Day 53/54

Here's a recipe that Kelly was telling me about at the gym the other day. It's for lemon blueberry muffins. The blueberries could also be substituted with any other fruit, such as cherries, apricots, apples, or pears. I will be trying these muffins as soon as I get to the store to get some blueberries. (not like I wasn't there twice this weekend) I tried out a coconut milk ice cream, and it didn't turn out tasting like I would have liked. I will have to try again and let you guys know how it turns out.

Airy Almond Blueberry Muffins

Day 52

Day 52

I wanted to post this article as the end of the 60 day challenge has come closer. This article is from Robb Wolf and talks about how to continue being Paleo without the guidance and rules of the challenge. Not on purpose, but usually Little Dana and I go into fat kid mode and start dreaming of everything that we want to eat on day 31 or day 61, or whatever. We usually narrow it down to just one ice cream or a slice of pizza and allow ourselves to have it at the end of the challenge. Most of the time, I will eat the cheat and realize that it wasn't even good, there have even been times when I got to the planned cheat day and didn't even want to cheat. The goal for everyone is not to go crazy on Day 61. All that hard work for 60 days was not for nothing. If you go crazy with the carbs and sugars following the end of the challenge, then you are going to start back at one with those nasty sugar cravings and carb flu. Finding a balance that works in your everyday life is the key. For instance, adding creamer back into your coffee, or ketchup with your burger is not going to kill you.

Life After Day 30

Day 51

Day 51
Just a clarification. If you eat two separate foods from the same category, this does count as a loss of two separate points. ;)  Yes, I am a calling you out Matthew Baran.

Which of these benefits, or any other have you experienced towards the end of this 60 day challenge?

Day 48

Today is Day 48, that means only 12 more days for those of you who have managed to hang on. (or for those of us who have just made a $20 donation these past two months). Sorry I haven't had a post in a while, I've been busy with the end of school and some cakes. (not eating them though, but maybe a little). Yesterday at the store I bought coconut milk to try and figure out a Paleo ice cream recipe, so I'll let you know how that goes in the next few days.

Just a short announcement. I'm going to the Ronald McDonald House next weekend, Sunday June 17th. I'm going to cook dinner and do some kind of activity. Let me know if any of you have any ideas for an activity or want to come to help make dinner.

Day 43/44

Were getting closer to the end of the 60 days, and hopefully you all are starting to embrace this new lifestyle. Here's an article I found that gives responses to just about every stupid and unintelligible question you will ever be asked about eating grain free.

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/top-8-most-common-reactions-to-your-grain-free-diet-and-how-to-respond/#axzz1wZ7ZlUDv

Day 42

Day 42

Day 41

Happy Memorial Day everyone!
Sorry it's been a few days since the last post, but Dana did great in Boston. So you can just comment your updated total onto today's post.

Champagne is only Paleo when you're a champion.

Day 34/35

Monday and Tuesday

In terms of protein, grass-fed meat is the way to go. The only downsides are the price and the flavor is a little bit different. ( a little more gamey) Whole Foods and Trader Joe's both sell grass-fed beef and Tom orders his meat in bulk through US Wellness Meats. So a package comes in the mail, Tom comes home and sees it on the porch and you would think it was Christmas. Every once in a while Tom will give me a weird cut of meat or something I've never heard of an idea. The past few days he's been asking me to use his beef shin-meat and make a stew. He found this recipe online and it turned out pretty well so I decided to post it on here for all of you.

Melt In Your Mouth Shin Beef Stew

I made a few changes to the recipe. First, I didn't have any cinnamon sticks so I added in a few tablespoons of ground cinnamon And for the Chianti wine, I used what we had on hand, a Cabernet Sauvignon. Feel free to use what ever red wine you have a preference for. Tom also had some beef cubes that needed to be used so we added them in as well. when you make this stew, you can use whatever meat you want (not exactly sure how readily available shin-meat is).

Day 33

Day 31/32

Post your points for Day 31 and Day 32.
Thanks for everyone who came out and joined us at the run this morning. Hope everyone had a good time!

