The Power of Belief

  I needed a little inspiration today I am not going to lie.  I felt truly defeated today by my one CrossFit Vice HSPU.  You have no idea how much I hate them, and how much of a mind f&*$ they are for me.  I cannot even tell you how many times I have done them in wods in the gym with no plates .  The moment I find out they are in a competition my heart sinks a bit and I feel nauseated.  In not one but two competitions I have completely failed with my hands on plates.  I really don't understand how it makes the difference for me other than in my head.  It is mentally defeating and there is no belief I CAN do them.  I find out that at Regionals this time around there is no plates.  I should be freaking ecstatic, but instead I doubt myself and stress myself out so much that I have been failing at them in wods.  I mean REALLY WTF!!! After sitting at the wall in with exhaustion and tears running down my face because I felt like such a failure, and then getting so frustrated that I stood up and threw my smart water against the wall so hard that it exploded everywhere. I realized in my ridiculousness how much your mind can make things happen.   I mean really I could do them before just not on plates and now I can barely push myself up, that doesn't even make sense.  It is all in my head creating a mental block.   I think about all those amazing Athletes that I know are so determined and confident in themselves that they can make anything happen.  I guess It really is true that if you believe you can achieve.  I share this with you because I know that I am not the only person that is my own worst enemy.  My own mind allows me to think that I lack the confidence and ability to accomplish my goals.  I looked up the below quotes and thought I would share because they re-inspired me how much power lies behind belief.

1. Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.” (Gail Devers) 
2.  “For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible.” (Stuart Chase)
3. “One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying.” (Joan of Arc)
4. “If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.” (Mahatma Ghandi)
5. “The outer conditions of a person's life will always be found to reflect their inner beliefs.” (James Allen)
6. “Miracles happen to those who believe in them.” (Bernared Berenson)

Sweet Potato Banana Recovery Shake

Since I have become full Paleo I have not been able to take any post Recovery shakes.  I used to do Progenex and realized that it gave me severe cramping and upset stomach.  When I pulled it out I felt like I needed something to replace that.  I have experimented with a few different things, and realized that it is difficult for me to choke down real food especially after a CrossFit workout.  So I thought I would throw together a combo that would help me recover, be a small meal and be easy to swallow. 
Sweet Potatoes have a high Glycemic Index, Coconut water has electrolytes, bananas have potassium, and good fat from coconut milk helps to replenish fat used for fuel and keep metabolism going.   This has been my perfect Recovery drink a few days a week. 

Ingredients 
Serves 2 
1 Sweet Potato
1 Banana
1 Can full fat coconut milk
1 small bottle of taste Nirvana  Coconut water
or  3/4 can of C2O
2 cups of Ice
1 cup water
1/2 tsp Vanilla (optional)
2 tbs MeeNut Butter ( any Nut butter will do)
I have also made my own nut butter to go in.


Directions
Put into a Blender and Serve for a delicious treat!!!!

Fried Avacado Egg Boats

Ingredients:
4 Eggs
2 Avocados
sea salt (to taste)
pepper(to taste)
2-3 tbs Olive oil, bacon grease, or coconut oil
6 strips of bacon

Directions:
Cook bacon in pan until crispy.  Take out of pan and place on paper towel
Cut a little off each side of the avocado.  Allowing the avocado to stand up and cook in the pan.  Then half the avocado and take the seed out.
Crack an egg in each of the halves of the avocado in the pan.  Cook covered for 5 mins until the egg reaches right tenderness either runnier or more cooked.
Crack Sea Salt and Pepper over the top
Crumble bacon over the top of the eggs, Serve and Enjoy!!!


Talk about 3 of the greatest things all served together, for a true comfort breakfast.  Made me feel like I was eating eggs Benedict, just add Paleo Sauce.  

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger....

