After the hunt...

Korey and I are on day 15 of our endeavor.  We got back EARLY Sunday (yesterday) morning from excursion I'd never in my life thought I'd experience (or even want to, for that matter).  Last Friday was my birthday...great big, giant numero 28.  I usually don't celebrate my birthday--I see it as silly considering how many I plan on having while I'm here on Earth!  This year was different, however. 
My obsession with free-roaming, pastured fill in the blank took me down a path I'd never traveled before.  I'd always eaten venison growing up, having had a deer hunter for a father.  Killin' Bambi simply never bothered me--I knew it was good eats!  As simple as it is to find local, grass-fed beef these days, along with the fact that Korey and I have our own chickens allows for us to have all of the beef, chicken, and eggs we want.  However, it is pretty difficult to find good quality, pastured pork.  ENTER FABULOUS IDEA!
Knowing that my birthday was coming up, back at the end of 2011 I brought it up to Korey that we should go for a hog hunt since we would then be able to have that amazing wild pork I'd been yearning for.  I'll admit, it was somewhat in jest considering I couldn't imagine myself actually attached to a tree, rifle in hand, sitting and pondering aimlessly until the (hopefully) eventual chance at bagging a huge trophy boar.  A few weeks past and I was still fixated on the idea, so I asked Korey to get serious and find a place where we could hunt our own pork...he did!
We went down to BFE South Carolina last week, using my birthday as the main excuse to get away.  Deep down we knew it was simply in pursuit of pork perfection.  Ten thousand acres of hunting land awaited us and I was ready to bag my limit--the goal was to need another deep freezer upon our arrival home.  I. Was. Determined.
Well to cut it short, I didn't kill anything.  We didn't even have the option until our last hunt--and that was right after dark.  At that point it was just for the sake of killing a pig--not a boar, a sow--and I didn't want it to be that way.  The kicker to the whole trip:  I'm hooked!  As many hours as we spent in the tree hoping to see a hog/get us one or two and actually failed to do either didn't go wasted.  I'm absolutely determined, still, to hunt me a hog again!  There's something about the thrill of the chase/hunt, and then being able to capitalize on your own kill (whether it be some fat juicy chops, thick 'ol bacon, or some fresh, sage-y sausage...YUM!).
In case you're wondering, I managed to stay on track with my no sweetener/protein track.  Granted I had one slip that I haven't had in a year:  I drank coffee!  Why?!  Simply put, I wanted to remain (as we say in the country) REGLAR!  Going out of town, I just never know how I will adjust.  Here's the strange part:  I drank it BLACK...and enjoyed the taste!  Weird, right...or just simply disgusting really!  Never thought I'd like black coffee, but I guess when you haven't even experienced sweet from even fruit for some time, your tastes just go whacky and you find enjoyment in stuff that used to would have made you gag!
Anyway, back of the coffee now--not good for the adrenals, but it got 'er done when I needed it!  I'll touch base in a few once we're closer to the finish line. 

Still trucking along...

I guess today is day 5 of my (and Korey's) Whole 30 commitment.  I'd have to say it's no where near as bad as I thought it would be.  It's actually kind of nice having to find other options at breakfast that don't include protein powder.  I'm getting used to a new ritual you could say.  Today, I'll admit, was a little tough.  I'm so used to eating on a regular basis--out of necessity from a medical stand point and simply because I love to eat!  Due to a crazy schedule here at the studio, lunch came a few hours after I normally eat it, so I'd have to say I had a little bit of hypoglycemia.  All was better, though once I feasted on roasted brussels and cauliflower and pulled chicken breast.  There's nothing quite like a roasted vegetable.  Even the ones I find near repulsive (i.e. radishes) in their raw state are actually quite tasty once doused in (insert healthy fat of the day here), salt, and pepper. 
The detox is still ongoing...which is a good thing, but GEEZ.  Was I that mucked up?  It's nothing I can't manage, and if you know me well enough, you know that I rarely feel more accomplished on an average day than when all is functioning the way it's supposed to!  To help speed the detox up, I've been KILLIN' the kale this week.  It has a unique way of aiding nature in pulling impurities out of your body--and it's damn delicious pretty much any way you fix it.  I've made two batches of kale chips this week (yes, during the work week) and I've had it sauteed with my veg med during breakfast.  Those damn kale chips are like little crispy pillows of heaven in a bowl: 

• 1 bunch kale (I prefer lucinato--the flat blue-green kind) cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 T melted coconut oil (my next round I'm going to try either duck or pork fat!)
• 1 T apple cider vinegar (raw and unfiltered, of course)
• Preheat oven to 300.  Douse your kale with the oil and vinegar and spread it evenly on a large baking sheet.  I like to line mine with tinfoil, makes for easy clean up.  Bake for roughly 25 to 30 minutes.  I check mine every few minutes for their level of crispiness (or simply because I'm anxious to devour every last one of them!).  When they're done, take them out, sprinkle with sea salt and your choice of seasoning...I go for a curry blend generally.  Now they're ready to eat--and fill free to eat every last bite!

