Mini Eggplant Crust Pizzas
I’ve made these before, but never this bite-sized and they turned out great! I basically just rolled egg plant slices in egg white, then fine coconut flour, topped it with organic tomato paste, fresh mozzarella and then a bit of crumbled sausage and baked these little guys at 350* for about 25 minutes (check that cheese is slightly browned). And voila! Yummy primal finger food!
Nutritional Focus, Not Challenge
Our box, CrossFit 310, is starting a nutritional focus [not challenge] for the next six weeks. Rather than doing an all or nothing 30 day challenge where it’s pass or fail, we are treating it more like we have with certain strengths and skills such as pull ups or push ups. For both, you must “grease the groove”, as Coach Kris says, work on every fundamental movement that goes into the skill and practice it daily. To get my 25 strict push ups, I would do them throughout the day, when I woke up, at work [yes, in the bathroom - Coach Kris loves to tell that story], at the gym, and before bed. This theory also applies to nutrition! Coach Kris put it a great way:
Think about it. When we have a pull up focus in the gym, we set goals, and then work over a number of weeks to define a progression towards that goal. We build a greater understanding of the movement, and then work consistently to get better every day. What we don’t do is say, “OK, your goal is 20 pull ups, jump on that bar and see if you pass. If you fail, keep trying for 20 every day until you get it.” That would be a tough road with very little reward. We know a better way to build pull ups, and we’ll use the same principles to build your Nutrition to support the things you want; namely, to look better naked and behave like a ninja.
I’m proud to say that I follow the 80/20 rule [per the Primal Blueprint] pretty straight on. I am very mindful of what I eat about 80-85% of the time. The rest of the time, I am still mindful, but am mindful that I am splurging a bit. For example, on rare occasions I will have pizza, or a burger with the bun, or brown rice, or a really sweet dessert. The most rare thing I’ll have is pasta.
Of course, there are changes I feel I need to make to see some of the changes I would like. But it’s not about the physical result only, but rather how it all makes me feel and knowing how important what I put into my body is.
Changes I need to make:
- Less sweet potatoes. As I’ve mentioned before, I need to cut back on sweet potatoes, because although they are one of the most nutritious root vegetables out there, they are also quite carb-filled and starchy. I’ve flocked to them recently because they travel well and taste great when microwaved (which is what I have access to at work).
- Cut back on cheese. As more of a primal eater than a paleo eater [although they are now more alike than before], I do consume dairy because I can digest it well [no bloating or stomach pains]. I try to stick to quality cheese and either heavy cream or organic half & half, but lately I’ve noticed I’ve been consuming perhaps more cheese than I should. And let’s face it, just because I can digest it well, doesn’t mean I should have it too often.
- Slowly cut out sweetener. My confession? My ugly secret? Guilty of using Splenda in my coffee. Every morning. I only use two packets, but I am fully aware that I shouldn’t be using any artificial sweeteners. Coffee is my comfort [no physical changes, I just like the flavor and its warmth in the morning], so I know I can’t just stop right away, so I will slowly use less and less until I no longer need it.
There you have it folks, my plan of attack.
Weight Watchers Upends Its Points System
Welcome to the real world, Weight Watchers
“I don’t want to be forced to choose veggies. I do NOT like veggies or fruit,” one member wrote in an online discussion on the Weight Watchers Web site. “I feel like I am being forced to ‘diet,’ and that is what I DO NOT WANT.”
Wow. Is all I have to say.
It Seems Like Yesterday
Warning: It’s a long one! (this warning goes to you Paleo Whiskey haha)
So had the idea to slowly go through my archives or my healthy adventure since when I started in January. Almost 40lbs lost later and I am looking back like it is a diary. I would get so impatient. So frustrated. Ups and downs. Friend of mine had gone through my old posts when she was bored one day and mentioned that that is motivating, to look at my old posts. And she wasn’t referring to pictures, but to what I wrote, because everyone can relate to the frustrations, being impatient and not thinking you can do it. So if this helps anyone, that’ll be enough.
January 29, 2010
“I mean look, I sweat this much (actually more because this is after getting home from gym already), and eating right yet results are super slow! It’s been 3 weeks of exercise for least an hour 5-6 times a week and eating right. Bleh! Am I just super impatient?” [link]
February 7, 2010 - My 10lbs lost post [link]
February 15, 2010 - “In the beginning I was so frustrated because I was eating healthy and working out a lot and seeing little to no results.”
