A ColoRADo Night

The hubs and I checked out the first night of the ColoRADo State Fair and watched some rodeo followed by a Chris Young concert last night. I've seen a few rodeos in my day (c'mon...it's practically ColoRADo law that you have to watch some rodeos) but I was really impressed with the care they showed for the animals, the respect for the riders, AND I love an event that starts off with a prayer, sandwiches some Obama jokes in the middle, and celebrates ColoRADo history and heritage.  It was a GREAT night.

1. I need a new cowboy hat
2. If we ever have kids, they are growing up outside city limits for sure

I even threw caution to the wind and ate a deep fried moon pie. Hoooooollllyyyyy cow was it yummy.

And hoooolllllyyyyy cow did I pay for that. I'm not talking about money.



Beforehand we met Dad for dinner and I had some green chili while they had pizza. Then we finished the night with roach coach tacos.

I don't think I could squeeze more ColoRADo into one day if I tried!

Gltuen Free- Fad or Necessity?

Going out to dinner used to be a treat. Not having to cook and clean up after yourself is always a nice break, right? Over the past six months, going out to eat has become more like a pull on the slot machine. It's a challenge to understand from the outsiders' point of view, I know. For others, I'm sure it seems as though one day, I flipped a switch and started saying "I can't eat that." Which is somewhat true, but it's not so much a choice, like veganism or something, as it is a gaining of knowledge. Yes, I am capable of eating grains, and no, my throat won't swell shut if I do. However, a myriad of other things takes place that aren't enjoyable and are quite disgusting. I've also started to learn just what I would be doing to my body, and passing along to my someday children, by choosing to ignore my body's intolerance.

I'm not talking cutting carbs. I'm talking purging poison.

So did I "flip a switch" one day? Or -if this is truly a disease or intolerance- wouldn't I have felt these effects all along? Well, I did. But I didn't know that I felt bad, until I discovered what it felt like to feel good. Make sense?

Beer, bagels, flour tortillas, fettuccine, and french bread used to be my favorite food groups.

In an effort to keep my blog not disgusting, I'll spare you the details, you can do your own research if you're curious. I'm not saying everybody who has these issues is allergic to wheat. I'm saying that I fought and fought against these ailments with no real answers or solutions. Then, I stopped eating grain products and every single one of them was solved. Every single one of them also returns on the occasion of contamination. Coincidence? It's possible I suppose, but ignoring the facts would be like touching a hot burner just to see if it's a coincidence that I was getting burned.

I haven't pursued medical diagnosis of gluten intolerance/allergy or celiac disease. It's a process that involves many weeks of ingesting gluten and receiving test results that could be inconclusive. Why force myself to feel like crap just to pay a doctor to confirm that something makes me feel like crap?

• Eczema- I'm talking to the point of embarrassment. I got comments like "It looks like something's been chewing on your legs""What the heck happened? Is that a sunburn?" "It looks like your hair is falling out" oh, speaking of which.....
• Alopceia
• Acne (honestly, I still gots acne, but there is noticeable improvement after diet changes)
• Insomnia
• Migraines
• Digestive,  umm.......difficulties and bloating
• Joint pain
• Hay fever and chronic nasal congestion
• Obsessive-Compulsive like tendencies (picking, scratching, twitching, repetitive tasks)
• Focus and concentration difficulty
• General fatigue (and loss of mojo)
• Mood swings and anxiety (just ask my husband about this one!)

I met the husband after work this evening because he had a craving for Chinese food. Anyone familiar with gluten an/or Chinese food knows that this means only one thing for me this evening.... let the itchy red skin, headache, and insomnia ensue!

I highly recommend The Gluten Connection by Shari Lieberman. LOTS of info up in here.

*Please remember I'm by no means an expert on food intolerances or dietary needs. I'm simply sharing my experience with you.

Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas

A few weeks ago I bought a jar of Ol' Gringo Green Chili Sauce for some fiesta stuffed bell peppers and noticed a scrumptious looking recipe on the back. It's not paleo, but it is gluten free!

