As an athlete, I know that my body NEEDS carbohydrates to fuel my workouts. In th past, I would have reached for anything available but since we decided to eat paleo I haven't been fueling my workouts properly and I have been feeling it! Even though I am eating lots of veggies (green ones) my body needs FUEL so today I decided I would prep some mashed sweet potatoes and went in search of a good recipe.
I found one that I liked that had ingredients I never would have thought to put together.
The outcome was AMAZING and I couldn't be happier.
If you have been following me for any length of time, you know that I am not the best in the kitchen. I have been known to ruin dozen of eggs with improper boiling and I have burned more meals than I would like to count but this recipe is super simple with limited ingredient and it tastes fabulous.
I started by cutting up my sweet potatoes
I placed them in the pot to boil and let them go about 20 minutes
When they were done, I drained them and set them aside to cool.
I added about a quarter cup of coconut butter and let it melt. I added my sliced banana and let it cook for 5 minutes, stirring ever so often.
Next I added the juice of 2 Halo oranges and let it cook about a minute.
I added the sweet potatoes back into the pot with 1/3 cup organic honey 1/4 cup vegetable stock and cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.
I mashed it all up until it was nice and smooth - let it cool a little bit and then portioned it out in my yellow containers so I didn't eat the entire pot!
Healthy doesn't have to be bland!
3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1/4 cup coconut butter
1 banana, sliced
2 halo orange juiced
1/4 cup chicken stock
1/3 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Salt and pepper
DirectionsBoil potatoes until tender, drain and reserve. Return the pot to the stove top over medium heat. Add butter and bananas to the pot. Cook bananas 5 minutes and add the juice of 2 orange to the pot, Allow the juice to cook out, 1 minute. Add potatoes to the pot and the stock and honey. Mash potatoes, banana, stock and honey together until well combined. Season with cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice to your taste. Mash to combine spices and serve.
I have been trying hard to not get upset over the fact that I pulled a muscle in my armpit. It has been very sore and honestly it shook me up. I am not a big fan of weight (surprise!) and with doing 21 day fix extreme last week, I stepped out of my comfort zone and got in some pretty great workouts. With that being said though, I miss running. While thinking a lot about my hiatus from running a couple things became very clear to me. First, I am a obsessive overtraining machine. I like to workout (a lot) and sometimes my 36 year old body reeeaaaallllyyy doesn't appreciate me. Second, as much as I love my treadmill, I do not like running on it in under 20 degree weather. With that being said, I have now signed up for the Love Run Half in Philadelphia at the end of March.
Have I been running? Funny you should ask that because the answer is a resounding NO!
I feel like this last year, I have grown so much into the person that I am truly meant to be and the part that has been missing in the person is the running part.
I know that marathons are out of the question for me. I don't have the time required to train for them and I honestly don't want to. It puts ton of stress on my family life and why would I want to do that?
So, if I don't want to do longer runs in my garage in sub 20 degree weather, what AM I going to do?
Enter Orangetheory.
The Orangetheory Fitness training session is comprised of three components: treadmill interval training blocks, indoor rowing and weight room or resistance training blocks. A lot of my running friends RAVE about OT and we had a location open literally 5 minutes away from my front door so why not try it out. My friend Tara invited me to go with her and at first I was a bit hesitant. I haven't run since November (except the 2 miles I ran last night in order to get ready for today :)). They offer classes that start at 5:30 am, which normally would be WAY to early for me but the hubs was on board and I set up my free trial class. You see, I don't generally push myself when I am running. I generally run for the love of it and I don't see that changing any time soon. One of the reasons that I went on my running hiatus was that it wasn't fun anymore. Training and running 100 miles a week= not FUN! I was nervous when I got there and they handed my the heart rate monitor. I have never exercised with one on before and like I said, I don't usually push myself very hard. I started out on the floor circuit which involved...weights (UGH!) Normally, I would go for the lightest weights available but the instructor wasn't having that. So, I used 12 lb weights! That may not sound like a lot o you, but to me its 7+ from what I am used to using (in each arm). I struggled a little bit but I promised myself that I was going to embrace the experience. The interesting thing to me about OT is that is a lot like what I feel that Crossfit probably looks like but with more technology. Where in crossfit you lift tires at OT you have treadmills and rowing machines. (I digress) I also like the fact that there is a WOD and that when I go back tomorrow, the workout will be completely different. My plan is to go to OT 2x's a week and to do a cross training DVD 2x's a week plus do my long runs on Saturdays (it sounds like a lot, but I wouldn't be me if I didn't do some crazy scheduled workouts). I can not wait for it to get warm outside so that I can run OUTSIDE in the HEAT!!! It's time to get back to RUNCRAZYKYLE....now if only I could go run at Disney :(
The coach network was created to offer people a way to stay accountable and have support to completing the workout programs that they were purchasing off of the informercials. We help the people to complete those programs and we help them get FIT!
