2014 CrossFit St. Louis Paleo Challenge

It's that time of year when the magic of the holidays has worn out its welcome and we are feeling tired, sluggish, bloated and not our best.  Don't get me wrong, the party that started at Thanksgiving and ended on New Year's Day was a blast.  It was nice to enjoy all the delicious things that come with the season.  However, after the holiday bender, I am reminded how eating and drinking to the heart's content can make a body feel.  What better time than now to recommit to food that makes us "look, feel and perform our best" as Robb Wolf always says.  The CrossFit St. Louis 5th annual Paleo Challenge is upon us.  Here are the details:

Date:  Sunday, January 12, 2014

Time:  10:00

Place:  CrossFit St. Louis

Participation fee:  $55 (Includes required book "It Starts With Food")

The nutrition seminar will go from about 10-11:30 and is free to all.  If you are wanting to commit to the 6 week program, you need to get your before pictures and measurements taken after the seminar and pay the participation fee. (cash or check made out to Leeny Hoffmann)   This is a bit of a process so you will be given a number when you arrive and that will be your number in line to get your measurements.

While you are waiting, be sure to visit some of our paleo friends in the "Paleo Expo" who will be sharing their expertise and/or products with you in order to help you through your program.  They will have tables for you to sample their wares or talk to them about the services they provide.  

Coming this year are:

The Fat Tank - bodyfat testing using the immersion method.  This is an extra fee of $55 and sign ups for appointments are at the front desk.  If you are doing the challenge, this is a great time to get your body composition tested.  Bring a bathing suit and a towel if you sign up for this service.  A mobile van will be outside with a technician inside to do the testing.

Feed Your Vitality -  "Feed Your Vitality, LLC is committed to serving only vibrant, whole foods, made with the freshest ingredients.  It is our promise to provide you with meals that are naturally free of additives and preservatives found in most commercially prepared foods.  All our meals are meticulously prepared to meet the requirements of most doctor recommended anti-inflammatory diets including the paleo and low carb lifestyles."  If any of you went to the volunteer party for Garage Gym Games, you experienced the delicious food of Feed Your Vitality.  They are a delivery service that makes eating paleo very convenient.

MAC's Local Buys - Mac’s Local Buys bridges the gap between the local Missouri farmers who are expending the energy to do it right and the like minded folks that support them.  We network with a number of high quality local farmers who are raising their heritage breed animals outside, on pasture, humanely, allowing the animals to be animals and not using additional hormones or harmful chemicals.  We organize whole animal buys for large groups of people.  By sourcing  the whole animal directly from the farmer, we are able to secure the lowest possible pricing for the highest quality proteins.  At the end of the day, we take the leg work out of sourcing superior proteins for you and your family.

Athlete Eats - This local company makes and delivers food with an athlete in mind.  Owners Bob Brazell (Cordon Bleu chef) and Simon Lusky (chef and nutritionist for the St. Louis Cardinals) have teamed up to make delicious, healthy paleo approved and Whole30 compliant meals for delivery.  Many of their clients include professional athletes from St. Louis teams like the St. Louis Rams, Blues, and Cardinals.  Their kitchen is located on Cherokee Street and they will soon have a storefront at the same location.

Dr. Nick Barnes - Chiropractor

Be sure and visit all of these Paleo vendors on their facebook pages and "like" them to receive updates about their services.

I am looking forward to this year's Paleo Challenge and leading you through your 6 week journey into all things paleo.  In that time, you will be required to read the book provided called "It Starts With Food".  I need you to understand why we make the choices we do.  The more informed you are, the better off you will be.  Since we will be doing a Whole30, understand that this is a strict form of paleo and there will be no grains, dairy, legumes, sugar or alcohol for 30 days.  It is important to take out all known gut irritants for 30 days to establish a baseline of health.  After 30 days, we will reintroduce foods and see how you do.  It's all a process.  At the end of the challenge, we will celebrate with a Paleo Potluck and high five our accomplishments!

Email me at Leenyhoff@aol.com if you plan to participate.  I've ordered 30 books but would like to know if I need more!