Top 5 Reasons I'm Still Doing Paleo

Today is day 31. For 31 days I have been dairy free, legume free, starch free, wheat free, (refined) sugar free, and processed- foods free. I have eaten only meat, fish, nuts, eggs, vegetables, and fruit.

I will not deny that the first week was hellish. I have come to realize that (refined) sugar is like a drug. If you go cold turkey coming off of it, do expect some discomfort. But, it is so worth it.

Here are the top 5 reasons why I'm going to continue Paleo:

1. I am NEVER hungry. So many fad diets are about practically starving yourself. I do not count calories and I do not worry about how much I'm eating. When I'm hungry, I eat. I just make sure what I eat sticks with the Paleo plan.

2. I never get bored with the food. There are SO many amazing recipes out there. Simply google "Paleo recipes" and you will be shocked at the number of creative people out there who are also living Paleo and sharing their recipes.

3. Paleo is family friendly. I have come to realize that the whole family, kids included, can do this. Yes, it requires some creativity and planning, but it is so satisfying to watch your children enjoy healthy foods.

4. I am losing inches. I have not lost a ton of weight. But, eating Paleo, along with a Crossfit WOD at least 3 times a week, well, let's just say that Jeff may be springing for a new wardrobe pretty soon.

5. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON AND THAT'S WHY I'M YELLING!!! I FEEL BETTER THAN I HAVE IN YEARS! I have more energy. I am not sluggish during the day. I do not feel the need to take a nap everyday like I used to. I have blogged several times about my struggle with depression. Mentally, I am alert and consistent in a way that I'm not sure I ever have been. I am no expert, but I wonder if sugary, processed foods contribute to a person's mental health?

If you are thinking about going Paleo, I just want to encourage you to go for it. Throw out the junk in your pantry. Go to the grocery store and spend some time savoring the produce and meat section. Start experimenting and see what delicious recipes you can come up with. Give it one month. Just one month.

If you decide to give it a go, let me know!

Jeff's Spicy Thai Carrot Soup

I love Sunday nights. Jeff usually cooks on Sunday nights. And, that's why I love Sunday nights! I usually sit and watch him. Pre- Paleo days I would sip on a glass of wine and admire his amazing body and the way he moves so proficiently in the kitchen. This past Sunday night, however, I sipped on hot peppermint tea. But, I still admired his amazing body.

One of his specialties is carrot soup and beer bread. It is awesome on a cold winter evening. But, the soup has heavy whipping cream in it (I'm not eating dairy) and I certainly can't eat beer bread! So, he decided to mix it up a little. Here's what he came up with:

2 or 3 tablespoons of olive oil

1.5 lbs. carrots peeled and cut up

1/2  yellow onion                                                                     

2 cloves of garlic

1 box of chicken broth

1/4 cup full fat coconut milk (found in the Asian food section)

1 Tablespoon of chili paste (more if you like it super spicy!)

spices to taste- salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder

Heat the oil in a frying pan. Chop 1 carrot, the onion, and the garlic very finely and throw it in the oil. Simmer until the onions are translucent. Then add the broth and the rest of the carrots. Cook until carrots are fairly soft- about 20 minutes. In a blender, blend about 2 cups at a time until smooth, being VERY careful not to pop the lid of the blender off. (I've done this before with hot soup and it can be really dangerous!! Blend small amounts at a time.) Once it's all blended and smooth, add the coconut milk, the chili paste and the rest of the spices to taste.

Oh my word, ya'll. This soup was REALLY good. I love really spicy foods, too, because it forces you to eat more slowly and savor what you're eating.

Ok, so maybe it doesn't look the best, but, I promise, it tastes delicious and is worth the 30 minutes it takes to cook!

Pei- Wei Style Chicken Lettuce Wraps

I am the first to confess that not all of my "experiments" in the kitchen turn out well. They just don't. But, unfortunately for my family, I still make them eat it.

Yesterday, however, dinner was a huge hit! Company worthy, even. I had a hankering for something Asian- spicy- crunchy and I remembered these lettuce wraps I had at Pei-Wei a while ago. Now, I made up my own recipe, but then searched online and found Paleo lettuce wraps all over the place! (There are probably some recipes better than mine so look around!) Apparently, I'm not as original as I thought! But, these really were yummy.

I marinated chicken breasts in a combination of Tamari (wheat free soy sauce) and a bit of maple syrup. (Each side for about an hour). I cooked the chicken on the stove top in a pan with a little olive oil and then shredded the chicken.

I chopped up a bunch of veggies I found in my fridge (cabbage, cucumbers, carrots, and green onion) and made a Thai style "peanut" sauce, except I used almond butter. The sauce turned out wonderfully! (I just added almond butter, olive oil, honey, and Tamari sauce until it tasted good to me.)

