Wow, your skin is glowing!!

Since beginning Paleo over 10 months ago, I continue to hear, "Wow, your skin is just glowing!"  I always reply that it is a combination of a little coconut oil and a whole lot of Jesus!  Both have been great for me and filled me with what I need.  Note that Paleo has allowed my body to get the "FATS" that it needs on the inside and that reflects in my skin and hair.  I also like to add it from the outside too.  So, I was thinking that maybe I should put all my beauty and health tips in one place.  So here it is.  I will continue to add to this post too!

Facial Scrub:

• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil (I prefer 1/2 teaspoon)
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon baking soda (I prefer 1/8)

Place in palm of hand and mix the two ingredients with your fingers.  The natural heat from your skin will help melt the coconut oil.  Use as a mild facial scrub.  Rinse with warm water.  It will feel a little greasy at first, but your skin will absorb the extra coconut oil shortly.  I use this every three days to once a week. 


Skin Brushing:

Items needed:

• Dry skin brush with long handle.  They can be found and purchased at most health food stores.  You want to ensure you use a brush made of natural vegetable fibers.  Synthetic fibers can irritate the skin. 

Skin Brushing has really improved my circulation and rid my legs of dried skin.  The following are also some added benefits of skin brushing. 

• helps to shed dead skin cells
• increases circulation to skin, encouraging your body’s discharge of metabolic wastes, which greatly aids the lymphatic drainage of the entire body
• helps to tighten the skin and lessen the appearance of cellulite
• helps your skin to absorb nutrients by eliminating clogged pores
• helps with muscle tone and more even distribution of fat deposits

Here is how to skin brush:
Right before entering the shower, while skin is still DRY, grab your brush and begin with your feet (don't forget the soles of both feet).  Use gentle one-stroke movements covering the feet, then move up to the knee, then thigh (all the way around each leg).  Always move from the extremities (hands and feet) to the heart.  So, brush from feet to abdomen, then from hands up your arms and towards your heart.  Brush across your upper back and down the front and back of your torso.  Cover the entire surface of you skin only once.  Your skin should not be red, if so you are pressing too hard.  If done right, you should experience a lite tingling of the skin when you get into a warm shower or bath. 


Two kinds of Body Scrub:

1. Coconut Lavender Magnesium Scrub

• 1 to 2 Tbsp. Coconut oil
• 1 to 2 Tbsp. Epsom Salt (I used the lavender kind)
• Essential oil (If your salts are not already scented.)

Add salts.

 

Add coconut oil.

 

Mix the above ingredients in small cup or bowl.  I mix a little at a time with my hands.  Your natural body heat will melt coconut oil.  I use small about and start scrubbing in a circular motion from feet, up legs, and toward the heart.  Next, from your hands, up arms, then torso.  If you have an awesome spouse, this is the perfect time to get your back done too!  ;)  The Epsom Salt makes a little more course scrub.  I always use this scrub in combination with the Lavender Epsom Salt Bath.  It takes 20 minutes for your body to soak up the magnesium from this bath/scrub.  Since magnesium helps to relax sore muscles and prevents muscle cramps, I use this scrub on days when Crossfit has left every muscle in my body sore!!  ;)

2. Coconut Baking Soda Scrub

• 1 to 2 Tbsp. Coconut Oil
• 1 to 2 Tbsp. Baking Soda

Just like the facial scrub, but this time you can add essential oils.  Place in palm of hand and mix the two ingredients with your fingers. The natural heat from your skin will help melt the coconut oil. Use as a mild body scrub. Rinse with warm water. It will feel a little greasy at first, but your skin will absorb the extra coconut oil shortly.  You skin will feel baby soft!  Not that some people may like more baking soda for more exfoliation.


Lavender Epsom Salt Bath (great Magnesium source):

I keep this jar on the side of my tub.  I add about two cups to a tub of warm/hot bath water.  Soak for at least 20 minutes to absorb all the benefits of the magnesium.  ENJOY AND RELAX!

 

 

Magnesium Info:
Researchers and physicians suggest these health benefits from proper magnesium and sulfate levels, as listed on the web site of the Epsom Salt Industry Council:

• Improved heart and circulatory health, reducing irregular heartbeats, preventing hardening of the arteries, reducing blood clots and lowering blood pressure.
• Improved ability for the body to use insulin, reducing the incidence or severity of diabetes.
• Flushed toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.
• Improved nerve function by electrolyte regulation. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood.
• Relieved stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body. Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.
• Reduced inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps.
• Improved oxygen use.
• Improved absorption of nutrients.
• Prevention or easing of migraine headaches.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/health-benefits-of-epsom-salt-baths.html#ixzz2JCQ8v2px


Moisturizer:
Don't forget to add a little extra coconut oil as a moisturizer.  I use a lot at night and a little in the morning under my make-up.  My face LOVES it!

 

 

 

 

Paleofied Chocolate Lava Cake

Well, I guess since Tanya has shared her love for the Chocolate Lava Cake, we should share our recipe. I always top mine with a little fresh fruit (Ok, a lot of fruit)! 
There are just some times in a women's life when WE NEED SOME CHOCOLATE!  Well this little cake has NO FLOURS!

