In spite of everything, we had a busy week. We made our revised school decision and Mr. PugRunner embarked on his new wellness regimen. Adjustments have been made to our routine, and we will continue to modify until we find out what works and what doesn’t. Progress isn’t always a straight line, and we are twisting and turning every day, it seems.
Sunday – rest
Much as I would have loved to squeeze in a walk or run, we had a fishing date. Little man is in the process of earning his Fishing Merit Badge, and his last requirements included catching a fish, cleaning it, and then preparing it to eat.
Since we have zero fishing experience, we asked for some help from friends, and he was able to catch a catfish. Not glamorous, but edible.
We worked up a huge appetite after our morning to outside and enjoyed a socially distant lunch at an oceanfront restaurant with a well-spaced open-air upstairs and ice cream.
By the time we got home, I was exhausted, but we had a whole afternoon of meal prep ahead of us. We are working so hard to support Mr PugRunner, so we did a hefty grocery shop and we went to work making breakfasts and lunches for the week.
He had egg white cups with mushroom and spinach with either sweet potato hash or Ezekial English muffins for breakfast and teriyaki chicken with rice and steamed broccoli.
Monday – 3.85 miles, walking
First up, a nice walk to start the day.
From there, I had a PTSO meeting. Regardless of our schooling decision for next year, I want to support our neighborhood school and am so grateful i will be able to maintain a small leadership role.
Little man completed his requirements, thanks to our very patient and helpful friend. She assisted with the cleaning, and little man blackened and pan fried his catfish, as needed.
Our first “meal plan’ dinner was a one pan dish of ground turkey and cauliflower, sautéed with garlic, butter, hot sauce and some seasoning. It was actually pretty flavorful.
Tuesday – 3 miles, running + 2.47 miles, walking
I am super grateful for these runs, no matter how hot and humid it is. Sure, I miss cooler days, but what can you do?
Little man had his last day of algebra prep for the summer. He has dragged his feet a bit about completing his online sessions, but ended up finishing an average in the low 90s. He does NOT get it from me, that’s for sure.
Our school district also had a five hour board meeting about back to school plans. I went ahead and put in little man’s application to a virtual option. While we all want to return to school, the probable lack of consistency is a huge detriment for us and we have to make use of other options.
On tap for dinner: Taco Salads.
Wednesday – 3.88 miles, walking
Guys. It’s hot out there. Ugh.
Our dinner on Wednesday was Egg Roll In A Bowl: all the yumminess of an egg roll without the fried wrapper (although little man and I did have some crunchy noodles).
Thursday – rest
Today was my last day of equine therapy filming. It was a lovely morning, even if the main camera overheated. It’s hot out there, friends.
I hurried home, got a quick shower, and then took Luna to the vet for her rabies shot. This is her last vaccine for about six months, and I think she’s happy to be done.
We celebrated with nuggets!
The rest of the day was super chill. The boys went to the pool for a bit and I made Buffalo Chicken and Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing for dinner.
Friday – 3 miles running
After a quick run
we met my parents at the beach. We haven’t seen them in ages, and are are all comfortable with outdoor activities, so the beach was perfect.
Since we were there early, we had plenty of space for social distancing, but by lunchtime, we had to call it quits. There was still plenty of space, but people weren’t respectful of it.
For lunch, we went to Osprey Tacos. We are super impressed with their food, but also their cleanliness and sanitation. Outdoor dining is a huge plus.
Saturday – 4.21 miles. walking
Saturday ended up being a very, very quiet day.
I walked.
And then I kind of lounged around for most of the day, reading and relaxing. That evening, we walked to the ice cream truck at our community center for some soft serve, and I called it an early night.
Goal-getting
Week One of meal prep is going well. Mr PugRunner is doing great with his workouts and staying on track with his nutrition. It’s not super convenient, but we will get into a groove, especially on weekends. I’m keeping all our recipes on a Pinterest board, so please feel free to check it out.
Miles are solid. The humidity makes motivation difficult, but I’m sticking with things as best I can. I really want to make the jump to a four miler, but I’m not 100% ready yet. Maybe by the end of the month.
