Eat Like a Caveman!

Cooking Club was yesterday - and I was the hostess.

My turn!  My turn to turn my friends onto the wonderful world of paleo - or as we like to say 'eating like a caveman'.

I had the fleeting thought of building a fire in the yard, and as each guest arrived, handing them a bow and arrow, saying 'Have at it! You catch it, you eat it - oh, and by the way - I do believe the dandelions are up now in case you are hankerin' for a salad."

But I just had a feeling that wouldn't go over with this crowd.

In fact, I even gave them forks, knives, and plates.

This is some high falutin' primal eating.

Isn't this table that Glenco made for me awesome?

It cost us $3.

All we had to buy were some screws.

The lumber was 'reclaimed' from a dumpster.

That Glenco - he's worth his salt.

I really had fun with the tablescape.

Nothing like walking around the yard finding things to slap on the table.

The food was extremely delicious.

Please know that this is not a way that I eat every day - nor do I suggest that this is 'healthy'.

It's much higher in fat than I eat, or suggest eating.

But if you are looking for something that is non-allergenic, something that will sway you into getting away from grains and dairy - something that you want to use to 'celebrate' a certain event - I'd endorse it then.

Except for the cake.

Amen.

Bacon wrapped dates.

Chicken with a Mushroom Sauce

Mashed Cauliflower

Kale Salad

Caveman Biscuits (made with coconut and almond flour)

Dessert was stretching things a bit - but it was Cooking Club after all.

A flourless Chocolate Cake with Strawberries.

The meal was higher in fat than I typically eat, but it was a nice treat.

I took all the recipes from this cookbook:

Here's their website

http://paleocomfortfoods.com/a-look-at-our-book/

I truly hope that you are either:

A.  Changing what you feed yourself

B. Seriously thinking and planning on changing what you feed yourself

or

C.  Getting a really good health insurance plan

I just watched this documentary online, and it was worth every minute.

VERY eye-opening, and if it doesn't motivate you to change, I'm not sure what will.

It's free online until March 31st.

http://www.hungryforchange.tv/online-premiere

Please take the time out to give it a look see.

Life is too short to eat crap, feel like crap, and look like crap.

Take care of yourself.

No one else is gonna do it for you.

Why I Ran Today

Because I could.

I could end this post right here, couldn't I?

But y'all know me WAY better than that.

(The pictures throughout this post are ones Aaron just took - I need your help deciding what should be my profile picture, ok?  Is he not a fabulous photographer!?)

Thanks for all of your fun comments on Helene!

Basically - that is a snippet of how goofy Aaron and I are on a daily basis - we just happened to film it.

When he gets here today, I'm going to ask him to make a blooper video of it - and maybe I'll mention to you how he ran off the road and if it weren't for Glenco's eagle eye in the backseat, someone on North Holtz Road wouldn't have a mailbox right now.

Good times.

I'm still way too happy.

Perhaps it's the temperatures here in NW Indiana.

Record highs.

I do believe the magnolia will burst forth in all of its splendor today.

One can only hope that some rogue wind from the North won't strip it of its blossoms tomorrow.

It's March people.

I don't trust March.

I never have - and it if thinks I'm going to start now - just by wooing me with these temps that make you want to strip naked and run through the corn stubble - well, its got another thing coming!

 

Perhaps my hormones are swinging wildly - perhaps I've just been too busy counting my blessings - perhaps, perhaps.

Perhaps I'm so happy just cause I'm eating so well.  My hair is growing so fast you can almost watch it grow - perhaps, perhaps.

Perhaps it's emails like these that I get so often -

I was wondering if I could pick your brain for a minute. I'm trying to take a few pounds off and am really struggling.

OR

When I feel this good...make that GREAT...I can't imagine ever going back to eating all of the other stuff I used to put in my stomach. That would be TORTURE to me now. I get what you've been saying over the last year...I REALLY get it! :) (this is from one of my dearest readers who's lost 20#'s now and still going!)

OR

a sweet reader emailing me telling me I've inspired her to walk the Chicago Half Marathon.

I am blessed.

Each of you here means the world to me.

I wish that there were a way to sit with each of you and become BFF's.

