Kale Chips

I don't know about you guys, but I have never been someone who has had a particularly sweet tooth. 

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a nice slice of cake or a muffin (now Paleo-ish of course!!) as much as the next person. But I was never the type of person who would panic at the sheer thought of a day without chocolate, even in hormonal times.

But crisps (or chips as those across the Atlantic may call them) I LOVE! I find it very difficult to go without a packet of Walkers, even though I know they're full of bad transfats. 

I had heard about Kale chips many times. But I couldn't really visualise how baked cabbage could resemble a crisp!? 

I was WRONG! They are delicious and I have been converted to the humble, yet delicious Kale Chip!

I have been asked on my facebook page for a recipe, and though this is SO simple it doesn't really warrant a description but here goes...

Ingredients:

2 cups of kale, torn into bitesize pieces

Salt and Pepper to taste

2 tbsp coconut oil 

Directions:

Mix the kale and oil together in an oven proof dish.

Season to taste

You can also add other flavourings such as chilli powder etc, again to taste. Play around with it! 

Place in a moderate oven (about 180C) for 8 - 12 mins or until crisp and slightly browned.

You may want to place them on kitchen paper at this point to stop them getting soggy.

Serve and convert even the most unPaleo person in your life! 

Chicken, Kale and Veg Soup. (aka Health In A Bowl Soup!)

Hi Paleos! 

So even though tomorrow is regarded by many as the first day of Spring, we here in Ireland are experiencing a cold snap. This simple soup is perfect for days like this. Filling but so nutritious with a homemade chicken broth at it's base. 

If you fancy trying to make your own broth you can find a recipe here. It really is worth the time, and after all it is minimal effort for such valuable and healthy product. 

Once you have this component ready (or if you are using a ready made stock) you are ready to cook this simple meal. 

Serves 1 

Ingredients:

1 pint of chicken broth 

1 chicken fillet (I used skinless) cut into bite size pieces

1 medium carrot cut in sticks

1 stalk of celery cut in slices

1 small onion, chopped finely

1 cup of kale leaves, pulled into small pieces

Salt and pepper to season 

Parsley to garnish

Directions:

Bring chicken stock to boil and reduce to simmer.

Add chicken pieces and cook for 3-4 minutes until beginning to cook and turning white

Add veg except kale

Simmer for approx 20 minutes or until chicken is tender and cooked through

Add kale and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted and soft

Check for seasoning and serve in large bowl

Garnish with parsley, sit back and enjoy! 

Easy peasy but oh so nutritious! 

Recipe: Bacon and Veggie Stuffed Peppers

These makes a delicious light lunch or a a side for a yummy hunk of meat.

They are simple but delicious and I just ate 2 leftover ones as I couldn't leave them until tomorrows lunch!
Ooops!

Makes 2 - 3 half peppers depending on their size.

Ingredients
1-1.5 bell peppers cut length ways.
1 tomato de-seeded and finely chopped
4 streaky bacon slices, cut into cubes
2 spring onions, chopped
1 garlic clove chopped finely
1/4 Courgette cut into small pieces
1 beaten egg
5 walnut halves, roughly chopped
1 tsp Italian herbs
1 tbsp of olive oil
Salt & Pepper

Half and de-seed the peppers and place in an oven proof dish. Season the inside of each half with salt and pepper.
Mixed all remaining ingredients, except the egg and walnuts, into a bowl and mix well.
Add the beaten egg and spoon into the pepper halves.
Top with the walnuts and place in oven.
Bake for 30-35 mins at 200C or until pepper is tender.

Making Bone Broth

The art of cooking broth, or stock as it is also known, has been around for thousands if years.


It is defined as a liquid food preparation which involves simmering water in which animal or fish bones have been added and cooked slowly to extract nutrients.


Traditionally known as a cure it all for all ailments, bone broth is a known superfood which costs very little, especially if you use a leftover carcass or bones from your Sunday roast.


Broth or stock contains minerals and nutrients in a form that are easy for the body to digest. Calcium, magnesium, phosphorous are all present in abundance, as are the likes of glucosamine which is often found in expensive supplements used to treat joint pain.


Due to it's rich calcium content bone broth is an important part of a Paleo diet. It should be consumed regularly as is, or as a base to sauces, soups and gravies.

Bone broth is also rich in gelatin, which has been shown to be useful in the treatment of diabetes, peptic ulcers, muscle diseases, cancers and jaundice. Gelatin has also been shown to help prevent cellulite! So, next time you cook a roast chicken why not try making your own broth from the carcass? Alternatively buy some bones from your butcher or get chicken feet and heads as cheap as chips if you are not squeamish! 

