Living Primal

2012-01-28T11:57:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-05T08:52:00.000-08:00

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?

2011-12-09T10:05:00.000-08:00

Robb Wolf's "Paleo is Expensive" Article

2011-09-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-26T09:46:00.001-07:00

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!!!

2011-09-14T11:41:00.000-07:00

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

BACON!!!

2011-09-14T11:28:00.000-07:00

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.

Freggies Organic Delivery

2011-08-09T13:37:00.000-07:00

I recently purchased a Groupon for Freggies. For $24 I would receive $60 worth of organic produce delivered to my door. I had never heard of Freggies, and their delivery area is very limited but I thought, what the heck, they deliver here, I'll give them a try. Usually during the summer, I don't use the home delivery services as much, since there are a ton of Farmer's Markets going on and I'd rather support them. But my weekends have been so busy, I haven't had a chance to get to as many of them as I would like, and my fridge was getting a little sparse! So imagine my surprise when I came home and Friday and discovered this boatload of yumminess from Freggies! There was a little bit of everything, from portabellos and strawberries to avocados and zucchini. (There were also "bonuses" included in my delivery; a 4-pack of bagels and a voucher for a free cup of ice cream at a place in Seattle. I actually gave those both away to friends who came over later that night. Yeah me!) Wow! I just may have to keep ordering from them! Looks like the weekly charge is $39.99 or you can create your own delivery box. If any of you have tried them, please share your experience in the comments.

So with all that yumminess, here's one meal I made using the carrots and green beans. The carrots were cooked in homemade chicken stock for hours (dual purpose, flavor the stock AND become a yummy side dish!) and the green beans were steamed with bacon fat added. With these is a simple pork roast. Nothing fancy but packed full of flavor! All total, this meal cost about $2.13. Somebody remind me again why Primal is so expensive??

The Real Cost of Primal

2011-06-08T11:52:00.000-07:00

Tuna Salad with 1/2 avocado = $1.01

Everyday Paleo's Butter Chicken with Broccoli = $1.97

Cheese, strawberries, bacon, hard boiled egg and pickled asparagus = $1.89

Coconut Chai Latte = $0.68 (1/2 can coconut milk with 2 Chai tea bags)

Total for the Day: $5.55

Cheaper than lunch at any fast food place!

Making a difference

2011-05-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

This article makes me want to shout to the world "pull your head out of your ass people."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42956239/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/t/soda-drag-schools-may-ban-chocolate-milk/from/toolbar
I can't believe some of the asinine comments parents will make. One example:
"Deborah Bellholt, a South Los Angeles mother, said none of her six children ranging from pre-school to high school age will drink plain milk. "By allowing kids flavored milk, they still get the calcium they need," she said. "If not, they'd bypass it.""

Great parenting there Deborah....started the kids off right away with a sugar high...congrats!! Take it away and eventually the kids will start to drink regular milk. Or gee, maybe they could get their calcium from other sources, without all the sugar, like salmon (and other seafood), greens, cheese and plain yogurt.

Jamie Olivier's Food Revolution has been fighting this issue for some time. While I don't agree with all of Jamie's food theories (he still thinks pasta is healthy) I agree 100% with his overall concept of getting REAL food into our nation's school. Go to his website and join the revolution. We all need to do our part to get the change started.

Organic delivered to your door

2011-04-25T14:19:00.000-07:00

Here's a last minute deal that you might want to check out:

Over at Moolala.com, you can get a $70 box of organic herbs and veggies delivered right to your door (nationwide) for just $19. I just ordered one and I'm really hoping it is worth it!

Everyday Paleo

2011-04-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already, go check out Sarah's blog, Everyday Paleo. I love her recipes! This weekend I am going to make her Paleo Pancit and it looks delicious! She also has a book coming out (which you can pre-order on Amazon). I can't wait to get the book. Just received my copy of Mark Sisson's Quick & Easy Cookbook. Something tells me there is a lot of cooking in my near future!

Save on Nutiva Coconut Oil on Amazon

2011-02-17T09:02:00.000-08:00

Just found a great deal on Nutiva Coconut Oil on Amazon.com. If you use the "subscribe & save" option, you will recieve a discounted price as well as free shipping. The "subscribe & save" feature is an automated shipment program. I signed up for delivery every 2 months and will receive a 2-pack of 15 oz jars of Coconut Oil for just $11.51 with no shipping charges and no tax. That's just 38-cents per ounce! They also have the 54 oz Twin Pack for $38.30, just 35-cents an ounce. I'm sure some of you know of better deals, but the smaller size works for my single person household. But please, share your finds with others so we can all get a good deal.

I haven't had Coconut Oil for a couple months, mainly because I keep forgetting to run out and buy some. But I saw this recipe yesterday over at the MDA forum, and I am dying to try it. I've been having major sweet cravings lately, for chocolate of course, so I think this will help. Or I can just do the usual and dip dark chocolate in the coconut oil for a yummy late night snack....ok, now I'm really craving chocolate!

How Expensive is Primal Eating?

2011-02-14T11:00:00.001-08:00

Today there is a thread over on the MDA forum about the cost of eating primal. Overall, it seems people spend a good amount on primal foods and most are happy to do so. Common themes around the primal world are "pay the farmer, or pay the doctor" and as Joel Salatin says, "So you think clean eating is expensive? Have your priced cancer treatment lately?" And I agree that I am happy to spend the money on good, clean food. But it also got me thinking about what I am really spending. Sometimes, I feel like I am spending a lot, but that may be because I stock up on things for the freezer. And sometimes that is beneficial. For instance I stocked up last month on grass-fed beef so this month, I didn't need to buy any. The thread got me wondering what it actually costs per meal, per day. And I decided it's time I figure it out! So this week, I'm going to to start tracking and report back. And if I'm feeling super energetic, I'll even include pictures!! I'll be tracking EVERYTHING - tea, beverages, eating out, eating in, snacks, if it goes in my mouth, it's getting tracked. Since it's just me it should be fairly easy to do. I am also pretty proud of the fact that for the past several months, I've been adamant about only buying things on sale or with a coupon (granted a lot of that is household items and not food, but still, feeling pretty proud of myself for saving money!).
How much are you spending? Any tips for saving money on primal fare?

Primal Accelerated Success is coming to Seattle!

2011-02-09T14:34:00.000-08:00

For you Groks and Grokettes in the Pacific Northwest, Mark's Primal Accelerated Success Seminar is coming to Seattle! Check out the details here. I know I'll be there!!

Food Porn

2011-01-31T19:10:00.001-08:00

In case anyone is thinking that eating Primal is boring, here is some food porn to change your mind:

Just a simple meal of grilled skirt steak, black olives and a bit of sour cream.

Almost naked, hot wings made using pastured chicken wings. So simple! Bake in the oven about 40 minutes, brush with melted butter mixed with hot sauce. Then broil for a couple minutes to crisp them up. Brush again with butter and hot sauce.

This is what I am calling a "Bacon, Cheese and Egg Burger." I grilled up a grass-fed beef patty, mixed pastured bacon with cream cheese, added homemade pickles and sliced red onion, then topped it all off with a pastured egg, fried runny. OMG! It was delish! I've seen fried egg burgers on menus before, but never thought much of it. My mind has been changed!

Stocking Up

2011-01-27T22:36:00.000-08:00

How can I tell I'm back on the Primal track? The amount of cooking I'm in the middle of doing! As I type this there is bacon cooking in the oven, homemade chicken broth in the crockpot, and boneless pork chops on the George Foreman. Made earlier was a scramble of eggs, sausage, bacon and spinach and a "hash" of ground beef, mushrooms, yellow squash and spinach. Who says Primal cooking is difficult?

Unstuffed Cabbage

2011-01-23T19:49:00.001-08:00

I can't believe I haven't posted since October! I am so sorry about that! I guess time just kind of got away from me. Wow, as a blogger, I suck....LOL. With the holidays, I, like so many of us, got off the Primal track but I am back, fully committed and looking forward to an awesome year.

I made this amazing recipe today, courtesy of Life as a Dreger. Check out the blog and the recipe for some motivation to get you back on track in 2011.....unless you're one of THOSE people who actually stayed on track. If that is the case, I am totally jealous!

Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup

2010-10-30T23:43:00.000-07:00

Through a link on Food Renegade, I came upon this amazing recipe for Homemade Cream of Chicken soup courtesy of Nourished Kitchen. Wow! You will never open a red and white can again!

Zaycon Foods Chicken Breast

2010-10-28T14:13:00.000-07:00

I keep hearing about Zaycon Foods. They are offering a Fall Sale on fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts for only $1.48 per pound. This is only for Washington State residents. You have to buy them by the 40-pound box, which contains (4) 10-pound bags. You would have to separate them for freezing on your own. And you pre-order them, then show up at the pick up site to claim your purchase. So for $60 you can fill your freezer with chicken breasts. Granted, these are not pastured and organic, but if you are on a budget, this is not a bad way to go. Here's the link if you want to check them out.
http://www.zayconfoods.com/events

Has anyone ordered from them before? If so, share your experience and let the rest of us know if this is a decent option.

