Thursday, July 25, 2013

Easy Paleo Pizza

If you are a CrossFit/Paleo freak and miss eating pizza (don't lie cause I know you do)!  Here is a recipe that will change your world. 

This is by far the best Paleo recipe I have eaten or made.  So take a break from watching the latest CrossFit Games updates this weekend, and follow the few simple steps listed below to finally eat pizza again!


Ingredients

  • 2 c. almond flour
  • 1 c.  arrowroot powder
  • 1/4 c. sesame seeds
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp oregano
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 c. unsweetened almond milk

Instructions

    1.   Pre-Heat Oven to 425 degrees. 
     2.   Add almond flour, arrowroot powder, baking powder, oregano and
            garlic powder to a large bowl and mix well.  
     3.    Then add eggs and almond milk and mix well.
     4.    Spread batter onto a greased pan or cookie sheet.
     5.    Sprinkle sesame seeds around the edges to make a crust. 
       6.   Cook in the oven for 8 minutes then take out of the oven, add toppings and cook for another 5  minutes.
     7.    Let cool slightly before eating.  

 

Topping Ingredients

You can add whatever toppings you would like to this pizza crust.  But here is my favorite way to make it!

Ingredients
1 can of crushed tomatoes
2 cloves of chopped garlic
Chopped fresh basil 




Wednesday, May 29, 2013

CrossFitters: Tips that can Save your Life and even help get you that next PR

  Even though you are sporting a six pack, you might not be as healthy as you think. 


Does your typical day looks like this?  Black Coffee, Bacon and Eggs, Pre-Workout Drink, Recovery Protein Drink, and some deli meats to snack on throughout the day. Well,  I hate to break it to you but you're most likely an Acidic Mess. 

To the left is a pH scale. The pH level in healthy individuals is  7.365.  Unfortunately, we don't live like caveman anymore. All of the chemicals in the foods that we eat and toxins in the air we breathe are making us acidic. Whenever we consume food or drinks that are acidic,it gets absorbed into our blood stream resulting in acidic blood.  So what does that mean for us crossfitters?
  

Acidic Blood results in having low energy and is a breeding ground for Cancer and Disease. 

The Paleo Diet does a good job of helping or bodies stay at a healthy pH level but the water we drink is key. Let me ask you this, would you drink soda during a workout? Hopefully you said no but the reason I ask is because bottled waters, such as Dasani and Poland Spring, have almost the same amount of acid as soda with a pH level of 4. So let's talk more about alkalinity...

 We are all born with Cancer Cells however, they only start to THRIVE and MUTATE when provided with an Acidic Environment.  Cancer and Disease cannot survive or thrive in an Alkaline Environment.

At a pH slightly above 7.4 cancer cells become dormant. At a pH of 8.5 cancer cells will die while healthy cells will live (Barefoot, pages 66-67).



 

In 1931 Dr. Otto Warburg won the Nobel Peace Prize for proving that cancer cells cannot exist in an oxidizing, healthy cell.

“Cancerous tissues are acidic, whereas healthy tissues are alkaline. Water splits into H+ and OH- ions, if there is an excess of H+, it is acidic; if there is an excess of OH-ions, then it is alkaline.”  -Dr. Otto Warburg, The Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Cell Physiology


When we consume acidic products, we become acidic. So, how do we fix this?  Simple.  

    Here are some Helpful Tips:
  • Add More Greens.  Dark leafy greens are your highest source of Alkalinity.  Adding greens at each meal and green juicing will help significantly reduce acid levels in the body.
  • Throw away ALL of your bottled water Tap water has a pH level of 7 which is neutral. The issue with tap water is that it can contain bacteria, toxic heavy metals and runoff.  Investing in a filtration system such as Brita or Pur will rid your water of impurities leaving you with clean and healthy drinking water. If you are on the go try and bring a glass or stainless steel water bottle with you. When plastic bottles are exposed to sunlight they can leach chemicals into your water making it toxic to drink so they should be avoided at all costs. The only exceptions to bottled water are Evian and Fiji because they have trace minerals and a pH level of 7.5 so when you are in a bind you can always go to these. 
  • Keep Meat Clean. Avoid all meats containing Nitrates. Nitrates are added to cured meats such as bacon, sausages and jerky to delay bacteria growth.  Nitrates slow down the breakdown of fat in the body and are also known to be a cancer causing agent. 
  • Avoid GMO Fruits and Vegetables.   Make sure to read the sticker labels when shopping for produce. GMO (genetically-modified organisms) fruits and vegetables have been modified in the laboratory. These modifications  enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content. If you have your own garden you're already ahead of the game.

 

Now after all of this, I know what you are thinking: "Does this mean I can never have any pre-workout or coffee again?"

The answer is Hell NO! Believe me, there is NO way I'm giving up Iced Americano's or my MHP x-fit Trainer.  The whole key is BALANCE.  Be mindful of what you are putting into your body. When you do have those shakes or coffee just try to balance this acidity out with filtered water, dark leafy greens and other foods high in alkaline.  

 

And Remember: Just Say NO to Bottled Water!



Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Morning Glory Muffin Recipe

The secret is out!



If you have been to any CrossFit event where Flat Belly has been a vendor, chances are you have fallen victim to my harassment of forcing people to buy a muffin.  First, my apologies and second, if you have had the morning glory muffin you know they are no joke.  They are the first muffin to sell out and people are constantly asking me for the recipe.  If you are one of those people, today is your lucky day!  Below is the recipe and directions on how to make these super healthy and bad ass muffins.  I highly recommend using extra light olive oil, but if you die for coconut, melted coconut oil is also a great choice!

       Ingredients
  • Flat Belly Ultimate Muffin Mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 c. Extra Light Olive Oil
  • 1/2 apple, chopped
  • 1 c. shredded carrots
  • 1 c.  shredded coconut
  • 1/2 c. raisins
  • 1/2 c. chopped walnut
   Directions
 Preheat oven to 350`F.  Grease muffin tin or line with paper baking cups.
 Empty Muffin Mix into bowl and add Eggs and Oil.
 Once  blended add in the remaining ingredients and mix until well blended.
 Spoon batter evenly into paper baking cups and bake at 350'F for 20 minutes.