Flattened Bananas oh and Traveling Paleo & Allergy Free

Today I am going to be heading to my hometown for my Grandmother's funeral. It isn't a log trip about 3 hours (4 if we have potty breaks, 5 if they kids are unhinged) and we are only staying one night. While  was thinking about what my kids would wear to the funeral and such I got a text from my step-mom asking what she needed to buy me so I would have safe food to eat. I hadn't even really thought about it. I told her I would bring my own I didn't want to send her the list of 33 things I can't eat and have her try to master that in one shopping trip and incur that expense. So yesterday I started planning trip food.

Traveling is the worst when you eat a special way, but like everything else regarding a special diet you need to plan, plan, plan. I started by deciding that tonight after we get past rush hour traffic in our city we would stop and have a picnic in lieu of fast food. Hoagies for the fam and unwich for me. I have some other sides including artichokes, pickled veges and some red potato salad. For the rest of my time there I grabbed some deli meats, cheese, nuts, dried fruits, this amazing thing called a flattened banana from Trader Joes, and some ice burg lettuce (or like I am calling my non-reactive lettuce) I also plan on bringing some fermented pickles and some other chopped veggies. I am going to plop it all in a cooler and call it eats. I may also make some hard boiled eggs because I love eggs for breakfast in any form. My dad is typically the master of all breakfast makers. I am talking buffet of choices most of which I could eat no problems, but I am unsure if he will be in the mood to cook or if we will have time before everything starts. I am also taking some coconut oil so in a pinch I can grab a spoonful to tide me over. I am sure there will be a big dinner of which I won't be able to eat but I don't want to look miserable and famished during so a nice hunk of coconut butter will do the trick!.

Sounds like a good plan right? It is up to the point where we are coming back home which will involve dinner. I am sure we will find a suitable joint for me to get my cave girl on but we will see. I will post an update about how my traveling cave girl goes. In the meanwhile I wanted to share a bit about my newest addiction...flattened bananas from Trader Joes. Oh Boy!!!

I first saw these on a fellow cave chick's Instagram. I just happened to see them while looking for road snacks at my Trader Joes so naturally I snagged them. I love bananas, they are not the prime fruit of choice as they have a high sugar content but they are yummy and contain potassium. These flattened bananas are just flat dried bananas. They are soft and chewy and remind me of a fruit roll up {tell your kids this, they will go nuts} One of my all time favorite treats back in the day was a banana, peanut butter sandwich. Sometimes I would just eat a banana and a spoonful for peanut butter...it is the best. Well since I have been no bread no peanut butter girl I haven't really done much banana butter madness but now...mmmwwwaaahhh

Meet banana almond butter rolls. 

Let me just tell you...AH-mazing! They are a perfect blend of sweet and nutty and they stay together. These little beauties just might be making an appearance in Geeps' lunch next week too. So here are the details. 

1 package flattened bananas

Almond Butter

Knife, plate. 

Gently pull a strip of bananas and lay on plate, grab a nice ol hunk of almond butter and spread. I find that if you put the hunk at one end and smooth to the other it rolls better. Make sure to leave about an inch at one ens with no butter so it sticks together after being rolled up. Roll that sucker up and take it and hide somewhere so you can eat them in peace. Okay, okay you can share but make sure you make plenty they are so good. 

YUM!!

Hump Day

Happy Wednesday and sorry on the double post, I just kind of checked out last night and forgot to hit publish. I spend the entire day posting thoughts, foods and ideas to my blog then edit (somewhat) and publish. It just wasn't in me.

Today was a continuation of my I am not into life right now attitude. I had a really hard time sleeping last night between worrying about my dad and excitement of Geeps starting Kindergarten then had to jump up at 6 am to get the ball rolling. I didn't really eat breakfast outside of a cup of tea with cream. I wasn't hungry and I was ultra busy getting everything ready for Geeps' big day and trying to keep it together.

