Found an old Pic!

I was having a little clean up of my photos and searching for the food pics I had taken of the recipes I posted up yesterday which I still can't find.  However I did find an old photo taken before I started this journey when I was delusional that I was as big as I was, it was taken just after New Years of 2008 and I thought it would be cool to see the comparison in my face, the shot beside it was taken the day before I chopped my hair earlier this year.  Still can't believe it's been exactly 3 years since i started this journey!

Sweet and Salty Chocolate, Almond Crackers and Chicken Wings!

So I have some recipes that I've been meaning to post for quite sometime and one of my loyal readers has kindly asked me to post so here they are:
Marinated chicken wings/nibbles, almond crackers and sweet and salty chocolate!

The almond crackers are from Elana's Pantry, the marinated chicken is just a basic marinade that I found on a recipe site and just tweaked and the sweet and salty chocolate is another tweaked recipe from Nigella!

Hope you all enjoy and just have to say with the Final Rugby World Cup game tonight GO THE ALLBLACKS!!!!

Sweet and Salty Chocolate (primal version)

3 x 100gm blocks of 85% Green and Blacks
125gms Butter
1 Tbsp Maple Syrup / Honey or Golden Syrup
200gms of Cashews or any other nut

I use a rectangle tin or square tin, Nigella suggests disposable foil tins as an option too.

Get the butter and the syrup melting on a low heat in a heavy based pan and break up the chocolates and add that to the golden sludge.

Chop the nuts or leave them whole and add into a medium mixing bowl.

When the chocolate mixture has just melted, pour it over the nuts and stir together.

Pour into prepared tin, and spread out and flatten as much as you can, using a silicon spatula.

Cover and refrigerate for a few hours before cutting into chunks or wedges - depending on your tin of choice.

Makes about 20 pieces

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nigella-lawson/sweet-and-salty-crunchy-nut-bars-recipe/index.html


Almond Rosemary Crackers

1 ¾ cups blanched almond flour
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary finely chopped or Tuscan Seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 egg

In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt and rosemary

In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil and egg

Stir wet ingredients into almond flour mixture until thoroughly combined

Roll the dough into a ball and press between 2 sheets of parchment paper to ⅛ inch thickness

Remove top piece of parchment paper

Transfer the bottom piece with rolled out dough onto baking sheet

Cut dough into 2-inch squares with a knife or pizza cutter

Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes, until lightly golden

Let crackers cool on baking sheet for 30 minutes, then serve Yield 24 cracker cookies

http://www.elanaspantry.com/rosemary-crackers/


Grilled Chicken Wings

1-1.5kgs chicken wings or nibbles
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup soy sauce (I use Tamari)
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
(my tweak is approx 1/4 -1/2 cup of cream)

Mix ingredients into a bowl.

Add wings and stir.

Cover and marinate for 45 minutes.

Place pieces on the grill and brush with remaining mixture.

Grill over medium-hot coals about 15-20 minutes, turning once.

http://www.food.com/recipe/grilled-chicken-wings-31266


I seem to have lost any pictures I had of these recipes so as soon as I get some more I will put them up but for now you can see what they should look like through the links :)

Introducing The Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation

I’ve got a special announcement today. Mark Sisson, author of The Primal Blueprint, has a brand new book out called The Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation. It’s a practical, action-oriented guide for how to eat, exercise and live Primally – a step-by-step, “cut to the chase” resource to make a smooth and quick transition into a Primal lifestyle. In it he tells you exactly what to do every day for 21 days to take control of your health for the rest of your life. Mark explains what this new book is all about, what’s in it and who it’s for here.
Mark is looking to score this book on the New York Times best-seller list to gain exposure for the Primal Blueprint message, so he’s put together a loaded special offer. Basically, you order 1 or more copies between October 18 and 24, email your receipt to a special email address and Mark kicks you back a bunch of freebies. It’s a win-win. You get a great book for less than 15 bucks, and a bunch of free gifts, and you and Mark both get to help take the Primal movement mainstream. Check out the details of Mark’s special offer below and pick up a copy of the book today.

What Do I Win for Helping Put This Book on the NYT Best-Seller List?

