Forgive me Blogger for I have sined. It has been 5 days since my last blog.

OOOOOOKay, the move is behind me and I am back to blogging.  I am most happy about the fact that I have maintained my plant based eating throughout the move.  I am still keeping the caffeine to a minimum which means only a couple cups a week.  I think I got more sore from the weird and strange positions I have to carry boxes and furniture in than a MBG workout. LOL!  But with more than just "a little help from my friends".. I got through it.  So grateful to have a peaceful place to come home to.  And Sara (Dixon's dog) is settling in nicely.  The monkey mommy (Sharon) brought over some vegetarian chili and corn bread for us on Sunday so we didn't have to cook.  A big THANK YOU for that.  I will get you all the recipe in the near future. 

MBG3
MBG1: Restoration
I have been doing my ES Yoga daily.  And begun to study the books of B.K.S. Iyengar to further deepen my knowledge base.

MBG 2: Training
Lots of lifting of boxes, moving furniture over the weekend.  Today was Dog Brothers (NoHo pack) training with Nick, Matt and the boys.  If you think MMA is fun you should try grappling with sticks and knives.  Puts a whole new wrinkle on things.  Keeping it reality based.  We finished with 3 1:30 sec round of conditioning drills that is after all the grappling drills, take down defense and get up drills (while someone is hitting you with a padded stick from KIL industries).  http://www.bloodsport.com/ for sticks, knives, DVD etc

MBG 3: Plant Based Nutrition
I have been getting a lot of questions about having to label what it is we do.  Vegan or Vegetarian, we chose Plant Based for a reason people.  There are individual interpretations of each of those words and most have a stereotype they attach with each as well.  I feel no need to label myself either but prefer to allow myself the freedom to choose the healthiest choices for my body as you should do for yours.  A little history is needed here.  I grew up in Florida until I was six and then Alaska from 6th grade on.  We were not a wealthy family by any means so if we wanted meat we had to go and get it ourselves this meant learning to hunt and fish at a early age as well a work to earn money to help the family.  I have made a conscious choice to not kill any more animals unless it's them or me.  So, I have an issue with labels, how about we focus on actions.  Each person must decide for themselves who they are, and what they do.
So still all plant based and having fun with LOTS of ENERGY to burn.  Having great workouts and feeling awesome. 
Today I wanted to play a bit just to keep it interesting so I chose to have a "Green" Day not the band just food that is green.

Meal 1:  Green Drink & carrot juice, banana (only slightly green)
Snack1: Nuts raw, Green Drink
Meal 2: Vegan (here we go w labels again) fried rice with nuts and pineapple from Whole Foods.
Snack 2: Amazing Grass Super greens bar, Green Drink and a Green Tea
Meal 3: Big bowl of spinach salad with beet salad, broccoli slaw, steamed mixed veggies, sunflower seeds w balsamic dressing
Threw some other colors in just for fun.  Still having a bit of a time getting all my caloric intake in, adding the nuts and dates have helped. Going to add a couple of Sun Warrior protein drinks to the mix.

Eat Green and Get Lean,
Be Safe brothers and sisters,

Kevin

Just a Quickie

We talked about recovery a lot and I am in need of some right now, so this blog entry is going to be short and sweet.  OK, just short.  I am not known for being sweet.  I had the opportunity to speak in two health classes today at Moorpark College thanks to a friend of MBG-LA basketball coach Remy McCarthy.  Thanks Remy!  The goal of these lectures or talks is to open the minds of the next generation of members to the true availability of functional workouts.  Each time I do the lecture it gives me a little more passion to do more because I can see that I am actually connecting with the students and they seem to respond well to the MBG3.  Let's hope that some of them start thinking out of the "Fitness Box" and start to play again. 
That is the biggest gift MBG has given me are renewed passion to enjoy moving my body in different ways, looking to free up more movement and have fun doing it.  Taking an attitude of play.  It doesn't have to be all about sets and reps. Just play.
I have maintained my eating even through this move, and since all the plates are packed, I have been having to keep it very simple and plan where and when I am going to eat.  I have been packing fruit and nuts with me in my cooler bag for snacks. 

