Paleo Day 4

Quick update. In the car waiting while Davey is opening a bank account. So busy, so overwhelmed with all I have to do! Still missing my clothes, my silverware, and other utensils. :( 

Paleo has been good, and hard. Today is easier than yesterday. I was so grouchy, had a headache, and nausea. 

Cody's appetite has been amazing which makes me happy!!! It use to be pulling teeth to get him to eat! Now he's asking for food all day!! Wow. Very happy to see him improving. 

I was feeling homesick for my comfort foods. Sounds silly but it's true. I enjoy my coffee creamer and chocolate. Ya know? Yes you can still have dark chocolate but I have to find a good brand. Not my normal Hershey's kisses or Reese's Peanut Butter cups. 

Everyone says it gets easier so I hope it does! Last nights dinner was so good! We had church and were out and about. Shane was asking for mcdonalds, but I stayed strong. We hurried home and I whipped up bacon wrapped chicken drumsticks with baked zucchini w olive oil and seasons and strawberries. It was really good and everyone had seconds!!

 

Oyi the boys are eating soooo much! I'm gonna have to reevaluate the budget and shopping list to buy more food. They've gone through 5 bunches of bananas, a whole jug of cashews, 2 packages of bacon, 3-4 dozen eggs, and about 12 Larabars alreadysince  Monday..omgoodness. 

Sometimes I'm like "yeah I got this! I love This!!!" Then someone invites us over and I'm like "oh crud." And "do I want to live like this? Being scared of eating out? Never having donuts or muffins or chips? And always saying, don't eat that boys it has gluten!" 

But then I think of their health. Cody especially and he's already doing amazing. 

It's hard. It's a pain. It's expensive. But it's ok because we can do hard things. 

And after 30 days I plan to reintroduce a lot. Dairy, white rice, and hopefully oatmeal.  And I can make Paleo muffins. 

I love this statement from the book "It starts with food".  

"It's NOT hard. Beating cancer is hard. Losing a child is hard. Giving birth is hard. Drinking your coffee black is not hard." 

That's good perspective. And she's right! So maybe it's not "hard" but it takes getting use to, which is uncomfortable. 

My food in pictures

This is gonna be a quick one...I'm packing up Shane and Cody's bikes, and the jogger for Reece, and we are off to the park so I can run! Such a beautiful day today here in Southern California :)

I was inspired by Staci's blog, to do a weeks worth of posts of what I am eating, with pictures.  I thought this would keep me accountable. So everyday this week I will post my meals and a pic.

I didn't get a chance to weigh in this morning {had to take Shane to school, then run a bunch of errands for Shane's Bday tomorrow while he wasn't with me}.  I am not expecting a loss this week because of our little vacay to the snow..... ;) BUT I am focused for a loss next week...need to get out of the -60's and see -70 already!

Here's what I ate yesterday:  Breakfast: Just a bulletproof coffee...bad that it's all I had, I know I know. But it's really a good coffee {made with butter and coconut oil}.

 Lunch was a ham sandwich with Tillamook cheese {best non organic cheese, cows graze on grass in Oregon in season, no hormones either} and mayo on Udi's gluten free bread with an organic apple.

 Dinner we had organic free range chicken drumsticks {I save all the bones and make broth for this soup} cooked in olive oil, organic veggies with a tbsp mayo, and a baked potato with lots of grass fed butter, a slice of bacon, and a little cheese, washed down with a cup of milk. :) It was goooodddd.

I know our food isn't perfect yet {need to make a homemade mayo}, but it doesn't happen over night.  Little changes makes a big difference, and I'm still working on it :)  I snacked on cheese and some corn tortilla chips (no bueno). I was super busy yesterday and kept letting myself become starving! Also no bueno.

 

Eating Organic on a Budget Part 2

Sorry for the super long delay from Part 1......It was a busy few months! These posts are because, as a family of 5, I don't find it fair that we can't "afford" organic, wholesome foods.  So, I've been determined to find organic, whole foods at a good price.  If you don't do a Paleo, Gluten/Sugar free lifestyle, Part 1 will suit you, as well as part two so keep reading!  

