CSA SEASON! And Simple Slow Cooker Chicken

 

CSA Season is upon us!! I had my first pick up this Tuesday. Have you signed on yet? If not, it may not be too late. If there are no CSA's around you, look for your local farmers market. They may only run a few days a week, so make sure you schedule them in when to your weekly routine. Oh, wait a minute, you don't know what a CSA is? Well, let me explain :)

For You && Mashed Celeriac

Friday conversation:

Me: I won't be there tomorrow, I'm headed down to the shore for the weekend.

Friend: It's gonna be nasty and raining, though

Me: I'd rather be down at the shore house when it's nasty and raining then sitting in my house when it's nasty and raining.

Friend: Good point.

Paleo Portuguese Kale Soup

What is that?!? Celery, silly! No, I did not take this picture, but I like this one because it shows you the coolest component of our recipe today. Celeriac, aka celery root, is a super delicious vegetable that lent itself exceptionally well to this soup. Sometimes I think the gnarliest looking foods make for the best!

Outdoors If You Do & Sauteed Mushrooms with Onions and Garlic

August is the time of year that reminds me of why I love the great outdoors so much. The temperatures are starting to give way in the morning and evening while remaining bright, sunny, and warm in the middle of the day. Fall crops are really taking hold and coming to the peak of their season. School is just a few weeks away and fall sports are starting, if not well into, their pre-seasons. So, fellow healthy-living enthusiast, stand up from your desks and couches, back away from your keyboards and remotes, turn off that AC and STEP OUTSIDE!

London Broil with Seared Swiss Chard

Perfect topic for tonight seeing as I just got off the phone with my brother and one of our discussions was about lifting. Being female, I apparently am not allowed to carry heavy boxes, move large shelving units, or slug bags of stone into customers vehicles. Well let me tell ya something, sweetheart, I lift weights as a hobby. Why? For starters, I enjoy the fact that I'm not helpless. If something is in my way, chances are, I can move it. If someone faints in front of me and they need to be picked up, I can move them. If I have children I will be able to pick them up and carry them whether they skin their knee or are being chased by a monster. And, on a final note, my physique is rather enviable (oops, is that a bit forward ;).

Barefoot & Chocolate Coconut "Fudge"

Are you a runner or an avid walker? Have you ever suffered from a knee or hip problem? Did the doctor tell you to get better running shoes with a thick heel to absorb the impact? If you answered yes to the first two questions, I am going to assume you will answer yes to the third as well. In that event, I suggest you get a different doctor.

Time for You & Mexican Style Ground Turkey



When was the last time you did something for yourself? I mean really put everything aside, took some time out, and did something you enjoy doing, just for you? Today I took 2 hours out of my afternoon and laid on the hammock and read my book. Sure, I had other things I could have been doing such as bill paying, practicing my presentation for class, house cleaning, or even writing a post. But what does it all matter if you are so go-go-go all the time you can never stop to smell the flowers?

Stuffed Chicken with Savory Coconut Cauliflower

On the flip side of "can't" to "won't" to "will try", sometimes "can't" is okay. However, it's more of a "can't" to "shouldn't" to "can do this instead". Example? I ran a 5k this weekend. I started at the pace I usually do and quickly realized I was not going to be able to keep that pace. In a panic I almost stopped at about 1/2 a mile in. I could barely catch my breathe and my legs felt like rubber. However, not finishing was not an option for me. 

Apology! CSA & Butter Steamed Kale

Okay, so the truth is, I am super busy! I apologize for taking so long in between posts. In fact, I only have just a few minutes to get this down before I have to run out the door again. Spring/early summer is the busiest time for a garden center and I'm taking classes as well. I hate to make it sound like an excuse, but I feel terrible for not at least giving you a reason that I haven't been as active on the site recently.

Tips & Guest Recipe!

So it has almost been one week; how are you making out with the elimination of grains in your diet? Going farther back, are you doing okay with the Zone blocks? Personal experience suggestion: print out the Zone proportions, black out the grain blocks, and keep the page on reference in your kitchen, car, work desk, or where ever you prepare/eat most of your meals. I laminated mine for durability. Keep it out when you are making your meals or ordering food so you know exactly how much to put on your plate.