That it for tonight I am off to the dreaming time.

Be safe brothers and sisters,

Kevin

Twofer Tuesday

I feel like we are finally getting some where on this move, starting to see lots of empty space at the Casa de dos Miquitos.  To add to the fun I have already moved over most of the dishes, pots and pans.  So I have had to be more creative in my meal preparation.  Thank goodness for Natural Cafe in Moorpark, I have been able to stop in for a solid meal each day.  Tonight I went for the Buddha Burrito which is a veggie burrito with zucchini, summer squash, cauliflower, broccoli, brown rice, guacamole wrapped in a whole grain tortilla this thing is huge and tastes great. Big day tomorrow more moving and I am speaking in two health classes at Moorpark City College.  I get the opportunity to influence some young minds to a more balanced approach to fitness and health.

MBG3
MBG1: Training
Two-Fer Tuesday at the MLC.  We did Wesley 100 which was a real butt kicker.  Alternate between 10 yards power wheel crawl followed by 10 push ups and Chin ups until you reach a 100 of all three.  Then Alternate between 2 broad jumps and 2 vertical jumps.  My goal on the jumps was to broad jump my height at least and I was averaging 6'5, my vertical is not as good as my broad jump so I was just trying to get full hip extension and a soft landing.
Then we did 10 rounds of 2 minutes Jump Rope sprints with 1 min rest in between rounds.  So we got our sweat on too.
This was a real butt kicker and I am sure I am going to be sore tomorrow.

MBG2: Restoration
Full beginner sequence as a warm up and down dog in between rounds of jump rope.
Sleep was a little short last night due to early clients this morning so call it an early night tonight.

MBG3: Plant Based Nutrition
Breakfast: 1 Banana, 1 Kind bar, Green Tea
Snack 1: 1 apple
Lunch: Health Nut Salad at Roman's (No chicken)
Snack 2:  Tropical mix dried fruit
Dinner: Buddha Burrito at Natural Cafe
Snack 3: AB & J brown rice cakes 3 ea (this is a great snack)

I am feeling increase in cardiovascular efficiency and my energy level is still High.  So far so good.

Be safe Brothers and Sisters,
Kevin

Hello Monday Monkies,
When we talk about recovery many of our clients think that recovery is mainly about protein uptake post workout.  Which shows you just how well they have done with marketing Whey Protein.  But recovery is much more involved than that and includes all of the following:

____ Post-training nutrition (proper daily caloric amount and

        percentage of protein, carbs and fat)

____ Post-training body temperature regulation (pool, spa,

         or shower)

____ Pre/Post-training muscle tension/length manipulation

         (stretching)

____ Monitoring and regulation of sleep (dream log, venting

          dreams, sleep habits)

____ Monitoring and regulation of daily stress levels

 (deletion of unnecessary stressors and/or habits)

____ Monitoring and regulation of Central Nervous system

         stimulation and firing levels

____ Use of post-training recovery agents (vitamins, amino

         acids, immune system support agents, etc.)

____ Mental training (visualization, hypnosis, meditation,

         mental event rehearsal, stress management)

These above items represent the basics of recovery and should be implemented on a daily basis.  Your recovery and progress will be in direct proportion to how well you are incorporating these basic recovery methods into your training program. 

Do not under estimate the power of these basic recovery methods, they are proven effective and will not let you down.  Rate yourself and see how you are doing with each recovery method.

1 - I never do this   3 - I sometimes do this after workouts   5 - I do this after my workouts daily

The eventual goal is to be 3 to 5 on most of the recovery checklist. 

My day was again crazy busy with the move and clients, work and some moving.   Holding fast to my eating plan and really enjoying the discovery process.  As as a growing sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

MBG3

MBG1: Training

Worked out in between clients doing some Hand to Hand kettlebell passes, sling shot pass, lateral swings, crush curls.  Took an attitude of play and got caught having fun throwing the kettlebell around. 

MBG2:  Restoration

Had a good sleep 7 hours which is good for me, I usually only sleep six or so.  Rest posture legs on wall with meditation breathing. 

Did ES yoga with my clients.

MBG3: Plant Based Nutrition

Lot of good food today.

