Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache

After a long day of stepping my game up and doing 4 wods, I decided that tonight I was going to make some yummy paleo chocolate cupcakes with paleo ganache 

Here's the Recipe

1. 3/4 cup coconut flour
2. 4 eggs
3. 2 egg whites
4. 1/3 cup cocoa powder
5. 1/2 cup honey
6. 1 cup coconut milk
7. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
8. 1/2 baking powder
9. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
10. 1/2 cup water*

Mix all ingredients together. Only add water if the batter is too thick. Just eyeball it. 

Bake at 350F for 25-30 min or until toothpick comes out clean

For the ganache I just melted down some dark chocolate and added in some coconut milk to make a creamy ganache consistency. I also added 1 tbs of coconut oil for shine and to let the ganache set up a bit better.

Since I signed up for a 6 week bikini challenge at my boyfriends box, I know I need to step up my running and wods. Hopefully running a couple of times a week will get me to where I want to be. I dont expect to win, but I do expect to see a better AFTER picture! 
Here's what I did today:

AM WOD:

5k run

Afternoon WOD:

 Strength:

5x1 

1 hang power clean

1 hang squat clean

1 push jerk

@ 100#

METCON:

8 pistols

8 HSPU

8 burpee box jump 20"

12 pistols

12 HSPU

12 burpee box jump

16 pistols

16 HSPU

16 burpee box jump

Time: 7:50


After Party WOD:
Row 1k


Time: 4:47 (slooooow)

My left legged pistols were ugly and painful since my leg is still swollen and hurts like a mother effer. I would show you a pic of my leg but that would just be wrong after looking at those yummy cupcakes.


P.S.
I halved this recipe so I wouldn't over load on eating these like I always do

Little by little

Feels like I have been stuck in the same place for awhile with not much progress. I am trying to work on my form so I can lift bigger. I know I am a tough person to coach and don't like listening and doing what I'm told when it comes to training but I have been doing things the way I have been doing them, so its hard to start changing it up. If I want to get better I have to start moving like it and not being so stubborn. yeah right

Oh yeah. I bought a size 6 pair of shorts a little over a month ago and went to put them on today because its starting to warm up here and my transparent legs need some color 

But

I have more room in them than I thought. I just cant wrap it around my head that apparently I am getting smaller but I dont feel like I am and I dont see it. I still feel giggly and thick.

I know I am very hard on myself but I wont be happy until I see what I want to see

I feel so disconnected to everything lately

I think I need a vacation from life

2012 Elk Grove Grinder

This past Saturday I competed in my second ever competition. Was I ready? Hell no. Will I ever be? Not in this sport. CrossFit is the hardest thing I have ever done but now I dont know how to live life without it. As I promised before, here are pictures of me competing this weekend. I am glad to say I was not in last place but did make it to 14th. Next Year I am hoping I move up a few spots. 

With the awesome support of my family who came out and cheered me on, my brother/coach who was there by my side coaching me through everything and my awesome judge Dan, I couldnt have done it without you all. I was the only girl signed up for my wods so I was going up with all the boys. I think I liked it better that way. 

I have posted tons more pictures on my Flickr or my Facebook, Check them out.

CrossFit 916 Annual Elk Grove Grinder

This up coming weekend I will be competing in my second ever competition. The CrossFit 916 Grinder. Yes, I am nervous and excited. I am a very competitive person but when it comes to actual competition, especially in this sport, I become super anxious, leading to panic attacks. Yes I know I am a weirdo. BUT, I am excited and am just going to do and have a good time. It's just another day of WOD's right ;)

 I will post pictures of my pain and suffering next week. 

Paleo chocolate and banana drop cookies

Ingredients:

2 banana's

2 tbs creamy unsalted almond butter

3 1/2 tsp coco powder

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp sea salt

1 1/4 cup almond meal

1/4 cup dark chocolate chips


* I added about 1 tbs of honey to my recipe 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.

In a large bowl, mash bananas using a hand mixer.  Add almond butter, cacao powder, vanilla, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt and mix to combine using hand mixer.  Add almond flour to bowl and mix everything until well mixed.  Stir in chocolate chips/chunks into batter until well incorporated.

Scoop even scoops using a ice cream/cookie scoop and place on prepared baking sheet.  Bake cookies for 15 minutes or until cookies are slightly golden on tops and bottom.

These are super delicious right out of the oven paired with vanilla coconut ice cream

BUT even better the next day after hanging out in the refrigerator 

*original post

Ohlow

 For some reason my hoopdie blog decided to not show any of my previous blog post pictures. Soooooo hopefully the tweek I made will allow my future posts to work properly

Paleo Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Cake:

2.5 cups of almond flour, 

(you can used blanched or unblanched, I dont think it really makes a difference)

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup grapeseed oil

1/4 cup agave nectar

( I use blue agave)

2 large eggs

Topping: 

2 tbs ground cinnamon

2 tbs grapeseed oil

1/4 cup agave nectar or honey

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease an 8" square baking dish with grapeseed oil

2. Combine the dry ingredients of the cake in a large bowl and mix the wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Mix together until completely incorporated.

