How To...

This is a great starter or reminder ( for someone like me who goes off track) on how to eat and maintain a Paleo lifestyle.

The idea is behind this challenge is to encourage everyone to go strict paleo for 30 days straight, no cheats (planned or unplanned). What a "strict paleo" diet does or does not include can be debated on its subtler points (and we're happy to answer those questions), but the basics you need to know are the following:

ENCOURAGED FOODS: meats (preferably grass-fed), poultry (preferably pastured), fresh fish & seafood (preferably wild), eggs (preferably pastured or at least omega-3 fortified), vegetables, fresh fruit (& limiteddried fruit), nuts & seeds (preferably raw and unsalted). (The organic versions of these foods will allow you to avoid pesticide residue.)

FOODS TO EAT IN MODERATION: minimally processed oils & animal fats (e.g., olive, avocado, walnut, coconut, lard, beef tallow--be aware that some of these are not meant for high-heat cooking but should be used raw) black coffee, tea, wine, beer, spirits, dried fruits (no more than 2 oz./day), nuts mixed with dried & fresh fruits (no more than 4 oz. nuts & 2 oz. dried fruit).

FOODS TO AVOID: dairy (e.g., milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, whey protein powder), legumes (i.e., beans, lentils, chickpeas, soy & soy products, peanuts, green beans, peas), cereal grains & cereal grainlike seeds (e.g., corn, wheat, wheat germ, barley, oats, rye, rice, corn, buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth), starchy vegetables (e.g., starchy tubers, potatoes, sweet potatoes), salt-containing foods (e.g., commercial salad dressings & condiments), fatty meats, soft drinks & fruit juices, sweets (i.e., candy, honey, sugars [sucrose, molasses, high fructose corn syrup, fructose, agave nectar]), diet sodas, refined vegetable oils (especially corn, soy, & canola), foods containing artificial sweeteners, chemical food additives.

(courtesy of Crossfitnyc.com)

I think the main thing is not to over think this whole process. Yes, you have to change the way you eat and the way you think about food. Learning how to cook is ideal but you don't need to be the next Julia Child. Worse comes to worse burn the meat and eat some raw veggies.

On another note the 2010 Games Sectionals for PNW is coming up in February 27-28 at Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. There is definitely a more strict qualifying program this year. I'll be there to cheer my boyfriend Carlos on in his FIRST EVER athletic competition. Woot Woot!