Challenge Completed

Well so much for posting each day ~ way too hard and not enough hours in the day.
The 30 day challenge is now complete. So what did I learn /accomplish? I found it was not difficult to eat strictly Paleo with only a couple of bumps in the journey. I had been eating Paleoish prior to this so not as hard as it may have been six months ago. I know that gluten is not my friend and this is something I will not be reintroducing to my diet. On the other hand I missed dairy, I eat very litle dairy but I missed it in my coffee and the occassional yoghurt or cheese.
I am glad that I tried full Paleo but it is not for me, I am going back to my Paleoish lifestyle.
One big positive though was some of the amazing raw food cake/ dessert recipes that I discovered. They fit nicely into the Paleo side of things while at the same time satisfying any sweet cravings. These are still sometimes foods but will be appearing more tonight I am going to make the following will let you know how it goes.

Easy Berry Bliss Cheesecake

Raw - Vegan - Gluten Free

Crust
1 1/2 cups almonds
2/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1 teaspoon pure vanilla or water

Grind the almonds into a flour in a food processor.
Add the raisins and continue grinding until broken down.
Add the coconut and vanilla. Grind again to incorporate.
Add another 1/2 - 1 teaspoon water if needed to keep the mixture held together when pressed in your hand.
Press evenly into the bottom of a 12" spring form pan.

Filling
4 1/2 cups berries
3 cups cashews
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup agave or coconut nectar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla
5-6 drops stevia
1 cup melted coconut oil

Blend all but the coconut oil, until smooth. Add the oil and blend again to incorporate.
Pour over the crust. Chill in the fridge or freezer for 8-12 hours.

Blueberry Jelly Topping
1 1/2 cups blueberries
2- 3 medjool dates, chopped
Lemon juice, to taste

Blend all ingredients until smooth in a blender. Add a few drops of stevia if needed.
The mixture will thicken as it sits. Chill in the fridge for a few hours.
Spread on the cheesecake after removing it from the mold.

Day 19 ~ Cooking up a Storm

Friday my favourite day of the working week, why because on Friday I only work doing before and after school care. So the hours in between are mine, well sort of .... sometimes. Today was not one of those days. This morning Mark left with his Dad on their annual footy trip to Nhill leaving me alone with the sloths for just over a week. Of course this morning I also woke with a sore throat and am hoping as I dose myself with vitamin C and throat gargle that I am not succumbing to the bugs that have been plagueing the little ones I look after, so nice of the toddlers to share. Today is also sports carnival for the sloths and although at an age where it is not cool to have Mum come and watch, my presence is tolerated as long as I also bring cash for supplies at the canteen. No crossfit for me today so what's a girl to do ? Solution ? Cook.
I have made my own versions of the meatloaf muffins, a Morrocan Lamb and a chicken version. The verdict from the sloths is that the lamb is the best. I have also made a normal sized chicken and vegetable meatloaf for tomorrow nights dinner and a sweet chilli lamb bolognese style sauce. We shouldn't starve over the next few days at least and I better not hear a sloth say there is nothing to eat. Inspired by my burst of activity the younger sloth decided he too would cook and he produced a wonderful lemon cheese cake which to his delight I cannot eat. So tomorrow I will make something to fill that sweet craving I now seem to have, thinking of this Coconut Lime Cheesecake

Ingredients


1 cup almonds
½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
½ cup medjool dates, pitted
½ tsp vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt

Filling:
1 cup coconut, cashew or almond milk
2 cups raw cashews, soaked and drained
½ cup date paste*
⅔ cup fresh lime juice
pinch of sea salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup coconut oil

Methods/steps
1. In a food processor, pulse the almonds and coconut into a fine flour.
2. Add the dates, vanilla extract and salt. Pulse until the mixture begins to clump together.
3. Press firmly and evenly into a 9 inch springform pan . Set aside in the refrigerator.
4. In a blender combine the filling ingredients except the coconut oil and blend until smooth.
5. Add the coconut oil and pulse to emulsify.
6. Pour the filling into the prepared crust and chill for at least 2 hours. Garnish with shredded coconut.

