Countdown to FL, Day 57: Girls Night!!!

Oh yeah, a long awaited "Girl's Night Out" is tonight!  Me and all my lovely girlfriends are going to see Britney Spears & Nicki Minaj (you're NEVER too old for Britney contrary to what my little brother thinks).  Therefore, no workouts for me today.  I'm pretty sure all the dancing tonight will make up for it somwehow (wishful thinking).  I'll get back on the grind tomorrow.

Breakfast:  Half of a smoothie (gave me a stomach ache so I had to stop drinking it)
                  2 eggs
                  2 cups of coffee with coconut creamer


Pork Sinigang

Morning Snack:  Apple

Lunch: A Filipino favorite in our house - Pork Sinigang, no rice

There are several variations you can make to this dish.  You can go wild with veggies if you like or instead of pork, use fish or shrimp. 

• 1-2 lbs of meat of your choice (depending on how many you are feeding)
• Tamarind Soup Base or Tamarind Root (if you go with root, be sure to add a little fish sauce for taste) I like mine really sour!
• 2 small tomatoes
• 1 large onion
• Daikon radish
• A small bunch of chinese long beans
• 2-3 baby bok choy bunches
• 2 cups Eggplant (just eye the amount)
• 1 anaheim chile pepper (optional)
• 5-6 cups water

Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil.  Throw in pork, let boil until cooked, add tomatoes and tamarind.  Turn down heat and simmer (I simmer for an hour or so, I like the meat very tender).  Throw in veggies and cook to desired firmness.  I like my veggies a little crisp so I dont simmer them too long. 

Sinigang is so good with rice, but I've given that up.  So just a bowl of meat and veggies for me today :)  However, very filling! 

Afternoon Snack:  Larabar

Dinner:  I've already done my research.. The girls decided on the Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner before the concert so I took a look at their online menu to see what they had for healthier options.  I will be having the baked chicken w/ the spaghetti squash.  I promise. :)

Another day down... 56 to go!

~kat

Florida countdown begins.. Day 58.

I'm a pretty lucky girl.  I get to spend 6 days with my two best friends in FLORIDA!  They are both (of course) gorgeous and beach body ready... so, its time for me to turn up the heat when it comes to working out and eating right.

Michelle, Lisa and I on my wedding day (obviously)!  I only cropped my two beautiful friends out of the pic for the purposes of this post, I don't love you girls any less!! It was the last pic I have of us together.



Now that I actually have something to look forward to and an actual time frame to work with (not just me taking my sweet time and cheating on the weekends), I think I can finally be held accountable for how I treat my body in the next 58 days.  I will record my meals and workouts everyday.  I will not disclose weight (come on now, what woman would) but I will take measurements and record weight loss on a periodic basis.  KCF did a Spring Clean-up Challenge that I showed up half way through so this will be my own little clean-up challenge, "Kat's 'work-it-twerk-it' Summer Challenge".

I started my morning out pretty good.  Went to bed at 8pm last night because I promised myself I would get up and workout at 5am.  And I sure did!  I popped in a Zumba dvd and went all kinds of "Latin" on my poor living room carpet with my Nike's on.  I'm sure it will be trashed by the time I get to Day 1.  Anyway, not only did I get a decent cardio workout this morning but I also learned some new dance moves!  All in the hips girrrrrllll!!

Breakfast:  Two cage-free eggs  

                 Two cups of coffee with coconut creamer

Lunch:       5oz grass-fed steak

                 1.5 cups of mixed veggies (asparagus, zucchini, onions) sauteed in olive oil

Snack:      A handful of sunflower seeds from Trader Joe's on the drive home

I hit the 5pm Crossfit class.  Here was the workout of the day.  I did a 55# snatch and 20'' box jumps in 12:05.  Brandi, one of the coaches at KCF took my measurements so now I will be able to really track progress.

Dinner:  Well, it was a quick meal night.  So I threw together a romaine salad and topped it with an  AmyLu's Sweet Caramelized Chicken Burger with avocado vinaigrette.