Check out Soap.com

2010-09-30T10:29:00.001-07:00

I love the ease of shopping online so when I found this new site, I wanted to share with everyone. www.soap.com. What am I so excited about? Well, they have Burt's Bees, Dr. Bronners, tons of vitamins (just ordered my first supply of Vitamin D3), Method products, almond oil (can't wait to try this one!) and Nutiva coconut oil. All the primal products I love. AND they always offer free shipping on orders over $25, AND there is NO TAX!! (except in CO, MO, NC, NJ, NV, NY, and PA). AND they offer 15% off your first order. Have I told you how much I love a good deal?? Check it out for yourself.

Get 15% off

your first order

use code KBUS3723

shop for all your home essentials: Gillette Razors, Dove Soap, Moroccan Oil

Not valid for existing Diapers.com or Soap.com customers. Some resctrictions apply.

Happy shopping!

Mark's 30 Day Challenge

2010-09-07T08:41:00.001-07:00

The 30-Day Challenge is on over at Mark's Daily Apple. Check it out and get involved. I know I've had a tough summer staying on course, and this is just the kick in the pants I need to get moving.

Kraft Cheese Coupon

2010-09-02T10:43:00.001-07:00

Every once in a while, we all need to save a little money. I just found out about a great deal on Kraft cheeses. Now, I know it's not raw, and well, it might not be the best choice, but sometimes it's ok. So click on this link to print out a "Save $5 on 5":

http://brands.kraftfoods.com/kraftcheese/index.html

If you happen to have an Albertsons near you, you can save even more. Through September 7th, they have Kraft Cheeses on sale 2/$4. And when you buy 5, you'll get a Catalina coupon for $5 off your next shopping trip.

Now, here is how to really save BIG: When you print the coupon, you can print it twice. Go to Albertsons, buy 5 cheeses, and use one of the $5 coupons. You'll pay $5 and get a coupon for $5 off your next visit. Go grab another 5 cheeses. At the register, use your second $5 off, and the $5 Catalina coupon that you just got. You'll pay $0. Yes, that is ZERO dollars. AND you will get ANOTHER $5 Catalina coupon. Go grab some avocados (on sale 2/$3), or whatever else you may need (laundry detergent anyone?!?!) and use the last $5 Catalina coupon when you check out. Let's say you decide to get 4 avocados, you'll wind up paying a whopping $1. So you could walk out of there with 10 packages of cheese and 4 avocados for only $6!!! You just saved $20. More money you can put towards your monthly grass-fed beef allowance.

Go...shop....eat cheese.....be happy!

Wisconsin Farm Raids

2010-08-30T11:33:00.000-07:00

This just pisses me off!!!

There is also a facebook page where you can donate to help the Herschberger Family.

http://apps.facebook.com/sponsor-me/campaign/hershberger-farm-food-freedom-fund

Keep spreading the word and support your local farmer!

2010-07-11T11:10:00.001-07:00

Pretty mellow day today (especially compared to yesterday's hike). Got some exercise in by doing some yard work, and did ok on the eating side of things but was a little high on carbs.

1 Tbsp coconut oil
1/2 avocado with Pico de Gallo
Homemade meatballs made with grass-fed beef and pastured pork
2 oz cheddar cheese
Banana with 2 Tbsp. peanut butter
Green beans, wax beans and baby carrots with 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
Peach
1 Mike's Hard Lemonade

Calories 1759 / Carbs 80 / Fat 126 / Protein 68

My First Hike

2010-07-11T10:55:00.001-07:00

I went on my first hike ever yesterday, and it was awesome! I joined a group that hikes with their dogs, in an effort to not only get more exercise, but also to socialize my shy dog. For this hike, there was only two of us, and three dogs, all little ones. When we started the hike, we planned on going 5-6 miles, on a basically flat trail. Well, we took a little detour down (yes, down, which means we had to come back UP about a mile to get back to the trail) to look at some falls, and by the time we were done, we covered 10+ miles. My ass is officially kicked! Even my pup is pooped! We had a great time, and I can't wait to go on the next one. Starting the day out hiking, helped propel me to a fantastic day eating-wise; it was perfectly primal.

34 oz Coconut Water
8 oz Carne Asado
1/2 avocado with Pico de Gallo
Handful of almonds
Organic Orange
Larabar - Peanut Butter Cookie
1 oz Lime & Chile Dark Chocolate
2 oz cheddar cheese with 1 Tbsp unsalted butter

Calories 1585 / Carbs 137 / Fat 89 / Protein 71 -- The carbs are a bit high, but that is mostly due to the coconut water, which was greatly needed due to the sweat from the hike.

2010-06-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

What I ate today:

2 free range eggs, with 1 tbsp mayo and 5 strips pastured bacon
6 oz grass-fed carne asada cut beef, with 1 tbsp butter. Big mug of homemade chicken broth.
Slow cooked chicken, 1/2 avocado, slice of onion, diced tomatos, lime juice.
Sliced jicama -- quickly becoming a favorite snack.
2 oz cheddar cheese
2 glasses red wine
Coconut oil with 1/3 oz dark chocolate

I've discovered I am really liking the unsweetened herbal tea. I use any kind of tea that has a hint of berry to it (TAZO Passion, Celestrial Seasonings Wild Berry Zinger, and my favorite from Cost Plus Tropical Crimson). I never thought I would get off the Splenda bandwagon. I used to drink Splenda sweetened tea every morning, and have at least two diet Dr. Pepper or Coke Zero every afternoon. Once in a while I would treat myself to a Sugar Free white chocolate peppermint mocha from my favorite coffee place. Not any more. I would guess I've been off of sweetners for about two months. The other night I took a tiny sip of the Bret Micheals Diet Snapple (I can't remember the flavor) and all I could taste of the aspartamine. Icky!! These days I'm perfectly happy with unsweetened tea, seltzer with lime, and plain old water. Water can be livened up with lemon, lime, mint, cucumber or berries.

As you can see, I'm still having a bit of an issue sticking to Paleo. Primal......no problem. But Paleo, I can't seem to let go of butter, cheese, wine and dark chocolate. Granted, quantities are definitely going down, so that is an improvement. I gotta let go of these excuses and go just one week without them.

Day 2

2010-06-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

Day 2 didn't go so well. I started off great, then went to do a happy hour review with some friends, and feel into the old trap of having a cocktail, which turned into another, and well, you know how that goes. Eating wise, I did ok. I'd say overall it was a decent Primal day, but no where near a Paleo day. Guess I will be starting Day 1 part 2 on Friday! Here's what I ate today:

Grass-fed beef jerky (2 oz)
Organic Granny Smith apple
Organic collard greens made with pastured bacon, red onion and homemade chicken broth, and a 5-oz grass-fed steak burger
Chop Chop Salad - lettuce, chickpeas, chicken, provolone, salami and vinaigrette
1 small square dark chocolate with sea salt
1/2 organic sweet potato, baked, with 1 tbsp butter
1 oz chopped pecans
4 cocktails - vodka with club soda and lime

Overall, not bad, but not even close to Paleo with the booze, chocolate and dairy. Not going to beat myself up too bad, since it could have been so much worse (like I could have had pizza and fried mozzarella when I was out but I didn't). No idea what the stats were.

Day 1 of Paleo Challenge

2010-06-02T20:02:00.000-07:00

I've talked about challenges before, and I realize that I have given excuse after excuse as to why I didn't persevere. But after reading the Whole 30 challenge again, I ventured into Paleo today. My challenges will be giving up dairy, sweeteners and alcohol. These have obviously been a barrier in my quest to lose weight, and it's time to get serious. I love Melissa's "tough love" attitude over on the Whole9 blog. Her mantra? "Giving up heroin is hard. Fighting cancer is hard. Changing your eating habits is NOT hard."

Today started off with a bit of IF. I ate Tuesday night about 9:30, then didn't eat today until lunchtime. Here's what I ate today:

Grass-fed, all beef hot dog with mustard.
6 oz grass-fed rib eye steak, 1/2 avocado, 1/2 baked organic sweet potato with 2 tbsp coconut oil and cinnamon, organic collard greens
Chai tea with 1/2 cup coconut milk, vanilla and cinnamon.
10 local cherries
Unsweetened herbal tea

Stats are: 1348 calories / 47g carbs / 109g fat / 54g protein

One day down, 29 more to go. :)

Fatty Fridays

2010-05-18T21:39:00.000-07:00

Go check out this blog post....awesome idea.....Fatty Fridays!!!! Join the revolution!!

The Chocolate Milk Diet

2010-05-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

Yet another sugar laced diet that consumers will fall for.

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/eatthis/54828/the-chocolate-milk-diet/

What is really sad, is that people truly believe this. How many times have you been in a restuarant where you've witnessed parents ordering chocolate milk for their kids instead of that "super sugary soda"? Guess which one has more sugar in it? I can only imagine how many people will be sucked into believing that chocolate milk is good for them, and start pounding their three servings a day, only to gain more weight as a result? And then of course, wonder what the hell happened?

Did anyone else follow Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution? For the most part, I agree with what he was trying to accomplish. Especially getting real food in front of the kids. Granted, he is still part of the low fat movement, but at least he is trying to get real food out there, and get rid of all of the sugar. There was one episode where he was successful in removing the chocolate and strawberry milk from the elementary school lunchroom, only to return a few days later to find the flavored milk had reappeared. When he confronted the districts purchaser about it, she told him she questioned the state food program director about this and was told "It is more important that the kids get the calcium, and that is easier to accomplish with flavored milk." I know this will come as a shock to most Primal followers, but the government, the ones given the responsibility to provide food to our schoolchildren, believe that massive amounts of sugar really is ok for our kids. What is wrong with that picture? Real food people, it's all about real food.