“And I’ve been on this journey by myself. Friends and family have been supportive, but they’re not going through it WITH me, all they can do is support.”
“Deep inside I have this fear that I will somehow get derailed but on the other hand also know I am a strong person and this is the most effort I have EVER made and progressed through and it is more of a lifestyle than a diet now.” [link]
February 15, 2010
“Getting there slowly but surely…..
“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.”
- Tommy Lasorda” [link]
February 26, 2010 - A jeggings victory [link]
March 3, 2010 - The beginnings of my consultations with Your Nutritionista and how proud she was….back when it was still all low key hehe [link]
March 11, 2010
Me, second to last, feeling good and eating healthy at a restaurant for a birthday. [link]
March 14, 2010
“Me and my sweet, lovely, hip grandma. Can you believe she is 90????” [link]
March 16, 2010
“I’m-getting-there-slowly-but-surely-and-I’m-pretty-proud-of-myself-so-here-is-a-picture-of-my-tummy-that-will-one-day-be-flat.” [link]
March 17, 2010 - Down 22.6lbs at this point [link]
March 20, 2010
“This a Jean skirt I have from last summer!” [link]
March 27, 2010
“These jeans used to give me a major case of muffin top that I could only wear loose tops with them…not anymore!” Side note: These jeans are now way too big on me. [link]
March 28, 2010
“BUT…can’t help but think with all my hard work that I should be seeing MORE results. Being in my bikini today while I sunbathed made me think of this.” [link]
April 1, 2010
“Hopefully soon I’ll be able to start selling tickets to the gun show because they’re [slowly but surely] forming!” [link]
April 4, 2010
Still had the thighs there! [link]
April 4, 2010 - “…that I am thisclose to getting out of the 150’s” [link]
April 5, 2010
The day I FINALLY fit into those Seven jeans! [link]
April 11, 2010
Completed the Warrior Dash! [link]
April 12, 2010
I was so happy to finally see my collar bones [link]
April 14, 2010 - First CrossFit session with Kris at CrossFit 310 [link]
April 23, 2010 - Found out I have a good squat [link]
April 29, 2010
Getting out of the 150s! [link]
April 30, 2010 - Video of me climbing the rope! [link]
May 5, 2010 - First handstand by myself - no assistance [link]
May 13, 2010
Those Seven jeans starting to get big at this point [link]
May 22, 2010
Climbed the rope all the way to the top! [link]
May 25, 2010 - Old Me vs New Me [link]
June 9, 2010 - My one and only vlog I’ve made post workout [link]
June 13, 2010
Well into my primal life [link]
June 24, 2010
“Guess who’s actually going running outside of crossfit training?” [link]
July 1, 2010
The group of girls I train with and have grown to adore [link]
July 8, 2010
143.8 [link]
July 12, 2010 - Level 1 Bad Ass in push ups with 22 strict chest to floor push ups! [link]
July 15, 2010 - First chin up from hanging! [link]
July 25, 2010
Feeling much more comfortable showing my legs at this point…. [link]
July 29, 2010
Was so happy to find that I fit into size 9 jeans! [link]
August 20, 2010
Fairly current and what I still am at in regards to weight and toning [link]
September 13, 2010 - First overhand pull up from hanging! [link]
So there you have it, my healthy adventure in posts! Like anyone, I’ve had my ups and downs, moments where I’ve felt discouraged and unmotivated. And I still have those moments. Because like I have mentioned before, I’m not quite done. I still want to tone some more. But looking back on what I have accomplished thus far really does help.
It’s Not a Diet, It’s a Lifestyle
It’s Not A Diet, It’s A Lifestyle
Ever since committing to paleo nutrition 19+ months ago, I’ve been asked the same question at least 100 times:
Can you eat this?
Typically, this question is asked when dining out with friends and/or family. My response tends to be:
I can eat whatever the F&$% I want. I choose to eat this way.
