My hands are ripped and the only cure is to sit in my favorite coffee shop and blog. 

Yes, you heard that correctly. Dave Castro, killed me and murdered my hands in the Crossfit Games Open Series this year. I RX’ed (did it as prescribed) the workouts except for 19.3 and I while I am proud AF, I am now trying to not have Rhabdo.

I did not register for the OPEN this year– I honestly didn’t even think I would participate in the workouts since I was just coming off of Injury Reserve due to a hip flexor strain and I have stopped conditioning since moving; so technique has just been shit.

What changed my mind? 

The CrossFit Lehi community changed my mind– They push me, they inspire me and they have coached me like no other has before. 

Accomplishments in the month I have been with CFL: 

• I nearly hit my muscle up– I lacked confidence which held me back more than anything. (See for yourself)
• I RX every work out regardless if I can do the moments, I try.
• I have finally feel strong to attack Hand Stand Push Ups and Chest to Bar Pull ups in a WOD
• I walk into the gym everyday and smile at every moment because I now have confidence, which I 100% lacked before coming here.

One thing I have learned at CFL is that it starts with having a strong foundation of each movement and the rest will come. Slow down, practice, have patience. I have also learned you can’t go hard 100% of the time all the time… rest days are key. I can’t wait to see how the coaches unlock more in me. This is just the begining.

So what is next. . .  Some of the Street Parking Utah fam and I have signed up for a Team Competition hosted in Park City; The Mountain Meltdown— we are competing in the Gnarly division which is doing all events with a vest and weight.  I am so excited to tackle this with my SP Fam! I will be purchasing my new Hero Go Pro this weekend so we will have some Epic Videos. Stay tuned.

Until the next competition… I will be continuing to spread the UTAH FOODIE love to you all in hopes to have you visit me or to have you move here; don’t worry if you need a job we are hiring too [insert shameless work plug].

My last blog post blew in two of my favorite people; my dad and Jimbob. 

*Jim is not a photo lover so unfortunately no selfies were taken– but he was here!

Dad and I did so much exploring; from food to shooting at the range to looking at houses so he and mom could finally move here already.

We spent a lot of time on the range, getting me used to shooting my new Sig365. Safety first! We spent a long day doing safety drills and lessons. Then went spent a good 2 hours in Sheels, which is the biggest sporting store ever. I mean literally they have everything you ever need for the outdoors, fitness, and so much more! Closest one to my bay area friends is Reno though. Good luck with that drive…

We were so hungry after that the only cure for a long day was food like my Noni used to make. Homemade italian food. Introducing Siragusa’s, Taste of Italy. 

Every dish we ordered was so delicious and brought me back to childhood days of visiting my grandparents. My Noni and Nono would cook the best italian food, and it made me miss them so much. You ever have those moments where you smell something and it just hits you in the face with memories. Yeah, that kind of good.

We had the Cheese Garlic Bread, Dad ordered Lasagna and I had Sweet Potato Gnocchi. The alfredo sauce they make is so creamy and light, definitely try any dish with this sauce. It is killer. It was great since this was after a day of Crossfit and shooting. Talk about carb restoring haha. Is that a thing? I don’t know; it is now.

The next morning we wanted to check out this place that is new in Lehi called The Original Pancake house. It is a chain locally and from the looks of it seemed like an iHop  but I thought, “whatevs I can get eggs and bacon here.”

WRONG– it is more than an “IHOP TYPE PLACE TINA” how could I make that assumption.

I definitely got my meat and eggs but the pancakes– holy moly. They have an entire page of different pancakes. I tried the Macadamia Nut Pancakes which made me feel I was back in Hawaii again where I enjoyed similar pancakes yet with a beach front view (take me back; insert crying face emoji). So if you can stop by this place when you are here, it is a hit. Best times to go are Sunday’s between 9a-10a.

So as Dad headed home, I got a little sad– then in no time, Jimbob shows up.

Let the eating commence. . .

Jim and I always do it right though, brunch- lunch- dinner. We never skip a beat. And why not, he can afford to. Me? I on the other hand, look at food and instantly gain weight haha. But it is all for the blog right? 

Brunch: My new favorite Sunday spot Wasatch Grind & Pulp in Draper

From juices to healthy egg dishes they have you covered. Sundays between 8-11a are the best times to go!

I had the Wasatch Hash which is Hash with cheddar, onions, peppers, mushrooms and green onions. It also comes with eggs and your choice of meat or avocado but I did both, cause why not. So yummy. I am making myself hungry now. The staff is so sweet and the service was quick. Coffee here is also great!

Saturday we went to see my favorite, Matt Nathonson in concert and prior explored another brunch/lunch spot and then did dinner.

Brunch/Lunch: Pago, Salt Lake City 

I am not sure even where to begin here. The atmospher and vibe here is amazing. Reminds me of San Francisco which I do miss so much. The food, well the food was on another level. I ate every last bite and I was racing Jim on the appetizer. It was that good.

We went for Brunch but the Dinner menu looks fantastic.

Appetizer: CITRUS & RICOTTA TOAST: pink peppercorn honey, house ricotta

Main Course: EGGS* “SARDOU”: poached eggs, sunchoke creamed kale, hollandaise, crispy potatoes

Heaven is what this place should be called. It was amazing. I can’t wait to go back. It is also centered in the 9th & 9th district which is home to some cute little store fronts you should definitley check out!

We spent the day sitting on our friends poarch enjoying the SLC sun, 50 degrees felt like 65 and it was amazing. 4 hours later we were hungry again. You guessed it– Jim found us another SLC spot.

Dinner: Red Iguana , Salt Lake City

There are actually two Red Iguana locations. We went to the second because the original was jam packed. Insider tip *Go to the second location*

30 mins later…

Margaritas and Tacos– hell to the yes.

I had some carne asada tacos and a spicy margarita. Honestly some of the “Cleanest” mexican food I have ever had. I did not feel heavy or in other words, never did I feel like I was in “food coma.” It was just really good! No taco was left behind.

5lbs later, millions of laughs and memories made we found four new places to call our favorite Utah Eats! 

“The only thing I like better than talking about food is EATING” – John Walters

Smart man that John Waters…

Well the Crossfit games are over and that means it is back into training mode for the Summer Spartan Super Race and our Mountain Melt Down. Training mode includes eating so you will always get a new place to explore, don’t you worry. In addition, I will be back to my old ways, sharing my meal plans and some fun at home recipies, insipred by the local eats here in Utah.

Until we meet again, stay humble, be kind and always be fearless.

XOXO Coach T