Hot tea, egg whites (he doesn't like the yellows) and sausages

Smile...like this?

Taekwando blocking a kiss from Firecracker

So dropped him off this morning and it was seriously too fast, I started to tear up but then he sort of went rigid so I stayed happy smile smiles for him. Afterward I headed home and sort of forced down about a cup of chicken salad I made(recipe below) using banana peppers as crackers. It was really good even without an appetite. About 2 hours after we dropped him off, Firecracker and I were missing him. The house was too quiet, I was getting too much work done and she was bored. So we went out trying to kill some time. I had every intention of returning for lunch but ended up feeding Firecracker a pizza while out. I still didn't feel like eating and there wasn't anything I could eat paleo or allergy wise. After a quick stop to grab my copy of Practical Paleo we went to a gym so she could wear herself out and I could browse my book. I also grabbed a Lara bar so I didn't crash or pass out. 

So pretty I have been waiting for this book!!!

This is a mecca of Paleo info, I will be reviewing the book later as well as showing some meals made from the recipes. But more on that later. 

For dinner it was spirit day at Chik-fil-a for our school. We eat there and they donate money. So that is what my family got...yay me I didn't want to cook anyway. I had the grilled nuggets as usual, fries instead of fruit this time, and an unsweetened tea. At this point I was close to a crash from my lack of calories so I wolfed my food. Later about 8pm my day of not eating caught up with me and I ate 2 large spoonfuls of chicken salad. It is so good and it is going to be so gone...

I don't have a WOD or ROD for you today even though today could be for either. I am just not feeling it. I am way exhausted and my belly and heart aches still. But enough bellyaching about that. Here is a sweet recipe for my paleo chicken salad. 

Chicken Salad

4-5 chicken breast
1 stalk of celery, chopped
1 cup red grapes, cut in half
1/2 cup chopped nuts ( iused a mix of almonds, pecan & macadamias)
Mayonnaise
Penzeys Sandwich sprinkle (or salt & pepper)

Place chicken breasts in crock pot and cook on high for 4 hours. I have said before I am a meat weenie so I like that I can pour chicken breasts frozen into a crock pot add a smidge of water and seasonings and let it go. They will be perfectly cooked in 4 hours. Let it go for 6 and it will just fall apart and shred easy. After chicken is cooked place in large bowl and shred with two forks. Add celery, grapes and chopped nuts, then add mayo one heaping spoonful at a time until it how you like it. I am Goldilocks with my chicken salad, not to dry, not too wet...just right. Once you have it how you like it add some sandwich sprinkle or salt & pepper to taste and voila, chicken salad.

Now mayonnaise is a tricky thing. It is near impossible to find one without industrial fats in the ingredients...even the olive oil ones. The easiest thing to do is make your own. It isn't hard really and is pretty fast. You can get a recipe and instructions here. She uses a fancy oil but Olive works too, you can also find them using a food processor or emersion blender...Pinterst is your friend. There is also a baconnaise out there using bacon grease...oh yeah I am so going to go there one day.

I took sweet banana peppers from our garden and sliced them long ways and used them as boats for my salad since crackers and bread are out. It was so much better, light yet filling. Give it a try!

Roller Coaster and tasty Tuesday

So I have been on an emotional roller coaster the last 12 hours. My dad called last night to tell me that my Grandmother was not doing too well and may die through the night, then called me this morning to tell me she made a miraculous recovery and was sitting up talking and eating. Then he called me to tell me she had passed a few hours later. It is a sad day...{most of my posts are written throughout the day so sorry for the down turn of wit}

So today I started out with a monster smoothie. I blended a banana, avocado, greek yogurt, coconut water and Catie's vitamin C powder together. I have to say it wasn't too bad, a bit like drinking pudding through a straw. I have been wanting to try an avocado smoothie for a while but I swear every recipe I found had at least 2 Tbsp of some for of sugar it it, either honey or agave...sugar is sugar my friends. While I have no doubt it needs a little tlc in the sweet area sugar is out of the question, but thankfully I have Catie's vit C powder. It is made from berries and such and is naturally sweet without any additives. It also happens to be the only supplement besides fish oil I can take without allergy backlash. I actually ate 3 sausage bites with breakfast although I didn't need it. I was so sated with that smoothie that I had to make myself eat lunch. Here is my wonderfully odd silly putty with a bit of pink colored smoothie.

