Water

Water is something I don't drink enough of in the winter months.  During my first challenge Erin told me about putting a cinnamon stick in my water.  I know it sounds odd...may look odd but is delicious. 

So I got to thinking what can I add to my water without adding sugar.  I had some fresh mint left over so I muddled that in a glass then added water.  Came out with a hint of mint and looked amazing.

After a trip to Whole Foods and buying some strawberries for strawberry salsa to put atop my salmon, I used a couple with mint in a pitcher of water.  This actually sat over night in the fridge and came out great.  The water had a hint of strawberry and mint to it...nothing over powering.  Plus it looked so pretty.  If only I had an umbrella straw I could have pretended to be on a beach instead of in this freezing weather.  Of course lemons, limes and cucmbers are great to flavor water.  Let me know what combinations you try.

Strawberry Salsa

So today was a great day and I enjoyed every moment.  As soon as I woke up I turned on the oven to bake up a chicken breast.  I seasoned some almond meal with garlic and chili powder, then breaded the chicken in it.  Baked this while I cooked up 4 eggs and microwaved a sweet potato.  Quickly threw 2 cups of arugula in tupperware and drizzled with Carlson's fish oil.  Packed everything up except the eggs which I nibbled on while I got ready to head to the noon class. Sadie and I walked threw some snow flurries before I took off to CFCC.  I felt good during the noon class except for this nagging headache I've had for a day.  Made sure to drink more water today.  After completing Standing Lynne, I chowed down on my chicken, sweet potato and arugula.  I hung out at CFCC typing up some notes for work before doing the 3 o'clock Oly class.  It felt good to really work on technique and not worry about weight.  My dear friend, Eli, video taped my snatch and who knew I squatted as low as I did. I felt pretty good during the class but started to get tired on the last couple of clean and jerks.  Oh I had a cup of coffee before Oly and right now my headache is finally gone.

I had planned to go to yoga too after Oly but was hungry and ready to relax.  Swung by Whole Foods near the art museum.  Talk about a shit show in the parking lot.  Can no one drive anymore?  Picked up some gorgeous strawberries, salmon and more steak.  Not that I needed it but it was on sale and I was tempted by how good it looked.  So I whipper together an amazing meal while prepping my marinade for my steak breakfast tomorrow.

Strawberry Salsa
6 Strawberries
2 Jalepenos
1/4 Red Onion
Cilantro
Fresh lime juice
Diced up - pretty chunky - the berries, jalapeno and red onion.  Squeezed lime juice and added some fresh cilantro.

Marinade for tomorrow
2 Jalapenos rough dice
Couple of cloves of garlic sliced
Lime juice of one lime
a bunch of rough chopped cilantro
All of this will be added to the steak when I get up in the morning to marinade while I'm at CFCC.

Now to relax and stretch.  I also need to decide about tomorrow. I want to do both Fight Gone Bad and Endurance class.  Not sure if I should do both.

Superbowl Paleo Party Food

I had a couple of people ask me about ideas for a Superbowl party since it will be here before we know it.  Here are some items I have made in the past.  More to come!

 

Guacamole in endive

I made these for a friends pre-wedding paleo friendly party when I couldn’t think of anything else to make.  They were a hit and looked amazing!

Bacon & avocado sammies

I made these on a Friday night in.  

Paleo chili from Paleo Comfort Foods cookbook

This came out amazing.  I have the book if any CFCCers want to take a look.  The whole book has great recipes.

 

Kale chips

400 degree oven, line baking sheet with parchment (for easy clean up). Tear or chop kale leaves - no stems. I melted coconut oil but you could use butter or olive oil and drizzle over kale. Sprinkle with sea salt and chili powder and mix together. Spread a thin layer on pan. Cook until they have crisped. Mixing them halfway through cooking is helpful.

 

 Shrimp roasted

2 pounds (12 to 15-count) shrimp

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or sprinkle some red pepper flakes for spice)

Or I have done this with sprinkling fresh herbs

400 degrees.  Peel and devein the shrimp, leaving the tails on. Place them on a sheet pan with the olive oil, salt, and pepper in 1 layer. Roast for 8 to10 minutes, just until pink and firm and cooked through.

