Short and sweet...sweat angels..so fun training my son again! Is perfection all it's cracked up to be?

Short and sweet. I have a lot to say but not enough time to say it in.
I have one recipe share-1 short story and one intriguing inspirational share.

Nom Nom Paleo- Asian Meatballs. Made them tonight! LOVE THEM- I do this on Wednesdays sometimes..I get bored of what I have been eating already. These are insanely delicious- I used turkey in place of beef still amazing! If you have never worked with fish sauce I caution you-it smells...just be careful- and PLEASE read the ingredients before you buy some. I got mine at whole foods. (WHICH I NEVER DO!!)
http://nomnompaleo.com/post/39832097367/whole30-day-6-asian-meatballs


Started training my son again this week. So glad that his life has calmed ever so slightly for now...until baby gets here!! SO EXCITED!! Here is what I love about training him. He has a strong knowledge of how a movement should go. When I ask him to tweak what he is doing, he does it immediately. His integrity of movement says a lot about him. I am SO glad that he is athletic as he is and not awkward like me. Yesterday I threw a pretty tough WOD at him..things I knew he would love...He killed it. In fact...he ended with more reps yesterday than he did the last time he did this WOD -and he had been working out consistently at that time...Sadly....this is all that was left of him today...3 brutal days and he disappeared like a champ! (love the CrossFit22 in the sweat angel)

Well it's kind of short right?? In closing...of course...CrossFit Lisbeth...after really struggling through an Oly lifting class night...this really grabbed my attention. Sometimes..I am striving so hard to be perfect...I lose sight of my actual goal. "IS PERFECTION REALLY WHAT WE VALUE MOST???" think about it..This post courtesy of CrossFit Lisbeth:

Perfect.
We talk about flawless as the goal. Perfection. Without error. Unmarred.
And it is … but is that what we most love? Or is it only what we desire? What we aim for?
Think about it.
Is perfection really what we most value? Or, do we actually find the scar more interesting than the unmarked?
One tells a story; the other tells nothing.
Do we go to the movies to see stories of perfection? Of nothing ever wrong? Moment after moment of unmitigated bliss? Or do we prefer to learn of hardships, and battles won over seemingly unbeatable odds? Are we not stirred by stories where all seemed lost … and then all was won?
If these things thrill us in song and book and play, then why do we think life would be otherwise in our own world? Why do we long for Easy Street? Why do we think life would be better if we had no battles? Why do we think perfection could come without a price?
It does not. Perfection always has a high price. And is rare. You may never catch her … but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
So don’t be frightened, or daunted, by the challenge in front of you. A gift has been placed at your door. Open it up. Get dirty, get bloody, get bruised. Perfect may be the goal, but the path there will leave many marks. And that’s okay. Your life is real. Get moving.

And of course...have to close with something funny....just stole this off FB....ITS SO ME!!!

Addicted to an App??? Bless those friends that share their gardens!

B Gunther-first Varsity TD...won't be the last!



Going to start tonight by giving kudos to one of my awesome nephews. Good Job Brax scoring your first Varsity TD man I LOVE High School football-can't wait to get out to some games! I seriously have the most amazing nieces and nephews. I feel lucky that I get to be a part of their lives. And although I didn't make the game. I won't be missing anymore. Sometimes Fridays are hard for me to maneuver. Anywhoo..congrats!!

LOVES

Old dog..new tricks

Ok..so I found this app...and I am addicted.. LAME!! this is what happens to an empty nester when the Mr. has a busy weekend. This is cool though right? I captured in one photo my Mom learning to use chopsticks..Kat was so patient with her...and then the other...just random photos of things I just love so
much!!
 Cool right??

Menu this week-super simple. I can't thank Jo enough for letting me raid her garden. There is NOTHING better than garden produce. I do Bountiful Baskets only every other week so it was awesome today that she invited me to help myself to some goods from her garden. I had kind of already planned my menu and all the produce fell right into place. Picked up chicken-some fruit-spinach for breakfast and the awesome salad mix!!!