 

 

Here are the ingredients:

 



1 ripe banana

1 egg

2 Tbsp. Almond Butter

1 Tbsp. Pure Cocoa Powder (Not sweetened)

1 Tbsp. Honey (optional or other sweetener of choice)

A few dashes cinnamon

A few chopped nuts of your choice (I used Pecans)

 

Directions:

 

Mash banana with the back of fork.

 



Add all ingredients in bowl.

 

Mix until blended well.  (Or, if your arms are too sore from Crossfit, just put it in the Ninja!)

 



 



At this point, you have two choices.  You can microwave the entire batter in the bowl you mix it in, which will make one large cake.  Or you can divide into two small dishes and have two small cakes.  I like to cook one and cover the other one in plastic wrap and save in the fridge to cook later.

 

 



 



Cook time

For one cake: 2 mins. to 2 mins. 15 secs.

For two cakes: 45 secs.-1 min.

Note:  I love my center to be a little gooey.  It is almost like a chocolate sauce in the middle.  If you do not like gooey, try the max cooking times.  I will tell you that cooking too long will make it dry.

 

 

 

And just in case you need more "CHOCOLATE", you can always add a teaspoon of these!  I love the Enjoy Life Mimi Chips!  They are carob chips free of dairy,nuts, and soy!  Not "Paleo Perfect", but will give you that fix you need!

 

ENJOY!!

 



 

Tanya: So My Thirty Days Are Up, Now What?

I have officially finished my first 30 days of Paleo.

I wanted to share my thoughts. First, I know everyone is interested in knowing if I lost any weight cutting out all sugar, grains and processed foods; but I am going to wait until the end of this post to reveal that.

What I have noticed most, is that I feel good. So much better than I did 30 days ago. I don't know if it is solely due to going Paleo, because I also moved to a part time job eliminating a huge stressor in my life, I also really worked on taking my thyroid medicine consistently because my TSH was so out of whack for the last 6 months I felt awful. Those levels are now back in the normal range. However, I am certain of one thing, the lack of processed foods and sugar (especially) and the addition of quality meat, fat, and organic fruits and vegetables, has been a totally positive thing. It makes me feel like I am in control of what I choose to put into my body. It has help me shift my thinking. I can choose to drink a "fake" diet soda, or I can choose to drink clean and healthy water; or I can choose to have that glass of red wine that isn't so nutritionally dense, but does (in my mind) add value to my life.

I notice that my skin seems a little clearer, I notice that I am more "regular" (wink wink), I notice that I don't feel as anxious, I notice that I am happier, I notice that I have more energy. I notice that most days I don't feel like I have to have a nap to function (although I love napping and I could nap most days just for fun!)

So, has it been hard? Well yes and no. The hardest thing was trying to completely give up red wine. I love red wine and the thought of life completely without it is dismal to me. Now, that said, I do notice my shoulder joints ache a little when I sleep after I have it. But to me that is a fair trade off for the enjoyment I get out of having a glass with my hubby while cooking dinner or socializing together. What was not hard was dairy, grains, bread, or sugar. I've had my share of honey and fruit to combat the few sweet cravings for chocolate. I have eaten more than a few chocolate lava cakes (done Paleo). It does become more difficult when traveling, eating away from home etc. I am on a plane to Vegas right now, and already lunch was a compromise, salad with deli meats, cheese and a balsamic vinegar made with canola oil, but I picked around the cheese, said oh well, it is better than a sandwich and ate it. I'll be fine. The rest of the trip I will continue to make the best choices that I can within the Paleo parameters and move on. Will I purposefully cheat? I haven't decided yet. That is for another post.

Well, have I lost weight? The answer unfortunately is no. However, my coach and co-blogger Sherri assures me that if I stay the course, it will come. I do tend to believe her, because in 6 months she did. She never was focused on weight loss, only on overall health. This has always been her strong point ( after knowing her for 10 years! ) So, I am trying to shift my focus from solely on the purpose of weight loss, but more toward overall health and wellness. I am not only focusing on this concept here with my eating, but I also have signed up to join a class called Uplevel Your Life, which will support the mindset of shifting my focus to overall wellness and growth in all areas of my life.

I know I am just starting on the road to health and wellness, and I have a long way to go. I hope you will stick around and see how the journey plays out!

Hugs and High Fives From Me!

Making My Own Bone Broth

So why make bone broth?  Bone broth will boost the immune system, improve digestion, help allergies, improves brain health, and so much more. It is an awesome source of calcium and magnesium. Bone broth will also support your joints, hair, skin and nails.
I totally did not need to reinvent the wheel and come up with a new recipe because there are so many great ones out there.  I researched a few and decided to combine my favorites.  I used one with a few veggies this time, but next batch will be without them.

