PitFit Conditioning: Don't Stop, People Are Watching

Despite our reputation as the cornfield state, Indiana has it going on. Our state flower is the peony - quite possibly one of the prettiest and most elegant flowers; we produce more than 20% of the United States’ popcorn supply; we host the nation’s largest half-marathon; and we are the birthplace of James Dean, Kurt Vonnegut, Michael Jackson and John Mellencamp (how is that for diverse?).

But you can't write about Indiana without mentioning the Indy 500. No other race in the world has the traditions and statistics like the Indy 500. Needless to say, the Indy 500 is kind of a big deal.

So you can imagine my excitement when I heard about PitFit Training, a facility on the Northside of Indianapolis that trains Indy 500 drivers and also offers conditioning classes to the public. Since Jim Leo started PitFit in 1993, and opened his new facility in 2010, PitFit has been a game-changer in the development of motorsports-specific human performance training. The facility hosts chiropractic medicine, physical therapy, rehabilitation, massage, yoga by HTL Yoga and a training center filled with numerous fancy tools and machines to train race car drivers as well as people like me who just want a challenging, fun workout.

When I took my first PitFit Conditioning class last week, Jim didn't hesitate to announce my rookie status to the rest of the group and henceforth referred to me as "Amanda The Rookie." Totally fine. I knew I would successfully graduate from that status within an hour. Jim recorded my height and weight into his computer system and gave me a Polar heart rate monitor to strap around my chest. He then gathered the group around a white board to explain the different circuits and if needed, especially in the case of rookies like myself, demonstrate how to perform the exercise (if you have never done a Turkish Get-Up, yes, it is as difficult as it sounds). And then it was game time.

Jacobs Ladder, treadmills, flat screen with heart rates on display and other contraptions at PitFit.

Each circuit lasted one minute and had something unique to offer: CrossCore 180, battle ropes, Jacobs Ladder, kettlebells, Indo Boards, rowers and Concept 2 Ski Ergs to name a few. Jim even makes his own equipment, adding a steering wheel to a TRX to simulate the strength and coordination it takes to drive a race car. And because the group's heart rates were displayed on a flat screen the entire time, I was extra motivated to not let my heart rate dip lower than the average. Don't stop, people are watching...right?

Don't stop.

One of the coolest parts of the workout was seeing the names of J.R. Hildebrand, Scott Dixon and Pippa Mann on the various white boards throughout the room, and knowing that I was doing similar exercises as Indy 500 drivers and working out on the very same equipment they use on a daily basis. Not to mention, I took class alongside Charlie Kimball who drives the No. 83 car for Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing in the IZOD IndyCar Series (though I'll admit I didn't know this at the time).

PitFit is truly the real deal.

Following class, Jim gave me a personal lesson on the Dynavision D2, a fancy name for essentially a five foot board with lots of little squares that light up. When the light comes on, the user quickly taps it with one hand. The data - instantly displayed on a computer - shows if the user has better vision in a certain quadrant of the board. Jim explained that the board helps improve the driver's reaction, vision and peripheral skills. This reaction training is done after the driver's heart rate is elevated to simulate what really goes on inside a race car.

By the time I got home, Jim had already emailed the class a training session report with all our names and our training results including maximum heart rate, average heart rate and calories burned (all the more reason not to let your heart rate dip too low). My average heart rate was 148, my max heart rate was 179 and I burned 566 calories. Now why would you ever do a boring treadmill workout when you can have this much fun and burn almost 600 calories?

What? You don't practice changing tires everyday?

PitFit Conditioning classes are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:30-6:45pm. Walk-ins are $20 or you can purchase five sessions for $75 or one month unlimited for $99. Do your body and mind a favor: get off the treadmill or elliptical and go have some fun!

The pit crew - 47 circuits complete on Jim's 47th birthday!

CrossFit: It Ain't Your Mama's Workout

If you participate in any type of physical activity, you've probably heard some buzz about the latest fitness trend - CrossFit. To be sure, CrossFit has been around since 2000 and has probably surpassed the "trend" category. Sometime within the past two years, CrossFit reached a tipping point in Indy. Up north, we have CrossFit Indy North in Noblesville, Inner Strength CrossFit in Castleton, CrossFit Fishers, CrossFit Carmel, CrossFit Zionsville and CrossFit Broad Ripple and downtown we have CrossFit Naptown.

