Just Some Random Thoughts

Here's a yummy one I tried tonight. I sauteed in butter three strips of nitrate-free bacon (diced) with a couple thin slices of white onion and a diced apple. Served it over some pan fried pork chops, and it was DELICIOUS!!! I'll be having leftovers for breakfast.....can't wait!

I am finally able to get raw milk again. About a year ago I was able to get it home delivered through an organic service, then they stopped carrying it, and the only way to get it was to drive fifty miles north to a family farm. Now I have found out my local natural foods store is carrying it. Yeah!!!! The interesting thing is, when I was at the check out, I made a comment to the cashier that I was so excited that they were carrying it. She said several people had said that but she still wasn't sure about how safe it was so she hadn't tried it yet. She actually looked scared of it! All I could think was it's probably safer and better for you than all that soy crap you are carrying and telling people is good for them! I love raw milk. It's the only milk that i can drink that doesn't upset my stomach. It is rich, and creamy, and so different than that fake white crap that most people drink. It's not bright white, it's creamy ecru, the way it should be. Yum!

There is a great post over on Mark's Daily Apple about the benefits of grass vs grain-fed beef. As always he has hit it right on the head. Be sure to check it out.

Thoughts on Poultry

I am a bit confused about poultry. What am I supposed to buy? Free Range? Organic? Ugh! It's all so confusing! From the farm where I get my grass-fed, pastured beef and sustainable raised pork, I can get pastured, free-range chicken, but only whole chickens and sometimes I don't want the whole chicken. So I was at my local Top Foods yesterday, and there were three brands to choose from. First was Rosie, they boost more about being organic than free range (which I found on their website). Problem is, they are based in California, so not really local since I am in Washington State. Next was Draper Valley, which is local, package says "grown in WA or OR" and boosts antibiotic free, but not free range. On their website it says "sound raising practices." What the hell is that?!?!?! The third choice was The Ranger (which is also distributed by Draper Valley). They do claim to be free range, and grown in Washington, but looking at the website, it says "free range...access to the outside." So my question is, which do I buy? Is the Ranger really free range or is it just a marketing ploy? Anybody have any thoughts on this? Same question on eggs. Which do I buy? Once in a while I am able to get to a local farm and purchase some eggs, if I am lucky enough to get there early enough before they sell out! I know these are the way to go because you can see the chickens wandering around right in front of you, and their eggs come in many different colors....that is always a shock to people the first time they see it!

What I ate today:

Morning: handful of raw almonds
Lunch: Spinach sauteed in butter, with onion, mushrooms, and grass fed ground beef, organic strawberries
Snack: 5 no-sugar added dried apricots, handful of raw almonds
Dinner: Baby carrots with garlic dip, 2 Strawberry Blonde beers, grilled grass-fed Top Round steak, marinated in EVOO and seasoning salt, mashed avocado with a tablespoon of Chimichurri
Overall, a pretty good day! Have I told you how much I love Chimichurri? It is incredible with mashed avocado! Did some grocery shopping today and actually stuck to buying a lot of organics. I did buy some baby carrots and cucumbers that are not organic, just because they had a screaming deal on them. Guess what? The carrots are kind of bland....guess that says it all!

Chimichurri

I've discovered Chimichurri....and OMG....YUM! It's not homemade, but now that I have tried it, I will definitely be attempting to make it on my own. This weekend I had it on grilled grass-fed sirloin, then mixed it with a little EVOO, and used it as salad dressing for a semi-taco salad. You only need a tiny bit of this stuff for knock your socks off flavor! If you get the chance, try it. I can't wait to find other ways to enjoy it.

This too shall pass.....

I am facing a tough week. Some things have happened in my personal life and it is really affecting me emotionally. My standard MO would be to eat and drink the pain away. Not this time. This time, I am going to be in control so that when the pain finally goes away, I won't be beating myself over a weight gain. Won't really get into what is going on, let's just say my heart is breaking. But this too shall pass....

Here's something I made tonight that once upon a time I would serve over rice. I don't really have measurements on anything, it's just kind of to taste. Enjoy my Pepper Chicken.

