Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Are you READY??? ****Homework****


Homework Assignment : Goal Setting

One of the reasons people often fail to complete clean-eating challenges—or to apply
what they’ve learn to life once the challenge is over—is because they had no clear
5goals or intended outcomes. Goals will set the framework over which the entire
challenge is constructed. Just doing it to do it is vague and pointless.

Here’s the tricky part: Goals must be specific, attainable and time-dependent to really
be impactful. Saying, “I want to lose weight,” for example, isn’t as powerful as saying,
“By the end of this 30-day challenge on January 31, I will fit comfortably into my
favorite pair of jeans again.” You can even put in quantified terms—such as percent of
body fat lost—if you think that’ll help. Just make the numbers realistic for the time you
stated. Saying you’ll lose 50 pounds of fat in 30 days is likely unattainable.

Set your goals:

• Grab a pencil and paper—or if you’re new school, your notebook, tablet or phone—
and write down three goals for your clean-eating challenge. They don’t all have to be
related to your weight, either. Examples: “I will sleep eight hours each night,” and “I
will spend one less hour on social media each day, using that time to do something
else relaxing instead.” If you want to do more than three goals, that’s fine, but don’t
overwhelm yourself. I find three to five to be reasonable.
• Now, write them down in triplicate on sticky notes or another piece of paper ,and
post them in three prominent locations in your day-to-day routine. It could be your
desk at work, in your car or on your bathroom mirror. Look at and reflect on them
often.
• Tell your goals to someone else. Sometimes voicing them to the world works
wonders because it suddenly makes you accountable.
• Track your progress. How are you doing? What’s potentially keeping you from
reaching your goals? What behaviors are getting in your way? Or conversely, why do
you think you’re seeing success? Be mindful.
• If you’re a known self-saboteur, be extra careful that your goals are attainable in the
time you’ve set. On the other hand, don’t set the bar so low that it wasn’t a
challenge. Find the sweet spot.
• You can always adjust your goals as you go. Already fit back into your old jeans?

Write a new goal to take its place.



Menu Ideas from Stupid Easy Paleo

Eggs for Breakfast:
Hearty Spinach Beef Frittata
Blueberry Kale Omelette
Paleo Breakfast Sausage Scotch Eggs (omit the honey)
Sweet & Savory Blueberry Tortilla
Paleo Carnitas Egg Muffins
Paleo Chicken Bacon Mushroom Quiche

Meaty Dishes for Lunch or Dinner:
Easy Pan-Fried Lemon Chicken
Crispy Italian Chicken Thighs
Paleo Chick-fil-A Nuggets
Easy Chicken Stir-Fry
Crock Pot Italian Meatballs
Crock Pot Mocha-Rubbed Pot Roast
One-Skillet Paleo Dinner
Paleo Mediterranean Meatza Pies
Crock Pot Puerco Pibil (Pibil Pork)
Coconut Wild Boar (or Pork) Burger
Paleo Coconut Chili Lime Shrimp
Mussels with Bacon in Coconut-Lemon Broth
Lamb Kofta
Easy Paleo Lamb Sliders

Veggies for Side Dishes:
Apple Cranberry Sweet Potato Bake
Cabbage with Apple & Onion
Creamy Leek Soup
Cumin Coconut Chard
Fried Plantains with Cinnamon
Garlic Ginger Brussels Sprouts
Indian Pineapple Cauliflower Rice
Jicama Carrot Slaw
Paleo Noodle Bowl
Paleo Zucchini Fritters
Ratatouille
Spiced Butternut Squash Soup
Stuffed Acorn Squash
Will’s Yam Fries

Sauces and Seasonings:
Coconut Butter from Scratch
Creamy Paleo Avocado Pesto
Homemade Gingerbread Spice Mix
Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
Paleo Chipotle Lime Mayo
Roasted Salsa Verde

Monday, December 30, 2013

Start at the very beginning........

It seems like a very good place to start....
( Now I dare you to not sing Do Re Mi for the entire day).



October I completed my first whole 30.  I was quite skeptical but I always liked science, so I was up for the experiment.  My main goal was to see if I could reduce the inflammation in my shoulder.  Dealing with Arthritis in my shoulder at a fairly young age, I didn't want to be tied to medication to manage my pain.  SBM and some friends on instagram, talked about this AMAZING book called Whole30.  I picked up a kindle version, and read it.   Decided that most of what I was eating was already inline with this theory, but there were a few things I wanted to clean up (whole grains, Vodka, Dairy, Soy, Vodka, Dairy whole grains) if you get the picture.


I am not going to lie the first week was rough.  I was tired, I would almost say meattarded my brain was just in a fog, constant headache.  But all of this was laid out in the book, I knew what to expect.

By the end of week one I was sleeping like a baby.  Good sleep, Restful sleep.  I decided that if that was the only benefit I got from the experiment it was worth it.  But then the headache was gone, and the cravings were going away.  I had so much energy, I was ready to go at my work outs in BEAST mode and I did.
Long story short.  My shoulder - NO PAIN, My skin - CLEAR, Bloat and swelling - GONE, My workouts were solid, my sleep incredible.  This was the lifestyle for me.

SO...... Fast Forward two months.

Lets see what is back in my diet-
Grains ( rice ) CHECK
Alcohol CHECK
Dairy In small amounts CHECK
Soy CHECK

My bodies response.