 

60 ozs. Filtered water

2-3 lbs. Marrow bones (Order 2 lbs. marrow bones from US Wellness and used bones from our short ribs)

2 Tbsp. Bragg's unfiltered Apple Cider
vinegar>2-3 Stalks celery

1 large onion

One small bunch of organic carrots

Parsley (Didn't have fresh, so I use dried organic)

1-2 cloves of garlic

1 Tbsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper corns

 

 

Here is the easy directions!  Toss in crockpot and set on high until you bring it to a boil.  Turn to low and cook up to 24 hours.  Since I've added veggies, I'm going to check mine in the morning to ensure they are not bitter.  Check back soon for the results!!

 

Going to be straining and freezing this for use in soups and other recipes calling for broth!

 

Eating Out Paleo Style....

Dining out Paleo in the south can be very difficult!  Almost everything is deep fried, swimming in a roux, or smoothed/covered in sauce and cheese.  So how do we do it you ask?  Well, first let me say that it may NOT be perfect Paleo, but there are things that will work for you.  Tanya and I are going to post our favorites places and items.  For those of you that may not be local, I'm sure you can find tips to use where you are as well.  Remember to check this blog post often because it is a work in progress and it will continue to grow as we dine out and remember to take pictures of our food!  ;)

Sushi-I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE sushi!  So how do you eat sushi without rice?  It is possible!  I will say that we all know that the crab meat is not REAL!  But again, we are making the best choices we can.  Some places are better than others.

Cate Street:
Note that Cate Street Sushi & Seafood Station is across the street from a Crossfit Box.  So a WONDERFUL person there went across the street and helped them design a Paleo Roll.  It is filled with crawfish, crab stick, and avocado; wrapped in nori paper (seaweed); and topped with salmon!  I also add asparagus b/c it is my favorite!  YUM!



Bonzai Sushi:
My favorite is a King Roll with a few adjustments!  The roll comes with no rice, but I change out the soy paper for nori (seaweed) and order without sauce.  The roll has salmon, tuna, crab, and avocado.  Bonzai is close to my work and easy to when I don't have lunch.  They really will work with you to adapt to any of your needs.

Most sushi places will allow you to make your own roll!  Look for meats, seafood, and veggies that you know work for your body.  I have to watch the sauces due to soy!  I LOVE eel sauce, soy sauce, and Ponzu sauce too, but they do not love me back.  I will sometimes take my bottle of Coconut Aminos with me to the restaurant.  I add a little to the dish that you would normally pour your soy sauce.  I always ask for the waiter for a few lemon and lime wedges to squeeze in your Coconut Aminos.  Stir.  There you have it, a soy free Ponzu sauce! (Paleo peep Tanya chiming in here...I plan to try sushi in Vegas this weekend or for Valentine's Day dinner. Don't know if I can bring my Amino's on the plane to Vegas, but I will definitely be bringing them to dinner for Valentine's day!)
There are times when I don't have my our sauce and will add a little to the end of my chopstick before picking up the roll.  I will tell you that I pay for it later.  I like soy, but it does not like me!


Steakhouse-What else does a Paleo person think of but steak, right?  Sirloin, ribeye, filet mignon, or my personal favorite~~N.Y. Strip!!  It is very unlikely that you are going to find grass fed beef in a restaurant.  However, you must work with what you got and with where you are!

Santa Fe:
I love the sirloin there, but order the cut you like the most.  I order it medium rare (It will come out med. in my opinion).  I also order a plain sweet potato (I add salt and pepper only) and broccoli with no butter.  I always ask for lemon and lime wedges to squeeze over my broccoli.  It will add a "pop" to your veggies!  Give it a try.



Texas Roadhouse:
I love the sirloin here too!  I order my steak medium here (it is a true medium here).  I also order the sweet potato plain here.  I order a great side salad here with no cheese, no croutons, add extra bacon!

Mexican:
Ninfa's:
Gotta love the meat at Ninfa's in Baton Rouge, LA! My family LOVES fajitas! So I had to figure out how to "Paleofy" them as much as possible for myself. As a family, we order the Fajitas for Two. I ask them to please not add extra butter over steak before serving. I also ask for them to ensure everything is in its own separate containers (ex: sour cream not touching my guacamole, etc.)  I eat the steak, grilled onions, grilled veggies, pico de gallo and avocado/guacamole. I will either toss it all onto a salad or ask for some lettuce leaves to use as my "shell". I will top my meal with a ton of cilantro and some salsa. YUM!

LaCaretta's:

So I'm not really a fan of the meat here at LaCaretta's, but they make an awesome Avocado Chicken Salad!  This salad has a bed of romaine lettuce and baby spinach.  It is topped with grilled chicken breast, fresh sliced avocados, cherry tomatoes, and roasted sesame seeds.  The dressing is an Cilantro Vinaigrette! 

If I'm not in the mood for salad or just want an appetizer, I order their Ceviche Al Oregano.  They have small chunks of pineapple that just makes it yummy! (This is paleo peep Tanya chiming in here...they have a rockin' ceviche! I love it so much I often order this for my meal!)

Chicken

Zea's Rotisserie

1/2 Rotisserie Chicken with some awesome broccoli hits the spot every time here!  A little squeeze of lemon adds a pop to the broccoli!  I always put sauce on the side just in case I would like a little (not Paleo).

