Good grief! I've been horrible at posting! Let's just say it's been a busy couple of months and move on!
So the CrossFit community participates in what they call 'The Open' - 5 weeks of workouts where you post your scores and the top athletes in the area go on to the 'Regionals' and the best from there compete at the 'Games' in Los Angeles in July. The 'Open' is just that. Open to anyone who wants to test themselves against the rest of the world and see where they stand. I had no intention whatsoever of signing up. Why should I? I've never completed a workout at the prescribed weights - I've never done an unassisted pull-up - I've never accomplished a 'toes to bar'. Maybe next year.
Enter Travis HoGlin -- owner of the box where I work out. He successfully guilted the entire 5:30am class into signing up. Way to go Trav!
The first week I was beyond nervous.. and then my dear buddy, Shasonta, told me "just treat it like any other WOD" and that made so much sense. The first week was 17 minutes of burpees and progressively heavier snatch lifts. With a ton of encouraging shouts from Travis, I completed the 40 burpees, 30 snatches, and the next 30 burpees. The second week was 10 minutes of shoulder-to-overhead and deadlifts (75#) and 20" box jumps. Week three was 12 minutes for 150 wallballs, 90 double-unders and, if you got that far, 30 muscle-ups. Tossing a 14# medicine ball 9ft in the air 150 times just about did me in. Again, it was the community around me that pushed me beyond what I thought I was physically capable of doing. Pretty incredible. Accomplished the dreaded wallballs and still had 30 seconds to stumble thru 6 double-unders. Week four was short and heavy. 7 minutes to do a progressive ladder of 95# clean and jerks and toes-to-bar. I walked into the box that morning not knowing what to expect - but was determined to try my best. Shockingly, the heavy clean and jerks went well. Then it was on to the bar. For 6 minutes I hung there trying. I would get so close, but couldn't get the toes to touch. It was so frustrating and I could feel the tears building up. Again, it's those crazy people cheering you on that won't let you quit. With just 30 seconds left, I swung up and *BAM* my toes hit! My partner (and the box owner's wife) screamed so loud I think it scared the hell out of everyone there, but we were so damn excited. I cried, she cried, we hugged each other.. and then there's Dan the coach yelling at me that I still had 15 seconds left, so get up there and get another one! I finished the workout with only 3 clean and jerks and 3 toes-to-bar, but I may as well have run my first marathon. It was one of those 'you had to be there' moments.
So Wednesday they will announce the final Open workout for 2013. Whatever it is, I'll walk in and try and my best and be proud that I competed. That for the first time in my 45 years, I can call myself an athlete.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Shrimp Citrus Salad with Avocado
The "Bennett Family Christmas" was held at our house the Saturday following Christmas. 28 people was the unofficial headcount. WHEW! Thank Heaven Neil and I love to cook -- and the Bennett's are terrific about bringing their favorite dishes.
One of the dishes was brought by Sister #2, Julie... a Shrimp Citrus Salad with Avocado. DELISH!
Shrimp Citrus Salad with Avocado -- serves 4
1/2 pound cooked shrimp meat
1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion
1/2 - 1 firm avocado, cut into large chunks
1/2 cup diced tomatillo (raw)
2 Tbsp cilantro
1/2 jalapeno chili - seeded and minced
Juice of 1 lime
1 large orange [used a few "little cuties" and then juiced an orange to get the 3 Tbsp of juice needed]
2 tsp granulated sugar [I think you could make this optional - or trim to 1 tsp]
Salt and Pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a bowl except orange and sugar [we tossed in the "little cutie" slices].
Over a separate bowl, segment orange over strainer to catch the juice in the bowl. Slice orange segments in half and add to shrimp mixture. [sorry, but this made no sense to me, so I used the 2 different oranges approach]
Add sugar to orange juice and whisk until dissolved. Add 3 Tbsp of sweetened juice to salad and toss to combine, being careful not to mash the avocado.
Serve on a bed of lettuce or wrapped in a tortilla.
One of the dishes was brought by Sister #2, Julie... a Shrimp Citrus Salad with Avocado. DELISH!