Its so so easy it is almost embarrassing, but here is how!

Use a chicken carcass with meat if you still have it. For beef stock you can roast the bones first to enhanse the flavour. You will get a darker stock this way. 

Ingredients: 

1 chicken carcass

Filtered water if desired, enough to cover

3 tbsp of apple cider vinegar

Dutch oven, crockpot or saucepan. 

Method: 

Place your chicken bones in your pot. 

Just cover with cold water

Place on a low heat so it barely simmers. 

Add the vinegar (this leaches the minerals from bone easier)

Remove any scum which comes to top

For chicken simmer at least 4 hrs, for beef at least 8hrs up to 24.

When cooked pass through a fine sieve to remove any sediment. 

Cool and refrigerate for up to 4 days. 

Freeze if desired for backup if a cold hits! 

Use as a base for soups and sauces, as a drink daily or as a cold/flu remedy. 

Alternatives: Add vegetables such as celery, carrots and onions to your stock also to add flavour if desired. 

The Big New Year Detox

Hey all.

By now many of you should be well under way on your New Year detox. If, like me, you unfortunately given in to the urge for bad foods over the festivities, you will have been more than happy to begin eating properly again and avoiding all those gut inflaming foods and booze!

I began my detox yesterday (2nd Jan) and must say I already feel better.

Here are some tips on kick starting the New Year detox, and allowing your poor body to regain some pride and loose the gut!

1. Avoid all toxic foods such as dairy, grains, sugars and processed foods in general. What your body needs right now are cleansing and real foods with plenty of natural anti oxidants and minerals. Do this by increasing fruit and veg intake.

2. Drink plenty of water - at least 2 litres of water a day. This will help rehydrate your body after all that booze, and flush out bad toxins. It will also awaken your fragile and under-worked brain as you try to return to normality after the Christmas holidays!

3. Sleep well - proper sleep has been shown to make incredible differences to gut inflammation and overall well being. Get at least 8 hours good quality sleep a night if possible.

4. Treat your liver nicely! Too much alcohol over the festivities means our poor livers may be ready to pack up and move out! Treat your liver to liver-friendly foods such as green leafy veg, eggs and nuts. Try taking milk thistle.

5. Start exercising - this kick starts metabolism and increases endorphins.

Good luck with feeling better!




Source: Rebecca Edwards, Naturopath.

Time To Suck It Up... ;)

Happpy New Year Paleo Peeps!

Wow, can't believe I haven't published anything on my blog in so long. And man has the lack of accountability had a negative effect on me.

If you are reading this it is time for me to officially suck it up and admit it. My Paleo Christmas has been far from perfect. And I ashamed of that, I really am. I could just sit here all smug and judgemental and say "Yeah I rocked it" but I think that by lying I would not be taking accountability for my mistakes and bad decisions, and it would also prohibit me moving on properly.

Things started so well for me. I finished my Whole30 on 1s December, and apart from some wine, I stayed true to my eating plan, determined not to get sucked into the "Xmas Eating" so early I would be eating shi*e all of December. I remained strict - no grains, dairy or sugar and minimal alcohol right up to Christmas Day. Even then I refused the grains but did give in to the dairy and desserts.

But it began to get bad the next day when I ate bread with dinner. It was only one slice and it didnt effect me too badly so I thought Id be fine.

Gradually the treats began to creep in more and more, with  my healthy steak now suddenly including onion rings and my soup roll somehow making it into my stomach instead of being politely declined. Things spiralled really and by yesterday my toned, flat stomach was a ball of blubber rivalling the tummy of a 5 months preggers lady.

Most notable of my symptoms has been the return of PMT for the first time in months - something I hadn't expected. Que uncomfortable bloating, irritability and crabbiness. Also my joints have been stiff (surely 26 is too young for that!?)

Don't get me wrong - I wasn't 100% back on SAD diet, but "treats" and exceptions were becoming more and more regular.

So bless me for I have sinned... now what is my penance?

I had originally planned a January Whole30 but I have reconsidered things and as I have a few social outings in January. I now plan a strict Paleo month but with some small tweaks. Call it my own Paleo detox version :)

I will include minimal alcohol and some potatoes (but very minimal until I feel normal again)
I will be 100% sugar, dairy and grain free.

I am very much looking forward to beginning to feel normal again. My binges were a bad idea, but if nothing else they have reaffirmed to me how important this lifestyle is for me and my well being.

It is all to easy to look at my weight and/or clothes size and think "OK, I've reached my goals, I can eat "normally" again"  just for a few days. BAD idea! Paleo just doesn't work like that - its not a quick fix or a fad diet. While I never intended to slip back to SAD eating, the problem is that once you start introducing foods they slowly become the norm and you quickly become addicted again.

