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Sunday, December 22, 2013

Grab Life by the Balls and Twist

My favorite quote that I posted this week is from Andrea Agar.  She said, "Sometimes being uncomfortable is the only way to save yourself from settling."

I love that shit.

Fears give us an excuse to settle and when you settle, you do not grow.  When you don't grow, you don't get the life you want and deserve.  Your life may look successful on the surface, but you know in the deepest depths of your soul that there is more out there for you.  Way more.   

I hate excuses and I hate settling. I am currently working on testing myself and going to physical and emotional places that make me uncomfortable because I want to grow.

For example, today my friend and I went indoor rock climbing.  I am very afraid of heights.  When I do rope climbs in the gym or have climbed plastic rocks before, I never look down.  Never.  Before I even got to the gym today, I told myself:  TODAY IS THE DAY WHEN I LOOK THE FUCK DOWN.  So when I got to the top of the climb, I stopped using my fear of heights as an excuse and I looked down.  I received the gift of experiencing climbing from a different perspective.  It wasn't from the bottom looking up at what I had already accomplished in the afterglow, but from the top looking down, right smack dab in the moment of the experience.  I literally got to enjoy the view from the top.  

So sometimes you have to put yourself out there, be uncomfortable, and stop settling.  We deserve the best and our behaviors and thoughts dictate what that best becomes for us.  Every time you settle or stay in your comfy place, you are saying to yourself subtly, "I can't, I don't deserve better, I'm not willing to take risks because I do not have confidence in myself to overcome obstacles."

Well fuck that noise.  Life is a series of challenges that you can choose to back away from or you can choose to take down.  Challenge yourself because you can handle it.  Don't ever settle.  Be bigger, be better, be stronger than you ever thought you could be.

xoxo
J

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

When I See People Kicking Ass

There is nothing I love more than to see people kicking ass.  Doing things they never thought they could do.  Breaking boundaries within themselves.  Creating goals and crushing them.  Moving away from the life they do not want and moving towards the life they deserve.  Whether it is in therapy or in the gym, I am surrounded by inspiration.  Inspiration that even on my worst days keeps me seeing the positivity, resilience, and beauty of the human spirit.  So thank you to my grad school friends, my work out buddies, my friends, and my family.  Keep kicking ass.  Because in doing so, you are setting examples for me and all the other people in your life to do the same. 

xoxo
J

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Brofriends

I tend to give tons of accolades to my girlfriends. I have neglected to show my appreciation for my Brofriends.  This is my newest term for them.  My best brofriends have become almost as big a part of my social circle as some of my girlfriends.  Brofriends are so awesome because they add a masculine energy to my life that is often much needed.  I can talk to them like I talk to my girlfriends, but they provide me with insight from the Mars side of the coin when I am often thinking in a very Venus way.  Sometimes my Brofriends are able to simplify my overly analytical brain and show me that sometimes things can be simple.  People often say that men and women cannot truly be friends.  I think that is bullshit.

I love my Brofriends!

xoxo
J

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Girl! Ya gotta EAT!!!

One of the biggest questions I get at my gym is:  What do you eat? 

Most of the time, I think people expect to hear that I have a very restricted diet with no carbs and no fun.  That is simply not the case. 

I eat whole foods and I eat a lot of them. In the past, I have tried every stupid nutritional plan and diet in the book (I have blogged about many of them).  I finally found balance in eating a whole foods diet and listening to my body.   Now, because of food sensitivities, I do not eat wheat and gluten.  I also do not eat sugar cane.  Those are my only restrictions.  I eat meat, dairy, fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, gluten free grains, honey, agave, and french fries.  When I want to eat junk, I eat junk (french fries).  And I drink alcohol.  I'm not usually a Monday through Friday drinker, but I do enjoy a good martini and some wine on weekends (Carb Back Loading). 

When you work out as hard as most Crossfitters, it is vital that you listen to your body and eat when you are hungry.  For most of us, the goal is to put on muscle mass.  In order to put on muscle, you need to lift weights, work out, and you need to eat.  Bottom line.  A lot of people think in order to look "toned" you need to lose weight.  In order to be toned, you need to put on muscle.  In order to put on muscle, you need to eat enough to fuel muscle growth. If the muscle isn't there in the first place, no matter how thin you get, you will not look toned.  Case in point, supermodels.   This is counter intuitive to what most women have been told their entire lives which is to starve themselves and run.  Life doesn't have to be that sucky.  