This phrase is the inspiration for my writing today.  I have to keep repeating this to myself over and over recently.  "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."  I feel like in the last few weeks I have had so many obstacles thrown in front of me with my work situation, my love life, and with my training and nutrition.  Can honestly say there have been a few times even this week that I did not know how I was going to get through both emotionally and physically.  Pardon me for saying this, but when shit hit the fan about two months ago and I basically had the rug pulled from underneath me;  Someone told me that how I got through it would define my character.  At the time I remember thinking to myself are you F*&cking kidding me.  I thought that I was starting from Ground zero, I lost my job, my best friend, the person I loved, respect, and happiness.  I was so angry the first few days.  That it took me a little bit of time and a lot of tears to realize that if I could pull myself back up, how much stronger I would be.  I became determined to put the past in the past and try to start over and redefine myself as a person.   We are put through struggles and obstacles everyday so that we can teach ourselves how to overcome them and grow as human beings. 

Through all of this I became determined to crush the open CrossFit wods and focus on training hard and making myself feel good again.  In years past I would have chosen to deal with my issues a little differently.  It is no secret that I used to have an eating disorder.  It used to be my way of coping with stress and hardships.  For the first time ever of being so low I didn't turn to my old ways and was not even tempted to do so.   Now two months later in looking back at how bad I felt just a short while back I am able to see how much stronger I have become.  I was able to find a new job, a new support system, realize that certain people were not who I thought they were, and manage to make regionals.  In reflecting on all of this, it made me see that had certain huge obstacles been thrown into my path I would not be where I am now and have the realizations that I have had.  I have Faith now that everything happens for a reason, and what seems that it may kill you will only make you stronger.  We are all human and go through suffering everyday.  I decided to share my feelings and hope and give the reassurance that even though things may seem as though they may "destroy you"  we will get through them with more tools in our tool chest for next time. 

I am about to Face Regionals in the next few weeks.  There are three really defeating movements for me in the WODS,  If I can get through them believing I am strong, and knowing that I am ore than capable.  I feel like this is the first competition that I am going into with the right mindset and inner strength to know that I can overcome my fears.  It constantly validates the phrase what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!!

"Peanut" Chicken Wraps

"Peanut" sauce

½ cup almond butter (I used my own version I made of mixed nut butter)

½ cup canned coconut milk or coconut cream concentrate

Juice from ½ a lime

½ tablespoon fish sauce(I used Red boat Fish sauce)

1 ½ teaspoons fresh grated ginger

½ teaspoon crushed garlic

Hot Chili Oil to taste

Put in the vita mix and blend until smooth

"Garlic Ginger Chicken"

3 Large Pieces of Chicken breast 

3 tbs coconut oil 

2 Garlic cloves (crushed)

Fresh Ginger to taste (would crush or grate)

Sea Salt (few cracks)

Coconut Wrap

I used Pure Wraps they are awesome and can be used for paleo soft tacos, wraps etc

Directions

Cut chicken into strips and cook in 3tbs coconut oil with crushed garlic, ginger, and sea salt.

Cook chicken until almost done and then add in the Peanut Sauce and cook on low remainder of time until done.  

In separate Pan Saute spinach in coconut oil add salt and garlic powder to taste.  Last min add in Shredded purple cabbage and cook until warm 1-2 mins

Put Coconut wrap on plate with the spinach and purple cabbage in middle, with peanut chicken on top!!!  You could really use any type of cooked veggies inside the wrap to make it fabulous .

Paleo Fried Rice from Nom Nom Paleo

So I found this Recipe on Nom Nom Paleo.  I felt like I was really eating fried Rice.  Im all about making Paleo food interesting and taste really good.  I tried adding some leftover meat to make a complete, one-bowl meal.  I used ground bison but it could really be anything.  This was also really good the next morning added into an egg scramble.  Enjoy This dish Thank you Nom Nom Paleo.  

Here’s what I assembled:

• 1 small head of cauliflower, separated in florets
• 3 slices of uncured bacon, cut into small dice
• 2 large eggs
• 1-inch knob of ginger, grated with a microplane
• 1 small onion, minced
• 4 ounces of sliced mushrooms
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro leaves
• 2 tablespoons of chopped basil
• 1 tablespoon of chopped mint
• 1-2 tablespoons of coconut aminos
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Splash of coconut vinegar (optional)
• Splash of Red Boat Fish Sauce (not optional)

Here’s how I made it:

First, I pulsed the cauliflower in a food processor until the pieces were the size of rice and chopped the rest of the ingredients. 

