Nutrition - Week of 30 May 2011

Happy Memorial Day, Crew!

 

While you are out celebrating the un/official start to the summer and beach (yay!) season please be sure to take a moment and remember those we have lost who are the reason that we are afforded this extra day to spend with our family and friends.

 

And maybe while you are doing all that you can introduce one new person to this new lifestyle you have forged slowly and steadily. I know that they will be commenting on how great you all look so let’s invite them to become healthier and fitter! As always, if someone you know is just mildly interested, point them to our website where every one of our emails has been posted – cnhnutrition.blogspot.com.

 

As it’ll be a short week, I’ll keep this week’s post a mite shorter than last. Let’s get down to the nitty gritty. There was another rock slide of great articles out this week in the Paleo-sphere. Did you see some you would like to share? Below are some of the ones that caught my eye.

 

Two follow-ups to last week’s technical article on Paleo being a high-fat diet. Both are found at the Primal Wisdom site. These are highly technical posts and full of significant research and analysis. Read them here: http://donmatesz.blogspot.com/2011/05/who-said-paleo-diet-was-high-in-fat.html and here: http://donmatesz.blogspot.com/2011/05/who-said-paleo-diet-was-high-in-fat_27.html.

 

And since Don is on a rant about fats – here is another article about nutrient density in high fat diets. This makes me think that I need to bump my carb intake back up as I have become extremely high fat and low carb lately; and it has been affecting my performance. http://donmatesz.blogspot.com/2011/05/nutrient-density-of-dietary-fats-and.html

 

On to the less technical! This week’s Paleo Round-up is full of fun stories, layman research, and great recipes. Check them out at: http://blog.modernpaleo.com/2011/05/paleo-rodeo-062.html

 

A new blog (to me) that is a great resource for barefoot/minimalist footwear, function fitness, lifestyle/wellness, nutrition, and physiology and biomechanics. http://naturallyengineered.com/blog/

 

For those of you who do troll the sites and have seen many a comment about Chris Masterjohn but don’t know where to find him. One of his blogs is here: http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/cholesterol-blog.html

 

The Nourished Kitchen sent along a really good article on Unexpected Gardens: http://nourishedkitchen.com/unexpected-gardens-and-the-charm-of-a-quiet-revolution/

 

Try this Paleo approved recipe from NPR’s The Splendid Table: http://www.publicradio.org/columns/splendid-table/recipes/skillet_asparagus_with_manchego_and_sherry_vinegar.html

  Note: Manchego is a cheese made from Sheep’s milk and is usually well tolerated by those who cannot have cow’s milk products.

 

Our Recipe of the Week is a super creation that was made this weekend by my friend Stacey in Phoenix as she wanted to make a gluten-free pound cake. There is significant rice flour and refined sugar so it isn’t perfectly primal but there is no gluten and it’s a treat. So enjoy and don’t eat the whole thing in one sitting – it is still tremendous the next day…if it lasts that long!

 

Patriotic Pound Cake

1/4 cup almond meal
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup potato starch
1/2 cup rice flour
1 stick plus 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened.
Scant cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp single acting baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp cream
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract

Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes in a buttered loaf pan on the middle rack.

Mix dry ingredients in one bowl less the sugar. Cream the butter, add the sugar then add eggs. Alternate adding flour mix and cream to this. Four flour additions, three cream additions, vanilla goes in last. If batter is gluey - add more liquid, 1 tbsp at a time of cream and/or melted butter.

Cover and smother with real whipped cream and berries!

 

 

Question of the Week: This one pertained to our workouts. “Each day you list out some moves, and then you have Warm-up: and some other moves.  Seems weird to do the warm-up second.” You are right. The warm-up is listed second but it is not meant to be done afterwards. That’s what the mobility WOD is for. Do the warm-up first then the workout. The Warm-up is listed second only because the warm-up is usually always the same. The workout is what people are most interested in and so that is listed first. The warm-up information is there as a reminder of what to do.

 

Back to the celebrating! A nice dish of grilled veggies with bacon and rancher’s reserve beef stir fry strips…and a hike to the top of the hill to eat it! Enjoy the short week. I’ll see you all around campus.

 

To those we have lost. An all we have gained because of you.

Mike.

 

Monday Offsite WOD

Today's Workout:

Power Skip/run/Squat

1 Minute of Each:

Power Skip

Run

Squat

30 Seconds rest between rounds

4 Rounds for distance and reps

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 10 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Shoulder Stretch
Overhead Squat (Use a broomstick)
Super Man

Today's Quote:  When it comes to eating right and exercising, there is no "I’ll start tomorrow." Tomorrow is disease. – V. L Allineare

 Weighted Option: None today

 

Tuesday Offsite WOD

Today's Workout:

Push-ups to Side Plank 

50 on each side

For time.

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 10 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Shoulder Stretch
Overhead Squat (Use a broomstick)
Super Man

Today's Quote:  

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”

Dalai Lama

 Weighted Option: None today

 

Wednesday Offsite WOD

Today's Workout:

Run 15 Minutes

Jump Rope 5 Minutes (jump  Doubleunders  if you can do them)

For total distance and jumps

(if you do not have a jump rope, sub Jumping Jacks)

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 10 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Shoulder Stretch
Overhead Squat (Use a broomstick)
Super Man

Today's Quote:  "A team is where a boy can prove his courage on his own. A gang is where a coward goes to hide." Mickey Mantle

 Weighted Option: None today

 

Thursday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD: 

25 Dips (use one or two sturdy and stable chairs or bench)  Dip deep-full range of motion. Keep legs straight & back close to bench.  Elevate feet for added challenge.  Use rings or dip station if available

50 Sit-ups

25 Dips

125  Bicycle Crunches (Alternate count on each side)

50 Pushups (full range of motion; body rigid and chest touches ground every time.  Arms locked out at top.

25 V (Jackknife)-Sit-ups

For Time.

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 10 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Shoulder Stretch
Overhead Squat (Use a broomstick)
Super Man

Today's Quote:  When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt

 Weighted Option: None today

 

Friday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD: 

20 Squats

30 Steps Walking Lunge

5 Burpee

25 Minute AMRAP

**Special Weekend Challenge:  Find a pool and swim laps for time.  Spend a total of at least 15 minutes actually swimming!

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 10 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Shoulder Stretch
Overhead Squat (Use a broomstick)
Super Man

Today's Quote:  

Weighted Option:  Hold light/medium weight for lunges and squats.  Keep reps the same.

