WHO'S EXCITED?!

LOOK, I REMEMBERED I HAD A BLOG

ABOUT DAMN TIME

Okay, enough caps lock. First things first: if you're reading this, you probably have some level of interest in my life (or like to read and talk shit, which in this case, will be perfect for you)

"Chrissy, why are you deactivating facebook?!?! We love your paleo/sub posts!"

Welppppp, I have a lot of changes going my way.  Kevin's and my relationship calmly came to an end.  No worries, mutual situation and we're doing fine.  I just needed to get on to different things with my life, and he needed something different in his.

SO I'M MOVIN' TO HOUSTON.  Or at least, trying to.  Currently applying to teaching jobs in and around Houston, so look out for my smiling face in the next few months.

While living alone, I'll have to focus a lot more on my budget and working out all those details.  So I have a feeling that my posts are going to go into further detail on the actual cost of paleo eating and meal planning.

All in all, I'm really excited to go on this new adventure on my own.

As for actual paleo news: I'm starting another Whole30 on July 1st! I know what you're thinking:

I just LOVE how I feel on Whole30.  I feel more empowered, more energized, more calm, everything is just better!  And for my teaching friends, this is a great thing to do before school starts in August and things get hectic.  Seriously though, if anyone is interested, let me know!  We can be our own little support system and I'm willing to answer any questions you have :)

Well, that's all the really exciting new for now (which was, unfortunately, not that exciting).  I have camp for the next five days and will be starting my Whole30 as soon as I get back :) I'll need it.  Camp food = digestive death.

SO WHO'S FREAKIN' PUMPED

WHOOPS.

Yeahhhhhhhhhh kind of been neglecting the blog.  Sooo, SURPRISE POST!

It's been nearly a month since I've bothered updating, and that near-month includes the end of my Whole30!  I had so much crap going on that I just never got around to it.

So, Whole 30.

I did it!  I survived 30 days of whole, unprocessed foods without any dairy, sugar, grains, or alcohol (I KNOW).  It was tough, but my body felt great!  My skin got so clear and radiant, and I have a much better psychological relationship with food.  I no longer feel like, "I HAVE to eat that cookie RIGHT NOW" without feeling anxious if I don't.  I can walk away from foods that I am now 100% positive make me sick.

Did I lose any weight?  Nope.  And I'm okay with that.  I honestly wouldn't have even addressed it if I hadn't assumed that someone would wonder.  I didn't lose weight because I'm convinced that my body is happy at this weight.  I also started weight training (more on that at the end) and muscle > fat blah, blah, blah.  I don't even care anymore, hahaha.

Buuuut..... day 1 off Whole30?

Yeah, yeah.  I baked some paleo cookies (made with almond flour and dairy-free chocolate chips, they're delish!).  But for the most part, I'm stickin' to paleo from here on out.  I tried to use some butter (grassfed, organic, happy butter) and it still had me reeling.  Almost all dairy sends me to the bathroom to be miserable and bargain with God on how I totally promise that I'll start recycling and smile at strangers if he just alleviates the pain.  I've also noticed that several hours after consuming gluten, I start feeling feverish (but no stomach ache, go figure).

And finally: I started lifting weights.  Say what you'd like, but it's been phenomenal.  A friend pointed me in the direction of a program that lays everything out, step by step, with tons of videos and tips on good form.  I do squats, overhead press, dead lifts, bench press, and barbell rows.  It even comes with an app to help you and keep track!

It moves really fast and I have gained SO much strength so quickly!  Only three days a week, averaging about 45 minutes each time.  On my off days I do a fun cardio class at my gym :)

Anyway, the program can be found here.  It has everything you need to know!  Explanations, tips on form, information on equips, and pros of lifting.   Best pro?

I'M FINALLY STARTING TO GROW A BUTT, MAN 

Day 21

I have survived three weeks!

That means I only have 9 days left.  Woa.  Honestly did not think that I would make it on my first try.  If you're still debating on whether or not, STOP AND JUST DO IT.  You do *not* have to live a paleo lifestyle afterward (though of course I'd recommend that you do) but after the 30 days you can start to slowly reintroduce foods back into your diet to see how they affect you.  You'll gain a new understanding and appreciation for your body.

So on to my weekend!  Friday was my grandmother's funeral.  It went great!  I had a wonderful time seeing my friends and family and am at peace with everything.

Except the food.