So I did find a few recipes that peaked my interest and my share of an amazing salad dressing recipe compliments of my sister Liz. All links will be at the bottom of this post.

First STUFFED COLLARD GREENS. Um yes...delicious. Had one for dinner tonight. Smothered in Franks Red Hot. These are great! not too big but filling just the same. This recipe compliments of Fast Paleo.

Making these reminded me ALOT of making dolmathes. Basically same kind of concept. Roll them tight and do not overstuff them. YUM!!

I made the salad dressing that my sister Liz shared with me earlier this week- tip- get TOASTED sesame oil. There is a bit of a difference between that and the regular..just seems light- I just toasted my sesame seeds in a little pan on my stove top. Here it is
LIZS DRESSING RECIPE
1 TB grated ginger Fresh...do not use lame powder
1 TB garlic
2 TB toasted sesame oil
2 TB coconut amino's Tip-if you get these at Bountiful Nutrition- I know its kind of pricey but they sometimes run out-so always buy 2 bottles!
4 TB white wine vinegar-don't go to the Walmart in Cntvl to get this-they are out!
sea salt to taste blend and then add 1 TB toasted sesame seeds

I used this on the salad mix from Costco with some leftover chicken breast it was AWESOME!!! Thanks Liz for sharing!

Thanks to Jo's generosity I was able to avoid buying lame tomatoes in the store and zucchini as well. I just ran the zucchini through my mandolin and then cut up the tomatoes with a small red onion, garlic, oregano and basil- added sea salt and pepper to taste as well as some red pepper flakes. YUM ! I just roasted this in my oven at 400 for about 20-25 minutes. Normally I blend this but I opted to just leave it chunky this time. My intent with the zucchini is just to heat it a little (yes zap it) and drown it with the tomato sauce. I also grilled 2 chicken breasts that I will probably add to the mix.

The other thing I am doing for lunches I kind of got the idea from PaleOMG. End of summer Cobb Salad-leaving out the fruit and minus her dressing. I am using the Liz dressing and using Spinach in place of arugula and no shrimp-subbing rotisserie chicken.  I pre cut all of my veggies so that I can just grab and go. This will help in prep. Its so MUCH easier to just grab a bunch of little bags and throw my spinach into a container and add it all after the fact! 

 
How AWESOME ARE THESE BAGS?? If you look closely you will see the measurements on the side. LOVE these!! I got them at WalMart. Sometimes I like to weigh and measure. My eating has been pretty much on point lately but it's always good to check in from time to time.

 

Well a new week is upon us. What are you hoping to accomplish this week? Eat clean?? just do it...train hard??? just do it.
For me...I want to remain positive at work...try not to let it overwhelm me and get my 2 days of strength progression in..and spend some time with the Mr before he leaves me for the weekend...so much to do so little time!!!
Stay strong and focused. Be positive and happy. Life is good!!!

http://fastpaleo.com/recipe/stuffed-collard-greens/
http://paleomg.com/summer-cobb-salad/

Taking ya'all to CHURCH...a little sermon on adversity...Croniqua style

ad·ver·si·ty  

/adˈvərsitē/

Noun Difficulties; misfortune.

