Food and Fitness Update

Happy Easter, everyone!

I'm so totally pooped. I did my typical Body Combat class this evening but then, afterwards, I began the first installation of what is going to be my new fitness regime. See, a lot of the websites I've been going to for recipe inspiration for our new dietary requirements (more on that later) have also talked quite a bit about fitness. Intrigued, I began reading more.

It isn't that I feel totally out of shape or anything. I guess I'm in relatively good shape. However, I AM one of those people who have sold into the whole calorie burn, cardio crazy thing. I've always been that way. I lift weights, but it's always secondary to cardio. Back when I used to teach, I was super focused on interval training. I've lost that in the last few years, though, and, when I began focusing on running predominantly when we moved here, thought more of distance, time and endurance.

Though I feel fairly fit and look alright, I'd like to see MUCH greater returns on my time working out. I do love exercising, but exercising, it seems to me, is not so much about enjoying the simple act of exercising. It's about getting fitter and healthier so you can enjoy life more. It's about having more energy for your family and for pursuits outside of the gym. If you're spending loads of time on the bike of the treadmill, wearing yourself out, but not seeing much change in your body, then something has to change. You're not feeling energized for other things AND your not seeing results...so why continue?

So here's the conclusion I've come to. Now, this is a tough one for me because, having it drilled into my head from a very young age with my mom's dieting habits that calorie consumption (focusing just on calories and not quality of calories) versus calorie expenditure is everything, I find myself terrified of not burning a certain amount of calories every day in my cardio workouts. With an overhaul of my primarily carb diet (though they were "good" carbs) and learning to actually listen to my body about how what I eat makes me feel, I decided that it's time to change my workouts as well. What this will mean, then, is a much greater focus on weight training (at the expense of cardio training) as well as getting most of my cardio using Sprint 8 (Dr. Mercola uses this but calls it Peak 8). All this is based on the fact that these two types of exercises actually stimulate your metabolism (rather than plain aerobics which leads to no extra calorie burn after you're finished) and also encourage the release of hGH, which is what you want. I've also decided to take Mercola's advice on how to eat right before and after workouts so that you can maximize hGH rather than killing it with a carb snack (causing an insulin spike) after working out.

I have decided, however, to keep a couple Combat classes in there because they're just so much fun! :)

So I did Combat then I did my first session of Sprint 8 in the elliptical machine. I feel worn out after that. I think I'm gonna have to break my HR monitor back out to keep track of my HR better during the sprints so I know I'm working as hard as I should be. I guess I'll hit the weights on Tuesday...UGH. I just don't enjoy weight training. It huuuuuurts. :)

The foundation of all this, however, would be the dietary changes I've made for the girls and, therefore, for myself also. We have successfully completely cut out ALL refined sugar as well as grains. I bake using coconut or almond flour. We've come up with some very nice treats using either dates or honey or xylitol, in extreme moderation. The girls have been very happy with this. It's meant lots of hours in the kitchen creating, but it's been worth it.

I went through the fridge and threw away everything--I mean EVERYTHING--that was processed. This means mayo, mustard, ketchup, pickles (they have HFCS...CRAZY), etc. I would cut out pasteurized milk and cheese, but I don't know where to get raw milk, cheese, or butter around here. So we've simply limited dairy to the extreme smallest amount, though I've cut it out for myself almost completely. I've also began buying only organic produce and products as much as is possible and available. I got toothpaste without fluoride or other nasties and replaced all our personal care products, like deodorant and lotions, with products that are chemical free and organic.

I've spent HOURS in the kitchen ever since making every single meal from scratch because there just ain't no packaged, easy food (except nuts I guess...but those get old real fast!) that fits into our dietary guidelines.

Oh, we also cut out legumes (at least for the time being) as well as potatoes and other starchy vegetables. Corn is out since it's really more of a grain anyway. We've also seriously limited fruit and reserved it mostly for sweetening yummy treats.

So what has all this accomplished? Well, let me tell you!! It has been extremely successful for all three of us that I am more committed than ever to doing what it takes to feed myself and my family this way indefinitely. Jordyn, who was really the catalyst for this, has done a complete 180. I don't feel it's right to talk here about what she's been dealing with, but just know there are some massive changes that, honestly, nearly bring me to tears. Maddy has also shown decreased moodiness (oh baby, that kid was moody) and greater energy (they both have). They are sleeping PERFECTLY (and will tell you so) and are feeling stronger and healthier (they'll tell you that too). I'm feel more energetic and have said a complete goodbye to my energy crashes that I'd experience several times a day. My digestion has gone from still sort of dodgy to perfection. Jordyn has also stopped complaining of stomach pain.

Oh, and this is for my sisters... Remember the rough bumps we'd get on the back of our arms? Jordyn has those something fierce and they are now slowly going away. She is so thrilled because they really bothered her.

So this is how we will continue eating. Is it tough? Ya. I mean, when all the other kids are getting Easter eggs, they aren't. We have been making plenty of treats at home, so they aways know we'll be making something yummy. Hence, no deprivation. I'm not sure how, for instance, we'll deal with it when we visit home. We won't be going out to eat (unless it's a place that serves food within our guidelines...and how many places are like that???) and we won't be able to indulge in the same fare that friends and family might be...like ANY fast food, packaged foods (yep, mac and cheese is OUT except for my homemade stuff), hot dogs, sandwich meat, packaged seasoning mixes, condiments like mayo other than what I make for them at home, etc. But, you know, that's ok. I talked to Jordyn about that a little tonight and she said, "it's okay, mommy, we can just bring our own food." I was like, "ya." Jordyn. Such a fount of wisdom! :)

Since I'm feeling rather shattered from my intervals this evening, I think I'd best be going to bed. First, however, I'd like to share the pizza crust recipe I've come up with. The girls and I all LOVE it. Now, don't expect it to be exactly like Pizza Hut or anything (and if you want it to taste like Pizza Hut there might be bigger problems). There is a certain stretchy-ness that is lost when gluten is lost, but I'll trade health for stretch. There is a coconuty sweetness that is so fab against the saltiness of, say, some sauteed veggies and quality cheese you might top this with. We've been enjoying spreading some tomato paste and then topping with sauteed onion, pepper, loads of garlic and then some buffalo mozzarella or goat cheese. Sometimes I'll throw some kale into the pan also. Yum.

So here it is...

1 1/4 C almond flour
1/4 C coconut flour
3 flax eggs (3 TBSP flax meal just covered in boiling water and allowed to set for about 2 min)
2 TBSP coconut oil or coconut butter (unrefined)
1/4 tsp baking soda
Salt to taste (try investing in some super good quality salt, like Himalayan salt)

Throw all of it into a bowl and mix well. If it's dry add a little more coconut oil or maybe a little warm water. Plop into a baking sheet covered in parchment paper and kneed a little bit. Cover with another sheet of parchment and roll it out. Once it's flat you can use your hands to create a crust. Bake at 200 C (that's about 390 F) for 10-15 minutes. Remove, top with whatever you fancy and bake until cheese is melted or your toppings are done.

Hope anyone who tries this enjoys it as much as we have been. It makes a great base for a breakfast pizza as well!!

Sorry for any typos. I'm way too tired to be OCD about it.