Breakfast: 1 apple, green drink, green tea

snack 1: KIND bar w flax, Organic V drink

Lunch: Sweet potato chips, Carrot Juice, 2 bananas

snack 2: N/A

Dinner: Black Bean Enchiladas from Natural Cafe

Snack 3: tropical fruit trail mix, 3 dates, Water

I am laying down a challenge that you get your recovery under control and watch the changes start to happen.

Be Safe Brothers and Sisters

Kevin

Mooooooving Forward

The yard sale is done.  Check that off the list, the Goodwill run is done. Check and Check.  The new house is amazing and I am so grateful that a fortunate series of events happened so we can move there.  As you know there can be a lot of stress and anxiety involved in the moving process.  I have been treating this move as I do any project that I work on, develop a plan, make a check list, execute the plan then evaluate the plan, evolve the plan and keep on moving.  Thus there is not as much stress and less potential for mess up on my 60 day challenge goals. 

MBG1: Training
Today the plan was get some movement in while executing the moving plan.  Lots and lots of lifting, reaching, pulling and a ton of walking.  Also, Ashlyn (my daughter) and I hit the trampoline at the New Casa de Dos Miquitos and had a lot of fun and a few laughs too.  As well as I felt obligated to get Sara (Dixon's dog) acclimated to the new environment which meant a perimeter walk and a lot of chase.  She is  a pit bull and has no concept of that retriever thing.  Worked up a good sweat doing both.  It doesn't have to be all about sets and reps folks.

MBG2: Restoration
I did some yoga today at various points to keep my low back loose and picked up a rest posture from Rodney Yee from his article in the Well Being Journal.   Legs up against the wall, great stress reliever and circulation builder. 

MBG3: Plant Based Nutrition
Today was so busy no time for sit down meals so I declared it a grazing day for myself and did so.  Apple here and there, rice chips and hummus while doing the yard sale,  a yam on a break, and we had a late dinner at Natural Cafe "Buddha Burrito" was the awesome!  Ash and I had a talk about quality of food, she has been having tummy troubles (nausea after meals, can you say food allergy? I knew that you could!) so we talked about better quality of foods and avoidance of any food that makes her ill.  She had soup and half sandwich at NC and as were walking out "Its amazing I feel great after eating that" .  I just smiled and nodded having had the same realization the past week.  Leading by example and walking the walk created that moment for me.  So, big Thank you to the Silverback (Jon Hinds) for the come to Jesus meeting. 

Starting to notice the physical changes now too.  More energy, better moods, increased quality of life and my teen aged daughter actually liked me today.  Good things are a happenin. 

Be Safe Brothers and Sisters,
Kevin

Rollin, rollin, rolling get those doggies rolling, Rawhide!!

I was watching the Blues Brothers last night and had forgot what a fun movie that was and full of talented people.  Love the music, I gotta serious case of the boogie woogie blues, it is a far site better that the Sugar Blues I have been having for the last year.  We are going to talk a lot more about the sugar blues and how be get rid of them at a later date.  Today was a whirlwind of a day and I just got to sit down for the first time now 1:23am.  I taught my morning class at MBG-LA and man did they rock the workout no matter what level they were working (stability, strength or power) they all pushed it, while keeping their alignment right. I can tell you after seeing some other workout systems this is not the case usually it all Ego, competition and reps with no eye for the form or alignment.  That my friends is what I call "Heavy Stupid Training"  or it can also be called the "Joe Weider Show off Principle".  Joe always liked to put his name on every training principle branding, branding, branding.  I had my time of HST (Heavy Stupid Training) and have the damaged joints to prove it. Stick with us folks and we can save you the major training injuries.  Balance is the key.  After the workout I met with the 60 day challengers, they are on point and we finished off the follow up with a discussion on the importance of water.  Water, water, water whenever you hear, see or think about water it will remind you to DRINK WATER! You will have to make my water lecture to get the details on the body mechanism that are involved but for now I want to ask you one question.  What is the first indicator that you are dehydrated?  Post your answer in the comment section or leave me a message on my Facebook. 
After the lecture it was a quick Superman change into my Krav attire so that I could drive the 30+ miles to the Krav Maga Worldwide training center to assist U.S. Chief Instructor Darren Levine teach a seminar to benefit the Marni Fund (dedicated to Darren's late wife Marni Levine).  Darren taught a great seminar dealing with knife threats standing and on the ground.  I managed to escape injury which is no easy task.  Whew!
At the end of the seminar Darren thanked all who had come and shared with them about Marni, saying that Marni thought of me as her trainer.  That got me!  Almost broke down.  Marni was such a special person, instructor, Mother and mentor and in my eyes was the guiding force of Krav Maga here in the U.S.  I still miss her wise council and sparkling spirit.  She was more of a warrior than I will ever be.  Her memory still inspires me to the better parts of my character daily.  No longer with us but never forgotten. 
From the seminar I was off to packing and moving.  I am in process with a move and determine to plan ahead so that this move does not effect my momentum.  So far so good.  It is all about planning meals and workouts as well as having a good moving plan.
OK, on to the daily MBG3.