For lunch I grabbed another avocado, I am craving them really bad. I always try to figure out why I crave certain foods and I am guessing my shear mess of a weekend has me craving fats. This coincides with my 4 pieces of bacon breakfast I gobbled down yesterday. Body wants fat apparently. I ended up making an avocado topped with parm cheese, hot sauce and lime, then baked until bubbly {again thank you Pinterest}. I ate a healthy portion of leftover pork roast along side of it as well. I didn't get a picture because I made the mistake of telling the minions we were going to the pool for one last hoorah before Geep's first day of school and they were crazy jungle monkeys after that. I had to actually tell them to let me eat lunch or we weren't going to the pool. Maniacs, I mean I let them eat in peace...can I get 5 min, yes and that was about it... so scarf no photo was the order of the day. I should mention that neither my breakfast nor lunch was Whole30 since I had dairy. I consume 3 dairy items in my diet. Greek Yogurt, Cream, and Cheese, usually just parm cheese from Trader Joes {I do cook with ghee but all of the milk solids are strained out and it is whole30 legal}. These are all sugar free high protein items and since my list is short of edibles I don't pine over it. I eat them that is that.

That is a great segway for me to tangent...I love instagram, okay I am addicted. I follow a few paleo peeps on there because I love to see what people eat and get ideas. This morning I was browsing the pretty breakfast photos when a super sweet chick I follow posted a comment on her photo about how nasty some hard core paleo peeps were treating her for eating and posting a few non-paleo pics. Let's all sigh...didn't Rodney King teach us anything!!! I won't lie the paleo community has it's moments, it isn't unlike the vegan community to be honest. I get it to a point, I am super passionate about my lifestyle. I wish everyone ate this way because I feel so amazing I want everyone to feel this good and never be sick. BUT...I am not going to judge someone for indulging. I indulge...my indulgences are limited because of my allergies but have I had ice cream yes, a coke yes and there are other things I find myself noshing on that aren't "paleo" legal from time to time. Not sure where I am going with this, maybe it's just because we live this lifestyle doesn't mean we need to be all self-righteous about it. Do not judge someone because they aren't as paleo as you are. Be happy you can talk about your caveman habits and not feel like the white elephant in the room. Who cares if they go out for froyo...if you are against that don't do it, but don't care if they do. It is THEIR body...not yours. As far as I am concerned they can still call themselves paleo...it isn't like they are saying "I am vegan but I eat fish". She also made a point to say that maybe she should stop labeling herself all together (please don't that is how I found your pretty paleo pics!) but maybe she is right. Maybe we should forgo the labels and leave them to the perfect people of the world...let them be perfect I would rather be happy.

Okay enough drama, onto dinner!!!


Dinner wasn't really going to happen tonight, I tend to be an emotional eater when I am sad or stressed, the exception is when someone I love dies. I learned this when my other grandmother passed and any time I tried to eat I ralphed. I know not to tempt it plus my belly hurts so bad right now I almost feel like I had wheat. It is just sad belly. So for dinner I grabbed some tamales from the freezer, made the kids some quesadillas and called it eats. I had a night of preparing for Geep's first day of Kindergarten tomorrow and I just wanted to lay down and check out. No such luxury.

I really wanted to start sharing Geep's lunches so you can get ideas of what partial-paleo kids eat. I have been researching for close to 3 weeks to get enough ideas so he isn't bored with packing his lunch. Our school tries really hard to serve balanced meals but they are based on the SAD pyramid and eating that 5 days a week just doesn't settle with me. I will try to take a picture of his lunch for this week so stay tuned!