So what exactly is CrossFit? I hear that question often and I have a hard time coming up with a concrete explanation because every workout, or WOD (workout of the day), is uniquely different. CrossFit is constantly varied, functional movements executed at high intensity. It's the principal strength and conditioning program for many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide.

In other words, CrossFit is not easy.

Torture devices at CrossFit Zionsville: therabands for modified pull-ups, kettlebells and box jumps as tall as I am.

I've done many different types of workouts: hot yoga, pilates reformer, zumba, TRX, spinning, kickboxing, CompuTrainer and barre to name a few. I can very confidently state that CrossFit is the toughest workout I've done to date. You won't see anyone walking on a treadmill and reading Vogue. There are no pretty elliptical machines with built-in televisions. The only machines are rowers, powered solely by your muscles, not electricity. There are also plenty of intimidating torture devices including barbells, kettlebells, climbing ropes, squat stands, ab mats and PVC pipes.

The format is simple: a warm-up and a WOD. The actual workout is usually 20 minutes or less, but it's the most challenging 20 minutes of your life. Really. No joke. Here is what a typical class looks like:

Warm Up

Jump rope for 5 min, score = number of missed jumps (shoot for low score)

5 min to establish max reps on DU's or practice DU's

Strength:

1a. DB Seated Press 3x10

1b. 1 Legged lunge on Bench 3x10 (5 on each leg then switch = 1 set)

1c. DB Row 3x10

Conditioning:

"Fran"

21-15-9

Thrusters 95/65

Pull-ups

It ain't your mama's workout. I can only box jump on the shortest box, I have to "assist" my pullup by placing my feet in a theraband and when doing double unders, wait, I cannot yet do a double under. But in the CrossFit world, it's not necessarily about who can do the most pullups in five minutes or who can jump on the highest box. Each gym (what CrossFit refers to as "box") has its own mini community. The same members work out together at the same classes, they cheer each other on during workouts and they even share recipes. (CrossFit athletes commonly eat Paleo - a diet based on eating meats, eggs, non-starchy vegetables, seafood and some nuts and seeds.)

Luckily, I've found a wonderful new box in Zionsville. A dear friend, Elyse Merchant, spent three years after college personal training, assistant coaching and lead coaching at other CrossFit gyms. She realized that opening up Crossfit Zionsville was a personal BHAG (big hairy audacious goal) and went after it. Taking a class with Elyse can be summed up in one word: inspiring. It's not only her skills, her abilities, her strength and her passion that inspires me; it's her way of coaching and making everyone - from the most advanced to the most amateur - feel welcome.

Coach Elyse cheering me on during a 500 meter row.

The workout today involved a warm-up of practicing our jump rope skills for 10 minutes. Don't let this fool you because the jump rope routines were nothing like what you did in first grade during recess. Split jumps, one leg jumps, heel-click jumps, double under jumps, you name it, it was in there. We jumped rope for five minutes for accuracy and recorded the number of missed jumps (the aim was to get the lowest score). Next, we moved to the wall and did four rounds of a 20 second handstand hold or kick-up. I opted for the kick-ups. The actual WOD consisted of three rounds for time of: 30 wall balls, 30 ab mat sit-ups and a 500 meter row.

And then you pass out.

CrossFit is, simply stated, hard. But if you find the right coach who welcomes you and all the whining and injuries and needs that come with you (er, me), it's rewarding. Almost everyone starts at the same level when they begin doing CrossFit, but, like any feat in life, those who stick with it, consistently keep at it several times a week and are mentally willing to put in the hard work, achieve the most success. Elyse at CrossFit Zionsville offers an intro class every Thursday at 6pm and it's a great way to start learning the different movements and the correct form.

Do one thing a day that scares you - check!

My support crew at CrossFit Zionsville.

Rene's Bakery "Perfect Homemade" Chocolate Chip Cookies

Everyone likes homemade chocolate chip cookies. Even my nephew Alex, who doesn't like ice cream (what teenager doesn't like ice cream?) and used to pick the sesame seeds off from his hamburger bun, enjoys the occasional chocolate chip cookie. The perfect homemade chocolate chip cookie is dense but not cakey, chocolatey but not overpowering and soft but chewy all at the same time. Most importantly - it's simple. Boom. I said it. All you need is: flour, butter, sugar, leavening agents, eggs, vanilla, chocolate and plus one - your favorite addition.

(Yes, I'm indirectly referencing the famous New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookie with all its fancy bread flour and cake flour and sea salt and chocolate with at least 60 percent cocoa content. What gives?)

