Food for Complaining Thoughts

This blog is hot off the press, and it hit home for me. I am a happy person overall, but as I read this article I found myself thinking: Ahhh! That is totally me, I need to do this. I am starting in small steps with one day of no complaining. I am thinking about my secret thoughts too. What a great challenge. Check out the post here. Maybe you will be inspired to drop the complaints too! 

Attention Coffee Lovers!

Yes, I was raised just outside of Seattle, so I guess that means I grew up on coffee. There are hundreds of coffee shops within a square mile here, all brewing that delicious black bit of heaven. Wondering how you can turn your coffee into a healthy drink? Check out this post for a list of 8 simple strategies. Get out your favorite mug and enjoy!

 

What is the Deal With Gluten Anyway?

Have you forgotten, or maybe never understood, the problem with gluten? Check out this simple and clear explanation by the Primal Docs. It is a good reminder to all of us of the reality that goes on when we eat any gluten product. Enjoy!

The Miracle Food

So often we take it for granted that our bodies are amazing machines! We are able to use the food we eat to do all sorts of complicated things. Our quality of life, our interactions with others, our ability to love and be joyful all come from the foundation of our bodies.

 

When I go home to these guys:

I often think, "I am going to treat them by taking them for a walk or to the park". When I buy them food or a snack at the pet store I hunt for all natural and healthy ingredients. Why? Because I love them! Because I care about their bodies and their health!

 

If you are pet owner, or a parent, you can relate to me. We find it to be a "no-brainer" to feed our loved ones healthy foods and encourage them to be active. Why then, do we overlook ourselves? We should love our bodies just as much, and feel just as happy to treat ourselves to good foods and healthy activities. The reality is it somehow becomes a "chore" in our own personal lives.

 

I hope today you are able to flip that switch! When you think about the dinner you are going to prepare for yourself tonight, get excited about it. Look forward to giving your body the miracle food of good nutrition! And when you think about your next trip to the gym, you should feel the same anticipation you would feel if you were to take your little ones to the park. (On a side note if you loathe the gym- find something else that is fun! Since when did physical activity become as dreaded as cleaning the toilets in your house? There are many ways to be active- rediscover your inner child and PLAY.)

 

Check out this article and testimonial about how our food can actually become a miracle for all sorts of pains and aliments. Stop poisoning your bodies and treat yourself to a healthy diet! You are worth it. Enjoy!

It's Not You- It's The Cookie's Fault

Do you ever find yourself into a weird food rut? You crave the food that makes you less healthy? There may be a better reason to that than just poor self-control. Check out this post by Primal Docs for a more complete explanation. I love their points, and found myself agreeing as I read along. So maybe it isn't you that is the problem, it's the cookie's fault! :)

 Enjoy!

Nutrition in 60 Seconds

Have you come across the million dollar questions, "What diet are you on???". Every time I am asked this, I have a little *sigh* inside because I know the looming conversation with continue one of two ways.
1- I will encourage someone to check out a new way of eating (this is always exciting, but not the norm)
2- I will have a list of odd questions fired at me like, "Isn't quinoa is a healthy grain, where do you get your fiber, what about your cholesterol, how do you eat enough calcium?" That is usually the time I suggest they read It Starts With Food if they want more information, and try to back out of the conversation slowly.
Today, you can put a summative response in your back pocket for the next time you encounter a question asker, or a negative Nancy. Check out this post by whole9. It is nutrition in 60 seconds and is brilliant. I love their positive approach to healthy eating. When you explain your lifestyle to someone this way, it takes all the defensiveness out and it simply becomes about the information. Enjoy!

Eat Your Fill Or Graze?

Do you sit down and eat your full 3 meals a day or do you just graze on many small meals? Check out some interesting new findings on the advantages of eating full meals during the day. If  you are not trying to lose weight or are an athlete in training, this may not feel the best for your programing, but it is an interesting read. The effect these meals have on our blood sugar levels may play into our daily energy too. Enjoy!

