not all things are created equal

Yesterday I started the 21 Day Sugar Detox--no sugar means no carbs or fruit! 

I've been feeling groggy and out of it for a few months now, so decided to try this out. It's day 2 and I'm already on my way to feeling better and having more energy. My only craving so far is my coffee with half and half, my guilty daily morning pleasure. I think giving that up for 3 weeks (and possibly permanently) is a small price to pay for real energy throughout my day. I did get iced coffee at Whole Foods and put coconut milk in it, but it wasn't the same.

When I went to Whole Foods this morning before work to get almond butter, I reached down and grabbed an organic one and started to walk away. I decided to turn it over and read the label to make sure they hadn't added any sugar or weird oils. Sure enough--sugar and canola oil. WHAT? I quickly put it back and searched for one with just almonds. After all it's just almond butter--shouldn't almonds be the only ingredient? Obviously not. Labels are deceiving, and you may have to stand in the aisle a bit longer to get to the bottom of things and make sure you are fueling your body with the right ingredients.

Stay tuned for updates and healthy recipes I'll be making and posting.

Facebook page here for tips and recipes

Great paleo cookbook with 30 day meal plans

quinoa & arugula salad

I'm a bit obsessed with quinoa. Recently, Drew and I had dinner with our wonderful friends, Robb and Barbara, who are quite the gourmet couple! Barbara made her amazing quinoa salad, so I'm sharing it with you.

Ingredients:

• 10 oz quinoa, cooked 
• 3 cups arugula
• 2 cups fresh cooked corn kernels, cut from the cob
• 1/4 cup pecans
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup Asiago cheese, grated

Dressing:

• 1/2 cup fresh packed basil leaves
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup lite mayonnaise (or greek yogurt)
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Direction:

• For dressing, blend all ingredients in food processor or blender until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• In large a large bowl, mix the salad ingredients. Toss in dressing right before serving.

Bon appetite!

pork meatloaf-style burgers

This is a recipe I made up a while ago, and it varies a little each time I make it depending on what I have in my kitchen. The amounts can vary as well depending if you want more or less veggies in your patties. Play around with it and see what you like. Here is tonight's hearty version:

2 organic carrots, minced
4-5 small organic mushrooms, minced
1/2 organic onion (red or yellow), minced and lightly sauteed in coconut oil
lots of minced garlic, sauteed with the onion
1/2 serrano chili, sauteed
1/2 cup organic green lentils (cooked)
1 lb ground grass fed pork

Mix together in a bowl, and divide into patties

Heat a grill pan, melt coconut oil, and add patties. I love the flavor of the coconut oil with the pork and veggies.

Serve on a bed of organic baby spinach

heaven in a jar

MeeNut Butter

My friend, Mee (in the middle), makes a quadruple nut butter that is a staple in my fridge, along with anyone else who has had this "heaven" in a jar as some have called it. And if you're on the paleo diet, not to worry--you won't be breaking any rules if you eat the whole jar by yourself!

Ingredients: Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans, Macadamia Nuts with Flax Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Virgin Coconut Oil, Pure Vanilla Extract, Sea Salt

NO PEANUTS!

Now go get some. Just be prepared to be addicted (at least it's a healthy one).