I tossed the diced bacon into a large cast iron skillet over medium heat and fried until the bits were crispy.

While the bacon was cooking, I whisked the two eggs in a small bowl with some salt and pepper to taste.  When the bacon was done, I removed the crunchy swine to a separate plate.

I poured the whisked eggs into the hot bacon grease and fried a thin egg omelet. I took the egg out of the pan, sliced it thinly, and set it aside.

I always keep a large knob of ginger on hand in my freezer. It keeps really well. When I need to use it, I take it out of the freezer, peel off the skin with my vegetable peeler, and microplane it. It’s almost like making ginger-flavored shaved ice.

The microplane is the best tool for grating ginger — no stringiness and the ginger blends in really well into your dish. I cranked up the heat for my cast iron skillet to medium-high heat and added the chopped onions (along with a dash of salt and pepper). Once the onion softened, I tossed in the sliced mushrooms (along with yet another sprinkle of S&P) and stir-fried everything until the mushrooms were browned. 

After adding the ginger and stirring it around for 30 seconds, I threw in the cauliflower and even more salt and pepper.

I put a lid on the skillet and lowered the heat to low and cooked it covered for about 5 minutes. When the cauliflower was tender (but not too mushy), I added the coconut aminos or Tamari , the herbs, and the sliced egg omelet. You can also add a little coconut vinegar to add a tiny bit of tang to the dish. And splash on some fish sauce for good measure!

Before serving, I tossed on the reserved crispy bacon bits. 

Amazing Paleo Chicken Enchiladas (from Paleo Table)

Paleo Enchiladas Verdes

I found this amazing recipe from Paleo table.  There is no reason that Paleo cooking should be boring or not taste good.  I am avidly looking to others blogs to see what recipes I can find and tweak.  Paleo Table always puts up all of our old non paleo favorites, that taste even better than if they were really filled with all the stuff we are supposed to stay away from.  I have now made this recipe 3 times.  It is even great for breakfast or lunch the next day.  I bought the coconut wraps inPaleo Magazine. they trick your body into thinking it is a tortilla in this modification of my favorite pre-paleo enchilada recipe. They were great! The wraps come raw and do not do well at high temperatures. The sweet potato mixed with paleo mayonnaise and coconut milk gives these a nice, creamy texture. They were so good, I didn't even miss the cheese!

Serves 4.


Ingredients
Salsa Verde
1 pound tomatillos, husks and stems removed, quartered
1 1/4 cups organic chicken broth
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped


Filling
1 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1/3 cup onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup cilantro, minced
1/3 cup organic chicken broth
1/3 cup paleo mayonnaise
1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
1/2 cup cooked, mashed sweet potato
1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
8 Pure Wraps coconut wraps
Optional
sliced jalapeno
hot sauce


Preparation

1. For salsa verde, place all ingredients in a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minute or until tomatillos are soft. Cool slightly and transfer mixture to bowl of food processor. Process until smooth. Return mixture to the pan and simmer until reduced to 2 cups, about 5 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
3. To prepare enchilada filling, combine chicken, onion, and cilantro in a large bowl. 
4. Place broth, mayonnaise, sweet potato, and lime juice in a small bowl. Use a whisk to combine into a creamy texture. Season with cumin, salt, and pepper and stir until well combined. 
5. Add wet mixture to chicken mixture and stir until well combined. Warm mixture in microwave or in a medium pan on the stovetop.
6. Spoon about 1/2 of enchilada verde in the bottom of a small baking dish.
7. Scoop about 1/2 cup of filling diagonally across each coconut wrap. Roll and arrange seam-side-down in baking dish. Top with remaining salsa verde.
8. Bake for 5-10 minutes or until just warmed through. Watch the wraps to ensure they don't burn. Enjoy!