Day Thirty

Day 30...the official half way point!

Day 29

Day 29
First let's take the time to recognize today as national chocolate chip day. (yes, I did partake in this holiday. It only happens once a year and I urge everyone to partake in this holiday.) Everyone is allowed one (yes, just one) chocolate chip today without losing a point. (and yes I just made that rule up, the trick is stopping at just one)

I am going to try and post more crock pot recipes. Many of you find it helpful to pre plan and the crock pot can become your new best friend. You can put just about anything in there. A pot roast, a chicken, chicken breasts on the bone, or any other huge slab of meat that you have no clue what part of the animal it came from, or even what animal it is actually from. Add some seasonings, or even chopped carrots and onions and let it cook low and slow all day. Set up your dinner in the crock pot before you go to work and when you get home from the gym at night, it should be set to go. Today's recipe is for pulled pork. (and yes it still tastes good without the bun)


Pulled Pork Rub

• 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cayenne
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine the seasonings in a bowl. Place your meat in the crock pot. for pulled pork, we use the pork butt shoulder. (the label in the grocery store will usually say picnic cut) Place the cut of meat in the crock pot and coat it in the rub. Add about a cup of water to the pan and turn it on low. It will take about 6-8 hours to cook. You know it will be done when you can take a fork and shred the meat off the bone.

Day 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

Hey guys! Sorry for the delay in posts. This weekend we were working and barely home (hope everyone likes the new paint) and our Internet just came back on today. (Woo, we love Comcast)
So everyone can just catch up and record their points for today and their total. I made pulled pork for dinner tonight, so I'll post that recipe up for tomorrow.

Just a note, the past few days I've put up some brownies and cookies for sale. (just to show some support for Big Dana, even though she'll probably kill us for doing this,and to defer some of the costs). If anyone else once to add anything (if you have a recipe you like, but don't like to make cause you know you'll eat them all), you are more than free to add them to the basket.

Day twenty three..hug a freakin tree

Day 23

Day Twenty-Two

Post Your Points for Today!

Day 21

Day Twenty-One
For most of us the sugar cravings should have started to subside by now and our taste buds have started to recognize what real food taste like, when its unmasked by refined sugars and carbs. After lunch today I would have been perfectly content with just a peach, but this recipe has been on my mind for a while and I really wanted to make it. The recipe is from the cookbook, Paleo Comfort Foods, by Julie and Charles Mayfield. This is one of my favorite Paleo cookbooks. It has a lot of everyday food items and also some different things that would be fun to try. (Tom has been on a kick of trying to get me to make liver meatballs...don't think that'll happen) So here's the recipe for Paleo apple crisp, a good dessert to make for a Sunday dinner.

Apple Crisp

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 cup Steve's Paleo Krunch (ground)
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/3 coconut oil or butter, softened
• 2 Tablespoons honey, optional (not allowed for the challenge, and honestly, I don't think it needs it)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 5-7 granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• juice of 1 lemon

Combine the almond flour, Paleo Krunch, and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon in a bowl. Combine the vanilla and coconut oil and add it to the first mixture. Lay the apples on the bottom of a pie dish or a shallow glass baking dish. Squeeze the lemon and the leftover cinnamon onto the apples. Then pour the crisp mixture over the apples. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes.

Just a few notes about the recipe. I added some chopped walnuts, and unsweetened coconut into the Paleo Krunch mixture. Tom sells the cereal at the gym, but if you don't have any cereal on hand you can use a mixture of chopped walnuts and pecan. (it won't save any children, but it will still taste okay) I actually have a recipe for Paleo Crunch that is not allowed during the challenge, but is really good. I also used a mixture of peaches and apples in the crisp. (I kept the skins on the fruit, also) You could also use blueberries or pears, whatever you have.

Day Twenty

 Day Twenty..one third of the way there (that's it?)
Today's recipe is for tacos. I posted a recipe for a quick taco seasoning. Making your own seasoning is not that difficult and does not have all the excess salt or preservatives that the packaged seasoning mix has. The recipe is quite a few ingredients, but you can make a batch of the seasoning and store it in an airtight container and have for later use.

