I made hard "baked" eggs!!!!!!!!!

I love hard boiled eggs, but never know why they don't always turn out right.  Well, I think I found the way to perfect eggs.

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees, place eggs in a muffin pan.  Bake for 25 minutes.  See, easy peasy.  325 for 25!

These eggs are fresh from a local farm...yum!!!!!!!

Place in an ice bath to cool, mine just took a few minutes.  The egg peeled perfectly!  You will likely get a few brown spots from where the egg touched the pan, that's ok.  I've had the hardest time with eggs peeling lately, I was so happy this peeled so well.

And here's proof positive it works.  Beautiful local hard "baked" egg!

Keep workin' your plan, you're worth it!

I am struggling to title this post, so I am deciding not to do so.  I'm learning that everything doesn't have to be labeled, categorized or planned.  When I began my Whole30, I had to know exactly what I had and prepped way too much food.  I ate it, it was all healthy, but I had to ensure I wouldn't slip.  I felt like I was bringing my kitchen with me everyday.  I still bring quite a bit to work, well it seems like a lot.  I have realized I use containers 2-3 times as big as they need to be, so I will be buying new and smaller containers.  27 days into this journey, I have realized that I know what I'm doing, I can whip up a yummy compliant meal in no time.  Tonight, I am having scallopini chicken breast with a mango cilantro relish.  I will create the relish from scratch, on the fly.  I will likely get a head of cauliflower on the way home to make "rice" as a side.

I've been watching a lot of Top Chef on Hulu.  While I am no where near that caliber, like light years away, I do take solace in knowing that I do a Quickfire Challenge virtually every night in my kitchen.  I wish I could serve a few of my dishes to Chef Colicchio.  He'd probably trash them, but it would be fun.  Just once.  I'm also gleaming many ideas from their dishes, and learning some new ingredients I would like to try.  I really want to try Sea Urchin.

Life is much like this title-less post, it exists but is not always defined.  Paths exists that can be followed, but there are no signs to tell you which to choose.  Sometimes you just have to trust your gut and take a step in any direction and hope it is the right one.  Scratch that, a good and beneficial path.  There is no one right way to get where you need to get in this sort of journey.  All paths, even if they seem to end in failure, are worth it.  You can learn something from everything you do in life. You may not get to your goal, but the experience will help guide you in the future, on your next step to wellness.

I have had a setback, a path I choose was not the right path.  I have small fiber neuropathy, it is a side effect of a couple medical conditions I am working to heal.  It results, in me, in tingling and numbness in weird places unlike typical diabetic neuropathy.  Mine manifests in my eyes and around the eyes, around the lips and top of my head.  I started feeling the twinges a few days back, and the worst manifestation I get, I got.  I get so sick in my intestines that it is as if I have the stomach flu. The last 2 days have been horrid.  The path I choose was to stop all my meds on 1/1/15 when I started this journey to wellness, the Whole30.  I knew several of my meds had side effects that were making me feel worse as I was told by one of my specialists.   I told all the doctors I have seen, and assured them I would go back on meds if needed.  Well, I started back on my nerve medication yesterday.  I already feel less nerve issues, although it causing drowsiness.  I have no idea how this will affect my weight loss, but I need to not have the nerve issues.

So, choose a path, any path.  See where it leads you.  If it doesn't feel right, choose the next path you come across.  You may get discouraged, I sure was when the nerve issues reappeared.  It's ok,,,life will improve.  I have learned so much in my journey to wellness, even though it hasn't been long, and I am finally seeing that I don't have to worry about everything that hurts or twinges.  I recognize the symptoms and I take the appropriate steps that I have in my power to correct the issue.

Schew, enough of therapy!  So, this morning I whipped up a batch of homemade Paleo Mayo.  I prayed to the Paleo gods to help get it right, I have 4 fails in a month.  That equates to at least 15 dollars in oil.  They heard my plea and gave me a delicious reward.  The recipe was:

one large or extra large egg
1 C light olive oil (not extra virgin)
juice of half a lime
a generous pinch of salt.

Put all in a container not much wider than an immersion blender and blend on high.  In about 30 seconds, you should have gorgeous, creamy, smooth nectar of the Paleo gods.  I used just under a cup of oil because I used a large egg.  There are so many things you can do with Paleo mayo.  Try it.  Have fun.  I'll post links for variations in a day or two.

Here is my lunch today, using my homemade ketchup pickles and mayo.  I keep my George Foreman grill at work and cook up meat here sometimes.  This is one path I have taken, and it works.  It relieves stress and worry about what I will eat, or if I run out of time at home to cook the night before.  And I get so many comments from my coworkers about how they should hire me to cook for them.  Nice stroke of the ego never hurts.  :)  Oh, yes my mayo is in an old Talenti Gelato cup.  You know what, I think I like it more than the gelato.  I could seriously sit and eat the whole batch of mayo, it is sooooooooo good!

Keep workin' your plan, you're worth it!

Can a walk fix anything?

