After overdosing on christmas cookies and other sweets straight through new year’s eve, I am trying to get myself back on track to healthy eats and regular workouts. Since I absolutely hate ‘January joiners’ (sorry you people), not to mention the term itself, I got up ass early to get a workout in before I went to work this morning. I did this last January and loved having the weights all to my lonesome and my pick of treadmills. Definitely going to try to keep this up a few times a week. The best part is when I’m home from work, I exercise the pup and I’m D-O-N-E for the day. Glorious. Coming from a 100% NOT MORNING PERSON. If I can do it, so can you! End rant. I believe I had this same rant last year…new content whaaaaatt?
When sweet stuff is around me, I have THE hardest time avoiding it…I want to sample one of everything. Bad!! Holidays are one thing, but normal life, no way. Sooo in an effort to get out of sweets mode, last week I did a wegman’s/trader joe’s overhaul and stocked up on plenty of fresh veggies and organic, grass-fed meats that should last me at least a couple of weeks with a fruit/veggie run in-between.
The first dish I whipped up was paleo beef stew, tweaking this recipe slightly.
- I browned 1lb of wegman’s organic, grass-fed stew beef in pastured butter and threw it into my rice cooker, making sure not to cook it through.
- In the same pan, added more butter and quickly cooked a big handful of trader joe’s tiny potatoes (they are literally super MINI), carrots, celery, onion, plus a few cloves of minced garlic in the same pan with salt, pepper, and herbs. Instead of fresh as called for, I used dried rosemary and thyme…about 1/2 – 1 tsp each, I never measure anything exactly.
- This cooked for about 5 minutes then I added the veggie mix to the beef along with stock and a can of diced tomatoes.
- Cooked with rice cooker on simmer, closed for 2 hours, open for about 30 minutes.
The stew turned out great and best of all, made a hefty 4-5 servings, the last of which I ate for lunch today. RIP yummy stew…I am totally making it again soon. Highly recommend!
The past few mornings, I’ve had eggs fried in pastured butter or bacon fat with bacon, veggies and/or fruit. Plus a cup of coffee with either half & half or heavy cream. This and various types of cheese are the only dairy products I’ve had for quite a few weeks other than a full-fat plain latte yesterday afternoon. Coffee dates with my girlfriends are exceptions!
For lunches, I’ve been eating leftovers, and dinners have been a mash up of meat/veggies/salads. Tonight, I had leftover pot roast from my parents’ classic new years day feast (LOVE), along with sauerkraut, unsweetened applesauce, massaged kale salad with lemon juice, olive oil, sea salt, yellow bell pepper, mango, pomegranate arils, and sunflower seeds, plus a small side of sweet potato fries.
Dark chocolate chips and popcorn for dessert…I still have a case of the snackies!!
Well happy new year and keep my ass accountable…my face will be clearer for it 
2012 weeeeeeeeeee. Let’s do this.
I think that stew might be one of the only “liquid” kind of meals I can tolerate. Basic soups just don’t cut it for me… Looks like you’re kicking butt on the paleo front. I think that, other than breakfast, my meals have been pretty clean and, by default, delicious and making me feel good. It’s the best when they go hand in hand like that…
same…unless it is paired with a sammie! :)
Early morning workouts are awesome because you are done for the day before your day even starts! I’m not a morning person either, so I usually have to book a spinning class for an early morning workout because I need to have something forcing me to get up. If I was just going to get up for a run, I would definitely hit the snooze button.
def! I am on a 3-day streak…hopefully I can keep it up on weekdays!!
I am SO not a morning person, but I’m trying so hard to get up and get at least one workout a week done in the morning before work. I love having nothing to do when I get home, plus it’s awesome having the weight room to myself at 5:30 am!
for sure!! my gym is jam-packed in the afternoons as is, let alone w/all of our new friends haha!
Oh man your morning workout is an inspiration to this kid who hit snooze and skipped hers. Also feel you on eating healthy for clearer skin! One of my main inspirations to do it.
no more snooze girl! :)
“January joiners” — I hear ya!
p.s. We find out about BLENDS this month. yay.
yes!!!
Are you doing the Paleo diet ‘full time’ now? What foods does it consist of, primarily?
nope not full time. google paleo blueprint, etc. kind of a pain to explain in a comment reply