Websters dictionary defines the word “diet” as:
food and drink regularly provided or consumed
It’s obvious that present day thinking varies quite a bit from this definition. The meaning of “diet” has shifted to a short-term food ‘prescription’, that often requires x amount of calories to be consumed, with absolutely no variation in food choices and success claims such as “lose 3-7lbs in 5 days!”
Going forward, I have decided to no longer refer to the way I eat as the “Paleo Diet”, because it’s anything but a “diet”.
There is no end date or deadline in sight. I can eat as much food as I want, when I want. And I can eat any kind of food, paleo or not.
I’ve adopted paleo as a lifestyle and plan to be gluten, dairy and legume free into the foreseeable future. That does not mean that there will never be a poor food decision made, because hey, we’re all humans. The difference is, when you plan to do something for a set amount of time, slip-ups or cheating can have a negative impact on your desired end state. Conversely, if there is no end in sight, only a roadmap and a compass, small detour’s along the way won’t hurt as long as you stay the course.
Rather than get angry or upset when questioned about my food choices, I plan to use the following response.
I’ve chosen to eat this way because it makes me look, feel and perform my best. I recommend you worry about what’s on your plate (and how it’s going to negatively effect your quality of life) and I’ll worry about mine.
I’m in this for the long haul. Are You?
Source: Powell Fitness
Well, here it is folks! Let me walk you through.
June 2009 There are ??? for the pounds because I had no clue, I wasn’t weighing myself and not really watching what I was eating. I would watch what I ate for couple weeks, fall off the wagon, start again, fall off, it was a vicious cycle. And this picture was taken at Runyon Canyon in Hollywood and I remember nearly dying climbing it. Had many moments where I questioned if I could make it to the top, but I pushed on. Look at the thighs…yikes. The cheeks….eek.
January 2010 I was at about 180lbs here, could be a little more. It was soon after this picture that I began getting serious about getting fit and healthy. This was hiking the Hollywood Sign trail which was brutal at the time for me. I have yet to go back to this trail, though I want to, to see how much better I can handle it now. Again, the thighs….the cheeks…..ahh.
May 2010 Roughly a 4-5 month jump from the previous picture and at 149.8lbs, therefore, a 30lbs weight loss accomplished at this point! I’m feeling great at this point, clothes are fitting much better and loose! BUT, still not done with my journey, knowing the last few pounds are the hardest to shed.
July 2010 This is me today at 143.8lbs, now down 36.2lbs. Since I see myself everyday, I don’t see as much difference as others may who don’t see me daily. But looking through these pictures helps me see just how far I’ve come and how proud I really should be.
I’m still not done, but I know I can do it, even if it’s slowly. I had been so frustrated but haven’t stopped to think that in reality I haven’t been doing this THAT long and I have to be patient. And I have to play around with my eating when necessary. Like my trainer says, “the body is like a Rubix Cube, you have to keep changing things to make it work for you at this time, right now”.
Someone asked me what I have started to do to tweak my eating. Well, after speaking with my trainer, Kris, and my fitness aspiration, Maria, we decided that I should try to lower my fat count, but still keep the calories around the same. To definitely not stray from fats, and definitely not go to Low-Fat, Fat-Free or processed foods, but just lower the fats and even out the ratio of fats, proteins and carbs. For example, if I am having lean chicken breast, then I could add some avocado to my salads or butter to my broccoli/zucchini, but if I’m having a fattier meat like steak, then to just stick to piling in the nutritious veggies as the side, no extra fats. It’s exciting to experiment with my eating and see the outcome!
143.8
I have not posted my weight in a while because I usually only post when there is a change and my weight has been in the constant same range of 3-4lbs, the lowest having been 146.9.
-3.1lbs? I’ll take that and run with it!!!! I actually hadn’t even been weighing myself for the last couple weeks out of frustration of it not moving much! I was glad I wasn’t gaining but I wasn’t done, so it was frustrating!
Hopefully I can just proceed with lower numbers from here on out! I have done some tweaking in my eating thanks to my trainer Kris, Maria, and Liz (all fellow crossfitters)!
Constant
Although I’ve been in plateau limbo for like a month and a half now - I have to look at the bright side: at least I have not gained.
I have been at a constant 3-4lb range for that time, and have made efforts to slightly change or alter eating habits (such as have more calories a bit, more fat, or having bit less dairy and fruit), but I also have not made 100% efforts into these changes, and that is my fault alone.
