30% to $195! (hiking all stars cont.)

So we're now $58 in to our $195 spend on the California State Parks Annual Pass.  Mind you, this is $58 in 11 days!!!  Something tells me we're going to FAR exceed our $195 into the pass (and have many awesome stories along the way).

Added parks to gush about:

Topanga State Park (http://www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/topanga.htm):

Topanga is beautiful.  Actually, that's an understatement.  The miles of views looking toward the ocean are breathtaking and the terrain is that of a hike in Arizona.  The paths are paved just enough to make you feel comfortable - but not make you feel like a weakling. There were definitely times we were "off roading" on some unpaved paths and even came across a section where there was a mountain lion trap (we're so badass).  It was the first time on one of these hikes my heart skipped a beat a bit.  It was 4:15 PM and we were 1,000 feet down - in which we trail ran to get there.  We had a long ways to go and the sun was looking to disappear, so we hiked it!  1,000 feet up to be exact.  Over a mile and 1/3 straight up.  We were sweaty and defeated, as we saw no waterfall but felt SO good about the work out we got, the photos we took and the awesome time we had together.

 Lots of cool photos to be taken!

 Gorgeous views for miles and miles...

 LOTS OF INCLINE!!

Not so amateur any more!

Crystal Cove State Park (http://www.crystalcovestatepark.com/):

How lucky am I?  I return from a hair appointment early in the am on Saturday to a pre-planned state park jaunt w my SPPIC (state park partner in crime) for a lovely Saturday afternoon.  Now we've hit El Moro many times (the upper canyon a bit farther south from Crystal Cove) but never hit the lower trails by the beach.  Ian really knew how much I wanted to get my "steps in" because with all this state parkin'...I'm on a 9 day streak at this point (and now, writing this - up to an 11!)  The lower trails were very nice, flat and really good for a recovery day - meaning a day in which you finish Topanga State Park less than 24 hours prior and your booty needs a bit of a break.  The trails are DOG FRIENDLY because they're paved and you can use the stairs down to the beach very easily.  There are beautiful tide pools to climb over, awesome places to take photos and had we had a packed lunch - we could have found great places to hang out and just enjoy the scenery.  We saw a California seal pretty close up on a rock right next to us which was very cool.  The entire trail from parking to end, down to the beach and back up was about 2.5 miles.  A shorter one than we're used to but one of my favorites so far for it's simplicity and ease.

 Crystal Cove'in it

 Ian is such a natural behind the lens :)

 Can you see the seal in the distance?

 Again, what an eye...

Tidepools!  So cool even though I fell in one haha

TOTAL $ TO THE PASS SO FAR: $58!!

Feeling so good leading into the NEW YEAR!

Hiking all stars!

So, 2015 is stacked up to be a great year.  With the annual pass to all the California State Parks Ian got me for my birthday, we're on a mission.  Not only on a mission to get the $195 worth of parking, but on a mission to see and experience new and interesting things in nature via the CSP's!  This weekend was the start of what I imagine is a whole bunch of nature hikes and new steps we'll be getting in during the new year!

Torrey Pines State National Reserve (http://www.torreypine.org/):

What a beaut!  Lots of little inter-winding trails which lead you everywhere, down to the ocean and large cliffs.  There are some stairs, some hidden tree tunnels and lots of ways to go from trail to trail, which is unique as this isn't always the case with state park trails.  The views of the ocean were expansive and vast.  They seemed to go on for days.  I could have just sat and watched the ocean forever. Definitely will be returning to Torrey Pines again this up coming year.