{*SIDE NOTE Since part 1 I have changed our eating quit a bit to sugar & gluten free (well I try). I no longer buy a lot of grains (pasta, bread, cereal, oatmeal).  Which gives me more for my meats, veggies, fruits, & fats.  My boys do MUCH better w low sugar/grains. My husband gets less headaches & I don't have tummy aches like I have my whole life!}

The Budget. We do the Envelope System.
I get our budgeted grocery money out in cash, and what I try* to do is save a few dollars each trip and put it away for something I want to save for.  Recently I used it on Christmas shopping, and am now starting over again. It's a great way to organize your money. I suggest you budget separately from your grocery money, a gluten free pizza night from Dominos and keep that in your "Eating Out" envelope for a night off :). 

Let's determine the weekly budget for groceries.  Example:

Family of 5, Budget $125 a week for food-

Fruit/Veggies- $25
Meat/Seafood-$45
Fats- $15
Dairy- $25
 Misc-$10
Condiments- $5


 
Fruits-
*Buy fruits that are in season, this way you can afford organic produce easier. Trader Joe's, Costco, Whole Foods, Farmers Markets, Walmart, & Target all have Organic produce.
*Only buy organic for the "dirty dozen":

1

Apples

2

Celery

3

Sweet bell peppers

4

Peaches

5

Strawberries

6

Nectarines
– imported

7

Grapes

8

Spinach

9

Lettuce

10

Cucumbers

11

Blueberries
– domestic

12

Potatoes

Some of our staples are: Organic Carrots for less than $1 a bag, organic Granny Smith's for $2.50 a bag, organic frozen broccoli for $3 a bag, (2) organic Spinach for $2 a bag, Banana's (don't need to be organic) for $.50 a lb all from Trader Joe's.  At Costco I buy organic Yams (huge bag) $8, and a BIG box of Oranges for $10.  At the Farmer's Market- organic Celery for $1.50 for one head and one pound of organic grapes for $2 (to name a couple). 

Meat/Seafood-

I try to do a weekly meal plan so I know what I'll be making. 

*You can buy a whole organic chicken for around $13, and spread that for at least 2 dinners & 1 lunch.  (Stay tuned for my budget friendly recipes)
* 2 packages of organic free range drumsticks (for bone broth & chicken soup!) $6,
*5 dozen eggs Costco (not organic here yet, sometimes you have to pick & choose) $8,
*package of 3 Organic ground beef at Costco $17 (grass fed is BEST, & I recently found it local for 5 a lb, but if you can't organic is better than regular).

Fats-
Nuts, Avocados, Coconut oil, or Olive oil. You can buy a huge jar of organic Coconut oil from Costco that will last you at least two months for $15. Buy that one week, the next week buy Olive oil & organic nuts, the next week buy just nuts & avocados. Or how ever that's convenient for you :)

Dairy- 
Well...I'm a huge fan and promoter of Organic RAW dairy.  It's not always accessible or with in budget though.  Alternatives are organic pasteurized milk products (even though some say it's a dead food because it's pasteurized, I still think it's better than no milk products, especially for growing kids, and ONLY if they are tolerant of lactose. If someone in your family is lactose intolerant, try raw diary and goats milk products.)

*2 gallons Organic full fat milk $12 (I tend to like Horizon the best, their milk tastes the creamiest, like real full fat milk should. I get from Walmart or Target).
*Tillamook Cheese (grass fed cows when it's season, animals treated with care, no HMO's or antibiotics) $5 a lb.
*BUTTER!!! (3) 8 oz Kerrygold butter (grass fed!) Trader Joe's $7.50

Hope this helped someone, if it did, please leave a comment!  I'll be back with budget friendly organic meal ideas!!

Love, The Curvy Housewife 

PS Weigh In tomorrow!!

My gluten free, sugar free Banana bread! YUM

I decided to do some baking today.  I wanted Banana bread but since cutting out gluten and sugar I am on a mission to find or create delicious recipes!!!