MBG3
MBG1: Training
Prior to and during class knowing that I would not have much time to train, I decided to sneak in some Play time on the monkey bars, swinging, jumping from side to side and doing inverted travel on the monkey bars. Not every workout has to be sets and reps.  Some of my best workouts come when I just do have fun.

MBG 2: Restoration
Did some ES yoga postures in warm up and cool down with the class.

MBG 3: Plant Based Nutrition
Lots of good food to day, bananas, yams, green drink, broccoli, left over three bean salad and a great salad after moving boxes at Wood Ranch BBQ known for its garlic rolls and tri tip. I stopped in during one of my Daddy Taxi trips to grab a bite. 

Looks good!!  BBQ chopped salad with Portebello mushrooms and added steamed broccoli.  Yum and filling.
OK, I am off to sleep.

Be Safe Brothers and Sisters,

Kevin

Energy to burn

The energy I am feeling with our new Plant Based Nutrition is amazing me.  I flew through the day up at 6am to run to Thousand Oaks to see my client Eddie he rocked his workout this morning.  Jumped in the car and raced (at 40 mph) across the valley to meet the MLC for a workout.  Managed to only be 15 minutes late, we did a different workout from MBG-LA due to lack of proper equipment and we had been on a major kettlebell run this week so I want to give us just a mindless sweat.  My energy was amazing (and with no caffeine) as well as my cardio was improved due to my being fully hydrated and fueled by strong plants.  My overall sense of well being has improved as well. Yesterday I had a veggie patty that did not sit well must have been the binders, since the cleanse I am much more in touch with what foods work for me and what does not.  So far veggie patties are a Big No go.
Really enjoyed the workout today with the MLC, great bunch of workout partners and we just get in the zone and go.  A Big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Brianna this weekend. 

MBG3
MBG1: Training
WOW: Body Power 5x AFAP
20 Hindu controlled jumps, 20 Kettlebell swings, 20 Body Rows, 100 Jump Rope Fwd/Back

This was a great sweat and we flew through it.

MBG2: Restoration
Sleep as been a little off due to resetting all this new found energy, waking up early.  Getting good sleep.
Did the hot/cold/hot/cold shower after workout to flush the lactic acid from my system and regulate my post workout body temperature.  (this is a great way to feel refreshed after an intense workout and help recovery)
follow this blog and I will give you my recovery checklist.
ES Yoga before and after workout.  Basic postures to warm up and then loosen up my low back after.

MBG3: Plant Based Nutrition
Breakfast: Banana, Essential Green Drink & Amazing grass bar
Snack 1:  Essential Green Drink and Amazing grass bar (post workout)  Saw 2 Hot Brownies at Whole Foods.
Mid Day: Bowl of Kashi cereal w Rice Milk
Snack 2:  2 brown rice cakes with hummus

Dinner: Three bean salad w mango salsa
Looks yummy does it not?  Quinoa, Brown Rice, Red Kidney Beans, Chickpeas, Mango salsa

Looking forward to the 60 day challengers check in tomorrow, I hope they have been good.  Also, teaching with Master Darren Levine for STOP CANCER and the Marni Fund

Be safe brothers and sisters,

Kevin