Time is so short these days....the little Basil plant that could...baby business...

Holy Hell! I can't believe that I haven't blogged since September 18th.
Maybe a much needed break for writers and readers?
Life is busy right now. And about to get busier.

Sweet Baby Girl McCloyn should be here soon! This granny couldn't be more excited. I feel completely unprepared. I have totally dragged my feet doing anything to prep my house for this sweet little girl that is coming. But all in due time. Not going to beat myself up about it anymore. I did score on an amazing little find today. I just could not pass this up! This cute little elephant chair was just screaming at me to take it home. So I did. I wish that I could express and show how really excited I am. I am just not good with that kind of stuff!

Hello AWESOME sprinters! We had the best showing we have had in a while today. I appreciate that people will show up and just trust that it will be well worth their time. Sometimes its hard to think of creative things but today I feel like I nailed it. A good mix of running and jumping. So thanks for showing up today and embracing the pain. I am sure Amanda was stoked that she was not the only one suffering with me today :)

Funny thing! My Basil plant refuses to stop growing! I LOVE IT! Both of my plants just died about the same time. I was in a hurry to get them in the trash before the trash man came and before I had to rush off to work so I just cut them rather than fighting them and pulling them out of the potting soil. The other day I came home from work and wodding, exhausted and a little down trodden. I saw this little pant and honestly I smiled. I love that it has continued to grow. Gave me hope! raised my spirit just a little. And honestly...I may have have giggled and smiled!

Moving on to food stuff. I kept it simple this week. My Pops gave me some fish and I had quite a bit of leftovers from my basket last week so I was able to get by with minimal shopping. My staples are really not changing too much. I grabbed beets, avocados, spinach, raspberries(the price is insane on these right now and they are delicious) chicken and my fav salad mix. Sorry peeps I am a girl of convenience right now. I have VERY LITTLE extra time so I am going with the items that will help to support my busy lifestyle and still enable me to eat clean.

My one recipe to share is one that I got from my sister Liz. This makes a pretty big batch but it's worth it. I haven't made it since it was cold last year but I do remember that it does freeze very well. I had pretty much all the ingredients from my add on Mexican pack with my Bountiful Basket and the some of the tomatoes that I picked from Jo's garden last week had turned green "TIP" I got this tip from a girl at work. If you pick tomatoes while they are green some of them will start to ripen, if you want to slow the progression of the other tomatoes just simply remove the ripe ones...not quite rocket science right?
Anywhoo...

CHILE VERDE
Chop the following:
5 ANAHEIM PEPPERS
5 MEDIUM TOMATOES
5 TOMATILLOS
2 YELLOW CHILES (I used jalapenos because that's what I had)
1 LARGE YELLOW ONION
Put all chopped veggies in a large crockpot and add 1 can Original Rotel Tomatoes
Add the following to the crockpot
LARGE SPOONFUL OF CHOPPED GARLIC
SEA SALT
BLACK PEPPER
ONION POWDER
RED PEPPER FLAKES
Mix well in the crock pot-Please note- these spices are all to taste-and you can skip the red pepper flakes and seed the jalapenos to make it less spicy...although I don't know why you would!


In a large pan add a couple of Tbs of olive oil and another spoonful of chopped garlic. Once heated add in the tenderloin.

Brown the pork on both sides. Once the pork is brown add it to the crock pot.

 I like to kind of bury the tenderloins because the ones that I buy actually comes in 2 pieces and I try to trim it a lean as I possibly can. Cook 6-8 hours. TIP!! I just cook this in my garage. I always go at least 8 hours and then shred and let it cook low for another hour. I just usually eat this by itself. I sometimes squeeze some lime in or add a little side salad although it's not really necessary!

So my menu this week is pretty simple- I have the Chili Verde, some fish, lots of salad, eggs and spinach for breakfast and I made my fav cauliflower dish as well. I have posted this link many times but here is is again. Today I opted to skip any cheese completely and on top I added the bacon and parsley-just trying something different.
http://paleospirit.com/2011/twice-baked-cauliflower/
 I also had an epic fail with over indulging on some Halloween Candy- I would recommend if this is a weakness...steer clear of that aisle. Don't buy a bag and take it home thinking you have it under control..you are just fooling yourself..

