T-Minus 6 days to Christmas! If your month has been anything like mine, you’ve been going a million miles a minute, hitting all kinds of holiday parties and gatherings, trying to squeeze in Christmas shopping, keep up with work, and generally not lose your mind a little bit. This is a wildly busy time of year for most and between not having a lot of time to cook and having lots of holiday parties to binge at, it’s also a difficult time of year to eat well.
I found myself this past weekend CRAVING veggies and healthy food like none other. After our 10 year party (thanks to everyone who made it out!) we had lots of food left over. If you had any of that brisket you know we couldn’t let it go to waste. I made brisket chili (which I should share that recipe soon because it was BOMB). I made brisket breakfast hash. I used the chicken and pinto beans to make stuffed bell peppers. I even had a breakfast taco party for the coaches! As much as I love BBQ, I was definitely ready for something lighter and…. greener… by the end of the week.
I also wanted something that was still full of flavor and warm and cozy for this winter weather. Thus was born the cold weather power bowl. You’ll find that this is similar to some of the buddha bowl style recipes I posted back in the summer, but this one is made to be a cozy bowl of healthy, delicious, and filling goodies. It’s super easy to put together and tastes great. As always, customize as you like, but below is
my version.
Eat well while you can because we’re in for another full dessert table in less than a week! 😉
P.S…. stay tuned for a post addressing how to not totally lose control over the holiday 🙂
Ingredients
VEGETABLES
2-3 Tbsp olive oil 1 medium red onion (sliced in wedges) 3 large sweet potatoes – (Roughly sliced on the diagonal) 2 bundles broccolini (large stems removed – chopped) 3-4 big handfuls kale (larger stems removed) 1/4 tsp each salt + pepper
CHICKPEAS
2 15-ounce chickpeas (drain, rinse, and pat dry) 1.5 tsp cumin 1 tsp chili powder 1 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp each salt + pepper 1 tsp oregano (optional) 1/4 tsp turmeric (optional
CHICKEN
2 Lbs chicken breast (or meat of your choice!) This would also be great with steak, pork tenderloin, or Italian sausage…OR you could even go without and make it a vegetarian meals for the week.
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and arrange sweet potatoes and onions on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Drizzle both with a bit of oil, making sure the flesh of the sweet potatoes are well coated and placed skin side down on the sheet.
You can do your chicken at the same time as the vegetables. Rinse and pat the chicken breasts dry. Coat evenly with olive oil and place on another baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Season with salt, pepper, garlic power, and paprika (or any seasoning you like)! The chicken will bake for appx. 18-20 minutes or until no longer pink. You should see a nice golden color coming up on the top.
Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from oven flip sweet potatoes and add broccolini. Drizzle broccolini with a bit of oil and season with a pinch each salt and pepper.
Bake for another 8-10 minutes, then remove from oven and add kale. Drizzle kale with a touch more oil and season with a pinch each salt and pepper. Bake for another 4-5 minutes then set aside.
While vegetables are roasting, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add chickpeas to a mixing bowl and toss with seasonings.
When chicken is finished baking, remove it and let cool for a few minutes before slicing into bitesize chunks,
Once the chickpeas are browned and fragrant, remove from heat and set aside.
To serve: Divide your veggies, chicken, and chickpeas evenly among 4 large bowls. I chose to add a little bit of a grain mix that I had leftover from another recipe to each bowl as well (quinoa, brown rice, bulgar, and farro)
That’s it guys! Eat it right away or pack it up for lunches later where you can heat and enjoy.
Change can be challenging. We like to think of change as an opportunity for growth. With the New Year right around the corner, many of us are beginning to think about those resolutions. Why wait until January to make a commitment to yourself?! You can start now and set yourself up for success by committing to focus on yourself and your habits for 6 weeks. You can do the prep work between now and the start of the challenge to not only get through the holidays with a healthier mindset, but roll into the challenge likes it’s no big deal with some major growth to look forward to.
