On the run up to the London BJJ Open and the London No Gi competitions, I had a lot of regular work going on, plus our food trailer needed attention. There was also the added fact that I needed to get enough training in, but not over do it for the competitions.
Norro's (our food trailer) had the refurb finished, the coffee machine was installed, as was the new fryer, griddle and water boiler. It just needed the electrics sorting and to pass the councils strict Hygiene test. It was a race against time.
Saturday morning, the electricians came to install what was needed at the crack of dawn. I cleaned as they worked, then when they were finished I went on to Crystal Palace to compete in the London Open.
I was in a decent size division for Master 1 feather weight, and a lot better than last year. I pulled out last year as I was alone in the Master 1 feather weight division. This year there were 4 of us. My first fight was with a Irish lady who was very good. She slipped out of my guard and almost took my back, but I recovered and took hers. I won the fight on points. My second fight was the final with Sophie Cox, a Judo black belt. I guess when you know your opponent has a complete advantage with a standing game, you're going to pull guard. I did just that, and as quick as I pulled, she pushed my knee across and passed my guard, then went for the arm bar. I tapped as quick as I could as I couldn't risk any injury for the Worlds. Sophie was awesome and a well deserved winner. She went on to win the Open class too.
I went back to the food trailer after the competition to clean some more.
On Sunday it was the No Gi competition. I was having one of those mornings and trying not to get in a bad head space. I missed my turning on the M25 and ended up driving about 20 miles out of my way to get back on route.
Again I had a division with just 4 of us and my first fight was with Stephanie, the Irish lady who I fought the day before. My team mates were all there and having a mixed day of results. When it was time to go to the bull pit, I couldn't catch any of my team mates or my coaches attention to come and help me on the mats. Everyone was occupied or chatting on the seats over looking the competition. I was getting myself in a bad head space and I needed to snap out of it. I couldn't. We fought and I made a stupid mistake and got caught in a foot lock. Stephanie went on to win gold and she was very deserving of it. I later found out that she too is going to the worlds, but is in the age division below myself. It will be great to meet up with her out in LA.
It's funny how your head can rule your hara if you let it. I let it on Sunday.
I did an experiment with myself last weekend. I come from a Gypsy background and I'm stupidly superstitious and I'm trying to get myself out of it. I didn't wear my 'lucky' underwear or do my 'lucky' ritual of 100 triangles before competing. I got myself in the best head space that I could and fought my heart out. My head was in a great place on Saturday, but wasn't on Sunday.
If there was anything that I need to work on, it's getting my head in the right place before competing and making sure it stays there until the fights are over.
Next weekend I'm competing in Los Angeles at the Masters World Championships. I went last year and came second. This week is going to be about focussing, tweaking those last imperfections and getting in a good space with my head and letting my hara do the work.
After the event on Sunday, I went back to the trailer to do the last bit of cleaning ready for the Council lady to come and inspect the next day. She gave us a 5 start rating, the best rating you can get. Feeling chuffed was an understatement!
Being a Jiu Jitsu athlete, I get a lot of perks. The clothing brand Three Stroke, Fight wear brand Scramble and supplement brand Forever Aloe all sponsor me and supply me with some awesome products that really help with my training.
Just before the London open, I upped my intake of Aloe Vera gel and took the Lean food supplement each morning to help with my weight. I didn't struggle one bit with my weight for this competition and thats purely down to the extra intake of the Aloe vera and supplements.
I speak to a lot of competitors and people in general about keeping my weight down and I can't recommend the Forever products enough. They aren't just for competitors, they are for people who are looking to better themselves and manage their weight in a really positive way.
I currently use the Aloe vera gel, Lean supplements, bee pollen and the ARGI + food supplement. They have a great range of skin products for aches and pains, and the Aloe Heat gel is particularly good. Its kind of like deep heat, but without the dodgey chemicals. That's the beauty of all the products, they aren't full of bad chemicals, they are full of natures goodness.
For those who have asked me about where to buy the products, you can get them here.
https://www.foreverliving.com/retail/entry/Shop.do?store=GBR&language=en&distribID=440500025632
I'm a huge fan and it's a bonus that I get sent these products to enhance my training.
Now for the food.....
Breakfast is one of my favourite meals of the day. If I fill myself up, it keeps me going for most of the day, and happy!
I bought a munchkin pumpkin in the week and just looked at it wondering what I could make with it. I had never made a soufflé before, so this was a great opportunity to try. I roasted the pumpkin who the night before, then in the morning I made the soufflé. Only make this in the morning if you have plenty of time. Luckily I wake up early, so I ended up eating it at a reasonable breakfast hour.
Ingredients:
1 Munchkin Pumpkin
4 egg yolks
4 egg whites
1 tsp Vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp mixed spice
Tbsp honey
Coconut oil
Method:
The night before roast the pumpkin whole at 150 deg C for about 45-50 minutes until you can feel that it has softened.
Pre heat the oven to 200 deg C
Separate the egg yolk from the white.
Beat the egg whites until you can make a peak with them.
Beat the yolks and add the honey, vanilla, spice and cinnamon to the mix.
Cut the top off the pumpkin and scoop out all of the seeds. You can bake these and have them as a snack. They are yummy!
Scoop out all of the pumpkin and add it to the egg yolk mixture. Then gently fold the mixture in to the egg white, making sure not to over mix.
Add the mixture in to the pumpkin skin. There will be a lot of mixture over, so grease enough ramekins with coconut oil. I used 4 for the remaining mixture.
Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes. The soufflés in the ramekins should have risen slightly and be golden brown on the top. The pumpkin will take a bit longer, about 25-30 minutes in total.
Enjoy hot, or cold, for breakfast or dessert.
Jolie x
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