I opted to make some muffins and keep them in the freezer in case I am needing something sweet. Also another recipe I have posted a few times but here it is again.
http://paleomg.com/chocolate-coffee-banana-donuts/

Since I haven't posted in a bit. I want to post something that I read last week that I LOVED! Courtesy of CrossFit Lisbeth...of course
I love LOVE this part.  "What’s the point here? Do great things, but keep your ego in check. PR, but don’t be an ass. Serve yourself, and serve others."

Pride goeth before a fall. Pride goeth before a miss. Pride goeth before you get your heart stomped on in a relationship.
Do the math. Pride can be a bad mofo.
When is pride good? When it makes you carry yourself better, or when it enables you to truly value your contribution to this world, and to other people. When it makes you stand up and say, “Hey! I can do that!” When it makes you want to give more, do more, be more.
But if pride is the source of your own trumpeting, then you’re in for some bad times. You just don’t know it yet. The annals of time are filled with stories of victory, then hubris, then ruin. It often takes time, but the universe is patient, and always gets her due.
What’s the point here? Do great things, but keep your ego in check. PR, but don’t be an ass. Serve yourself, and serve others.
None of these lessons are new, but we all need reminders. Be kind. Be kind. Be kind. Your own happiness depends upon it, whether you realize it or not.

What more can be said about that? Just a reminder....
Pride goeth before a fall...

Tomorrow is the LAST day of September...crazy how fast this month went by. If you struggled a little like I did. Turn the page. Start October renewed and refreshed! Make it a point to do better each day. The end of the year is quickly approaching. Are you going to be able to look back and be content with your accomplishments?
Good Luck all!! End September with resolve to do even better in October!!
Croni ..Out!

Produce LOVE.... Todays share is from ME!

Well...as I predicted it's getting harder and harder for me to blog. If anyone noticed..I apologize. I will continue to try and post on Sunday and Wednesday but if life happens I have to let that happen.

FOOD SHARE!

As I mentioned before-fruits and veggies are abundant right now. Don't be afraid to bum excess produce off people. I seriously have NO shame about it. Not sure why I don't find it weird..I just don't. So I bummed my body weight in tomatoes from Jo. Bummed a canning recipe from my friend at work Lucy and this weekend I will be canning my own salsa for the first time...so excited. Pray that I turns out.

I also bummed peaches from Jos neighbor and my intention was to make leather. If you have never tried this..SO EASY! I boiled mine until the skin peeled itself off-I drained and rinsed they opened themselves up and the pits fell out. I threw them in the food processor-blended them until they were a good puree and poured on saran wrap lined cookie sheet-baked at 170 for approx. 12-16 hours! DELICIOUS! This is my third flavor of leather and it is absolutely my favorite!! So I will be doing more this weekend.
Back to salsa. So my sis Amy made some salsa and brought me some last night. It was amazing-I started just eating it with a fork then made myself stop so I could get my dinner ready. Who knew fresh salsa on warmed up zucchini noodles would taste so good? threw in a piece of Salmon and this was my go to meal after wod and Oly class last night. Today I combined the rest of the salsa with just under a tablespoon of greek yogurt and it was my salad dressing. If you haven't mastered making your own salsa...get on it people..if you need help or a good recipe let me know!!

My share today is from...well..ME.

How many times have you shied away from doing something simply because you were uncertain of yourself? This doesn't have to be about wodding it can be about anything.

TWO times this week I had doubts that I could do something. YES it is wod related for me.

TWO times I looked at a WOD and let it consume me. I may have had a little moment panic and automatically assume that I couldn't do something.

I do this often and I need to stop.

