I love Curry - Curry Shrimpy Style

I received this receipt from Caveman Food Blog

This was very yummy to me and smelt great cooking, but then I love curry. It was easy to make, most time consuming thing was chopping up the onion, elery and sweet potatoes. So pretty fast and really easy.

copious amounts of coconut oil (I used about 3 T)


half a large onion ( I used a whole onion, but I cant get enough of onion)

2 tiny sweet potatoes

1 stalk of celery

a can of coconut milk

a small jar of green curry paste

1/2 cup frozen peas ( I used about 1 ½ cups)

huge handful of baby spinach ( I probably used about 3 handfuls)

1 lb shrimp ( I used the whole bag of Kroger salad shrimp)



I heated the coconut oil in a big skillet (I used a pot since this seemed to already be a lot of stuff) and set the onions, sweet potatoes and celery to browning. Then I added the curry paste and let it fry for a minute until it got fragrant (umm it smelt so good), followed by the can of coconut milk, and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Then I stirred in the peas and spinach until the spinach started to wilt, followed by the shrimp. Watched it like a hawk and removed it from the heat just when the shrimp turned pink. Done!

I plan on having leftovers for lunch today. We will see how it re-heats.

180-mile Journey.. Houston to Austin on a bike seat

This year I have been lucky enough to join many others and have signed up for the BP MS150, a two day fundraising cycling ride organized by the National MS Society. We will ride our bikes from Houston to Austin, a 180 mile journey. Along with riding my bike for 2 days, I need to raise funds for the MS Society. Please help me in this journey by making a donation to my page.

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?px=7603712&pg=personal&fr_id=12962

Turkey Stuffed Tomatoes

This was very easy too make. The only thing that really took any time was gutting the tomatoes. I got this recipe from PaleoBlocks Blogspot.

Ingredients:

3 firm large tomatoes (I used 5 as you can see)
2 cups cooked ground turkey ( I just used a whole package of Jenny-O turkey and it filled 5 tomatoes just right. I used the taco seasoning turkey meat and it added a great favor)

(I double up on everything else below)
1/4 cup walnut oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 scallion, chopped
1 tsp parsley, chopped
1 tsp fresh basil, chopped
3/4 tsp thyme

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brown ground turkey meat. Cut a hole in the top of the tomatoes and scoop pulp out. Mix turkey meat with the rest of the ingredients. Stuff the tomatoes with the mixture. Bake in glass baking dish for 10-15 minutes.

See very easy to make. Pretty tasty as well.. Hard to eat though. I just end up cutting up the tomatoe and then scooping a little meat with each bite.

Enjoy!

Paleo Blueberry Coconut Muffins

I received this recipe from CrossFit Santa Cruz Central. These tasted pretty good to me, but the texture was a little different than a muffin. It was more of an airy quiche then a muffin. But they did taste well.

Paleo Blueberry Coconut Muffins

Recipe:
1/2 C organic coconut flour (I couldn’t find coconut flour so I used almond flour)
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cream of tarter
1/4 C walnut oil or coconut oil (I used coconut oil)
1/4 C agave nectar
6 eggs
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. sea salt (optional) (I’m not a salt fan, so I skipped this)
1 C fresh or frozen blueberries (I used frozen and it worked well)

Blend together oil, eggs, agave, and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, cream of tarter and salt, and mix together well, until there are no lumps. Fold in blueberries. Spay muffin tins and/or muffin tin liners with spray oil (to prevent sticking). Fill muffins tins about 3/4 full.

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 17-19 minutes. This easily made 12 muffins.

• I would use muffin tins (the foil ones) I used the paper ones and they started to stick to the muffin, even with spraying them.

Eggs Poached in Marinara (Very Easy)

I thought this recipe was a good change for breakfast on the weekends. I personally thought the recipe calls for too much marinara per an egg. I have reduced to 1/2 per an egg.

Eggs Poached in Marinara (I got from Food Renegade)
Ingredients:
• As many eggs from pastured hens as you want to serve.
• At least 1 c. of marinara or other favorite pasta sauce per egg.

Directions:
In a deep dish skillet bring marinara sauce to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to medium low so that the sauce is no longer bubbling. With a spoon, create “slots” for your eggs — tiny indentations in the marinara that will act like “bowls” in the sauce and hold your eggs in their places. Crack open one egg per slot.

Cover the skillet with lid and be patient. Cook eggs until they reach your desired consistency. I personally like them with runny yolks, but some may like them cooked hard.

