21 Thanksgiving (And Other) Food Related Musings

With Thanksgiving less than two weeks away people have been asking me about this blog post from years past, especially given the recent discussions surrounding holiday season foods.  So here it is in its original & un-changed form, complete with "2015 domoic acid crab season crisis" and "is Jon Snow actually dead?!" references and all... Bon Appétit! 

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Arena Ready. 

That's code for "my wife is going to kill me for posting this many negative opinions." Enjoy! 

Last week at the gym many of us talked about some Thanksgiving meal likes and dislikes, and it got me to thinking... eh, who are we kidding, I think (and talk) about food all the time, as you all know.  Growing up in San Francisco, and being from a multi-cultural family, Thanksgiving at our house usually meant (among other things, including the standard Turkey Day fare) Dungeness crab.  Like, almost literally, a ton of Dungeness crab - as in my Filipino mother wheels-in two coolers full, like we're prepping to hibernate for the winter and have to stuff ourselves like Mr. Creosote (don't click on that bad boy unless you like Monty Python, lest you be offended... or worse, lose your own lunch).

Sadly this year, due to the toxic algae bloom that has made Bay Area headlines for weeks, there will be no Dungeness on the table for me to fatten-up on before Jon Snow comes back to life and Winter arrives.  The absence of my favorite seasonal food prompted me to jot down some current thoughts on culinary opinions (i.e. realities) in the "world according to moi."  

Some may read this and think, man this guy is a jackass.  In some cases I would not disagree.  But as many of you at Arena Ready know, I state these with tongue firmly in cheek and will happily debate any or all of them with you while we laugh about it in good humor.

Funny thing is, I'm not a picky eater whatsoever.  My dear wife will tell you that I'd eat (or at least try) just about anything - she likes to say that if we were on Survivor, The Amazing Race, or Fear Factor together she'd want me there specifically to clean house on the challenges that involve eating bugs and cow brains, etc.  I enjoy haute cuisine and street food, healthy fare and crappy processed garbage (not that I eat much of the latter), and everything in-between.  

"So why so many strong opinions?" you may ask.  I don't know exactly.  Maybe I just like the heated & humorous conversation it starts with you all in the gym.  I like spending my time coaching and hanging out with you guys and gals, and I really like when you argue with me over asinine stuff that I ramble on about.  So, without further ado (like my eggcorn avoidance there, Margaret?), here you go...        

1) If you're from the East Coast and want to argue with me about how much better Blue crab tastes than Dungeness crab, but you eat said Blue crab caked in Old Bay Seasoning, then how in the world do you even know what that Blue crab tastes like?  

[I'll admit, that was an aggressive start.]

2) Non-dairy ice cream and sweet potato fries are to real ice cream and white potato fries in the same way that regular athletic shoes are to weightlifting shoes.  The former are just fine and get the job done fairly well, but then you have the latter and think to yourself OMG WHAT THE HELL HAVE I BEEN DOING WITH MY LIFE?!  

3a) Goat cheese is on the list of what I like to call "societal pressure edibles." By my approximation, nearly half of the people that claim to like/love goat cheese are simply faking it.  But the risk of falling out of favor with a set of strategic acquaintances or aspirational friends is far too high to play the honesty card.  It's cool, I get it. 

3b) Goat cheese tastes like cellophane dipped in someone's post-workout B.O. (side note: this is why I have no friends).

4) Persimmons taste like soap.

5) I know grass-fed beef is supposed to be better for me, but holy crap sometimes it tastes like it's rancid.

6a) If we're at Patxi's together eating pizza, and you ask the server for a side of ranch dressing, I will not judge you.  In fact, I will likely tell him/her to make it two, please.

6b) I order the gluten-free crust at Patxi's because it actually tastes better, not because I'm trying to be a hipster with self-diagnosed celiac disease.

7) If you're an adult male working in the Financial District, and you find yourself lining up to get a FroYo at one of those trendy, high-end yogurt places, be aware that when you hand the cashier your frequent customer punchcard an invisible little fairy simultaneously (and very gently) removes your man card from the back pocket of your dress slacks. 

8) If you eat Skittles fast enough they get spicy.  

9) Enough with the Scriracha already.

10) I like every single ingredient in a Bloody Mary but I don't like Bloody Marys.

11) Excessive and/or creative use of rosemary can render a perfectly delicious dish completely inedible.

12) People like to state, "If you order a steak well done it's like saying 'please give me the worst piece of meat you have, my good man.'"  Similarly, if you order "spicy tuna" anything it's like asking for the leftover bits of crappy maguro drenched in Sriracha (see also #9 above).