If I am not in the mood to make my own batch of perfect homemade chocolate chip cookies, Taylor's Bakery is a timeless favorite (the bakery just celebrated its 99th anniversary last February). I can count on Taylor's for the best "white on white" (white cake, white icing) in town. Nothing fancy. Does the trick every time. The Flying Cupcake never fails me when I need that last minute, no-time-to-place-an-order birthday treat for a friend at work. With four locations (and one on the way), this cupcake bakery is convenient to almost any neighborhood in Central Indianapolis. Indy is also home to Confectioneiress in Zionsville, Sweet Lucinda's in Zionsville (a personal favorite!), Sweet Tooth Bakery on Mass Ave (so elegant) and Circle City Sweets at the Historic City Market. I have also heard some amazing buzz about The Cake Bake Shop, scheduled to open this summer. I'll be the first in line to taste test!

Rene's Bakery in Broad Ripple

Broad Ripple is home to Rene's Bakery, a quaint, European-style bakery owned by A. Rene Trevino. The robin's egg blue bakery is tucked behind a side street in Broad Ripple and resembles more of a small cottage than a bakery. In the summer, you can find Rene's goodies at The Broad Ripple Farmer's Market, where his oversized chocolate chip cookies and chocolate chewies are stacked by the dozen inside pretty little glass jars. Such a tease, if you ask me. The bakery is known for its coconut macaroons, chocolate chip cookies and elegant tortes, but when I walked in for a visit yesterday, everything looked taste-worthy. Even the croissants (who knew I liked croissants?).

Little jars of heaven at Rene's Bakery, including some of their most popular selections: chocolate dipped coconut macaroons, ginger molasses cookies and oatmeal walnut dried cherry cookies. 

You can imagine my delight when I was Google searching recipes for a family event and came across Rene's Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies on the Midwest Living website. Ever since, it's been my go-to cookie recipe. The trick, like most recipes, is to bulk up on the good stuff, and to not be too cautious when measuring out a cup of semisweet chocolate chips. I add a bit more chocolate chips and a whole lot more coconut than I'm supposed to. I also split up my three cups semisweet chocolate pieces between both chocolate chunks and chocolate chips.

Other tips for great (versus good) chocolate chip cookies:
-Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and scrape off the mound with a knife. I can't claim to know the exact science here, but I've learned from baker after baker that for accuracy purposes, the next best thing to weighing your flour is spooning your flour into the measuring cup.
-If you are using dough that was previously frozen, or chilled in the fridge for more than 30 minutes, leave the dough on your counter for 25-30 minutes or enough time for your dough to get to room temperature.
-Make sure the cookie sheets are completely cooled in between batches to prevent spreading and hence flat cookies.
-Remove the cookies from the oven when they are just starting to brown. Give yourself a safety net here. Underbake your cookies.
-Wait at least two minutes before transferring the cookie to a wire rack or plate. This recipe says to cool for one minute, but why risk it? Put. The. Spatula. Down.

Rene's Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies
Adapted from Midwest Living

Ta da! My perfect batch of chocolate chip cookies.

Ingredients 
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 
1 teaspoon salt 
1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 
1 cup granulated sugar 
3/4 cup packed brown sugar 
2 eggs 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla 
3 cups semisweet chocolate pieces (split between semisweet chunks and semisweet chips)
1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut

The Deal
In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside. 
In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. 
Add granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat on medium speed about 5 minutes or until mixture is light and fluffy, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. 
Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. 
Beat in as much of the flour mixture as you can at one time with the mixer on low speed until all is incorporated.
Stir in chocolate pieces and coconut. 
Drop dough by 2 tablespoon portions 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Lightly press down on dough to flatten. 
Bake in a 350 degrees F oven 12 minutes or 14 minutes if dough is chilled or until edges are light brown. 
Cool on cookie sheets 2-3 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and let cool.

Must Love Dogs

What's a Jewish girl in Indiana to do on Christmas? Well, yes, sleep of course (a much needed 12 hours to be exact). But also visit The Humane Society of Indianapolis because if you're a shelter dog, you don't know Christmas from any other day of the year.

If you know me and my family at all, you know the prerequisite to hanging out with us: must love dogs. Coincidentally, we started this sort of trend where all our dogs' names start with a "B." My current dog is Bubba. Before him we had Barkly. My aunt Debbie's former dog was Baxter. My sister's dog is Buster. On top of that, all our dogs have human-like qualities: Buster is "handsome" and "loves kids," Bubba is "a foodie" and "needs lots of one-on-one attention."

The most wonderful thing about a dog is their reaction when they see you walk in the back door: no matter if it's been an hour since you've been away or a minute, they are thrilled just by your presence. Bubba even gets excited when he sees a Jeep drive by because he thinks it's me inside the car. Melt my heart. When he saw me today, I swear I heard a few moaning sobs. Of joy.

My mom, an avid IndyHumane volunteer who puts in well above the required 8 hours/month, signed us up for the Christmas shift. When we arrived, we were happy to see that there were lots of other volunteers there, all working together to make sure each dog got out during those two hours (the volunteers have a very efficient system in place where each person writes in a special booklet noting the dog he or she walked and the time). I applaud the mother and daughter pair who had the floors in the puppy room almost sparkling by the time we got there (the puppy room, by the way, is worthy of a post in itself).

We started with Chiquita, a large boxer mix who was quite happy to get out of her kennel and into the great outdoors. We walked Barbie Kickstand, another boxer mix, who got her name because her front leg sort of bends out like a kickstand. This dog loves her tennis balls and is quite content fitting three in her mouth at the same time. The description on the website says she was found living outside near an alley for an extended period of time until some wonderful people finally gained her trust and brought her to safety at the shelter. Probably the most difficult part about volunteering at IndyHumane is overhearing stories about the animals' past lives, stories about the abuse and the abandonment before they became shelter dogs. And then with each uniquely sad story, realizing all over again that animal neglect and abuse is common.

Barbie Kickstand at IndyHumane

Next up was a beautiful clumber spaniel mix with a fluffy apricot coat appropriately named Christmas. She was an adorable dog who, like all the others, deserves a warm, cozy home with lots of toys and lots of love. We ended the evening with sweet little Foxy, a short coat Chihuahah who was so small, she could fit in one of my palms. Her miniature-sized sweater kept her from getting chilled in the brisk 33-degree weather (we joked that what Foxy really needs is a hot pink sweater and a pink diamond studded collar so she could hit the town Paris Hilton style).

Paris Hilton and her Chihuahua Tinkerbell, aptly dressed in a pink sweater

I love what IndyHumane does for our city and my family and I are happy to support their mission in any way we can. In 2011, they helped over 2000 cats and dogs find homes through adoption, reuniting pets with their owners and rescue transfers. The animals there don't have an expiration date - there is no predetermined time limit for how long an animal can remain on the adoption floor. Animals are not put down for time or space.

Their vision that "all Central Indiana animals are treated with dignity and respect and live free from cruelty, harm and neglect" mirrors my own belief that all animals deserve a loving, happy life.

Me and Foxy both dressed in layers

Love me, love my dog. -Latin proverb

Vanilla Raisin Granola

Vanilla Raisin Granola all packaged up and ready to be gifted

I'll admit it. I'm a granola addict. And I learned today that homemade granola tastes so much better than my typical Kashi Go Lean Crunch (not 100% granola by definition, but it does the job, sans guilt). My favorite granola is Bruce's Granola at Cafe Patachou. I made the mistake one morning of buying a 16 ounce bag of it at the counter when I was in major craving mode. When the woman went to ring me up, she said, "$14 please." At that point, as the line was building behind me with business men waiting to purchase their morning coffee, I was too ashamed (or better put, my craving was too intense), so I went ahead and shelled out the cash anyway. I went home and enjoyed a healthy scoop of that chunky, fruity, wonderful goodness of granola over plain Greek yogurt. Simple, filling and satisfying.

If I am not speaking your language, you clearly are no #granolachild. If this helps, here is how Patachou describes their fruity mixture of toasted oats, sundried cherries, raisins and almonds:

Worthy of its own blog, healthy and decadent at the same time, fruity but not too sweet, inspiring bad poetry and exorbitant shipping charges, packed in backpacks and on private planes, buttery, addictive, hangover-free, crunchy but not too political, strong, handsome, the Brad Pitt of daily goodness, making you feel like a great 70′s singer-songwriters song, top-down, like a Dead Head sticker on a Cadillac, good on rainy days (especially the ones that turn snowy without notice), always the same, like your best friend of twenty years, the Mother to all others, granola at Cafe Patachou.

As the gift giving season is in full swing, I decided to make my own granola. I did a little research to figure out the basic elements, skipping over any recipes that did not include vanilla, honey and raisins. This granola is the perfect gift when placed in clear cellophane bags and tied with ribbon. Yesterday I dropped six bags off at a local pilates studio so some of my favorite instructors could enjoy a filling, sweet-but-not-too-sweet snack after class. Today the bags will be going to some of my co-workers. Everyone likes granola and everyone likes something homemade.

