Paleo Friendly Breakfast Bowl

Ahhhh Summer... I totally agree, Leo.

So this week being summer, I am trying a lot of different breakfast options. I created some "egg muffins" with various veggies & meat in them, we've had a few veggie filled omelets, and I've also made some of Diane's various muffins.  For some reason every day, I still feel a struggle with what to have for breakfast. I think before I just always grabbed cereal, or a nutri grain waffle (not healthy like you think it is!!), and I was good to go. Now I have to sit down and think "okay, what will be filling, paleo friendly, and easy for breakfast".  I'm sure this will get easier, but I am not at the point in my "paleo journey" to start having steak & vegetable leftovers for breakfast.

So this morning, after a quick Wegmans trip to stock up on some more paleo essentials - tapioco flour, arrowroot flour (what?!) and almond flour, it was time to cook breakfast. I REALLY wanted some grits with eggs and bacon on top, but hmmm can't do that. So I snagged the leftover Cauli-Mashers from last night (mashed cauliflower - see below), heated them up with a handful of spinach leaves.  Then I crumbled some of my Baked Bacon (recipe from Practical Paleo) on top.  Then I made 2 over easy eggs to go on top. YUM.  The cauli-mashers were so creamy, and between the cauli & the spinach I felt like I was doing myself some good with adding veggies to my breakfast.   Success! I wish I had some better pictures, but frankly, I was starving, so this is the best I could do!

Excuse the gross nature of the picture... There really was no good angle down in my little bowl

Before we finish - let's give 3 cheers to Kyle! Last night Kyle cooked his first paleo meal! Go Kyle!!  He made chicken breasts (non-organic, but they were in the freezer so I'm going to use them!) with the Practical Paleo "Savory Chicken" recipe.  These are baked in the oven.  He also made what I call "Cauli-Mashers", I think Diane calls them "Faux-taters" or something like that, but cauli-mashers just sounds more fun.  They were delicious and creamy, no added almond milk or anything.  We just seasoned them up to taste, added some grass-fed butter and enjoyed! Lastly I made our favorite sautéed brussel sprouts in coconut oil vs. olive oil. They were crispy and lovely. So 3 cheers for Kyle!!

Yum! Kudos to Kyle!

Those 'mashers were delicious!

Leo wants IN on those cauli-mashers

Happy FRIDAY!!
Love always - Jack =)

Paleo Chocolate Cake

Everyone needs to go make this right now if you are having a sweet tooth craving!!
http://ohsnapletseat.com/2013/03/04/a-paleo-dessert-cup-of-chocolate-cake/

I made this the other night to accompany some very NON-Paleo champagne kyle and I finally enjoyed for the end of the school year.  Either way, it's delicious!  Very chocolate, and moist (I added a bit more almond milk than it called for based on reviews).  Honestly - you could share this with someone, it makes enough.  I also recommend making it in a larger mug (vs a small teacup type of mug or cup), it really fills it all up.

I added a sprinkling of dark choc. morsels on top

Down another lb today!  I think my body is in shock. As I said before, I am never an advocate for an unhealthy lifestyle to lose weight, but I think right now my body is carb & dairy "deprived" if you want to say it that way, and I am losing a lot of extra weight that I have to use that was packed on from the carbs & the ice cream (not that I ever indulged in ice cream and wine and pizza and fries when I was stressed.....).

Happy Summer!

Love Always - Jack =)

These are a few of my Favorite (paleo) things!

Before I begin - I need to say Sorry I'm Not Sorry for blowing up Instagram and Facebook with food pictures.  I know that a lot of people "can't stand seeing food" on social media, but you know what? It's motivating to me.  I find it very motivating to be proud of healthy, beautiful food that I am making, and sharing it with people that do enjoy it makes me feel good and positive. So if someone needs to unfriend or un-follow me, no offense taken! Because I am simple choosing to not stop posting pictures of my beautiful paleo food =).

I am well into week two, and still loving my Paleo lifestyle.  Down another lb or 2 from the weekend, woo hoo! I know what you're thinking, week 2? Big deal!  Well guess what, when you make a lifestyle change like this and you have not caved and stuffed your face with ice cream, or french fries, or tons of junk food, then you should be proud of yourself!  I read a few articles, and through Diane Sanfilippo's wise words in Practical Paleo, I have taken the mind set of "it's not that I can't have the food, I am choosing not to eat it".  So I am CHOOSING to live paleo... I am CHOOSING to not eat dairy, because I don't want to, it's not because I can't.  Mental games are insane, aren't they? They have such a huge impact.

