Ready, Set, 21 Day DETOX!

I spent my day relaxing, packing up my meals for tomorrow, hard boiling some eggs, and stuffing myself with foods that I fear I will miss the most.  In eating a few chocolate kisses I realized that the diet drinks that I have daily will be what gives me the most trouble.  I am used to drinking at least one if not two a day.  I have been chronically dehydrated most of my adult life, chapped lips, and dry skin.  So I am hoping that transitioning myself during this to green tea and water only will help me.

My lunchbox is packed and I am in the right mindset that this is going to be a wonderful journey to becoming a healthier version of myself and help me to rid my life of some of the things that I have been wanting to give up for some time now.  I will be able to stick to a stricter Paleo diet that will allow me to have better health and better performance in the gym and with running.

I may need help from some of you in the next few days to remind me of the positives of what I am doing for myself here.  When I awake in the morning I will be prepared to take on the challenges of Day 1.  Stay tuned....

Preparing for 21 Day Sugar Detox

Hi my name is Becky, and I am addicted to sugar.  This is something that I hope many of you do not share in common with me.  However, many Americans do share this with me.  We are a nation addicted to sugar.  It is hidden in almost all of our prepared foods that we consume.  It is the reason we want to consume more of those foods.  Even being on a paleo style diet for the last good half of a year, I am still struggling with sugar cravings.  I rely heavily on "paleo treats" and on my cheat meals or days I consume chocolate, candy, and  GF treats.
How do I reset myself?  How do I stop these cravings?  Will I always be a sugar junkie?  I was directed to the website:http://balancedbites.com/category/21-day-sugar-detox by a friend.  (Thank you Julie)
I found the entire 21 day plan to help me detox my body from the sugars I am craving.  It includes recipes and tips, along with daily motivational emails.

This weekend is preparation for the upcoming first week of the detox.  April 1st is Detox Day.  I have decided to commit to this like nothing I have ever done before.  I am cooking up recipes, making snacks, and brewing green tea to help keep me on track and never wondering what to eat.
A few things I will be trying this week include:  homemade beef jerky, bacon wrapped chicken legs, savory muffins, garlic dill carrots and zucchini, almonds, and burgers with onions.  Along with 1 green apple per day.

I am attempting to break this down into smaller sections and look at this as weekly.  That way I can set myself up for a successful week each weekend.  A few of my goals with this program are:  to help me not crave sugar, better focus at work and in the gym, better sleep, and clearing up my skin.  I will be posting blogs regularly on how this program is going for me.  Please support me and cheer me on as I start my 21 day journey of getting sugar out of my regular diet!

It's All About You.

While lifting heavy stuff off the ground (power cleans) and throwing myself on the floor with the sole intent of getting up as quickly as possible to then jump over a 20 inch box (burpee box jumps) I had a thought.   Conventional Wisdom Sucks! 

For anyone that has heard the comments that you are not supposed to lift weight that heavy.  Or eating like that is cannot be healthy for you.  Or that spending money on eating locally, from a responsible and sustainable farm, and organically is a weird.  I am here to stand up and say that this is happiness and health for me.  I like being strong and lifting heavy weights.  I am proud that I power cleaned 85lbs 5 times tonight.  I enjoy going to farmers' markets and knowing where my food comes from and that I am eating meat that is humanly raised, along with veggies and fruit that are not genetically modified with ridiculous crap.  Who in the world wants to eat a tomato that has fish DNA in it?  There are many people that follow Conventional Wisdom and do not understand.  Don't waste your energy on these people in your life.  It is exhausting.  If someone cares for you, they don't have to understand it, just support your decisions.

My life has become richer and fuller.  I am stronger than ever.  I have never enjoyed my food like I do now.  I am currently taking in ZERO medications for my allergies that in the past have rendered me helpless without them, but then had side effects to deal with.  This is living folks!  

Conventional Wisdom would be telling me that none of this is possible.  I am saying that all of these things work for me.  No judgement.  Do what is best for you!  Stay positive!  And  B.E. Happy!

All the Changes Equal a Life I Could Only Dream Of!

