Thursday, January 07, 2010

LBN survival guide: build your support system


Freddy posted a photo of brussels sprouts today. This is my version of them made with browned butter, garlic, and sage. Per Freddy's recommendation, I'll definitely try to brown them to a crisp and make them with olive oil. I made these for Christmas lunch and dinner. They were easy to make and people really liked them. It's definitely going to be on the potluck rotation list!

On to the survival guide.... I should note that yes, it is a little weird for me to have a survival guide considering I'm still working on my goals and such. In truth, I'm writing it as a reminder to myself about the things I need to do. With that, I see no contradictions.

The Fathlete's Guide to Surviving the Look Better Naked Challenge

Build your support system. Tell everyone you know about the challenge. Ask for their support and encouragement. Also, ask them to hold off on giving you cupcakes and other items of delicousness until after the challenge. Your support system will mean the world to you when you’ve just discovered that Starbucks now sells red velvet cupcakes. Your support system will tell you that you are better than that fatty, preservative-laden, probably-looks-better-than-it-tastes cupcake. This will give you the strength to just walk away! Ahem. Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything….
Building your support system also means giving support back. Don’t just take the love. Share it too! Besides, your support system may be part of the challenge. They may want to join you in the challenge. They may want to help you cook or go grocery shopping with you. They may have been on a similar journey and have a plethora of advice to share. That’s what support is for. Seek it and take advantage of it!
Today's Small Victories

Warm-up
Run 800 meters
Warm-up weight sets

CrossFit One World WOD
Bench Press 5/5/5/5/5
73/78/83/83x3

Overhead Squat 5/5/5
33/43/53

Notes (to myself) about this workout: Today's originally posted WOD was INSANE! I appreciate how ambitious the WODs have been this week. But by day #4, my body was a little wrecked. In my head, I knew I'd do the strength portion but not the ropes.

I needed a less intense technique-driven day like today. I didn't do a lot of heavy lifting, but my body needs the rest.

5 comments:

Luana said...

Just chiming in to let you know the Starbucks cupcakes are DEFINITELY not worth it - they are the Little Debbie of red velvet suppycakes!

Anonymous said...

.. going to have to try your brussel sprout receipe. Looks great. Do you steam them first? and for about how long?

Evil Twin

j-ro said...

I boil the brussels sprouts for about 10 minutes, or until they're cooked, but still firm. Then, I take them out and run them under cold water.

From there, I saute garlic, sage, butter and salt together and then add the brussels spouts.

Another thing I do is instead of doing the above step, I toss the brussels sprouts in olive oil, sage, and salt (you can add garlic too) and then stick it in the broiler. Either way, it's yummy:)

Anonymous said...

...yummy and looks nutritious. Thanks, J-Ro. I will try out this receipe this weekend. Brussels sprouts is one of the few green vegis my youngest will touch.

-Evil Twin

j-ro said...

You're most welcome. I'm not sure how paleo or primal this is, you can try this too:

1)Steam the brussels sprouts.
2)Mix olive oil with a packet of ranch dressing (well, depending on how much greens you have; you may have to use half the packet or something.
3) Mix the brussels sprouts with your ranchy olive oil mix.
4) Broil.

This will give you another option. I do this with mushrooms and they turned out great! (I didn't need to boil the mushrooms beforehand.)

Enjoy!