I made meatloaf today, based on a recipe from PaleoPlan.com. Their recipes are usually pretty good, or at least edible.
Anyway, I left out the coconut milk and hot sauce and put in crushed red pepper instead. Next time I'm going to up the almond meal a bit and throw in an extra egg.
Christopher ate seconds and even got up to get them himself. We put green beans on the side. I particularly enjoyed them together. It was a successful experiment!
Salmon cakes are up next.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
2012 Lookback
2012 has been one of those years, exactly like every other year!
The biggest things that have happened to me are pretty few. It's been a whirlwind of a year, though.
I found the man I'm going to marry (and yes, he knows he's going to and has already agreed to it).
I found Paleo, and I've been waffling between it and SAD for months now.
I got hit by a triple whammy of injuries late this summer.
I joined my dojo and competed in my first tournament this summer.
I switched to a shop that granted me more independence.
This has been a good year, despite ups and downs. I've said goodbye to an adopted grandfather and one of my best friends; one was easier than the other. I took leave over Thanksgiving. I learned to make French onion soup (I'm pretty good at it).
I discovered a lot about myself. I ran two 5k races and had a blast. I'm still working on the bow and my archery skills. I can't wait for next year and all that comes with it!
The biggest things that have happened to me are pretty few. It's been a whirlwind of a year, though.
I found the man I'm going to marry (and yes, he knows he's going to and has already agreed to it).
I found Paleo, and I've been waffling between it and SAD for months now.
I got hit by a triple whammy of injuries late this summer.
I joined my dojo and competed in my first tournament this summer.
I switched to a shop that granted me more independence.
This has been a good year, despite ups and downs. I've said goodbye to an adopted grandfather and one of my best friends; one was easier than the other. I took leave over Thanksgiving. I learned to make French onion soup (I'm pretty good at it).
I discovered a lot about myself. I ran two 5k races and had a blast. I'm still working on the bow and my archery skills. I can't wait for next year and all that comes with it!
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Application
I'm not a scientist. I read about science from my forays into diet, fitness, and animal husbandry. I also have farm experience. In short, science could have really helped me out. I may have stuck with my original science major in college. I ended up in History.
I just never could get the theory down. There was nothing in science class that helped me to understand much past photosynthesis. (I haven't spelled that one in a long time.) Chemistry was particularly hard for me. Physics was easier. Biology floats somewhere in the middle. I have a hard time understanding science that I can't see. Physics was all about using what we observed - probably why I did rather well.
For my entire life, as far back as I care to remember, application has been the hardest thing for me to do. I have a lot of knowledge stored in my brain. The humanities were the best place for me to excel; however, I am able to handle learning anything. When it comes to applying knowledge, I always have struggled, even with simple expectations: taking out the trash, folding the laundry. I knew how to do it, and I knew it had to be done... but doing it.
That's the problem with my Paleo/Primal adventures, attempts, and efforts. I have all the knowledge I need to have a successful Paleo/Primal/WholeFoods/Ancestral lifestyle. It's just doing it that makes it so hard!
I love to work out. The satisfaction of being able to squat 100 lbs was so cool. That was me before the Marine Corps. Now, nearly three years, several chronic inflammation-based injuries, and two weight-control stints later, I can squat 65 lbs. My overhead press is now at 40 lbs. I only love to work out when I'm the one working me out, instead of a crazy sergeant or staff NCO. My most recent achievement was trying and succeeding at 18-in box jumps. I'm not as fast as I am doing 12-in jumps, but I can jump for 18 in. I know what I like to do, and I know what works. So do it, right?
I'm only committed to one "Slay-N-Play" Day a week at the gym. I'm not a huge fan of spending hours at the gym, but I really like my Slay-N-Play workout. It's heavy on leg work, but hits the upper body too. I don't just do free weights, though that is my focus. I do some kettlebells, I squat, I press, I row, I deadlift, and I even bench press. If I'm not too dead, I throw some plank work in too. There's a reason I only do this one time a week. First, I work four twelve-hour shifts every week, and my hours start at 3 AM. I'm typically exhausted at the end of a day sitting at my desk. It's hard to find time to get to the gym those days. That means I have three days off every week, and I hit the gym pretty hard one of those days. I can find time one day to kill myself on the weights. I am going to add another committed day to the week, but I haven't come up with anything as catchy as "Slay-N-Play" yet.