I played around and created a YUMMY Banana bread recipe.  Next time I will leave out Coconut flour (I don't like it) & use all rice flour. Or if I get brave enough I will eventually cut rice flour & use blanched almond flour.  (BTW love my new lens hubby got me for Christmas! Can't wait to use it in a shoot).

Here's the outcome, and the recipe:
1 1/2 cups White Rice flour
1/2 cup Coconut flour
2 eggs
1/2 a cup of soft butter (I LOVE Kerrygold (Trader Joes $2.50, Whole Foods), it's from grass fed cows, much more vitamins & minerals than regular butter. Only thing better than this is Raw grass fed butter, which I've made before {I'm pretty proud of that!}. YES butter is good for you! The more yellow the richer in nutrients.... Butter, not margarine.)
1/4 c milk  (organic if possible)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp stevia
2 tbsp raw honey (local if you can)
I mashed banana (I mash it right in the peel)
1/4 cup walnut pieces (optional)
Mix all ingredients in a mixer, scoop into a bread pan, bake at 350 for 30-35 mins (I don't usually time things, I poke them with a knife & take it out when its just a little under done to keep it soft and very moist...)

{For a total Paleo recipe, substitute rice flour for almond flour & milk for a 1/4 c coconut milk.}

Topped with butter & a dribble of honey.....DELICIOUS!

 

Love, The Curvy Housewife

I resolve to FINISH

January 1, 2010 was my very first blog post. Wow! Three years has flown by. It's been a wonderful, happy, trial some 3 years.
Since then we've: Lost a baby, had a baby. Gained a ministry job, lost a ministry job. Gained new friends, lost a friend to a car accident. Paid off our van, made a new nest egg.
I've LOST 66 lbs, gained some back. Lost some & gained some again. Now losing those annoying few pounds & more!
I was sick, then I got better. I had surgery while pregnant! I've adjusted to being the mommy to three boys and I love it.

I've ran 2 Half marathons (one of which I finished LAST because it was a torturous 14.5 miles of steep, narrow trails!) Completed 3 triathlons, and one 26.1 mi Bike the Coast. I got certified to teach cycle, and completed a few 5ks & 10ks.

I'm very proud of myself. I'm not where I want be, but I'm not where I was. Thank you Jesus.
With God's help, and my determination, I WILL reach my goal weight this year!

I've learned SO much these last few years. Through sickness of my own I've learned about nutrition and health and I'm so thankful.

You'll all be sad to know that after 23 months if no aunt flow (10 while pregnant, 13 while nursing!) she just returned. Yay! Not. I stepped on the scale this morning. To see a 4lb gain! What the hoots?! On top of the 5 I had gained back already. No bueno. It's going down. Big time.

I haven't posted progress pics in a while. The ones of me in all black are from march(ish) 2012 (4 months post partum) to this week. Others are from Christmas time 2009- Christmastime 2012.

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Weigh In & Whole 30 day 6

Last weigh in two weeks ago: 181.9
This weeks weigh in: 178.1

Did you hear that? ONE SEVENTY.......yeeehooo!

Ok, this whole 30 is HARD.  I am having a hard time finding what to eat.  Suppose to be only meat, eggs, fish, veggies, yams, little fruit.  Um....good meat is EXPENSIVE! Gah!!! I've always been lerie of diets that say "No: blank, blank, blank blank.." I am on board with the no grains/gluten.  But no dairy, beans, rice, ect....hard. Yes white rice is a grain but does not have gluten or phytic acid- which pulls calcium from bones and teeth. And I am on board with no sugar.  After the 30 days, or when I go broke, I will stick to eating no grains and no sugar...of course with an *occasional treat.

I am still struggling on whether this is "right" too.  Vegan's say meat causes cancer ect. Why do some doctors say, "animal products were not made for humans!" while others say, "animal products are vital to our health". {Seriously read both but I'm too lazy to put links right now}.  I am eating organic meat, but I am still NOT SURE WHAT TO BELIEVE! Gr..... I am sticking to it though, or at least until I go broke. Which will be soon. Ha.

What I am loving: I feel pretty good.  The weight is coming off quickly.

