CrossFit Metric

CrossFit Metric

I've been traveling almost every week this month.  Last weekend I was in Toronto, Canada.  Taking a light week after American's and in preparation for all the food damage to come, we dropped in at CrossFit Metric for a workout.

Kaddo Bourani

Kaddo Bourani

So you might be wondering, what is Kaddo Bourani?  At a high level, it's an Afghan dish of caramelized pumpkin topped with two sauces: a mint-garlic yogurt sauce and a savory meat sauce.  I like this dish because it's bursting with flavor.  The dish incorporates very contrasting flavors while maintaining balance.  Each of the three components of the dish can be too much on it's own: the pumpkin perhaps too sweet and the yogurt, too sour, tangy, and cold.  However when all combined together: cool, sweet, tangy, savory, minty, the results are quite amazing!

2013 USA Weightlifting American Open Championships!

Team Catalyst @ Americans!

Last Saturday I competed in the 2013 USA Weightlifting American Open Championships in Dallas, Texas.  I competed in the 48kg A session and as a part of the Catalyst Athletics women's team!  My first time at Americans!

THIS WEEKEND: 2013 USAW American Open Championships

2013 Catalyst Athletics American Open Team (+Tamara)

I am on a plane to Dallas now to compete in the 2013 USA Weightlifting American Open Championships!  Excited/nervous/anxious.  I remember when we started our 12-week AO cycle and I can't believe it's showtime already!

This will be my first time at the American Open.  I will be lifting as part of the Catalyst Athletics Weightlifting Team.  Hoping to medal as a team this year!

You can watch us all LIVE at the Westin Dallas Park Central or via webcast at: http://www.teamusa.org/usa-weightlifting/LIVE

Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving 2013

We took Thanksgiving this year up a notch from last year by not only doubling the different dishes we made, but also in guests.  We still made everything from scratch and kept it gluten free for the most part.  But unlike last year, we developed an entire menu not just for dinner, but basically all day... including a wine and cocktail menu, of course.

Rep Fitness Bumper Plates

Rep Fitness Bumper Plates Review

I get a lot of requests to review products and food.  Most of them fall through since I won't exchange an awesome review for free stuff.  A few weeks ago, Rep Fitness sent me a pair of bumper plates to try out and honestly review.  I've been using them for a few weeks now and I have to say, I'm impressed!

Tangletown CrossFit

 

Tangletown CrossFit

After stopping by at CrossFit Edina, I decided to visit Tangletown CrossFit, a box opened by one of their members a few years ago.  Conveniently it was about two miles from my hotel.

Roasted Parsnip and Pear Soup

Roasted Parsnip and Pear Soup!

It's been months since I've posted a recipe, and I know a lot of you have been on my case about it!  A large part of this is because of all the traveling I've been doing for work.  Now that things have calmed down a bit and Thanksgiving is just around the corner, I decided it was time to post a Paleo/Primal/clean/gluten-free recipe for a possible Thanksgiving dish.

CrossFit Edina / CrossFit Minnesota

 

CrossFit Edina / CrossFit Minnesota / CrossFitMN

I wanted to check out CrossFit Edina / CrossFit Minnesota the last time I was in Minneapolis, but logistically, it was tough to work out.  This time around, it was the closest CrossFit gym to my hotel so obviously I had to stop by.

CrossFit Nordeast

CrossFit Nordeast

While searching for CrossFit gyms in Minneapolis and emailing owners, I noticed that a bunch of them were owned by the same people.  There are 4 chains I can think of to-date in the greater Minneapolis area.  My plan was to prioritize visits to the independent gyms.

2013 Catalyst Athletics Ensign Gray Invitational

2013 Catalyst Athletics Ensign Gray Invitational

Two weeks after the Fall Classic and another work trip to Minneapolis, I competed in another weightlifting meet.  I feel like I went from not doing these at all to participating all the time!  This was the final meet the Catalyst team will participate in before Americans in December! 

CrossFit Minneapolis

CrossFit Minneapolis

CrossFit Minneapolis was on my list of gyms to visit since it was literally in walking distance from my hotel in downtown Minneapolis.  Also the word around town about this gym was that it has a lifting focus and also had a couple coaches who had competed at Nationals.  Pretty sweet!

CrossFit Minneapolis is also sister gyms with CF St. Paul and CF St. Louis Park, so they have pretty good coverage around the area.

American Weightlifting: The Documentary

American Weightlifting Trailer

American Weightlifting will be available on DVD, download, and streaming on November 16th.  You can pre-order it today!!!  The movie was created, directed, and filmed by my coach, Greg Everett.

Movie Summary:
American Weightlifting is the story of a sport in turmoil and the athletes and coaches whose passion drives them to succeed despite the odds. Amateur athletes and coaches with little or no financial support struggle to compete with the professionals who dominate the sport internationally. Training in garages, working full time jobs, ignored by the public and the media, American weightlifters strive to compete with the best in the world. 

