Wednesday, February 29, 2012

New Blog

For those of you who don't follow near enough blogs, here is another one.  I have decided to keep a seperate blog for my Paleo stuff.  I think it will be easier for me to keep track of what is going on with my challenge and the results.  I'll post recipes, info, and tips.  If you want to follow along, here is the link:

http://practicallypleasingpaleo.blogspot.com/

Friday, February 24, 2012

Next Few Days

The wind is supposed to die down over the weekend and Monday so it is time to burn some things!  (What is more Paleo than fire?)  Okay, that is the only Paleo reference in this post.  Our garden is full of last years plants and straw that is full of grass seeds and it needs to be burned.  We also still have a lot of limbs and a tree that came down in the wind storm last August.  I'm not sure how much of those will go up in flames, but I can get started.  Once all of that is burned, then I can get some horse poo to put on the garden.  Since we had so many weeds and grasses come up last year (way too hot to work much in the garden last year so I let them go) I will be using the cardboard and mulch method again.  It worked really well a few years back and until last summer I had not had many weeds a tall.

I also plan to get some spinach and lettuce going in the strawberry bed.  I haven't made it around to planting spinach the last few years, so I am ready for some fresh from the garden.  The Swiss chard I planted last summer did amazingly well through the drought and even into December.  Depending on how the spinach does, I may only plant chard from now on.

I did get my seeds ordered and I also plan to get a seed starting space set up in the laundry room.  Starting your own seeds is so much less expensive than buying plants.  You can also go with heirloom varieties and save the seeds from some of the produce for next year.  I ordered sweet potato slips again.  Last year's produced nothing.  I don't know if it was the heat or what.  They were well watered and fertilized.  I guess we'll see how they do this year.

I'll get some pictures of my progress.  I also have a lot to get done inside, so it will be a busy week end for sure.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Three Hurdles

I have found three basic hurdles to a strict paleo lifestyle (besides not scavenging):  Cheese, brain farts, and Thunder basketball.  Cheese- because I loooooove it, brain farts- not just sticking any food item in my mouth without thinking, and Thunder basketball- water is the only thing at the concession stands that is Paleo.

Cheese I'm doing okay with, even though I really do want a big chunk of Brie right now.  it's just sitting in my fridge calling to me as I write this.  (Don't worry little Brie, open meal is coming up!)  Brain farts are getting better, at least there are fewer of them.  Thunder basketball is another story.  Well, it wouldn't be if I would just eat before the game.  Problem with that is that we leave around 5 to get there.

Solution:  I am just going to have to sneak food into the games!  So today I am preparing my Thunder snack food.  I bought strawberries and they are dehydrating.  I have coco-coconut bars I could take or just some nuts.  Then I can always take some jerky for some protein.

Paleo is taking a little more planning than I would have liked, so it had better be worth it.  Not seeing anything to be able to say one way or the other yet.  Of course there have been two Thunder games this week and one more to go.

On another subject.  I have been working out one-on-one with Jason at Crossfit OKC.  I can see improvements there and I finally did some lifting today.  That's the part I like!  He told me to be ready for a big workout tomorrow.  Great, he may actually be trying to kill me.  Especially since he convinced me to buy some fish oil.  It helps get rid of excess belly fat.  It doesn't come by the gallon though.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Blast From The Past

I got to thinking about this earlier when I was asked what my goals were for Paleo.  Do I want to be healthier, stronger, faster?  Those are all great and the answer would be "Yes", to all.  But if I must be honest, it is purely vanity.  I want to look good naked (TMI, I know).  Anyway.  as I was thinking, this came to mind.  Captain Caveman was probably Paleo, and I am pretty sure that is not a look I am going after.  Wait, are any of you even old enough to remember Captain Caveman?

Day Four-I Think

I didn't bother to look back to make sure, but I am pretty sure this is day 4. I had a basketball game tonight. It went really well. First of all, I didn't injure anything but my thumb nail, so that's good. Second we won. We played against my daughter's team, this means I am playing girls that are quite literally young enough to be my daughters. This was the least tired I have felt all season.

Well, for breakfast this morning I had leftover Chicken "Noodle " soup. I figure that cavemen probably ate whatever they had around, so I guess I will too. Besides, what makes that any weirder than cold pizza (besides the delicious cheese)? For linner (lunch/dinner) I had ocean perch (wish we could get fresh fish around here) with lemon, smoked paprika and garlic, with cauliflower and salad. on the salad and cauliflower I had a homemade dill vinaigrette. The recipe is below. Then after my game it was a boiled egg and coco-coconut square.The recipe for them is below as well.

