Friday, June 21, 2013

$6500!!!!

A lot has happened since the last blog post.. Another kayaking excursion out on the ocean, first one in 10+ years. Another trip to Oklahoma. Making bank playing the slots. Supergame. And first catch of the fishing season. And thru out the whole time I am have been making healthy food options with what I have available to me..

SuperGame (May 2013).. It was epic this year.. It was the first time since before having my chest cracked that I have been able to play as much paintball as I have. It was a rewarding feeling to be able to play 2 days and play most of the time.. I also was drunk for the first time in my life.. and hopefully the last, its not something I wish to repeat any time soon.. I made healthy food choices the whole weekend..




Memorial day weekend. I went up to visit my cousins up in Washington they live near the ocean.. Took my kayak up for an adventure.. I had a blast up in the ocean, looking forward to another trip up there again shortly... So relaxing and peaceful up there.. Ate really well, and got alot of sleep in.



Timothy Lake First fish of the season caught and nicely frozen in my freezer.. Making room for more.. Hoping to have a nice collection in my freezer for winter time..










Oklahoma D-Day 2013

I had an absolute blast this year, one I will remember for a long time.. Very relaxing, hanging with friends.. making bank. and playing on sword beach.. Came back with what I wanted to accomplish, worked really hard this year to lose weight and get in shape enough to play on sword for my last dday for a while.. Weather was hot like always. Hanging with my CEF family was epic. Playing the slots at the casino will be hard to beat, $20 down and walking out with $6500 by the end of the week. I ate really well this week, better then I expected to.. Managed to almost eat gluten free the entire week.. 


Mothersday 2013












On to new adventures till the next blog post.. 

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

5 parks in 8 days


I have had a busy time since the shamrock race.. A week after doing the race, I went with the family to tackle 5 parks in 8 days in Southern California. Lots and lots of walking.. I did incredibly well for having a huge blister on my heel the whole time, my feet were in a ton of pain by the last full day at the park. I spent the last day just hanging by the pool relaxing in the shade, because by this point I was burnt.

I did a weigh in when I got back and in just a month lost 7 pounds.. Not bad.. Still shooting for 10 a month. But I was great with my eating while on vacation and didn't get off track one bit.

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I did have one dream come true for me finally I purchased my kayak.. And this past weekend took it out for a run. With my Dad.. We even managed to get in some poles in the water.. No bites tho. :(


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Lastly played in a local paintball tourney and managed to move around a lot and shot way more paint then usual. Having that extra weight gone, has made me quicker, which is great.


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I did have sushi for the first time 2 weeks ago, and had it again.. I have found anything fried and me don't get along great, otherwise I do like the stuff.


Here's to another busy month ahead..

Monday, March 18, 2013

Shamrock Run 2013











I made it back alive this year. I did the Shamrock Race 2 years ago, and I suffered for a month afterwards due to NO pre-training for it.. This year I have actually gone out and trained for it. My legs are not sore, the only injury I got was a heel blister on the bottom of my foot, which I really got the day before while playing paintball, it just grew a lot when I was out walking... Lucky me. I just hope it heals in time before ALL the walking I will be doing in a week.


So Far I have continued to stay on track with my eating. 99% correct, even with a few weekend trips out of town. I only had a little dairy, which is still within the Paleo Diet. I just can't have any due to being intolerant to it. I suffered.

Weight loss has continued to be losing slowly, no official weigh in this past month for Feb, and with March being almost over I am just going to skip and weigh in at the beginning of April. I have noticed the clothes are starting to get bigger, a few items made there way to goodwill. Which is awesome..

Taking this week off from all exercising allowing my heel to heal, and will be getting enough exercising next week for it to more then make up for it.




Monday, February 4, 2013

Monthly Update - January

Well January is over and done with.. Did much better overall then I expected. 3 Pounds shy of my overall 10 pound goal.. But I have seen results.. I have lost a 1.2 % body fat overall, 7 Pounds for the month, gained some muscle, and lost a pant size. Not too bad for my first time back with a solid Paleo Eating, and a 28/31 days working out.


Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Getting Back on Track

The first month is almost in the books.. Did better then I expected with getting to the gym or outside walking.. I only took 3 days off to allow my body to recover the whole month.. A few of the days I did a double workout, once in the morning and then followed up with a workout in the evening as well. I have eaten 99.9% Paleo, almost 100%, had some corn at my family birthday party. All in all it was a good month of staying on track.. I haven't managed to lose more then 10 pounds this month, but the clothes are getting bigger, which is a good sign. And I can feel my legs getting stronger.