You do not have to be personal trainers
You do not need to be a nutritionist
You do not need a degree in exercise physiology
You don't need to be in great shape or have abs
ANYONE CAN BECOME A COACH!
Coaching can be whatever you want it to be...
-Discount Coach: A coach just to get 25% off all of the amazing Beachbody products - no requirements to sell anything. Your Shakeology each month keeps you active. You just enjoy the benefit of a discount.
-Hobby coach (Part Time): A coach who signs up for the discount and does Beachbody on the side for some additional income or to pay for their products and programs.
-Business Builder: These coaches are the ones (like myself) who see Beachbody as their career and passion. They want to earn a significant income and want to push the limit of what this business opportunity can provide.
What kind of coach would you be?? I'm looking for 3 people who would like to join my team {Insanely Fit} as coaches. Whether you just want a discount on your Shakeology or you want to make Beachbody your career, I WANT YOU!!
Message me at kyle.jama@yahoo.com or just leave me a comment "interested" and I'll send you some more information.
Last night, I had enough! I have been diligently doing my workouts (which is never truly the problem for me) but the nutritional aspect of my life is OUT OF CONTROL. In January, our family decided to transition into a Paleo lifestyle. We did Whole 30 for the month and I was feeling GREAT and then February started and our lives have been spiraling out of control (a little dramatic but how I feel). Nutrition is where I need to spend the majority of my time focusing. I woke up this morning totally prepared to eat clean and stay focused on my goals. I worked out (Cardio Fix Extreme…review to come) and drank my Shakeology. I have been getting up early to work out since mid December when I started Insanity Max:30 and have continued to do so. I will say though that around 10 am, even only a few hours after my Shakeology, I have been starving. This morning though, I was FOCUSED.
I prepared some roasted Brussel Sprouts for my “snack”
and as I was sitting down and eating them, I looked over and that 3 day refresh box was staring back at me.
My hubs and I did the refresh last July, so I knew what to expect and since my “hard” workout was over and I know that tomorrow is Dirty 30 Extreme and Sunday is Yoga Fix Extreme, I figured why not start the refresh today. It will give me the extra kickstart that I need and help me to do it in the proper way. I was already on track, so why not use the amazing tool that I already had sitting right in front of me.
Yes, tomorrow’s workout may be more challenging but physical challenges aren’t new and I KNOW I can push through. It’s the nutritional challenges that I find really hamper my results.
So….the Fiber Sweep has gone down and that alone makes me feel successful today.
Stay tuned…it’s only 3 days- Right???
- See more at: http://crazykylefit.com/uncategorized/spontaneously-refreshed/#sthash.m12EbfQk.dpuf
So I have definitely been trying to think outside of my box when in the kitchen. Considering I am not the best cook (at all) I have been relying heavily on being teachable and following recipes to a tee!
One of the ingredients that I have been super surprised that I like is Bison. I have never been a huge meat eater but the flavor and low fat content has really got me hooked. I was definitely unsure about the flavor comination in this recipe but the sauce was AMAZING!!!! It was not overwhelmingly orange but the aminos and ginger all worked (who kneW? chefs...chefs know!)
Heat half of the coconut oil in the bottom of a skillet on medium heat. When the oil is melted and the pan is hot, add the onion, and cook, stirring, for 8 minutes, or until translucent. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for a minute, just until fragrant. Remove from heat and place onion mixture into a bowl. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.
When the onion mixture has cooled, add it to a large bowl with theground bison, thyme, and salt. Gently mix with your hands until everything is well incorporated. Form into 1-1/2" meatballs (about 20 total).
Place the rest of the coconut oil in the bottom of the skillet you used for the onions on medium heat. When the oil is melted and the pan is hot, add the meatballs. Brown for three minutes on one side, flip, and add the orange juice and liquid aminos. Cook, covered, for 10 minutes, or until cooked throughout. Remove from pan and set aside.
Leave the remaining juices in the pan and turn up to medium-high heat. Let the sauce reduce about ½, about 5-10 minutes
Serve and enjoy!!
Heat half of the coconut oil in the bottom of a skillet on medium heat. When the oil is melted and the pan is hot, add the onion, and cook, stirring, for 8 minutes, or until translucent. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for a minute, just until fragrant. Remove from heat and place onion mixture into a bowl. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.
When the onion mixture has cooled, add it to a large bowl with the ground bison, thyme, and salt. Gently mix with your hands until everything is well incorporated. Form into 1-1/2" meatballs (about 20 total).