I can sit here and blame everything that has been going on around me, being super busy with family and friends’ birthdays, mother’s and father’s day, baby showers, bridal showers, etc. And although I behave pretty well in these scenarios, I only venture out slightly, it’s all still in my control. I need to get back into 100% mode sooner rather than later.
Upside? I do notice I am more toned - and I have the fact that I have been very dedicated to my fitness to thank for that.
Update?
Fridays eating was on point. The drinking part not so much! Delicious? Absolutely! Fresh watermelon & vodka slushies are nomtastic…but to have 3+ is not so bueno.
Today? Well, I co-hosted a bridal shower earlier in the day and we were about 15 people and there was enough food for like 40 people. Mind you all homemade food from scratch of Peruvian nom and Mexican nom. I had some homemade taquitos and some milhojas (Chilean layered flaky pastry I’ve discussed before), sangria, chicha morrada (Peruvian purple corn punch), pisco sour (Peruvian cocktail), and little bit of alfajors (Peruvian bites of heaven) and there folks is the NON-PRIMAL nom I had there. That doesn’t include the chicken, guacamole, salad I also had.
Then…straight after I had a Bon voyage BBQ to attend for a friend and there I had a burger patty with tzatziki and delicious homemade pulled pork and hand picked cherries…and then a beer happened and a tiny sliver of homemade cheesecake. I am apparently a sucker for homemade food.
All in all, delicious food. But it’s so crazy how my body is not used to grains/wheat/flour anymore, I already feel uncomfortably puffy and bloated from it. But tomorrow I have some hiking to do with some decent ladies and we are having a healthy picnic there too!
RELAX! Go Ahead and Eat That Burger…No Wait…
My clients usually look at me like I have two heads the first time I say this to them - Enjoy life! Have a slice of birthday cake and treat yourself to a burger every now and then.
I tell them this because when you deny yourself all of life’s indulgences you will set yourself up for weight loss failure. Just be smart about it: have a small piece of the cake and fore-go fries with that burger!
It’s all about making better choices not punishing yourself!
This is what I always try my best to follow! This is what the 80/20 rule I talk about is…basically, enjoy life, just responsibly! Make compromises with yourself as muscled1 mentions, for example, during these occasional indulgences have a small piece of cake or cupcake and load up on the healthier stuff, or have your burger lettuce wrapped, or have sweet potato fries instead of regular fries, etc.
05.27.10 An Odd Ball Dinner
I tried Trader Joe’s Smoked Apple Chardonnay Chicken Sausage with my eggs today, and it was just okay, sadly. I think my expectations were too high. I’ll try it in a different way next time.
Mum made me some delicious beef pot roast for lunch (at least I THINK it was pot roast…it’s what it looked like, and my mom didn’t know, and she told me to quit asking her). I haven’t had yucca (cassava in English) in forever (although it’s a common staple in Peruvian dishes). It’s a root, so technically not primal - same with sweet potatoes, but every now and then I’ll indulge. Anyway, MyPlate options made it a bit odd and confusing so I HOPE I picked the right choice.
Sister wanted to meet at Yogurt Lounge and usually some fro-yo action is a nice treat but before arriving I realized I didn’t really want something sweet at the time, so I stopped by the Starbucks next door and got a Grande Decaf Americano with a little heavy whipping cream. And yes, I now ask every time for a little bit of heavy whipping cream and they all just hand me the whole carton and let me pour it myself. This time, the barista asked me why I choose heavy whipping cream…I was kind of at a loss for words, and said, “Because of the way I eat…bit lengthy to explain.” Which he replied, “It is the lowest in carbs out of everything else here…” I responded excitedly, “Yes! That is a huge reason!” And off I went!
Dinner….was very random. I had to use the last of the Wild Alaskan Cod I had in the fridge. I decided to make a Baked Lemon-Pepper Crusted Cod with a Thai Almond Dipping Sauce. Which actually came out pretty good, but dummy me forgot to take any pictures, therefore, no posted recipe for this one. But the dipping sauce needs perfecting. It was yummy, but it took me a while to get it to the consistency that I wanted. Then my roommate made some BBQ-style chicken tenders so I tasted it and that explains that in my totals. Then he tells me he saved me some baked plantain bits, so that explains that. Just an out-of-whack dinner. And tummy feels a bit funky now. It wasn’t bad food per say, just odd mixture.
