Think of the opening lines of Les Miserables…
ByAmber we miss you!
Back to the squat. Many of you have heard us yelling, “get your head down” while squatting and deadlifting. Proper head position while squatting is essential. By lowering your gaze and your head position with it, you facilitate the proper bottom position, allow for an explosive hip drive and keep the proper chest position – the three most important aspects of the squat! Here’re Rips thoughts on the matter, “Looking up at the ceiling while squatting has so many detrimental effects on proper technique that some law against it will eventually have to be adopted.” Don’t break the law people; keep your heads down while squatting!
Today’s Workout: (What do you know?)
3-3-3-3-3 Back Squats with proper head and hand position
Followed by Tabata KB Swings
Paleo Pumpkin Pie Muffins (Thank you Lindsay!)
1 ½ cups almond flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
1 pinch ground cloves
2 tablespoons walnut oil
1/4 raisins
2 large eggs
1 cup fresh baked or canned pumpkin, well packed (I used canned organic pumpkin from TJ’s)
- Soak raisins in ~1/2 cup water overnight
- Puree the raisins and liquid
- In a large bowl combine almond flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves
- Mix oil, raisin puree, eggs and pumpkin until smooth
- Stir wet ingredients into dry
- Place paper liners in muffin tins
- Scoop batter into paper liners
- Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes, until the tops are slightly brown and a toothpick comes out clean
- Cool for 2-3 hours
- Serve





9 Comments
October 22nd, 2009 at 10:25 am
Great post, as we know from experience when you look up while trying to get that weight up it can really hurt your neck and/ or back, which then takes you out of the game for a while. Good form is KEY to being the most efficient AND will keep you from getting hurt.
Can’t wait to try these pumpkin pie muffins! Where does one buy almond flour? I’ve also been looking for almond meal and can’t find it?
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Kj – you can buy almond meal at Trader Joe’s and almond flour at Whole Foods. I pretty much use them interchangeably when baking. Almond meal will yield a heartier texture with a slightly nuttier taste. Enjoy!
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Let me tell you all that these muffins are f-ing amazing. To quote Malzone…”Woh, imagine if we could eat these with breakfast.” Deep huh?
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:14 pm
“Look down, look down
Don’t look ‘em in the eye
Look down, look down,
You’re here until you die”
Sign me up!
The Claw
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:25 pm
THE CLAW!!!! I was wondering who would get the reference! (Les Mis is one of my alltime favorites)
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Lindsay- thank you. I’ve never been able to find it at TJ’s, but found it at Whole Foods today. Also found agave nectar. Can’t wait to try your recipe!! I’ll be soaking the raisins tonight! Do you have a blog or something that you post your recipes to?
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:38 pm
If you’re tough enough to do personal security, MMA, and now CrossFit, feel free to admit you love musicals.
“Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain
And the wavin’ wheat can sure smell sweet
When the wind comes right behind the rain.”
The Claw
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Awe…thanks for the pic. Miss you guys too. Went to a check up today and everything is lookin’ A-O.K. and I am on track to be back soon.
BTW…they opened a Fresh & Easy here in Santa Maria a few months ago and I have found a huge mix of great oils, organic almond butters and raw organic agave nectars. I have a great “clean” apple butter recipe if anybody is interested. Not sure if it is paleo, I would have to check.
Amber
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:36 am
“there is a castle on a cloud,
I like to go there in my sleep.
Aren’t any floors for me to sweep,
not in my castle on a cloud”
I was singing this as I closed the restaurant tonight…
Then I saw the Les Mis post. Brilliant Traver. You are full of surprises.