I have two batches of chicken bone broth gently simmering away at the moment. One in the slow cooker and one in a big pot on the stove. I've tasted both and they are delicious! They've been brewing since 10.30 this morning and I'll leave them going until tomorrow morning at about the same time.
Adoring Husband and I have been having a cup of bone broth every morning since Tuesday. We love it.
I opened a jar of bought kimchi tonight and we had some with our dinner. I was going to start our own batch today, but put it off until tomorrow. I think it takes about 5 days to brew and by then, the jar we currently have will be finished. To learn more about kimchi, go here.
We have about a tablespoon on our plate as a side to a meal.
Here is an interesting story about Coca-Cola.
I made a paleo version of hamburgers tonight. The base is a large portabello or flat mushroom, topped with a chicken and veg meat pattie, topped with bacon, then a fried egg, then some fried onion with a side of baby spinach, tomato, capsicum, avocado and my sriracha sauce.
It was surprisingly filling and quite delicious.
I often plan on doing a dessert, but I'm always so full and satisfied after dinner, dessert doesn't get a look in.
We had a big breakfast of bacon, eggs, tomato, onion and avocado this morning and then some fruit for lunch.
I've realised tonight, that I still have quite a few photos to go through from my few days on the Sunny Coast, so I think I will work on them tomorrow and share them here tomorrow night.
It's only 9pm but I think I will climb into bed. I just had half a cup of warm chicken bone broth and I think I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy and ready for sleep!
Nite all.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
It's a Lifestyle
I had a fabulous night in Bundaberg last night listening to Pete Evans and Luke Hines explaining all things Paleo.
Pete started the night by announcing that he has NEVER stated that Paleo cures any medical condition.
The media have falsely accused him AND the Paleo lifestyle of many things and he is generally thick skinned but that's the one thing he wanted to clear up.
Something else that he wanted to point out was that the media continue to create stories about how 'dangerous' the Paleo lifestyle is but have not ever provided evidence of this danger. The Paleo lifestyle has been around forever, and popular for the last 10-15 years, so if there was danger involved, we would certainly have evidence of it by now.
When he asked followers on his facebook page to provide personal stories about how the Paleo lifestyle had affected their lives, he received over 2400 responses on the first day alone. All of them positive and all of them about health improvements.
He and Luke cooked up about 15 different dishes during the show. The guys were funny and entertaining and shared their knowledge of food, nutrition, health and cooking.
I bought Pete's new book and one of Luke's books, but I only glanced through them very briefly when I got home last night (at midnight), and I've been out all day today, so I can't report their value yet.
One of my favourite parts of the show was when Luke, who is a personal trainer, and the one who sets the training schedule for the Paleo Way 10 Week program, told us all that if we don't want to exercise or train, we don't have to.
He said that moving is important, so doing something like dancing, mountain climbing, walking, gardening, housework etc., is great for keeping joints supple and the blood pumping, but heavy exercise (like what we see on shows like 'The Biggest Loser') is not necessary or unsustainable.
I'm really pleased that I got to attend the show, especially with Woman of Many Talents who I know shares my passion for finding optimum health.
I learnt a lot, and the healthy glow, endless energy and boundless enthusiasm that emanated from both men, was enough to inspire me to continue full steam ahead on this journey to good health.
This photo is of the crowd during the half time break where we all gave each other a neck and shoulder massage and stretched our legs. You can't see me .. but I know where I am :)
Today, Adoring Husband and I had a movie date and saw 'Manny Lewis' starring Carl Baron. We loved it. Our next date will be on Tuesday when we'll see 'What we did on our Holiday' with David Tennant and Billy Connolly. There are some good movies showing at the cinema at the moment, so while I'm on a study break, we might get to see a few.
Speaking of study, I got the results of my Chemistry exam today and although it was a little disappointing, it was still a good pass of 79%. The results of my Chemistry assignment came through at the same time and was a pleasing 100%. Chemistry is difficult .. for me .. but my study habits also didn't help.
All I'm waiting for now, is my Anatomy and Physiology exam results.
I'm going to use my study break to do some cooking and restock the freezer with deliciousness for the days when I'm too consumed with study to put any effort into our meals. I'm looking forward to spending some time in the kitchen.
I also have just three days to come up with an idea for this month's flickr challenge which is 'light' .. any light except sunlight. I have something in mind .. just not sure if I can pull it off.
Anyway, time for bed.
Nite all.