Don't love: Expensive. Don't know what to eat E.V.E.R.  Eggs for breakfast again? yes. Hm. what's for lunch? eggs again? no no. um......plain hot dog? I guess. (grass fed organic hot dog. yes they make them. yes they cost more than gold.)

BUT....I made spaghetti squash last night and it was great!!! I got super full and felt like I was eating real spaghetti.  I guess it takes time to get into a routine of meals.  This strictness is only 30 days.


Apparently this is a detox. I had no clue.  I talked my friend Ilsa into doing it w me and she's doing amazing.  She is doing way better than me, lol.  She bought the book and has been giving me info, and I told her I didn't know this was a detox before I signed up for it..ha.

How I feel right now: GIVE me a muffin. NOW. A non gluten, not so great tasting muffin will be fine. Anything will do.  Give it to me!!! No? ok fine.

Why am I doing this?
I am trying to help my teeth. I am doing lots of research, and the more I read and listen to podcasts I hear that cavities and gum disease is a warning sign from more serious diseases such as Heart Disease and Cancer. Now, I am not sure if this is %100, but I do know an infected tooth is very serious, and our teeth have nerves, cells that connect through out our whole body.

I could see the two big whole where I need root canals when I came home from the dentist and I looked with a light.  I *think* they are getting smaller. I am not blowing smoke people. They are either getting smaller or some reason I can't see them very well anymore.  I know this takes time. I try not to look often so I don't get discouraged.  If this doesn't work, don't worry, I will get them filled.  I hope to have good news the next time I see a dentist though.

I have been doing Fermented Cod Liver Oil, Raw butter which I made myself, calcium and vit D3, and no grains/sugar/phytic acid.  Or very low phytic acid (I had some nuts).

I am really enjoying my books, Nutrition and physical Degeneration by dr Weston Price, and Cure Tooth Decay by Ramiel Nagel.

How are you?!!

Love, The Curvy Housewife 

Big Changes.

Last week weigh in: 181.9!!!!!! whoot!

Thank you all who prayed for my friend Karen. The funeral went well.  Please keep praying for her as she has to learn to live with out her husband.

Did I mention in a previous post I was gonna try to go grain/sugar free? Well you all know I have been having several issues with my teeth.  So, the nutrition junkie I am, I began to dig in here.

As the dentist told me, "You need one pulled, two bill root canals, and one regular filling" I cried.  Literally.  I did get my tooth pulled because it was infected, and I'm glad I did.  But the other teeth, $1,200 x 2 + $500? plus that's only one side of my mouth!

I came across Weston A. Price's study, which I bought and its on the way. I find this FASCINATING. I am a HUGE believer in the power of food, and the harm food can do to us.  This was my thought the whole time..."If a broken arm can heal itself, why can't our teeth?"  I asked my dentist.  "Can I heal a cavity on my own naturally?"  "No. Absolutely not. I mean, I know you will see stuff online, but it doesn't work." I don't think he's lying. He is a good man.  I think he's never seen anyone be successful at this. It is a daunting task isn't it? My plan is pretty extreme. Who wants to do that?

I do! I am only 27 and there is no excuse for me to have teeth being pulled and drilled left and right.  So I began to think....what about the people who didn't have dentists? And then I found Dr. Price's research. He actually traveled the world and studied different cultures and their teeth.  This is a Dentist.  He saw something was missing in America regarding our teeth and oral heath.  The rise of braces, and drilling is outrageous. 

I found some amazing articles on this from health blogs.  How to remineralize your teeth.  How this women healed her sons big cavity.

I am going to plunge in big time. I have cut grains by about %50.  I am going to do it...make it %100. Ack, I said it.  I'm scared.  My plan....

1. Cut out grains (link, why they slowly kill you) such a great link. Answered my questions!
2. Cut out sugar
3. Fermented Cod Liver Oil/Ghee (already doing) totally nasty fyi.
4. Raw butter (which I made my self! already doing)
5. Bone broth- Oh.Em.Goodness. How did I never know this was so good for you!? not talking about store bought broth...but real homemade bone broth...tons of minerals essential to bone health!
6. Possibly switch to a more natural toothpaste....I already use Tom's.

