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Thursday, September 26, 2013

Recent Eats

today was my first day of class of the year! i only had one class and it was a lab, so it wasn't too exciting. at least i didn't trip on some stairs and faceplant like i did last year, though. that was pretty embarassing.

since i don't have much to do for class yet, i'm still watching vampire diaries. i'm on season 4 episode 5, and have approximately 7 days to finish 17 episodes, since season 5 premieres next week. totally doable. right? right. anyway a bunch of my other favorite tv shows are coming back soon too. like nashville premiered last night and dang that episode was cray. my friends also decided it would be a good idea to watch the newest how i met your mother episode last night when we were painting our nails, and i was freaking out the whole time. i'm only on season 3 of himym so i'm currently trying to block out all information that i learned so that somehow i can still make it through 6 more seasons of the show. it's a legit problem, guys.

anyway. i'll stop ranting about my tv shows now (blame my roomie. she's the one that got me hooked on all of this!) and get on with the yummy eats. i really miss food from home again, anyone want to come cook me roasted brussels sprouts? but i've been eating pretty well regardless. i can't wait til our new healthy dining hall opens! THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE FRESHLY GROUND NUT BUTTER. that needed all caps. it really did though. how could you not freak out about that?!?! i go to the best school ever.

and i just went to look for these photos of my recent eats that i thought i had a million of and it turns out that i don't have a million. oh well. i promise i've been eating yummy things. like froyo and fluff ice and cheese and crackers.

hotel breakfast on move-in day = oatmeal. 


new favorite snacks thanks to seapoint farms! these babies are packed with protein and are super flavorful. they're perfect for carrying around with me or when i need something crunch and salty. my favorite flavor is the black edamame with sea salt. un. real. 

chicken kebab gyro at a really yummy mediterranean place in santa monica. whatever was in the creamy sauce was sooo good!

typical breakfast of egg scramble with ketchup. i miss my own eggs!

greek yogurt, frozen raspberries, honey, almond butter. and pumpkin spice coffee aka the best.

most of my recent lunches have been chicken salad sandwiches. i used to hate chicken salad but this one is really good. none of that weird grape or apple stuff going on here! 

chicken taco salad

and that's all i've got for ya, folks. i promise i've been eating lots more yummy food than this. better start remembering to take pictures!

favorite tv show to watch?

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Zero Week

 just wanted to pop in and share a few snapshots from zero week!

loving my room!


back at it in the gym. i miss crossfit so much it's ridiculous but i've been doing my best to keep up with the WODs! perks of loving crossfit workouts is that while everyone is waiting for the ellipticals and treadmills, i got the whole courtyard for lifting to myself. pretty sweet!

my first football game of the year! 


beach day in santa monica




first time at blockheads! their shave ice is to. die. for. i got original with brownies, strawberries, and coconut puree. it was so good! 

and the view out my dorm room. pretty incredible! 

i'm off to a meeting for my sports med internship! hope you all are having a fantastic tuesday!

Friday, September 20, 2013

Home Sweet Home.

I'm finally back at UCLA! Move-in and unpacking went super smoothly, and I am sooooo excited to be back(:


Can't wait to show you guys what my room (and the incredible view) looks like this year. More posts coming soon! 

