Archive - October 2013

I know what you’re thinking…I have totally gone off the rails on a crazy train! (Ozzy reference) But seriously, think about it for a second…for anyone who eats an average American diet, do they eat because things taste good (or they are fooled into thinking things actually taste good), or is it the texture of things? After doing Paleo for 2 solid months, I think it’s got a lot to do with texture of food. That’s one of the things that keeps me from not missing my old ways…and the food tasting better on Paleo is just a bonus. 🙂
While it’s not exactly pasta…spaghetti squash certainly does the job, same with cauliflower “rice”. I think it’s the texture that gives us most of the satisfaction, or maybe that’s just me!
I am just trying to figure out the perfect explanation as to why Paleo works for me. I love the meals, I love the challenge, and I love the discipline. I also love that the way I feel has completely changed from 3 months ago.

“Nothing is work unless you’d rather be doing something else.”

-George Halas-

Still trying to gather more information about diabetes and Paleo, and how they work together.  I also want to start doing some research on Paleo and people with thyroid disease.  If you put good food into your body, then good things will come of it.  I used to wake up with cramps in my legs, and it was getting to the point where it took 20 minutes for the feeling to go away, and ever since I started Paleo I haven’t had the cramps.  Also, I used to get migraines from food, too many nitrates, Paleo has definitely “cured” this. My migraines were so bad that I would have to lay in bed for an entire day with no lights or sound, and ice on my head…usually ending with me throwing up, but I haven’t had anything like that since I started.  I need to get my brother into Paleo, because he suffers from debilitating migraines as well.

As far as what I’ve read on thyroid problems and Paleo, I’ve read so many wonderful things.  There are different kinds of thyroid diseases out there, so of course, the formula you may use to fix it, may not be the same formula someone else should use.  I keep reading that a lot of people who do change to paleo that have thyroid disease, end up getting off their medications eventually, or greatly decreasing the dose they take.  I have to look further into it.

Now, doing Paleo, I see that nearly everything the general population consumes contains some derivative of soy, corn,wheat, or a combination of all three!  It’s awful!  I’m being much more conscious about preservatives in food, too!

Let’s talk about dinner!  For dinner last night, I made coconut ginger chicken and shrimp stuffed mushrooms!  The shrimp stuffed mushrooms were AMAZING!  They went way beyond my expectations, and they were easy to make.  I found the recipe on NomNomPaleo’s blog.  I made more than enough to eat for the next few days.  Yum.  I also made a bowl of tuna with avocado and jalepenos-goes great on salad!

I love all these Paleo discoveries!

“As long as you live, keep learning how to live.”

-Lucius Annaeus Seneca-

I have been doing a lot of research, and no, I do not personally have Diabetes, but someone close to me does.  Of course there are views from every side of the spectrum as to whether Paleo is good for someone with Diabetes, but more sources say that it is.  Having done Paleo for a solid two months, I can tell you that it is definitely something to consider if you have diabetes.  Basically, for anyone that is diagnosed with Diabetes, they are told to lose weight…Paleo for weight loss?  Check.  Fructose…big no no.  Paleo has no fructose.  For someone on Diabetes, their diet should be high in nutrients, low in fat, and moderate in calories, which is all part of living Paleo.  Diabetics need to monitor their carbs!  Something I read online was this, “MYTH: You have to cut way down on carbs.  Fact: Again, the key is to eat a balanced diet. The serving size and the type of carbohydrates you eat are especially important. Focus on whole grain carbs since they are a good source of fiber and they are digested slowly, keeping blood sugar levels more even.”  These seemed like a fairly helpful site in case you want to check it out, http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_diet_diabetes.htm.

Paleo won’t cure this, but it will certainly keep it at bay and help you feel better (and probably enjoy life and eating a little more), at least that is what I believe.  Luckily, I don’t have major health problems, but I know how I feel living this way, and I think other people who may have health issues, could certainly benefit.

I’m still learning about Paleo, like I’ve said before, but I’ve been doing all my reading and trying to get as much information as possible.  My plan is to go completely strict Paleo.  I really love the way I feel, and even more, I love the way people perceive me now.  People who know me well tell me that I look more awake, and that I have more energy…that’s awesome, because that’s exactly how I feel.  I feel so much more productive because my energy levels have greatly increased.