Sleep - BAD and I feel tired all the time
Shoulder - Ok I was rear ended again, but the pain is back
Skin - Acne again
Bloating and swelling - YUP
I have not been working out. I was rear ended and had surgery in the last 7 weeks, but I don't think I would have the energy to keep up with my accustomed pace.

So my thoughts.

Well I have defiantly created the best science experiment at my bodies expense.  I CANT NOT EAT THE FOLLOWING, GRAINS, DAIRY, SOY OR ALCOHOL.  My body is telling me that even small amounts is NOT OK. So do I choose to follow my bodies lead and eat clean and take care of it, or do I go back to the conventional way of eating.

NO NEVER AGAIN....


During my down time post surgery I read two books ( The Primal Blueprint, and Paleo for Athletes ) that I will use primarily as reference guide over the next 30 days along with the Whole30.  I am a type 2 diabetic, who has managed my sugar with diet and exercise.  The Primal Blueprint has opened my eyes to the SHEEPLY way I was thinking about the ADA food pyramid and how that is the way I SHOULD be eating.


My plan for this Whole30 is to clean up the things I KNOW I need to clean up, and create a Paleo plan for fueling my body during this upcoming season.

I plan on taking more of an athletes approach to my Whole30 but all are welcome.
I am not going to lie the next 30 days are going to be rough at times, but I can promise you that you will have a new outlook on food, a new outlook on your body, and you will start the foundation for a solid healthy attainable lifestyle, that will turn your body in to a fat burning machine.  Thank you for joining me on this journey.

Now a few housekeeping items:

1) This group is separate and closed from SBM.  I am not looking to take away from her business, or her approach. I am hosting this group, because I believe that it is important to my way of life, and want to make support available to others free of charge.
2) This is a safe place to be honest and upfront about where you are in this process. That being said, you are all accountable to yourselves and to me.  You don't need to come clean with the group, but if you slip off plan, you need to let me know.  The plan states that if you fall off the wagon you start over. Only I will know, but you won't be able to finish with the group and celebrate the win, but I ask that you acknowledge to yourself and to me as your leader that you are starting over, or this is not for you.
3)Please be courteous and supportive of each other.  There are no stupid questions.  I will do my best to answer any questions, and will reference the books for fact when I can.
4) Do your best Eat Clean and Be Honest not only with the group but with yourself.  This is your time to change your thoughts and feelings about food and how it fuels your body.


I did the post on FB so please go share a snippet of who you are. It is such an easy way for people to connect with you. I am currently going through THIS site and getting ideas. I know I will be making lots of deviled eggs to snack on. I just take out the yolks and mix with an avocado! There is a great recipe on the link I just posted for paleo mayo. It takes some time to master you must use the ingredients they say but it's really delicious. I just prefer to use an avocado. It's way easier. Add a piece of sugar free bacon or sausage to the top! It's a great snack!! 

Another staple is almond milk. I am thinking of doing an almond milk video sometime soon but until then, use this link! It is such a great alternative to dairy and I love it in my coffee! Make sure you soak almonds overnight first!!

I pretty much cook everything in coconut oil THIS is the one I use but you aren't limited to that. 
I use for everything from cooking to leather polish to moisturizer, face wash and deodorant. It's awesome. 

Again, If I don't hear from you and you didn't send me the info that was requested and you don't contribute then this group isn't for you. Our group is all about each other. We will also be discussing the book on FB this week!! 






Friday, December 27, 2013

On your Mark........

Okay. Here are some resources for you:
 
 

1. Recipes: Nom Nom Paleo
       Stupid Easy Paleo

2. Subscription (you can pay to be in an accountability group and get daily emails…so our group but without paying): Whole30 

3. If you want to know if you can or cannot eat something go here: Can I have...

4. If you have any questions: Can I do this whole30 while training? recovering? What if I am vegetarian, diabetic, fat, tall, black, white, have acne, diarrhea, anger issues? Click this!!!

5. Seminar in Kansas CIty on Jan 11th!! (The author is putting on a nutrition/health/performance seminar and a lot of you's are in KC!)


 
I am not going to come to your house every morning and make you breakfast. You will have to do the work. I am just kinda like a sarcastic cheerleader on the sidelines also wanting a coke and a cookie. This will be fun. There will be days that you want to cheat but as we learned in the first whole30, this is about so much more than food. Are you already freaking out? How do you feel when you think about not eating ___ for 30 days. What about the fact that you will be cooking? A LOT! And you will have to meal plan and chop lots of vegetables and say NO to people who will try to get you to eat delicious things. Have you thought about what if you family isn't on board? 

Challenges WILL come up. There will be resistance. The beauty is that we are all gonna do this together. When things come up, we are here for you but you have to be honest. We will drag you out of the hole. 

Oh, I have to tell you, in our last group, nearly every single person lost weight. Just on changing the way they eat!! Nearly everyone saw some change in the way they felt and looked. Bloating, acne, depression, anxiety were gone. It is so crazy. 

In a few days, I want everyone to introduce themselves. I will do a post with how many of us there are and I want you to share a snippet. Are you super overweight and need to get control of how you eat? Are you an amazing athlete and need to get ready for some awesome race? Are you bored and just love a challenge? Are you married?  Have depression? Just share briefly WHY you want to do this. 

Again, if there are crickets coming from your end and you don' t wanna join in on the fun or this is not what you thought then just shoot me an email and say you are out. 

okay. goodnight.