Isn't that a cute sweater?

Got it in a bag sale at the resale shop, so I basically paid .50 for it.

Still had the tags on it from New York & Co.

$39.99.

Yesterday, I washed it.

Oops.

70% wool.

My bad.

This weight loss journey is coming to a close - the weight LOSS part.

Not too far to go now.

My goal now is to be FIT.

Not just thin, but fit.

I ran today because I could.

I don't mean that to be 'inspirational' or anything - I just mean it.

I have friends that I know would love to be able to run.

Heck - they'd be happy to just go through one day with some energy.

I think of my mom - not much older than I am now when she was diagnosed with emphysema.

I run cause I can.

I run sometimes because I feel too good to walk.

Isn't that ridiculous!?

I sure don't do it well, and I don't run far - but I run the best I can.

I'll keep getting better too.

 I feel fantastic.

This journey of growing on the inside and shrinking on the outside has been so worth it.

When I think back of how 'deprived' I felt in the beginning because I

 'couldn't have my favorite foods' - I almost laugh -

because you know what?

To have them now would deprive me of THIS.

Peace.

Happiness.

Vibrant health.

A clear mind.

A 29" waist (ya baby!)

and too many benefits to list.

THAT'S deprivation - not turning down a brownie.

Selah.

I really miss this sweater!

Somewhere in the last year - in the midst of all the hammering away at changing my life - it changed.

Funny how that happens.

Have I been perfect?

Absolutely not!

Lord!

I'm not perfect, but I am fabulous.

That's my new tagline, by the way.

Feel free to use it.

These days, I'm feeling confident.

I'm feeling that what I have to say has merit.

I'm feeling very little self consciousness.

I'm feeling like I have so much I have to give it away or I'll burst.

I is kind.

I is smart.

I is important.

And so is you.

Please take care of yourself today.

Life is short.

There are so many people counting on you.

 

Humiliation in Crystal River

Alright y'alls.

I'm hormonal.

It's gloomy out - and it just seems like hormones and gloom make a good day for a good story.

 

I'm completely aware that I think too much, and it's something I'm thinking about stopping.

:-)

For the last few days I've been thinking about humiliation.

It's such a strong word isn't it?

Think about it.

Do you feel HUMILIATED?

When?

Why?

"Oh my gosh - my child failed algebra - I'm completely HUMILIATED!"

"Oh dear Lord - I ran into Marge at the Piggly Wiggly and I had on no make up nor a bra - I was completely HUMILIATED!"

"Patty just stopped by out of the blue and there were dishes in my sink!  I'm HUMILIATED!"

For me - humiliation was a constant companion - for most of my adult life.

Much of it brought on by my choice of eye wear and clothing.

"Ya, I'm fat and I'm wearing horizontal stripes!  Suck it!"

"Oh sweet Jesus - I haven't seen Kathy since I weighed 187lbs - I just ran into her at the Dairy Queen - I'm 272lbs - I'm HUMILIATED!"

"Hmmm....when I went in for this surgery I was not wearing these paper panties that I've woken up in.  Did the doctor that looked like Mario Lopez wrangle them on my gelatinous 240lb behind??

I'm HUMILIATED!"

Perhaps my ultimate humiliation was when we were snorkeling about the Crystal River in Florida with a few very fit friends.

We'd rented a scraggly old Jon boat to do it in.

We were panning the river, back and forth, and as soon as we saw nostrils emerge from the water - we'd bail out of the boat, go under, and look to find them.

I never knew something that weighed 900lbs could be so elusive.

Back into the boat we'd all go.

Well, we did finally get to swim with them, and I have to tell you it was beyond exhilarating.

Back into the boat for the last time.

I was 270lbs.

In a wetsuit.

Surprised I wasn't mistaken for a manatee m'self.

Due to my physical state, due to being wet, exhausted and exhilarated, but mainly due to the fact that I was 270lbs, I couldn't get back in the boat.

I tried.

My friends tried pulling, they got in the water and they started pushing.

All that was going through my head was 'could this be any more HUMILIATING? - oh yes, I could be nude....that could make this MUCH more humiliating."