Restaurant Guide

For most of us, eating out is not only an easy choice when we are low on groceries and time, but it is a social event too. Have you ever walked into a restaurant and felt Paleo anxiety? "Ahh what am I going to eat?" I have been there too. Even after years of Paleo eating I find myself at a new restaurant feeling unsure what to order. Check out this post by Whole9. They give some great tips on how to navigate your way thorough any menu. Now you can feel confident when your friend suggest that new restaurant downtown. Go, make a wise choice, and enjoy the company, worry free!

Enjoy!

 

Paleo Thanksgiving Ideas

Are you looking for some tasty Paleo recipes for this Thanksgiving? Maybe you have decided you are going to eat your grandma's apple pie, but want to keep the rest of your meal Paleo. Maybe you are being 100% strict and need some inspiration. Check out this post by our friends at Whole9. There are lots of delicious looking recipes and great ideas to make your Thanksgiving a success. Enjoy!

A Good Dose of Reality

Do you find these pictures floating around Facebook? Do you hit the "like" button? Do you feel guilty if you don't? Do they make you feel that you are somehow not giving your workout everything you've got? Do you really have to be obsessed to be dedicated?

I'll be honest, these have never really resonated with me. I LOVE wodding, and I can get after it like a champ, but I am not a stay at the gym for all hours of the day every day of the week type of girl. Yet, I do see this happen. Check out this post by whole9 for a reality check regarding this issue. They make some excellent points for all of us who love to work out and also have a life outside of the gym. Keep it in perspective and enjoy a long healthy life, that includes getting your laundry done, having dinner with friends, and working out at the gym. Enjoy!

Do You Miss Hummus?

I used to be, and still am, a lover of hummus.  After I switched to the Paleo way of eating, I found I didn't miss it until I was at a party and there it was, calling to me. Check out Nel's suggestion on a Paleo version of our long lost dip. She also explains why it isn't considered Paleo. If you haven't read her book yet, you should! It is an easy, fast and inspiration read.

 

 

Newsworthy Information

Turns out a Paleo diet can be helpful not only for your waistline, but research is showing there are benefits for your brain as well. Check out today's headlines in USA Today. Regardless how romantic "The Notebook" makes Alzheimer's look, the disease is devastating, and may be avoidable.

 

PS- If you haven't watched "The Notebook", you are missing out! When you do watch it, be sure to have a box, and I mean a BOX of Kleenex with you. Also, be sure you don't have any chocolate in the house. For me tears and chocolate go hand and hand, and with this movie, I would eat it all! ;)

Enjoy!

Experimentation Time

Have you been eating Paleo for awhile? Are you new to the whole idea? Do you sometimes wonder, "Can it get any better?" You are the only one that can truly answer that question, but check out this thought provoking article from Robb Wolf. I often remind myself, and my friends, that this is a journey! We are continually learning what our healthiest options in life are. Sometimes, we have to take a good look in the mirror and experiment with a few things. I am on the last leg of my whole30 program and I have learned a lot about myself. Take some time over the next week to think about what you can do to improve your, health, performance at the gym, quality of life, stress etc. I bet you will be surprised at the results. Enjoy!

 

Need Some Inspiration?

I am currently on day 16 of my Whole30 program. You may be thinking, "What, you have a food blog, and you are going back to the basics?" Yes, yes I am! Real life creeps in on all of us, and although I LOVE Paleo, I find myself sneaking a few too many chocolate covered almonds, glasses of wine, or "bites" of this or that and pretty soon I have the grumbly tummy and headaches again. This is always a sign that I need to get back to the basics. Once I get back on the straight and narrow I remember how good it feels to eat clean! I sleep so much better, my skin is clearer, my clothes fit better, I feel GOOD. . . all day. If you are on a "clean eating" journey, or feeling inspired to do so, check out this blog by our friends at Whole9life. Interested in starting a Whole30? Sign up today. They send you an e-mail every day jam packed with tips, recipes, tools, and inspiration! Pretty soon you will be feeling sustained throughout the day and PRing at the gym! Enjoy.