So, now that you are all reading this and I've managed to gain the courage to post it online... its time for follow thru.  Looking forward to the next 57 days, maybe.

~kat

Peanut Booty

Peanut Booty.  One of Rueben's many nicknames.  :) 

My hubby has been gone for a couple of weeks now for work and I have really been missing him.  The house is quiet (for the most part) and life is a little more hectic running around doing it all alone so the heart is growing a little fond right now.  So... since I'm feeling so in love, I'll go ahead and gush about my husband today :)

Rueben grew up playing sports.  He played pee-wee football and soccer and as young teens him and his best friend ended up bonding in the weight room.  There is definitely something to be said about getting your kids playing sports at an early age.  They maintain fitness throughout their life and eventually pass it on to their kids.  (Not to mention all of the other pro's to student athletes; good grades, staying out of trouble, less possibility of drug use, etc).   Jordan is going to be a busy little girl.



Peanut Butter and Killa Cade

 Since I have known Rueben he has had this serious commitment to the gym.  When we first started dating back in 2005 it was required for him to workout.  He was a linebacker on CWU's football team.  I remember the grueling summer two-a-days and the 5am winter season workouts.  He was the lame one who wouldn't want to go out on $1 Corona nights because he had to get up for winter ball workouts (now I wouldn't blame him one bit!) the next morning.  And even when he did go out and get a little loose, first thing he did in the morning to cure his hangover was hit the gym!  I always thought the guy was either obsessed or crazy.  Now that our college days are over, he still hits the gym everyday like clockwork.  Whether its PTing with his unit or doing it solo - the man does not slack on his fitness. 



2008-09 Deployment

 Rueben does not work out for purposes of vanity.  He is not looking to be the sexiest guy in the gym with the wash board abs.  A good time for him is not running 3 miles or dead lifting 505 lbs.  Working out is simply not a hobby for him.  However, working out and maintaining functionality is incredibly important to him.  I know because we've had several conversations about this.  Being in the Army has it's pluses when you look at its physical requirements.  He has to keep his body in tiptop shape because, quite frankly, he is getting paid to and it is required.  He needs to be functional, quick, and agile on the battle field.  He needs to be physically ready to go to war at a moments notice [so to speak]. 

I admire his commitment to fitness and wish I were more like him.  He does not obsess over his imperfections, like I do.  He does not feel guilty if he decides to eat a burger and fries, like I do.  He does not compare himself to other guys, like all us women do.  He simply wants to be in the best shape possible if he were to be deploy tomorrow.  He does this all FOR HIMSELF.  To be his personal best. 



Courtesy of KCF: Rueben's KCF record of 505# deadlift on his 3rd day.


Rueben is so supportive of my new adventures at KCF.  He has always been that way.  When I have a goal I want to reach, he helps push me to it.  He asks everyday how my workout went and cheers me on when I reach new goals.  Can't wait for him to join me in the box when he gets home! 

Love you babe. 

~kat

PNW Spring/Summer (so far) has been a drag.. Vitamin D please?

Those of you who live here in the Pacific Northwest know exactly where I am going with this..  This Spring/beginnings of Summer have been such a drag!!!  I've never really been to a point where I have been so sick of the weather that I am just dying to get away, but this year has been an all time low in terms of Vitamin D intake.  

I think I saw someone post it on facebook or something but "we shouldn't feel lucky to have nice sunny days, alot of other places get the sunshine everyday for free".  I couldn't agree more.  There is something about a sunny day that brings smiles, positive attitudes, motivation, and best of all jacket-less days in the backyard bbqing and drinking cocktails.  Us, PNW'ers, live for summer!!  We get 3 months a year to bask in the glory and beauty of Western Washington WHILE THE SUN IS OUT!  Years like this just take a toll on people (or me, as you can tell by this rant). 

