Paleo- How I got started, and YOU can too!

I have only been doing Paleo for over 30 days now, but I feel like it's changing everything about the way I eat, see and feel about food. I LOVE food...believe me, I could eat food all day long, and especially if the food is coated in sugar..so going Paleo was going out on a huge limb for me, but I did it and I couldn't be happier!

So how did I get started, and how can YOU?

First of all, if he isn't already, make GOOGLE your new BFF. If I ever have a question, or need a new idea, I google it. I found the Whole9 website, and thought a good place to start would be the Whole30 Challenge. This was really going to help me get started and see if Paleo was for me. I totally recommend you doing this!

Second, read all you can about the Paleo Lifestyle. There are books out there, but honestly, you can find everything online that you need to get started and to stay Paleo. Reading and researching this will help you to know if this is something that you want to try, and that may work for you. I can't say if it will work for you, or if you'll love it or hate it, you have to decide for yourself. 

I have links to the right that show you the Paleo sites I frequent. Check those out and see what you can find for yourself there.

Third- Be accountable. I used this blog as well as Instagram to make sure I stayed on track. I love cooking and trying new things, so that part of Paleo was really fun and exciting for me. I loved taking pictures of everything I ate, and along doing this, I found other people just like me, doing just the same thing- sharing real food with others!

Finally, do what is best for YOU. I've only tried a few "diets" in my life, and for those that I've tried, they did not work for my lifestyle. So maybe Paleo will be for you, maybe not, there is really only one way to find out! 

Please leave a comment if you have any specific questions on what I did.

Good Luck!

Paleo-Whole 30 complete!

Yesterday was Day 30 and so this morning I weighed myself!!! 

I was nervous but so excited to see what the number was. I knew it didn't matter, really, what's a number, right?!? My clothes all feel lose, I'm eating amazing food that is the healthiest, best, highest quality food I can eat, and I'm learning a whole new way of life- and I love it! But most people, especially women, feel that what that number on the scale says is so important...so I had to know my number..... Drum roll please....119!!!

I have been to this number before, for about 2 seconds before I'd go and pig out on all the junk food and things I've been craving for the last few months of me dieting. But this time I knew this number was so much more! This number represented a lot of hard work at the gym as well as eating foods that are true to me and my body. In the last 30 days, I never felt deprived, I never felt cheated and never felt like I couldn't eat something even though I was hungry. I had almost no stress while on this 30 day challenge. Most diets I have found are very stressful. You have to count things, and add up silly numbers. I hate counting calories...so lame right? As if we all really can measure exact numbers of an apple or strawberry...I've seen apples the size of my head- that for sure has more calories than a baby green apple...frustrating to say the least! So releaved I don't worry about numbers with Paleo.

 I'm thrilled, beyond happy with my results! It would be cool to know what my "inside" numbers are. I want to look into getting a body analysis done. I'll need to go into a big city to have this complete. Anyone done a body fat analysis? What do you think?

My body feels amazing and in better health than ever before!

So now I've just finished day 31 and will continue counting my days on Paleo!

Who's on Paleo with me?!?!

Paleo- Whole 30 Day 26, 27, 28

I honestly can't believe I'm blogging about Day 28 of my Paleo Whole30 challenge!

I'm SOOO happy with how well this has gone for me.

There has for sure been the temptations, and a couple time when I've been bummed about not eating a certain food. But overall, those things are very small compared to how I feel!

Lets break down my last few days-

Day 26

Friday- Today was kind of an exciting day. On day 25 I blogged about my concerns with weighing myself after my 30 days. I have come to really dread the scale, because in the past, I let it determine how I was going to eat, exercise and feel for the day. I weighed in daily, and it was either an okay day, or a bad day, depending on what the scale said. So I have had hesitations about weighing in on day 31 to see how the last 30 days have gone according to the scale. One of my friends on Facebook suggested that instead of weighing myself, I should try on a pair of skinny jeans and based my results on how they feel on me. Another friend said to go ahead and weigh myself, she's dying to know my results (me too)!!! So since I can't weigh myself yet, I decided to go ahead and try on a pair of skinny jeans on the morning of my 26th day. The results were fantastic!!! ALL my pairs of skinny jeans fit awesome- even some were a little loose! Jeans that I haven't be able to wear for years are now fitting me! YEAH- I was doing the SUPER HAPPY DANCE ALL DAY! So now I've made the decision to go ahead and weigh myself and see what the scale says, though, I'm not going to let the number determine my success. I already know I'm successful! 

So today I  started my day with a Pre-Workout snack of Almonds and a Banana. I feel that this combo of fats/carbs really helps me push through a workout. I need the extra sugar first thing in the morning.

