It’s the summer of weddings and new recipes!

I realize that this is totally the busiest wedding season. Spring through Fall is saturated with couples making the vow to each other before the friends and families. This year is different. This time, I know so many of those people. This is the summer of love for so many people in my life. It is so wonderful to celebrate these occasions! The summer love birds are:

• Brea and Jason
• Joe and Colleen
• Siu and Chad
• Pete and Dina
• Mario and Zan

This is seriously the most people I have known getting married in the same year. I had to go shopping for the local weddings! And I always like to make sure the bride and groom know we are thinking of them on that special day.

Outside of weddings, this is still a busy time of year. I love to try new recipes in the summer. Which seems counter intuitive since my kitchen is so stinking hot. I like to find fun new recipes and spend time perfecting them so that in the winter, when I have no interest in cooking, I have new go-to recipes to choose from. I am currently on a sweet potato kick. I mean, kind of obsessing over what I can make with them. They are great recovery food and I am trying to find more ways to get them into my diet. I have been drinking a post workout shake lately that I am loving. It is 1/2 cup pureed sweet pot, 1/2 cup coconut milk, scoop of chocolate protein, dash of cinnamon and water. I put it all in a magic bullet and blend. AMAZING! Anyway, I recently stumbled upon some tasty new cookies, with sweet pots, and thought it would be a crime for me not to share them.

Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Cookies - The first time I made these, the batter was like pancake batter. So, I made some adjustments to the original recipe:

•  I used almond flour and bumped it up to 1 cup
• I chill the sweet potato puree in the fridge overnight
• I added 3/4 cup of ground flax
• I used almond butter rather than peanut butter
• I would love to try omitting some of the almond flour and/or flax and use some vanilla protein powder

I have some other things on my list to try when I get back from California. I have another cookie recipe, but I also have a better version of Alfredo sauce made with cauliflower and a couple of breakfast ideas.

Grub Check-In & A Great Weekend

I am really struggling with following the ETP method completely. I can’t seem to get my calories and ratios to balance well. I know it has only been a short time, but I feel all over the place. I want to give it time, but I want to look good over the summer as well, ya know? I tend to get way too deep into the details of things. So, I literally end up tracking everything throughout the day. It becomes borderline obsessive…which is the opposite of the point. I think I should sit down and plan my different days out for food. So plan my meals for high carb, lower carb, and control days. That way, if I have a control day coming up, I already know what I am eating for that day. That will also help with managing groceries and my time. I think I will work with the 2 control days a week method. I am also just starting to eat what I am wanting in the day. This has been a little less consuming, but still far from perfect. Especially, since I have not been feeling super awesome for the past week or so. Bleh.

So, I am heading to Cali for my work management conference this week. I am trying to get myself looking a bit more together. Saturday, I went and got my hair cut and now it looks much better, I am doing my nails on the plane, and I am pulling out all of my dressier clothes. The packing process for me is always amusing. I never know what to pack. I also know that most of my dress clothes no longer fit me. I am taking a bunch of things to the tailor either today or tomorrow so that I can start getting my closet back in order. I am staying an extra day after the conference on Compcare. I am pretty stoked. As far as training will go, I am playing it by ear. I am hoping the hotel facility has some dumbbells for Thursday. But Saturday, I only need to get out and run/move for 30-45 minutes at an aerobic pace.

This past weekend, not only did I get my hair spruced up, but I also learned about getting supple. As in becoming a supple leopard. Yep, that’s right. I went to the mobility cert. I learned so much! I am excited to put it in my daily training and to start getting our members more mobile. I will be mobilizing while on my trip.

Luke, myself, Kelly Starrett, and Roland all at the cert on Sunday.

Training Check-in

I have been enjoying my lower body focused cycle. I am planning to follow this until mid to the end of June. I am have a dream….a dream of a nice bootay! Haha.