Upon further research, going out to eat and staying strict Paleo, isn’t exactly possible, but you can make it work.  🙂

“If you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you do good.”

-Georges St-Pierre-

Sorry for the delay…Paleo life can get a little busy!  I got a lot accomplished this weekend though.  Anyone see Miley Cyrus on SNL?  haha

Anyways, Thursday night before dinner I went to the grocery store and picked up some pork tenderloin and itty bitty potatoes.  I seasoned the pork with salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, and garlic powder; then, I threw it on the grill for about 45 min. to an hour.  I boiled the potatoes until they were soft, I picked them up at Trader Joe’s.  I added some sweet  onions and pineapple salsa…it was SO good!  Even my mom loved it.  Friday morning, I had some coffee at work for breakfast because I forgot to pack a lumch, but when I got home from work I made scrambled eggs, and added the leftover itty bitty potatoes.  Yes folks, they are actually called “itty bitty potatoes”.

Friday night for dinner, I ordered sashimi, and used my coconut aminos with it.  I cannot tell the difference between that and regular soy sauce, so yet, another discovery that I don’t actually miss the soy sauce.  I love all the alternatives with Paleo.  Does anyone have a good “Philly Cheesesteak” recipes they could share?

Breakfast saturday morning was delicious!  Made some scrambled eggs with a slice of bacon with pancakes.  I found pumpkin butter at Trader Joe’s, so I added a little to the pancake batter; then, smeared some on top!  Ended up not really having much for lunch because I had to do a lot of running around yesterday, but when I got home I took out some chicken I had marinating in taco spices, and grilled them.  I cut them up, put them on salad, and added pineapple salsa!  Man, was that good.

Last night, I cooked all the food I was going to eat today.  I made pizza, green beans with almond butter sauce, and…wait for it…wait for it…2 LOAVES OF PALEO BREAD!  So I found a fairly simple recipe, unfortunately I’ll have to find another one.  The one I used called for flaxseed meal.  This is the first time I’ve ever used it, and I’m not even sure how “Paleo” it is, but I gave it a shot.  It looked prettttty good, almost like 12 grain bread.  This morning when I woke up I mixed up some tuna and Paleo mayo, and put it on some of the bread I made.  Within a few minutes, the roof of my mouth and my throat were so itchy!  I have a couple food allergies, and now I guess I have to add flaxseed meal to that list.  That was the only ingredient that I never had.  Next weekend I may try a new recipe.  For lunch I ate the pizza!  Then, dinner was beef and pork meatballs with sauce, and spaghetti squash, which I will be eating for breakfast tomorrow!

Okay Paleo friends, does anyone use Walden Farm products?  I know they aren’t Paleo because they have preservatives, but they are zero carbs, zero sugar, zero everything…thoughts?  I have used the syrup and dressing before, but not during Paleo.  Also, does anyone know anything about people with diabetes and Paleo?  It seems like a good option for them if they can find low carb, no sugar meals, right?  Thoughts on that?  Any info would be greatly appreciated.

“Eat less sugar.  You’re sweet enough already.”

Weight loss total to date…23.5 lbs.!  I’m in complete awe of myself.  I’m so proud of the discipline I have with this diet, it’s also kind of exciting.  I’ve come a long way in such a short amount of time.

I didn’t want to keep my followers waiting, but I’ll write more tomorrow about yesterday’s dinner (pork tenderloin and itty bitty potatoes).  I had a lot of running around to do, and I also did the food shopping, which is proving to be a much more easy task now. 🙂

“If it came from a plant, eat it.  If it was made in a plant, don’t.”

-Michael Pollan-

While enjoying a spoonful of So Delicious coconut milk green tea ice cream, I decided to read the ingredients.  Oi.  I opened a whole new can of worms with that one.  It contains guar gum, but on a happy note…it’s soy and dairy free!  I have read online about guar gum not really being Paleo.  For some people with IBS it apparently wrecks their stomach.  Some interesting facts I found out…it’s an additive that keeps coconut milk from separating (so it looks nice), it is from the guar bean (big Paleo no-no), it helps increase viscosity of liquids, and according to WebMD…get ready…it’s used as a laxative! Oi.  I need to do some other research about guar gum, but it doesn’t sound like a good option right now.