I had an amazing Breakfast! It's one of my favorites- Sweet Potato Apple Hash with Fried Eggs on Top! I love this and it's so easy to make! 

For lunch we had friends over to swim. So I made my BFF one of my favorite Paleo meals, Broiled Salmon with Rosemary and Lemon. We ate this with a huge side salad. 

I bought something super cool, a Yonanas ice-cream maker! So we had to try this out. We used frozen bananas and frozen strawberries. It was perfect and super amazing! So happy to know I can still have ice-cream while living Paleo. 

Another "treat" I had today was a big cup of water with frozen mango chunks. Use the mangos in place or in addition to your ice, and it  makes for a sweet drink! The best part is that you get to eat the thawed fruit when the water is gone. 

Dinner was leftovers- Chicken Curry with Cauliflower Rice.

Day 27

Today we traveled to San Diego to go to the LDS Temple and do some shopping. 

I ran 5 miles before heading out on our road trip. 

For breakfast I had leftover Sweet Potato Hash from yesterday. 

On the way to San Diego I snacked on a huge green apple.

Lunch was grilled Chicken, almonds and dried Mango that I bought at my favorite store Trader Joe's.

Dinner was at The Cheesecake Factory. I was super excited to go eat here, even though I knew I wouldn't be eating my favorite dessert, Cheesecake. When we walked in the kids and I rushed over to the glass counter so we could drool over the beautiful cheesecakes. They looked amazing, and I could almost taste them...ahhh, someday I'll have Cheesecake again, but it wasn't going to be today!

 I ordered off the Skinnylicious menu, and so did the hubby! Talk about making progress beyond myself! 

I got super full from dinner, which made me think that I should have split the plate and took half of it home with me. Next time I'll do that so I'm not so full.

After dinner we went shopping at this HUGE outdoor mall. It is so nice being in a BIG city! I wanted to get some new clothes to celebrate my successes. I bought a few things at the Gap, all in Size Small and even the shorts were a size 0! Score! 

Overall it was a great day, and I think I ate pretty good for traveling! I'm glad I woke up extra early so that I could get a run in. Oh, and my run actually felt really good for the first time in weeks. I didn't feel like my legs were logs! Yeah for improvements! 

Day 28

Sunday (again). 

You know how I feel about Sunday's...well today was even a little more stressful because my hubby was gone. But really overall the kids and I did pretty good keeping thing together!

My fridge is totally bursting with fresh fruit and veggies right now. I am going to be eating a lot of good food this week! 

Love Bountiful Baskets!

Breakfast was leftovers- (they're a must!)

After breakfast I made Kale Chips for the first time. They tasted pretty good! I had 2 huge bunches of Kale, so I needed to do something to clear one of them out of my fridge!

For lunch I made something new- Ginger Salmon Salad. It was pretty good, but not my favorite. 

For a snack today I had a nectarine, dried mango and dried bananas from Trader Joe's. 

Dinner was leftover Ginger Salmon Salad from lunch, Kale Chips and Avocado. 

I think I did pretty good on my food today. I for sure met my fruit quota for the weekend! But it's my "treat" that I absolutely love and have to feel good about!

Something super exciting is happening next week- a week from today my hubby and I will be traveling to the Dominican Republic for a week stay at the Hard Rock Casino in Punta Cana! This will be an all expenses paid trip that I earned from Scentsy! I am so excited to get away and enjoy some much needed downtime. 

So it's my last week to really push myself to get my body tight(er)! My goal in to work on abs everyday, doing a little more than I normally would. 

Until Next Time! Good Night!

Paleo- Whole30- day 23, 24 and 25

Wow! I can't believe I've just finished day 25 of my Whole30 challenge! I am loving this lifestyle and honestly I want to keep it going way beyond the 30 days.
I've been really busy and I've been eating leftovers for the most part all week. So nothing too excited food wise to tell ya about.
I did try a new bar the other day. The peeps at NoshBar sent me a free sample! I ate it immediately and lived every bite! I'm not sure if it's 100% Whole30 approved but I think it's pretty close.
My workouts this week have been pretty good. The only thing missing has been Crossfit. My trainer has been MIA. Seriously not sure what happened to him, hopefully everything is okay with him. Because he's been gone I've ended up just doing my own thing. But I've been working out hard- and my body is always super spent by the end of each day.
I get to weigh myself in 5 more days...I'm actually very nervous about this. I feel like I've lost weight. My clothes are lose and overall I just feel amazing. I'm afraid though if I weigh myself and I haven't lost weight I'll be bummed still, even though I feel amazing.
I'm almost tempted to not weigh myself. I don't want to be disappointed or defined by a number.
What would you do?

Until next time!