Biking at the gym has gotten more constant. Average is lvl 7. @ 20 minutes for 4 miles. Goal for February is to bike an average of lvl 9 @ 20 minutes for 5 miles. Not a huge step up, figured I will stick with small goals for now.

Dec 1st, 2012
Walking outside I have started to train more for my 5k on March 17th. I did sign up so I am now committed. I have started walking 1-1.5 miles at a time, not for speed, but I will start Feb. 17, one month before the race. Right now I am just trying to get up to walking 3.5 miles at a time. I have started to stop driving to the local store for items, and have been walking to get them now, its about a 1.5 mile round trip. Saving gas money and getting my exercise in..

Weight lifting... I have been focused more with upper body lifting, esp with over head lifting as I need to get into kayak loading shape. Taxes are sent in, and I am waiting on my checks.. So I can go purchase my new double kayak.  Looking forward to many fishing trips this year. but the only way for me to do solo trips is to get my lifting up so I can load and unload the kayak from my car.

I am amazed how much easier it is this time around with staying focused on hitting the gym and eating right, I remember back in Sept 2009, where I was not thrilled to go workout or to eat correctly. Now I would rather do both, then not. I can for sure see myself continuing this journey, and see real success this year. Looking forward to Thanksgiving this year, hoping to be down 100# and hitting the winter slopes.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Working out update

I have been doing good at hitting the gym every morning before work to get in a 20-25 minute bike ride in and lift weights every few days.. A few days have been challenging, but mainly due to the lack of sleep every night.

Update - Eaten 100% Paleo so far.
1/10 - Bike @ LvL 8 20 min 3.25 miles..... Getting faster!
1/9 -  Bike @ 22min lvl6 3.5miles
1/8 - 20minutes @ 3 miles LvL 5 ...... Legs are sore, and I like it, body is just starting to allow sweat again.
1/7 - Bike @ 27minutes -4.25 miles LvL 6 ..... Getting faster at the harder LvL. Legs are starting to hurt.
1/6 - Workout at the park is complete, walk and football is in.. Nephew Time.
1/5 - 20min @ 3 miles LvL 4... Would have gone longer, but have to go get ready for the relatives funeral. I'll be back tomorrow.
1/4 - 21minutes @ 3 miles LvL 5

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Is this the new normal?

It has been weird lately (in the past 2 months), I have no reason why this is happening. But I am starting to like it.. I use to be a big TV/Movies person.. Would come home every night from working late, and just blah out and watch some tv shows and then go to bed.. But for some reason, for which I have no answer to, I haven't done it.. It actually takes me to just sit and watch tv anymore.. I have to be doing a project and watching, or like it has been in the past month, I would rather watch tv while at the gym on the bike, but as of late (last 2 weeks) I would rather listen to a book on tape or just music. Whats wrong with me?

I have been enjoying the change, and I can for sure see it continuing, life just seems better without it. Even been playing less video games, and usually only play a little on the weekends, or with my cousins &  nephews. At one point I thought about selling it over Thanksgiving break, even tho I had just bought it a few months prior.

I think the biggest help with the new normal, is not having the stress of how my body reacts to food anymore.. Since I have seen the Natural Path, I have found that I built up an intolerance to all forms of grains, and corn.. (I can still have them but with problems!) And Dairy is no longer allowed in my system, which I will miss somewhat, but I have fallen in love with coconut milk and ice cream (but still limit to once a month as a special treat). Any sort of carbonation is not allowed anymore, but I learned that the hard way last 2012 new years. When I had 4oz of sparkling cider and I thought I was going to die with my stomach exploding from the inside.. Worst feeling in the world. And since I have given up soda (since 9/1/09) it should not be a problem for me.

Excited to be eating as pure as I can, and I can't wait to see the results this year.. 

1/3 - 100 % eating.. Morning: 25minutes bike @ 3 miles @ lvl 5, some upper weights in.. Heading back tonight to finish up. 

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

2013


2013... Back to the blog.. Hoping that this time around, I can see results and keep those results..I am back to Paleo after a crazy ride of stomach issues since the Gallbladder came out.. Burping got so bad one day, I was scared and had to call the advice nurse (they gave me Vicodin, like that's going to help)

New Years Goals..