Oh.  My.  Gosh.  The food.  There was SO MUCH offered by the generosity of family and friends.  Potato salad, chicken spaghetti, macaroni salad, etc.  You get the idea.  And that was before I even got to the dessert table! (Which was equally mouth-watering)

So what did I do?  I loaded up on salad, green beans, and piles of brisket (which was melt-in-your-mouth amazing).  No one even brought a fruit salad so for dessert I climbed a jungle gym with my baby cousin and his family and my friends.  And you know what?  It didn't even bother me.  I had SO much fun just talking with everyone and playing.  I even managed to get down some black coffee, thanks to a tip from a new friend (a few grains of salt, who knew!).

Today: grocery shoppiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!

I won't list everything (because I'm lazy) but this came pretty cheap!  There was a lot on sale and meal planning saves lives.  This week:

• pot roast with sweet potato fritters and green beans 
• Shepard's pie with Brussels sprouts and asparagus 
• braised Moroccan chicken with broccoli

I grabbed more Medjool dates this week as well.  "Nature's Delight" is a SERIOUS understatement.  

They are like little wads of candy.  You just pull them open, take out the pit, and NOM.  I dip mine in almond butter or coconut butter (which is also like crack).

Welp, that's it for today.  Twenty one days down, 9 left to go!  I may or may not be itching to bake some paleo cookies.  We'll see.

Whole 30 - Day 15!

Yassssssss I am HALFWAY DONE

This thing is flying by, and I'm feeling great.  The biggest improvements I've seen so far have been in my stomach and in my brain!

As far as my stomach goes, I haven't had a single flare up.  Nope, not one.  And coming from someone who used to have stomach aches every single day, this is really saying a lot.  No more guessing, "What did I EAT??" "Why do I hurt so much?" "How quickly can I get to a gun to put myself out of my misery....?"

Secondly, my brain.  I have SUCH issues with food sometimes.  I binge snack a lot (just diggin' into food without any kind of control, haha).  And mostly on specific foods, like nut butters, chocolate, and carb-y foods.  Well, the latter two were eliminated from my diet completely during my Whole 30, so that solved those.  But I still had some trigger foods!

I finally broke down and bought some almond butter to put on my celery.  Terrified that I'd eat the entire jar in one sitting, I told myself I'd only eat it with celery.  Okay, okay.  But then while eating it with celery, I'd always go for an extra spoonful.  Or two.  But finally, I learned to just put the jar back.  For those of you who don't have nut butter addictions, you'll never understand.  But for the rest of you: CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?  Choices like that have become easier and easier.  I basically ask myself, "Am I hungry enough for a boiled egg?" (of which I'm not very fond) and if the answer is no, then I don't get to mindlessly munch on fruit or almond butter either.  It's a great system!

So I went to a get-together last night and had to explain to a few people about my "diet" (hate that word).  Everyone's response?

"What do you eat???!!!"

hahaha, meat and veggies, man.  So much meat.  As I'm sure you've all seen.

But the overall response from people was positive.  They applauded me for my efforts and were supportive.  Which was a nice change of pace!

So what have I been eating?  I'm not going to document every single thing from the past two weeks, but I'll give you a day in the life.

Breakfast:

(eggs, spinach, ham, avocado, salsa)

Lunch: 

(chicken sausage with spinach, olives, cucumber, and watermelon.  and yoga pants)

Dinner: 

(Tex mex casserole [beef, sweet potato, cauliflower, lettuce tomatoes and avocado] and sweet potato-zucchini fritters! New fav)

I also enjoy bulletproof coffee every morning now (coffee with coconut oil and ghee).  It helps get my fat intake up and stay full and productive all day.  I love it. 

And that about wraps it up!  I'm halfway through and feeling great.  Saying no to treats and things that I know make me sick is becoming much, much easier.  The cravings haven't magically disappeared, but saying no to them has become exponentially easier.  And I can easily live with that. 

Day 5 Whole30

Well well well! Day 5! Looks like I'm 1/6th the way through.......! :D

Okay, okay.  Nothing much accomplished so far.  I'm a little tired and grumpy, but that was to be expected on these days, according to my Whole30 Timeline.

So what have I been up to/eating these past few days? Welp, for breakfast I've been having a sweet potato hash with pork sausage and spinach, along with avocado and tomatoes and a fried egg

For lunch I've been having my paleo lunchables!  I am obsessed with these bad boys.  This one had paleo tuna salad (homemade mayo!), carrots, cucumbers, strawberries, dates, and a cutie!

And for dinners I had a mix of ground beef lettuce cups, spaghetti squash with meat sauce, and garlic lemon chicken :) all with tons of veggies, of course!  Instead of posting all the photos, I'll just let you in on a secret: yes, I have an instagram.  I've had it for years now but never bothered adding any of you because all I post is food and fitness, hahaha.  But since I'm doing that openly now anyway, I figured I'd let you in on it.