Paleo Intro & Roasted Asparagus and Bison Burger

I got a great comment the other day on my previous post on The Zone diet. It was a suggestion to read a book called A Life Unburdened: Getting Over Weight and Getting ON With My Life, by Richard Morris. This gentleman lost over 100 pounds by stopping all dieting methods. I will certainly look into this book and report on it in the future.

It does bring up an interesting concept, however, that ties in nicely to today's post. No dieting. Now, if you remember, several posts ago I made clear my stance on the term "diet". As defined by conventional wisdom of strict limitations of amount and/or types of food for a specific period of time with the intentions of weight/loss or improved health, I hate the term. As defined CORRECTLY, a diet is the sum of all foods consumed. And, when coupled with nutrition, a diet is a huge part of nourishing humans. It should be attainable, sustainable, and enjoyable.

My Diet Experience & Sweet and Sour Carrots and Celery

Now that you know how I feel about the word "diet", I want to dive into two "diets" that I do support from both personal experience and expert advice. The two diets, of which you may be familiar, are The Zone and Paleo/Primal. 

First, I want to give you a little background on my personal experience with these two diets. When I graduated college it dawned on me that I had packed a bit extra baggage to take home. I moved back home and started a cardio kickboxing program at the karate school I attended as a kid. I also started training for a half marathon in November. I switched to eating mostly whole grains and lower fats since that was what most of the articles I found on MSN health and other sites suggested. Also, continuing with the "carbo-load" mindset from high school track, I ate tons of pastas and breads before a long run along with high carb "recovery" snacks after cardio class. October hits and I realize that I haven't lost a pound; if anything, I had gained more. So I started counting calories. I found an awesome app on my iTouch called Lose It!. It had me enter my weight, goal weight, and birthday (as a goal completion date). Soon I got the hang of it and slowly started losing weight. At first I tried to keep my fat intake below 20%, protein around 20%, and carb around 60%. After 5 long months I was down about 15 lbs. I was also super agitated, irritable, not quite approachable... 

Sweet Potato, Apple, Sausage and Spinach Medley

Today's post might look a little familiar to some of you; I am literally copying and pasting a previous post I did several months back. I feel that it is worth reiterating especially for our newcomers...

First I should say that I hate using the word diet. The majority of the American race incorrectly defines the word diet as a strict limitation to either amounts or types of foods to take place or a specific period of time with the intentions of weight loss and/or improved health. After their "diet" is complete they will go back to the way they were eating prior to the change. This definition is much more correctly defined as dieting (still a cr@ppy word).

Better Way to Start Your Day

If I had to describe the word nutrition in one sentence, it would be "nutrition is the key to life". Literally! If we do not provide our body with nourishment, it will perish. However, there are several levels of nourishment that we can attain. Let's use the USDA Beef grading system terms to define. At the top, we have Prime nutrition where our diet and lifestyle provide us with the necessary macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals to thrive in this world. Next down is Choice nutrition where we have to supplement our diet and lifestyle to access all of the necessary macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals to sustain in this world. A step down from that is Select nutrition where we follow a diet and lifestyle to loosely progress towards better nourishment, however we are usually caught in the tangled web of nutrition information available and not sure where to go. Lastly, and I believe this is where most people fall, is the Standard nutrition. People's diet and lifestyle is providing them just enough nourishment to survive, and many have no idea how to access the higher levels of nutrition.

Mission Impossible: Pancakes

My mission: cook pancakes every weekend. Enjoy life :)

So this post is a long time coming! Thanks for being patient, those of you whom I've promised that I was going to post it. 

My favorite part of my weekends is pancakes. It started when I was a kid. My Mom, Dad and I went to the cafe at the golf course right down the road from my house every Sunday for breakfast. Mom got the Belgium waffles topped with fresh fruit and a side of bacon. Dad got the western omelet with toast and bacon. I got the short stack of pancakes. Everyyyyy week until I was about 16 (when I entered the official working world). It was great; Dad would read the "snooze"paper, Mom would read the USA Today, I read the Comics; we all ate together and chatted causally about life with the sun shining down on us (we ate on the patio), the golfers practicing on the putting green, everyone with a smile on their face... ahh, memories!

Hunters Pie



In honor of the Great St. Patrick's Day, I raise my glass of stout to you, and cheers for the feasts and festivities that this day brings!

I love holidays. Any of them. Especially ones like St. Patrick's Day that are observed globally, even though it is a traditional Irish holiday. There is something about it that reminds us that we are all part of the same human race. We all get together, regardless of background, and celebrate whatever the occasion may be.