We also hope that this challenge will create habits that cover the usual resolution suspects like weight, working out, eating well, etc… so you can shift your New Year’s resolutions away from health and fitness goals (because they’ll already be in place!) and make more goals surrounding having fun in 2019!
During our last challenge, we saw some awesome results and had great time working through the challenges & celebrating our weekly wins with our teammates. We hope you’ll consider joining us on this journey again! We introduced some awesome new opportunities the last time around and we’re excited to be adding more with this challenge! Stay tuned for what’s to come 🙂
Whole Life Challenge is part fitness, part nutritional and body composition, and part accountability challenges. Our goals for each New Year 2019 Whole Life Challenger are:
Mental + emotional preparation for the longevity of a healthy lifestyle {awareness + action}
Individual fitness gains
Deeper knowledge and understanding of your own make up, so you can create more specific goals
Creation of lasting habits for individualized nutritional and body composition success
Physical & nutritional preparation to get you through LIFE and be the best version of yourself
While everyone wants to look and feel better, it can be a challenge to know how or where to start. The Whole Life Challenge focuses you on the key areas of your life that produce real, life-long changes. Playing together with your friends and family in a fun and motivating daily game, you’ll create new healthy habits that last long after it ends.
The Whole Life Challenge focuses on 7 daily habits that you will learn and create for yourself as you journey through.
These 7 Daily Habits are:
Nutrition. Your food choices have the single greatest impact on your health, well-being, and community. When you make choices that keep you healthy, you give yourself the fuel to fulfill all of who you are. There are 3 levels to choose from that allow you to start making changes in a realistic and attainable way. Â {Choose the level that is right for you}
Exercise. Humans are designed to move daily. Whether through workouts, activity, or simply enjoying the full use of your body, daily movement keeps you healthy and vital. You’re already moving regularly with us!
Mobility. In a sedentary world, our bodies get stuck. Daily mobility and stretching helps you move the way nature intended and continue enjoying freedom of movement into your later years.
Sleep. Modern schedules tend to dictate how many hours of sleep we’re entitled to. A practice of increasing that time, even by a little bit, can make big strides in robust health. You set the sleep goals that are right for you.
Hydration. More than anything, your body is made of water. This habit ensures that your body gets enough of its most basic resources for life.
Lifestyle Practice. The {WLC weekly lifestyle practices}turn a life into your life. Learn to step back, take stock, connect, and turn your attention to what is really important to you.
Reflection. Looking back, looking inward, or looking forward, daily reflection draws your awareness to what is working and what needs your attention today.
The {Challenge}Â begins with taking your preliminary measurements and completing a workout (that can be scaled to your level) that will be repeated at the end.
Throughout the 42 day challenge you will post your scores in the 7 categories listed above. The Challenge is designed in a way that we can work as a team to check in with and support each other on a daily basis.
To close out the Whole Life Challenge, you will repeat the preliminary measurements and workout to gauge how far you’ve come! But, it doesn’t end there! The Whole Life Challenge is designed to help you make healthy lifestyle changes that last.
You can register and join Team CrossFit Austin through the Whole Life Challenge {website}. Make sure you do join our team to participate with the community!
CHALLENGE BEGINS ||Â CHALLENGE ENDS
January 19, 2019Â Â Â Â March 1, 2019
Early Return Player Registration
November 15 – January 3
Price: $29.00 (save $20.00)
Early Player Registration
November 24 – January 3
Price: $39.00 (save $10.00)
Regular Registration
January 4 – January 30
Price: $49.00
{What’s New This Year?}
Well, for one, the challenge is a little shorter. What used to be an 8 week challenge is now a 6 week challenge, but regardless, the goal is still the same. We’re here to create long-lasting, healthy habits to
We have partnered with {Body Analytics USA} to offer fast, accurate body composition testing. Their Hydrostatic Testing method uses a three component model which separates the body into 3 areas:
Bone, muscle and organs, along with connective tissue, collectively known as lean mass, sinks (is more dense than water)
Body fat floats (is less dense than water)
Total body water which is neutrally buoyant, but must be removed from your actual weight
By obtaining your dry weight and water weight, based on buoyancy, our specialized computer program can scientifically calculate your body fat as a percentage of your total weight. The ordinary scale cannot tell you if weight loss is muscle or fat while testing with Body Analytics will tell you exactly what took place with your body during your weight loss regimen.