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

What a Summer of CrossFit Taught Me

  1. If you believe you can do it, you can do it. Everything is in your head. I used to be so intimidated by any lift that involved having heavy weight above my head. But I've learned that if I believe I can do it, I will. No ifs ands or buts. Don't doubt yourself, because you're capable of so much more than you think you are.
  2. Good coaches make all the difference in the world. I can't tell you how many things I learned from my coaches this summer. My lifting technique has improved so much in just a few months. They also taught me to attempt that lift with 5 more pounds and push myself that much faster in a WOD. Because so what if you fail? You tried, and now you have something to work toward.
  3. Speaking of which, there's always something to improve. You look around in the box, and everyone has different weaknesses. Someone that's killing those double unders may not be able to bang out those burpees as fast as you. And that's what's really cool. You learn what you're weak at, and you can work at it until you get better. 
  4. Practice makes perfect. You may fail 1,000 times, but on that 1,001st rep, you'll get it. At the beginning of the summer, I couldn't do kipping pull-ups, double unders, rope climbs, kipping handstand pushups, and more that I'm probably forgetting. Now? After trying time and time again, I finally can say that I can do all of those things. Doesn't mean I'm good at them or don't have to work at them, but I finally can do them. 
  5. I love how physically challenging it is. I walked out of that box every single day completely exhausted. I've never done harder workouts in my life. And yet, somehow, the next day, I'd be walking back in, ready for more.
  6. You have to get over your fear to get anywhere. I was nervous and afraid to start CrossFit this summer. What if I wasn't good at it? What if I didn't get along with the people at the box? What if, what if, what if. But I got over it, and the day after I got home I walked in and did an intro class. And after that, I nervously showed up to a regular class. I had to make myself go, because I didn't really want to. But I knew that if I didn't get over any of those fears, I was going to live with regret and always wondering if it was something I was capable of. And because I got over my fear, I had one of the most incredible summers.
  7. The scale doesn't tell you anything. I haven't weighed myself in months, but I know that I've gained weight. Do I care? Not at all. If you'd asked me that a year ago, my answer would've been different. But CrossFit has taught me so much about what my body can do. My body is an incredible machine, and now the only numbers that matter to me are how much I'm lifting or how fast I can finish a WOD. Because in the end, that's all I care about. I'm in the best shape of my life and could care less if that means that I'm xx pounds heavier. Because those pounds of muscle help me get stronger each and every day. 
  8. Sometimes, you have to swallow your pride. Pride gets you nowhere. If you have to scale a workout, scale it. And sometimes, that really sucks, because there's something that you really want to be able to do, and you just can't do it yet. Sometimes, you're just not that good at something and you're going to have to work at it a lot harder than everyone else. At that's okay. 
  9. Respect. There are so many incredible athletes at my box. There are people who can do so much more than me, finish a WOD twice as fast as me, and lift three times as much as me. And there are people who can't do as much as I can. I respect them all. Everyone shows up every day and works as hard, or harder, than I do. 
  10. I still love competition. I had so much fun at the comp I did last month -- the spirit in me that's a fighter is still there, even after not playing competitive sports for a few years. I also love that there's people at my box that are just one step ahead of me on every WOD, because it gives me someone to keep up with and really push myself. It's my competitive spirit that makes me want to keep improving, and getting stronger. 
I could go on and on about how much CrossFit has changed me and my outlook on fitness. But for now, I'll leave it at that. I love it so much, and it was so hard to leave my box today knowing that it was my last WOD there for awhile. I'm going to miss having a coach, having people cheer me on and encourage me, and so much more. 

I also left today feeling extremely motivated to prove to myself that I can do it on my own, when I'm busy in school. I have a lot of knowledge, and access to most of the equipment that I need. All I need was the drive and motivation, and I know I've got it in me.

I am so excited to see what this school year has in store for me. I can't wait to see how far I've come and set some fun goals for the future! 

For now, back to packing I go. LA bound tomorrow! :)

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Virtual Coffee Date 9.14.13


if we were having coffee this morning, i would be drinking my second pumpkin spice latte of the season. i'm so happy pumpkin everything is here!

if we were having coffee this morning, i'd tell you how excited i am to have my brother at home! he has been at school for most of the summer and it never feels quite right living at home without him. i think my mom is also super happy to have him home because, aside from the fact that her son is home, she finally has someone to bake for her! this entire summer i haven't baked any 'normal' things (according to her), and i apparently am always adding in weird stuff, hahaha. so now she has someone to bake for her that she knows won't try to sneak any extra nutrients in ;)

if we were having coffee this morning, i'd be telling you how much more unprepared for the school year i am this year than i was last year. last year i was on top of everything and probably was almost packed by this point. this year, i've only just gotten around to unpacking those few boxes left from last year, and only have my bedding and food packed (priorities, people). i also only just ordered my textbooks (holy poop they're expensive) and ordered some photo prints for my room. i still don't have many room decorations though, since most of my posters and photos from last year are pretty worn. so i probably would be asking you for some dorm room crafty suggestions.

