As of this morning, day 13, I have lost 5 pounds and Tim has lost 7. They are really the easiest pounds we have ever lost. It doesn't feel like there is any work involved, just the occasional craving to be denied. As I am writing this, I am having a delicious lunch of blueberries, strawberries, walnuts and broiled turkey breast. Very good and very filling. I should have some veggies too, but we are all out of the quick grab kind so I'll be sure to have a lot with dinner and no fruit.
Last night for dinner we had grilled chicken breasts with garlic powder and herbed poultry spice on them and a side of mashed cauliflower. We discovered that the mashed cauliflower can also be used as an awesome condiment! We dipped our chicken in it, and it was delicious. Here is the recipe:
Savory Cauliflower Mash
1 giant head of cauliflower, steamed until soft
1 TBS olive oil
Palm full of tumeric powder (I used a tsp of dried mustard instead)
Sea salt (about 1/2 tsp) and white pepper to taste
Blend all ingredients in a food processor for desired texture.
I am sorry for the lack of pictures. We have been so very, very busy that by the time I think of taking pictures, dinner is eaten and away! I will try harder to get some since I know pictures make blogs so much more interesting.
This evening after a meeting with our builder I am going in to CrossFit for my fundamentals class. I am a bit nervous. It will be about two hours long and I will be learning proper lift form and how the whole system works. I think I will likely be exhausted by the time I leave! Yikes...two hours of practicing lifts, pull ups, etc. I hope it will be less awkward this time than it was when we went in last. This time I should have a trainer all to myself so I should have some instruction as to what I am supposed to be doing. :)
I want to share here a conversation I had with Aunt Debbie over email awhile back in regards to the Paleo Diet. I find myself being asked many of the same questions over and over by many people so I thought I'd let you read over the questions and answers here. Don't worry, Aunt Debbie said I could share it! :)
Mon, June 21, 2010 2:25:24 PM
Hi Hol,
Thanks for doing all the legwork on researching the Paleo diet. I am intrigued by it personally. However, it comes to mind whether I would get sick and tired of meat, fruit, and veggies before too long. For better or worse we were raised in a culture of variety. Meat/veggies/fruit three times a day or so could make one gag at the thought after a period of time no matter how much one enjoys them. When I eat according the the "rules" of the Atkins Diet I am not too far from the ideals of the Paleo - except a little dairy is permitted, as are a small amount of grain/legumes later. Still, even with these concessions, after a couple months (or sooner) the Atkins leads to longings for more variety. Of course, with the Paleo it seems there are no limits on fruit varieties or vegetables, other than to limit the starchy ones-that would help some, I think. I have to ask, is that enough to keep it from becoming so very boring- no butter, cheese, or cream?
Of course, my habits are 50+ years long - a lifetime in some third-world cultures (had to throw that in). Obviously, food is important to me on an emotional as well as physical level. At first I was going to say "unfortunately" in regard to food being important emotionally, but really it is an emotional experience for all; comfort food seems to be a universal human experience spanning all ages. Ahh, man...now I'm thinking it is also a part of the spiritual experience - the links and ties are all there Scripturally (food/eating was closely tied to Israel's experience of God) and "fellowship" along with the commanded "gathering together" in the Holy Spirit with our brethren has very similar ties, even the "bread (matzah) and wine of communion. Okay, okay...there's got to be balance - yes. All good things can be taken too far - yes. But, if grains, legumes, and dairy weren't for our healthy consumption why would the Lord eat them with Abraham in Genesis 18? They were also part and parcel of the the later dietary allowances and requirements for Israel. Of course, the quality and natural health of the food supply was better in our planet's early days. I do not know, Holly, but though I like the simplicity of the Paleo...I'm not sure it is for me - at least for long term. Perhaps, I could use it as a guideline rather than rule. To make meats, fruits and veggies the primary focus of my diet with some grains and dairy added in as spice - then cut out processed foods altogether. Then...eat less of it all than I do now.