While working out and eating right does help with my attitude, I do add a little pick-me-up in pill form.  Yes, I try to take my Vitamin D every morning.  Its my personal decision, and so far it has helped give me the motivation and outlook I need to get through this painfully sun-less year.  Its other benefits include regulating calcium and phosphorus, preventing vitamin D deficiency (Rickets), treating skin conditions, and PMS (to name a few). 

An excellent source Vitamin D can also be found in fatty fish, like tuna, salmon and mackerel.  It is also found in dairy products and cereal (both of which are "paleo no-no's").  If you are against supplements, look to these foods for that "sunshine" vitamin.  Oh, and add free range eggs to that list.  Not the best source, but a good source.

I want the REAL thing, don't get me wrong - but until I see that sun shining and I'm out soaking it up through my skin, I'll stick to the pill form. 

Happy Summer everyone in the Southern Latitude! :\

~kat

Going Dairy-Free..

So one of the "rules" of going Paleo is going dairy-free.  Because, let's be honest, what caveman could have possibly been pounding a glass of milk in his hey-day?!? 

Anyway, I have found a few alternatives to dairy.  Some that may be okay in the "Paleo" world and some probably not, but as I have said before, we start out easy... 

Coconut Milk (unflavored) has been part of my morning routine now.  Instead of the usual smoothie with non-fat milk, I use So Delicious Coconut Milk.  The conisitancy is alot like cows milk, it does not have the typical coconut flavor to it, and since I really only drink milk in my liquid breakfasts I have not noticed a difference in taste at all. 

I have also began using coconut creamer instead of what I used to use (Coffee Mate, Fat Free French Vanilla creamer).  It is also made by So Delicious and it is also French Vanilla flavored (ingredients may include some things not so "Paleo") but like we said before, baby steps help make the transition.  Or, at least.. my transition.  And speaking of things not so paleo, let me just throw it out there that Trader Joe's has a chocolate coconut ice cream, not that I've bought a pint of it or anything..

One coconut product I will say that I do not particularly care for would be coconut water.  I was walking through Central Market one day and saw cans of coconut water on sale so I thought I would try it out.  Not really sure what I was expecting, but the flavor was not for me.  It went down smooth but left me with a grassy after taste.  It tastes how you would expect the brown hair on a mature coconut to taste like if you were to ball it up and attempt to chew it.  Yah, I know.  Not the best description but I'm not really sure how else to describe the flavor.  Maybe I just got a bad coconut or something :p

We wont talk about cheese right now... let's just say I haven't eaten cheese in about a week.  So far so good (in my book). 

Off to KCF... Enjoy the rain on this TYPICAL Washington Summer Day!

~kat

Everyday Paleo

I'm sitting here jamming out to Pandora on this beautiful 1st day of Summer trying to decide what todays blog post will be about...

Last week I made mention about a book I recently ordered from Amazon, Everyday Paleo by Sarah Fragoso.  I had a case of "analysis paralysis" and read tons of reviews on books that would help me and my family learn about living "primal".  Based on consumer reviews, I chose this book.  Unfortunately, I spilled water all over it so I had to wait for it to dry to finally peel the pages apart to actually get in a good read. 

Anyway, here is my opinion of the book.  An all encompassing, easy guide to eating well and getting your family on board.  She lists what foods you should eat, like.. in an actual list!  She has two lists: what to have in the fridge and what to have in the pantry.  She explains macronutrients, the myths about certain foods, she describes the importance of sleep, exercise, and how to start out easy.  And if you decide to give Paleo a go, she even gives you a 30 day shopping list with the months meal plan so you can plan ahead, stay committed, and give it an honest try. 

Recipes galore:  She covers everything, beef, chicken, seafood, sides, and even my personal favorite; dessert. We all know what a sweet tooth I have!  :)

This educational journey I have been taking has lead me to an epiphany.. eating Paleo is really pretty easy.  You can create your meals on the fly or simply look into your fridge and slap together a bunch of veggies with a meat dish.  Last night for dinner, I had chicken breast seasoned with cumin, garlic powder, chili powder and cayenne pepper on a bed of romaine with avocado, onions, and red peppers.  It was plenty filling and actually pretty tasty.  Jordan loved the chicken (or course not the greens) but that will be a work in progress.

