8 out of 21 Days Without Sugar, Dairy and Fruit Completed

I am going to be brutally honest- this sucked (at first)! I can't imagine how miserable one might be if they started this while they were eating a SAD (Standard American Diet). Luckily, I was already primal and was only hooked on natural sugars, fruits and dairy. Here is a little synopsis of my week with no sugar. I promise it is only 2 days that were bad- I am guessing they were my days of full detox.

Day 1: I was on an encouragement high and felt excited to start. I didn't crave sugar, dairy or sweets at all and this was an easy day.

• Breakfast: I got up early and made eggs with chicken, avocado, tomato and peppers.
• I sipped on decaf coffee throughout my morning.
• Lunch: a huge salad with lots of veggies and sunflower seeds
• Snacked on some cashews and almonds
• Dinner: Grilled Chicken and sauteed carrots

Day 2: I was okay until a kid brought me some chocolates- he walked out of the room and I ran to them and threw them in the trash shouting AWAY TEMPTATION AWAY! I wasn't too upset or mad about not eating the junk food. I was actually still feeling pretty good

• Breakfast: Eggs and tomato with my decaf coffee
• Lunch: Grilled chicken breast, Broccoli and a tomato/cucumber salad with balsamic vinegar
• Snacked on some carrots or nuts in the mid afternoon
• Dinner: We had dinner with friends and they cooked us some Korean Beef Lettuce wraps, Salmon, green beans and squash medley. All approved-they were so thoughtful to ask about our eating before they cooked. They even left the seasoning off of our salmon since it had sugar in it.

I brought fruit and dark chocolate for dessert- Brandon and our friends enjoyed that while I sipped my water. I was so stuffed from dinner that I didn't even mind.

Day 3: I knew I was going to have my first real challenge today- Happy Hour with my girls. Today was another fairly easy day but after my crappy dinner I wanted to come home for some Coconut ice cream or chocolate bar.

• Breakfast: 2 hard boiled eggs and a glass of Unsweetened ice tea with lemon
• Lunch: A huge salad with fresh turkey, Egg, Avocado, tomato and green peppers.
• Dinner: We ate at this not so good for paleo on a budget restaurant called "Season 52". It had terrible service and was overpriced. I mis-read the menu and ordered a flat bread (thinking it was a sandwich I could just take the bread off.) I basically paid $20 for 8 bite size chicken pieces some red peppers and onion.

Needless to say I was starving and this started my downhill trek on this detox. Going to bed hungry!! I don't recommend this because I didn't sleep well and my stomach was growling.

Day 4: I was tired and had a headache. I was very low on energy and extremely agitated (SORRY BRANDON!)

• Breakfast: Scrambled egg with chicken. I ran out of decaf coffee and had to just drink water.
• Lunch: Big salad full of veggies and pepperoni.
• Dinner: I was so angry about my previous nights meal that I decided to make my own paleo version. I made a nice flat bread and topped it with chicken, parsley, balsamic red peppers and onions. It was so good and my attitude improved after dinner.

After dinner Brandon cut up this huge yummy pineapple and that made me a little bitter so I just went to bed.

Day 5: The worst of all the days. I was feverish, achy, depressed and just an unpleasant person to be around. I did go to a little happy hour at Dogfish with some friends but I had a glass of water while we vented about our work week and I left before the shots started.

• Breakfast: I had loss of appetite and decided to just nibble on some almonds and cashews and I treated myself to a coffee on my way to school.
• Lunch: Broccoli, chicken breast and a little garden salad
• Dinner: Because I was so grumpy, Brandon surprised me while I laid on the couch miserable with a sweetener free, dairy free dinner. He usedthis recipe minus the cheese and added a seasoned venison and tomato on mine. He called them Mini- Burgers and they were awesome and filling. 

Day 6: Another bad day but not due to sugar. I woke up feeling great, no cravings and ready for my 5k with Brandon. Turns out I should have gone to a physical therapist and I shouldn't have tried to fix my knee myself. This was a hill filled course and my knee got injured even more. I had trouble running and really wanted to quit. Surprisingly my time was still under 30min and Brandon even got 3rd place for his division. The rest of the day I spent icing and elevating my knee. I did a little gardening and yard work but it was hard to move around.

Pre-Race: I had a some nuts and water and a bite of an Thunderbird energy bar (did have dates but no other sweeteners)

• Breakfast: Giant 3 egg omelet with Venison, peppers, onions, tomato and guacamole
• We had a late breakfast so I just had some carrots and veggies in the afternoon when I felt hungry.
• Appetizer: We had an engagement party for my friends Kendayl and Mike. She is gluten free so I knew this would be a somewhat safe party. It was awesome meat on a stick, veggies and lots of water.
• Dinner: After the party Brandon and I were both still a little hungry so we walked over to Sweet Green for a salad and a beautiful evening walk in Reston town center.