Anyway, just sharing my thoughts
Love you,
Aunt Debbie
Mon, June 21, 2010 3:35pm
Hello :)
I know what you mean about getting sick of those foods and wanting more variety. I was thinking that too. However, like I mentioned briefly in the email, the Paleo Diet makes exceptions. For example, on level one they allow 3 "cheat" meals per week, level two, two per week and level three, one per week. These are meals you can have anything you have been hankering for - pizza, deep fried stuff, etc. The theory is that if you can cheat a little, it will be easier to follow the lifestyle the rest of the time. Also, a lot of people, after they are firmly established in the Paleo way of life and have lost the weight they want to, cleared up health issues etc., eat a modified Paleo diet. They will eat small amounts of cereals or add dairy back in. It is all about balancing it.
The big differences between the Paleo and Atkins is that the Paleo diet focuses on lean animal proteins as opposed to Atkins which has no saturated or trans fat restrictions (how can THAT be healthy?) and like you mentioned, there are no restrictions on the amount of fruits and veggies you can eat. Also, I think I should mention, nuts are allowed and encouraged in the Paleo diet (I have no idea where the Atkins diet stands on that though it would probably allow them too I think?).
I had also thought about the Biblical references to bread and I did a very quick search on it and discovered that neither grain nor bread was mentioned before the flood OR the Tower of Babel but is mentioned shortly after. These are times when the lifespans of humans dropped greatly. Coincidence? Possibly. Also, it is possible that the mention of bread or grains before these events wasn't worth mentioning...who knows? It's just an interesting side bit.
Another thing, the bread of the olden days was almost unrecognizable from the bread of today. Before the mill was invented, cereals were either baked whole into bread or so coarsely ground that their original structure remained intact. This helped create a more moderate rise in blood sugar levels as opposed to the milled cereals of today which cause large, rapid rises in blood sugar which leads to all kinds of problems.
Also, cereals were a mainstay of most people since biblical times due to population increases and the gathering together in cities. If everyone were to live a hunter/gatherer lifestyle in a city, the surrounding land would be picked clean in weeks! This could be why it was allowed for the Israelites, why Jesus ate it with his followers, etc.. This doesn't mean it is the BEST way for us to eat however. It isn't what we were originally designed to eat. In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were to eat of the trees and naturally growing seed bearing plants (Gen 1:29). We could eat cereals but imagine the tiny quantities that would be eaten if we gathered only naturally growing cereals and legumes, not to mention the amount of work that would be involved to gather them! Agriculture is actually part of the curse (Gen 3:17-18) and eating the "plants of the field" is part of it too.
Cereals, even whole grain cereals, cause large rises in blood sugar and insulin levels, they are low in vitamins and minerals, they are full of "anti-nutrients", called phytates, which are chemicals that actually prevent the body from absorbing the proper nutrients, can damage the gastrointestinal and immune systems, and they can disrupt the acid balance in the kidneys as well.
Dairy is full of saturated fats which can raise cholesterol and raise the risk of heart disease and many other chronic illnesses. It is also low in vitamins and minerals-even calcium when compared to vegetables!
You should definitely read the Paleo Diet book. There is SO MUCH to it that I can't even begin to go into here without writing the book over.
It is true we have been spoiled with eating fats, cereals, dairy, along with all the healthy stuff. The question is, do you want to eat what is GOOD for you or do you want to eat whatever you want whenever you want? It is a choice everyone has to make and decide on their own...and it is such a personal decision! I understand that so much because I fight with the idea of restricting myself from anything as well. That is why I like the idea of eating right MOST of the time and only splurging occasionally...like the three, two, or one meal a week thing, and once I have established myself into this lifestyle, adding things with discretion.
Sure, your body can run on what we eat in America, but if we look around and see the toll that is taking...obesity, diabetes, cancers, heart and artery diseases, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, etc. it makes me think that maybe it isn't the best way. So if what we are eating now isn't good, maybe we should look at what people who don't have these problems are eating and follow suit...that is what the Paleo diet offers.