3. Spread the mixed batter into greased baking dish

4. Mix the topping ingredients together and spread over cake batter.

5. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Le cake cool in pan for 1 hour before cutting.

Watch your cake because it can easily burn and over cook. No one likes a dry cake. Serve with coffee or just to snack on.

* I buy all of my ingredients at trader joes because they are sooooo much cheaper there

Paleo Lemon Bars

So this was the first time I have ever made any type of "bar" 

and they turned out pretty tasty, a bit tart but I am ok with that

Crust:

 1-1/2 cups of blanched almond four

1/2 tsp sea salt

2 tbs grapeseed oil

1 tbs agave nectar

1 tbs vanilla extract

Topping:

1/4 cup grapeseed oil

1/4 cup agave nextar

3 large eggs

1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions:

Preheat over to 350F. Grease an 8" square baking dish with grapeseed oil and dust with almond flour

For the crust, combine the dry ingredients and wet ingredients in separate bowls, then slowly combine together. Press the dough into your 8" dish and bake for 15-17 minutes or until lightly golden.

As the crust is baking mix your topping ingredients together until completely combined and smooth, I would suggest using a stand mixer like I did or a hand mixer. This should be mixed on a high setting. Pour the topping over the hot crust and stick back in the oven for another 15-20 minutes.

The topping should be slightly golden brown, take out of the oven and let sit on counter to cool for 30 min.

You then want to stick it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to set.

Cut into bars and eat!

Day #1: My View

Feb Photo Challenge

Feb Photo Challenge

Fat Mum Slim has been doing a monthly photo challenge and I didn't get a chance to do it last month but I am going to for February! Great excuse to take more pictures.

Paleo Brownies

Helloooo paleo brownies! Get into my tummy!

1 1/4 cup raw agave syrup, gently heated 
3/4 cup natural cocoa powder
1 cup almond butter

1 egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking soda
(next time i might add a little baking powder for more lift)
1/2 tsp salt
* I added a handful of walnut to my brownies but you don't have to

(next time I am going to add espresso, always makes chocolate better)

1. Heat agave syrup gently over VERY low heat until warm (do not allow to boil). Stir in cocoa powder over low heat until smooth. Do not burn the cocoa so be sure to stir frequently and on very very very low heat. ( I constantly stirred my agave and cocoa for probably 5 minutes to incorporate everything and to make the mixture smooth)
2. Mix egg with vanilla extract, and baking soda before combining with agave-cocoa-almond butter mixture

3. Remove agave and cocoa mixture from heat and stir in remaining ingredients. 
4. Grease an 8x8 pan or line with parchment paper or foil. I used grapeseed oil to grease my pan.
5. Bake at 325F for 40-50 min.  Insert a toothpick in the center and if it comes out clean, they are done!

I am a Pinterest-a-holic, especially when it comes to paleo recipes! So I thought I would try out these bacon bowls this morning and I am glad I did. Super nom-a-licious

I filled the bacon bowls/cups with scrambled eggs, homemade salsa and guac.

 Super yummy! I made two because I always make more than I should, only ended up eating one and gave the other to my bro.  These are super easy to make and it's bacon so cant go wrong there.

Nom Nom

So I have been trying to be as strictly paleo as possible and so far it has been paying off. My pants are looser and I feel a lot better. I am trying not to get stuck eating the same thing all the time so I have been experimenting with different recipes lately. 

Tonight I made home made mayo and it turned out awesome! 

 And then I made some paleo herb rounds. Awesome for burgers and breakfast sandwiches. 

1 1/2 cups almond flour

2 tablespoons coconut flour

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped (i did 1/2 rosemary and 1/2 oregano)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

5 eggs

1/4 cup bacon grease (or coconut oil, melted)

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1/2 tablespoon honey

Directions: preheat oven to 350. Mix all dry ingredients together in a big bowl and all the wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Make sure you mix the eggs/wet ingredients before incorporating them into the dry ingredients. Mix wet and dry ingredients together. Scoop out onto a baking sheet with an ice cream scoop and bake for 15-20 min.

Superrrrr yummy with my burger, and I even had some avocado! ( I never liked avocado but it's growing on me) The recipe made about 8 buns.

I made some potatoe salad too with my mayo and some yams but didn't eat any because I was so friggin full from my burger.

Oh! Check out how big my green onions are getting! Almost as tall as the window

2012 CrossFit Goals

Currently:

Back Squat- 210

Dead Lift- 255

Shoulder Press- 95

Front Squat- 155

Sumo Deadlift- 265

Push Press- 125

Squat Snatch- 105

2012 Goals:

Back Squat- 250

Dead Lift- 300

Shoulder Press- 125

Front Squat- 210

Sumo Deadlift- 325

Push Press- 145

Squat Snatch- 125

Pretty big goals for my weights in 2012 but with hard work I think I can get there, or at least come pretty damn close to them.

Endurance is a whole different story.