Paleo- Whole 30 Day 21 & 22

I've been so busy, it's been hard blogging daily. By the end of my day I'm so tired, I literally just melt into my bed!

I can't believe I'm down to basically my last week of the Whole 30 program.

I can honestly say that this program is going to go for much longer than 30 days for me. I love how I feel. I love not needing to worry about if what I'm eating is real or "fake" food. I hate "fake" food, always, have, and always will. Though "fake" food taste amazing, to the average person, it's so scary, and disgusting how much junk we feed ourselves and our family. Most of us are not even aware of what it is that goes into our bodies. I am now learning more, and I like what I learn and now know. I've been inspired by so many other people that are also finding this lifestyle to be how they want to live. I hope that I can continue working hard, gaining strength, gaining knowledge, and maybe even inspiring others to do the same. 

Day 21

Sunday morning I felt like I needed to RUN! So I went for a little run before the rest of the family woke up for the day. It was the BEST way for me to start a long and stressful Sunday. Sunday's are hard for me, for many reasons...I'd rather just have another Saturday most weeks!

Breakfast was something that I totally made up, but was totally YUM! I forgot to Instagram it, but let me explain- I took some broccoli, like a huge cup or two full, and microwaved it till it was just soft. Then I added some chopped tomato, and 3 fried eggs, that were over easy, and fried in my favorite oil, Coconut Oil. The eggs couldn't have been more perfect! I was proud of my frying skills! I put a generous amount of salt and pepper on it, and dug in! It was really good! 

For my Snack after chuch, I had a LaraBar- YUM! I am convinced I can make these myself, and for much cheaper, so once I find the time, I'm going to make homemade bars for myself!

Lunch was leftovers- Salmon Patties, baked broccoli and avocados. It was a mixture of random healthy food in the fridge, but ended up being pretty tasty! Love just making things up! :)

After my Sunday nap, I ate about 3 cups of Pineapple- WOW! This was way too much fruit in one sitting, or probably for the whole week. Needless to say it tasted amazing- I love fresh pineapple! 

For dinner I made a Paleo Crock Pot dish from http://www.paleopot.com. It was called Easy Paleo Crock Pot Chicken Curry with Peppers and Cabbage. I also had leftover Cauliflower Rice to use with this crock pot meal. I was too full from my Pineapple overdose that I just fed the family this meal. All 4 eaters loved it! No one even noticed that they were not eating real white rice! SWEEET! I forgot to take a picture of this, but it looked pretty! :)

I had to do a Crossfit homework assignment tonight, so after 5 minutes of HELL, I worked up an appetite and ate some deli turkey and 1/2 an avocado. 

I felt pretty good about my day. Would have felt better had I not ate all that pineapple. I call fruit cheating...and it's a sad but glorious thing! 

Day 22

So I promised I'd be trying some new recipes this week, so here ya go! Starting with my favorite meal of the day, Breakfast!

For this meal I made a Leek and Mushroom Frittata from http://www.chowstalker.com. I had bought Leeks for the first time this week, and was excited to try them out. Come to find out they're very similar to onions, like a massive green onion. I may or may not find it necessary to purchase them again, but it was fun trying a new ingredient. The Frittata was yummy! I paired a huge slice with some chopped tomato and called it DELISH!

The kids and I were basically stuck at home today with no plans....never a good idea. Being bored makes me cranky and hungry, and the kids CRAZY! So I snacked today on almonds, apples, and watermelon. I have way to many "cheats" around my house :)

Lunch was something new again- Paleo Chicken Fajitas from http://www.paleoplan.com. I have a lot of colorful peppers around my house, and had a few chicken breast ready for cooking. I made a huge pan of the fajitas and used butter lettuce as my "wrap" and had 1/2 an avocado on the side. These were amazing! I am excited to eat these as leftovers again all week!

I snacked AGAIN today, before I left for the YMCA. I was planning on a big Crossfit workout and Hot Yoga, so I knew I'd need some fuel. So I had some leftover broccoli and finished off the last 2 Salmon Patties. It was good- hit the spot!

My workout tonight was different than planned. My trainer (who is currently training me for free), did not show up. So I did the row machine for 20 minutes then did a fast incline walk for 20 minutes. Hot Yoga didn't happen since my trainer is also the Hot Yoga instructor, so instead the Pilates instructor came and did Pilates with us for an hour. It was a great workout still, but I was really hoping to feel spent afterwards. 

Dinner was a beautiful salad and the Chicken Curry over Cauliflower Rice from last night. It hit the spot and was super DELISH! I think DELISH is going to be my new favorite word! 

This pictures is annoying, it should be flipped! :)

Excited for another day tomorrow! Hope you're day was amazing!