I learned today that my favorite tea, Sweet & Spicy by Good Earth, contains Stevia.  Stevia is not allowed on Paleo, and it has always given my body fits anyway.  I savor each package of their tea, as it is over $4 for about 20 bags.  While I will be saving money, I am already missing the tea.

I was so bummed (I know, grow up Meg it's just tea), I had to do something.  I immediately craved a pop or something sweet.  See, cravings aren't about food, they're emotions.  I went for a walk on my 15 minute break.  It's a cool 30° here in Indy, so it was a chilly walk, especially since I didn't have a hat, gloves, scarf or coat.  I just wore a fleece pullover today.  It felt great.  My foot is twinging due to post-surgical swelling, but it felt better the more I moved.  I walked about 13 minutes, but I walked.  I came back and had a clementine.  I was satisfied.  I'm still missing the tea, it's soooooooo dang good.

I can thank a fellow foster cat mom, Cathy, for the nudge.  I met her today while we were both dropping off kittens for adoption.  We were both near tears, it's always the hardest part of fostering, but she reminded me to get my steps.  I saw my health coach on the 14th, I committed to an average of 4000 steps a day.  I'm now over 5000 a day on average!  Nothing feels better than hitting goals you've set for yourself, and surpassing them!

What goal(s) do you have for yourself?
What can you do to meet this?
Have you considered if your goal is achievable?
How can I help you meet your goal?

Get out and move!  Cool air feels great when you move, you don't get as overheated.

Keep workin' your plan, you got this!

Meg

106!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's gettin' hot in here!  ;)  No, I don't have a killer temp, that's my blood sugar this morning!  Yesterday it was 109!  This is without meds, and all through food and lifestyle.  To say I am excited would be an understatement.  I am ECSTATIC!

I had a follow up appointment with my rheumatologist this morning to get the results of my lip biopsy.  She was testing for Sjogrens disease, which would explain a lot of my symptoms over the past four years.  The biopsy could show the disease, but the antibodies do not.  I have symptoms that show it too, but again the antibodies do not.  Yes I would like to name what is wrong inside, but I am changing my body through food and lifestyle.  So, I can accept that I might have it, and I am okay with that.  The diagnosis doesn't matter anymore.  What matters is getting well.

My doc suggested I follow the Paleo diet, as there is anecdotal evidence it can help an individual such as myself, with my degree of illness.  How cool is it that a doc doesn't shove a pill, but instead suggests to heal through diet?!?!  She's a keeper!

I am seeing little signs of change, sometimes big signs!  I bought a half gallon of apple cider from a local orchard last week.  It's still in my fridge, partially consumed.  I have always loved this cider and would have been able to drink a gallon in a few days, just by myself.  I did not turn into the big yellow M to get a regular Coke the other day (I was driving home from having a cat put to sleep and was in tears).  I am not snacking near as much as I was 20 days ago.  I am eating enough to fuel my body.  I am increasing my daily steps. ... I could go on.

The old addage is it takes 21 days to solidify a habit.  There is new evidence that it takes longer than that.  If the old addage is true, then I am good to go!  Today is Day 21 of my Whole30!  Yeah baby!!!!!!!

Here is my lunch the other day.  So yummy!  Fresh field greens )locally grown), grapes, macadamia nuts, avocado and homemade balsamic dressing.  I couldn't even finish it.  In years past, I would eat dinner plate salads, full of veggies, fruit, cheese and meat.  The topping to lettuce ratio was insane.  The full fat ranch (Hidden Valley of course) to topping ratio was insane!  You get where I'm going, right?  This is proof of change.  I need a much smaller amount of food to satisfy and fuel, because I am eating the right foods to fuel my body.  I'm getting the nutrients needed, so my body isn't craving foods, sending signals to keep eating.

Yeah, I am a new person, but a greater version of myself!

Keep workin' your plan, you got this!

Meg

Getting out...exploring!

Wednesday evening I went to a cooking class.  To my happy surprise, it was a Paleo cooking class (that's my food plan).  I know the gal on the far left from  my days as an official in roller derby, and have enjoyed her journey to wellness.  "A" is an inspiration, and a friend.  Such a sweet lady!  Her friends were delightful and we all crammed around a table meant for 4-5.  We laughed, I spilled about $5 worth of whole peppercorns (we laughed more), we spent lots on vinegars and oils, and I think I may have at least one new friend.  Great night!

Unfortunately, the kitchen there is shared and I got glutened from cross contamination.  I worked Thursday but was quite sick, had to stay home today due to severe pain.  I've had to restrict my food a bit to let my system rest, which has led to insane carb cravings!  And I REALLY want a Coca Cola.  I did give in and had 2 fruits at lunch and a Lara Bar as an afternoon snack.  Luckily, that seems to have satisfied that monster and put it to sleep.  In times past, I've gone on a gluten free toast and mashed potato diet to heal from the colitis of a glutening.  I firmly believe my body has healed enough that I won't need to do that.  Tonight is a hot tea night, using this cool mug of a friend.  