If you're new to Paleo (as I am), I would recommend this book.

Enjoy!

~kat

Got a picky eater at home? Yeah, me too.

So, if you're a mom (or a dad) like me who has a picky eater at home, then you can probably relate to this topic. 

My toddler, who is not yet 2 years old, who has not had enough experience in her short life with food to be picky, is completely against eating anything green.  I try to sneak anything green I can into her diet and she will somehow find it and pick it out and tell me "Mommy, not dat one."  She loves corn, onions, carrots, red peppers, but if its GREEN, forget about it!!

This has caused me to become a sneaky mother.  I have started blending spinach and avocado into her morning smoothies just to try to get some fiber and nutrients into her diet.  Her and I will usually split a smoothie and  here it is:

• 1/2 to 3/4 cup coconut milk (just eye it)
• 3 large frozen strawberries (to give it that creamy frozen consistancy)
• small handful of blueberries (antioxidants, yes!)
• a couple slices of avocado (20 some-odd nutrients)
• a handful of fresh spinach  (fiber and folic acid)

*sometimes I'll throw in a banana or some almond butter (potassium and tasty)

Its usually my breakfast, but more like an appetizer for her before she arrives at daycare.  I know its not much in terms of her daily nutrients, but every little bit helps.  And thankfully she prefers meats over starches so I think we have a good base so far.

Tips or secrets to getting those little ones to eat their veggies?  Leave a comment and share! :)

~kat

Be-lated Father's Day

So I have a little catching up to do.. 

Since my hubby is out of town, Father's day was spent hanging out at my parents house.  It was a quiet day - okay, I take that back - any day with Jordan running around rampant is never a quiet day, but nonetheless, relaxing. 

My dad is probably the best man I know.  He loves his family with all his heart and has given us some of the most important tools who have molded us [me & my brothers] into the people we are today.  He has taught us integrity, loyalty, the benefits of hard work, and the importance of family.  To top it all off, he is a wonderful "gampa" to our little Miss Jordan.  He is a man she will always look up to. 

And of course there is Jordan's daddy :)  This man will - no doubt - instill in this child his very gentle nature, his "tell-it-like-it-is" attitude, his love and affection, his wild and funny personality, and his "keep the boys away" mentality.  She already exhibits so much of him and she has yet to reach the ripe age of 2 years old :). 

Jordan is a lucky little girl to have these two postive male influences in her life.  Two men that love her and want the absolute best for her.  Thank you Dad, and thank you hunny.  Happy "be-lated" Father's Day!

For a few good reads..

So if I may reiterate the whole "non-expert" thing...  I'm not going to fall into the hype of blogging about eating primal.  I am no shining example.  In fact, I am still on the road to learning about primal living.  Thanks to Sarah Fragoso's book "Everyday Paleo" I am taking the road cautiously and gently.  For now, I still take creamer in my coffee, I sneak ice cream when no one is looking, and I shop at Costco for bulk fruits and veggies because it agrees with my wallet.

Some blogs I find to be interesting, inciteful, fun, and entertaining is what you'll find in today's post. 

1.  Closet Cooking - This blog features seasonal faire and creative recipes.  LOTS of fresh foods and beautiful pictures and while it may seem you have to be a somewhat experienced cook, anyone is certainly capable of mimicking these tasty dishes on their own.  If you're looking for Paleo or Zone type recipes, this may not always be the site for you, but it can definitely help give you ideas in creating your perfect primal foods.

2.  Ivory Hut - Filipino foods brings me back to my roots.  I love white rice, I love the salty and sweet flavors of filipino cuisine, the unique tropical fruits and vegetables, and I love cooking filipino food at home (which has been scarce lately).  Unfortunately, I do not indulge in white rice quite as much as I used to but when I do, I go straight to the comfort foods.  The author of this blog does not focus solely on Filipino cuisine but does feature her favorites.