11 Ways Gluten And Wheat Can Damage Your Health

I’ve talked about how grains in general are a poor choice for your health, but gluten containing grains like wheat, barley and rye require special attention because they can be particularly damaging to your health. All grains, including other non-gluten containing grains like oats and corn, are bad because they contain gut irritating lectins and mineral binding phytates, but you’ll learn here why gluten-containing grains and wheat especially can not only cause the same problems as other grains, but also cause much more trouble down the road.
Three main constituents are of interest here: gluten, WGA (wheat germ agglutinin) and opioid peptides found in wheat. Gluten is a compound protein that composes about 80% of the protein found in wheat, barley and rye and WGA is a lectin found in wheat that can be particularly damaging. Opioid peptides are psychoactive chemicals and those found in wheat are similar to those found in other well known psychoactive drugs like opium or morphine.
Contrary to what is believed by many, wheat is not to be avoided only by those who suffer Celiac disease, the autoimmune disease caused by a reaction of the immune system against gliadin, a gluten protein. Those with Celiac disease only react more strongly to wheat and gluten than those without the disease, but most people have a reaction in some way or another to wheat consumption, often in insidious ways.

Here are 10 reasons why consuming wheat or any of the gluten containing grains can be very detrimental to ones health:

11 reasons why gluten and wheat should be avoided

Gluten

1. Gluten causes gut inflammation in at least 80% of the population and another 30% of the population develops antibodies against gluten proteins in the gut. Furthermore, 99% of the population has the genetic potential to develop antibodies against gluten. Antibodies acting in the gut can actually be good news, because when the body doesn’t react against gluten right away, gluten proteins can enter the blood stream more easily, especially if the gut is already leaky, and trigger immune reaction elsewhere in the body.
2. Since gliadin, the main problem causing gluten protein, can be similar in structure to other proteins found in tissues of such organs as the thyroid or the pancreas, antibodies against gliadin can end up attacking those organs and ultimately cause autoimmune diseases like hypothyroidism and type 1 diabetes.
3. Gluten’s inflammatory effect in the gut causes intestinal cells to die prematurely and causes oxidation on those cells. This effect creates a leaky gut and a leaky gut can allow bacterial proteins and other toxic compounds to get in the blood stream, which can also lead to autoimmune attacks on the body. A leaky gut also means that food as not digested properly and nutrients are not absorbed fully, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
4. Antibodies against gluten have also been shown to attack heart tissues and cause heart disease.
5. Gluten has been strongly associated with cancer. It is potentially cancer causing, but at least cancer promoting.

WGA (wheat germ agglutinin)

1. WGA, like gluten, irritates and causes premature cell death in the gut and leads to a leaky gut condition, with all the detrimental effects that are known to follow.
2. WGA also disrupts the mucus membrane in the gut, which can cause bacterial overgrowth and lead to a host of digestive issues like GERD and ulcers.
3. The lectin also often ends up circulating in the body and in the brain, where it can cause leptin resistance and cause effects similar to insulin. Those two factors could be a cause or promoter of obesity as leptin and insulin are the two most important hormones to properly regulate in order to maintain a normal weight and energy balance.
4. WGA and another unknown factor in wheat cause vitamin D stores to deplete abnormally fast and can therefore lead to vitamin D deficiency, with all its accompanying issues like weakening of the bones, a weakened immune system and a vulnerability to infectious diseases and bacterial attacks.

Opioid peptides

1. The opioid peptides found in wheat are known to cause addiction to wheat in some people and withdrawal symptoms can happen upon the removal of wheat from the diet.
2. They have also been associated with Schizophrenia as a possible cause or at least as a promoter of the disease. Furthermore, Schizophrenics often see their symptoms reduce by a lot when removing wheat from their diet.

Conclusion

When it comes to things that we, humans, are not adapted to eat and digest, wheat and its gluten protein is probably at the top of the list. It’s very sad that wheat is so omnipresent in our society though and many health conditions would probably not even exist if it were not for our high consumption of wheat. Positive changes are often noticed immediately after removing wheat and other gluten containing grains from the diet.
Even though most people can indulge in less healthy choices from time to time without negative consequences, wheat and other gluten containing grains should, in my opinion and the opinion of many others in the Paleo diet blogosphere, be completely avoided, especially for those who suffer any kind of autoimmune disease or inflammatory condition.

P.S. Be sure to check out the Paleo Recipe Book. It’s a cookbook I’ve created to help you cook the best food for your health. It contains over 370 recipes and covers absolutely everything you need.