30 Day Challenge

2010-04-29T10:16:00.000-07:00

I have finally been able to read "The Primal Blueprint" and it is amazing! Alot of us that follow Mark's Daily Apple, probably think we already know all we need to about the Primal Lifestyle. Think again. Get the book, read it, then re-read it and implement it today. What could be better than a lifestyle that applauds steak, red wine, dark chocolate, naps and play time!

So I am issuing myself a challenge and welcome anyone who wants to join in! The challenge will begin May 1, and run through the month. Pick one, two, or how ever many things you'd like, to focus on during the month. Post your goals in the comment section, then check in every week and let us know how you're doing.

My goals for May:

Get more sleep. My goal is at least 7 hours a night. Sleep is so important to so many facets of our life. I've always had a hard time sleeping, I felt like I was wasting time or missing out on something. Now I know better. Getting 7 hours is a huge step in the right direction.
Play more. The Primal Blueprint suggests about two hours per week of slow cardio, and 2-3 strength building sessions. More slow cardio for me! Now that Spring is here, it will be easier to get outside and move. I've joined two "hiking with dogs" groups that will get me out of the house for fun, rather than for that dreaded exercise.
Keep a food journal. While the PB does not require this, personally, I feel I need it to really keep track where I am at. In the PB, there is a recommendation for tracking calories, fat, protein and carbs IF you are trying to lose weight. Which I am. So, I will be keeping calories between 1650-1750, Carbs at or below 50g, fat at least 100g, and protein at least 80g.

So who is joining me for the challenge? And what are your goals?

Travel Food

2010-04-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

Had to travel last week, and I actually packed food to take me with. Normally I would pack a few snacks, and get the bulk of my meals at the airport. Instead, I took matters into my own hands. Here is a picture of my noshes:

An organic apple, sliced cheddar cheese, bacon from the farm, homemade guacamole, a Larabar and a packet of sea salt & olive oil almonds. Unfortunately I forgot to pack a spoon. So I had to scoop the guac with bacon and cheese. You should have seen some of the looks I was getting. I found it kind of funny. I was the weird one, not the people next to me chowing down on bagels and cream cheese! The apple and almonds were saved for snacks the next day. It's amazing how satisfied I felt for once during a full day of travel. I will definitely be packing my food more often!

And while I was out on the road, I choose hotels with refridgerators and even one that had an actual kitchen. Instead of going to a restuarant for meals, I stopped by Whole Foods and picked up some fresh fruit, chicken from the deli and some delicious salads from their salad bar. Not only did I save a bit of money, but I felt GREAT all week, knowing I was in control of what I was feeding my body. Anybody else pack their own food when traveling?

Bacon

2010-04-14T16:21:00.000-07:00

Mark's Daily Apple has an awesome post today: A Quick Guide to Bacon.

Everything is better with bacon.....enough said.

Meatzza!

2010-03-24T20:17:00.000-07:00

I first read about Meatzza here on Richard's "Free the Animal" blog. He then referred to Justin's blog for an improved crust. So tonight I tried it. And OMG....IT IS DELICIOUS!!!!

For toppings I used pastured bacon, chopped onion and organic portabellos.

Here's the finished product. I was only able to eat a tiny bit of this, as it was so filling.

Need a new way to cook bacon? Try cooking it in the oven, with a self cleaning oven, there's no mess to clean up! Just lay the bacon out on a roasting rack (inside a roasting pan) let it cook for 7 or so minutes, and it's perfect! Plus, the bacon grease is nice and clean for future use.

Tonight was Mark Sisson's live webcast and it was awesome! Viewers were throwing questions at him left and right and he provided tons of helpful information. Thanks Mark for a great two hours! I hope he does this again, it was definitely worth it.

30-Day Challenge

2010-03-24T11:10:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across this blog yesterday and found myself reading every word for hours! Urban offers up a 30-day Paleo challenge. Granted, this was done in 2009, but I am ready to start a new one. I love her tough love talk and no bullshit attitude. We all have a choice about what goes in our mouths, and how we live our lives. I've been off track for a bit and using her guidelines, I think it's about time I got back in-line. I know I'll have some challenges, like giving up alcohol for 30 days.....yikes!! But again, it's all about choices! Anyone out there interested in joining me?

Tonight is Mark's two hour webcast for those who purchased The Primal Blueprint last week. I am really looking forward to this call tonight. What a great way to start off 30-days of Paleo!

Food Porn

2010-03-20T19:48:00.000-07:00

Just a little food porn for you to enjoy:

Breakfast was a Big Ass Salad with red leaf lettuce, grape tomatoes, black olives, avocado, grilled grass-fed sirloin and feta cheese, tossed with a mixture of olive oil and pesto.

Dinner was sliced red pepper and cucumber, with a hearty serving of Elizabeth's Jamaician Ribs. If you haven't tried these yet, you are missing out! So tasty, you don't even need BBQ sauce.

2010-03-16T19:06:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a week vacation with some serious CW thinkers, and let me tell you, it was tough! All week, I heard talk of low fat this and low fat that. Even comments like "I normally eat Sherbet for dessert because it has less fat." It amazes me how people do not hesitate to comment on how I eat. The most common comment was, "Wow, you really like your meat!" We were on a cruise, and if you've ever cruised before, you know there is no shortage of food! For breakfast I would load up on bacon, ham, cheese slices, fruit and eggs. Lunches were generally salads with lots of meat, and dinners were meat and veggies. And......dessert. Every night. Yes, I indulged a bit, but what the hell, I was on vacation!

One day, there was a seminar in the Spa. I didn't attend but two of the group did. The topic was detoxing your body of chemicals. When they returned, it was interesting to hear they recap what was talked about. For example, how what one puts on their skin is absorbed by the body, how factory farming is harming us, how one shouldn't eat processed foods. Hmmmm....sounds like the stuff I've been telling them. But I guess because I am not a "specialist" I must not know what I am talking about. I just had to smile and say "well, when you want more info, let me know and I can turn you on to some websites."

2010-02-15T17:46:00.001-08:00

Wow! I can't believe I haven't posted at all in 2010. I guess I have been slacking! January was a good month, leading to about a five pound weight loss. Now I've just returned from a week in Hawaii, where I ate a lot of local food, which means alot of salt and carbs. I was so excited to get back and have a plain salad. Now I've got the crockpot and oven full of meat to get myself back on track and drop some weight before I go on a cruise in March. I'm also going to do my best to post more regularly, as I know it keeps me more on track. Have a great evening everyone....more to come soon!

Welcome 2010

2010-01-01T16:37:00.001-08:00

It's the first day of 2010 and I personally am looking forward to the new year. Mark has some great posts over at his site with some good motivation as the new year begins. Go check it out!

I am having a nice day of relaxation today and gearing up to hit the ground running tomorrow. This is going to be the year of organization for me, everything from my diet to my house is getting organized!

Hope everyone had a good New Years! Enjoy the weekend!

Time for all the New Year's diets

2009-12-27T12:07:00.001-08:00

Well, I can definitely tell New Year's is right around the corner, and along with it all the crazy fad diets to help everyone stick to their resolutions. Check out the new "Drive Thru Diet" from Taco Bell. Wow, I can't wait to have a Fresco Burrito Chicken Surpreme. Just look at these fantastic ingredients:

Chicken, Southwest
Chicken Breast Meat With Rib Meat, Water, Seasoning [Salt, Maltodextrin, Spices, Garlic Powder, Chili Pepper, Paprika, Onion Powder, Carrageenan, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Natural Flavoring, Mixed Triglycerides, Yeast, Modified Corn Starch, Corn Syrup Solids, Yeast Extract, Alginates (Sodium, Calcium And/Or Ammonium), Cellulose, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate Used To Protect Quality, Not More Than 2% Silicon Dioxide Added To Prevent Caking, Soybean Oil], Modified Food Starch, Sodium Phosphates Soy Lecithin (Used As A Processing Aid).Contains Soybean .
Beans
Pinto Beans, Partially Hydrogenated Soy Bean Oil (With TBHQ And Citric Acid Added To Protect Flavor) , Salt.
Sauce, Red
Water, Paprika, Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Onion Powder, Tomato Powder, Spices, Garlic Powder, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Malic Acid, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Silicon Dioxide As An Anticaking Agent, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid

Sounds delish doesn't it? Good luck to those who try it. I think I'll stick with homemade chicken fajitas with fresh salsa and chunky guacamole. Yum!

Best wishes to everyone for a fantastic New Year! Cheers!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2009-12-23T08:48:00.000-08:00

Wow, this holiday season has been a tough one! So many goodies, parties, dinners, outings, etc. I try to tell myself that it's ok to indulge a bit, after all, it IS the holidays! Well, that has gotten me nowhere.....except feeling bloated and tired. Never one to let that get me down, I am going to enjoy the rest of the holidays on a more primal note. I'm really looking forward to my brother-in-law's Prime Rib on Christmas. He makes a mean piece of meat!

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and is able to spend time with friends and family because that is what the season is all about. Whatever you do, just be sure to enjoy yourself! Cheers!

Buffalo Chicken (or Turkey) Dip

2009-11-28T18:53:00.000-08:00

Here's a yummy recipe to help you use up all that leftover turkey. Caution: this is contains dairy so it's not completely primal, but it is oh-so delicious!

