Cooking/Food #1

My last really really bad for me dinner - March 2012.

I. Love. Food. I’d ask who doesn’t, but I know a whole bunch of people who really couldn’t care less… Take my mom for example. She cooks and bakes like its nobody’s business, but she honestly couldn’t care less about eating. Now, I am not trying to say that my mother has an eating disorder, just that she has other priorities. As kids, when we would travel, the family motto was “I’d rather wear it than eat it.” We didn’t go to too many restaurants, but we always had a very healthy meal at a Marriott Residence Inn (and fab wardrobes!). I’m making up for it now by trying almost anything!

Last year, two of my friends encouraged me to read the book “The Paleo Solution” – by Robb Wolf. I read it. It changed my life. It’s a great read! Really gets into the science behind the way the body works, breaks down food, fat, sugars and the problems it has breaking down the food we were never “meant” to eat. It’s funny too.

While it takes a lot of will, devotion and even $$ to really do this to 100%, it is maintainable. I followed it – to about 85-90% for about 6 months and lost about 15lbs. I felt amazing! My skin looked great and I was sleeping better. I was also exercising regularly, which of course makes a difference. Then I got a job working for a QSR company that meant I would be eating/tasting a LOT of carb-filled/sugar-filled BAD FOR ME foods. I fell off the wagon for about 6 months and realized recently that it was time to get back on.

WARNING: If you decide that this is an adventure you’d like to go on – you will suffer from carb withdrawal. It won’t be pretty. Friday coincided with the day I became a complete and total raging bitch. My mother wanted to leave me in the shopping mall like a petulant child throwing a temper tantrum. I deserved it. The good news is that it passes and when that happens the good times roll.

I cheat sometimes. I can’t conceivably think of a time where I could give up sushi forever and ever. And I do enjoy a glass of wine (or 3).

So while I will post photos (likely of my cheating sessions), I will also write about experimenting with Paleo recipes. There are some great cookbooks out there and the recipes are pretty low-maintenance. I will post, discuss my progress/frustration/delight. It will be great. And my learning to bake experiment – that will be for others. I was never a baked goods kind of girl. A bag of chips however is the way to my heart.

Please comment – good or bad! I don’t want to feel like I am writing to myself. That’s what my diary is for.