I'm trying to get Korey on the kale kick but I think he isn't quite sold on it.  He'll get there eventually.  I'm just thrilled about moments like last night:  We are sitting at the kitchen table enjoying dinner and he says, "I really want some more cauliflower mash this weekend."  YAY!  To me, this is shear enjoyment--to see my husband like and request some of the things he'd never have even thought about touching before.  Amazing!  Anyways, that's where we are!

Interesting...

Today is my third day of the Whole 30.  Recap what this means for me:  no protein powder, no stevia, no tea, no cocoa (technically tea is allowed but without stevia, why bother--also, the tannins in the tea may not be good for my low iron, so it may be well worth it even more!). 
I'm starting to realize that although whey doesn't usually bother folks that are lactose intolerant, I may be one of the ones out there that even whey gives issues to.  I haven't been even a bit bloated since before I started--unusal for me since my food allergies/sensitivities are so acute that I sometimes feel like I'm always carrying a little extra bloat.  Here's the gross part:  I've been going through some serious detox!  Whatever I've been consuming all along that apparently didn't agree with me has began to work it's way out of me, slowly but surely!  This is a good thing...I feel more energized and I'm back to being hungry again.  Beforehand, it often seemed as though I had lost my hunger on several days of the week. 
I can't say that I'm truly missing my hot/sweet drinks.  The morning sleepiness is already gone; it had only lasted one day.  I am replacing the hot drinks in the mornings with homemade bone broth to satisfy the warmth aspect of it all and that actually seems to be helping with the "cleansing" process.  To be entirely honest, I was afraid this whole experiment would screw with my digestion as I'm not used to having a solid protein source for breakfast AND lunch AND dinner.  I kinda figured I'd have a protein brick in my gut and would be sucking down some Smooth Move for the first week or so.  I'm feeling good with a good 'ol trip to see John every morning early!  (I don't what it says about me to admit that this is one my favorite times of the day--I just feel so accomplished!)
On another note, I had accupuncture for the first time yesterday.  Why, you ask?  Well, I'm exploring different methodologies for the treatment of all that ails me, particularly my adrenal fatigue and apparent infertility.  Interesting experiene:  lying on my back in a lavendar-scented room, wearing a sports bra and running shorts; tiny pin pricks from the tops of my feet to the tops of my head; laying there for atleast 30 minutes then get the pins removed; turn over on my belly with my head in a face cradle; tiny pin pricks lining both sides of my spine from my sacrum to my cervical; laying there for atleast another 20 minutes or so.  I'm so surprised I didn't fall asleep, but I was so relaxed I literally couldn't (didn't want to) pick up my arms to get off the table.  I plan on doing this about 4 or 5 times again before I have bloodwork done in March and see my doc in April.  We'll see how it goes--who knows I may be fertile in a few months!

Whole 30 Day 1

The "all or nothing" side of me took control over the weekend and decided there was no use in waiting until Wednesday to start my 30 days.  Today marks Day 1 of no stevia, protein powder, hot cocoa or hot tea. 
It's funny how you get used to your rituals.  A normal breakfast for me, for the past I don't even know how long was as follows:  big bowl of veggies sauteed in coconut oil, a protein shake, and a mug a steamy hot cocoa.  I LOVE MY MORNINGS!  And I LOVED the order in which my mornings took place.  This morning, however, had to be different.  I planned on, and executed, a breakfast of 4 ounces of chicken thighs, my same big bowl of sauteed veggies, and topped it off with fresh, homemade chicken broth (had to have something to replace my steamy hot cup of cocoa).  No doubt it was delish--I know I can live the next 30 days with mornings like that to wake up to.  The funny thing is how much my cocoa must have had a stimulant effect on me.  I know chocolate has caffeine, however I always thought it to be so miniscule that it wouldn't matter.  Being a patient of adrenal exhaustion, I've shied away from caffeine in all other shapes and forms ON PURPOSE so that I wouldn't further tax my adrenal glands.  I'm particularly in tune with my body,  however, and although it has only been TODAY without my cocoa, I noticed something very interesting:  I wanted to fall asleep while driving to work this morning!  This is very telling to me...I've gotten so used to having even the slightest "help" in the morning that going without for ONE DAY causes my body to slow down unexpectedly.  Now, we know this is only a temporary thing that will likely subside after tomorrow or the next day, but COME ON!  Could be worse, I suppose.  When I went off coffee for good, I had flu-like symptoms for about two weeks following that last cup!
We will continue to see if there are any other differences, good or bad.  For what it's worth, I don't have much to change, so I don't imagine I'll notice too much.  Going off my stevia will probably be the hardest since my sweet hot drinks are my treats in the mornings and at the ends of my days.  It is possible, though, to reset my tastes to not even want that sweetness once this 30 days is done and gone.  I guess one could only hope.
In case you're wondering, Korey decided to take the plunge 2 days early as well.  When I went to bed last night, he was contemplating his "last cheat" before the 30 days were to begin.  Too bad for him we don't exactly live in a household that could easily cater to a "cheat!"  Anyway, we're both on board for the next 30 days--maybe 32 since I like round numbers and will probably just finish up on the last day of February.  I'll be checking in accordingly!

