Cross Aruba / Muscles & Lungs CrossFit

Cross Aruba / Muscles and Lungs CrossFit

Bon Bini Aruba!  We had the warmest welcome when we arrived at Cross Aruba / Muscles and Lungs CrossFit!  Surprisingly, Aruba had more than one CrossFit gym on the island and I actually learned about them from CrossFit A297 (since they weren't on map.crossfit.com before my trip).  We were so glad we stopped by since we had an awesome time and got some tasty Aruban plate lunch with a couple trainers afterwards that brought me straight back to home!

CrossFit A297

CrossFit A297

The first CrossFit gym we visited in Aruba was CrossFit A297.  We were there in September.  They've been open for a little over a year now but for some reason map.crossfit.com only updated their existence around the time I was in Aruba.  When I initially searched, there were no CrossFit gyms in Aruba and I was set to do hotel workouts.  However, while browsing through TripAdvisor for attractions to see, I found CrossFit A297 and contacted them for a visit!

CrossFit 808 -- New Location!

CrossFit 808's New Location!

Whenever I go home, I love visiting CrossFit 808 as it's one of my favorite CrossFit boxes on the island!  This time around, they just moved into their new location, which is almost 6x as big as their previous one!  Finally the bigger, much needed gym!

51st Don Wilson Golden West Open

51st Don Wilson Golden West Open @ Cal Strength

Last week I competed in the 51st Don Wilson Golden West Open at Cal Strength in San Ramon.  What a drive from the Peninsula, but I'm glad I did it!  It was my first meet since Nationals and also my first weekend in the Bay Area in awhile.  I've been traveling too much recently.  

This was a two-day meet, the smaller weight classes going on Saturday, and the rest on Sunday.  Alyssa, Blake and I went on Saturday, while Danielle and Chelsea went on Sunday.  

CrossFit West Oahu

CrossFit West Oahu

One of my favorite CrossFit couples and gym owners, Keoni and Rose, have expanded their business to the west side of Oahu.  Keoni and Rose are the owners of CrossFit East Oahu in Niu Valley, and a few months ago, took over KSAC and renamed it to CrossFit West Oahu.  

CrossFit 5 Triple 9

CrossFit 5 Triple 9 trainers & us

For our first vacation this year, we decided to go to Curaçao and Aruba in the Dutch Caribbean in September!  During our three days in Curaçao, we managed to check out CrossFit 5 Triple 9 in Willemstad.  CrossFit 5 Triple 9 is the only CrossFit gym on the island of Curaçao!

CrossFit Napa Valley

CrossFit Napa Valley

We were in south Napa about a month ago for a work retreat at the Meritage Resort.  Since that involved a lot of epic eating and drinking, obviously I had to work some of it off.  I was leaving for Aruba the next day, so I wanted to find a gym that would let me do my weightlifting programming.  Lucky for me, CrossFit Napa Valley, was just one mile away!  

Making Goals Reality: My 60kg Snatch!

Jes Snatch 60kg at 48kg BW

On Monday, I snatched 60kg at 48kg bodyweight!  This wasn't an ordinary PR for me.  I wanted this so bad since the time I decided to switch from CrossFit to Weightlifting, just over a year ago.  Up until last month, I wasn't confident that I could make it this year, but instead, I surprised myself this week and turned this goal into reality.  

TJ's Gym - Mill Valley

TJ's Gym - Mill Valley

While heading up to San Rafael for work, for hopefully the last week in awhile, I decided to drop in at TJ's Gym Mill Valley for a workout.  I've been to the original San Rafael location in the past and also the Novato one (when it was a TJ's Gym).  TJ's Gym Mill Valley was along the way and I knew it wouldn't be a disappointment 

Zion Narrows Top-Down

The Zion Narrows: Top-Down Overnight Hike!

So glad I finally got to writing this post.  It's long but the hike was priceless.  The night after Weightlifting Nationals in Salt Lake City, Hillary, Liz, Colin and I drove down to Zion National Park to hike the famous Narrows!  We were so excited since the scenery on the hike was suppose to be spectacular!  It was also all of our first times river hiking!  What an experience!

LARABAR Renola

LARABAR Renlola

We all know what LARABARs are; they were one of the first "Paleo-friendly" bars in the market.  A few months ago, they launched RENOLA, a new type of "granola" made of nuts, fruits, seeds, and spices, and sent me some samples to try out. 