I boiled three chicken breasts and then shredded them and mixed in a can of diced green chilies, diced bell peppers, and a dash of cayenne pepper, cumin, garlic powder, and sea salt. Then I layered corn tortillas in the bottom of a 8x8 pan, topped with 1/3 of the chicken mixture, then a then layer of the green chili sauce. I continued layering until the pan was full and popped it in the oven at 375 until it was bubbly and done-looking. Then I topped it with a layer of freshly grated Monterrey jack (yummmmmmm!) I served it with sour cream (dairy overload!) and avocado slices. Avocado was a fail. I still can't digest them and it turns out that the hubby doesn't like them. All that aside, the enchiladas were de-LISH!


My frugal side came out today and I'm so proud of the lunch I tossed together!



Steak bruschetta leftovers in a corn tortilla with sliced bell peppers. on a paper towel, because I'm classy like that!  s

Again, not paleo. But, gluten free and in my fridge, so it works for a Thursday!

Farmer's Market at the foot of the mountains. I freaking love this state!

I also headed over to a local farmer's market on my lunch break. Let down, I walked away empty handed. The reasoning though, is a positive one. I can find almost all of the items available at the farmer's market in my local King Soopers for the same price if not cheaper! (Can I tell you again how much I love that store!?) They're big on supporting local farmers which is a major win!

Good Morning, ColoRADo...and the benefits of massage

After a so/so gym sesh, I served myself up a nice bowl of ColoRADo deliciousness this morning :) Oh wait, FIRST, I mixed my protein powder into chocolate milk....meh. It felt like too much of a cheat to enjoy it. I don't entirely buy the whole "chocolate milk after exercise" gig. Not because I'm anti-milk, just because I haven't researched it enough yet and I'm a big fan of water. Anyways, back to my bowl of cool, crisp Good Morning, ColoRADo!

cantaloupe, peaches, hazlenuts, pecans, coconut, and plain greek yogurt :)

Breakfast was awesome, and lunch was last night's Spaghetti Squash and Steak Brschetta, so it was an awesome food day. But all day I fought a tension headache something fierce. I finally caved and got myself in for a massage after work. I feel whole again!!!! Listen to your bodies, folks ;)

Here is why massage is so awesome:

• Improves lymph flow (the defense sysstem in our bodies), therefore boosting immunity
• Promotes tissue regeneration (remember when I said working out is a process of wearing down muscles and letting them heal themselves?)
• Releases endoprhins, therefore reducing pain
• And doesn't it just plain feel good to push all the crud out of those sore muscles!?

"For centuries, human touch has been shown to be emotionally and physically healing. Particular massage techniques may either stimulate or calm the body's muscles and tissues to create a desired effect. When a practitioner massages soft tissue, electrical signals are transmitted both to the local area and throughout the body. These signals, in combination with the healing properties of touch, help heal damaged muscle, stimulate circulation, clear waste products via the lymphatic system, boost the activity of the immune system, reduce pain and tension, and induce a calming effect. Massage may also enhance well being by stimulating the release of endorphins (natural painkillers and mood elevators) and reducing levels of certain stress hormones."

 source

Steak Bruschetta with Spaghetti Squash

When I saw this recipe on Paleo Table today, I was determined to make it and make it scrumptious! For the win, the hubby even asked for seconds!!!!!!!! I believe this is the first paleo meal he has asked for more of!


new goal...work on food presentation

I took three small-ish sirloin steaks and grilled them to 165 degrees. While the steaks grilled, I pierced a spaghetti squash all around and microwaved it for 15 minutes. ( I prefer cutting it in half lengthwise and baking it face down in a 13x 9 pan filled with a little water) I diced up 6 Roma tomatoes and about 1/4 of a yellow onion. Then I chopped up about 4 leaves of fresh basil, 2 cloves of garlic, and added a dash of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. When the steak was done cooking, I diced it up and added it to the tomatoes, then drizzled with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a splash of red wine vinegar. I set that in the fridge while I discarded the squash seeds and then scooped out all the yummies of the spaghetti squash. I also tossed the squash with about 1 1/2 tbs of butter....I know, I know... topped the spaghetti squash with some of the bruschetta mixture from the fridge and voila! It was divine.

I hit the grocery store on my way home from work and scored Rocky Ford Cantaloupe and Palisade Peaches (!!!!!!!!!!) on sale along with a bunch of different ColoRADo produce. I refuse to give in to fall, and I'll be buying ColoRADo produce in bulk until it is no longer available! Prepare yourselves for very unappetizing presentations of delicious ColoRADo produce in the near future!

