Saturday

Early morning farmers market run again in Royal Oak.  I was sandwiched between the pups all night and I couldn't take any more.  So I got up, fed them and Kaat and headed out to the market.

I got there when they opened to beat the rush.  It looked pretty packed with vendors, this was only a small section of the indoor market.  I have to say I am anxiously awaiting spring and the Birmingham market.  Though as I think about it we may not be in Birmingham then and I will have to find a new market!  OH NO!  I love that market.  I guess it will depend on where we end up moving to.  If D could have his way right now we would be in southern California and there are a lot of markets there.  My haul today was from John Henry's meat.  Their beef/bacon burger is fabulous!  I also got bacon, eggs, chicken breasts and some beef bones.  For vegetables I got rutabaga, sweet potato, zucchini and cabbage.  I have to go to Trader Joe's later today for the rest of my groceries

On my way back home I stopped at Starbucks for D's white chocolate peppermint mocha.  It wasn't too bad of a wait.  Though when I left the line was out on the main road.  Yikes! So not. safe

Breakfast time.  I really do just love throwing things together and make bowl meals.  Ok, so today's was on a plate since I wanted it to look pretty!  Todays breakfast was hash browns, swiss chard, baby bella mushrooms, zucchini, bacon and avocado.  I almost ate the whole avocado but figured I probably shouldn't. 

Isn't it pretty?!  Yummy too.

I finally decided to open this tea from Traditional Medicinals.  I haven't tried just roasted dandelion yet, my previous was a mix of teas with it.  I opened a can of coconut milk, which just has coconut and not everything else in it like the carton brands I have been purchasing.  OMG, this was so good!  Wonder why I waited so long to try it! 

I did some work around the house cleaning up for tomorrow's open house and got some laundry done.  In a little while I will go to the gym.  In the meantime I had to get my shake in, 4 scoops today, I am getting use to it.

I felt a little hungry so I cooked up some cauliflower.  Now time for the gym!

WOD

20 minutes elliptical

6 sets shoulder press - 27.5# - air squats between sets

4 sets lateral raises - 12.5# - lower body crunches between sets

4 sets chest supported reverse flys - machine - 45#

4 sets skull crushers - 30# bar

4 sets bicep curls - 12.5#

20 minutes elliptical

I always feel like I could have gone longer and harder.

Oh well!  I got home and ate a couple tablespoons of coconut butter.  I just love it!

A few hours later I made dinner.  Herb Roasted Parsnip Fries from Primal Palate, mixed veggies cooked in olive oil in a skillet - cauliflower, asparagus, shaved brussels and baby bella mushroom.  Vera Cruz fish from Trader Joe's was oven baked.  This was a fabulous dinner and I'm wondering why I haven't made parsnip fries until now!

It will be a week on Monday that I have started my protocol.  I can't I have felt or noticed any difference. The only thing I did notice was the few minor breakouts I had after eating eggs.  My hunger has been all over the place.  I'm either feeling really full and bloated or starving.  If I don't have a substantial amount of food at meal time then I find myself snacking on whatever I can find.  Like today, breakfast, 2 cups of tea, shake, cauliflower, coconut butter then dinner.  I guess when you break it down it really wasn't much, but those shakes (powder alone) are 340 calories.  Really it's not bad and I'm not tracking, I'm not.  This is the purpose of this blog.  I don't want to do the things I have done, break the pattern!  I kept thinking today is I can detox harder.  Too funny, but I thought I should be feeling something, but I'm not.

I guess I will re-visit this on Monday,  Now to relax!  Tomorrow is run day and we have a boring house showing.

Made up for no veggies yesterday?

Early morning start - awake by 4:30.  I got decent sleep for being stressed by all the things going on.  I changed into my workout clothes, grabbed the pups so they could go outside and do their business.  It took about 10 minutes, but I had enough time to get to the gym before they opened.  I brought the pups back into the room and told D I would be back around 6 with coffee and breakfast.

The gym was only 5 minutes from the hotel, super nice.  I got there with a few minutes to spare.  Here is my workout today.

10 minute elliptical warm up

4 sets single leg glute bridges

6 sets romanian deadlifts - 70# bar - bodyweight squats between sets

4 sets curtsy squats - 27.5# dumbbells

6 sets hip thrusters - 50#

4 sets roll outs

4 sets stability ball hamstring curls

10 minute jog

I got back to the hotel just after 6 and went to the lobby to grab breakfast.  It certainly had a great variety.  I grabbed for the pups - a bagel with peanut butter and a couple mini donuts.  For D I grabbed a variety - 2 hard boiled eggs, waffle with syrup, bacon, mini donuts and coffee with lots of cream.  That pile of bacon above we shared.  I also had a tablespoon of coconut butter let so had that with my herbal tea.  We finished, cleaned up and showered.  We grabbed our things and hoped for the best, meaning power when we got home.  Pups in the car, all checked out and off we went.