This will be an additional service offered at CrossFit Austin both pre & post WLC. We will post back here with dates as soon as we confirm!
Single test – $49
Pre & Post-test – $80
Last challenge, we partnered with Grxub Prepared Meals and had healthy, delicious, COMPLIANT meals delivered straight to the gym. We are excited to be partnering with Jon and Grxub again this cycle!
There are still more exciting things to come for the New Year challenge (stay tuned)! Commit to yourself for 2019 and start your year out right by joining Team CrossFit Austin!
Each month we spotlight a different CFA athlete who stands out and shows just how awesome they are. What is it that makes up an Athlete of the Month? It may not be the person that finishes the fastest, Rx’s every WOD, or gets a PR every time they walk in the gym. Although we love and celebrate when those things happen, the Athlete of the Month is made up of much more than physical ability. This person shows up, gives their best every time, and then gives a little more. They are hungry to learn and always ready to do the work. They support their fellow classmates and encourage them to reach their goals. This athlete embodies what we believe the CrossFit Austin Community should be about.
Our December Athlete of the Month is Alyson Bentley! Alyson has been a part of the CFA family for about a year and a half now, but she was no stranger to CrossFit when she started! Alyson and Coach Mark actually go back to their college days in Lubbock, training and competing together! Alyson is most regularly an early AM gal, but you’ll occasionally find her popping into other classes, always making fitness a priority in her schedule. Alyson is a serious #badassbabe! She exemplifies so many of the qualities we look for in an AOM and has shown some awesome progress in her time here. Alyson, the CFA Team is proud to honor you as our December Athlete of the Month and as an awesome part of this community. Thanks for your all your hard work and we look forward to seeing all you accomplish in the years to come! Congratulations!
State your Name and/or Nickname please:
Alyson Bentley
Words to live by?Â
Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.
What is your fitness background?
I was a competitive cheerleader for many years and stumbled across Crossfit when I decided I wanted to get stronger. I figured if I could throw some weights around I could get become stronger at throwing my body around!
How long have you been CrossFitting?
5 years!
Take us back to your first day of CrossFit… How did you feel? How do you compare it to workouts today?
My first day of Crossfit I was so anxious. I had to do a series of elements classes which totaled to two weeks of learning the basics before I was able to actually join in the Crossfit classes and do my first wod. I hopped in there a little intimidated by all the amazing athletes but quickly found my place among them. Crossfit has changed my life and brought out a side of myself most wouldn’t see at first glance. It allows me to challenge myself and be both mentally and physically strong!
What’s your favorite part of CrossFit Austin?
Crossfit Austin is the bomb because of all the amazing coaches and athletes that create such an awesome community. Crossfit austin is the reason I drive 20 min out of my way to get a workout in when there is multiple boxes within 5 min of where I live.
Current Training Goals/PRs?
My Training goals starting in January will be to become a more well rounded athlete. I plan to implement all the aspects of programming that CFA has to offer. I will be making some time to get my wods in, making time to hangout with coach Dylan to work on my barbell movements, and making time for some endurance with coach Jesse so that I can I work on my weakness I have with running!
What advice do you have for folks just starting out in CrossFit?
Have patience! Crossfit is not something that you become good at overnight and even when you do think you got it down it always sneaks up on you and makes sure you know that there is ALWAYS something to learn and to get better at. Check your ego at the door and everything will come with hard work and time!Â
What is your cheat meal go to?
Margaritas and chips and salsa aka Mexican food!
How do you use your fitness outside of the gym?
Investing in my self with my commitment to fitness allows me to invest in everyone else around me. Whether it be in my personal life, at work, or even just making time to hangout with my furry friends you may often see sitting in my car!
