Support System

One thing that is so helpful when trying something new like Whole30 is to have a good support system and good resources. Through my research on the Whole30 it recommends making your goals public such as through social media like Facebook or writing them on a sticky note for all to see, Instagram or Twitter. Not only does it help make you accountable for sticking with your goal but also it is nice to have someone to cheer you on when it gets tough or to find and share recipes when you feel like you’ve eaten the same thing again and again.

I really wanted someone to share this experience with to be each others cheering section. Unfortunately there wasn’t anyone up to challenge to start cold turkey with me but it has worked out pretty well. Family members and friends have asked me for recipes and my favorite guy has gone back to his paleo routine and keeps me on track. Many people who I thought would be supportive and excited for me turned out to be many of the naysayers. On top of doing some intense book reading and web surfing I also took in some advice and wisdom from several colleagues who have already done the Whole30 and are a year or so into their paleo lifestyle. They have asked about my progression, been on top of catching me of eating something I shouldn’t, and cheered me on when I got frustrated.

Some of the best resources have been the detailed shopping and pantry lists. Reading several books to get the scientific aspects down and to understand the affects of certain foods on our system has given me a better understanding of why certain foods are omitted. Going grocery shopping with someone to help keep you on track helps save you money too. I used to think all the help books and downloads were silly, but in reality they can be the most helpful guides.

One thing that keeps me going is hearing the success stories and how others are fairing. I also find new recipes to try and get more words of wisdom to help me through my workouts and meals. A friend who has been an inspiration for my quest to healthy living directed me to her groups’ blog http://girlswhoclean.wordpress.com/ that follows their triumphs, hardships and inspirations. Their stories are part of my daily routine to remind me that I am not alone in my quest to become healthier.

If you’d like to see some more yummy recipes or need some ideas follow me on Instagram @ridiculousday

Happy Super Bowl!

Once a year I get together with friends and sometimes family, if we’re in the same area, and we watch, yell, stuff our faces with amazing food and yell some more at the sight of some of the nations top athletes run around and tackle each other all in the name of football. This is my holiday: Super Bowl Sunday.

I base a lot of my favorite holidays around the delicious food we bring to the table and yes the messages that the holidays bring. But a day of football like this brings a different sense of togetherness- where it’s okay to slap the person sitting next to you when your team brings their team to their knees or to curse along with the rest of the company that the ref was blind and what a stupid call that was. And more importantly, for the people who don’t normally cook or rarely get asked to bring something to share, this is your moment to shine.

Unless otherwise stated, Super Bowl is usually a form of potluck and BYOB. Well here you go- go ahead and bring that Velveeta cheese dip with the canned chili to share (I’ve made this and it was a hit- no not paleo approved), the frito pie that grandma wouldn’t let you serve at Christmas Eve dinner or easier still bring beer to share from each city that is represented. We are doing this, this year- New Belgium Folly pack, Fort Collins, CO, Red Hook Folly pack, Seattle, WA and Angry Orchard Cider folly pack for the gluten free drinkers. Yeah the last one isn’t from either but we must accommodate! Essentially Super Bowl calls for glorified bar food and no matter what you bring people will love it because it brought everyone together.

This holiday is not on your paleo or Whole30 approved list! Well neither is most of what I used to eat on this awesome day but we accommodate! Don’t let your desire to eat healthy even on a typically unhealthy holiday stop you from eating what you want or bringing something to share. Seriously, I made a gluten free, dairy free Thanksgiving last year and it was awesome according to the gluten and dairy consuming portion of the family.

This year’s menu for us consists of a taco bar, so you can add or omit anything you want! Pulled pork or shredded chicken does not have to always be in a shell- make it into a taco sala! We have romaine lettuce to use as “shells” for the gluten free folk and I have attempted to make fried plantain ‘shells’ from a recipe I found on Pinterest. Needless to say, before I bring those to a party they need to be practiced a little more. We make our own taco seasoning so we know exactly what is going into our meal and makes it even more homemade. Sweet potato chips taste just as good with guacamole and pico on them. You have so many options- bunless burgers and brats, make an awesome salad for a side or who doesn’t like homemade nut mixes. We're kicking off the day with a brunch of a hearty bacon and egg breakfast and mimosas to share. Yes, no alcohol on Whole30 my Cheats post soon to follow.