This is my accountability...

So, it's been F.O.R.E.V.E.R. since I've written.  You know how it goes:  get up, eat, drive, work, eat, work, work, work out, drive, eat, watch tv, sleep--day in and day out.  It's hard to make time for things outside of this well-structured box of mine; BUT, I've decided it's time to get back on board.  I have to say, when I sit down right now to type this entry, I have really missed using this medium to "speak" my mind.  After all, I enjoy a good rant and I'm pretty sure Korey is tired of hearing it all at the end of every long work day (even though since he's been schooled by me, he has developed the same soap box issues as me!). 
As you may know, I live my life by way of Paleo nutrition.  My diet consists of meat, vegetables, a lot of good fats, a little bit of fruit and some nuts and seeds.  Through the past year I've undergone treatment for chronic fatigue, adrenal exhaustion, leaky gut, anemia, and have recognized a myriad of food allergies through it all.  Paleo eating has been a true change of life for me and I choose to spend the rest of my days eating this way.  Besides, who can turn down a huge chunk of juicy meat and a truckload of veggies roasted in delicious coconut oil?!
Although I've made this lifestyle change a while back, there are still a few things that I tend to "treat" myself with.  I'd like to say that every bit of what I consume comes directly from nature, but that's not the case...I'm about 98% there.  I do LOVE my morning protein shakes.  When you have to take 10,000 capsules worth of supplements a day, a yummy protein shake makes for a great vehicle to get those bad boys down!  Albeit the protein powder I buy is from hormone-free, grass-fed cows' whey with no added sugars or other processed ingredients, it still falls under the category of "man-made."  My other "vice" you could call it would be my liquid stevia.  I don't do caffeine any more but I've become addicted to hot tea and cocoa and use stevia several times throughout the day.  I've recently wondered what, if anything, would be different about how I felt day to day if I went TOTALLY PRIMAL and lived only on things that were derived directly from nature in the purest of forms.  These would be the only things I'd have to eliminate since I'm already consuming local pastured, grass-fed beef and pork, (my own) free-range chickens and eggs, organic vegetables, berries, and fats.
Then BOOM, a fave client/friend of mine mentions to me early one morning about something she'd stumbled upon called "Whole 30."  She asked me to check it out to see what I thought.  So I did...(www.whole9life.com).
In a nut shell, the Whole 30 program is about as "strictly" paleo as it gets...all from nature, no man-made anything, and no paleo versions of food porn like pizza, brownies, or ice cream (not a problem for me since I'm not turned on by that crap anyway!).  It's designed to reset your physiology back to a pure, natural working order, eliminating sugar cravings, energy slumps, and a laundry list of other common issues people just tend to "deal with" on a regular basis that stem from food choices.  The main point is to STICK TO IT FOR THE ENTIRE 30 DAYS without falling off...falling off means you failed (my interpretation, anyway).
I'm looking at this like, "This will be easy for me compared to the average Joe since I'm already as Paleo as they come, but I want to challenge myself anyway."  Hidden agenda:  challenge my husband to do it with me!  He does pretty good through most days--especially for breakfast and dinner but has to really work hard not to eat pure SHIT when he's on the road for his lunches during the work week.  I figured if I put him up the challenge, there'd be no backing down on his part.  Plus I get to have the built-in accountability on my end if we're both participating.
We decided we're going to start our Whole 30 challenge on February 1--I'd say we'd start right away, but since it's a Leap Year, I figured, "what the hell, February has 29 days this year, so we'll start February 1 and end on March 1."  We already have no bread in our house (haven't in years...well unless the parents are there because they could give two shits about eating healthy!) and the only dairy we ever have are Korey's cheese sticks--I'll be glad to have these out of the house since he chooses to "make 'em last" when he's eating them and puts hunks of them in his lip like dips and lets it waste away! 
Anyway, I want to use this blog as my accountability journal to describe anything I notice day to day while doing the Whole 30.  It'll be quite interesting.  I don't see my doc again until April, so hopefully this will be worth my while.  Damn I'm going to miss my shakes and my after dinner hot tea--cuz if it ain't sweet, I ain't drinking it!