We all have our own "AH HA" moments.  Mine came last April when I decided to smoke my last Marlboro Light cigarette and to never touch them again.  That was the day that catapulted me into a lifestyle of CrossFit, running, and Paleo.  All of which I told my husband numerous times that I would never do.  I never dreamed that I would be someone that anyone would ever ask diet or exercise advice from, want to go running with, or tell me I inspired them in any way.  I feel so blessed to be living a happier and healthier life for myself and my family.  I feel even more blessed that people have joined me in my quest to be happy and healthy and have given me so much encouragement along the way.  Thank you all for helping me stay focused and successful.

Some changes were big, some changes were small, but all of them have equalled to a life that I could only dream of having a year ago.  I go to bed every night thankful for all of the successes and blessings.

My most recent set backs of sciatica for almost 2 months and this Thyrotoxicosis that I have been dealing with seem to be under control again.  I am back in the gym and signed up for my first 5K of the year for St. Patty's Day.  I am also following a new paleo diet plan that removed some of my staple foods, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, to name a few.  This was scary for me and I was nervous about it, but I am getting used to eating different veggies and really enjoying eating more berries.  It has decreased my resting heart rate and the weird hot flashes with excessive sweating have disappeared.  I have two more months before I will be tested to see if this is really helping, but so far, so good.

I may have a little case of cabin fever too because I am also excited that we are only 8 weeks away from our new CSA pick ups!  I cannot wait to have fresh, local food.  I am also working on the plans for my herb garden so that we can have fresh herbs in the backyard.  Spring can't come quick enough!

In the kitchen, some good clean recipes!

Due to my many health related issues that I have been having lately, I have been unable to workout.  So instead I have been in the kitchen brushing up on my skills at cooking.  I am going to post a few of my favorites that I have tried recently.  

Apple  Streusel Egg Muffins (from Practical Paleo)

ingredients:

• 3 large green apples, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces (approximately 2 cups) – peeled if you like

• 3 tablespoons warm water

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon, divided

• 9 eggs

• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter or coconut oil (to make it dairy-free), melted

• 3 tablespoons coconut milk

• 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut flour

• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

preparation:

• Preheat oven to 350F.

• In a medium skillet, sautée the apples, water, and 1 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon until the apples are the consistency of chunky applesauce or apple pie filling. Allow the mixture to cool before combining with the egg mixture.

• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, butter, coconut milk, coconut flour, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Add the cooled apples, reserving 1/4 cup for a garnish.

• Spoon egg and apple mixture into parchment cup lined muffin tins—1/4 cup each. Gently spoon about one teaspoon of the remaining apple mixture onto the top of each muffin.

• Bake for 40 minutes.

Bora Bora Fireballs

Prep 10 min | Cook 30 min | Makes about 42 meatballs

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 teaspoon plus 1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon plus 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 cup canned crushed pineapple, sugar-free, packed in its own juice
2 tablespoons coconut aminos
1 1/2 teaspoons dried ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
3-4 scallions, white and green, very thinly sliced (about 1/4 cup)
1/2 fresh jalapeño, seeds and ribs removed, finely minced (about 2 teaspoons)
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 pounds ground pork

Directions:1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, then add the coconut. Toast, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Set aside to cool.

2. Drain the cup of canned pineapple in a sieve placed over a bowl to catch the juice. Press the pineapple pulp against the sieve with a wooden spoon to extract the excess moisture. Place the pineapple in a large mixing bowl and save the juice for later.

3. To the pineapple, add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cayenne, coconut aminos, ginger, garlic, scallions, jalapeño, and eggs. Beat with a wooden spoon until combined. With your hands, crumble the pork into the bowl and knead until all of the ingredients are incorporated.

4. Arrange the bowls of pineapple juice, spiced coconut, and seasoned pork for easy access. Measure a level tablespoon of pork to make a meatball, lightly douse it in the pineapple juice, then roll it in the coconut, pressing the coconut shreds into the meat by lightly rolling the ball between your palms. This is a rare case in which more isn’t better — don’t go too cuckoo with the coconut. Line up the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, about 1/2 inch apart.

5. Slide the meatballs into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until sizzling and golden brown. These taste great with Confetti Cauliflower and/or Sunshine Sauce.

http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/2013/03/05/bora-bora-fireballs/

And my favorite to add to anything is Sweet and Spicy Sweet Potatoes.  Here's the link
http://www.heandsheeatclean.com/2012/05/clean-eat-recipe-sweet-spicy-sweet.html

This was a way for me to remember that 70% of health is made in the kitchen and only 30% is exercise.  So remember to have a good foundation with you food.  Good clean food makes for a healthier you!