Only 4 days left to the challenge and I just have to say it doesn't stop there.  The reason I haven't been blogging lately is because it has been an easy transition to a better way of eating.  Not to stay I am following a strict and %100 Paleo but from where I was at Christmas this new way of eating feels great.  The only two foods that I am eating that I could possible clean up would be my coffee with cream and honey and the Chocolate.  I have not had one piece of bread, no pasta, rice, chips, milk, beans, or anything that has come out of a package, for that I am thrilled. I will continue on with this way of eating and when I can start to tighten things up.  I feel great in the gym and feel that I am starting to lean out, with the removal of the paleo treats and the other two non paleo foods I am eating I feel like I would be right where I want to be.  It will just take time and I have lots of that.  So when you don't hear from me just assume that I am on track and working it strong.  Thanks for your support

http://www.againstallgrain.com/2012/12/02/double-chocolate-pecan-cookies-paleo/

You have to try these but careful you can't eat just one

16 days in WOW, really not so bad.  I wish I was a little more strict but I have come to an understanding with myself that this is a lifestyle change and will not just take 30 days to change over.  I have been following a very strict Paleo Diet other than my chocolate (which just isn't organic dark chocolate) and the cream in my coffee.  Both will take a bit of time to change, the chocolate not so hard just more expensive and lets get real I need to cut down my intake if I want to decrease some body fat.  Just haven't gotten around to experimenting more with coffee creamers that are natural and organic, just was so happy to be indulging in the coffee again.
So with all this brings a new adventure and path for life.  I will supplement my love for weight training with nutrition education through The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition.  The end result; Registered Holistic Nutritionist, SO EXCITED!!!
Oh yeah, I have anther pot of broth in the crock pot, this time two pigs feet and some left over turkey bones, Mmmmmm SO far the list of experiments that have turned out good;
* Bone Broth
* Chicken Liver Pate
* Birthday Cake
* Blueberry Lemon muffins
* Almond chocolate cookies
* and more

Well after a pretty busy work week and a fun filled weekend I can come out saying I feel pretty good with how I have been eating.  My little man turned one this weekend so the family and I and 20 guests took to Boston Pizza for dinner on Saturday.  I had one glass of wine, not bad, and the Bacon Chicken Chipotle Salad no chips, forgot to say no cheese but with how much actually goes on I was ok with that.  So not too shabby, a treat but not off the wagon.  Later that night we headed to Goldy and Shawna's for the Ladies World staff party, where in the past, has gotten a bit out of control.  I had hmmmm  5 glasses of very nice wine and yes one cookie. HA HA you thought you got me but I brought the cookies and yes they were paleo.  These cookies are so good you have to make them, link attached.http://www.againstallgrain.com/2012/12/02/double-chocolate-pecan-cookies-paleo/
Ok so I did over indulge a wee bit in the wine department but with the gorgeous food spread that was laid out and the butter chicken on the stove, yes I said butter chicken, I am fairly proud of myself.  Normally these things would have all made their way onto a plate and into my mouth, especially after only having a salad for dinner and over indulging on the wine.  Made it home by 12am, I know lameO but I was ready and willing to wake up the next day too early but not hung over, which now seems to take 4 days to get over.  Funny thing, as the day went on I was craving the moose roast, sauerkraut, and liver pate in my fridge.  It goes to show if you feed the body good things it will learn to crave those things.
So I said I would post a picture of the cake that I made but lets say Paleo icing is going to need some altering.  I did use conventional icing but was fine with that too. I was not the masterpiece I was hoping for so no pic.
I am enjoying teaching others about my new way and hope one to be able to be so knowledgable that I could answer anything.  Practical Paleo is a great book, beautiful and well written and The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf was a huge eye opener, just incase you are interested who my sources are.  On to another productive week.

Ok so I'm a failure...Coffee just jumped into my mouth and down to my tummy, Mmmmm.  I think as far as this challenge goes the coffee is going to have to stay.  The sugar cravings are so intense I rummaged into my kids smartie bag and almost finished it off.  So I have decided for now, I will keep the coffee in until the sugar cravings pass then try to ween later or just find a substitute for the cream.  I did however have a yummy lunch; Moose roast with sauerkraut.  Dinner will be a shake to make up for the smartie intake.  I am going to attempt to make a paleo friendly Birthday cake for Isaac this weekend, I'll post a pic, if successful.  If you are following my blog I'd truly love to hear feed back and or comments, just drop me a line or two if you can.

Well I'm 8 days in and have lost 6 pounds in total.  I have generally been feeling better, mostly not as lethargic as I was feeling during the Christmas holiday.  The sugar cravings are still hanging around and I hope they can settle down soon.  Sunday I am going to try the coffee with cream again and see if I have the same reaction, if not I am going to add that back in as an afternoon snack to help curb those sugar cravings.  I've heard of this coconut creamer that you can get so I'm going to try that in my coffee too.  Feeling a bit tired today so going to enjoy a little afternoon siesta.