Paleo- Whole 30 Day 19 & 20

Day 19

Yesterday I started getting this stomach ache...kind of like nausea, but nothing I tried made it go away...so today (Day 19) I am still feeling this way. So going on day 2 of a weird stomach thing, but my food was still consumed, and delish as every- ain't nothing going to stop me from eating! :)

Breakfast was a Banana Smoothie- 1/2 frozen banana, 1/2 cup coconut milk, and 2 tablespoons of Almond Butter. I added a few ice-cubes, and blended in my Vitamix till smooth. It was yum!

For lunch I wanted leftover Chicken Curry. So along with it, I made Cauliflower Rice for the first time! Cauliflower Rice is really easy. Simple put cauliflower into food processor, and pulse until chopped into rice size pieces. Once done, sauté cauliflower in a tablespoon or so of coconut oil, salt and pepper. I have to say, that the added Cauliflower Rice to my Chicken Curry was brilliant! I loved it a lot and am thinking I could totally pass the this on to my kids and hubby! Who needs processed white rice when you could have Cauliflower Rice!?!?

For dinner my friends and I went out to eat to celebrate my friend Emily's birthday. We ate at the best italian place here in our small town. It's called Da Boyz. They have this sandwich that I usually always get, amazing white bread, grilled chicken, bacon, ranch, lettuce and tomato. It comes warm, and oh so heavenly. BUT tonight, I had instead a Greek Salad, no cheese or dressing, just the veggies and olives,. I added to it a side of real bacon bits and a grilled chicken breast. For my dressing I used olive oil and vinegar.

I was totally happy with my alternative meal. Passing on the ice-cream cake and fondue later on was a little harder, but I did it! GO ME!

I forgot to take a pic of my salad- but here's one of the birthday girl!

Day 19 went pretty well except for the weird stomach thing, and that I didn't exercise really...Friday's I'm kind of lazy, thinking it's basically the weekend, but still, I should have exercised....

Day 20

Today I woke up and got super inspired by my girl over at Healthy Fitness to make a new breakfast dish.

Chicken Sausage Scramble is what I will call my version of it. This meal contained, one smallish sweet potato, 1 large red apple, a couple large chicken sausages, spinach and some green onions. After chopping up the sweet potato, I microwaved them for a couple minutes to get them soft. Then I sautéed them with the apples with a tablespoon of Coconut Oil. I then added the already cooked Chicken Sausage I had in the fridge, onions and a huge handful of spinach. 

I added the oranges to the size, just to give it more pretty color! Didn't eat them (today).

This made enough for 2 meals. So I split it down the middle, ate one serving and put the other serving in the fridge for tomorrow-later however the hubby ate it for lunch...bummer for me, great for him!

The kids and I had a good morning swim, which always stirs up an appetite, so I ate a small bowl of fresh cut pineapple. What a yummy treat! It's kind of crazy now how I think of fruit as the ultimate treat. Like I feel that I'm almost cheating when I eat it....and I love it! 

Lunch was also something new! My neighbor gave me a few cans of Salmon, saying she didn't like it, wasn't even sure why she bought it. All I was thinking was "YES YES YES New Paleo Dish Coming Right Up, YES!" When she asked me if I'd like them. 

So what I made was Salmon Patties,- 2 small cans of Salmon, 2 stalks of celery, 2 green onions, 3 eggs, 2 tablespoons of coconut flour and spices of your liking- I used Mrs.Dash, lemon pepper and sea salt. 

I formed them into patties, and fried/cooked them in a tablespoon of coconut oil. It make roughly 7 patties. 

I ate 3 of these Salmon Patties, and a side salad. It probably was too much Salmon/protein for one meal, but today I was feeling like I wanted/needed the extra food. 

For dinner we ate out at Texas Roadhouse. I was excited to get a big ol' stake! 

I order the combo meal (after passing up on all the bread and honey butter), of a sirloin, and shrimp, with a sweet potato and broccoli as my sides. I made sure to ask how everything was cooked, and to make sure they added nothing to my items, especially butter! Come to find out EVERYTHING is cooked in butter, so everything I ordered was to come super clean and naked! I have to admit, I was a little nervous on how all this was going to taste. In the past, I would always get my sweet potato totally loaded with butter, marshmallows and anything else they wanted to throw on it. I never even thought of the fact that my steaks were also drenched in butter....wow! Crazy how bad one meal really could be for you if you are not aware. 

When my food arrived, and once it was consumed, I was very happy with it! It all tasted great, and I loved being able to actually taste what everything naturally should taste like! 

My day is now done! I am so happy with how I feel today (especially since the stomach issue didn't show up again today). I ate probably a little too much, but it was all real, clean, and good food. 

Tomorrow is another day! Until then- Good Night!