I fully regret making these decisions, but I am ready to move on, suck it up (and suck my tummy in) and get back to normality.

Today was good for me food wise. I started with bacon, 2 fried eggs and toms and mushrooms.
Lunch (out) was a beef burger and salad)
Supper was ham and a banana.

We were visiting family but I refrained from the offered goodies.

So thats it! My conscience is cleared and I can move on!

How did your Xmas go!? Did you do better than me or did you have some slip ups??

Its Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas......

Its that time of year again!

The log fire spits soothingly, the smell of cinnamon infused baked goods fill the air, and children no longer speak in terms of days but how many sleeps there are left until the man himself arrives. Its CHRISTMAS!!!

Christmas always conjures up strong emotions and brings the inner child out in all of us. I don't know who is more excited preparing Santa's snack on Christmas eve - me or my son!  But there is one thing for sure - Christmas is a time for spending time together, eating delicious food and having a few sneaky glasses of wine!

But where does this leave our Paleo lifestyle? One thing our Paleo ancestors certainly didnt do was celebrate Christmas!! So they would not have had a yearly binge session. However they more than likely did celebrate special occasions or a large hunt etc. So food festivals were almost certainly a part of their culture.

However you decide to eat this Christmas make the decision and stick with it. Many of you may decide to stick to 100% paleo, others may decide to include dairy/sugar/alcohol for the day. All is perfectly acceptable for your own goals. If something makes you physically sick and you eat it anyway, this may not be a good idea, but if you decide to include dairy etc, leave the guilt at the door and enjoy it! Christmas should not be a time for stressing about food so just eat as well as you can and enjoy your food.

I haven't fully decided what I will do, but I will more than likely avoid grains and include some dairy and sugars. I plan on going Whole30 in January again, just to reset my gut and start 2012 on a good note. I will be entertaining on the 26th Dec and have decided not to keep the menu Paleo, as I would rather my guests be happy. I will not eat the planned bruchetta!

On another note, I applied for and sent my cheque off for a Naturopatic Nutrition course today - which I will be starting in Jan! It is a three year course but starting in Jan means I can fast track first year and start my second year in September. Exciting times and new ventures await me in 2012 and I am both nervous and apprehensive. 2011 has not been the best year for me personally (I am unemployed since Sept) but here is to new beginnings!

I would like to wish you all a Happy Christmas and all the best in your 2012. Thank you for reading my blog over the past few months, and thank you for motivating me to keep writing, trying new recipes and Keeping It Paleo!!

Regards
Denise

"Keeping it Paleo" This Christmas and Recipe - Party Dips

Well as we all know, Christmas is upon us and this can mean challenges face those of us in the Paleo community, especially those of you going through your first Christmas without grains, sugar, processed foods and dairy.

But Keeping It Paleo doesn't have to be daunting. Take it every day as it comes, limit the intake of crap foods and eat real foods instead. Of course there is going to be booze at every turn, mince pies at all angles - but you don't have to fall of the wagon.

Over the next few days I will give you random tips on how you can help limit your sinful eating and incorporate your angelic Paleo eating into every situation.

My 1st Tip today was to PREPARE for that party or house visit before you go! You need to make sure there will be something available for you to eat as otherwise you will likely panic, go over hungry and eat a shit load of crap throwing caution to the wind. You will regret this! Bring something with you - or if possible ask the host what they are cooking. A standard dinner is likely fine for you - meat and veg etc but if it isn't suitable bring your own meat.

One feature of every party is the party dips and chips - which usually means corn tortilla chips with additive filled shop bought dips. Eugh.

Prepare your own dips and bring fresh veggie crudities instead. Easy, fresh and healthy. And you wont overeat. Throw in some whole almonds too if drink is involved. This will limit your consumption of the roasted salted kind when the beers kick in later! AND I bet you'll have more people eating yours than you think!

Here is a few healthy dips you can prepare in advance, arrange on a plate, cover with cling film and off you go!