Monday, Monday...meet ROD & WOD

So are you crying? I am crying, I am sad that the Olympics are over. I have even kept some on my DVR for those moments of withdrawal. The last two weeks, while extremely busy, have been great. I have been engrossed in health and fitness all day every day. On an hourly basis I was inspired to get up and move, eat clean and bring out my inner athlete. I will honestly attribute the Olympics with my exercising the sugar demon in me. All kinds of good stuff coming out of them for me. Alas, all good things must end and so do the games. Now I am left with crap TV the loom of cold weather and you tube for inspiration.

With that being said, I do have a lot to look forward to as Summer ends and Fall begins. With the end of Summer there is Football (can we say FOOTBALL) which leads to tailgating, fun (paleo) game day food and rooting for my Pats. There is also a jump in races in our area not to mention optimal running weather. There are fall sports like soccer with my kids and let's not forget September starts my new crossfit class (eek) so while I shed a tear and bid Adieu to the Olympics there is much coming up to occupy me.

So two things I wanted to cover in this post is what I ate today (more on that in a sec) and introducing you to my friends ROD & WOD. In the crossfit community your W.O.D. is the workout of the day. It can be anything that is set out or lined up for the day. I am doing some at home WODs adding some kettle bell here and there where I see fit. The other day while chatting with fitchick I came up with ROD {run of the day}and we giggled, but I started thinking I should include my WOD and ROD on here so you can see not only what I am chomping on that day but how I also busted a move.

So this morning I had the opportunity to run early just before lunch time since my hubby was home today to watch the kids. It started raining just after my warm up but I was far enough from home to say eff it and run anyway rather than walk back. I decided to pump it to get 2 miles in quickly before it got too bad. This was great though because I beat my fastest pace time. Today's ROD summary...

1.9 mile run at average pace 10:12, total time 18:45, fastest mile 9:50, today's power song was Ditty by Paperboy...throwback in honor of my recent reunion!

It was a good run I didn't feel great but I didn't have a great breakfast and felt a little dry but all things considered I can't complain.

So today's food consuming didn't start great. For Breakfast I ended up eating 4 slices of bacon with my sugarless tea. Not much for sustenance or balance for that matter but it was a manic Monday and I was caught with my pants down. So 4 pieces of bacon, there you are.

Post run I grabbed about 4 oz Gatorade (not whole30) and about the same of coconut water. I threw together some kale, tomatoes and left over pork roast. It was tasty. We cooked a large pork roast in a cast iron dutch oven at 250 degrees for about 12-13 hours yesterday, it is some good stuff. We used Mural of Flavor from Penzey's to season it and that is all. Simple and super yummy.

For dinner I was exhausted. This weekend took a lot out of me and I didn't sleep much and I stayed up until midnight watching the news. Can you believe that our neighborhood was on a sort of lock down because there was an armed guy who has just robbed a Wendy's up the street running a muck and it didn't make the news...we had armed officers, guns drawn in my Brother-in-law's front yard (just down the street)and a helicopter circling for well over an hour. I guess since he didn't shoot anyone it wasn't news. Let's say I am glad I have an 80lb German Shepherd Dog who is more than willing to eat some manflesh to protect her peeps.

So no sleep, feeling lazy and cool cloudy weather = Jimmy Johns. I have mentioned I am allergic to lettuce before but for some reason when I eat an Unwich at JJs it doesn't trigger a reaction. Any theories please pass along! Anyway the hubby and kiddos got subs and I got an unwich...The porker to be exact and added onions peppers and cucumbers (no cheese). I was being cheap and didn't want to pay .75 for avocado since my fridge is bursting with them at the moment so I just used a leftover half. It was super tasty, refreshing and filling. I am sure their ham has sugar in it but I could do worse. I was so hungry when it got here I sat down and chowed...another oh crap my camera moment...so here is whatcha get.