The one thing that I didn't do...I didn't let it stop me from trying. Can I do a 95# thruster? Yes I can..wouldn't have known if I would not have tried. Can I do a 135# hang clean. Yes I can. I have done them before but it's been a long while. And I did 15 of them tonight. What if I would scaled-or not even tried?

So that's it...what is going on out there that you are not diving into because you are unsure, uncertain or scared even? how do you know you "can't" if you haven't at least tried and failed?

Success comes in CANS not CANT'S people.

Get out there and try.

Croni...out.

How is your relationship with food? Inspiring share...

This is going to be quick. Lots of thoughts in my head today. Felt thankful today - for so many things but thinking back on 911..I just feel so blessed. If you didn't take the time to maybe take a moment of silence and reflect back to the happenings of 12 years ago. It's not too late..


Well it would be a lie if I said I stayed strict on my Bday..NOPE I did not. I had a slice of pizza, a breadstick, some licorice rope and some root beer float. IT WAS AMAZING. And today. I got right back on track- had my normal egg breakfast..super amazing chicken salad for lunch and for dinner...because my dear friend at work continues to spoil me with patty pan.. I had sautéed patty pan squash and some of the delicious trout I cooked on Sunday. So easy to get back on track.


Bringing me to our topic. How is your relationship with food??
I am happy to say that I am learning to love food more and more everyday. This time of year is amazing..fruit is good, veggies are amazing and plentiful.
One thing I have learned since changing my eating to Paleo style...sometimes when I "cheat" I feel guilty. My resolve is to do that less and less. Even when I "cheat" it's usually so insignificant that I can no longer quantify beating myself up over it. If you can be on your eating 100% of the time..MORE POWER TO YOU...But for me..I am going to allow some JOY in my life. And sometimes allowing myself to sample some non paleo foods..that brings me joy. And I find I cheat less and less.
So ask yourself that question. How is my relationship with food? I would say if the answer is less than good to average you need to re-evaluate what and how are you are eating. Stop feeling guilty if you fail from time to time. DO START getting right back on track. turn it around..don't wait longer than 24 hours to do so.

Well that's it..short. Time is short these days.
I do have a great share. AGAIN.. Compliments of CrossFit Lisbeth..here is what I love about this post...EVERYTHING!! "STOP PUTTING THINGS OFF, you are not going to wake up any younger tomorrow"

Stop putting things off. You’re not going to wake up younger tomorrow.
You’re probably also not going to wake up suddenly hotter, smarter, or richer. Sorry, but the Magic Fairy will not gift you the power of the L-sit, the muscle-up, or the 300lb clean. You’re going to have to earn what you want.
But there is good news: Hard work can give you pretty much everything but more days in your life. It can’t perform miracles: You’re not suddenly going to have a 250lb front squat or the sprinting power of Usain Bolt. But you can max out what you’ve been given, and that will be enough.
I know everything sounds difficult. Most things are, and there will be no bands playing, no drummers drumming. Just you and a lot of effort, sweat, and tears. It will be lonely, maybe even when you’re in a crowd.
But it will be worth it.
None of us is getting any younger. Moreover, some of us will never get older. My nephew is seven months now in the ground.
Stop putting things off. Place your phone on the table. Shut down your iPad. Ignore the trivial. Go do.

Finish the week strong folks. Work hard..eat clean and find the joy in eating.
Croni OUT

 

WinCo...why am I just now discovering this??? Simple food...need to focus!!

So, the Mr. introduced me to WinCo. I am shocked that I am just now learning of this FABULOUS place! I can't believe how much cheaper some of the items are than at some other grocery stores!! I love the bulk seasonings section. I wish I would have had more time to really explore today!

This weeks menu-super simple. I am going to start by saying- if there are people out there with too much of a good thing and they want to share it with you, PLEASE TAKE IT!! If you are prideful...now is a good time to step away from that and be accepting that if people are offering you up goods, the chances are they have more than they need.
Thanks to my Dad as always for the fish and thanks to Jo for having a garden that is WAY bigger than she really needs. The produce is welcome and so so SO much appreciated. It helps when a TON when you are trying to stay on track and eat clean. What is better than trout freshly caught by my Pops?? I can't think of anything right now.
Menu is
Trout
Tomato sauce with zucchini, meatballs and kalua chicken for salads.