if we were having coffee this morning, i probably wouldn't shut up about vampire diaries. i started the show about two weeks ago because i literally had nothing else to watch and a friend recommended it, but i actually didn't like the first episode much. but, the next night, i didn't have anything to do after work yet again, so i found myself watching the second episode. and then i got hooked. the end of every darn episode has a huge cliffhanger and i always find myself watching just one more episode. i blame netflix for that one. and i blame the actors for being so freaking attractive. i'm currently on season 3 but kind of need to make it through season 4 before i go back to school otherwise my ochem is going to lose the battle to stefan salvatore (aka paul wesley who i just googled who is 12 years older than me?!? how is this possible?!).

if we were having coffee this morning, i'd tell you how sad i am that i only have a few more days to go to CrossFit. i didn't expect that place to feel like home as much as it does, and i certainly didn't expect the community that my box has. i'm going to miss all the people so much, and i'm not sure what i'm going to do when i don't have anyone to talk everything CrossFit with. because i can't exactly just go on and on about my snatch technique or hitting my clean and jerk PR without getting really weird looks from non CrossFitters. it's kind of a problem.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

What I Packed For My First CrossFit Competition

i have been meaning to share with you guys what i brought to my first crossfit competition for quite some time now, but finally got my act together!  while i'm not a crossfit expert in any way or form, i thought it would be fun to share what worked for me. and hopefully at least a few people who come across this post will find it helpful!


this is what i packed for day 2 of the comp - it differs from what i brought day 1 just a little bit, but i felt more prepared on day 2.

Food 



  • 2 packets of Vega one nutritional shake
  • 2 kit's organic clif bars
  • 2 chia bars
  • 1 packet clif shot blocks (which i forgot to bring on day 1) 
  • 2 packets crystal lite energy (each packet has 120mg caffeine which was much needed. i took one packet before each WOD.)
  • 2 baggies of almonds (unpictured)
both days i should have brought a bit more food with me than i did, but i didn't feel like lugging around a big cooler (if i had brought a cooler, #1 thing i would've packed would have been fresh fruit!). luckily i remembered to bring cash and was able to buy chicken + veggies while i was there. 

Drinks

  • a huge water jug - this is a MUST if your comp is outside/hot! i had ice cold water the entire day and was easily able to keep hydrated. 
  • my blender bottle to blend protein shakes & crystal lite
  • pineapple coconut water x2
  • FitAid (they were passing them out on both days of the comp, so i saved one from day 1 to bring for day 2)
  • almond milk to make protein shakes
Equipment

  • The Stick
  • gloves (fingerless were all i had, if i had ones with fingers i would've brought those)
  • myofascial release ball 
  • athletic tape (to tape hands) and scissors
  • my Strength Wraps
  • my jump rope (most likely, they won't be provided!) 
Clothes


what I wore:
  • lululemon speed short
  • nike sports bra
  • my box's tank
  • reebok crossfit nanos
what I brought as spares:
  • extra pair of lulu speed shorts
  • lululemon capris
  • 2 extra tanks
  • extra sports bras/underwear <-- lifesaver!
  • 3 pairs extra socks
Other Stuff:

  • facial towlettes
  • deodorant 
  • hand sanitizer
  • sport sunscreen
  • chapstick
  • advil
  • bobby pins + hair ties
  • junk headbands
and... my cat. 


totally kidding. she obviously wanted to come with all of my food though! hah. 

have you ever done a crossfit comp before? what did you bring?
favorite protein powder?

