Paleo Challenge

I mentioned last week that our Crossfit group was starting a Paleo Challenge. This basically entails eating strictly paleo for 6 weeks (with a couple of exceptions...we can use stevia as a sweetener and can do lentils or healthy carbs-aka quinoa or brown rice- on our xfit workout days), having only 1 cheat or variety MEAL a week, as opposed to a cheat DAY, chugging a bunch of water, and keeping up with our workouts.

I know the paleo thing isn't for everyone and I know that for our family, it is definitely not a practical lifestyle...but as a challenge, it can absolutely be done. I'm loving being held accountable and I think 6 weeks is the perfect amount of time to suck it up and work extra hard before Memorial Day weekend is here and Summer really hits (although it's FELT like Summer for weeks here...SO HOT).

Some fun eats as of late?

"Oatmeal minus the Oats"

•  One banana, mashed
• 3/4 cup egg whites (or whites of 3 eggs)
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tbsp flax meal
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 c. chopped walnuts

Mix all ingredients and cook over med-high heat, stirring frequently until it forms at oatmeal-like consistency. Top with fruit, almond butter, nuts...whatever! It's all good. :)

Last night we had zucchini strands instead of spaghetti noodles, topped with turkey meatballs and sauce...and it was amazeballs. I've never been so excited for leftovers.

I'm still addicted to tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber topped with some Garlic Expressions marinade and dill. It makes an awesome mid-morning snack...but who am I kidding, I basically eat this all day long.

Tonight's menu? Lemon Dill Salmon with asparagus and sweet potato wedges.

See?! Paleo eating can be seriously yummy and I've mentioned the bonuses before- my personal fave- you feel less bloated at the end of the day and still maintain some resemblance of that flat "first thing in the morning" stomach!

For the next 6 weeks I'm going to try to check in with a Paleo-friendly meal from time to time...and trust me, these won't be anything super crazy. Just normal, easy to prep, weeknight meals that meet the paleo requirements. I love my food (especially cheese...), but I intend on feeling full and satisfied for the duration of the challenge. I'll also be making my cheat meal count...I'm talking booze, bowls of queso, etc. Kidding. Sort of.

If anyone out there has a favorite paleo meal, I'd love to hear about it!

xo,

H

P.S. Operation "Lose the Bottle" is on Day 4...and D is ready to break. He thinks that it is perfectly acceptable to wait until Grace is old enough to understand why we are taking her bottle away and try again then. Moms- what do you think? Should we hold out and just suck it up for a few more days during this transition or throw in the towel and try again closer to 2?