3.  Make Up Geek - Okay, so this blog has NOTHING to do with food, but thats okay!  While I have been enjoying my recent work out routine, I still have to put my face on for the work day.  I tend to get lots of crap about having makeup on at the gym, but its not like I'm a "re-applier" :)  Anyway, great site for tutorials, makeup reviews, and they have even began hair tutorials. 

4.  Pura Vida Nutrition - A high school classmate created this blog and its really a great read!  She covers a wide array of topics, from nutrition - to working out - to fad diets.  She emphasizes the importance of eating clean by educating her readers on the benefits of "quality" nutrition.   

5. Crossfit Mom - I love this site!  Mostly because I love seeing pictures of basketball-bellied moms doing snatchs, cleans, pull-ups etc.  I am inspired by these women because I know that sometime in the near future I will be just like them.  We are planning on expanding our family soon and I think its important for me, personally, to focus on exercise and nutrition before that time comes.  I know the struggles I had during the first child and while I tried my very best to stay active - I did not focus on nutrition.  I gained weight I didnt even know was possible.  It took about as long as I was pregnant to lose that weight.  I want to bounce back quickly this time.  I'll cover the benefits of working out during pregnancy in another post, but until then, enjoy this site all you moms and moms-to-be!

5.  The Foodee Project - RECIPES!!  Most of the time easy, quick recipes to living primal!  I learned about this site through my bff Lisa's hubby, Ben.  They are crossfit owners, Paleo enthuisiasts (sometimes thru marriage :)) and the people who inspired me to give crossfit an honest try.  So far, their advice has been on point! 

These are just a few that I enjoy reading, mostly because I have some sort of personal connection to them.  Anyhow, I'll be making a list of blogs I follow shortly. 

~Kat

Here we go again..

My last attempt at blogging really failed, so I'm going to give it one more try.  Considering its been almost two years, I have a clean slate, right?  Anyway, new year, new interests, new way of living.  Nothing - might I add - that I am any kind of expert on, but I'm sure you're all dying to hear my opinion :)

Since I do have a new set of interests, I guess I'll start my first blog telling you about it.  I recently joined a new gym.  Its a crossfit gym.  Yes, I joined the craze but I will tell you.. as much as it is an ass kicker, it has also been pretty rewarding in just the few months that I have been a member. 

To start, let me tell you about Crossfit.  Its bascially a strength and conditioning program that is scalable but that incorporates weightlifting, endurance, gymnastics, agility, etc..THE WELL ROUNDED athlete!  Most crossfit gyms are anything but your stereotypical athletic clubs.  You wont see any elipticals there and you definitely will not be sweating to the oldies.  You will, however, learn to power lift, get stronger, feel better, and build great relationships with others who are just as dedicated to fitness as you are. 

Typical Athletic Club:

-Weight Machines

-Treadmills/Elipticals

-Aerobic Classes

Crossfit Gym:

-Medicine Balls

-Kettle Bells

-Jump Ropes

-Pull up Bar

-Bar Bells

-Weight Plates

-Weight Sleds

-Boxes

-Ropes

-Rowers (the only "machine" in a CF gym)

Here's my disclaimer:  I am your average girl.  I have some extra pounds I could lose, I have been pregnant, gained all the weight that came with it plus some, and I am incredibly BUSY!  All the same excuses that I know most of us moms have.  I can tell you honestly, that although it makes for a "quick dinner" kind of night, getting that exercise that your body needs will help you to combat the challenges of daily life and help you deal with them better than before. 

The progress I have made has been very surprising and QUICK!  When I started I couldnt do a pull up unassisted without the heaviest band strapped around my feet and now I have the luxury of doing them without any assitance at all.  2 months max, going only 3 times a week.  You do the math.  I'm not going to write a novel about my experience so instead, I'll keep you posted! 

Otherwise, check out Kitsap Crossfit for more info!

Stay busy!

~Kat