Dill Vinaigrette

Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar (some say it's not paleo, some say it's fine you can replace with citrus juice)
1 tbsp honey (or 1 packet of Splenda)
1/2 tsp dried dill weed
1/8 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp dry mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
In a blender, combine the oil, vinegar, sugar, dill weed, onion powder, garlic powder, dry mustard. Blend until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.


Read more: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/10-delicious-diy-salad-dressings/#ixzz1mn71nB3l

Coco-coconut squares
1/2 cup of each of the following-2 1/2 cups total
raw almonds
raw walnuts
raw pecans
raw macadamia nuts
raw hazelnuts
raw pumpkin seeds

6-10 dates
2-4 tablespoons virgin coconut oil

to taste
cocoa powder
freshly ground coffee (very fine)
Shredded coconut

Place nuts and seeds in food processor and blend t a course meal. Place in a bowl to the side. Put dates and coconut in the processor. Process until smooth. Add nut mixture back and add coconut oil, cocoa, and coffee. Process until it starts to form a ball. (The amount of dates will depend on personal taste and also on how well the mixture sticks together.) Sprinkle shredded coconut evenly in 8x8 dish and spread nut mixture over that. Sprinkle more coconut over the top and press in to mixture. Cut into 1 inch squares. Set in fridge to harden. Best stored in the fridge since coconut oil melts at such a low temperature.

You can also roll the mixture into balls and roll in shredded coconut, or use mini cupcake liners or candy foils and sprinkle with the coconut. The 8x8 pan is the laziest and easiest way to do it!

Day Three-The Taco Salad Dilemma

Yesterday went fine. Turkey, boiled egg, strawberries, and my no grain granola bar (a mistake that turned out to be okay). Then a salad for lunch and dinner. Vinegar really isn't on the Paleo plan but I did use just a bit on my salad. I'll use citrus next time.

Today I really wanted taco salad. How can you do that without chips, cheese, sour cream, and olives? Here's how- leave them out! Fine, but now you have meat and lettuce with some tomatoes, mmmmm! Well, since cheese is gone I added a boiled egg for a little more protein. To replace the sour cream or any dressing I just stirred in some guacamole. It was good but man I miss the cheese!

Now time to get dinner ready. Friday is dessert night so I am going to try coconut milk ice cream. If it's good I'll let you know.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

OOPS!

What do you do if you let you granola process too long and it turns into a paste? Press it into an 8x8 pan and bake for 20 minutes. Then you will have something like a Lara Bar. I used figs in this batch (didn't have enough dates). We'll see how it goes. It smells like Fig Newtons. Mmmm!

I tried frothing my coconut milk this morning. It did okay. I also put a little cocoa powder in my coffee grounds. It makes the stevia a little easier to take.

So, it is only day two and I have already found that one of the bigger challenges will be not snacking off of what I make for the guys. Tuesday was my last night of regular eating. We went to the Thunder game so before it we stopped at Toby Keith's. I love the nachos there but they could feed 4 people so I brought the rest home. I heated them up for Elijah and before I even realized it I had eaten 3. Sooooo not on the Paleo diet. Old habits die hard I guess. Oh, did I mention we stopped at Marble Slab after the game? Might as well go out with a bang!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Day 1

Day 1 started out a bit hectic. The girl called saying she was sick and needed some delicious soup. So I started the morning out making soup. Then I hit the shower and headed out for my workout with Jason. He has yet to kill me! On the way I realized I had forgotten to eat breakfast. Fine, I'm sure cavemen missed meals but they didn't take insulin. I do, so I had to get something. Mickey D's offers nothing, no time to hit the store. Subway, here I come! Ordered a flatbread omelette minus the cheese, added turkey, spinach, and tomatoes plus a bag of apple chips (they are apples and lemon juice only). Tossed the flatbread and headed to Crossfit.

I had taken the girl her soup and we had it for lunch at home too. Chicken "Noodle". Just make your favorite recipe minus any non Paleo ingredients and use spaghetti squash in place of the noodles!

Monday, February 13, 2012

So, What is Paleo? Why Try It?

What did cavemen eat?  Well, contrary to popular belief, I wasn't around back then, so I can't say for sure.  Fortunately for the world, (I need sarcasm font) science believes it has figured it out.  That is what this Paleo lifestyle (not a diet they say) is all about.  They feel our "ancestors" lived healthier lifestyle than we do today, mainly due to the foods they ate.  Once again, I wasn't there so I can't vouch for that.  I also know that they were not my ancestors.  Why then would I want to eat like them.  I mean they were probably scavengers as well as hunters and that does not appeal to me at all.  And the first time the hubby tries to drag me somewhere by my hair, well, let's just say that will be the last time he does it too!  I digress.  Again, why would I want to eat like a caveman?  In a few words-maybe I can lose some weight and feel a little more energetic.