In a small crockpot, put a block of cream cheese. Add a tablespoon or so of dry ranch dip mix, 4 oz shredded Swiss cheese (you can also use cheddar), about 2 cups diced turkey (or chicken) and a bunch of Frank's hot sauce. Let it warm for a couple hours and enjoy. It's like buffalo wings and dip all in one! I like to eat it with celery sticks. Yummy!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T20:52:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful day with friends and family, and enjoyed some fabulous food. What a great Primal holiday Thanksgiving can be. I actually passed up the mashed potatoes but did indulge in a small slice of pumpkin pie.

Made a great salad with organic mixed greens, diced organic pears, dried cranberries, shaved almonds, goat cheese and a vinaigrette made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and homemade cranberry sauce (sweetened with pure maple syrup).

I've noticed something about pure maple syrup. I don't seem to react the same way to it as I do with regular sugar. Usually, an hour after eating sugar, I am nodding off. I had zero reaction to the syrup. Could be that I am using less of it, but no matter what it is, I am loving it!

Bring on the Meat!

2009-11-02T09:11:00.000-08:00

Well, it's November and the holiday eating season has officially begun. I can't even tell you how many pieces of disgusting Halloween candy I have eaten in the past two weeks. And guess what? It went straight to my stomach and my ass! Every pair of pants are a little snug this morning and it pisses me off. Especially since it is my own fault. No one forced me to eat that crap, I even bought kinds that I don't particularly care for and still ate it. I swear, those little candy bars call out to me, beckoning me to participate in their sweetness. So all candy was brought to work today where I am sure it will be gone momentarily. And yesterday, I decided that it is time to go super low carb, eating mostly meat, eggs and a little cheese. (And of course, some delicious fat will be thrown in as well!) I get so angry with myself that I allow myself to falter from the primal lifestyle way more than I should. If I would just stick with it, not only would I feel (physically) better, I would also emotionally feel better. Ok, I'm done with my rant, and am off to eat a big ol' juicy grass-fed New York steak. Yum!

Tomatillo Salsa Verde

2009-10-22T18:44:00.000-07:00

In my CSA box today were some tomatillos (along with a white onion, cilantro and jalapenos, and limes....hmmmm). I don't know about you, but I've never cooked with fresh ones, the canned ones, yes, I have a recipe or two that I use those for. Anyway, along with the bounty came a recipe for Tomatillo Salsa Verde. Never made it before, but I love the stuff when I go to El Toro. Print this one out folks....it's a keeper!!!

Tomatillo Salsa Verde
1 lb fresh tomatillos
1/3 cup chopped white onion
1/3 cup chopped cilantro leaves
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp sugar (I left it out, but it is so minor that it would probably be ok to leave in)
2 Jalapenos, stemmed, seeded and chopped (I only used one, not a huge fan of peppers)
Salt to taste

Remove papery husks from tomatillos; rinse well.
There are two ways to prepare the tomatillos, I used the roasting method.
Roasting method:
Cut tomatillos in half an place cut side down on a foil-lined baking sheet. Place under broiler for 5-7 minutes to lightly blacken the skin.

Boiling method:
Place tomatillos in a saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon.

Put all ingredients in blender or food processor and pulse until finely chopped and mixed. Chill in refrigerator and enjoy.

I had put it with diced pastured chicken, shredded raw cheddar and diced avocado...delish!!

Thursday Ramblings

2009-10-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

A big shout out to Jimmy Moore for adding me to his recent list of must see blogs for October 2009! Jimmy is an expert on living "la vida low carb," and one of the first blogs I started following when I came to the low carb way of life. Thanks for the post Jimmy! Keep on spreading the word!

I've added some blog sites over on the right. These are the blogs that I read every single day, without fail. Great writing styles, fun to read and loads of information. If someone asks you about the Primal lifestyle, refer them to sites like these for a taste of Grok.

I wanted to share this information with you about keeping eggs fresh. Now, I will admit, I have never been one to check code dates or expiration dates on eggs, my bad....I know! And now that I am buying eggs straight from the farm, I don't have to worry about it. The thought of eating eggs on April 1, that were probably laid in December, well, it just creeps me out. I think I'll stick to the farm store.

It's Finally Happened.....

2009-10-02T11:29:00.000-07:00

I've become a food elitist. And ya wanna know something? I LIKE IT! Throughout the summer, I've been really fortunate to have wonderful neighbors who are blessed with the gardening gene and they are more than happy to share their bounty with me. I've made fresh tomato sauce twice so far and I can not even describe how amazing it tastes. So simple: just garlic, onions, tomatoes and fresh basil, with a bit of seasonings to your liking. How easy is that? The first batch I peeled, seeded and chopped. Too much work, so the second batch I peeled the skin then broke the whole tomatoes up with my hands. A quick blend with the immersion blender to break up the bigger chunks and it was perfect. So in an effort to really eat local this year, I am saddened that as we harvest the last of their tomatoes, I will have to wait nine months to begin enjoying fresh ones again. Needless to say, this weekend I will be cooking more sauce and freezing it to enjoy sparingly in the winter.

So the other day, I went to my local Fred Meyer to pick up something completely non-food related. (I think it was Ziploc bags or something.) And while I was there, I thought that maybe I should pick up some extra tomatoes to supplement the fresh stuff. I picked up a bright, shiny Roma and I almost gagged. It was so waxy, the thought of eating it literally almost made me gag. I'm pretty sure my lip moved to a snarl as I was standing there. I mean, where the hell did the wax come from? THIS is what I have been eating all these years? GROSS! And then it hit me.....I've become a food elitist. I will never again be able to walk into a regular grocery store and just mindlessly buy off the shelf. Then I started to giggle, and smile really wide, and I realized this is not a bad place to be. If being a food elitist means knowing only the freshest, organic produce and humanely raised, free-range, grass-fed meats are nourishing my body, then bring it on!

Cookie Dough!

2009-09-29T20:49:00.000-07:00

Here is a great cookie dough substitute: http://www.grainfreefoodie.blogspot.com/ I made it with unsweetened coconut and coconut flour and just mixed it and left it in the fridge like cookie dough. OMG! Wonderful! Play with the ingredients to fit your taste. And as Siera writes, "you gotta love a diet that looks for ways to get more butter in your diet!" One suggestion would be to use unsalted butter. Delish!

A Weekend Full of Cooking

2009-09-21T08:54:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Mark for the shout out on the Primal Blueprint Insider email! It's a great community you have inspired Mark,and I am happy to be part of it!

This weekend I tried a bunch of new recipes that I am really excited about. I love this time of year, I get in a serious cooking mode!

First, I did Jamaican Ribs from Elizabeth at Caveman Food. These were delicious! I made them for a friend and I believe his comment was "Wow! These are so good! The crisping at the end really makes a difference!" So easy, and so delicious, you have to try these! I used (pastured) pork spareribs this time, and am going to try lamb ribs next weekend. I hope I get the same awesome results!

I also made Kahula Pork, which is the simpliest thing in the world! Here is all you have to do: pull out your crockpot (you know how much I love mine). Take a pork shoulder roast or pork butt roast, rub with sea salt (lightly..or you can use Hawaiian Salt or seasoning salt) then sprinkle with liquid smoke (sparingly). Leave it in the crockpot on low for 8-10 hours. That's it! It will fall apart! Tastes just like the pork you get at a Hawaiian Luau.

Next up was pizza crust courtesy of Son of Grok. This crust stood up well to fresh tomato sauce, ham and pineapple. It was a little dense for my liking but then again, I like fluffy pan pizza. I might add an extra egg next time or some cheese to the crust. Check it out and come up with your own personalized version.

I also did an experiment with meatballs. I am surprised they came out so good! And they make a great grab and go option to have on hand. Here is what I used: 1 pound each grass fed ground beef and pastured ground pork, 4 eggs, thinly sliced onion, Monterey Steak seasoning. Mush it all together with your hands. (4 eggs made it a bit runny, so I added some pork rinds crumbs. Next time I will start with only 2 eggs, and see if any more are needed). Roll into meatballs, and brown in bacon grease. Finish by baking in a 350-degree oven for 15-20 minutes. Yummy!!

So did any of you try something delish this week? Feel free to leave your recipes in the comment section so everyone can enjoy.

Sugar!

2009-09-16T22:19:00.000-07:00

I have finally found the perfect use for sugar! Mix some sugar, white or brown, with some olive oil. It is the best body scrub ever! Use it on your face, your hands, everywhere! The absolute best use of sugar I have heard of!

2009-08-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

We're over a week into Mark's 30 Day Challenge and if you have not started yet, what is holding you back? I love the way he has formatted it. It's all about what changes YOU can make, regardless how small. If all you want to do is start eating more veggies, then you are in. Baby steps will lead to success in the end. The tough part is taking that first baby step.

The great thing about the challenge is the daily contests. He is giving away a ton of fun, primal stuff!! Here's my entry for the "Show Us Your Breakfast" contest. It's a version of "Joe's Special" this time containing ground buffalo sauteed with garlic, onion, butter, pastured bacon and organic spinach. I love simple dishes like this that I can adjust to whatever I have on hand, then have it available for several days. Primal eating doesn't have to be difficult, the key is being prepared.

The contests can be as easy as leaving a comment or submitting a picture, to much more involved tasks like creating a workout video. All in all, it's a fun way to immerse yourself in the primal community.

