Simply put...again...Keeping it simple...it's really working for me! Countdown to VEGAS BABY!

Love the moments before an Open WOD starts

14.4 is done! I can't believe there is only 1 more CrossFit Open WOD. I am sad and excited all at the same time. Did ok this week- didn't get quite to where I wanted to but didn't drop below my minimum either! Saw so many amazing things this week. Dreading what lies ahead....I don't even want to say what I predict for the next workout. Nope. NO. It's going to be painful. Kind of excited about how we are going to do this next wod. After the announcement we just go-LOVE IT. Since I am leaving to go on vacation ish to Vegas on Saturday I like this alot. It will allow me to focus completely on work on Friday rather than running through my mind how I am going to do the WOD without dying :)



Absolutely still loving Bountiful Baskets. I am what I consider to be a fruit and veggie snob. I can't help it. If I am going to spend the money to eat real food then I want it to be quality and honestly  can not complain LOOK AT THIS GORGEOUS BASKET!! I gifted the potatoes to the Mr. and my strawberries to the kiddos- still have a ton left from last week- I have bananas, apples, pears, tomatoes a pineapple on the fruit side on veggies I have lettuce, bok choy, red peppers, celery and mushrooms. There will be a stir fry one night this week fo sho! 


Since my Dad is giving me fish, I am taking all I can get. For some reason I never get tired of it. I could eat it for breakfast lunch and dinner there is just something about this fish I love...which is strange because when I was a kid I pretty much hated it when we had to eat it. You can't hate on fish when it is so good for you!!! I just threw them on the grill with my standard lemon-greek seasoning-sea salt and pepper and a little red pepper flakes. Thank heavens I had to make salsa for a party- love leftovers and love dousing this fish in fresh salsa- I will be using this in my breakfast as well-which will be eggs, kale an bacon chunks. Which I have already cooked and packaged up.

Love me some fresh salsa- it had been a while- I haven't lost my touch

I also bought a rotisserie chicken-and some chicken thighs. I was kind of pissed when I got them home one of the packages was compromised. This has happened to me 2 times in the past 2 weeks while getting meat at Costco- I need to be more careful in my package selection because I am too lazy to return anything. So bacon wrapped chicken thighs. I put them on the grill but MY PROPANE RAN OUT!! I HATE THAT. Finishing them off in the oven. I will simply add lots of veggies to the chicken and fish. I still have a half package of broccoli and some cauliflower.

Faces any Mother can love!

You know that I can't go through a week without posting pics of my sweet grandbaby. I have to give a huge shout out to Matt Jensen who has a great eye for amazing photography and I must thank him for this picture he snapped Friday night. I call it my son and his mini. I get great joy out of watching these kiddos with this baby girl. I love that I got to watch her again on Saturday night. She is such a fun baby!! Loved every minute of it even when she was mad at me. LOVE LOVE that she finally is able to wear shoes....since I have a slight addiction to them...I must spoil her and help her to understand that as she gets older...when all else fails....buy shoes. :)

So SO looking forward to getting out of here and heading out to Vegas for a few days. I have been working so much and have been so caught up in the Open I really REALLY need some down time. So excited to see Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soliel of Michael Jackson. It should be a great time-and sitting by the pool in 80 degree weather should be amazing!

It wouldn't be my post without something thought provoking...always my go to. CrossFit Lisbeth....think about it..

To Make A Fire

I was reading something last week and the author mentioned that to make a fire, you have to concentrate a lot of energy in one spot. In one spot.
That thought stayed with me. It seems we are all distracted, so busy putting our energy here and there, that we seldom concentrate our energy in a single spot.
This is often to our own detriment.
What could you achieve if you stopped disintegrating your own power? If you stopped defusing your own bomb? If you actually started fanning your fire when it began to crackle and blaze? What if you had a mental laser beam and you used it?
What if you took all of your attention and devoted it to one project today? Imagine what could happen.
So, try it. Today.
And if you won’t, or you think you can’t, ask yourself these two questions: Why not? And who is speaking here — sense or fear?

I love that..."what could you achieve if you stopped disintegrating your own power????"


Have a GREAT week everyone and good luck with 14.5!!! May the CrossFit gods smile upon us!!!

