Yoga Dude gave us this recipe over the holidays - these burgers are outstanding and easy to make! Tweak the recipe to suit your tastes.
Jalapeno Burgers:
1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. ground pork
4 small jalapenos, seeded and chopped finely
1 shallot, chopped
2 or 3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. chili powder
Salt/pepper to taste
Cooked strips of bacon for a topper
Head of purple cabbage - peel off large leaves and steam - these are the "buns" for the burgers.
Mix all of the ingredients together and form burgers. We grilled ours but you could cook them on the stovetop. I also mixed up a green salad with balsamic vinegar and put the salad on top of the burgers...delicious!
We're 5 days in to the Gluten Free January Challenge. How is it going for you? Are you struggling with anything? Getting cravings for some of the things you used to eat on a regular basis? Have you caved in to any of those cravings in a weak moment?
Remember the KISS principle - keep things simple stupid! Don't overcomplicate things. Eat a quality protein at each meal, and fill the rest in with veggies. That's all there is to it. Also, we do have our FaceBook page for the challenge - don't be afraid to use it to ask questions, or as an accountability tool.
We are looking in to carrying some new products at the gym. VitaCoco is a yummy coconut beverage that's a great post workout beverage. We stumbled upon Nicole's Nutty Goodness while traveling down to South Carolina. It's a bar that's similar to Lara Bars, but are completely vegan, raw, and about 90% organic. And when we can get our hands on a freezer, we'll be carrying local, grass fed ground beef from Griffin Farms! Yummy!
Also, starting today, we're going to be raising the price on the eggs to $4.50/dozen.
While this is completely anecdotal, I haven't had a flu shot since 1994, and I haven't had the flu since 1999. Since "cleaning" up my diet in 2007, I have had very few colds. Neil is rarely sick, and he's never had a flu shot. The girls do get sick every now and then, but they don't get the Mac Daddy illness that so many kids get. Martha did get what I figured was the swine flu a couple of years ago, but thankfully, she's none the worse for wear!
Eat clean, and your immune system will get stronger. My personal opinion is that if you limit pain reliever/fever reducer use in yourself, and more importantly, in your kids, you/they will be healthier overall.
Here's an interesting article from Dr. Joseph Mercola about flu vaccinations. I realize that Mercola is somewhat controversial, however he does bring up some good points that are worth digesting.
I want you to be educated, thinking adults with regards to your health and fitness. Exercise and nutrition are obvious aspects of that. There are other aspects that need to be considered. Just sayin'.
When you do notice any congestion at the onset of an illness, your best bet is to eliminate all sugar and dairy. Both bacteria and viruses (or vira if you're a Latin geek) feed upon sugar, therefore you should limit their food source. Dairy is a known mucus thickener, and you certainly don't want your mucus more thick than it needs to be while ill!
Here are a couple of other links that promote healthy flu treatment. Give it a whirl ... what have you got to lose?
Here's our Bad Weather Policy: If the roads look bad, class will be canceled. We can't go by Montgomery County as they close for super cold temperatures, and snow in Elliston, for example. Use your head! If we know that there is snow forecasted, we'll do our best to post on the website what's going on. Thanks for your patience and understanding!
This is a great post from Lisbeth Darsh, CrossFit coach, former affiliate owner, and affiliate coordinator for CrossFit HQ.
P90X vs. CrossFit: The Debate Simplified
5 Reasons I Should Be Doing P90X instead of CrossFit:
1.) It’s a cheaper program.
2.) I would do it all alone.
3.) When I fail, no one would know and I could just carry on like I was never really trying anyhow.
4.) I would be working out in my living room.
5.) It’s “risk-free for 90 days!”
5 Reasons Why I Should Not Be Doing P90X Instead of CrossFit
1.) It’s a cheaper program.
2.) I would do it all alone.
3.) When I fail, no one would know and I could just carry on like I was never really trying anyhow.
4.) I would be working out in my living room.
5.) It’s “risk-free for 90 days!”
A Christmas Party with your living room workout buddies just isn't the same!
Happy New Year to all of our CrossFit Friends! Thanks for making 2011 such a great year at CrossFit Blacksburg. 2012 promises to be even bigger and better. Get ready for some special events and challenges through out the year - starting today! The first challenge of the year is Gluten Free January. Nothing complicated, just eliminate gluten from your diet. Follow along on our Facebook page, and share your experiences! Need some ideas for meals? Check out our recipe page.
Reminder - Monday January 2nd there will only be a 9 AM class! The regular schedule resumes Tuesday January 3rd at 6:30 AM.
Holiday Challenge - Day 39 and Go Gluten-Free for January! It's super-easy! Shoot me an email if you need help or recipes...
Wishing all of you the happiest of holidays and a prosperous and better you 2012! We'll see you bright and early on January 2, 2012!