Ingredients:
Roasted Aubergine and Garlic Dip: 
1 Large Aubergine
4 Tbsp of Good Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
2 Cloves of Garlic

Easy Smoked Paprika Mayo Dip:
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp of Lemon Juice
1 tsp of dijon mustard
3/4 cup of mild olive oil
Salt& Pepper
1/2 tbsp of Smoked Paprika

Homemade Guacamole:
2 ripe avocados
1 red onion diced finely
1 red chilli finely diced with seeds removed
1 ripe tomato diced with seeds removed
Lime/lemon juice
Salt & pepper

Directions:
For Roasted Aubergine and Garlic Dip: 
Cut the aubergine in half lengthways and cover with about a tbsp of the oil. Season and place in a 200C oven with the garlic for 15- 20 minutes or until soft and tender.
Place in a bowl and cover with cling film for a few minutes until cool enough to handle.
The clingfilm should have made the skin easy to remove - remove it all.
Place the aubergine, garlic and remaining oil in a processor and blend until almost smooth.
Check for seasoning, cool and serve.
For Roasted Aubergine and Red Pepper Dip (Pictured) 
This is a variation on the above recipe and is my favourite of the two. Make as above but add one roasted red pepper to the mixture when blending. (Use jarred)
For Easy Smoked Paprika Mayo Dip:
Place egg yolk in a bowl with lemon juice and mustard
Mix until smooth and the slowly start adding the oil in a fine stream until it emulsifies to a smooth sauce.
Add the smoked paprika, mix, cool and serve.
For Homemade Avocado: 
Peel and de-stone your avocados and add to a bowl.
Mash with a fork and add all the ingredients except the tomatoes which should be added before serving. Check seasoning. Mix well.

Cover with clingfilm and keep the avocado seed/stone in the bowl too. This helps prevent oxidation.
Add tomatoes before serving.


All the above can be served with veg crudités or veg crisps

Chrimbo Baking Bonanza: Part 2 Mince Pies

So as you may know, yesterday was all about baking for me and I thoroughly enjoyed cooking a Traditional Christmas Fruit Cake, as well as Mince Pies.

Like many things which we attempt to Paleo-fy, these mince pies are a substitute for the real thing, but of course are difficult to match as they don't contain all the sugar required to make them so tempting. In saying that, these are nice as a reminiscent replacement for a Christmas staple.

Ingredients
MincedMeat
(Fills 12 pies)
1/2 cup of sweet apple, diced
1/4 cup of shredded suet
3/4 cup of dried mixed fruit (sultanas, currants, raisins)
Zest & Juice of 1 Lemon
Zest & Juice of 1 Orange
1tsp mixed spice
1/4 tsp cinnamon
A few grates of nutmeg
3 tbsp honey
1tbsp brandy (optional)

1. Mix everything together in a oven proof dish, leave in a cool place for 24hrs,
2. Place in a preheated 120C oven for 1 hour, covered loosely.
3. Stir occasionally as it cools.

"Pastry"
Ingredients
(Makes 12 pies)
2 cups ground almonds
2 egg whites
Pinch of salt
Pinch of cinnamon

1. Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix until it begins to come together.
2. Mix with hands and form a ball.
3. Place on a board lined with parchment paper and covered with more paper. This is essential as the mixture is very sticky.
4. Roll with a pin until it is about 1/2 cm thick. Cut disks out with a cutter and place gently in cupcake papers. (Do not skip this stage, otherwise you wont get them out of the tin)
5. Top the "pastry" with the mincemeat and stars for lids and brush with beaten egg. You can also just add almonds as a topper.
6. Bake in a 160C oven for 15 minutes, checking at 10 minutes to prevent burning.

Paleo Traditional Christmas Fruit Cake

Hey Paleo Peeps!

Memories
Whatever the reasons it made me think of old memories - my Mum cooking the Christmas cake every year and watching the mixing together of what seemed like hundreds of ingredients. The smell of the zested fruits, the alcohol, the bags of dried fruits and the sticky glacé cherries. The overnight steeping of the ingredients and us children being warned not to make noise for fear the cake would collapse in the middle.The inevitable rows when we couldn't be quiet, and the mad shoving to the car to visit our Grandmother until the cake had finished its 6 hour cooking marathon.

This cake is rich and morish and has strong flavours of brandy. But most importantly it tastes like Christmas and memories.

Traditionally an Irish Christmas cake is made with the fruits outlined, but you can use a combination of any dried fruits - dates, apricots etc)

Try it! It is great immediately and gets even better with age, so bake now for your Christmas guests or as a festive gift for a gluten free or Paleo friend. (That's if you can resist it until then!!)

Ingredients
1.25 cups Sultanas
1.25 cups Raisins
1.25 cups Currants
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Zest and juice of 1 orange
1/4 of a fresh nutmeg or 1/4 tsp
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp mixed spice
2.5 tbsp brandy (optional, but hey it is Christmas!! Use 1 tbsp of vanilla extract in it's place)
2 cups ground almonds/almond meal
Handful chopped almonds
3 eggs
3 tbsp olive oil

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 150C. Line a 20 cm round tin on sides and bottom with parchment paper.

