Shout-outs, props, kudos, snaps

I meant to write this yesterday, but I want to throw major props to my 6:30 AM TTh Bootcamp! Yesterday we revisited our first workout EVER together and started our final week of bootcamp with our benchmark workouts. All of the bootcampers improved their time by at least a minute, and some even by three minutes! I'm super impressed because this group is already very fit and athletic, and it only gets better from here. Way to go NE Minneapolis Bootcamp!

Becoming CrossFIT

One of my favorite benchmark WODs is Cindy because it looks and sounds so deceptively simple and then those darn push-ups get me every time! I just don't have the upper body strength I guess. Today we did Cindy and I felt a little down on myself afterward because I didn't perform as well as I had hoped, but then I had a great conversation with another member that really got me excited about CrossFit and performance again.

Total + Nutrition

Today I had a meeting with a nutritionist at school and we did CrossFit Total at the gym, both good things to assess every once in a while.

Bacon makes everything better

Today I updated my tomato-basil-mushroom frittata with a little bacon and it was MUCH better this time around. Just goes to show what you can do with a few leftover ingredients in your fridge, I just happened to have these things lying around...I recommend at least keeping onion and garlic in your pantry, as these will spice up ANY dish!

Here's a post of one of my favorite recipes, that also has some very fond memories attached: Vegetable Ratatouille. Make this one now, while all the vegetables are in season locally in Minnesota!

Paleo in the wilderness: easy as pie

I have just returned from a weekend in the wilderness (a.k.a. North Shore Lake Superior, camping out at Splitrock Lighthouse State Park)! It was loads of fun being in nature and living out of my backpack for a few days...and it was a fun challenge to stay paleo too!

Home is where the CrossFit gym is!

Today at CFSP, we had the very rare occurrence in our 6:00 PM class to be graced by the WOD dominance of THREE (3!!!) visiting CrossFitters from different states. Usually we get a few people passing through our gym weekly who are visiting the Twin Cities for various reasons, but these three individuals are not only visitors, they're REPEAT visitors!

On Preparation...for the WILD!

So I'm really excited right now because I leave on Thursday to go camping with my favorite Canuck, Rachel! And although I've been "cheating" a little with this paleo challenge because I wanted to take advantage of Minneapolis/St. Paul Restaurant Week, I plan on keeping it very paleo out in the wild. Just like our caveman ancestors, right?

Virtues and Vices

Since I started eating more paleo a little less than a year ago, I've learned so much about cooking and experimenting in the kitchen because I have to prepare everything myself. One thing I like experimenting with most is "paleo-fying" non-paleo recipes (like pancakes, muffins, ice cream, etc.), which some may not consider true paleo. Even a paleofied muffin has sugar with the added amounts of honey. With this paleo challenge happening at the gym, it's harder than ever for me to limit the amount paleofied non-paleo goodies and eat more of the good stuff like proteins and green veggies. Still, today I want to highlight and share some of my more virtuous recipes and also a more vice-like dessert recipe.

Salmon Cake Recipe

So I've been meaning to write a few more posts lately, but with the lazy days of summer, I just haven't gotten around to it. Also, since I'm changing the purpose of this blog to be less about my own workouts and more about the food I eat and my experiences with coaching, I've fallen out of the habit of posting regularly. To sort of in a way make up for it, I'm posting one of my more favorite recipes for salmon cakes!

Last week of groceries

There are only six more days left on my personal paleo cooking on a budget challenge, so most likely this weekend was my last trip to the grocery store and the farmer's market. I knew last week that I was going to go over my initial $250 budget, so I probably splurged a little bit more than I should have...hey, I'm from Texas: we go big, or we go home.

Blog Category Update

Tonight was the one year anniversary of CrossFit St. Paul being open, and it also just happens to be the night before our Paleo Challenge Kickoff for the next month - perfect reason to gather on a pub patio for a few brewskies! It was great catching up and mingling with everyone in one spot, and I learned that since Mike posted a link to this blog on the main CFSP site, a few more people have started reading this blog! Thanks!

"Paleo-fying" and Pot Roast

I just signed up for CFSP's month-long paleo diet challenge, where I'll be encouraged to maintain a pretty strict paleo diet and check-in weekly with other challengers. This is the first time we're doing something like this at the gym, and it honestly could not come soon enough for me!

Paleo Cooking Challenge Checkin

Time for a check-in on my little personal paleo cooking challenge - where I stand on the grocery bill front, what I plan on cooking this week, and what's already prepped for the week ahead!

Happy CF Birthday to ME!

One year ago today (7/17/2009), I had my first workout at CrossFit Central in Austin, TX. No, I don't have the date written down in a calendar...I'm just neurotic enough to dig through my emails to find the confirmation date from when I signed up. To mark this very special occasion, I decided to revisit my very first WOD.

Coconut Flour Pancake Recipe

We're starting a Paleo Challenge at CFSP this month, and Mike was kind enough to put my blog address on the website as a resource! What does that mean for this blog? Well, most likely I'm going to make a few revisions about what the purpose of this blog is and what I post on here - probably less about my own workouts and more recipes, more observations about fitness, and who knows, maybe some relevant evolutionary psychology research that I'm doing...

Motivation from motivating

This whole week is going to be pretty coach-heavy for me, as I wrap up the CFSP St. Paul Bootcamp with Melanie and start the Minneapolis Bootcamp all in the same week! I also subbed yesterday at Teddy Kim's gym, Twintown CrossFit. But rather than be tired from all the traveling around and hauling equipment, I have to say that coaching is such an enjoyable experience and it has really motivated me to train even harder in class.

Saturday WOD and Cooking Update

Ok, so I need to play a little catch up here and update on a few things. Last week, I was out of commission for working out with this weird stomach weirdness, so I didn't work out until Saturday. But..I did do some cooking on the paleo challenge, so I need to update that (and also recap what I've been eating).

Visit to TwinTown CF!

Next Monday, I have the honor of subbing for Teddy, owner of TwinTown Crossfit in Uptown Minneapolis, while he's out of town. So today, I went to check out his box and get the lay of the land and the vibe he creates for his clients.

Cooking BONANZA!!!!

Okay, here is my first installment in my cooking paleo on a budget challenge. I mainly cooked a lot of veggies today, since my veggie box arrived on Thursday and I don't want them to go bad before I can enjoy them. Also, (cooking tip here) veggies take me the longest to clean, prep, chop, and cook. I usually like to make vegetable and side dishes on the weekends or on nights when I have more time. Then, I can easily grill a chicken or a steak and jazz it up with some reheated veggie dish!