In a large saucepan, bring some broth to a low simmer (use homemade for best flavor). Add chunks of cooked chicken (or beef or both), a pepper, about a half pound of mushrooms, and a can of diced tomatoes. Let simmer over low until pepper and mushrooms are tender. Make a slurry with about a tablespoon of cornstarch and broth. Slowly add to saucepan, return to boil and let simmer until sauce has thickened. That's it....easy and delicious! I know the cornstarch isn't primal, but I haven't started using arrowroot yet, and I figure one tablespoon spread over three or four meals isn't all that horrible.

Sweating out the Evidence

I have to admit that today started off kind of rough....due to a heavy night of drinking....oops! What could have become a wasted day, turned out to be great. Met up with some friends bright and early for a 3.5 mile walk. Sweated out all evidence of the night before and I was good to go!

What I ate today:
Morning: Salad with lettuce, avocado, mushrooms, half of a grapefruit, herbed goat cheese and homemade honey mustard dressing.
Lunch: Erin's chicken cordon bleu, steamed broccoli and mushrooms with bacon, butter and colby cheese.
Snack: Smoothie made with frozen mango, raspberries and blueberries, coconut milk and a touch of raw honey. Yummy! I am just starting to experiment with coconut milk and am happy to say I like it!
Dinner: Salad with lettuce, herbed goat cheese, london broil and homemade honey mustard dressing. Quarter of chicken cordon bleu.

Homemade honey mustard dressing: Mix together 1/4 c lime juice, 1/2 c olive oil, 2 tbsp each mustard and raw honey. Season with salt and pepper.

What I ate today:
Morning: homemade lamb-chicken broth
Lunch: Salad with lettuce, tomato, salami, pepperoni, Pepper Jack cheese and Ranch
Dinner: London Broil with diced tomato and onion, with Tzatziki sauce, 5 dried apricots

I would have to say today was a success. I went grocery shopping, and actually (a) stuck to my list and (b) resisted temptation. I have been known to go to the grocery store with the best of intentions, but somehow seem to walk out with at least "one little treat and then I'll get back on track." And for once, I didn't "overshop." Does anyone else do that? I stock up, buy way to much fresh stuff, because, after all, I want to be "prepared" for the coming week. Then I get off track and it goes to waste. (And I give myself an excuse to get even further off track!) And ya know what, I feel pretty damn good about being in control today!

Starting the Week off Right!

Here's what I ate today:
Morning: homemade lamb-chicken broth
Lunch: Can of tuna fish with mayo and dill pickle
Dinner: London Broil, frozen grapes
Today was a great day! Surprised I didn't eat more...well, really, not surprised since I stayed Primal! :) Also went for a long walk, with some serious hills, with the pup. I think he handled it better than I did! The sun is finally shining here in the great Northwest and you can just feel the difference. People were out in groves today, walking, running, anything to enjoy the sun. It's days like today that make me love living in this area!

Coconut Pancakes

Oh...my...God! I just made BEE's Coconut Pancakes (http://www.brynith.com/blog/2009/03/28/how-to-coconut-pancakes/) and WOW! Fabulous! Now, I admit, they weren't pretty, and well, I still need to experiment with them a bit, but the ones that did turn out were amazing!!! I am thinking these could also be used as a substitute for bread when making sandwiches, which I have really been missing. I'll let you know how the experimenting goes.

My sister introduced me to some killer Chicken Cordon Bleu today. She gets it from a local meat market, and oh man is it yummy!! It's not breaded like the traditional version, instead it is lightly coated with Parmesan that crisps right up when baked. Rolled with thinly sliced ham and a small amount of swiss, it is awesome! While it won't be something I can enjoy often, it will definitely be a reasonable cheat.

My sister made it using the "Flavorwave" oven...have you seen these? It uses a combination of infrared and convection cooking and wow, it does an amazing job! She took it straight out of the freezer and in twenty minutes, we were eating juicy, crispy Cordon Bleu. I might have to get me one of those!