Nutrition - Week of 22 May 2011

Good Monday Morning, Crew!

Our very first order of business is to say welcome to Eddie – our newest member. Welcome!

The heat and lack-of-humidity has returned to the desert here in the American Southwest driving me inside (after a 16 mile hike! It was only supposed to be, oh, 5 or 6…) and giving us a few extra precious minutes together this week. I got an email this week that really gave me some focus on this. It said: “this is the first day I have been on my computer in over a week. In fact, my last blog post I did over my iTouch. Between the change in work schedule, trying to fit in CrossFit, and spending time with [some dude], it is easy to lose track of solo activities like blogging.” We’ve approached this subject before and it is always good to do it again. Be sure, in this crazy ever-changing world to take time for yourself. Be alone for a little while – even if it is only 10 minutes – and do something that you enjoy doing alone. Blogging, napping, shopping, writing postcards, staring at the planes go by… It will really put things back into place for you and the benefits are received by everyone. What will you take 10 minutes to do today? Here’s how a few (100K or so) people spend 10 minutes a day doing something good for their body: http://www.mobilitywod.com/

Have things dried out back east? I’ll be returning in a week and am looking forward to getting back on my bike at least twice a week for my suicide rides into the New Holland campus – Route 23 is scary! – plus representing CNH as a part of the team riding in the Pedal to Preserve event on Family Day – June 11. For anyone who would like to get in a good workout before jumping into the free food and entertainment on campus – the Pedal to Preserve has 4 different distances, great aide stations, starts just a few miles away in Garden Spot Village, and helps raise money to preserve Lancaster County’s farmland. Here’s some info: http://www.lancasterfarmlandtrust.org/PedaltoPreserve/

Or you can go jump in the mud to support the MS Society. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/pae/fundraising-events/mud-run-ms/index.aspx It’s your choice!

Every week, I get a generally consistent roll-in of nutritious living emails, blog posts, and articles. They are one of my favorite parts of the day – that is when I have the chance to read them. As such, I am reminded of something we talked about a very long time ago. If you want to do something and you want to guarantee your success of it then there are two things you should do. As soon as you decide on what it is you want to do (say…eat strictly whole foods for 30 days – a la Whole30 – or run a 5K on June 30) then you should TELL EVERYONE. And then submerge yourself in as much information as you can process (and maybe even more!) about it. For example, I love to be active and with my travels it is hard some days to really get up the motivation for a good workout, but one good CrossFit video on YouTube or checking out the main site can get me charged up and ready to take on a train. Perhaps a little more sane – my father must get 50 daily emails from various food sites and nutritionists. Several of these every week hit my inbox and for that I am grateful. They are filled with good advice and great recipes and many of them (while not usually whole foods specific) support what we do and why. It is motivating to read such articles and they do well to keep me on track – as I am sure they do for my dad as well. Today’s attachment is one of these articles. A super write-up about the dreaded “white foods.” Mike Geary writes in to bring back to mind that there are many good white foods that we should be eating – such as onions, cauliflower (my favorite driving munchie), and mushrooms. He does recommend the eating of white potatoes pretty heavily in this article. The Paleo/Primal/Zone communities say to eat these in strict moderation. As always, you make the call for yourself. Personally, I eat hash browns a lot while on the road, but I always ask for ½ serving or fruit instead. And I always substitute extra veggies for the potato at dinner. I prefer all sweet potatoes instead when at home and they have more non-digestible starch (fiber) which keeps the glucose load down. However, in the end, white potatoes are not the devil and should not be avoided, just eaten in responsible serving sizes.

Have you received an article or read a blog post recently that you’d like to share? Send it on over to me and I’ll get it out on the next email! Speaking of… I see this one getting a bit long so I’ll get to our weekly round-up and let you get on with the day. Some of my favorites from this week:

The ever important: Protein at Breakfast Reduces Hunger and Reduces Overeating

The Yes we know, but really need the reminder sometimes: Food Affects Mood, Mood Affects Food

Primal Wisdom’s take on High-Fat Paleo diets: Who Said Paleo Diet Had High Fat Percentage?
                My thoughts on this real quick… He’s right for the most part. This is a well written article that talks about LEAN meat consumption due to the fact that a lot of the fat is cooked off by these traditional cooking methods. And in conclusion he is saying that all isolated (found in a bottle or wrapping) fats are not Paleo. And I’ll point out that the 55% carbohydrate these modern hunter-gatherers are eating comes from all vegetables. That’s significant. Okay, back to the round-up.

The Healthy Skeptic weighs in with: B12 Deficiency: A silent epidemic with serious consequences
                This one is important guys. Especially if you know a Vegan or Raw Foodist who doesn’t eat meat. B12 is only available from animal products and it is ESSENTIAL in your diet.

The Naked Kitchen brings us this week’s recipe! It’s long so I’ll just put the link here. But it is delicious so I definitely recommend you trying it out. (Speaking from experience being one half of the chef’s who created it that is…) Stuffed Acorn Squash

I didn’t count how many posts made in into Modern Paleo’s weekly round-up this week, but it’s enough to put you in Paleo heaven for a month no matter what you are looking for! There are posts on other posts, recipes, yoga, relaxing, success stories, pregnancy, CSA’s and more. http://blog.modernpaleo.com/2011/05/paleo-rodeo-061.html

That’s all I have for you this week. Keep those emails rolling in. And let me know how your journey goes! It is great to hear that so many of you are continuing on this path towards health and happiness!

This week’s workouts follow…

To Clear Skies and Dry Ankles. My wish for you!

Mike.

P.S. A question came in last week on the workouts. If you don’t know the movement please get a hold of me for an explanation or go on in and see Jeremiah, Heather, or Chris at CrossFit Collective in Lancaster. They will get you on track in no time at all. In the meantime, if you see an AMRAP – this means “as many reps/rounds as possible.” So you are trying to do those movements in that order for as many times as you can in the time allotted. This week there is a 10 minute AMRAP of 2 for 1 burpees. Start the timer and just do as many as you can. Rest as needed but the timer keeps going so don’t rest too long! Good Luck! (See quotation for Wednesday – I always wondered where Dad got that expression. It’s one of my favorites.)

 

Monday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

Do the following movements for 2 minutes each:

Pushups 

Sit-ups

Squat

Run

Rest exactly 1 Minute then do another round; total all reps and running distance for score.

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Push-ups (5 reps)

Walking Lunge 15 Steps

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote:  The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right.  ~William Safire

Weighted Option: Squats/Sit-ups: Hold light/med weight in hands or out front. 

