PaleoKai – When You Need A Little Yum
Written by Invictus Athlete Kari Michal
In all of us there lurks a child. CrossFit and the Paleo lifestyle have reconnected me with mine.
For ten years I was a vegetarian, until I fell in love with a man that ate meat. He introduced me to CrossFit and the Paleo lifestyle. After researching it, because I was a naysayer at first, I decided to change my eating and exercise regime completely. And with that, everything changed. I became stronger, leaner, full of energy, and definitely more aware of the adverse effects of sugar and grains on our body.
An athlete all of my life, I trained mostly in my home garage at first. But I realized I was missing some crucial elements that would help me succeed. I wanted to be involved with the CrossFit community, be pushed to overcome some of the self-doubt I had with regards to my abilities, and I wanted to be instructed correctly. Nonetheless, I was very intimidated to walk through the doors of Invictus for the first time.
It’s now six months later and I run into Invictus every morning with a smile on my face. I enter the gym knowing that “today” will be the day that I achieve a goal that yesterday I had not.
I have approached my Paleo nutrition with a similar commitment and creativity. I love eating a clean Paleo diet . . . BUT I still want to bake “treats” for the days when “we all need a little yum.” So I started experimenting. I started baking Paleo goodies and testing them out on friends and bringing them into the gym. They were a hit!
My little baking experiment has now evolved into PaleoKai – an online bakery that sells brownies and cookies throughout America, and to the troops overseas. In fact, large shipments have been sent all the way over to Afghanistan!
It has been a whirlwind of a ride the last six months. But at age 50, I feel like I’ve pushed back time. I am lifting heavier and accomplishing new “firsts” daily, like a first handstand, or a BIG string of double unders. I have also started a business that I love and which allows me to deliver joy to others.
So what do CrossFit and Invictus do? For me, they make dreams come true.
View Comments
Your treats are unbelievably delicious! And we love you being a part of our 9:30 "B's" class.
Your treats are soooo yummy!! Having you in the 9:30 "ladies" has been an added treat for us all. 50 is definitely the new 40... Especially at Invictus.....
Brownies= TO DIE FOR!!! the cookies are absolutely amazing too but if you need/want to satiate your inner chocoholic you have to try them. I have to confess I had one with a cup of coffee for breakfast it was a glorious morning.... still riding that high- Love you Kari.
Ooooo I want a coffee + Kari brownie high!! Can't wait to get some.
Congratulations Kari! I remember you mentioning your paleo bakery dream, so I'm excited you're making it a reality!
Ps: Hi 9:30ers!
Thank you everyone, you all make my life so richer. I forgot to tell everyone that all Invictus members get 10% off.
Everything Kari makes is DELICIOUS!!! It has definitely not been a hardship to be her taster. :)
We overseas are absolutely addicted to the bacon brownies and bacon chocolate chip cookies! Who knew all paleo could be this delicious!! Thanks for satisfying our cravings, Kari!!!
Yeah buddy!!! Can't wait for these to get here in the mail. Ready to pack my belly full of paleo goodness.
Frustrated to not being in america for test those bakeries!