Thursday, July 26, 2012

Good, Clean, Food!!!

Now, doesn't this look like a satisfying heaping plate of goodness that is sure to fill your belly up??



Well,  it is AND it's ALL Paleo!!! I know you must be asking yourself how can this be with those creamy mashed potatoes on top! Well, looks can be deceiving...those aren't potatoes...it is mashed cauliflower!! Chef Matt whipped up this delightful meal of Shepard's Pie with mashed carrots and turnips as the side. When your eating meals that are good, clean, and flavorful like this you don't miss the mash potatoes being on top or the cheesy garlic bread as a side. I know, I wasn't sold on the idea at first either. ...I really wasn't but Matt and I made a packed to get healthy together in order to better ourselves individually, our relationship, and our future family. We realized if we didn't do it now then when would we? So, we have been Paleo and I learned that when you start fueling your body with simple good, clean, food and cut out all the processed unholiness your body starts craving the good food. By "good clean food" I mean all the veggies, fruits, grass fed meats, oils, and nuts! The beauty about Paleo is that there is no counting calories!! There is no need to because everything you are eating is good for your body. Of course,  everything in moderation but you eat till your satisfied and I started finding recently that I am full a lot faster now than before.  In the past I thought I needed a potato or piece of bread to help satisfy my hunger and you really don't...honestly. In this new way of eating I have never felt deprived and to us this is important b/c we enjoy eating food and with Paleo you can still EAT & ENJOY...best part... guilt free!! Dr. William Davis wrote a book called, Wheat Belly and in it he said the follow which is so true.
“When you remove wheat from the diet, you’ve removed a food that leads to fat deposition in the abdomen. Factor in that the gliadin protein unique to wheat that is degraded to a morphine-like compound that stimulates appetite is now gone and appetite diminishes. The average daily calorie intake drops 400 calories per day–with less hunger, less cravings and food is more satisfying. This all occurs without imposing calorie limits, cutting fat grams, or limiting portion size. It all happens just by eliminating this thing called wheat.”
 So, that in a nut-shell is my soapbox on eating Paleo. Onto, something that goes pretty much hand in hand with Paleo is CrossFit. I am in my first week at East Dallas CrossFit in the the big kids class and it is whooping my hiney!! It is challenging but in a good way. You def go to CrossFit to do work and "train dirty" as they say. Nothing glamorous about it. I come home with blisters on my hands and black knees from burpees (my least favorite). I don't think I have sweated this much since I did Hot Yoga and even then I think that I'm sweating more now. However, I am going at 5:30pm and it is still 100 degrees and there is no A/C.  I'm not complaining though, it feels good to sweat and everyday brings a new challenge for your mind, body, and soul. I do get nervous everyday before class though. I want to do everything right and I don't want to be the last one done with the workout. Once I get started I forget about all that b/c at that point all you want to do is to finish. There are people there at all different levels and they have ways you can scale back if your not able to do a certain workout yet. So, so far so good... almost 1 week down....many more to go!

 “To insure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life.”  ~William Londen



Sunday, July 22, 2012

Happy 89th

 Boo-Mama!!  My grandmother, AKA Boo-Mama turned 89 yesterday. So, Matt and I went to Hillsboro to my mom and dads to celebrate with the whole Waller side of the family.  It's hard to believe that my Boo is 89 because I don't think of her as "old" and I don't think I ever will.  She is a young 89...really...she wears TOMS! I love her with all my heart and I always know I can tell Boo anything, she will keep my secrets, give advice, and has even helped me hide a few things from the folks over the years. We did let them in on our secrets a few years later....when I knew I couldn't get in trouble anymore. haha! ;-) Actually, she is more than a grandmother to me...I would consider her a best friend. My family is very blessed to have our Boo and we are so fortunate that she is in good health and is very independent. Since I work with the older generation I see people in very bad conditions and so I think God everyday for the good health in our family. We couldn't be more blessed.

 Happy Birthday Boo and here's to many more great years to come!! We love you!


Paxton couldn't wait to get some cake!

Kelly, me, Boo, and Jenn

Here's an picture of Boo, me, my sister Jenn and our Papa many moons ago. :-)

Monday, July 16, 2012

I'm writing....

so you know that I made it through the week at CrossFit!! Actually, it's not as scary as I thought it would be and I am really enjoying it. I think I was more intimidated at first than anything but there is no reason to be. I am in the Elements (beginner) class now learning all the mechanics of how to do the work outs so I'm sure it will get harder....no doubt...but I'm up for the challenge! This is my last week in the Elements class and then I will be promoted to go play with the big boys and girls in the regular class! Woohoo!! 

I also wanted to share with you... A Paleo Dish for the week!!
It's straight out of our Paleo Cook Book, Well Fed. Check out the blog for more information and more delish recipes.  Well Fed: Paleo Recipes for People Who Love to Eat!

Citrus Carnitas

INGREDIENTS:

3-4 lbs pork shoulder
1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin
1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
water

DIRECTIONS:

Cut the pork shoulder into large chunks and place in a large zipper storage bag.

In a small bowl combine all the above spices and mix with a fork. Add the spice blend to the bag with pork and shake until all peices of meat are coated with the spices.

Next, place pork in a large, deep pot. Pour the lime and lemon juice in the pot and then add water to just cover the meat.

Then place the pot on high heat and bring the water to a boil. When the water is really boiling, reduce the heat to keep a steady, strong simmer with the pan uncovered. The liqid will bubble a fair amount, but should not be vigorous. Let it continue for 2 hours.

