Food Challenge Kicked Off!

Wow. These meals will be big. I made a 4 egg omelette with asparagus and broccoli and cooked in butter and olive oil. It filled my plate and was only 1/2 as much as the calculations say I need to eat for breakfast. I am a 22 block dude according to the Zone. I paleo'ed the numbers and came up with 29P, 11C, and 29F daily. My breakfast was scrumptious. I will eat more at lunch! See ya'll later. Mike

...so I left a little early and missed the nutrional lecture...some of us were talking last night about combining aspects of the two paths, mostly Paleo with Zone add-ons....acceptable, Yes or No?

OK, I'm back in the blog. New security enabled and hopefully it will keep the spammers out! I need to hear from you guys, how's it going?

I am FULL, FULL, FULL. I struggled on Tuesday with getting enough food in and the timing. The protein keeps me full longer and I did not eat enough before Fran. Had that hypoglycemia "shaky" feeling about half way through. Hopefully today will be better.

Another great recipe! Try these low-carb Almond Muffins. 2 cups almond flour 2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 c (1 stick) butter, melted 4 eggs 1/3 c water Sweetener to taste - about 1/3 c usually works well - liquid preferred Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter a muffin tin (12 cups). Mix dry ingredients together well. Add wet ingredients and mix thoroughly. Put in muffin tins and bake for about 15 minutes. Now, here is how I varied the recipe: Use 1 1/3 c almond flour and 2/3 c flax meal I used 1/4 stick of melted butter and 1/2 c unsweetened applesauce. For sweetener, I used 2/3 c Splenda and I beat the eggs before adding. I cooked them for about 20 minutes, maybe a little longer, until tops started to brown. Nutritional information - Each muffin has 1.5 grams carbs plus 2 grams fiber, 6 grams protein and 185 calories. You can add fresh or frozen berries and/or chopped almonds or pecans too. The girls actually loved them! For the online recipe you can go to http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/breads/r/lowcarbmuffins.htm?p=1

Eating clean...but didn't realize how much bread and fruit I eat! I struggle w/thinking of carbs to eat besides green ones :-)

Carbs, luv em hate em! Lettuce, endive,kale,onions, shallots,avocado,mushrooms,beets, eggplant,radishes,beets,peppers, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, celery, squash, brussel sprouts(hate em), cauliflower, pickles, olives, asparagus, okra, sweet potatoes(debate continues), artichokes, collard greens, sprouts, etc... If you have to have some fruit stick to berries and apples as much as possible. Less desirable but still good fruits would include, melons. I hate to admit this, but my diet has changed so much over the years that I limit my food choices to a very limited range. I find this easiest for me but it can be boring. I then eat a broader range if I am having a cheat meal. Ultimately, we need to learn to change habits, eat to live but also food is good for the soul. Don't drive yourself to depression eating nothing! Just choose wisely.

I was doing great until the 2nd half of last night's game. Nothing but meat, vegetables and nuts all week until I succumbed to the pizza's seductions. I am ashamed. I am back at it today. Take care, Mike

Thanks so much Michelle for the posting of a good recipe. i need some of these! need some serious variety from my rotisserie chicken and avocados. hahah

cranky and foggy without all the sugar, but other than that things are AWESOME! Didn't realize I'd miss creamer in my coffee so much.

Mike, don't be too hard on yourself. Keep it up! Some is always better than none. Hardcore training can make up for a slip every now and then. Hey, I had a great lunch today. Try it out- Spinach Egg Drop Soup-spinach, onion, chicken stock broth, a few spices and then a Country Salad-grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, broccoli, onions, black olives, fresh mushrooms, bell pepper, and then a tomato basil/oil dressing. Sweet mama mia! I am stuffed. Burn it off today in the WOD. BTW, bought the meal @ Cafe Sicilia in Bedford.

I have used recipes off of marksdailyapple.com that are great! Did the spaghetti squash with my usual meat sauce(a great place to add veggies such as spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, bellpepper, etc.)-Got an A+ from my friends and co-workers. I also made the Primal Jambalaya off of Marks Daily Apple. I was a bit concerned about using grated cauliflower as a sub. for rice, but it turned out well-Got an A from friends and co-workers. An additional site I would recommend is Liveprimal.com. There is a 92 page recipe book (Over 200 recipes) you can download for free!

Here's the recipe for the almond crackers if anyone is interested (courtesy of Marks Daily Apple) 2 cups almond flour (I order mine from Honeywell- it's finely ground and dusty just like flour) 1 cup grated parmesan (can be omitted- just sub more almond flour) 1 T EVOO 4 T water 1 tsp baking soda Add whatever spices you feel like (I usually do something Italian) Combine all ingredients and flop between two large sheets of parchment paper. Roll out in a thin layer and remove the top sheet of paper. Score with a pizza cutter and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 20-25 mins. Pay attention as the ends tend to burn. I remove mine when they're brown, break them off and put the remainder back in to finish cooking....maybe it's because I don't have a big enough pan!!! lol

Hey ya'll. While I was shopping on the outside of the grocery store yesterday, I thought it might be fun to have a chili cookoff with the participants in the challenge. Anybody up for that? Mike Brown

Mike...I make a killer grilled-chicken chili. It does have black beans in it, but we've been eating it for years! Yummy.

I am up for a chili cook off! I have a great recipe my family has always used...and it is paleo!!!

Great idea, Mike! I'll look for a recipe, but more importantly, I volunteer to be a taster!