Lose 100# by November.. If I can remain on track with eating, (except my week of paintball) and working out or being active each day, it should be possible. Pending any medical hiccups  So far its been 6 months since any tests..

More Fishing.. Since I have been lacking this past year, I hope to fill at least 1 shelf in my freezer with fish this year.. So more fishing trips.. Buying a kayak in less then 2 months, which should help.

Races... Finish 3 - 5K walks... First one is March 17th!.. 2 years ago I did in an hour, hoping to finish in 45 minutes or less.. and maybe do a half marathon.

Gym... shooting for 5 days a week, (before work).. Every morning.. and some evenings too. Biking in the morning and some weights in the evening..

Backpacking.. Hoping to go at least once this year... I've missed the last 2 years, and I really miss it..

Swimming.. Going to try and get back to laps again, since the knee is strong enough to handle kicking again.. Hoping to get back in on Fridays, that I don't have to watch my nephews till later in the morning..

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Back to eating 100% on Jan 1st, 2013..


Christmas 2012
1/1 - 2 mile walk, 100% eating
1/2 - 4 mile bike (25 minutes), 100% eating.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

New Year

Well I was off the wagon a bit over winter break. But now getting back on track.

Its been hard for the last 4 months to have a whole lot of motivation due to a knee(s) injury. But its getting better in the past week. I am slowly getting more movement without much pain. I have been having lots of PT with its ups and downs. I have been trying my best to do the homework from PT and I have been seeing results when I do them. So its a huge plus.

As for new years goals, I just have two. To loose over 80 pounds this year and to have no more surgeries. Hopefully both will happen, I am so done with surgeries and medical issues.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

update

Not much to report, still staying on track. Its hard to not weigh in every few days, so far I haven't since the last weighing with my trainer. I will walk by my scale, and so badly want to check my status, see how much/fast I am losing. I am slowly starting to see a difference, clothes are starting to feel lose again.

I am loving the farmers markets right now, getting alot of killer deals. Last Saturday I paid a total of $35, and got the following; 
1lb of lamb (grass fed), 1lb pork sausage (naturally raised), line caught 1lb tuna (caught yesterday), 6 huge heads of broccoli, 3 heads of cauliflower, 12 zucchinis, 2 onions, 1 cucumber, 6 hears of corn, 1 fresh garlic clove, 1 orange melon and 6 pears!!!





I froze most of the food for winter, made some soups/stir-fry for the week. Its amazing how much you can get for so little. Hoping to go again this saturday as well to get some more goodies.


In the last 2 weeks, I have managed to only miss working out twice. The rest of the time, I have been waking up early or going to workout after work. Trying my best to get in shape for DDay in june.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

5 days 12 pounds

In just 5 days, I have managed to lose 12 pounds. I am hoping to keep it up, I am hoping to be able to lose between 15-20 pounds per month. So far off to a good start. I am really focused on losing the 80 pounds before June. It would be awesome to lose double that, before then so I can be charging up sword beach and attacking the enemy a lot. (DDAY - Paintball). So far in the past 3 days I have worked out 4 times. I am hoping to get in a workout every day for the next 30 days. So far I am staying between 90-100% on my food plan, still trying to ween myself off protein shakes for breakfast.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

9/1 - New Day

Day 1 of Round #2:
I am so ready for this, at least that's how I feel now, who knows in a few weeks it could be different. I enjoyed my last cookies of freedom last night. They will be missed. !!!

Woke this morning first thing I did was have my 1/2 liter of water to get my body going. I try to normally drink about 3Liters a day with out working out, if I do workout and depending on the workout, I could drink another 1-2Liters that day. I try and not drink over 5Liters a day.



Wednesday, August 31, 2011

8/31/11 - The Last Day of Freedom!!!!!

Last lunch 8/31/11
Its hard to believe that today is my last day of eating junk food. I went out in style today, by having 90% of my meals today from my works vending machine. I am going to miss having the convenience being able to go get food when my stomach starts to growl. But I don't think I will miss it much, as I am really looking forward to starting this journey again, and get my life back on track.

 Small Goals = Large Rewards
I set myself a goal, to lose 40 pounds by Christmas so I can buy myself my RC car or REI tent that I have been wanting. Second Goal is to lose a total of 60 pounds by April fools day, so I can go and purchase my Kayak I have been wanting. Third Goal and its happening no matter what, if I lose the weight or not, but still it will be a reward in itself if I lose my goal of losing 80 pounds by June 1st. DDay 2012!!!!

