ouch.

bread hurts. it really does.

Carry on

We are on the home stretch and if you haven't started already it is time to start thinking about sustainability. What did you learn? What happened that you didn't expect? What didn't happen that you thought should have happened? I knew there were going to be surprising results and frustrating challenges but I was caught off guard by the variety as well as the magnitude. Better sleep, harder fingernails, and better energy were common. Reduced "incidents" related to PMS was my second favorite. My favorite must remain undisclosed. I hope there are positive take-aways from the whole experience. For those who white knuckled it and stayed the course all of the way through I salute you. I had several emotional breakdowns and two dietary collapses over the past 5 and a half weeks. Figure out what works and what doesn't. Decide which elements and their corresponding rewards warrant continual pursuit as part of your lifelong dietary regimen. Your diet is merely the end sum of everything that goes into your mouth. You are forever on a "diet." The rub is how you manage it. Does 5 perfect days and 2 category 11 hurricanes of consumption really give you the life, body, and or fitness you desire? How much different does no salt vs some salt make to your sanity. Plan for the future and consider that life happens. 85% is still pretty good and you can make up the difference with great relationships and kick ass workouts.

Food for thought

Milk is just filtered cow's blood

-Loren Cordain

Week 4

Update.

Still no drinking - which makes Annette a sad girl, but eh, I am determined to make the 6 weeks.
What I like about this challenge is that I am learning A LOT and there is a lot that I still want to research.
This week I am going to CUT OUT the almond butter - it is WAY too easy for me to over-do. In general I am cutting back on nuts - but nuts aren't as easy for me to go crazy on like the temptress almond butter. I am also cutting back on apples. Which means that I am upping my protein - which means I need to prepare more - which means planning - which is no fun. Last night I was cooking some ground turkey - and about 3 people came into the kitchen right as the raw meat slid out of it's casing. They all stared at the pan. My friend Doug said "Um... enjoy your meat, Annette..." Awesome.

Sidenote - CUMIN is rad.

A Definitive Guide to Oils

Here is a great breakdown of all the different types of oils out there. What to use and what to avoid.

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/healthy-oils/

Enjoy

Coconut is Awesome.

Another week. Check. I have been listening to the podcast by Robb Wolf - good stuff. It has put a lot of sense behind paleo eating - and for me - when sense is applied it makes it easier for me to make these choices. This weekend I purchased some lovely coconut milk and have made some delicious meals with it. I had some pre-sliced chicken breast from PCC - I cooked it with a little coconut oil and then I added the milk - I then cut in some cauliflower - and seasoned with cinnamon. It was amazing. The day before I did a very similar dish, but I started with one whole sweet onion and my meat was lean ground turkey. My favorite spices right now are cinnamon, cumin, and cayenne.

chocolate fix

Tastes like chocolate banana cake (well almost)

Grill, broil, or saute banana slices (cut in half and then lengthwise) until gooey.

Sprinkle with unsweetened cocoa powder (I like Trader Joe's). Sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts.

Mix together in a bowl and enjoy. Eat while warm.