A Rawsome thing to try!!

This delightful treat was shared to me from a new client of mine, Darlene... Feel free to change it up.Try a different nut. Put a different fruit. Try it at breakfast or for a hearty snack. Maybe even add some spices. Have fun making it your own.

Rawesome Recipe:

hand full of fresh spinach

hand full of shredded carrots

1/2 apple

10-12 almonds

Grind up and eat!


And a short update of my 21 day challenge... Im on day 13. I have 8 more days to go. Yesterday and last night was my hardest day. But it was more of the type of activity I chose to do. I went to the lake. So I was craving a social beverage. Then I didnt plan my evening dinner too well and I was just rampaging on some fruit, way past my alotted amount for the day. Im just glad I did not give into my sweet tooth for some ice cream. So I feel great today and look forward to the week ahead!

So I would like to know what all of the other people going through a challenge have trouble with? Have cravings for? What kind of moods spark these cravings? Shoot me an email or comment. I would love to know!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Love my newly found Veggies!!!

Skillet Success

Fantastic Plating! (Thank you Katy)

Cooked to Perfection!

So I experimented with the new veggies; kohlrahi and broccolini. Let me tell you. They were surprisingly awesome! Kohlrabi might be my new favorite...
First, I started by seasoning the grass-fed center cut tenderloin! Mmmmmm. Then I cubed the kohlrabi, cutting away the outer layer. Then I sliced them into cucumber-like slices. At this point I was very skeptical about how they were going to turn out. Then, I sauteed them with ghee until they were hot and seasoned with Himalayan Pink Salt and fresh cracked pepper. It did not take long to cook at all. As for the taste, it has the consistency of a cucumber but sweeter. Like a sweeter broccoli (it is in the broccoli family.)

After I put the kohlrabi aside I put the broccolini into the same skillet and started to lightly saute them until hot. Then I poured olive oil over them with Pink salt and pepper. The broccolini was not as strong as broccoli. A little milder on the stomach as well. It was good but not as good as the kohlrabi in my opinion. Katy may think differently. I think she liked the broccolini more.

I chose to cook the broccolini in the skillet, opposed to steaming because I do not like "soft" veggies. Cooking them the way I did kept them crisp!...

Obviously, I grilled the tenderloins to perfection and plated an amazing dinner!! I highly recommend this meal to anyone. I also recommend trying the kohlrabi!

I hope everyone's new veggie adventure is going or went as well as mine. Cant wait to hear about it!

Veggie Variety

Broccolini and Kohlrabi (above)

Vegetables are very important to our vitamin, mineral, fiber, antioxidant, and phytochemical levels. All of which help fight off numerous ailments. When we think about Paleo Diet and Zone Diet, most people just hear "diet." And to avoid the dreaded "diet," we stick to things we know and are comfortable with and do not add variety. I, myself, am guilty of this. However, I found in my own experience, that adding variety to all facets of the paleo lifestyle can and will help you succeed into a paleo lifestyle instead of a "diet."

So just like our CrossFit workouts, our vegetables should be highly varied. We should be experimenting with many more colors and varieties. Visit a chinese grocery store, become familiar with the unfamiliar. Click here for a list of local Asian markets. Have fun and be open. You may find a new favorite!

This is why I am writing this blog. To challenge myself and all other Summer Shakedown participants. To earn an extra 20 points in the challenge, you must: 1) Try a new vegetable you have never tried, 2) Take a photo and send it to jarrod@westlakecrossfit.com, 3) Post your recipe and your thoughts on the Westlake Crossfit site.

Above you see I have chosen Broccolini and Kohlrabi. Broccolini is milder, sweeter, and more tender than broccoli and asapragus. Kohlrabi is similar to those of a broccoli stem or cabbage heart, but milder and sweeter, with a higher ratio of flesh to skin. The young stem in particular can be as crisp and juicy as an apple, although much less sweet. So it will be interesting to see what comes of the kohlrabi.

3...2...1... Have Fun!!

Going Public (Cant Sleep)

Alright ladies and gents... I am back. Im on a 21 day challenge,which started today. Its essentially the Whole9 but only 21 days. They say 21 days is the the "magic number" to create new habits. And as a coach at Westlake Crossfit I have failed to lead. So here I am, making it public, for all to see. I am going strict! Day one. Was pretty easy. I was a bit tired through the day and I had a little craving for something sweet after dinner and then come to find out I accidentally cheated ( a paleo dessert which had cocoa in it).. So I messed up... Doesn't give me any reason to stop! Im gonna come strong tomorrow and start training a little more regularly. So here is to you, all members, and clients. Give me flack, hold me accoutable! I want to lead and encourage you the right way!.. By ACTION!

SUMMER SHAKEDOWN CHALLENGE!!

Great turnout for the the Paleo/Zone workshop Saturday! Thank you all for coming out. I hope you all embrace this challenge and make some real changes for yourself. Remember to be victorious, it is in your hands. Test yourself, see what kind of person you can be with everything honed in!! And if you have any questions at all, do not be afraid to ask Eric, Jevon, Joss, Jesse, Brian, and me for guidance and tips.

Doing It Right

I want to congratulate Rachel, one of my clients for her persistence and her ability to listen. Most clients want the fast track to weight loss and do not want to work very hard for the results they want. The average person does not realize it takes commitment and mental fortitude to break bad dietary habits and create new ones. Its like changing who you are.
Rachel on the other hand has taken things into her own hands. We sat down before she even started, to work out and set obtainable goals for her. She was very adamant about making lifestyle changes and not crash dieting. She has communicated very well about how she feels on paleo/primal and her workouts. Everything a trainer could ask for from a client, Rachel has done.
She has followed a paleo/primal diet (80% of results), and yes people, she still has a healthy social life. She shows up when she is supposed to and does not call and cancel an hour before she is supposed to be there. For her hard work she has lost 10lbs!! Yes 10lbs in 6 weeks!! Congratulations Rachel! Lets take this momentum and get another 10!

Coach Jesse's India Trip

Project India from Westlake Crossfit on Vimeo.