Summer time is always a rush for us. Maybe it’s because we’re in the middle of the kiwi’s race season and traveling to and fro (is that still a word?). That probably explains why I needed the slow down challenge so much.
![image[9]](https://www.cottercrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/image91.jpg "image[9]")
But now that Fall is here, his season is wrapping up and we’re a bit more focused on replenishing our physical and mental strength. I like to use the word FOCUS versus challenge. WHY? Focus in more my thing. It means I want to embrace something with FULLNESS. Not compete with it.
Fall FOOD FOCUS? –> EXTRA nutrients. I already try and get the MAIN nutrients I need with food and natural supplement, but I am always exploring ways to get in those EXTRA nutrients. Focus NUTRIENTS – Spirulina, chia, acacia fiber, and Free radical fighter from REBOOTIZER. I am loving these extra NUTRIENTS. A sense of well being and overall energy. Yes, a good FOOD FOCUS indeed!
![image[1]](https://www.cottercrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/image15.jpg "image[1]")
“ ENERGYbits”> ENERGYbits”> ENERGYbits”>www.energybits.com —-> ENERGYbits® are a new, clean, green, organic protein that is 100% organically grown. This spirulina algae is actually a super food grown in water that we dry and press into small tablet sized “bits” that you swallow (or chew). They have the highest concentration of antioxidants and protein in the world (64%), forty nutrients and Omega 3. This powerful blend of green protein and alkaline nutrients provides a steady stream of energy without sugar, caffeine, gluten or chemicals. Great for athletes, runners and active consumers. “
ReNew Life has a new Fiber Smart Line. I tried out the ultimate chia and Natural triple fiber. The chia is great to make into a pudding (just 1-2 tbsp. chia with coconut or almond milk and let it soak.) Extra omegas, yes please!
The natural triple fiber is made from oat bran, flaxseed, and acacia fiber. I have been mixing in a few scoops to my husbands oatmeal and in my muffin batter. Great addition to baking for sure! For your free coupon, go here!
Other FOOD FOCUS- nutrient dense snack/meal combos.
Kale salad with berries, onion, grapeseed oil, jasmine rice, and sunflower seeds.
Gluten Free toast with fresh figs, maple syrup, and creamy PB Free Nuttzo.
Oh and I might have a HEALTHY BITES FALL Flavor FOCUS but it’s still undecided. Pumpkin Dark Chocolate or Pumpkin Coconut PB for October flavor?? Laura, does this count as Strange but good? Actually, it’s probably not strange to most of us. haha.
Fall Fitness FOCUS—> FORM, STRENGTH, and CORE!
I’ve been working on a burpee challenge in my strength and condition class. The last 5 minutes of each class, we do burpees. No set pace. No high reps. Just focusing on using all our strength and getting the form right. It’s amazing what that kind of FOCUS can really do for the core. Try it!
*note– that should be 1 minute boat pose, not 1 boat pose. and for pendulum swings, look here!
And of course I am still FOCUSING On the slow down challenge. Thanks to a good friend, I now have a hard copy of the author’s book. AMAZING!
What’s your Fall Focus? Do you have one?
You need one.
Cheers,
LC
Hi, I’m Lindsay! Gluten Free Nutrition Specialist, food photographer and author of 
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Girl I wanted that kale salad so bad when you posted it. Great looking workout. I need to remember the pendulum swings for some of my clients! And you just reminded me to take my spirulina before this run LOL. My focus for fall needs to be to stress less (aka slow down).
First of all, what an awesome idea for a challenge! I could TOTALLY use a little rest & quiet time. Very cool 🙂 And I’ve been trying to pack in some more super foods, as well! Kale salad is a staple around here, but I need to remember to add chia to smoothies and things!
Pumpkin coconut pb flavor sounds delicious!
OOOH
reading this made me realize I NEED TO SHARE MY SLOW DOWN LIFE with the husband.
I love Jeffs book.
I love Jeffs book.
Im not sure the husband has read it.
Yet.
let me know what he thinks! we need a book club. 5am with coffee sound good?
i need to get on the pumpkin thing! i know fall is just beginning but i haven’t even bought my first can of pumpkin yet!
you got time. I sense a smoothie recipe coming from you soon… with pumpkin!
The Pumpkin Dark Chocolate sounds yummy, although I’m still a fan of Muddy Buddy Mochas 😉 As for my Fall Focus – take one day at a time!
I’ll allow #strangebutgood balls. If I can have the Pumpkin Dark Chocolate. With bacon. 😉
i seriously need to get that bite made! genius. Want samples?
Ummmm… YES! Thanksgiving flavor: Maple Bacon.
My fall focus is on listening to ME. October is going to be busy, stressful, crazy and of course fun, but it’s going to be really exhausting as well. I know I need to tune in deep to ME and make sure I’m listening to what is best for me in each moment.
oh i am excited for you friend! Keep the sanity but go after those dreams!!
EAT ALL THE PUMPKIN THINGS!!!