Remnants of dinner (no teasing about the Scooby Doo glass)

I also had a WOD for tonight, 100 push-ups for time...I will pause as you choke on laughter...go ahead I will wait. Did I mention I love football!!! Anyway, between being exhausted from going to sleep late and not sleeping well {can you say one eye open}, and football, I totally dissed my WOD today. I was going to try to do them while watching but I wasn't feeling it. Sorry WOD :(

Make sure you check back tomorrow for an monster of a smoothie. I guess i should bring up I am on day 13 of the Whole30 August challenge. I did have a coke but I am not counting that as a must start over, desperate times...it was that or pass out in front of my old class mates. Gatorade is not whole 30 it keeps me from having awful leg cramps post run. I do drink coconut water but sometimes I just need Gatorade.

Chow for now peeps.

The Morning After...

Last night we celebrated with old high school friends at our almost 20 year reunion. It was a good time with forgotten friends. There was great conversation, remembering and food that smelled amazing. Typically with my dieting challenges I prepare for events like this {where there is nothing I can eat}but yesterday got away from me and I ended up not getting a pre-dinner in me so while I was at our reunion I constantly had the yummy wafting of food tickling my nose and I was starving. I finally switched from water to a coke to sort of keep me from tanking out mid reunion which of course led to an insulin sugar spike. Long story short...I wanted to start this morning off with a big protein packed meal.

Here we go...

chicken burger with avocado, egg and bacon

When you live a paleo lifestyle your body changes. Sugar is a mad beast and when you don't consume it your entire system changes. Adding it back in for just a moment cause your system to sort of freak. Add having a few tequilla drinks on a Friday night then some cola last night and I feel like poo. But no matter this breakfast will get be right back on track. 

I did make sure to add a small amount of sugar in my breakfast just so I don't have a crash later...kind of trying to slowly let myself down. This sugar came from figs, fresh figs that came off of our tree that is 5 years old and just becoming "fruitful"

This was just a small harvest of some early bloomers. I have probably close to 100 green figs on the verge of being ripe and I can't wait. You may see a lot of these in future posts because they don't keep long fresh. I am going to possibly try to dry some or make fruit leathers for my kids. No jam though...too much sugar ;)

I have recently become fascinated by what I can put a fried egg on/in. An egg is the fastest way for me to up the protein ante so I rely on it often. I have chopped up hard boiled eggs into soups or casseroles and started adding fried eggs into different things. I started thinking how the egg gets a bad rap because seriously eating eggs everyday for breakfast makes you sort of start to hate them. I have started veering away from your typical breakfast foods and have tried to start just using leftovers and such...plus an egg. The more protein I eat for breakfast the better my day goes and that little powerful egg helps. So because eggs are my friends I am going to do a post of the many ways of the egg. I have start taking pictures of different ways with eggs and I will put them all together in a post, so stay tuned!!

Saturday Smoothie

We typically go to the grocery on Sundays, so Saturday is kind of like garbage day at our house. We just eat a mash up of food to use up anything leftover. Today I got the idea that I would use my ill looking fruit for smoothies on Saturday mornings. I have said before how much of a junkie I am for a smoothie but have tried to cut back fruit and eliminate protein powders for more whole foods.

So here is my first Saturday smoothie...

Super Strawnana

1 banana
1 cup fresh strawberries
1/2 cup greek yogurt
1 scoop vitamin c powder (I use this )
1 cup almond milk

Blend (add ice if you want) and enjoy! YUM

Head on over...

Head on over to my friend Fit Chick's blog to enter a giveaway for a fabulous shirt from Ruffle with Love. These are great motivational and cute shirts to wear for fitness and beyond!!

I got Misses killing her weight loss like a Tiger fighting an ant one to celebrate her success...look how amazing she looks.

Here are some other shirts I love (there are loads on her page)

Here are some of my faves!!

Get on over there and get entered to win!! Click HERE to be directed to the contest. 

Crossfit a new journey...