Synonyms misfortune - disaster - distress - calamity - hardship No food advise today. I feel compelled to just do life ish today. I will let you know I have an amazing salad dressing recipe to share that my sister Liz sent me. But today. I feel like I want to just talk about adversity. "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Ever heard this before? We have all heard it. Perhaps we have all had some form of adversity in our lives. I would say my family...has had a good fair share. Well here's the deal. I had a little epiphany today-about adversity-and felt the need to dedicate my blog post tonight to it. This is happening a lot more to me lately. As I become one with myself...I have epiphanies more often  WATCH OUT!! It's simple. Good people are easy targets. Not so good people create their own adversity. They are their own worst enemies. But GOOD people?? vulnerable...sometimes mistaken as weak...sometimes not so great things happen ..it's the circle of life. How we deal with these adversities is what truly defines us. I am blessed to be surrounded by strong people. Not only physically strong but strong minded. Case and point #1 My kiddos-look at them. You would never really know by just gazing at this pic the adversity they have faced in the past few months. I am not going into details. But they have a lot going on. Car issues-house issues-you name it, life is throwing some stuff at them. And they just smile and forge on. It's a lot to admire but also a lot to be thankful for. They remain happy and healthy. Case and Point #2 Today, I learned of a friend -former employee- is losing his battle or has lost rather, his battle with cancer today. He is in the last stages of life. OF LIFE. I have been following his story on Facebook and this is what his wife posted today. UPDATE: Kevin is in his final hours. He has "terminal congestion" which means his lungs are starting to fill up with fluid as his body shuts down. The hospice nurse said she doubts he'll make it through tonight. His body is weak, frail and thin. He is rarely awake and those moments are very short. When he does wake up he always asks for "a hug, a BIG hug" which always makes me smile. Please continue to pray that he can be released back to our Heavenly Father soon. We love him so much and hate to see him suffer. ~Rachel How amazing is this that his wife, as difficult as it will be for her and their children is asking people to pray that he is released. Selfless and strong. Case and point #3 Laura and Amanda from our box lost their sweet Mom/Grandmother yesterday as well. My thoughts and prayers go out to them. Although people suffer physically and we yearn for the pain to go away..when it does it seems to always be bittersweet. These two have an amazing relationship and although they will be grieving- the strength that they will be able to provide for each other will get them through this very difficult time. Strong- and capable women..I am so lucky to be surrounded by so so many. Case and Point #4-My sweet sister Liz's son Jaxson. I am so choked up thinking about this.  Reminds me SO much of my Kolby. The kid has had SO MANY things out of the ordinary happen to him. But he just continues to push past it and work hard. Today Jaxson had a mishap on the football field that I am guessing will take him out for the season. This is not the first time something like this has happened. A few years ago jumping off a "ride" at the Bountiful Handcarts Day Jaxson broke his back. Yet he forged on and played football again. As he will with this injury as well. The kid has the soul and strength of something I can't really explain. He will come through this and push on to whatever he wants. How can he avoid it? He has so many strong people surrounding him. I am sure you are wondering by now "what's her point?" Something  I learned at a young age. God will never give you MORE than you can handle. Something I also learned...sometimes...you think it's more than you can handle and you cave. You give into the negativity's that take you to a dark place you have no business being. BUT if you can somehow look past the moment. Look past the sad, sorrowful, challenged, dark, dirty place that you are in and look to what lies beyond it..to what you will gain when you finally understand that everything is for something! You will be able to move forward with an understanding that honestly...what doesn't kill you will make you stronger. WHEW!! That is a lot I know. I just felt like I had to get that out.  So I guess if I have anything to close with. Realize that the challenges we face in life are there for a reason. It's not our place to understand WHY. It is our place to figure HOW to get through it..push through the pain if you will..get comfortable being uncomfortable. Hump day did not disappoint. Wod hard...stay focused and strong- and as always...you know I have to close with something funny!! Croniqua....OUT!

Food prep ...Kind of wishin I was still in Napa....

What were you doing last Sunday at this time??? Me...this is what I did. An amazing dinner-the dinner location was changed at the very last moment and oh man it did not disappoint. This is at Redd Wood. This was a great night!

I am not going to lie - coming back to reality was tough.
Wodding was painful- getting my eating back in check..eh...I did ok. Did manage to sneak in Rancho Tacos last night. I probably shouldn't have but they were delicious and I might have paid for it a little in sprints today.

I am not going to be super wordy today. Going to get right down to business. My recipes are all borrowed. I will post links at the bottom of this post.