2. Add fruit, juice and grated zests, spice and 1.5 tbsp of the brandy and stir well. If you have the time you can let this sit overnight in a cool dry place, but it is not necessary.
3. Add the eggs, olive oil, ground almonds and chopped almonds and mix well to combine.
4. Pour into the prepared tin and level the top with a spatula.
5. Place in the oven and cook for 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 45 checking with a skewer. If it comes out clean it is done.
6. Make several holes in the top of the cake with a skewer and pour the remaining brandy (if using) on top of the warm cake and leave to cool in tin for 10 minutes.
7. Remove gently from tin, remove parchment and leave to cool on a rack.

Post Whole30 Thoughts, A Paleo Christmas and New Beginnings

Hi Paleo Peeps

Hope you are all well! I have been busy over the past few days. Getting into the Christmas spirit so to speak! A little too much alcohol was consumed, but the food was kept within the Paleo framework.

I was so ready for partying after my Whole30 ended last week. I have enjoyed some Paleo cookies and other non Whole30 treats, but all within the Paleo framework.

The Whole30 was a major challenge for me. One I completed and was proud of myself for, but it made me a little unhappy towards the end. I guess I have a few more food issues to address than I thought! I haven't gone completely crazy eating but I have definitely loosening the resigns.

Over the 30 days I lost 2 inches off my waist and a further 3 lbs of weight. This has brought me down by a total of 15 lbs since July to 126lbs ( I am 5ft 7.5") and I actually think I look too thin now. (My friends think so too) So I have some room to play with so to speak!

Over Christmas I plan to keep it Paleo as much as possible. I really do not want grains so I will be avoiding these where at all possible. Ditto for sugar. They just make me feel shite and are not worth it. But I will be drinking, and I will be eating when I want! No limits! I am hoping to make Paleo versions of my favourite foods so I don't feel deprived.

Look out for versions of Paleo Tortillas and Dips, Paleo Minced Pies and Paleo Christmas Puddings which I will be busy working on in my Paleo Kitchen!!

By New Year I am hoping to have maintained but hopefully not gained. That is the plan at present!

The weekend also included late nights and ALOT of driving, so I was exhausted by the time I got home Sunday night.

Yesterday was spent detoxing from the booze and then yesterday evening I went to an open evening for a Naturopathy Nutrition Course, which I plan to begin in February!

This is an exciting new project for me, as it is completely different from my background. But I have been unemployed for three months and have been considering new options. With my interest in diet, nutrition and well being, my new interest in Paleo and the interest I have had in my blog and facebook pages, it just made sense for me to look at this is a career option for me.

I am excited for this new beginning and I am really looking forward to helping people tackle their problems and issues with their diets and lifestyles and being JUSTIFIED in giving advice. For me, although I am happy to help people from my own experience, I could not be confident giving advice at present. It kind of bugs me when I see some people on Facebook give advice (sometimes incorrect and inconsistently!) who have no real right to do so. I could name one or two I wont! I have been surprised at the number of people who are desperate for support and information on healthy living and lifestyle, and I want to help people find the best way for them! I think Naturopathy and Holistic medicine is truly the way forward and I want to be a part of that movement in Ireland!

So learning about nutrition properly will be so interesting and a new beginning for me. It is a big step, and I am anxious to get a career for myself that I can enjoy. And I think this is the one for me!

Who knows, I might even have my own clinic in years to come!!

To the New Year and New Beginnings for Me!

Day 30! The End or The Beginning?

Hey Paleo Peeps!!

Hope you are all well on this the 30th day of November and the 30th day of my Whole30 November!!

It is hard to believe this is the 30th day and the "destination" of my journey. I have spent 30 days aiming for this day, and now that I am here I am not fully sure how I feel about it!

Its almost like when you spend hours on a road trip and your destination is all you can think of. You have the whole journey mapped out, the best route to take, the most suitable places to refuel, but you haven't really considered what you will do once you park up and get out of your car!!

I thought once I got to this point I would be elated that I could loosen the reigns a little and eat potatoes or drink some wine. But truth be told I am not counting down the hours to midnight to crack open the Pinot Grigio! My fiance asked me today "Are you going to eat chips/fries tomorrow?!" My response was "I doubt it". I think he thought I would be elated by the prospect, but my answer was fairly unemotional.

I suppose that last word sums up how my relationship with food has been changed by this experience. Food is no longer something I need as a pick me up. Refined carbs and sugars are no longer required to make me feel happy, and I no longer reward myself with bad foods. So for me this is not the end, but merely just one part of a longer voyage! Merely the beginning.

I have no intention of going off the rails and gorging myself on pastries and bread. But I am looking forward to having the occasional paleo baked good.