Now, this isn't a license to hit up the Burger King drive thru every chance you get, but you need sufficient calories to build muscle, to maintain your work outs, and to leave you feeling optimal.  This might mean that you GASP gain a few pounds.  OMG.  NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!  But the number on the scale is really not representative of how your body is changing when you gain muscle.  If you HAVE to have a measurement, go by clothes or body measurements.  But when you start squatting, your thighs may grow and your ass might fill out your jeans for the first time in your life.  It's a good thing, ladies.  A very good thing. 

Here are two of my favorite facebook "likes" for great information on eating for athletes and healthy body image.
Eat To Perform
Go Kaleo

It is always a great idea to meet with a nutritionist and go over your blood work, caloric needs, and get general nutrition advice from a pro ;0)

Happy, healthy, eating my loves!!!
xoxo
J

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Boundaries

This whole concept of boundaries is really popping up in my life and the lives of my friends right now.  There is so much of a focus on boundaries with others.   What about the boundaries we need to set with ourselves? 

Boundaries aren't always about what others bring to us.  They are often about how we allow the world to interact with us.  What is acceptable, what is not- but really, this is rooted deeply within ourselves. 

How do we allow ourselves to be treated?  How do we speak to ourselves?  What actions do we take that are self-destructive?  How are we inhibiting our own growth?  How do we stomp on our own joy? These are things we need to think about and constantly contemplate and allow to internally evolve.

Case in point.  I am a middle child and a pleaser.  I often give and give and give in my relationships and find myself not getting the same output from others.  It can often frustrate me and I play the blame game.  So initially, what seems like an external boundary issue, is really about me not setting boundaries within myself.   I allow myself to feel pressured into feeling like I need to give more, when in reality, I need to have a little heart to heart with myself and say, "No, you have given enough at this moment.  It is time to receive." 

It's a form of personal responsibility and self-care.  Set healthy boundaries, practice kind self-talk, and see what grows you sexy mutha fuckas!

A big thanks to Ali and Greta Hotmer from Twin Tree Healing for honoring me as their Light Worker of the Week.  It meant so much to me and the fact that all of you read my shit storm writing means a lot to me, too.  Thank you!!!!

xoxo
J

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Chaos

Over the past year, my life has undergone many changes.  It has felt like chaos.  Sometimes scary, sometimes exciting, and often an overwhelming combination of the two.  I am moving into a new life for myself and it is a life that is very different from how I thought my life would be. 

I am a bit of a control freak and I like my road map to be crystal clear.  My map could not be more murky and muddy.  Learning how to love the muck is becoming a process I have only begun to embark upon.  When everything has felt so crazy, is difficult to hug spontaneity and give it the big fat kiss it deserves. 

I made plans with friends for the weekend.  Plans I almost cancelled at the last minute because I was not feeling well.  Plans I almost wanted to cancel even if I was feeling well.  Any excuse would have worked.    Instead of stopping myself, I embraced my night.  I threw on clothes and yanked my hair up faster than I could talk myself out of going. 

I found myself enjoying myself on a level I have not enjoyed myself in a long time.  Friends felt like warm blankets, songs hurt my soul and made me cry.  I was vulnerable.  I felt alive and I felt at ease, at ease with the uncertainty of life.  There was comfort in the joy that things are not always going to end up the way I expect, but peace in the understanding that life is unfolding as it should.  I do not have to work so hard to make my life.  It really just happens all around me in the weird cosmic way.  People come in, people come out.  Experiences in, experiences out.  It is exciting to see what tomorrow will bring me when I'm not trying to force my will upon it.   

xoxo

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Fuck you shitty mantras!

I'm not sure when you start hearing these messages:  You aren't good enough.  You aren't worth it.

Maybe it is when you are young and you get that first look of disapproval from your parents.  It could be the first time you got a grade in school that wasn't an A+.  That first time someone rejected you or bullied you. When you were first told you weren't smart enough, or pretty enough, or athletic enough, or good enough to deserve the life you want.  These messages stay with us for a long time.  They become ingrained in us and damage us to our core when we do not let go of them.

These shitty  little mantras have become ingrained in me as I am sure they have become ingrained in many of you. As you carry them into adulthood, sometimes they even served us well.  I'm a competitive person, so I'm always on a mission to prove these fuckers wrong.  This can be empowering in some ways, and discouraging in others.  No matter how many doctoral degrees I get under my belt, will I ever feel smart enough?  No matter how many pounds I put on the bar, will I ever feel strong enough?  No matter how many times someone tells me I'm beautiful or that they love me, will I ever really believe them? 