Got a GREAT idea from Jo on making dried fruit leather. PUT IT OUTSIDE. It's so hot- and honestly I thought flies would be all over it but nope. I had some plums that were pretty ripe. Threw them in the food processor-poured onto a plastic lined cookie sheet and set out. I started this late so I am going to have to put it out again tomorrow-it's about half way done.

 

I am such a weirdo...I kept looking out at it seeing if it was working...it was.


Bountiful Baskets had some good stuff- lots of yummy fruit!!

I found 2 recipes on PaleOMG that I was super excited to try. Buffalo Chicken Pasta and Thai chicken and mango fried rice.

I made the Buffalo Chicken Pasta first. I was kind of bummed because immediately when I cut into my spaghetti squash I knew it was crap. So I am guessing if you get a good squash the texture would be a little different. I love Franks Red Hot so I used that. The ingredients seem to be pretty clean! The colors in this dish are gorgeous. Hey have you seen the bags of grated carrots? I am not a HUGE carrot person but these are great in a pinch if you are having a craving- quick sweet little snack! 
 

Its hard to see in the pic how it really turned out but is delicious. Tip- again- on the mayo did part olive oil part avocado and I used only about half of the mayo. It seems to not be dry at all and I am sure I can use the mayo with my salad mix and make a little cole slaw for a when I need a break this week.

On the Thai Fried rice. I forgot to buy mushrooms...not a good shopping day for me today..even though I had a list for some reason I just didn't write it down. So I left them out and I opted to add the cilantro right into it.  

 

I opted to also throw burgers and some sausage on the grill - the sausages I will be using in my breakfast (with spinach and eggs) and the burgers again- just if I get burnt out on anything else. Always nice to some cook turkey because you can just throw it in the freezer if you can't or don't eat it.

 

I LOVE LOVE the way my fridge looks on food prep day!!

 

 

http://paleomg.com/buffalo-chicken-pasta/

http://paleomg.com/thai-chicken-and-mango-fried-rice/

 

Hard to believe that I do not have much more to say. It's was a crazy long week and when you work some on the weekend it feels like you just don't really get any down time! IT SUCKS!!!

 

I am starting back strong on my strength progression this week. I am very much looking forward to it. I am looking to get strong and get some new PR's in the next few months...sick of being stuck at 150# power clean for almost a year!

 

CHEERS TO A NEW START AND A NEW WEEK!!! Stay focused and make a concentrated effort to stay on track. If you have a bad day..don't have 2. Turn it around the next day!

Everyone have a great week!!! Croni Out!

 

Does this seem like something I might say??

Quick food "prep" in a pinch...NAPA...ahhh the memories!!!

Robin, Amy, Me, Mom, Kat and Liz..reflections by the fire....

Another girls trip to Napa is "in the books". You can't really complain about spending 6 days in paradise with 5 other amazing women. I appreciate every moment shared.

Paradise



Carnage

I really wanted to document my food journey a lot better than I did. Here is just a short description-imagine being in paradise with access to the best food you can possibly eat. That was this trip. Not one bad meal. And after every meal...all that was left was just carnage... I did have a few favorite meals. I am kind of an odd ball. I usually either order something as a repeat or I go to the other end of the spectrum and order something so very odd. I did have one salad that will be dying to duplicate. It was a Chopped Salad at R & D Kitchen.

Again- I was hoping to get better pics. The food in Napa and Yountville is like nothing you ever imagined. Insanely fresh-at one place I totally fell in love with the ketchup..yes...the ketchup.

And what would a trip be without a few trips to Bouchon bakery? Ok so they have this insane nutter butter cookie. 2 huge cookies with what seems like peanut butter mousse' sandwiched between!! It was delicious. We didn't go too crazy on the bakery this year. I am sure the desserts after dinner more than made up for it. For those who may not know we sometimes run to Bouchon and I believe its 2 miles each way. Mom rides...we run. Which brings me to another point. You can't even get mad running here..the place has scenery for days that is absolutely stunning! So many gorgeous views its crazay!