Palomar Mountain State Park (http://www.palomarsp.org/):

So after a day at Torrey Pines, needless to say - we were ready for a cocktail...and another, and another.  Downtown San Diego is just too fun! So little sleep and a bit of a headache made me just want to eat a big brunch and go shopping but my counterpart was my main motivation (awesome!) to get some more steps in at another state park.  Since we were down in San Diego, we decided to check out Palomar Mountain.  SUPER AWESOME and super cold!  haha  We went all the way to the top via the paved road and parked in the state parking lot (bam, another $15 credited to our 'bank' and deducted from our pass money), and set foot on the trail.  I had two jackets on but when I embarked on the Boucher Lookout trail (which was inclined pretty nicely) I got down to a tank top - even though it was 44 degrees.  The views were expansive, the highest I've been in Southern California.  The sun was gleaming on the ocean far in the distance, it was dubbed "God's Golden Shores" in our mind and made us realize that this indeed was heaven on earth.  We saw deer and birds and descended down the mountain via the Nate Harrison Road (which only EXTREME utility vehicles can go down - as they put it).  Good thing we had the Tacoma!  It was one of the more amazing things I've done in a long time.  Sun was setting at the perfect moment, hangover gone as I had hiked it out on the trail and the second state park had wow'd us beyond expectation.  Bring on 2015!

TOTAL $ TOWARD OUR YEARLY PASS = $28!  WOO HOO!

Hey! Take a HIKE!

If you know me you know that I'm usually walking, moving or hiking....

I've determined that most places you travel to (with exception of North Dakota or another super flat state) have great hiking locations.  As a universal work out - you're able to hike while in another state/area and still get the same long fat burning work you would at home in Laguna (my normal Saturday routine).  Well, taking in the sites on AZ's Camelback Mountain last weekend was awesome!  Don't get me wrong, it was hotter than hell - howevvvver, it wasn't too bad the the sites above the mountain were worth the 99 degree dry heat.  The desert landscape blew my socks off, the actual uphill rock climbing hike was refreshing and being that close to HUGE cactus and succulents was really cool. 

Hiking for your health - the benefits to a fresh air up hill stroll:

- Lowers your risk of heart disease
- Improves your blood pressure and blood sugar levels
- Boosts bone density since walking is weight bearing
- Builds strengths in your glutes, quads, hamstrings and your hop/lower leg muscles
- Strengthens your core
- Improves balance
- Helps control weight
- Boosts your MOOD! (relieves stress and anxiety)
- Reduced depression and better quality sleep

All in all, hiking exercises almost every part of your body: legs, knees, ankles, arms, hips and butt, abdominals, shoulders and neck. It's a great long fat burning exercise that keeps your heart rate consistently in the fat burning zone.  It's a great way to get out of the city and explore.

AZ HIKING IMAGES:

SO CAL HIKING IMAGES:

 

Now - GO OUTSIDE AND TAKE A HIKE!

I'm here I'm here (and still crazy active!)

What. a. last couple weeks.  It's been a MONTH since I've posted!  No worries Jenistrayning team - I have NOT fallen off the map - in fact, anything but!  I've been kicking ass and taking names and I feel as though I've been finally getting back to full training mode.

Fitness friends I've been everywhere and anywhere over the last several weeks - healthy (and not healthy --- ekkk Vegas #umph).  In any event I wanted to update the good 'ole blog on some happenings in the 'Jenistrayning' camp through May, starting with the OC HALF MARATHON!

I can say there are few moments where you really get excited about being physically fit.  I mean most days I'm happy to be full of energy and that gets me excited.  I enjoy being positive, feeling good and accomplished and making good decisions (for the most part).  The idea that I can get out of bed early and be worked out, showered and changed by 7:30 AM is always a better feeling than when I used to run out the door at this time after waking up 10 minutes earlier, throwing on clothes and rushing to open the office.  For me, the OC Half was a moment where crossing the finish line I felt accomplished.  I sat back (drinking my Stella Artois - my first alcoholic beverage in 30 days) and realized that the number on the scale does not matter.  The carb count, calorie count, lbs lost weekly - it's all obsolete.  What is important was that I am physically able to run 13 miles straight and THAT'S the true accomplishment.  I burned 2,000 calories by noon on the day of the marathon and felt like I was flying.  It was also a good reason to buy myself an "I hate running" shirt - which went over very well day of.

I've truly worked my ASS off for almost two years now and the OC HALF was a true indication of dedication and determination. I'm not getting too ahead of myself but I'm already looking into the LONG BEACH HALF in October and maybe one day will get myself a beach cities medal? 