2013 Fall Classic

A few Catalyst Ladies @ Hassle Free Barbell

Last week we competed in the 2013 Fall Classic Weightlifting Competition, hosted by Kevin's gym.  This is one of the two meets the Catalyst team will participate in before Americans in December!

CrossFit MSP | MSP Fitness

CrossFit MSP | MSP Fitness

The first CrossFit gym I visited in Minneapolis was CrossFit MSP | MSP Fitness in St. Louis Park.  From the pictures, it looked like they were a weightlifting gym and I had to get my workout in.  They were also the first gym to contact me back about my request and lucky for me, happy to accommodate!

Kapolei Strength & Conditioning

KSAC

The last time I came here, they JUST moved into their current location, they were in the process of getting renamed to Kapolei Strength & Conditioning, and Tristan was still crawling.  Now, the gym's all set up and decorated, they have even more equipment, and Tristan is walking!  Se and Noel's got quite a gym!

CrossFit 808

Back @ 808

Every time I've been home so far, I've stopped in at CrossFit 808.  I come here so often, I'm in their system.  It's the only box I've been to multiple times over the past few years that has stayed the same, across all: people, space, equipment, community. 

Back at CrossFit East Oahu!

Back at CrossFit East Oahu

First off, sorry for not posting last week.  I was hiking the Na Pali coast on Kauai (post to come soon!).

I spent the last couple weeks at home in Hawaii.  While there, I had to visit some of my favorite local boxes.  My first stop was at CrossFit East Oahu in Niu Valley, owned by Keoni and Rose Subiono.  It's always a pleasure to see them!

River North CrossFit

River North CrossFit

While in Chicago for work, I decided to check out River North CrossFit, the closest CrossFit gym to my hotel and one of the few CrossFit gyms actually located in downtown Chicago.

Windy City CrossFit

Windy City CrossFit

I spent most of last week in Chicago for work.  Since I pretty much just do weightlifting now, I had to find a weightlifting or CrossFit gym that would let me do my own workout.  Lucky for me, I found I weightlifting/CrossFit gym that has nice barbells and kilo plates (so I don't have to do math) at a reasonable distance from my hotel!   Hello, CrossFit Windy City / WCCF Weightlifting!! 

Genesis Fitness / CrossFit West Petaluma

Genesis Fitness / CrossFit West Petaluma

I went up to Petaluma last weekend to watch my friends compete in the Redwood Empire Weightlifting Championships. I competed at this meet last year, but decided not to this year since I just came from Nationals.  Therefore, I dropped in for a workout before the meet at Genesis Fitness / CrossFit West Petaluma.  What a sweet group of people!

CrossFit Golden Gate

CrossFit Golden Gate

I was in the city last weekend so I decided to stop at the nearest CrossFit gym, CrossFit Golden Gate.  CrossFit Golden Gate is a new-ish gym in SOMA.  They just hit their one year anniversary last month. 

2013 USAW Senior National Championships!

Team Catalyst @ Nationals!

Last Saturday I competed in the 2013 USA Weightlifting Senior National Championships in West Chester, Ohio... my first national-level competition in anything!!  I competed in the 48kg A session as an individual and also as a part of the Catalyst Athletics women's team!

En Route to Nationals!

En Route to Nationals!

I am on a plane to Cincinnati now for the USAW Weightlifting National Championships!  Excited/nervous/anxious.  I can't believe it's already time!

This will be my first time at Nationals, and competing at this level, in anything.  I will be lifting as a part of the Catalyst Athletics Weightlifting Team.  I'm excited we qualified a women's team this year!

You can watch us all LIVE at: http://www.teamusa.org/usa-weightlifting/LIVE

SCHEDULE:  All times are in EST.

• Friday
• 10am: Jolie Gentry & Alyssa Sulay
• 4pm: Greg Everett
• Saturday
• 10am: me
• 4pm: Jessica Salvaggio
• 5pm: Blake Barnes
• Sunday
• 11am: Chyna Cho
• 3pm: Tamara Solari

CrossFit Roughnecks

CrossFit Roughnecks!

After Portland, I went to Houston for a customer onsite.  With my special needs for this month leading up to Nationals, I had to find a gym that would let me do custom workout.  Lucky for me, the search was easy and I found a CF gym within walking distance!  Thank you CrossFit Roughnecks!

CrossFit Stumptown

CrossFit Stumptown in Portland!

While in Portland last weekend, I dropped in at CrossFit Stumptown, which is also Catalyst's newest affiliate gym!  It was my first time at a Catalyst affiliate gym and I was impressed with my visit.

Rebuilding Back Strength

Rebuilding Back Strength

Lately, I've been doing more Olympic weightlifting at Catalyst Athletics.  One of the most common feedback I got from coaches was "set your back!"  Soon enough, it was clear that my back strength was far behind and possibly even limiting PRs.  So about a month ago, Steve put me on their 4-Week Leg Strength Block 1 cycle and holy cow, it did wonders!

I'M GOING TO NATIONALS!!!! / 2013 PWA Senior Open

Team Catalyst Ladies!