So go out there and root for your team, eat something you haven’t tried before and try not to throw anything at the TV when the Broncos kick the Seahawks butt. HAPPY SUPER BOWL everyone!

WHY?????

...is the most common question people ask me. At least once a day, someone asks me, “Why are you still doing this?” or “Why do you think you need to lose weight?” or “Why are you jumping on the New Year weight loss band wagon?” Though I really do not need to justify my habits to anyone, my answer is simple- to help kick off my healthy eating habits and to help maintain a healthy lifestyle.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 35.7% of U.S. adults are obese, that is 1/3 of the U.S. adult population. Obesity can lead to health conditions such as heart problems, diabetes, and certain cancers, all of which can rack up pretty intense medical costs. Last year I suffered from some intestinal inflammation that required several hospital visits. The doctors put me on a restricted diet and thus my first introduction to a gluten free life style. I have since then lost quite a bit of weight and found healthy alternatives. I don’t ever want to have to go through that again nor do I want to fall into an unhealthy percentage- help maintain a healthy lifestyle.

My diet before usually consisted of copious amounts of breads, cheeses, cured meats, ice cream and pretty much anything I could eat. So- to help kick off my healthy eating habits- I need to start eating foods that make me feel more healthy and energetic rather than sluggish and heavy. Yes, moderation is always the key; however, if you have little self-control… They say it takes two weeks for something to become a habit and after 30 days it becomes part of your routine.

Kick-start, maintain, routine. 

Success Food for Your Whole30

Here are some recipes that I have been using. Some of them I've found through several sites and Pinterest and some I have created myself. Enjoy and please feel free to post other recipes for me to try out.

*optional ingredient

Coconut Banana Pancakes
1 ripe banana
1 egg
1/8 c coconut flour (give or take)
1/8 c coconut milk (give or take)
pinch of salt
splash of vanilla extract*
Yield 6 small cakes (or two large ones as pictured below)

Mash banana and then add the egg. Add the flour, salt and milk and/or extract. Mix until desired consistency. Medium heat in a nonstick pan and I use coconut oil. Goes really well with steak and eggs!

My favorite guy loves my Sweet Potato Hash
2 sweet potatoes (cubed or hashed)
4 slices grass fed bacon sliced into small strips
1/2 jalapeno
1/4 diced onion
bunch of kale chopped
1 avocado sliced
cilantro

Medium heat in a non stick pan and fry up the bacon, remove and set aside. If you need more oil add some extra virgin olive oil. Add sweet potatoes. When those are cooked add onion, jalapeno and kale. At the end add the bacon. Plate it up and top it off with the avocado and cilantro. Can top off with fresh pico de gallo.

This recipe can of course be altered to suit your needs and wants! We've had it as a dinner has with burgers.

Speaking of burgers...they are my favorite. Particularly cheeseburgers. They're my weakness. So how do I kick these cravings? Lettuce wraps and tons of flavor. Butter lettuce or even kale for that wrap and I've started using lots of different toppings. Sun dried tomatoes, grilled onions and mushrooms, crispy kale, the options are endless. I've also just found a crunchy plantains recipe that you can use as "buns" or taco "shells". I haven't tried it yet but you all will be the first to know the outcome!

My new go to meal is also spaghetti squash with my mom's homemade pesto or some tomato sauce. Easy...cut the squash in half and scoop out seeds, olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in the oven at 400 for 30 minutes. Use a fork to scoop out the "noodles" and serve to your desire!

I would love to see what you have created and to try them out too! Cheers to a successful Whole30!

Keto Flu

One of the down sides to starting a low carb eating style is the "keto flu" also known as the "induction flu". This usually happens during the first few days where your body is adapting to burn ketones (an organic compound that comes from fats that are broken down for energy) instead of glucose. Some of the symptoms are typically headaches, nausea, upset stomach, lack of mental clarity, fatigue- all of which I have been suffering from. Essentially this is the transition period where your body is finding or creating new enzymes to burn the fatty cells instead of the carbs that you had been consuming. You're coming off of an addiction from carbs!

The most important thing that you should be doing every day anyway is to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Lots of water intake and once your body starts getting rid of the excess water weight it's important to replenish your electrolytes (sodium, magnesium and potassium). Reading through so many websites and articles I have found so many different ways to speed up the transition and to help with the cravings.