These messages hold me back.  They make things that are not meant to make me feel inadequate, feel that way.  When my coach critiques my form, I hear "You're not good enough," instead of, "Do this, and you will be more efficient."  I notice this in my fellow doctoral students.  Some of us were recently having heart attacks over 92s on our papers.  Yikes.  Some find inadequacy in their jobs and financial statements.  I don't make a six figure salary.  I must not be as good as Joe Schmo who is driving a beamer.  My occupation isn't worthwhile or important. I don't deserve to make money because I love what I do.  They pop up in our relationships with others.  My child is misbehaving, that makes me a bad parent.  My significant other is having a bad day, I must not be doing enough.  When we look at these messages on paper, we realize the ridiculousness of them, however, we still engage in the thoughts.

We are adequate.  We are amazing.  We are what we are meant to be in this moment, learning the lessons we need to be taught.  Anytime one of these "shit mantras" come into your mind, I challenge you to tell it to fuck off. Overcome these voices, because they no longer apply. 

You are more than good enough.  You are totally, 100% worth it.
  
xoxox
J

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
 And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Marianne Williamson



xoxo
J


Thursday, August 29, 2013

My Two Cents on Miley, Crossfit, and Body Image

So I was chatting with my girls last night and of course the discussion got around to Miley Cyrus.  Now, I was encouraged to write this by Casey- so this blog is for you girlfriend.  My insight may not be loved by all, but I make no apologies for it.  It is important for me to point out discrimination and sexism when I see it- especially when it is put out there by a group that I am a part of.  

I told my girlfriends how unbelievably disappointed I was in some of the responses I saw from different Crossfit pages that had memes saying that Miley needs to squat.  This disappointment almost hit me as hard as the "Turning 7's into 10's" commercial that was played throughout the Crossfit games last year.  This pisses me off so much because Crossfit is supposed to be a community that supports women and women's bodies- no matter what they look like.  It is supposed to be a community that empowers women and focuses them on what they can do, not what they look like and meeting societal standards of beauty. 

Crossfitters are the first people to come to a woman's defense if she is "too muscular" or "manly" but when Miley gets up there in booty shorts without the muscle tone of a weight lifter everyone freaks the fuck out and takes pot shots.  Honestly, it is so anti-feminine and such bullshit.  There are many women who Crossfit, beginners and veterans, who may not have the muscle tone of Talayna Fortunato.  I wonder how less toned, or thinner athletes felt after looking at memes like that and how it made them feel about their bodies.   

And as far as sexism goes, I asked myself why no one from the Crossfit community has posted a meme that Celo Green needs to do sit ups?  Once again, a ridiculous double standard that really wants to keep women focused on what really matters:  Pleasing men.

I thought the Crossfit community was a little bit beyond the objectification of women and making women feel badly about their bodies. And I understand that "it's a joke" made by a few, and is not representative of all the amazingly supportive men and women in the community who do so much to promote healthy body image.  The fact is this needs to be addressed.  It is part of the social responsibility of the group to call this shit out and stop it in its tracks.   Supporting things that make women feel insecure is never on my agenda, or the agenda of most Crossfit men and women.  And Miley- rock those booty shorts all day, because guess what, my ass doesn't look perfect in them either- and I squat.  


xoxo
J

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Bulletproof Coffee Inspired Smoothie

A lot of my friends have been drinking bullet proof coffee. Bullet proof coffee is black coffee with either coconut oil or grass fed butter melted into it.  When I first heard of this, I wanted to vomit- mainly thinking about putting butter in coffee, but the people who drink it swear by it.

I'm not a coffee drinker (because I it gives me headaches and I act like a squirrel on cocaine when I drink it), but I love the flavor.  I also think it's a great idea to start your day off with a good fat.  So I came up with this smoothie recipe that gives you the yum of the bullet proof coffee but with some carbs and protein for those of us who eat breakfast and hit early morning work outs. 