It is an interesting opportunity for sure and I would really encourage you to read to book at least, just to hear the science that is involved. I don't get excited about diets...ever. None of them have made logical sense to me, but this one really does. I really think that this is what our bodies are designed to eat, by God, and will make them run healthier and longer.
I love you and thanks for sharing your thoughts with me!
~Holly
Last night for dinner we had grilled chicken breasts with garlic powder and herbed poultry spice on them and a side of mashed cauliflower. We discovered that the mashed cauliflower can also be used as an awesome condiment! We dipped our chicken in it, and it was delicious. Here is the recipe:
Savory Cauliflower Mash
1 giant head of cauliflower, steamed until soft
1 TBS olive oil
Palm full of tumeric powder (I used a tsp of dried mustard instead)
Sea salt (about 1/2 tsp) and white pepper to taste
Blend all ingredients in a food processor for desired texture.
I am sorry for the lack of pictures. We have been so very, very busy that by the time I think of taking pictures, dinner is eaten and away! I will try harder to get some since I know pictures make blogs so much more interesting.
This evening after a meeting with our builder I am going in to CrossFit for my fundamentals class. I am a bit nervous. It will be about two hours long and I will be learning proper lift form and how the whole system works. I think I will likely be exhausted by the time I leave! Yikes...two hours of practicing lifts, pull ups, etc. I hope it will be less awkward this time than it was when we went in last. This time I should have a trainer all to myself so I should have some instruction as to what I am supposed to be doing. :)
I want to share here a conversation I had with Aunt Debbie over email awhile back in regards to the Paleo Diet. I find myself being asked many of the same questions over and over by many people so I thought I'd let you read over the questions and answers here. Don't worry, Aunt Debbie said I could share it! :)
Mon, June 21, 2010 2:25:24 PM
Hi Hol,
Thanks for doing all the legwork on researching the Paleo diet. I am intrigued by it personally. However, it comes to mind whether I would get sick and tired of meat, fruit, and veggies before too long. For better or worse we were raised in a culture of variety. Meat/veggies/fruit three times a day or so could make one gag at the thought after a period of time no matter how much one enjoys them. When I eat according the the "rules" of the Atkins Diet I am not too far from the ideals of the Paleo - except a little dairy is permitted, as are a small amount of grain/legumes later. Still, even with these concessions, after a couple months (or sooner) the Atkins leads to longings for more variety. Of course, with the Paleo it seems there are no limits on fruit varieties or vegetables, other than to limit the starchy ones-that would help some, I think. I have to ask, is that enough to keep it from becoming so very boring- no butter, cheese, or cream?
Of course, my habits are 50+ years long - a lifetime in some third-world cultures (had to throw that in). Obviously, food is important to me on an emotional as well as physical level. At first I was going to say "unfortunately" in regard to food being important emotionally, but really it is an emotional experience for all; comfort food seems to be a universal human experience spanning all ages. Ahh, man...now I'm thinking it is also a part of the spiritual experience - the links and ties are all there Scripturally (food/eating was closely tied to Israel's experience of God) and "fellowship" along with the commanded "gathering together" in the Holy Spirit with our brethren has very similar ties, even the "bread (matzah) and wine of communion. Okay, okay...there's got to be balance - yes. All good things can be taken too far - yes. But, if grains, legumes, and dairy weren't for our healthy consumption why would the Lord eat them with Abraham in Genesis 18? They were also part and parcel of the the later dietary allowances and requirements for Israel. Of course, the quality and natural health of the food supply was better in our planet's early days. I do not know, Holly, but though I like the simplicity of the Paleo...I'm not sure it is for me - at least for long term. Perhaps, I could use it as a guideline rather than rule. To make meats, fruits and veggies the primary focus of my diet with some grains and dairy added in as spice - then cut out processed foods altogether. Then...eat less of it all than I do now.