Barely went over on calories. I am actually a bit surprised that I stayed under on carbs. If the yuca totals are wrong and perhaps higher in carbs then I might have gone over. Anyway, I ruled in protein, but sucked at sugars and fiber! There’s always tomorrow!
05.24.10 Going To Be a Fishy Week
A delicious spinach and plantain omelet was had in the a.m.! I can explain the bacon grease. Okay, so I was making bacon originally last night as I usually do, and then I got caught up watching a television show and forgot about it! Needless to say my bacon was way too burned to eat, and didn’t want to make another batch. So I just used a little bit of the grease to make my eggs in. Nom nom.
Simple and healthy lunch provided by my lovely mum. Typical nom nom. But it was also a fairly light lunch, so i decided to have half-cup of coffee for a snack. Then got home to get ready for CrossFit and I noticed the half apple I had saran wrapped was about to go bad so I had that with a tablespoon of almond butter.
I posted the Fresh Ceviche recipe here, that turned out very well even though it was spur of the moment. Afterwards, I experimented with dessert. It came out good, not great. But at least I know what I need to do different next time. I cut up fresh strawberries, then cut up organic dark chocolate and sprinkled it over the strawberries. Then I stuck it in the microwave for about 1:20. Yeah, that was too much time. The chocolate AND strawberries melted almost all the way and it made a sort of pudding. Since it mended together, it kind of took away from the strawberries sweetness. So mental note, next time don’t heat up as much, I’ll try 45 seconds only. Or if I have more time, melt the chocolate separately properly, then drizzle over strawberries and put in fridge to re-harden.
Fresh Ceviche & an Avocado, Tomato and Goat Cheese Salad
In between coming home to change into gym attire and heading out to CrossFit 310 I was thinking about what I’ll be having for dinner. I already was planning to use more of the Wild Alaskan Cod I had left (it was a pretty big package). And it clicked, something I could leave marinading (or in this case “cooking”) while I went to train! And I knew just what to do considering I had asked my mom (my go-to person for any Peruvian recipe) a couple weeks ago.
What you need:
- Wild Alaskan Cod (you could use any other fish that is bit tough like tilapia, shark, rainbow trout, or halibut, too)
- Raw lemon juice
- Raw lime juice
- Red onion
- Cilantro
- Avocado
- Tomato
- Crumbled Goat Cheese
What you do:
Simply cut your fish into small cubes. Then slice your onion. In a bowl, place your cubed fish and onions and then drench the bowl in the raw lemon and lime juices until the fish is drenched. Put in refrigerator for about 2 hours. The raw lime/lemon juices naturally “cook” the fish. So it was all done when I got back from training! Simply remove from bowl into another plate and drizzle a little bit of the remaining lemon/lime juices and cilantro over it.
For the salad, simply cut up your tomato into chunks, your avocado into slices (I used half of one), sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese over it and then drizzle with ground black pepper and white wine vinegar.
Verdict? Just like mom makes it! Mmm….I was afraid that I might of let it “cook” for too long, because she had warned me about that. She said if “cooked” too long it can get bitter, but that didn’t happen thankfully! But it was very tasty! And as you can see so easy, too! The salad was the perfect side for it. It was fresh, simple and delicious!
P.S. Traditional Peruvian Ceviche is served with sliced boiled sweet potato and cancha (Peruvian corn kernels). I was honestly too lazy to make the sweet potato and the cancha isn’t very primal-friendly. If i were making it for someone more than myself I would have gone all out, but it was just little ol’ me.
What’s YOUR way of eating?
I’m curious about anyone who is following me! So how is it that you eat?
- Low-fat, counting calories
- Paleo - no grains, no dairy, no legumes
- Primal - no grains, no dairy, no legumes, lots of fat
- Atkins - just low-carb
- Weight Watchers
- Whatever I want/Sounds good
- Junk food galore
- Vegetarian - nothing with a face
- Vegan - no faces, dairy or eggs
- Pescatarian - fish is ok but not other animals
- Raw - you dehydrate but not cook
- Something else?
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