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Healthy "Paleo" Peanut Butter Cups

i was supposed to go to my cpr/first aid class (for my sports med internship) today, but google maps decided it would be a good day to trick me and take me to some super sketch area that was a good 30 minutes away from where i needed to be. i was completely lost in this random sketch place and realized i wasn't going to make it to my class in time, so i proceeded to have a total meltdown. after calling my madre and trying to figure out what to do, i ended up driving home and eating lots of these peanut butter cups. they really do make you feel better, i swear.

and as i was eating my little peanut butter cups, i managed to find another cpr/first aid class this saturday and get my work schedule switched around for the weekend, so all was well in the world again. lesson learned: don't trust google maps. like, ever. lesson #2 learned: chocolate and peanut butter fix everything.

i also realized today that these so called paleo peanut butter cups aren't exactly paleo. because peanut butter isn't paleo. major faileo. oh well, good thing i don't eat paleo! and i just said paleo like 5,000 times. i should probably shut up soon. 

except if you really are one of those hardcore paleo peeps, you might want to know that almond butter works just as well in this recipe. they're still just as (if not more) delicious!

oh and one more thing: if you make these, all of your life's problems will be temporarily solved. promise. 

Healthy "Paleo" Peanut Butter Cups

by Julianna Foster
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 10 min
Keywords: dessert snack gluten-free paleo vegetarian
Ingredients (12 mini cups)
    For the Chocolate Shell
    • 1/2 cup coconut oil
    • 3 tbsp cocoa powder
    • 3 tbsp coconut sugar
    • 1 tbsp coconut flour
    For the Filling
    • 1/3 cup all natural unsalted peanut or almond butter
    • 2 tbsp honey
    • 2 tbsp coconut sugar
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    Instructions
    Melt the coconut oil in a small bowl, then whisk in cocoa powder, coconut sugar, and coconut flour.
    Spray a mini muffin tin with coconut oil, then pour about a teaspoon of the chocolate mixture into each cup. Place pan in freezer.
    While the bottom layer is freezing for about 5 minutes, mix together peanut butter (or almond butter), honey, coconut sugar, and salt in a separate small bowl.
    Take pan out of freezer, and spoon peanut butter mixture into each cup. Flatten out the mixture with the back of a spoon, then pour about a teaspoon of the chocolate mixture over the peanut butter mixture.
    Place pan back in the freezer for about 10 minutes.
    To take the cups out of the pan, simply turn it upside down on a clean countertop.
    Store these cups in the freezer and serve immediately (the coconut oil will melt quickly at room temperature).
    Enjoy!
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    Monday, September 9, 2013

    MIMM 9.9.13


    marvelous is... this album by Bastille. i'm obsessed. it's soooo good, and only 6.99 on iTunes (yep, i still buy my music. i'm crazy, i know). but really though, do yourself a favor and listen to this! 


    marvelous is... a vitality bowl while shopping with my momma. 


    marvelous is... finally getting a much needed haircut! 


    marvelous is... going into GNC for some quest bars and getting a free extra bar, a free baby blender bottle (i can't get over how cute it is), and a free gold card membership. score!


    marvelous is... brunch dates with friends (because even when your egg scramble isn't that good, at least the company is!) 


    marvelous is... snuggles with my baby girl. i'm gonna miss this pumpkin soon!


    marvelous is... getting whole foods hot bar and coffee after a killer Saturday WOD. we did "donny" which was 21-15-9-9-15-21 of deadlifts and burpees. i used 113 pounds and am still sore today! 



    marvelous is... my Junk Brands headbands that i bought a few weeks ago. they're by far the best headband i've bought! they keep all my hair and sweat out of my face and don't move at all when i'm working out. highly recommended.


    marvelous is... these Paleo peanut butter cups that i made yesterday. guys, not even kidding, these are probably the best thing i've ever created in my kitchen. the recipe will be up soon (promise!) so stay tuned! 


    what's marvelous in your monday?

    Saturday, September 7, 2013

    Link Love 9.7.13

    i've been doing a little bit of blog redesign lately; it's still a work in progress but let me know what you think!

    before i get the link love going i wanted to thank you all for your kind words on my last post! i absolutely loved competing last weekend and your support means so much.


    anyway, here's a few links that i thought were worth clicking this week. enjoy!

