Archives for May 2010

And I’ll be there

What’s MovNat, you ask? Well if you don’t know about it and its founder, Erwan Le Corre, where have you been? This is where I fist introduced you to him, nearly a year and a half ago, now. You’ll want to read that post, but here’s a quote from Erwan highlighting what MovNat is all about.

The “zoo” is a modern, global and growing phenomenon generated by the powerful combination of social conventions, technological environment and commercial pressures. Increasingly disconnected from the natural world and their true nature, zoo humans are suffering physically, mentally and spiritually.

Are you experiencing chronic pains, are you overweight, do you often feel depressed or do you suffer from frequent illnesses and general lack of vitality? These symptoms indicate that you are experiencing the zoo human syndrome. Modern society conditions us to think that this is normal and unavoidable.

We don’t think so. Our true nature is to be strong, healthy, happy and free.

We have designed a complete education system that empowers zoo humans to experience their true nature.

And that’s what we’re going to do come July. I. Can’t. Wait. Do you want to come along? Then do so, and you can find out all the details and get yourself registered right here. Keep in mind that in addition to the 5-day course with natural workouts and instruction several times per day, you’ll be provided with a private tent, bedding, and three large paleo-friendly meals per day…on real plates, with real utensils and real glassware (Erwan is, after all, a Frenchman — and I don’t ever recall seeing paper plates or — Good God — plastic "sporks" in France). To top it off, there will be "classroom" instruction as well, each evening.

When you consider all that and more, as well as the social aspect I can’t believe I didn’t sign up for this a lot sooner.

Oh, and speaking of the social aspect I almost forgot: Erwan just informed me that Barefoot Ted will be in attendance as well. Since barefooting plays into Erwan’s style of training prominently, that sure sounds like a great fit to me.

Still not convinced? Then watch this and do watch it in HD!

I’m discussing with Erwan the possibility of doing a talk on Paleo principles and, also doing some blogging from the field, perhaps even with a bit of video and photos. I’ll keep you posted as details develop. And I hope to see some of you there.

Update: A couple of additional things to note. First, here’s the testimonials from those who’ve attended multiple day seminars. Here’s an extensive writeup from an attendee on his own blog. Lots of pics and descriptions, so check it out.

Here are the workings for last night’s fabulous dinner. As always, click on the images for hi-resolution.

Dinner Workings

It began with two enormous filets, 12 and 11 ounces; and no, these aren’t grassfed. Oh, well.

Big Ass Filets

These were done sous vide, using the SousVide Supreme. I did them at 131F for about an hour & a half. In the meantime, I got going on slowly reducing beef marrow bone stock with red wine and at the end, thickened a bit with a a potato starch roux. This demi-glace came out perfectly — perhaps my best ever — with just the right amount of concentrated sweetness from the wine. I added wine very slowly so as to not overdo it. It’s easy to ruin with too much wine, then you’ve got to try and fix it with herbs & spices. in this case: bone stock, red wine, butter & potato starch. Nothing else whatsoever, not even salt or pepper.

Sous Vide Filet with Demi-Glace and Roasted Veggies

The veggies were zucchini & yellow squash, and brussels sprouts. I simply put them in the roasting pan with butter and olive oil, then into the oven at 400 for about 20 minutes. I then sprinkled them with paprika and fired under the broiler until they got the charred look — but not the too charred or burnt taste.

Perfectly Medium Rare

A little blurry on that last photo, unfortunately, but as you can see, the SousVide Supreme does a perfect job every time. It’s simply impossible to mess up unless you use the wrong temperature. To finish it upon completion I got a cast iron skillet super hot with bacon drippings and seared it exactly like you would do ahi tuna: 90 seconds per side, remove, and then roll the edges one at a time, if you like, but not essential. I did. You’ll notice also that the demi-glace is just the right consistency; it sticks to the end of the plate.

The nice thing about a fairly lean & tender filets, such as these, is that at 12 ounces I ended up with just about 12 ounces. And no, there were no leftovers — at least for me. I think the doggies got a couple of ounces of Beatrice’s. Then they licked both plates clean.

Ha! Well continuing on the theme for now (it’s not going to suck for long, and I only judge by my own standards — but thanks to those who’ve contradicted me).

Moving on, here’s what I’m listening to as I’m cooking, right now — ahi grade beef filets for Bea & I, sous vide, rare, later to be seared — and I’m doing a demi-glace. (yea, pics…OK) Later, we’ll do the American Idol Results (yep, basically watched every episode of every season — I love, celebrate and honor dreams). Lee or Crystal. For the first year ever, I’ll be totally happy with either. Argument for both: Lee for amazingly best improvement ever; Crystal for finding (again) who she really was at the end (and — who she was — was amazing to start with). I never vote, anymore. But I’d have had to vote for both of them.

Some country I just love, and this is one. Lucinda (HT: my buddy Robert, for turning me on to it, whom I just stood up for a Giants game in SF, Lincecum pitching, even).

Just trying to keep you guessing. Maybe…Arabic Rock next time? They’ve really got "the beat," you know. Check it out.

Yea, I know. Blog kinda sucks right now.

I’m so demotivated; in fact, so much so that I’m writing this from my phone. Life waxes, and it wanes. Embrace, I guess. I’m no more imune to a creative funk than the next guy or gal.

But I do have news. After six weeks of trying to gain on bench (I’d laid off that for a while), finally did it today with just a tweek or two on form (get those shoulder blades kissing, before you even start). I also went about 2" wider combined on hand position. Voilà.

When failure came, it was different. So was the exercise. Anyaway, 165 since forever, going from 7 reps to 5, back to 6, and today, 8. …And I even gained reps on my second set.

Lost nothing on my incline bench following. All in all, a productive and satisfying day.

Pics will follow. Not yet quite as dramatic as the back shots. So, just another element of motivation I have created for myself.

Feedback on my workouts has been so good and helpful that I’m going to take advantage of it. I have already incorporated a number of changes and improvements from comments to my last workout post, so why not just keep it going? While my benefit is clear, it just might motivate some of the others out there to up your game. I never imagined that at 49 I would be pushing around the weight I do now, and increasing virtually every week. These are just a few of the main exercises, 1st set only. How many total sets I do  and at what follow on weight shall remain a mystery.

Workout Log, Monday, 5/24/2010, Bodyweight = 180 lbs

Format: Exercise

weight x reps | (+- lbs, +- reps (from last 1st set performance))

Deadlift

Warmup: 135 x 3 then 185 x 3, both conventional style and both easy as shit

255 x 5 (+15 lbs, +0 reps) – Sumo style

Standing Overhead Press – 1 Set

130 x 5 (+0 lbs, +0 reps)

And here’s a bit of a teaser pic to show my progress. Since this was mostly back, here’s a back shot. Click on images for the larger, hi-res version.

Back Shot

Here’s a similar shot from almost a year ago.

About a year ago

And now, a side-by-side.

Side by Side

Since I cropped them at pretty much the same places and made them the same size I’d say that I’ve leaned and that both my lats and arms have increased in size — and obviously, strength.

Wednesday I’ll blog my chest & arms workout. Oh, one other note: The DL was effing hard, man. In the 2nd rep of the 2nd set I had a false start. I pulled, and nothing. I had to stand up, gather myself for a second and then came back filled with hate in my soul and pulled off 4 more reps.