They are also a great time to show your appreciation for others. Whether you pick up some green-iced cupcakes from the supermarket to share with co-workers, cook a corned beef brisket for your family, pick up a 6 pack of Guinness for your buddies, or just simple and say "Thanks! Happy St. Patty's Day!" to the stranger who held the door for you, doing things without expectation of return will reward you ten fold in the future.

I made a primal-style Irish Soda Bread for my CrossFit Gym's St. Patrick's Day party tonight; did you do something similar?

Coconut Shrimp with Vegeable Stir Fry



My brother posted a tip on his blog the other day that reminded me of a super good practice. It may sound totally obvious, but I think that way way too many of us ignore it anyway. I know I do. 

Nutrition Tip of the Day: Avoid Poisonous Things. Whether this be plant (ivy), animal (bear), grains/beans/processed foods/hydrogenated fats (wink, wink), or even some of the people in your life – the easiest way and best way to get healthy is to simply avoid them. This includes the cookie tray at work (my weakness – thanks to Doug Gable’s amazingly talented wife)! Or, in a lot of cases, a person who whenever they are near causes you stress – except your boss, that is. This can be a tough one! Below Mark Sisson outlines a sometimes poisonous food. Nightshades. How can you know if something is poisonous in your life? Give it the 30 day challenge! Cut it out completely for 30 days – then give it a reintroduction. Don’t feel well? Stressed? Sick? Tired? Etc? Then it is not a good choice for you. I can’t do some types of dairy – but maybe you can. I can eat tomatoes though so sometimes it works out. We heard from Katie yesterday about the reintroduction of bread into a little ones meal and what the affect was. Many of you have commented to me privately of similar feelings. My uber realtor Sharon (also a member here!) told me just Tuesday about the affect she had after a recent reintroduction of a food long removed from her diet. The stories are all the same. Just give it 30 days. That’s all I can ask. Do you have a story to share? Click Reply All or Comment and let us know!

So what do you think? This recipe below contains peppers, a nightshade, however I have no adverse affects from them. However I consistently poison myself everyday with a job that constantly undermines my desires and abilities. Unfortunately the 30 day trial is uber difficult to meld into the working environment...

Grateful For... Pan Seared Steak with Peppers and Onions

Everyone has something they are grateful for. Unfortunately, we forget about that many times. When you're having a bad day it's easy to say "everything sucks", throw your hands up, and stomp around like a baby. And when you're having a good day it's easy to take it for granted. But at the end of the day it is important to reflect and recognize those things you do have, the people who are there for you, and the opportunities that lay ahead. By doing so you can realize an array of health benefits (check out this article from MDA)

Try this exercise: Before you go to bed grab a little notebook and number 1,2,3 down the left margin. Then, next to each number, jot down something you are grateful for. Don't think about it, just write the first thing that comes to mind. The events of the day will certainly have an impact of these three items, but that's what important. Be true to yourself. This isn't for anyone else's eyes but yours. And don't worry if the only things you're grateful for today are the bed your sleeping in, the air you breathe, and clothes on your back. Tomorrow you might be grateful for the letter from you're Grandmother, the bird's chirping in the first morning light, and the way your kitchen smells after you bake a fresh batch of cookies...

Shrimp Soup

Have you ever heard the expression that some of the most important things in your life will happen when you least expect it? Has anything important or life changing happened to you lately? Are you too caught up in your "responsibilities" to notice...?

Sometimes you've got to stop and smell the roses. Don't get so caught up in life. Granted certain responsibilities are, well, responsibilities (like feeding the baby, walking the dog, putting gas in the car). But stressing about things like work, relationships, finances, the ozone layer... can really reek havoc on your body and mind. Dissect each situation one at a time. Remember that you are accountable for your actions, and you have the ability to affect each situation. And don't ever forget, live for you.

Shrimp Scampi over Cauliflower Rice

One thing I love about being young is that I keep learning new things. Now I know that we will consistently learn new things throughout our life, but the younger you are generally you are more open to new ideas and can absorb them quicker. And I'm not just talking about education (although that is something I am huge into). I am mostly referring to life lessons.

Over the summer I attended a conference; I met numerous great people, gained a lot of insight to the industry, and, most importantly, learned the value of accountability. It was a small part of one of the many presentations over the 3 days, but it really struck a chord with me.