A-Z: Real Life Testimonials for a Paleo Life Style, Courtesy of The Whole 9

The Whole30™ A-Z: Real Life Testimonials

After a few years of informal personal research, I have found endless amounts of both measureable and anecdotal evidence on the many benefits of a paleo lifestyle.  But nobody has captured the benefits of a paleo lifestyle so simply, (that I have found), until I began to explore the blog called, The Whole 9.  The Whole 9 is a blog by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig of Utah, who founded The Whole 9 in 2009.  They are also co-authors of the soon to be released book called, It Starts with Food. 

http://whole9life.com/

If you don't yet believe in a paleo life style for yourself, take a moment to review their compilation of A-Z real life testimonials by clicking on the link below.

A-Z Real Life Testimonials

http://whole9life.com/2011/06/the-whole30-a-z-real-life-testimonials/

Thoughts of a Hyperchondriac

http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/38_05_cf_rhabdo.pdf

So...the other day after a trip to bathroom...I've increased my water intake, yay!...I looked down and thought...rhabdo!!!  Holy crap!...I was going to have to get blood tests, and that would be expensive...I could also die if I didn't act quickly:/  I could be having some major internal problem and no symptoms, except for...coca-cola colored urine...with a slight red tint!  What was going on?  Did I have rhabdo?  It was shocking.



I immediately began to self diagnose and after a little research...come to find out, I had "Beeturia".  Whoowee!  What a relief.

I seriously thought...okay, maybe I had done my GHD sit-ups too fast or the combination of a little celebration after the NorCal Regionals! 

Low and behold, I had a beet salad with my breakfast and lunch.  Again, this is self diagnosis.

Beeturia:  After some people eat beets, their urine turns red, a harmless condition called beeturia or betaninuria. (http://udel.edu/~mcdonald/mythbeeturia.html)

                                      
http://images.search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A2KJkK5y5r9PSg0AAXKjzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBtdXBkbHJyBHNlYwNmcC1hdHRyaWIEc2xrA3J1cmw-/SIG=12lf4h8br/EXP=1338005234/**http%3a//www.foodandwine.hu/2009/01/18/ez-csak-a-cekla-ne-ijedj-me/

Positive Self Talk and Mental Fortitude

Why do we have this inner voice, this little boss, this little critical voice inside our head?  Does it make us better or does it destroy us and cause us to crumble and fold?  That inner voice, that inner dialogue in me, constantly tells me to do better.  It can be insulting, it can be overly critical, but my inner voice also continues to push me to do better, to push my limits, to push my physical and mental capacity, to learn from my mistakes, and to get up when I fall down. 

My inner dialogue can sound harsh, but the other side to my inner voice is that it can also be really positive.  It can actually act like my own inner cheerleader.  It tells me to keep on going, to be thankful for the simple things in life, to be thankful when the sun is shining or when the rain is pouring.  It tells me to be thankful for everything in my life.  It constantly reminds me of my life's journey,  how I got here, and why I keep driving forward.  That little boss wants me to be better.  It wants me to achieve my full potential and capacity.  It constantly reminds me that the only thing that stops me from achieving my dreams, the only thing stopping me is me.

I recently had a conversation with my brother and he asked me if anyone has ever told me that being compeitive is a bad thing?  I have never been told that.  But the truth, the answer to that question is that if perhaps, I appear to be competitive, I compete with no one, but myself.  It's me against, me.

Here's a link to an article called, Breaking the Mental Barrier by Josh Bridges.

Breaking the Mental Barrier

Tempo Training

This is such a fantastic write up on tempo training by CJ Martin of CrossFit Invictus.  I am going to be a total dork and say that I am experiencing some serious inner excitement for coming across this article, and I am looking forward to adding this to my programming.  It makes complete sense. 

http://www.crossfitinvictus.com/must-read-posts/what-does-30x0-mean/

New Tricks

Saturday, April, 21, 2012

New tricks are super fun!  Saturday at the gym, I asked my trainer how to do this because I knew that previously he was able to do this trick, little did I know...I could do it!!!  I know my strength is increasing, and I am so excited about that.  The best thing about moments like this is the realization in accomplishing something that you never thought possible at one time in your life.  Obviously for it to be possible, at some point, I must have dreamed it;)  The next time I post this pic, it  will be better; I promise.  I heart new tricks!

My Life in Pictures




August 2009,
My First CrossFit WOD Ever!
@ Orange Coast CrossFit

 

New Trick/One Handed Handstand,
June 2011

 

Old Trick,
Summer 2011

`  

31 Heroes WOD,
August 2011
to Benefit Fallen Navy Seals Families

Santa Cruz Affiliate Cup

@ CrossFit Santa Cruz,

October 2011

 Fall 2011

 Battle Ropes,
Jan. 2012

 Max

Personal Record/Jerk,
March 2012

New 1RMax 135#, it's Something

The Paleo Pyramid

Mental Strength

Ironman Mental Strength: the Fifth Discipline

Rhabdo

As a trainer it is essential to self educate and to be aware of the dangers of rhabdomyolysis.  A very dear friend/elite athlete just went through this. 

Please look over the three articles attached to the links below:

CrossFit Induced Rhabdo
Rhabdomyolysis Revisited
NCAA - Rhabdo Requires Prompt Diagnosis, Treatment

Check out Rubies and Radishes

Check out http://www.rubiesandradishes.com/ and click on "Paleo Diet Basics" for a great site with a lot of collected information on the Paleo diet and information to get you started.