Pete started the night by announcing that he has NEVER stated that Paleo cures any medical condition.
The media have falsely accused him AND the Paleo lifestyle of many things and he is generally thick skinned but that's the one thing he wanted to clear up.
Something else that he wanted to point out was that the media continue to create stories about how 'dangerous' the Paleo lifestyle is but have not ever provided evidence of this danger. The Paleo lifestyle has been around forever, and popular for the last 10-15 years, so if there was danger involved, we would certainly have evidence of it by now.
When he asked followers on his facebook page to provide personal stories about how the Paleo lifestyle had affected their lives, he received over 2400 responses on the first day alone. All of them positive and all of them about health improvements.
He and Luke cooked up about 15 different dishes during the show. The guys were funny and entertaining and shared their knowledge of food, nutrition, health and cooking.
I bought Pete's new book and one of Luke's books, but I only glanced through them very briefly when I got home last night (at midnight), and I've been out all day today, so I can't report their value yet.
One of my favourite parts of the show was when Luke, who is a personal trainer, and the one who sets the training schedule for the Paleo Way 10 Week program, told us all that if we don't want to exercise or train, we don't have to.
He said that moving is important, so doing something like dancing, mountain climbing, walking, gardening, housework etc., is great for keeping joints supple and the blood pumping, but heavy exercise (like what we see on shows like 'The Biggest Loser') is not necessary or unsustainable.
I'm really pleased that I got to attend the show, especially with Woman of Many Talents who I know shares my passion for finding optimum health.
I learnt a lot, and the healthy glow, endless energy and boundless enthusiasm that emanated from both men, was enough to inspire me to continue full steam ahead on this journey to good health.
This photo is of the crowd during the half time break where we all gave each other a neck and shoulder massage and stretched our legs. You can't see me .. but I know where I am :)
Today, Adoring Husband and I had a movie date and saw 'Manny Lewis' starring Carl Baron. We loved it. Our next date will be on Tuesday when we'll see 'What we did on our Holiday' with David Tennant and Billy Connolly. There are some good movies showing at the cinema at the moment, so while I'm on a study break, we might get to see a few.
Speaking of study, I got the results of my Chemistry exam today and although it was a little disappointing, it was still a good pass of 79%. The results of my Chemistry assignment came through at the same time and was a pleasing 100%. Chemistry is difficult .. for me .. but my study habits also didn't help.
All I'm waiting for now, is my Anatomy and Physiology exam results.
I'm going to use my study break to do some cooking and restock the freezer with deliciousness for the days when I'm too consumed with study to put any effort into our meals. I'm looking forward to spending some time in the kitchen.
I also have just three days to come up with an idea for this month's flickr challenge which is 'light' .. any light except sunlight. I have something in mind .. just not sure if I can pull it off.
Anyway, time for bed.
Nite all.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Three Months
That is .. three months today since we celebrated Christmas. Let that sink in for a moment!
There has been a lot of negative talk in the media about the Paleo lifestyle lately. The media sure has it in for Pete Evans, but with 800,000 facebook followers and thousands already on his Paleo 10 week program, I guess there are a few industries experiencing a drop in profits.
The grain, dairy and sugar industries would be feeling pretty peeved at the rate that the numbers of Paleo followers are increasing .. although the farmers who provide these three commodities get ripped off by the big corporations, so they wouldn't be suffering.
The big corporations that create the processed foods that we are addicted to, might be feeling the pinch, as more and more people are understanding the health risks from eating their 'food like' substances. Since those industries support the media through advertising, then I guess the media is saving it's own butt, by convincing us that Paleo is killing us and our children.
One of the headlines that the media push is the 'supposed' food groups that Paleo lifestylers are foregoing.
Let's start with grains.
Grains are not actually a food group and it's impossible to be 'grain deficient'.
Every nutrient, vitamin and mineral that you get from grains, you can get in greater abundance, in fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds. This also goes for fibre.
In science, grains are actually on the bottom of the pile for nutrient density, yet the outdated food pyramid tells us that grains have the most importance and that our diet should be mostly grains.
Grains are deficient because they contain anti-nutrients that impair the nutrition that you ingest from real food.
Let's look at dairy.
Where do we get our calcium, if not from dairy?
More than enough 'natural' calcium in a nutrient dense diet of fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds and seafood. Not to mention home made bone broth, that is consumed on a daily basis. The best thing about it is that you not only get calcium, but a shipload of other vitamins and minerals to go with it.