Tell us about a moment you felt most proud of yourself during a workout.Â
I feel proud of myself every single time I finish a wod. Every workout we do presents itself with it’s own challenge and the feeling of adrenaline rushing through you when you realize you did something you may or may not have known your body was capable of doing is unlike any other.
If you could create a WOD and name it for yourself, what would it be?Â
‘Alyson’
20 min AMRAP
12 DL
12 hang cleans
12 front squat
12 push pressÂ
12 back squat
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit?
I love to travel, be out doors, hang out with my pups, and grab a good margarita now and then!
Tell us something we don’t know about you…
I sell personal lines insurance (home,auto,umbrella, motorcycle, etc)! Little did you guys know I am probably the coolest insurance agent you know.
Leave the fine folks of CrossFit Austin with some parting words…
You guys are all so awesome. I am very fortunate to be able to workout among all of you and be apart of the CFA community!
Well, today did not go as planned… Which is why you’re getting this post so late 😉 Something happened to knock the phone and internet out at the gym and working on my cell is not ideal.
Guys, I can’t tell you how excited I am for this! I’m going to plug it everywhere I can until party time, but meal tickets and raffle tickets are on sale now and trust me, you do NOT want to miss out on either! We have some super cool raffle prizes and tickets (for both the raffle and the food) are cheap y’all! As for the meal plates, you can’t have a party at a ranch in Texas without BBQ. AJ’s Ranch Roach Grill is one of our favorite go-tos down here in San Marcos. When I don’t want to cook, brisket it is! Tim has also known Andrew for years so we’re excited to support a friend.
Honestly, this whole party is put together by partnering with friends. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks reaching out to our friends and cohorts to bring the people and things we love together… Anyway, I have a ton of things to do this evening for this party so I’m going to get on with the recipe. Get your tix and I’ll see ya there! 🙂
African Groundnut StewÂ
1 lb Ground Turkey
1Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 medium red onion – finely chopped
1 medium green bell pepper – finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery
3 cloves of garlic – minced
2 Tbsp fresh ginger – peeled and minced
2 Tbsp curry powder
2 large tomatoes – diced
1 bay leaf
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
4 Tbsp natural almond butter – creamy or crunchy!
1 1/2 cups soybeans (edamame)Â cooked (I just use frozen in the steam bag)
1/4 cup fresh cilantro – chopped
1 lb baby spinach leaves
Salt and Pepper to taste.
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and brown the ground turkey. Add the onion, bell pepper and celery and saute until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes
Add the garlic, ginger and curry powder and saute until fragrant. Be careful not to brown the garlic. Add the tomatoes and bay leaf and cook, uncovered until tomatoes are slightly reduced, about 3 minutes.
Add the broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in almond butter until blended. Add the soybeans and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and spinach. Season with salt and pepper to taste!
This recipe is cozy and earthy and a great way to break out of your normal routine. Enjoy!
It’s kind of strange how food can bring so much comfort emotionally, but it really does! Over the weekend, Tim wasn’t feeling so hot AND we had his mother in town visiting. Sunday evening, it was chilly out, Tim was resting, and I wanted to make something cozy for all of us to enjoy while we watched a movie. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I love soups. I love to make soups, especially in my cast iron dutch oven. I wanted a nice hearty soup with warm fall flavors and this is what we ended up with!
It did the trick! We were warm, full, and happy. Tim got a little soup therapy, and I got the thumbs up from his mom so I’d call it a success! I know it’s Thanksgiving this week and there will be plenty of chow making the rounds, but if you need something quick and you’re tired of turkey, this can be on the table in under an hour. Enjoy guys!
Also, Happy Thanksgiving! Hope everyone gets some quality family time in this week. Tim and I are grateful to have all of you in our lives! XO
*Take note on the spice blend – I did not have Old Bay seasoning on hand, but I made an awesome mix on my own that I actually like better. Easy route, go Old Bay, but if you don’t mind spending another minute or two to mix it up, the alternate is awesome.
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb ground Italian sausage (turkey works as well – heck! Maybe you shred up the leftover turkeyfrom Thanksgiving!)