*date paste is made by soaking dates in warm water until soft. Draining the dates and blending them in a food processor until a smooth, thick paste is created. It stores very well in the fridge.

 Enjoy your weekend and then for the final week of the challenge

Days 15 to 18 ~ plodding along

Well it's been awhile since I have posted anything but to tell the truth things are just trundling along. Eating following challenge guidelines doesn't seem to be daunting and even cravings when they come pass just as quickly. The sloths had their regular pizza night and I had no urge to join them, possibly because it was 'cheap ass' Tuesday and their pizza of choice was of the Dominos variety. Now an Il Forno pizza may have been a different matter. Training once again has been hit and miss due to work hopefully this is something I can pull together as it is frustrating, though still no training tonight due to a massage with Sonja that has left me feeling as though I have been run down by a freight train ...... I will keep with my mantra " this pain is good ...."
Whilst trolling for recipes and inspiration on the myriad of paleo foodie sites I found the following recipe for Meatloaf Muffins with Sweet Potato Icing. I plan to make a double batch for the sloths lunch boxes and to have on hand to snack on .
The Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb of minced beef * about 750 grams
1 apple, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 eggs
1/2 cup of Almond meal
basil
nutmeg
garlic powder
*21 seasoning salute

6 small sweet potatoes
nutmeg
cinnamon

The Directions:
Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Poke holes in the sweet potatoes and bake for 30 minutes or until tender.
Set aside and let cool.
In a large bowl add apple and red bell pepper. Mix in 2 eggs and mix well. Add ground beef and Almond meal and mix well with your hands! Add seasonings. I forgot to add tomato sauce or tomato paste but the flavor was great without.
In muffin tins add meatloaf mixture. My meat filled 12 tins exactly. Bake for 20 minutes or until meatloaf is done. While they are in the oven scoop out the center of the sweet potatoes and mash with a fork. Add cinnamon and nutmeg and mix a little more. Add the sweet potato mixture into a baggie and cut off one corner (just like if you were going to add icing to something) and top the meatloaf muffins with the sweet potato.

*I am not sure what 21 seasoning salute is but I m sure you could substitute your own mix of spices. Also substituting chicken, pork or lamb mince would also work.

Days 13 & 14 ~ A Working Week-End

Saturday ~ Still in Sydney and still cold, wet and windy outside so it was off to the hotel gym for a WOD. I warmed up with squats, sit-ups and weighted lunges before running on the treadmill at speed for 20 minutes. Exercise done it was time for breakfast, love that it is easy to eat paleo at the breakfast buffet and headed straight for the bacon and eggs (order 2 poached) and whilst waiting for my eggs ate some yummy vegetable frittata. Relying on others for your food choices when away is always a little difficult and when this work trip was organised I was not doing the challenge. I had already though discovered that gluten is not my friend and had asked for gluten free choices. Morning and afternoon teas were not a problem but I was wondering about lunch, I need not have. My gluten free lunch consisted of wagu steak and steamed veges, while the rest of the group had buffet cassorole / pasta choices. I must say quite a few wished they had ordered the gluten free. I do wonder what the response will be if next time I put Paleo as my dietary requirement ..... I didn't stay fully on track though not being able to resist the urge to sample a small taste of the vintage cheddar and blue cheese on offer after lunch.
Sunday ~ Home once more and back to work on the homefront. After a sleep in , housework and shopping done we took the dogs for a walk. They enjoy walking along the foreshore and exploring as much as we do, however it took a while for Rafiki to settle he is used to me taking him for a run (or should I say he takes me for a run). He wasn't sure he liked this just walking thing, Hunter on the other hand loves to amble stopping to sniff and explore all the foriegn scents out and about. Again today I have had dairy in my coffee but on a whole back on track so to speak. Looking forward to the next half of the challenge.

All tuckered out

Day 12 ~ Adventures

OK today has been awesome after yesterdays debarcle. After posting that I was off to do the ropey chipper the stars and planets aligned to work against me. Long story short I never made it. Ah well but today a new chapter.