Five Points CrossFit

Five Points CrossFit

On my way home for the week (!), I stopped at Five Points CrossFit in Corte Madera for a workout.  When I pulled into the parking lot, there was a giant regular called Five Points Fitness.  Confused, I went in and asked where the CrossFit gym was.  Turns out it's in the back.  After making my way over to the back, I was pleasantly surprised with a completely outdoors CrossFit gym!  Suns out, guns out all day!

Pacheco Valley CrossFit

Pacheco Valley CrossFit

While in San Rafael for work, I'd like to check out all the gyms within a 5-mile radius and believe it or not, there's quite a few of them.  After coming off of Nationals, I figure it's a good time to squeeze in a CrossFit workout here and there.  Last Friday, I visited Pacheco Valley CrossFit in south Novato!  I actually was going to visit them back in May around their grand opening, but the timing was off so I'm glad I got to make the visit this time around!

Fuel for Fire

Fuel for Fire Fuel Packs

A few weeks ago, Fuel for Fire sent me some samples of their Fuel Packs.  Funny thing is, around the time they contacted me, I was literally about to purchase some to take to Nationals with me but didn't quite fully execute on that.  A good friend of mine loves them and convinced me to try them out.  So when they contacted me, I was stoked to try them out.

TJ's Gym - San Rafael

The first TJ's Gym: TJ's Gym San Rafael!

After weeks and weeks in San Rafael, I've been meaning to make my way over to the original and first TJ's Gym, established in 2002!  Man, at that time I just started high school and had no interest in exercising.  Thing have obviously changed.  Though I traveled a lot leading up to Nationals, I didn't visit many CrossFit gyms as our Nationals cycle was quite intense.  Anyway, I've been to the Novato location a couple years ago and absolutely loved it, so I was curious what the other locations would be like. 

2014 USAW Senior National Championships

My awesome coaches @ I at weightlifting Nationals 2014!

Two weeks ago I competed in the 2014 USA Weightlifting Senior National Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The competition was at the Grand America Hotel, which is pretty much the best hotel in SLC and a HUGE upgrade from last year's roller rink venue.  More than 400 athletes competed at Nationals, making 2014 the largest weightlifting nationals ever!  There were two platforms running simultaneously and weight classes had multiple sessions.  

It was my second time at Nationals and this year, Catalyst Athletics sent 10 lifters: a full women's team and almost a men's team!  The National Catalyst lifters were: me (48kg), Danielle Welihozkiy (53kg), Jessica Salvaggio (58kg), Alyssa Sulay (63kg), Chelsea Ryan (69kg), Tamara Solari (75+), Blake Barnes (69kg), Zack Height (85kg), our coach: Greg Everett (105kg), and Brian Wilhelm (105+).

CrossFit Wall Street

CrossFit Wall Street

While in New York briefly for work, I dropped in for a workout at CrossFit Wall Street in Manhattan.  Had timing not have been so tight, I wouldn't have dropped in at CrossFit Wall Street.  They have the most extensive visitor policy I've seen to date and it took a lot of effort to get the green light for a drop in there.  Needless to say, I had a pretty good time there.  

USAW National Championships -- This Weekend!

Come watch Catalyst Athletics @ Nationals!

I am on a plane to Salt Lake City now to compete in the 2014 USAW National Championships!  I can't believe it's already time... and for my second Nationals!  With all the work travel I've been doing for the past 12 weeks, I lost track of time.

I think this will be USAW's biggest National Championships ever, with over 400 athletes, multiple platforms, and multiple sessions for each weight class.  I'm still lifting as part of the Catalyst Athletics Weightlifting Team and this year we have ten people going to Nationals!  I hope we medal as a team again this year!

You can watch us all LIVE at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake Cityor via webcast at: http://www.teamusa.org/usa-weightlifting/LIVE  

My blog post about Nationals.

Baked Chicken with Capers and Olives

Lemon Baked Chicken with Capers and Olives

I've been playing around with cooking with chicken recently since I feel like it's one of those proteins easily and often overcooked, but is so good when done right: moist, tender and full of flavor.  So for my 200th post, I'm excited to share with you one of my new favorite Paleo dishes: lemon baked chicken with capers and olives.  Check it out!