Last week I competed in the 2013 PWA Senior Open Olympic Weightlifting Competition, hosted by Hassel Free Barbell Club in San Francisco.  This was the last meet to qualify for the 2013 Senior Nationals in Ohio.

Although I did the Redwood Empire competition last year, I would consider this meet my first real weightlifting competition.  Last year I really had no idea what was going on.  This year I'm part of the Catalyst Athletics Weightlifting Team and as a result, I also had access to a full, dedicated coaching staff and support crew.  The team camaraderie and spirit is superb and more than one can hope for!

My goal for the meet was to qualify for Nationals.  I exceeded my goal by qualifying for the A session at Nationals!

Uniter Barbell / CrossFit SOMA

United Barbell / CrossFit SOMA

I've been commuting to SF quite often recently for work.  If I'm going to be up there for at least half the day for work, I might as well stay up there for the rest of the day, work from my favorite coffee shop, and check out a new CrossFit gym.

I decided to drop in at United Barbell / CrossFit SOMA since it was closest to the train station.

TJ's Gym - Novato / CrossFit Novato

TJ's Gym - Novato / CrossFit Novato

On our way up to the CrossFit Games - Northern California Regionals, we stopped at TJ's Gym - Novato / CrossFit Novato, one of their four locations in Marin County.  Hey, gotta get some exercise in before watching people exercise all weekend!


A few years later, I also visited TJ's Gym - San Rafael.

CrossFit Games 2013 - Northern California Regionals

2013 CrossFit Games - NorCal Regionals

In February, CrossFitters all over the world participated in the CrossFit Games Open.  The top 45 men and women, and the top 30 teams per region are invited to compete at Regionals.  The top three athletes from each division and the top 3 teams are then invited to compete in the CrossFit Games in LA.

Free Range CrossFit

6am crew post workout at Free Range CrossFit

Before heading to the airport back to Bay Area, I decided to visit one more CrossFit gym in Tempe: Free Range CrossFit.  It was nice to have a large selection of CrossFit gyms to visit.  

CrossFit South West

CrossFit South West!

Last week I was in Arizona for work so I decided to stop by CrossFit South West in Tempe.  I stopped by during their last week at the Cedar St location.  They are moving to a much bigger location on E. University this week!  The new location will have new equipment, including a new rig, and air conditioning!  Exciting!!

Systematic CrossFit

Systematic CrossFit in Monterey!

We decided to head down to Monterey for the weekend, just to chill and get away for a bit.  While we we were there we decided to check out Systematic CrossFit., a new-ish gym that just opened in February of this year.  Lucky for us, the gym was located in walking distance from our hotel on Cannery Row.  Convenience is always an added bonus!

Morels with Madeira

Morels with Madeira

I loooove mushrooms.  Last Sunday, I was lucky enough to take home some fresh wild Morel mushrooms!!!  The Morel season is typically from early to mid April to mid-June, so small window.  You have no idea how excited I was. 

Escarole and Pork

Escarole and Pork

I wasn't sure what to call this dish, but the main ingredients are escarole, ground pork, and king trumpet mushrooms.  It's kind of unique in that you can serve it as a side dish or as the main course.  I had this with Stuffed Chicken Breast.  I can also imagine it tasting pretty bomb on top some cast-iron Cauliflower 'rice'.

LaLanne Fitness

LaLanne Fitness Powered by CrossFit

Last week I was in the city for a customer onsite.  Before heading back to the South Bay, I decided to stop by LaLanne Fitness, which was the closest CrossFit gym to where I was at.  I've been meaning to stop here a few times in the past, but plans fell through.  However, I do remember what was common across all visit attempts: they were all deadlift days!

2013 CrossFit Games Open

2013 CrossFit Games Open

I decided to sign up for the CrossFit Games Open again this year.  The Open is the first step in the journey to the CrossFit Games.  The purpose of the Open is to make it accessible and so that everyone can participate and push themselves.  Therefore, you won't see anything super heavy or complex until the end of the workout, if at all.

Stuffed Chicken Breast

Stuffed Chicken Breast

Cheesy veggies wrapped in meat... it's tough to mess this one up for taste.  You'd be happy to know it's super easy to make and doesn't require much effort :)

My First Kipping Bar Muscle Up

stoked, lol.

A few weeks ago I got my first kipping bar muscle up!  While ring muscle ups may be one of my strengths, a kipping bar muscle up couldn't be harder for me to grasp.  In fact, I think it was the hardest CrossFit movement for me to learn, to date.  This was a year-long working progress and I'm glad I took the time to learn the safe, and efficient way to do these.  Also, as an added bonus, I no longer chicken wing my strict bar muscle ups.

Warning: this is a long post, but hopefully the videos make up for it =P

Arena Ready CrossFit!

CrossFit Games Open WOD13.2 at Arena Ready!

Last weekend we decided to head up to the city to do 13.2 with Liz and Hillary at Arena Ready CrossFit.  We miss these two and a visit was long overdue!