I have to tell you about the lettuce I found to wrap them in. I had never seen it until this week and, although it's not organic, it is awesome! It's a cross between iceberg and romaine lettuce and was perfect for making wraps. I've also used them to make "sandwiches." (I wrap a slice of deli meat and some avocado in it and dip it in dijon mustard...yum!) I also love the convenience of pre-washed lettuce. (Jeff once called me lazy for not buying the cheaper lettuce that you wash yourself.) But, this is one shortcut I don't feel guilty about making. For some reason, I am terrible at washing lettuce- it always ends up soggy and gross.

(I apologize for being so completely computer illiterate that I can not figure out how to rotate this pic.)

This meal was a huge hit with the fam. And, guess who gets to eat the leftovers for lunch? ME!

I will leave you with a picture of my newest baby. I am very excited to have found a great deal on a gorgeous piano at an estate sale. It was delivered yesterday. Needless to say (if you know me at all) there has been a LOT of jamming going on in the Lo house. LOVING it!

More on Paleo

I told ya'll I was excited about this Paleo stuff, and I wasn't kidding! When was the last time I blogged twice in two days?!?! Thanks so much for reading.  It really means a lot to me. I really want to share what I've been learning!

So, the biggest reason why I decided to try Paleo was that I felt like crap most of the time and I knew it probably had to do with what I was eating. I was tired and had hardly any energy, not to mention moody and emotional. When I started Crossfit, I heard whisperings of "Paleo" and "Zone" and "Gluten-Free", but I didn't think too much about it because I didn't think I could do it. I have zero discipline when it comes to food. I love food! I love cooking! I love feeding my family and friends! If I did any of these, I would have to sacrifice all that wonderful food, right??

Well, what I've learned is that you really don't have to sacrifice food at all! In fact, you get to try new recipes and combinations and mix meat and fruit and veggies and see what you come up with. And, you never go hungry. If I'm feeling the least bit tempted by sweets, I grab a handful of almonds which almost always satisfies my sweet tooth. (I carry a bag in my purse, too.)

What about the kids, you ask? How am I getting them to eat all this stuff? What about Gushers and fruit roll-ups and chips and Capri-Sun's? Aren't they feeling deprived? The truth is, I haven't given them a choice. I threw it all out- all the junk food. I figured if I was feeling lousy eating all those sugary and salty snacks with no nutritional value, surely they were, too, and didn't even know it!

I was afraid, honestly, about being that "health food" house. You know, the ones the kids' friends never want to come to because we don't have junk food in the house. Well, we had our first experiment last Friday. All the kids had a friend over. I made avocado-filled "deviled" eggs and bacon and sweet potato filled endive. Within a matter of minutes, they were all gone. Not to mention the bag of cutie oranges I had bought that day. I heard a few, "Wow- that's awesome!" and "This tastes really good!" But, there was no complaining.

Cost wise, I think these snacks are the same as if not less than what I would pay buying sugary junk. It just took a little planning. But, the time I spent cooking (maybe 30 minutes) was worth the satisfaction I got from watching these children enjoy healthy snacks!

Here is what I made for dinner last night:

Pecan crusted cod (I ground up pecans in the coffee grinder, rubbed a little olive oil and salt on the fish, sprinkled the crushed pecans over it, and baked at 350 for about 20 minutes), mashed sweet potatoes, and green beans. (The whole meal took me around 30 minutes to prepare.)

Seriously, it was SO easy. And the kids literally licked their plates. They didn't ask for dessert after dinner- they asked for a banana!!! Of COURSE?!?!?!?

There are a TON of Paleo resources on the internet. You do NOT have to feel deprived of anything. You just have to be prepared!

Here are a few of my favorites:
Crossfit Flex Gym Nutrition blog (I linked this blog yesterday.  My friend, Juli, is amazing!! You ought to see her abs- seriously. We're starting to cook and experiment together, too.)

Jen's Gone Paleo- I've just started reading this blog and LOVE this girl's approach to food and cooking.

Everyday Paleo- This lady is hardcore. She's fed her kids Paleo their whole lives!! She has some great ideas for families on the go as well as lunch and snack ideas. She also has a cookbook that I am going to order.

If you are thinking about giving Paleo a go, just do it. I promise you will not regret it. You will be amazed at the energy you have and how fun eating healthy really can be!

Couch to Crossfit, Crossfit to Paleo

Crossfit = combination strength training/ aerobic/ crazy intense/ you feel like your going to die by the end of most WOD's/ workout.  (I started it last September.)

It kicks my rear every. single. time. But, I keep going back. I am probably the least in shape at my gym. But, I keep going back.

Part of it is the people. Part of it is the competition- against yourself and against others. Part of it is the amazing trainers. Part of it is that I am coming up on 35 and I am NOT going to enter into halfway to 70 looking like I'm 50 because I didn't take care of myself.

I  took a challenge on January 1. It was a challenge made by my gym to go completely gluten free. However, I decided to step it up a notch or two and eat Paleo.

Paleo= Meat, Fish, Veggies, Fruit, Nuts, and Eggs. NO dairy, legumes, sugar, or grains.

The first week was a bit hellish. My whole body shook. I was pale and clammy and all I could think about was how badly I wanted a big chocolate bar. But, I pressed through and am 7 pounds lighter with TONS more energy, a better mood, and a sense of pride over the fact that I have continued to say "no" to sugar.