6 cups chicken (or vegetable) stock
1 cup uncooked wild rice
8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 medium carrots, diced
3 ribs celery, diced
1 large (about 1 pound) sweet potato, peeled and diced
1 small white onion, peeled and diced
2-3 Bay Leaves
1 1/2 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning – see below for alternate mix
3 tablespoons butter
1/4Â cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk
2 large handfuls of kale, roughly chopped with thick stems removed
Kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper
Alternate to Old Bay
1 Tbsp celery salt
2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp nutmeg-fresh ground if possible
1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
1/4 tsp ground cloves
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well!
INSTRUCTIONS
**I really cannot tell you how worth it an enameled cast iron dutch oven is guys.. I use it for everything! This is the one I have, but Cuisinart, Martha Stewart, and so many others make very similar ones. Such a solid investment!
Heat (an extra) 1 tablespoon butter in a large stockpot (or dutch oven)  over medium-high heat. Add in the meat and cook, stirring occasionally until browned.
Add in the stock, wild rice, mushrooms, carrots, celery, sweet potato, bay leaves and seasoning. Stir to combine.
Continue cooking until the soup reaches a simmer. Then reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 45 minutes, or until the rice is tender, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, during those final 10 minutes, prepare your cream sauce in a separate saucepan on the stove. In it, cook the butter over medium-high heat until melted. Whisk in the flour (add gradually) until combined, and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add in the milk, and whisk until combined. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the mixture nearly comes to a simmer and has thickened. (It should be very thick.)
Add the cream sauce and kale to the soup, and stir gently until combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper (plus any extra seasoning, if you would like) as needed.
Serve warm. Or transfer to sealed container(s) and refrigerate.
I’m a firm believer in corn bread, so that’s what we had with this soup. On that note, I just used a little box of Jiffy, but I always add about 1/2 cup of frozen corn. This time though, I used unsweetened coconut milk instead of regular milk and I don’t think I’ll ever go back. It was awesome!
Join us in celebrating 10 Years of serving the Austin Community!
What:
We are so honored and excited to be celebrating 10 Years Strong w/ CrossFit Austin! Serving the Austin community for the last 10 years has been no small feat, but one of the most rewarding! The relationships and journeys we’ve fostered have filled these walls with love. We hope you can join us to celebrate!
When:
Saturday, December 8 2:00 – 6:00 pm
Where:
The home of Linzi Newth
14015 S Turnersville Rd
Buda, TX 78610 *Next door to her awesome business – Remington Pet Ranch! Check them out for pet grooming, boarding, daycare.. They’ll even come pick up your pooch on their tricked out bus!
*Note – this will be an outdoor party so dress accordingly. Don’t worry though, there WILL be a bonfire!Â
Who:
All members, families, friends, residents in the area! It’s a party y’all! *Unless you’re dropping them off next door for a boarding/grooming/or daycare appt. Please leave pets at home. The party is at a private residence and we want to respect the space.
What else:
Male and Female members of the year awards In years past it has been Push Up Man and Push Up woman, but with new ownership and a new decade ahead, we are excited to announce our new annual award – Stay tuned! Superlative awards Think high school year book 😉 Always a lot of fun and a good way to get to know your CFA community Games Corn hole, spike ball, frisbees, etc… You can also make smores at the bonfire if that’s your thing 🙂
Food & Brews
Usually we have our annual party at a restaurant or bar where everyone’s on their own and food and beverages can get pretty pricey. We’re thrilled to be able to offer discounted meal plates and beverages thanks to some of our friends!Â
We are having BBQ plates catered from one of our favorite go-tos! Owned and operated by a long time friend of Tim’s, AJ’s Ranch Road Grill will be cooking up all kinds of goodies at a steal! They are even coming out to serve for us!