Wont be posting next week...taking some much needed down time!

Lets talk Integrity. 14.3..Thank you. This is why I love CrossFit.

14.3 done and done! It's no secret that from the moment this WOD was announced I was overcome with JOY!!!! And although I am convinced that somehow my sisters are doing the programming for the open (long complicated story) This WOD was my DREAM WOD. A ladder of heavy dead lifts with box jumps that part of the standard was YOU COULD STEP UP AND STEP DOWN!!! It's a dream for me.
I think something that people focused on was the fact that I beat all of my bad ass sisters on this WOD. Ya it felt amazing but ONLY because each one of my 3 sisters that are competing in the Open have ALL played a very important role in getting me to where I am today. Each one of them reached out to me over the top excited about my score. Not one mentioned the fact that big sis scored higher. Nope-all 3 so excited that finally FINALLY I was able to find success with one of the WODS I joked about quitting CrossFit now that I managed to beat them all...and it was a slim margin folks but no I am not quitting if anything my faith has been renewed. This is WHY I love CrossFit!! It was nice to see myself in 1st place in a WOD in the SW for a short while. 

Look at my score from workout 3!! WHOOT! (It changed but not before I got a pic)

INTEGRITY: Lets talk integrity. Big shout out to Amy Hyatt. I am not going to get into details. But I want to say it was my HONOR to judge you doing 14.3 for the 2nd time. I admire you and the fact that you weren't willing to settle. Thanks for making it easy on me to judge you. Awesome job. You are a badass

1. in·teg·ri·ty

   inˈtegritē/

   noun

   noun: integrity

   1. 1.

      the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness

   
   

Buffalo Chicken egg muffins mmm mmm good!

Lets talk FOOD!!! I have so much to say about the Open but honestly what I love about competing is the fact that my eating is on point. I relax a little on the weekend but my weekday eating is the best it's ever been. This week I am doing Trout (thanks to my Pops) meatballs - my recipe- burgers from the meatball meat- spaghetti squash and lots and LOTS of veggies. I still have asparagus and broccoli-cauliflower and kale. I did find a breakfast recipe I am so excited to try- http://fastpaleo.com/recipe/buffalo-chicken-egg-muffins/
I was able to find silicon baking cups at Ikea and they are a dream! I stay away from anything baking cup related because they always stick and you lose half your muffin but I am happy to report THESE WORK!!! SO EXCITED!

Meatballs were super easy as well I kind of made up my own recipe

So you know that means that the measurements are not exact. I used 2 lbs ground turkey-

2 Anaheim chili's diced

1 large jalapeno diced

1 bunch cilantro chopped

1 T chopped

cumin

sea salt and pepper to taste

4 heaping tablespoons salsa (I used the cleanest I could find from Costco)

I was able to get a large tray of meatballs and 4 large burger patties from this. I did add 1 egg and a handful of almond flour to bind.

I love looking in my oven on food prep day. So busy.

I feel completely focused and ready for a new week! BRING IT!!!

One little share- I have been loving this as a kind of filler snack- 2 hard boiled eggs and 1 container of gauc-try it- you will love it!

I always have to post pics of my sweet Grandbaby. I actually got the opportunity to watch her on Friday- took the day off work and all that jazz. I absolutely enjoy every minute I get to spend with her. She is such a good baby and so fun to interact with! A couple of shares from this week-I love every moment I get with this little munchkin!!

I am SO looking forward to a new week. We are halfway through the month already. 2 more Open WODS and we are bringing CrossFit Open to a close AND I GET TO VACA IN VEGAS!! Can't wait to go see yet another Michael Jackson show!! The poor Mr. having to suffer through another one with me. Such a good sport.

Saw this and loved it. Here's to a new week- eat clean-train dirty and we know that the Open wod this week will hold something completely AWFUL- be smart and listen to your body!!!

Take your me time...you have so earned it

CRONI OUT!

14.2 is done..bring on the next 14.3- New containers a food preppers DREAM!!

14.2 is over. Well for me it is. Did ok at best..tore a little..not ever happy about tearing..it messes with my wodding and it makes me cranky. 