BIG congratulations to my cousin Heather Breitweiser who completed her first (of many? haha) HALF MARATHONS.  Her and her friend decided to do this months ago and trained a great deal to finish the race.  We crossed the finish line together and I could not be more proud of her accomplishment!

 

Enjoying a NICE cold BREW at the end of a very LONG 13 miles!

IN ADDITION!!

I completed WHOLE 30 in May!  (early May...I know I know, again with the delay on my updates)

Whole30 was an amazing experience.  First of all, my SKIN!  Holey moley - It's AMAZING how much your skin is affected by preservatives and crap in your food.  My skin was GLOWING by week four.  In addition I dropped 6 lbs and several inches - but to be honest, I wasn't really counting.  My hair grew a whole inch in May and my mental state was beyond anything I've experienced since November of last year.  I may have mentioned this in a previous post, but the holidays were rough on me and eating CLEAN whole foods for 30 days straight (with no unpronounceable ingredients) was like natural zoloft.  I highly recommend for anyone up for the challenge...and as my friend Stefanie can tell you it takes persistence and dedication (but pays off very well in the end).  I make much different choices now that I stripped these items from my diet for a month and when I go off the rails and make bad decisions it effects me in a way it should - which I've learned is how the body works. It's a temple and I plan on continuing to treat it as such.
 

 Did you get your tickets to the GUN SHOW yet? ;)

Hmmm what else.  Where to go from here?  Well - this month I embark on 60, 50, 40, 30....You're probably thinking "what the hell are you talking about?"

So to ween back into my 30g or less of carbs a day (as I was hitting it hard this time last year) I've decided to start with 60g or less a day for the first week, 50g or less a day for the second week, 40g or less a day.......etc.  I'm on 50g or less a day and with exception of totally passing out on the couch by 9:30 PM on Memorial Day weekend Friday, I'm getting over the hump and feeling good.  Definition is coming back and will power is kicked in.  This all leads up to my dear friend's wedding in mid-June where I will have a wonderful cheat filled wedding weekend - can't wait!!

Week 2 - Tiger Blood?

Well another week down of no alcohol, preservatives, sugar (added), beans, grains, milk in my coffee, cheese, dairy...you pretty much name it - and I can't have it.  I think I've gotten to the point where I don't WANT to have it - not just CAN'T have it, which is good - I think it means it's working!

Stripping all preservatives from your diet ain't no joke.  You literally need to cook just about everything you eat.  Luckily I'm 100% not lazy and I'm able to cook multiple things at the same time and usually work on a "go go go go" basis to get everything cooked and done.  I need to have this mentality because I generally cook about 8 meals a day (since I cook for my trainer in lieu of a good portion of payment woot woot and lately make more for my awesome roommate).  In any event, I would put a $20 bill on the fact that I cook more than anyone I know.  I dehydrate, I roast, I bake, I cut, I chop and I scramble and fry.  Eggs nightly (for the following morning), a protein for lunch with veggies, snacks and more veggies.  This also means that I use more tupperware than any one on the planet.  Again, I'll put another $20 on that.

For sure I've been a cooking machine.  I have made some staple recipes in the past 14 days that will forever be regulars in my cooking regimen.

First off (and I'm sure I'll have a more extensive post in the near future) - I got a DEHYDRATOR!

This thing is the best contraption I've gotten in a long time.  Amongst my favorite items?  ZUCCHINI CHIPS!  Literally the cheapest, easiest & healthiest treat I've ever made!  $3 worth of zucchini yields two different dehydrator rounds of 4 trays of "chips".  Just a LIIIIITTTTLE salt (and I say little because my roommate over salted them and it was 10 hours of dehydration gone bad) and throw them on the dealio for 6-10 hours - depending on which dehydrator you have.  LOVE LOVE LOVE.  I also make 100% raw zucchini bread and carrot cake (in which you can JUICE the carrots and use the pulp that is left over).  YAY!  I've always been wanting to use the pulp and haven't ever been able to.

