionally, worked out a few times per week, but nothing very serious. Getting ready this last weekend to go out with my girlfriends, I realized, ack…my pants don’t fit. My muffin top has it’s own zip code. And I nearly, cried. Ok…maybe a tear or two was shed…but I moved on.
I need to work out, doing a run/cardio work out every other day, mixed with 2-3 strength work outs, and 2-3 days of P90X yoga. I need. To shed. This winter weight.
So today, my first full Monday of work, I picked up my youngest from her first day of after school care, and rushed home to run. Just 2 miles, but miles I needed.

For dinner, I prepared fish, brown rice with scallions and garlic, and steamed green beans.

I used Swai fish, but any white fish will do…
Pat dry your fillets, and season with kosher salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning and a sprinkle of “fish fry” which is essentially well ground, seasoned bread crumbs. Spray a non-stick pan with olive oil, and sear on each side at medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes on each side until cooked through.
For the brown rice, I took the help from the quick cooking rice, and melted one pat of unslated butter with a clove of garlic and added the rice. Finish off with a couple tablespoons of chopped scallions, salt, pepper, and serve!
I often steam my veggies in the microwave when time is an issue, so I steamed my green beans via microwave for a couple minutes and YUM! Season lightly with salt and pepper.

We can always start over, be stronger, and keep Movin’ forward…but we have to CHOOSE to do so…what is your choice?

dedication, goals, moving forward, running

Today…

April 6, 2014 Movin' it with Michelle

Today I found myself waking up with very little sleep and my long run of 7 miles looming in the horizon…
Today I wanted to go back to bed after snoozing my alarm twice, but a reminder that I set for myself on facebook made me get up and run my farthest run this year, of 7.26 miles. I was blessed to run with my friend, Melissa K, as well as enjoy hugs, conversation, and a great cup of green tea with amazing friends.

Yup...pretty proud of those miles... — Yup…pretty proud of those miles…

Today I could have tackled house work, but instead I rounded up my mini’s while my husband was at reserve duty and spent the day going out to brunch and shopping for spring clothes and birthday gifts.
Today I allowed myself a one hour nap that although didn’t result in sleep, provided some much needed rest.
Today I fought with my wardrobe, truly realizing I have gained far too many pounds during this tough winter.
Today I looked away from the mirror, and found myself sad…I immediately smacked myself virtually upside the head as I know inner beauty beats out outer physique.
Tonight, I surrounded myself with a group of local friends that have moved past the often named “running friends” to “darn good friends” and celebrated the birthday of my sole sister Melissa while sharing laughs, good food, and even better conversation.

If I could quantify the value of the hugs, laughter, smiles, and love I felt today between my family and friends, I could tell you easily that I a millionaire ten fold, and twice again on Sunday…
I have hard times, bad times, times I wanted to give up…
But today…tonight…these amazing people reminded me why I keep movin’ forward. I don’t have to force anything…I simply have to remember that I have all of this awesome support because I do my best to give it back in return.
Today, I decided that if I want to move forward, I have to leave the negative behind me, and hang on to all the amazing people I have supporting me, because I have some pretty amazing people in my life…TODAY.

Keep Movin’ forward…

❤ Michelle

dedication, goals

Friday wrap up…oh what a feeling…

April 5, 2014April 5, 2014 Movin' it with Michelle

As a runner, I feel I have to caveat this post with the fact that I did NOT run at all in the last 5 days. I don’t love admitting this, but have allowed myself a cheat week with my new job starting this week.
What? New job? Yup…I started my new job on Monday with a day and a half of orientation, and with the news we are in our inspection window-NOW. Yikes…So I have spent the better part of three days tackling our College of American Pathologist checklist with a vengeance. I don’t enjoy not being prepared, and knowing it takes a good six months to prepare for these type of inspections left me with more anxiety then I was ready for. Several Tums later, along with a joyful glass of wine or two after work and I decided to “be ready.”
Imagine walking in to work to hear there was nearly a fire the night before, and a processor malfunction…ACK. But I remained calm, talked to the docs, and was even blessed to hear I handled myself well along with reassuring some pretty upset Pathologists. As stressful as it all may seem, I feel I ‘may’ have found my place for the next few years. I’ve got a great Director, a great staff, and a great support system in the other supervisors. All in a matter of 3.5 days…
I know I will have tough days, that is par for the course. But I took a leap of faith with this job despite thinking I needed to branch out, and have been welcomed “mostly” with open arms. Ultimately I have learned from my past mistakes, and am, WHAT? Movin’ forward.
So as I sit here with my heating pad on my shoulders, and my glass of wine sitting near by, I am glad…I am glad I didn’t give up and take a job I didn’t want, and I am glad I decided to believe in myself even when so many others, well, didn’t.
This weekend, I will run. I will spend time with my family, and I will celebrate the fact that I didn’t settle.
I was blessed to read Xaarlin’s post here http://www.xaarlin.com/2014/03/knoxville-marathon-week-9-one-week-to-go.html?showComment=1395619808892 and was reminded that support not only needs to be given, but received. My heart is full. I used to spend far too much time wishing for people to believe in, and support me…yet stepping back I realize I have a flight of cheerleaders that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Lastly, I leave you with this…(sorry no pics this time around)
Be true…
Be honest…
Be real…
Be happy…
Be…

And always, keep, Movin’, forward…

Uncategorized

2014 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K race recap

March 31, 2014 Movin' it with Michelle

Let’s start with the expo…I rarely get to make it downtown for race expos due to work etc. but with Friday being my last day off, I jumped at the chance to take the train downtown with everyone to check out the expo and pick up our race packets.

Positives-The expo had a lot of great booths, with neat little free stuff that they were giving away. I was blessed with a 10 minute chair massage that was GLORIOUS.

We only had a finite amount of time, so we snapped as many pictures as possible, and had a blast on the trolley ride back to the train.

Carolyn and I...this girl has a piece of my heart. — Carolyn and I…this girl has a piece of my heart.

Negatives-the trolley was extremely late, and we ended up taking a cab to the expo due to lack of time. Sadly we found out it showed up about 5 minutes after we left in our cab, but it all worked out!

Race day…
I haven’t “raced” in months…after a torn Achilles last fall I have taken my running very easy in order to let myself heal properly. I have been running, a little, but not where I was last year by far. This morning I woke up at 3 a.m. and wasn’t able to fall back asleep…ack! Really? But thankfully I had *all my gear set out and ready to go, as we were meeting at Carolyn’s house at 6:20 a.m. to head downtown. I nearly left my subdivision, and had my hand on my right leg…I forgot my knee brace! I quickly turned around, grabbed it and hit the road running.
I was super duper thankful for my Nuun with caffeine this morning as it seemed to give me that jump start I needed. As I don’t drink coffee, I take all the help I can get from other caffeinated products like tea/sugar free 5 hour energy.
We made it downtown in record time and had some pre-race fuel. It was time to head to our corrals….Melissa B left before us as she was in a speedier corral, so the remaining girls hit up the gear check, porta potties, and gave each other hugs and high fives to kick this race’s butt…

One of my only complaints, is the congestion trying to get into your corral. I allowed myself PLENTY of time, yet after stepping in a mud puddle trying to rush around people I realized I had TWO minutes to get into my corral before it closed. Talk about panic mode!!!

But I made it, and had a few minutes to calm down, breathe, and reflect on everything…slowly, we inched up, and I could see the start…

The first mile (as always) was a bit of a cluster, as most city races are…but I was able to dodge and weave like a mad woman, and found myself getting into my groove by the second mile. My Garmin lost signal while under the tunnel, but regained signal coming out so that helped keep me calm. I settled in by the 2 mile mark, and found myself flying past people at a consistent pace of around 8:48…I slowed during the water stops, allowing myself a few sips, but was excited to push myself as hard as possible. My Garmin time of course doesn’t match official chip time, but knowing I ran the outer curves gives me confidence that my Garmin was pretty close on point. I’ve always been very good at pacing myself, not going out too fast, and being able to keep consistent in a comfortable pace. The spectators were great, the volunteers amazing, and the majority of the racers were considerate of each other. One of my only course complaints was that racers who decided to walk stayed on the left, or in the middle vs. moving to the right which is the considerate thing to do…as a pretty good “bobber and weaver” I was able to get around those that decided to walk.
I finished strong, and had a couple pretty amazing Chicago Marathon 2012 flashbacks. Each corner, each stretch of street reminded me of my first marathon that I ran with my sister, and I found my eyes getting a little teary and my chest a little tight. The city of Chicago has truly captured my heart in so many ways.

I've got some pretty cool friends...yup — I’ve got some pretty cool friends…yup

We finished the day, having lunch and doing some site seeing in Chicago before we had to head home. What. A. Great. Day.

yes, my obligatory Bloody Mary that I treat myself to after every race.

Thanks to all who help me keep this blog alive. I truly love helping people, keep, movin’…forward.

❤
Michelle

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