Whole 30 | NSV | Day 9

Of course I have some awesome food shots to share with you, but I also wanted to share some NSVs with you. NSV=Non Scale Victory

You are not to weigh or measure yourself during your Whole 30 challenge.  This helps you to get over the mindset that you're doing this just for weight-loss. Have you ever been dieting or working out a lot and your scale tips up instead of down one morning or two? 
For some people, that may motivate them to push harder, but for me, it would discourage me and make me feel like I was suffering for nothing and I'd give up. 

So, let's focus on the NSV: 

• bloated feeling completely gone
• full after each meal - hardly any cravings for non-compliant foods
• almost no headaches (used to get a few a week) now I've had one in 9 days and it was very mild. 
• my face was really drying out and now it feels so much better and looks better too! More clear!
• sleeping better-waking up feeling rested
• energy throughout the day

These things totally mean more to me than numbers on a scale.

Almond Crusted Herbed Salmon with a Super Green Roasted Veggie Mix 

Salmon:

1+ lb. Wild Caught Salmon Filets (I used 4 filets)

1/2 cup crushed almonds (I used dry roasted almonds and popped them in the food processor)

1+ Tbs. Italian Seasoning

1 Tbs. Dry Dill

Sea Salt

Juice from 1/2 Lemon

Ghee (Clarified Butter is fine)

Heat oven to 400*

Prep:

I used a glass baking dish. Coated it first with a bit of melted ghee or EVOO. 

Directions:

Lay filets skin side down in dish and squeeze 1/2 lemon over all of them. Remove seeds 'cause you forgot to pick them out when you first cut the lemon.

Season each filet with the Italian, Dill and Sea Salt and then maybe more Italian.  *see what brand I use in the recipe below*

Coat each filet with the crushed almonds.  You could also use Almond Flour/Meal if you wanna. 

Drizzle melted Ghee over each filet.

Bake in oven for about 15 minutes

If crust does not look golden, you could pop it under the broiler for about 5 minutes which is what I did.  You want that nice crust without over-cooking the fish.

ENJOY!!

Super Greens:

3 cups chopped Kale (try to avoid having any tough stems in the mix)

4 small zucchini

2 cups fresh Brussels sprouts

Crushed Red Pepper

1 Tbsp Finely Chopped Garlic

Course Sea Salt

EVOO

Ghee

*water or chicken broth

Prep:

Chop all vegetables into bite-sized pieces.  Be sure to remove some of the thick stems from your kale. I had a few that snuck in.  They're just annoying and difficult to chew - so ditch them.

I cut my brussels sprouts in half and if they are large, I even quarter them.  This helps them to cook up a little faster and you also get some loose leaves that get a nice roast on them, which I really like.

Directions:

Place all chopped veggies, except Kale, in a bowl and drizzle with Olive Oil.  Add your seasonings.  I love the McCormick Grinders and use the Italian and Crushed Red Pepper ones all the time!

Then I use my hands to toss them all together, making sure every piece is evenly coated in goodness.

Once you get these in the pan, you will do the same with the kale - it just goes in later.

**This cooks up pretty quick, so it's best if you put  the more dense vegetables in first.

Heat pan or skillet (I use a huge cast-iron skillet that I LOVE) and keep at a medium heat.

Throw the brussels sprouts and zucchini in there and let it cook. Do not cover at all.  You don't want them getting mushy, but if you feel like you need to hurry the process - splash some water or chicken broth in there and it will give them a real good steam treatment.

Cook and maybe move them every 7 minutes or so.  I like the number 7. When they look like they can be pierced with a fork - or maybe just try that - then you can add the kale.  

Just pile it all on there.  Let the pan over-flow if you want 'cause it will all cook down.  

Just keep tossing it all around in there until it's the consistency you want.  Add a bit of Ghee for flavor if you want. I put it on errthang.

Gobble it up!!

Doctor visit update...

Well, it's been 2 weeks since I first saw the doctor and talked about some of the results there.
Since then, I've had my blood drawn and I received the results and then yesterday,
went back to the doctor to follow-up.  I was mostly interested in my weight and my high blood
pressure situation.  I was also concerned about my bad cholesterol levels that were revealed
in the blood test.

So the good news is this - Since the other appointment two weeks ago, I've lost 4 pounds!
That's very exciting for me.  And then at my last appointment, the best we could get my blood pressure down to was 141/92 and at this appointment it was 125/81 and I'm sure that was even a little high for that moment 'cause I was getting myself all worked up over it. haha!
As for the cholesterol, the doctor said that it's high, but since I have shown signs that I have been
serious about diet and exercise, she'd wait three months for another blood test and see where I am
at that point. Needless to say, I was super happy when I left the doctor's office.