 

 

AGAIN!! The trip was amazing. I did pretty much enjoy what I wanted and all too soon the reality of coming home..and not just coming home- back to reality AND a heroes wod set in.

Tips in case you do not know this

1. Bread is bad...in any form...bad bad bad...

2. Sugar is bad...bad..bad...bad..

3. Only running 2 times in 6 days ..eh..not so bad...but bad..if that makes any sense

4. Having to work on vacation...blows completely(lucky to have 2 strong team members to back me up)

So coming back obviously I didn't have any food prepped and got in too late to prep. So tonight..grabbed this-

Dad gave me some fish-bless his heart-I had to remind him of the fish give away pecking order- REAL DAUGHTERS FIRST...grabbed a chicken from Costco-the amazing salad mix I love- avocados, eggs and spinach. I grilled the fish, pulled the chicken and some new salsa I think my sis Amy told me is the bomb-ingredients seemed pretty so I am giving it a shot- I am hopeful clean eating will happen the rest of week.

Todays WOD (Lumberjack 20) owned me...humbled me...hurt me..and almost made me cry. I feel bad for people who have not figured out how poor eating impacts their wodding.

 

Well that's it folks..It lack spark I know. I am beat. I found a few new recipes that I am excited to try on Sunday!! Also managed to remember to order my basket so looking forward to being completely back on track.

For my inspirational share-of course..courtesy of CrossFit Lisbeth..considering I just spent 6 days with some seriously bad ass bitches..couldn't be more appropriate...

 

Go F***ing Light up the World                                           

People say fear is a choice.

 

Well, so is ignorance. Stupid is a choice.

 

Being less than yourself is a choice.

 

Dumbing yourself down for others. Lifting less weight because you’re scared of being strong. Snarky gossip. All choices.

 

Keeping your mouth shut when you really want to stand up and take on the forces of hate in this world? That’s a choice too.

 

In my opinion, we spend far too much time on being “good girls” and far too little time on being badass bitches.

 

Imagine what your life would be like if you just said every morning, “Here’s who the hell I am. Time to get shit done.”

 

Hide your light under a basket? Smash the basket. Blind the crowd with your light.

 

Even the Bible says “Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.”

 

Stop hiding. Go f#cking light up the world.



 

 

Better late than never?? Good bye cruel cruel world..HELLO GIRL TIME IN NAPA!!!

The past few days have been a complete whirlwind..It funny how I anticpate this trip every year and yet I am never really prepared for it.
Can't wait to get the EFF out of dodge..I need a break, my body and mind need a break and I can't think of any better place to bring myself back together than in Napa with my sisters and my Momma.

So today...My share will be short. Again-I try and follow things that will really inspire me. I love many many posts and CrossFit Lisbeth will always  be my fave...but Journal Menu is great as well.

My advise- keep focused. Eat to perform and don't be defeated by your failures...let that be the drive that fuels your next PR.

I wont be posting on Sunday but next Wednesday...I will have a pretty good post of all my eating in Napa!!!
(Courtesy of JournalMENU)

It's a new day.

Let go of yesterday's failures.

Let go of the bad WOD you had, or the lift you couldn't quite get, or the slower than usual run.

... Let go of the missed reps or the failed PRs.

Learn from them and move on.

Focusing on past failures only creates a vicious cycle of more failures.

Figure out what went wrong. Was your lift form off? Were your knees caving in? Did you forget to shrug?

OK. Fix it. Now move on.

Were you not rested enough? Did you forget to fuel yourself up before the WOD?

Great. Learn from it and move on.

Focus on your game plan, how you are going to implement the fixes, how you are going to rest better, eat better and diligently go through squat therapy.

Focus on your strengths, on your small victories - be it a WOD that felt good or a lift that looked good.