We did manage to make it to the Greek Festival this weekend. I always love going to this because it kind of makes me feel connected to my heritage. When we got there on Saturday night the dancers were doing the dances from the Island of Crete which is where my Moms family is from. I tried to eat a Gyro...didn't quite happen. I did eat some dolmathes, a little bit of rice and of course the calamari and greek salad. I was watching my sweet niece Tenley, she was loving the calamari!! I ended up with left over olives and feta so I opted to throw those into my meatballs tonight. These are going to be delicious with the zucchini and tomato sauce. Its hard to believe that this large bowl of tomatoes netted me just a small container of sauce. I just threw them on a cookie sheet with basil, oregano, thyme, greek seasoning, onion and salt and pepper to taste and just baked until it was good and soft. I threw it all in the food processor and gave it a few good pulses to blend it. This is DELICIOUS!!

 
 
 

 
I opted to shred my zucchini and then I just bag it in sandwich bags. Super easy to bag and you can just dump the sauce right on top- add the tomato sauce throw a few meatballs with it all on a plate and cook in the microwave for about 3 minutes and you have an amazing lunch!
 
I love it after all my food is prepped and I look in the fridge. I feel that I can focus on the week ahead of me because I have taken the food drama out of the equation. Work is SO BUSY that I just have to be able to grab my food and go and I have already learned the hard way that if I do not food prep in advance I end up eating things that maybe I should not be. I experienced a little of that last week and now it's time to really focus and get back on track. I am committed to be 80% Paleo...100% of the time!
 
I am SO HAPPY to report that my little nagging muscle issue is finally getting better!!! I was so happy to be able to get through a strength progression on Thursday without too many modifications. And although on Friday and Saturday I had to modify and scale-the shoulder/lat is feeling better. So looking forward to being 100% soon!
 
Well that's it. That's all I have for a Sunday- other than the Kaula Chicken-I kind of just winged it on my food.
Remember Kalua anything is super easy- 3-5 slices on the bottom of the crock pot, meat of your choice and Hawaiian sea salt-and BAM you have a great protein for your salad!
 
Here is hoping everyone has a GREAT week. If you struggled last week a little like I did. Grab Monday by the throat and take charge of your eating and wodding!!
As always..must end with something funny!! Stole this! Croni out!

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

Nagging little muscle issue?? Listen to your body..pull back..you can thank me later!

If there is anything that I have learned in life...I can dish out advice but sometimes...I do not practice what I preach.

I have had a nagging little shoulder issue for almost 2 weeks now..and I waited a little too long to pull back. DON'T EVER DO THIS!!!

Here is my excuse. I have been working a little harder lately. Eating has been in check-I have been hitting the strength progression hard!! THIS GIRL HAS GOALS...but when I pulled the pull up that I feel nagged this muscle of mine..I knew it instantly. I pushed a little too hard the week following. Lot of overheads..100 snatch unders. NOT GOOD. Now I am paying for it. BUT what I did do is finally realize that there is only so much ibuprofen and mobility will do so much if I do not rest or pull back I am going to be in trouble. I am happy to report that I am almost at a week of scaled wods and the shoulder is feeling better.
THE MORAL TO THE STORY?? DON'T be a knucklehead like me. PULL BACK SOONER RATHER THAN LATER!!!

I don't have much today. It's Wednesday so it's motivational share day.. Read this yesterday and LOVED it! If you have a stressful job like I do...this makes so much sense! And I kind of thought about this today as I did the HotShots 19 WOD. I love it all. The good, the bad, the ugly. If you have to have an addiction..this one isn't half bad!!

Courtesy of JournalMenu

 

I need it.

I need the blaring music, the dropping weights, the callused hands.

I am desperate for the the heavy legs, the sore arms and the burning lungs...