Tacos

Taco Seasoning

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Brown the ground meat in a skillet. (I used ground turkey, which we had at the house, but ground beef also works well)

Once the meat is browned, add in about a 1/4 cup of water per pound of meat and sprinkle in about 2 tablespoons of your seasoning per pound of meat. Serve the meat over a salad or in lettuce. A good lettuce to use is Boston Bib, it keeps its shape and allows you to pick up the taco without it tearing

Serve with some guacamole, mashed avocado, jalapenos, fresh tomatoes, salsa, or anything else you desire. (just wish there was a little bit of shredded cheese) After the challenge is over, a sprinkle of cheese here or there is okay. Dairy is up in the air. Some Primal people incorporate it into their diet and others don't. Honestly, with the exception of ice cream, I haven't missed dairy at all really.

Day Nineteen

The point total so far should total 114 after the end of today. Just making sure people are keeping track of their totals as well as their points for each day. Wanted to start posting a few summer recipes..aka more grilling. Today's recipe is just for a simple buffalo chicken wing. I made them on the grill, but they can also be broiled in the oven.

Buffalo Chicken Wings

• chicken wingettes (2 pacakges)
• 1/2 cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce
• 1/3 cup of butter (melted)

Place the wingettes on the grill The grill should be set to ow heat. (I know it will feel like they are taking forever, but trust me it will be worth it)

 While the wings are cooking melt the butter over the stove or in the microwave and add in the hot sauce. The hot sauce can be found at Shop-Rite, Wegman's, or in a bigger container at BJ's. Pour the sauce over the wings and and toss them.

And it's that easy.

Caution, Amateur Hour: Female grilling, hope you like your wings crispy. (I'm just thankful I still have eyebrows.)
If you are not a buffalo sauce fan, you can still make these wings with a barbecue sauce (just be sure to make your own, I've attached a link) or season your wings before you grill them with fresh herbs and spices.

Condiment's
Honestly I don't ever make my own barbecue sauce or ketchup. The shelf life is a pain in the butt and I don't really think it's worth it to make. After these first couple of weeks you probably realize that you don't miss any of the sauces. Instead, buy good meat and cook it well and you should be well off. I'd rather heap some guacamole on my chicken then smother it in barbecue sauce. But the recipes are here, give them a try even once if you're up for it. 

Day Eighteen

Happy Cinco De Mayo everyone! (I'm sure points were lost today..pretty sure I witnessed at least 15 points being lost today, no problem just get back on it tomorrow)

In honor of the holiday, I chose the recipe that Ginger brought to the potluck, Shrimp Grok-amole Salad.

Shrimp Grok-amole
..here it is (only hers looked a lot better)

Day Seventeen

We're past the first two weeks, and was just curious as to how everyone is adjusting. Hopefully, your choices are getting easier and the carb flu is subsiding. What are some changes people are experiencing. Hopfully, you feel like you are making it through your workouts better, or that you just have more energy in general. (if not stop fudging your points)

...and with this nothing else needs to be said.

Day Sixteen

For some people the key to not falling off the wagon is sticking to a routine. For some people eating the same thing day after day works for them. But for many people, variety keeps them interested. We all know that eggs and bacon is a solid breakfast, but it can get redundant after a while. ( I mean there are only about 50 different ways to cook an egg) Try not to just categorize certain foods to certain times of the day. Don't be afraid to eat last night's chicken breast and roasted vegetables fr breakfast. Just don't be waking up and eating that pepperoni pizza from last night to start your day. Who decided that certain foods can only be eaten at certain meals. If you are looking for some other ideas for breakfast and feel that you are missing something by being voided of your breakfast delicacies (or garbage) of cereal and pancakes, then today's recipe may help.


