Green,Lean,Fighting Machine

Hey everyone,

Hope you are all well and groovy. Another blog of a different kind - but one to do with Food! For those who know me well and have been following my diary entries here about my life and health, and crazy challenges. Welcome to 30 days of 'Eat Clean', set up through Essex Boot Camp that I have become somewhat obsessed with, lol.

Not only is the exercise regime great (if somewhat exhaustive on my lungs), but the instructors and people who also participate are truly fabulous. Now along with going 2-3 times a week and now my shot putt/discus training once a week and badminton training during the week too. Now......I am focusing on this food challenge which is a paleo way of eating. For those unsure the following explains what it is......

Information taken from Paleo


Paleo is short for Paleolithic, and the premise of a Paleo diet centers around the idea that our bodies have not adapted sufficiently to eating foods that weren’t available to us 10,000 years ago. It is thought that more than 70% of food consumed today was never available in Paleolithic times.  We put so much processed food into our bodies; most which is unhealthy.  The advances in agriculture and mass food production have caused us to move away from eating real food; food meant to work with our bodies for optimal health.

 A Paleo diet involves eating meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, little starch, some fruit and no sugar.  It means no grains, legumes, dairy or alcohol.  It means staying away from all processed foods. 

What about fat?  How will I get energy? Fat is a much more powerful fuel for our bodies than sugar and starch. Picture fat as the slow-burning log on the fire and sugar is like paper, which burns very quickly. Basically you can get enough of what your body needs from Paleo diet to thrive just as our ancestors did before bread, bagels, pasta and cake became part of today’s diet. 

What about Canola Oil and other Fats? Canola, soy, corn and other vegetable oils are highly-processed and were not available to our Paleolithic ancestors. These monounsaturated oils are very heat sensitive and the high heat they are exposed to during the extraction process renders them toxic to the body. This leads to free-radical formation and can cause inflammation.  A diet high in these oils can damage our cell membranes, which need saturated fats.  In addition, when we eat healthy fats, our gallbladders send a message to our brains telling us that we’re full.   People who eat low-fat foods high in vegetable oils (instead of natural, saturated fats like butter), don’t receive the critical message from the brain, “I’m full”, so they tend to overeat.  Most fats consumed by people today come from these unhealthy oils, trans-fats and from omega-6 fats. 

 Numerous studies have concluded the following results for those on a Paleo diet:

• Weight loss
• Improved glucose tolerance
• Lowered blood pressure
• Significant reductions in total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and triglycerides
• Increased  feeling of satiation

Enjoy the photos of my food shopping and some examples of paleo food meals I've done :)

banana,coconut,berry smoothie

gluten free oaks,coconut milk,sultanas

banana,protein powder pancakes,spinach,berries

smoked salmon salad with satsumas and seeds

tuna vegetable salad

turkey,sweet potato,vegetable stirfry 

bolonaise,sweet potato,parsnips and salad

OK so history lesson over...... So why am I doing this too? I think if I can focus on my exercise and food combined - it will surely benefit my health. I know this is for 30 days, but, I already feel that I would like to adapt this moving forward after the 30 days.

How has it been so far? Well, I started a day early and now have been eating clean for 8 days. The key is preparation and lots of so you know what you are eating for all meals and even the next day. It is hard doing this and making the time, and more washing up than I've ever had before!! I do really enjoy eating fresh foods and this lifestyle. But, I would be lying if I say that I am not missing some foods - mmmm...macarooni cheese....drool. And on day 6, I was feeling like I needed a few cubes of chocolate, but, I never did. I guess having no sugar is difficult and the only sweet flavour I get is from cinnamon and coconut shavings, and a handful of sultanas. Do I write that I actually went crazy for sugar withdrawal that day on here......opening and closing cupboard doors, checking my freezer for chocs...ahhhhhhh......short of climbing walls and pulling my hair out, lol. I have since realised that sugar is a BIG addiction, and my body is trying to do without.

I have had great meals and also some disasters, my first attempt at making paleo pancakes was a pile of slop - but still tasted good. Also, I made 2 meals in advance turkey, sweet potatoes, vegetables (photo above as in wok) - then left pan on with the hob off, but it still cooked through (as the hob  was still hot). I ended up burning the base of my pan and my food smelt burnt all the way through - and had to bin. Gutted and a waste :( This was the weekend I was going away to a Team GB training and my advancement preparations went belly up! In a panic in the morning, I opened a tin of tuna and filled a tupperware also with salad, packed avocados, fruit and ended up buying cooked chicken on the way and a bag of lettuce!

I think it's important to have variety too as otherwise this could get boring and motivation slowly go. I have cut out caffeine, and for this regime also no alcohol (not that that affects me - 1 shot baileys in like 2 months ..lol), no fizzy drinks (again not a bother for me), no dairy - but can have almond or coconut milk, no cereals (bye bye coco pops and chocolate milk from it, fruit and fibre etc) - but ok to eat gluten free oats (but expensive)!!

I have seen my friends eat chocolate, crisps, and sweets in my face and make extra loud noises with their wrappings of these sugary bad boys.....It is difficult to watch and I know I have done well so far. I am having a fundraiser event this Saturday and also my 40th celebrations, and have said in advance my only sin that night will be cake...but I am prepared for any punishment at bootcamp.

This is not a diet, but a different food lifestyle and one I am embracing for this duration. Keep eating your naughty foods and think of me being pure and heavenly ;)

Thanks lovely people and I will write again perhaps at the end of the 30 days or before if I need help through my cravings. Peace, love, protein powder, green beans  and I'm outa here xx