4oz Coconut Water
4oz Water
3-4 ice cubes
1 tbsp coconut oil or grass fed butter
1 banana
1 scoop of chocolate protein powder
1 tsp coffee extract
Blend your ass off

I'm sure you can pour 8oz of coffee into the smoothie instead of the coconut water and water and skip the coffee extract.  I bet that would make it taste like iced coffee too.  You can also skip the banana if that makes the smoothie to heavy, you don't like bananas, or are watching carbs.  I top mine off with a few raw cacao nibs.  Nibs are delicious little devils.  They are pieces of the cacao beans that would eventually be ground into cocoa powder.  I love these bitches.  Chocolate makes life a little more amazing.

Have a bullet proof day!!!
xoxo
J

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Help, I'm stuck!

Sometimes right before we are inspired to mobilize and take action in our lives, we are faced with this feeling of being stuck.  This can often come with feelings of stagnation, hopelessness, irritation, guilt, fear, and sadness.  The even more confusing part of "stuckness" comes when these dragalicious feelings are accompanied with ideas of change, excitement for the future, thrill, and adventure.  It can be very confusing and emotionally exhausting. 

I think the turmoil before the decision to "unstick" yourself is the hardest part.  Sometimes instead of feeling like you are moving upward, it feels as though you are moving side to side.  Waffling, going back and forth, weighing the options.  The funny part is, usually, internally you know what is best for you, but the stuckness usually comes from protecting others, protecting yourself from the unknown, and trying to live by standards other people set for you. 

What is right?  Living a life feeling stuck in order to please others?  Sacrificing yourself and playing the martyr?  Are these things really, truly healthy for your psyche and the psyche of those whom you truly care?  Those are questions you have to answer for yourself.  Another difficult aspect of this is that although we are taught that self-sacrificing is this beautiful, amazing thing, we are also given the confusing message that if you are not happy and in love with your self, you cannot be in love and happy with others.  It can lead to very conflicting feelings which force you to examine who you are and who you need to become and the balance of the two. 

The beautiful part of all of this is that we have choices.  Every time you feel stuck or the victim of a situation you created or another person's choices or actions- you decide your reaction.  You decide the way you think about given situations.  You can move at any point when the time is right for you. 

Stuck is a feeling. 
It is not a reality.
And at any given moment, you can move. 

xoxo
J

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Cheezy Ass Mutha Fuckin' Lasagne

This afternoon was heaven- no practicum (fancy doctorate speak for working for free) and no class.  I headed in the house for my favorite past time- cooking.  Man, I have been so busy that I haven't hit up my kitchen for a real food party in what seems like forever!  It was so good to be back.  Cooking is so much fun for me.  I've really missed doing it!!!! 

So I had it in my head that I was going to make grain free lasagna.  I was going to use thinly sliced zucchini for the noodles.  Well, my daughters had other ideas.  The second we walked into the store and headed for the zucchini, the bitching began.  "EWWWWWWW!!!!!!  MAAAAWWWWWMMMMM, I HATE ZUCCHINI.  GROSSSSSSS."  Okay.  Hmmmmmmm....I thought about eggplant.  I could take or leave that.  Then I decided on mushrooms.  The kids love mushrooms.  Okay.  Mushrooms it is.  So here is my lasagna recipe for all of you to recreate.  I do not consider this recipe Paleo or healthy by any means.  It has about 40 pounds of cheese in it, so watch yourself home slice. 

Step One- Put on some Rod Stewart or Kesha
Step Two- Brown 1 to 1 and 1/2 pounds of ground turkey
Step Three- While that is browning, put some Olive Oil in the bottom of your 9x13 inch pan, followed by a layer of mushrooms. 
Step Four- Grate 16 oz of Mozzarella Cheese
Step Five- Pour yourself some wine (or seltzer water for me today)
Step Six- Mix together 15 oz of ricotta cheese and 1/2 c Parmesan or Romano or a blend
Step Seven- When meat has finished browning, add 3/4 of a 25 oz jar of sauce or homemade sauce and mix it together.  I just started buying a brand called Paesana Marinara and I love it!  There isn't any bullshit in it either so it's fabulous.
Step Eight- Spoon the meat and sauce over the mushrooms
Step Nine- Spread a layer of the Ricotta mixture and then top with a layer of mozzarella
Step Ten- Mushrooms
Step Eleven- Meat Shit
Step Twelve- Cheesy fucking goodness
Pop this bitch in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes, take it out, and eat the hell out of it!  

