Category Archives: Thoughts

Measurements

Posted by c2m2christina in Thoughts

This morning Chris helped me take my new measurements. I had taken my measurements and photos back in June, when we first started eating “mostly Paleo”, and on October 20th, when we started the 30 day challenge. My measurements hadn’t changed much between June and October, so I will share my June vs. November numbers.

6/8/11

  • Weight 146.3 lbs
  • Hips    40.5″
  • Chest    39.0″
  • Waist    30.5″
  • Thigh    22.5″
  • Bicep    11.0″

11/27/11

  • Weight 136.8 lbs
  • Hips    38.75″
  • Chest    35.5″
  • Waist    28″
  • Thigh    21.75″
  • Bicep    10.5″

I would like to thank Chris for dragging me kicking and screaming into this new way of eating. I found out that I really do have an issue with gluten. I haven’t noticed a real issue with dairy, but I’m guessing that I would feel better without that as well. I hope that my blog can help motivate and inspire others to just try it for 30 days. I thought the 30 day challenge would be a waste of time, but it really made a huge difference in going 100% paleo for a month. As I previously mentioned, I had eaten “mostly paleo” for several months, and hadn’t noticed any difference. All of my major changes in body composition were within the 30 days of strict eating. My challenge ended a week ago, and even though I totally pigged out at Thanksgiving, I haven’t gained any of the weight back.

11 Days In

Posted by c2m2christina in Thoughts

It’s my 11th day on the 30-Day Paleo Challenge. I’ve lost 5 pounds since day one! You should be aware there are two things wrong with celebrating that: A) I’m not supposed to look at a scale during this, and B) don’t have a weight loss goal. But I’m excited regardless. The whole point of this challenge is for me to reset my system, and be able to see what foods really bother me, and to lose fat.

Mostly, we’ve been eating “ingredients.” For example, steak and sweet potatoes, slow cooker pork loin with veggies, chicken with salad. Last night we had bunless burgers, sweet potato spears and spinach salad. These kinds of meals and recipes aren’t interesting posts. Most of my breakfasts have been boiled eggs and fruit/berries. Lunches are either leftovers or salad. I’ve got a snack drawer at work filled with nuts, fruit, jerky and tea.

I haven’t gotten over the bread cravings yet, which I find strange since it’s been out of my system for so long. I also still crave my glass of red wine. I haven’t been good at all about my workouts. I plan to work out three times this week. I’ve just been too busy and tired at the end of the day to fit it in lately.

Tonight I’ll be making a recipe-based meal, and will be sure to post it for you all tomorrow.

30 Day Paleo Challenge

Posted by c2m2christina in Thoughts

Chris and I started our 30 day challenge on October 18th. We took our measurements tonight (the 20th). This is his second challenge. My first real one. We’ve been eating 95% Paleo for almost three months, and we both really like it. Since we already eat “clean” I don’t think we will encounter many of the complaints that people have…headaches, cravings, etc. The main thing I had to give up was my precious glass of red wine. I have been feeling extra hungry lately, but I think it might be psychological.

Today on my way home from work (I’ve got an hour commute each way), my stomach was growling. So I stopped at Sunflower Market. I picked up some roast beef deli meat, a banana, and some lemonmint water by MetroMint. That water is amazing! It was so refreshing, and the only ingredients are mint, lemon and water. I have found my substitute for a social drink. I will go back later this week to buy the other flavors. For those of you who live near a Sunflower Market, Wednesday is the day to go. They have double sales that day. Their deli is great. Try out their chicken sausages if you get a chance.

I plan to post at least one new recipe each week. I’ve been super busy lately with the new job, and classes, and commuting, and, and, and,…well you get the drift. I really want to encourage anyone that might be on the fence about starting paleo. It took me a while to stop making excuses, and just try it out. It’s a lot easier than I thought it would be.

One of the resources that I’ve found really helpful lately is podcasts. I listen to the Everyday Paleo Podcast, and The Paleo Solution. I’m in front of a computer all day, so it helps me pass the time, and inspires me to stick with it. Both programs answer questions from listeners, but I’ve found that all the questions I’ve had have been answered in the episodes already. Well I think I’ve rambled on enough for today. Good night, and thanks so much for checking my blog out. This has been a fun and rewarding experience. Please feel free to share comments/stories.

Take care,

Christina

A long-winded introduction

Posted by c2m2christina in Recipe, Thoughts, Workout

Hi there. My name is Christina, and I am a foodie. To me, cooking is an art form. I find it to be very relaxing and a great creative outlet. This blog is a foodie’s journey with Paleo, Zone, and Crossfit. Last year I started doing Crossfit workouts and was introduced to Paleo, and it turned my culinary world upside down.

Many in the Crossfit community eat either a Paleo diet, a Zone diet, or a hybrid of the two. When I first heard about Paleo and Zone, they both sounded totally crazy to me. I disliked the fervent discussions that my fellow athletes had about whole grains. I couldn’t imagine a world without grains, beer, pasta, rice, chips, crackers, bread….the list of things with grains in them goes on and on, and I found it so daunting to try to make a decent meal. I won’t go into the details of what is strict Paleo or Zone, because if you are reading this, you are probably already well-versed on the topic. Let’s just say, I was one of those people that had the “what in the hell am I supposed to eat” people.

Well, my opinion is a total 180 now. I have been cooking Paleo for a month now, it’s super easy, and I can still get creative with my recipes. I bought the Everyday Paleo recipe book, and that made all the difference for me. I found the author’s personal journey inspiring, and I liked how her approach to recipes weren’t food as fuel. I started the first week, following her meal plan to a “T”, but changed most of the recipes to be more spicy. The following weeks I would throw in one new recipe from Everyday Paleo, and make up the other recipes myself.

I’ve been doing Crossfit workouts for a year and 4 months now, and have never felt healthier and stronger in my life. I have been eating “clean” for about 6 months now, and have been gluten free for a month. I was off of dairy for 3 weeks, and thankfully when I reintroduced it I didn’t have a bad reaction. We don’t keep milk in the house, but I do use butter and cheese from time to time. I will include cheese in some of my recipes, but if you are strict Paleo, you would just remove that ingredient, and cook as usual.

When I first started Crossfit I was hungry all the time, and my idea of a healthy snack before working out was goldfish crackers, or peanut butter toast with a glass of milk. I felt lethargic, didn’t sleep well, was unbelievably sore, and could barely get through a workout. The workouts literally pushed me to the edge mentally and physically. Now I have more energy than I’ve had in years, I usually sleep great, and I’m so much stronger. I actually feel energized after a workout, don’t feel the need to snack beforehand, and I’m not “bonking” while cooking dinner.

My intention with this blog is to post recipes that I think are worth sharing, to share some of the great workouts that my husband designs, and to share some of my athletic/physical accomplishments. I found the idea of switching to Paleo incredibly daunting, and I’m hoping that some of my recipes will help other people make the switch. My personal goals are to continue to grow stronger, leaner and healthier.