Breakfast this morning.....I made a huge skillet of grass-fed corned beef, eggs, a handful of organic spinach, one potato and spoonful after spoonful of coconut oil. Several meals worth, and it was delicious!

This week I also tried this great recipe from Everyday Paleo: http://everydaypaleo.com/2012/01/26/another-budget-friendly-paleo-meal-by-erika-creamy-chicken-tomato-crockpot-soup/ Don't be afraid to change things up. I used a pork chop instead of chicken; I did it on the stove instead of the crockpot and honestly, I didn't really measure anything but it was still delicious. Oh and I added a couple tablespoons of coconut oil. (I'm on a coconut oil lately, can you tell?) I'm thinking the next time I make this, I might add some broccoli and use shrimp as the protein. So don't be afraid to experiment, use what you have and you just might be surprised what you come up with.

No More "Cheap Food" in 2012

Happy New Year everyone! Who else has made a resolution to get back on track with the Primal lifestyle after a sugar-induced holiday? I know I certainly have. I've also made a resolution to not allow myself to be swayed by "cheap foods." You see, I've become quite the little couponer over the past year. So yes, I have a stockpile of toiletries, cleaning supplies, tea, frozen veggies and I have to admit, "cheap food." I see that I can get free pasta and I just have to have it, after all, it's free! I tell myself "really, I will give it away." Yet it still remains in my stockpile. And I've found that while I am on a savings spree, I've been buying more and more meat through conventional means, which means I am getting conventional, grain-fed, feed lot meat. And I rationalize it by saying "but look, it's so much cheaper!" Don't get me wrong, eating conventional meat is still much better for you then eating processed crap. So if that is your alternative, then go for it. Do the best that you can do with what you have. But for me, it's time to say ENOUGH! It's time to get back to the local ranch where I can get quality, grass-fed and finished meat. Where I know the people raising my food and where I know I would rather spend my hard earned dollars. Here is a great blogpost from Nora Gedgaudas over at Primal Body Primal Mind reinforcing that we need to resolve to "Occupy Your Food" in 2012. Our actions speak louder than our words. Enjoy!
http://www.primalbody-primalmind.com/?p=2150&cpage=1#comment-2030

Which one do YOU want to look like?

Robb Wolf's "Paleo is Expensive" Article

As the days get shorter and the sun shows it's shining orb less and less, it's easy to get a little depressed this time of year. Don't get me wrong, I like Fall. I just wish it was warmer and that the sun stayed out longer.....kind of like Summer.....hmmmm. And as we find ourselves wearing more and more layers, it's easy to get off track and find any excuse we can to dive head first into a plate of comfort food like mac n cheese. The most common excuse (in my opinion) is that the Paleo/Primal way of eating is just too expensive. To that I cry bullshit! And if that isn't enough proof for you, check out this blogpost by Robb Wolf. I seriously had an "a-ha" moment after reading this. Yes, I wish everything could be grass-fed, pastured, local and organic. Then reality slaps me in the face and I realize that I have to do the best that I can at this particular moment. And I realize that it is ok, that I will survive and that it is ok not to be "perfect" every single second.

With that in mind, I've had to make some concessions this past month. And yea, I admit, maybe it's not as clean as I would like it but I've got two trips that I want to make in November and December so I'm willing to veer off the path a little. Notice I said "a little" and not "screw it all, pasta is cheaper!" I'm still staying Primal as you can see in the various pictures. But the pork chops above, came from the grocery store and not the farm. The sausage up top, same thing. On a positive note, the strawberries and tomatoes all came from my garden. Can't get any more local than that!

And this week, I tried Macadamia Nut oil....WOW! Who knew?!?! This stuff is A-MA-ZING! I don't even need balsamic with it, it is awesome alone on a salad. Over to the right is a big ass salad I made with spinach, roasted chicken, avocado, bacon, homegrown cherry tomatoes, diced apple (yes, it was organic...lol) and mac nut oil. I just can't say wow enough! Can't wait to get back to Hawaii so I can stock up.

So check out Robb's article and let us know what you are doing to stay on track.

Zaycon Chicken Event

Zaycon Foods is at it again, this time with their Chicken event. And now it's even better because it's coming to the entire continental US!! You can purchase a 40-pound box of boneless skinless chicken breasts for just $1.49/pound! Time to stock your freezers! I know, I know, these aren't organic free range, but sometimes, you have to do what you have to do.

Here's the link to check out Zaycon:
https://www.zayconfoods.com/refer/zf3277

Both times I've ordered from Zaycon, I've had a really great experience. If you've ordered from them before, let us know what you thought.

Living Primal: BACON!!!

Living Primal: BACON!!!https://www.zayconfoods.com/refer/zf3277

BACON!!!

Zaycon Foods is at it again! You've heard me talk about their boneless, skinless chicken breast sale before, and while it's probably not free-range, pastured, it is still damn tasty! And at that price, it helps to fill the freezer. And now, they are doing a BACON sale! I feel like the dog on the Beggin' Strips commerical....BACON! BACON! So the deal is for $89 you get 30 pounds of bacon. That is $2.97 a pound! I know, I know, it's not nitrate free, it's not from pastured pigs, I get that. But again, sometimes you just gotta fill your freezer and do the best you can. Don't worry, I'll still be buying the good stuff. But I am thinking I'll save the good stuff for when I am eating straight bacon, and use the other stuff in other meals, like adding to Sweet & Sour Cabbage, or using for making Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs. So if you love bacon and want a killer deal, check them out.