Have a fabulous dinner!
xoxo
J

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

You work out too much

Recently, I've had a couple of people offer the opinion that I work out too much. One was my mother, so I decided I would think about it a little bit.  At first I was a little offended by these accusations but I'm a big fan of listening and learning so I started to do a little self-evaluating.  Do I work out too much?  Are other aspects of my life suffering because of how much I work out?  Am I neglecting my children?  Are my grades slipping?  Nope.  I'm keeping it together pretty darn well.  I'm kicking ass in school, my kids are happy and healthy, I have a bitchin' social life, the house is clean, I'm rarely sick...hmmm...what's the problem here????

I usually work out for an hour almost every day.  Some days, I work out for two to three hours (like on a Saturday or Sunday) and some days I don't get there at all.  The CDC recommends doing 2.5 hours per week of cardiovascular training and 2 or more hours of weight training per week- MINIMUM.  Many physicians recommend 60 minutes per day of physical activity for adults and children. Okay.  I'm in that range of healthy activity level.

I wonder how many people would complain if I spent 1 hour a day watching television, reading, or participating in another hobby?  What is it about my exercise routine that some find so offensive?  I'm not exactly sure.  I find my work outs to be a stress reliever.  It allows me to spend time with people who I love dearly and care about.  When I get in a good work out, I am more alert and am more present with my patients.  I have more patience with my children.  Working out is not a life drainer, it's a life saver! 

Imagine if everyone took one hour out of the day to spend working on themselves physically- in whatever capacity- crossfit, yoga, running, hiking, walking, zumba.  I just don't see that as a bad thing.  Our physical health should be one of our top priorities.  For me, it is a huge part of maintaining my sanity in a very crazy life.  It isn't selfish and honestly, I find it to be selfish NOT to take that time out of your day to be healthy for yourself and for the people around you. 

So please, go exercise!  I will never judge you for it ;0)  
xoxo
J

Monday, May 27, 2013

Hero Wods

Working out on the holidays, especially Memorial Day, stopped being about burning off the days barbeque food when I started doing hero wods.  Hero workouts were created to honor fallen soldiers.  These work outs are brutal.  They symbolize the sacrifice our service men and women make for all of us.  Hero wods have also become a way for me to honor all of my friends and family who served our country. 

It's a small way to pay respect, but it is a way to remind myself how blessed I am and how hard others have worked to give me a really good life.  The men and women who serve are faced with psychological traumas and physical injuries that can change their lives forever.  They take on that burden and they do it well knowing what could happen as a result of their service. 

My hopes is that I can eventually help Veterans with these struggles through therapy.  Until then, I'm going to keep plugging away at this doctorate and these hero wods and be inspired by the selflessness and self-sacrifice of others. 

To all the Veterans, thank you and we honor you.

xoxo
J

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Tricky Tricky

A couple of weeks ago, I had my first experience getting to do a fireman's carry at a team training event at Crossfit West Chester.  It was so much freaking fun!  A lot of my gym buddies have been indulging me and allowing me to carry them around periodically.  The last person I carried weighed 185 pounds.  Some of the things we do are so mind blowing when you first see them and I think we become immune to how crazy some of our skills are.  I will never forget the first time I saw someone do a handstand push up and thought to myself, "That is the most bad ass thing I have EVER seen."  

One of my favorite things about doing some of these crazy Crossfit tricks is that I get to "wow" my dad with the shit I can do.  My dad was a coach and my number one cheerleader through most of my athletic career.  He came to almost all of my games, practices, and stuck through lesson after lesson and game after game.  I have recently spotted him watching the Crossfit Games from last year and trying to learn what the lifts are and the movements.  I'm thinking the next competition I enter, that I'm going to make sure my Dad is in the crowd :0) 

xoxo
J

Monday, May 6, 2013

Dear Crossfit Family


Dear Crossfit Family,
Thank you for helping me become physically stronger and mentally tough in ways I never thought possible.  Thank you for providing me with a support system and thank you for being there for me through the challenges I face- not just getting through a work out, but the daily struggles.  You have dried my tears when I'm angry and frustrated, taken me out on the town when I needed to unwind, and have continuously checked in with me when you know things are rough. 

You are not just people I work out with.  You are my community and you are my family.  You are like my brothers and sisters- we squabble, we resolve, and we get closer. You understand that lifting is not just about picking up heavy things, it is a metaphor for perseverance and overcoming life's challenges.  And if I need help, you are always there with words of encouragement, an ear to listen, and a belief in my abilities that far exceeds my own belief in myself.  You laugh with me, you indulge my bad jokes, and you cheer me on.  You allow me to do these things for you, by giving me the gift of supporting you and being there for you when you need a boost.