We gave up, and I held a rope as I was towed back to the boat dock.

I so hope you are laughing.

The reason I'm sharing this story with you today - because it's become very clear to me that I have a choice.

I have a choice to feel humiliation, or a choice to chuck it off and laugh about it.

I also have a choice to see that painful feeling as a message.

Peter McWilliams says:

“Pain (any pain--emotional, physical, mental) has a message. The information it has about our life can be remarkably specific, but it usually falls into one of two categories: "We would be more alive if we did more of this," and, "Life would be more lovely if we did less of that." Once we get the pain's message, and follow its advice, the pain goes away.”

I'd venture to say that the pain of me being towed back to shore was a message that

'hey girl - you're a bit overweight - perhaps you could change this?'

After working out with my amazing Coach this past week, at times, I have to say I felt that familiar old feeling of humiliation.

Now, the guy's heart is the biggest muscle he's got, and I know wasn't looking at me and thinking 'hey fatso - you are pitiful'.

If he was - I wouldn't have him as a Coach.

So all of that to say this - it just got me all thinking - and yesterday I shed a few tears thinking about it.

I felt stupid, ugly, blubbery, and old.

I felt HUMILIATED.

And somewhere inside I saw this ever small flickering flame that was hope - that was the voice of reason (we've all got one!) that said in it's best Handmade Ryan Gosling voice -

"Hey Girl - you are awesome.  You have a choice.  Why don't you tie up that humiliated feeling to the back of that Jon boat and let it go back to shore - you are headed for deeper waters."

You see - this weight loss journey hasn't just been about lowering my blood pressure, looking better in clothes, finding out what has more nutrition - broccoli or Brussels sprouts - it's about life.  It's about living.  It's about facing adversities one at a time - calling that voice in your head that tells you you're pitiful a liar.  Shouting it as you cross the line of a marathon!  It's about flinging that kettle bell high in the air realizing that there's nothing you can't do if you'll only put your mind to it.  Your past only defines you if you let it.

Rock on.

Lived to Tell the Tale

Me and Me Coach.

David Greenwalt.

2-2-2012

I did it.

I didn't pass gas.

I didn't vomit - nor did I faint.

You can't tell by this picture, but he's holding me up by the waist band of my pants.

I believe I was seeing the Smurfs dancing at this point too.

Butter me up, I was toast.

:-)

BUT.

It felt SO good.
So, so, so, so good.

When it was over - it felt so good.

You've seen those cute things going around Pinterest -

Look at me.

Proof I trained hard enough.

50 hang cleans

50 squats (I probably did 70 but a lot of them didn't 'count' cause I didn't lower my rump enough)

50 one arm dumbbell rows

50 Romanian dead lifts

50 triceps push downs

50 assisted chin ups

50 rope triceps extensions

A gob of kettle bell swings

Core work

I'm sore all over - but my quadriceps are the sorest.

I think I could put BBQ sauce on them and I'd have shredded pork.

If I drop something - it stays on the floor.

Every time I visit the bathroom I wish I had man parts.

I can't wait to do it again.

Working out with my Coach was a great gift to me.

He's one terrific guy - and I'll say it again - I'd be in a gutter with a marshmallow bag over my head if it weren't for him.

Eight of y'all have signed up for Bootcamp.

I'm tingling inside with excitement over it all.

I got this text this morning from a friend that just signed up for Bootcamp this Monday, and Bootcamp doesn't 'officially' start til Wednesday!

'Actually I'm doing very well.  I weighed last week at 203 and today I'm 199.

Been following the advice on the website and it actually feels kind miraculous.  I feel like I've been trying to break that 200 marker for a long time - and now I've done it in less than a week...come on!  Thanks for all of your great encouragement, it is really appreciated!'

I so want this for you.  I so want you to feel what I feel - I want you to know that it's never to late to start - it's never to late to change.  In one year I've gone from a butter licking 250lbs gal who considered feeding the chickens a workout - to a fabulous 50 year old only 15lbs from her goal weight - swinging kettle bells like nobody's business.

Who'da thunk it?

David Greenwalt - that's who.

Last chance....and seriously the last time I'll mention this until next year.