Amen!  I have struggled much of my life with self acceptance and love.  I was a former Weight Watchers leader, sometimes leading 16-18 meetings a week, telling people how to lose weight and hopefully keep it off.  I was a size 8-10, having started at a 20/22.  I was SKINNY!  I loved that body, but I didn't know what to do with it.  I have gained back all the 85 pounds I lost, with a few friends.  The difference between then and now (10 years later), I'm older and wiser.  I've done the emotional work I needed to love myself.  Therapy rocks, try it if you think you need it (even if you don't).  I feel pretty much a-ok with my body now hated myself before the weight loss last time.  That was key to me losing and keeping it off.  And the sickness has helped solidify in my mind and heart that this is for life.

I was already a great person, but I wasn't all I could be.  I guess none of us ever really are.  :)  This change is helping me feel more positive, taller, capable, determined, loving, happy...and is allowing me to be well and fit.

It's been a big week full of lots of fun, happiness and adventure.  I got released from the walking boot and put into shoes (had to repair a ligament on my ankle in November).  I spent time with my doc discussing health and the Paleo diet, and she cleared me to do yoga.  I'm currently exploring those opportunities, maybe using www.yogadownload.com.   And like that mug, I'm growing into a greater me!

Here is a dish I threw together after the cooking class.  The oil/vinegar combo is amazing, purchased from Vom Fass at Hamilton Town Center.  The dish is cooked raw shrimp, seasoned with s&p, cayenne and garlic (in ghee).  I tossed with cilantro, cucumber, green pepper, red chili pepper diced, quick sauteed diced shallot (just throw in with shrimp to take the raw bite off), fresh cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper.  So yummy!  I added avocado but I had some the next day without and liked that one better.  Don't add the shrimp if you're not going to eat it right away.  Citrus cooks seafood.

Okay, that's enough for now.  So much fun is happening, change is good!!!

Keep workin' your plan, you got this!

I'll Stand By You...and I'm not pretending

This is one of my favorite songs, I've always loved hearing Chrissie Hynde sing these words.  I've felt a connection to them, and today I figured it out.  Below are the lyrics and my sappy commentary.

Oh, why you look so sad?
Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Don't be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
'cause I've seen the dark side too
When the night falls on you
You don't know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less

This is me singing to me, luckily through Ms. Hynde.  I can get pitch right, but not much else.  ;)  I've been sick for years.  I've been in the dark about what I needed  to do to harness my health and ride into the light.  I've shed tears and even gotten to the point where it did no good to cry anymore.  I've been so sad and anxious I've needed drugs to feel "normal".

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

I will be my own support, but I am willing to ask for help too.

So if you're mad, get mad
Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
Hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too
Well I'm a lot like you
When you're standing at the crossroads
And don't know which path to choose
Let me come along
'cause even if you're wrong

I'm so angry sometimes that at age 38 I have the reality that if I don't change, I will become disabled and I will feel like crap all the time.  Why did this happen to me?  Why do I have these multiple illnesses that no one can see?  Why do I have to suffer?  I know, there are such worse things to have, but this is my reality.  This is what I've felt and endured for years straight now.

I'm at my crossroads.  Scratch that, I was and I am now on the path to the right, to wellness.  I am not alone, I have help.  I saw which path I must take, and I took it.

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you

This blog is helping me walk to the light.  My health coach J is helping me traverse this sometimes scary but rewarding path.  My bestie is there for me, cheering me on and nudging me when I admit weakness.  My coworker M.A. is a great sounding board and constant positive influence.  the ladies in a closed Facebook group are there for me, helping to encourage me.

And the chorus repeats, as does this journey.  It is a daily struggle and journey, sometimes momentary.  I am doctor ordered to do this 365 days.  My guess is, I will continue on.  I told M.A yesterday that if I get sick again, it is my own damn fault.  I have no one to blame if I fall back into my old ways, I am lucky that I have a disease that I can treat so easily.  She told me she would happily remind me of that too!  Thank you M.A.!

This song was once one of my favorites.  It has now been placed into my personal anthem column.  As this journey progresses, I will find a more upbeat anthem, but a girl can have more than one.  Right?

Lyrics to I'll Stand by You, The Pretenders

Keep workin' your plan, you got this!

Carrots!!!!!!! Where's Bugs? In my kitchen snacking.

I tried making carrot "rice" today, it was more like a hash.  I used a pound or organic rainbow carrots, peeled and grated.  The peels were placed in a freezer bag for veggie broth at a later date.  I chopped an onion and minced 3 cloves of garlic.  A quick saute of the onion in melted ghee, garlic tossed in with a bit of minced red chili.  Seasoned with spices (salt, pepper, Simply Organic all purpose seasoning, parsley and ground mustard.  Stir occasionally and add more ghee if needed.  Cook about 10 minutes.  

I had my lunch with a mini meatloaf, Mexican turkey with chorizo spices.  

I made the following recipe, but with drumsticks (this was dinner and they are yummy):  http://nomnompaleo.com/post/41698330146/whole30-day-28-chile-lime-chicken-wings

Keep workin' your plan, you got this!