We arrived a few minutes later to see lights on around the block - YES!!  POWER!!  Out the car we went and into the house.  Lights were on.  I cleaned out the refrigerator as D headed to work and I finished breakfast by eating an avocado.  I grabbed my shake for the day and headed to work.

Work paid for lunch - Yes again!  I ate everything.  I should mention about an hour after I got to work I made my shake and felt pretty good.  I felt really good with this late lunch from Anita's Kitchen - Chopped salad with chicken, olives, an egg, tomato and cucumber.  It was so filling and I was happy to have a good amount of food into me.

Derek was hungry when we both got home so we went to the Original Pancake House.  I was still full so ordered a light dinner that I really intended to take home and eat later.  It was pretty good - 2 eggs over easy and 2 sausage patties.  It came with pancakes on the side which I boxed up for D for tomorrow's breakfast.  So did all that lettuce really fill me up so much?!  I feel decent right now.  But ya know I really would like to drop about 10 pounds.  I am happy with the strength I've gained and I can still run without being winded, but not happy with how my pants fit.  How's that?!

So now I am debating about going to the farmers market again since I had to throw all the meat I got away.  More veggies would be good too.

I hate power outages!

It's Thursday, though it feels like it should be Friday!  As I went to bed Wednesday night the winds were still gusting pretty fiercely.  But, they had greatly diminished from what they had been.  We kept our power all day long so I really didn't think much of losing it at this point.  D had left for the gym and I had gone to bed.  I was awoke by him asking when the power went out.  UGH!  You have got to be kidding me!

I didn't sleep well and had planned on sleeping soundly until 6:30 since today was to be a total rest day.  FAT chance for that.  I tossed and turned for hours.  I hate having to throw all the food away I just purchased, since it happened in the summer too.

Finally got out of bed at 6:15.  Showered off and dressed quickly as it was already getting colder in the house.  I fed the dogs and gave D his cereal to eat, he wasn't happy since he was cold and it was cold.  I made a shake, since I had to drink that anyway.  Made me nauseous.  I also grabbed a few bites of the chicken that I had just made. Mostly gave to the pups since they were begging.  I was dreading the whole day since I knew work had half power, which meant computers, phones, some light and ZERO heat.  Ugh!  I grabbed what was left of my coconut chips and headed out.

Once at work I grabbed some hot water and kept my coat on and went to work.  I was grumpy and anxious.  Everyone wanted to order breakfast.  My favorite meal and it was a no go, I opted for a side of bacon :(  It was good but for $5 I could have got a huge breakfast.  Unfortunately, it didn't arrive till almost 12!  What?!  I ate it up and headed back to the house to see what was going on.

And what was?  Nothing!  My app told me workers were in the area and there were none to be found.  D was home to shower, since he didn't earlier.  We let the pups out.  He grabbed a yogurt and a protein bar and I grabbed a Primal Beef Stick.  Seriously it just sucked food wise, but I couldn't cooked anything.  I searched for a hotel while D was getting ready.  I knew we wouldn't have power and may have to stay somewhere all weekend.

I went back to work a little late and finished up my day, again being productive.  I rushed home to get things together to get to the hotel.  It gets dark quick when you can't turn on a light.  I fed the pups and packed my bag.  D got home and got his stuff together.  We headed to Mt. Chalet which is right across the street for bunless burgers.  We walked back home, pet Kaat, grabbed the pups and headed to the hotel.  We found a good place with a larger bed then the last time this happened.

The Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham was a great option.  Not too far from the house, just over 5 minutes and close to the gym as well.  They have one here but something familiar is better.  I hope breakfast has some good options.  I know I will be very limited, but I have an avocado at home with my name on it just in case!

Well it's bed time, early but I'm getting up early too and I want some rest.  Another long day tomorrow.

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Now what?

 Apparently I set my alarm for doing a home cardio workout this morning.  I still woke up at my "usual" time and just got up and headed for the gym.  Today is cardio only according to my plan.

