Shrimp and Acorn Squash Medley

Delicious concoction I made this evening if I do say so myself. Quick, easy, tasty and enough left over for a healthy lunch serving.

1 lb frozen shrimp - I like the Key West jumbo shrimp from Whole Foods; tastes like lighter lobsta meat!  Fresh shrimp would work as well but I require the luxury of the frozen kind ;)

1 acorn squash

1 cup tomato sauce - it's official, I am obsessed with Monte Bene. You can get it from any organic market.  No sugar or preservatives added... it tastes like you roasted tomatoes and basil, from your garden, for hours, in your kitchen.  DELIC!

Soak frozen shrimp in lukewarm water for 15 minutes.  In meantime, boil pot of water. Add shrimp to the boiling water and couple dashes of salt.  Boil for 3-5 minutes.  Run under cool water, peel and dip in tomato sauce.

For squash, cut in half and scoop out seeds.  Smooth olive oil over squash and salt and pepper.  Bake in oven, flesh side up (about 400 degrees) for about 30 minutes. OR if you are always eating around 9pm like me, use your microwave.  I cooked one half for 5 minutes on high in the micro (still rub on olive oil and season).  After the squash is done cooking, pour tomato sauce over squash.

If you wanted to create a spaghetti with shrimp of-sorts, you could scoop the meat out of the acorn, place sauce and shrimp over mashed squash.  Spaghetti squash would also work - I just happen to think acorn squash has a bit more flavor... it tastes like fall to me :)  and if tomato sauce isn't your fancy, cinnamon, cocoa powder, nutmeg ... they would all work as seasoning after the squash is cooked.  Manja!  Manja!

Chasing the Dragon

Quick note of celebration as I did not blog after Saturday's WOD.  At the end of the workout- which was really fun and kick-ass btw - I decided to try some pull-ups... without the band!  First pull-up = jumping from 45 lb plate on the ground, under the bar.  Second and third pull-ups = kipping and pull.  I haven't been this proud of myself in a long time!!  Really just grinning ear to ear.  I worked so hard and earned every bit of those pull-ups.  In the words of a very smart, blonde legal eagle: ME!!  As for the WOD, it included 5 rounds, 90 seconds to complete 5 heavy back squats and AMRAP box jumps - I maxed out at 155 on the squat and I believe got between 30 and 35 box jumps each round.

Now onto today:

WOD

Crossfit Total

1 rep max Back Squat, Deadlift and Press (in that order)

RESULTS

Back Squat 170

Deadlift 225

Press 75

Total 470

ANALYSIS

I really enjoyed this WOD.  I missed it last time so I didn't really have a comparison.  I also didn't have a one rep max to use as a base for lifting, but had a couple sets of 3 and sets of 5 to choose from.  All in all, I am very happy with my lifts. I definitely could have gone heavier on the squats but 170 felt heavy and was a clean lift.  The deadlift ... maybe could have gone 5 lbs higher, maybe.  225 was a heavy lift for me.  And the press.  Ahh, the sweet press.  After the squat and deadlift I was feeling so strong.  Leave it up to the press to remind me of my weaknesses!  Such a humbling lift.  I joked that I could have lifted 77.5, but was really only partially joking.  I couldn't get 80 lbs above my eyes. 

I look forward to looking back on this benchmark WOD after 30 days on a Paleo diet.  Better see a difference or else! LOL :)