Hello, I have been super busy lately and have been spending more time with little A outside enjoying the spring weather that has finally arrived. I am into week 3 of Paleo and I am still really loving it. I have had some "non-paleo" food items and some gluten, which makes me realize how horrible I feel when I eat processed carbs that have gluten in them. Since we have been mostly cooking and eating at home I can feel the difference when I eat a meal at a restaurant, even if it is a Paleo meal, I just feel better when I cook and eat my own food.
I am really enjoying the way I feel on Paleo and I know that I will continue to eat this way as a lifestyle and not just as a "diet", with a few modifications. I missed coffee too much, so I have added that back in. I searched high and low for a non-dairy creamer that didn't have any junk ingredients without any luck, so I am enjoying a little of the Organic Valley Hazelnut or French Vanilla half and half. This is the only dairy I have added and so far it doesn't bother my tummy. I am also learning more about my eating habits because I am focusing on how I feel and listening to body. Which I think is important to learn no matter what eating plan you follow. If I am hungry...I eat! When I am full...I stop! If I am craving chocolate...I eat a little! The one thing that I have learned is that if I totally deprive myself of what I crave...mostly chocolate, then I will binge on more than I would have normally had if I just let myself have a little. I also enjoy that I am not having to track everything in a food log, now don't get me wrong, I still think it has it's place when you are staring on a fat loss plan to get the feel of how many calories you need and what your macro-nutrients look like.
Right now I am about about 90-95% Paleo on a day to day basis and I think this is where I will stay. I don't miss grains at all. I have added a few of my plant based protein shakes a week after a really hard workout, and the creamer in my coffee. Those are the 2 non-paleo foods I eat and since they don't make me feel crappy I will keep them in my diet.
Here is what a typical day looks like for me on Paleo:
Breakfast: 2-3 eggs usually scrambled
2 Applegate Farms Organic Chicken apple sausage
1/2 grapefruit
Green tea (home brewed) or organic coffee with a little Organic Valley half and half (hazelnut or french vanilla)
*A few times a week I will make banana pancakes. You can find the recipe here.
Workout around 10:30/11:00
Post-workout- Vega Sport Protein (Vegan- chocolate) or a meal- chicken breast with a veggie (sometimes 1/4 sweet potato)
Lunch- Salad with greens, carrots, celery, cucumber and lean protein (chicken, pork, fish, etc.) for dressing I use olive oil and balsamic vinegar
Snack- 1 apple with approx. 2 tbsp almond butter or 1/4 cup cashews and a banana
Dinner- Pan roasted pork chop with Brussels sprouts or a turkey burger with green beans and tomatoes
The easiest thing about Paleo is that you always have a lot of veggies to fill your half your plate then fill the rest with lean protein. If you feel that you need a little more carbs add some berries or have one quarter of a sweet potato with some cinnamon and coconut oil.
If you are thinking about giving Paleo a try, I highly recommend it. I have had a few friends and family start it. It is not going to be for everyone, but if you are not feeling amazing with your current way of eating...give Paleo a try for 30 days. I am here to help with any questions you may have!
Recently I received this beautiful book to review and share with you all. The Healthy Smootie Bible was written by a friend of a friend of mine who got us connected. I am so excited to be able to review and share some of the recipes with you. If you have read any of my previous posts on Green Smoothies you know how amazing whole food smoothies are for your health. If not make sure you do! I will try a few of these delicious recipes and share them with you all and will provide a full book review. In the meantime if you want to know more about this book or purchase one for yourself, head over to The Healthy Smoothie Bible and check it out!