Coconut Pancakes

• 3 eggs
• 3 Tablespoons melted butter or coconut oil
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup of water

Mix together the egg, oil, coconut milk and vanilla. In a separate bowl combine the salt, coconut flour, and baking powder. Add the wet to dry and mix well. The batter will be very think, add in the water to thin it out. In a well buttered or oiled (coconut oil) pan, cook the pancakes until browned on both sides. It is easier to cook smaller pancakes, about 3 inches or so, as the pancakes do take longer to cook than traditional pancakes and if they are too big they may fall apart. Cook them on medium to low heat so that the centers cook all the way through. 

I like to add a few decent shakes of ground cinnamon to the batter and even top the pancakes with some more cinnamon. (just make sure it is cinnamon and not cinnamon sugar) Also you can add in bananas or some mixed berries to the batter. Nuts, flaked coconut, or some 72% chocolate bits are also good. We have also used this batter in the waffle iron and it comes out great!

These pancakes have no processed flours or sugars, but still watch your intake of them, especially if you are trying to cut weight. They are still a good substitute for morning breakfasts or a snack after a workout, so dig in!

Also, just a side note, the heart walk is in two weeks, May 19th. A friend created a t-shirt for the walk, so if you want one they are $15, so just give me your size. Thanks everyone.

Day Fifteen

Post your points for today! I have a coconut milk ice cream recipe that I'm hoping to try out tomorrow. Will let you know how it goes. Thanks for everyone's input on yesterdays post. Also, if anyone has a favorite meal or item that they have been missing, post it in the comments and we'll try and figure out a way to make it attainable.

Day Fourteen

Eating Out
It is possible to follow the Paleo diet while still eating out. There are just a few guidelines that are easy to follow.

• Don't be afraid to ask
• Don't be afraid to ask how something is cooked. This is the lifestyle you have chosen and your health that is on the line. So in comparison, it is not a big deal to ask if that chicken on the salad is breaded. (It is okay to ask questions, but no need to turn into the Paleo police. You can't control what happens back in the kitchen. Chances are your meat is being cooked in some kind of vegetable oil or oil blend. You just have to realize that you are making the best out of the situation. A steak, carrots, and broccoli that is cooked with vegetable oil is still a lot better than a bowl of fettuccine Alfredo.)

• Make Substitutions
• If a entree comes with a side of rice and corn, don't be afraid to ask them to substitute the rice and corn with broccoli and roasted vegetables. Or order your burger without the bun and cheese from the beginning. Don't create temptations.

• Don't make it harder on yourself. 
• Tell the waiter at the beginning of the meal, not to bring out the chips and salsa or bread basket. Order your fajitas without the shells, and don't even have them bring the shells to the table.  

• Be careful of sauces and salad dressings
• Most dressings are made with bad fats and sugars. Your best bet is to order balsamic vinegar and olive oil on the side. Also beware of any sauces on your meat or vegetables, many probably contain vegetable oils, creams, or sugars. 

• ENjoy YOurself 
• Most of the time we go out to eat to realx or to celebrate somehting.  Don't make a stressful situation out of somehting good. Remeber the 80/20 principle. As long as you eat well 80% of the time, when you go out to eat will probably be consdered the 20%.
•  

There are many places around here to eat out at and easy to stay Paleo while eating there. Here's just some of our favorites.

• Elevation Burger
• The ground beef is grass fed and you have the option to order your hamburger is a lettuce wrap (actually saw two fellow cfmtl'ers here on Monday afternoon)

• Diners
• It's easy to order an omellte with som vegetables and some bacon at nearly any diner. We like to go to Sage Diner (right down the street from the gym) 

• Seasons 52 
• They base their menu off of what is in season. A lot of fresh vegetables and meats. 

• Chipotle 
• If you're looking for a quick bite to eat that isn't too bad, any of the Mexican fast food restaurants (Qdoba, Chipotle, or Panchero's) are decent options. You can order burrito bowls which have everything that is in a burrito, but without the tortilla. Just be sure to order without rice or beans. Instead ask for extra meat and get a side of some guacamole.  

When you post your points today, give your fellow members some tips. Where have you found to be a good option for eating out. Or how do you manage to stay on track when eating out at a not so Paleo friendly restaurant.

