Need a Quick Dip Recipe?

 

     I am not a football fan, but even I know Superbowl Sunday is coming.  If you need a  quick dip recipe, this post is for you!  It involves cream cheese and a sweet chili sauce. I got both from Trader Joe's. Simply blend the two together and you have a creamy, sweet and spicy dip.  Serve with pretzel chips or tortilla chips.   An easy and delicious Yum!

January Favorite Things

     Hello all!  This is my monthly favorites post.  This is a random list of foods, events, podcasts, movies, makeup and anything else I enjoyed throughout the month.  Here are January's picks:

Truffle Salt 

This is the perfect seasoning for soups, veggies, meat, anything really.  This flavorful finishing salt gives winter dishes a rich earthy taste.  During the cold months, I just keep it on the counter and add to everything.

Yerba Matte Tea

My favorite way to start a work day is to brew a cup of loose leaf tea, even better if it is Yerba Matte.  It gives you a caffeine and chocolate boost.  The loose leaf version, allows for multiple brewing, so I have up 3 cups of this a day.  (Of course, I still have coffee- this does not replace coffee!)

Whip Stick  from Lush Cosmetics

My lips are being wrecked by the cold weather and my usual chapstick is just not cutting it. Thank goodness for this lip balm. Did I mention I have the chocolate flavored one?  Yeah...that might have something to do with it being a favorite.

Welcome to Nightvale Podcast

I talked about this in my Favorite Podcast posts. I discovered it in December and in 3 days had listened to all 37 back episodes.  I can hardly wait for the 1st and 15th of each month now, to find out what happens next.  If you like dark and weird humor, give it a try.

Blackfish  

A moving and informative documentary on orcas in captivity. It focuses on the infamous orca,  Tilikum, who has been involved in the deaths of three people.  Orcas have always freaked me out, probably because they are usually called Killer Whales, but this movies does a wonderful job highlighting their intelligence and social bonds. It is a tear-jerker, but also thought-provoking. It is currently on Netflix, if you are interested.

Sactown Throwdown

This is the largest CrossFit competition in the Sacramento region.  Last year it was held in the dirt at the Placerville Fairgrounds, this year it moved on up to the Sleep Train Area. It was awesome to see CrossFit growing and cheer the CrossFit Centurion teams!

Icing on the Cupcake: 

Cupcakes!This is a local business, that unfortunately closed it doors this month. My sister and I went one last time to enjoy a freshly-backed gourmet cupcake, but they had already closed..  In honor of these delicious cupcakes, the monthly favorites posts will feature a picture of these beautiful treats. Miss you already Icing on the Cupcake!

That's it for January.  What did you enjoy this month?

Reading Reviews- January 2014

Becoming a Supple Leopard by Dr. Kelly Starrett

     I finally got this book for Christmas!  It is all about optimizing movement.  The book is a really nicely laid out with photos and explanations of common CrossFit movements. I really liked the first half of the book and read it thoroughly. The second half, I skimmed because it was about improving flexibility and I am pretty darn flexible.

Verdict: A wonderful reference books, which I will probably refer to for the rest of my life.

The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri

     I almost stopped reading this book,but I am glad I kept reading. The beginning just didn't catch my interest.  It is a beautiful sad and happy story of a family and how they deal with the loss of a member.  How his memory haunts and really causes some people to not live out the rest of their lives to its fullest potential.

Verdict:  This author knows how to write captivating stories that leave you thinking, thinking, thinking.

 

The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian

 

     This book was kinda creepy. It starts with the perspective of a serial killer and then recounts war time situations.  It is a  very well structured story that intertwines two timelines.  It also has a mystery component and it was fun trying to guess who the killer was. 

Verdict: I really enjoyed it and could barely put the book down once I started reading it.  Reccomend (if you aren't squimish).

Whole by T. Colin Campbell

 

     This is Dr. Campbell's follow-up to the China Study, in which he reccomends a whole food plant based diet (no meat, no thanks).  However, I can agree with him that nutrition is one of the most important contributors to good health and that our current health system is really a disease management system. While he does discuss his diet reccomendation, the main point of this book is to call out the goverment, the media and pharmacuetical companies for hiding the truth.  Bottom line: good nutrition is a a better than any man-made drug.

Verdict: Dr. Campbell is 79 years old and in this book he just lays his opinions out and I do admire that.  Go Dr. Campbell!  That said, this book is not an easy read. I listened to it as an audio book and I only got through about half.

 

Rowing for Crossfitters by Marc Monplaisir

 

     I am not a good rower, so I thought this would help.  It doesn't actually talk about rowing, just how to use the rowing machine.