So how have I been doing on my goals that I set for this challenge? Here's an update:

1- Get more sleep: I really need to work on this! Since the challenge started, I have actually been getting less sleep...oops!
2- Walk the Talk: I have been eating full primal about 80% of the time. I have had a couple slips, with travel and graduation celebrations, etc. I still have a lot of travel this month, so it will continue to be a challenge, but I have less functions to attend so I can better control what I am eating. What I find interesting is how quick conventional thinkers are to critize. And of course, their way must be right. I was traveling with my parents last weekend, and my mom was quick to point out how fattening/salty/etc beef jerky was or commenting how heavy an omelet in the morning is. I wanted to say "fat doesn't make you fat" but it doesn't quite make sense coming from me since I still have weight to lose. Soon, I will be a living, breathing example of how amazing the Primal lifestyle can be.
3- Limit alcohol intake: This has been going very well. I've only indulged three days since the challenge started with is a big decrease for me.
4- More time outside: I was able to spend quite a bit of time outside while I was in Indiana, then I came home to rain. But it should be clearing up so I hope to get some outside time in this weekend. Next week won't be a problem as I will be in Hawaii....I will be getting lots of outside time then!
5- Drink more water: I have definitely been getting more water. Since I am not having cocktails in the evening, I find myself drinking a lot of water.

2009-08-07T13:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a challenging day as I was traveling all day to get to West Lafayette Indiana from Seattle. Jeez, it takes all stinkin' day! We flew out of Sea-Tac at 10:20 am and arrived at the hotel at almost 9:00 pm. Granted there is a three hour time difference but man, was I wiped!
I actually did ok eating wise, and was able to avoid some of the usual pitfalls.

Primal eats:
Morning: Protein Pack - hard boiled egg, three ham and cheese roll ups, a tablespoon mayo.
Snacks: raw almonds, grass-fed/finished beef jerkey
Dinner: side salad with garlic ranch, chicken breasts topped with ricotta, goat cheese and sun dried tomatos, and a small side of pasta with red sauce, one beer

Yes, I had pasta. I caved, I admit. I didn't realize that it came with the meal I ordered, and there it was. I only had a couple bites, and then pushed it away, so I won't beat myself up too much.
Hope everyone is doing well on the challenge. Baby steps get you a long way in the long run!

2009-08-06T00:14:00.000-07:00

Primal eats:
Morning: big cup of homemade chicken broth, handful of raw almonds
Afternoon: grilled grass-fed/finished top sirloin (which had been marinated in fresh garlic, salt, pepper, and olive oil), 1/4 avocado, cucumber and onion marinated in raw vinegar
Evening: Salad - lettuce, tomato, grilled chicken, bacon, shredded cheddar, red onion and Blueberry dressing. 4 beers.

My main accomplishment for the day? Ordering a takeout salad, without any dressing or bread. In a matter of a minute or two, I whipped up some homemade blueberry vinaigrette. Using a Silver Bullet (or other small blender) puree together: fresh (or thawed) blueberries (or any other berry), olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a bit of honey, salt and pepper. It is the perfect summer salad dressing!!

Take the Challenge!

2009-08-03T19:42:00.000-07:00

Mark Sisson posted the latest 30-Day Primal Challenge over at Marks Daily Apple. Go check it out and then get involved in the forums. This is a design it yourself challenge, where you decide what your goals are going to be. It's not a competition, but a way to start or enhance your primal lifestyle. The forum even has a place to start your own journal, and as we all know, the Primal community is uber-supportive.

My goals for this challenge are:

Get more sleep. On average, I tend to get 5-6 hours a night. I would like to increase that to 6-7, and allow myself to tap a nap if I need it. I tend to feel guilty if I take a nap, as if I am wasting time. It's time to listen to my body and give it what it needs.
Walk the talk. It's time to show friends what the Primal lifestyle is all about. I am the first person to tout the benefits of eating primal, but I am not the best walking example. Time to be a walking advertisement.
Limit alcohol intake. I've been spending more time lately with friends trying to cool off at the local watering hole. This is not benefitting my primal-ness. Time to limit it to a couple glasses of red wine a week (a sensible vice according to Mark!).
More outside time. The sun is out and it is time to get there and enjoy it, whether it is walking the dog, or working in the yard, or just playing like a kid.

Drink more water.

Daily Eats:

Breakfast: big cup of homemade chicken broth, handful of raw almonds.

Lunch: grilled Top Sirloin, 3/4 oz 72% Dark Chocolate

Dinner: big cup of homemade chicken broth, grilled Top Sirloin, roasted free range chicken, small zucchini (fresh from my garden!) sauteed in coconut oil and soy sauce, frozen grapes.

Good luck with the challenge everyone! I will make an effort to post daily and keep you posted on how I'm doing. Feel free to add your goals, status updates, etc in the comments section.

Mark's New Challenge

2009-08-02T18:00:00.000-07:00

Wow! Where has the summer gone? I didn't realize that I had been out of touch so long. The good news is tomorrow Mark is annoucing a new 30-Day challenge on Marks Daily Apple. I urge everyone to check it out and join in. I know I am looking forward to....it will definitely get me back on track! It's going to be a tough month to stay on track, I have almost three weeks on the road, but I am up for the challenge!

Tuesday's food and pastured eggs

2009-06-29T22:47:00.001-07:00

What I ate today: 2 deviled eggs (made with nitrate free bacon and chives from my garden), chocolate creation, Organic apple, raw almonds, pineapple sausage, peach with half and half, bacon cheeseburger (no bun, no condiments), side salad with ranch dressing, one cocktail.

Went out to dinner with a friend this evening and was able to avoid the french fries and only had one cocktail, a Lynchburg Lemonade. Delicious on a warm summer's day!

I was lucky enough to find a vendor at the farmer's market last week that had pastured eggs. If you have never had pastured eggs, make the effort to seek them out. The yolks are deep yellow, sometimes orange. The shells thick and are varied in color-tan, white, light green, even light blue. The taste is.....fresh. That is the best way to describe it. You can actually taste the freshness. Sure they cost a little more, but they are so worth it. Pastured eggs actually have nutrients, unlike the factory farmed versions that we are all used to. Imagine the benefits they are giving your body. I'd say that's worth the extra cost.

Back on track

2009-06-03T19:33:00.000-07:00

Back home after an interesting visit to Argentina. While I am glad to be home, I am missing the massive quantities of meat! I'm a week away from my next delivery of grass-fed beef and I am jonesing for a big ol' steak! While beef is king in Argentina, I admit I did veer off track. And I am paying for it with a three pound weight gain. Ugh! Which of course got me thinking about why I started this blog in the first place. My first post said how I was sick and tired of being overweight. Guess what? I am still overweight! So it is time to get serious....again! I have taken my measurements this evening, and while I am not quite ready to share them, I promise to do so soon. I am issuing myself a 30-day challenge, to stick to the primal lifestyle and actually see progress. I refuse to spend another summer covered up and hiding from friends' cameras. I also feel like a hypocrite. When my friends go on and on about the latest diet fad, I am the first to spout off about the benefits of the primal lifestyle. Unfortunately, I am not walking the talk. Time to show what real food can do for you and prove that one doesn't need to spend hundreds of dollars a month on gimmicks...prepackaged food, shots of HCG....it just isn't necessary. So next month, on July 4, I will post my starting stats, and hopefully, have some positive results to share.

Beef is King in Argentina!

2009-05-27T14:05:00.001-07:00

Just a quick update from Argentina, where Beef is truly king!! I've been lucky enough to enjoy some incredible meals on my visit, unfortunately, they were not all primal! First of all, the steaks are incredible! I have eaten steaks every night so far! One even had mozzarella, roasted red pepper and tomato....delish!! Today we had a site visit at a local meat processor and they treated us to an amazing lunch, full of meat! To start was a wonderful plate of cheese and cold cuts. Then they brought out grilled sausages (on buns, which I discarded), followed by a bowl of sliced sausages with a red sauce, and topped of with a kabob of steak and bacon. Apparently, there were supposed to be two more courses, but we had to run to catch the next meeting. I was in meat heaven!!! LOL While I am trying to watch what I am eating, I totally believe I will have a gain when I get home, mostly due to the massive quantities of wine we have been consuming! Malbec from Argentina, go get some!! Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day!

Weekend Recap

2009-05-17T10:51:00.001-07:00

Spring has finally hit in the Northwest, and it couldn't have come at a better time! The farmer's markets are open, the fresh produce is starting to make an appearance, and people are just generally more active and happy. I was able to get the pup out for a couple walks, once to the dog park, and the other for a 3+ mile walk with some serious hills. My friend and I do it every Saturday, and we are dying by the time we reach the final hill. Cooper ran up it like it was nothing! Little guy amazes me!

As for food, I did a lot of grazing, mostly on roasted chicken and fruit. I bought two rotisserie chickens this weekend, along with some mangoes, organic apples and strawberries, lettuce and avocados. This has made for some great grazing food, along with some pastured ham.

This coming week will be a hectic one, as I am gearing up for a trip to Argentina, starting on Saturday. I am incredibly nervous for the trip, since I have never done any international travel. It is a requirement for my MS degree, so fortunately I will be with a group and have a jam packed schedule. I've heard that Argentina has some incredible meat, so I am looking forward to that!

