Day 34
After a big day of focusing on cooking I like to take it pretty easy. We had some leftovers from the night before and make some homemade sweet potato fries (cut them into sizes, drizzle coconut oil and season with cinnamon). I also made an off the hand version of apple cobbler to use some of the left over ingredients. Nothing too exciting about today. More travel tomorrow...
Day 33
No workout for me today. With travel now I’m trying to find a good rhythm to get into. Seems like I can get a decent workout in Mon – Thurs (but I still want to get more gym time here) but when it comes to my weekends home I’m deflated in the motivation section. Any thoughts on how to jumpstart my will to kill myself on my weekends?
I mentioned in my video post last night that I had three kind of big paleo cooking events coming up. Tonight is dinner #1: Boyfriend’s family coming over. To give some background, I had been talking about my paleo diet for a few months and his sister-in-law seemed to get interested in the diet. This dinner was meant to feature some easy ways to make appetizers/starters, a main course, and a dessert. Plus I needed redemption from a kitchen mishap I had at his parents’ house… A few weeks back I was making fish and wasn’t quite used to the induction oven. This oven gets hot REALLY quickly and I was unaware of this. Needless to say, lots of family were gathered together in the basement area of the house, and here I was – smoke filled kitchen, having a heart attack trying to clear out the room! Eric’s dad came up behind me and was opening windows to help.. I was mortified. So – this was a perfect opportunity to let them in on a good meal that I can make when I understand what tools I have.
Paleo Dinner Menu:
Appetizers
Stuffed mushrooms (stuffed with goat cheese, chopped shrimp, and garlic)
Sliced cucumber with smoked salmon (SUPER easy and delicious)
Main Course
Baked salmon (marinated with a dill glaze beforehand)
Cauliflower mash (a blend of steamed cauliflower, coconut milk, coconut oil, salt, pepper)
Grilled asparagus (olive oil, salt, and pepper to season)
Grilled rib eye steaks (Eric has a special rub for this)
Dessert
Apple cobbler (BRAND NEW RECIPE!)
Drinks
Cucumber infused water
Red wine
I’d say dinner went pretty well. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it and it’s always fun sharing new meals with people.
I mentioned in my video post last night that I had three kind of big paleo cooking events coming up. Tonight is dinner #1: Boyfriend’s family coming over. To give some background, I had been talking about my paleo diet for a few months and his sister-in-law seemed to get interested in the diet. This dinner was meant to feature some easy ways to make appetizers/starters, a main course, and a dessert. Plus I needed redemption from a kitchen mishap I had at his parents’ house… A few weeks back I was making fish and wasn’t quite used to the induction oven. This oven gets hot REALLY quickly and I was unaware of this. Needless to say, lots of family were gathered together in the basement area of the house, and here I was – smoke filled kitchen, having a heart attack trying to clear out the room! Eric’s dad came up behind me and was opening windows to help.. I was mortified. So – this was a perfect opportunity to let them in on a good meal that I can make when I understand what tools I have.
Paleo Dinner Menu:
Appetizers
Stuffed mushrooms (stuffed with goat cheese, chopped shrimp, and garlic)
Sliced cucumber with smoked salmon (SUPER easy and delicious)
Main Course
Baked salmon (marinated with a dill glaze beforehand)
Cauliflower mash (a blend of steamed cauliflower, coconut milk, coconut oil, salt, pepper)
Grilled asparagus (olive oil, salt, and pepper to season)
Grilled rib eye steaks (Eric has a special rub for this)
Dessert
Apple cobbler (BRAND NEW RECIPE!)
Drinks
Cucumber infused water
Red wine
I’d say dinner went pretty well. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it and it’s always fun sharing new meals with people.
Days 28 - 32
Check out my week 2 video HERE!
Day 27
Another football Sunday under my belt! This is one of my favorite days mostly because my boyfriend and I get to grill some great food and cook some simple paleo sides. Like sweet potato mash. Super easy and delicious. With that I had grilled asparagus and salmon burgers paired with hard cider. Hoorah.
For dinner I baked some paleo bread and sauteed artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and brusselsprouts within tomato sauce, I can't help but love paleo bread. I try to not eat it too much but it's so good.
Traveling again tomorrow. We'll see how week two on the road goes!
For dinner I baked some paleo bread and sauteed artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and brusselsprouts within tomato sauce, I can't help but love paleo bread. I try to not eat it too much but it's so good.
Traveling again tomorrow. We'll see how week two on the road goes!
Day 26
Still trying to get into a rhythm with travel, diet, and working out. Yesterday I noticed improvements in my speed workouts and today I was taking it easy. I met my friend for lunch at one of the local malls and had no problems adjusting to my paleo diet. Take Japanese for example. At this restaurant they sauteed some veggies, gave you a side of rice and a protein of your choice. When I walked up and asked if I could have all veggies and no rice, there was no hesitation in their accommodation of my needs - and this is a mall food vendor!
Later on I went to a launch party for a new clothing line that my friend is a part of (Buckley K). It was phenomenal.... I was so amazed at the the layout, the music, the fashion around the house and the variety of appetizers and drinks provided to her guests. I must confess... some of the appetizers that I thought were ok may not have been. A few bites unwillingly off... but I'm still trying to focus. It's amazing how I can tell that something is off just by the way my body feels.
Stuck with wine to drink. Turning into such a wino.
Later on I went to a launch party for a new clothing line that my friend is a part of (Buckley K). It was phenomenal.... I was so amazed at the the layout, the music, the fashion around the house and the variety of appetizers and drinks provided to her guests. I must confess... some of the appetizers that I thought were ok may not have been. A few bites unwillingly off... but I'm still trying to focus. It's amazing how I can tell that something is off just by the way my body feels.
Stuck with wine to drink. Turning into such a wino.
Days 21-25
Trying something new... To watch a video blog post for these days, click here!
Day 20
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/4/24243768/8800374.jpg)
Football day is here! I love football days and I also love my leftovers. One of the best things about cooking is having the left overs for lazy Sundays when you don't really want to cook anything in particular. The only bad part about paleo on football Sundays is the beer factor. No beer. None... except for hard cider. Hard cider is ok and I figured I'd give it a whirl.
Cider is ok but it's really too sweet for me. Drinks that taste like candy always make me question the intent of the drink but I'm sticking to my "no beer" policy right now.
I fear the real challenge is going to start tomorrow when I pick up my travel again....
No workout today. Today is my off day.
Cider is ok but it's really too sweet for me. Drinks that taste like candy always make me question the intent of the drink but I'm sticking to my "no beer" policy right now.