Its not that bad. I know. I still hate it

14.2 was nuts. At first I was ok with what I got but then I got home and I started wondering if I couldn't have done better. I have to stick with one and done. I don't think even if I did it again I could get more reps. I rested too much but I can't imagine I would do it any different. Tonight I sit at 4th in the Southwest and 59th Worldwide. I know it will change alot tomorrow..I don't think I care too much. 

I am now super anxious to see what lies ahead!! 

The weekend went WAY TOO FAST!!! It's crazy how quickly it goes by anymore! 

The weather has been amazing!! Was able to get some great running in on Saturday!!! KEEP THIS GOOD WEATHER COMING WE ALL NEED IT SO BAD!!!

Got a great Bountiful Basket. Lots of fruit but tons of veggies too. Had to give some of my fruit to the Mr. But I am stoked about the green!! So here is what I got, celery, cauliflower, kale, asparagus and spaghetti squash, Anaheim chilies and oh Jicama..trying to decide what to do with that. Fruit side- lots of little pears, apples, oranges, grapefruits and Asian pears! Very good basket! 

Food prep is staying simple. It's so working for me. I feel its one thing I might actually be in control of at the current moment. And that's a great thing!
I did a rotisserie chicken...BOO!! I rarely get a crappy chicken...I guess I was due..it almost seemed not cooked...I pulled what I could but kind of disappointed!

I am totally digging the chicken sausages that I had last week so I threw more of them on the grill..GET OUT AND GRILL PEOPLE!!!! Get outside and soak up some of that vitamin D while the getting is good!!! 

Random thought about fats..I am discovering that sometimes I cut too far back on my fats. I know this seems strange but it is possible. I can tell by my energy levels when I haven't had enough. 

Back to food, this week- bought a HUGE fillet of salmon from Costco

I did my norm..don't mind my freaking counter mess. Sea salt - pepper- greek seasoning, red pepper flakes- fresh lemon and dill. Throw that sucker on the grill and presto- I actually was able to get 8 servings out of this one for 20.53

This is so simple and so good!! I can have any of the green that I got in my basket with this. I also grabbed a bag of the ever famous kale salad that I love to get from Costco...MY GREEN CUP RUNNETH OVER THIS WEEK. 

SHOES!!!

A post would not be complete without a picture of my sweet Scarlet. I am so in love with this little nugget! I am so thankful that my kiddos make an effort to support me in what I am doing and bring this sweetness along. She brings my so much JOY!!! 

I imagine in the pic on the right she is wondering what those shiny things on her feet are...and the left...I LOVE that she is reaching out for the little goat...poor goat..this little babe got a hold of my hair..watch out! I can't believe this little miss is going to be 5 months this week...where in the hell is the time going?

Who besides me gets excited over containers???? I think I have more plastic containers with lids than I have actual dishes. Went to IKEA last night and was completely overjoyed with this find! so many sizes with so many lids! This combo is a food preppers DREAM!!!!

Well ..interesting. That's about it. I usually have SO much to say. Right now...not so much. I am in a bit of a struggle and I wish I had a ton of deep ish to lay down..but I really don't. 

I have this....when nothing seems to be going the way you want or need it to...just lift!

Here's to a big fat strong week!! Be you- be real- work hard-eat clean and train dirty...somehow it all works out in the end!!

Croni...out!

Thank you 14.1 for making me feel alive again!! Food prep..so keepin it simple..why wouldn't I? it's working for me.

14.1 is "in the books" and I will be completely honest. I have NEVER walked away from an Open WOD so satisfied. I don't want to talk about where I set my goal. I want to talk about 5 things I have already learned about the Open

1. Adrenalin will get you through that last rep/round-well.... adrenalin- my kiddos- my Mom - my sis and Jo.

2. Having a plan is NOT overrated

3. One and done. It works for me

4. The rest of the room disappears just like I thought it would-well except for Jo-thankful for the 3-2-1.

5. Regardless of what is going on with me personally, my job and my struggle outside of CrossFit. The Open allows me to submerge myself in something that is my heart and soul. Everything else was forgotten!!!