Fat Cow

This is a fabulous place, and they have amazing burgers and salads. Any burger can be done without the bun. Saturday I had the Salmon Napa burger without the bun. (Sorry I forgot to take a photo of it!) But it was yummy, however, I was still a little hungry when I left. They also have fabulous salads that you can add grilled chicken or salmon to. The restaurant is casual, urban funky with upscale burgers. A must try near LSU.

Superior Seafood

Love starting off with some Gulf Coast Oysters!  I think I could have just eaten two orders of these by myself!

 

 

Although the following taste really AWESOME, stay away from the Frozen Pomeranate Mojitos!  LOL, trust me, the rum is NOT PALEO and I'm paying for it today!  Swollen and stiff joints, which I have not had since starting Paleo! 

 

 

Filet Mignon Salad was pretty awesome.  The steak was very tender and melted in your mouth.  The bed of mixed green was fresh and the texture was great mixed with the meat!  Watch your dressings!  Oh, no cheese!  Wonderful! 

Also, the Ahi Tuna Salad looked great!  I did notice that it has a Ponzu sauce, which contains soy!  Watch out for that and croutons and cheese!

Albasha

Of course, I love the Gyro Salad with their yummy dressing.  Oh, the dressing is Olive Oil, garlic, and seasonings whipped until creamy.  There is NO DAIRY in the dressing.  However, you must order without Feta cheese and no scoop of Grecian sauce on top.
 

Please comment and add your favorites!!!

I Survived.....My first crossfit workout!!

Today was our first Crossfit experience.  We decided as a family that we wanted to begin Crossfit together.  Most people who eat Paleo, Crossfit!  And most people who Crossfit, Paleo!  Considering this, I felt that this was my next step, since I already have converted my lifestyle to Paleo.  I'm praying that this will take me to that "next level" of health and fitness.  I'm also hoping that working out so hard will convince my family to Paleo more and more.

I know that Crossfit will be difficult, but so is changing your eating habits/lifestyle.  Oh wait, I'VE ALREADY DONE THAT!  My "baby/beginner" WOD took me 14.59 minutes to complete, but I completed it!  We all did!  So glad our trainer called and told us not to eat before the morning workout.  Felt alright after workout and then the taste of my morning meds (Armour Thyroid--which I dissolve under my tongue) came back to haunt me!  The taste was VERY strong and filled my mouth and nasal cavity!  If you are unaware of what Armour Thyroid is, it is pig hormone.  I can assure you that it does not taste like BACON!  That taste made me sick feeling for about 1 hour after workout.  This has now passed and I'm POSITIVE soreness will set in by morning.  Thinking we may sit on the floor level at church tomorrow!  LOL!  Not sure I can handle the stairs in my cute heels!  Walking in my four inch heels is a workout all on its own!   LOL!  Some positive things I've noted so far:  My lymphatic system is PUMPING!  I have felt better circulation in my ankles and feet all day.  Trust me, when your lymp system is totally wack, you can really feel the difference when it is moving.  I have desired (after the yacky feeling was gone) to drink more water today.  This coming from a person who can go without drinking anything.  Urine elimination has increased GREATLY!  This was even before the increase of water today.  My body will hold some major fluid normally, but not today!  Pretty impressive for the first day really! 

Looking forward to our next WOD and taking small steps each time to improve.  Excited to one day soon, look back at our first "baby" WOD and laugh at how easy it really was!  Many thanks to our trainer, George, who pushed, guided, and encouraged us!

You have "Leaky Gut", so now what?!?

So I was diagnosed with "leaky gut" and other autoimmune issues (thyroid).  I'm sure some of you are wondering what is "leaky gut"?  There is a ton of information in medical terms out there that you can read up on.   I'm not going to give you any medical jargon, but I'm going to explain to you, in everyday language, what was happening to me.  As most of you know, I have been off of dairy for years now.  As long as I can remember, I have always had problems dairy.  The last time I had a bite of cream cheese, my eye lids began to swell, my nasal cavity closed up, and my friend began frantically searching the house for Benedryl!  LOL--You know who you are and I'm sure she will comment if she reads this!  It is funny now, but it was not funny that day!  I have also been "gluten" free off and on for years.  I have never really noticed any difference/improvements being gluten free.  I'm sure it was due to the fact that I still had "gluten free" products during this time.  The gluten free market now offers TONS of item, but what I didn't know was they are filled with SOY!  I also went VEGAN for 3 1/2 months, which I believe pushed my body into a failing state (hair was falling out by the hand fulls, my skin was horrible, I was filled with fluid, sickness, fatigue, thyroid issues, digestion problems, etc.)  Vegan was poisining my body!  The extra soy I was eating was killing me slowly.

After some time, I noticed that foods that I was not "allergic" to was causing problems.  The problems continued and the food list of allergies were growing by the day.  Finally, I was sent to have food allergy testing.  The results were back and I was really scared to look at it.  I just knew it would be LONG.  Well, to my surprise, there was nothing major listed!!!!!!!  This just can't be!  I knew food was making me sick and it was not just in my head.  Well, I was right, but it was not allergies.
So, what was happening you ask?  Leaky Gut!!  When I eat grains, wheat, corn, soy, and other processed foods, it causes small holes/openings/tears in my stomach and intestinal walls.  When I eat, small food particles get trapped in those openings/holes and absorb into my blood stream.  Once in the blood stream, the body has an autoimmune response and attacks it, since it does not belong there.  This can cause hives, swelling, rashes, and many other reactions.