I fear the real challenge is going to start tomorrow when I pick up my travel again....
No workout today. Today is my off day.
Day 19
I'm visiting a different part of town this weekend and decided this was a perfect time to try out my new iPhone armband on a run. I have been avoiding these things like the plague. I hate things on my arm and I don't like running outside in the summer with something on my arm because of the tan lines. A lot of people laugh at this but when it's sunny and your'e running for an hour, tan lines can happen.
Anyway - with it nice and cool outside, tan lines weren't going to be an issue. I put on my headphones, bundled up and went for it. Through unknown territory and up and down so many hills, I ended up with a nice 4 mile jog and finished the workout with roughly 100 lunges, side lunges, and basic squats. Ouch.
Stuck with a basic meal plan today but lately I've been on this wine kick. Nothing like enjoying a good glass of wine on a beautiful weekend. Cool weather is finally here and now I'm going to start traveling to Boston. I guess I'll feel winter soon enough.
Anyway - with it nice and cool outside, tan lines weren't going to be an issue. I put on my headphones, bundled up and went for it. Through unknown territory and up and down so many hills, I ended up with a nice 4 mile jog and finished the workout with roughly 100 lunges, side lunges, and basic squats. Ouch.
Stuck with a basic meal plan today but lately I've been on this wine kick. Nothing like enjoying a good glass of wine on a beautiful weekend. Cool weather is finally here and now I'm going to start traveling to Boston. I guess I'll feel winter soon enough.
Day 18
Started off today with an easy 3 mile run. Ended up going out last night unexpectedly and stayed out much later than expected. So today I'm playing catch up and taking it easy. One thing I learned from my training a few years ago is to allow easy and off time in your training. When I was training before, I over-trained and ended up with a pretty serious injury. Nine months of physical therapy is not fun and something I don't intend on doing again so - easy days are ok. :)
Easy run and a basic diet day except I made a mistake around dinner. At dinner and over wine, I'm sitting here looking at the menu and saw it. The most beautiful thing I'd seen in weeks. Sweet potato casserole for a side. Now paleo goers know that sweet potatoes are in the gray area of paleo. It's not something you should eat all that much of but tonight I was going out and thought I would treat myself to a nice side. Mind you - I shared this side so it wasn't all for me but still thinking I was good to go. It was amazing. It was so good that my boyfriend wanted to know what was in it so I could remake it later on and there it was. Butter, sugar, and then I went deaf. I can't have butter and I did. Now raw sugar is ok with some paleo recipes and clarified butter is ok sometime but I just immediately fell sick to my stomach and continued to be nauseous for a while. Ugh - won't make that mistake again. Be sure you ask what is in sides when you're not sure.
Easy run and a basic diet day except I made a mistake around dinner. At dinner and over wine, I'm sitting here looking at the menu and saw it. The most beautiful thing I'd seen in weeks. Sweet potato casserole for a side. Now paleo goers know that sweet potatoes are in the gray area of paleo. It's not something you should eat all that much of but tonight I was going out and thought I would treat myself to a nice side. Mind you - I shared this side so it wasn't all for me but still thinking I was good to go. It was amazing. It was so good that my boyfriend wanted to know what was in it so I could remake it later on and there it was. Butter, sugar, and then I went deaf. I can't have butter and I did. Now raw sugar is ok with some paleo recipes and clarified butter is ok sometime but I just immediately fell sick to my stomach and continued to be nauseous for a while. Ugh - won't make that mistake again. Be sure you ask what is in sides when you're not sure.
Day 17
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/4/24243768/4076057.jpg)
I love Halloween! Love it! This is one of my favorite holidays. I love the fall weather, the scary stories, and the food! It's just all around awesome. Even if most of the day is "dark and dreary" with rain - it's still a fun day.
My Halloween started off with another hour of cardio and an arm and ab workout. I made an alternative bread recipe around lunch using golden flaxseed meal instead of almond flour and sauteed artichoke hearts with tomatoes and garlic for a bruschetta type of lunch.
My real creative juices started to flow later when I got a taste for my uncles rice pilaf. Ok - rice isn't Paleo either but you can do so many great things with vegetables. For example, if you have a head of cauliflower and grate it with a cheese grater, you are "ricing" the cauliflower to give it that texture. Here's the recipe I made up last night that worked really well :
Paleo "Rice" Pilaf:
Ingredients:
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1 yellow onion
- 1/4 c. white wine
- 1/2 c. green onion
- 1/4 c. finely chopped mint
- lemon juice
Directions:
I started off by chopping up the onion and putting it in a hot pot with the oil. Let the onion cook a bit until it's translucent then add the cauliflower. Let this cook for 5-10 minutes and add the wine and lemon juice. I eye the lemon juice and usually drizzle it lightly all over to make sure the cauliflower is nicely coated. thle this cook on a low temp for another 5-10 minutes. Add the green onion and the mint. Let cook again for another 10 minutes on low just to soak in the flavor. You don't ever want to over cook your cauliflower - you want a little bite to it and for it to not get mushy so continue to stir the mixture. Then enjoy! I sauteed shrimp and mahi mahi to make it a nice seafood meal.
My Halloween started off with another hour of cardio and an arm and ab workout. I made an alternative bread recipe around lunch using golden flaxseed meal instead of almond flour and sauteed artichoke hearts with tomatoes and garlic for a bruschetta type of lunch.
My real creative juices started to flow later when I got a taste for my uncles rice pilaf. Ok - rice isn't Paleo either but you can do so many great things with vegetables. For example, if you have a head of cauliflower and grate it with a cheese grater, you are "ricing" the cauliflower to give it that texture. Here's the recipe I made up last night that worked really well :
Paleo "Rice" Pilaf:
Ingredients:
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1 yellow onion
- 1/4 c. white wine
- 1/2 c. green onion
- 1/4 c. finely chopped mint
- lemon juice
Directions:
I started off by chopping up the onion and putting it in a hot pot with the oil. Let the onion cook a bit until it's translucent then add the cauliflower. Let this cook for 5-10 minutes and add the wine and lemon juice. I eye the lemon juice and usually drizzle it lightly all over to make sure the cauliflower is nicely coated. thle this cook on a low temp for another 5-10 minutes. Add the green onion and the mint. Let cook again for another 10 minutes on low just to soak in the flavor. You don't ever want to over cook your cauliflower - you want a little bite to it and for it to not get mushy so continue to stir the mixture. Then enjoy! I sauteed shrimp and mahi mahi to make it a nice seafood meal.
