Chili Lime Tilapia with Kale, Fennel and Orange Salad

aka The Best Dinner Ever.

So I bought a fennel bulb in my grocery shopping this week because I have never purchased one before.  I realized promptly afterward that I actually have no idea what to do with fennel!  An internet search turned up some interesting kale and fennel salads, which I adapted in order to fit the other random things in my fridge.

Kale, Fennel and Orange Salad

The measurements of this recipe are rather approximate, as I didn't really measure much of anything, just going by taste and appearance.

2-3 cups of kale - washed, dried, stems removed, and chopped into bite sized pieces

1 shallot

1T orange zest

1/2 naval orange, peeled and chopped into bite sized pieces

about 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

2T lemon juice

1T olive oil

1/2 tsp nutmeg



about 1/2 large fennel bulb (about 1/2 cup), thinly sliced
about 1/2-3/4 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced

After chopping up your kale, mix in the shallot, orange zest, salt, olive oil and lemon juice.  Mix the salad with your hands, massaging the kale leaves.  (the acid from the lemon juice will essentially "cook" the kale, making it softer and much less bitter!).
After mixing well, add the nutmeg, orange pieces, fennel and cabbage.  Mix everything well.  Enjoy!

This should make enough for 2-3 servings.

Make it a meal: Add some chickpeas or other beans, cooked shrimp, chicken slices, or other protein source.  Healthy and crazy filling lunch!

Chili Lime Tilapia
Same story as before, I apologize for the lack of adequate measurements :)

Tilapia filet
salt and pepper to taste
chili powder (not the same thing as chili peppers)
juice of about 1/2 lime
2tsp olive oil

Heat up a large skillet and add oil.  Meanwhile, sprinkle a bit of salt and pepper on your fish.  Sprinkle the fish with chili powder (about 1tsp each side).  Place fish into the hot pan.  Squeeze some lime juice over the filets. 
Turn the filet after 4-5 minutes.  Squeeze lime juice over the other size, and add more chili powder if desired.
Cook until the fish is white throughout, about another 5 minutes.
*note, cooking times will depend greatly on the size of your fish.  Small or thin filets will take much less time to cook, thicker/larger ones may take longer to cook all the way through!

Boot Camp

As I've mentioned before, I'm signed up for my first ever half marathon this May (I was registered last year, but wasn't able to do it in the end because I went to New Orleans to build houses instead).  I had been running pretty regularly through September and October, but unfortunately, exams and midterms kind of kicked my butt after that, and I haven't been keeping up with regular training.  I have done some occasional runs, but my endurance has been slipping as a result.

With 5 months to go, I can still turn this around!  With the short bouts of running that I have been doing, I realized that I seem to be able to run up to a certain distance/time and then crash and burn - my cardio endurance only lasts for a short period of time.  In addition, I seem to lack the motivation and/or know-how to get in adequate strength training all on my own.

Enter Booty Camp Fitness.

My former WW coworker is now a trainer with Booty Camp Fitness.  I had wanted to do her camp for the longest time (she's been there for over 2 years!), but money and scheduling have been problems for me.  Finally this semester, I have Tuesday and Thursday evenings available, and I was finally able to afford to try it out!  I'm signed up for the 4 week training, twice per week.  The camp is different each day that we go, and includes a mix of cardio (LOTS), lower and upper body strengthening, and core strength.  It also seems to be really accessible for all body types, as the trainer offers modifications for most things (e.g. burpees come in 4 different ways depending on what you can do).  After day 1, my entire body was sooooo sore, but really, so worth it :)

On the first day, the trainer takes your measurements (including weight and body fat %), and you go through a fit test to see how many of each activity you can do in a minute (e.g. squats or squat jumps, push ups on toes or on knees).  I'm not terribly concerned about my measurements (though I won't be sad if I lose a few inches or anything :P), but I would love to see some improvement in my fit test results!  My weight is just a little bit above my "happy place" (140-143), so I'd like to see a loss of 2-5lbs while I'm at it :)

My results on day 1:

Measurements:

• Bust: 31.8"
• Waist: 28.5"
• Hips: 37"
• Butt: 41"
• Upper Thigh: 22.8" on both sides
• Upper Arms: 11" on both sides
• Body fat %: 22.6%
• Weight: 145.2 lbs

Activities:

• Squat jumps: 34 
• Push ups: 3 on toes, 16 on knees 
• Burpees: 5 with pushups (all on toes), 10 walkout  Suicides: 22 
• Plank: 40 seconds on hands and toes, held till 2:30 on knees/hands (at the time, I didn't realize that doing the plank on forearms was an option. I dropped from toes to knees after 40 seconds on hands because my shoulders were dying!)

In between camp sessions, I'm also trying to run at least twice per week (on the treadmill, unfortunately), and going to a yoga class at least once per week.  I'm also trying to be good about my eating habits -- tracking, eating my veggies, etc.

Check back in a few weeks to see how it goes!