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/
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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