Day 16
I have such a love/hate relationship with speed workouts. I know increasing my speed is one of my goals and it's the harder things in life that make us stronger - blah blah blah. But speed workouts have never been my favorite.
For the first two weeks, my speed workouts would equate to 3 miles and I would alternate jogging at a 6.3 mph speed to a higher speed of 7.5 mph ever 400m. That means I would get 6 sprints in this workout. This week, I went from 6 - 8 sprints and ran a total of 4 miles this morning. I hate calling these "sprints" because what is a sprint but running as fast as you possibly can for a short distance. 400m distances aren't necessarily short enough to sprint out your exertion but it's short enough to help focus on speed and endurance at the same time. Afterwards, I worked on legs and back.
Biggest improvement I've noticed is how I feel during speed workouts. For the first two weeks, I thought I was going to vomit. Today I felt fine - even when I went longer and increased the speed at the end. Think this is a good sign :)
Last night I got a hankering for bread. I know what you're thinking. Paleo dieters don't eat bread. Well - we don't in the traditional sense but if you do your research there are plenty of ways to make our own bread and I honestly think it's easier to make paleo bread than it is to make regular bread. One of my favorite blogs (paleoeffect.com) has the following bread recipe:
Fluffy White Paleo Bread
1 ½ heaping cups Arrowroot Powder
1 heaping cup Almond Flour
4 Eggs
4 Egg Whites
4 Tbsp Walnut Oil
½ Tbsp Coarse Sea Salt
1 ½ Tbsp Baking Powder
2 tsp Coconut Vinegar
Coconut Oil Spray (or other oil will do – for the tins/pan
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine all dry ingredients. Then mix the wet and add to the dry until thoroughly incorporated. Spray your bread loaf pan down with the oil.
Bake the loaf for 30-35 minutes (mine is closer to 35) or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Super easy and so delicious. I eat this with some tomato sauce and sauteed veggies or a make a sandwich. You can also find a rolls recipe there for upcoming Thanksgiving!
For the first two weeks, my speed workouts would equate to 3 miles and I would alternate jogging at a 6.3 mph speed to a higher speed of 7.5 mph ever 400m. That means I would get 6 sprints in this workout. This week, I went from 6 - 8 sprints and ran a total of 4 miles this morning. I hate calling these "sprints" because what is a sprint but running as fast as you possibly can for a short distance. 400m distances aren't necessarily short enough to sprint out your exertion but it's short enough to help focus on speed and endurance at the same time. Afterwards, I worked on legs and back.
Biggest improvement I've noticed is how I feel during speed workouts. For the first two weeks, I thought I was going to vomit. Today I felt fine - even when I went longer and increased the speed at the end. Think this is a good sign :)
Last night I got a hankering for bread. I know what you're thinking. Paleo dieters don't eat bread. Well - we don't in the traditional sense but if you do your research there are plenty of ways to make our own bread and I honestly think it's easier to make paleo bread than it is to make regular bread. One of my favorite blogs (paleoeffect.com) has the following bread recipe:
Fluffy White Paleo Bread
1 ½ heaping cups Arrowroot Powder
1 heaping cup Almond Flour
4 Eggs
4 Egg Whites
4 Tbsp Walnut Oil
½ Tbsp Coarse Sea Salt
1 ½ Tbsp Baking Powder
2 tsp Coconut Vinegar
Coconut Oil Spray (or other oil will do – for the tins/pan
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine all dry ingredients. Then mix the wet and add to the dry until thoroughly incorporated. Spray your bread loaf pan down with the oil.
Bake the loaf for 30-35 minutes (mine is closer to 35) or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Super easy and so delicious. I eat this with some tomato sauce and sauteed veggies or a make a sandwich. You can also find a rolls recipe there for upcoming Thanksgiving!
Day 15
Two weeks down. I am one third of the way through my challenge. Other than a slight hangover I'm feeling pretty good. Started today off with an hour cardio and weight lifting workout.
Today is just a blah day. It's cold and rainy and all I have to do is work. It's one of those days where you want to curl up in a ball with a blanket and watch a good movie. I have noticed my face looking a little thinner which shows that something is working with this challenge.
I found out the other day that I'm going to start traveling to Boston on Monday. I've never been to Boston and I'm excited to start traveling. Heard it's cold and I am venturing out to shop for better Boston attire today. Anyone got any good restaurant or site seeing recommendations? Send any Boston advice my way through my homepage!
Today is just a blah day. It's cold and rainy and all I have to do is work. It's one of those days where you want to curl up in a ball with a blanket and watch a good movie. I have noticed my face looking a little thinner which shows that something is working with this challenge.
I found out the other day that I'm going to start traveling to Boston on Monday. I've never been to Boston and I'm excited to start traveling. Heard it's cold and I am venturing out to shop for better Boston attire today. Anyone got any good restaurant or site seeing recommendations? Send any Boston advice my way through my homepage!
Day 14
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/4/24243768/1089795.jpg)
Today I did something that I haven't even considered doing in over 6 years. I purposefully ate a buffalo wing. I gave up meat over six years ago and became a Pescatarian (only seafood protein diet). This whole decision was a complete experiment just to see what would happen. When I first gave it up, I got kind of sick. Tip for anyone considering drastically changing their diet.... do your research. I didn't consider where I was going to get protein and how often I needed it. Anyway, once I got a handle on it I was fine. Protein is so important and you have to make sure you know where you're getting it.
Now I've been dabbling with the Paleo diet for the past two years and have been a good 70/30 to 80/20 on track but sticking to my Pescatarian roots. It's not like a crave red meat or poultry, but just sometimes it would be nice to have some other options. During the Cardinals game, I had a few Paleo friendly drinks... maybe more than a few.... and a woman I just met decided she wanted to buy me wings. I insisted it was ok and I was fine but she bought them. There I was staring at a big plate of meat that I haven't considered in years... and took a bite.
I have accidentally had meat before. I had a friend who wanted me to try a cheese ball at a Christmas party - which was delicious. Given my love for cooking I asked him to tell me the recipe and he mentioned canned chicken in the ingredients. I immediately threw up. Another time a guy I was dating forgot to order pizza without the meat that they put in the sauce and I had a bite - also got sick. The last time I accidentally had meat was at the local Olive garden. Their vegetable soup and their sausage soup look nearly identical and they mixed mine up... also got sick. See a pattern? Thinking through it I often wonder if I work myself up worrying about the impact it will have on my system.