Place the rest of the coconut oil in the bottom of the skillet you used for the onions on medium heat. When the fat is melted and the pan is hot, add the meatballs. Brown for three minutes on one side, flip, and add the orange juice and liquid aminos. Cook, covered, for 10 minutes, or until cooked throughout. Remove from pan and set aside.
Leave the remaining juices in the pan and turn up to medium-high heat. Let the sauce reduce about ½, about 5-10 minutes.
That doesn't mean that it is for everyone else in the family! Hubs really likes to have his for lunch so I have been trying to find a good recipe for egg white muffins and I finally found one that worked for all of us. Hubs has been working hard with Les Mills Pump for the last 5 weeks, so I will do just about anything to help him stay on track, which includes cooking!
Here is the recipe for Egg White Muffins.
Ingredients:
Coconut Oil Spray (i used olive oil Pam, I find that the coconut oil one doesn't work as well)
24 egg whites
12 spears asparagus
1 cup spinach trimmed
salt and pepper
cayenne pepper (to taste)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven 350.
2. Spray Muffin Tin with spray (of your choice)
3. Whisk egg whites together with salt, pepper, and cayenne.
4. Pour into prepared muffin tin evenly. (make sure you have equal amounts per tin or they will not each come out right)
5. Add Asparagus to each egg white muffin.
6. Add Spinach to each egg white muffin.
7. Bake 25-30 minutes or until egg whites are set.
8. Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
9. Serve warm or save in the fridge for a quick and easy grab and go meal.
These exceeded my expectations!! You can use any vegetables that you want but we always need more green veggies so that is what I chose to do this time. I think next time I would cut the spinach up before placing it in the egg white mixture so that there weren't just huge piles of spinach (although it does look pretty in the photos :))
I have been a sappy mess today! It's the same feeling I had after my first half marathon and after I completed the Dopey Challenge. It's that sense that I completed something that at one point in time I thought was impossible.
The changes in my body are subtle compared to the changes to my mind and to my spirit. When I finished Dopey in January 2014, I was burned out! I had done something that few other people could say that had done and my body didn't want to do it again. I was depressed and I didn't know what I was going to do. I couldn't continue running crazy amounts of miles for crazy amounts of hours per week. My family needed my time and I felt guilty giving that time to myself. Beachbody and Shaun T literally saved me! That sound dramatic even to me but it is so true. I had never done an at home program (except for my treadmill 😬) and I had never consistently cross trained. I had gotten a challenge pack with FocusT25 and it sat in that box for at least six months until that day when I just didn't want to run anymore but I needed to do something. I'm giving you a little of my backstory so please bear with me.
FocusT25 gave me results that I had never seen before and muscles in my legs that I didn't even know I needed to help me run faster. It also showed me that there was another way.
Fast forward to the release of Insanity Max:30. The name insanity scared the crap out of me! I had seen the original version and my mind said "oh no - NOT ME!" but this was a shorter version right? It was only 30 minutes and I was "allowed" to take breaks. I had learned focus and now I needed to gain my power. So, I ordered it and couldn't wait to get started.
From Day 1, Shaun tells you that he believes in you and that you CAN do it and somewhere around day 10 you start believing that you just might be able to do this! You keep pushing play, you drink your Shakeology, and you SEE your body transforming. I told a friend of mine that I was extremely glad that I had the photos to see my transformation because that stupid scale DID NOT MOVE and for the first time in my life it doesn't matter. That number that I used to define myself by for so long, it's just that- a number. That number doesn't show how many push-ups I can do or how I am able to do tuck jumps, it doesn't show the confidence I have gained or the joy I have for sharing my story of hope with others. That number means nothing!
I was able to finish month 1 feeling on top of the world and then I pushed play on month 2! To say that I felt a bit defeated can't even express my feelings enough. The entire time Shaun was beating my body down though he was lifting my spirit up. He kept telling me that I could do it and you know what... I DID! I might have "maxed out" but that was the whole point right? Learning to see your limits and trying to overcome them.
I will probably never meet Shaun but I want to be him for someone. I want to be able to help people believe that even if it's hard, they can get through. He didn't just give me a six pack (which I won't be giving back) but he gave me peace. He gave me strength and the courage to step out of hiding in the background. I couldn't say thank you enough to him because as cheesy as it sounds, my life isn't the same anymore.
I think that we all are trying to live as best as we can and for those 30 minutes every day, I could just be me- Jama, not a mom or a wife, I could be the athlete that I always knew I could be but that I never knew I was.
If you are scared to fail... don't be. You will fail, it's a guarantee but through the failure you will see who you we always meant to be! So thank you Shaun for showing me who I could become and for always believing in me- even though we may never meet you have changed me and I am eternally grateful!