Anyway, just sharing my thoughts
Love you,
Aunt Debbie
Mon, June 21, 2010 3:35pm
Hello :)
I know what you mean about getting sick of those foods and wanting more variety. I was thinking that too. However, like I mentioned briefly in the email, the Paleo Diet makes exceptions. For example, on level one they allow 3 "cheat" meals per week, level two, two per week and level three, one per week. These are meals you can have anything you have been hankering for - pizza, deep fried stuff, etc. The theory is that if you can cheat a little, it will be easier to follow the lifestyle the rest of the time. Also, a lot of people, after they are firmly established in the Paleo way of life and have lost the weight they want to, cleared up health issues etc., eat a modified Paleo diet. They will eat small amounts of cereals or add dairy back in. It is all about balancing it.
The big differences between the Paleo and Atkins is that the Paleo diet focuses on lean animal proteins as opposed to Atkins which has no saturated or trans fat restrictions (how can THAT be healthy?) and like you mentioned, there are no restrictions on the amount of fruits and veggies you can eat. Also, I think I should mention, nuts are allowed and encouraged in the Paleo diet (I have no idea where the Atkins diet stands on that though it would probably allow them too I think?).
I had also thought about the Biblical references to bread and I did a very quick search on it and discovered that neither grain nor bread was mentioned before the flood OR the Tower of Babel but is mentioned shortly after. These are times when the lifespans of humans dropped greatly. Coincidence? Possibly. Also, it is possible that the mention of bread or grains before these events wasn't worth mentioning...who knows? It's just an interesting side bit.
Another thing, the bread of the olden days was almost unrecognizable from the bread of today. Before the mill was invented, cereals were either baked whole into bread or so coarsely ground that their original structure remained intact. This helped create a more moderate rise in blood sugar levels as opposed to the milled cereals of today which cause large, rapid rises in blood sugar which leads to all kinds of problems.
Also, cereals were a mainstay of most people since biblical times due to population increases and the gathering together in cities. If everyone were to live a hunter/gatherer lifestyle in a city, the surrounding land would be picked clean in weeks! This could be why it was allowed for the Israelites, why Jesus ate it with his followers, etc.. This doesn't mean it is the BEST way for us to eat however. It isn't what we were originally designed to eat. In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were to eat of the trees and naturally growing seed bearing plants (Gen 1:29). We could eat cereals but imagine the tiny quantities that would be eaten if we gathered only naturally growing cereals and legumes, not to mention the amount of work that would be involved to gather them! Agriculture is actually part of the curse (Gen 3:17-18) and eating the "plants of the field" is part of it too.
Cereals, even whole grain cereals, cause large rises in blood sugar and insulin levels, they are low in vitamins and minerals, they are full of "anti-nutrients", called phytates, which are chemicals that actually prevent the body from absorbing the proper nutrients, can damage the gastrointestinal and immune systems, and they can disrupt the acid balance in the kidneys as well.
Dairy is full of saturated fats which can raise cholesterol and raise the risk of heart disease and many other chronic illnesses. It is also low in vitamins and minerals-even calcium when compared to vegetables!
You should definitely read the Paleo Diet book. There is SO MUCH to it that I can't even begin to go into here without writing the book over.
It is true we have been spoiled with eating fats, cereals, dairy, along with all the healthy stuff. The question is, do you want to eat what is GOOD for you or do you want to eat whatever you want whenever you want? It is a choice everyone has to make and decide on their own...and it is such a personal decision! I understand that so much because I fight with the idea of restricting myself from anything as well. That is why I like the idea of eating right MOST of the time and only splurging occasionally...like the three, two, or one meal a week thing, and once I have established myself into this lifestyle, adding things with discretion.
Sure, your body can run on what we eat in America, but if we look around and see the toll that is taking...obesity, diabetes, cancers, heart and artery diseases, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, etc. it makes me think that maybe it isn't the best way. So if what we are eating now isn't good, maybe we should look at what people who don't have these problems are eating and follow suit...that is what the Paleo diet offers.
It is an interesting opportunity for sure and I would really encourage you to read to book at least, just to hear the science that is involved. I don't get excited about diets...ever. None of them have made logical sense to me, but this one really does. I really think that this is what our bodies are designed to eat, by God, and will make them run healthier and longer.
I love you and thanks for sharing your thoughts with me!
~Holly