Ok don't be a hater but I caved and had a coffee with honey and cream, ok it was two.  But let me tell you Im not sure yet whether it was the laxative tea lingering or the introduction of dairy after 5 days but I've been on the toilet more than a few times this morning.  Hey too much information for you, well sorry but this information is important to see the reactions that food really has on the body. So I will go another 5 days for sure no dairy. Then re-indulge in my coffee with cream and see if the result is the same.  I will be very surprised if the result is the same.  I don't drink or eat a lot of daily pre paleo challenge, just the cream in my coffee so we'll see.  Making Hot wings and sweet potatoes for dinner, inspired by my trip to Red Robin on Friday.  Shovelled 1/3 of the driveway today for an hour so that is my workout.  Weighed in at 153 this morning.

Day 4 was a bit of a doozie, don't shake your head but I did enjoy a bar of %70 dark chocolate.  Man it tasted so good, was a need I just could not fight.  But to say the least I got right back on the horse and enjoyed an omelette for dinner and am in the process of making my bone broth with marrow bones, not too sure about it, kinda stinks.  Made a treat for the kids for their snacks; Blueberry lemon muffins. http://purelyprimal.com/2012/08/06/blueberry-lemon-muffins/ Going to try to make Chicken Liver Pate tomorrow, can you say yummmmy!  Laugh out Loud I'm sure that sounds delicious to hmmm no one.  Still no coffee even though I talk myself out of it a few times each day, I'm sure it's going to get me soon.  I also had a good cardio session this morning practicing Group Ride, jumping back on the spin bike after 5 years off of teaching, a little nervous but was so driven by the music it's going to be great.  Heading to bed now for a few hours of sleep before my teether wakes me in the night; Oh but I do love him so.
Night Night

http://haleyeats.com/2012/10/11/paleo-blueberry-crumble/

Mmmm so good.  This isn't where I got the recipe but its exactly the same.

So a challenging day 3.  Many cravings and steered off course a wee bit but over all I don't think I fell too hard.  After pouring out the coffee, my cravings lingered into the afternoon slump.  So when Neil said "do you want to go out for dinner?"  I was all for that.  I went online to check out menus so I could preplan what I was going to order; decided on Red Robin Hot Wings, good choice.  So stayed paleo even when indulging so I'm happy about that.  But the sweet craving needed to be tended to.  Found a Blueberry Crumble recipe and soon the sweet tooth was at ease.  I'll post the recipe because it was really good and so easy to make.  Now off to bed to rest for more ups and downs tomorrow but will squeeze in a Kick Ass Workout so I stay on course.

So that was short lived.  Just poured my coffee down the sink, blah yuck.  I guess knowing that if I can't have the real thing I just won't have it.

Wow day three started out fabulous.  Ate 3 egg, sweet potato, spinach and bacon omelette for breakfast; so good.  I thought my cravings were at bay, boy was I wrong.  As I was plastering the Nutella on the bread for the girls this morning I almost let the drool drop onto the bread.  Don't really need bread and don't really want it but when you're not ALLOWED something, you sure do crave it.
So on with my day, went to work and skipped on my workout; so sore everywhere.  Got home to the need for coffee, broke down.  I am now sipping on my coffee with almond milk and one packet of Stevia (I know, a no no on Paleo) I'm hoping that this may cover my craving for a few days.  Lunch today is the last bit of Home Made Chicken Soup maybe followed by a nap. Zzzzzzzz

http://fastpaleo.com/cauliflower-egg-porridge

Day one was rough; fatigue, headaches and cravings.  But made it through with no straying and woke up feeling fresh.  Today I had my 2 eggs with cauliflower porridge and a black and green tea.  Did a quick leg workout and came home to enjoy a cup of my bone broth, mmm such a comfort food.  Lunch was ok just some sweet potatoes, turkey and cucumber with avocado dip.  Now needing that Goji Berry green tea to curb the craving for chocolate.
So forgot to post weight yesterday but I weighed in at 156lbs and this morning at 153lbs.  My goal however is too not lose weight but lean out.  As I said I love to lift weights and have built quite a bit of muscle this past year but can't appreciate it because of the thick layer of fat on top.  So my goal is to reduce body fat, along the way becoming a healthier more energized ME.

So I like a challenge.  Why not bring in the New Year with the 30 Day Paleo Challenge?  I have been looking into the Paleo way of living for a few months now.  I have learned a lot of interesting things that I am excited to now put into practice.  I am addicted to lifting weights and working my a-- off in the gym but when it come to food I have the wrong kind of addiction.  I would love to share with you my journey, the ups and downs and the good and bad.