Hitting my stride:)

Celebrating 11 days of paleo! Got a little over a month left to go, and I feel like I'm hitting a stride of sorts. I'm still wary of when I cook for my family, and it's hard gor me not to snack while I cook (tortilla chips, potstickers). I try to solve this by eating fruit, veggies or nuts. Also there is a moratorium on doritos in our home, seeing as how I don't know if I could control myself.

Energy wise, I feel great! Glad to know that my body is relying on fat cells as fuel instead of carbs for energy. Cause I work out every day but Sunday (WHAT!!) loving life.

Tues, 1/8/13
BREAKFAST
Naked green smoothie, 16 oz

LUNCH
1/3 lb burger patty wrapped w lettuce leaves
Topped with sauteed red onion and avocado

SNACK
Banana, almonds and 3 turkey deli slices

DINNER
Shrimp faux mein (2 eggs, 4 oz shrimp, 1 c broccoli slaw, onion, spinach, garlic, sesame oil, honey, soy sauce)
Bedtime snack 2 cuties clementines.

H2O, H2O, H2O!!!!

The activity for that was strength class w Aimee! Lots of squats, push ups, planks, dead lifts, there wwere some feet sliding on paper plates....oh and sweat. LOTS of sweat:))
K so that wasn't enough (points!) so I went to the rec center that night and attended a zumba class by the amazing Kiel girls! It was hard going to a place where I didn't know anyone, my Hurricane friends are so fun. But my skills were still obvious, b/c I was chosen out of the large crowd, and won a bottle of sparking cider! Not paleo, booo!

Wed, 1/9/13
BREAKFAST
16 oz green smoothie

Snack, banana, 2 clementines

LUNCH
3 eggs, spinach, onion, 1/4 c salsa, 1/2 avocado, splash tapatio hot sauce.

Snack: almonds.

DINNER
Paleo meatballs (lean ground beef, minced onion, dried tomato, pressed garlic clove, egg, oregano, italian parsley) eaten with spinach and shredded carrot, 1 tbsp italian dressing
Bedtime snack 16 oz blueberry naked smoothie and beef jerky.

ACTIVITY POINTS: Turbo kick!!! I actually did okay!! Got a great workout, and was able to keep up:) Tho maybe it was the pressure of having Aimee right in front of me, couldn't disappoint her. The workout even included sumo burepees, UGH!! Haha.

One week down!!

So what does a caveman's diet look like in the life of a mom of 4? Pretty good, I think overall. Turns out I don't need to binge on pasta and garlic bread, or have a candy bar before an intense workout or a long run.

The hardest part for me, is making separate meals for my family apart from my own. Sometimes they want to try what I've made (banana bread made w almond flour) or making something non paleo and trying not to taste what I'm making. Last night I almost popped a potsticker in my mouth, just out of habit!

Now I'm not sure if I've lost any weight so far, but i feel smaller in the midsection, and hubby says my posterior has shrunken considerably (I think he feels dissed, considering he married a chick w a ghetto booty. But he doesn't go on about it ;)). Curious what 5 more weeks will do! I do seem also to take my rescue inhaler less, especially at night. The paleo diet claims less inflamation throughout the body is a result.

Anyhoo, on to playing catch up!

Sunday, I fasted 2 meals (for religious reasons, but Aimee has granted full points with he consent of the entire group) but dinner was...
Roast beef w roasted carrots and onion
Coleslaw w light dressing (including paleo mayo, and made w honey insetad of white sugar)
1 sweet potato

Snack 2 slices banana bread
Http://allrecipes.com/recipe/paleo-banana-bread/

Monday
BREAKFAST was 16 oz naked green smoothie (cause that's how I roll) heehee, and 1 banana.

Activity was ZUMBA!!! I love love love my Monday morning class, and really have missed it over the holiday break. Running on a treadmill just doesn't compare to loud music, good friends and sparkly tanktops:)

LUNCH: 2 eggs and sausage scrambled w onions, red bell pepper and spinach.
Visited my friend Amber (who is also participating in the challenge, and is also blogging:)), and I SNACKED w one cutie orange, a couple apple slices, and a smoothie. Not exactly sure what was in it, included but not limited to: almond milk, banana, strawberries, ice.

DINNER
2 oven roasted chicken drumsticks w bbq sauce
Roasted green beans tossed w EVOO, sea salt pepper and onions (these were delicious!)
Snacked on a handful of pistachios before bed (I gotta hide these from my kids;))

My Naked Green Smoothie!! So glad it's approved. It's sooo refreshing!!

My AMAZING zumba instructor TyAnn!! This is the fastest chick I know!! Both of us after class drenched in sweat, so glad to be back in class after a long break!!

:)

9 fingered Frodo and the Ring of Doom (mandolin slicer)

Today I'm blogging without the use of the index finger of my right hand. So if there are spelling errors, or if this post turns out shorter than the rest, apologies in advance... :)

The day started out like most others, that is, with Juliette (my youngest baby girl, 14 months old) screaming at 4:30 am because she misses me SO much, the sun will not rise that day unless she is able to see me and I must hold her until dawn arrives.... K that's just my theory. To romanticize it keeps me from getting too grouchy.