At the 2 hour mark check the pot and the water will be alot lower. Allow the water to cook out of the pan and this will carmelize in the pork fat and fruit juices and will make it oh so tender!

Carefully turn the chunks of meat without shredding them to brown on all sides and then remove the chunks to a plate.

Make into a lettuce wrap or just eat it on it's own with your choice of sides....veggie sides that is! ;-) It is AH-MAZ-ING!!

Even though, it takes a couple hours to cook it is so easy to do and you probably already have most the ingredients in your cabinet. Also, I haven't tried this in a crock pot but I'm pretty sure you could easily do it in one.

Matt and I go through the cookbook every Sunday and plan our meals for the week. So far, we haven't been disappointed in any of the recipes...they are all AMAZE!!!!

One other quick recipe that I came up with yesterday afternoon for lunch that I must share is:

 Canned tuna in water, avocado, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, dash of sea salt, and a sprinkle of garlic powder. Mix everything together and serve in a lettuce wrap! It was so delish that Matt was still talking about it a couple hours later! haha! Quick, easy, and healthy...can't beat that!

Enjoy!!

Hope you all had a relaxing weekend and are off to a productive week ahead of you!!

Well, I better get in the kitchen and get started on tonight's menu: Pad Thai with Ginger Lime Shrimp! My mouth is already watering....is yours? I'll let you know how it turns out!

Angela


Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Sweet Sweet Summatime...

So far we have had a great summer! We have had so many fun and exciting events. We have celebrated my nephew, Paxton's 2nd birthday and my 30th birthday, participated in The Couple Olympics, celebrated a baby reveal for our friends Ashleigh and Casey whom found out they are expecting a Baby Boy Godwin in November,  and just got back from family vacation to New Braunfels this past weekend!! It's been busy! Enjoy some pics to see what we have been up too!

Paxton's Hungry Caterpillar Party. Awsome cake made by my very talented Aunt Tammie! 

At Paxton's 1st Ranger Game after his birthday party

Me and my sister
Found our friends Lindsey and Daniel at the game!

The AMAZING birthday desserts that Diane my talented mother-in-law made for me! Not Paleo but I did have a cheat on this day and HAD to indulged! ;-)

Matt and I at the 2012 Couple Olympic Games we were the Backyard Beach Bums!

My loveley sisters Jennifer and Amy gearing up for the games to commence!

Badminton - This is Super Studs (Jen and Caddo) competing against Legit.com (Amy and James)

My wonderful husband threw me a surprise birthday party! I was so impressed that he pulled it off!

My lady loves at the birthday bash

Even got a cake! Again, not Paleo but hey you only turn 30 once!!!!

Another night out celebrating my 30th with friends! It was like a 2 week celebration. ;-)

Me and Ash at her Baby Reveal Party!!


What's it gonna be....

A BOY!!!! :-)

We were team girl! Note the bows!
Paxton at Schlitterbahn! He LOVED it!!! Had a blast!

Pax and Uncle hanging out at the condo
Dad and I excited about to eat some yummy dinner at Clear Springs!
About to go float the Comal River!
YaYa and Pax floating


YaYa and Pax feeding the deer
No other big plans for the rest of the summer so far.  I'm sure we will be hanging out with friends, family, working on the house and our favorite time spent together on The Sitser Patio grilling it up, relaxing and day dreaming that we are in Hawaii!! ALOHA!! ;-)

Monday, July 9, 2012

Ok, so I didn't follow through...

on my weekly posts about how well or sometimes not so well I have been doing at work-in on my fitness and getting healthy. I promise you here and now that I will do better...really...I will! My work schedule is going to be more flexible where I can update more often b/c I got a new j-o-b!! WOOT! Anyway, onto catching you up! Well, I have continued to get myself out of the door at least 4 or 5 days a week to go for a run.   I mix up the routes so I don't get bored going down the same street everyday.  I will do a short run and a long run and alternate those days. I still struggle with having to talk myself into it...don't get me wrong but now I feel guilty if I don't go and so I might as well suck it up and go get it over with. Also, Matt has managed to talked me into doing Crossfit with him. I tried it out a few Saturdays ago and I liked it. Crossfit reminds me of being back in High School Athletics but on crack! Hahaha The day after into the next WEEK I felt like I had been hit by a car 18 Wheeler my body was so stinking sore! I start tonight with the beginners class and am nervous!! Wish me luck...PLEASE!! 
   We have continued on our "eating clean" Paleo Lifestyle. Occasionally, we will have our cheat meals/treats but we are finding that the yucky feeling we get after eating a hamburger, fries, and DQ Blizzard just doesn't set as well in your tummy as it use too! Yes, I confess...I ate that this past weekend BUT we were on vacation and we did for the most part follow Paleo the rest of the time. I know, excuses, excuses...but hey we are all human and it's ok! ;-)
If your wondering how much weight I have lost. I couldn't tell ya.  I haven't been weighing myself anymore because for me it makes me more frustrated than anything.  I know I have lost some inches b/c my clothes are fitting differently and I overall feel healthier but at the end of the day its not the pounds that matter its how you feel in your own body.
   I'll let you know next Monday how my week has gone starting Crossfit and I'll share with you some of our favorite Paleo recipes!

I'll leave you with another quote that Matt sent me the other day that I really liked. So here you go!




Psst....Tomorrow I will  follow up with another post on my 30th birthday and other fun summer events that Matt and I have been up too!