Workout of the Day:  20 minutes elliptical - always variety in intensity.  That was followed by 30 minutes of treadmill jogging.  Nice and steady at 5.6.  Felt really great

I got home and took care of a few things, showered and ate some coconut butter.  I somehow forgot about this in my cupboard that I open daily.

I again as every morning battling for my breakfast with Kaat!  

She is just so cute.  

She lays on the table and annoyingly reaches her leg across the table and tries to put her paw in the bowl.  Who can blame her?!  All the bacon and pork!  YUM is all I have to say.  An herbal tea latte was on the side.  She has no problem steering clear of that.

I got the dishes cleaned up and got ready for work.  I even had time to vacuum the floors before I left.  They needed it.  Work wasn't bad today, I kept busy with all the calls I made but around noon my stomach began to grumble and I wanted to head home for a few reasons:  We had horrible wind gusts all day so I wanted to make sure the Big Dawg was ok.  He HATES noise.  I had to put him on his leash to get him out the door.  Wanted to make sure we had power.  Yes we do.  Then I wanted lunch!  As I prepared it I tried some jicama sticks I got at Trader Joe's.  I forgot how much I liked these.  Kind of sweet and crunchy.  I've been missing crunchy!  

Todays bowl was avocado, ground turkey, swiss chard, cauliflower and shredded brussel sprouts cooked in avocado oil.  I haven't had swiss chard in a long time and it wasn't too bad.

I got back to work and emailed my doctor to clarify that during this elimination phase I could have herbal teas, which happily I can and I have a few favorites.  I also wanted to see if I could eat Legit bread, it is seriously the best bread out there.  I sent him the link and even though it's paleo and clean it's still considered a "cheat".  So no go as a replacement for Thursday night pancake night.  I don't get any of it, no pancakes, no bread like product.  I considered eating eggs bacon, and maybe some parsnip fries, but since I had eggs yesterday I noticed today I have a couple breakouts! 

Could it be the eggs are offensive?!  I had broccoli too yesterday?  Is that possible?  A combination of two foods that are offensive?  I scored a 1 for both of these, so no more than 3 times per week.  It's questionable.  Another word on questionable I had the shake again, 4 scoops and by the end it just sit right.  I know I will get use to it, just like carob.  Once you are use to the odd taste you love it.

I did't eat a typical dinner since I wasn't really hungry when I got home.  I made D's dinner which was a quick orange chicken, sweet potato with peas and carrots.  I made a plain chicken breast cooked in some avocado oil for me and ate 3 small pieces, a few bites of roasted sweet potato.  Later I went back for the remainder of my roasted cauliflower and cabbage.  I topped it off with a few bites of coconut butter.

I'm not sure I'm getting at least 6 cups of vegetables?  Do you think it looks that way?

Thoughts on eggs - since I have a tendency for them to be offensive - acne causing?

What should I talk about in the upcoming days?

Meditation practice?  Workouts?  Meals on a protocol?  Something else?

2 days in and going strong

Early morning rising again.  I woke up 10 minutes earlier than what I had planned on.  I actually got pretty good sleep.  That being said I am going to try 3 magnesium supplements and hope for a more sound sleep.  I made my way downstairs to change into my gym clothes and off I went.  It was just before the storms blew in and the gym was late opening.  I ran in when the doors opened, grabbed my towel and headed for some cardio.  

Here was today's workout:

10 minute elliptical warm up

6 sets bench press - 32.5# each arm

4 sets incline bench press - 27.5# each arm

4 sets eccentric pull ups

4 sets chest supported rows - 17.5# each arm

4 sets rkc plank

4 sets side planks

15 minutes elliptical

I finished, and as I headed to my car it was pouring, the thunder and lightening had already passed.  I got home to D already up and everyone but Jack waiting for breakfast.  I fixed everyone's breakfast, gave D his but Jack didn't want anything to do with food.  The storm had freaked him out way too much to eat.  He really is sensitive.

This mornings breakfast bowl had many similar things as the last few days.  Ground pork and bacon with cabbage, zucchini, bacon, asparagus and cauliflower.  I just love bacon and want it for breakfast daily.  If I could add coffee and peanut butter it would be the best! Haha!  Maybe in a month or so.

I made my lunch as I was making breakfast since today I wouldn't be able to come home again for lunch.  EGGS!  I haven't had eggs in over a month and got the ok to have some!  YES!  I'm not going to go crazy cause I can only have them 3 times per week.  That works!