13) If you're super aggressive about telling people how spicy you like your food (usually accompanied by antagonizing others at the table about how lame/bland/weak they are because they're not also floating their chicken in Frank's RedHot), I'd like you to know ,"We got it, Hoss. Message received. Loud and clear."  Just like your MMA t-shirts and your kick-ass lifted truck... trust me, we all noticed.  Please stop yelling at the table, I'm right here next to you and you can speak in a normal inside voice.  I'm pretty sure everyone in the restaurant knows you're here and no one's gonna mess with you.

14) Pickles are the edible universal bond that unites us all.  Every cuisine has their version and applications.  If someone doesn't like pickles they're like someone who doesn't like dogs (or deadlifts)... not to be trusted.  

15) If you like catfish then you like the taste of mud in your mouth.  Unless you only like it when it's fried.  Then, yes, of course it's delicious. 

16) I'm happy that many folks have recently pledged their love for bacon and doughnuts.  Like, REALLY pledged their love.  Incessantly.  On social media.  On t-shirts.  At their gym.  Hey, I'm not arguing with you, both of those things are delicious... but man, they've been around forever, so let's chill out a little on the daily dramatic professions of Instagram adoration, as if these are new discoveries in culinary science.  Many of us have been eating both of these items all our lives and were quite aware of how good they were the entire time... so welcome to the party, I guess. 

16) I don't know a single person who doesn't like a refreshing slice of watermelon on a hot summer day.  Scratch that, Coach Alyssa hates watermelon (WTF?).

17) If you're at an ethnic restaurant (and it's not of your own ethnicity) and you insist on speaking to the servers in their native language, but they continue to speak back to you in English, then let's never hang out.  

18) If you order anything "Benedict" at a restaurant then I consider you either a very trusting person or a really big risk taker - both are qualities that I aspire to myself, so either is a compliment really (a compliment rooted in jealousy that I cannot do the same).  Because while I agree that Hollandaise sauce is delicious, I have no faith whatsoever that any restaurant can keep Hollandaise at the correct temperature and ensure that it's not a petri dish of hectic kitchen bacteria.

19) I can't accept food or snacks if you hand it to me with your bare hands.  Don't take it personally.  I know, I have problems.  But I've been too traumatized by the overwhelming majority of humanity that seems to think the soap and water in a restroom are just there for interior design, like a vase and nonfunctioning fireplace of sorts.      

20) When someone tells me they've never been on a vacation cruise before and they're wondering what it's like, I ask them if they've ever eaten at The Olive Garden.  If they say yes, I tell them "Imagine eating at The Olive Garden every day for seven days in a row.  With complete strangers.  And they're all dressed up in weirdly fancy suits like the handlers on the Westminster National Dog Show.  And you have to smile and pretend like you're enjoying the Chef's previously frozen sodium cheesy Chicken Alfredo like the guy next to you who's asking for thirds.  Yeah, it's pretty much like that."     

[And finally, let's end on a positive note to tie it all back to fitness.]

21) Think of fitness as food.

WOD For 11-11-17:

In Teams of THREE Athletes, AMRAP 21 Minutes:

Parter & Partner B Complete the Triplet of:

7 Handstand Push-ups

14 Deadlifts @ 225/155 lbs

21 Box Jump Overs @ 24/20 in 

Partner C Completes:

400m Run

One athlete must always be running, and must always switch after 400m.  For the triplet there is only one athlete working at a time, with reps split in any fashion (they do NOT have to be split evenly).  The team's score is the total number of rounds + reps completed of the triplet.

-then-

Tabata:

Hollow Rocks

Thank You To Our Veterans

Thank you to those serving, and to those who have served.  And a special thanks to our veterans here at Arena Ready -- we appreciate the sacrifices you've made for our country, and we're grateful to know you and to have the opportunity to coach you each and every day. 

WOD For 11-10-17:

For Time:

100 Double Unders

50 Wall Balls @ 20/14 lbs to 10/9 ft

40 Toes-to-Bar

30 Hang Power Cleans @ 155/110 lbs

20 Lateral Bar Burpees

10 Squat Clean Thrusters (AKA "Clusters")

Day 100 PR

Gotta love the support for Dave D on Tuesday as he completed his 100th consecutive day of 100 burpees.  Well done, Dave - and thanks to everyone for pushing each other (and pushing Dave to a PR time)! 

