Xmas Comes Early

I'm finding that eating raw isn't all that difficult...if you plan properly and have the right tools. This morning I got a bag load of implements that make it just that much easier. I've written previously about my student Passa, her husband Ed and their innovative and imaginative product designs. Ed does an entire line of really amazing and useful kitchen implements at prepara.com, and Passa brought a goody bag for me. These are some of the coolest time- and labor-saving tools you can have for any kitchen:

 citrus juicer (with a dedicated lid for storage)

 salad chopper (cut your produce right in your bowl)

 tri-blade peeler (3 blades to peel and julienne hard or soft fruits and veggies)

 chop savor (cut, save and store fruits and veg)

oil mister (mist cold-pressed oils and balsamic vinegar)

The chopper and peeler make meals like this one (spinach, watercress, beets, radish, tomatoes, olives, hemp seeds) a snap:

Training so far this week:

Mon, March 3:

Strength Training:

Strong First Mobility Drills

Kettlebell Swings: 5 x 10 left and right with 32 kg kettlebell

Deadlift: 2 x 5 with 275 lb barbell, an increase in working rep weight and still at 150 lb bodyweight

Double Kettlebell Bench Press: 2 x 5 with 28 kg bells. This is definitely my weakest lift, just need to keep at it.

Ab Work: Hanging Leg Raises, 1 x 10; Windshield Wipers, 1x 10; Front Levers, 1 x 5

Skill Training:

Primal Move Warm Up

Bag Work: :30 hard on bag / :30 shadow boxing for 40 minutes

Tues, March 4:

Strength Training:

Strong First Mobility Drills

Turkish Get Ups: 2 left/2 right with 24 kg kettlebell; 2 left/2 right with 28 kg kettlebll; 1 left/1 right with 32 kg kettlebell

Double Kettlebell Rows: 2 x 5 with 32 kgkettlebells

Zercher Squats: 2 x5 with 140 lb barbell

Skill Training:

Indian Clubs to Warm Up

Partner Drills and Light Sparring, 40 minutes

Wednesday, March 5:

Strength Training:
StrongFirst Mobility Drills
Kettlebell Complex: Swing, Snatch, Windmill x 100 with 22 kg kettlebell
Ab Work: 50 decline sit ups with elbow strike at the top

Skill Training:
Pad Work: 5 x 4 min rounds, :30 rest
Primal Move 15 minutes

It's been a great week of training at Five Points: motivated students, lots of folks in class, students in all day and into the evening, fights coming up.  The only down side was the sudden passing of a long-time Five Points employee and friend, Lance Turnbow. But this awesome memorial video by another friend -- and long-time Five Point's student -- John Kraljevich helped bring a smile back even with the sadness.