I Heart Real Food

Okay, so I'm hungry.  Here's a link to some yummy goodness that I haven't tried yet, but I'm hungry, and I can't wait to make it!  Check out the link to Paleo Omg @ http://paleomg.com/pumpkin-cashew-coconut-curry-coconut-rice/

Pumpkin Cashew Coconut Curry over Coconut Rice


         Photo from www.paleoomg.com


Pumpkin Cashew Coconut Curry over Coconut Rice
Recipe from  www.paleoomg.com

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 15 mins

Total time: 25 mins

Serves: 4-5

Ingredients

• For the curry
• 1lb chicken, cut into cubes
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 2/3 cup canned coconut milk
• 1/2 cup pureed pumpkin
• 1/2 cup cashews
• 2-3 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 tablespoon Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• pinch of cinnamon
• salt and pepper, to taste
• cilantro, to garnish
• For the coconut rice
• 1 head cauliflower, stem removed, roughly chopped
• 1/3 cup canned coconut milk
• 1/4 cup Unsweetended Shredded Coconut
• 1 tablespoon Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil
• 1 teaspoon raw honey
• pinch of salt

Instructions

1. First add your chopped cauliflower to your food processor with the shredding attachment to “rice” the cauliflower.
2. Pull a large pot, place over medium heat, and add a tablespoon of coconut oil then add your cauliflower. Add a pinch of salt, then cover to help steam, mixing occasionally.
3. Now pull out a large skillet and place under medium heat. Then add your coconut oil.
4. Add minced garlic then chicken as soon as the garlic becomes fragrant.
5. Once the chicken begins to become white on all sides, add your 2/3 cup coconut milk and pureed pumpkin to your chicken and mix until the pumpkin breaks down.
6. Now add your sliced onions and spices to cook down.
7. Then add your other ingredients for your coconut rice and cover to cook down. Stir occasionally to make sure it doesn’t burn!
8. Let the rice cook for about 5-8 minutes until coconut milk has evaporated and you have sticky rice.
9. When chicken is done cooking and your curry has thickened a bit, remove from heat and add your cashews to the curry mixture.
10. Now place sticky rice in a bowl along with curry over top and cilantro to garnish!

One of My Favorite Athletes, Jenny Labaw and All Time Inspiring Video

Paleo Diet Flow Chart

My Friends are Awesome

Lately, I've been pondering the importance of surrounding myself with friends who inspire me!  The beauty of friends is that they inspire us to be better than we are and to achieve our dreams through their examples.  I love my friends!  My friends are unstoppable; therefore, I must be pretty awesome too.  As the saying goes, "You are the company you keep." 

I thought  about the importance to state that these girls transcend beauty and success.  Success and hard work were captured in these images, but their individual successes translate into every area of their lives.  I believe that success is the constant which is demonstrated time and time again in work ethic, dedication, attitude, perseverance, mental fortitude, the drive and inner desire to be better than you were yesterday, and learning to fulfil your capacity for living and dreaming.

Photo swiped from CrossFit Costa Mesa's site.

Keeta Being Awesome!  I love her! 
~The Legend Lives On~

Photo swiped from Mel's fb page courtesy of OCCF

Beautiful Mel

I Owe it All to Her

Swiped from Max's Muscle Santa Cruz

One of My Best Friend's, Chelsea
~Fearlessness in Strength and Beauty~

Photo swiped from Joc's fb page

~Jocelyn~
5th in the Nation at the Arnold this Year (2012)
No Big Deal
Heart of a Champion

SLOW MOTION ART OF SPRINTING - The Fastest Man, USAIN BOLT 100m

Check out the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt in this slow motion clip.

Homemade Almond Milk

I haven't had a chance to make it, but I am looking forward to it this weekend.  I'll post back to let you know how it turns out.

Check out the recipe @ http://www.choosingraw.com/raw-101-homemade-almond-milk/

Things I love...

I love the mountains...the Sierra Nevada mountains.  I love them because I have visited them since I was very young.  My grandparents had a cabin in Twain Hearte, and that became the family cabin where we had family reunions, winter holidays, skiing trips, and even Thanksgiving.  The most memorable smell of the cabin is the fresh mountain air from the pine trees that grew tall outside.  The most memorable thing about the cabin is happy memories of a healthy family.

I love the ocean - I love the ocean when it rains.  I love how storms churn up the salty sea and throw shells and driftwood on the beach.  I love the ocean in the summer, on a bright sunny day.  I love sitting in the sun on a surfboard on days like this...soaking up the rays and floating in the salt water.  I love the ocean in the morning, walking along the cliffs and watching the tide roll in and out, I love the surfers that are out in the water, eager to be in their happy place, I love this time of the day, when most are still in bed. 

I love summer - sprinklers, swimming pools, the hot sun...bike rides, barbeque's, hot summer nights, campfires, guitars, laying under the stars

I love softball - softball since first grade, it's me, it's life, and I am so fortunate now to be coaching softball at Santa Cruz High School with one of the most amazing friends ever!

I love lifting heavy - I have always loved lifting weights or the idea of it...since it's a big part of my life.  I love it because it is empowering, healthy, challenging, rewarding, and me.

I love my family - my family kinda rocks!  My family's awesome, every last one of them, cousins, aunts, uncles, and all!  I am so blessed!

I love horses - amazing creatures, always dreamed of having one, so one day I did!  That was back in high school, what a Christmas present!  My parents are the best!

I love books - read for life, for knowledge, for power, self improvement, free mind

I love CrossFit - community, fun, fitness, competition, health, empowerment, friendships, long socks

I love being adventurous, and I love being active - Adventure is me!