Spoon eggs and a generous portion of sauce into serving bowls. Enjoy!

Almost had a visit by Pukey!

I have started personal training (“PT”) with one of our very own CrossFit rockstars and Bayou City Angel Katie Russell. Yesterday was my second time to meet with her. I thought we were friends, but I was mistaken; she actually hates me. (J/K)
I have chosen to take on a PT to help me in the areas that need improving: Pullups (more than one at a time), tricep pushups (nipples to mat), box jumps (like a spring), double-unders (without having to clear out a path behind me), speed (no commentary needed here, it just sucks).. the list goes on and on. I can do them all, but there is room for improvement in ALL and so much more.

CrossFit is known for pushing people to the limits and even takes a little pride in making people puke. Hence, the Mascot Pukey the Clown. I have been doing CrossFit for over a year now and in that time I have almost puked once. Maybe I haven’t been pushing myself as much I think I am. Yesterday Katie had me working on sprint work. Holy cow. Twice Pukey almost visited. (Thanks Katie for going in and getting Vic so if it did happen there would be more witnesses, I’m telling you there is some pride in it). Who would think a minute forty-five of work could hurt so badly. After my PT session last night I was whooped. That’s what it is all about right. I’m looking forward to how my results will be changing in the near future (and my body).

I urge all of you that want to improve on your skills to look at personal training, Bayou City has some great coaches that offer there services and knowledge of the craft. It has its rewards.

400 Sprint back in August 1:58; Yesterday 1:45

Jambalaya

Last night I made another tasty receipe from Mark's Daily Apple. This did take a little time to prepare with all the ingrediants and chopping, but was fairly simple. And it made a lot. Would be great for those cold nights we have been having. Would also be great to just leave in a crockpot for a Super Bowl Party.

Ingredients:

2 large chicken breasts, cut in bite-size pieces
1 lb. sausage (I used a spicy pepper sausage from Trader Joe's) I used a jalepeno flavored sausage
Olive oil... about 1/4 C (or less)
1 small yellow onion, chopped I used a whole pretty good size onion, but i like onion
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic
1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained, low sodium i used a can that had itilian seasoning
1.5 C low sodium chicken broth
1 tsp. dried thyme
1-2 T fresh parsley, chopped
1 large head of cauliflower
2 C shelled, deveined and cleaned shrimp (I got a 16oz bag at Trader Joe's) I just used a whole back of the small salad size shrimp
some fresh ground pepper to taste! I used cayenne pepper

In a large skillet, heat olive oil and brown chicken pieces and sausage over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic. When onion becomes translucent, transfer to a large pot and add tomatoes, broth, thyme, and parsley. Simmer.... While jambalaya is simmering make some cauliflower rice: Put cauliflower in food processor ( I don't have a food processor, so i just chopped into pieces) and shred until it becomes the consistency of rice. Then, add cauliflower "rice" to the mixture and simmer, uncovered for another 10-15 minutes. Add the shrimp and simmer another 5+ minutes. Add some pepper to taste!

This is approximately 4 - 1.5 C servings. (Zone blocks: 3F, 2P, 1C)

Successful Paleo Recipes

Sunday night I cooked Paleo Meatloaf and Mashed Curry Cauliflower. Both big hits in my book, so I thought I would share.

Paleo Meatloaf

1 diced red onion

2 lbs of grass fed ground beef (I used Itialian seasoned ground Turkey meat)
1 cup almond meal
2 eggs
1 can tomato paste
1 tbsp crushed garlic
1/2 tbsp sea salt
2 tbsp dried basil
cracked black pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients by hand in a large mixing bowl. Place meat mixture into a large glass baking pan and form into a loaf. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until meat is no longer pink in the middle.


Mashed Curry Cauliflower

Bioled the cauliflower until tender. Drain really well. Place the cauliflower in a blender with a little bit of coconut milk, Curry powder (I used just enough to turn the color yellow, but I like curry. add to your liking), pepper and blend til smooth consistency.

Doomsday Clock to move Thursday - Which way will it go?

The minute hand of the Doomsday Clock is set to move this Thursday. Which way will the hand move?

I never really knew this clock existed. Now I'm intrigued which way it will move. Are all beauty queens dreams coming true and we are moving towards World Peace, or are all these terrorist attacks causing more and more war around the World?