And that's a promise.

Click here if you want to change your life!

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on exercising

It's 8am and I'm sitting here trying to type with a purring, kneading cat lying on my forearms.

I'm drinking Irish breakfast tea.

I keep smelling an odd, bitter smell wafting around me.

Chores are just about done and I'm excited to work on my 'to do list'.

It's going to be a great day - I get the BoyChild after school today and I'm making a 'clean' meatloaf with red potatoes and a green bean salad.

I might bake him something.

Let's talk about exercise.

We all need to do it.

Most often we exercise our jaw more just talking about it.
We are all familiar with the Nike ad -

Just do it.

For an ADHD'r  like m'self - it's more like -

Just think about it.

Just talk about it.

Just plan it out to the last detail on paper, and then lose the plan.

Just don't do anything until you have the perfect exercise regime figured out and then doubt that it's the perfect one - so don't do it.

Confession?

I haven't worked out with any regularity since the marathon.

I really need a workout buddy in order to stay consistent.

Oh I have bouts of exercise - a burst of it here or there - a few days or weeks strung together -

and all it takes is a few days to make me feel like I'm really something.

Truth is, I love to exercise - I do -

truth is my mind sometimes won't let me do it.

I'll be on my way up to exercise when I see that the back door window looks dirty.

The next thing I know I'm cleaning out cupboards or painting something!

Or  have thoughts like - gee - I really should try to clean out my inbox.

Does the cat have food?

Where was that article about the dangers of eating soy? 

 I need to read that again.

Case in point.

I went upstairs to get on my elliptical and have an awesome cardio workout.

As I'm starting to warm up on the elliptical - I notice that the room just seems so boring.

"This room really needs a pop of color".

"I'd really like working out up here if I redecorated a little bit".

The next thing I know I'm off the elliptical, off to JoAnn fabrics, and maybe a bit off my rocker.

I deliberate over fabric, sending photo text messages to Janie Fox.

I decide I just can't work out up there until I have curtains, paint the old dresser that has to be in the room even though I don't want it there, and find some scented candles that 'set the mood' just right.

I was proud of myself that the curtains only cost me $25 to make, and I sold that black shelf thing in the first picture on Craig's List for $25.

A no cost spruce up baby.



This willy nilly behavior towards exercise has not gone unnoticed by my body.

My weight loss has been maintained - because my motto is 'work hard at exercise - work harder in the kitchen' and really the equation of weight loss is 80% nutrition and 20% exercise - but lord have mercy, I need that 20%.

Tomorrow I go work out with my Coach.

In real life person.

I'm embarrassed and scared.

I might puke, pass gas, or faint.

All three are highly likely, I'm just hoping they all don't happen at the same time.

My body is as lumpy as a newlywed's first attempt at gravy.

My skin - not as loose as I thought it would be - still gives my body the appearance of having a 'body within a body'.

I look decent fully dressed, but naked?

It's not pretty people.

My upper arms could beat someone to death if caught in a stiff wind.

When taking a bath in my antique tub, my breasts float - almost like they are detached from my body.

I have a feeling I'm in for it tomorrow.

I thought the dresser paint turned out awesome.  A pretty butter yellow I had hiding in the basement from projects gone by.

 The good news is that I have committed to exercise again and for the last week I've been consistent.

I tell myself 'you are doing it if it's the last thing you do' - and sometimes it IS the last thing I do, and I'm exercising at 8pm.

my yoga cat.
In honor of the late, great Jinksie - whom I still cry for nearly daily.
Oh how I loved that cat.

Today - right after I post this post - I'm going to go exercise.

As soon as I figure out where that puke smell is coming from.......

Bootcamp, Beefstew and Beseeching

I have had one heck of a busy weekend.

I've spent the better part of the day planning meals, grocery shopping and washing fruits and veggies.

Guess what I ended up getting for my birthday?

Mmmmhmmm....

I've sliced and chopped my fool head off today.

I even made some dough.

With wheat!

Gasp!

For Glenco.

My fruits and veggies are resting comfortably in the fridge all prepped and ready for me this week.

I wanted to share the Beef Stew recipe with you.