Verdict: If you have a rowing machine, all this information is probably in the manual. If you don't have the manual, you can figure it out without this "book."

 

Seven Recipes for Winter

   

     It's January and I thought it would be a good time to post a bunch of soup recipes to keep us warm.  Though it really hasn't been that cold in California this winter- sorry East Coast folks.  Here are 6 soup recipes and a bonus one for chili. Enjoy!

Minestrone Soup:  This is my favorite soup!  I make it at least once a month during the cold months.

http://www.ricekrackergirl.blogspot.com/2012/10/minestrone-soup.html

Portuguese Bean Soup: Here is my mom's recipe and something we had every Christmas.

http://www.ricekrackergirl.blogspot.com/2013/12/moms-portuguese-bean-soup.html

Chicken & Rice Soup: Using a rotisserie chicken this soup can be made in under an hour.

http://www.ricekrackergirl.blogspot.com/2013/03/super-fast-chicken-rice-soup.html

Butternut Squash Soup: Want to get more veggies in your life?

http://www.ricekrackergirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/butternut-squash-soup.html

Tomato Basil Soup: Here is a way to enjoy tomatoes, even when they are not in season.

http://www.ricekrackergirl.blogspot.com/2013/10/tomato-basil-soup.html

Bone Broth: I started making and using this as my base for my favorite Minestrone soup recipe above.

http://www.ricekrackergirl.blogspot.com/2012/07/homemade-bone-broth.html

Chili: Okay this is not a soup, but it is perfect for cold weather.

http://www.ricekrackergirl.blogspot.com/2013/05/chili.html

What are you favorite recipes for the cold months?

2014 CrossFit Open

   

     The 2014 CrossFit Games Open schedule was announced and registration began yesterday.  I debated doing the CrossFit Open this year.  I still can't do a pull-up and overall I am not confident that I am any better? Doubt, fear and indecision were in full force.  I had all my excuses ready!  

      The Open is a worldwide competition explained in this post.  Last year, my goal was to be able to post a score of at least 1 on every workout and I succeeded.  I exceeded my expectations in some workouts (Clean @95 lbs) and surprisingly failed at others (150 Wall Balls).   

     After reflecting on how much I got out of participating last year, I registered. Deep down, I always knew I would, but I indulged myself for a moment or two. I felt encouraged by these two Barbell Shrugged podcast:

• Episode 92:  The 15 Movements You Need to Focus on to Dominate This Year's CrossFit Open Competition

• Episode 94- How to Mentally Prepare and Go Faster For Your CrossFit WOD or Competition

     After listening to these podcasts I realized I can do 13 of the 15 movements* and should not let 2 things (pull-ups and muscle-ups) scare me away.  If a workout starts off with either movement, I will try, but probably have to post a score of zero.  So what?  Since when do I let the possibility of failure stop me?!?!  So here I go again...stayed tuned the workouts will start in March.

     *For those of you wondering, the 15 movements were complied based on the last 3 years of Open workouts. They are: Snatches, Cleans, Jerks, Push Press (shoulder to overhead), Thrusters, Deadlifts, Overhead Squats, Wall Balls, Double-unders, Push-ups, Pull-ups, Muscle-ups, Burpees, Toes to Bar and Box Jumps.

Who else is going to be competing in The Open?

Tea Review

   

     A warm rich loose leaf tea is the perfect way to enjoy the colder months.  I like to start off my morning with a cup of tea (after my cup of coffee of course).  You can get  multiple brewings from them, so I continue to enjoy tea throughout the day.  I tried 6 new flavors and liked most of them:

Ginseng Peppermint Herbal Tea by Republic of Tea

    

     I mentioned this in a previous post about Peppermint.  This is a sweet mint tea that is light and pleasant.  Drinking it after dinner helps ease any sugar cravings I might have.  I love peppermint tea and this is my new favorite.

Jasmine Pearl Green Tea by Jasmine Pearl Tea

     I am always hesitant of jasmine teas, sometimes they are just too flowery.  This one was very nice though. It has a distinct green tea base with just the right amount of jasmine that adds a sweetness at the end. This is my go-to green tea.  It is even better with a little honey.

Pureh Black Tea by Republic of Tea

    

     When I brewed this tea is was very dark and I thought- it's going to be bitter.  I was so wrong. This tea is mellow and has a slightly smokey aftertaste. Because of the color and smooth flavor, it almost is almost like coffee.  I enjoy having it post lunch. To my surprise- I am a big fan of Pureh! 

Vanilla Almond Herbal Tea by Republic of Tea

     I am not a vanilla fan, but I can barely taste any vanilla in this tea. I did not enjoy this tea at all.  It has a weird imitation almond flavor and then a bitter finish. I could barely finish the one cup I brewed. I didn't even attempt multiple brewings.

