MIMM: 4th of July weekend

4th of July was busy and fun.

I got ready for my workout in festive colors.

I started with a workout with me and 50 strong and sexy people.

The ladies got brand new shirts.

Strong > skinny

We warmed up with bear crawls, which were also part of the WOD in addition to partner run, overhead plate lunges, and burpees.

I left and met up with Peter for a party in the Huntington Harbor. We were treated to hydro bikes, paddle boards, a Duffy boat, and a giant hamster ball.

Plus beers and antics with these people.

Whoa, too close up there.

I headed to another party with my vodka-soaked gummy bears, wine, and pinata.

Of course, I played a few games of beer pong. I played against this lovely couple.

On Friday night, we did it again for Ryan's birthday.

Me & Jessica

Me & John

Julie and I with new friend Bryant

I recuperated on Sunday with an easy hike in Whiting Ranch with Peter, Lawrence, and Bryant.

Peter and I got post-hike acai bowl from Acai Republic, and funny thing - Lawrence & Bryant ended up there too!

For dinner, my cousin Chris treated me out to happy hour dinner at George's Greek Cafe. I had some lamb chops, shared some appetizers, and had a $2 Hillas beer.

We had some grandeur plans for my birthday tonight but decided against them so instead, I'm at home watching "The Call." It's pretty darn scary too!

Suggestions for my birthday?

High Five Friday: #yogaspace

High Five for completing my teaching application! A day of contemplating questions and I clicked submit. Cross your fingers and send good thoughts!

High Five for going to bed at 7:15 and waking up at 5:45 the next morning! That didn't stop me from taking a 2 hour nap the next afternoon. Of course, I couldn't go to bed till 2 A.M. though.

High Five for CrossFit at 7:45 P.M. I like going at the different class times to meet everyone; I also see the different performance levels. 

With CrossFit, I'm still kind of in the middle. Running is good because of the short distances, and I'm not too shabby with weights but could be stronger if my form was better.

The workout "Peralta" included burpees, box jumps, and overhead squats. I did a few squats with 55 lbs but did the workout with 35 lbs. I ended up finishing super quick (6:57) in comparison to the 10 minutes it took everyone (male and female). I'm sure I could do 55 lbs if I took my time and was more warmed up.

Can you find me?

Because I slept so early on Monday night, I had to catch up on #yogainspace. High Five for sticking in there!

Day 3: wild thing take 1

Take 2 outside

I need to work on Day 4: warrior 2.

Attempt at day 5, but I just look dead tired or drunk.

Day 6: crow pose

High Five for a new brand/non-chocolate flavor after seeing Kitchen Queen Eats Clean's clean treat. So refreshing!

Luna & Larry's Coconut Bliss in pineapple coconut

Last week, the students made salsas and guacamoles. One of the guacamoles was chocolate mole. I processed an avocado and added cocoa powder and stevia. Not as good as theirs but less ingredients I presume.

Avocado, cocoa powder, stevia

High Five for the return of the oatmeal protein pancakes! Remember how I ate these for a month straight last September? I gave them up when I went Paleo, but they're back... with blueberries!

High Five for pre-bed time mug cake recipes from Kiss My Broccoli and Sweat the Sweet Stuff.

Peanut butter pumpkin cake for one

What are your favorite recipes with blueberries?

What high fives are you giving yourself this week?

Week in review & gearing up for Blend

Happy Wednesday Friday! I had this post all ready to go on Wednesday, but the day got away from me. Looks like I only have time to post on Fridays now.

Attempted to go shopping for clothes on Sunday and no luck. I did get hungry and ate The Caveman from Meat Headz Sandwich Shop, my new go-to.

 

Because it was Mother's Day, I got some cards, champagne, and nail polish for my aunts.

Mom in jewel tones

Mom and I finally made and drank sangria using $1.99 Charles Shaw wine from Trader Joe's, some frozen tropical fruit, and oranges from the backyard.

Yoga in the afternoon after sleeping in

Back to work on Monday and an early meeting.

Tuesday 6 AM WOD that included all skill work: pistol squats, handstand push ups, and Turkish get-ups. I can only get pistol squats if I hold my leg like the ladies on the bottom left.

Also on Tuesday: 2 meetings. I'm almost done with them!

Wednesday 6 AM WOD, work, and night class. Plus, more Caveman with roast beef. Yum.