Focus on the positive, on what you CAN do instead of what you didn't do or what you can't do.

Learn from your failure, then let it roll off your back like sweat dripping to the floor.

It's a new day, and you CAN do this.

CRONI ...OUT

Comp #2 in the books..Napa here I come..keeping food quick and simple.

Comp #2 is done. I can't complain about how I did. I gave it everything I could. I would have like to have finished better but still happy with how I did. We worked hard as a team and didn't quit for anything. I got so excited at one point that I skipped doing some pull ups and just headed out on a run..so determined to get a good time I made a little mistake..cost us about 30 plus seconds. I apologized to my team mate 1000 times...still have no regrets.


I am SO happy I have been running bleachers and hills. Because Friday night I had to run this. I wasn't first done-I was last in my heat..didn't care because I did not fall and I did not quit. That was all that mattered!! It was also fun to reconnect with some peeps that are wodding at other boxes but through CF22 I was able to meet and get to know. Fun to see them and compete with them. I am going to be honest These comps are crazy intense and really..I just want to have fun. It doesn't have to be so damn serious. We aren't trying to go to the games so it was nice to be surrounded by people who wanted to do well, were competing for serious but were grounded as well!

Marci, Derrick, Steph, Nate, Me, Amanda, her awesome hubby Tony and Jeff G


I have to mention how much I love competing with Amanda...she keeps me calm when I want to freak out!! She is the proverbial "calm before the storm"!
I didn't make it to the finals...finished about 5th to last. But I was happy with how I personally finished. I felt strong and I felt that I gave it 110% and at the end of the day..that is all that really matters.

After the comp I headed up to Park City to spend some time with some seriously amazing women. TRUE CONFESSION RIGHT NOW: I often times see myself as "different" or "not in the same league" with some of these gals. I almost didn't go but my sis Liz said basically told me to get over myself and come and have fun.

 

Honestly, I would not trade the weekend and that experience for anything right now. As different as well all were we had so many things in common yet could not be more unique as individuals.

We had an amazing dinner out and after..time spent by the fire...eating s'mores and just talking and laughing I realized again...as different as we are...we are all so alike in so many ways!! I needed an experience like this so bad. It could not have happened at a better time for me and the setting could not have been more beautiful. The Montage in Deer Valley is over the top amazing. Nice to see how the "other half" lives from time to time. The time spent with these girls was great but more so the time spent with my sisters and sis in law is pretty much priceless. I have not laughed that hard .....since I can't remember when. Life is nuts right now and this was just the R & R I need to get checked back in to whats really important!!!

S



 

 

 

So excited to be heading to Napa this weekend to spend quality time with my sisters and Momma. I thank Southwest Airlines for reminding me that my trip is "just around the corner" and the thoughtful reminder to pack my bags??? Cant wait to see my sis Robin..missing her like CRAZY!!

So...to my normal Sunday post...food..super simple this week. Grilled some salmon I(again thanks to sweet Tori...this fish is straight from Alaska and so delicious..I am kind of a fish snob..) and grilled chicken thighs. I have some left over fruit and veggies..I am only working 3 days this week then off to Napa I go.

Salmon I rubbed with a some olive oil, garlic greek seasoning of course, lemon and fresh dill.

 

 

Chicken thighs were seasoned with of course...greek seasoning..good ol sea salt and cracked black pepper and garlic.

 

 I am going to try and keep my eating in check until Napa...once in Napa...anything goes...I only get this vacation once a year..its the one break I get from CrossFit and Paleo..I will for sure take many pics to document my journey!!!

 

 Well Folks...I am exhausted...what a whirlwind weekend...and I know the same kind of week is about to hit me. If I have anything to say about how my weekend was spent...NO REGRETS...getting out of your comfort zone has so much more meaning than you can ever know...start the week right-be focused and just be amazing....Work hard...eat clean ish (that is for us going to Napa) and Wod like you mean it!!!!   Croni...OUT!