I crave the shouts and cheers, the pats on the back, the weekend get-togethers.

I look forward to the coaches yelling at me to keep my knees out, to get back on the bar, to push through it.

I love it. All of it. The good, the bad, the ugly.

I love it because I know how much stronger and faster I am today.

I know how many seemingly insurmountable goals I have happily crossed off my list - a single act that is so empowering and so intoxicating that one very well might consider it addicting.

One might call the WOD my drug of choice - my drug that gets me out of bed before dawn everyday, my drug that keeps me going, my drug that connects me to my family and friends.

I addicted - I need my WOD.

 

 

Well that's it. That's all I have..half way through a week that has already seemed 12 days long!

Hang in there everyone..eat clean..train dirty yet smart -weekend is just around the corner!

Croni out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese five spice and get you a friend with a garden for hells sake!

 

Happy Labor Day weekend!!
I have always viewed labor day weekend as the end of summer..sniff..sniff..those of you who know me well know that I ADORE summer! So this was my question to the fashion nistas today. CAN I REALLY NOT WEAR WHITE AFTER LABOR DAY??
I am going to wear my white jeans...no way around it!



Bountiful Baskets so good this week- a GREAT mix of fruit and veggies! Its so much easier to eat clean when you have a variety of good things to choose from. This weeks basket had corn and potatoes...this is what I call a double negative. ONLY because I do not eat either. Luckily I was able to re-gift these treasures to someone else. Speaking of re gifting...have you found a friend with a garden yet?? if not WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???? Trust me...its a very rare occasion that someone can actually use everything that they grow. Thank GOD that Jo is so free with her extra produce. I was able to score on tomatoes-Lots of them-peppers eggplant and cucumbers. I never really grow tired of fresh veggies. I have told Jo like 100 times. There is nothing better than Roma tomatoes fresh from the garden. It makes for some amazing SALSA!!

When I make salsa-I have to also make guac. I use the salsa in the guac with some garlic, jalapeno (this is depending on how hot the salsa is) cayenne pepper-lime and salt and pepper to taste. This never disappoints!

 

 This week I opted to go super simple. I like simple. Enter here. CHINESE FIVE SPICE! why I have waited so long to sample this amazing spice I will never know-you have to try this. To get this completely accurate-here is what Chinese Five spice is fennel, cloves, and cinnamon, along with star anise and Szechuan peppercorns. I opted to just grill chicken and turkey breast (going to be a salad kind of week) lathered in this amazing spice. It's delicious!

 

Sometime keeping it simple is just what I need. I have only one recipe share. I felt the need for a treat this week. I do this from time to time. Sometimes it's cravin..other times supply and demand. The only modification I made was that I subbed bananas for sun butter...weird I know..Supply and demand. This shiz is DELICIOUS!!
http://paleomg.com/moist-chocolate-zucchini-bread/

 

Football season is in FULL EFFECT. I can not even tell you how much I miss this! So happy that I have nephews that are playing. And although Jax is injured I look forward to him healing 100% and coming back strong.

Love watching my nephew Braxton play on varsity for Woods Cross. It's not secret we are all Vikings at heart....this was my view Friday night at the game Woods Cross vs Judge. Not a bad view eh?

My only other share for this week is my new love. Paleo breakfast burritos. This is just 2 eggs - salsa and guac on a gorgeous lettuce leaf. This will be my staple for the week or until I run out of salsa and guac. Notice there is no meat..Not sure how this will play out. I love my breakfast with sausage and or bacon. I will give you a review at the end of the week.

Well a 4 day week is upon is. It is going to be a busy one for me. Lots of working, coaching and training. I have a little nagging shoulder issue that I will be giving my full attention this week even if it means pulling back just a little.

PEEPS...work hard, train dirty and EAT CLEAN and for the sake of everything holy please find a friend with a garden...TIS THE SEASON...

In closing...something funny...as always..thanks Jo for the share....you know me too well!!! Croni...out!