I flew to Sydney this morning to attend a work meeting......... tomorrow, which meant today I was free to do as I pleased. The day started well with the pre-booked cab on time and airport traffic minimal. On arrival I looked at the queues and decided I wouldn't check my bag but carry it onboard. Today the gods were happy because on presenting myself at the service counter (I had an exit row seat) I was told the plane for my flight had changed and I was no longer in an exit row. This however was a good thing because her next sentence was how we you like to leave earlier? Five minutes later I was boarding, a whole extra hour of shopping awaited. On arrival at the  hotel prepared to stow my bag I was greeted with your room is ready now, yay. So unpacked and settled it was off to explore, the weather was unpleasant so decided to stay away from harbour and water and confine my wandering to the city. I adjourned to a coffee shop to warm up and get my bearings, on unfurling my tourist map the woman seated at the next table started a conversation with me giving my tips and directions of where to go and what to see. As the conversation continued I discovered I was chatting with a Kings Cross Madam, she was a wealth of information and history and an hour later I finally went on my way. I enjoyed a full day walking, shopping and exploring including Paddys Markets and lunch in China Town. My food intake today has been Paleoish with milk in my coffee and my lunch time seafood laska had noodles ( which I actually left consuming the seafood/veges and broth). Dinner was a takeout from near the hotel Chilli coconut fish with eggplant ~ delish though strange looks when I requested no rice. So many choices for food. No WOD today but I am sure I had things pretty much covered with all my walking, most of it into a headwind. I knew the winds had been strong when nearly knocked off my feet by sudden gusts during the day but until I saw the evenings news reports of roofs being blown off did I realise how strong they were. Think it will be good to be indoors tomorrow out of the wind and rain.
Have a fabulous  weekend everyone

Day 11 ~ Crash and Burn

Well maybe not quite as extreme as that but today has been challenging in several ways. Unwell cherubs here who have been grumpy and whiny, making me grumpy and whiny. As the day wore on and none of my little charges would rest (and if they didn't need to I needed a respite from them) the general mood became worse and worse. The straw that broke the camels back .....After an hour and a half of crying and not being able to be consoled the 16 month old gave in to all their frustration and bit me, at the same moment the message came through from Mum saying she was held up in traffic and would arrive as soon as possible. At this rate instead of the early pickup I had requested due to child being unwell was going to extend to normal time, oh well. So at afternoon tea and with any forethought what so ever, when offered some Doritos by one of the schoolies I mindlessly ate a handful before my brain even kicked in and I realised what I was stuffing my face with. So my first major paleo pothole. I must say how easy it was to fall into bad eating habits due to a little stress, scarily easy. So I have decided next time we are all grumpy and whiny it will be outside to run about and use up some of the excess energy and de-stress rather than dig into the chip packet.
On whole different level have just seen todays' Crossfit Desire WOD
Ropey Chipper

2 Rope Climbs
50 Situps
50 Ring Push Ups
50 Lunges (each leg)
50 Double Unders
50 Chest to Overhead 40/20kg
50 Wallballs 10/5kg
400m Run
I think this will be crash and burn for real

Day 10 ~ Cravings

Into double digits and the cravings have started, only the fact that I didn't have any money on me prevented me from buying a large vanilla latte on the school run today. Not sure where the craving came from but I would have killed for one, thankfully it passed. The next was whilst out with the cherubs they had been promised hot chippies as a treat and it took all my will power not to chow down with them. Finally it was after dinner watching the olympics, Mark was settled enjoying a glass of red wine and I swear I could hear the bottle of winter cider calling my name from the fridge door. Usually it never crosses my mind to have a drink with/after dinner during the week even though Mark quite often has a drop of red. I am not sure in the scheme of things what this actually means. Are others having cravings as well? What are your cravings?
On the crossfit side as predicted I couldn't remove myself from my bed in the early morn so no training today. However tomorrow is a new day, wonder what it will bring?