Whilst I have been Paleo for 4 months now, and therefore didn't make as many changes as someone starting out from scratch, but I none the less encourage it for anyone - novices or those wishing to get back to basics.

I definitely feel very proud of myself that I have got this far. It has been challenging but not impossible. And I definitely feel more justified in helping others on their Paleo journey.

I may even be persuaded to do it all again in January!

Full results, weight wise and otherwise, tomorrow!!

Day 28 - Update of my Whole30 November Challenge

Hey Paleo Pals!

Hope you are all well! I can't believe I haven't posted since Friday, so apologies for that! Hope you haven't missed me too much!

My weekend went well, Saturday was fairly quiet and uneventful as it poured rain all day! Not nice!
We did go to the cinema Sat night to watch the Twilight film (which I loved btw). Me, my bottle of water and (counterfeit) nuts! Love to live on the edge eh?!

Me and my son at Xmas Party, sorry for blurriness

Yesterday was a challenging day eating wise I have to say. My son and I attended a children's diabetic party for families affected by diabetes in the area (my son has been Type1 for about 15 months). We travelled there for the 1pm start time and thankfully I had fed my son before we left as we didn't get food until well after 3pm! You would think of all the groups they would ensure diabetic children got fed quickly to avoid hypoglycaemia! There were nearly tears (his) and tantrums (mine) but he enjoyed it once he got fed!

I was so hungry myself as I had only a banana for breakfast (thinking I would be having dinner early)

Dinner was Turkey & Ham with the works but I just avoided the potatoes and stuffing and piled my plate with  veggies. It was delish.

I wasn't expecting dessert too so I went to the bathroom and when I came back there was a lovely looking plate in front of me. My heart sank because I am fine once the bad food isn't in front of my damn face! On the plate was a trio of desserts including strawberry cheesecake, Christmas cake and profiteroles with choc sauce. Man that was tough! But I refrained and figured if I broke it now, with just 3 days to go, I would never forgive myself. So I ate the apple and strawberry garnishes and wrapped the Christmas cake in a napkin for my fiance.

Anyway, I am so grateful I didn't eat anything bad.

I know I could harp on about the fact I am glad I have almost done my Whole30 and that I can only envision myself 100% Paleo for ever etc etc, but the truth is I am not sure how I feel!
100% Paleo is amazingly challenging and difficult. A life without any sweetness, even honey, would be so tough for most people. Meat and veggies are so delish but sometimes satisfying a sweet craving has to be done!
It can also be incredibly restrictive when out and about especially when you have no choice over what you are offered to eat.
But I do feel proud of myself for proving to myself that I CAN do this - challenging though it may be.
And I do think any healthy eating worth their word should do this for 30 days. Coz it is easy to say "Don't eat this, don't eat that" but until you go off everything yourself for 30 days you don't know what you're talking about!

My eating has gone like this for the past few days:

Friday

Brunch: Bacon, 2 poached eggs, toms and avocado

Dinner: Bacon salad with cashew nuts
Supper: Steak, onions and tomatoes

Sunday:
BF: Banana
Lunch: T&H Dinner with creamed carrots and parsnips and Brussels sprouts
Dinner: Bacon and fried egg, banana, apple

Monday (Day 28)
BF: Bacon and 2 scrambled eggs, banana
Lunch: Tuna Mayo Salad with an apple
Dinner: Irish Lamb Stew with cauliflower mash

That's it for now! Hope you are still hanging in there and doing great. I know a few of you from the facebook page are still plugging a way, so keep it up! I can't wait to hear all your results!

Bye for now, chat soon and remember, Keep It Paleo

Denise
xx

Day 24 - The End Is In Sight and A Brighter Mood

Hey Paleo Pals.

Happy Thanksgiving to those of you across the pond. I hope you have an enjoyable day with family & friends.

Just a short post today, nothing major to report except that my mood has returned to normal and I am feeling a lot more cheerful.

I must say I have found this Whole30 more challenging than I thought I would. It has been tough excluding things sure, but it is the extra strictness I have really found tough. I guess I am in a bit of a rut and eating the same stuff. Also I had considered myself fairly strict Paleo at 90% but now I realise that that last 10% is the real challenge.
The little things like being able to occasionally have Paleo baked goods or honey or a potato!
So yes, this Whole30 journey has been fairly tough! But it has made me focus on eating real food - which is always good.

Anyway, it is hard to believe I have only 6 days left! Time is near complete!