I have heard people tell me, "You just need to eat a balanced diet in moderation."  Well, I've done that for years and this is where it has gotten me!  Leaky Gut will not heal itself while eating grains.  It will also not happen overnight.  It takes time for your body to repair itself and it requires that you fill it with "nutrient dense/healing" foods.  There are a lot of people suffering from autoimmune issues (thyroid, Lupus, Leaky Gut, etc.) that have not made the connection yet.  I encourage you to give this a try!

I have lost weight, improved thyroid function, reduced inflammation (from feet, legs, neck, etc.), improved hair and skin, improved digestion, eliminated arthritis in my fingers, increased metal clarity, and improved my mood!  ALL BY EATING FOOD THAT I LOVE!

Paleo Orange Ginger Shrimp Stir Fry with Kelp Noodles

I wanted to post a yummy recipe that I made up last night! Even the hubby gave it a thumbs up!

Paleo Orange Ginger Shrimp Stir Fry with Kelp Noodles

5 cups of stir fry veggies of choice
2 tablespoons ghee or coconut oil
1 1/4 cup of Orange Juice
2 tablespoons grated ginger
3 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon of fish sauce
1 teaspoon of sesame oil
3 tablespoons of coconut aminos
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 lb shrimp
pinch of kosher salt
sprinkle of black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons of garlic powder
2 bags of kelp noodles

I used up lots of veggies in the fridge! 

I used various stir fry vegetables including, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, sliced mushrooms, matchstick carrots, green and red bell peppers sliced, snow-peas and sliced onions. In total I had about 5 cups of veggies. This can be any combination of these, omit the ones you don't like, dial up the ones you do. It isn't an exact science!

I had juiced 2 oranges and a carrot the night before so I used 3/4 cup in a small bowl whisked with 2 tablespoons of fresh grated ginger and 3 cloves of garlic. I added a teaspoon of sesame oil, a 1/2 teaspoon of fish sauce, and 3 tablespoons of coconut aminos. I used a 1/4 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper (be careful with this ingredient, it dials the heat up really fast!) Set aside.

I thawed and drained 1 pound of large peeled shrimp. I marinated them in 1/2 cup of OJ and seasoned them with a pinch of kosher salt, a good hit of black pepper and generous dusting of garlic powder. Set aside.

The odd orange color is from the carrot juiced with the oranges!

In a wok pot, I used 2 tablespoons of ghee (clarified butter), but you could use coconut oil as a substitution. Heated the pot and added all of my vegetables and let them cook for about 10 minutes, stirring to frequently. I removed the vegetables back to the large bowl and heated the wok up to sear the (drained) shrimp quickly. This takes only 1-2 minutes. I then added the marinade and a squeeze of honey,  2 bags of kelp noodles and tossed around. (Lesson Learned here, cut your kelp noodles first! They are more manageable that way...) I then returned the veggies and tossed everything around together more until evenly distributed.  I then turned off the heat to let it sit for a few minutes until the kelp noodles were thoroughly heated through.

Available At Whole Foods

Sour Cream & Chive Cauli-tatoes

Do you miss a scoop of mashed potatoes (cream potatoes in my house)on your plate?  Well, this recipe makes a great substitute and adds some veggies to your diet too!  So instead of making cream "potatoes", I decided to make creamed cauliflower.  I know, I know, it does not "sound" as good, but you have got to give this a try.  This was a total success here!  I could not stop eating it!  Trust me!

Ingredients:

• Two heads of cauliflower
• 2-4 Tbsp. butter (Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter/Grassfed is what I used)
• 1/2 cup Coconut Milk Sour Cream or 1/2 a recipe (see recipe below)
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. chives
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Wash and steam cauliflower until extremely tender.  While cauliflower is still warm (this is key to making it smooth), blend (I used my Ninja) all ingredients until smooth and seasoning, butter and coconut milk sour cream are all distributed throughout.  Begin with the smaller amount of butter and add more as needed.  Same with the salt and pepper.  Some may like more garlic or even more chives.  Make it your own.

Coconut Milk Sour Cream:

• 1 can of Thai Kitchen brand coconut milk (TRUST ME, USE THIS BRAND)
• 1 to 1 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice
• Pinch or two of sea salt (1/8 tsp.)

There is a great visual tutorial on how to this sour cream here!
http://blog.stuffimakemyhusband.com/2012/10/fish-taco-bowl.html

I found an easy recipe for dairy-free sour cream . First, take a can of Thai Kitchen coconut milk (full fat) and let it sit in the fridge for overnight or longer . I buy the Thai brand just for this recipe and thus I store them in the fridge so they are ready when I need them.  This DOES NOT work with all brands, but it definitely works with Thai Kitchen.  You can use one of the mini 5.5 oz cans for this recipe, but then you won't have leftovers for your next meal (like fajitas, etc.).  Take can out of fridge, flip it upside down and use a can opener to remove the bottom of the can. This will reveal a watery liquid that has separated from the solid coconut cream.  Pour off the liquidy layer and discard.
Spoon out the solid coconut cream into a bowl, add 1 tsp lemon juice and a large pinch (about 1/8 tsp salt) to the coconut cream and stir thoroughly.  You may do a little taste here and there to see if you would like more lemon juice or salt.  Enjoy!!

