Sear-Roasted Haddock with Blood Orange Salsa

My health nut of a husband has suggested for years that I get into some organized form of exercise. He says it’s because he wants to keep me around for a long time {not because all the confections I bake are visible in my hind quarters}. 😉

The problem is, I’m not much of a “sporty” girl. 

I don’t like to sweat. I am not extremely competitive. My idea of “lifting weights” is hoisting my 9 pound cast iron skilling onto the stove top. So, you can imagine that finding an exercise regimen that fits my idea of non-torturous semi-enjoyable hasn’t exactly been easy.

A few weeks ago, the hubs showed up with a 10 session package deal for classes at a local fitness studio. {Men. They never learn.} And so, while I was admittedly less jazzed about this little “gift” than I would normally be, I decided to be gracious and humor him by attending the barre exercise{barre… not pole. There’s been some confusion when I’ve mentioned this to other people…} classes they offer.

I was involved in ballet for most of my youth, so I figured that perhaps my muscles wouldn’t balk too much at the “ballerina style muscle sculpting” they mention on their website.

Let me preface this by telling you that this class is only 30 minutes long. Surely, I could handle half an hour of exercise.

Yeah, not so much.

Approximately 15 minutes into the class {And exactly 3 minutes into an intense thigh workout}, I felt a sudden wave of dizziness wash over me. I thought it would pass, so I powered through, not wanting to interrupt the class and embarrass myself in the process.

When I turned to barre instructor to let her know I wasn’t feeling quite right, her expression spoke volumes. My face had lost any trace of color. I was drenched in cold sweat. And apparently, the dimming lights were not a strobe light effect to make the class more exciting. I was thisclose to passing out.

After a brief “time out” of sitting on the mat and trying not to throw up on everyone’s feet sipping some water, I started to feel slightly normal again. Ok, not really. But I had to redeem myself. So I got back up, hung on to the barre for dear life and finished the class with my head held high. {Or at least I think it was. I was still slightly disoriented.}

The verdict?

I am not cut out for much more than brisk walks and gentle yoga. In short, I have the exercise ability of a 70 year old woman. Oh well, you can’t win ’em all. {I will, however, be finishing out the rest of the classes I have left… so if I suddenly stop posting altogether… you know what did me in.} 😉

In all seriousness, though, I am hoping that the next class goes a little more smoothly and that I can summon the fitness goddess within. Until then, I’ll be eating lots of fresh, healthy meals like this one to help keep me in shape {and more importantly, keep me conscious!}.

The bright, citrusy flavors from the different kinds of oranges in the salsa are a great compliment to this Sear-Roasted Haddock {and if you’re not a fish person, I’m sure it would go great with chicken, too}. Your tastebuds won’t even know that you’re trying to behave! A perfect dish for introducing some lively flavors into your Spring menu.

Sear-Roasted Haddock with Blood Orange Salsa
Slightly adapted from Fine Cooking

For Blood Orange Salsa:
1/4 to 1/2 cup fresh navel or Valencia orange juice
1 blood orange, cut into segments, segments cut in half
2 tbsp minced red onion
1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp finely grated navel or Valencia orange zest
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For Fish:
2 skinless halibut fillets
1 tsp finely grated navel or Valencia orange zest
1 tsp chopped dried thyme
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 Tbs. olive oil

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 425°F.