65% of the world's population (that's 7 billion people) are lactose intolerant to some degree. I didn't believe that I was intolerant until I removed all dairy for 8 weeks and then had some in a coffee. My body reacted .. as it has always reacted .. but because my body was in a constant state of inflammation due to grains, sugars and dairy, I never noticed it before.
It's difficult to explain to someone who hasn't removed those things from their diet, but when you have nothing to compare it to, you believe that your body copes with grains, dairy and sugars perfectly well. Once you remove them and then re-introduce them, that's when you feel your body's negative response.
It's a physical reaction that really is not pleasant.
I don't need to discuss the sugar situation .. I've written about sugar and all of the different names that it goes by, as well as the health concerns attached, a few times now, so I won't go over that again.
Paleo is also NOT about eating too much meat/protein. Meat, the size of the palm of your hand, is all that is necessary at any one meal .. the rest of the plate should be full of fruit and veg.
What keeps you most satisfied, is the inclusion of good fats like grass fed butter, duck fat, macadamia and coconut oils, avocado, nuts and seeds.
As far as Paleo goes, every day, there are hundreds more stories of people who have, by removing the inflammatory foods and increasing the nutrient dense foods, helped their body fight disease and illness so that medications could be reduced or stopped altogether.
This is what Paleo is really all about .. creating a healthy body with a strong immune system to heal itself.
Here's another Paleo story ...
Here is Kylie's (no relation) paleo story
I first heard about paleo 8 months ago when one of my best friends said he had "gone paleo". I had no idea what he was talking about. He suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for the previous 11 years and within a couple of months the changes in him were remarkable.
There has been a lot of negative talk in the media about the Paleo lifestyle lately. The media sure has it in for Pete Evans, but with 800,000 facebook followers and thousands already on his Paleo 10 week program, I guess there are a few industries experiencing a drop in profits.
The grain, dairy and sugar industries would be feeling pretty peeved at the rate that the numbers of Paleo followers are increasing .. although the farmers who provide these three commodities get ripped off by the big corporations, so they wouldn't be suffering.
The big corporations that create the processed foods that we are addicted to, might be feeling the pinch, as more and more people are understanding the health risks from eating their 'food like' substances. Since those industries support the media through advertising, then I guess the media is saving it's own butt, by convincing us that Paleo is killing us and our children.
One of the headlines that the media push is the 'supposed' food groups that Paleo lifestylers are foregoing.
Let's start with grains.
Grains are not actually a food group and it's impossible to be 'grain deficient'.
Every nutrient, vitamin and mineral that you get from grains, you can get in greater abundance, in fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds. This also goes for fibre.
In science, grains are actually on the bottom of the pile for nutrient density, yet the outdated food pyramid tells us that grains have the most importance and that our diet should be mostly grains.
Grains are deficient because they contain anti-nutrients that impair the nutrition that you ingest from real food.
Let's look at dairy.
Where do we get our calcium, if not from dairy?
More than enough 'natural' calcium in a nutrient dense diet of fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds and seafood. Not to mention home made bone broth, that is consumed on a daily basis. The best thing about it is that you not only get calcium, but a shipload of other vitamins and minerals to go with it.
65% of the world's population (that's 7 billion people) are lactose intolerant to some degree. I didn't believe that I was intolerant until I removed all dairy for 8 weeks and then had some in a coffee. My body reacted .. as it has always reacted .. but because my body was in a constant state of inflammation due to grains, sugars and dairy, I never noticed it before.
It's difficult to explain to someone who hasn't removed those things from their diet, but when you have nothing to compare it to, you believe that your body copes with grains, dairy and sugars perfectly well. Once you remove them and then re-introduce them, that's when you feel your body's negative response.
It's a physical reaction that really is not pleasant.
I don't need to discuss the sugar situation .. I've written about sugar and all of the different names that it goes by, as well as the health concerns attached, a few times now, so I won't go over that again.
Paleo is also NOT about eating too much meat/protein. Meat, the size of the palm of your hand, is all that is necessary at any one meal .. the rest of the plate should be full of fruit and veg.
What keeps you most satisfied, is the inclusion of good fats like grass fed butter, duck fat, macadamia and coconut oils, avocado, nuts and seeds.
As far as Paleo goes, every day, there are hundreds more stories of people who have, by removing the inflammatory foods and increasing the nutrient dense foods, helped their body fight disease and illness so that medications could be reduced or stopped altogether.