Shrimp Citrus Salad with Avocado -- serves 4
1/2 pound cooked shrimp meat
1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion
1/2 - 1 firm avocado, cut into large chunks
1/2 cup diced tomatillo (raw)
2 Tbsp cilantro
1/2 jalapeno chili - seeded and minced
Juice of 1 lime
1 large orange [used a few "little cuties" and then juiced an orange to get the 3 Tbsp of juice needed]
2 tsp granulated sugar [I think you could make this optional - or trim to 1 tsp]
Salt and Pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a bowl except orange and sugar [we tossed in the "little cutie" slices].
Over a separate bowl, segment orange over strainer to catch the juice in the bowl. Slice orange segments in half and add to shrimp mixture. [sorry, but this made no sense to me, so I used the 2 different oranges approach]
Add sugar to orange juice and whisk until dissolved. Add 3 Tbsp of sweetened juice to salad and toss to combine, being careful not to mash the avocado.
Serve on a bed of lettuce or wrapped in a tortilla.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
A new year ahead... Time to set some goals
I've been pretty remiss in my postings of late. Amazing how busy life can get! And suddenly it's the end of 2012 and 2013 is looming in the not-so-distant future. WOW! I've never been very good at resolutions, so this year I'm going to try putting some goals out there instead.
A Garufa's Goals for 2013
So here's to a New Year -- may we all be blessed!
A Garufa's Goals for 2013
- Practice random acts of kindness
- Cook more (can't let Neil have all the fun!)
- Paleo!
- Get to CrossFit 4x (or more) a week
- 10 unbroken double unders!
- An unassisted pull up!
- A handstand push up!
- Ride 50 miles in the Chuckanut Century (Sept. 15)
- Participate in the Run Like a Girl 1/2 marathon (Oct. 15)
So here's to a New Year -- may we all be blessed!
A Try at Canning...
Okay, for many of you, you're probably laughing out loud right now at the thought of me canning. Well pbbbtthhhhhhhhh! I did it! Well, I think I did it. I'll know better in a couple of weeks when I get to pop the top and do some sampling. Here's what I did - stay tuned for a report on the results:
Spicy Dilly Beans -- LOVE these in a Spicy Caesar! (For those of you reading this that live farther than 50 miles from the Canadian border... a 'spicy caesar' is not a salad! It's like a Bloody Mary, but uses Clamato juice instead of tomato juice. VERY tasty!)
2 lbs fresh green beans - snap off the ends and (if needed) cut them down so they will fit into a pint-sized wide-mouth canning jar [I probably used about 6 or 7 pounds, but 2 lbs of beans should give you 4 pints]
Prepare your jars -- they need to be clean and then placed in boiling water for 10 minutes. Same thing for the lids and the rings. Remove the jars/lids/rings but keep your water simmering away. You need a LARGE canning pot [I don't have one, so used a crab cooker instead - worked okay as long as I had full basket of jars, but things got a little wild on my last batch when I only had 3 jars and they started sliding around in the boiling water]
In a stockpot, prepare your brine [if using more beans - adjust amounts accordingly]:
Bring this to a boil - and then let it just simmer away on the stove.
Start packing your jars...
Lay the jar on it's side and then start laying in the green beans until they are pretty darn full. The tops of the beans should be about 1/4 inch (or more) from the top of the jar.
To each jar add:
Place lid onto jar (make sure that there is a clean seal and no dill fronds get caught) and then seal with the ring. Pack the jars into your canning rack and submerge into boiling water -- water level has to come over the tops of the jars. Once the pot returns to a roiling boil, start your timer and let it go for 5 minutes.
Carefully remove the jars and place on a towel on your counter. As they cool, you should hear a distinct POP as they seal. Leave them be for 12 hours and then push down on each lid -- there shouldn't be any movement. If the lid does go up and down when you press on it, then use this jar first and store the others for a minimum of 2 weeks before trying.
UPDATE: Popped these open at Thanksgiving and they turned out AMAZING! Nice crunch - great flavor! Gave them away as Christmas gifts and will definitely be making more next year.