 

Tuesday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

15 Dips (use one or two stable chair or bench)  Dip deep-full range of motion! Keep legs straight & back close to bench.  Elevate feet for added challenge.  Use rings or dip station if available 

30 Mountain Climbers (alternate count-15 ea. leg)

60 steps Walking Lunge  (back knee gently touches ground, torso upright, front knee behind toe)

4 Rounds for Time

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Push-ups (5 reps)

Walking Lunge 15 Steps

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote:  I do not believe in excuses. I believe in hard work as the prime solvent of life's problems.  - James Cash Penney 

Weighted Option: Dips: Hold plate/weight in lap.  Walking Lunge: Hold light/medium weight in hands or out front.  Keep reps the same for added challenge or reduce if necessary.

 

Wednesday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

Run  10 Minutes

100 Sit-ups

Run 5 Minutes

50 Leg Lifts (keep back flat and pressed against ground. Keep legs lifted 6-8" from ground, stay higher if back arches)

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Push-ups (5 reps)

Walking Lunge 15 Steps

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote:  Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.  -Coach Darrel Royal 

Weighted Option: Sit-ups:  Hold plate or weight

 

Thursday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

Burpee with two push-ups (each burpee has two push-ups in it)

10 Minute AMRAP (as many reps as possible) 

Score for total reps in 10 minutes

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Push-ups (5 reps)

Walking Lunge 15 Steps

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote: “Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.”

Weighted Option: Sit-ups:  Hold plate or weight

 

Friday Offsite WOD

Today's Workout:

21  Handstand Push-ups  Against Wall -use full range of motion.  Stay tight, arms locked out on handstand.  Head should softly touch ground.  Modify if needed by using a box (18"-24")to elevate feet.  Stay in piked position (hips up). This movement on the box is not an elevated push-up.  Keep torso as vertical as possible (piked position) If the modified movement feels too easy, make sure you have full range of motion, pike up more, or add reps.

100 Sit-ups (use abmat or rolled towel under lower back, knees out bottoms of feet together.  Full range of motion.

15 Handstand Push-ups

50 Sit-ups (use abmat or rolled towel under lower back, knees out bottoms of feet together.  Full range of motion.

9 Handstand Push-ups

25 Sit-ups (use abmat or rolled towel under lower back, knees out bottoms of feet together.  Full range of motion.

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 10 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Shoulder Stretch
Overhead Squat (Use a broomstick)
Super Man

Today's Quote:  “To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art.” ~ La Rochefoucauld

 Weighted Option: Hold light weight for sit-ups.  Modify reps if needed.

 

Nutrition - Week of 15 May 2011

Hello, Crew!

 

First, my apologies for missing out on getting an email out to you last week. As the field season has started, I found myself traveling between Phoenix and Yuma for several days early last week and simply did not have much energy left over at the end of the day to get one written up. This week, I have a number of good articles to share with you to make up for it.

 

So – how are you faring? Are you still on the path to achieving your goals? Have you made new goals lately? When you have a few minutes to shoot me a comment – I would love to know how you are doing!

 

This last week, one of our members officially gave up the grains to great success!  And a very interesting article came in from another member on the importance of Cheat Days, Depletion Days (intermittent fasting), and High Intensity exercise. I have attached the article for you to read. It is mostly in line with our guidelines though he does still use grains/beans. Understand that he is selling his “diet plan” and there is a lot of planning involved, but if you keep it simple and incorporate some of his suggestions into your nutrition plan you will most likely see solid results. [Side note: remember, that a cheat day means cheating on the amounts and types of food – such as potato, alcohol, ice cream – not bread, pasta, and pizza. You can eat them if you want. But be prepared for the effects of damaging your intestines and systemic inflammation.]

 

The weekly Paleo Rodeo has a full 31 articles this week! Another great collection of recipes, studies, musings, and other posts. See it here à http://blog.modernpaleo.com/2011/05/paleo-rodeo-060.html

 

Nikki Young of Paleocookbooks.com sent along 4 great tips for keeping your veggies in tip top shape until you can enjoy them.

 

Vegetables make up a staple part of the paleo diet, therefore, it is vitally important that you know the best way to store your vegetables to promote long life and optimum taste!

1. Treat Vegetables With Care
Bruises and cuts damage cell walls and expose the vegetables to spoilage by microbes. Worst thing is, one piece of rotten vegetable can start to contaminate others around it. If you do see a rotten piece, get rid of it quickly. 

2. Don't Cut Unnecessarily
Many people have a tendency to cut pumpkins, squash and other vegetables down to a manageable size when they get them home. Thing is, a cut vegetable goes bad twice as quick as an uncut one. Where possible leave vegetables whole.

3. Keep Vegetables Out of Sunlight 
Vegetables, once picked, need to be kept out of the sun and ideally stored in the dark. This will promote longevity

4. Know Your Temperature
Vegetables are seasonal, although you might not know it looking around a supermarket. Do your homework and find out the optimum temperature to store each vegetable you buy. For example, avocados will ripen faster in the fridge.

The Nourished Kitchen is going to have our recipe of the week. This looks soooooo yummy! Let me know how you like it!

Blood Orange Roasted Carrots

Serve as is or over fresh arugula or simple sauteed greens.

Ingredients

·         One bunch organic carrots, washed

·         1 organic blood orange or other variety

·         1 tablespoon unrefined extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or grass-fed butter/ghee (see sources)

·         unrefined sea salt

·         fresh chopped herbs optional (parsley, mint, cilantro)

Method

·         Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

·         Cut carrots into 1 inch slices and place on a roasting pan.

·         Cut the orange in half and squeeze all the juice over the sliced carrots.

·         Slice the remaining orange peel thinly and add to the carrots.

·         Drizzle with oil or butter and season with salt to taste.

·         Roast until the carrots and orange peel begin caramelizing, about 30 minutes.

·         Adjust seasonings, add fresh herbs if using, and serve.

TIME: 5 minutes (active), 30 minutes (oven) | YIELD: 3 to 4 servings

NOTE: I prefer to roast with coconut oil or butter, but olive oil yields a better result if you are serving the dish cold. Alternatively, roast the carrots and orange peel with the juice only and season with the olive oil after roasting. Nutrients in vegetables are better absorbed with fats so do not leave them out!

 

And, of course, CF Tallahassee has put out another super week of workouts you can do anywhere. I love having these to do. Even in the 95 degree AZ heat!