Certainly - it was my favorite beef stew recipe, thus far.

Perhaps it was the mood I was in whilst cooking it - perhaps it was the celery root, perhaps it was the humanly raised, grass fed beef - I behoove you to try it and let me know what you think.

This isn't a picture of the actual stew -

photo from eating clean diet website

But this is the actual recipe I used.
: -)

The Best Danged Beef Stew Evah

1.25lbs of beef stew meat
1 tsp smoked paprika (I used regular)
1/2 scant teaspoon of sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon oil (I used a bit less)
1/2 large white onion, chopped
Large pinch dried thyme
Large pinch dried rosemary
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour (I used quick cooking tapioca)
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar - divided
2 1/2 cups low sodium vegetable broth (I used beef broth)
2 bay leaves
1 cup chopped, peeled carrots
1 1/2 cups potato chunks (I used red potatoes)
1 cup of peeled, cubed celery root chunks (try not to substitute or eliminate this)
2 large portobello mushroom caps, cut into 1" chunks
3/4 cup of frozen peas

Pat beef dry with paper towel and sprinkle with paprika, salt, cayenne and black pepper.  In a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat oil on medium high.  Add beef and cook, undisturbed for two to three minutes.  Flip beef and repeat on opposite side.
(original recipe said to do this in two batches.  I ask you, who has time for that?  I did it in one.)
Remove beef and place on a large plate.
Add the onion to the pot and cook about six minutes, til lightly browned.  Reduce heat to medium low and add thyme, rosemary, tomato paste and garlic.
Mix well.  Return beef and any accumulated juices to the pot.
Sprinkle with flour and cook for one minutes - stirring constantly.
Add 2 T of the vinegar and simmer for one minute.  Add broth and bay leaves.
Cover and increase heat to medium high.  Once it begins to simmer, reduce it to medium low, and maintain a slow, steady simmer.

Cover and cook for an hour and fifteen minutes - stirring about three times.

Add carrots - simmer for thirty minutes more.
Add potatoes, simmer for 10 minutes.
Add celery root, cover and simmer til all is tender - about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, coat a large skillet with cooking spray and heat on medium high.  Slap those mushrooms in there and the remaining 2 T of vinegar, and a pinch of salt and black pepper.
Cook three to five minutes, stirring frequently.  Continue cooking until mushrooms are tender and all liquid is almost completely reduced, about three minutes.

Add peas to the pot.
Cook about 2 minutes, add mushrooms and remove from heat.
Remove bay leaves and serve.

Worth every minute.
One and a half cups of beef stew has 386 calories, 10 g fat, 32 carbs, and 35 protein.

The last thing I wanted to mention tonight is Bootcamp.
Tomorrow is the day.
Sign ups.
If you don't sign up tomorrow - you probably won't get in.
I'm beseeching you to give it a little more thought.

Click here and give my interview a listen.
You can access the link to sign up for the early bird email there too..

I wish I could somehow convey to you what a difference this program has made in my life.
I finally admitted that I couldn't do it on my own.
I liken it to the dentist, or going to the doctor for a needed surgery.
I wouldn't in a million years try to fill my own tooth - or give myself surgery.
I feel that being overweight for so long, and all of the emotional baggage I carried from it - was like a cancer on my soul.
I admitted I needed help.
I got it.
It was worth every dime, and even more.
If you are just sick and tired of being sick and tired - if you are just at the end of your rope of 'trying it on your own' or other programs that don't seem to work for you.
It's not just calories in, calories out.
You aren't broken.
You can succeed.
You aren't too old, you aren't too young.
You aren't too busy either.
There's no perfect time to change.
Now's your chance.
Right now.

Many of you will be glad to know that after today I won't be mentioning it again!
Ha!

Sign ups are tomorrow - the program starts on February 8th.
I'll be helping coach.
Nothing would make me happier than to help you succeed.
For real.

Please email me if you have any questions at all!

My goal for Bootcamp this go around is to lose another 20lbs.
I want to build some serious muscle and build my endurance.
I plan on rocking 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and possibly 100.
Gettin' old ain't for sissies baby.