Order 1 Copy and You Get:

1. Access to the exclusive, password-protected ebook – “Primal Living in the REAL World”: In this 130-page eBook, hundreds of Primal enthusiasts share their challenges, solutions and practical tips for how they get – and stay – Primal. It’s like having the advice of 300 coaches. In it you’ll read hundreds of answers to these and numerous other questions: What is the first thing a person should do to kick start their Primal life? What do you think is the most important thing one should understand as they attempt to go Primal? What was the biggest hurdle you experienced when going Primal and how did you overcome it? And of course, the most important one, What do you usually eat for breakfast?

2. Access to the exclusive, password-protected audio interview – “21-Day Total Body Transformation”: Download a 60 minute, free-wheeling Q&A podcast in which Mark discusses the 8 Key Concepts that everyone needs to know to go Primal. Among many other topics covered, Mark discusses why your body prefers burning fat over carbohydrates and how you can use this knowledge to become a fat-burning beast instead of a sugar burner. Also, listen to Mark riff on why grains are totally unnecessary and why 80 percent of your body composition is determined by how you eat.

3. $10 Gift Certificate to PrimalBlueprint.com: Spend it like cash and order whatever you want, perhaps a cookbook to go with the 21-Day Transformation book? This means for a net 5 bucks you can grab a copy of Mark’s new book today. (The coupon code is good for any single product at PrimalBlueprint.com and expires on 11/30/11.)

Order 3 (Or More) Copies and You Get:

1. All the aforementioned benefits – the $10 Gift Certificate, the exclusive eBook and podcast, plus…

2. Audio recording of the original Primal Blueprint (released in 2009) - Listen to The Primal Blueprint on your phone or MP3 player with this abridged, digital (MP3) audio book voiced by Mark Sisson. The audio book is four hours long, and covers all 10 of the Primal Blueprint Laws and then some. This is the book that started it all and retails for $26.99. Grab 3 or more copies of the the 21-Day Total Body Transformation and you’ll get it for free.

3. Plus an additional $10 Gift Certificate to PrimalBlueprint.com, bringing the total to $20. Maybe this is the perfect opportunity to try a PEK, Primal Fuel or Master Formula on for size!(The coupon code is good for any single product at PrimalBlueprint.com and expires on 11/30/11.)

Order 8 (Or More) Copies and Help Change The World!

Buy 8 or more books through mainstream channels and Mark will send you one book for every two books you buy! Buy eight and he’ll send you four more. Buy 80 and he’ll send you 40 for free – seriously…and he’ll autograph each one of these promo books! And, of course, you’ll get all the aforementioned freebies.
Do your holiday shopping early. One common frustration from Primal enthusiasts is how to get friends and loved ones on board. This book is the perfect calling card to introduce someone to the Primal Blueprint. Why not reduce the hassle of holiday shopping and give each of your deserving friends and loved ones the gift of life transformation?
100 copies – Personal Touch: A 30-minute private phone consultation wherein you and Mark discuss anything you want. (Well, almost anything.) Mark doesn’t one-on-one coaching anymore so this is a rare opportunity. Yes, you also get the 50 free signed books and all the aforementioned freebies!
1,000 copies – Executive Decision: Could you co-workers use some guidance and motivation to get in shape? Mark will fly out to your location, present his Primal Transformation seminar and spend the day helping get your co-workers/employees Primal!

How Do I Win?

1. Order your book(s) online or at your local bookstore before midnight Monday, Oct 24. Here are some online ordering options:



2. Email your receipt to the appropriate email address:

• If you purchase 1-2 copies email your receipt to 1book@primalblueprint.com
• If you purchase 3-7 copies email your receipt to 3books@primalblueprint.com
• If you purchase 8 or more copies email the confirmation that your order has shipped to 8books@primalblueprint.com

To reiterate, for 8 or more books, please email Mark the confirmation that your order has shipped (not your initial email receipt) to the appropriate email address above. Also, please include your shipping address so Mark knows where to ship your free books. Please allow 30 days for processing and shipping of your free books. Mark’s going to have a lot of books to sign!
Low-techies can fax receipt copy to 310-317-4424.
3. You will receive your e-gift certificate, eBook download instructions, podcast download instructions, and all other freebies by reply email. (Please be patient. The Worker Bees will be reviewing receipts and sending you instructions on how to access all of your freebies within 24 hours.)
If you have any questions about ordering, or this promotion, please call 888-774-6259 (or 310-317-4414).
Fine Print:

• Unfortunately, Kindle and other digital books don’t count toward the NY Times best-seller list, nor this promotion.
• Books purchased in physical locations (e.g. a brick-and-mortar Barnes & Noble) count, too. Just scan and email your receipt to the appropriate email address above, or fax it to 310-317-4424.
• The 8 book offer only applies to book orders placed in the United States. While international orders won’t impact the New York Times best-seller list Mark will extend the 1-2 and 3-7 book offers to anyone around the world.