 

Headed to the fields. Loving the irony.

Mike.

 

Monday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

Run 5 Minutes (if you prefer to run distance, run 800 meters)

25 Push-ups to Side Plank (1/2 on one side, then the other adding up to 25 total reps)

Run 5 Minutes

25 Push-up to Side Plank

For time and Distance 

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks 

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Pushups 5 reps

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

 

Tuesday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

Side Lunges(split reps in half for each side so 40 is 20 on each side)

Diamond Push-ups (hands together under chest to form a "diamond".  Full range of motion...chest touches ground)

40 30 20 10 5 reps for time (40 of both movements, then 30 of both, etc.)

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks 

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Pushups 5 reps

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote: Absence diminishes mediocre passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans fires. Francois de La Rochefoucauld 

 Weighted Option: Hold medium/light weight in hands or out front for side lunges

 

Wednesday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

Run 1.5 Miles

50 Squat

150 Bicycle Crunches

For time

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks 

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Pushups 5 reps

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

 

Thursday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

7 *Wall Climbs (start in bottom of push-up position, with feet at wall, walk hands  to wall with feet walking up the wall, touch chest to wall, walk hands back to bottom of push-up)

15  Dips (use one or two sturdy and stable chair(s) or bench)  Dip deep-full range of motion. Keep legs straight & back close to bench.  Elevate feet for added challenge.  Use rings or dip station if available

20 Leg Lifts (keep back flat against floor) lift legs together approx. 6-10"

5 Rounds for time. 

*extra challenge; if you can do an unassisted handstand push-up, add one with each wall climb!

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Push-ups (5 reps)

Walking Lunge 15 Steps

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote:  Morality is simply the attitude we adopt toward people whom we personally dislike. — Oscar Wilde, Anglo-Irish wit and author (1854-1900)

Weighted Option: none

 

Friday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

Box Jumps (find a stable step or bench 18-24" inches high)  If you have a much lower step, add reps for extra challenge)  If you do not have any box/step, then substitute  Split Jumps.

Burpee (each burpee ends with a jump and a clap)

42-30-18 reps for time.

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Push-ups (5 reps)

Walking Lunge 15 Steps

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote:  "Today, more than 95% of all chronic disease is caused by food choice, toxic food ingredients, nutritional deficiencies and lack of physical exercise." - Mike Adams, author, investigative journalist, educator

Weighted Option: none

 

Nutrition - Week of 2 May 2011

Ladies and Gentlemen – Welcome to May!

 

Can you believe that we are so solidly in to the year already? At this pace, we’ll be playing dress-up and running around like ghouls in the night! Fortunately, we’ll all have new, tremendous physiques and energy to do just that!

 

I would like to send out a big congratulations to so many of you who I continue to hear wonderful news from on the weight-loss front. It appears that you all have a full head of steam and are making no consideration of slowing down or side-tracking in the least. This is awesome to hear. There has also been talk of several who are no longer feeling the aches and pains of previous years and even of medications no longer needed. These are all great successes for you and we are to celebrate each and every one! Always remember – this isn’t difficult. It’s the most natural eating method in the world, combined with the most basic movements and it produces powerful, lean, healthy individuals with little or no excessive effort.

 

Let’s review for a moment: Lean meats, veggies, some fruit (1-2 servings a day, max), good fats/oils, nuts, seeds, little starch, and no added sugar. Have one open meal a week. Skip one meal a week. Eat like a king at breakfast, a queen at lunch, and a pauper at supper (always eat your protein heavy meal at supper – leave the carbs for lunch if possible). Have red wine and dark chocolate. Walk long distances. Perform your workouts like a lion is chasing you down. Rest often. Sleep as needed (nap!). Learn new sports. Always cultivate and cherish meaningful relationships. Take a look back and record monthly, in your journal, your accomplishments and celebrate – then move on.

 

For those of you who have caught the competition bug – there are a lot of cool events coming to the area such as mud runs, triathlons, ultra-runs, century bike rides, charity walks, etc… If you need resources or want to get a team together, email me and I’ll forward some great links to you!

 

Mary, Mary quite contrary; How does your garden grow? (Okay, so the actual meaning of the poem – a KIDS poem nonetheless – is a little disturbing; but I am hunting to hear how your gardens are growing! If you have pictures send some over and we’ll share with the group!)

 

There were lots of great links to follow on last week’s Paleo Round-up. Here is the link to check it out! http://blog.modernpaleo.com/2011/04/paleo-rodeo-058.html

 

Belly fat--not BMI--is a killer for patients with clogged arteries – LA Times, 2 May 2011 ßThey’re finally getting it.

 

And below is this week’s workouts. Have fun! I’ll be doing them as well – see if you can compete with my times!

 

To giving it your all. All getting more!

Mike.

 

Monday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

Burpee tuck jump (each burpee ends going into a tuck jump)

Diamond Push-ups

21-15-9 reps for time.

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks 

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Pushups 5 reps

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote:  To say that obesity is caused by merely consuming too many calories is like saying that the only cause of the American Revolution was the Boston Tea Party. Adelle Davis

 Weighted Option: none today

 

Tuesday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

40 Mountain Climbers (alternate count-20 ea. leg)

16 Sit-ups

6  Squat Jumps

12 Minute AMRAP (as many rounds as possible)

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks 

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Pushups 5 reps

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote: "The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand." 
Vince Lombardi 

 Weighted Option: none today

 

Wednesday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

Run 10minutes

Diamond Push-ups 5 minutes

Leg Lifts 3 minutes

For total distance and reps

*if you have access to a pull-up bar; do pull-ups instead  of push-ups - you choice type.

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks 

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Pushups 5 reps

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote: All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence. 
Martin Luther King, Jr. 

 Weighted Option: none today

 

Thursday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

25 Steps Walking Lunge  (back knee gently touches ground, torso upright, front knee behind toe)

25 Squat (below parallel, chest up, weight in heels)

10 Clapping Push-ups (just push off ground if you cannot get clap) 

5 rounds for time.

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks 

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Pushups 5 reps

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote:  3 "P's" of Performance=Persistence-Patience-Purpose

 Weighted Option: Lunges & Squats: hold light-med. weight in hands.  Keep reps same for challenge.

