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Aug 28, 2012

WOD updates & Cauliflower Mashed Taters

Thrust, Walk, Sit...then don't walk for a few days
(this is no joke.  I was still walking funny 3 days later.)

5 rounds
10 thrusters (I did 55#)
20 overhead walking lunges 20#
30 sit ups

 Yeah. Finished this in 17:40. We were going to make it an AMRAP workout of like 10-12 minutes...that would've been a better idea!

Still feeling the effects of it for Sunday's WOD...

8 min AMRAP
8 pushups
8 wall balls (13#)
8 med ball slams (15#)

Got in 8 rounds and 8 pushups, whoop!


Then Monday was:

EMOTM (every minute on the minute) for 12 minutes
7 knees to elbows
1 front squat (85#)

Wow--Looks easy right?  Trust me, it's not.  I couldn't grip the bar to hang clean it up to the front squat position for the last two rounds, Sean had to help me get it up [that's what she said].  The squat was no problem, but my hands were just done lol.  I gotta work on my cleans.

Anyhow, what you're really here for...the food!

I've been hesitant to try the cauliflower substitution for mashed potatoes, since I've heard mixed reviews.  I don't know wtf I waited so long, they're freaking delicious!  I used the recipe from NomNomPaleo here, and holy shit.  Sean said they tasted better then actual mashed potatoes.  I might agree with him.  Next time I'm going to try roasting the garlic first... NOM!
Aren't they beautiful?

It definitely reheats well, too.  This was only one head of cauliflower and made 4 ginormous servings.  We took the leftovers for lunch the next day. 


Aug 20, 2012

Paleo Zucchini Muffins

Would you believe me if I told you I made muffins with no flour (of ANY kind), no sugar, no artificial (or "natural") sweeteners, AND it had vegetables?

No? 

I don't blame you.  I was skeptical as well, but holy crap, what a surprise when I opened the oven and saw these beautiful muffins staring back at me. 


 They even rose perfectly!  And taste like actual muffins.  No soggy, falling apart mess here! AND they're delicious.  Whodathought? Check out the ingredients:

2 cups almond butter
3 eggs
2 cups shredded zucchini, strained or squeezed (a LOT--you want to get as much moisture out as you can.  Measure 2 cups out AFTER you have strained it)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. cinnamon
Any other spices you desire--pumpkin spice would probably be awesome for fall

Add almond butter to mixing bowl.  I used a hand mixer to get mine nice and smooth.  Add eggs and mix.  Mix in zucchini and the rest of ingredients and stir well.  Pour into paper lined muffin tins, filling about 2/3 of the way.  I used 1/4 measuring cup for mine.  Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes until passes toothpick test.  Makes 12 muffins.


Source: Life as A Plate



I had some with my breakfasts last week, and froze the rest.  They are really good reheated!  Just defrost in the microwave and stick in the toaster oven.  Mmmmm.

Aug 9, 2012

BBQ Chicken & Grilled Zucchini

Day 9 of Whole30 today, and still sticking to the plan!  Pretty impressed with myself, made it through the weekend (and beer/wine and waffles) with no cheats!  I've also made 100% of my meals so far.  :)  Even if that just includes scrambled eggs or throwing together a salad.

I had a strawberry yesterday--and don't usually like strawberries unless they're covered in chocolate or chopped up in a salad/wrap.  But it was delicious.  I then went out and bought a whole carton of them.  This no sugar thing has apparently changed my tastebuds (and wallet- organic strawberries are not cheap!)! 

I'm feeling pretty good.  Had about zero energy for the first week, while my body was I guess going through sugar withdrawls and being forced to rely on fat for energy, but seem to be getting it back this week.  Thank God.

Since I can't use honey like I usually do in BBQ sauce, I substituted with mango for sweetener.  It actually came out pretty damn good in this recipe, I was impressed.  Also, LOVED grilled zucchini this way.  I could have eaten the whole ginormous foot long squash by myself.  [TWSS? No?]  But I didn't.  I shared.  I can't believe I've been making it wrong all this time!


Bacon Mango BBQ Sauce

2-3 slices bacon
1 tsp coconut oil
1 mango--chopped
1 6 oz can tomato paste
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp chili powder
salt and pepper to taste

Fry bacon on stove until crispy, remove and rest on paper towels. Eat a piece, if you wish.  Add coconut oil to bacon fat and fry chopped mango in fat for 5-8 minutes, until soft.  Add tomato paste, water, apple cider vinegar and spices- bring to a simmer.  Break bacon up into pieces and mix back into sauce.  Simmer for 10 minutes or so until everything is incorporated.  (you can simmer for longer on low heat if you'd like, but I didn't have time)  Dump sauce into food processor and puree until smooth.

I used my sauce on some grilled chicken breasts.  Just brushed the sauce on them while they were grilling.  Delicious!  You could probably marinate them too, if you'd like.


For the grilled zucchini:
1 large zucchini (or 2-3 small ones)
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup EVOO
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp assorted spices (oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, or a combination)--I used rosemary, basil and oregano

Slice zucchini into spears equal in thickness and put into a large bowl.  In smaller bowl, mix vinegar, oil, garlic powder and spices.  Pour mixture over zucchini and mix well.  Let marinate for 30 minutes.  When grill is hot, grill on each side for 5-7 minutes, until slightly charred.  Eat!
so.good.


 




Aug 2, 2012

Whole30 - Day 1

I ordered and read "It Starts with Food" last month.  Awesome book.  I cannot recommend it enough.  I learned so much about how our bodies work, why we should eat paleo, and the effect overcarbsumption has on our hormones/psyche/waistline/health. 

I also took it up a few notches, and had to re-read a bunch and explain 80% of the book to Sean, because he "doesn't read."   He also wanted to know about energy sources and ATP (which isn't referenced in the book).  I just gave myself a biology lesson.  Thanks Wikipedia!

Anyway, moving on.

The authors offer a plan to break free from conventional eating (the Standard American Diet-appropriately abbreviated SAD) called the Whole30.  It's 30 days of whole, real, food.  Nothing processed, no alcohol, no sugar, no grains, lots of (healthy) fat.  The point is to eliminate everything that doesn't meet the Good Food criteria from your diet for 30 days in order to let your body heal from all the crap you've been feeding it.  Then, you introduce the foods back in to see how you react--and how often (if at all) you should continue eating them

I have already been eating pretty clean, and was somewhat "paleo" but would still splurge. Often.  Ice cream and sugar (and beer...) was consumed way too much.  And 2 "cups" of coffee a day?  Even with just cream. It's a bit excessive.

So, yesterday started my Whole30.

And, so far so good!

Breakfast was 3 scrambled eggs in coconut oil, with a handful of sauteed kale, and 2 pieces of bacon.  Would have taken a picture, but was already late for work! (naturally) 

Lunch (made the night before)

Chicken breast, broccoli + 1/2 avocado

Dinner

Citrus chicken cooked in coconut oil, sweet potatoes and green beans

Snack was a handful of macadamia nuts while cooking dinner

I gave up coffee as well, even though you can have it black (or with coconut milk-from the can) on the "rules" of the plan.  No headaches today, and while I was super sleepy this morning, it wasn't so bad.  And I've been chugging water all day, so that's a good thing, right?

In addition to giving up coffee, I'm making it my personal goal to get more green leafy veggies into my (our) meals. (sorry babe!) I've had an aversion to them my entire childhood, and once able to cook for myself, just avoided them completely.  I know this is not good.

I have a feeling I'm going to be best friends with sweet potatoes and coconut butter this month....


In case you want more info on the Whole30 Program:
http://whole9life.com/2012/08/the-whole30-program/