Under the weather

So this is completely based on unscientific data, but eating crappy makes me feel crappy.

After I completed my 28 day clean living challenge...I allowed myself to eat corn, sugar, dairy, alcohol, and pretty much whatever else I felt like for the next few days. What resulted was lower energy (read missed or piss-poor workouts), an increased craving for sugar, and weakened immune system! I started to feel sick a few days ago, and it has turned into a full-blown sinus infection.

Looks like I'm jumping back into clean living and eating with a few minor adjustments. I'm going to keep some dairy (yogurt, full-fat cheese) and some wine/alcohol in moderation.  I like the idea of 80-90% clean living with the occasional indulgence. The plan is also to keep my carbs around 100/day for now. There will be some modifications in the very near future (so excited to start Indigo!). 

Also, I am looking for some new ideas for recovery. I loved Flooid Yoga but my membership expired. Anyone know of any places offering discounts?

For now, it's back to the couch with a cup of Gypsy Cold Care to cuddle with my perros and get over this damn cold.

Day 28- Completing the Clean Living Challenge

Today is the final day of Crossfit Southwest's Clean Living Challenge!! I am proud to say I made it through without cheating the program or myself. I ate clean, worked hard, and focused efforts on rehabbing injuries and recovery.

So what are the benefits I have noticed? 

• I have loads of energy in the afternoon
• I wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go
• Finally sleeping better (Thanks Danielle!)
• Lost about 5lbs and 3.5" from my hips/abdomen
• My um...digestion is more regular than normal
• I have increased my mobility and range of motion in my shoulders and hips
• I reconnected with some great friends and made new bonds with fellow challengers
• My culinary prowess has increased...hello kohlrabi and bacon!

What were some of my challenges?

• The first week I had nightmares about baked goods. I can't even eat pie without it messing me up but for some reason I was craving cake, cookies, and pie
• Finding healthy snacks...too often I turned to nuts or fruits which either put me over my carb goal or left me hungry later on
• Explaining my diet to everyone at work and getting crap for it
• Planning all my meals ahead can be exhausting
• Being sober for the Super Bowl. Lame.
• Missing my Dutch Bro's skinny latte

What happens now?

• I'm going to enjoy some little cheats (skinny Margarita from Ajo Al's, some Valentine's chocolate)
• I'll slowly bring back some "forbidden foods" like yogurt and protein shakes
• I plan to keep my carb intake around 100g for now...allowing for some movement depending on my activity level
• Continue taking time to recover...AM sun salutation, yoga few times a week, going to bed early
• Keep pressing forward

Thank you everyone for supporting me through this. It has been a great learning experience.

Day 2- Busy but I'm learning to plan ahead

Day 2: Clean Living Challenge
Today has been extremely busy and productive. I started my class on cardio fitness & training. It seems fitting to start class during this challenge.  Hopefully this class/degree will help me continue to educate myself and live a healthier life.
I also got back into the pool after a lot of months off.  It felt great to glide through the water and it helped loosen up my back which has been bothering me as of late. Rehabbing is definitely going to be a priority during this challenge.
I also prepared a favorite dish of mine with a few tweaks to provide yummy snacks throughout the week.

Clean Living Swedish Meatballs (or as the Swedish Chef would say, "bjork, bjork, bjork, bjork!)

• 1lb ground elk
• 1lb ground beef
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 medium yellow or white onion (grated, not diced)
• 1 tsp butter or ghee
• 1 tbsp pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cardamon
• 1 tbsp nutmeg
• 1 tbsp allspice

Heat butter in medium sauce pan. Add grated onion  (use either food processor or cheese grater) and pinch of salt to butter. Cook approx 10 minutes on medium heat, stirring frequently. You don't want to caramelize the onion, just cook it through.

Add onion to meat, spices, almond flour, and egg yolks. Mix thoroughly (by hand is most fun and therapeutic.)  Measure approx 1/4 cup of meat mixture or less and place on lined baking sheet. (This is messy so tinfoil is your friend.) Bake at 400 for 20-30.

Yields approx 26 meatballs.
Per meatball: 89 calories, 5g fat, 1g carbs, 9g protein

I used 1lb of ground elk (thanks Dad for actually killing one this year) and 1lb free range ground beef (again, thanks Dad for the hookup.)  You can use whatever type of ground meat you have around. I get a lot of my meat from a rancher down in McNeal area (think Douglas). He delivers up here if you don't happen to have a family connection. The ranch is called Sky Island Brand / 47 Ranch.  You can contact them at: crossu@vtc.net or 520 642-9368.

They also have a facebook page: Sky Island Brand Facebook

Start of Clean Living Challenge 2012 at CFSW!

Today starts the four week "Clean Living Challenge" presented by Ken at Crossfit Southwest. We had an informative meeting tonight, and I was inspired and awed by the amount of people that showed up to participate. Granted this is day 1 of 28 but the enthusiasm was high!


 
Here are the basics:
1) Eat real food (lean meat, veggies, fruit, & nuts/seeds)
2) Avoid crap food that makes us unhealthy (grains, dairy, sugar, processed food, alcohol, & legumes)
3) Recover (heal wounds...make imbalances balanced, etc...)
4) Set goals and create action plans on how to achieve them both for the challenge and the long haul
5) Exercise & be fit
 
I actually started the process this morning by purging the house of "unfit" food. Luckily for me, the house is not filled with cookies and cakes but it was hard to get rid of the oatmeal, honey, and the booze!

Bailey's & Goose, I'll miss you most of all!

After I was done with purge, I rewarded myself with some delicious egg muffins. The recipe is super simple, and they store fairly well if you make a bunch in advance.

Ingredients:

• 5 slices nitrate free/organic bacon (diced and cooked ahead of time)
• 10 eggs (beaten)
• 1 cup already cooked spinach (you can use frozen)
• 3 green onion stalks (diced) 

Method:
Mix all ingredients together.  Either line muffin tins with paper or grease heavily (I'm so investing in silicon baking cups soon!) and evenly distribute mixture.  Bake at 350 for approx 20-25 minutes, depending on oven. Enjoy!

Nutrition: (Per muffin)

• 72 cals
• 4g fat
• 1.25g carbs
• 6.25g protein

After the meeting, I had a meal fit for a primal queen-- free range top sirloin and organic greens. Yum! Guess I should start tackling the "initial assessment" and figure out what exactly I want out of this challenge...