I will be starting a new job on Monday.  It's a seasonal job and only lasts until sometime in December, but I am really looking forward to it!
However, I realize that I am going to have to adjust my schedule for exercising and really plan out my meals so that I am not tempted to go without eating during the day altogether.  Yes, I am bad at that.  I won't be tempted to eat something bad as much as I would be willing to go without.  An intermittent fast wouldn't be too bad, but I need to keep my metabolism up!  So, I am sure this weekend will be filled with planning for this!

If you know anything about me, you know I don't like to be in pictures unless I can pre-approve them.
I rarely take "selfies" 'cause first of all, I just don't know how to do it without cropping out half of my head or dropping my phone, *sigh* and second of all - I can never get myself to do a natural smile.  I always look like "deer in the headlights" and heaven help me if I ever tried to do the classic "duck lips or sultry swag" look. Puh-lease.   BUT, remember when I was having that 'not so great' day?  Remember I was going to go shower and put on some makeup and push through?  Well, I did and I thought I'd try to take a picture to show you that I was still smiling. Nevermind the meltdown I had later in the day, but that's for another post.
This is what I got.  I know. The quality is not great.  I don't have an iPhone or anything fancy - but hey - you get three angles of me. Lucky you! I ended up cracking myself up, so at least one of the smiles is the real deal!

Are you good at taking selfies? How do you feel about being in pictures or having your picture taken?
 Leave me a comment and share!

The 2013 Primal Blueprint 21 Day Challenge!!

Got my copy through Amazon. Looking forward to starting! 

It's here and I am in!
As you know, I've been eating Paleo/Primal on my own for about  22 days now.
It hasn't been too difficult, but as it goes on, I can see that I am getting rather weary of being
thoughtful of my food and what's going on my plate.  I'm getting a little lazy and not
wanting to plan ahead.  Oh, yes! You must plan if you are going to eat this way.
So rather than letting my enthusiasm fizzle, I think that this challenge that I am
about to share with you is coming at a perfect time for me!! It's just what I needed.

I am talking about The 2013 Primal Blueprint 21 Day Challenge.  Wow! That's a mouthful!

I will basically be continuing the same eating plan as I have already been doing, moving a lot
more and then following along with any other challenges he may throw our way.

Here's the basic "list" from his blog.

In brief, this is the Challenge. Do it for just 21 days and the results will speak for themselves.

1. Eat real food.
2. Avoid sugar, grains, unhealthy fats, beans/legumes.
3. Align your carb intake with your weight goals and activity levels.
4. Move frequently at a slow pace: Get between 2-5 hours per week of moderate aerobic exercise.
5. Lift heavy things: Conduct 1-3 brief, intense sessions of full-body functional movements.
6. Sprint: Go “all out” once a week.
7. Get 8 hours of sleep every night.
8. Get 15 minutes of direct sun exposure each day.
9. Play! Find time to let go, disconnect, unwind and have fun each day.

Well, there you go.  Let's see where this takes me!! Also, I have a follow-up doctor appointment in 2 weeks and I will be excited to see what my weight will be by then as well as find out my blood test results.

Do you have any health/fitness/weight loss goals you'd like to share?  I'd love to hear about them. Leave me a comment!

Coconut Chicken aka OMGCHICKEN!

I have found that it's really important for me to pay attention to my body when it comes to food.
Since I am pretty sure that I have a food addiction, I have to be very mindful of what I am
eating, when I am eating it and why I am eating it.

You may think this sounds silly, but if you've ever tried to lose weight or cut out certain foods from your diet, you might understand.

Sometimes I will think I'm hungry, so I'll get up and start looking in the fridge or pantry... and all of a sudden, I realize - I'm not hungry at all.  I don't even know what I'm doing there in front of the fridge!!
Has that ever happened to you?  Or you see some food out and you start munchin down on it without thinking?  Like maybe after you've eaten dinner and there's left-overs or someone brought in donuts and you just migrate over like nom, nom, nom!!

Quit it already!! *Yelling at myself* haha.

So, here I am today.  Home by myself and I'm hungry.  I had 1 soft boiled egg with some deli turkey for "breakfast".  I wasn't really hungry, but knew I should get some protein in me.
So lunch just rolled around and I've been doing some work around the house.  I stop and inspect the fridge.  Hmmm...  There's some uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast from last night.  I was going to make a salad with it...