 

Friday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

Run 1 Mile

40 Dips (use one or two sturdy and stable chairs or bench)  Dip deep-full range of motion. Keep legs straight & back close to bench.  Elevate feet for added challenge.  Use rings or dip station if available 

Run 1 Mile

40  V (Jackknife)-Sit-ups (lying on back, bring fingertips to toes rising at the same time)

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks 

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Pushups 5 reps

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote:  

“To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful.”

Edward R. Murrow

 Weighted Option: dips: hold weight on lap.  keep reps the same for added challenge

 

 

 

 

Nutrition - 25 April 2011 - A week's worth of reading and workouts

Happy Monday, All!

 

Apparently, I had forgotten that Friday was a company holiday around here at CNH as I pushed off last week’s round-up to the last day. My apologies to all for that so here is a quick set of links that are provided each week by blog.ModernPaleo.com of some of the most popular posts coming down the pike.

 

http://blog.modernpaleo.com/2011/04/paleo-rodeo-057.html

 

(I tried to copy it over to here for your convenience but Outlook keeps shutting down when I tried to send. You’ll have to check it out the old fashioned way!)

 

And of course, this week’s workouts! Go hard, get strong! Enjoy the journey.

 

To the path.

Mike.

 

Monday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

Walking Lunge  400 m (back knee gently touches ground, torso vertical)  If you cannot measure distance, estimate (you will be lunging for approx. 15 minutes)

for time

  Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Hip/Hamstring Stretch

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote: You can have excuses or results, but not both. "Yvette Hernandez"

Weighted Option: Hold light weight in each hand or one in front...and prepare to be sore in next couple  days!

 

Tuesday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

100 Pushups 

Every time you stop to rest on the push-ups run 100 meters (approximate distance if necessary).  

for time.

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Hip/Hamstring Stretch

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote: "Today, more than 95% of all chronic disease is caused by food choice, toxic food ingredients, nutritional deficiencies and lack of physical exercise.”~ Mike Adams

Weighted Option: none today

 

Wednesday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

10 Split Jumps (alternate with 5 on each leg)

20 Squat 

8 Minute AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) followed by:

40 V (Jackknife)-Sit-ups

for total rounds and time

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Hip/Hamstring Stretch

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote: In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted. -Bertrand Russell, philosopher, mathematician, author, Nobel laureate (1872-1970)

Weighted Option: Squats: Hold light weight in each hand or one weight in front.

 

Thursday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

10 Handstand Push-ups  Use full range of motion.  Head should softly touch ground.  Modify if necessary by using box (18"-24")to elevate feet.  Stay in piked position (hips up). This movement on the box is not an elevated push-up.  Keep torso as vertical as possible (piked) Increase reps on box to 20 for added challenge.

40 Double Unders (150 Single Jumps if you cannot do any double unders) Substitute 75 Jumping Jacks if you do not own a jump rope.

4 Rounds for Time.

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks 

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Pushups 5 reps

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote: The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't.  ~Henry Ward Beecher

 Weighted Option: none today

 

Friday Offsite WOD

Today's WOD:

200 Squat (keep chest up, weight in heels, full range of motion.  break 90, hips lower then knee!)

200 Sit-ups

For Time.  Partition as needed.  

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks 

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Pushups 5 reps

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote: 

 Weighted Option: Hold weighted object (dumbbells, kettlebells, etc. for squats and sit-ups) slightly reduce reps if necessary.

 

Nutrition - 18 April 2011 - Weekly Workouts and Easter Eggs!

Happy Monday, Crew!

As promised, we have started a new set-up for the emails. As you will note – today’s email contains your workouts for the week. Our thanks to CrossFit Tallahassee for providing these terrific, no-tools-needed, workouts free of charge to everyone who has the desire to add solid, high-intensity workouts to their healthy lifestyle.

Later this week, you can expect one to two emails that will have a “round-up” of information and links that are currently bouncing around our tremendous community on the internet. I do plan to add in a recipe and some information on a specific nutrition topic. If you have a specific request for a topic or a something notable you think the group would appreciate, please send it to me so that I can get it posted up.

In the meantime, have you decided on your first of four 30 day resolutions? I started this morning on drinking water only. And it has already been tough! I’ll miss the coffee and tea for sure. Mostly, my decision was based upon two factors. I want to see what affect my caffeine intake is having on my energy levels as well as the possibility of FINALLY kicking my comfort food (which is, interestingly, diet pop/soda). Next week, I’ll start three 10-minute indulgences: organizing, mobility/stretching, mindful centering (meditation, if you will). What is your first step? Reply back and help give others ideas! Some quick ones: start a one-sentence journal, tidy up around the house for 10 minutes each night, follow every workout posted for 30 days, cook one meal every day, read for 15 minutes, log your food intake, donate $10/day to a different charity, invent a new recipe (30 new recipes total!), doodle.

Here’s a Easter Treat recipe for you! Spunky Holiday: Nona’s Chocolate Easter Eggs

Let’s not forget to get out and enjoy the sun! Have a brilliant week.

To new journeys.

Mike.

 

Monday Offsite WOD

30 Squats (always have full range of motion...crease of hip lower then tip of knee, weight on heels, chest up)

15 Pushups (core tight, no sagging hips.  full range of motion.  chest touches ground)

6 rounds then;

run 600meters (estimate distance or run 4 minutes if necessary)

 

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Push-ups (5 reps)

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote:  It's what you learn after you know it all that counts.  ~Attributed to Harry S Truman

Weighted Option: Hold light weight in hands or in front for squats.

 

Tuesday Offsite WOD

Mountain Climbers

Sit-ups

50 40 30 20 10 reps for time

when finished;  

Plank Hold for 3 minutes (alternate with opposite arm/leg lifted for extra challenge)

 

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Push-ups (5 reps)

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote:  Health is not simply the absence of sickness - Hannah Green

Weighted Option: hold light weight for sit-ups.

 

Wednesday Offsite WOD

50 Dips (use one or two sturdy and stable chairs or bench)  Dip deep-full range of motion. Keep legs straight & back close to bench.  Elevate feet for added challenge.  Use rings or dip station if available 

1 Mile Run (estimate distance if necessary)

For time.  Partition the dips and run as desired

 

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Push-ups (5 reps)

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Runners stretch

Today's Quote:  

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these. -George Washington Carver, scientist (1864-1943) 

Weighted Option: Use a light plate on legs for dips.  Reduce reps only if necessary.

 

Thursday Offsite WOD

10 V (Jackknife)-Sit-ups

20 Step-ups on approx. 18" box, bench or step holding a weighted object (approx. 15-30lbs).  Complete 10 reps on one leg, then move to other leg.  If you do not have any weight you can substitute Box Jumps.  If you have no box, do 10  tuck jumps instead.