Strawberries

2009-05-14T08:28:00.000-07:00

I've been a little busy lately and haven't had time to post, sorry about that! I just finished up a major project for school, so I will now have more time to pay attention to this blog. I've been doing pretty good. Sticking to primal eating about 80% of the time. I have to admit I had some goodies on Mom's Day, and they were delicious! But I also made sure to have some fruit and cheese out. My niece devoured the organic strawberries that I set out. I kept emphasizing how they taste so great because their organic. I have a feeling she is going to start harping on my sister to buy organic "because Auntie said so!" What can I say, you gotta start them young!

Just Some Random Thoughts

2009-04-30T10:20:00.001-07:00

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

2009-04-29T08:49:00.001-07:00

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!

2009-04-28T10:13:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-26T21:46:00.000-07:00

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.....

2009-04-14T20:37:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-11T17:26:00.001-07:00

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.

2009-04-07T21:33:00.001-07:00

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!

2009-04-06T08:36:00.001-07:00

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

2009-04-05T21:29:00.000-07:00

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!

Back on Track

2009-03-31T18:39:00.000-07:00

Once again, I have been slacking but today, I am back on track and I am excited about it! I had an awesome day, which is surprising since it is a travel day for me and we all now how difficult it can be to stay on track on the road. But I am happy to say.....today was a success!! Here's what I ate:
Morning: Salad with lettuce, tomato, grilled chicken, manadrin oranges, parmesan cheese and ranch dressing
Lunch: Small bunch of grapes, 3 walnuts, 2 dried apricots, 3 oz cheese-smoked gouda, havarti, and some kind of bleu
Dinner: Grilled chicken breast topped with grilled mushrooms, peppers and jack cheese, sauteed broccoli, zucchini and yellow squash, side salad with ranch, 2 vodka diets, 1/2 oz Organic chocolate

I know it isn't perfect, but I am so excited that I stayed (for the most part) primal. Believe me, it would have been real easy to grab a burger and fries for dinner, or have that snack of chips on the plane this afternoon. I was surprised that Delta offered a fruit and cheese plate. It came with 4 large crackers, and it would have been really easy to eat them, but I didn't and I am pretty damn proud of myself for that. I was actually doing a little happy dance to myself when I made my choice at dinner. I always start my travels with the best of intentions, then they go straight to hell because I think, "why not? I deserve it because I am on the road." Obviously the wrong attitude!
I know I have struggled, and I have no one to blame but myself. A couple weeks ago, someone left me a comment that said I just need to make the commitment, and dammit, he's right. I know this is the right lifestyle for me, I know it makes me feel awesome, I just have to commit. So here I am, making the commitment. Regardless of what my social commitments may be, there is no excuse not to stay commited to the Primal lifestyle.

I am committing to everyone out there that I am committed to posting more often. To trying and posting recipes....I plan on making BEE's coconut pancakes this weekend! (and then Mark's pancakes, then Son of Grok's recipe....the list goes on and on!) What a great alternative to bread...I can't wait to make an egg and ham breakfast sandwich!

2009-03-17T08:17:00.001-07:00

What I ate today
Morning: banana, Salt and Vinegar Almonds-have you tried these? They are soooo yummy! Made by Blue Diamond, I found them in the 1.5 oz size, and while they are not totally primal, they still work in a pinch.
Lunch: This was way off track but so incredibly delicious! The BF and I got a rare opportunity to have lunch together and we went to this awesome Hawaiian BBQ joint where the food is soooo amazing!! Huli Huli chicken (grilled, smoked chicken with a Hawaiian sauce drizzled over it--sugar, I know!), small amount of macaroni salad, 1 scoop rice (carbs, carbs and more carbs!)
Dinner: Buffalo chicken on a bed of cabbage with homemade Gorgonzola dressing, frozen grapes
Snack: Something I like to call "low carb cheesecake" - a mixture of cream cheese, whipped cream, splenda and blueberries.

Last night I made Buffalo chicken in the crockpot. I love buffalo wings, but honestly, they are such a pain in the ass to eat and usually the ones you find in a restaurant are coated in flour to make them crispy. This is really easy and really tasty.

Buffalo Chicken
1 large package chicken drumsticks, skin removed (optional)
5 oz Louisiana hot sauce
1/2 stick butter, cut into cubes
Chopped garlic, onion powder, salt and pepper to taste

I took the skin off the drumsticks, just because I only like the skin if it is crispy. Your choice if you leave it on or not. (Never fear, I did not waste it! I laid the skin out on a pizza stone and crisped it up in the oven!) Simply place the chicken in the crockpot, season to your liking, dot with the butter cubes, and pour the sauce over all. Flip the crockpot on high for 3 hours and you're done. It's that easy!

I threw together a quick dressing with mayo, sour cream, and Gorgonzola cheese, with a dash of red wine vinegar and hot sauce. Tossed with coleslaw cabbage and chicken for a quick salad, and it was delish!

Where to save a few cents
I know in this economy, we are all trying to cut back where we can, and sometimes that is hard to do eating primal. Personally, I won't give up my pastured beef, pork and lamb, even though the prices have gone up. Instead, I have changed the way I shop for produce, buying only what organic produce is on sale. I can't wait for the farmer's markets to start next month when I can get really great stuff at much better prices. I have also started buying some things at the discount stores like Big Lots and Grocery Outlet. I can find spices, sauces, some canned things like tomatoes, even some frozen veggies, for a very reduced price. For instance I found a 6 oz bottle of hot sauce for $0.50, when I would normally pay at least $2.00 for it in the grocery store. Every cent I can save on these items, I can put towards the more expensive items, helping to better fuel my body.

Recovering from a week of complete overindulgence

2009-03-16T10:47:00.000-07:00

This past week, I was so off track, I can't even begin to explain it, or should I say, defend it. I started off the week with wonderful intentions, thought I had a plan for the many social occasions I had coming up, and well, it all just went to pot, and I have no one to blame but myself. So instead of dwelling on it, since it is in the past and there is nothing I can do change it, I am just going to put it out there, learn from it and move on.

Tuesday was the start of the downfall. I met some friends at an Irish Pub for happy hour. I planned on having one drink and leaving fairly early. Instead, I wound up having two beers, and a huge quesadilla, because how could I say no when it was so cheap? I find myself saying that ALOT! (Note to self: Stop that!) Wednesday night was dinner and drinks with friends. Again, could have had a nice primal salad like I planned. Instead it was fried chicken (because I had a serious craving for it once I saw it was the special of the day) and a full night of drinking afterwards, which of course, led to a crappy Thursday, starting with a hangover. And what do we all know is the cure for a hangover? Greasy, processed, fast food of course! The day started with a breakfast sandwich from Jack in the Box, yuck!! That truly did not make it any easier to get through the day! That night, it was dinner at the Melting Pot to celebrate a friends birthday. I would have done really good with this had I not had the bread with the cheese fondue, sticking with just apples and carrots as I had planned. But of course, that didn't happen, but I did refrain from eating too much of the chocolate fondue, because hell, I was full by then, there just wasn't any room! Friday night the birthday celebration continued and I thought it would be great as we were going rollerskating. Well, I discovered that my balance is not what it used to be and that until I lose some weight, I should NOT be on anything with wheels! (I have a bruised knee and a pulled hamstring to prove it!) Birthday girl wanted to end the night at a local bar, so off we went where I indulged in drinks (partially to kill the pain of the pulled hamstring!) along with fried cheese sticks and fried mushrooms. I repeatedly ask myself, why do I eat this crap, because while anything deep fried smells good, it has plain lost it's appetizing taste to me! Yet, I continue to eat it when my defenses are down. Again, it was late night happy hour, so the apps were half price, how can you say no to that??? I need to remind myself that saving a couple bucks on deep fried crap is not worth the way I feel the rest of the night or the next day.

I though Saturday would be better as the BF and I planned on going hiking, but alas, it was not meant to be as it was raining terribly and the wind made it feel like it was 20 degrees outside. So instead, we went for a road trip where we had ice cream, fried chicken (again! I know!! At least this was better than the crap I had Wednesday night!) and mac and cheese. I tried to make up for it yesterday by starting the day off with corned beef and cabbage (the BF is starting to get used to having meat and veggies for breakfast!), but then friends called for an afternoon beverage, which of course, led to bar food for dinner.

Alright, I am done venting about the horrible week! It is done, it is over and I learned several things from it: (1) Deep fried anything just doesn't taste as good as I remember it to be so stay away from it. Remember how crappy it makes me feel, and order something else, regardless of what is on "special." (2) Having one or two drinks is ok, but I have got to limit it to that. (3) Make a plan and stick to it. It really is easy to get a primal salad, or a simple piece of grilled meat and veggies when going out, you just have to ask if you don't see it on the menu.

I am looking forward to a much better week this week, especially since I don't have very many social commitments and I have a couple crockpot recipes that I am really looking forward to trying, which means, I will be eating more at home. And this will give me a chance to work on my goal for this week: clearing out my home office so I can actually use the treadmill that is in there.

2009-03-08T18:55:00.000-07:00

There are a couple of great posts that I wanted to pass along that have truly helped motivate me this week. First, there is this post from Brynith over at BeeLifestyle. It's a nice recap of her progress with the primal lifestyle, and it's written with such honesty. http://www.brynith.com/blog/2009/03/04/primal-challenge-update/

Bee's post lead me to this post from Dr. Michael Eades, http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/statins/meditating-in-the-garden-of-self-loathing/ This is a great read about how we tend to put everyone else above ourselves priority wise. Both of these posts came at a really good time, as I needed a little lift this week.