Paleo Cauliflower "Couscous"

Cauliflower "Couscous"

'Tis the season for cauliflower!  If you go to the Farmer's market now, you'll probably find many farms with lots of cauliflower, colored cauliflower, and even Romanesco.  I've been on a Mediterranean/Spanish/Moroccan/Israeli kick lately.  A couple weeks ago I made a baked chicken dish with lemon, capers, and olives and had it with some couscous (the real deal).  After my first serving, I figured I could do with out the couscous and sub it for the healthier and gluten free cauliflower mock version of it.  I try to cook with ingredients in season as much as possible, so with cauliflower fresh and in abundance, I figured it would be a great time to take a stab at our version of the Paleo "Couscous."  I want to say it has a Mediterranean flair to it, but I don't know the cuisine well enough to claim that.  Regardless, it's still pretty freaking good.

CrossFit Hell's Kitchen

CrossFit Hell's Kitchen

While in New York for the weekend, I dropped in for a workout at CrossFit Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan.  I wanted to stop by the closest CrossFit gym to our hotel, since we had plans all weekend.  It served it's purpose and I got my workout in.

West Bay CrossFit

West Bay CrossFit

I've been in San Rafael for quite some time now.. every week for the past six weeks.  I've been to a couple gyms here already and I actually really like one of them, but I just wanted to try out some other gyms.  Most of the CrossFit gyms in San Rafael are located in central San Rafael.  I think there are 4 or so of them.  West Bay CrossFit was the first to respond to my visit request, so I decided to check them out first. 

CrossFit Leviathan

CrossFit Leviathan

While in Toronto for wedding weekend, a workout was definitely in order to burn off some of the food we ate.  This time we stayed near the center of Toronto in Yorkville.  Since we had to stay near the hotel, we dropped in to the closest CrossFit gym we can find: CrossFit Leviathan.  We were so happy they had a Sunday class as most CF gyms do not! 

CrossFit PB / CrossFit North PB

CrossFit PB & CrossFit North PB

While in San Diego, I had to visit my really good college friend's gym: CrossFit North PB and the sister gym CrossFit PB in Pacific Beach.  I've actually been to CrossFit PB before, at the old location next door to the urgent care, when Greg just started and I had no clue what it was.  I didn't quite join CrossFit immediately after, but the seed was planted.  A lot has changed, as they're no longer in that location, they got a second location about a mile north, and their new space is quite the upgrade!

Eastgate CrossFit

Eastgate CrossFit / Eastgate CrossFit Barbell Club

I was in San Diego a few weekends ago, just for fun.  After finishing remote work on Friday near UCSD in La Jolla, we decided to check out Eastgate CrossFit nearby.  The deal was I could have sangrias and binge eat after working out.  I'm so glad we stopped by as we had such a great time at the gym!  

Roasted Beet & Mâche Salad with Toasted Walnuts and Avocado

Roasted Beet & Mâche Salad with Toasted Walnuts and Avocado

You can say I've been on a Thomas Keller kick recently and I think that's because of our frequent trips up to Napa and dining at ad hoc.  The other reason is because his beets recipes are so tasty and beets are season!   

Baked Beets

Baked Beets!

I've never been a huge fan of beets, probably because I was fed the terrible kinds, such as canned beets.  After dining at L'Arpège in Paris and ad hoc a handful of times this spring, I grew to really like beets.  They're sweet, juicy, bursting in flavor and so in season now!  So the next step of course is to cook them.  Baking them is my favorite style to eat them.  I've been getting them every week at the farmer's market!  SO GOOD!!

Corey's Gym / North Bay CrossFit

Corey's Gym / North Bay CrossFit

Working out, especially when traveling for work is really important to me.  It keeps me sane and is probably the only real time I get up and move around for that day.  So regardless of how early or late a class may be, I'll do it.  Under time pressure, I visited the closest gym to my hotel and client site, Corey's Gym / North Bay CrossFit.  What a cute homey little gym!

Tamalpais CrossFit

Tamalpais CrossFit

While driving up to San Rafael for work, I stopped at Tamalpais CrossFit for a workout before heading to my hotel.  I pass San Rafael all the time when going to Sonoma or Napa, but never stopped.  I might be coming to San Rafael more often for work, so I wanted to explore gym options.  Tamalpais CrossFit was one of the gyms I really wanted to visit first because they are both a CrossFit and Weightlifting gym.  