Day 9 ~ Sharing

Well great start with my training goals so far making each night so  this week ( I know it has only been two days ). Even better is have been able to do more with my shoulder. Monday's WOD included overhead squats and though I could only use a broomstick ~ happy days. I was able to hold the broomstick overhead with no pain and found at the end of it all I actually had more range of movement lifting my arm sideways than previously. Tonight was push press followed by a tabata WOD , after having my shoulder strapped I was prepared to once again go through the motions with a broom stick ( not flying it as suggested by the older sloth) but managed to progress to the bar. So back to basics and light weights but extremely happy to be able to do more.
On the Paleo front check out this Australian site I discovered http://eatdrinkpaleo.com.au the following is a recipe from her site , can't wait to try it.

Under $25: Chicken Tagine with Parsnips & Artichokes

Ingredients


■6 chicken drumsticks
■1 tsp turmeric powder
■2 garlic cloves, finely grated or chopped
■1 tsp sea salt
■A pinch of black pepper
■1/2 lemon juice
■2 tbs olive oil
■1 medium brown onion, sliced
■1 large parsnip, peeled and cut into thick strips
■1 large carrot, peeled and cut into thick strips
■2 garlic cloves, sliced
■2 tbsp dried black currants or raisins
■1 jar or can of artichoke hearts, rinsed
■4-5 cherry tomatoes, halved
■1 tsp turmeric
■2 cups reduced salt chicken stock
■2/3 tsp coriander seeds powder or grounded coriander seeds
■A pinch of chili flakes or small red chilli chopped
■A pinch of black pepper
■Fresh coriander for garnish
■2-3 tsp ghee

Instructions
1.Coat chicken in turmeric, garlic, lemon juice, black pepper and olive oil. Marinate for 5-10 minutes.

2.Heat 2 teaspoons of ghee in a frying pan or directly in the tagine dish to high. Fry chicken drumsticks for 3.5 minutes on each side. Remove to a plate.

3.Add onion and sauté for 2 minutes. Add turmeric, coriander seeds powder and sliced garlic. Sauté for another minute letting the spices to toast and release their aromas. Add chicken stock and combine.

4.Add parsnip, carrots and dried black currants, layer chicken drumsticks on top (see pic above). Cook with the lid on for 5-6 minutes. Turn chicken over and cook for another 5 minutes. Mix in with the parsnip and carrots, letting drumsticks sink to the bottom. Add cherry tomatoes and artichoke hearts on top. Cover with a lid and cook for a further 10 minutes on medium/low heat.

5.Take the lead off, remove chicken and bring the sauce with vegetable to boil. Let it bubble for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. This will thicken the sauce. Turn the heat down and add chicken drumsticks back in. Stir and turn the heat off. Sprinkle with fresh of coriander, a squiz of lemon and a little sprinkle of sea salt.

Preparation time: 10-15 minutes
Cooking time: 35-40 minutes
Number of servings: 3
Cooking notes: You can use other chicken parts like wings and thighs, which are also quite cheap. I used an actual tagine dish to cook this stew like meal, but any deep frying pan with a lid will do just fine. Parsnips and carrots can be replaced with sweet potatoes, green beans, cauliflower, broccoli or whatever else is in season in your area. Eating seasonally is one way to cut down the cost of your groceries.