Lots of Prep Work
Chicken cooking on the grill
I have been doing lots and lots of prep work for this new journey, its one thing I have learned since starting this the first time around, is I hate cooking every night, and buying in bulk saves $$$. So I have been cooking up all the meat in my freezer from this past year and prepping them into smaller 2-4 meal servings and then freezing them for the coming months. I have also been raiding the farmers markets and buying in bulk from them is saving me a ton of money this winter. It does take time to clean and blanch them for freezing, but I am already seeing the cost savings. I have already been able to cut my food budget in half (~$200 bucks) just by doing this prep work. I almost have a stocked freezer for the winter months, its looking like the only veggies I will be buying will be my salads (x2-3 a week)

The score - (5) bags stuffed full of veggies for only $25 bucks!!!
My sister had a huge score for me. I asked her to stop by the local Sunday market, since I already had plans that day. She walked away with 5 bags stuffed with veggies all for $25 bucks, it would have been well over double that at Costco alone. I still am going thru and blanching the veggies for freezing. 2 out of 5 bags are done.


Only 2 out of 3 bags blanched and frozen

Looking forward
Its hard to believe that I am looking forward to starting this journey again. I was ready last week to start it, but I gave myself time to have a few more days of junk food before giving it all up. I had to get in some last minute subway stops, and have my last cream cheese cookie from there, which I have, it will for sure be missed.  But I am hoping that in the future I won't miss them, or crave them. I have already given up a lot and I really don't miss them as much as I thought I would. Tomorrow will be 2 years since giving up pop/soda, pretty much anything with caffeine (only slip up was at dday 2011 with Gatorade) and it has been over 5 months since the last time I had any McDonald/burger king/jack in the box. And I don't miss those cravings anymore.

The only thing I will be missing is Divine.
"If you want a different result than the norm, you will have to do things differently than everyone else!" - unknown

Thursday, August 18, 2011

9/1/11 - The Journey will begin again.

July 2011
So I am back on an eating plan that works, after starting quite a few new eating plans over the past few months, and still failing, Its time for me to go back to something I know works and I have seen a lot of success on. As much as I hate this eating plan the first time, I am now ready to try it again. and I really think that this time around I can stay on it for more then just 5 months. I am shooting for a goal of 1 year to stay true to the list as possible. I realize that I can not control everything, but I can and will try my best to control the choices I make.

Starting Sept 1st, 2011 (2 years to the day of trying this plan last time). I am going back to the cave man diet. I am going to try and blog more too of this journey the second time around. I am hoping with my much more knowledgeable self about food in general, I should be able to stay on track better. Make wiser choices and make more of my meals with different kinds of food, instead of the same choices every day, it got boring quickly.

May 2011
My goals for the month of September are to make 60 meals (30 Lunch / 30 Dinner) All will be pre-packaged before the Month or as close to the beginning of the month as possible. I am trying/borrowing out a food saver to help me prepackage all my meals. I am going to make sure I label and date everything. and I am also going to pre-package 30 breakfast choices as well. As much as I hate cooking, I think this will be the easiest way for my to succeed. Plus I will/should have a smaller Food bill as I will be able to purchase all my food in bulk and from the local farmers markets at a cheaper/fresher cost. I am going to attempt 10 different meal recipe is with making at least a qty of 6 servings per recipes. I will be individually freezing these meals, so they will be available for a quick pull out and reheat options. This should help save me valuable time cooking my meals daily and allow me to spend time work out in the gym, something I have been lacking as my time after my day of work is very limited, before I have to retire for bed.

Some of the goals I am going to try and do daily, is have at least 150 grams of protein, and limit myself to 40-60 carbs a day. In the past I have seen the most results with this setup.

When I first started this journey 2 years ago. I never thought I would have gained a lot of the weight back, that I was losing. But a lot has happened since then. I did do a lot of growing up since then, and I have surprisingly been able to stay off my soda / caffeine, I was really good up until June this year (2011) as I attended dday (big paintball game, down in hot/humid Oklahoma) I had Gatorade, for the first time since I first started my journey. I have since learned of a better alternative and I am now better equipped for the return in 2012.

So on to the Goals:
Stay on track for 1 year. (I am hoping that after a year I will not want to go back)
Lose 100 #
Play with the Canscots (CEF division for dday 2012)
Continue with Project Change.
1 day a week with trainer.