Spicy Dilly Beans -- LOVE these in a Spicy Caesar! (For those of you reading this that live farther than 50 miles from the Canadian border... a 'spicy caesar' is not a salad! It's like a Bloody Mary, but uses Clamato juice instead of tomato juice. VERY tasty!)
2 lbs fresh green beans - snap off the ends and (if needed) cut them down so they will fit into a pint-sized wide-mouth canning jar [I probably used about 6 or 7 pounds, but 2 lbs of beans should give you 4 pints]
Prepare your jars -- they need to be clean and then placed in boiling water for 10 minutes. Same thing for the lids and the rings. Remove the jars/lids/rings but keep your water simmering away. You need a LARGE canning pot [I don't have one, so used a crab cooker instead - worked okay as long as I had full basket of jars, but things got a little wild on my last batch when I only had 3 jars and they started sliding around in the boiling water]
In a stockpot, prepare your brine [if using more beans - adjust amounts accordingly]:
- 2 1/2 cups white vinegar
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 1/4 cup canning salt [I used Kosher salt]
Bring this to a boil - and then let it just simmer away on the stove.
Start packing your jars...
Lay the jar on it's side and then start laying in the green beans until they are pretty darn full. The tops of the beans should be about 1/4 inch (or more) from the top of the jar.
To each jar add:
- A clove or 2 of garlic [I added 4]
- A couple sprigs of fresh dill
- 1/4 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper [didn't have enough, so used 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes instead]
- Ladle brine into jar until it comes to 1/4 inch from the top of the jar
Place lid onto jar (make sure that there is a clean seal and no dill fronds get caught) and then seal with the ring. Pack the jars into your canning rack and submerge into boiling water -- water level has to come over the tops of the jars. Once the pot returns to a roiling boil, start your timer and let it go for 5 minutes.
Carefully remove the jars and place on a towel on your counter. As they cool, you should hear a distinct POP as they seal. Leave them be for 12 hours and then push down on each lid -- there shouldn't be any movement. If the lid does go up and down when you press on it, then use this jar first and store the others for a minimum of 2 weeks before trying.
UPDATE: Popped these open at Thanksgiving and they turned out AMAZING! Nice crunch - great flavor! Gave them away as Christmas gifts and will definitely be making more next year.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
The end of the Paleo Challenge...
I wish I could exclaim that I have wonderful news and that I kicked the challenge's ass, but not this time. The good news is that I have a newfound awareness of what I eat and how it effects me; and I can happily report that I lost 6.5 pounds. But as for the fat percentage loss... Well, those numbers were rather baffling. Oh well. I know in my heart that what I am doing is right. To eat wholesome, organic, local foods... To dump the breads and pastas that make me feel horrible for hours after I eat them... And to push myself to walk into that box (gym) at least 4 times a week... These are all steps in the right direction for a happy, healthy life, and I just have to believe that if I keep doing what I'm doing, that someday that damn "muffin top" will be a thing of the past!
There is a great t-shirt I've seen with the saying "stronger than yesterday". Hell yes I am!
There is a great t-shirt I've seen with the saying "stronger than yesterday". Hell yes I am!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Paleo Challenge -- the last week!
Just 6 days left of the Paleo Challenge! I admit, I have not been 100%. But those times that I cheated, I made sure that I REALLY enjoyed my cheat and then I moved on and got back to a Paleo lifestyle again. The trick is to not beat yourself up and to think "well, I goofed, I guess I'm done with the challenge". Heck no! Start fresh with your very next meal and just keep trying to do your best. I've been more than frustrated with the lack of movement on the bathroom scale but I just hope that there are changes going on on the inside that I just can't see. The upcoming bod-pod reading will definitely be interesting. Fingers are crossed!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Dogs...