Anyway - I ate one wing. I did feel nauseous... but I also had a lot to drink. So - it's still a mystery. But it did taste so good. Otherwise, nothing special about the diet today. I was good and had a 5-6 mile run with my friend early in the morning.
Now I've been dabbling with the Paleo diet for the past two years and have been a good 70/30 to 80/20 on track but sticking to my Pescatarian roots. It's not like a crave red meat or poultry, but just sometimes it would be nice to have some other options. During the Cardinals game, I had a few Paleo friendly drinks... maybe more than a few.... and a woman I just met decided she wanted to buy me wings. I insisted it was ok and I was fine but she bought them. There I was staring at a big plate of meat that I haven't considered in years... and took a bite.
I have accidentally had meat before. I had a friend who wanted me to try a cheese ball at a Christmas party - which was delicious. Given my love for cooking I asked him to tell me the recipe and he mentioned canned chicken in the ingredients. I immediately threw up. Another time a guy I was dating forgot to order pizza without the meat that they put in the sauce and I had a bite - also got sick. The last time I accidentally had meat was at the local Olive garden. Their vegetable soup and their sausage soup look nearly identical and they mixed mine up... also got sick. See a pattern? Thinking through it I often wonder if I work myself up worrying about the impact it will have on my system.
Anyway - I ate one wing. I did feel nauseous... but I also had a lot to drink. So - it's still a mystery. But it did taste so good. Otherwise, nothing special about the diet today. I was good and had a 5-6 mile run with my friend early in the morning.
Day 13
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/4/24243768/2739241.jpg)
So last night I stayed at my Uncles after the Oktoberfest festivities. It was so good to see family that I don't get to visit with that often. I have an aunt and uncle who live in Madison, WI that came down for this (Oktoberfest is their annual visit). So in a way it was kind of like a reunion.
On day 2 with the family we fired up the grill and enjoyed another rustic lunch. Over the past few months, I've really come to enjoy grilling veggies - especially brusselsprouts. I know brusselsprouts aren't everyone's favorite, but with the right seasoning and heat you can get them to a mouth watering state.
Whenever you grill any vegetables, if you're not looking for the grill marks but more for taste, all you need to do is chop them up and make a little container out of tinfoil. I usually wrap the veggies like a present and roll the edges. This way I can flip the container on the grill if I need to With brusselsprouts, I always half them, drizzle some EVOO and lemon juice on top and finishi it off with whatever seasonings I'm thinking of (usually salt and pepper followed by garlic). Lemon juice is very acidic and helps break down the sprouts. Depending on the heat of the grill, count on 20-25 minutes for those to cook to a desired state.
When I got home, it was sports time. For me, that meant enjoying the STL Cards World Series game and some coconut milk based ice cream. A Paleo must-have in my opinion. I found this at the local Dierburg's and could not believe my eyes! Add some chopped banana and walnuts for a nice finish to a full day.
On day 2 with the family we fired up the grill and enjoyed another rustic lunch. Over the past few months, I've really come to enjoy grilling veggies - especially brusselsprouts. I know brusselsprouts aren't everyone's favorite, but with the right seasoning and heat you can get them to a mouth watering state.
Whenever you grill any vegetables, if you're not looking for the grill marks but more for taste, all you need to do is chop them up and make a little container out of tinfoil. I usually wrap the veggies like a present and roll the edges. This way I can flip the container on the grill if I need to With brusselsprouts, I always half them, drizzle some EVOO and lemon juice on top and finishi it off with whatever seasonings I'm thinking of (usually salt and pepper followed by garlic). Lemon juice is very acidic and helps break down the sprouts. Depending on the heat of the grill, count on 20-25 minutes for those to cook to a desired state.
When I got home, it was sports time. For me, that meant enjoying the STL Cards World Series game and some coconut milk based ice cream. A Paleo must-have in my opinion. I found this at the local Dierburg's and could not believe my eyes! Add some chopped banana and walnuts for a nice finish to a full day.
Day 12
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/4/24243768/5466103.jpg)
My uncle's Oktoberfest is finally here! I can't wait to go see my family and just have a fall ball with them all night. Knowing that I probably won't get a chance to workout tomorrow, I started off the day with a beautiful run around my city's park. It's just gorgeous. A good 6 mile loop and a quick ab workout is the best way to start off the day. I also am totally loving this weather. A fall brisk morning is perfect for running!
Now in preparation for any big gathering, it's always safe to bring a few of your own Paleo snacks or sides. My uncle was planning to BBQ and I'm sure wouldn't have many sides that would be good for my challenge. When I get in these situations, I usually bring some meat that I like (today that would be mahi mahi) and some snacks (coconut Paleo pancakes travel well! So do nuts). I always try to keep something on hand if I get hungry and there's nothing really available.
Before I headed out though, I wanted to go ahead and get a good lunch in my belly. One of the best things to do, is go to the wok. I love chopping up veggies and throwing them together in a stirfry like fashion and woks are perfect for adding as much as you want! Seriously, this meal take no time at all - maybe 15 minutes and you feel great about what you're eating.
Now in preparation for any big gathering, it's always safe to bring a few of your own Paleo snacks or sides. My uncle was planning to BBQ and I'm sure wouldn't have many sides that would be good for my challenge. When I get in these situations, I usually bring some meat that I like (today that would be mahi mahi) and some snacks (coconut Paleo pancakes travel well! So do nuts). I always try to keep something on hand if I get hungry and there's nothing really available.
Before I headed out though, I wanted to go ahead and get a good lunch in my belly. One of the best things to do, is go to the wok. I love chopping up veggies and throwing them together in a stirfry like fashion and woks are perfect for adding as much as you want! Seriously, this meal take no time at all - maybe 15 minutes and you feel great about what you're eating.
Day 11
50 minutes of cardio to start off the day followed by endless work calls. Some days are just... long. Ended the day with a great japanese dinner with a friend. Again, sticking to those Paleo rules.
There are just days that seem to fly by and you feel like you didn't get nearly enough done. That was me. That was today. And all you can do is take a deep breath and know that tomorrow you'll get it all done and it will be ok.
There are just days that seem to fly by and you feel like you didn't get nearly enough done. That was me. That was today. And all you can do is take a deep breath and know that tomorrow you'll get it all done and it will be ok.
Day 10
Today was a sprint day. I hate sprints. Hate them. Which is why I probably need to work at them. I did 400 m sprints and finished up with an arm and ab workout.