Vanilla Raisin Granola
Adapted from Eise's Homemade Granola

Granola on baking tray ready to be toasted

Ingredients
8 cups oats
2 cups sliced almonds
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
raisins (as much or little as you like)
3/4 cup canola oil
1 cup honey
3 tablespoon vanilla

The Deal
Preheat oven to 300-degrees.
Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
In a saucepan combine oil, honey and vanilla and bring to a boil. Let boil for 1 minute then pour over oat mixture.
Mix until all ingredients are moistened.
Divide and spread mixture over 2 large cookie sheets and bake at 300-degrees for 20-30 minutes. Remove from oven and leave on pans until the granola hardens (allow to dry completely if you prefer really crunchy granola). Break up the chunks, but leave a few for that extra crunch.

Cerulean: A Vegetarian's Feast

If you know Indy at all, you know we are not the most vegetarian-friendly state. I have a few favorites that I can count on for a healthy, vegetarian meal that isn't just a heavy pasta dish. Three Sister's Cafe (the best hummus, hands down), Cafe Patachou (the best granola, hands down) and Season's 52 (not local, but seriously tasty) are among my favorites.

Lucky for me, two nights ago I had the opportunity to visit Cerulean, a new restaurant in downtown Indianapolis, for a Vegetarian Feast. Cerulean chef/owner Caleb France and his wife, Courtney, opened the restaurant in November and the buzz hasn't stopped since. Just do me a favor and imagine this: a six-course all vegetarian meal made with fresh, local ingredients and accompanied with four glasses of the best wine you will ever drink and a glass of champagne. Phew.

The Indiana artisan cheese board was a fabulous first impression: creamy bleu and goat cheeses, mostardo jam, tomato jam and delicious buttery (fried!) toast. Next up was a salad of bitter greens and huckleberry jam, followed by celery root soup that had hints of fennel. I know what you're thinking: celery soup? Blech. But this soup was creamy, refreshing, light, and surprisingly filling all at the same time. It tasted vegetably and decadent, but not too rich. Another plate, artfully decorated with carrot and beet puree, was a mixture of some of my favorite foods: parsnips, sweet potatoes and various squash. The entree course was a medley of mushrooms with a hearty and creamy mushroom custard.

My favorite course was, take a guess, dessert. Parsnip and ginger ice cream (heaven on a plate) was surrounded by chocolate sprinkles. Flourless chocolate cake bites sat amid a honey and ginger puree and fingerfruit that resembled caviar. If you can find ginger and parsnip ice cream anywhere, please let me know and save me a few pints will you?

The main visual feature of the restaurant is "The Nest," a rounded hut made of birch that encloses a small dining area. Part of the kitchen is openly visible, a sort of "lab" area, where guests can spy on the restaurant's pastry chef, Pete Schmutte, assembling his artistic creations. The understated, neutral decor with Mid-century modern touches is simply perfect. But the decor gives way to the true star at Cerulean: the food. And don't let the online menu fool you. If you're a vegetarian, the team will make sure you're taken care of. Because vegetarians deserve that kind of special treatment.

Bitter greens salad with huckleberry jam

Carrot and beet puree, acorn squash and sweet potato

My favorite: ginger and parsnip ice cream, flourless chocolate cake, and fingerfruit

"The Nest"

Go W/ The Flow

This afternoon I experienced my second live music and yoga combo class. GO W/ THE FLOW, comprised of traveling Dayton duo Tori & Ben, came to Indianapolis to lead an event at The Yoga Center. Their aim: to create a unique music and yoga experience that helps you get out of your head and into your breath (much needed for many of us these days). There were 20-something yogis in the room with me, all encouraged by Tori to breathe hard and loud to the beats of Ben's guitar and beatboxing. I can specifically remember being in Parivrtta Utkatasana (twisting chair pose) and hearing Tori's voice encouraging us to breathe harder and louder in order to get deeper into the twist.

It's really amazing to be able to find a connection to your body and your flow through music, to let the outside world escape your thoughts more and more with each movement. Indy may not necessarily be on the map for yoga, but we have some really inspiring visitors and if you have the chance to take a class with one of them, I've learned that you just need to make the time for it. And just do it. No excuses. The opportunity may not come up again. I'll keep you posted about the next "big thing."

Me, Tori, Ben and Lindsey after a sweaty class.