Here it is as simply as I can put it:
-cavemen were hunter/gathers and did not farm, there for they would have eaten very little, if any, grain, legumes, dairy, or concentrated sweets (sugar, honey, maple syrup).
--since they did not farm or raise livestock their meats would have been wild and subsisted on a grass diet, not one of grains.  Their fish and seafood would have also been wild and not farm raised.  This also means they would have had more omega-3 acids in their meat.
--They would not have had access to processed foods.  No Twinkies, not TV dinners, no Buffalo Wild Wings (poor guys).  They also have eaten a lot of raw foods.  Very simple meals.

What busy mom these days wouldn't love to have simple meals all the time?  Sounds good to me.  And raw foods means less cooking, therefore less clean up.  Right? 

So here are some things to avoid in your Paleo lifestyle (not a diet, remember):

--Grains-even ancient grains, sprouted grains, and grain-like seeds-buckwheat, amaranth, quinoa
--dairy products-all dairy products (I will miss you cheese)
--legumes-beans, peas, peanuts, lentils, miso, soybeans
--Starchy veggies-potatoes (sweet too), starchy tubers, tapioca (that will be a hard one, not)
--Salty foods-condiments, bacon, processed meats, olives
--fatty meats-bacon, ribs, fatty cuts of meat, lamb
--fruit juice
--concentrated sweets, including honey and maple syrup (although these two can be used in strict moderation), candy, cookies cakes
--anything containing any of these products

Now you are thinking "Great!  What can I have?  That is my entire diet!"  I know, that is the typical American diet (lifestyle).  Here you go:

--lean meats of any kind-preferably grass fed or free range, organ meats also
--wild or game meats-bison, deer, elk, fish, turkey
--eggs-about 1 a day, remember, for cavemen these would have been seasonal
--Nuts and seeds-but not peanuts, they are a legumes.  Walnuts are the best.  You want a good ratio of omega 6/omega 3
--flax seed and it's oil
--low glycemic fruits and veggies-basically stay away from the starchy veggies.
--dried fruits in moderation

The Paleo Diet-Loren Cordain, PhD is a great reference book.  It has a lot of info and some good recipe ideas.  I would recommend reading through it if you are interested.  Also check out www.everydaypaleo.com  This mom and Crossfitter has some great recipes and info on her site.  She also has some personal examples of how it has affected her family's life since they started eating this way.

Two more day of the American diet  and then I will try this new lifestyle  Will I stick with it?  I don't know.  I may only make it two days and then decide I want my dairy.  Especially my cheese.  One day at a time for the next 30 is what I am aiming for.  I'll have some more info in my next post. 


-

Thursday, February 9, 2012

So far...

...so good. Tried the granola this morning with some coconut milk. Pretty tasty. I'll have to try the milk out in my coffee. That will be the real test. Actually, using stevia will be the real test.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Date Change

After looking at the calendar and what will be happening in the next month, I will now start my challenge on the 15th. After all, I have all that Valentine's chocolate to consider! Okay, not really, but it will work better with our snowboarding trip in March and it gives me a few more days to get things in order. This is not something that I plan to impose on the family. Elijah will still have his cheese sticks and oatmeal, and Jeff his protein bars, but when I cook dinner, it will be what I am eating for everyone. If they want to add to it, that will be fine.

Dairy is going to be the hard one to replace. I, as the doctor who took care of my broken arm reminded me, am at that age where I need to supplement calcium. I know I can get it in a pill, but there are also plenty of other non dairy sources. Most of which I like. (I'll get a list together and post it later.) Of course, I like food and that's what got me to this point in the first place.

So, time to put the groceries away. By-the-way, Sunflower Markets had great looking portobello mushrooms today. They make great replacements for burger buns!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

No Grain Granola

I posted this recipe a while back, but I am in the process of making some more.  I am going to try (and it will not be easy) to do a 30-day Paleo challenge.  No grains, dairy, (the hard part), legumes and a few other no-no's.  I'm not a huge cereal eater, but here is my substitute for the next month.  Well, I actually wont start until the 10th, but I need to get some things going.

No Grain Granola

2 cups raw pecans
2 cups raw almonds
8-10 pitted dates
1 tbsp cinnamon
3/4 cup shredded coconut
2 eggs (cage free or omega-3)

Process the nuts, dates, and cinnamon until they are a course meal. Stir in the coconut. Add the two eggs, slightly beaten. Stir. It will be thick and clumpy. Spread on a baking sheet with sides. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, stirring at 10 and 20 minutes. Cool and store in an airtight container. Serve with your favorite milk and add fruit, fresh or dried, if you like. I will be using almond or coconut milk for the challenge.

So, if you want to know how it goes you can keep up with my progress here.  Hopefully you will get 30 days worth of updates.