Even better, this showed up today!!!!!

Is anyone else as excited as I am for hockey season?

Nerd Alert!

I found theeeee most scrumptious-looking recipe! I cannot WAIT to get off work, head to the grocery store, and whip up this deliciousness!

Also, the actor who played one of my favorite tv characters died this morning- Ron Palillo, "Arnold Horshack" from Welcome Back Kotter. Watch yourself some Kotter tonight. This also solidifies my Halloween costume. I call dibs on Arnold Horshack! I used to watch Kotter every night on the tv in my room, it was on super late -we're talking 930- and barely anyone I know is familiar with it.

Do you have any favorite "old school" tv shows?

Wisdom for Your Week

The hubby went golfing this morning. I sent him off with an egg and bacon sandwich and after I enjoyed a scrambled egg with bacon myself, I went for a run. I'm on allergy meds since fall is setting in here in ColoRADo, and I had some killer lower back pain from moving large objects yetserday, but all week, I had wanted to go snap a picture of this sign.

This week, focus on moving your life forward in the direction you know in your heat it's supposed to go. God has put a passion in you that you can feel. Follow it. I'm so stoked about my second job I can hardly contain myself. I finally feel like I am doing something I'm meant to do. I know it's not my final stop, but I can tell this is definitely something God has put me here for. It's gorgeous out and I'm not about to sit inside and clean. Think I'll go find an outside cafe where I can study up in the sunshine for my group fitness cert!

Stuff I'm Digging This Week

My blender bottle!! Snagged it at wally world and not only do I use it to mix up my protein powders after the gym, it works great to mix up dressings and marinades and makes scrambled eggs light and fluffy! Great investment!

Nature Valley Protein Bars!! 190 calories- I split these up and eat half pre workout (so approx. 95 calories) and half later on in the day. I can't certify if these are gluten free, but the ingredients list and allergens list look safe, and I don't react to them. Probably not a healthy choice every day, but for a grab and go snack on the days when you've hit snooze too many times, they're quick, easy, and tasty!!





protein in the double digits and sugar in the singles. I like it :)

Becoming a PT PT

In English please?

Yeah. I’ve been on a mission the last few days to become a part time personal trainer at my local gym. I love my gym. It’s not where the cool kids exercise, and it’s not the latest and greatest mumbo jumbo gym…but it’s my gym. And it doesn't feel like Globo Gym from Dodgeball. Everyone is there to do work. And they do....work.

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We may lack basketball courts and indoor tracks and such, but we make up for those items in cold, hard ROOM for weight beat downs and sweat sessions!     ~crickets~                          That was a bit of a stretch. But seriously, if I’m going to play basketball or run on a track, I’m going to be outside!

ANYWAYS….. I applied for the position on some sort of monster crazy huge job database and immediately received a response of  “we’re sorry, that job actually does not exist.” :::sigh::::
But alas! A few days later, I got a call from the Manager and was scheduled for an interview! I had to head to the interview straight from my desk job and therefore, I think they all thought I was a nut-job Barbie doll who knew NOTHING about strength and fitness. What, with my Capri dress pants, one-button jacket, and shiny wedge shoes and all. Fair enough, I was a little overdressed for the occasion, but isn’t it always better to dress MORE professional????? I think yes. I debated on something short sleeved to show off my arms, and then I remembered I have the arms of a six year old girl.

Onward…. I was selected for an “audition” work out with one of the existing trainers. HFS! I have to plan a for real thing for a for real person!?? I totally didn’t ask what type of workout I’d be expected to plan. (beginner? Upper body? Fat loss? Muscle building? Pro weight lifter?) So I went under the assumption that I’d have a scenario of a beginner-ish fitness client who was looking to “tone.” Because 90% of America would like to be “tone.” Yeah. Cringe. That word makes no sense to me anymore. I planned out four- count ‘em- FOUR different workouts to be prepared for what might come my way. Full body circuit? Check! Upper or Lower focused workouts? Check! Bonus exercises in case time goes too fast? Check! (Did somebody say tabata? I love tabata. Tabata just about anything and boom…time at the gym well spent. When in doubt, tabata.)