Still working on spaghetti squash leftovers for lunch but tonight was my big event that I've been planning for my office. This has had my focus for the past few weeks and it it finally here! Too bad there really isn't a great food selection for me.
Note to self (and Paleo dieters): When you don't think there will be food on your diet, snack a bit beforehand. Always be prepared. There are usually veggie options around (which there were), but it's safe to nibble a bit prior to the event.
Still working on spaghetti squash leftovers for lunch but tonight was my big event that I've been planning for my office. This has had my focus for the past few weeks and it it finally here! Too bad there really isn't a great food selection for me.
Note to self (and Paleo dieters): When you don't think there will be food on your diet, snack a bit beforehand. Always be prepared. There are usually veggie options around (which there were), but it's safe to nibble a bit prior to the event.
Day 9
Today was just blah. Woke up sore from lifting and ran 5 miles with my roommate at 5 AM. I'm an early morning person and most of the time, I have to wake up early to work out before I get going to work. I was a swimmer. It's in our DNA. Currently, however, I am working from home this week and am not required to get out of bed until about 8 AM. For a person to wake up super early when they don't have to just to run with a friend is a GOOD FRIEND. Plus that's when we have some of our best conversations...given the soreness, I took it easy and stretched rather than lifted.
For meals I was set with leftovers. I don't know if you can tell by the picture of the spaghetti squash, but one squash makes over three containers worth of "pasta"! That was lunch and dinner. Unfortunately, being the stress eater that I am, I was able polished off my flavored almonds that I just bought. A habit that I need to break.
For meals I was set with leftovers. I don't know if you can tell by the picture of the spaghetti squash, but one squash makes over three containers worth of "pasta"! That was lunch and dinner. Unfortunately, being the stress eater that I am, I was able polished off my flavored almonds that I just bought. A habit that I need to break.
Day 8
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/4/24243768/7463936.jpg)
It's official. I have complete one week of this challenge. HOO-RAH!
That means I also weighed in today.... somehow I'm down 5 lbs! Not convinced it's gone gone, but was definitely a pleasant surprise this morning...
A few of my readers have commented that I'm not talking about my workouts enough. Let me assure you, they are happening. Today, for example, was a long one. Started of the day with an hour of cardio followed by a heavy ab, arm, and squat workout. Feeling the burn.
Overall I'm feeling good. I have noticed that I'm not as hungry throughout the day and I kind of expected that. I am a stress eater though. When I get nervous, I like to snack on something. So this week I've been consciously asking myself, "are you really hungry?" That seems to help me think about what I'm doing. Other than that I'm doing alright diet wise. It's been easier not traveling this week too much and I have all of my ingredients at my finger tips.
When I got home from grocery shopping, an executive in charge of my area in my company called me out of the blue. First reaction? Go for the flavored almonds... they're paleo, safe snack... should have put them in a separate container... half the bag is now gone! Oh well... Little did I know he just wanted to get to know me and talk about the team. It was kind of nice having a leader be that approachable.
Dinner was a first for me. Tonight I made spaghetti squash with broccoli, salmon, and an organic tomato sauce, Spaghetti squash was as easy as they say it is. One thing you have to remember is scoop out all of the stringing stuff around the seeds. That part actually tastes like raw pumpkin and isn't as good as the "meat" of the squash.
One squash also makes a ton of "spaghetti" so invite friends over to share!
That means I also weighed in today.... somehow I'm down 5 lbs! Not convinced it's gone gone, but was definitely a pleasant surprise this morning...
A few of my readers have commented that I'm not talking about my workouts enough. Let me assure you, they are happening. Today, for example, was a long one. Started of the day with an hour of cardio followed by a heavy ab, arm, and squat workout. Feeling the burn.
Overall I'm feeling good. I have noticed that I'm not as hungry throughout the day and I kind of expected that. I am a stress eater though. When I get nervous, I like to snack on something. So this week I've been consciously asking myself, "are you really hungry?" That seems to help me think about what I'm doing. Other than that I'm doing alright diet wise. It's been easier not traveling this week too much and I have all of my ingredients at my finger tips.
When I got home from grocery shopping, an executive in charge of my area in my company called me out of the blue. First reaction? Go for the flavored almonds... they're paleo, safe snack... should have put them in a separate container... half the bag is now gone! Oh well... Little did I know he just wanted to get to know me and talk about the team. It was kind of nice having a leader be that approachable.
Dinner was a first for me. Tonight I made spaghetti squash with broccoli, salmon, and an organic tomato sauce, Spaghetti squash was as easy as they say it is. One thing you have to remember is scoop out all of the stringing stuff around the seeds. That part actually tastes like raw pumpkin and isn't as good as the "meat" of the squash.
One squash also makes a ton of "spaghetti" so invite friends over to share!
Day 7
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/4/24243768/345892.jpg)
There's nothing like fall weather. I love the cool air in the morning during my run, leaves changing color, and the thought of the upcoming holidays. With holidays, come holiday meals...so many flavors... so little time
One of my favorite meals (and something that I don't do often) is breakfast for dinner. So tonight I thought I'd through that together Paleo style.
What you see here is coconut chocolate pancakes, apple cinnamon sweet potato hash, and a maple glazed salmon. Coconut flour can be found at any Dierburg's, Schnucks or Whole Foods and is a life saver. Seriously just toss a few ingredients together into a magic bullet blender and whamm-o, pancake batter! See Paleo pancake recipes at www.paleoeffect.com.
To get to the hash you have to take a large sweet potato to a big cheese grater and have at it! Breaking down the sweet potato gives it that hash texture. Tonight, I added it to some organic applesauce and added cinnamon and nutmeg for a sweeter turnout. You can also take this a savory route and add eggs and cayenne to the mixture, this will make it more cake-like and give it a little kick.
Lastly I broiled my salmon with a sweet maple glaze. So juicy and tender... great way to enjoy this protein.
While all of these items were good separately, I'd recommend picking either the hash OR the pancakes but not both. This whole meal was a bit heavy. A lighter green side would have been a better option...
One of my favorite meals (and something that I don't do often) is breakfast for dinner. So tonight I thought I'd through that together Paleo style.
What you see here is coconut chocolate pancakes, apple cinnamon sweet potato hash, and a maple glazed salmon. Coconut flour can be found at any Dierburg's, Schnucks or Whole Foods and is a life saver. Seriously just toss a few ingredients together into a magic bullet blender and whamm-o, pancake batter! See Paleo pancake recipes at www.paleoeffect.com.