I have still been going to Airrosti. The guy who replaced Ashley is heavy-handed, but I can say that I have really felt a change in my pain level. As in there is no pain. He actually had me stress it on Tuesday. He wanted me to do the moves that set it off. So, I did a few side laterals, front raises, strict pull-ups (pronated & supinated), and two muscle-ups. Guess what….NO PAIN! It was a little uncomfortable the day after, but he said that is to be expected. He did not discharge me, but wants to wait to schedule me in (or not) until we see how it is over the next few days of adding things back in. I am going to stress it again tonight with some pull-ups and muscle-ups. I kind of want to try the burpee/muscle-up workout for regionals.

Even with the refound freedom, I know that I will really need to love on my body. I will be keeping up with the therapy that I have been given. Hopefully, I will be back to normal soon!

Floating

When I don’t have a goal to train for, I feel a bit lost. Especially since I am a little injured. The inability to train “as usual” is gone. I love the SHE program, but currently, I need to refrain from using my upper body, which is a major SHE focus. I really need to work on this, but now id the time for recovery. So, instead, Stephen and I are putting together some squat focused training. I want to get a strong squat!

In other news, I ran a 3K with the CSC class on Friday. Not only did I PR my total time, but I also PR’d my mile time! I was so excited when I realized what I had done. It actually took a few hours before I caught on.

• 3K – 15:21, 18:01 was previous
• 1 mile – 8:00, 9:30 was previous

Next week, I am going to California for my company’s management conference. I am actually pretty excited about it. I get to spend time with others in the company that I don’t see normally and I get to meet customers that I interact with regularly. It will be nice to put faces to names. My company is also paying for me to stay an extra night at the resort and relax…awesome!

So…lately, I have been feeling the need to hippy out a little. I go through these phases every so often where I decide that I am over using commercial products on my face, hair and body. I have recently started using the oil cleansing method (OCM). So far, it is interesting. I tend to forget to do it on days when I don’t wear makeup or am on rest. So, my face hasn’t quite adjusted yet. Even though it hasn’t fully adjusted, I am noticing changes. So far, my face is always super soft and seems to break out less often during the “normal” times. High stress and hormonal changes are still causing little breakouts, but those are getting better. Currently, I am simply using castor oil. I am going to switch to a mix of olive oil and castor though. And I am going to incorporate a scrub once a week. The scrub will be the two oils and a little baking soda. My next step, now that I am out of conditioner, will be using baking soda to wash my hair and an apple cider vinegar/water solution to condition. I have done this before and my hair always looks and feels so amazing. Now, to find an acceptable solution for washing the rest of me….

Oh..and one more thing. I may have decided to shave Lola this weekend. I am not quite finished with her yet. I still need to get her belly and that will require additional help. But, she is on her way to lion…Ha!

Seriously??

First Week Back at the Gym

I completely forget what it feels like to take a week off and come back. OUCH!! I did take this week as a lighter week, but I am feeling pretty beat up. My legs have been so sore from my Monday training. Even though I am sore, I am wondering if I will be able to keep myself to a 4 day/week training schedule this month. I feel a bit antsy. I haven’t had so much free time in months! I have been enjoying a cleaner home and cooking. It has really been nice to cook and try new things again.

One thing that Stephen did mention was his concern for me post competition. He said that he was worried I would feel fat if I couldn’t see my abs all of the time. Well, I can say that I do kind of miss them, but I am currently happy with my body. I have been eating with a week of no training and a week of light training. I will find my feeding and body balance. Which is what I am actually trying to do. I have been messing around with the Eat to Perform module. I am finding it difficult to get the carb and fat balance right. I have no issue with getting enough protein. Not sure how long I will stick to the module. I may try just eating and tracking to see what I intake. I did make huge gains during my bikini diet. That was higher protein and carb. The fats were relatively low. We will see how things go. I will use ETP as a guideline, but it should really all depend on what works for me…right? Right now, My main goal is to eat lots of protein, good fats before dinner, and some carbs at dinner. I would love for it all to not be too calculated. The last thing I want to do is count calories. I can likely map it all out ahead of time…. Perhaps a rest day project.

I haven’t really put on that much weight. Marie suggested that I stay within 5 pounds of my competition weight, which would keep me around 130. I think I can manage that.

I have been trying some new recipes and thought I should share them and my thoughts:

• Cheesy Quinoa Mac & Cheese - This was pretty tasty, but not as gooey as I would have liked. I would like another run at this, but with some modifications.
• No-Bake Pumpkin Chocolate Protein Cookies - OMGoodness! For being protein cookies, these are tasty! I didn’t squish them into cookies though. I just ate them as little protein balls.
• Crash Hot Potatoes - Um…wow! These are so good. I love making these. They are perfect for post workout meals.
• Sweet Potato Crunchies - Really wishing that I had a plan for using these when I made them. I think they would have been really good on top of a chili. Instead, they get snacked on, which is equally awesome.
• Meyer Lemon Mug Cake - This tasted really good, but the consistency left a bit to be desired. I think I would rather use coconut flour for a more cake-like texture.
• Avocado Egg - Do you love avocado? If so, this is for you. What a great way to get in some good fats first thing in the morning.

Lady Lifter Spotlight

I am being featured on Wine to Weightlifting in one of her Lady Lifter Spotlights! I feel famous. Haha.

In all seriousness, go read her blog. She is truly inspiring and I love the way she really encourages everyone around her. She is new to CrossFit and is kicking butt.

 

 

Also, I am working on a post. It will be up tomorrow morning.

Reallocation of Macros, Back to Training & A Change

So, it turns out switching over my diet is a bit of challenge. I remember when I first started the bikini regiment. I had a very hard time with timing. It took a couple of weeks for me to sort out how to get all of my food into my body. I am definitely having the same issue now. Mostly, how do I intake so much fat? My calories are switching around. I knew there would be an adjustment period, but I guess I didn’t really think about what that would entail. In emailing with Camilla from My Itsy Bitsy Bikini, she says that she puts coconut oil on everything. Now, I see why! Ha! I also need to pick up some protein powder for post training. That will help with getting my carbs in. I am trying to back load with carbs and I train after work, so that gives me from 6:30 or 7 until 9:30 to get in whatever I didn’t during the day. Monday night, I tried getting in extra food and ended up so full that I couldn’t fall asleep. BUT, I woke up yesterday feeling alert and not starving, like usual. I am really interested in seeing how this all goes!

I am using this week a half effort week in my training. I was off for 11 days, so I need to ease back in. That being said, I am already sore from last night’s workout. I may have pushed a little too much. I did, however, decide to cut the second part. I was doing double-unders and my calves were on fire. That is usually an indication that walking will be a challenge the next day. So, I called it…happily.

A couple of changes…
I have added a tracking section on the right of the screen for my food and workouts. I am going to be stepping back a little. This doesn’t mean I will not be posting, but it does mean they will not be daily. We are moving into summer and I am really working on the idea of resting. That also means taking a little more time for myself. This is definitely going to be a good thing. I want to approach each post with more thought, rather than just what might be on my mind at the moment. And…it’s summer time. I need to be playing outside more. Yay!!

Next Up

Starting tomorrow, I am will be back to following OPT SHE. however, I will not be able to do most of the upper body work. I still have tendonitis in my left arm and it is related to the tricep long head So, no pull-ups or back work. I want to be as careful as possible so that it heals. My dad says that it can take 3-6 weeks to heal. So, big booty, here I come!!

I have also decided to follow the Eat To Perform methodology. I did some calculations and am hoping to see some good strength gains. I realize that I will likely put on a little weight, but maybe that will equal a rounder rump. There is a lady who follows the methodology that is a power lifter and figure competitor. I am looking forward to her seminars to see what she says about ETP/Carb Back Loading and physique competitions. I did have success in making gains during my bikini training. I realized that before, I wasn’t eating enough calories and not enough carbs. I was lean, eating higher carbs (sweet pots), and making gains in all of my lifts. I wonder what will happen when my focus is getting stronger.