Both October Healy Bite flavors sound perfect! YUM! I am so with you on the Fall Focus. Nutrition is something I’m really working on with me now too since I’m teaching more and training more. Fuel is key to health, right?! I’m looking for Jeff’s book at the library today and if I can’t find it there, then I’m buy it ASAP. Tony wants to read it at the same time I do so we can talk about it. Love that he’s into it like I am now. Slowing down mentally is really helping us with all the stress lately…and we have A LOT of it. Hugs friend! I hope you two haven an amazing weekend!
wish we could all have book club together. Run, read, coffee, slow down.. sigh
To slow down..Enjoy Fall. Be “present”. & Actually taste my food when I’m eating it instead of inhaling it!
Right now my fall focus is all about healing. My foot is still giving me a problem, so I’ve really been trying to take it easy. I go back to my doctor next week. I hope things get better soon because I’d love to get back to my usual workout routine asap.
keep me posted! hoping the doc says you are healing quick! <3
You’re heart is always in the right place (one of your best features!), but I’m happy you’re slowing down to gather your thoughts and focusing on nutrients to get your mind & body in the right places too. Both of those can be so hard during rush times, but you always seem so together to me that I’m sure it won’t take long. 😉
I’m slowing down too. Things outside are always go go go in the warmer summer months, but as the temps drop, so does my need to always be busy. I read more while just sitting. I crochet more while watching movies.
I just SLOW down.
i need to learn to knit/crochet
My fall focus is exactly what I wrote about on my blog today… Stepping away from perfectionism and the comparison trap, and just BEING without the other pressures.
Happy Fall!
and i loved that!
I personally LOVED the chocolate pumpkin! So good!
oh yay! so glad you liked!
Because of you, I’ve been forcing myself to slow down and do more reading and devo time… thank you for the inspiration!
i think we’ve all been a great support system! <3
My fall focus is to enjoy my life as much as possible with my current conditions. I cannot let something just stop my entire life. I have to roll with the punches. So rolling is my focus, I guess. 😉
PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP!
I do need that book!! And your food! I have to admit that I’ve been terrible about nourishing my body lately. Actually since we returned home from Hawaii. See! I need to go back to Hawaii!! haha
i’ll go with you!
I need that book. I am most definitely living in the “in between” right now! And slowing down is not coming very easily. I don’t even know when I’d have time to read this! My fall focus is faith. Breathing. Not just coping, but thriving. Finding the blessings in the chaos and rejoicing in them. And trying my best not to take out my stress on my body by treating it gently and respecting my limits (and need for sleep!)
podcast it and listen while you driving, running, etc. Maybe??
Need to get that book for sure! I have a feeling when I find a job that the blog will go because work & the blog are just too much for me who is not good at multi-tasking & don’t want to be cause I have been there before when I worked 60+++ hours a week. 🙂
I am going with Pumpkin coconut PB! 🙂
I am loving all the slow down post I have been reading here & elsewhere!
The pumpkin dark chocolate sounds delish.
I’m working on my Fall focus. As of right now, I am just trying to enjoy the moments.
you got this! 1 month to go then you can really focus recovery!
Lots of things:
LOVE your nutrients tip!
Killer shoulders 😉
Thank you for sharing the slow down challenge – majorly amazing and something that was totally needed for me!
You’re awesome – keep rockin’ beauty!
i think you are amazing! Focus on that slow down challenge friend.
AWW thank you, that means a lot coming from you! XO
Ahhhh the book is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good! I’m savoring every single word. I don’t want to finish it too quickly. Slowing my reading down hehe
ditto friend. <3
that book looks awesome. I have never heard of it before!
fall focus is enjoying life!! no stressing, we have a lot going so trying to enjoy the quiet time when we can!
like tonight eating dinner out on the deck with a cocktail in hand 😉
My vote is for pumpkin dark chocolate! 🙂
I’m having a hard time thinking about fall when it is still 90 degrees outside…no complaining, still enjoying. Not sure what my focus is right now. I think it is to nourish, believe, stay positive, and DREAM BIG (this is a focus though every season) XOXO
pumpkin coconut!!! coconut makes everything amazing 😉
love the focus for the fall; my focus is running for the fall, and riding my bike outside as much as possible before the snow comes.
enjoy it friend! Soak it up! p.s are you coming to austin to race?
I’m 6 weeks (eek!) out from the fitness comp, so I think that’s my fall focus! By the time that is over, I hope that we’ve actually shifted to a winter focus & are starting weekend snowboarding trips. 🙂 By the way, I never think the things I share on #strangewithgood are strange — I am constantly emailing or texting laura to be sure. She told me everything I make is strange and to stop asking. Haha! 😉
i so want to come watch you too!!
I can’t wait to read this book! And I am focusing too…on focus. If that makes sense? And not being distracted. And on the here and now. Life is clearly quite fleeting, especially when you least expect it. xo
October flavors sound amazing!!
I am making the muffins tonight, I’ve been having some serious muffin fails lately so I’m excited for one to work! haha.
Have a fabulous weekend, rest and enjoy life. Every minute of it. Oh, and have a glass of wine 🙂
I love the slowdown challenge! I’m definitely going to check out that book as well
let me know what you think Chuck! i know you will love it though.
And definitely Pumpkin Coconut PB!
Sounds like a great fall focus!
And I vote for the Pumpkin Dark Chocolate October HB flavour!
I want to focus on strength, healthy eating and routine!