Simple goals, but oh so going to be challenging.

_____________________________
DO EAT:

Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, fish, and shellfish are all acceptable in all their forms.
Eggs, cream, butter, lard, olive oil (unheated, like in salad dressing), and coconut oil are all great.
Vegetables in almost all forms are great. Starchier veggies, like yams, sweet potatoes, and squash should be avoided if your goal is weight loss, but this is the only exception.
Fruits are good in moderation for most people, but avoidingthem entirely can certainly speed weight loss.
Nuts and seeds are also okay in moderation. If you have been given a protein requirement, nuts and seeds cannot be counted as protein. Nuts and seeds might be the cause of sticking points for some people, but don’t worry too much about them in the beginning.
Dairy, in its whole fat forms, is OK for most people at most stages of their diets. Low fat, reduced fat, fat free, or any other fat altered form of dairy is NOT acceptable since fat is the reason for sonsuming dairy in the first place. Like nuts and seeds, dairy is a food category that may need to be removed for some people to make decent gains. Drinking milk is about the worst way to consume dairy and should be avoided.


DO NOT EAT:

Any grains. This includes breads, pastas, rice, corn, cereals, chips, crackers, etc. This is difficult but extremely important!
Vegetable oils. Especially corn oil and soy bean oil. If an oil is not listed as a “DO EAT” food, it is not acceptable. This means margarine is out!
Sugar
High Fructose Corn Syrup. You will need to check labels on any processed food. This stuff is in everything.
All things soy. You will have to check labels for this one. Like high fructose corn syrup, soy derivitives are in everything.
Legumes. The lectins in legumes cause problems just like the lectins in grains.
White potatoes. Too starchy.


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Sunday, August 7, 2011

Project Change Update

 I can not believe its been over 8 months since I last blogged, time has for sure flown bye, faster then I can think. A lot has happened since my last post, some I will share and some not yet.

The only big thing that has happened since the last update is my gallbladder has been removed (April 2011). I have since been able to go back on Dairy again, but in moderation.

So on to the update. 

Project Change Goals:
Eat more natural, organic or near organic foods as possible. Yup still going strong on this one, I even started my own garden this year, and I already have plans for next years garden.
Protein; chicken, pork, and red meat in moderation been eating lots of chicken, just recently added pork and haven't added red meat till this current month (august)
Eat lots of veggies but also keep them in moderation. Yup love my veggies
Limit my fruit per day, as it is high in natural sugars. FAILED this one, but trying to limit this
Eat at least 1 whole onion a week. FAILED
Eat at least a few whole large sized tomato's a week. (I think a good salsa for salad would work, homemade of course) FAILED
Get in at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, more would be better. FAILED
Figure out a schedule where I can make it into the gym in the mornings before work. FAILED
Bedtime during the work week is no later than 9:30pm (so far so good). Been okay so far, very few days with staying up late.
Video games or movies/tv shows are off at least 10 minutes before bedtime (its working so far, this allows me time to finish packing for the next day, and allows for my brain to unwind.) Haven't played video games in over 2 months, still working on the tv/movies before bedtime.
Read at least 1 book a month that has to do with in some way project change. FAILED, but i have been listening to JM.com podcasts weekly
Food Journal - Keep a daily food list. FAILED
More to come.....

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Project Change

So I was going to wait before putting this post up, but I know even if I wait and post it up when I officially start it I will still get slack for it. So I am posting it up now.

So this year has been a learning year for me, about what I eat, about me, and just life in general. One thing that has come out of this learning year is what I put into my body, and how some foods my body can't handle it (Dairy=Gallstones), and that if I eat foods in a more healthier fuller form, I can loose weight or maintain it for long periods of time. I have more energy, I feel better, I am not as sick during the year. Because of all this new found learning I have also done a lot of studying, and research and finding what foods do what to your body. This is the first year in a lot of years where I have actually opened up a real book and have actually read it.

With all this new found information and mixed in from what I have learned over this year, I am planning on making 2011 a new level of me. I actually want to get healthy, and go to the gym now, and I want to continue with this into the new year and beyond. So this is my "new" project, some parts are from this past year (2010), some of it is new stuff for me to learn. But I am excited for what the future holds.

So a little on this "new project" still working on a title for this project but for now I will call it Project Change. I have been reading a lot about the foods I eat, how it effects my hormones and that infects my eating. I already have a good base on the foods I eat, but I have found lately that I still love my grains and carbs, so I am going to try to incorporate them into my eating plan.