This is what Paleo is really all about .. creating a healthy body with a strong immune system to heal itself.
Here's another Paleo story ...
********
Here is Kylie's (no relation) paleo story
I first heard about paleo 8 months ago when one of my best friends said he had "gone paleo". I had no idea what he was talking about. He suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for the previous 11 years and within a couple of months the changes in him were remarkable.
I thought that if paleo can do that for someone with an illness, what could it do for me, who I considered relatively healthy.
So I started looking into what paleo was. I came across Pete Evans Facebook page and started following. Then I saw a 10 week program was starting and thought what a great way to be introduced to the paleo lifestyle!
So I started looking into what paleo was. I came across Pete Evans Facebook page and started following. Then I saw a 10 week program was starting and thought what a great way to be introduced to the paleo lifestyle!
My main aim in undertaking the program was something rather simple - I just wanted to sleep better. For most of my adult life, most nights I woke 10 - 15 times during the night. This left me tired and irritable the next day, and often needing a nap after work. As a full time single parent to 2 children, and a nurse in a busy area, the lack of quality sleep was really taking a toll on me.
I am now in week 9 of the program and have never felt better.
I am now in week 9 of the program and have never felt better.
As a 42 year old, I feel I have more energy now than I did in my 20's!! I feel like singing to the world - "I'M SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT". It's such a simple thing but it has made much such a difference to my life. Most days I wake up before my alarm which is set for 6am. Afternoon naps have disappeared as there is no need for them. I wake up feeling refreshed and full of energy.
There have been other benefits too. I have lost 20cm so far, lost a few kgs and a dress size, my skin (after an initial detox breakout) is clear and healthy. My stomach is no longer always bloated and let's just say, I don't frequent the toilet so much anymore. My appetite has reduced and I am no longer constantly snacking throughout the day.
Another bonus is I have started eating things I always thought I didn't like - onion, capsicum, zucchini, ginger, okra, asparagus and cauliflower just to name a few. I even cooked with chicken livers for the first time ever! It was to make a delicious pate, but baby steps lol.
I am part of a wonderful supportive tribe who answer any of my questions, and share tips and recipes. The support from Pete and his crew on the program is awesome. The 10 week program has really helped me prepare for the rest of my life.
It's definitely a paleo lifestyle and not a diet. At the moment I am planning a dinner party and can't wait to share some amazing paleo dishes with my friends.
... and on that note (this is me again) ... I'm going to get some of that lovely sleep right now.
Nite all.
********
... and on that note (this is me again) ... I'm going to get some of that lovely sleep right now.
Nite all.
Home Again
The babysitting evening went incredibly well.
Mama and Dadu arrived home at 11pm. Yes, you read that correctly.
And FYI .. NOT because of that 'inevitable phone call' that I mentioned in yesterday's post.
It seems that Mama needed Chicklet before Chicklet needed Mama.
Small steps.
Chicklet and I filled our last day together, playing Aquanauts, dinosaurs, swinging in the back yard and playing catch.
As she went to bed with stories read by Mama, I hopped in the car with Dadu and drove to the train station.
I arrived 30 minutes early and had to sit alone at the station. I had my phone poised to call 000 just in case! Then a young man arrived. He had just spent 35 hours in a plane from France where he had spent a month on holidays, so he was feeling a bit 'chatty'. So the last 15 minutes went really quickly and the train arrived right on time.
It was a comfortable ride home with only 8 people on my carriage .. four of them coughing and spluttering with some kind of cold or flu. Annoying that so many germs were flying around!
Adoring Husband's smiling face was waiting for me at my destination and it was good to get home.
Oh and I finally received the results of my Chemistry Essay. What is supposed to take 2 weeks, took 7 weeks!! At least the 90% mark was worth waiting for.
Now I just have to wait for the last two exam results before I sign up for the next semester.
It's now well after midnight. Time for sleep.
Nite all.
Mama and Dadu arrived home at 11pm. Yes, you read that correctly.
And FYI .. NOT because of that 'inevitable phone call' that I mentioned in yesterday's post.
It seems that Mama needed Chicklet before Chicklet needed Mama.
Small steps.
Chicklet and I filled our last day together, playing Aquanauts, dinosaurs, swinging in the back yard and playing catch.
As she went to bed with stories read by Mama, I hopped in the car with Dadu and drove to the train station.
