Archive for June, 2012

18 Jun

Going Paleo: Part Deux

Posted by Crunchy Hot Mama in Books, Crunchy, Food, Gluten-Free, Paleo. Tagged: , , , , , .

Welcome back and sorry for the delay!  Here is part deux of the ‘Going Paleo’ saga.

The biggest part about eating paleo is the FOOD.  I’m no stranger to the rain eating my fair share of it since I feel like food is all I think about, especially being gluten-free.  ‘What are we having for lunch, what will I snack on until then, what in the world is for dinner (and didn’t I just finish making lunch and now I gotta cook again)?’  Seriously, it seems like I’m fixated.  Even when Emma and I go run errands I always make sure to pack snacks because A) it’s cheaper B) I always take longer than expected and C) I know exactly what’s in my food.

I think the biggest part of going paleo that most people don’t realize, is that it’s not just about cutting out the crap carbs.  You really have to re-think the way you go about getting food and checking their sources.  Besides eating NO sugar, carbs/grains, legumes, alcohol (gasp!), dairy (wtf?), and processed foods (see ya later!), the point is to eat better quality foods.  For example: beef & butter need to be grass-fed, fish needs to be wild-caught, eggs need to be cage free, and a few fruits and veggies need to be organic.  Don’t worry-not everything needs to be organic like my bro-in-law thinks.  I don’t believe organic is a scam especially once you figure out what they are spraying on our crops to make them disease resistant and the size of small mammals.  Just say no to Monsanto and Roundup™!

A great resource for fruits and veggies is this list from the Whole9 in regards to eating seasonally and organically. Not everything needs to be organic like I said and the items in BOLD are very beneficial for you.

We used to be part of a Food Co-op, where you pick up a big container full of fresh and local fruits and veggies every other week.  It was $50 every two weeks and we stopped it after several months because we couldn’t use all that food fast enough (or I wasn’t very creative in the kitchen) and I hated to throw it in the trash…enter the composter.  But I would like to consider joining a CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture).  ‘A CSA refers to a particular network or association of individuals who have pledged to support one or more local farms, with growers and consumers sharing the risks and benefits of food production.’  I think it would be wonderful to not only support local farmers but be able to partake in their crops throughout the year.  Check out Local Harvest to find one that’s close to you.  I found one that is only 15 miles away and the cost is $100 per month for a full share.  I know a lot of places offer a half share if you’re not sure if you can eat it all or just want to try it out.  You can’t beat knowing where your food comes from and what exactly they put on it.  The co-op was fun though, because it opened my eyes to new veggies like golden beets and parsnips.  Who knew Emma would gobble up mashed parsnips when made like mashed potatoes at the ripe age of 8 months.  I’m thinking I may have to try those on my next round of Farmer’s Pie.

Farmer’s Pie

From Paleo Comfort Foods

  • 1 TBSP coconut or avocado oil
  • ¼ cup fresh chopped garlic
  • 2 pounds ground lamb (beef, deer, bison, or turkey)
  • 2 cups onions chopped
  • 2 cups carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 TBSP fresh rosemary, chopped fine
  • 2 tsp dried thyme
  • 4 cups canned tomatoes
  • 2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
  •  6 cups Mashed Cauliflower (about 3 head’s worth)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium/medium-high heat. Add the oil and once hot, stir in the garlic, being careful not to burn.

3. Add in the lamb and stir, combining with the garlic. Cook until the meat is browned.

4. Remove the lamb/garlic mixture from the pan, then add in the onions, carrots, celery, rosemary, and thyme.

5. Cook until onions are translucent and carrots and celery softened.

6. Add the meat mixture back into the pan, and stir in the tomatoes, and Worcestershire and bring to a simmer.

7. Pour meat/vegetable mixture into a 9″ x 13″ baking pan, and with a rubber spatula spread a layer of the mashed cauliflower over the top, forming a solid layer of the mash.

8. Bake for 20 minutes or until the mashed cauliflower is slightly browned on top.

9. Enjoy!

What I did notice early on, was how hungry I was all.the.time!  I think my body was going through carb withdrawals since I didn’t have those to carry me during the day.  Once you get over that hump and you start feeling better-it’s totally worth it.  I just received an email today from Underground Wellness about a man who reversed his diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by following the paleo diet. Woah!  Who knew a diet could change your life…I guess food really is medicine (and poison at the same time).

Check out books and resources if you have an issue that a doc just can’t cure; and I don’t mean with a Rx.  I often will hear people complain about ailments and think to myself, you (and everyone else) could probably benefit from a paleo diet.  Just sayin’.