I came across this page “Paleo Guide to Food Additives“…now I know why I had to get white balsamic vinegar.  I have to make some adjustments after reading this list, but that’s okay.  It’s all a learning experience…and I’m all for it.  🙂  Happy reading!  If you haven’t added me on twitter yet…go do it!  @paleyoblog

“Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets.”

-Leonardo Da Vinci-

Can’t tell you how excited I was to eat breakfast this morning!!  I made pancakes and eggs last night…and just finished them!  So good!!  I usually make my pancakes with almond flour, but I went with coconut and tapioca flour this time.  They may actually be a little more tasty, although, I’ll have to make both, try them, and compare.  🙂  Challenge accepted!

Dinner was steak with peppers and onions.  I used some adobo seasoning on the steak, and put cumin, garlic, and cayenne pepper in the peppers and onions.  I needed to use the peppers…and that’s how I came to my decision.  I was also in the mood for some guacamole…and it was the perfect side dish!  Have I mentioned that I bought myself a KitchenAid food chopper, and I got it in pink!?  Making guacamole is SO EASY with that thing!  Actually, it comes in really handy most of the time.  I recommend getting one.  It doesn’t take up much room and it makes chopping onions easy!

I went from never cooking (and not knowing how to), to LOVING IT!  I can’t wait to buy more little kitchen gadgets and stuff.  I need some new knives I think.  I have to do some research, because the same knife I use to cut my tomatoes isn’t the same one I should use for my chicken!  Wait, does this mean I’m getting old, since I love all the different tools I can use to cook?

Time to make my grocery list (my other new favorite thing), and I may look for some coupons!  Food shopping day is tomorrow!  Is this real life?  🙂

“My cooking is so awesome, even the smoke alarm cheers me on.”

Last night I went with Chicken Francese instead of the shredded chicken I thought I was going to make.  I miss it, so I searched high and low (actually, just on google) for a recipe…and found one!  Although it was a self proclaimed Paleo recipe, it called for Parmesan cheese (which i omitted).  I’m still trying to understand Paleo fully, but I don’t think Parmesan cheese is allowed.

It came out so incredibly delicious!  It makes me really happy to find recipes like this.  🙂

I’m feeling better than ever lately, and it’s coming up on 2 months!

“Don’t give up on what you want most,

for what you want now.”

-Unknown-

I know, I know…my loyal blog followers are probably wondering, “Is she still doing Paleo?  Has she reverted back to her old ways? Where is she!?!?”  Well, have no fear, friends, I’m here!  I’m still doing Paleo…going strong.  I was busy the past few days, and my internet wasn’t working yesterday for some reason…but I’m back!

Okay, so last night…first REAL attempt at creating my own recipe.  I took some steaks I had and I was feelin’ a little Italian.  Took out a can of diced tomatoes, some garlic, onions, marjoram, basil, and oregano.  I threw everything but the steaks into a pan with some olive oil and cooked it up.  Then I put that in a bowl and started cooking the steaks.  When the steaks were done, I threw my tomatoes and spices on top.  As a side I took some zucchini, artichoke hearts, bell peppers, banana peppers, onions, and all the seasoning I used for the steaks, plus garlic powder, and cooked it up.  It was so good…and I even had some this morning for breakfast.  Paleo is easy, because it’s delicious! ’nuff said.

Last night, my friend Kate posted a Paleo Salted Caramel Bacon Bark recipe on my Facebook page…needless to say, I immediately went online to see where I could buy coconut sugar (Vitamin Shoppe), and set out on a mission!  I got my coconut sugar five minutes before the store closed…headed home…and got busy making this amazing treat!  The caramel was way better than I was expecting.  It took some time to make, but it was so worth it.  Besides, anything with bacon is amazing!  The dark chocolate I get is the “Enjoy Life” brand; it’s soy, dairy, and nut free.  🙂  I’m not sure what I’m making tonight for dinner, but I’m feeling some BBQ shredded chicken…saw the recipe here.

I’m working on compiling a notebook with all of my favorite Paleo recipes, this way I have them in one place when I need them!  BTW, Halloween is coming…gonna have to pass up all that candy.  This will be a true test for me, but I can do it!  Anyone making any Paleo Halloween treats?  I may try to make some.  I have a few ideas in mind.

“Today you are YOU, that is truer than true.  

There is no one alive who is YOUER than YOU.”

-Dr. Seuss-