Similar again to what was yesterday's lunch.  Shaved brussel sprouts, cucumber, hearts of palm, olives, spinach, radish and 2 eggs drizzled with olive oil.  I cooked the eggs so they were soft on the inside and would create a fabulous dressing to coat the rest of the vegetables.  The one thing I didn't show is my required shake.  Today's flavor was orange and it tasted just like Tang!  Loved it and I had 4 scoops.  I may split this up and have a couple scoops and lunch and a couple at dinner.

I had my appointment with a rheumatologist today, for my positive ANA test.  Good thing is he doesn't think I have Lupus since I don't present clinically.  He is doing more blood work just to make sure, but testing for other conditions too.  So I will find out soon, about a week he said and if he doesn't call then everything is normal.

I felt hungrier today, not bloated which was a relief.  At the doctor's office I did get a little dizzy, so when I got to work I had my shake.  I ate lunch a little later, I think it was just after one and then a few hours later I was hungry again.  When I got home I ate some Dang unsweetened coconut chips since we were having a showing of the house right when I got home.  I took the pups outside and I captured the pups running around.

 

Stryker

Stryker (Puppy) and Jack (Big Dawg)

 Jack ("Just Jack")

The realtor never showed up so I came inside and began making dinner.  I added broccoli to my veggie dinner and ground turkey cooked in coconut oil and finished with avocado oil and avocado on the side.

Of course, just as I was finishing making dinner.  D was sitting down to his, there came a knock at the door.  Seriously, 30 minutes late stood the realtor and his clients.  We of course let them in and I tried to clean up the kitchen a bit as they made their way around the house.  Here I stand in the kitchen hair pulled back in a bun and in my sweats and robe!  Really?!  You can't be serious! They could have at least called!  Blargh!  Oh well.

Time to relax, watch a movie and meditate before going to bed.  Tomorrow is nothing but cardio, well in the am that is.

I find that anyone that comes to read this will get bored and I need to figure out other things to talk about!  It can't all be food, exercise and meditation, can it?!  

A late starting protocol

4:40am and I am up and heading downstairs.  I let the pups out, gather my laptop and head downstairs to the basement gym.  I debated on going to the gym for my 5am routine but thought I would stay home this morning.  My hope was that the pups would leave D alone so he could sleep, but no.  They acted ridiculous just like if I would have left for the gym, so no extra sleep for him.  So here is what I did.  I still sporting lower back issues so I can squat nearly what I would like.  But, I am working on form so I know I will get there.

Monday routine - In between sets I ran in place or did some cardio burst:

Squats - 6 sets 50#
Sissy squats - 4 set
Lunges - 4 sets 50# - should be walking
Bodyweight Superperson - 4 sets
Incline reverse crunch - 4 sets
calf raises - totally forgot to do these!  (I will get them in later) 4 sets 50#, 30#

Then I did a 15 minute Popsugar cardio workout which you can find here.
Total time: 75 minutes

After showering I make my lunch and breakfast for the day.

Breakfast was chai rooibos coconut milk latte.  3 oz pork, 2 slices of bacon, zucchini, cabbage, cauliflower, mushrooms and topped with avocado.

Lunch was 1 can of tuna which I will top with olive oil later, olives, hearts of palm, english cucumber, spinach, shaved brussel sprouts, radish and avocado.  Certainly hope it hits the spot later!  I will not be taking a lunch today at work to come home since I will be on Skype with my functional med doctor this morning.

 Lunch was good!  I did add a little bit of olive oil so the tuna wasn't dry and delish!  Though I was bloated the remainder of the day, raw brussels and spinach maybe?

My desk with a little view.  My large water, which I still need to drink more.  I got two of those puppies down!

I didn't have the shake at work, bright yellow right!  The flavor of this one is spice, taste like chai, it's not horrible but I wonder now if I should have bought the chocolate orange.  I should be having anywhere from 3 to 6 scoops per day.  Today was 4 scoops and I put just enough water in it so it was more like pudding.  The rest of dinner was roasted cauliflower and cabbage and one bubble & squeak, I went back for more cabbage.  I don't know what it is about roasted cabbage that I love so much and I go months without having it too.

I was given the clear to have some eggs up to 3 days a week, so tomorrow I will added that to my lunch.  No tuna, only so much of that I can handle.

My next task is to meditate.  I debated on spinning for 20 minutes and then meditating, then it was just yoga, and now it's just meditating.  It might not be 30 minutes but whatever I get it will be a start.  Baby steps for this and jump right into everything else!

How am I feeling?  Day 1 I am feeling pretty good.  Besides the brief bloat I have no issues.