 Just one more reason the Phillies are better than the Mets,

CBP has turkey legs

Day Thirteen..time to get lean

Meatballs and sauce to go with your spaghetti squash!

Spaghetti and meatballs have been a staple in our house for as long as I can remember. There was also some kind of pasta dish at least three times a week. Spaghetti, rigatoni, lasagna, you name it. And surprisingly leading the charge was my Irish mother. What else was easier and cheaper to feed a family of six. My mom grew up in a large family and survived off of white bread and tuna noodle casseroles, so where she learned to cook, we're still trying to figure that one out. Over the years, my mom became one of the best cooks (just some brownie points) in my opinion (or at least the best an Irish girl could become). I think the day my mom started cooking Paleo, Tommy thought he died and went to heaven. Today's recipe is my mom's sauce (or gravy) and meatballs.

Meatballs
This recipe is made for one pound of ground meat, so tailor it to how much meat you have. For instance, I had 6 pounds of meet so I multiplied the whole recipe by 6. (6 pounds, which should last the boys here about 3 days, if were lucky) We usually use ground beef. An 80%-20% blend seems to work well. Any leaner and your meatballs will be dry. Also, try out using a mixture of meats, such as ground turkey, pork, or veal. These meatballs also freeze well. Either freeze them in a Ziploc bag or mix them with the sauce and freeze the sauce and the meatballs together.

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1 clove garlic-minced
• 1 small onion or 2 Tbsp.. onion powder
• salt and pepper
• 2 Tbsp. dried parsley
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (makes them a lot better, but omit during the challenge)
• 1/4 almond meal (in our former lives be did use breadcrumbs)

Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl. (the only really way to do this is with your hands, the spoon is just for show)

 Next spoon the dough onto a sheet pan in about 3 Tbsp. pieces. (I use my cookie dough scoop). Roll the dough between your hands to make a ball.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 15 minutes.  I usually split one open just to be sure it's cooked all the way through. (but then of course I have to eat it)

When the meatballs come out of the oven, drain some of the fat off of the sides. If you are not a fan of the fat puddle around the meatball, you can cook these over a cooling rack on a sheet tray. I then pick up the meatballs and slide them right into the pot of sauce.


Sauce
I tried and put this recipe together, although this one like most of my recipes haven't really ever been written down.

• 3 cans tomato sauce (look for one that is just tomatoes, no sugar) ( I know Tuttorosso has one and so does Wegman's)
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 2 green bell peppers
• 1 red bell pepper
• 2 onions
• 4 or 8 cloves of garlic (probably closer to 8)
• 1/4 cup of dried parsley (fresh works as well, just add a little more)
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp. of cayenne pepper
• salt and pepper 

Basil works well in the sauce as well and usually I like to add some copped fresh tomatoes and a jalapeno pepper or two.

First sweat the peppers, onions, garlic and bay leaves in the bottom of your pot with some olive oil. (when you sweat you want to turn the vegetables translucent, but not add any color or carmelization. To do this keep your temperature medium-low)

 When your vegetables are soft and translucent pour in your cans of tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes. I usually let this cook down for about an hour or so at a low simmer.

 Finished tomato sauce with the meatballs.

Just be sure to take out the bay leaves before you dig into the sauce. The sauce freezes well and also is good over top of chicken or vegetables. With how simple and easy it is to make, you have no excuse to ever eat that jarred shit again. Just make sure you make yesterday's spaghetti squash recipe first so that you resist the urge to crack open a box of spaghetti. 

Day Twelve

Hopefully some of you are doing some pre-planning for the week today. So, I wanted to give you guys this recipe for spaghetti squash. Spaghetti squash can be found at any grocery store (but they can get a little pricey when they're not on sale), but Produce Junction usually has them for a pretty good deal. The texture of spaghetti squash is pretty different than regular spaghetti, but when you pour tomato sauce over it, you may actually fool yourself and get that satisfaction.

Spaghetti Squash

First cut the squash in half lengthwise (hotdog style, not hamburger) The raw squash is usually pretty hard, so I usually put a knife through it and slam it against the cutting board (not even joking).