15 minute AMRAP (as many rounds as possible)

** extra "motivation"  If you get less then 4 rounds, do 20 burpees when finished**

 

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Push-ups (5 reps)

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote:

In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments; there are consequences. -Robert Green Ingersoll,

Weighted Option: Hold any weighted object for step-ups.  Be creative if necessary

 

Friday Offsite WOD

Clapping Push-ups (just push off ground if you cannot get clap) 

run 

Diamond Push-ups

run

Pushups 

run

2 Minutes on each movement

**note:  if you have access to a pull-up bar, substitute one of the push-ups for pull-ups

For total reps and distance

 

Warm-up: (2 rounds of 15 reps)

Jumping Jacks

Shoulder Stretch/Mobility

Push-ups (5 reps)

Samson Stretch (hold 10 sec. ea. leg)

Squat (hold at bottom on rep #15 for 10 seconds)

Today's Quote: "If you think about your disaster you will get it. Brood about death and you hasten your demise. Think positively and masterfully with confidence and faith, and life becomes more secure, more fraught with action, richer in achievement and experience" -Swami Vivekananda

Weighted Option: none today

 

 

Nutrition - 15 April 2011 - Resolutions, Knives, and The Meat Monster!

Happy Friday, All!

 

Congratulations to all of our members who have successfully completed the 12 week Biggest Loser program at the New Holland campus! I heard some very good reports that our team-mates placed well and we’ve seen our first set of 30+ pound weight losses. This is tremendous news and I am very proud of your efforts. As such, this weekend provides you an opportunity to shift to a new gear and keep your momentum going strong! Take your three month pictures, record your new measurements (send them along to me so I can redo your numbers), and take an account of what changes you have noticed – physical and non-physical alike.

 

With the end of one challenge we can now look forward to a new challenge! If you are participating in the Walk This Way program (anybody not a CNH employee can certainly pick up an OMRON pedometer at Walgreens, $20, and track steps too!) then you are shooting for one million steps by the end of the program. Anyone want to race me? I’m averaging almost 20K steps a day – not including workouts!

 

I am also offering you a new challenge. The 30 day Resolutions challenge. In this challenge, you are to choose 4 resolutions that you will push for over a period of 30 days. You will start one resolution now, another one in one week, the third in a week following, and the fourth a week after that. In essence this is a staggered start. You will only be doing all 4 resolutions in the 4^th week. You will continue each resolution for 30 days individually (so the total time to complete all 4 is 7 weeks). My vision is that by the end of that week you will have a new habit and continue with what you are doing anyway. Make sense? If you are interested – send me a message and let me know what your resolutions will be! I will be starting on Sunday with my first resolution – 30 days of water only. No coffee, tea, wine, soft drinks, etc… This is would be my toughest challenge to myself yet, but I am excited to see how it will affect me.

 

This week I received many great emails from members and our respected paleosphere friends. Here’s the round-up:

The Paleo Diet: Is it Right for You? – Thanks, Michelle!

 

A 9 Year-old’s Take on 30 days of Paleo – Thanks, Gadeer!

 

Keep Those Knives Sharp! – Thanks, Naked Food!

 

How the Samba Can Teach You How to Use Your Body – Thanks, MDA!

 

The Meat Monster – Thanks, Health Habits (and Gadeer)!

 

Recipe: Chili Colorado – Thanks, Everyday Paleo! (BTW, pre-orders have shipped! Can’t wait for the new recipes!)

 

A very happy birthday goes out to member Bonnie! :-)

 

Some great tips on Freezing Food for your Paleo Freezer by Nikki Young of Paleocookbooks.com:

When following a paleo diet it is vitally important you don't leave yourself short of paleo friendly food in the kitchen. Having nothing in the house to eat is the primary cause of straying from the path, resulting in ordering a takeaway or snacking on something you shouldn't. For this reason, being able to freeze food presents a paleo lifeline.

Although freezing food isn't something our ancestors would have been able to do, we do have this luxury at our disposal. However, while freezing food can save money and allow you to stockpile food on a rainy day, it is very important to understand the health implications behind the freezing process, and how to get the best out of freezing your food.

1. Freeze Fresh Freezing will inevitably affect quality to a certain degree depending on the food type. However, the more fresh food is when you freeze it, the better it will taste when you thaw it out for preparation. Don't refrigerate and then freeze, try to freeze the things you want as soon as you get back from the supermarket.

2. Seal In The Moisture The freezer environment is very dry, so make sure you freeze food in ziplock bags or tupperware to lock in the moisture and preserve the taste.

3. Freeze In Manageable Portions Chopping up food and freezing in smaller volumes will enable food to freeze faster and preserve freshness. It will also save you space in your freezer and defrost far quicker when you need to cook.

4. Don't Defrost and Refreeze Raw Food Freezing slows down the process of food spoilage but it doesn't kill bacteria entirely, it creates a kind of dormant effect. By defrosting and refreezing food, you will be refreezing an increased level of microbes, which may make the food unsafe to eat. For safety, once defrosted, it is best to consume the food in full.

5. Thawing, Cooking, and Refreezing This practice is fine, because unlike simply defrosting and refreezing, you are killing potentially harmful bacteria during the cooking process. Make sure you read the last rule regarding when to refreeze.

6. Let The Food Cool Before Refreezing Don't leave food sitting around for ages before you refreeze it, but don't put hot food straight in the freezer either. The reason for this is that it will start to defrost other food in the freezer, and alter the temperature of your freezer. 

Now you know how to freeze food properly you can ensure you are never without paleo-friendly food in your kitchen! 

Thanks to all who submitted emails, tips, and shared stories this week!

 

To new challenges. And never staying idle.

Mike.

 

 

Nutrition - 11 April 2011 - Unfit parents, the incredible edible egg, and a low-carb overview

Good Monday Morning, All!

 

The little weather birdie has flown all the way out to Arizona to tell me that your weather this week will be bordering on fantastic! Make sure that you take advantage of it by getting outside and soaking in that delicious vitamin D making sunshine. A brisk walk during your lunch break, a pick-up game of soccer with the kids, or just relaxing on the deck with a good book are all simple ways to do this. Enjoy!