Melissa Joulwan hosts the blog, The Clothes Make The Girl, where you can find all sorts of great recipes and inspiration...Check it out! Here is her recipe for her yummy chili...
Mel’s Favorite Chili:
Ingredients:
the base:
2 tablespoons of your favorite fat: olive oil, coconut oil
2 onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 lbs. ground meat (lean beef, pork, turkey, veal, bison, or a mix)
-
spices:
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon salt
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liquids:
14.5 oz. can chopped tomatoes (I like Muir Glen fire-roasted.)
6 oz. tomato paste
14.5 oz. can beef broth
12 oz. water
Directions:
1. Heat the oil in a large soup pot. Add onions and saute ’til soft. Add garlic and let heat ’til fragrant, about 2 minutes. DO NOT BURN THE GARLIC. Add the meat and sauté until browned and crumbled.
2. Blend all the spices in a small bowl. Add to pot and stir well, about 1 minute.
3. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, and water to the pot. Stir well.
4. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low so the pot has a gentle simmer. SIMMER FOR AT LEAST 2 HOURS. Do not skimp on the simmer. Just as rest time is the magic time when you build your strength, simmering is the magic time when the flavors meld.
Variations:
Add additional quality fats with some chopped black olives, green olives, or avocado slices (or all three!).
Add more veggies by serving over a bed of cooked spaghetti squash, grated zucchini, or baby spinach leaves.
Remember, we're closed next week, and on 1/2/12 there will only be a 9 AM class.
We are challenging YOU to spend one month living completely gluten-free. That’s it, it’s that simple. We have created a “Gluten Free January” Facebook page that will help keep you connected with everyone who is participating in the Challenge. You can also look forward to tips, videos, recipes, and general motivation to help YOU succeed! If you’re in, sign-up on the Event page and get vocal and stay active as we help support each other in the constant pursuit of a healthier lifestyle!
So, what exactly does gluten-free mean? It means excluding all food AND drink items that contain gluten. What's on the list? Some of the obvious ones are
wheat
rye
barley
bulgur
Some of the sneaky ones are
malt vinegar
soy and teriyaki sauce
most gravies
most prepared meats
seitan
Go here to see a complete list. While it might seem difficult, it really isn't all that hard. I know you can do it!
The Big Man died this year...."you better be good for goodness sake!"
60 Day Challenge - Day 37 - yet again, I sure do have a lot of burpees to catch up on!
Schedule Reminder - we'll be closed next week, between Christmas and New Years. We are having class on Christmas Eve at 9 AM. On January 2nd, we'll have only one class at 9 AM. Tuesday January 3 we'll resume our regular schedule, minus mobility and supplemental classes.
While this has absolutely nothing to do with health, fitness, or nutrition, I just keep laughing at this. Thanks Dawn for sending it my way!
I realize that change is difficult. No one likes it, and it’s hard.
However, if something is going on in your life that you don’t like, why not figure out a fix and CHANGE IT?
We have people come to us all the time with a problem. That problem might be an achin’ back, it might be carrying an extra 10, or 20, or 30, or 50 pounds, or it might be the inability to keep up with your kids or carry a load of laundry up the steps. We have the solution, yet many won’t accept it. And when that happens, here’s what goes through my mind …
What I’d like to say is that obviously what you’ve been doing for the last 10, 15, 20 … years isn’t working for you. Try something different, something that thousands of people have had great success with, something that I, as your coach with 20 years of experience, strongly suggest that you try. What do you have to lose? Just that 30, or whatever pounds, and the thing that’s preventing you from doing what you want.
“I can’t do that.” “That’s too hard.” “I can’t give up X.” Well, I guess you’re going to keep wallowing in your problem. You’re like the 3 year old who is willing to sit in his dirty diaper just because he’s too lazy (and the parents are too) to learn how to use the potty. This doesn’t apply only to nutrition and fitness. Dave Ramsey, a financial guru, often says that it takes a good amount of disgust in yourself to make a change.
If this gets you thinking, do something about it. First step for many is going to be eliminating sugar. It’s one step among many. Do it. Now.
Have any questions? Just ask. But be prepared to hear the honest truth.
As a 39 year old soccer mom I was hesitant to join a gym. The minute I walked into CrossFit Blacksburg I knew that CrossFit was NOT just another gym. What I found were trainers who cared about my fitness and my success to becoming a better me, a sense of accomplishment every time I completed a workout, a class atmosphere that pushed me competitively, and gave me that sense of cameraderie as we "battled" together to challenge ourselves and work harder than we thought we could. I feel that during my year at CrossFit Blacksburg I have become stronger physically and mentally, more confident in my abilities as an athlete, and healthier. I now think that I am more up to the challenge of chasing 3 kids, working full time and turning 40! CrossFit kicks my butt every time I go and I always leave feeling like I have pushed myself to perform at a higher level than I ever thought I could! I am addicted!