The humidity is also causing me to drink a lot more (sparkling) water. It’s a good thing hydration-wise, but I have had some caffeine headaches as well. Those will pass.
I am linking up with the Weekly Rundown, with Confessions of A Mother Runner and Running on the Fly! Check them out!
How was your week in training?
What’s your favorite weeknight dinner recipe?
Your dinners look yummy. Yep, summer running isn’t the best but like you say, what can we do? The Alice Network is a good one, funnily enough I finished it on the beach on the gulf side of FL on vacation a few years ago.
Beckett @ Birchwood Pie recently posted…Weekly Sweats: The Whatever Plan
Good for your son – earning his fishing merit badge! I have experience catching the fish, cooking the fish, and eating the fish but none cleaning the fish. That was always too gross for me. Ha!
It’s hot here in PA. I can’t even imagine what it’s like in Florida. Yesterday my hubby went golfing with our youngest son. When he got home, his voice sounded weak. He needed rest and something to eat. Even though he drank 2 bottles of water and a Gatorade, he lost 4 pounds from sweating!
Congrats to your son on earning his merit badge! Also congrats to your husband for continuing with the meal prepping. I love the meals that you made for this week, especially the breakfasts. It’s so good to have healthy grab and go options.
The way Luna is staring down that chicken nugget is how I feel about pizza so I totally relate to her excitement, lol
Ahh, I really need to work on meal prepping again! It’s been harder to do since moving back home, but definitely something I gotta change!
Hoping to do more walking on days that I don’t get a full workout in!
Congrats to your son on his merit badge! :]
Congrats to your son on the fishing accomplishment! We do fish casually when we go camping, but we always throw them back. I don’t like to eat fish, and cleaning them is a whole other topic – so I’m very impressed with your son doing it all! I really need to get my mind in gear – I have such a hard time thinking of meal ideas for our family during the summer. When it’s cool outside I can cook everything, but I lack interest when it’s hot out!
I don’t envy those of you with younger kids who are wrestling with all this school stuff. College is stressful too but in a different way. Good for you hubs and it will be fun to support him on his journey. Stay cool down there!
I have been sick to my stomach over the choices and the judgment from other parents. I have no idea if we are doing the right thing, but I don’t know what else to do. I’m just so sad about everything.
Good work on your exercise and well done to your son and glad you could recruit friends to help! What is the new regime working on? I ask because I had to change my diet to work on my cholesterol about 8 years ago – it was a pain and I’m still annoying when we go out to eat but it worked and it’s workable. Good luck with that anyway, looks like it’s going well.
So, my husband needs to lower his blood pressure and lose weight. He was doing kickboxing (and doing a great job) prior to COVOID-19, but when the gyms all shut down, he didn’t really replace it with anything. He’s not on keto, but also nat really doing Whole 30, so it’s challenging to find “compliant” recipes and meal suggestions. He’s definitely had to cut the dairy and carbs, and bump up his protein. He’s lost five pounds this week and just started measuring himself. It’s not sustainable as far as it goes, but it should get him to a good place. We do cook at home a lot, and I’m good about not frying or using much salt, but he struggles with portions and sometimes with eating the “right” things.
Ah, OK, the blood pressure the easiest way to do that is the salt, and it’s annoying when you already do low salt, and the exercise. I take a low-dose blood pressure med because although it came down with my cholesterol and some weight loss, they kept moving what they said was the limit of “high” so I was always a smidge over! I have made my peace with taking a med for that. Best of luck with it all.
He is on a medication, and he’s ok with that, but he’s definitely not exercising how he should. So I save the salt for my own food (I have low BP), and I am confident that getting in a better routine with his fitness will be effective towards his goals. 🙂
That buffalo chicken looks SO GOOD. I need to make that.
Sounds like life is happening again, even if differently. Glad you’re all staying well!
It’s really good and so easy to make. Seriously just pop the chicken breasts and Frank’s Hot sauce to the crockpot and let it go all day. Finish it with a tbsp of butter about 15 minutes before serving and done.
We shared the SAME ice cream choice this week.
Our weather is resembling Florida but we are not used to it.