I had googled paleo recipies, and was excited to try these egg cups. So much so that I had one for breakfast (1 slice deli ham, 1 egg, spinach, chopped red bell pepper and onion) with a banana.

My darling hubby Todd mentioned to me how much he loves my crockpot cooking, so I had big plans about making chicken drumsticks and veggies for dinner and everyone eat at the dinner table without me cooking a separate meal for myself. But a crockpot meal requires me to get started first thing, so I was making breakfast AND dinner at the same time. Well in my haste, and with the enthusiasm of the expectation of my getting to eat a serving of roasted red potatoes, I almost cut my finger off with the mandolin slicer. Ow. :'(

So I don't like to think of myself as a wuss, but the sight of all that blood and gore made me a little woozy. Again, Todd came to my rescue and dressed my wound while I tried not to cry. Or barf. And he finished up the crockpot meal while I went to put up my feet and attempt to staunch the flow of blood.

Lunch being 2 more egg cups and some salad greens. I snacked and fininshed my bag of salted almonds, impressed that I was able to spread them out over 5 days! I've been able to eat an entire bag of doritos during a single Judge Judy episode, so my discipline with snack foods has not always been what you would call rock solid.

My lovely friend Brittany consented to ride her bike with me while I ran, so even with a hurt finger I was able to do 5 miles in an hour. (and Britt is now famous with the half dozen of my blog readers! You go, girl!!)

Well as I came in from my run, I noticed that my bandages were red, where they weren't before, so that scared me into going and having the cut looked at by a doctor. Long story short, Todd did a great job bandaging it, and they will probably not have to amputate, and I don't have to do the dishes for 3 days. Then I came home and enjoyed my roasted chicken drumsticks with roasted veggies and red potatoes. For a snack I had a Naked smoothie. Woot woot.

Points today
1 hour running= 2 pts
3 meals 2 snacks = 5 pts
H2O 84 oz= 1 pt
Sleep 7 hrs = 1 pt

Total 9 points today.

Cheat meal!

I've been a naughty girl....;))

K not REALLY, I started out with the best of intentions. I was first feeling rather smug that not only did I get to zumba twice in the space of twelve hours, I wouldn't have to cook when I got home! My hubby got me a salad at Durango's (no beans, cheese, tortilla, sour cream, and add my weeks allowance of rice) I wouldn't have to cook my lunch! And after class I was STARVING, seeing as how I only had a banana before hand. But class was really fun. The positive energy there had me grinning for the rest of the day, pretty much. (haha, I can hear you all now, "we GET it, you like zumba, move on please!!!)

I'm also a slacker, and my Christmas tree is still up, so as I was cleaning and putting away decorations, I also was listening to talk radio and eating almonds. Then an apple and a handful of dried plantains. (read; snack!!)

Then before my kids got home I got the idea from my not so impressive encounter with a spaghetti squash yesterday, it got into my head that the stringy so called noodle impstor could go well in my usual stir fry in place of ramen noodles! I would call it: Shrimp Faux Mein!! K fast fowarding to the end, it totally worked and I almost didn't miss starch at all. Could be I was still riding high from a 1/2 cup of rice.

All righty, now here's the buildup to the shenanigans, I was planning in a girls night at the movies w some friends. The plan was to meet at durangos, but since I had already eaten there that day I was going to make do w a couple of deli slices and an apple UNTIL......

My hubby came home early and announced that we were going to Olive Garden. Then I got a text that we weren't meeting at the movies until 8:00! So, we get there and I'm conflicted. Do I go for the cheat meal on day 4? My momentum and attitude have been pretty good so far! But then I'm like, what the heck, it's Friday, and I will try not to go too crazy. (my original dreams of my first cheat meal was a nachos bell grande and a cupcake, so that's where my head was!) but after one breadstick and paleo friendly salad (no croutons or cheese! See? I'm a good girl..) I had the steak and tortelloni, with asiago cheese, of which I could only eat about 4 pieces, I was so full! Of course I had to text Aimee right away, guilty little bugger that I am, and she told me she didn't hate my guts too bad, tho I'm sure I will pay for it my next training session.

The movie was great, and I'm still trying to mentally prepare for a long run that I hope to do in the morning. Whew. For now I am still feeling full. That olive garden beef was soooooo tender!! i'm planning on putting it in a salad or something for tomorrow's leftovers. Yay!

Sugar Detox!! (loverly.....)

Detox, awesome detox. This is the part where I realize how addicted to sugar and carbs I have been for---like everrrrrr. Aimee warned that by day 2 we would be feeling pretty awful. For me personally, I had a stomacheache and the hiccups! Also I was pretty tired all day, so that may have affected my attitude towrds turbokick class. I still maintain that I suck at it, even at my best:) i googled paleo detox side effects, and the most intersting one was vivid dreams!! I found myself wishing for that one...