 

 

Pulled / shredded beef roast

I made this the other day and it came out amazing.  I didn’t blend the sauce ingredients out of laziness and added in 2 jalapenos sliced since I had them.  I also didn’t use juniper berries since they aren’t in my spice cabinet.  This is also good for breakfast with a fried egg on top and an avocado.

 

Taco salad

Marinate some chicken or steak.  Grill the meat.  Slice over mixed greens sprinkled with fresh lime juice. Add tomatoes (these are grilled), peppers (raw or grilled), guacamole or sliced avocado. Whatever brings out the Mexican in you.

Other ideas :

Cinnamon Steak Skewers 
I don't have a picture of these but they were amazing. Anything from the Primal Palate duo is amazing. 

Figs/dates wrapped bacon or prosciutto would be good also                                                            Chicken skewers - marinate them how you like and grill or bake

Buffalo chicken wings baked in the oven with almond flour or almond flour. Comes out excellent. 

Fasting

So I started following Whole30 and working with Erin on another BCCC (did I add all the Cs).  Pretty much I need to keep doing what I have been doing. Maybe add more protein daily.  I've been bringing extra to work each day in case I get hungry. Once I'm done with the sweet potatoes and yams I bought, I'm calling it quits for a bit.  Need to run this idea by Erin. I think they are a crutch for my sweetness craving and I end up eating more than one sometimes. My willpower isn't good when it comes to them after a long day! 

Speaking of willpower, yesterday I attempted and did push the limits on this one. I fasted all day only taking in some bone marrow broth during the day - about 6 cups total.  Then I went to endurance class. I mixed in some BCAA's to my water for before and during the class.  Rowing was 10 of 30 sec on and 2 min rest. Damper setting between 7-8.  I'm not a sprinter by nature so by the time 15 sec was up I had my pace then it was time to stop. I could have actually done 10 more of these when we were through.  Sadly, didn't get to push the truck but there will be other opportunities and its not like I haven't out of the snow.

Back to willpower.  I made it through seeing other eat some delicious looking yet unhealthy creamy pasta dishes, brownies and chocolate. Walked by the new vending machine with a snickers staring at me about 20 times. And saw many food porn images being posted on facebook.  I stuck to my guns and didn't cave.  My theory is to test my willpower so I can strengthen it just like muscles.

After class and arriving home, I made fajitas really quick.  In total last night I ate 1 chicken breast, 1/2 pepper and onion, jalapeno with 1 tomato, half avocado and cilantro salad, and a small sweet potato with nutmeg on it.  I snacked on a 1/4 cup of pecans.  Normally, I don't snack or eat nuts anymore but I had that darn sweet tooth.

The last point I wanted to make in this post is my struggle with focus.  I'm certainly struggling at work.  Like right now I came in the office to write notes and I'm blogging instead.  I have so much paperwork to get done but I find myself staring at the computer and time just zooms by.  Or my head is filled with a thousand thoughts.  Last challenge I did, I had the same struggle but then amazing mental clarity began.  I'm hoping and praying this starts soon because I need to get this paperwork done and want to focus more on blogging and other projects. Anyone else having or have had this same issue?

Oh side note, I'm really digging this song

"Slice the elephant"

Goals and resolutions are getting a bad rap all over the place.  I can see how people don’t want to make these because past patterns have led to failure.  But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

How many of you wanted to lose a specific amount of weight by a specific date?

The first few weeks or days you work hard but the scale might not move at all.  Frustration leads to stress and bad choices. The snowball effect occurs. We get to that date and haven’t lost the weight.  Self-confidence decreases.

We’ve all been there. It’s the setting of this huge goal that is intimidating yet exciting but unattainable if we don’t “slice the elephant”.  Whether it is body composition changes, career transitions/goals or relationship changes, setting a resolution or goal that is too big and unattainable will lead to failure. Think of that big goal and break it down.  Making small changes and having small successes will lead to that final goal. Or maybe a long the way you see or find something else that leads you into a better direction.  Find a way to break down your goal, have someone to help you be accountable and learn from failures.  Most importantly be all in, be ready for road bumps, and be ready to accept a new path

Lastly, I’m here for those who want life coaching in this manner. Let me help you to accomplish a goal this year.

**Note: No elephants are harmed during the writing of this post or while working on goals**