Brisket
BBQ chicken Mac & Cheese Pinto Beans
**We’re also excited to have custom printed cups for the occasion! We’ll have 3 kinds of beer from a couple of our neighbors! If you plan to drink beer you must be (21+) and must purchase a beer cup with or without a meal. Cups may also be purchased if you don’t plan to drink beer and just want a commemorative cup 😉Â
NXNW Restaurant and Brewery on Slaughter lane – Zombie Dragon IPA & Northern Lights Lager Two Wheel Brewery in Buda Buda-Ful Blonde Ale
We’ll also have some of the standards if craft isn’t your thing. BBQ plates + CFA Cup $15 Â – Will include 2 meats and 2 sides, cup must be purchased if you plan to drink beer. (21+) Â Water and tea will also be provided PURCHASE HERE BBQ plate (food only) $12 – Will include 2 meats and 2 sides – water and tea provided with meal plates PURCHASE HERE
CFA Cup only – $5 – Cup must be purchased if you plan to drink beer (21+) You can also purchase without drinking beer if you just want the cup! 🙂 PURCHASE HERE
POTLUCK SNACKS/APPS – We’ll be setting out some additional snacks and appetizers for free. Help us stock the table and bring your favorite! Ex: Chips, salsa, guac, veggies/fruit/meat trays, potato salad, cole slaw (it’s outside so anything that needs to stay cool will do great!) crackers, cheese, sweets, etc…
*Email gen@crossfitaustin.com to purchase plates and cups
*RAFFLE TICKETS*
We are excited to be working with several of our favorite local restaurants and businesses for some awesome raffle prizes! So far our prizes include: Emmer & Rye Gift Cards District Kitchen Gift Cards Rosewood Gift Cards Stronger Faster Healthier prize packs Cryo + Compression session at Restore Cryo Infared Sauna + Stretch session at Restore Cryo Austin Weightlifting 1-on-1 Sessions Massage with Heidi @ CFA But, there is much more to come!
Email gen@crossfitaustin.com to purchase raffle tickets! All proceeds go to covering additional costs for the party and left over goes to our equipment fund!Â
Raffle tickets
1 – $2
3 – $5
5 – $7
10 – $10
What do I need:
A lawn chair
Cash for raffle tickets if you didn’t pre-purchase and have FOMO
Warm, outside clothes or a blanket (just in case)
Potluck dish for the snack/app table
The meal and beer tickets you purchased
Your party pants
HOLY BURR! There is a reason that I moved out of Kansas and to Texas… cold weather. I will say… I’m glad it’s not raining anymore, but this is for the birds.
I say that, but guess where we are going for Thanksgiving next week? Yeah.. Kansas. My dad said they’ve already gotten their first snow. I honestly don’t mind that if I don’t have to be driving or getting out in it. I’ll take snow on Thanksgiving day when we can veg out and just watch it come down in the yard.
So, guess what I was craving with the cold weather? Chili. I’m not really a fan of the typical chili beans and I like a lot of “stuff” in it, so this is the recipe I came up with when I wanted chili MY way. With every recipe, you can add and subtract as desired, but I like to think this is a pretty good one. Tim would agree… we’ve had this twice in the last couple of weeks and he hasn’t complained. 🙂
Alright, put on your sweatpants and get to cooking! This will be ready in no-time. It’s not one of those chili recipes that needs hours to simmer so if you want a quick one for tonight – I got you covered.
Weeknight ChiliÂ
INGREDIENTS
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Lb ground meat of your choice – I like a mix of 1lb Bison and 1lb Beef
1 15oz can of black beans – drained and rinsed
1 15oz can of garbanzo beans – drained and rinsed
1 14.5oz can HEB fire roasted tomatoes
1 14.5oz can HEB diced tomatoes with green chilis
1 medium yellow onion – diced
2 cloves garlic – minced
1 large jalapeno – finely diced
1 poblano pepper – diced
1 large bell pepper (color of your choice) – diced
1 cup sweet corn (I use frozen) *2-3 Tbsp chili powder – I like a lot in my chili so I use 3, but go to taste 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp dried oregono
*1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (Optional if you like spicy) 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp onion powder 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
For topping – All optional
Diced onion, diced green, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeno, plain greek yogurt (I actually like this better than sour cream), sliced avocado, lime wedge, tortilla chips… make some cornbread… the world is your oyster.