Some suggestions for a happy keto experience that I have found:
- Supplement with 1 teaspoon of salt per day
- Gradually reduce carbs
- Eat chicken or beef broth or soups
- Kick it up on the fat intake
- Take vitamins and supplements
- Eat lots of eggs

On the bright side, I sleep through the night and am really eating better. And if these little tricks help to speed up the transition to kick the flu, then I'll try them! Day 4 down!

The Whole30

A few months ago my friend and colleague, Lauren gave me a book to read to help me kick start my desire to eat more healthy. It Starts With Food: Discover the Whole30 and Change Your Life in Unexpected Ways by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig. I will admit I breezed through the first half of the book not really retaining anything and as I thought more about the science of food and how it reacts with our bodies, I realized that this book is packed full of information to help me be more healthy and maintain. And it's all in a language I can understand with examples and facts to support.

To back up, last year I had massive stomach pains and the doctors and specialists could not figure out what was wrong. Instead of undergoing multiple tests and invasive procedures they moved me to a gluten free diet and then a restricted diet hoping that would pin point the problem. After I started feeling better, I attempted to move back to gluten and was I surprised how sick all of my favorite foods made me. Of course everything in moderation but a slice of toast or a beer made my stomach turn. I started to really believe that my body honestly did not really like all the crappy food I was eating. So, I began to look into different changes to my diet.

Today marks the first day of my Whole30 program. No legumes, dairy, processed foods, sugars, alcohol or grains for 30 days. After the 30 days there is a 10 reintroduction of these foods to find out what really effects my system. I have taken my before shots to see how my new eating habits effect my lifestyle.

Take a look what I'll be up to for the next few weeks The Whole30. I have a great support system in place and a pair of people who would like to accomplish this program with me. Get ready for some healthy recipes and restful nights!

Fish Sauce

What's your first thought?

For me, the key ingredient in one of my favorite dishes that my mom used to cook when I was a kid-pos pas. So naturally I think of Asian food. When you walk into this corner restaurant that is totally not the impression I got from the name.

My first thought was family style country food. Homey, comfy, very laid back. I was not disappointed but was reminded that it really is Asian cuisine when I took a glance at the menu. My nerdy friend and I took a seat at the small bar at the end of the restaurant. The decor is simple and from what Will, our Bay Area bartender, told us- all handmade by Ben, the owner. It is a completely family run business on its way to success.

Since we were the only ones there right at opening, Will took the time to chat and fill us in with his story about how he came to Portland and how he ended up here at Fish Sauce mixing up some pretty mean drinks. I'd tell you but you could go in and ask him yourself too. I took on the Short Round, for a short round, and the daily punch- better than Hamburger Mary's punch since I didn't wake up with a raging headache in the middle of the night and really there is no comparison. Will seems like a guy who loves what he does. He took quality time to make each drink and still took the time to chop it up with us and the new wave of guests that came in.

Opening time also meant happy hour! My favorite hour of the day. An already inexpensive menu with an even more inexpensive happy hour menu with filling and delicious home cooked food. And from what I understand, it's Ben's mother cooking- you can't get more homemade than that. As an owner Ben is very friendly and takes the time to stop and say hello to every guest- I love these kinds of places. And even if starting and running your own place takes up most of your time and away from sleep, with Ben you could never tell.

The food is simple, delicious, and filling. As usual I over ate but left happy. I broke down and got some Cha Gio (crispy rolls) which tasted surprisingly like the lumpia that my mom and I make at home. I took down some Bo Cuon (beef rolls) filled with Walla Walla onions and carrots and the lettuce wraps with the recommended chicken and mushroom filling. Delicious. My nerdy friend got the pho and it could have fed two! None of the items that we picked off the menu, including drinks exceeded $7- where else can you find a deal like that?

By the time we left, it felt like we had made some new friends and were sufficiently full and filled with good booze. To put it simply, I can't wait to head back for more from Fish Sauce. And best yet, it supports local business and what your tummy wants.

Tip for the Day: Sometimes recreating childhood meals yourself isn't the same. But sometimes someone else can make it or you might need to head home for that yummy goodness and home felt feeling. Mom- the next time I come home I want pos pas please :)