To get to the hash you have to take a large sweet potato to a big cheese grater and have at it! Breaking down the sweet potato gives it that hash texture. Tonight, I added it to some organic applesauce and added cinnamon and nutmeg for a sweeter turnout. You can also take this a savory route and add eggs and cayenne to the mixture, this will make it more cake-like and give it a little kick.
Lastly I broiled my salmon with a sweet maple glaze. So juicy and tender... great way to enjoy this protein.
While all of these items were good separately, I'd recommend picking either the hash OR the pancakes but not both. This whole meal was a bit heavy. A lighter green side would have been a better option...
Day 6
Today I’m traveling back home. Travel days are the absolute worst for dieting and exercise. Especially when you stay up until 4 a.m…
So Sundays equal NFL day with a brunch start. I have my pick of my jerseys (Eagles and Broncos) and leisurely camp out somewhere to enjoy the games after either making brunch or finding a place that serves both food and football needs.
When you’re traveling on a Sunday, finding the perfect place and starting your day off just right is sometimes difficult. Portland is a trendy town which can be good and bad depending on your diet. For my diet on this particular day – it sucked. Certain trendy places pride themselves in the brilliance of their dishes and don’t like to change the intended final product. However, like I previously stated, they’d rather change a bit to make you happy then have you actually walk out – which I was about to do. Additionally, Paleo dieting makes alterations easier for most chefs since it’s usually leaving ingredients out than adding them in. It’s all about the angles.
Plus – if a restaurant is actually difficult… go to the “allergy” excuse. Works every time.
After a decent Paleo brunch (egg whites, smoked salmon, sautéed greens) I had to run to the airport for my first of two flights. For long flight days, you will likely get hungry and if you get hungry on a flight you’ll find that the snacks airlines provide are not Paleo friendly (peanuts, pretzels, cookies = NOT PALEO!).
Be prepared for these situations. I had purchased those flavored almonds a couple days ago and strategically placed them in my backpack that would be with me on the flight. If you’re in first class, you’ll also find more snack options – like the banana I had in my second flight. Don’t normally count on this though…
No workout today-hitting it hard again tomorrow. Ciao.
So Sundays equal NFL day with a brunch start. I have my pick of my jerseys (Eagles and Broncos) and leisurely camp out somewhere to enjoy the games after either making brunch or finding a place that serves both food and football needs.
When you’re traveling on a Sunday, finding the perfect place and starting your day off just right is sometimes difficult. Portland is a trendy town which can be good and bad depending on your diet. For my diet on this particular day – it sucked. Certain trendy places pride themselves in the brilliance of their dishes and don’t like to change the intended final product. However, like I previously stated, they’d rather change a bit to make you happy then have you actually walk out – which I was about to do. Additionally, Paleo dieting makes alterations easier for most chefs since it’s usually leaving ingredients out than adding them in. It’s all about the angles.
Plus – if a restaurant is actually difficult… go to the “allergy” excuse. Works every time.
After a decent Paleo brunch (egg whites, smoked salmon, sautéed greens) I had to run to the airport for my first of two flights. For long flight days, you will likely get hungry and if you get hungry on a flight you’ll find that the snacks airlines provide are not Paleo friendly (peanuts, pretzels, cookies = NOT PALEO!).
Be prepared for these situations. I had purchased those flavored almonds a couple days ago and strategically placed them in my backpack that would be with me on the flight. If you’re in first class, you’ll also find more snack options – like the banana I had in my second flight. Don’t normally count on this though…
No workout today-hitting it hard again tomorrow. Ciao.
Day 5
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/4/24243768/6978802.jpg)
It's the afternoon in Portland and I'm about to go for a beautiful run in this gorgeous corner of the country! Running around a city is seriously one of the best ways to see it.
Still on the go and falling back to my tips I mentioned in yesterday's post. This morning I lounged a bit and enjoyed watching some college football (big game for Mizzou!). Naturally I got a little hungry and went to what I know. I snacked on a few flavored nuts and drank my morning coffee. Mizzou came to play this year! Enough said.
For lunch, my boyfriend and I ran to a local pub to continue to watch football and enjoy some grub. Again, I started off by asking for a gluten free menu (which they had) and considered my best Paleo options. What I found was unbelievable- their special kale salad. Kale is super good for you and has a bit more of a bite than regular lettuce or spinach - I don't use it enough and knew this is what I wanted. Since protein is also such a big thing for my limited self to find, I added a salmon filet and shared a brusselsprout appetizer. The Thirsty Lion had no problem accommodating what I needed and their food was phenomenal.
Two days in Portland down and have not had one problem finding something to eat on the road.
Still on the go and falling back to my tips I mentioned in yesterday's post. This morning I lounged a bit and enjoyed watching some college football (big game for Mizzou!). Naturally I got a little hungry and went to what I know. I snacked on a few flavored nuts and drank my morning coffee. Mizzou came to play this year! Enough said.
For lunch, my boyfriend and I ran to a local pub to continue to watch football and enjoy some grub. Again, I started off by asking for a gluten free menu (which they had) and considered my best Paleo options. What I found was unbelievable- their special kale salad. Kale is super good for you and has a bit more of a bite than regular lettuce or spinach - I don't use it enough and knew this is what I wanted. Since protein is also such a big thing for my limited self to find, I added a salmon filet and shared a brusselsprout appetizer. The Thirsty Lion had no problem accommodating what I needed and their food was phenomenal.
Two days in Portland down and have not had one problem finding something to eat on the road.
Day 4
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/4/24243768/3610503.jpg)
Day 4 represents the first day that expresses my headline "Adopting the paleo diet when you're on the go...".
I travel a lot for my job. I'm a management consultant for one of the largest consulting firms and that means you're often on the road Monday through Thursday. When you have an "on the go" lifestyle where you travel to different cities and don't always have access to a kitchen, the idea of dieting or adapting to a Paleo-like lifestyle can be daunting. I end up going to a lot of different restaurants and when I'm there I have to make dieting choices. Sure I'd like to have the grilled shrimp and butternut squash risotto, but rice isn't paleo. Cream isn't paleo. So that's a no-go option. I have, however, found a few tricks to help me make better paleo decisions.
Here's a few tips on how I've learned to adapt on the go:
My biggest dieting challenges come when I'm watching sports. I always want junk food. Fries, nachos, dips, and BEER. There is nothing like snacking on loaded nachos, drinking a pumpkin ale in the fall and watching your team battle for a win. Unless it's gluten free beer (i.e. woodchucks) I will be sticking with organic wine or vodka options during this challenge and leaving the nachos to be conquered by someone else. This Cardinals game called for a red drink. I had Bloody Marys (yes plural) to tide me over and enjoyed the big W. Guilt free feeding came after. Sticking to the challenge and still enjoyed watching the Cardinals move on to the World Series made this night in Portland unforgettable! Go BIRDS!