I will get some good sleep and get up to go to the gym, lift the heavy things and then my appointment with the rheumatologist.  It should be interesting, I have no idea what to expect.
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Sunday Run Day - Food Prep!

Weekends - mean I still get up early cause the animals dance on me for their breakfast early.  I feed them and then go out for coffee for D.  I miss weekend coffee, but it's tea for me for now.  On my way to get our weekend Starbuck's fix - white chocolate peppermint mocha for D and I tried a matcha latte with coconut milk.  I guess that grassy taste just sounded good to me and it had the lesser of sugars than a chai.  I stopped at the Daily Dozen for 2 donuts - one for D and one for the fur babies to share.  I should have taken a pic of them, but luckily enough their Facebook profile has them!  I got the critters their usual sour cream and D I got a Dutch Crumb which is their take on a coffeecake donut.

 

I got home and prepped cabbage and cauliflower to get roasted while I fixed the rest of breakfast and chopped up an onion.  The more prep I can get done the easier it is to have dinner done once I get home at 6pm.  I still have some sweet potatoes to cook, which I will roast in the oven.  I prepped Bubble & Squeak from Eat Heal Thrive, made with regular sweet potato.  D had is weekday usual - 2 eggs with cheese and spinach.  I had below - 2 strips of bacon, 3 oz ground pork, 1/2 an avocado with cauliflower and spinach.  The rest of the morning was laundry and any extra food prep I felt like getting done for the week

Just before 1 I got ready to head to the gym.  Sunday is my run day.  My plan was 6 miles on the treadmill.  I could have ran outside but chose not to.  The best thing about treadmill running is you can push yourself harder then what you expect you can do. So I did negative splits and accomplished my goal.  I just wanted to be under an hour for 6 miles.  I use to do a 10k under 45 minutes.  I know I can get back there and I hope it will be soon.  No worries here!

After the gym I needed to find D Mexican Chocolate Noosa.  It's chocolatey and with a slight kick.  Very yum, but I can't go there anymore.  Whomp whomp.  They have been out of it at the local stores.  I figured Target always carries it.  They do and of course it all was expiring in 2 days!  D won't eat 4 yogurts in 2 days.  UGH!  So I went to another store and it was a bust as well!  ARG!!

On the plus side I did find this Suja drinking vinegar.  I am totally loving drinking vinegars right now.  It does take a while to get use to but once you do it's just so good and a good kind of addicting.  I grabbed this Peach Ginger and wasn't disappointed.  The right amount of peach and the sweet heat of ginger was delightful!  It was a perfect drink after my run and not too many grams of sugar, which is a bonus.

I came home, unloaded my groceries and grabbed the jar of peanut butter.  I figured it was going to be my last day for a while so why not.  I added a few extra Siete chips too, just the small crumbs.  Then I figured I should color my hair, since Sunday seems to be my go to day for that.  I use Madison Reed.  IT's been the best hair color without all the junk or the nauseating smell!  My color is Perugia Black, which doesn't come out black on me but a nice dark brown.  It's pretty perfect.  The kit comes with everything you need.  Gloves, cap, color, wipes, barrier cream and shampoo and conditioner!  Who doesn't want all that in one box?!  The price is great too.  Go check it out if you color your hair at home.  As I was waiting for the color I decided to take measurements, no scale to note my weekly progress.  I'm sure when inflammation goes down I will notice changes and I'm for sure inflamed today, but here are my 3 that I'm taking, I don't care about anything else.  Bust 36" waist 26" hips 36".  I did have to laugh at those, I'm an hourglass! LOL

Tonight if we stay home to eat I may make the AIP Italian Calzone I have been hearing so much about.  We decided to get Qdoba.  EXCEPT they gave me the spicy steak and I wanted the grilled steak.  Needless to say I have a headache from it.  It also had pulled pork, lettuce and guacamole.  At least their guac doesn't have tomato!  It was certainly filling, but I still had 2 carob coconut butter cups.

Now I'm just going to be lazy for the rest of the night.  Tomorrow morning comes early and I'm going to do my workout at home instead of the gym.  I want to see if I can push it at home like I can at the gym.  I have the weights here to do the prescribed workout.  I hope I can challenge myself enough.  But, I always feel like I could have done more.

Enough of over thinking!  I will probably go overindulge on some chips before bed, but I will accept it and move on.  Tomorrow is a new day with a new protocol.  I will be better on the other side and know what works and what doesn't work for my body.  Let the adventure begin!