I didn't feel tempted by alcohol and actually realized that I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything by not drinking. I would have downed a few glasses of wine in the past. Besides my knee, I could feel my body getting settled into the no sugar, no dairy and no fruit. I was drinking a lot more water and I noticed I was using the bathroom more- probably not retaining all that water or substituting fruit for my water intake.

Day 7: I woke up feeling refreshed and happy just like Saturday morning. I wasn't starving but knew I needed some energy because I was going to be at church from 8:00-12 without food.

• Breakfast: I made myself a smoothie with some nut butter, coffee and Coconut milk. This did the trick and I was fine without food until about 1:30.
• Lunch: I made a Fajita Salad with venison, chicken, sauteed peppers and onions and fresh salsa and guacamole.

We spent the whole day at the pool and we swam and played and got some wonderful Vitamin D sunshine. I felt pretty good in my swimsuit because all the bloating is starting to go away. We took some water, carrots and macadamia nuts to snack on. After the pool we did a little shopping for clothes and food and realized it was 8:30 and we were finally getting hungry.

• Dinner: BGR joint burgers, asparagus fries (for Brandon) and Sweet potato fries (for me)  

Day 8: I am feeling fantastic! I woke up refreshed and energized. I got up early again and felt so prepared and organized. My thoughts were clear and I was able to make it through my day without craving any sweets. My body feels clean and healthy.

• Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with Guacamole
• Lunch: Big salad with turkey and lots of veggies- no dressing
• Snack: carrots and nuts
• Dinner: Bacon and Fried Eggs made by my wonderful husband.

While my body feels great and I have energy, my leg is in a lot of pain after working all day. I made my first Physical Therapy appointment for tomorrow at 5:45. I am not looking forward to it but I realize I need to take care of my body so I can continue staying active. I HATE sitting around when my body just wants to go go go.

So it was a hard week but I had tons of encouragement from readers, family, friends and my amazing husband. My body feels great and I am ready to continue another week of a Sugar free, Dairy free and Fruit free diet. Reflecting on my week, I ate a lot of eggs and chicken. This week I am going to incorporate some more smoothies, tuna, fish and venison in my diet. I didn't feel bored with the foods I was eating these 8 days because it was yummy but 21 days of the same and I would give up.
Here are a few photos of some of our yummy meals. Enjoy and if you are addicted to sugar- keep following for the next few days to see what this experience has taught me. I think paleo, primal or SAD- you should try this.
This weeks goal is sleep. Sleep is just as important as the food you are putting in. I am trying for 7 hours a night!

Brandon's cheesy venison omelet- I would have had this but cheese doesn't settle with me.

My veggie filled omelet- so good and I didn't miss the cheese

 

                                  Fresh hebs from my Garden and flat bread chicken triangles

Pasta sauce option

 

                                                        Brandon's mini- burger creations

Red Brownie Cupcakes

This is a recipe that I said- eww those ingredients are disgusting! With my new open mind and a handful of ingredients on hand, I baked it up and I am so in love. This is a delicious recipe from Paleo Parents: Eat Like a Dinosaur  I was going to hold out on posting this until next week when I perfected my pictures and thoughts on it but I have had so many great responses and requests for this recipe from Paleo and non- paleo friends that I decided to throw it on the blog tonight.
I made these for a backyard BBQ, Easter and again today for my school friends. I have one particular co-worker that is a super picky eater. This week he thought it was crazy because he ate 3 salads in one week. I had him try one of these cupcakes today and he ate it even after I shared the ingredients with him. Throughout the day several co-workers stopped by room to get more of these little treats. I am so glad that they were delicious for all eating types! Hope you try this recipe, check out Paleo Parents and more ways to start adding healthier foods into your diet. 

*My friends who don't normally cook like this, go to Wegman's and get all of their ingredients there!*

Red Brownie Cupcakes


Ingredients:

• 1 Medium red Beet (yes a beet in cupcakes-it's for color and nutrition, you can't taste it. I PROMISE)
• 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
• 1Cup Fresh dates (about 15, cut and de-pitted)
• 1/2Cup Coconut oil
• 1/2 Cup Butter (I use Kerrygold Grass-fed)
• 1/2 Cup Palm Sugar (Paleo parents use unrefined sugar)
• 1/2 Cup full fat Coconut Milk
• 2 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
• 3 Tbsp  Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/2 tsp Lemon Zest (about half a lemon)
• 8 eggs
• 1Cup Almond Flour
• 1/2Cup Coconut Flour
• 1/3 Cup cocoa Powder
• 1tsp Baking Powder
• 1tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Sea Salt