If you’re wondering where I get my cooking inspiration, I have three cookbooks that I refer to.  Everyday Paleo seems to be my go-to book because I usually have all the ingredients and they are pretty simple if you’re not into to cooking, yet.  There are a few more books I’d like to add to my répetoire but I will just have to wait til the big 3-2 in a few months.  You can also check out my Recipes tab for more inspiration!

The other books are Paleo Comfort Foods and The Primal Blueprint Cookbook.  This last one was my first introduction to Primal eating (a friend got a signed copy for me when he saw gluten-free on it).  If you’re confused on the difference between paleo & primal, like I was, primal follows the 90/10 rule.  Ninety percent needs to be from the list below, while ten percent can ‘cheat,’ meaning some dairy and alcohol in moderation.

The point of this diet is to eat like our ancestors did, before the dawn of grains and mass-produced agriculture, in order to give our body what it really needs.  If you noticed there have been a lot of  kids coming up with food allergies and ADD/ADHD which can be attributed to the SAD (Standard American Diet).  I’m also hearing about young girls getting their period between the ages of 7 and 9!  What!?  Come on, they’re still babies and if you ask me I intend for Emma to hold out as long as possible.  That’s why I will spend the extra money on buying grass-fed and organic foods, knowing they haven’t been pumped full of hormones that then gets ingested by baby girl.  Sorry Aunt Flow-you’re not welcome for at least another decade in this house.

My latest obsession is to buy our own half a cow.  Don’t wory, not a live one.  I have friends that buy a whole or half a cow from a local farmer that raises and finishes them on grass.  I figure that’s a great option to stock up our outdoor freezer since the purpose of it was for my extra breastmilk (that has since thawed and been thrown in the trash).  Now it sits half empty just waiting for a truckload of meat-so I don’t have to run to the grocery store every other day.  Check out U.S. Wellness Meats for delivery straight to your door!

Sometimes I do get a late-night craving and even though sugar is a big no-no, I will occasionally indulge in some sweet goodness but only in moderation.  I’ve made quite a few recipes using sugar substitutes, like raw honey or maple syrup, and some aren’t half bad.  There are a couple where a touch of sugar would really help finish it off but I know I need to work harder on weaning myself off of the addictive stuff.

Grok Rocks

From The Primal Blueprint

  • 500 grams high quality dark chocolate, at least 60-70+% cocoa solids, broken into pieces
  • 1 pound soft pitted prunes (sometimes called dried plums)

1. Heat 1-2″ water to a gentle simmer in the bottom of double boiler or in a 2 quart saucepan. Place the top section of the double boiler over the bottom section, or fit a stainless steel or glass bowl (larger than the pan diameter) over the saucepan. Place the chocolate pieces into the top double boiler pan or the bowl. Stir every few minutes with a nonstick silicon spatula until completely melted. Or you can melt the chocolate at 30 second intervals in the microwave, stirring until completely melted.

2. While chocolate is melting, prepare rack and sheet pan. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil (or use a silicone baking liner in the pan). Place flat cooling rack into pan.

3. Remove pan/bowl of melted chocolate from heat and let sit a few minutes to cool and thicken slightly. Stir in pitted prunes until they are entirely coated with chocolate.

4. Using a dinner fork, scoop out prunes one at a time, letting excess chocolate drip back into the pan of melted chocolate, then place chocolate covered prunes on the cooling rack. Continue until all prunes are on the cooling rack and not touching each other.

5. Place rack in a cool location (or refrigerator) until chocolate is solid again. Remove “rocks’ from rack with the tip of a blunt butter knife to avoid creating fingerprints in the chocolate. Store in an airtight container in a cool place or in the refrigerator.

6. Enjoy!

The crazy thing is there are so many substitutes for the carbs you are replacing, and they sometimes taste a ton better!

Food::Substitute

Margarine::Grass-fed butter or Ghee

Mashed Potatoes::Mashed Cauliflower

Milk::Unsweetened Coconut Milk or Homemade Almond Milk (NO SOY)

Pasta::Spaghetti Squash, Sliced Eggplant, or Sliced/Julienned Zucchini

Salted Nuts::Raw Nuts & Seeds

Vegetable Oils::Coconut, Extra-Virgin Olive, or Avocado Oil

Like I’ve said before, I’m not a doctor, I just read a lot.  If you have any doubts or questions on the topic of paleo/primal eating, check out the resources I listed on Part 1.  Mark from Mark’s Daily Apple writes wonderful posts on debunking a lot of questions/myths people have about the way we eat; like why a high-fat diet is healthy and is going grain-free healthy?

Hopefully you won’t think I’m too nuts for changing my family’s diet for the better.  I know this road may not be for everyone but it has been pretty awesome for us.  I definitely have a new-found appreciation and respect for food that I never had while being gluten-free.