I had a mentor tell me that once you identify your sticking point, you have to act on it. For me, I've discovered it's application. I have the worst application record probably ever.
So here's the point of this ramble: Why is it so hard to apply the principles of Paleo, etc. to my life? I hope I'm not the only one. Given some time to think, here's what I've come up with:
I just never could get the theory down. There was nothing in science class that helped me to understand much past photosynthesis. (I haven't spelled that one in a long time.) Chemistry was particularly hard for me. Physics was easier. Biology floats somewhere in the middle. I have a hard time understanding science that I can't see. Physics was all about using what we observed - probably why I did rather well.
For my entire life, as far back as I care to remember, application has been the hardest thing for me to do. I have a lot of knowledge stored in my brain. The humanities were the best place for me to excel; however, I am able to handle learning anything. When it comes to applying knowledge, I always have struggled, even with simple expectations: taking out the trash, folding the laundry. I knew how to do it, and I knew it had to be done... but doing it.
That's the problem with my Paleo/Primal adventures, attempts, and efforts. I have all the knowledge I need to have a successful Paleo/Primal/WholeFoods/Ancestral lifestyle. It's just doing it that makes it so hard!
I love to work out. The satisfaction of being able to squat 100 lbs was so cool. That was me before the Marine Corps. Now, nearly three years, several chronic inflammation-based injuries, and two weight-control stints later, I can squat 65 lbs. My overhead press is now at 40 lbs. I only love to work out when I'm the one working me out, instead of a crazy sergeant or staff NCO. My most recent achievement was trying and succeeding at 18-in box jumps. I'm not as fast as I am doing 12-in jumps, but I can jump for 18 in. I know what I like to do, and I know what works. So do it, right?
I'm only committed to one "Slay-N-Play" Day a week at the gym. I'm not a huge fan of spending hours at the gym, but I really like my Slay-N-Play workout. It's heavy on leg work, but hits the upper body too. I don't just do free weights, though that is my focus. I do some kettlebells, I squat, I press, I row, I deadlift, and I even bench press. If I'm not too dead, I throw some plank work in too. There's a reason I only do this one time a week. First, I work four twelve-hour shifts every week, and my hours start at 3 AM. I'm typically exhausted at the end of a day sitting at my desk. It's hard to find time to get to the gym those days. That means I have three days off every week, and I hit the gym pretty hard one of those days. I can find time one day to kill myself on the weights. I am going to add another committed day to the week, but I haven't come up with anything as catchy as "Slay-N-Play" yet.
I had a mentor tell me that once you identify your sticking point, you have to act on it. For me, I've discovered it's application. I have the worst application record probably ever.
So here's the point of this ramble: Why is it so hard to apply the principles of Paleo, etc. to my life? I hope I'm not the only one. Given some time to think, here's what I've come up with:
- Sugar addiction, and sugar is in everything.
- Convenience of food.
- Failure to plan accurately for needed food.
- Failing to take the time to eat.
- Mass cooking days!
- Preconceived notions of exercise and time.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Love
Oh Hi!
I am drinking an obscene amount of white wine and watching TED videos. I am really not a big fan of white wine, but as long as I feel warmth in my toes, I am doing fine.
Today's post is entitled Love because I am getting married in, oh, three months, and I am still madly in love with this man I'm getting hitched to.
Here are ten proofs in the pudding:
1. Chris doesn't complain when the monthly visitor comes around.
2. He always laughs at my jokes even when they're really, really, really bad.
3. He got me a teddy bear when he picked me up from the airport five days after we officially started dating.
4. He rubs my feet.
5. He helps with the dishes, even when he really doesn't want to.
6. He is actually very smart even though he wants to hide it.
7. He tries to encourage me every way he can (mostly successfully).
8. He just enjoys getting me drunk.j
9. He likes my cooking even when he doesn't.
10. He feeds me all the time.
Don't worry, there are more reasons I am in love with this man. I have three more months to find more things to love!
