Archive for August, 2011

Adapted from Mercola.com:

You are being drugged without your consent. Make no mistake, fluoride is a drug and you are exposed to it each and every time you drink water. First of all, we have to look at why they are fluoridating your drinking water. We are led to believe that it is to prevent dental carries. Wrong. Water fluoridation began in the mid 1940′s as a solution to fluoride pollution generated by the Atomic Bomb Program and the aluminum industry – the last 4 minutes of the video below shows how this is done.

Sure, but what can a little fluoride do, right? Well, have you ever thought about the warning on toothpaste – the one that says a child who swallows more than a pea-size amount should contact poison control? How, in comparison, can something we drink every single day be any less toxic?!

The harmful effects of chronic fluoride exposure on bone are well established. Since the 1930′s it has been known that fluoride intake causes excessive bone growth, which can result in joint pain, bone pain, and stiffness. These symptoms are difficult to distinguish from arthritis. Other symptoms indicative of early clinical stage skeletal fluorosis include: Burning, prickling, and tingling in your limbs; Muscle weakness; Chronic fatigue (anybody got this one?); Gastrointestinal disorders; Reduced appetite and weight loss. The second clinical stage of skeletal fluorosis is characterized by: Stiff joints and/or constant pain in your bones; Brittle bones; Osteosclerosis; Anemia; Calcification of tendons, or ligaments of ribs and pelvis; Osteoporosis in the long bones; Bone spurs, especially around your knee, elbow, and on the surface of tibia and ulna.

And that’s just bones!! Fluoride also greatly affects the pineal gland. When pineal gland function is suppressed, there is a greater risk of the following: Alzheimer’s disease; Circadian dysregulation; Insomnia; Bipolar disease; Hormone imbalances – namely low melatonin, your sleep hormone; and low back pain. Anybody having trouble sleeping?!

So what can we do? It all starts with awareness. First watch the video below. Then, if you’re so inclinced, make your way to Mercola.com and read the top stories or just search for “Fluoride” (it’s apparently Fluoride Awareness Week this week). Finally, we want to limit our exposure to fluoride. That obviously starts with avoiding fluoridated water. You can remove about 80% of the fluoride from your drinking water using a reverse osmosis (RO) filter. CrossFit Adventure, of course, only uses RO water from Harvest House. If you are concerned about fluoride, the BEST solution is to help the Fluoride Action Network in their campaign to remove it from the water supply entirely. Also avoid any toothpaste or mouthwash with fluoride.

Less obvious sources of fluoride include: Non-organic foods (to avoid pesticide residue); Food and beverages processed with fluoridated water, including organic processed foods and beverages; Mechanically de-boned meat; Pharmaceutical drugs, especially SSRI antidepressants and fluoroquinoline antibiotics like Cipro; Soy baby formulas (which should be avoided anyway); Instant tea; Processed breakfast cereals (which also should be avoided anyway); Soda and fruit juices (do I really need to say that these should be avoided anyway?)

Yes, all of this can be daunting and frustrating knowing that we live in a world that does this crap. But just take one step at a time. Make it habitual, then add more steps. The goal is to increase your health over time by reducing the stress load on the body. Bottoms up!!

For those of you who have yet to meet our newest coach, here she is kicking ass at the recent Summer Slam at CrossFit Solano. In this picture, Mira was cranking out 165 pound deadlifts like it was nothing. The ridiculous thing is that she has only been doing CrossFit for a little over a year. It doesn’t take long, folks. Mira is already a force to be reckoned with at local competitions. Mira’s going to be a big help bringing CrossFit Adventure to the masses and getting YOU to start competing – whatever your sport of choice may be. CrossFit competitions, Tough Mudder, Adventure Races, and soon to introduce other outdoor adventures. This is our playground. We can still be kids!!

And like every responsible parent should do, Mira already has her two kids CrossFitting:

The CrossFit Games are over, but you can still get your CrossFit fix. Femme Fit 2011: Summer Edition is just one week away. Please note that the event will NOT be at CrossFit Sweat Shop. It is being held at the track behind Alhambra High School in Martinez. Follow the link for all the information on this epic event: Femme Fit 2011: Summer Edition.

There will be no briefing of movement standards at the event. Athletes are responsible for knowing the standards before arriving. Any questions can be asked the the Femme Fit site. Below is a video of the movement standards.

Femme Fit Summer Edition – Movement Standards from CrossFit Sweat Shop on Vimeo.

I know I keep ragging on the FDA, but it’s hard not to when their ineptitude keeps giving me such good blogging material!! Although Aspartame, the ingredient in Nutrasweet, was never proven safe for human consumption, the FDA’s new commissioner at the time was quick to approve it. Yet again, it’s a case of money changing hands. Does that upset you at all? Directly from the FDA’s website: “The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health…”. It seems to me they’re doing a TERRIBLE job of protecting our health. We can no longer rely on the policy makers when money is a factor. WE NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR OWN HEALTH.

But I digress, watch this video on the dangers of aspartame and how it gained approval from the agency that is responsible for YOUR health.

If you choose to drink energy drinks, you’re doing your body a huge disservice. You may get an initial boost of energy, but in the long run, you’re creating more work for the body as it works to process and detox the crap you just ingested. In the long run, your workouts and events will suffer. *Note that the following article suggests FRESH coconut water. Nothing pasteurized. If you’re not getting it straight from the coconut, it’s pasteurized and essentially just sugar water. I suggest getting your fresh coconuts from Ranch 99.

From Mercola.com:

“Most people believe that sports drinks are the best alternative to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes when exercising, but that’s simply not true. Many sports drinks contain as much as two-thirds the sugar of sodas. They also typically contain high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), artificial flavors and food coloring, none of which contribute to optimal health…

Furthermore, …consuming sugar after exercise will negatively affect both your insulin sensitivity and your human growth hormone (HGH) production. Ironically, while these drinks are often referred to as “energy” drinks, in the long run the sugar they contain does just the opposite. After causing a quick explosion of energy, your energy plummets as your pancreas and other glands do all they can to balance out the toxic stimulation to your blood sugar.

Most also contain high amounts of sodium (processed salt), which is meant to replenish the electrolytes you lose while sweating. However, a far better option is to simply add a small amount of natural, unprocessed salt, such as Himalayan salt, to your water. Contrary to processed salt, this natural salt contains 84 different minerals and trace minerals that your body needs for optimal function.

Another excellent option when you’re sweating profusely is fresh coconut water. It’s one of the highest sources of electrolytes known to man. Some remote areas of the world even use coconut juice intravenously, short-term, to help hydrate critically ill patients and in emergency situations. If your sports drink is low-calorie and sugar-free, be warned that it likely contains an artificial sweetener, which is even worse for you than fructose.”