Foodwise my eating has gone has follows:

Day23

BF: Spinach scramble with tomatoes
Lunch: Ham, avocado, an apple
Dinner: Pork Casserole with sweet potato and spinach

Day24
BF: Bacon, 2 fried eggs and tomatoes
Lunch: Banana, lamb chop
Dinner: Pork Loin stuffed with sundried tomato, garlic, chillie and basil. Served with roasted veg done in coconut oil, butter leek and mashed cauliflower

Enjoy the rest of Thanksgiving, and enjoy the leftovers!

Chat soon, keep it Paleo

Denise xx

Day 22 - A Low Point?

Hey Paleo Peeps!

Another report from your favourite Irish Paleo Girl! ;)

Sometimes I wonder if anyone is reading these posts.... *Hello, anyone out there....*
But I guess they say blog writing is good for the soul....

The past few days have been low points for me on my Whole30. I can't say why to be honest. I don't even think it is food related, but I feel shitty. I am trying to shake that and hopefully it will pass soon.

Maybe its hormones, maybe its the gaping hole in my social life, or maybe it is just because I have been unemployed for three months and with the job market the way it is, it is difficult to stay positive.

I am unmotivated and therefore have gotten fairly bad at taking pictures - apologies in advance for that!

Ok, so moan over.

Apart from this my paleo eating has gone well the past two days

My chowing went a little like this:

Day 21

BF: None, fasted until Lunch
Lunch: Leftover Lamb and Sweet Potato Curry
Dinner: Baked Salmon with homemade salsa verde and broccoli
Snacks: Apple, sultanas

Day 22
BF: Salmon Omelette (2) with avocado
Lunch: Leftover Lamb curry
Dinner: Minced Beef Stew with cauliflower mash
Snacks: Apple, Sultanas, Bacon and 1 fried egg
Exercise: 1 hour walk with dog

So that is it for now guys.
Hope ye are feeling a little more motivated than me today.

Only 1 week left of Whole30 for those of you joining me.

Keep it up and keep it Paleo

Lamb & Sweet Potato Curry

This curry is a sure dinner party pleaser, as it is sure to satisfy all your guests - Paleo or not! Just increase the quantities accordingly. It is a perfect dish to use a cheaper cut of lamb such as shoulder.

It can be cooked on the stove top at a low simmer, in your crockpot or bunged into the oven and forgotten about for an hour and a half. Perfect!

Serves 2

400g of lamb, chopped into cubes.
1/2 tbsp ground turmeric
3/4 tbsp ground cumin
1/2 tbsp ground coriander
1 litre of chicken stock
Salt/Pepper
100ml coconut milk
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large sweet potato
1-2 tbs coconut oil
Large handful of spinach

Preheat the oven to 140C.
Heat the oil on a medium heat in a your saucepan or oven proof dish.
Brown off the lamb and remove from pan.
Fry garlic and onion until softened.
Add the spices and fry off for 2 minutes.
Return the lamb and any juices to the pan.
Add the stock and bring to a simmer.
Place in oven and cook for an hour.
Add the sweet potato and cook for remaining 30 minutes.
Add coconut milk and spinach for last 10 minutes.
Lamb and sweet potato should be tender.

Serve with mashed cauliflower "rice".

Day 20 - 10 more days Whole30 but lessons learned for many more

Hey ho Paleo pals!!

Day 20 of my 100% Paleo journey, and to be honest the last few have been pretty tricky. Just some of those days when I have been so busy and under prepared and as a result went hungry or struggled to find anything quick to eat other than eggs!

*Sigh*

So the lesson here is to be more prepared and have leftovers to hand when needed.

As said above I had a really busy weekend - we were babysitting my fiance's 18 month old niece so we were pretty busy. To be honest I don't even remember what I ate Friday! But don't worry, it was all Paleo friendly!!

Day 19

BF: Bacon, scrambled eggs and avocado
Lunch: Roast Chicken, roasted Sw potato and turnip
Dinner: More scrambled eggs and ham.
Snacks: Apple & banana & sultanas

Day 20
BF: 2 eggs scrambled in microwave on the run with a banana
Lunch: Bacon, 1 fried egg, apple
Dinner: Roast rosemary & garlic lamb with mashed cauliflower and carrots&parsnips
Supper: Lamb curry

Sense an egg themed pattern going on there?!! Baby gone home now though so organisation resumes!
Apologies for lack of photos ec.

Until the next time - keep it paleo!!

Day 17 and my 4 month anniversary on Paleo :)

Hey ho Paleo Peeps! :)

Hope you are doing well and enjoying the benefits of your newly cleansed Paleo body as I am!!
Please share your experiences! I am so excited to hear about your progress so far, and a few facebook fans are already reporting massive losses in weight and looser clothes!