Are you on board or even curious about this latest eating ‘craze’?  Or did you stop reading at no alcohol?  Let’s discuss where you are at in your ‘diet’ travels and if it’s working for you or are you looking for a change?

Note: photos from here and here.

Note: I wasn’t paid or perked to promote these items; nor am I a doctor or pretend to play one.

13 Jun

Going Paleo: Part One

Posted by Crunchy Hot Mama in Books, Food, Gluten-Free, Paleo. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Hooray!  It’s finally here; the post about my journey of going paleo over six months ago.

What is the Paleo/Primal Diet you may be asking?

‘The modern dietary regimen known as the Paleolithic diet (abbreviated paleo diet or paleodiet), also popularly referred to as the caveman diet, Stone Age diet and hunter-gatherer diet, is a nutritional plan based on the presumed ancient diet of wild plants and animals that various human species habitually consumed during the Paleolithic era—a period of about 2.5 million years duration that ended around 10,000 years ago with the development of agriculture.’ ~Primal Docs

So easy a caveman can do it, right?  That’s the first thing I think of when people ask what is paleo/primal.  I usually start off by saying it’s what the caveman ate sans wooly mammoths and saber toothed tigers.  What got me interested in this: read ‘lifestyle’ not ‘diet’ was a book called Primal Body, Primal Mind by Nora T. Gedgaudas.  I had heard about it from my celiac support group and when a friend of mine won it in the raffle from our Gluten and Allergen Free Expo, I asked if I could ‘borrow’ it.  Yeah so borrow turned into have because of all the highlighting and dog-earing that occurred.  Not to worry, I bought her her own copy so she can get hooked, too!

This book is AMAZING as it explains how food/diet is linked to all kinds of aliments people suffer from and basically why we get cancers.  It’s serious stuff I tell you.  For those that know me, know I am VERY passionate about certain things and this is my new obsession.  I promise to try not to preach but rather educate.  I get why Jillian Michaels gets ramped up about people eating right and exercising…it’s called passion!

Here’s a detailed infographic explaining the Paleolithic breakdown.

Before I get to how & why I landed on paleo, allow me to give you a little back story.  I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease over 30 years ago when I was just 18 months old.  My parents decided to finally take me to the doctor due to my foul-smelling stools and classic distended belly.  The pediatrician took one look at me and said I either had Cystic Fibrosis or Celiac Disease (CD) and after a traumatic biopsy (which I still vividly remember) the diagnosis was CD.  I don’t think my parents were exactly stoked to hear the diagnosis but they were glad to know what in the world was going on with me and my belly.

So after several years of having lasagna made with corn tortillas and noshing on this tiny, dry gluten-free bread shipped frozen from Wisconsin, called Cybro, we slowly began to get the gluten-free diet rolling.  It still wasn’t a walk in the park with the cross-contamination and lack of ingredients on food labels, but we did the best we could.  I even had two more biopsies where one doc said I’d grow out of it and the other said, ‘she only has it a little; if she was my daughter I’d let her eat it.’  Fail.

I think the straw that broke the camel’s back was when I came down from Texas A&M to visit my parents and my mom and I went to lunch at Subway.  I thought I could skate by with going for a simple salad with all the toppings but when I saw them slice the meat on the same board that the bread touched, I lost it.  I went back to the car and cried.  I told my mom I couldn’t take it anymore-this being different and not being able to eat out like most people.  It was a huge pain in the rear wakeup call for me.

Fast forward a few years later and enter the love of my life, Josh.  I have to say this guy saved my life.  He gave me the confidence and courage I lacked when ordering meals at a restaurant and was always a shoulder to cry on.  Lucky for me it was never a big deal having my allergy.  Josh is such a laid back guy that he pretty much just goes with the flow, man.  I seriously have been blessed.  The guy has always been an excellent cook and has spoiled me the 10 years we’ve been together.  On our first Valentine’s Day, he made me gluten-free shrimp fettuccine alfredo and flourless chocolate torte with chocolate ganache.  Jello!  I was not about to let this one go…even if it took seven years to get married…he was definitely worth the wait!

When I picked up Primal Body, Primal Mind last September and let him know we were going to change our lifestyle yet again, he said ok.  Well first he asked if we were still eating meat-to which I said yes.  He wasn’t too keen when I tried to go vegan a few years ago, and once he tempted me with the smoked sausage, that ship had sailed.  Thankfully he is a good sport and happily tries all my new recipes (I think he’s just excited that I am cooking again).

To add another explanation of what paleo is, here’s a quote from Primal-Palate:

The Paleo diet is based upon the idea of eating the foods our bodies were designed for through thousands of years of evolution. These foods were available to early people through hunting and gathering [meat and fish, nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables].