Well I thought I would post a few of the favorite things that we've had so far on Paleo. All but maybe one or two things are recipes from Practical Paleo book, so I cannot claim these as my own, and I wasn't planning on it. I highly commend Diane on putting together an accessible, relatable book with truly delicious recipes. Clean eating is delicious! And it's not weird "fat free with fat free healthy substitutes". It's real ingredients without all of the factory do-up before it reaches your mouth.

So here are a few of Kyle and my Faaaaavorite things we've had so far!

Practical Paleo Savory Chicken Legs - EASY and finger-lickin' good

Practical Paleo Stir Fry 

One of my typical lunches - An Egg/Pepp/Mush/Sausage Muffin I made myself - and a hearty salad with grilled chicken, bacon, egg, peppers, lettuce & cucumber (I have been using a non-paleo dressing for now since I am not going to waste until I run out)

Practical Paleo Bison Burger using Diane's Curry Spice Blend on a Portobello 

Practical Paleo stuffed peppers (our absolute favorite)

Practical Paleo ZOODLES (without Diane's delicious combos - but just some grass-fed butter & sea salt/pepp)

"Cauli-Rice" with Green Beans & Salmon Cooked in EVOO with Herbs

Despite fruit containing a lot of sugar and carbs, I still love my berries! And of course their adorable containers that I found at Relish Decor downtown.

We have made many other things, and loved them all, but these are some of the highlights that we've had on our paleo journey thus far.

Also - Check out Diane's Blog : http://balancedbites.com/about-diane-sanfilippo

Happy Wednesday!

Love always - Jack =)

Paleo Life

Hi!

Well I guess you could call me just about the least-consistent person to ever walk the planet, but I am assuming that there are many others WAY more inconsistent than I am, so it makes me feel better.

Well, Weight Watchers has officially been cancelled. It's embarrassing, and it makes me mad, and I'm not saying that "I failed" because if I do I'll feel mad at myself, instead I'm taking the approach that it just didn't work for me this second time around.  Last spring everything clicked and I lost like crazy. This spring? I just couldn't handle the tracking, having to "eyeball" everything, I got lazy AND I allowed myself too many "cheats".

I fell into the typical female "why me?.. why do I have to go through this weight struggle", and then I realize that my problems are petty and nothing compared to life that other people have to go through. I can overcome this. My mom reminded me, I'm a go-getter.  If I set goals for myself I thrive while trying to achieve them. Academically? check. Trying to get a job, or earn a position somewhere? Check!  I really can motivate myself. Eating healthy and working out? No check. The motivation is a struggle for me, and I can't figure out why. But again, moms being awesome, she reminded me it's there, I just need to PUSH myself, and FIGHT for what I want, and how I want to feel.

Over the past few months I've heard more and more about the "Caveman" diet or the Paleo diet.  It sounded completely ridiculous, and nothing I would ever be disciplined enough to try, and my mom agreed.  Well, a few weeks ago, my mom and dad started it. My mom was unhappy with how she felt, and somehow while recovering from a stomach virus, it all clicked, and she knew she needed a change. Over that whole week I was amazed at the drastic change her and my dad made to their daily diets, and began working out again.  I was feeling motivated by her choice, to workout, to do something... did I do anything? NO!

Well that Saturday my mom sent me my very own "Practical Paleo" book by Diane Sanfilippo.  It was one of the best 'gifts' she's ever given me.  I feel refreshed and motivated.  It came at a great time as school was ending, and I am able to dive in full force to trying new recipes, and new styles of eating.

So here is what I've learned so far: Paleo diet is NOT the caveman diet (there actually is a caveman diet, that I COULD NOT do).  Paleo is all about eating fresh, whole foods. No processed crap (to put it lightly).  It is all about eating a ton of vegetables, protein, and some fruit.  Embrace the good fats for you.  Carbs? gone. Dairy? Gone. Is it difficult? SURE... I love some pasta and some ice cream (mmmm Turkey Hill).  However I've learned that Paleo is a lifestyle choice, you are choosing to eat organic and to eat foods that are good for your body, NOT just your waistline.  I am eating more veggies than I think I've ever eaten, not being a natural veggie-lover.  I also have learned that it's OK if you need to cheat every once and a while, but not like in weight watchers where I OK'd the constant cheating.

I do have to say, I refused to give up wine. I love my wine. Do I drink 5 glasses a night? No. Some nights I don't even have any, but I told myself, I have decided not to eat (not given up) so many other things, that I am deciding to continue to drink wine.

If you are feeling in a rut, and feeling adventurous I highly encourage exploring the Paleo lifestyle. Diane Sanfilippo does a beautiful job of being relatable and realistic.  Do I buy everything organic? no. Am I moving in that direction? Kind of.  But so far after only a week I am already feeling successful and proud of myself.

