Paleo "NAY FOOD" List

     Sometimes it is very easy to decipher which foods are healing us and which are harming. The above is a great example! Any fool knows a juicy fast food burger and fries is just a heart attack waiting to happen!

   Other times the choice isn't quite as obvious. Items such as grains, flours and pasturized dairy have been "sold" to us by the government and the agri-lobbyists as healthy options, when in fact, they are the root of the majority of disease and obesity that plagues society today!

     I will post more on the ill effects these foods have on our bodies in the near future. Overconsumption of these and other foods spike our Insulin levels and cause inflammation in the body leading to all sorts of awful health issues. For now, here is a list of foods to AVOID or EAT RARELY on the Paleo/Primal meal plan:

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Paleo "YAY FOOD" List

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     Here is a list of the food allowed on the Primal or Paleo meal plan. Simply put, eliminate all processed foods and sugars, grains and grain-like seeds (Quinoa, Amaranth...) beans/legumes, dairy, starchy veggies, salt & nitrate containing foods and extra fatty meats.

    Instead, eat a diet rich in lean proteins, lots of vegetables (particularly green ones), nuts, seeds and heart-healthy fats. Some fruit and a little starch to fuel your recovery process. Supplement with inflammation busting Omega-3 fish oils.

    This food pyramid is courtesy of  Castle Grok. A great resource for recipes and further information on living Primal in the modern world.

With all of these options the possibilities are endless :)

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Berry Hydration Sensation Smoothie

     There has been a heap of fuss over the Coconut lately!! Rightly so, turns out it's a serious miracle food!! I find the Coconut in all forms an incredibly useful addition to the Primal athletes kitchen. Coconut Water is the clear juice found in young green coconuts.

A few fun facts about Coconut Water.....

• Contains 5 essential electrolytes needed to stay hydrated before, during & after exercise
• Has more Potassium than a banana. Helps prevent cramping, regulates blood pressure & heart function
• 100% Natural. No added sugar, fat, cholesterol or preservatives

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Passion Discovered

  

      I'm sure by now many of you have noticed that my life, body, mind and soul have been taken over by this thing called CrossFit. A year ago one of my gym members Sheila came in for her regular workout... or so I thought. As I was working away at the front desk, out of the corner of my eye I saw Sheila doing some movements I had never seen before. Crazy intense stuff like tossing a giant 16lb medicine ball from a deep squat up to a target high on the wall, then immediately dropping to the floor for a round of  Burpees. I was completely intrigued, I couldn't take my eyes off her! As I watched I wondered, why would anyone knowingly put themselves through that business! Those of you that know and love the dreaded "Burpee" understand what I mean. At times it almost looked like she was having fun! Between gasps for air and the odd rest to regain her composure, I actually noticed her smile a few times.

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Paleo Simplified

     So far a huge part of my journey living by the "Primal Rx" has involved a bit of a dietary shift. I'm goin' Primal people!! I've always had a fairly healthy diet, with the odd cheats here and there of course. Throughout my culinary career I have explored every gastro-genre imagineable! From 4 diamond cuisine to street fare, you name it and my hands have been in there! Among my culinary expolits, one theme has remained:

Eat fresh, local, wild, organic happy food raised, grown and prepared with love, respect and pure intention.

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Getting off on the right foot!!....or should I say thigh.....

     So I was thinking....what better way to celebrate my very first blog post (and my new Chrissy PR) than with a super Paleo-licious meal! This chicken was a flavor explosion! NOT KIDDING. Chicken thighs are a bit of an underdog in the chicken world. After years of living in fear of consuming the dreaded "fattier" bits of  the bird, sacrificing flavor and texture for the leaner "over glorified" breast meat, I'm converted. I'm totally a thigh girl now, and you will be too when you try these bad boys!!

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