Another interesting moment this week was joining the family for a holiday while on Whole30.  Over Easter I had to bring Whole30 friendly eats to my family party.  Being pretty determined to change my families mind of "veggies" and "raw foods" I put some hard work in Saturday to get everything prepped.

The paleo-friendly items I brought were:

Sweet potato "noodles" from www.inspiralized.com.  I love these fake noodles.  They're the best!  Overall, my family thought they were "interesting" and they liked them, but probably wouldn't make them.  My yogi sister however, loved them and enjoyed that I left her some leftovers for lunch the next day!

SWEET POTATO NOODLES with SPINACH and PECANS (I omitted the bacon but I bet it's amazing!)

Another item that was a MUST was deviled eggs.  I HAD to have some deviled eggs for EASTER Sunday so I Googled my little heart out and found these babies: Avocado-Lime Deviled Eggs

I highly, highly recommend these.  The fam LOVED them and there is literally nothing but the yolks, lime juice and avocado.  The recipe calls for Franks Red Hot (which I'll add after Whole30 is over) but even without - they're DELISH!  Could they get any cleaner?

The last thing I'll say about Whole30 for this week 2 recap is that WHOLE 30 LOVES BACON!  I repeat:  WHOLE 30 LOVES BACON!  And you know what?  So do I!  I've noticed that the BEST bacon is at Sprouts for sure.  One of my favorite things is lettuce wraps with bacon, tomato, cucumber, avocado and some turkey.  YUM YUM YUM - what a lunch!  

Do I miss mustard (jalapeno and chipotle) and Mayo?  Actually I miss ALL condiments (again, another blog post in the near future on making your own condiments) but I feel like $1,000 bucks and soon to be a million.  I wonder if the Tiger Blood is on the horizon? :)

Happy (and clean) eating ya'll...

Whole30 WEEK ONE Recap - Not down with the "XG"

Well, it's lunch time on DAY 8 of my first ever Whole30.  I had a great 4 mile warm up this am followed by an interesting arm set consisting of boxing and volleyball (most of the workout had to be outside because they're painting in the gym and everyone was getting high from the lacquer).  My punches are getting stronger and upper cuts are vicious.  I also definitely feel the ab work when boxing and I get to punch out my aggression of my clients before the sun rises, which is always a good thing.  Whenever I need to kick some guys ass, I for sure have Tray to thank.

This week was an interesting one on Whole30.  My first full week of no SUGAR...no PRESERVATIVES...no ARTIFICIAL anything.  Have you ever truly looked at the nutrition labels?  Like really looked because you can't have something say like... xanthan gum?  I mean what IS xanthan gum anyways?

WELL - if you MUST KNOW:

Xanthan gum (/ˈzænθən/) is a polysaccharide secreted by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris,^[2] used as a food additive and rheology modifier,^[3] commonly used as a food thickening agent (in salad dressings, for example) and a stabilizer (in cosmetic products, for example, to prevent ingredients from separating). It is composed of pentasaccharide repeat units, comprising glucose, mannose, and glucuronic acid in the molar ratio 2.0:2.0:1.0.


Hmm...so xanthan gum works for food and for cosmetic products....ok - so does it make you pretty on the inside? :)  All jokes aside, when reading more down the WIKI of the XG I had NO FREAKING CLUE what they were talking about.  It was molecule talk...all of which was so foreign to me.  At the end of the day, it's probably a good thing to remove the chemically engineered cosmetic component from my food.

MY FINDINGS!

My favorite meals consisted of:

Fruit (bananas, watermelon - oh I love watermelon, kiwi, pears, pineapple...etc)  The only sugar you get is from fruit and the natural sugars of veggies like carrots and yams.

FRITATTA!!  This is an amazing meal for you paleo loving WHOLE30'ers out there.  This is compromised of lots of veggies (summer squash, onions, zucchini, spinach) all cut and put in a Pyrex dish.  Scramble eggs and fill it up until they're filled over the veggies and cut up BACON and put it in there as well.  Bake it and it fluffs up to breakfast pie goodness!