I will try to stay on top of this blog, as I still find it motivating and kind of a 'release'.  I still recognize my inability to write in a 'good' way, and frankly I'm not very interesting, but again, I like doing this for myself.

Now I need to go check on my Paleo Sausage-Egg-Veggie cups for breakfast!

I will still periodically try to post recipes, and things that I have created to compliment the Paleo lifestyle.

For now, Happy Summer!

Love Always - Jack

Accidental Clams & Chard

Happy Almost-Spring!!

Chirp.

and....

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!

I like to think that spring is right around the corner, and then I look at our forecast of SNOW for tomorrow.  There are worse things in the world, but I am REALLY looking forward to St. Patty's Day.  Tomorrow (or Tuesday) I get to keep up the tradition of the Irish Jig Competition, started by my fabulous predecessor, and I am so excited to experience my first one.  Even if we have snow, it will happen on Tuesday, or it will happen with our delay, but I am so sick of this snow! I JUST WANT SPRING... this is coming from the girl who complains in July that she wants Fall & snow.. I guess this is karma?

So last night, Kyle and I decided to have a romantic dinner night - which usually means we are going to eat some fatty pasta & seafood.  And guess what? We did!  I made this fabulous, fabulous pasta from The Pioneer Woman (love her).  It included sautéing searing shrimp & scallops, then cooking diced tomatoes in the same skillet.  Meanwhile only 1/2 cooking the pasta.  Then put the pasta on top of aluminum foil in a large baking dish, dump the tomato "sauce" on top, add all the seafood, fold up the aluminum foil and BAKE.  Finish off with some warm cream & basil.  It was probably the most amazing seafood pasta recipe I've made. Normally Kyle & I die for Alfredo - but this one stole my heart last night.  I highly recommend!

beautiful!

Here, let me pass this through the computer.

Well, just having this pasta was simply not enough.  A few weeks ago a super-friendly Wegmans employee was helping us with seafood and started to divulge into his familys rich-Italian heritage and how they all loved cooking together.  He started talking about making clams, and how tomato sauce vs. alfredo sauce enhances the seafood flavor much more.  I tried to remember everything he said, and created my Accidental Coupe Clams!  They were delicious. I can't take full credit for this recipe - because it was you, Mr. Wegmans-Employee that truly inspired this!

What you need:
1 10 oz can diced tomatoes
Clams (we used 3/4 lb - you could do 1 lb with this recipe too)
5 'smashed' cloves of garlic
1 cup white wine
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2 fresh basil leaves torn apart (fresh really makes the flavor)

How to:
Thoroughly wash and drain all claims.  I like to scrub off their shells a little bit just to eliminate any extra grit.
To a large pot melt the butter & olive oil over medium heat.  Add the 'smashed garlic and simmer for about 30 seconds.  What I mean by smashed is peel the clove & then lay your knife horizontally flat across the garlic, and smash your fist down on top of the side of the knife "smashing" the clove beneath.  I guess this is also considered "crushed" garlic.  This way you are releasing the flavor, but keeping the cloves whole.

Add white wine and let it simmer for about a minute.  Add the red pepper flakes  & diced tomatoes.  Let this simmer for a few minutes until the ingredients have married (hey! I'm getting married too!!!!).

Add the clams & let it simmer until the clams have popped open.  This should only take a few minutes.  Pour everything into a serving dish.  Sprinkle with the basil.  We ate ours with some breadsticks/rolls - that way we could soak up the juice.  I would also recommend serving this on bruschette toasts!

Accidental Clams!

(I don't have the weight watchers points for this.  It shouldn't be too high - if you are worried about points, feel free to use 'light' butter instead of regular butter!  The white wine may also drive the points up.  But hey, we all need a date night!).

Okay so next - Kyle decided to branch out and try some Swiss Chard in his 'juices' this week instead of Kale.

I looked up how to store chard and it was very different than Kale.  Chard should NOT be exposed to water pre-storing (unfortunately wegmans had been spraying them off with the misty water).  So I laid all of the chard out on a towel & patted them dry with a paper towel.  I know I could have let them air-dry, I just wanted them off my counter!

This is vibrant healthy chard! You do not want yellow'd or brown chard.

Next, when they are dry, store them in a plastic bag. (I like to date my containers so I know when it was packaged).

Then squeeze ALL the air that you can out of the bag.  Mine looked kind of vacuum-sealed!  This should keep the chard fresh for approx. 5 days.

Leo was all up in that Chard's business

The website I used said another option is to blanch the chard, then freeze it.  If this method doesn't work this week, I may try to blanch and freeze next week.  Fun!