Paleo Jambo Soup

Have you gone Paleo and totally miss your big bowl of gumbo and the awesome cajun spice of a plate of jambalaya?  Well, here is the solution!  JAMBO!!!  This soup will give you the warm texture of a bowl of hot gumbo and the spice of a real cajun jambalaya. 

Sherri's Paleo Jambo

This was a post inspired by a pin on Pinterest.  I don't know about you, but when I cook things like gumbo or soup, I want enough to freeze after.  So I took the recipe from
AndreAnna at Life As a Plate as inspiration, changed a lot, tossed in a little cajun flare, and added tons of meat so that you will not even notice that the rice is missing!!

Ingredients

• 1 to 2 tbsp. Olive Oil
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups of the trinity (Tanya added diced celery)
• 4 bell peppers (red, green, yellow, orange) – any color, chopped
• 1 large can of rotel tomatoes w/liquid (Tanya used organic diced tomatoes)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can of tomato sauce or puree
• 5 to 7 cups bone broth or chicken broth (depending on thickness you want)
• 2-4 bay leafs
• 4 cups of cooked chicken (I used the meat from two rotisserie chickens)(Tanya used one pound of sauted chicken thighs, diced)
• 1 to 2 lb. of smoked sausage (Tanya only used one package of Andouille and omitted)
• 1 pkg spicy Andouille
• 2 lb large shrimp, raw and de-veined.(Tanya used one pound large shrimp)
• l bag of frozen okra (COOKED-see below how to cook before putting in soup)(Tanya added her okra straight from the bag 'cause she doesn't mind slimey!)
• 4 tbsp Cajun Seasoning* (see below for Emeril's mix)
• Hot sauce or peppers to taste (Tanya used Tobasco smoked chipotle sauce, and  one whole fresh tobasco pepper removed before serving). 

Cooking Your Okra (No slime in your soup/Sherri can't do slime!)

• Place frozen okra in micro safe bowl and cover with lid.
• Cook on high for 20 minutes
• Let cool a little and mash all okra with fork
• Add to soup

How to Make Your Own Cajun Seasoning (from Emeril):

• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• (Yields about 2/3 c.)

Directions:

1. Saute' your onions/trinity in olive oil until softened (About 3 to 4 mins).
2. Add you bell peppers and continue to saute
3. Add you can of rotel with juice, saute' about a min or so
4. Add garlic, tomato sauce/puree and let combine.
5. Add 5 cups bone broth or chicken broth
6. Add bay leaves, hot sauce, and cajun seasoning
7. I tossed all of my sausage and chicken into the roasting pan (all this meat will not fit in the pot)
8. I then poured the mix above (from pot)over the meat into roasting pan
9. Added my cooked okra
10. Stir and let cook a few hours to get rid of the uncooked tomato taste.
11. When done, add shrimp and cook for another 5 minutes or until shrimp are pink.  DON'T OVER COOK SHRIMP!
12. Check you season to see if it is to your liking!  Enjoy!

    

    Tanya's Paleo Jambo: Hubby Even Went Back for Seconds! Score!

 Take note, a gumbo itself can be made in many ways. This in not a real gumbo, because it was not made with a traditional roux. It is not jambalaya because it does not contain rice. However, the blending of flavors here are very much like those found in both of these recipes. And much like a gumbo has many different variations, so can this recipe. So use our recipe as your guide and make it your own with Paleo friendly ingredients! Further, it is hearty enough to eat on it's own, but can be served over cauliflower rice or regular rice for your non-Paleo peeps. Enjoy!

A NOTE FROM SHERRI:

Our soups look totally different!  My soup (top photo) has a thicker base.  Most likely because I mashed my okra and made it a little less noticeable (my men will pick it out if they can see it).  Both versions are great!  Make it your own and enjoy!

Tanya: Post Celebration Day

I think it is worthy of noting how I felt yesterday after a small diversion in my eating plan.

Friday was my last day of work at my "old" job. To celebrate, my fabulous co-workers took me out to eat at a Paleo friendly restaurant, Santa Fe. My lovely coach, Sherri advised me to have the petite filet, broccoli and plain baked sweet potato. I did, and they were all very tasty, however, I was suspicious that there was nothing added to my food, but if there was, it wasn't obvious. I also went out to eat at Texas de Brazil for a belated birthday dinner, reflection of an ending and celebration of new beginnings for me. Anyone who has never been must go! They have the most amazing salad bar, as well as the famous non-stop meat fest that everyone knows about. On this evening, I consciously diverted from my plan, and had a large glass of red wine, the baked banana palate cleanser that I suspect was inclusive of butter and some sugar, and I had one small bite of whipped garlic potatoes. I am sure that none of the steak that I had Friday was grass fed, the vegetables were most likely NOT organic and that the wine was just plain old amazingly good!