Your meals look awesome even if you are following a special diet.
I think of you every time I see the Mr Softee truck!
My diet hasn’t changed too much. I’m trying to be more mindful of snacks, and we are not getting as many carbs at dinner, but I’m in the clear.
Man, I’m hungry now! Everything looks so tasty. And ditto what Darlene said–we are having Florida weather too. Today is actually not so bad. But the weekend–gack! I looks so forward to summer, but not this.
Luna’s face just slays me!
Must be a nationwide heat wave! I hope it eases up for you soon.
Luna is a piece of work. She’s just so sassy and terrifyingly smart.
That restaurant sign is everything! Imagine a world where we all thought that! I love that Little Man’s fishing merit badge is so involving! I’ll have to hunt around and see if we have something similar here. Would love for my kids to do something like that.
Isn’t it beautiful? They were taking some backlash for it, so I was happy to make the trek to support their store.
BSA has been a huge blessing for him. He’s learning so many things and I’m so proud of his efforts.
Yes, it’s hot out there, no arguments! It was super steamy for my long run on Saturday, but all the wind really made it bearable (who am I? I usually curse the wind LOL). It has felt good to do more biking, though…cardio with a bit more of a “breeze.” You’re ambitious doing all that meal prep…I don’t think I would have that kind of commitment.
We don’t even have wind most days! I can see that being helpful. I bake inside my helmet, so biking on hot days is a no go.
The meal prep is challenging, especially since I’m not directly benefitting. I am making small adjustments to my own diet just to be more supportive.
I sure wish there was an ice cream truck in our neighborhood. I tried to think of an errand to get me near an ice cream place yesterday, but ended up staying home. One of my (few) favorite instapot recipes is an egg roll in a bowl recipe — made with ground turkey. It’s so yummy. The school decisions are so tough. Virtual seems like the only “safe” bet — meaning bet that it will actually happen.
The virtual option we chose works independently of the school system. which is now voting on a delayed start to the year. We will go ahead as planned, so that’s reassuring.
I really feel for you trying to navigate the school choices.
It looks like you all are doing an awesome job with the meal prep!
Right now, I feel like we absolutely made a good choice. I may change my mind, but for now, it’s ok.
Making school choices right now is not easy. I get it. I respect everyone’s decision.
I love buffalo chicken! Now I want a buffalo chicken sandwich.
Little man loves wings so much. I just got him a buffalo wings mask!
Every family needs something different. I just wish people wouldn’t be so nasty about everyone’s concerns and choices. You would lose your mind over the conversation I just read from some parents who are just dogging on teachers: do your job or quit; maybe they should have tried harder in the last quarter, maybe they should have worked all summer so we can go back to school on time. It’s hideous.
Great job with your workouts this week! Once it cools off I bit I bet you will easily be able to increase your mileage. All your food prep looks great! Its so time consuming but definitely worth it. The school decisions are so hard. Apparently our school district is leaning towards a virtual start, but we don’t know exactly what that will look like. I know people just want to know their options so they can start planning!
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I am actually feeling great about our final decision today. Teachers are now suing the state regarding returning to school regarding preparedness to return. Essentially, they want to go back to work, but have great concerns about PPE, supplies, engaging online and in-person classes, and a whole host of other things that have been lost in the shuffle. It’s UGLY here. The virtual school we selected does not get touched by any of this, so our school year will start mostly as planned.
Way to go on the meal prep. All the dishes look so good! I want that egg roll in a bowl now! Mr. P is very lucky to have such great support. Like Wendy said, this summer in Chicago has been a sizzler. I hate to wish it away but yikes, the humidity is soul sucking. I’m sure Luna girl is thrilled to have her shots done for now!
So happy you were able to spend time with your parents! The beach sounds perfect.
You know, I actually suggested my husband should do some fishing (from the bank, not in a river). He enjoyed it as a kid. Anything to pry him out of the house, LOL!
Gotta admit those breakfasts & lunches look super boring, but go Mr. Pugrunner!
The whole school issue is SO hard. Glad I don’t have to deal with it, but my heart goes out to parents. No easy decisions there.