Most of you may have heard of crossfit before. It is trending like a Kardashian tweet these days. It is sure to be one of the next big things as Crossfit Boxes pop up everywhere. Reebok even has an entire crossfit line of gear and their annual games are getting bigger. Crossfit is a unique type of fitness focusing on strength training.

It is raw, it is hard core. I get why it is called a cult because it seems that once people get into it they are hooked and completely devoted. However, with this type of fitness program, you almost have to be devoted to see any real results. This isn't an I will go once a week maybe give 50% effort type of workout. If you are fighting Fran and don't want her to kick your a** you are going to have to show up and work. I mean have you seen a burpeee muscle up? You aren't mastering that skill working out once a week with little devotion.

I first heard about crossfit on the Paleo Solution podcast and of course I googled it. After reading and seeing pictures and videos on you tube I was completely fascinated and ready to try, it was right up my alley. Hardcore, challenging workouts that almost appear to be designed to bust your balls. Plus who doesn't want to say they killed their W.O.D, yes I am a 12 yr old. I am always looking for a way to kill myself with fitness.  One of the reasons I like running is because it is hard, sure you can phone it in a do a light jog and make it easy but you can also bust your but running hard and long. I loved track because for a short amount of time I could kill myself and feel great when I was done. You have seen the shirts "I love to run...after I am finished" I am so that girl. That "I hated that run I am dying...can't wait to do it over tomorrow" girl. Crossfit seems to be a good fit for an exercise masochist like myself.

Joining a crossfit gym can be pretty pricey so I have been unable to so far. I think it is worth the money because you essentially can get unlimited personal training workouts (aka W.O.D {workout of the day}) for about $100-$125 a month.You also get camaraderie and support, something that can be lost with gym rats and large crowds. I mean who better to have your back than the other cult members, right? ;) This was so evident during the 2012 Crossfit games when the last guy or girl who was struggling through the insane...yes INSANE...workouts was cheered on by the other competitors. I meal the people were rallying around these athletes cheering them on to finish the last set. Amazing.

As a woman I love that Crossfit has brought sexy back to weight training. I have always loved weight training, not the 3 lb weights class you take at the gym, but the hanging out in the smelly, spitting, yelling testosterone valley. I loved how strong it made me feel and watching myself lift more and more weight. Coincidentally it was also the time in my adult life I was the thinnest and lightest. I had great muscles you could see but I was not bulked up at all, I was actually smaller and tighter than I had been. I have been trying to add more weight training from home using Jillian Michaels DVDs and my xbox fitness game but I I don't have anything heavier than my 10lb weights and kettlebell. However even with these weights and the little I do, I have noticed I have more power in my running since adding weights than when I was just running.

So I am finally getting the opportunity to try Crossfit for real. Living social ran a deal for a beginner class at a local Crossfit Box and I snatched it up faster than Annie Thorisdottier grabbing the bar in the crossfit games. It is for a 6 week class that starts in September. Being the weenie that I am I don't want to go in there totally out of shape and without some research. Luckily Pinterest loves me and I came across an at home beginner crossfit workout that is 2 weeks long and perfect to get me acquainted with the workouts I will most likely be doing. You can find this workout here. I completed my first day today which was 3 exercises done in 3 sets as fast as you can (aka for time). This is a beginning workout and I will tell you I am absolutely a beginner. I have to say it was the hardest 14 minute workout I have done in a long time. I was breathing as hard as I would be after a run and I had to fight for that last set. Also I freaking loved it.

I know this at home workout is going to pale in comparison to what I am going to be doing here in the near future but for me it was challenging. I am really looking forward to getting in there and getting in shape. I also spent the better part of my afternoon cleaning taking breaks and doing handstands against the wall. My kids thought I was so cool and I will admit, it was plenty fun! I have no doubt I will love and hate crossfit and have a blast doing it. I will keep you posted on my experience (review anyone) and the aches and I am hoping pains of such an intense workout!