Day 8 ~ Week Two Goals

So I have survived week one basically unscathed, and coping well. How is everyone else travelling ? What are you finding to be your biggest challenges ? With the food side going alright I thought that this week my goal would be to try and get to training more. This is often a challenge due to timing around work partnered with my inability to get my lazy ass out of bed in the early morning. Especially on cold dark winter mornings, the call of my warm bed is too strong. This will be my goal this week to make as many sessions as I can and maybe even face the horrors of an early morning WOD. Yeah I don't beleive that one either. Though past experience tells me it is a great way to start the day. Hey if you can get through the days WOD anything else thrown at you during the rest of the day is easy.
I have come to an uneasy truce with the sloths, around their eating habits and accepted (sort of) that I cannot force them to eat Paleo but I can set the best example possible. Last night I gave in and purchased their favourite snacks and cereals during my grocery shop. I must admit they were very pleased and if filling a growing teen means they are eating weetabix and milo after school I have to suck it up and deal with that, it could be worse I suppose. Both boys are very active (for sloths) and spend lots of time outdoors, like most teens they spend far too much time in front of a screen be it computer or xbox, but I think there is a good balance. Interestingly last night as they helped unpack their processed treasures and amid the happy dances and whoops of delight as they discovered yet another forbidden treat the older sloth proclaimed his pleasure however the younger sloth quietly took me aside and said "Thanks Mum, but next time can you buy your normal shopping? I don't want to get obese and sick.". Hallelujah, though not ready to let his brother hear, the message is sinking in and the transition quietly happening. It will take time and baby steps but I still think I can convert the older sloth to healthier eating. Well he did put an apple in his lunchbox all by himself without prompting .........
Good luck as we enter week two. What are your goals?

Days 6 & 7 ~ Weekend Adventures

So a very late post after a very hectic weekend. So what have I learnt over the weekend  ? Planning is absolutely key to success. Saturday morning was the usual blur of chasing my tail trying to get everything done and organised whilst acheiving little. I was not motivated and sleep deprived due to playing chauffuer to the elder sloth the night before. Saturday afternoon brought a rare occurance where nothing was planned, scheduled or required so we took the opportunity to all go to the movies. After initial debate on what to see that all four of us could agree upon it was off to see Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter. So tickets bought time for candybar ummm well for everyone but me, whilst the sloths and Mark went off to find frozen cokes, popcorn or choc tops I was left pondering the thrill of my bottled water. Yep I had not put any thought into this and it was empty handed I entered the theatre leaving me me to realise how much we are all creatures of habit and how simple it is to mindlessly shovel crap into ourselves when sitting in a cinema. I didn't miss or need the popcorn but I did wish I had packed some nuts or similar. Lesson 1 learnt.
Saturday evening one of our girls was home for dinner and we were babysitting our youngest grand-daughter, all fine until the cry for dessert went up and off every-one trooped to Il Forno to indulge. I was happy to stay home in the warmth with the little one and the offer was made to bring something back for me , nice... Well once again it was not going to happen there was nothing suitable n the menu that would meet Paleo Challenge requirements. So did I fall to temptation ? No, thankfully I had made a fruit salad earlier and I had this for my dessert and the sated hordes returned bringing with them an expresso for me . Sunday the youngest sloth was competing at Chandler at the Irish Dancing State titles always a busy time and a full day. But had I learnt anything from the previous day? Unfortunately no, all was well until I wanted to eat. Had I packed food/snacks? You bet I hadn't, my focus had been making sure the sloth was prepared, ready and on time. What I really want to know is why these venues don't cater for people who don't want to eat crap? I am not talking just Paleo here, but something other than deep fried, pastry encased or sugar filled. I know I am not the only one who would have happily paid for a salad or something similar. The venue was hosting Irish Dance titles, Trampolining Championships and a Short Course Swimming event, hello, atheletes one and all and nothing on offer but crap. I wandered across to the nearby markets in hope of finding something only to find them packing up and finished, so it was from venue kiosk to venue kiosk I went searching in vain. Down at the pool the menu at first looked promising, bacon and eggs hooray. My excitement soon changed to disappointment when told only for breakfast and besides we are all out, can the fish be grilled? No it comes crumbed, so what about a vege burger with no roll after some eye rolling and a statement of we really dont have much to offer salad wise they agreed to my request. Again it was followed by disappointment the 'vege pattie' was frozen ,deep fried and coated in breadcrumbs (so I didn't eat it )something nobody had bothered to mention dispite my prior questioning and requests. The salad , well I got some chopped lettuce, grated carrot, three slices of tomato and two slices of cucumber and beleive me by this point I was happy for anything. Later in the afternoon I gobbled down some of the sloths hot chips and regretted it almost instantly. My only saviour was the knowledge that I would arrive home to a meal of slow cooked beef cheeks and veges yum. Lesson 2 well and truely learnt.
The moral of the story? Be prepared, the wider world doesn't care what you eat, they will provide for the masses and until the masses revolt and demand better pack a lunch and save your money.
So after a week of the challenge I am happy to say my only downfall was a handful of hot chips and with no-one to blame but my own lack of forethought I am happy with my results so far. I am not really missing anything and on most occasions can easily feed myself whilst out and about. I am feeling great and also feel less bloated so awesome results. Now for week two.