Also - on the note of fresh herbs - just wanted to say that my Parsley has stayed healthy for about 2 weeks! Some of it did start to yellow, but I was able to go through and 'clean out', and I still have a small mason jar full of beautiful healthy parsley!

Apparently Leo had to see for himself. Go ahead, cat, BURY your face... Great idea.

Enjoy! - Jack =)

Springing Ahead!

One of the best and most horrible days of the year.  It's wonderful to have it be lighter out later in the day, but MAN when you lose that hour, it really feels like you lost a huge chunk of your day.

I am going to keep this quick since my mind is moving a million miles a minute.  This past week I 'stayed the same' only fluctuated by about an ounce or two. I should be happy because we had TWO MORE snow days, and we all know what happens on snow days... we pig out and keep ourselves occupied by eating.  However I am proud that I maintained.  This week it is back to meal planning and healthy eating.

One "tip" if you will, that I really swear by is eating a healthy and full breakfast.  I teach at a primary school, so I am constantly on, all day every day, so having a great breakfast and being ready to go at every second is essential.  I was making refrigerator oatmeals that I have not given up, but this week I decided to try another "Emily Bites" recipe of her Peach, Blueberry & Pecan baked oatmeal.  It's baking right now and smells loverly, so I can't wait to try it!  It is about 6 points per serving.  I'm excited about the idea of pre-portioning them out so that I can grab and go in the am since this week is going to one crazy-blurr of a week.

Another "tip" I emphasized last week, but I'll do it again. Don't be afraid to try reduced fat or fat free.  They really are surprisingly equivalent to their not-so-healthy counterparts, and they really do make a difference in how you feel when you are eating.  I have felt "lighter" just like I did last year when I started WW and using low fat/fat free options, and it's a great feeling. I don't constantly feel "stuffed" but I feel satisfied.

If you haven't already, I highly recommend checking out Emily Bites!  She has a lot of yummy WW friendly recipes.  I am having fun trying out a few of her recipes.

Some other recipes kyle and I are taking on this week are: Chicken & Biscuits casserole (Emily Bites), White Veggie Lasagna (emily bites), some spaghetti squash with marinara and a healthy take on Taco Bowls with Ground Chicken vs. Ground Beef.  I will post about the Taco Bowls sometime next weekend!  Kind of an easy DIY healthy take on tacos. YUM!

One last tip? Be a music teacher, and teach the Irish Jig to your kids. You will get your heart pumping ALL DAY.  I was ready to collapse at the end of the day Friday! Who knew? Healthy cardio while working. Woo hoo!

Love always - Jack =)

Just love him!

A successful 1st week back!

Last Sunday I found myself feeling refreshed and in-control of Weight Watchers, myself and my life. I know that sounds a bit extreme, but it's amazing what getting back into an old healthy habit will do for you!  It probably also was nice that it felt like spring last weekend - now I'm sitting staring outside my window wearing a fleece AND a sweatshirt, thick socks and slippers with little numb fingers staring at the 5 inches of snow that are laying on my grass.  Dear tulips and spring colors - take me to the warm weather.

:sigh:

In the first week & a half I lost approx. 4 lbs.  Now according to the weight I first put in, it says I lost about 7 lbs, but I know the 1st time I weighed myself it was mid-morning, not 1st thing in the morning AND I don't encourage promoting unhealthy weight loss. I know even 4 lbs sounds a bit extreme, but I think it's because of my drastic change in eating. Suddenly I'm eating a ton more veggies & fruits. I'm seeking out non-fat options (which normally I'd ignore, but they're actually worth it!), and our meals were much lighter. I noticed by even Friday, I was modifying what I was eating at restaurants and not stuffing my face like usual. (that's not to say I still won't do that).  So yay for healthy starts! I know I won't be losing 4 lbs a week for the weeks to come, I'm lucky & successful to even lose 1 lb, but I am in it for the long haul, so let's do this!

Stuffed Zucchini

I figured I would share a few of my successful recipes from last week. My new favorite go-to-weight-watchers-friendly-blog is EmilyBites. She's great! She makes yummy meals, and uses simple substitutions like fat free options.  Two of my favorites last week were the Stuffed Zucchini & the Zucchini casserole. Both were extremely satisfying & really delicious.

Zucchini Casserole

I also wanted to share my new go-to sweet satisfy-er.  I know a lot of people that do weight watchers swear by that veggie loaded soup. And honestly a few summers ago when I tried weight watchers, I liked the soup. Last year when I tried it? I wasn't a fan. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm just not a big fan of the veggie soup. So instead my new filling & satisfying go to snack & lunch addition is Natural Unsweetened Applesauce.  ZERO points!  I guess you have to like applesauce, but I like to consider this my little secret to success =).  

Have a great hopefully not-snowy day!! - Jack =)