I feel grateful to experience this energy and this kind of love.  Thank you for helping me grow, showing me the life I deserve, and for always being there when I have a rough day and need a reminder of just how important personal growth and change can be.

Thank you.
xoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxo
J

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Female Body Satisfaction

One aspect of psychology I have begin to do work in is feminine body satisfaction.  Current research discusses that the way a woman feels about her body can influence her overall happiness, sex life, self-esteem, and many other facets of her life.  This makes sense.  If you don't feel great about your body, it's going to have a trickle down effect. 

I often wonder why perfectly beautiful, intelligent women base their body satisfaction on bullshit dictated to them by assholes.  And those assholes aren't always men.  They are often other women.  You "should" be this size.  You "should" be this number on a scale.  You "should" not have an ounce of fat on your body.  You "should" not be so muscular.  You "should" stop feeding into bullshit that is so unbelievably anti-feminine.

Yes.  We all have moments of frustration with our bodies where we say, hmmm...maybe I'm not my healthiest or maybe I'm feeling like I've let my shit go a bit.  Maybe you have PMS and you really just need someone to remind you of how fucking spectacular you are.  That's fine, and that's not what I'm talking about.  I'm talking about ripping yourself apart body part by body part, finding flaws where there do not exist, and fixating on numbers that have nothing to do with the person you are.  For instance, if you are denying yourself an amazing sexual experience because you feel like you look a little bloated today:  HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM.  If you miss out on a great party because you feel "too fat" to be in public, that isn't good.  And if your day gets ruined because your up a pound, I'm talking to you. 

So ladies, please be kind to yourselves.  Accept that there is only one Heidi Klum and you aren't her.  That is NOT a bad thing because there is only one, amazingly, spectacular, gorgeous you.  And guess what?  There is someone out there who will appreciate every dimple of cellulite on that ass of yours because they love the beautiful, human being that is you.  Until you find them, for the love of God,  LOVE YOURSELF- every wonderful, imperfect morsel.

You may be thinking, "thanks for the pep talk, now how do I love myself?"  That is a loaded question that can really only answered by you.   But here are some suggestions:

*Be body positive and if you find yourself indulging in negative self-talk, notice it and stop.  Move on.

*Surround yourself with a body positive posse and if this is something you and your girlfriends struggle with, take on the challenge to stop engaging in negative body talk as a group.
* Focus on health and what exercises and foods make you feel good, healthy, strong, and happy
*Find things you are passionate about and do them

 I would like to give a big thanks to all the men out there who support women and make them feel spectacular about their bodies.  You guys fucking rock!!!!

xoxo
J


Monday, March 25, 2013

Springtime Smoothie on a Snowy Day

I woke up this morning, looked out my window, and called bullshit.  I am so over this weather.  If you ask me, it's time for flip flops, sun dresses, and shirtless wods ;0)  Instead of wallowing in self-pity over the snow, I decided to hit up a smoothie that made it feel like springtime- at least in my kitchen.

1c. water and a few ice cubes
1 banana
1 c. cantaloupe
1 c. spinach
1 scoop egg white protein powder

I even threw a few cacao nibs on the top because to me, chocolate goes with everything.

On a side note, I cannot WAIT to get into the gym today and lift some weights!!!! It is Crossfit Open season right now and my normal lifting routine is off.  I didn't realize until the past few weeks just how much I have started to love lifting.  There is something so fun and empowering about throwing that bar around! 

Enjoy this beautiful day, my loves!  Lift something heavy today and drink something light (preferably not a Coors light)!
xoxo
J

Monday, March 4, 2013

The Newest Addition to my Beauty Regime

Many years ago, in a land far, far away, I was worked for beauty companies doing make-up, massage, some skin care consultations, and discussing the right shampoo and styling options for every kind of hair.  It was a magical time, full of mascara, push up bras, hairspray, and dressing all in black a la Johnny Cash.

My beauty regime during this time was INSANE!  Full of eye creams, skin scrubs, and every new product I could get my hands on.  I think I even used a skin corrector at one point that was clearly not for white people.

As the years have gone on, my beauty routine has gone from complicated to uncomplicated.  Some coconut oil all over the bod and face.  Done and Done.  If I'm really feeling wild, a couple of dabs of hippie perfume and maybe I will push my pecs together with the demi cup bra.  But there is one thing I have added to my daily beauty tasks that I never saw coming...not in all of my wildest body care fantasies did I imagine I would be...