Still in Portland. More fun tidbits to come.
I travel a lot for my job. I'm a management consultant for one of the largest consulting firms and that means you're often on the road Monday through Thursday. When you have an "on the go" lifestyle where you travel to different cities and don't always have access to a kitchen, the idea of dieting or adapting to a Paleo-like lifestyle can be daunting. I end up going to a lot of different restaurants and when I'm there I have to make dieting choices. Sure I'd like to have the grilled shrimp and butternut squash risotto, but rice isn't paleo. Cream isn't paleo. So that's a no-go option. I have, however, found a few tricks to help me make better paleo decisions.
Here's a few tips on how I've learned to adapt on the go:
- Count on coffee. I used to be a big breakfast person, but I don't always have time to think about what to eat in the morning, and the Paleo diet cubs your appetite so I'm not always when I first wake up. On the Paleo diet, if you're not hungry, don't eat. Eat whenever your body tells you to eat and eat however much you want. I do, however, enjoy hot coffee or tea to get my day started after a cool run and most hotels already provide this option. Coffee also happens to be an appetite suppressant and can tide you over for most of the morning. Remember, no dairy creamer and no fake sugar (i.e. sweet and low). Raw sugar is fine if you're allowing that in your diet. Some Paleo goers don't do any sugar (it's in the gray area with sweet potatoes and goat cheese). Tea is also a good option if you don't like coffee - same rules apply.
- Gluten Free menu please. Most restaurants are adapting to the "gluten free" menu option. More and more people are going gluten-free and it's really easy to get restaurants to work with you. They want you to like their food. They don't want you to get sick. They want you to come back. They will work with you. Now just getting a gluten free menu doesn't mean you're in the clear with a Paleo menu - there's more. I like to start with a gluten-free menu because it's then easier for me to narrow down the options to a good Paleo choice. Gluten free menus include rice/legume options - both of which are not Paleo . What I do is then substitute veggie sides for the sides that I can't eat and always ask for them to remove the cheese.
- Sometimes you feel like a nut. Nuts are the ultimate snack food when you're on the go. They're easy to find, easy to carry with you, and they curb your appetite when you're in a bind. They're even flavored now with spices. On this trip I found a spiced almond stand in the mall and picked up a few different flavors to munch on if/when needed. Coconut, orange/cranberry, and coffee were my favorites in Beaverton, OR. Remember - peanuts are NOT nuts... they are legume (nuts grow on trees - legumes in the ground).
- Request a refrigerator. When I travel for work, I always ask for an empty mini fridge in my room. Marriott locations have always brought a fridge for me if it wasn't in the room. Even if you don't have a fridge, you can run by a store and get basic fruits and veggies to keep in your room for quick snacks. Remember, Paleo is all about what you can eat raw. No kitchen? No problem. I just like the fridge to store smoked salmon and chill some of my veggie options.
My biggest dieting challenges come when I'm watching sports. I always want junk food. Fries, nachos, dips, and BEER. There is nothing like snacking on loaded nachos, drinking a pumpkin ale in the fall and watching your team battle for a win. Unless it's gluten free beer (i.e. woodchucks) I will be sticking with organic wine or vodka options during this challenge and leaving the nachos to be conquered by someone else. This Cardinals game called for a red drink. I had Bloody Marys (yes plural) to tide me over and enjoyed the big W. Guilt free feeding came after. Sticking to the challenge and still enjoyed watching the Cardinals move on to the World Series made this night in Portland unforgettable! Go BIRDS!
Still in Portland. More fun tidbits to come.
Day 3
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/4/24243768/4719342.jpg)
Since one of my main goals of this challenge in based on increasing speed, I figured today I’d do a sprint workout. I hate sprint workouts. Hate them.
After my first full-marathon, my body went into auto-pilot at a comfortable 9:30 mile pace. Since then, I’ve been working to get faster. This has been a long process. From training with a running coach, to over training which disabled me from running for months, to getting back into it again, my pace has been all over the place.
So today, I did my first sprint workout in a month and about wanted to throw up. Always a good feeling… simple 3 mile hell run combined with a decently intense lifting workout and I was good for the day!
The only think I could think of that would top off this morning would be the proper counter-breakfast. Today - that would be my egg white omelet. I usually sauté some spinach, mushrooms and garlic and then add 2-3 egg whites to make the omelet. To make it extra special, I put some medium salsa into the omelet and top it off with avocado slices. DE-LICiOUS. The protein and veggies curbs your hunger for most of the morning too.
The real diet challenge came in around lunch when I was going to meet my friend at a Japanese restaurant. When people hear about my diet and my challenge they immediately think that I can’t go out to eat. This would be completely false. You can make Paleo options almost anywhere you go. And as a pescatarian to boot, Japanese would be a perfect venue for me. She ordered sushi (which I love and was completely jealous watching her eat) and I ordered seaweed salad, plain unagi (eel – my favorite protein), and veggies. It was a phenomenal alternative and Paleo meal.
If you are on the Paleo kick and you want to go out, this usually involves asking the chef to alter a meal in some way which many people are not comfortable doing. Look - I’ve worked in the restaurant/service industry. I know what they are willing to do and what’s appropriate to ask. Never be afraid to ask for exactly what you want. Restaurants want you to have a good experience and come back. Plus, restaurants are hopping on the healthy train and are noticing more people are going gluten free. You probably aren’t the first person to ask for something special.
Until tomorrow – stay classy bloggers.
After my first full-marathon, my body went into auto-pilot at a comfortable 9:30 mile pace. Since then, I’ve been working to get faster. This has been a long process. From training with a running coach, to over training which disabled me from running for months, to getting back into it again, my pace has been all over the place.
So today, I did my first sprint workout in a month and about wanted to throw up. Always a good feeling… simple 3 mile hell run combined with a decently intense lifting workout and I was good for the day!
The only think I could think of that would top off this morning would be the proper counter-breakfast. Today - that would be my egg white omelet. I usually sauté some spinach, mushrooms and garlic and then add 2-3 egg whites to make the omelet. To make it extra special, I put some medium salsa into the omelet and top it off with avocado slices. DE-LICiOUS. The protein and veggies curbs your hunger for most of the morning too.