INSTRUCTIONS
In a large pot (I use my cast iron dutch oven… let’s be real, I use it for EVERYTHING)… heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, jalapeno, bell pepper, and poblano pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook another minute. Add the ground meat, stir and cook until browned throughout.
Add the seasoning and all your canned goods. Tomatoes (both kinds) – (note* If you can’t find those, about 30 oz of any diced tomatoes will do. I just love the flavors of those), black beans, and garbanzo beans. If you need more liquid you can add a little water or broth, but keep in mind the ingredients will cook down a bit and release some moisture.
Bring the chili to a boil, add the corn, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes. The longer you simmer the more the flavors will blend, but it’s pretty much ready at this point! Taste and adjust your seasoning if you prefer.
Put your coziest socks on, dish it out into nice deep bowls and load it up with your favorite toppings! Netflix and chili y’all.
Each month we spotlight a different CFA athlete who stands out and shows just how awesome they are. What is it that makes up an Athlete of the Month? It may not be the person that finishes the fastest, Rx’s every WOD, or gets a PR every time they walk in the gym. Although we love and celebrate when those things happen, the Athlete of the Month is made up of much more than physical ability. This person shows up, gives their best every time, and then gives a little more. They are hungry to learn and always ready to do the work. They support their fellow classmates and encourage them to reach their goals. This athlete embodies what we believe the CrossFit Austin Community should be about.
Our November Athlete of the Month is Steve Singleton! Steve has only been a part of the CFA family since July, but he came in HOT and has already made massive jumps in his training! Steve is a regular in the “4:30 Fire” crew, but you’ll occasionally find him popping into other classes, always making fitness a priority in his schedule. From day one, he has had some clear goals in mind and immediately began doing the extra work to achieve them. He takes the time to do the extra work, schedule individual sessions, focus on technique, and it shows in the PRs he’s hitting!! Steve exemplifies so many of the qualities we look for in an AOM and has shown some awesome progress in his time here. Steve, the CFA Team is proud to honor you as our November Athlete of the Month and as an awesome part of this community. Thanks for your all your hard work and we look forward to seeing all you accomplish in the years to come! Congratulations!
State your Name and/or Nickname please:Steve Singleton
Words to live by? Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts. – Winston Churchill
What is your fitness background? I was an athlete growing up, but exchanged the weights for a whisk a couple of years ago which is one of the reason I turned to CrossFit.
How long have you been CrossFitting? I briefly tried Crossfit in New England, but it didn’t workout. I joined CFA last July.
Take us back to your first day of CrossFit… How did you feel? How do you compare it to workouts today? I don’t think I was nervous because I knew it would take time and patience to learn things, but I also wasn’t confident in myself as an athlete. Today, I walk in with confidence in the skills I have learned.
What’s your favorite part of CrossFit Austin? I truly enjoy seeing everyone push themselves and each other with every workout. We all have strengths and weaknesses, therefore can step up and help one another get through each day.
Current Training Goals/PRs? My current goal isn’t a number, but a time. I took a picture of myself on June 19, 2018 at one of the lowest points of my life, one month before joining CFA; I look forward to taking another picture on June 19, 2019 to see how far I’ve come.
My short term goal was to get a single muscle-up… nailed it.. now, on to the rings
What advice do you have for folks just starting out in CrossFit? Less really is more! With time and practice focusing on form, the PRs will come.
What is your cheat meal go to? Breakfast tacos! Any kind any way.. I learned the hard way that New Englanders don’t know what they are or how to make ’em right. Worst two years ever! (Not really)
How do you use your fitness outside of the gym? I use my body everyday as a massage therapist so keeping up with fitness is key to my longevity
Tell us about a moment you felt most proud of yourself during a workout. The day I broke my pr by 90lb on the power clean. All the 1-on-1 sessions with Dylan and pointers from the coaches really paid off!
