My 30 Day Nutritional Challenge-Paleo Eating

You may know this about me (or not), but I love to get sweaty, lift heavy things and generally feel like I could kick someone’s butt if I had to. It’s the little girl inside of me, ready for the day I need to defend myself.

But, working out isn’t enough for me, or for anyone. Diet is 90% of what makes your body look the way that it does.

Don’t like your body? Look in the fridge. Whatcha got in there? Some ice cream, frozen pizzas, nitrate-laden meat, sugary condiments and dressings?

What’s in your cabinets? Crackers, pastas, sugary cereals and processed/packaged foods?

That’s going straight to the hips, ladies (and men).

Biceps and I already love to eat healthy-for the most part. (Let’s just say-cheese is awesome). However, we enjoy our veggies, lean protein, and fruit without reservation. That’s one of the main reasons that I love to have my own garden-I call it my “veggie wonderland”.

So, when it came to participating in a Paleo nutritional challenge my Crossfit group was doing, I was excited…but hesitant.

I don’t do diets. I don’t do hungry.

So, what did “Paleo” mean, exactly? Was this just another fad like Atkins or HCG? Would it mean feeling hungry all of the time, having no energy, and generally hating life?

I did a bunch of research, read the good and the bad and the ugly.

So-what is “Paleo”, exactly? Succinctly, it stems from a belief that we should eat like our ancestors did-cutting out all of the junk, the processed food, dairy, grain products and legumes.

This meal is considered Paleo and took me about 10 minutes to make. Paleo means eating a lot of:

• lean protein throughout the day (chicken, turkey, eggs, beef, fish, etc),
• coupled with a few good fats (avocado, coconut, nuts, olive oil, etc),
• and a ton of non-starchy vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, spinach, tomatoes, etc).

But you can’t eat:

• dairy (eggs are not dairy, even though that’s where they are in a grocery store),
• sugar or sweeteners of any kind,
• rice, grains or beans.

I started this challenge last Monday and I’ll be eating a Paleo diet for the next month. I’ll periodically give you updates on how I’m doing and I’ll tell you the truth as to how I’m feeling–and if my workouts are suffering.

Here’s a quick look at this last week for me as I voyaged into the Paleo world.

Day 1. “Yeah! This is fun and easy!”

Day 3. “I WANT POTATO CHIPS!”

Today.

“I feel like a happy brussel sprout.” Which is hard to do.

I disagree with some of the philosophy of Paleo-no beans or rice, no honey, and no dairy. But, I can do anything for 30 days. Right? RIGHT?!

And, I will tell you that I am sleeping better-like through the night. And, I’ve already noticed a change in my body as I’ve deprived it from bad fats and sugars.

But, it hasn’t cured my weirdness at all. I think that’s here to stay.

Busted. Arrested for my sins.

Dear Sheriff-
My calendar is full-full of really good things-but full, nonetheless. Between Bible Study, Crossfit, t.v. appearances, guest posting, meeting with the tax accountants, my mother coming into town (YEAH!), painting windowsills, being trained as a real estate agent….my days are full and a tad overwhelming at times.

I flop into bed each night–sore from Crossfit, tired from the day and my brain swirling about tomorrow. The alarm sounds the next morning at 5:00am and life begins again.

And this morning, YOU–”Sheriff God”–busted me.

You reminded me of this: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”-Philippians 4:6

Had I even prayed about my day-the tiny details that seem silly to bring to You but seem insurmountable to me?

Nope. Busted.

Had I asked You for help while I made out my list, fretted over it and then complained about it to Biceps?

Nope. Busted.

Did I immediately flip open Your Word to read in James 1:3 & 5, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

Nope. Busted again.

Thank You, God for busting me.

However, You were gentle and kind to me and released me from the prison I had made. Commentaries by me.

“I waited patiently (sort of) for the Lord, he turned to me and heard my cry (flat out guttural scream). He lifted me out of the slimy pit (favorite part), out of the mud and mire, he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” Psalm 40:1-3.

Well played Sheriff God. Well played.

Ram, Hard Drives and Nerd-dom

Dear Readers:
I have been away. Have you noticed? My computer, once again, was sick. Like totally sick.

Like, stick-me-with-a-fork-because-I’m-done sick.

And this was after I quadrupled the RAM. Turd computer.

I thought the RAM would fix the problem…but alas…it did not. It did this. Over and over and over.

Sometimes, it would randomly turn black, stop whirring and make a noise that sounded like “pew”.

Sufficed to say, my hard drive crashed. Hard. (pun totally intended).

So, Biceps bought me one of these and guess which totally ill-equipped, non-computery girl installed it all by herself?

Yep. This gal. I’m pretty happy with myself.

It’s good to be back, dear readers. I’ve missed you.

-Love, Rebekah

This Cadet is on Fire

I’ve been pretty quiet about what Bicep’s been up to as of late. Mainly because I don’t know what I can or cannot talk about.

Not that it’s top secret, there are just some rulz I have to follow.

But-the light can now be seen at the end of the tunnel. And if all goes well, Biceps will be graduating from the fire academy in less than a month.

Once again, I will have someone to carry heavy things for me, tell me I’m pretty and generally just be around the house a little more. Thank goodness. This single wife thing stinks.

*Photos from this point on by TFD
So, while I’ve been at home studying for my real estate exam, doing Crossfit at the gym, or running errands…this is what Bicep’s has been training for:

Big white man fire.

There has been a lot of classroom work for Biceps. ALOT. It hasn’t been all fun and water games.

Bicep’s nose has been buried in a book for almost five months now. However, this is the culmination of all the preparation, the studying and the testing.

I’ve come to the realization that most men like to burn things, watch them burn and then put them out. I believe it’s some kind of control issue. Or some weird cavemanish remembrance.

At any rate, fighting fires together brings about a sense of camaraderie, accomplishment and victory for these men. Along with a lot of stinky clothes that find their way into my washing machine.

“But to have a wonderful man with stinky clothes is better than to have no man at all.” Or at least, I think that’s the saying….

So, now that you are privy to a little of what Bicep’s been up to. And, now you know how to pray. And I thank you. Seriously. Pray.