Project Change Goals:
Eat more natural, organic or near organic foods as possible.
Protein; chicken, pork, and red meat in moderation
Eat lots of veggies but also keep them in moderation.
Limit my fruit per day, as it is high in natural sugars.
Eat at least 1 whole onion a week.
Eat at least a few whole large sized tomato's a week. (I think a good salsa for salad would work, homemade of course)
Get in at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, more would be better.
Figure out a schedule where I can make it into the gym in the mornings before work.
Bedtime during the work week is no later than 9:30pm (so far so good).
Video games or movies/tv shows are off at least 10 minutes before bedtime (its working so far, this allows me time to finish packing for the next day, and allows for my brain to unwind.)
Read at least 1 book a month that has to do with in some way project change.
Food Journal - Keep a daily food list.
More to come.....

6 months 60 pounds

I have till June 2nd before I leave for my WEEK LONG d-day adventure. The goal is to lose 10 pounds a month before I leave. I am hoping that its a goal I can meet.

Monday, November 8, 2010

120lbs of chicken never again.

So its been a while since Ive updated this blog, life had gotten rather busy, and I kept on forgetting to do it. So lets do a recap of my crazy life.

Sept 1st 2009 - I start my weight loss journey. Everything has been going great. I was eating excellent. I was losing weight.

Dec 3rd 2009 - I am still going strong, I was able to get back to my old job before being unemployed for over a year. Only working part time, but that was better then not working at all. I had lost a bit of weight.

Jan 11, 2010 - My birthday, 27 years young, best birthday present to myself I was back to full time work. I was still doing excellent and eating 100% correctly, and seeing amazing results.


Feb 25th 2010 - Life changes forever. Emergency Open Heart Surgery. http://stitch26.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html I was still able to be on plan. And i did lose weight while I was healing.

June 2010 - I am back to full time work again. By now I had cheated with my eating, and from here on out I have struggled with eating 100% healthy.

August 2010 - 6 months since having my chest cracked open and I went on a 3day backpacking trip, even carried my own pack. It was hard hiking in, but hiking out was much easier.


Sept 1st 2010 - 1 year since I started my weight loss journey, I was down over 75 pounds and have for the most part been able to keep it off. Eating has been about about a 80% on track.

November 8th 2010 - I am back on track about 95%-100% again. I have a goal of going skiing in less then 2 months, it will be 10 months since surgery and I have found my fire again, it seamed to die when I went in for surgery I had lost all hope in my dreams.

Now with what this has to do with the title, my sister and I bulk ordered fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts and we have just cleaned, and cooked some and froze the rest for individual meals, I am so done with chicken. Over 120 pounds of chicken is ready to be served.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Brownies Recipie

Servings: 18 2x3 inch brownies

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup walnut meal (purchased or ground in a food processor)
3/4 cup dutch process cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1 cup coconut milk (room temperature)
1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup extra virgin coconut oil (gently melted)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts for topping (optional)
butter for greasing pan

Instructions:
Adjust oven rack to middle position. Preheat oven to 350deg F. Butter a 13x9x2 inch baking pan.

In medium bowl, mix together dry ingredients until well blended. Set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk eggs for one minute, then add coconut milk, honey or maple srup and whisk again. Add melted coconut oil and whisk until wet ingredients are completely blended.

Add wet mixture to dry ingredients and whisk well; be sure to scrape sides and bowl bottom so no pockets of dry ingredient remain. Batter will be thinner consistency than conventional brownies. Pour batter into prepared pans.

If desired, sprinkle chopped walnuts on top of batter. Bake 35 to 40 minutes.

Cool completely before cutting.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Round 3

So the second round didn't really last too long, but I am hoping this time it will last a bit longer before I cheat again. I did mange to do really well this week and I lost 2 pounds of the 5 I gained when I cheated back in April. Only 3 more to go before I am back to where I started. Good news though even tho I have eaten a bit off course, I haven't gained any since tax day.

So a little update, I am back to full time work again. Received my 2nd full time paycheck. Its nice to have money again, even if I am not spending it right away (saving up for my Honda Element). And I am eating about 75% of my foods with-in my 100 mile radius of my house. Oh and hopefully this Tuesday my sister and I will be receiving our 1/4 grass fed/finished cow. It will be great to cook up some steaks and eat those all the time again.