Oh and we are very proud of the sloth, he and his eight hand team placed third, well done all of you.

Day 5 ~ D Day

D~Day - Diagnosis, Drama, Diet, Dilemma, Drinks, Dinner Dance, Driving .... I'm sure I could add more but in the words of a sloth meh.
Diagnosis - today was the day I finally went back to the Dr (another D word) to see what the ultrasound had shown in regards to my shoulder. After weeks of physio,modifiying WOD's and various degrees of aches and pains the verdict was in ........ Drumroll ( there's another D) please .....  Report says the long head of biceps tendon is normal. No rotator cuff abnormalities could be identified. The subacromial bursa is normal. Evidence of minor impingement on lateral shoulder abduction. Thankfully Sonja has said she will explain this in laymans terms e.g. diagnosis for dummies next time I am in the box. I feel relieved that there is nothing major wrong but still frustrated that I still have pain and cannot do any overhead movements. Ah well they tell me patience is a virtue.
Drama - I had the day well planned school run , WOD, shopping, lunch, prepare for this evenings festivities, repeat school run blah blah blah. What is it they say about best laid plans? Youngest sloth on heading out door turns to me and says oh by the way Mum I need a new vest for States on Sunday ( he is competing in a four hand and eight hand team at the Irish Dancing State titles) Now he has known that he needed a new one for weeks but tells me two days prior ..... I suppose I should be grateful it wasn't Sunday morning. No problem add it to the list and a trip to Toombul after the morning WOD, ah no phone call from Educator needing assistance as I walked in from school run ended that. Issue solved but days plans thrown out the door, so I salvaged what was left changed Destination and after a quick phone call met Mark at North Lakes for a coffee (long black) and did my shopping there including the Sloths vest.
Diet ~ Drinks ~ Dilemma -This week has gone extremely well in terms of the Paleo challenge, no stumbles and until today even no coffee. This evening I knew would be more difficult with the invitation to join the elder sloth and his friends and their parents at a pre semi get together. I can now report all is well in Paleo world I ate the crudites but not the dips, steered clear of the deep fried offerings, ate strawberries and delicious home cooked / prepared chicken drumsticks, my only concession was a glass of French bubbles and I must say I enjoyed that glass immensely. So for all my fretting I am happy in the knowledge that socializing among the unchallenged isn't to be feared .
Dinner Dance - the boys and their partners looked wonderful very proud of the sloth and I think he was quite chuffed that Mark had brought  the "trophy wife" out of the garage for the occasion when one of the boys commented 'oh you get to go in the cool car'.
Driving - D-Day just keeps on giving, with me now on driving duty for pick-up from the dinner dance, drop off at the after party and then pick-up and drop off once again a couple of hours later. Think I need a nana nap. Oh the joys of parenting teens.
Bring on Day 6

Day 4 ~ Temptation

Woke to another freezing morning and nothing for the sloths lunches so after some negotiation it was off to the bakery around the corner for fresh breadrolls. Mornings are never my favourite time and cold mornings are even worse. What I didn't expect was the barrage of tempting aromas and signs enroute ~ the smell of freshly brewed coffee , the sign encouraging me to warm up with a mug of hot chocolate and marshmallows, the bread still baking and the sign beseeching me to eat the hot roast beef roll with gravy on offer all of this before I even reached the bakers door. It wasn't helping that at this point I hadn't had breakfast. I managed to bypass all temptation and came home and made a banana and mango smoothie with almond milk for breakfast. All good and downstairs to work and await the arrival of the first cherub of the day ~ what's that smell mmmm .... The youngest sloth is cooking himself breakfast and what does he cook himself ? Ham and eggs with the eggs cooked inside edible eggrings made of thick capsicum rounds and though annoyed he had not thought to share I was happy with his version of a "Paleo" breakfast, if the littlest sloth can be convinced there is hope for us all .....
Even more temptation with the local church having a cakestall on the way to school ~ homemade sponges, brownies, biscuits, piklets and slices to lure me off the path that is Paleo. Hooray I made it without giving in to temptation, though if the little sloth cooks breakfast tomorrow and doesn't share he may not like the monster he has to face...

