Paleo "challenge" check in

To borrow a phrase from McDonalds... I'm lovin' it! ;)

Seriously though, it's been about a week and a day since I've started the Paleo 30 day challenge, and I feel amazing. I know that after these 30 days are up, I may do another 30 or 60, but I can already tell what kind of modifications I'll be making when the "challenge" portion is over. I know I'll re-incorporate high quality dairy in the end--I just don't think I see a long term problem for me personally with adding in organic cheese, russian or greek yogurt, etc. I can also see myself being able to go out for a giant Mexican meal once in awhile and enjoying it sensibly, but for now, my body is thanking me loud and clear for laying off my old habit of beans, beans, beans, cheese, rice, tortillas...followed up with pasta and pasta and pasta. Gross.

Anyway, here's a favorite we made last week that's been good for several days of leftovers for hubby and myself.

Garlic Meatballs in organic Tomato Sauce with Spaghetti Squash:

Check out my little suckers sitting there waiting to stew in the crock pot all day!

I took:

1 pound grass-fed organic beef from Trader Joe's (6.49 a pound!)

3 (okay, maybe a little more, but I don't want to scare people) cloves of crushed garlic

1 1/2 tablespoon Worcester sauce

A few heavy sprinkles of Hungarian Paprika

Kosher Salt & pepper to taste

Juice of maybe half a small lemon...old trick I saw my grandma always use

I balled them up into the small size you see above and lined them up in the crock pot. Then.......

I topped it with a sauce I was simmering--

1 can Trader Joe's tomato marinara sauce (Paleo enough)

1/3 of a white onion (I imagine any kind is ok)

1 clove garlic

A dash, to taste, of red chili flakes

A dash of red wine I happened to have open

A dash of Thyme 

Kosher Salt & Pepper

I simmered for probably 20 minutes just to get all of the flavors mixing in, and then topped the meatballs in the crockpot, while adding another liberal dash of red wine.

Finally... Dinner! And then, lunch and lunch and lunch. My hubby got to add Parmesan cheese to his, but I went all hard core paleo and skipped the dairy:

Isn't it glorious? For the Spaghetti Squash, I just cut it in half, scooped out the seeds and visible fibers, drizzled some olive oil, salt, pepper, and popped it on a baking sheet in the oven. I do it on top of a sheet of aluminum foil and cut side down, though you will see it both ways if you google a recipe. I pop it in there on 350 for about 45 minutes before I take it out, scoop out the "noodles" with a fork, and top it with whatever we have around. 

This is seriously such a good low carb trick that I feel like calling it a "low carb trick" cheapens it. It's so healthy for you, so filling and satisfying, I dare anyone to say they feel better an hour later after eating a bowl of pasta noodles instead.

"A change is gonna come"

The following is how today went down and how it ultimately led to My New Plan.

For breakfast/lunch, I prepared a very familiar (to me) concoction. Rosarita refried beans from the can, a slice of cheese (pepper jack in this case), a small handful of rice, a generous topping of salsa, a couple green onions, and some guacamole we had sitting around. I heated it all up and wrapped it in a whole wheat tortilla and had this beast for breakfast and for lunch. Sounds yummy, eh? It is. I've been having this meal on and off SEVERAL times a week since I was about 19 years old. I'm 34 now.

Anyway. Today, I finished the lunch version of this meal and caught a glimpse of myself passing a mirror. Now, I've lost ALL of my pregnancy weight and am back to where I started. Yes, it's still 20ish pounds from where I want to be, but I've been doing well. However, my eye caught a bulge in my stomach. I looked 5 months pregnant. Gross. I also felt sluggish, and a little cranky. Kind of like a sloth. It didn't feel good.

You see, I pride myeslf on "eating well"--I rarely eat sugar/candy/soda/pies/cakes....barf. But I had to stop and think. I'm 20 pounds over weight...why? And why do I feel crappy. Low on energy, slothy, cranky, quick to anger, and with a pregnant-looking belly to boot.

And then the wheels started turning. It's a combination of some posts I read on Facebook recently-- friends getting into Crossfit, getting into Paleo, PREACHING how great they feel. Yes, yes, I can give this a try. If you scroll through the paltry amount of recipes I've posted so far, I think you'll see I have Paleo tendencies as it is. I love seafood, chicken, good beef, pork, love all my green veggies, love the right fruits. I guess the problem is I've been loving too many carbs as well.

I can easily binge on a whole can of refried beans in one sitting. Often on top of rice and rolled in a tortilla. This kind of meal all of a sudden is just not ringing as right to me. If a portion of food should be about the size of your fist, there is something very wrong about being able to put down two tortillas filled with beans and rice and cheese in one sitting. And it's not like I'm running a marathon everyday and need to have these glycogen stores filled.

So before I get too far off track... One thing led to another and I've decided to try the 30 day paleo challenge. I went out to the store (Safeway and Trader Joe's) today and bought the following:

Pork tenderloin
Bone-in french cut pork chops
Grass-fed organic ground beef
Organic chicken legs
TJ's frozen chicken breast tenders
Shrimps

Cabbage
Cauliflower
Onions
Garlic
Green onions
Zuccini
Celery
Spinach
Gem lettuce
Arugula

Walnuts
Almonds

Salsa
Apples
Oranges
Blackberries

And I have a well-stocked pantry to start.

Tonight, I'm making sauteed pork chops that I've marinated in garlic, olive oil, and lemon. I'm adding a gem lettuce salad with cucumber and avocado. I'm EXCITED. For the first time (about food) in a long time. I already feel great.

So. For the next thirty days, you'll see me posting the best paleo food I can come up. I might get inspired and post an old meal that's not paleo, but I'll always post a disclaimer. I'm really excited to try new recipes and feel like a new person. I know it's going to happen.

And finally, my pork chops marinating for tonight. To be enjoyed after some home-based crossfitting and a dog walk: