Jamie's Thoughts: Paleo Shaming

So, first of all, if you are reading this post, welcome to my blog!  As of the date that I write this, April 29, 2014, no one has commented on my blog.  You see, that's probably because I have done nothing to promote it.  I haven't even told my friends about it or announced it on Facebook, or even shown it to my boyfriend, even though he features prominently on the About Me page.  Oops.  I want to build up the content before I really start actively promoting it.  But if you happen to stumble across my little piece of internet real estate, I'd love it if you left a comment.  I'm so interested in learning about what other people are experiencing on Paleo:  How did you come to find it; How do you integrate it into your everyday life (I still haven't mastered social situations yet!);  Does your family embrace it?  Those types of things.  I want this blog to be about more than just food.  I want it to be about the Paleo lifestyle and all that encompasses it.

Paleo Recipe Review: Nom Nom Paleo's Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

It's been a difficult week work-wise.  Like the kind that makes me start to re-think my chosen profession.  Folks, to be sure, law is not for the faint of heart.  And sometimes I wonder how this girl who grew up across the street from a cornfield, played in creeks with her brother looking for salamanders, and who grew up with the local fair being one of the biggest events of the year--ended up in this crazy, chaotic business of being a lawyer working in SF.

It's weeks like this one that remind me why I've chosen the Paleo lifestyle.  It would be so easy for me to combat the stress with a package of Hostess Cupcakes (are they even around anymore?).  I'm a stress eater.  And in the past, when I'm under the gun for a deadline, I'd totally take a break, walk across the street to Walgreen's and "treat" myself to some frosted, pre-packaged, cream-filled, cupcake delight.  But on Paleo, instead, I reach for the cauliflower puree.  Or if I'm feeling really adventurous, this new ice cream that is purely nut-based called:  Genuto.  That doesn't mean I don't still need comfort food.

So, today I'm going to do a recipe review of Nom Nom Paleo's Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy.  Who doesn't like comfort food when you're all stressed out?  I was drawn towards this recipe because (1) ease of preparation (woohoo--slow cooker, i'm sold); and (2) GRAVY.  Yum.  

Sauteing the Onions.  

Paleo Product Review: Raja's Cup--My Favorite Paleo Coffee Substitute

During law school, I developed a pretty serious coffee addiction.  First, I started off with Starbucks' mochas.  But oh what a slippery slope it is!  Mmm.  So delicious.  I don't profess to be a connoisseur or anything, but like many, Starbucks introduced me to the world of coffee.  From mochas, I started on iced coffees.  Then I pared it down to a tall Pike's "with room."  Everyday.   Without fail.  I was so utterly devoted to my Starbucks addiction that I just could not begin my day without it.  I told myself I was not a caffeine addict, because, you know, "I only have one cup a day."  Little did I realize, that Starbucks coffee is so caffeinated, a tall cup of Starbucks Pike Place is like drinking three cups of regular coffee?!?!  So, even though I *thought* I was drinking one cup, I was consuming the caffeine content of three.  In one little. innocent. inviting. happy. cup of Starbucks coffee.  *sigh*  Yeah.  I still miss it.

By the time I graduated from law school and took the bar exam, I was at my heaviest weight ever.  My energy levels were low.  My body felt terrible.  I felt dehydrated all the time, but didn't really have a desire to drink water.  It was bad.  And so, I put myself on the "cleanse" diet that my holistic practitioner recommended.  It's very similar to the autoimmune Paleo protocol.  This of course, means no caffeine.  I went through about 24-48 hours of headache, brain fog, exhaustion before I come out of it.  The caffeine headache I got was so serious, it felt like a migraine--nausea, sensitivity to light, etc.  But once I got through the 4-5 day detoxification period, I felt amazing.

While I am aware that coffee is not a Paleo no-no--for me it is.  You must know, I do love coffee.  For me, having that nice cup of hot, roasted, bitter, coffee was like meeting up with a friend every morning.  But I know that it contributed to my lack of energy.  I'd much rather get my energy from natural, healthy sources, rather than relying on a stimulant.  And if I'm tired, my body is trying to tell me something.  Maybe I should listen to it.

Paleo Recipe Review: Easter Blues and Paleo Reese's Eggs Made with Sun Butter

So, I’m learning that blogging doesn’t really work unless you do it.  While I might draft a few posts in my head, they don’t always seem to make it to the page.  Well--that coupled with the fact that I’ve been working tirelessly on a case for the past week.  I had to write a document all day on Easter.  My Brain Needs. A Break. 

Today, I finally got to do two very, VERY necessary and important things that were postponed because of said really annoying case: 

(1)    I got to finally make Taylor Made it Paleo's Reese's    Eggs (woohoo); and

(2)    I went to the gym after about a week.  

Let’s talk about both. 

First off, if I get out of the groove of going to the gym, it’s just so hard to get back into it.  After about two or three days, I swear I feel more flabby.  And that’s just discouraging.  Thankfully, I signed up for some personal training sessions.  Having to meet someone at the gym at 7:00 a.m. gets me there when I’ve gotten side-tracked by work or other things.  Today was leg day, and I know I will be feeling it in the days to come! 

And now for the "Reese’s" Eggs.  I’ve been wanting to make these things since she posted about them a few days before Easter.  Reese’s Eggs and Cadbury Eggs are my Easter favs.  Ideally, I would’ve made them on Easter day--But with work and all, that dream just wasn’t going to come to pass.  Better late than never. 

Today, I only have one remaining.  Yep.  That’s right.  The recipe says it was supposed to make 10, but I only was able to come up with 8 from the batter.  And now there’s just one.  They were good. 

Fagan Eats Paleo Recipe: Creamy Herbed Paleo Scrambled Eggs

I have always loved eggs for breakfast--well eggs and potatoes.  My boyfriend says that I'm a "country girl." I guess because culinarily, I always seem to gravitate towards heartier comfort foods, like eggs and home fries, chicken, mashed potatoes, and gravy (drooling)...and the list goes on.