So what did that do to the way I felt the next day? Well, in a word, I was EXHAUSTED. I woke up at my usual time, but by 11 am I was clamoring for a nap, and I slept for 2 hours. I was tired again after that and when my toddler wanted a nap at 5 o'clock before dinner, I indulged her, and we both fell asleep for another hour. I didn't really notice anything but HOW TIRED I WAS. I doubt this is purely coincidental.

Was it the non-optimal beef and veggies? the butter? the small amount of sugar? the wine? 

I don't really know. I didn't over indulge in anything, so I can't be sure. But I am sure that there was a change in my level of energy compared to every day since I have started, and today. While today I feel like, I "could" nap, yesterday was I "must" nap! Interesting I say, very interesting.

So, I was back on the wagon yesterday and today and have every intention of staying the course. In fact, I just made my next orders for meat and snacks/cereals. I am ready to ride out the rest of my 30 days now!

Why don't you jump on board too?

Tanya: Wellness Comes in Many Forms

Sherri and I thought about what to name this blog when we started it. We didn't want it to be solely about eating Paleo. We wanted to have some breadth to be able to post about other things than strictly about food, cooking, diet, etc. I am so glad we did that, because as I was reflecting this morning, I was inspired to write an entry about wellness being about more than just food and exercise.

You see, I believe that wellness encompasses MANY things. I believe it includes how you feel mentally. This in itself includes many things. So, while  I have made diet changes so far this year, I have also made some other  rather big changes. One of these includes having the courage to explore other work options, do the research to see if it was a feasible and realistic change that would benefit our family overall. I got all the facts, and when an opportunity came up, I wasn't afraid to reach for it. I am happy to report that I GOT IT!

I interviewed this fall for a job in the school system where I live, which would cut a significant amount of commuting for me. This job is the same job that I had, EXCEPT it was Part-Time, which equals no benefits, and less money, and not year round pay.  AND it equals more time with the family, more time to prepare healthy meals, to exercise and to put focus on expanding my other businesses.

Yesterday, marked the last day at my full-time job that I had been at for 9 1/2 years. The hard part was leaving the amazing group of women FRIENDS that I worked with. We were an extremely cohesive group  who really worked as a team. We really are very much like a work family, rather than co-workers. I will also miss some of my amazing students and their families, some of whom I've worked with the last 9 1/2 years. These, I will miss, more than just a little.

Conversely, next week I begin at my new place of employment. I am excited and nervous, and I know it is what I needed in this stage of my life and career. I have all the regular worries: will they like me? will it be really different than what I have been doing? will I be able to catch on to how they do it quickly? But I also know that 9 years ago I knew nothing about working as an occupational therapist in a school system, and I figured it out. And I have been told that I haven't done half bad. So... I know I can do it again. My past experience tells me that, and I am oddly calm about the prospect, despite my history of anxiety about the unknown.

In addition, Last night my wonderful hubby and I had an amazing date night. We celebrated endings, new beginnings and his belated birthday. We had an amazing dinner at Texas de Brazil (and I did very well eating "legally" but I did divert a bit and had a wonderful glass of wine at dinner. I felt in this case it was worth it.) Most importantly, I didn't over indulge on food or wine, I just ENJOYED. FULLY!  To make it even more perfect, my hubby is so awesome he wanted to see the movie Les Miserables, and it was beyond fabulous! I highly recommend it! We came home and had a very highly coveted un-interrupted night's rest. This date was more than just a date. It was a breath of fresh air, a re-connection, a milestone in a journey of love and marriage, a blessing. All of those things are significant in my personal journey to wellness.

So, you see, wellness comes in many forms. For me it is eating these healthy foods, rearranging my work to be more aligned with my priorities, reconnecting with my husband and MYSELF. 

I challenge you to not only look at your diet in your journey to wellness, but the other things that profoundly affect you every day. What can you do to re-align your life to match your priorities where you are now? It is a question only you can answer after reflecting a bit. I'd love to hear some things you have done!

Have a fabulous day!

So Why Are You Waiting for a Diagnosis?

As I was sitting in this peaceful house yesterday, a conversation I had (last April) with my hubby popped back into my mind.  It was the night before my bloodwork and mammogram and tons of fears filled my head.  This mammogram was not the yearly checkup, but to examine lumps and swelling in my breast and under my arm.  I have a HUGE history of breast cancer in my family and had been avoiding this for some time due to fear.  Yes, I know, I should have been at the doctor at first sign, but I'm just being truthful and that is not how it happened (TRUST ME: My mother and sister will tear me up again as soon as they read this!!)  Thoughts of chemo, radiation, needles (yes, I'm scared of shots), and hospitals began to overcome me.  I remember sitting next to my hubby and telling him that if it was cancer, I could not do traditional treatment.  I expressed how I just did not feel that I could do that.  I am not as strong as my mom or sister and could not handle what they have!  I did not want to do the cut, drug, and burn!  I told him that I wanted alternative treatment to help my body fight the cancer itself.  I did not want to tear down the rest of my body to heal another part.  So I sat there watching my husband process and think about what I had just said.  I could see some fear and concern in his eyes and was not sure if he would agree to such a request.  So the next statement out of his mouth (even thought I didn't know it then) has been the most profound wake up call I have ever had.  Here it is, "SO WHY ARE YOU WAITING FOR A DIAGNOSIS?  START NOW!"  He understood my desire, but was scared to give me his "ok".  It is not like I was taking the opportunity to heal myself now.  It was not until the problem appeared that I wanted to "heal" myself.