Switch it up!! Just remembered an idea I had and was excited to try it.  I recently bought some Coconut Flour and unsweetened coconut flakes.  I love coconut shrimp, but find that the sweetness of the coconut is not something I like as much.  But how about this? It's unsweetened!
So I cut the one breast into really thin slices.  I seasoned it with my favorites: sea salt, garlic, and pepper.  I beat one egg and set up a little station with my coconut flour and coconut flakes.
A little coconut oil in a hot pan?  Sure, why not!?
Dip thin cutlet in flour, then egg, then flakes.
Add to hot pan.
Only needed 2 or 3 minutes per side.  Whoops. First few pieces cooked really fast and got dark!
That's okay!!
Made a little side salad of mixed cabbage slaw (just a little bit of ranch dressing on the side) with some fresh tomato and there.  Beautiful meal.

Coconut Chicken

The chicken was SO good.  Very slight coconut flavor to the mild chicken, light crunch to the "breading" and lots of flavor from the seasoning.  I ate what was probably only half the breast and I was full.
So I STOPPED.  I could have and usually would have eaten the whole thing - after all, it's just one chicken breast - but I didn't.  That right there is progress!!

If you want to read more about coconut flour, I found a good article right here on Mark's Daily Apple.  He's got some great recipes too.

Have you tried using coconut flour or coconut products?  What's your opinion?

What have I been eating for the past three weeks or so?

Most of these were taken with my phone, so pardon the quality.  Just wanted to show you all that I'm not "starving" myself. >.<

Eating this way forces me to be more creative.  You will notice that the food looks fresh and colorful!

 Creamy seafood salad with shrimp, lump crab meat, avocado, dill...

 Lean pork loin with Almond Meal crust. Green salad with almond slivers and Greek Feta

 Caprese salad - Persian cucumbers, plum and heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls,

 herbs, balsamic vinegar and oil

 Cocktail de Camaron  - Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (no sugars)

 Lots of these

 Cauliflower Rice

 Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Italian herb 

Stuffed chicken, bacon wrapped jalapeno with cheese, green beans

 Grilled chicken, TJ's Brats, Roasted Cauliflower, Grilled Zucchini and Pineapple

 Grilled chicken, caprese salad, grilled zucchini and avocado

 Roasted Herb Chicken, Roasted Carrots and Roasted Brussel sprouts with bacon

 *sorry for the blurriness* Strawberry, spinach and chicken salad with almond slices

Taco Salad - no chips, no beans, no rice, no tortilla. 

Coconut milk (unsweetened), pure almond butter, 1 frozen banana Smoothie

Well, what do you think?  It's not too bad, right?  What are you eating this week?  I haven't actually been keeping a food diary, but maybe I should.  Any thoughts on that?

Doctor, Doctor! Give me the news!

Photo Source

It's been about 6 years since I've seen a doctor just for a check up.

We have not had our own health insurance for all that time - 

that means that we only went to the doctor if we were nigh unto death.

Practically.

Anyway, so my husband and I both went it today.  

It was a relief and it was nerve wracking all at the same time.

The first thing I learned - and already knew - was that my blood pressure

was really high. Okay. Working on that.

So the doctor asked me if I might be under any stress.

Um, insert meltdown.

I tried. I really tried to hold it together.

Wasn't planning on releasing the flood gates like that - 

but there it was.

I kept apologizing to him for crying. 

Oh, you know. Don't want to make the doctor feel uncomfortable. O.o 

THAT'S a whole other issue.

Okay. So after we established that I might want to see a therapist,  >.<

we talked about my weight.  

I told him what I was currently doing as far as eating and exercise

and he agreed that it was a good start.

I don't know what I was 18 days ago, but I know that I am 

at least 14 pounds less than I was at the end of August.  

I am not weighing myself at home because I don't want to obsess.

My next appointment with my assigned doctor is in two weeks.

I am also going in this weekend to get blood work done.

For the first time in FOREVER, I feel like I may be on the road to 

R E C O V E R Y and H E A L I N G.

I feel like I can get control of my health somewhat and know what 

I am dealing with...

My first weight loss goal (not counting the 14 I've already lost) is:

to lose 30 lbs.  

I just want to get to that first.  Then I will continue from there.

I will do this by: continuing with my Paleo way of eating.

I want to:

workout consistently at least 4 days a week for at least 

40 minutes.

I already pray on the daily, but I want to take it a step further and really:

incorporate some healthy meditation time into my daily routine.