 (not such an even cut, but the knife got reckless)

Next take a spoon and scoop out the seeds and flesh in the middle of each half. (similar to gutting a pumpkin)

Then, place the two halves cut side down in a baking dish. Fill the dish with about an inch or two of water.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes or until the flesh becomes soft.

When the squash is still warm,, but cool enough to handle, take a fork and scrape it against the flesh and the squash should flake off into "spaghetti-like" strands.

Feel free to top your spaghetti squash with tomato sauce (just make sure to check that there is not sugar in the sauce that you are using) I'll put up our tomato sauce recipe in the next few days. If you're looking to make a meal of this or add some extra protein add a few meatballs or add some ground meat t your sauce. Or try a pesto sauce, with some basil and pine nuts. If you're looking for a quick fix, heat up your squash in a saute pan with some olive oil, garlic, and some fresh herbs, basil or parsley.

Day Eleven

When eating Paleo, salads are a quick and easy option to take to work or school for lunch. When you make your salads try not to get tunnel vision and stick with the basic lettuce mixture. Try a combination of romaine lettuce, cabbage, and baby spinach leaves. In terms of vegetables, go WILD! Add in anything you want, tomatoes, carrots, peppers, squash, radishes, celery. Then pack your salad full of protein, with some chicken, leftover steak (wait, what's a leftover),salmon, tuna, hard-boiled eggs, and of course it's not a meal if there isn't bacon. In our house we usually dress our salads with a drizzle of olive oil and some balsamic vinegar.

A good ratio for a basic vinaigrette dressing is 1/4 cup vinegar to 3/4 cup oil. Combine your vinegar with spices if you desire (salt, pepper), and then slowly drizzle in the oil while mixing. If you have the right 1:3 ratio, then your dressing will emulsify and you should be able to keep it in a Tupperware container or a mason jar works as well. Feel free to add minced vegetables, such as onions, or Dijon mustard to your vinaigrette.

Here are some suggestions for different oil and vinegar combinations that I've tried out.
Raspberry Wine Vinegar and Walnut Oil
Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil
Apple Cider Vinegar and Olive Oil

olive oil, walnut oil, avocado oil, almond oil are all good. Just be sure to steer clear of vegetable oil, canola oil, or any olive oil/canola oil blends.

Here's an article on some Paleo salad dressings, some more complicated than others
Mark's Daily Apple: DIY Salad Dressings

Day Ten

Sorry for the late post. I was out all day and didn't get home until later. Come to think of it, after yesterday I am probably not even qualified to write this post. haha Just a quick run-down. I woke-up yesterday and worked out before class. A few minutes into it my back tightened up and it suddenly became a game to just get through the 12 minutes. I was doing good with food choices, until I went out with a few friends. I ate fajitas without the shells, but felt the need to eat a french fry. I was just trying to be normal (although I should give up hope that that will never happen) and the worst part was it didn't even taste good. (I blame the bacon on top of the fry for causing this lapse). Next I had ice cream and mousse class. I didn't expect to come out unscathed, and I didn't. Overall, it was a successful day.

My goal in writing this is to hopefully show that mishaps will happen. Sometimes you have a hectic or crazy day or week and your nutrition and lifestyle slip to the back of your mind. It's easy to eat well, work out, and take care of your body, when you have nothing else going on. In reality, if you are having a rough day, you will feel better by taking care of yourself, not sleeping in and missing your work out or eating a whole package of double stuff Oreos. Changing our lifestyles isn't just about toning our bodies or losing weight, it has a lot to do with changing how we feel and our perspective.

Here's Steve's recipe from the potluck that everyone was asking about.