Move over Betty White -

Another Great Breakfast Idea...

I was surprised and delighted to find out that most of you do not consume fast food on a regular basis!

Hurrah!

This was my go to breakfast before I found out that dairy bloated me like a tick and caused a severe hole in the ozone layer in Northwest Indiana.  Now, I just stick with my turkey sausage and fruit.  I do try to have this once in a while as a change - but I get so danged gassy!

It's quick - it's inexpensive - it's filling - and it's balanced with carbs and protein.

It's also versatile.

This might sound gross to you at first - mixing oatmeal and cottage cheese together - but trust me on this one. 

I'm a real texture kinda girl - and if I don't like the texture of something in my mouth - no matter how much I love the taste - I just won't eat it.

This - I really like.

1/4 cup of old fashioned oatmeal

3/4 cup of water

Cook the oatmeal in the water - and add your choice of fruit.  I like apples or blueberries - bananas are good too - but if you choose those - add them after cooking.  Use about a 1/2 cup of fruit.

Add a dash of cinnamon, almond or vanilla extract (depends on what fruit you are using).

Add 3/4 cup of lowfat cottage cheese.

I usually put the pot back on the stove at this point and warm the whole thing up again.

Now - the sweetener - I used agave nectar - I really frown upon the artificial sweeteners - perhaps you could use honey - again - I'll leave the sweetener up to you - it's personal preference.

Some nuts would be delicious on there, wouldn't it?

I'd refrain from doing that - even though 'it's a good fat' - it's a fat nonetheless - and with the amount of carbohydrates in this dish - you want to avoid any extra fat.

Let me know what you think!

Start your day out right girls - get protein in your craw first thing in the morning.

This recipe has been approved by Scarlett - she has often been the lucky chicken that gets little bits of it leftover.

The McDonalds Experiment

The last few days I've had some odd gastrointestinal problems.

I gained four pounds suddenly -

and I'll spare you the rest of the details - but suffice it to say - the symptoms were troublesome enough to get me up on the Web MD and study the contents of my toilet bowl closely.

After diagnosing myself with pancreatic issues and malabsorption, I've come to the conclusion that my symptoms may just be due to an over zealous consumption of Greek Kalamata Figs.

Amen.

But this post is about McDonalds -

I'm a food snob.  It's true.  I'm also a coffee snob.

With that said - let me tell you how much I enjoyed the Dollar Menu at McDonalds and gas station cappuccinos before embarking on 'The Great Change of 2011'.

I've watched 'Supersize Me'.

I know there are 70 ingredients in the McRib.

I remember finding a chicken hip socket in one of my chicken nuggets.

No lie.

I've read in places that one McDonalds cheeseburger can represent up to 100 cows.

And yet - sometimes I'm able to shut my mind off and eat the danged things.

It's been months and months since I've had a burger there - and honestly - I don't think I COULD shut my mind off and eat one anymore.  The meat freaks me out.

I haven't ingested a nugget since the hip socket incident.

Please don't let your babies eat McDonalds.

I heard about this a week or two ago - and I'm so intrigued by it - I have to do it.

A woman supposedly has had a McDonalds hamburger sitting on her counter for one year and it has remained unchanged.

Now sisters, that's something I gotta see to believe.

I've heard it true of Twinkies - but a meat product?

I was hoping that if I did this experiment - that it would keep Glen and the BoyChild off them for good.

So today - I get the burger.

Plain cheeseburger.

Several reasons why I think I may fail this experiment -

1.  I don't know that I can stand the smell of it - even fresh now - the burgers turn my stomach.

2.  What if the cat jumps up and eats it while I'm gone?

and actually - this reason should have been first -

3.  I don't think my OCD will allow a rogue cheeseburger to sit out of place in the kitchen for a year.

In fact, I'm going to be surprised if I make it two days.

A cheeseburger shouldn't be sitting somewhere like that - it's just disgusting and it's not tidy at all.

I might have to make a special spot in the basement for it to sit, so I don't have to look at it.

I'll keep you posted with weekly updates and photos of the burger.

I'd like to challenge you today -

Do you think you could make it ONE week without fast food?

Discuss.