Enjoy your day and I hope you avoid temptation

Day 3 Musings

So we are on day three and so far it isn't seeming to be a challenge at all ..... I know, I know it's early days. However, I have not had a coffee for three days and apart from the irristable aromas wafting out of a morning as I pass by Mugshots I am not really missing it. I thought I may have withdrawal headaches but nothing, perhaps this is because it has become a rarity for me to have more than one coffee a day (except on weekends and then it is probably a max of three). I have been drinking lemon and ginger tea instead and apart from Mark saying it looked like I was drinking urine I am enjoying the change.
Planning meals ahead is working and I have been cooking enough of an evening so I can use the leftovers as lunch for Mark and I, the sloths prefer lunch money and are not happy when they have to take a homemade lunch. Unfortunately I often succumb to their demands and hand over the cash rather than throwout the lovingly prepared food that is returned in their lunch boxes, need to find a happy medium that we are all happy with.
Cravings, have others been having any? Today I was craving something salty and instead of reaching for potato chips I ate a handful of toasted salted pumpkin seeds , craving dealt with. I am finding by planning ahead and packing my lunches I am eating regularly and not skipping meals which was my past pattern. I actually feel as though I am eating more food ~ not sure if that is a positive or not (any comments or hints Sonja?), but I am feeling great at this point and hopefully that will continue. I have not felt the tiredness others have desribed and the only aches and pains are from my shoulder and after Fridays' appointment with the doctor I will finally know what is causing that as well.
My first hurdle will be Friday evening, it is the eldest sloths year 11 dinner dance and we have been invited along with all the boys at his table and their partners to a pre dinner function at another families home. I am preety sure the offerings will be very non Paleo and the bubbles flowing (adults only ~ mocktails for the teens) ~ for once I think I will be happy to be designated driver so as not to have to explain why I am not having a glass.
I would love to know how everyone else is going, what is easy? what is a challange? Hints and tips anyone?
Are you struggling? Here is a link to a great article on why people fail on a Paleo Diet http://paleodietlifestyle.com/why-people-fail-paleo-diet/  read it and remember have appropiate expectations and don't beat yourself up if you stumble.

Day 2 ~ Why Eat Paleo

Why, indeed?

For my crossfitting friends, this is old news. But it’s always nice to be reminded, and to think deeply about why we choose the path we are on . On the other hand, most of my other friends are, Paleo what the ..... , and I want to share with them a smattering of  reasons for giving it a try (check out the link below). Feel free to add on more (or dispute them) in the comments section. In my opinion, paleo makes sense, and nutrition is infinitely important for our well-being, but we should approach all things in life with appropriate expectations. For information on the diet, there are loads of good guides and scientific blogs out there that you absolutely must check out if you are interested. Finally, I want to be clear with semantics. “Diet” here means: way you eat. Paleo is not really a diet. Rather, it is a framework within which any individual determines their own lifelong, sustainable regime. Check out the following link , you never know Paleo may be the change you are looking for  http://www.livingpaleo.com/10-things-you-should-know-about-paleo/

Some of my friends have said oh that is way to restrictive and I couldn't possibly give up this or that ... well Paleo and clean eating is not about deprivation and there are amazing recipes that can assist with your sweet cravings and still meet your paleo needs ..... would you feel deprived eating this ?

.

Raw CHOCOLATE COCONUT CREAM TORTE ♥
*Recipe  :Eric Rivkin
E-book :TO LIVE FOR♥ http://www.vivalaraw.org/living-foods/to-live-for-recipe-book

Bottom Layer Crust

1 cup raw almonds or pecans, soaked 2 hours, rinsed
... 1 cup fresh or dried finely shredded unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
¼ tsp cinnamon
Dash of cayenne
In a food processor with the S blade, mix until a crumb texture is reached. Set aside.