Chorizo Mini Meatloaves with Chipotle, Tomato Relish

Yield: ~18 mini loaves                           

For the Meatloaves

·         1 lb fresh chorizo, casing removed

• 1 lb ground beef from grass-fed cows
• 2 T adobo sauce (from a can of chipotles in adobo, read the labels, some contain gluten)
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 c almond flour
• 1 large onion, diced
• 5 cloves garlic, finely diced
• Tallow

For the Sauce

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1 chipotle in adobo sauce (1 pepper, not 1 can)
• 2 T olive oil
• handful cilantro, chopped
• salt
• lime
• avocado

Preheat your oven to 350F. Saute the onion and garlic in tallow, until translucent. Place 1/2 the onion/garlic mixture in a large mixing bowl and the other half in the smallest bowl of your food processor.

In that same large mixing bowl that you just added the onion and garlic to, add and mix together the chorizo, ground beef, eggs, adobo sauce and almond flour. Your hands will do the best job of incorporating the mixture, so don’t even bother trying with a utensil. Get out 2 normal sized muffin tins. Dollop the meatloaf mixture into the muffin tins, filling them up about 3/4 of the way. If you fill them to the brim, the rendered fat will spill over and make a terrible mess in your oven. Place the tins in the oven and bake until you see rendered fat in each muffin tin, along with a slightly browned, crusty bottom on each loaf, about 25 minutes.

While the meatloaves are baking…To the saute pan, add the tomatoes. Let them cook until the skin starts to blister and blacken and you see them pop open. Add the tomatoes, along with the chipotle pepper, olive oil and some salt to the food processor (Where the onions and garlic have been patiently waiting for you.) and pulse until a nice saucy consistency forms. If the sauce is too wet for your liking, you can pour the contents into the saute pan and let it simmer down until some of the liquid has evaporated. Stir in the cilantro.

Garnish the meatloaves with a spoonful of relish, sliced avocado, a pinch of salt and a squeeze of fresh lime.

Post your points for friday on this post and I will put another post up for today, later on.

Day nine..feelin fine

Hope everyone's having a good day. Here's a pretty good recipe.

Baby Carrots..Num.

 Open up bag. Insert carrots into your mouth and enjoy.

*I know i suck..expect some videos and quality posts this weekend.

Day Eight..don't hate

Congratulations! Everyone has made it through the first week (some a little better than others). Over the next week or two, thing should become more normal. One of the biggest changes will probably be present in your tastebuds. The next time you think that you actually want that Hersehy bar and you eat it, it will most likely be too sweet. By eating clean, your body begins to appreciate how good, good food tastes. A nice piece of steak some grilled vegetables will be satisfying, without those four Oreos afterwards.

Many people who first ask about eating Paleo, always ask, "Well what can I eat then?". When they here the response that they can eat basically any meat or vegetable they want, there first thought is usually that this lifestyle is limiting. For those of use who have been experimenting with all these recipes, we know that the choices are endless. Often, we get stuck in a rut eating the same grilled chicken and steamed broccoli, when we could be having so much more (without too much additional work). Here's a simple recipe that I made for the potluck that adds some variety to your diet.

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

1. Line a baking sheet with asparagus
2. Drizzle oil over the asparagus and sprinkle with salt and pepper
3. Take each asparagus spear and wrapped a piece of prosciutto around it
4. Broil in the oven for about 8-10 minutes or until the prosciutto becomes crispy and the asparagus becomes tender

(I bought 3/4 lb. of prosciutto which covered the whole bunch of asparagus.)

I ran out of prosciutto, so one little naked guy at the bottom. :o

American Heart Walk

I know Tom has posted this on facebook, but I'm just sending out one more reminder. A friend of ours is setting up a team for the American Heart Association Walk in honor of our mom. She plans on getting some t-shirts and planning a hang-out on the beach afterwards so she's asking for a headcount. Everyone at the gym really means a lot to Tom and me. I don't think some of you have realized how much you have all helped us over the last year. It would be really awesome if any of you wanted to come out for the walk on May 19th. Here's all the information. You don't need to make a donation, just add your name to the team list, so we know that you're in. Thanks everyone.