Some of the Tuesday 6pm crew who pushed through the WOD in record time!

WOD For 11-09-17:

Alternating Every 90 Seconds For 4 Rounds:

1) 2 Power Snatches + 2 Overhead Squats

2) 15/12 Calorie Row OR 12/9 Calorie Assault Bike

Climb in loading with each round for the barbell complex.  Climb in pace on the row/bike, finishing with a sprint in round 4. 

-then-

"Isabel"

For Time:

30 Snatches @ 135/95 lbs

(Compare to 11-21-16, 04-13-15, 03-13-15, 10-30-14, 06-12-13)

Country Wednesdays: An Arena Ready Tradition

Ah, Country Wednesdays... for when you need some soothing sounds to calm your breathing and keep your heart rate down - like, say, during a 24-minute AMRAP.

In thinking of an appropriate warm-up for Wednesday's class I came across this classic gem:

WOD For 11-08-17:

AMRAP 24 Minutes:

24/18 Calorie Row OR Assault Bike

24 Walking Lunges

24 Kettlebell Snatches @ 53/35 lbs (switch sides after 12 reps)

24 Box Jumps @ 24/20 in 

24 Medicine Ball Sit-ups @ 20/14 lbs

Double D's 100th Day

As many of you know, Dave D has been completing 100 burpees per day in his quest for 100 consecutive days.  Tuesday marks his 100th day in a row... so guess what?  We're all going to join him for his final hoorah, and if you'd like to do the WOD by his side then plan on coming in to the 6pm class and having a blast (is that possible when completing 100 burpees for time?)!  

A couple months ago Dave turned his burpee fiesta into a fantastic fundraising effort for his upcoming 2018 AIDS LifeCycle ride - in fact, you can still check out his fundraising page here and donate if you like.

Is it mean that I LOVE the fact that his 100th day has fallen on a Tuesday, which is generally the most heavily attended day of the week at Arena Ready?  BWAHAHAHAHA... YAY BURPEES!!!!!  

WOD For 11-07-17:

Front Squat:

5-5-5-5-5

Climbing

Add to your top set of front squats from Tuesday 10-31-17.

-then-

"Double D's 100th Day"

For Time:

100 Burpees

Monday Evening Yoga

"Yo, are you heading out right after the 6pm CrossFit class?"

"Nah-I'm-ma-stay."

REMINDER that Dani is teaching Yoga class on Monday evening at 7:00pm so come on in (even if it's post-WOD) and get your flexy on, friends!  For November Yoga classes dates & times click here before grabbing your mat.

Hope you all had a great weekend.  That joke never gets old (to me).  Sorry not sorry. 

WOD For 11-06-17:

FIVE 90-Second Cycles for Max Reps:

20 Wall Balls @ 20/14 lbs to 10/9 ft

10 Deadlifts @ 245/165 lbs

MAX REPS Chest-to-Bar Pull-ups

(Rest 90 Seconds Between Cycles)

Score = total number of C2B pull-ups completed.

-then-

Weighted Plank Hold:

3 x 0:45 (Rest 1:15 Between Efforts)

Sweaty Saturday "3 ON / 1 OFF"

Happy weekend, friends!

***Please note: the gym will be closed on Sunday, November 5th. Our Sunday Open Gym, Barbell Club, and Yoga classes will resume the following Sunday, November 12th. 

WOD For 11-04-17:

With a Partner, SIX Rounds of 3 Minutes WORK / 1 Minute REST:

20 Calorie Row OR 15 Calorie Assault Bike

10 Burpee Box Jumps @ 24/20 (step-ups allowed)

MAX REPS Ground-to-Overhead @ 135/95 lbs

Use a running clock.  Time is called when 100 reps of G2OH are completed, otherwise continue for 6 rounds and score by number of G2OH reps achieved.

Only one athlete working at a time and reps may be shared in any fashion (they do NOT have to be split equally). Athletes MUST TAG hands at every switch/transition. 

***Row OR Assault Bike Calories are adjusted as follows:

MM Pairs = 20 Cal Row / 15 Cal Assault Bike

FM Pairs = 17 Cal Row / 13 Cal Assault Bike

FF Pairs = 14 Cal Row / 11 Cal Assault Bike

The 49er Double Under Conundrum

Who would win in this workout - Jimmy Garappolo or CJ Beathard?

(Non sports ball fans commence the Googles now)

Happy Friday, friends!

***Please note: the gym will be closed on Sunday, November 5th. Our Sunday Open Gym, Barbell Club, and Yoga classes will resume the following Sunday, November 12th.  