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly these body changes occur after going paleo. It just goes to show how badly grains and sugars affect your health and digestive tract.

Yesterday marked my four month anniversary of going Paleo. It has gone so quickly and my body composition has changed. And also how my whole outlook on food has changed. Food isn't cheap entertainment to me anymore. My boredom is no longer an opportunity to gorge on pizza or panninis. I don't have to run to the toaster for buttery toast when in a rush to eat - thus starting a vicious circle of carb rush followed by sugar drop followed by carb rush........ I eat when I am hungry and stop when I am full. And if I fancy more meat, I eat it!

It is amazing that I have gone from needing to loose a few pounds to getting to the point where I feel I need to plateau. I tried on a new dress I bought a few weeks back in a UK size 8 (US 12?) and it is big on me. My fiance says I actually need to gain a bit back as I am loosing my curves. I would tend to agree to be honest. And I hope I do plateau soon.

My eating over the past two days has gone something like this:

DAY 16

BF: Liver, Bacon and veggies
Lunch: Leftover chicken casserole, an apple
Dinner: Bacon, squash, sprouts and carrots
Supper: 2 x scrambled eggs

Day 17
BF: Liver, bacon, fried egg, leftover sprouts
Lunch: Rib steak and veggies

Dinner: Lamb Bolognaise with courgette pasta
Snack: 2 mandarines

That concludes my day 17 update! Just 13 more days until Dec 1st! And I just organised a post whole30 girlie night out for 3rd December. Woohoo!!

Talk soon, keep it Paleo!! :)

-Denise x

Recipe - Roast Squash, Carrot and Garlic Soup

Make the most of this seasons Butternut Squash and make a nourishing and hearty soup to keep out the winter chills!

Serves 2

Ingredients

1/2 a medium squash (peeled and cubed)
1 x medium carrot (peeled and sliced)
1 x medium onion (diced)
3 x garlic cloves (unpeeled)
1 tbsp chopped parsley
3 tbsp coconut oil
1/2 litre of chicken stock ( I used my own first batch!)
Salt and Pepper

Method:
Preheat the oven to 180C
Roast seasoned carrot, garlic and squash with coconut oil in an oven at 180C until tender
Soften onions in a little coconut oil and add the roasted garlic (squeeze it out of skins)
Add the carrots, squash and stock and bring to the boil.
Simmer for 10-12 minutes until all vegetables are cooked through
Blend the soup with a handheld blender.
Serve in bowls, garnished with parsley.

Day 15 - The Halfway Point & Some Ponderings Thus Far

Heyho Paleo Peeps!

Today marks the half way point of my 30 day journey of strict Paleo eating (and hopefully day 15 for those of you joining me on this journey).

At this point I am very proud of myself for succeeding thus far. It has been easier than I thought and harder than I thought, in equal measures, if that makes sense!?

Easier because I had been pretty strict since July anyway. Apart from alcohol of course, but hey never trust an Irish person who doesn't drink! haha (and Paleo advocate Lorein Cordain enjoys a glass or two of vino so why not!?) I had therefore got most of the fundamentals in place all ready. Sure it is challenging taking it to this level of strictness - but not impossible.

I would say it is harder in ways - especially when it comes to eating in other people's houses or restaurants for example.
While I always endeavour to stay true to my normal Paleo eating habits, sometimes it is unavoidable to cut some corners. Like the kind of fats your food is cooked in, or having a small piece of someone's cake so as not to be rude. But when undertaking a 30 day programme you can't make these tweaks or you are breaking the programme and ruining its good effects on your body.

What this Whole30 HAS done though has made me realise that I CAN eat the best way for my body without feeling I am missing out on tasty and satisfying food. It also makes me proud of myself to know that I am reducing my chances of a whole plethora of diseases as well as the big C (*gulp). I mean at the end of the day wouldn't you like to know you were doing everything YOU could to reduce your chances of becoming unhealthy?

Today I also clarified another batch of Kerrygold and cooked a lovely chicken thigh casserole.

Here is a breakdown of what I have been devouring over the past two days:

Day 14

BF: Smoked Salmon and Asparagus with tomato and mushroom

Lunch: Roasted Squash, Carrot and Garlic Soup

Dinner: Salmon, Stir fried Greens and sweet tatters

Snacks: Banana,

Day 15

BF: Bacon, Onions and Mushrooms

Lunch: Leftover Salmon & Veggie Omelette

Dinner: Chicken Thigh Casserole

Snack: Apple, 2 x mandarin's

So, that concludes my Day 15 post! Hope your day has gone well so far.

Talk soon, and remember, Keep it Paleo! :)