Kale Salad - yea yea, kale salad sounds so healthy but this one is by far my favorite (and even better after sitting in your homemade EVOO dressing for a couple of days).  This one came from one of my favorite blogs:  www.inspiralized.com - you can find the recipe here: INSPIRALIZED KALE APPLE SLAW

Roasted veggies: cabbage - my fav!, egg plant, baby carrots!  Actually I made the baby carrots into as a sort of 'sweet potato fry' by mixing them in coconut oil and cinnamon and roasting them - PHENOM.

LARA Bars:  Some of the only nutrient bars that are PURE as pure can be.  Only ingrediants are cashews, almonds, dates and/or whatever fruit is sweetening the bar.  They've been a lifesaver for my dessert binge or my need for something sweet.

I've had a variety of items atop my favorite turkey burger patties and by far - the best bacon is at Sprouts, for reals.

Other than getting creative in the kitchen I've seen that my energy levels on day 3, 4, and 5 were HARSH.  I was falling asleep at the wheel I was so tired and it wasn't from lack of sleep.  Artificial sugar can do a number to the burst in our step and when you're getting sugar from items like juice, chips, snacks, bread, rice...etc. you're moving quite a bit faster than when you're negating these from your daily regimen.  I've stayed just as active as when I was eating more so this could have something to do with the fact that I've needed coffee to get through the day (100% black of course...)

I did go out on Saturday night and drank my fair share of club soda with lemon.  It was all fun and games until everyone was shitty and I was TIRED!  I didn't succumb to any temptation and managed to be out at 4 bars with a ton of people and stuck to the routine.  Go me!


All in all I'm getting back to tight and toned - just where I feel my best.  I have hip bones again - phew...I thought they were gone forever!  I'm super looking forward to weighing in at the end of all of this - as well as a glass of much deserved VINO.  Week one down, three to go!

 Almond Butter...my best friend and worst enemy!!

 My friend Danielle and I making a FULL veggie meal a la Lemonade in LA. 

 Spiralizing some sweet potatoes!

Brussels sprouts are SO good to precook.  For the PALEO Whole30 friendly version I mixed them with mustard seed, olive oil, approved spices and lemon juice and baked them for 45 minutes or so.  *SIDE NOTE: they're awesome with eggs in the AM also!

Instagram for fitness - forget celebrities!

When I was at the Alternative MOVE event get together last Tuesday (very cool event where we got to test the new fitness line) we were asked the question from the marketing team "who in the mainstream media do you look up to or want to be like?"  I instantly started to think about the last time I actually picked up an US Weekly and if there was any one in those magazines I 'admire' or 'look up to'.  I responded with "no, the people I look up to are REAL people!"  What an age we live in!

With Instagram I've found a place for my fitness side to gawk on chiseled bodies and get recipes and motivation from people who are just like me.  People who are healthy and active and want to share happy thoughts and positive energy - and it's FREE!  I can look in my feed and see:

As cliche as it sounds - it's NICE!  It's uplifting and exciting to see something and have it motivate you.  On top of that I use Instagram to find recipes!  I screenshot the recipes and spend the weekend to try new and different things I found on some of my favorite Insta-accounts.  

I started an instagram account for jenistrayning and I can be found and followed here: jenistrayning instagram

So - here are some of my favorite Instagram accounts to follow (and growing)...

http://instagram.com/fitmotivation

http://instagram.com/hungryhappens

http://instagram.com/peruvianbarbiie

http://instagram.com/luvfitlife

http://instagram.com/food48

http://instagram.com/ourfitlife

http://instagram.com/inspiralized

Again, a cool change in the times when you stop idolizing air brushed fake people and focus your attention on real human beings that are REALLY working hard to achieve everything they know is possible and more.  It's my regimen to start my work out on the treadmill, walking to get my heart rate up and scrolling through my insta account.  I <3 it!

Happy Saturday and enjoy the weekend!!