The real diet challenge came in around lunch when I was going to meet my friend at a Japanese restaurant. When people hear about my diet and my challenge they immediately think that I can’t go out to eat. This would be completely false. You can make Paleo options almost anywhere you go. And as a pescatarian to boot, Japanese would be a perfect venue for me. She ordered sushi (which I love and was completely jealous watching her eat) and I ordered seaweed salad, plain unagi (eel – my favorite protein), and veggies. It was a phenomenal alternative and Paleo meal.
If you are on the Paleo kick and you want to go out, this usually involves asking the chef to alter a meal in some way which many people are not comfortable doing. Look - I’ve worked in the restaurant/service industry. I know what they are willing to do and what’s appropriate to ask. Never be afraid to ask for exactly what you want. Restaurants want you to have a good experience and come back. Plus, restaurants are hopping on the healthy train and are noticing more people are going gluten free. You probably aren’t the first person to ask for something special.
Until tomorrow – stay classy bloggers.
Day 2
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/4/24243768/5011570.jpg)
Two days... so far so good. The only thing I immediately miss is soda. I'm a pop junkie (specifically Pepsi Max and Diet Mt. Dew - thanks to my roommate). Soda is not Paleo - so it is OFF the diet!
5 mile run? Check. Arm/ab work out? Check. Now to the food.
My mornings usually go by quickly. I usually sip on some tea with warmed coconut milk and I'll snack on hard-boiled eggs or an apple. Lunch though is what I have featured here.
Paleo Pasta. It's delicious and super easy.
Before going Paleo I loved me some pasta so naturally I wanted to find someway to substitute veggies to satisfy this craving. This can easily be done by peeling zucchinis. Usually about one zucchini per person will do the trick. Peel around the zucchini until you hit the seeds (the seed part is too soft) and put the peels aside. In the meantime, chop up and saute your favorite pasta ingredients. I usually stick with mushrooms, tomatoes, artichokes, broccoli, and even the zucchini seed parts. Always starting with oil and garlic then adding the veggies until they are soft. Once they are soft, add the peels back into the pan. The "noodles" only take about 3 minutes to soften.
You don't want the peels to get too soft or they won't have the al dente texture like pasta. Some also like to boil the peels and/or veggies but it's really easy to over cook it this way. So if you prefer to boil you may want to pay closer attention.
Finally top it off with sauce at the end. I usually make my own tomato sauce but if I don't do that the garlic and oil does coat everything nicely and goat cheese makes a fun additive to the pasta dish. If you want a protein, just add it in! Personally, I make some sort of fish filet to add on top but anything you'd eat with pasta will be good.
Enjoy.
5 mile run? Check. Arm/ab work out? Check. Now to the food.
My mornings usually go by quickly. I usually sip on some tea with warmed coconut milk and I'll snack on hard-boiled eggs or an apple. Lunch though is what I have featured here.
Paleo Pasta. It's delicious and super easy.
Before going Paleo I loved me some pasta so naturally I wanted to find someway to substitute veggies to satisfy this craving. This can easily be done by peeling zucchinis. Usually about one zucchini per person will do the trick. Peel around the zucchini until you hit the seeds (the seed part is too soft) and put the peels aside. In the meantime, chop up and saute your favorite pasta ingredients. I usually stick with mushrooms, tomatoes, artichokes, broccoli, and even the zucchini seed parts. Always starting with oil and garlic then adding the veggies until they are soft. Once they are soft, add the peels back into the pan. The "noodles" only take about 3 minutes to soften.
You don't want the peels to get too soft or they won't have the al dente texture like pasta. Some also like to boil the peels and/or veggies but it's really easy to over cook it this way. So if you prefer to boil you may want to pay closer attention.
Finally top it off with sauce at the end. I usually make my own tomato sauce but if I don't do that the garlic and oil does coat everything nicely and goat cheese makes a fun additive to the pasta dish. If you want a protein, just add it in! Personally, I make some sort of fish filet to add on top but anything you'd eat with pasta will be good.
Enjoy.
Day 1
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/4/24243768/3695193.jpg)
First day is always the assessment and today I weighed in.
Current weight: 134 lbs
Height: 5'7"
Today's Workout: 60 minutes of cardio (elliptical due to rain - ick) and abs
Here we go! light shake with almond milk for breakfast followed up by some almonds and a plum to snack on (about a fist full of almonds). Usually I try to hit it hard with veggies and protein for lunch and dinner (protein is usually seafood for me).
In terms of recommended Paleo meats, if it has a face, you can eat it. I take it down another level... I'm a Paleo Pescatarian which means I only look for seafood meat protein sources. There are a ton of great blogs out there with seafood options but you can also substitute proteins in other recipes too.
Big product shout out to Chocolate Almond Milk! One of the best ways to satisfy a sweet chocolate craving and staying Paleo. Coconut and almond milks are also good for protein shakes, in teas, and when making a creamy soup or sauce.
I'll share some of my favorite Paleo recipes throughout the challenge...
For workouts - I'm a runner. I run just about 5-6 miles every day and if I don't run I usually do some sort of 60 minute cardio session. Additionally, I"m trying to incorporate lifting or resistance training into my every day routine. I did more lifting yesterday, so today I completed a 60 minute cardio session and worked on a light ab routine. I want to reach my goals while I continue to lift - hopefully this 45 day challenge will prove that can be done.
Current weight: 134 lbs
Height: 5'7"
Today's Workout: 60 minutes of cardio (elliptical due to rain - ick) and abs
Here we go! light shake with almond milk for breakfast followed up by some almonds and a plum to snack on (about a fist full of almonds). Usually I try to hit it hard with veggies and protein for lunch and dinner (protein is usually seafood for me).
In terms of recommended Paleo meats, if it has a face, you can eat it. I take it down another level... I'm a Paleo Pescatarian which means I only look for seafood meat protein sources. There are a ton of great blogs out there with seafood options but you can also substitute proteins in other recipes too.
Big product shout out to Chocolate Almond Milk! One of the best ways to satisfy a sweet chocolate craving and staying Paleo. Coconut and almond milks are also good for protein shakes, in teas, and when making a creamy soup or sauce.
I'll share some of my favorite Paleo recipes throughout the challenge...
For workouts - I'm a runner. I run just about 5-6 miles every day and if I don't run I usually do some sort of 60 minute cardio session. Additionally, I"m trying to incorporate lifting or resistance training into my every day routine. I did more lifting yesterday, so today I completed a 60 minute cardio session and worked on a light ab routine. I want to reach my goals while I continue to lift - hopefully this 45 day challenge will prove that can be done.