During modern times, advances in technology have made other forms of food available for consumption [grains, dairy, and processed foods], which are suboptimal forms of nutrition. The foods recommended in the Paleo diet provide our bodies with long-lasting energy that also aid in burning fat.

For those of you who are visual, like me, and need an infographic, here ya go.

I know what you’re thinking.  Why on earth would you want to limit yourself beyond gluten?  I must be nuts I tell ya!

The reality is, I don’t want to get cancers (if possible) and I want a better quality of life for myself and my family.  Even while being gluten-free I would still get bloated daily.  I knew dairy was a culprit and after getting allergy tested, I found a few more foods that I’m allergic to, like yeast, coffee, and green beans.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…being on a paleo diet is THE BEST I HAVE EVER FELT.  I can even tell a difference with Josh.  People comment about the weight he’s lost, all the while all he is doing is eating three homemade squares a day.  We still need to get on the workout horse regime though; I know that will greatly enhance the lifestyle once we find the motivation/time.

I’m not trying to sell you anything but I would like you to look into it.  Check out Nora’s book or others out there like Robb Wolf’s The Paleo Solution or Mark Sisson’s The Primal Blueprint.  There are so many resources out there; you just need to browse the web and your local library.

Here are a few sites and blogs that have given me inspiration along the way.  The resources out there are endless-just do a bit of searching if you don’t get the answer you want.

It may not be an overnight transition for you but give it a shot.  Who knows, maybe several of your ailments will go away or your skin will be glowing from not eating crap.  For me, my stomach bloating after every meal finally went away.  I do have to admit that I have fallen off the bandwagon lately and need a mental recharge to get back on track.  I can definitely tell that I feel terrible when not eating paleo and now even gluten-free grains bother me.  Boo for school.

Yeah, so I thought I could get everything into one post…fat chance.  I will make this a two, possibly three, part post since there is so much information out there that I want you to be armed with.  The next post will show recipes and food substitutes that I suffer through and feel deprived surviving on-just kidding.

So whatcha think?  Have you ever heard of paleo/primal before or is this your first time?  Do you eat this way now and what improvements has it had on your health?  Do you think I’m crazy for missing out on carb-tastic foods by limiting myself even more than I do?  Lay it on me and let’s get talking.

Note: I wasn’t paid or perked to promote these items; nor am I a doctor or pretend to play one.

7 Jun

Lifefactory Water Bottles

Posted by Crunchy Hot Mama in Baby, Crunchy, Green. Tagged: , , , .

Hello and welcome to my house of glass-please enter at your own risk.

Ha! I’m pretty sure Emma nor I would be allowed to visit let alone live in one of those.  I am so clumsy that it’s ridiculous-remember the movie Pure Luck?  That’s me.  I even walk into walls and doorways that come out of nowhere.  Crazy I tell ya!

Alas, I digress.

The point of this post is to let you know about a different kind of water bottle for baby and mama/daddy alike.  I had seen them while shopping in Whole Paycheck Foods but was holding out because they were a little pricey…until a few months ago.  Since I am a water carrying fool and can’t leave home without it, it was definitely time for an upgrade.  In case I forget, Emma will say ‘Mommy bring wawa (water)’ when we head out to go run some errands.  Love that kid.

I decided since I was doing glass for me, baby girl should do the same.  Emma is clearly passed the bottle stage, and since I’ve been home with her and she nursed for 18 months, bottles were non-existent after about 6 months.  BUT they do have the option to turn the 9-ounce bottle into a sippy cup of sorts, which is cool.  It’s almost like all you need from birth to toddlerhood is the same nifty glass bottle.  Sweetness.

Please allow me to introduce you to the Lifefactory glass water bottle:

I have to say I am in love!  I like the amount it holds and the sleek Carbon color…though I would have sprung for the Spring Green if it was available.  They just barely came out with the Flip Top Cap when my sis and I decided to splurge on one and I haven’t been disappointed.  They will run you about $24 for the 22-ounce container and $17 for the 9-ounce bottle.  It’s worth it to me, and I like them because they are ‘free of BPA, phthalates, PVC, polycarbonates, lead and latex.’  Winner winner chicken dinner!

Yes, you may be leery of using glass, as I was, but we have been successful so far (at least I have after dropping it a few times).  I was even surprised that mine didn’t spill out the mouthpiece when knocked over since it doesn’t seem very sturdy.  Emma on the other hand has had one replacement that is still going strong.

I figure since a lot of people have been switching their storage containers over to glass, this seems like a perfect way to convert your crunchy (not in a good way) plastic bottles over as well and start reducing our carbon footprint.

So whatcha think?  Have you ever heard of or seen these bottles before?  Do you use glass now or are you too worried it will break?  I may not be allowed in a house of glass but I will try to keep the nasties out of my water bottle and go commando green.

Note: I wasn’t paid or perked for this.

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