Thursday standardized testing went well I provided my kiddos with gourmet bagels and got some reading done for class. Then I headed to my other work where they're holding an Anatolian Festival this weekend. It's a little cheesy for my taste.

Sadly, I'll be missing the homebrewer competition this weekend though.

And now it's Friday and the Blend Retreat! I had to change my flight to a later time so won't get there till later. I'm super nervous about being late. I am also just half packed and have to leave right after work... Somewhere someone wrote a list of what to pack and I need to find it ASAP.

I'm not bringing my laptop with me on this trip, but will have tons of pictures when I get back (I hope!).

What's keeping you busy this weekend?
Have you ever gone to a blogger conference/retreat? This is my first one ever!

High Five Friday: First week & life is getting better and better

My lack of posts this week? The busiest schedule I've had and the best in a long time.

I started my long-term sub position. I led two meetings, did tons of paperwork, and you know, actually teach.

The teacher set me up with lesson plans for the first week and we had way too much downtime.

We had Vietnam War veterans come to speak to the class, which was fantastic. The students loved it.

I also went to my other job, went to CrossFit a couple of times during the week + one yoga class, took 2 rest days, took one nap, went to a 4.5 hour class, and went out with my CrossFit girlfriends... on a weeknight! We all left by 11:30 because we had WODs and jobs to get to.

Every morning, I eat at work. Usually, it's sunflower seed butter with organic jam, both from Trader Joe's, on Julian Bakery's paleo bread.

Food prep went away once the week started and I was super busy. I ate [healthy] without really thinking about it. Now that's intuitive eating!

Banana "ice cream" with cardamon, nutmeg, and ginger

Chili over sweet potatoes

Teacher appreciation day at Chipotle - Paleo carnitas bowl and this almost-Paleo chicken bowl (corn is not Paleo)

I replaced my obsession with healthy eating with my obsession for working with students. I love my kids and I've e-mailed, called, and talked to so many students/parents/teachers/administrators this week. I love it so much that it's Friday night and I can't sleep because I always want to do more more more!

I'm rewarded with awesome students who tell other teachers how awesome I am, parents who thank me, and the opportunity to prove myself. So far so good even though classes haven't been perfect - I may have been called a bitch, but that comes with the territory.

Now I must get some rest because I have homework to do for my new class :( and boot camp to go to in the morning.

Life is getting good...

High Five Friday: A Week of Firsts

HIGH FIVE for lamb meat. This was leftover from making those awesome paleo dolmas and was delicious. Now that summer is here, I could eat outside too.

HIGH FIVE for my first full wheel pose ever! I've been doing yoga for awhile, on and off, and got a Groupon for CorePower yoga. Level 2 suits me well and the heat helped me get into full wheel. Oh yeah, I'm almost there with splits too!

(source)

Open-faced breakfast sandwich and all ready to take my "final exam" for my online class. I had the whole set-up: textbook and notes ready. The exam was 10 multiple choice questions that I took in less than 10 minutes, only because I had to double check. HIGH FIVE for an 100% on my "final exam."

One last assignment before the end of this class - it's a tough one. Fortunately, I've had the chance to work on it at work (the school) and get all of tomorrow to work on it. 

HIGH FIVE for handstand push ups. I went after work and P.S., I love this group of people too, especially since they're more awake in the afternoon. With lots of help and encouragement, I got upside down and did them. The hardest part was to commit - I needed to kick up with more force.

 

(source)

And, HIGH FIVE for my first Rx. I've Rx'ed when Rx was the only level, but this was the first time I legitimately Rx'ed!

Thursday's WOD "Ponce" 

3 Rounds
9 HSP
12 Box Jumps 24/20
400 M Run
21 KB Swings G/Y

In good time too. I could have done Fire Breather with 24" box jumps (doable) and 800 M run (sucks but doable as well)... small steps though.

After the WOD, I was starving and realized I had no protein at home. I stopped by the 99 Cent Only store and bought pouches of salmon. I should pick up more for work.

HIGH FIVE for the weekend, which will include a fundraiser party for Cinco de Mayo and my cousin's dance performance.

HIGH FIVE for next week in which I begin my long-term sub assignment. I cannot put into words how I excited I am! It's not all mine, but it's a big step for me to get a glimpse of the dream. :)

I've become less nervous, more confident, and in need of some supplies, mostly food rations and water for all that time in class. 

What are some firsts for you this week?

What makes you excited?