Luckily I was assigned the hypothetical client of any personal trainer's dreams! He was not stubborn, he played along and was a good sport, and listened and gave me great feedback as we went along! It also ended up being easier than most clients probably will be because he (obviously) has in-depth knowledge of fitness, anatomy, and equipment. I head in tomorrow to fill out all my hr paperwork!!!

I am the proud new owner of a second job!!!!!

Meanwhile, back at the M&M residence.....

Lucy fell asleep in the garden

I need to get my food consumption back in line. I mean c'mon, WTH is this!?



and, yep, I still love ColoRADo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Losing Momentum

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This past weekend was LOADED with bad behaviors for me. I consumed far too many of these

and didn't engage in nearly enough activities (haha, see the Step Brothers reference?). I honestly felt and looked like that cow up there on the sign. Dazed, stagnant, battered, and I'm pretty sure that is a cow patty behind her foot.

Do you have days where you are just lacking your mojo?

I've decided the problem could have been due to (well, anything really, but...) one of these reasons:

1. I pushed it too hard during the week. Don't forget that when you're pushing your body to its limits, rest is important. Killing yourself for five days straight and laying on the couch for two is not ideal. Work out for three days, then go for a long walk on day four, then get back at on day five. Remember that building muscle is a process of tearing down the fibers and them overcompensating and healing themselves, therefore become bigger and stronger. Emphasis on healing. A wound can't heal if you keep ripping the scab off of it.

2. I THRIVE on structure. When I wake up, I need to have somewhere that I need to be. Otherwise, I wander around lost. New rule....weekends will involve an early wake up followed by an early work out. No questions asked.

Do you do better having free reign over your day? Or do you need a well-laid plan in advance?

3. My sleep schedule was WAY off. I wake up at 4:15 every morning during the week. Usually I wake up early Saturdays too so I can hike, but this weekend I opted for the natural wake up...which means I slept until 6:30 and was ALL SORTS of thrown off. Per one of my favorite fitness and nutrition mentors,  our bodies work best if we wake up at the same time every morning.

The hubby and Lucy getting some truck time in.





Home improvements with the nephew

Lucy helping the hubs with truck maintenance.



Weekends can be great, and are a good time for active rest and relaxation. Active being the key word. Don't lose your momentum or sabotage all your hard work just because it's the weekend.

How was your weekend? It really went by too fast, don't you agree?

Look at the mail surprises we've already gotten this week!!



and our WildFire Tees!



a gift for the hubby



Just Another Picture of Lucy

Look what showed up yesterday!!!

I take my group fitness cert next month and I AM STOKED! I am already planning out spin classes (nerd!!)

Tacos and Naner Waffles

After an iinnnnntense week, the hubby and I chilled out with some of our favorite tacos.

We get them from (some of you might not believe this due to my germaphobia) a roach coach taco wagon down in the ghetto where the hubby used to live. It is actually very neat and tidy and you can see the whole operation inside and the tacos are drrrroooooool worthy. They were my reward after making it to the gym each and every single stinkin' mornin' this week. Tacos=Officially earned!

Lucy rode with us to pick up our tacos. I shared a bite with her of course ;)

I created a pretty scrumptious solution for my dislike of coconut flour this week.

Naner Waffles!!!!

4 eggs
1 smushed banana
4 tbs butter or coconut oil
1/4 cup coconut flour

Mix it all together and pour into the waffle iron.

They turn out a bit soft for waffles, but it works perfect because I freeze them in groups of two and pop them in the toaster at work after my morning work out which makes them all nice and crispy. Top with peanut butter and you have yourself a delicious little PWO (post work out) fuel! Next time I will either add more banana or a splash of vanilla. I'm a sugar fiend.

Workouts this week looked like this:
Monday: heavy uppers- rows, hang cleans, high pulls, hands off deck pushups
Tuesday: 60 minutes spin
Wednesday: heavy legs- squats, weighted walking lunges, leg curls
Thursday: 60 minutes spin, burpees in the evening
Friday: all over circuit- thrusters, plank rows, lat pulls, goblet squats (Nothing huge. Just trying to get the blood flowing and burn off the breakfast calories before I consume them.)

There are big, BIG things on the horizon this coming week. The weekend will be packed with prep, organization, and run training....aren't you jealous?