I am currently obsessed with the idea of making poached eggs. I bought silicone egg poachers. After multiple attempts, I am close to mastering them. Mikko is interested in testing them out as well…

I could sample that for you..

What??

And no Sunday would be complete without napping…

So…tired….

Yesterday, I decided I would start my day with some cleaning. It took on a life of its own. I know this sounds nuts, but cleaning is somewhat therapeutic for me. My apartment usually takes about 60 – 90 minutes for a full clean. I spent 4 hours cleaning/organizing….yeah. I have not had enough time with my bikini training to really clean. It feels good to have gotten it under control. The cats are shedding like crazy right now and I was finally able to get it under control. Since I am only training 4 days a week in May, I will be able to get some of the additional deep cleaning and reorganizing done. And be able to keep my house clean. There is no better feeling than relaxing in a clean environment. In a stress-filled world, the home should be stress-free. Ya know?

Blog Lovin’ & Randomness

I have added three blogs to My Gym and Other Links I Like section:

• Stylized Existence – My friend, Lauren, is awesome and I have mentioned her blog a couple of times. Figured it should just be permanent.
• Wine to Weightlifting – Encouraging and inspirational. Jennifer blogs her journey of fitness. She uplifts others in the fitness community and connects people with similar goals.
• My Itsy Bitsy Bikini – Figure competitor, paleo woman, yogi, and loves to lift heavy objects. She blogs how she is going against conventional wisdom in her training/diet for the stage.

Now, go…..GO! Enjoy!

My rest week is winding down, but my recovery is about to peak. I have another airrosti appointment today, a 90 minute massage on Saturday, 2-3 more hot baths, and some additional sleep. To say that I am excited would be an understatement.

Last night, my dinner was AWESOME! I am made coriander chicken thighs and garlic mashed cauliflower. MMMM. And I also made bacon. You know, for snacking.

So salty, fatty, and crispy!

I am enjoying looking forward to my meals again. I know how to trim down when it is time and trust me, my food will be more calculated starting on Monday. I am researching what methodology I want to follow. I will be eating for performance. I want to get stronger. But, I need to stay relatively close to where I am in case I decide to do something else this year.

Totally unrelated….my plants are out of control. I re-potted them last summer and they are taking over my kitchen!! My aloe has multiple bases, one cactus is humping the other one, and one has grown another 1/3 of its height!

Happy aloe

Naughty cactus

Cartoon-like cactus

This is kind of a big deal. I kill plants. Seriously, you want one to die, bring it over. LOL! My mom always had a green thumb. So many plants and they were always huge. When I was little, apparently I loved one of the plants……I loved to sit on it. Ha. I would crush one side and she would rotate it so that side faced the wall. And then I would sit on the new side. I never did it to any other plants, just that one. I also remember getting mad once when she was getting me ready for daycare. I poked holes in the leaves of another plant. I think I am finally done reaping what I sowed on those plants!

I think my little kitty, Lola, is ready for me to be home all weekend. Yesterday, she was all over me and this morning, she wasn’t letting me out of the bed. She wants snuggles all the time. She follows me around like a puppy. She’s so sweet.

Snuggles

I Need To Go Shopping!

So, with all the perks of losing weight and looking good, there is only one draw back….none of my clothes fit me anymore! All of my jeans are so big that they are falling down. I tend to spend money on workout clothes because I spend most of my time in them. As part of my recovery week, I was planning to wear jeans all week to work, but had to scratch that because none of them fit. I am going to get my Madewell skinnies taken in, but the others have been to big for a while.

And then there is the issue of my work management conference coming up this month. I have to wear business casual, which I have, but none of it fits me. I also need to refresh my closet anyway. I was kind of waiting to do that since my body was changing.

Time to go shopping!!! This makes me excited. I will be using the guidance supplied by Lauren at Stylized Existence. If you need wardrobe consulting, check her out. She is amazing.

Items I will be looking for:

• Blazer
• Jeans – Both skinny and straight leg
• Dress pants
• Maybe a new pair of heels (yep, heels)
• Dresses to attend weddings