Here's a delish crockpot recipe that I made this weekend. Put it in the crockpot the night before, and the BF was a little surprised when I said it was for breakfast, since he is generally one of those "traditionalist" who thinks breakfast has to be carb heavy. Once he tasted it though, there were no complaints.....though I did have tortillas for him so he could get his "fix."

Chile Verde
4-5 lb boneless Pork Shoulder Butt, cut into 1-inch cubes
17 oz diced green chiles
9 garlic cloves, chopped (or about 2 tbsp. minced garlic)
2-12 oz cans Whole Tomatillos, drained
Rind of ½ of an orange
2 Beef Bouillon cubes
½ tsp. Cumin
½ med White Onion, chopped
8 oz beer

In a dutch oven, or cast iron skillet, brown pork cubes in butter or bacon fat. Put browned pork in Crock-Pot with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 8-9 hours. Serve topped with avocado, sour cream and/or shredded cheese. This is very mild, so if you want some spice, add some hot sauce, or a diced Jalapeno.

They have arrived!

2009-03-02T09:54:00.000-08:00

Morning: Grass-fed beef jerky, tuna mixed with mayo and dill pickle spear
Lunch: Joe's Breakfast Special, apple, 1 oz Cocoa Roast almonds
Dinner: Shrimp with mayo-mustard mix, cup of delicious homemade turkey stock, 3 oz sharp cheddar cheese,
and then.......the Girl Scout cookies arrived!!! Lord help me! I'm not really sure what possessed me to order seven boxes last month, but I did. I admit, I had several cookies last night, then pawned the open boxes off on the BF. Trust me, he didn't fight me on it! I pawned another off on my parents and the rest went in the freezer. Now, I admit that I have been looking forward to getting the cookies. I love Samoas! To me, those are just a little bite of heaven! When I dipped into my first one tonight, it didn't taste the same. It tasted overcooked. It didn't bring back the fond memories I had of them. It made me not want to eat the whole box!!! I have a feeling this is a good thing!

Getting the "Look"

2009-03-01T21:19:00.000-08:00

Have you ever noticed that people are quick to voice their opinion about how you eat if it is different from the norm? Why is that? I am of the opinion to each their own, and while I am happy to give my opinion if you ask for it, I try not to vocally pass judgement on others as their choices are their choices, even if I don't agree with them. Let me give you a couple examples. This past week, I spent two days in training with my company. Which meant 25 of us in a room, all day long, with food brought in that I have no control over. I show up the first morning, knowing there will be little if anything I can eat for breakfast, with "snack packs" of grass fed beef jerky and cheddar cheese cubes. Within minutes, I have three people making comments about what I've brought. When I answer that I can't have the carbs, they immediately ask if I am diabetic, which of course would have been an acceptable answer, but when I say that carbs put me to sleep, they just give me that "look." And what were they eating? Those huge muffins that you get at Costco, trail mix consisting of peanuts, raisins and M&Ms, doughnuts, cookies, pretzels, and candy. Not a piece of fruit or protein was to be found. So I'm the weird one for eating jerky and cheese, but it is acceptable for them to eat chocolate muffins for breakfast? What's wrong with that picture? Lunch was better as salad and fruit was available, served right along side pasta and rolls. Fortunately the pasta had large chunks of chicken in it which I was able to scoop out and eat with my salad. But again, I was getting the "look" like I was the weird one.

Now here is an interesting twist on the diabetes aspect. The next morning I went to breakfast at IHOP with three of my co-workers, one of them who is diabetic. When one is eating Primal, you learn to really read the menus if you are eating out. I would think a diabetic would do the same. Let's compare what we ate: I choose to splurge a little and had Chicken Florentine Crepes, and yes, they were delish!! The diabetic had a ham and cheese omelet, which is a good choice, except IHOP adds "a splash of their famous pancake batter" to their omelets to make them extra "fluffy." (really, check the menu, it's right there in black and white!). Along with this, he had a side of hashbrowns and two slices sourdough toast, with jam. Even though my meal had carbs in it, I am betting it was a helluva lot less than what the one who should be watching carbs had! Yet people will comment and question what I am eating, but won't say a word to him even though he is eating carbs when he shouldn't be! Again, what is wrong with this picture?

Looking back on it, the experience of those two days is actually quite motivating. Some of those people I won't see again for a month. Imagine how different I could be after eating pure paleo for one month. Results may actually be able to be seen. And can you imagine their faces when I can say "I did it with beef jerky and steak for breakfast?"

Celebrate You........with Carbs!

2009-02-24T09:32:00.000-08:00

This is going to be a tough week at work, as it is "Celebrate You" week, which means employee appreciation. So of course, lots of food is supplied, breakfast and snacks, consisting mostly of carby, processed crap. At least they have been putting out a good variety of fruit in the morning. Just walking into the break room, I am overwhelmed by the scent of fresh baked donuts, bagels, even cookies! I have to admit, it has been hard. I swear the donuts are calling out to me! I know if I eat those kind of carbs, I will crash within an hour, and feel like crap the rest of the day. So why do I still feel tempted by these carby little devils??? Can you say carb addict? :-)

Morning: 1.5 Scotch eggs, grapes, pineapple and cantaloupe
Snack: Starbucks Berry Chai Infusion (sugar, I know! It's the damn Celebrate You thing!)
Lunch: Joe's Breakfast Special with a dollop of sour cream, 3 chocolate covered cherries
Dinner:Cabbage sauteed with bacon, butter and onions, pork spare ribs.
Snack: 2 cups of homemade stock

I love homemade stock! When I want a little something, but am not really hungry, it really hits the spot. Great way to start and end the day. I made the spare ribs in the crockpot last night, and well, they turned out ok, but a little dry. I used a recipe that was meant to be used for chicken, but well, I decided to use ribs instead because that is what I had on hand. Let's just say that it won't be one I will be making again, but may actually try with the chicken. It is supposed to be a marinade of lemon juice, orange juice (both fresh), soy, dry mustard, olive oil and honey. I decided to just throw everything in the crockpot and let it go. I learned that honey will burn in a crockpot. Lesson learned!

2009-02-23T08:44:00.000-08:00

Morning: I started the morning off with a delicious cup of homemade chicken stock. Grass fed beef jerky, a large strawberry, some grapes, and a slice of mango.
Lunch: We celebrated Fat Tuesday early today and it was a fundraiser, so of course, I participated. I had Jambayla, 1/2 a corn muffin and a small slice of King Cake. Mardi Gras only comes around once a year so I'm not going to beat myself up over it...... Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!
Snack: Banana, apple, couple strips grass fed beef jerky
Dinner: Another cup of homemade stock, small bowl of Mac N Cheese, Joe's Breakfast Special, 2 Vodka & Diet, Bakery Cream Puff

Joe's Breakfast Special is something I had a few months back while in Hawaii, and it is yummy! It's a super easy one skillet meal that you will make over and over. In a large skillet or Dutch over, sautee one diced onion, and 8 oz sliced mushrooms in butter. When soft, add in 1 pound ground beef (I used grass fed which is super lean). Cook until almost browned, adding butter (or stock) as needed, seasoning with spices of your choice. Then add 16 oz (give or take) of chopped, frozen spinach. Sautee everything over high heat until most of the moisture is gone. Serve with a dollop of sour cream. In the restaurant version, they make it with scrambled eggs and shredded parmesan. Your choice if you want to add these or not. You can also use fresh spinach, and of course, you can adjust amounts to your liking. This is the kind of cooking I like, stuff you can't screw up! One pot meals are great, and this makes a ton so I will be eating it for several days. Diced avocado on top is also a great addition.

I know, not a great Primal day. But a little primal is better than none at all! I have a friend staying with me for a couple days while she recovers from surgery so the Mac & Cheese and Cream Puff were directly related to her cravings. I know, I could have said no, but I was caught at a weak moment......lame excuse, I admit. In addition to cooking Joe's Breakfast, I also threw some pork spare ribs in the crock pot, made "Scotch Eggs," and put some steaks in to marinade for Tuesday night. No excuse to eat the crap now, as everything I need is right in the fridge!

The idea of "Scotch Eggs" came from Elizabeth over at Caveman Food (www.cavemanfood.blogspot.com). Simply take peeled hardboiled eggs and wrap them with ground pork sausage, be sure the sausage completely encases the egg. Then cook in the over at 350-degrees until nicely browned. Mine came out a little dry but nothing that some added mayo or mashed avocado won't take care of! Quick, easy and portable.......always nice to have on hand!

Making (& Taking) Stock

2009-02-23T08:25:00.000-08:00

This weekend I made my first batch of homemade chicken stock and it was WONDERFUL!! For some reason, I had a "fear" of making my own stock, as if I would screw it up or something! Guess what? You can't really screw it up! Who knew?!?! LOL I roasted a chicken Saturday night, and then just threw the bones in the crockpot (have I told you how much I love my crockpot!) along with some carrots and onions that were hanging out in the fridge. Poured in water to cover, seasoned with some herbs that I had on hand, set it on high and let it go the rest of the night. Viola! Rich, delicious stock was waiting for me in the morning! I strained out the bones, but left the veggies in (I know some recipes say to take them out, but I think it's a personal choice). Now I am hooked on homemade stock, and can't wait to make other varieties. I plan on making pork spare ribs later this week, and I am going to try making stock with those bones. I've never heard of pork stock, but why not? I'll keep you posted on the results. Another note on the roasted chicken, since I did it in the oven in a roasting pan, not all of the skin browned up as crispy as I would have liked. So I peeled it off after I removed from the oven, laid it flat on a cooking stone, and stuck it under the broiler for a bit. Crisped right up! There was nothing from this bird that was wasted. That is what I call Living Primal!!