I have been doing this, but I want to continue to try to:

be in bed before 10 p.m. - or 11 p.m. at the latest if it can't be helped.

The doctor would like for me to start taking some vitamins and 

he also recommended that I take vitamin D.  I would like to: 

get this through my diet directly from the source,

but will probably get something once I research what I really need.

Lastly, for now, I'd like to: continue reading and researching the 

works of Brene Brown. I am reading and learning about vulnerability, 

perfectionism, forgiveness, self-awareness, and more.  I have already 

been able to connect with so much of what she's written...even if it's difficult to admit.

So I think that's it for now. That's ALL. haha!  How about you?

Do you have any goals? Would you share one or two with me in the comments?

Thank you friend.  Thank you for walking with me as I ramble on about all of this. <3

p.s.  The doctor also said that I may want to consider cutting coffee out of my diet altogether.
What the HECKING is he talking about?? Like, can I see your license please?? *sigh*

Day 18 | Not that I'm counting...

So, I am actually 18 days into this "journey".
I write that in quotes because it's so overused these days, don't you think?
Everyone's on some kind of journey.
Well, it's true though.
This is a definite journey.

Google defines journey as 
1. an act of traveling from one place to another and also as a long and often difficult process of personal change and development.

Whoa! Do you see that?  The word PROCESS??  
Yikes!
So I guess this isn't going to happen overnight?
Hmmm...
Okay. I can dig it.

As, I was saying before I so rudely interrupted myself with a vocabulary lecture,
I have been on this journey for 18 days now.
I started the day my kids went back to school.
I like starting things on a Monday, or the first of the year,
or the first day of fall, the first of something - know what I mean?
I like new beginnings.
So, the best thing about August 26, 2013, was not only was it a Monday,
but it was the first day of school.
Those that know me, know that I struggled even with that because
it was the last week of the month.  Ick.
Should I wait until September 1st??? It's on a Sunday...
No. This can't wait another week!! So, I started that morning.

I chose to go back to a way of eating that I've tried a couple times
before. It's called PALEO.
I'm not going to take the time here to get into all the details of Paleo,
because like I said, I'm mainly talking to myself here and I already
know what it is.
But just in case you stumbled upon this humble blog from out there
in cyberspace, you can just click on the link and see what's up.

I am probably not a good example of "doing it all right" because
I am learning as I go and I am also doing only what I can do right now.
Eating Paleo (and hoping to make it a lifestyle) can be expensive.  So, I
cut corners where I can, without compromising the point of eating this way,
wherever I need to.
Paleo diet basically is this:
Good: Fruits, Veggies, Meats, Seafood, Nuts & Seeds, and Healthy Fats
Not Good: Dairy, Grains, Processed Foods & Sugars, Legumes, Starches, and Alcohol

There are some exceptions, but that is the basic list.  I have not entirely cut out all dairy.  I still enjoy some sour cream and cheeses once in a while.
It's also stressed that you should be eating grass fed, no hormone, organic, caught wild, as much as possible. That's great and I agree - but it's just not physically possible for me to do that with everything, so I do the best I can and always choose the best quality when possible.

I know that the changes I've made so far have been for the better, but I have some other goals set too.

My next post will tell you what my "itinerary" or plan will be for this journey.
It's not just about food.  This whole journey is about redefining ME.

I am ready.  Are you ready?

So many reasons, but the main reason is the obvious.

Photo Source

I've just gotten really fat.
Yep. I'm not afraid to say it.
You don't have to get offended at the word - 'cause I'm talking about myself.
Basically, I've gotten to the point where I am heavier than I've ever been.
Even heavier than when I was pregnant with each of my four babies.

So, that being said. It's time. I can stand it no longer.
Not that I was able to withstand it before...
It's just that I've gotten to the point where I don't feel comfortable in
my own skin.

Here's the deal though.
I know that in order to lose weight, you have to change the way you eat.
Okay. I can do that.
You have to move - aka - exercise.
Alright. I like that.  I just need to make time for it. I enjoy it.
I've also recently learned that getting enough sleep really matters.
You got it.  I'm going to try to get to bed earlier.
But here's the kicker - high stress contributes to weight gain.
I'm screwed.

So anyway...
If you want to join me on this journey - come along. If you don't - "Bye Felicia!"
'Cause I don't need any looky loos.
I need a swift kick in the arse. Yep.
So are you with me? Or what?
I'm kind of talking to myself since I won't be announcing this blog to anyone. hehe.
Here we go.