Order Your Copy of The Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation Today!

100th Post!

So I'm back and it's my 100th Post!  First I'd like to appologise for my lack of posts lately, life has gotten in the way but I'm still here and will try my best to keep you updated a little more often... 
Looking back on the last couple of years is quite mind blowing so I thought I would reflect.  I started this journey on October 18th 2008 scared as hell, depressed as hell weighing exactly 107.1kgs, on the 3rd November 2009 I weighed in at 67kgs and my lowest I got to is 64.8 which was Christmas 09.  I have managed to maintain for the last 2 years in the realms of 65-73kgs which I think is pretty darn great! I know for sure I will never see that rather large body ever again!

So I will be honest with you all, I'm sitting at 70.9 kgs as of today, I think that my winter weight tends to hover in the high 60's and low 70's and then I tighten up my eating when the weather heats up to mid 60's.  I was reading back over some of my old blog posts and came across a post titled "Maintaining is a breeze" well it seems it's not really all that much of a breeze, life gets in the way sometimes and it's easy to leave yourself off of your to do list! 

So I had hit 66kgs for my 30th in May this year which was awesome and felt fantastic but the kgs have crept up on me in the last few months with a little too much winter comfort food.  I'm not stressed about it, we have had a full on year and my priority hasn't been weight loss.  My business is doing fantastic and life in general is so wonderful, my husband's back surgery was a success and we are on the up and up.

Anyway I'm ready to hit the weight loss track again since summer is just around the corner and although I don't feel terrible at 70kgs I feel my best when I'm around 65-67 so that's my ideal goal for now, bearing in mind 62 is just feeling so far away at this point.

I hope you all love the new layout at the top left there's a drop down box and you can choose the format you like, there's either Magazine, Mosaic, Classic, Flipcard, Sidebar, snapshot and timeslide! Plus I've got a bit of food porn for you all!!!

Question/Anwer Post

Hi Michele! Just discovered your blog and it's very inspiring. I'm considering doing Atkins style or Paleo but you like you've done a fusion of both, right? I don't want to totally give up dairy -- mostly a bit of cheese, cream cheese and cream in coffee. So, is that considered Paleo still with some dairy or what would that be? Thanks!

Thanks for your question, definitely a valid point and one which I have a bit of experience in.  I have done all sorts of different mixes of atkins, protein power, paleo and primal, I personally find that Primal is best as it’s not quite as strict and something you can follow for life easily.  Depending on your goals of either weight loss or improved health it’s really just a sliding scale on the ratios you have.  Personally I do really well when I keep my fat high, moderate protein and low carb however I’m doing an experiment of high fat, moderate protein and carb just for a change and to see what results I get from it.  If you tolerate dairy well then there’s really no need to limit dairy.

Here’s a great explanation as to why some people do better with dropping their carbs right off and others need to increase them:

However, not everyone functions well in ketosis. They get brain fuzzed, lethargic and just generally feel awful. Even with weeks of being on a ketogenic diet, they never seem to adapt completely. That’s not a good recipe for long-term adherence to a diet or healthy functioning or training.

Tangentially, I’d note that this seems to be related to inherent levels of insulin sensitivity. Individuals with good insulin sensitivity, who typically run well on carbohydrates, tend to not do well on low-carbohydrate diets. In contrast, individuals with insulin resistance often do far better reducing carbohydrates and that often means going to ketogenic levels. Finally, some people seem to have the metabolic flexibility to do well with either diet. I address this issue in more detail in article Insulin Sensitivity and Fat Loss.

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/nutrition/how-many-carbohydrates-do-you-need.html

Personally I’ve never run very well on a high carbohydrate level, I feel lethargic, groggy and generally unwell not to mention constantly hungry.  I do excellent in a mild state of ketosis, I’m never hungry, I have more mental clarity, brighter skin, lower weight, better sleeps the list goes on. 

I hope that helps and gives you some food for thought and thanks again for your kind comment and interest in my blog.