    Food
    Fitness
    Life
    happy Saturday, everyone!

    Wednesday, September 4, 2013

    Moxie Madness {My First CrossFit Competition}

    i don't even know where to begin! last weekend at Moxie Madness was absolutely incredible. instead of trying to recap everything, i figured i'd share some tidbits and thoughts about the weekend. here comes a random post!

    (if you're curious, you can check out the WODs we did here: Day 1 and Day 2)


    the workouts were ridiculous.

    the people at my box are awesome.

    i drank a lot of vega protein shakes. ate a lot of kit's organic clif bars. took a lot of advil. drank a lot of caffeine.

    i figured out that i can drink coconut water if i chug it down in one gulp (otherwise, it's totally gross).

    i learned that rocktape is one of the best inventions on the planet ever.


    i also learned that rocktape gives you really, really nice tan lines. my upper back looks wonderful right now.

    i found a magic potion. okay, not really magic, but still. WOD repair lotion is the best thing that ever happened to my hands (especially after the last WOD on Sunday, when my hands ripped on the first pull-up i did and i still had 4 more rounds of AMRAP pull-ups to go).

    i discovered that everything really is in your head. you can do anything you set your mind to.

    i got to be a kid again (hello, partner wheelbarrows! those were fun. and painful).

    FitAid is a pretty freakin' awesome drink.


    prowler pushes suck. they especially suck after a relay WOD with a 600 yard 45# sandbag carry, 400 yard overhead wallball carry, and 50 yard lunges with a 25# plate. my legs were jello. and i mean, jello. pretty sure i almost fell on my face five times. did i mention that this was the first WOD?


    i realized that rowing is a lot more painful that i thought. either that or my legs were just really sore.

    it really hurts when you whack your leg doing box jumps.


    i learned that my arms don't fit in tshirts anymore. for real though. and this makes me excited.

    26 pound kettlebell snatches are a piece of cake now. when did that happen?

    i really, really, really suck at double unders. really.


    i loved being on a team again.

    i love that everyone cheers each other on, no matter what team they're on or what box they're from. CrossFit is truly something else.

    burpees. ow.


    i realized just how much i'm going to miss my box when i leave for school. (hint: a LOT).

    my coaches are freakin' beast.

    there's nothing quite like having a ton of people watching and cheering you on as you're competing. all of the people that came out to support us were incredible.

    i got a new nickname: the silent killer. LOL!

    assume the crossfit recovery position (read: look like you're dead. cause you feel dead).


    i have never been so sore in my life. being this sore makes the simplest things super duper hard. like sitting on the toilet or putting your shirt on. let's just say monday was really fun.

    i'm actually not half bad at overhead squats!

    i'm in the top right corner

    i saw just how much progress i've made in the two months that i've been CrossFit-ting and almost a year that i've been lifting. two months ago, i wouldn't have made it through the 2 days and 5 WODs. last weekend, i killed it.

    i don't think i've ever had a better weekend! there was a smile on my face the entire time (except when, you know, working out. my face is just hilarious when i'm in pain. it's highly attractive. see below.), and i am proud of how well i did. i'm so glad i got over my fear of letting people down or messing up or whatever and just went for it. best decision ever.


    this competition made me realize just how much i love CrossFit. not that i didn't before or anything, but now i don't even know if i can explain how much i love it. i get my ass kicked every single day, yet i come back for more. and i have so much fun doing it.

    i can't wait to do another competition! thank you all so much for your kind words and support :) and a huge thanks to my box, my teammates, and especially my coaches. and my parents for coming out on day 1 to support me!

    p.s. i PR'd my clean and jerk today! AAAH so excited. and this was when i was still a little sore. can't wait to see how much progress i've made on other lifts too!

    p.p.s. stay tuned for a post on everything i packed for the comp! (edit: you can find that post HERE)