Mango Ceylon Black Tea by Republic of Tea

     The tea smells like fruity delight!  Yet it taste nothing like it? It has a very vague mango taste in the middle, but ends in bitterness, I even tried adding some honey and it still wasn't good.  I wished it tasted as good as it smelled.

Blackberry Sage Black Tea by Republic of Tea

     Finally, a fruity tea that I liked!  I like the combination of blackberry and black tea. It stayed nice and smooth (not bitter) through 3 brewings. Not my favorite tea of all time, but good.

    

     Yerba Matte is still my favorite!  I have been getting these at Whole Foods, but have pretty much explored all my options there.  Any recommendations for brands or flavors I should try next?

Favorite Podcasts

     Do you listen to Podcasts?  It has become one of my favorite forms of entertainment.  I listen to them at work, in the car and while cooking.  If you have an IPhone, you just need to download the Podcast App and you can start listening for free.  Here are the ones I am currently subscribed to by my own self-defined categories.

Learning is Fun

Stuff You Missed in History Class:  Podcasts are published twice a week on a historical topic that was probably not covered in history class. History has never been so interesting or honest.

Freakonomics Radio:  A weekly podcast by the authors of the Freakonomics books that "explores the hidden side of everything."  The topics are very diverse including the best exercise programs, if college is worth it, pet cremation, etc. 

CrossFit/ Paleo

 

Barbell Shrugged: This podcast talks training, nutrition and recovery strategies for CrossFitters. It is educational, amusing and explicit. I love that they interview a lot of female athletes.

Robb Wolf: The Paleo Solution: Robb Wolf takes questions or interviews guest on paleo topics in his own unique style. This podcast has an explicit warning because it is hilarious and honest. This is the first podcast I started listening too.

Latest in Paleo:  This podcast covers the weekly news on nutrition from a paleo perspective.  The host has a butter-smooth voice and a new age approach,

Randomness

Chicken Thistle Farm Coopcast:  Secretly a part of me wants to be a urban farmer, so this podcast helps me indulge in that fantasy.  It a weekly podcast sharing the stories of a small farm in New York. Farmer Kelly and Farmer Andy are just so good at narrating their experiences.  I am learning totally unnecessary things (about farming) that I find so fascinating.

Welcome to Night Vale:  This is my newest obsession.  It is fiction storytelling at its best!  Done in the form of a community radio show, you learn all about the weirdness of a town called Night Vale.  It is not for everyone, but if you like dark humor and sarcasim - give it a try!

    I have tried a bunch of other podcast, but these are the 7 I consistently look forward to listening too every week.   If you have favorite podcasts, please give me some recommendations!  I am always on the look out for more good stuff to listen too. What are you listening to?

One Pot Meal

    

 This is crockpot cooking at it's best- making an entire meal all at once.  So here it is meat, potatoes and a veggies for a one pot meal. 

Ingredients:

1 lb Italian sausage

1 onion chopped

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

2-3 potatoes

Swiss Chard, leaves torn

28 ounce can of diced tomatoes

Preparation:

Combine sausage, onion, garlic and diced tomatoes.  Add one cup of water and salt and pepper.

Nestle potatoes and top with Swiss Chard.

Cook in crockpot for 7-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high, until potatoes are tender.

Remove potatoes and mash with milk, butter salt and pepper.

Serve stew with potatoes.

Hello 2014!

     Happy New Year!  It seems making resolutions are out this year.  Instead, a New Year's theme is on trend.  I was already thinking of my theme, when I saw this Huffington Post article suggesting possible personal themes.

     I decided my 2014 theme is Simplify.  I feel like I spent the last year trying to do too many thing and some of them were just repetitive and wearing me out. For example, fitness is important to me, but running, CrossFit and yoga was a little much.  So this year, it is CrossFit only (which in itself is very varied and intense).  Another example was getting massages and going to the chiropractor. Yes I hurt, but honestly the chiropractor is more effective and cheaper. So massages are also out for this year (Sorry Massage Envy- I will miss you).

     Along these lines, CrossFit Lisbeth suggested making one over-arching resolution for the the year by filling in the blank:  BE___________ (i.e. kind, happy, playful).  I liked this idea too, but I didn't want to BE Simple.  So I thought of a statement that goes along with my theme of Simplify. BE Deliberate.  With these combined theme and statement, I hope to choose, focus and invest in those things that really matter instead of trying to a little bit of everything.

     So that is plan.  I hope everyone had a safe and fun holiday. Per the post counter on Blogger, this is the 125th post, so thank you for all your support. Are you going to make resolutions or theme or BE statements for 2014?