Join us in the American Heart Association Walk/Run in honor of Geri Alfinito!
Saturday May 19,2012 Ocean City NJ

Walk/Run 1.5 ,3 or 5 miles (a distance for everyone)

Please register today on our team "4GERI"
http://heartwalk.kintera.org/southernnjspring/4geri

more information to follow on team shirts and we plan on spending that afternoon on the beach with volleyball,baseball and just some fun in the sun!

bring family and friends .....everyone is welcomed to walk with us in memory of Geri
http://heartwalk.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=487218&team=5027026

Day Seven

Smoothies are a good snack or breakfast substitute, just as long as you monitor the amount of fruit. An easy way to do this is to add vegetables. This recipe is for a kale smoothie, although usually I use baby spinach instead. The fruits are pretty much interchangeable. It is ideal to use berries, as they are lower in sugar. (just be warned that the green of the spinach and blueberries will make an unappetizing color, but still delicious)

Kale Smoothie

• half of a banana
• A few strawberries (about 3)
• half a container of coconut yogurt
• a splash of coconut milk (you can substitute almond milk)
• 5/6 ice cubes
• a handful of kale or spinach greens
• two scoops of protein powder (makes this smoothie a good option for breakfast, by adding the protein)

This recipe is as simple as tossing everything into a blender and blending it until smooth.

The above recipe always makes more than I intend. Just half a banana, the strawberries, and half the yogurt makes enough to feed two people.

So try out your own combinations and let me know how they turn out. Some good ones are almond butter, almond milk, and banana. Mango strawberry, mixed berry, or strawberry banana with a few 72% chocolate chips. Just keep in mind that there are certain fruits that are better for you. So be wise when choosing your fruits in terms of your dietary goals.
Best and Worst Fruits

Some of you have been asking for videos. I just started school up again, so i haven't even had time to brush my hair, but expect some this weekend and I'll also post the recipes from the potluck, so everyone can make Steve's meatloaves.

Day Six..pick-up sticks

A lot of people are always wondering if sweet potatoes are Paleo friendly. They are starches, but probably the best starch you could consume while following the Paleo diet. If you are looking to lose weight, then I would not recommend adding in sweet potatoes in your diet, or limiting them to one every few days. The best time to eat sweet potatoes would be post-workout. I know some of you runners were saying how you needed carbs to run. It's normal to feel tired or fatigued during your workouts, when you first switch over to a low carb diet. (It's exactly what we talked about the other day. Your body needs to adjust to turning protein and fat into glucose instead of sugar) So if you are feeling these effects, try adding in a sweet potato every other day or so.


Sweet Potato Fries
Cut your sweet potatoes into strips, however thick or thin you like them. Wedges will give you a more meaty fry and matchsticks will make a crispier fry. Drizzle the fries with olive oil and a blend of herbs and spices. I like to use salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Fresh herbs also work well and if you're craving something sweet, sprinkle on some cinnamon and nutmeg. Toss the fries so that both sides are coated. Cook in a 450 degree oven for about 30 minutes. At about the 20 minute mark, when the fries start to brown on the bottom, flip the potatoes.

Above: Cut Fries, just add olive oil and seasonings

If you're wondering the difference between sweet potatoes and yams, there really is no difference. In America yams are members of the sweet potato family. Here's an article that will pretty much answer every question you've ever had about sweet potatoes and more.
Mark's Daily Apple: Sweet Potatoes and Yams

I went to the super market after class today. So coming up this week, spaghetti squash, meatballs, tomato sauce, pesto sauce, and salad dressings.

Day Five..feeling alive

Hope everyone had a good time at the potluck. Hopefully it showed some of you that you can still have good food while eating Paleo. We had a lot of great dishes, many of which are very simple. (I will post everyone's recipes up under the recipe tag this week. Some of you said you forgot your recipes at home so you can just e-mail the recipe if you'd like. magalf@comcast.net) Many of you have found pre-planning your key to success, so hopefully you made double of your recipe or got to take some home for the rest of the week.

We've made it through five days and the first full weekend. By listening to every one, I think most of you have started to find a good balance. Many people eat clean during the week and devote one weekend night to having a drink or a few. The goal is to make this lifestyle sustainable even after the 60 days is up, so it is good to find a rhythm and balance early on.

 Good job everyone and see you tomorrow!