Coconut Cream Filling
2 cups firm young coconut pulp
5 bananas
1/4 cup coconut oil
4-5 pitted medjool dates
½ tsp vanilla extract or caviar scraped from 1 bean
Blend ingredients until creamy. Set aside and refrigerate.

6-8 large firm strawberries, de-stemmed and sliced 1/8” thick

Top Chocolate Layer
1 cup young coconut pulp
3 Tbsp coconut oil
½ cup raw cacao powder
3 pitted medjool dates
3 black mission figs
½ tsp vanilla extract or caviar scraped from 1 bean
¼ tsp cinnamon
Dash of cayenne
Blend ingredients until thick and smooth, adding just enough coconut water to turn over in blender. Set aside.

Garnish
1 cup assorted berries - raspberry, blueberry, sliced strawberries
1 tsp honey
Mint leaves (optional)

Blend the honey with about a few of the strawberries to make a glaze. Toss gently with the berries and mint and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Assembly
1. Press crust recipe evenly into a 9” spring-form torte pan with a removable side greased with a little coconut oil.
2. De-stem, then slice the strawberries the long way and press the large pieces against the inside of the torte pan. Use the smaller heels in the garnish..
3. Pour in and spread the Coconut Cream Filling.
4. Freeze for 2 hours to firm up.
5. Pour on and spread the top chocolate layer mix. Refrigerate or freeze again until firm.
6. When ready to serve, first arrange the fruit garnish on top.

Day One

Well half way through day 1 and all is going well , I have missed my morning routine of picking up a coffee on the school run but on the upside think of all the money I will save over the next 30 days. I am putting my daily coffee money aside and will spend it on a reward at the end of the challenge.
I think the key for me will be preparation ~ planning meals and snacks ahead of time and packing my own lunchbox daily. Working from home with young children makes it easy to graze on the not so healthy and skip meals, so pre planning my days eating will be important.
The slowcooker has always been a godsend for me, making it easy to have a meal ready at the end of the day after training. The following recipe is one from my friend Wendy and it has become a favourite with my crew, it uses lamb shanks but it works just as well with a shoulder or leg of lamb. I serve it with mashed sweet potato and baby green beans. Guess what's for dinner .......

Maple syrup glazed lamb shanks:


1/3 cup maple syrup

1 cup chicken stock

1 tablespoon dijon mustard

1.5 cups orange juice

8 lamb shanks (french trim)
Brown lamb. Put in slowcooker. Combine syrup, stock, mustard and juice and add to lamb. Toss lamb around to cover in the syrup mix. Cook 7 hours low.

New Beginnings

Those of you who know me well also know I have been a journey of transitions, transformation and training over the last 18 months.
I have lost over twenty kilos, found a love bordering on addiction for crossfit, I have discovered strength I never knew I had and on occassion I have stumbled both physically (I am Queen of the gumby fall) and emotionally.
I have gone on a journey of discovery and not least of all re-discovered myself.
So once again I found myself standing at a fork in the road and had to decide which direction I would travel. This was an emotional time and decisions were difficult but I have found myself choosing to leave the comfort and security of my original Cross Fit Box and following Sonic to her new Box ~ Cross Fit Desire. So in keeping with this new beginning I am committing to the 30 day Paleo Challenge beginning tomorrow along with other Desire members. I have been eating 'paleoish' for quite sometime but have decided to embrace the challenge. Having two teenage sloths to feed may present the biggest hurdles as any mention of Paleo brings eyerolls and groans so I think the best approach is to not tell them they are eating a Paleo meal/snack. I am realistic enough to realise they will not be completing the challenge with me and the best I can do for them is provide nutritious non processed food for them and educate them.
So why put this in writing? To make myself accountable to share my triumphs and my stumbles and there will be stumbles .

Let the journey begin..............