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

I have a need for Mexican food

Anyone who knows me really well knows I LOVE Mexican food.  I LOVE spice. And I crave Mexican pretty much all of the time. So I have been searching online for Paleo Mexican recipes.  I found a couple of good ones for inspiration and then headed off to the market with some of my own ideas. I was going to buy some flank steak but stumbled upon Round Bottom Swiss Steak which was much cheaper than flank steak.  I've never heard of this kind of steak but I thought what the heck let me try it. The tomatoes and avocados I bought weren't quite ripe yet.  Oh how I miss summer veggies!  So I grilled the tomato and passed on making the guacamole until later this week. The steak came out tasty, a little chewier than other cuts but still delicious. I didn't even miss the chips or tortilla because of all of the flavor.  I also ate a small sweet potato because I'm obsessed with them right now and am planning on enjoying them until the new year and new goals.

Recipe for Carne Asada my way

4 Round Bottom Swiss Steak (about 2 lbs)

1 large jalapeno, diced

handful of fresh cilantro

zest of one lime

sprinkle of cumin on each steak

white wine vinegar

olive oil

4 cloves of garlic chopped

I sprinkled ground cumin on 1 side of each steak, threw on the garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, zested the lime over it, splashed white wine vinegar on each steak and sprinkled olive oil. Makes for a very fragrant and fresh marinade. Marinade for an hour.

I marintated 2 of the steaks for an hour because I was starving. The other 2 sat for a total of 3 hours.  Both time frames worked but the longer it sat the more flavor of the marinade the meat absorbed. I threw the steaks on my grill pan for a couple of minutes each side as I like my meat medium, medium-rare(ish). Served it over mixed greens that had fresh squeezed lime juice and some of the grilled tomato.  Sweet potato was eaten after as an extra. I finished off my meal with some bone marrow broth.