The forgotten lean meat: Salmon

This if for my cousin in the Windy City! She's about half way through her Whole30 and asked for some yummy salmon burger recipes, which you will find below.

I think that a lot of people get really caught up thinking that paleo is a plate full of greens and a giant steak, when in fact it is so much more than that! Yes, the 'caveman' lifestyle focuses on meats, more specifically lean meats so certain steaks aren't necessarily a good thing since there is a lot of fat in them. When I go shopping I look in the grass fed section and can usually find some awesome cuts of lamb, beef and pork. My new favorite are trimmed down chicken thighs which you can use for just about any meal.

Fish in general sometimes get forgotten when meal planning and salmon is one of the meats that has tons of paleo recipes and doesn't get nearly enough credit! Like chicken, one piece can be cooked into several different meals- burgers, grilled, roasted, poached for tacos, etc. I mean as delicious as steak is, no one really fancies a poached t-bone. Granted salmon can be a little more on the fatty side and a little oily depending on how it is prepared; however, it is so versatile and filling.

Being in the PNW we have such a great selection of fish, especially salmon so pretty much anywhere you go there is always a salmon option if not two. Where I work we have a salmon Caesar salad, a cold grilled salmon nicosia salad, grilled salmon served with roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables and we often do a market choice special of a 4 oz crab cake on field greens. Obviously these are not all paleo approved but can see just how much you can get out of one piece of meat!

So, enjoy trying out new recipes and share some of your favorites!

Panda's Salmon Burger

1.5 oz grilled skinless salmon (or wild salmon in a can in water)
2 tbsp coconut oil for frying
Almond meal as a binding agent
1 egg
1tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 tbsp diced onion
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper to taste

2 tbsp paleo mayo
1 tsp fresh chopped dill
Salt, pepper and chopped green onions to taste

Mix the first group of ingredients together and fry in coconut oil. Mix the mayo with remaining ingredients for your sauce. Serve as a lettuce wrap or on fried plantain 'buns'

Here's a list of more I have found similar to ones I have tried to make:
http://www.theprudentwife.com/fabulous-food/main-dish/seafood/775-simple-paleo-primal-salmon-patties
http://www.thepaleoreview.com/2013/06/lazy-salmon-burgers-from-nourish-paleo.html

This woman has tons of yummy recipes that you can use salmon for http://nomnompaleo.com/

As I find more Pobe I will send them your way!

Sticking to

Despite my inability to complete my Whole30 100%, I have never felt so good. Sleeping through the night, my muscles only ache after a solid gym workout and I have never ate this many fruits and veggies voluntarily. I am determined to complete the Whole30 100% at some point within the first 6 months of this year.

Aside from some minor cheats (sliced cheeses with my meat and GF cracker snack boards) I have been able to maintain a 90% paleo lifestyle. With April just around the corner I plan on completing my Whole30 100%. My last few trips to the grocery store have been mostly to prepare myself and with my recent move I managed to get rid of all of the unhealthy snack foods and stock pile with nuts and healthy substitutes.

Breakfast seemed the hardest to vary for me, so here is my go to breakfast meal:

2 eggs
Homemade taco seasoning
Homemade breakfast sausage or lean ground turkey
handful grape tomatoes
cilantro and avocado (garnish)
jalapenos
2 small sweet peppers

Saute it all together in coconut oil and serve up with some sweet potato chips. For that 'cheat day' add some black beans and cheese and serve with corn tortillas hehe

I cheated...

I will admit I have failed at the Whole30. My friends tell me no I haven’t failed yet if I go by the book, oh man have I ever!

At the beginning of my Whole30 it was hard to consistently find items that were on the eat list and items to avoid. It was really amazing reading the ingredients to every day products that cause a lot of inflammation and imbalances to our bodies such as certain oils and added sugar is seriously in EVERYTHING. If anything, this experience has brought me back to cooking at home more often. It took me forever to go grocery shopping and worse I had to hide all the food that was already in the house that I was unable to eat but really wanted to J After using the lists, reading the ingredients from the foods I knew I would eat consistently, and reiterating to myself the ‘foods to avoid’ list I felt like I was on the road to success and there would be no cheat days!

Even with all of my precautions I still managed to either accidentally find something in my meal on the no no list or allow my self a ‘cheat’- reflects my lack of self control. Up until yesterday, I was able to count on both hands how much and what I have consumed on the no eat list on purpose and on accident. Since the start I have had (this does not include yesterdays consumption of a chocolate mousse cake and truffle from Pix which was totally worth the sugar overload):

• 8 drinks
• 6 french fries
• 32 corn tortilla chips
• ½ ounce of gruyere cheese
• 1 ounce of Guatemalan 80%+
• 2 ounces of roasted peanuts (which I have also found out, I should no longer have)

So I have decided that yes, I will finish strong and then attempt Whole30 again in a month or so. I realize that I have talked myself up to complete this but also realize that it may take practice to get through it perfect, not that it needs to be. I strive to finish everything 100% without cheating- I mean I have tried to beat every level of Candy Crush with 3 stars and no boosts, and that is proving to be near impossible. I am determined to try again and learn new recipes and finish this round strong!

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!