Whole Roasted Chicken on a Bed of Root Vegetables

Roasted Chicken on a Bed of Root Vegetables

After dining at ad hoc restaurant multiple times in the past month, I decided to buy the cookbook: ad hoc at home.  I've always loved Thomas Keller restaurants but Ad hoc is truly special.  It's one of my favorite restaurants in the greater Bay Area, and definitely a must every time I go up to Napa.  I love how it's simple foods you can cook at home using equipment you own at home, but done way better than you.

Inspired to go back to basics, I decided to make one recipe per week from the book.  The first recipe I made out of the book was one of Thomas Keller's signature dishes: whole roasted chicken on XYZ, depending on the season, and in this case whole roasted chicken on a bed of root vegetables.  I know root veggies are technically winter veggies, but I saw them at the farmer's market and had to snag a few before summer kicks in.

CrossFit Southie

CrossFit Southie

I was so excited to be back in Boston last weekend!  It's one of my favorite cities on the east coast and I haven't been back since college.  Fortunately for us, we came just in time for the beautiful weather: sunny and clear skies.  To kick the weekend off, I dropped in at CrossFit Southie for a quick workout.  It was much needed given all the food and number of cocktails I had.

Roasted Brussels Sprout Chips - 2 ways!

Roasted Brussels Sprout Chips - 2 ways!

I feel like everyone has some kind of brussels sprouts story.  Some go crazy over them and some seriously try to avoid them.  I used to hate them.  Smelling them from a distance would already throw me off.  Then one day, drunk at a fancy bar, I had brussels sprouts chips and thought they were amazing.  Afterwards, I was on a mission to make Paleo/Primal brussels sprouts chips!

This recipe is for Roasted Brussels Sprout Chips with:

• Lemon Salt and Italian Basil
• Lemon Salt and Bacon

Franco Fitness / 100 Proof CrossFit

Franco Fitness / 100 Proof CrossFit

Last weekend I went up to Napa to celebrate my birthday!  We usually go up to Napa all the time but are too busy drinking and eating to squeeze a workout in.  This time we had plans to eat at the Meadowood.  To avoid Friday night traffic, to feel good about our meal, and to distract us from stuffing our faces before eating at a 3 Michelin star restaurant, we decided to drop in for a workout at 100 Proof CrossFit, also known as Franco Fitness!  We had an awesome experience ther and it was just what we needed to kickoff the weekend of epic eating and drinking!

Training Today

My training thoughts from today.

Two weeks ago I posted about my experience at the Hassle Free Open and how I believe I did well even when sick because I was able to mentally keep calm.  I actually had another (recipe) post ready to go for this week, but after training today, I felt so incline to write this post.  So if you decide to keep reading, it will probably be just a rant.

Hiking the Na Pali Coast: Kalalau Trail

Handstands at Kalalau Beach!

During my trip back home last Fall, we went to Kauai to hike the famous Na Pali Coast on the North Shore.  The Kalalau Trail is 11-miles long and ends at the beautiful Kalalau Beach, which is only accessible with a permit by the hike or by boat.  This is one of the most famous hikes in the world and I'm so glad we made it there and back safely!  Crossing the infamous sea cliffs was the scariest moment of my life, to date.  That being said, the Na Pali Coast is hands down the most beautiful place I've ever seen, and hence making every bit of the hike so worth it.

I've been meaning to write this post for awhile.  I thought about it this past weekend since it would be a great time to secure some permits before they're all gone.  It's been about six months since I've done the hike, but I still remember every bit of it.  Better late than never!

2014 Hassle Free Open & Invitational

A few Catalyst Ladies @ the Hassle Free Open & Invitational

Last week we competed in the 2014 Hassle Free Open & Invitational, hosted by Kevin's gym in Foster City!  This meet was a step up from your standard local meet.  People around the US flew in for it as it was also a trial session for international competitions and hence, the invitational part.  The meet also spanned the entire weekend and was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.  This is the last meet the Catalyst team will participate in before Nationals in July!

CrossFit Posted

CrossFit Posted

I visited two CrossFit gyms while in Burr Ridge, IL for work.  The other gym I visited was: CrossFit Posted!  Like my other inquiries, I originally asked to do my weightlifting programming and got the green light.  However, I ended up getting that all done before the trip so I opted for the class.  They were happy to accommodate either way!