Time To Return to Basics

Hey Paleo Peeps.

So, today is my 27th Birthday, and like the beginning of a New Year, for me this feels like a good time to change for the better.
While I have taken on the Paleo Lifestyle since July 2011, and to the most part adopted it as a way of life wholeheartedly, I have of course had my lapses.
Everyone has bad days of course. That day we decide "Screw it I'm going to have some regular icecream" or "Damn it I am going to over indulge in beer". But as long as the journey is MOSTLY Paleo we don't feel TOO bad about it.
It is when we begin to make more and more excuses to make exceptions that this becomes an issue. And alas this has been the case for me in the past week or two. I have began to make excuses and I am not happy with that. I havent touched the dreaded grains. But I have been enticed into consuming chocolate and cheese and the truth is I feel like crap and I dont like it!

Don't get me wrong. I have still been about 85 - 90% Paleo but I feel I need that extra push at the moment and I really want to get in proper shape again. I have become a little "soft" and I want to tone up and get out exercising again. I aim to include 3 workouts a week of core workouts, lifting and walking/sprints. I will do some research on these but would appreciate some advice.

Also, if this is something I want to do for a living i.e Nutritional Therapy (I am currently studying Naturopathy) I must practice what I preach.

So it is Time To Return To Basics!

I will be returning to 100% Paleo for the next 27 days (its merely a coincidence this matches the number of years I have been on this earth, but a cool coincidence none the less) and will follow the plan right up to the 6th May when my sister will be having her Hen night. (I have also roped her into this and will be reporting on her progress too. She doesn't know this yet. Or didn't until now....Sorry sis!!)

So the 100% Paleo Challenge begins tomorrow.  Sometimes we have to scale things right back to see why we began the journey in the first place.

I would love to have a few more people on board with me. Together we can encourage each other and stay on track.

Here is what I will be doing:

NO GRAINS including breads, pastas, cakes and buns
NO ALCOHOL
NO SUGAR including honey or stevia
NO DAIRY eg milk, or cheese (I will be eating butter as I do not react to it personally)
NO VEGETABLE OILS cooking only with olive oil, coconut oil or butter
GETTING MORE ACTIVE

So here is to the next 27 days.To becoming more healthy and to being more in control of our bodies.

Chocolate Coconut Milk Icecream

This is a delicious icecream and a fitting way to add a much needed post to my blog!
My apologies for neglecting you all and I promise to get back to more regular posting.

This paleo friendly icecream has only 4 ingredients in it and is fairly easy to make. If you are lucky enough to have an icecream maker it is even easier. Unfortunately it is not something I own but is something I am now considering purchasing!

The texture is very creamy and almost identical to regular icecream, but without the guilt and is dairy free (you can make it totally dairy free by omitting the chocolate and just making a different variation) I didn't add any sweeteners and I thought it was sweet enough, but if you want to add some honey etc by all means do. I don't have a sweet tooth and the cocoa flaovour of this is perfect for me. If you like things sweeter you will probably need the sweetener)

The recipe itself takes a little while to get freezer ready so be patient! It isn't something you should rush so take your time.

Ingredients

1 can full fat coconut milk
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 whole eggs
100g 85% soya free chocolate

Method
Place coconut milk in a double boiler over simmering water. Do not allow the water to touch the bottom of the bowl. Monitor the heat and do not allow to boil. Add chocolate and vanilla extract at this point if using.
Heat until hot and the chocolate has melted but do not allow to boil.

In a separate bowl whisk eggs. Add one ladle of milk mixture and whisk vigorously. This is an important stage  and is "tempering" the eggs to prevent them scrambling. Add another ladle and whisk again until well combined.

Return the egg mixture to the coconut milk and whisk to form a thick custard. This will take time so be patient. Do not allow water to come into contact with bowl and do not be tempted to turn the heat up too high. If you want you can have a bowl of ice on hand to place the entire bowl into if it looks like it might split or is getting too hot. This will cool it down immediately and might allow you to save it.

Once thickened place on a dish (that will fit in your freezer). Once it cools you may add other ingredients once you have choose your flavours (see variations below)

Allow to cool fully before placing in your icecream maker and following manufacturers instructions.
If you do not have an icecream maker (which I don't) place the tray into the freezer. Stir the mixture every 30 minutes for 2-3 hours until set.

Remove from the freezer about 10 minutes before serving to allow to soften slightly. Serve with fruit, honey or chopped nuts, as desired.

Variations
Chocolate Chip - Add chocolate chips to cooled mixture before freezing
Vanilla - Add 4 tbsp of vanilla extract and omit the chocolate
Berry/Fruit - Add pureed fruit to cooled mixture before freezing
Nut - add handful of your favourite chopped nuts. I think hazelnut would be fab in this recipe!

Let me know what you think!

Enjoy

xx

Roasted Squash and Bacon Soup

Time to dig out the winter warmers as we are set for a chilly weekend around here.
Check out this delicious soup, set to warm the cockles of even the most non Paleo eater.

Serves 4

Ingredients
1/2 medium squash
75g smoked bacon lardons
1 stalk of celery
1 onion
4 tbsp of olive oil
1 ltr of chicken stock (homemade or otherwise)
Salt and Pepper

Chop squash into bite size pieces and place in a roasting dish with the chopped onion, celery, 3 bsp oil and seasoning.
Roast at 180C until soft (approx 30 minutes)
In the meantime, saute the bacon in the remaining oil until cooked through and browned slightly.
Once roasted vegetables are complete place in saucepan with bacon, add stock and bring to the boil.
Blitz using a handheld blender, check for seasoning and serve.