SHAVING CALLOUSES.

Yes non-crossfit folks.  You have to shave the fucking callouses off your hands.  You build callouses doing all of that work on the bar and then you have to shave them down to prevent them from ripping off the next time.  I promise you in all of my days at Victoria's Secret, AVEDA, and MAC I never dreamed I would ever, ever, ever be shaving callouses.  It goes like this:  shave legs, shave under arms, shave lady parts, shave callouses.  Maybe not in that order.

Have a beautiful day, my loves and remember to shave your hands hahahahahah!!!!
xoxo
J

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Jacking up the Flow

For those of you who do not do Crossfit, time off is a necessary part of training.  Rest is helpful mentally and physically.  Some days you just do not want to talk about freaking crossfit- I know that seems hard to believe coming from me.  Plus, your body needs that time to recover from the exercise and repair itself.

This past week, I had three days off in a row.  There were sick kiddos and shit to get accomplished that took priority over workouts.   Before I knew it, it was Wednesday afternoon and I had yet to hit a work out.  So I decided since my flow was already jacked, I was going to go with it and mix it up.  Not only did I take the rest days, but I visited other Crossfit gyms.  I worked with different coaches, different athletes, and it was nice to take a mental break from my routine and get out of my world for a bit. 

Sometimes you've got to mix it up.  We all get stuck in our ways sometimes.  Variety is the spice of life after all ;0)  And now I feel rejuvenated and ready to get back to my coaches, my workout buddies, and my routine.

It's almost Open time!!!  Get ready to rock it, my loves!!!

xoxo
J

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Peanut Butter Balls- A Scandalously Delicious Treat

I'm not sure what it is about peanut butter, but we have a little love affair going on.  When I am training hard, it seems to be my go-to food.  After a couple of google searches, I realized just how common it is for athletes who are training hard in various sports/athletic endeavors to crave it.  I have a feeling it has something to do with the fat/protein/nutrient ratio.  As you all know, I am not a nutritionist, but that is my hypothesis.


Here is a little yummy treat for those of you who lust after peanut butter the way I do:

Jane's Scandalously Easy/Delicious Peanut Butter Balls

18 oz jar of natural peanut butter (If you are following strict Paleo, substitute almond butter)
2 cups of unsweetened shredded coconut
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
3/4 c honey (you can add more or less to taste- after all, they are your balls)
Mix this together and form into balls.  Refrigerate them and eat them at your leisure.

Now this is a food that is high in calories, fat, and carbs.  If you are reading this recipe thinking, "Hell yes!  I can eat these 'healthy' cookies everyday," you are sadly mistaken.  This is a treat food.  It is especially good for those times when you need to gain weight, are training like crazy, or have seriously killer PMS/DudeMS. 

You will go nuts for them.  Get it?  Balls?  Nuts?  Peanut Butter?  God I'm awesome. 
xoxo
J

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Long Time, No Write

Hi friends- long, lost friends!

So sorry it has been so long since I have blogged!  Life kind of got in the way of my enormously successful blogging career.  Hope you all have been able to live your lives without my brilliant insights ;0)

I have been going through some stuff, to say the least.  Stuff that is not easy to write about and stuff that really isn't the blogging world's business.   Even though stuff happens, life gets crazy, and things aren't always sunshine and roses- I will not fucking die. That is what I keep telling myself repeatedly as bad days seem to happen more often than good, when I'm feeling lonely, sad, or like the world is soooo not my oyster these days.  I keep repeating my new mantra:  I will not fucking die.  I will not fucking die.  Sometimes it's with a laugh, sometimes it is through tears, but somehow it always applies. It's kind of funny, and it's kind of reality.  When shit gets tough, you have to keep plugging way, keep believing in yourself, and know that you aren't going to die from tough times.  I know at some point I will come through on the other side feeling happy, like myself, stronger, and more amazing than ever.  But until then, I have to remind myself- that I will not fucking die and neither will you.

So whether you are on the good end of life or in the eye of the shit storm, know that everyone experiences both ends of the spectrum.  If you are in the storm, call up the people who are whooping it up for a good dose of hopefulness and happiness.  And if you are in the good, make an effort for those people going through it- I know I have certainly appreciated my amazing friends and family who are helping me get my shit storm together. 

xoxo
J