This clock has only been changed 18 times since 1947. Furthest time away was 7 minutes and closest was 2 minutes. This occurred in 1953 when the clock was changed to two minutes to midnight after the United States and the Soviet Union each tested thermonuclear devices within nine months of one another. We are currently at 5 minutes; which was changed from 7 minutes to 5 minutes in Jan 07, the clocks last move.

This event will take place at 9 a.m. Central on Jan. 14. (You can watch the live Web feed at http://www.turnbacktheclock.org/.)

3 Month Paleo Challenge has Begun

Bayou City CrossFit has begun their 3 month Paleo challenge on Jan. 9th.

It was one of the coldest days in Houston that Saturday morning. I kept hitting my snooze button and checking my phone for a text message that the WOD would be postponed due to freezing temperatures. But in true CrossFit style we would have none of that. That’s a sign of weakness. Deal with what you’re given. We show up, we have a brief discussion on what the challenge is about what to expect what hopefully we should gain out of this. The inspiration and the carrot in front of us – one year free of CrossFit. Hell yeah I’m in.

We did not weigh for this challenge as weight is not something we should be concerned about. They took my picture in my sports bra, which was hard for me. Even though most people at the compound have seen me in a bathing suit; it’s weird to walk around in a sports bra. So they took a front view and side view picture. They also measured by stomach, hips, left thigh and left arm. My measurements are at home but I will post in comments tomorrow. I figured if I put this out here to the readers I have to be more dedicated. I wouldn’t want to let you down. It gives me more creditability. The benchmark WOD:

"Helen"

400m Run

21 KB Swings

12 Pullups

3rds

Did I mention it was freezing in Houston that morning? Start off with the run and you can't breathe the air is so cold, and then you have to come in and pick a metal kettlebell. Soooo cold. Then go to a metal pull-up bar. That first round i really thought my finger tips were going to fall off from frost bite. It was pretty painful. As my body temperature raised things got better. I ran round 2 and 3 with my hands in my sleeves and my body heat inside my shirt helped with my hands staying warmer. It was tough in that freezing weather but we all got through it.

The last time I did “Helen” was in August of 09. I finished in 26min something and used a band. This time I was faster without a band. (I will post my time in comments when I look at my log book) There is still definite room for improvement.

Wish me luck and we will come back to this in 3 months. April 9, 2010.

Seeing Results.. feels good

Last night we did “Karen”. (That’s what he said)

“Karen” was my introduction into CrossFit, back in October 2008. On my first day to CrossFit, I went in not really knowing anything about CrossFit and intimidated by the photos on the website. My friend and workout buddy, Natalie, was determined to try this new place out. I was up for something new, the boot camp we were attending was starting to get cold and dark anyways. WOD was “Karen”. That meant nothing to us. 150 Wall Balls also meant nothing to us. We did our introductions. Bayou City CrossFit was fairly new back then and Natalie and I were the only ones in the class. So we learned about CrossFit, did some basic steps type of things, learned some of the terminology and so forth. Vic then ask what are exercise routine currently was and we mentioned that we attend a boot camp and have a personal trainer once a week among other things we randomly throw at ourselves, while training for sprint tris and half marathons. He was like well you should be find, lets do today’s WOD. This really wasn’t what I was looking for on the first day, but no wasn’t what he was hearing and 3-2-1-Go we were off. I can’t believe I ever went back after that.

It is 15 months later and I still love CrossFit and look forward to my training there. The great community that we have at Bayou City helps with that, but also because I have gotten stronger from 15 months of CrossFit then anything I have tried before.

My time for “Karen” back in October 2008 was 16:21 and I’m sure that was probably with 8lb ball. January 6, 2010 time 9:50 with Rx’d 12lb ball.

New Challenge

I am one of those that always needs something new to motivate me, needs direction and support. I need someone to say Kim do this or not to eat that. I can't just come up with a routine on my own.

I came across a great blog today, Oh She Glows, and she has recently started a Whittle My Middle challenge. I am a few days behind schedule; she started January 1st, but I'm going to jump in on this. Who can't use some ab work! And, actually running a few days behind Angela works out well for me this month, since I will be on a cruise for a week and this way I will already have my ab workouts with me.

Hope y'all join me and post how you're coming along and how your abs are feeling.

If you need to start out slow, Angela did the first challenge back in November and the workouts are still posted. These started with less time and that way you are able to work your way up to longer times in your planks. Start with that and then maybe do this challenge next time.

Here's to great abs and good luck.