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