I have discovered that I like Paleo. I like it a lot. I have started feeding my family mostly Paleo. I threw out our junk food drawer. I plan meals and have plenty of fruit and veggies on hand for snacks.

Our fruit bowls, which I stocked yesterday, but will be empty by the end of the week.

I left the boys home alone for a few minutes yesterday and came home to two empty grapefruit halves. It was, perhaps, a little disconcerting that they used a knife without me here to cut it open, but I was proud of their snack choice!

I am loving experimenting in the kitchen and have decided to use this blog to share some of my creations, and the creations of others that turn out well. (My friend, Juli, has some amazing recipes on this page.)

Here is my experiment from last night:

Sausage, onions, and apples cooked in a bit of olive oil, wrapped in a lettuce shell with zucchini dipped in egg whites and coconut flour and fried in olive oil- SO YUMMY!

The kiddos loved it.

I am hoping that by sticking with Crossfit and Paleo, in a few months I will look less like this:

and more like this:

(These girls are from my gym and are awesome!)

More importantly, I want to have the stamina and energy to do things like this:

Because I want to be around to watch these kids grow up:

And I'd like to do more than just watch them grow up. 

I also want to keep up with them. And maybe even pass them up.

Beauty from Ashes

There are so many things I'd love to blog about right now including our amazing visit from Uncle Curtis and Auntie Bernice from Canada, the last weeks of school before Christmas, the joy we get from watching our children enjoy this time of year, and a lovely Christmas with my entire family (including my parents, siblings, spouses, and all of our children!).

I suppose this is the time of year that many of us reflect. We reflect on the failures and successes, the relationships made and relationships lost, and, in general, where God has us and where He'd rather us be. One thing I love to look back on is how God takes sorrows and turns them into joys. Or, maybe He doesn't take away the sorrow, but it's because of deep sorrow that one really knows deep joy. I don't think I've ever experienced grief on the same level as many I know.

I KNOW I haven't experienced grief like our dear friends, Todd and Jill. You may remember me telling the story- almost 4 years ago now. After years of trying, Todd and Jill finally found out they were expecting- with twins! We were all so thrilled. There, in my opinion, was no one more deserving of the blessing of twins than Todd and Jill.

Sadly, 22 weeks into the pregnancy, God, for reasons we won't understand until we can ask Him, chose to take those little babies home. It was gut-wrenching. Jeff and I watched our dearest friends go through the one thing every parent prays they will never go through.  The haunting beauty of Jill as she held those babies and wept tears that no mother should have to cry is never far from my thoughts.  Todd carrying that tiny casket from the chapel to the gravesite will forever be etched into my memory.

Several months after moving to Canada, and about a year after the twins died, Jill called. I knew this was going to be a happy phone call. I could hear it in her voice. She was pregnant- with TWINS! My mouth dropped. I screamed. I jumped up and down. I can not express the joy that I felt, but Jill was cautious- cautiously optimistic. She was placed on strict bed rest for her entire pregnancy. And, in true Jill fashion, she was a trooper. She handled it with grace and dignity as no one doubted she would.

And, about eight months later Rachel and Elizabeth were born- full term perfectly healthy babies. And, can I just say, I really don't think I've ever seen such exquisite beauty? (Except for Selah, of course!)

We didn't get to see Todd and Jill the entire time we lived in Canada. I relied on blogs and e-mailed pictures to keep up with the girls' growth- which seems very rapid to me! But, two weeks ago, on our way to meet my family for Christmas, we had the blessing of meeting up with this dear family.

Rachel and Elizabeth are now two! And, they are darling. I wonder how it was for Todd and Jill in those first moments of meeting the girls. I know the depth of their love for James and Kate runs as wide as it does for Rachel and Elizabeth. I am certain that, in those first moments of life, Todd and Jill knew what deep joy was. And they are still experiencing it as they watch those two year olds hobble all over the place and fight with each other and love on each other.

Jeff and I got to experience it, as well, but on a much shallower level, I am sure. It was a joyous few hours, watching Todd dote on his girls and Jill mother them so eloquently.

I think I got a tiny glimpse into how God turns beauty from ashes. It made me want to appreciate every moment- the good stuff and the bad stuff.  It made me want to be present- not just here. It made me want to hold on to my children a little tighter and hold Jeff's hand a little more. It made me want to do my best to mend broken relationships and forgive a little easier. It made me not want to sweat the small stuff I so often stress over.

It made me want to know God on a deeper level and pray more. It made me want to be a more generous giver and a more humble receiver.

So, I suppose, this is my theme for 2011. God does and will turn ashes into beauty and whatever ashes I think I have (which are so minuscule in the grand scheme of life), I want to turn them over to Him and watch as He teaches me what true beauty really is.

Todd and Jill, Rachel, Elizabeth, James, and Kate- Thanks for being our friends. Thanks for putting up with us and thanks for teaching us, in your beautiful way, that God does, indeed, turn mourning into dancing.