Is Food The New Crack?

I have been eating a Paleo diet for over 18 months now and looking back at my first posts on here I realise how much this lifestyle has become an important part of my life.

When I first committed to eating this way I viewed it as a short time strategy to loose a few pounds around the tummy and feel better about myself in the mirror.

What I got was something so much more.

I evolved from a refined carbaholic to someone who is passionate about not just looking and feeling my best, but to someone who is passionate and AWARE of everything I eat.

I make decisions based not on the calorific content of food, not on its "Points value" or even it's saturated fat content, but rather how it exists as part of the meal I am eating and as part of my food intake for that day.

Food has to be about quality, substance and nutrient density and not just about gratification. It can be pleasurable but should not be therapy. It should be satisfying but not a crutch.

These are the main things I have learned in my journey so far.

As time as gone on and I have been inspired to make this passion a part of my long term plan, I have returned to part time education to train to be a nutritional therapist. I really believe stubbling upon the Paleo way of eating was a key part of my decision to take this new and exciting path, and it another reason I am thankful for it's discovery!

But following this clean, real food diet has also made me more aware of the bad state of society's diet.
People are all to happy to put such unbelievable crap in their bodies. Eating food based on it's points value rather than it's nutritional value is just wrong.

I am all to aware that not too many years ago I too believed low fat was healthy, that cracker bread was pretty good for me, and pasta was nutritious. But I none the less enjoyed vegetables and salads on a regular basis, and cooked homemade food from scratch the majority of the time.

People are well and truly addicted, and food is their drug.

Healthy eaters can be viewed as the enemy, the drug squad, ruining their buzz and not understanding their situation.

Food is these people's crack and we need a 10 step program, FAST.

Marinated Ribeye Steak

Serves 2

Ingredients:
2 x Ribeye steaks
Marinade:
2 garlic cloves grated
2tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Salt & Pepper
1 tbsp Dried mixed herbs
1/2 tbsp of coconut or olive oil to fry

Directions:
Place the marinade ingredients in a glass dish and mix well ensuring all steak is coated.
Place in fridge to marinade for 45 mins to an hour.
When ready to cook, heat the pan with oil and add steak.
Cook first side for 2 minutes without moving. This will ensure a nice browned steak.
Turn your steak and cook for a further 3-7 minutes depending on your steak preferences.
I like mine medium so I cooked mine for another 4.
Rest for 5 minutes covered with foil.

Serve with roasted broccoli or veg of choice.

The Benefits of Sauerkraut

As mentioned on my Facebook page today was a day of firsts for me. Not only did I manage to finally find and consume some coconut water today, I also took the plunge and bought some sauerkraut.

Sauerkraut or Fermented Cabbage is not a new development that is for sure! Archaeologists have discovered that early hunter gatherers used the fermenting process, mainly as a means of preservation. The Chinese have been fermenting foods since 200BC and have hailed the fermenting juice as a treatment for many ailments.

Apart from it's tangy almost vinegary flavour, which I found quite lovely actually, sauerkraut has many health benefits. The lactic acid provide a source of natural probiotic and promote good gut health and digestion. It is also a good source of Vitamin C and is said to contain levels of compounds which are said to prevent cancer.

While I bought jarred sauerkraut to taste it, to get the most of it's benefits it is recommended you make it yourself. I will definitely be trying this.

Find out how to make it here

So do yourself a favour this week and try something new. If you don't take the chance to try new things, we will never develop a taste for them. Take my advice and try sauerkraut - your won't regret it, and your gut will thank you for it!! It will most definitely become yet another new food I have discovered since turning Paleo, and hopefully it won't be the last!