If you could create a WOD and name it for yourself, what would it be? The Triwizard Tournament: for time
50 squat snatches
50 burpee into jumping pull-ups
1600 meter run
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? I’m a massage therapist by trade, but a pastry chef by hobby. I went back to school when I turned 30 to get my degree in Pastry Arts, just for fun. Also, I’m a retired professional wrestler (just like on TV)
Tell us something we don’t know about you… The workout was a hint to this… I’m a HUGE potthead aka Harry Potter nerd. I was 12 when the first book came out and I’ve been a fan ever since. The dragon tattoo on my shoulder is a custom piece I had drawn by taking 3 pieces of graphic art from the movies.
Leave the fine folks of CrossFit Austin with some parting words As someone who’s is naturally introverted I’d like to just thank everyone, coaches and workout crew, for making me feel welcome from day one. Coming to CFA was something that was definitely out of my comfort zone, but with great risk comes great reward because joining was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Happy Hump Day! I hope your week has been full of awesome things! It’s been a bit hectic around here, but that’s only because we are planning our 10 Year Anniversary Party! We’re so excited y’all 🙂
I’m going to keep this one brief because I have a ton of things to do for said party, so we’re going to get straight to the kitchen. I’m usually a savory breakfast person. Don’t get me wrong, I love pancakes and pastries, but if it isn’t paired with something savory, I’m usually not into it for breakfast. This recipe may be the exception to that.
It’s sweet without being overly sweet… if that makes sense… and like all my favorite things, you can customize this with your favorite toppings. I’ll share what I used, but also list a few other ideas for you. If you need a super quick breakfast option, this is the way to go. Enjoy!
The amounts I’m sharing made 3 bowls for us… adjust accordingly 🙂
Sweet Potato breakfast bowls
INGREDIENTS
2 Large sweet potatoes
1-2 Scoops protein powder (I used SFH churro, but I think a vanilla, coconut, or even chocolate would be good in this)
1 Large apple
1 tsp coconut oil
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/3 tsp nutmeg
2 TBSP Almond Butter
Topping options
Raisins
Sliced Almonds
Chia seeds
Flax seeds
Rolled Oats
*Optional – a drizzle of date syrup, honey, or maple syrup on top
INSTRUCTIONS
You have 2 options with the sweet potatoes. If you prefer oven baked, wash and poke your potatoes with a fork several times. Wrap them in foil and baked them at 425 for 45-50 minutes…
**If you go the microwave route, start your apples first so they can bake while you prep the rest.
I do not have time or patience for that so I go the microwave route. Wash and poke with a fork 5-6 times. Wrap them in wax paper and microwave. Usually about 7 minutes, but if you do them together it may be a bit longer. Rotate them half way through and microwave until soft and fork tender. Cut open and let them cool for a few minutes before handling.
**Apples – Preheat the oven to 350. Wash, core, and dice your apple into cubes. I like to leave the skin on, but it’s up to you. Toss the apples in a bowl with coconut oil (liquid form) along with the cinnamon and nutmeg. Line a baking sheet with foil and spread the apples out on the sheet. Bake the apples for 10-15 minutes or until softened and golden. Your kitchen is going to smell amazing!
Once your potatoes have cooled enough to handle them (don’t let them get cold if you plan to eat this immediately) remove the skin and put them in a large bowl. Mash them up with a fork. Add the protein powder and mix it in well. If you’re having trouble mixing it in, add a little bit of liquid of your choice. I used coconut milk. You can also had more cinnamon and nutmeg to this mixture if you prefer.Â
Dish out a bowl of the potato/protein mixture. Top it with a tablespoon of almond butter, the apples you justbaked, and whatever else you prefer! Mine had raisins, chia & flax seed, sliced almonds, raw rolled oats, and a little drizzle of date syrup.
You could also skip the apples and do chocolate chips instead. I haven’t tried it, but I bet this would be good with some blueberries, shaved coconut, any other kind of nuts… It’s up to you! It takes on almost an “oatmeal” feeling so top it up however you want.
Even though I’m a savory breakfast person, I’ll definitely be making this again.