I want to give a shout out to Mark over at www.marksdailyapple.com for the recent mention in his blog. Thank you Mark! You are a true inspiration! I know I have been slack lately about posting but I promise to start blogging alot more. I started this blog to hold me accountable so I promise you, I am back on track. School sidetracked me for a couple weeks (did I mention I am also a grad student?) but my health is too important to let anything deter me from getting the results I want. The sun is finally starting to come back to the great Northwest so I will finally be able to get out and enjoy some nice long walks with the BF and the pup. An interesting note on the BF, he's not fully on the Primal wagon, but he doesn't complain when I cook that way either. Saturday night I set out the roasted chicken along with a bowl of raw baby carrots and some dip for dinner and he dug right in without complaining one bit. It will be interesting as time goes on if I can get him to go more primal.

Who loves their Crockpot?

2009-02-10T13:27:00.000-08:00

Man, I LOVE my crockpot!!! If you don't have one, run, don't walk, out to get one! I swear I use mine at least once a week! I admit, it took me a while to actually use it correctly -- I know, that sounds weird, but the first couple times I used it, I took the meat out too early, causing it to be tough, and well, just not very good. I was having a hard time seeing what people were raving about. But once I gave into it and left the meat in there for the entire 8-10 hours, I was in meat heaven!!!! I absolutely love cooking whole chickens, roasts, ribs, you name it, it goes in the crockpot!

So last night I used it to make my breakfast this morning. I found a recipe that isn't primal, but overall, it's not too bad. It has layers of frozen hashbrowns, grass fed pork sausage, eggs, cheese, leeks and half and half. Let me tell you, waking up this morning to that smell was all the motivation I needed to get out of bed! I am going to attempt to make this more primal by adding more veggies, maybe some mushrooms and spinach, and double the meat. And I think shredded turnips would be a good sub for the potatoes. Once I get a great primal version of it, I'll post the recipe.

Morning: Crock pot breakfast casserole
Snack: Organic apple
Lunch: Grass fed London broil, with butter sauteed onions and organic mushrooms. Pork rinds with Atkins Sour Cream Clam Dip.
Snack: Grass fed beef Summer Sausage
Dinner: Pork rinds with Atkins Sour Cream Clam Dip, Crock Pot breakfast casserole, Half Cobb Salad
Snack: 20 oz Sugar Free Mocha

As you can see, I haven't given up my dairy yet. Maybe one day, but for now, it's easier for me to keep it in, except regular milk. I have noticed that when I have milk, my stomach has severe reactions. I am fine with sour cream, cheese and the like. But man, I had the mocha tonight at a meeting and wow........was I in agony! I love milk, though I have cut my intake significantly over the past couple months. I do seem to do ok on Raw Milk, but it is hard to come by in the area, and when I can find it, it is expensive! Guess I will have to suck it up and spend the money for the occasional milk consumption. Overall not a great Primal day, but not exactly horrible either.

I'm a slacker!

2009-02-07T10:10:00.000-08:00

I admit, I have been slacking. I have been off track so I haven't been posting. Well, I had a chat with myself and determined that this is just not acceptable. I started this blog so I could give myself accountability. I don't have to be perfect to post, I am human after all. I think if I put it all out there, it will motivate me to do better. So here is my food from yesterday:

Lunch: 2 hard boiled eggs, grass fed summer sausage and 1/2 an avocado, mixed all together like egg salad. Sounds weird, but it is actually good, I've had it for lunch two days in a row.
Snack: organic apple, organic pear
Dinner: Grass fed London Broil with organic mushrooms and onions sauteed in butter, mashed califlower with leeks and diced ham. 2 glasses red wine.
Snack: Dreyer's ice cream, 1 slice Dave's Killer bread with butter and honey.

I made London Broil last night for the first time and it was soooooo good! I can't believe how easy it is to make, and it was an inexpensive cut of meat. The ranch where I get my grass-fed meat has raised prices (who hasn't?!) so I need to explore how to prepare some of the less expensive cuts. This is definitely one I will add to my monthly order. I've also started getting deliveries from a local, organic produce company. Every other Friday I come home and there is a box of produce waiting for me. This is really helping me expand my veggie intake. This week I will be trying rhutabuga and jersulum artichokes. I'll let you know how that goes!

I admit that my snacking options were not the best, but it could have been so much worse! I could have eaten the entire container of ice cream, but instead I scooped out a small bowl and enjoyed every bite of the Girl Scout Thin Mint concoction! I am justifying it by saying they only have this flavor once a year! LOL I am going to need some serious willpower when the Girl Scout cookies are delivered at the end of the month! I know what some of you are thinking, why are you eating that crap if you are going primal? Well, remember that Mark tells us that we can indulge every once in a while, as long as we control it and make reasonable choices. A reasonable choice will be a few cookies, instead of the whole box!

Day One

2009-01-22T21:42:00.000-08:00

It's the end of day one, and so far, I am feeling good about the choices I made today. While not totally primal, due to poor planning on my part, it was overall much lower in carbs that I would normally have. My food today was:

Morning: 1 oz Roasted Almonds
Atkins Advantage bar --- I know, it's not primal, but it was better than grabbing a snickers!!
Lunch: Flat out Wrap with mayo and turkey pastrami
Dinner: 2 eggs, scrambled, with 3 sausage links, and 2 Tbsp Sour Cream
2 glasses wine
Snack: Tea with 2 tbsp raw honey and lemon juice -- obviously I was craving something sweet! Good thing the worse thing I had in the house was raw honey!

I got my meat delivery today (grass-fed, pastured) so I am now fully stocked and will be able to better plan the rest of the week. My freezer is filled with incredible looking steaks, ribs, bacon, ham, pork steaks, and even some cuts I've never tried before.....like lamb riblets, leaf lard, and london broil (I've had london broil, but have never cooked it myself before!). I am excited to try some new recipes and expand my palette.

Tomorrow I will receive my first shipment of local, organic produce from a new delivery service that I am trying, Terra Organics. The "box" that I will be receiving only has fruits and vegetables grown here in the Northwest. While I generally try to go Organic, if I can find Local AND Organic, I am in heaven! I think this service will help me expand my options in my cooking. For instance, this week, the box contains kale and parsnips. I've never had either of these. I've found some simple, primal friendly recipes that I am really looking forward to making this weekend. If everything goes well, I'll post the recipes.

Ready for the Journey

2009-01-22T14:36:00.000-08:00

The New Year is upon us, and like most people, lose weight and get in shape top my list of New Year's Resolutions. I feel like I have been on a diet most of my life and personally, I am sick of it! I think the thing that really gets me is that I know what I need to do. I know what foods my body responds best to. The question is "if I know this, why do I stray from it?"

Well, the time has come to end all that. I decided why not throw caution to the wind and turn to the internet for accountability and support? So here it is, my attempt to get back to eating real food, the food that my body responds best to. Real food is meat, seafood, veggies, fruits, nuts, and yes, fats. My poisons are sugar and carbs. Really, it's true. I know when I eat sugar or carbs, I will feel horrible within an hour, and continue to feel like crap the rest of the day, which of course gets me in that mindset of "of well, I've already blown it." (I know so many of you can relate to that!)

When I say Living Primal, I am referring to the Primal Blueprint that you can find over at Mark Sisson's blog (www.marksdailyapple.com). The man is living proof that real food is the only way to feed the body! Check it out for wonderful information about how we should all be living!

So what is my plan? Eat (and play!) according to the Primal Blueprint, which includes occassional vices, which in plain english, means every once in a while, I can still indulge in wine and chocolate -- two of my favorite vices!!! And to hold myself accountable, I will post out here in cyberspace for all to see, what I am eating on a daily basis. Now, this blog is not just about what I am eating. It is about making positive changes in all areas of my life, even if I don't know what all those changes are just yet.

I am finally ready to embrace the primal lifestyle. I have cleaned out my kitchen and stocked up on the good stuff. I am also getting into the mindset that this is not a diet, but a life long lifestyle. There are a lot of Primal steps that I already have in place. For instance, when I cook at home, I use only grass-fed meat from a local ranch. (If you are in Washington State and need a source for pastured beef, chicken, lamb and pork, check out www.thunderinghooves.net. They are amazing!!!) I also attempt to buy as much local produce as possible. I've even joined a home delivery service that delivers only grown in the Northwest (local) produce.

The picture in my profile was taken December 17 at Hanuma Bay in Hawaii. Notice the long sleeves? Yeah, kinda tired of that! A new position at work will "require" three to four trips a year to Hawaii (rough, I know, but somebody has to do it!) and in the next picture, on the next trip, I want to be wearing something a little more fashionable, maybe even showing a little skin (ok, maybe just a little arm!). My dream is to have arms like Angela Basset in "How Stella Got Her Groove Back." I have been saying for years that I want arms like hers!

So there's my story, thanks for joining me in the journey!