I have been looking at photos of Native American Women, they all look like they have their teeth when they are old.  :)
I am always on a quest to find the right food for our family.  I have been fighting doing "Paleo" for a while.  Long while.  I use to say I'm against it. Grains are important.  Too much meat gives you cancer (yes if it isn't organic!). Jesus ate bread. Ect.  But you know how you find out what really helps you and your family?? YOU TRY IT. So...gulp. I think I am going to try the Whole 30.  I have lots of friends who's health has been significantly improved.  People I know personally who have lost a lot of weight and cured a lot of aliments.  My main reason are my teeth, my stomach (which has always given me problem since I was little), my over all health, and to lose weight.  AND so my boys will have health, healthy teeth and strong jaw bones and teeth that don't need braces.  REad that article! Amazing what Weston A. Price found in 1930's!!

Please don't judge ;) I am in search of what really brings health and heals. Sometimes everyone needs to switch things up. Especially if we have chronic or re-occuring pain, sickness, ect. AND DON'T WORRY..I WILL BE GOING TO THE DENTIST TO MAKE SURE I SEE PROGRESS! :)

PS I really need to start working out again!

Do you eat grain free? Advice!! 

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Whole 30 Day challenge

Eh. Where to start. I am not too excited about this, but am hopeful for health, pain free tummy, and weight loss.

Since Reece was born, (actually looking back possibly longer), I have all these random food allergies. How do I know? Well, after I would eat certain meals I would be doubled over in pain with a cramping stomach. No vomiting. Just intense pain, almost similar to gallbladder attacks (so glad those days are over).
A couple weeks ago I ate an apple and my gums swell. I took a bite of a taco w Avocado and my throat got itchy and swelling started.
So immediately I knew I needed to cut those two out, but what is giving me the stomach pain? Dairy? Yes, I'll cut out dairy. Well I've been dairy free for 3 weeks now and after certain meals (two really bad ones, included eggs for breakfast) I had the pain. So I decided to cut eggs and gluten.
Eating gluten free isn't easy. It's in alomst everything!! I got a few gluten free staples, (rice flour, almond butter, meats, almond milk, ect). I have been gluten free and egg free for 3 days now and haven't had pain. So. This brings me to the topic of the Whole 30 Challenge.

Anyone that knows me knows......1. I LOVE bread. 2. I believe in eating a well balanced diet. 3. I don't like depriving myself.

Ok so why would I do this extreme 30 day challenge? Well, I am already gluten, egg, and dairy free. Might as well go sugar free too and lose some weight! Plus my friend Katrina has been doing Paleo for over a year and her, her husband, and kids have reaped the benefits. They have lost weight, felt great, and haven't been sick since they started!!

My other friend Gem was VERY sick. The doctors did CT scans and just offered her pills. She started Paleo and did this 30 day challenge. She healed her sickness (she had intestinal problems, was in a lot of pain and was very tired all the time) and lost almost 70 pounds in 5 months. She feels so great and energetic and thankful she found what the problem was.

Ok so this is ME....I am not good at extreme diets. That's how I began binging and starting the dangerous cycle. So I am trying this out. I am not holding it against myself if I can't stick to it.
For 30 days, (or as long as I last!) I will be eating meat, veggies, fats, and some fruits.

Sayyyyy Whaaat!!!!??? That's it!? Yup pretty much. This 30 day challenge is designed to cleanse your body of the harmful things we normally eat that are in processed foods. Or in my case the things I've developed an allergy too. After 30 days you can eat more, like beans, yams, ect, after those 30 days you can maintain by eating natural unprocessed foods. Breads made by almond flour, ect. I don't know very much about it yet, but I have to change one way or the other....my body is telling me I will not thrive, or have a fulfilling life if I eat the way I have been. Poo.

I gotta go shopping tomorrow (which really stinks that we currently still have no income and I have to buy special food for me, which is expensive). I will start this challenge on Wednesday, and be weighing in weekly still.

Anyone else do Paleo?? I really need some meal ideas!

Love, The Curvy Housewife