My husband and I are parents to 2 dogs. Yes, I said 'parents'. Call it 'timing'; call it 'life choices'; call it whatever you like, but as I entered my mid-to-late 30's I knew that your typical kind of motherhood was not in my future. Ok. So I am the proud adopted mother of 2 dogs. I've raised them from small pups; took them to school; made them study their lessons; engage them in 'sports'; take them to the doctor; care for them when they are sick, and make sure that they have grown up to be good canine citizens. If you ask me, that's a parent.
I never grew up with dogs. My parents liked a more independent kind of household pet, so cats were the pet of choice. I got my first dog, Mocha, only because my girlfriend had just gotten a puppy and just happened to mention that there was a sister that also needed a home. I was living on 10 acres at the time, so space wasn't really an issue, and she was pretty stinking cute. A mix of (as best we can tell) Malamute, German Shepherd and Border Collie. Or 'Mala-mutt' for short. If I had a nickle for every time I was stopped on the street and asked "what kind of dog is that?", I'd be a very rich woman. She's about 12 1/2 now and a more faithful companion, I don't think I'll ever find. Through a divorce and countless other life-drama events, she has always been my friend and confidant. She is my 'heart dog'. And not to sound conceited, but I have been the focus of her world since the first day I picked her up. She's just that kind of dog.
And then, there's Mambo. When Mocha was about 6, I had the grand idea that maybe she'd be happy with a friend to share her day. So I contacted the Alternative Humane Society and was introduced to a litter of pups that they had just rescued from a local Indian reservation. Momma-dog was about 65 pounds - same size as Mocha - and was a mix of Lab and Rhodesian Ridgeback. Okay, that seemed like it could be a good match for Mocha. The one problem with rescuing a mutt is that it's like reaching your hand into a grab bag.. you are never quite sure what you are going to get. Mambo - now 6 - has matured into a 125 pound lovable lunkhead of a dog. He's my ADD child. Gung-ho to chase the ball... until a butterfly goes by his nose and then it's 'what ball?'.
So these are my 'kids' and I love them dearly. They ask for very little in life and yet give back so much. Not a day goes by that I don't see the love in Mocha's eyes and have to smile. Or have to just sit down and belly-laugh at something Mambo has just done.
So, if you come to my house, be prepared to leave with a few strands of dog hair on your clothes and maybe you'll find a toy dropped in your purse.
I never grew up with dogs. My parents liked a more independent kind of household pet, so cats were the pet of choice. I got my first dog, Mocha, only because my girlfriend had just gotten a puppy and just happened to mention that there was a sister that also needed a home. I was living on 10 acres at the time, so space wasn't really an issue, and she was pretty stinking cute. A mix of (as best we can tell) Malamute, German Shepherd and Border Collie. Or 'Mala-mutt' for short. If I had a nickle for every time I was stopped on the street and asked "what kind of dog is that?", I'd be a very rich woman. She's about 12 1/2 now and a more faithful companion, I don't think I'll ever find. Through a divorce and countless other life-drama events, she has always been my friend and confidant. She is my 'heart dog'. And not to sound conceited, but I have been the focus of her world since the first day I picked her up. She's just that kind of dog.
 |
| Mocha |
And then, there's Mambo. When Mocha was about 6, I had the grand idea that maybe she'd be happy with a friend to share her day. So I contacted the Alternative Humane Society and was introduced to a litter of pups that they had just rescued from a local Indian reservation. Momma-dog was about 65 pounds - same size as Mocha - and was a mix of Lab and Rhodesian Ridgeback. Okay, that seemed like it could be a good match for Mocha. The one problem with rescuing a mutt is that it's like reaching your hand into a grab bag.. you are never quite sure what you are going to get. Mambo - now 6 - has matured into a 125 pound lovable lunkhead of a dog. He's my ADD child. Gung-ho to chase the ball... until a butterfly goes by his nose and then it's 'what ball?'.
 |
| Mambo |
So these are my 'kids' and I love them dearly. They ask for very little in life and yet give back so much. Not a day goes by that I don't see the love in Mocha's eyes and have to smile. Or have to just sit down and belly-laugh at something Mambo has just done.
So, if you come to my house, be prepared to leave with a few strands of dog hair on your clothes and maybe you'll find a toy dropped in your purse.
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