The thing that I'm looking forward to today is.... ZUMBA!!! It's been almost 2 weeks, and I am going to drag myself in there no matter how tired or hiccupy I am. This holiday has really wreaked havoc on my workout schedule! I kinda feel like a bad mom wishing that my kids were back in school so I could get into my exercise routines.

The good news tho, is that I haven't felt hungry. I'm trying not to rely too heavily on nuts for my only snack, I've heard that it can hinder weight loss. And at the beginning, I was having visions of living for my one cheat meal per week. But as time goes on, I look forward to getting over my carb/sugar dependancy enough that even thinking of a glazed donut or candy bar doesn't seem to be worth spoiling my hard work for.

Breakfast
Banana, 2clementine oranges
Snack 3 deli turkey slices

LUNCH
1/2 spaghetti squash (cooked 40 min at 375F)
1c meat sauce
1/2 c almonds

Activity ZUMBA tonight!! If you're local, come out tonight and dance, please!!!

Change is good!

I love the new year! Everyone is so excited to change themselves for the better.... At least until the 1st week in Feb, right? The change I'm looking forward to most..... My attitude towards turbokick (today's activity points)!! For some reason, I dread this class. Could be all the punching, kicking, or that I've yet to zumba this year (tomorrow!) and I'm pining for the chance to shake it!!

I am not losing hope, however. All my friends love Turbo! Which begs the question, what the heck is MY problem? Could be that I don't know what I'm doing (yet) and don't have the confidence to relax and enjoy myself. Until I find out, I do resolve to KEEP AT IT:))

 This class is taught by Heather, she is amazing!! I wouldn't want to fight her! My fighting style is more along the lines of sitting on someone until they beg for mercy, or hand over the oreos. . .


Day 2 of paleo eating has left me satisfied thus far. Must be the carnivore in me, I'm feeling like I could cruise through 45 days on bacon and eggs.

BREAKFAST
Banana, 1 clementine orange and a boiled egg.
Lots of h2o before & during turbo

Snack 2 clementine oranges

LUNCH
1 lean pork chop
Sauteed veggies in EVOO, (onion, spinach, cabbage carrot)
1/2 c almonds w sea salt

Snacks 2 slices deli turkey
Handful dried plantains w sea salt
1c grapes

DINNER
2 bacon slices, 2 eggs made omelette style w spinach and red onions, splash of hot sauce.

Happy new year!!! 2013 year of the paleo...

Here I am, dusting off the ol blog again. It's day one of 2013 and my trainer's 45 day paleo challenge. I'm preparing to lay it all out here!!

First thing we started out with a 6.75 mile fun run. I had a banana and a bottle of water on the way over to Aimee's. Aaaaannnnd it was so freaking cold at the start!! Like 20 degrees! So many of my friends have called me a wimp since I moved to So. UT and you would be absolutely correct. i do enjoy the perk of  being able to run outside year round. And not having to shovel snow. But as I started the race (run, whatever) the air was SO cold, I really couldn't breathe. Like gasping for air for a mile as I trudged along watching the crowd get farther and farther ahead. Took my inhaler, blew my nose, and as I came away from the cliffs and into the sunshine I could finally catch my breath and run.

So as I came around about mile 2 and really came into a comfortable stride, I tried not to cry about coming in last place (not that there's anything wrong with that) and feel good about just being alive and out there. And after a few songs that I downloaded from my zumba classes, I was able to cheer up. And pass somebody:) I even blew a kiss to Aimee as she came back to check on stragglers.

Then as I came into the finish it occured to me how awesome I felt, and was glad that I didn't bail at the first really painful mile.

We as a group are competing for $120 and a 8 free training sessions w the wonderful Aimee Langston if we follow the paleo diet and exercise our butts off. There's a point system, which adds for  different workouts, getting sleep and drinking water, and takes away points for cheating and non activity. I'll do my best to tally everything here. We do get one penalty free cheat meal once a week.
Gonna try real hard not to make that a bag of doritos and a fudge round....

***UPDATE****
breakfast: 1 banana, 2 clementine oranges pre-race. This may qualify as a snack? B/c post race... 3 eggs, 2 slices bacon fried together w red bell pepper, garlic, spinach, green onion, sun dried tomato. I combined all ingredients and pan fried and ate omelete style. W a splash of tapatio sauce (Aimee okayed sauces).
Snack, 1/2 c almonds

LUNCH
Shrimp stir fry lettuce wraps
Handful frozen shrimp (I like the peeled and deveined kind) sauteed w broccoli slaw (matchstick broccoli, carrot and red cabbage) green onion, pressed garlic clove, honey, splash lime juice sesame oil and soy sauce. Eaten w romaine lettuce hearts.
Snack, 1 banana

DINNER
2 lean pork chops pan fried in olive oil
Sauteed broccoli slaw w onions
1 baked sweet potato, seasoned w EVOO and sea salt, pepper and chili powder.

Anyhoo we got 4 points for just doing the race! Happy new year, get happy be healthy, laugh lots. Planning on posting pictures and more menu items as the day unfolds.

Yay before photos (look awayyyy)