In other news........ garden update!

Here's one of my tomato plants

And my poor basil plant getting eaten up :(

My lemon tree!  Apparently all of those flowers will turn into lemons :OOO

My garden!  From left to right and top to bottom there SHOULD be: celery, broccoli, green beans, cabbage.  Eggplant, eggplant, kale, kale.  Cucumber (dead), cucumber, brussels sprouts (dead), brussels sprouts.  Tomatoes, cabbage, cabbage, tomatoes :) 

My strawberry plants :) also getting eaten up! :(

And of course a wild Maxwell growing in the yard.

Whole 30 starts today!

Woohoooooo!  Anyone else excited?!

.....No one?  Ah, well, whatever.  I am a little sad that I couldn't find a single soul to go on this adventure with me (I'm looking at you, Kevin) but that's alright!  Hopefully my success will inspire someone :)

What is the Whole 30, you might ask? (Though I doubt it) Well, it's basically paleo (no grains, no dairy, no soy, no refined sugar) but more strict.  Yes, paleo can get more strict.  Basically, no "paleo-fying" foods, no added sweeteners (even if they're natural) and some other stuff.  Why?  Because it's about getting back to your roots and loving whole, unprocessed, natural food.  After eating sugar and processed junk for so long, your body doesn't know how to appreciate real food anymore.  So, ta da!  Whole 30 :)

Well I decided to take my measurements today (and luckily I had some from before I went paleo) to compare to when it's all over.  My goals aren't necessarily weight loss (but I'd be alright with that), my goals mostly revolve around gaining a healthy relationship with food, resetting my body and letting it heal, figure out what foods cause problems with my stomach, and gain more appreciation for whole foods!

Before paleo:
weight - 151.4
chest - 37"
waist - 32"
hips - 39"

During paleo/Pre Whole 30:
weight - 144
chest - 36"
waist - 29"
hips - 39" (my booty has grown a bit, haha, which is good!!)

And if you look at it, the BIGGEST change is that huge amount of bloat on my lower stomach in the middle picture.  You know what fixed that?  CUTTING OUT GRAINS. Yuuuuuup, sorry not sorry.  It sucks but it does SO much for your health.  I don't really miss grains (or dairy, for that matter) and I've been occasionally indulging in nigiri or sushi with Kev (although I can no longer do that on Whole 30!).

Welp, there it is. Today is Day 1 of my fabulous journey!

Easter Update!

Man oh man... I don't know about you guys, but my family sees Easter as another holiday for great food.  And great food there was!  But obviously....... not all of it is paleo-friendly.  And being around it can be... frustrating.

But I survived!  I started by making some paleo cookies to take to my dad's house for his crawfish boil.

Now, if you ask my brother, they were "obviously paleo" but I really couldn't tell.  The consistency was more chewy than crunchy, but that's how I like them!  I fell in love.  I don't make paleo treats often (or really at all, unless I'm taking them to a party) but these are my new go-to.

As for the crawfish boil: I decided to go ahead and indulge.  I mean, come on.  They're just boiled crawfish.  Yes, yes, I checked the seasoning that goes in and it has the potential to be cross contaminated with gluten and soy, but I figured it was worth it.

The next day we headed up to Normangee for the big Easter dinner.  I thought I'd make a paleo cheesecake!

..........There's a reason the words "paleo" and "cheesecake" have never been in a sentence before.

I didn't even bother taking a picture of the finished product because it was... disappointing.  My step father absolutely loved it so more power to him, but the rest of us respectfully declined seconds.

But I was certainly well-fed while up there!

Other than the obvious choices of meat (which I took advantage of) there were many choices that were paleo-friendly!  Tomatoes and okra, green beans, brussels sprouts, cabbage, yummmm.  My mom even picked up some gluten-free rolls!  Not necessarily paleo (made of potato starch and rice flour) but better than any options up there :)

Kev and I took our Easter pics

(which were hilarious) and headed home to check on the garden.  There's something growing in every square, just certain things are growing better than others :)

and finally........ GROCERY SHOPPING!  We grabbed stuff for the whole week:

• Blackened salmon with mango salsa, and roasted green beans and mushrooms 
• Rosemary chicken with brussels and mushrooms
• Olive chicken with asparagus and broccoli 

Uhh, yum, right?  And for breakfast I'm having my same old of scrambled eggs, pork sausage, avocado, and tomatoes.  And I made some new weird salad concoction of romaine, turkey, eggs, raisins, avocado, and tomatoes. 

I eat a LOT of avocados.