I am having a tough time recovering from this half marathon! I think it was the combination of the effort I put into it with the extra cold conditions that took a toll on my body because I went into the race super rested. I was really sore for two days and now I just have a lingering tiredness. I took two complete rest days after the race and today I made my way back to light exercise. I felt more energized and better overall after I moved around a bit. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this way so I’m listening to my body and being kind with rest and good nutrition.
I have been eating some pretty great things to fuel + refuel my body around this race. It’s been over a week since my last recent eats post so let’s get to it!
I always have to start with the obligatory smoothie picture. I have stopped taking daily photos of them at this point but when I have a new and delicious combination, I like to share. I can’t get enough of this one. It’s frozen bananas, frozen strawberries, frozen blueberries, spinach, dates, plain greek yogurt, peanut butter, pumpkin pie spice and almond milk topped with Purely Elizabeth Pumpkin Fig Granola. This granola is ridiculous! It’s crunchy and full of good stuff like figs, quinoa and chia seeds. The flavor is salty and sweet all at the same time. I love it! It was a little pricy at $6.99 but totally worth the splurge. Try it!!!
I have been craving sandwiches and wraps since the weather has changed. Loved this open faced sandwich with sourdough, whole grain dijon mustard, honey, avocado, turkey and colby-jack.
Wrap with fig spread, turkey, smoked gouda and arugula.
Super simple egg sandwich with sourdough, salted butter, a perfect egg and melted cheddar. This was probably the best thing I ate all week (and I ate some pretty amazing stuff). It was just so comforting.
I have been squeezing some salads between the carbs and melted cheese cravings. This is spinach, arugula, turkey, apple, avocado, walnuts, feta and dried cranberries with a honey dijon balsamic vinaigrette.
Same salad as above but sub pears for apples and almonds for walnuts. I love adding fresh fruit to my salads. The nut + fruit + cheese combo is my fave.
This beautiful salad was from Luna’s Living Kitchen and featured all kinds of good stuff like arugula, greens, glazed pecans, raisins, avocado, pears, spiralized veggies and more. I had it topped with a veggie burger.
Half marathon recovery meal. Sushi extravaganza enjoyed on the couch and under a blanket.
Brisket, egg and cheese breakfast tacos at The Porch in Winston-Salem.
I made this salad for a girl’s night and topped it with maple soy salmon. I’ll be sharing the recipe on the blog because it was so good.
It’s always a good idea to make a meal out of a cheese plate.
Cupcakes are also always a good idea. We all took forks to this plate at girl’s night last week.
And we’ll round it out with the best cookies ever. I am seriously obsessed with these flourless peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. I make them all the time. They take two seconds to whip up and are so thick, chewy and perfectly peanut buttery. If you haven’t tried them…get on it!
So that’s what I’ve been eating lately. Not bad, right?
What have you been craving since the days have gotten shorter and cooler?
Your smoothie combinations are always look so yummy! Would you mind sharing the amounts of what you put in them? Would love to recreate! Like the one you made today- how much of each item did you put in there? Love new ideas!
Thanks!
I cannot get enough smoothies lately either. Even though it’s cold in Houston, I have been having 3-4 a week. I picked up some granola today and cannot wait to add that extra crunch. Take care of yourself woman and continue to rest! XOXO
I’ve been craving baked pasta dishes (like baked ziti and lasagna!) and soup like crazy since the weather got cooler.
I’m always amazed by how sore I get after half marathons! Sounds like a good plan to listen to your body and take it easy for a little bit 🙂
Everything looks delicious!
I’ve definitely been craving soups and ending my day with a cup of vanilla nut tea from Stash. 🙂
Congrats on your half marathon! I ran one on Sunday and got a 17 min PR (came in at 1:47) and I’ve been feeling the same recovery wise – I had to take two full rest days , and I’m trying to get good nutrition in too (with some delicious treats here and there too!)
I really want you to make me a sandwich! Yours always looks so perfect, beautiful, and delicious! HAHA!
Hi Jen,
I wanted to thank you for posting your stuffed acorn squash recipe the other day. I bought a butternut squash and an acorn squash on a whim last weekend. After oven baking, peeling, and cubing both items, I had a big tub of bland squash I was not sure what to do with. I took your recipe and made it in a casserole style and it was delicious! Thanks for helping me salvage my mounds of bland squash! Also, thanks for recommending the Success Rice in a bag, it saved dishes on my end and the texture of the rice was perfect.
All this food looks delicious! Lately I’ve been craving paleo pumpkin pancakes and turkey pumpkin chili. I love chili in the winter!
The best thing for after a race/long run is to move around. The more I sit, the stiffer I am! I am totally craving warm bowls of oatmeal (although I do that all year), hot chocolate and even tomato soup (I never want soup)…I wish we had a Luna’s near me! Looks so good.
Red wine, dark chocolate and a lot of hot tea.
Everything here looks soooo tasty! I’m the same way when cold weather hits: I go into sandwich + soup mode and don’t want to eat anything else. I used to sort of begrudgingly force myself to eat salads, but recently I’ve been making veggie-loaded soups and chili as a sort of compromise. That + lots of tea has been my comfort food.
I’ve been craving oatmeal recently. And red wine.
Great week of eats btw! Everything looks so good…and I’m definitely making those cookies soon. 🙂
I always crave red wine. 🙂
Definitely take your time with recovery! I was exhausted for a couple weeks after my last PR marathon and found myself sleeping A LOT. It was hard for me to be patient with my body even though I had just asked it to do something really hard.
Those peanut butter cookies are how i stumbled upon your blog 🙂
yay! glad they brought you here! 🙂
Hi Jen… What kind of deli turkey do you get for your salads? They always look so good!
hey libby! i just get it from wherever i am shopping…whole foods is usually applegate farms or their house brand and harris teeter is boar’s head.
that’s it, i found it…the peanut butter cookie recipe. i’ve been craving peanut butter and these are going to do the trick! thanks so much!