 

 

Movie Time and Book Review: Our Food Choices Matter

Recently, I have been researching where my food comes from. What I have learned is that my food choice matters. From industry driven farming, to factory animal farms, the widespread mistreatment of people and animals is devastating. My first step was understanding what was going on. Insert Move: Food Inc. and book: Eating Animals here. I will be honest some of the movie and the book was emotionally hard to get through. Yet I did get through it, and I don't think I will ever be the same.

 

I immediately researched some local farms that raise animals with care. What I found was encouraging! (Something I really needed after the dark reality of the book and movie) Sustainable and humane farms are out there and with a little bit of extra work on our parts we can make a better choice.

I make a vote with my fork every time I go out to dinner or shop at a grocery store, and you can do the same. I would encourage you to watch Food Inc. and/or read the book Eating Animals soon. I checked both out from our local library so it didn't cost me a dime. Looking for a local farm for your beef, chicken, or pork options? EatWild.com has an amazing user friendly website. You can even rent a goat to come and "mow" your yard. . . uh. . AWESOME!!! Enjoy.

 

 

Stalling in your weight loss goals?

Often times I will hear people say they feel like they are plateauing on Paleo. They dropped a significant amount of weight at the beginning of their Paleo journey and now the scale is staying the same. They are frustrated and discouraged. If this is you, or if you have a friend that has said this statement, check out Robb Wolfe's explanation in this article. We have to remember that THE SCALE DOES NOT DETERMINE HEALTH. Your journey to better health is more complicated than just one dimension. Be encouraged, stick with it and improved health will be yours! Enjoy.

 

 

Calories That Don't Count

One of the best things, for me, about Paleo eating is that I no longer feel enslaved to my food. I don't have to weigh or measure each bite. I don't have to get out my cardboard calorie counter while I am out to dinner to try to decide what I should or shouldn't eat. I just. eat. real. food. The End. The freedom of that statement is still liberating to me. The truth behind that is that I still have to be mindful of they type of Paleo food I eat. I cannot expect to be in good health eating watermelon all day. My body won't function well working through 4 cups of almonds in a serving. Often times we can get caught up into the concept that some calories don't count, or that because it is "Paleo" we can go crazy and eat all we want to. Check out this article by the Primal Docs refocusing us on the purpose of our Paleo diet and the encouragement to walk away from the bite of birthday cake. There isn't a magical food or prayer that will make the calories disappear. What we put into our mouths will be digested and affect our bodies. It is a good reminder for us on our Paleo journey. Enjoy!

Bless This Food Prayer

Sugar Update

Oh sugar, you sneaky friend. Like they say in the movie, Mr. Deed's "I fear I have underestimated your sneakyness- you are beary, beary sneaky." Check out the updated Sugar Manifesto from Whole9. It may be time you revisit the concept on sugar, because if you are like me, that sugar sneaks up on me again and again!

 

Movie Time! King Corn

A few weeks back I watched this documentary with my husband and brother-in-law. If you know either one of them, you are probably thinking, "how did you get them to watch a documentary with you?" Well it may have taken a little finagling on my part.

Me: Hey do you guys want to do something TOTALLY different tonight than we have every done before? Them: What is it? Me: A surprise, you just have to say yes or no. Them: Um not really. . . Me: Come on it is fun to try new things! (Insert begging here) Them: OK fine. 

They may have been less than thrilled when I pulled out the documentary, "King Corn" I had checked out from the library. BUT they were into the movie within 30 min, and we all learned a lot about food that night.  My brother-in-law has been talking about King Corn with his co-workers, neighborhood friends, and he is more conscious of his food choices. If you haven't watched this movie- go get it! If it has been awhile, watch it again! It will help you on your Paleo journey, wherever that may be, and you will be making better food choices in the future. Enjoy!

 

Choosing the Real Olive Oil

I was so surprised when I heard that most Olive Oils at the grocery store are not 100% Olive Oil. Often they are mixed with a variety of other "filler" oil making it a less than healthy choice. Check out Mark's post explaining the truth about EVOO and giving you tips on how to choose the best option possible. Enjoy!