So that was the beginning of my journey!  I really just needed someone to tell me the obvious!  Praise God, the mammogram and ultra sound reported no cancer, but was something that needs to be watched closely.  My bloodwork was totally wacked and the new diagnosis of "leaky gut" was causing me great problems.  So I started changing it around.  Time to heal my body naturally now, before cancer and disease had the opportunity to move in!  It was time to stop waiting until I was so sick that I could no longer turn things around. 

So here is my question for you, "What are you waiting for?"  Start now healing your body.  Do what works for you.  Fill your body with whole foods that help make you strong.  God created our bodies to care for and repair themselves!  It is up to us to fuel it with the right foods!  Happy Healing and Happy New Year!

REALLY GOOD REASONS TO AVOID SUGAR!!!

Okay, I borrowed this from another fantastic blog that Sherri and I follow called Autoimmune Paleo and You. You can click on the link to see it, but here are some reasons, and it is quite compelling.

Nancy Appleton author of Lick the Sugar Habit shows us how sugar can possibly ruin your health…

For more information click here!…..and find out more reasons!! 

Sugar may cause hyper- acidity & anxiety

Sugar can suppress your immune system

Sugar may difficulty concentrating and crankiness in children.

Sugar produces a significant rise in triglycerides.

Sugar can lead to cancer of the breast, ovaries, intestines, prostate or rectum.

Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.

Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.

Sugar can lead to an acidic digestive tract

Sugar causes food allergies.

Sugar can cause arthritis

Sugar increases the risk of Crohn’s Disease and ulcerate colitis.

Sugar can cause symptoms often found in people with gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Sugar can contribute to asthma.

Sugar can cause Candida albicans (yeast infection).

Sugar can contribute to gallstones.

Sugar can lead to heart disease.

Sugar can cause appendicitis.

Sugar can lead to multiple sclerosis.

Sugar can contribute to varicose veins.

Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.

Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.

Sugar can cause food allergies.

Sugar can contribute to diabetes.

Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.

Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.

Sugar can contribute to sagging skin by changing the structure of collagen.

Sugar can lead to cataracts.

Sugar can cause emphysema.

Sugar can cause atherosclerosis.

Tanya: HELLO 2013!

Wow! Another year has passed. Cameron is now 10, Anna is almost 3...where has the time gone? We all ask ourselves this every day I know. Literally, as my 10 year old son turns into a preteen before my very eyes and my daughter looks and acts more grown up every day, I realize (again) that this time is so precious and fleeting. I realize that going through the motions to make it through the days, getting them where they need to go, getting myself where I need to be, and to do what needs to be done for work, and getting food into everyone's belly, and cleaned and bathed and to bed every night on the minimal level are not enough. They deserve more. I DESERVE more. And I don't mean monetarily (although that would be nice if it didn't require much of an energy expenditure on my part!).

I am now on the 7th day of my Paleo journey. One week down, well, almost. Guess what? I feel great. Guess what else? It hasn't been that hard. The hardest part was resisting the urge to have a glass of red wine for New Year's Eve last night. But, I am too stubborn to give in. And I didn't. I WON over myself. Score one for Tanya!

As I chatted with my coach, Sherri, this morning and went over little things and big ones, I was inspired. I've had a lot of issues lately contributing to my brain fog & persistent fatigue, that have pushed me into the state of just making it through each day. I should say many most, of them were my "fault", including not taking my thyroid medicine consistently, eating whatever filled my belly (not just un-Paleo, but just plain UNHEALTHY), not exercising, not connecting, not unplugging, you name it and I could go on and on. But if you know me, you know I'm not a "beat yourself up" kinda gal. I am a "learn from your mistakes and change things" kinda gal. That is where I am.

So, am I happy about what could be looked upon as wasted time?  Not so much...but I am certainly not going to dwell on it. I do what I always do... I put on my big girl panties and I made a lot of big changes. Nothing will ever change if everything stays the same.

So, the last 2 weeks hubby and I have been off together. A blessing in disguise was that we had Christmas immediately after we got off for two weeks of vacation. While that lent itself to a very hectic pre-Christmas rush, it has allowed us time to reconnect, catch up with the house work, spend quality time with the kids, and me to re-center. My re-centering included jumping on the Paleo wagon and figuring out how to do it. I only have 24 more days until my trip to Vegas with hubby, and I know I can do it! That trip will be a real test :-)

So, I challenge you to TAKE BACK YOUR HEALTH! However that may be. I'd love for you to join Sherri and I. But however you do it, I wish you the best of luck. It is going to be a great year! Many blessings to you and yours!