WOD For 11-03-17:

Weighted Box Step-ups:

8-8-8 (per side)

For QUALITY and not max load.  Perform 8 reps with the right leg leading, then 8 reps with the left leg leading (do not alternate).

-then-

"Jimmy Garoppolo's TD Dance"

AMRAP 7 Minutes:

7 Front Squats @ 135/95 lbs (no rack)

49 Double Unders 

-then-

Tabata:

Hollow Rocks

November Yoga: Monday Evenings + Sunday Mornings

Dani will be teaching Monday evening and Sunday morning yoga classes for the remainder of the month on the following dates:

Monday 11/6 at 7pm

Sunday 11/12 at 9am

Sunday 11/19 at 9am

Monday 11/27 at 7pm

 For what to expect during one of Dani's yoga classes click here to read a previous post.  Remember that yoga is available to all Arena Ready members as a part of your membership (there is no charge to attend!) - we simply ask that you sign-up for class in advance so that Dani knows how many to expect, and bring your own mat if you have one (we have a few to borrow if you don't).  All levels of experience are welcome!   

***Please note: the gym will be closed on Sunday, November 5th. Our Sunday Open Gym, Barbell Club, and Yoga classes will resume the following Sunday, November 12th.  

WOD For 11-02-17:

3-Position Power Snatch (hip, knees, floor):

5 Sets of (1+1+1)

Climbing only as technique allows

-then-

3 Rounds For Time:

400m Run

12 Chest-to-Bar Pull-ups

12 Power Snatches @ 115/80 lbs

Squatting TTG

When you're the Cheshire CrossFit Cat it's important that you squat to full depth... or "Tail To Grass" (#TTG) as it's called.  Also, make sure to wear your knee sleeves when you front squat meow. 

WOD For 11-01-17:

Tabata:

Hang Power Cleans @ 155/110 lbs

Wall Balls @ 20/14 lbs to 10/9 ft

Deadlifts

Ring Dips

Lateral Burpees Over Barbell

This workout lasts for 24 total minutes.  The Tabata interval is 20 seconds of work followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated 8 times per movement.  These movements do not alternate, and there is 1 minute of rest between movements.  Your score is the lowest rep round for each of the 5 movements.

Halloween: 7s, 5s, and 3s Oh My!

After Monday's bodyweight "Nate-influenced" AMRAP a Tuesday re-visit to this three-variation squat session should be interesting, since the last time we did this sequence was prior to our recent 8-week back squat cycle.  Come on in and squat all the squats!

This workout has a high strength, low sweat factor - thus, if you're so inclined, wearing a Halloween costume to the gym is welcomed and encouraged (but, of course, not required).  Coach Kelly LeBrock from "CrossFit Weird Science" would be really proud of you if you did, just sayin'...  

So would Jane Fonda...

And Richard Simmons...

And Jennifer Beals (3rd from the right)...

LOL the funniest part of this picture might be Laura as "Sarah playing GRID" and then Sarah playing herself as a "2010 CrossFitter" (back when we all wore high softball socks, soccer shorts, and crappy running shoes so we could air squat to a medicine ball underneath us).

WOD FOR 10-31-17:

On A Running Clock...

A) From 0:00 - 10:00 (10 Minutes)

Overhead Squat:

7-7-7

Climbing

B) From 10:00 - 22:00 (12 Minutes)

Front Squat:

5-5-5

Climbing

C) From 22:00 - 36:00 (14 Minutes)

Back Squat:

3-3-3

Climbing

D) From 38:00 - 44:00

Weighted Plank:

3 x 0:45 (Rest 1:15 Between Sets)

Establish a heavy set of 7, 5, and 3 for the overhead squat, front squat, and back squat, respectively.  This is a top set for TODAY, and NOT a 7/5/3-rep max.  Loading may be lowered when transitioning from one movement to the next (i.e. this does NOT have to be nine total climbing sets).  

(Compare entire WOD to 07-10-17 and 07-12-16)

20-20 "Bar" Nate???

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  Enjoy this take on a 20-20 "Nate" mash-up that we've been contemplating for a while... 

WOD For 10-30-17:

AMRAP 20 Minutes:

20/15 Calorie Row

20 Box Jumps @ 24/20 in

3 Rounds of "BAR Nate"

1 Round of "BAR Nate" is:

2 Bar Muscle-ups

4 Handstand Push-ups

8 KB Swings @ 70/53 lbs