 

The Boston Globe had an interesting article posted yesterday titled, “Parents of tots often less fit, study says.“ In a nutshell it claims that the study found women consume more sugary drinks and fatty foods when caring for toddlers while fathers simply become less active. In the end, they both become less fit and weight gain is one major indicator. For those members of our group who have raised kids – is this similar to your own experience? I’m going to assume that most of the sugary drinks and fatty foods are coming from the bites and sips of the young ones “kids meals” instead of good home cooked suppers. Check out Sarah’s recent post on this topic.

 

Nutrition Tip of the Day: Eat eggs. I love eggs. And you should too. Here – Marks tells us why.

 

One of our biggest struggles is to explain to others how we eat and why. Remember – I feel it is best to follow a guideline but make the changes necessary to best fit you. If that includes a food such as dairy or very little exercise then so be it! Everyone is different. However, many people feel they are experts about what to eat and every diet out there and so they like to engage in “discussion” (argument) over what is what. Here’s a terrific write-up by NJ Paleo Girl on the differences between Paleo, Primal, and Atkins. And there’s a cool graphic to make it easy. Plus she’s from NJ which makes her awesome by association. :-)

 

See? Cool.

 

Workout of the Day:

Warm-up: 2 rounds of 15 – Jumping Jack, Shoulder mobility, Push-up, Sit-up, Squat, Samson Stretch

Workout: 5 rounds for time of 5 pike push-ups, 15 box jumps, 20 jack-knife sit-ups.

 

To the blooming of spring. And sunny skies.

Mike.

RE: Nutrition - 6 April 2011 - The Final Step!

Here’s an article that was printed in the newspaper that I thought would be a great addition to “Someone else’s Tip of the Day” below depicting the importance of being an organ donor.

 

http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/article_38bdff0a-61d5-11e0-bd25-001cc4c002e0.html

 

 

From: KIZIS Mike (CNH)
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 12:43 AM
To: BAHL Larry (CNH); Barbara Kizis; BEALL Greg (NH) (CNH); Bonnie Kizis; Coach MK; CURTIS Jesse (CNH); EKIS Nick (CNH); Eric and Katie Walker ; Erika Evanko; GARMAN Sandy (CNH); HECKER Colleen (CNH); HILLEN Curtis (CNH); IRELAND Marcia (CNH); JACKSON Robert (CNH); Jeremiah Williams; KONG Neseth (CNH); LEMISHKO Sandra M. (CNH); LINDE COOPER (CNH); LONG Gail (CNH); MCCULLY Mark (CNH); Michelle Boyer; Mike Kizis; MUSETEIF Gadeer (CNH); Nutrition Blog; REAM Jesika (CNH); REYBURN Stanley (CNH); SCHEURING Brian (CNH); Sharon Witmer; TAYLOR Cynthia (CNH); WALKER Eric (CNH)
Subject: Nutrition - 6 April 2011 - The Final Step!

 

Happy Wednesday, Warriors!

 

Here I sit eagerly awaiting your results from today’s weigh in. From my understanding – this is the final one for the BL Challenge 2011 – is that correct? At the last update that I had we were looking at several of our members on the top three teams and all duking it out strongly to be the top dog! So I am extremely anxious to know how you all did!

 

In addition, it is the close of your third month (first or second for some) with us and you know what that means… Picture and Measurement time! This time – I absolutely want to get your updated measurements. As well as your beginning and current pictures. Here’s what you need: Full body – front, side, and back. Face – front, side. Measurements are – height, weight, age, wrist (dominant hand, closest ½ inch), stomach (closest ½ inch), hips (closest ½ inch). And no excuses! Let’s get to making some comparisons as well as giving you updated guidance. Some of you may well be ready to INCREASE your food intake while you continue to drop the un-natural weight you’ve been carrying. Yes, it is possible for that to happen!

 

And here is where we now find out if you truly are making a change to your life long eating habits and fitness. There is no more contest after today. Heck, you don’t even have to reach for your goals anymore. So what are you going to do? May I suggest that you sit down and seriously think about this? Before the celebratory pizza party with skillet cookie sundaes… No really. Take a few moments and reflect on the past 12 weeks and the changes you have made. Were they hard? Are they sustainable? Do you enjoy what you are doing, what you have seen, the community, and learning? Do you think it is beneficial to you to continue on this path? I was blessed to be with you all for this 12 week journey and I am graciously asking for you to continue into the future together. Let me know your thoughts. Share them with us all if you’d like! I am extremely proud of many of your accomplishments and am happy to have been able to bring you this knowledge and lifestyle. Congratulations!

 

Now – let’s get back to our regularly scheduled programming!

 

Side note: next week starts a new series of posting. On Mondays you will receive the workouts for the week. On Tuesday’s and Friday’s (unless hail or high water) I will continue our nutrition emails. This will enable you to take a little more control over your own nutrition with less intervention by me as well as giving you plenty of time to really soak up the information and send feedback. Remember, many of the posts are driven by your questions – which is exactly what I want it to be. So keep them coming! And, don’t forget, your suggestions and comments – including new recipes to try or blogs to read – are always welcome!

 

Nutrition Tip of the Day: “So now that the weekly mandatory weigh-ins are over, what do we do?” Great Question! As always, I suggest only checking your weight from this point forth on your monthly anniversary – the same day you retake photos and measurements. I was just talking with Cristy and John of CrossFit Immortals about the importance of picture taking. They agreed that it is the absolute best way to track progress. So keep snapping away! And read this post from Amy Kubal, FuelAsRx, about weighing in:

 

Weight a Minute...

A number on the scale - that's all it is, yet it has the ability to make many feel either good or bad.  It is been given the power to dictate success or failure, a positive or negative outlook, or whether or not you wear your tight jeans or elastic waist band sweats.  Why do so many people let a number, (one that is often inaccurate and highly influenced by MANY factors), rule their lives?  And how important is it, really?

Continue Reading Here…

 

Next stop on the whole-foods train…bacon! Or, What’s in your Fridge?

 

And now that we know what’s in our respective refrigerators, just what do we do with all of it? Here’s some ideas from my new favorite, though totally unavailable, roller-girl: Melicious.

 

Someone Else’s Tip of the Day: Today's Tip:  IT'S NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH    Did you know that one organ donor can save up to eight lives? Currently more than 86 million people in the United States have signed up to be a donor. Consider joining them to help reach the goal of 100 million designated donors. Become an organ, tissue or marrow donor and give the extraordinary gift of life. To learn more, visit www.organdonor.gov. Just so you know, I am, along with every other member of my family, a registered organ donor. If it is allowed by your faith – organ donation is the greatest charitable act you can bestow upon another. Would you join us?