I am drinking an obscene amount of white wine and watching TED videos. I am really not a big fan of white wine, but as long as I feel warmth in my toes, I am doing fine.
Today's post is entitled Love because I am getting married in, oh, three months, and I am still madly in love with this man I'm getting hitched to.
Here are ten proofs in the pudding:
1. Chris doesn't complain when the monthly visitor comes around.
2. He always laughs at my jokes even when they're really, really, really bad.
3. He got me a teddy bear when he picked me up from the airport five days after we officially started dating.
4. He rubs my feet.
5. He helps with the dishes, even when he really doesn't want to.
6. He is actually very smart even though he wants to hide it.
7. He tries to encourage me every way he can (mostly successfully).
8. He just enjoys getting me drunk.j
9. He likes my cooking even when he doesn't.
10. He feeds me all the time.
Don't worry, there are more reasons I am in love with this man. I have three more months to find more things to love!
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Foam rolling
Foam rolling is the devil. It has been helping, but it can be so painful!
I use it primarily on my IT band and butt muscles, with a little bit on my low back. I guess it's helping, but how in the world do people do it every day? I try, and it makes my legs hot.
Last night after karate I spent some serious time on the roller, especially my IT band. My legs were hot to the touch after about ten minutes when I finished up. I wonder if this is normal or if it is a sign of inflammation.
Time to do some research!
I use it primarily on my IT band and butt muscles, with a little bit on my low back. I guess it's helping, but how in the world do people do it every day? I try, and it makes my legs hot.
Last night after karate I spent some serious time on the roller, especially my IT band. My legs were hot to the touch after about ten minutes when I finished up. I wonder if this is normal or if it is a sign of inflammation.
Time to do some research!
600 Calories?
A day, people. 600 calories a day. With the exception of one 1200 calorie day, in the past five days I've eaten about 600 calories every day and maxed my water consumption.
It hasn't been a great five days. See, I have weight control issues. I've been half-assedly trying to control my weight using Primal/Paleo style eating. The problem with that was that I was eating too much, period. Then, to add insult to stupidity, I kept cheating, to the point that I may have eaten Primally at breakfast. So now, at the end of my second assignment to weight control, I'm cutting weight once again.
What this week has taught me is that I am strong enough to say no to grains, one more time. I am strong enough to count my calories and truly keep a mindful eye on my food. I am able to eat less meat and more veggies when I am hungry. A little bit of mayo makes six ounces of canned tuna go down a lot easier. I may not eat tuna for a month after these few days of almost all tuna.
But the first thing I do after I make weight will be to go get a gallon of water, a big Gatorade, and a milkshake to go with my breakfast of a slice of bacon and two large eggs scrambled with diced green peppers. I personally love the nightshade family, even potatoes in small quantities. What would I do without chili?
I am back in love with Sprouts grocery stores. I went to fresh & easy, but the meat is just not as good. Might be something to this fresh-ground nonsense.
It hasn't been a great five days. See, I have weight control issues. I've been half-assedly trying to control my weight using Primal/Paleo style eating. The problem with that was that I was eating too much, period. Then, to add insult to stupidity, I kept cheating, to the point that I may have eaten Primally at breakfast. So now, at the end of my second assignment to weight control, I'm cutting weight once again.
What this week has taught me is that I am strong enough to say no to grains, one more time. I am strong enough to count my calories and truly keep a mindful eye on my food. I am able to eat less meat and more veggies when I am hungry. A little bit of mayo makes six ounces of canned tuna go down a lot easier. I may not eat tuna for a month after these few days of almost all tuna.
But the first thing I do after I make weight will be to go get a gallon of water, a big Gatorade, and a milkshake to go with my breakfast of a slice of bacon and two large eggs scrambled with diced green peppers. I personally love the nightshade family, even potatoes in small quantities. What would I do without chili?
I am back in love with Sprouts grocery stores. I went to fresh & easy, but the meat is just not as good. Might be something to this fresh-ground nonsense.
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