Silly I know. I can't expect anyone to really understand or care about my struggles right now. All I know is that after I did 14.1..I don't know- I was overcome with satisfaction. I won't have the highest score in my age group. And even though I am obsessed with the Leader board I love seeing where all of our 22 peeps are. I am so satisfied with how I did and I am so proud to be a part of this box. Some amazing things are happening right now! And I am realizing this is truly my outlet-my shelter from the storm...seems dramatic...maybe it is...

Well here is where I sit tonight- this will change by tomorrow night but right now I am LOVING it. #6 in the SW 72 worldwide. A girl can't be mad about that!

As always ..have to share a pic I stole of my sweet grand baby. I love this little Miss so much. Getting to see her several times a week while her amazing parents wod (might I add they are looking pretty smoking hot these days!!! way to go kiddos your hard work is paying off!!) is really the highlight of my day. I absolutely love this pic!!! It doesn't get better than this!
I love how she is just so laid back. Best baby ever!


Ok- getting down to food business. I have been really dialed in on my eating- I did let my hair down a little this weekend and I will continue to be focused at least 80% of the time. Its what is really working for me. And going back to basics...simple and easy- it works!! 
One thing I am loving right now which is really odd for me- and thanks to Maria for selling these on Friday night- RX Bars. I was on my last one! I am usually not an advocate of anything packaged but these are saving my life right now. I eat them in thirds. When I am needing something kind of sweet these are GREAT!!

So here are some other things I picked up. Huge bag of broccoli- avocados- the amazing guacamole that is individually packaged-rotisserie chicken-spinach-eggs-lemons-bacon and strawberries. I had a plan when I started and i kept to it pretty well. I did bacon wrapped chicken thighs- have my chicken all pulled and bagged for salad and I threw some chicken sausages on the grill. 

It was CRAZZYYYY that I was outside in shorts
and flip flops today cooking on my grill. I am so ready for winter to just be over I can hardly stand it.
The Mr and I finally booked a trip to get the hell out of here. Although it's just to Vegas yet again-and not the Mexico trip that we both wanted to take so badly. It will be a break just the same. We head out the 29th of March. I will have the Open behind me and I will really be ready for a break!

 One last thing I made. Paleo muffins. I have been avoiding Paleo "treats" and I will continue to so if it becomes a problem but these are delicious!!
http://paleomg.com/banana-nut-chocolate-chip-muffins/
Only change on this was that I omitted walnuts and added pecans. I made these as minis and had to cook just a little longer

Ok so I know that my posts have become long and somewhat wordy. I can only post once a week and I have so many things I want to share. So I am just going to close with this. I am not shy about reposting her stuff. Love CrossFit Lisbeth and her writing. I know this is long...but i love it. Hope everyone has a GREAT week- eat clean-train hard- here's to kicking ass on 14.2!

The Simple and Elegant Truth of CrossFit

You know what I love about sport? It doesn’t discriminate. The barbell doesn’t care if I’m gay or straight. It also doesn’t care if I’m black, or if my mom and dad were Latino or Lithuanian. The barbell doesn’t know that I’m a woman. A deadlift is a deadlift for me, or for a man or a child. The pavement doesn’t rise or fall under my feet because I prayed to this god and not that one. Burpees are burpees for the young and the old. Bumpers don’t give a damn where I live. Pain will come calling, no matter whether I have a lot or a little in my bank account.
And you know what I love about CrossFit? All CrossFit wants from me is effort and a desire to get better. The minutes and seconds tick off the clock at the same pace if I vote conservative, libertarian, liberal, or not at all. “Time!” is pronounced differently as a word in English or Russian or French, but it has the same meaning: your workout is finished. Sweat angels darken every mat.
In a world that tries to remind us of the differences between people, CrossFit reminds us that, fundamentally, we are all the same. In order to maintain our health, all humans need functional movement. And so here we have training centered on the concept that everyone needs these basic movements. And, in that CrossFit workout, we can make modifications for the differences between individual human beings while at the same time acknowledging our sameness. That’s a beautiful concept, simply and elegantly rendered. In our rush to improve, it’s something we rush by, but it deserves attention, and it deserves applause.
Thank you, CrossFit. In a world that often seems to be trying to tell me that I don’t belong, you tell me that I do.