 

Workout of the Day:

Warm-up: 2 rounds of 15 – jumping jacks, shoulder mobility, push-ups, sit-ups, Samson stretch, squats

Work-out: For total distance, reps and steps – 10 minute RUN, 5 minutes of DIPS, 3 minutes of WALKING LUNGE STEPS

 

Quote/Comment of the Day:  “ I am still suffering from the “dun lap” disease…dun lapped over my belt.” Touché, Eric. : - )

 

To Exceeding Your Expectations. Then continuing to step forward.

Mike.

Nutrition - 8 April 2011 - Antibiotics and Composting

Good Morning, All!

 

And a very happy Friday to you. Thank you for all the comments on yesterday’s post! There was a lot of very good discussion thrown around regarding Corn Gluten Meal and other points for organic gardening. If you want more information, be sure to contact me and I will set you up with as much as I can track down (which at the current time has been quite a lot!). In the meantime – while we talk organic and gardening – today Bonnie is going to take the reins once again to give you some tips and pointers on composting for your new gardens!

 

It seems that the CSA season is starting to get under way in PA! I have heard several reports of the first deliveries of the season happening already. If you have not joined one yet and want to I suggest making that phone call today or most of the farms will be sold out before you know it. I can help you find a few in the area if needed. Anyone who has already signed up for one, please forward the information for your CSA to me so that it is available for the other members of our group.

 

As is usually the case, I got into another conversation with a co-worker about nutrition today. Interestingly, he told me that he and his wife went on a gluten-free eating plan for a year. While on it, they both lost a lot of weight. His specific comment I liked most was “It was interesting that we could eat as much as we wanted and the weight just kept melting off!” It’s so cool to hear people say such things! He did tell me though that they no longer follow the plan because it was “so difficult.” Right after he told me how eating a bowl of pasta makes his digestion off and how they still eat gluten-free pancakes. (Speaking of pancakes – did you see The Naked Kitchen’s Great Pancake Debate?) This got me wondering – what do you think? Is eating whole-foods/paleo-like difficult? After you made the successful transition, have you found it easy or hard to stay on track? What are some of your strategies for staying the course? Share with us your thoughts!

 

Nutrition Tip of the Day: Take a look at this article posted on The Guardian. Antibiotic resistance: Bacteria are winning the war. Just about all the Paleo-bloggers agree – don’t take antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. Your body needs to fight off the bacteria naturally for your immune system to get stronger and relying on medicine doesn’t help it do that. Plus, when you take an antibiotic, it also kills the good bacteria that resides in our gut – necessary for good digestion. If you absolutely must take an antibiotic it is recommended that you chase it with a high-quality probiotic pill for the time you are on the antibiotic cycle plus two weeks. And even at that you may not get all your good bacteria back for months. The good news? Eating, sleeping, and working out our way generally improves the strength of your immune system anyway and you’ll get sick less often.

 

Workout of the Day:

Warm-up: 2 rounds of 15 – Jumping Jacks, Shoulder Mobility, Push-ups, Walking Lunges, Sit-ups, Samson Stretch, Squat

Work-out: 4 rounds for time of: Run 400 meters, do 50 squats. (approximate distance if needed – about 2 minutes)

 

To Pancakes! And good bacteria - in our compost and belly.

Mike.

 

*****

 

Dear Comrades:

 

The seed starting trays have been planted, raised beds have been built, and recipes are dancing around in your heads featuring all the delicious vegetables are are about to embark on growing. In the meantime, you are hauling bags of leaves to the street for your garbage man, polishing your self-mulching mower blades, and throwing out your egg shells, coffee grinds, and vegetable scraps in the trash. But should you be?

 

What it sounds like to me is you have the perfect ingredients for the most delicious recipe yet... Plant Food! Commonly known as compost, this is the organic material that does a plant good. Mix it into your garden soil and watch those babies grow. Really, it almost that simple!

 

There two main ways to start composting: cold (easy, long time) and hot (involved, quick).

 

Cold

Designate an area that you can start piling organic material on. (List below)

 

Feel free to churn the material with a garden fork if you'd like, but in about a year everything ought to be nice and decomposed. Yummy yummy plant food!

 

Hot

Designate an area where you will build your pile. You will need enough material to build a pile about 3' deep.

 

To start the pile, lay about 6" of "brown material" on the ground. Top with 6" of "green material". Alternate every 6" until you run outta material. Lightly spray the pile down with a garden hose; you want it to be moist but not soaking wet. About once a week, churn the pile with a garden fork to ensure that everything is mixing together. At that time make sure to lightly spray it down so it stays moist. The internal temperature of the pile should be about 130°. After about 3 months, everything should look nice and decomposed, basically like soil; it will no longer be warm in the middle. Super yummy plant food!

 

Organic material for your compost piles:

GREEN MATERIAL

• Grass clippings (fertilizer free, preferably!)
• Old garden material (no seeded weeds or diseased plants)
• Vegetable/ fruit scraps
• Egg shells
• Coffee grinds
• Livestock manure (NOT dog, cat, or human)

BROWN MATERIAL

• Leaves
• Small wood pieces from untreated lumber
• Misplaced soil (AKA dirt)

Composting is a fabulous practice. It is very green and sustainable; you don't need to buy anything (extra) to put into the pile because you are using scraps! If you have kids, especially boys, turn it into a fun project of "feeding" the pile with "trash" and watch as things degenerate. The best of all, it is probably the best additive to your garden to improve soil quality and help plants grow. Which can save you even more money in the end. Sweet, huh?!?

 

A few extra notes:

1. Compost piles, especially hot ones, can be kinda smelly. Don't keep it next to your back door. Maybe better to keep it next to that annoying neighbors fence...
2. Compost piles can be kinda ugly and get big and unruly; build a bin to camouflage it and help contain everything.
3. Compost piles don't have to be piles! Many companies offer bins, barrels, and other containers for those of you who don't want to build your own, have a smaller space, or just think they are pretty cool :) A quick search on Google is a starting point to see other options. You can get good bins for under $100, or go for broke and rock out some close to $500. 
4. Compost piles can feed more than just your garden! Use it in your container/plants or just to feed your lawn! 

 

So, to reinforce, there appears to be no main reason that everyone shouldn't compost! About 3 square feet is all ya need; you already have the material and I know you have the desire to be green, sustainable, healthy, and productive! So go on, get your hands dirty, and put your trash to good use!

 

To Trash,

Bonnie.