Process:

*It is a lot of ingredients and a lot of steps so read through the recipe first and then start baking. Don't be frightened, it isn't hard- just a lot ingredients. I have made some changes to the original recipe because I only have a small food processor (and my blender couldn't handle it)

1.  Wash, peel and dice the beet into small pieces. Coat evenly with 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil and roast for 20 minutes at 425 Degrees until the texture is mushy like a banana.
2. De-pit and puree 15 dates and place in mixing bowl with Coconut milk and roasted dates. Mix on high and scrape sides of bowl often until batter is a reddish color. Take all of this mixture and puree until smooth. *If you have a large food processor, you can omit the mixing bowl and just put it all straight in your processor. *
3. Transfer puree back in the mixing bowl and add butter, coconut oil, sugar, vanilla, vinegar, and lemon zest.
4. Add one egg at a time, mixing well after each one. 
5. Sift together all of the dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
6. Slowly add to mixing bowl with the puree mixture and beat until batter is formed. 
7. Fill lined muffin cups 3/4 full.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Because of the large egg quantity in this batter, you'll want to store these in the fridge. Up to a week or more

I made 16 large cupcakes and 24 cupcakes

Sam having a cupcake for a pre- Easter treat

Jaden having some cupcake

Brandon enjoys them cold and I enjoy them with a cup of coffee or hot tea. We've also put some marshmallow fluff on top to eat like a cupcake. 

(Fluff recipe will be up soon, still a work in progress)

And Im feeling gooood!

Last week, I was told I have a low thyroid and that I would have to be put on medicine. (Great, something else to add to my issues with my weight!) My doctor told me that this was part of the reason I wasn't losing weight. I noticed that my weight wasn't going up or down. Ugh! I was also told that I would have to change my diet, so that I won't gain weight. I called my sister, who is into Paleo. She told me to try it out. I have done a few things paleo, but not all the way. Still looking into it. I have to convince my husband to do the same. He's not too sure about it. It won't be hard to coax him into it.
Now to the title of my post, and why I say I am feeling good....
Yesterday morning, my husband, children, and I took a drive into Morgantown, West Virginia. We decided to venture over to Old Navy. I wanted to try on some jeans. I found two pairs that I really liked. I picked out the size that I had been wearing, since having my daughter 8 months ago. They were too big!! YES!!! So I went to the next size, too big!!! The next too big!! Then finally I found my size!! I dropped 4 PANT SIZES!! I am one size away from being what I was, when I got married! If I can do that, I know I want to drop more. Maybe get to the size I was in highschool!! That would be AMAZING!
So, here's to me dropping more pant sizes!!!! and TRYING paleo!

Creation Diet is the new Paleo!

My Friend was doing an Esther Bible study and thought today's was interesting.  Esther 2:9~ says the girls were given "Special foods". She is currently doing the Beth Moore study on Esther and this is what  Beth Moore says about the foods they were eating and why:

"In all probability the "special foods"..involved fattening the girls up.  What a refreshing thought!....Esther and her royal cohorts were under royal command to eat!  The fattening foods they were served, however, were probably not the Persian version of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and gravy.  Since they were intended to enhance beauty, their meals were probably rich in olive oil and the tables spread with assortments of nuts and higher density fruits and vegetables like our bananas, avocados, and yams."

Since we have decided to eat Paleo, I have felt really uncomfortable with all of the sites and books we are reading to learn more about the foods we should eat, why we should eat them and the science behind it. Paleo: is shortened from "paleolithic era". The times of cavemen millions of years ago. As a christian, I do not believe the world has been around for millions of years. I don't believe in Evolution. I hate that the way we eat is associated with Evolution because people assume that we are somehow going to become Evolutionists. - I JUST WANT TO EAT NATURAL!!! I am a creationist and I am a firm believer in God creating the heavens and the earth and I don't believe the world has been around for millions of years.
 I don't want to get into a biblical discussion on a food blog but if you are interested in my theories- read the Bible or check out Ken Ham.  He is the best because he compares and contrast Creation and Evolution and gives wonderful insight to both theories. I remember reading his book when I was younger- Answers in Genesis and even had the privilege of seeing him speak. 

I would prefer to call the way that I eat the CREATION diet! 

So here are a few Bible verses that I feel align with how we are currently eating. I am going to try to transform our "PALEO" diet to my own version of "Creationist diet". What would Adam and Eve eat? What was in the Garden of Eden? What was at the last supper? What did God  provide for his people when they needed healing and new life? 