I arrived 30 minutes early and had to sit alone at the station. I had my phone poised to call 000 just in case! Then a young man arrived. He had just spent 35 hours in a plane from France where he had spent a month on holidays, so he was feeling a bit 'chatty'. So the last 15 minutes went really quickly and the train arrived right on time.
It was a comfortable ride home with only 8 people on my carriage .. four of them coughing and spluttering with some kind of cold or flu. Annoying that so many germs were flying around!
Adoring Husband's smiling face was waiting for me at my destination and it was good to get home.
Oh and I finally received the results of my Chemistry Essay. What is supposed to take 2 weeks, took 7 weeks!! At least the 90% mark was worth waiting for.
Now I just have to wait for the last two exam results before I sign up for the next semester.
It's now well after midnight. Time for sleep.
Nite all.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Vegan Chickie Birthday
It's been a good day, starting with breakfast at a lovely cafe, including a birthday lemon meringue pie (because you simply must have cake with every meal on your birthday).
Chicklet and I were then brought back home and Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef went to the movies. They dropped back home briefly, at Chicklet's request, to appease the worried child.
We watched Shrek One and Shrek Two, for the fourth time this visit. I pushed her on the swing for 45 minutes. We played crocodiles and friendly dragons. We had two special treats and dinner. We read 5 books.
Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef went out for dinner and are now at their motel, waiting, I'm sure, for the almost inevitable phone call requesting their return home.
This is the first night that they have ever spent away from Chicklet.
In four years, they've never been away from her overnight.
Chicklet's last words before she fell asleep were "I miss Mama" and she was instantly out to it.
I can tell that she has had quite a few struggles today. Her Asperger's has been very apparent and she has fought to hold it together, but somehow we have managed to make it through the day. Let's see how far through the night we get!
Anyway, this was bath time today ...
I have taken some photos today, but I'll wait until I get home, to edit and share them.
I should get some sleep, just in case the night is cut short.
Happy birthday Vegan Chickie xxx
Nite all.
Chicklet and I were then brought back home and Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef went to the movies. They dropped back home briefly, at Chicklet's request, to appease the worried child.
We watched Shrek One and Shrek Two, for the fourth time this visit. I pushed her on the swing for 45 minutes. We played crocodiles and friendly dragons. We had two special treats and dinner. We read 5 books.
Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef went out for dinner and are now at their motel, waiting, I'm sure, for the almost inevitable phone call requesting their return home.
This is the first night that they have ever spent away from Chicklet.
In four years, they've never been away from her overnight.
Chicklet's last words before she fell asleep were "I miss Mama" and she was instantly out to it.
I can tell that she has had quite a few struggles today. Her Asperger's has been very apparent and she has fought to hold it together, but somehow we have managed to make it through the day. Let's see how far through the night we get!
Anyway, this was bath time today ...
I have taken some photos today, but I'll wait until I get home, to edit and share them.
I should get some sleep, just in case the night is cut short.
Happy birthday Vegan Chickie xxx
Nite all.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Sleeping Babe
It's been a full day of play.
Hide n seek, tag (she's much faster than she looks .. or perhaps I'm much slower than I feel!), drawing pictures, colouring in, watching Shrek on dvd and then Mr Make It, bath time splashing fun, play time with Lizardy Lizard and Gecko Girl, finally five stories at bed time and then sleep.
She fell asleep, for the second time ever, in my bed with her legs draped over me. I was stuck for a while there!
It's now almost 8pm which makes it the 'longest' she's ever slept in my bed as well!
I wonder how long she will last. I wonder what time she will wake up and say "I need my Mama".
Ah well, I will enjoy it while it lasts.
It's been a good day .. but no photos.
Mama's birthday tomorrow, so we'll definitely get some pics then :)
Nite all.
Hide n seek, tag (she's much faster than she looks .. or perhaps I'm much slower than I feel!), drawing pictures, colouring in, watching Shrek on dvd and then Mr Make It, bath time splashing fun, play time with Lizardy Lizard and Gecko Girl, finally five stories at bed time and then sleep.
She fell asleep, for the second time ever, in my bed with her legs draped over me. I was stuck for a while there!
It's now almost 8pm which makes it the 'longest' she's ever slept in my bed as well!
I wonder how long she will last. I wonder what time she will wake up and say "I need my Mama".
Ah well, I will enjoy it while it lasts.
It's been a good day .. but no photos.
Mama's birthday tomorrow, so we'll definitely get some pics then :)
Nite all.
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