Lurong WOD #4 and Turkey Meatloaf

As I mentioned in earlier posts, this week was what I call "benchmark week" at Crossfit. It means we do a different benchmark workout each day to track improvement over time. We do this every 3 months. Monday was Crossfit Total, Tuesday was Helen. Thursday was supposed to be Fran, however the Lurong Challenge WOD #4 involved thrusters, so we could substitute WOD#4 instead of Fran. I would do anything to skip Fran. (Fran is sets of 21-15-9 of thrusters and pull-ups).

Lurong WOD #4
50 Thrusters
50 toes to bar (I did level 2, it was ab-mat sit ups)

I did not want to do this workout. Mentally thrusters kill me. I feel defeated before I even start the workout. Once I get started, I actually don't hate thrusters (notice I didn't say "like"). I think anything where I drive from my hips, I can mentally tackle. I visualize myself pushing up form the hips. I tend to use visualizing as a strategy during most workouts or tough lifts. My coaching friend makes fun of me because I am constantly telling my field hockey girls to visualize themselves doing something correctly. But I'm telling you, it works!! It's half the battle! You need to think successful for it to happen!

Food Related Things...
So, I have been on the lookout for new paleo recipes. The past few crockpot recipes left much to be desired. I mean, I ate them but I probably wouldn't make them again. I just wasn't a fan of the flavor combinations. However, I came across this recipe for artichoke meatloaf. Artichokes. Now you're talking my language. I had a love affair with artichokes many years ago. I would eat stuffed artichokes, artichoke hearts, grilled artichokes, artichoke dips... well, you get the idea.

Now usually, I am NOT a meatloaf person. I think of dry meat that looks like bread that you need ketchup for (and I do NOT like ketchup). Well this, my friends, is not your mother's meatloaf. It's moist and tasty. The artichoke flavor totally shines through. I can't wait to go buy more artichoke hearts so I can cook it again! Like, seriously, delish! (Although, the picture doesn't do it justice)