Let's start with my personal Favorite: 

• Daniel 1:12-17~"Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.  Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see."  So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.  So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

The rest of these I got from Robert Kolar's site

• Song of Solomon 2:5~ Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love
• 1 Samuel 30:12 ~  part of a cake of pressed figs and two cakes of raisins. He ate and was revived, for he had not eaten any food or drunk any water for three days and three nights.
• Deuteronomy 14:9~Of all the creatures living in the water, you may eat any that has fins and scales.
• Luke 24:42-43~They gave him a piece of broiled fish. And he took it and ate it in their presence.
• Numbers 11:5~We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost--also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.
• Deuteronomy 8:8~a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey;
• Matthew 23:23~"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
• Luke 11:42~"Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone

• Genesis 1:11~Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so.
• Genesis 1:29~Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

Flour from this bible was not the typical WHITE processed flour that we can buy today- it was made by the people from Manna or grains. When eating "CREATION" style- we use almonds, coconut, flax and other naturally produced flours for baking. This means that we do eat bread- it may not be the bread that America is used to but it is a bread and I think it would probably be more like the bread that they ate in the Bible.

• Numbers 11:7 -9~The manna was like coriander seed and looked like resin. 8) The people went around gathering it, and then ground it in a hand mill or crushed it in a mortar. They cooked it in a pot or made it into cakes. And it tasted like something made with olive oil. 9) When the dew settled on the camp at night, the manna also came down.

• John 19:29-30~A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30) When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
• 1 Samuel 14:27~But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.
• 2 Samuel 17:29~honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows' milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, "The people have become hungry and tired and thirsty in the desert."
• Genesis 43:11~Then their father Israel said to them, "If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift--a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds.
• Genesis 9:3~Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything."

I am going to continue my research and align my eating from a biblical standpoint. But God gave us Fish, Meat, Fruits, Nuts, Vegetables and Water to be healthy. From now on I will be trying my hardest to refer to my eating as the "Creation diet" rather than the Paleo diet. What are your thoughts? What else can you tell me about Foods in the Bible? What are your favorite Food Bible verses? 

Paleo/ Primal Eating- Why do it?

Weight loss, Healthier, more energy, No more medications, Better hair, better skin, better achievements at the gym, A fun challenge, Try something new that you don't have to pay for a meal plan or a gym membership! Brandon lost a pants size without stepping foot in a gym!

Try it for 21 days and I garuntee that you won't regret it!!

Typical week for us:

Paleo Meat staples:
Venison
Free- Range chicken or game birds
Nitrate free bacon or ham
Roasted Turkey
Pork
Try to go with Grass fed, lean meats for the bulk of your meat eating. Breakfast meats are tricky- we do ham, bacon or even left over pulled pork or steaks with eggs or in an omelet.

My Paleo Snack or side dish staples:

Cauliflower
Salad
Asparagus
Fresh Salsa
Guacamole
Carrots
Celery
Squash
Cucumbers
Onion
Peppers
Grape tomatoes
sesame seeds
almonds
Macadamia nuts
Cashews
 Berries or in season fruits
Almond flour (buy in bulk)
Coconut flour
Any fruit in moderation
a little dried fruit in moderation
Dark chocolate 72% or higher in moderation
*Eat all the veggies you want- some days I eat an entire container of cherry tomatoes for a snack.
Dijon mustard's
oil and vinegar
Herbs and spices


Try to avoid:
Dairy products (If full Paleo, if just primal- you may have full fat, raw organic milk products- Brandon is more Primal because he still does cheese and cream in his coffee)
Sugar (yes sugar is not paleo) replace with honey, agave nectar, palm sugar or maple syrup- all natural
Juices- make your own
White/ wheat flour
Grains- your body cannot naturally digest them
Starchy vegetables- no white potatoes or corn
Legumes- What the heck is a legume?
Soy
*When buying dark chocolate- try to get soy, dairy free - or make sure soy lechtin is last on the list*
Trans-fats
Processed- pre made foods.
Vegetable oil
Butter- unless grass fed
Best tip- Read the labels and make sure you know what all of the ingredients are before you buy them. Buy foods with the least amount of ingredients.

*I've noticed that if I pre-slice some of the veggies and keep them in an easily accessible container- I am more likely to snack on them rather than opening up a chocolate bar or a bag of nuts and dried fruits.
For a great description and shopping list check out Mark Sisson. For some great inspiration and to see what your foods are doing to your body, read the Friday success stories- make sure you have a box of tissues!
For a good recipe book check out: Make it Paleo
Or check out these blogs: nomnompaleo.com, http://www.primal-palate.com/, http://www.paleocomfortfoods.com/, http://www.balancedbites.com/, http://www.everydaypaleo.com/ or continue to follow our blog! :)

Let me know if you try it!