the whole paleo deal

A couple weeks back I decided to try transitioning to a paleo diet.  Okay, I didn't transition.  I basically just went cold turkey. A paleo diet consists of veggies/fruits, meat/eggs, nuts and seeds. In other words, "anything that you can kill or hit out of a tree with a stick". Read: no wheat, no sugar, no grains, no beans, no legumes, no dairy. I didn't really have any type of expectation or commitment.  I just wanted to try it out and see how I felt. It was hard. Super hard. By the third day I was in full-on withdrawals. I had the shakes, a headache, dry-mouth, and I was really REALLY grumpy.

By the fifth day things were better and I felt good. I was eating a whole lot more veggies and my blood sugar felt stable- no more ups and downs. I've always known that I had some sort of dairy intollerance or sensitivity. I know this is disgusting...but the phlem is gone!

I found a couple of great websites/blogs that were filled with recipes and information:

Robb Wolf- shopping lists and quick start guide

Everyday Paleo

Growing up Paleo

Dino Chow

(kale chips. I know you think I'm crazy...but these are yummy)

 
(I told you she eats anything!)

Okay here's the downside of this whold deal:

I am not really excited about eating so many animal products.  I don't naturally like meat. I'm not an animal rights activist or anything (although there are some environmental implications of eating so many animals)...I just don't really like the taste of a big ol' hunk of steak. Or chicken. Or pork.

I also haven't found an affordable source of grass-fed beef or pastured chickens. I can afford occasional portions of these animals, but not in the quanity that this diet requires.

In order to feel full and make enough milk for Ian, I found that I really did have to eat a lot of eggs/meat/and nuts.  I've gone a bit overboard with the nuts. I am sure that I am eating more than usual and consuming more calories just because I am so limited in what I can eat. Scarcity principle for sure.

The things that I miss are not over-processed or junky. Oatmeal. 1/2 and 1/2 for my decaf. Yogurt. Dave's killer bread.

So here's my take, and I'm still thinking this through.  I am going to stay away (mostly) from dairy and scale way back on wheat. I'd like to be able to eat oatmeal, or a sandwhich, or some brown rice, or quinoa...but not all of them. Not in one day.

I'd like my diet to remain plant-based with an occasional portion of meat, and free from processed and sugary foods. Ultimately, I just need something more balanced and less extreme in order to make a long-term commitment. This fits in better with how the rest of my family eats. It is a whole lot more cohesive.  I'm all about making only one thing for dinner- for all of us!!

Okay, moving on.

a bowl of borscht

Let me just start out by saying: I AM NOT A FAN OF BEETS. I have never liked them.  My grandmother pickles them, and bless her heart for doing so, but I just think they taste like stinky feet or something. Not that I've tasted stinky feet- but you know. Gross.

However, I can do borscht.  And we did do borscht.  And I LOVED borscht.

Laurel loves cooking and I've been trying to give her more responsibility in the kitchen. She is so proud to serve a meal that she had a hand in preparing.  She is also more likely to eat it (Laurel will pretty much eat anything except tofu. She hates it with a passion.)

She peeled the carrots and potatoes and I took care of the beets. Beets are so beautiful!  They leave the most vibrant color behind everywhere.  Even the sink filled with peels was mess of magenta. Ian hung out in the girasol wrap for about 15 minutes and then he was down on the floor dragging out all the pots and pans and kitchen towels.

What I like about this recipe was that the majority of the ingredients were shredded up.  I think this helped them to cook more quickly and not be so overpowering (ie, stinky/gross beets).  I chose not to add the sausage and just left out meat completely.

In the end, I added about 3-4 tablespoons of white wine vinegar. I liked the sour zip that it added.  I also dumped quite a bit of dried dill in, and sprinkled just a dab of chicken bullion in. I completely left out the sugar.  Sour cream would've been heavenly, but I have cut out all dairy from my diet. No matter, I thought it was delish.

Laurel wasn't a huge fan, and neither was Carl (who came home for lunch). So, when I got paged to the birth center I took the rest with me. Isn't it pretty in a jar like that?  I wonder if you could can it?

I made it to the birth center just in time to see the mama and dad with the baby in their arms! Ugh, I just hate missing that moment of birth.  I am starting to take a few sporadic days back on call. Mostly weekends when Carl is available to hold down the fort. I've yet to catch an actual baby though. So frustrating!  I'm missing it bad.

minty fresh

It's Spring. 

My buddies and I have been enjoying the fresh air!

We've been taking a walk every day.  Either down by the river or in our own neighborhood. It feels so good to shed some of those winter layers.

Laurel saved up her birthday money and bought that scooter for herself! She is crazy fast.  This mama has to run sometimes to keep up with her! (not a bad thing)

This time of year, I always find myself falling in love with mint all over again.

My current favorite salad: salad greens, peas, sunflower seeds, chopped mint, and dressing (2tsp dijon mustard, 1T lemon juice, 1T olive oil, salt and pepper).

My current favorite soap.

My current favorite tea.

I am also loving honeydew melon with a little chopped mint mixed in. It is a nice sweet treat without being too heavy (bathingsuit season is right around the corner. eek!)

I made some more homemade cleaner last night.  I scented it with peppermint essential oil.  It makes the house smell so nice and fresh.

I'm off to make some borscht, which I love...but have never actually made. Doesn't this look lovely? I'll let you know how it turns out.

Other posts all cued up and coming your way in the next week or so:

eating paleo

homeschooling using montessori

kid's apron sewing

my new fitness philosophy

See you soon!