howdy-ho neighbor

Hey, guess what??  I'm home sick today. Perrrfect day to catch up on le blog. Are you ready...


First Topic:  Paleo Challenge

So, the Paleo Challenge ended Saturday, November 21. The bad news, I wasn't First Place. The good news, I was Third Place! But really, if you stuck to the program, we were all winners. Wanna see my results... okay, here's the deets:

• Food Points : 168 (that is a PERFECT Score... 6 points a day for 4 weeks straight... no cheats here!)
• WOD Time : 7:19 (my WOD time at the beginning was 8:10... I shaved off nearly an entire minute!)
• Lost Inches : 5.66 (2.8 on waist, 1.8 on hips, .06 on chest, gained 1.9 on thighs... we squat ALOT, 1 on arms)
• Lost Body Fat Percentage : 3.7% (I took first in this catagory for girls... kinda a big deal)
• Lost Pounds : 8.2 (yes, in 30 days!!!)

True story people! This really happened to me! I was totally on cloud nine about my results. So much so, that I have continued to eat strict Paleo. I did have a few cheats during Thanksgiving (more on that later) but overall, I'm in it to win it! The positive changes occurring in my body are affecting everything else in my world. I'm becoming mentally stronger, physically stronger, and spiritually stronger. It's like I'm totally aligned with myself. It's wonderful, and so amazing to me that so much of the way we feel has to do with the food we put into our bodies. It's legit science, I read about it as much as I can on the internet and ebooks. So crazy!
Anyway, it's the path I've chosen to go and so far so good. I'm taking things one day at a time. I'm making small goals and achieving them at rapid pace. It's exciting and inspiring (yeah, I'm totally inspiring myself. Crazy!)

Second Topic:  Thanksgiving

How was your Thanksgiving? Mine was lovely! We spent an entire 4+ days back home in SoCal. It was lovely! We left out on Wednesday afternoon and made the 5 hour drive. I had enough time to get all the Paleo Desserts made that night. Wanna see what I made... these photos are borrowed, btw.

Source: paleomg.com via Ann on Pinterest

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Cheesecake
The only was I know how to describe this is freaking ah-mazing! I nearly ate the entire thing to myself... not-even-kidding! I don't know if I was just starved for sweets (totally my downfall) but this was totally Paleo so technically I wasn't even cheating!


Pumpkin Butter Truffles
Seriously delish, and so incredibly simple to make. I did choose to add some ground up flax seed to help as a binder (a suggestion from a CF friend). Also, next time I don't think I'll use 72% Cacao chocolate. I forget that not everyone is a dark chocolate fan and it can get bitter to some. (Although, it just means more for me! hehehe)

Source: againstallgrain.com via Against All Grain on Pinterest

Grain-Free And Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie
I know, I know, doesn't sound legit, but it was soooo good! Until I burned the crust, but whatev's. I cooked it the night before and left it in the oven to set (because seriously, there was like, no room anywhere in that kitchen). So, come Turkey morning we turned the oven on to preheat and you-guessed-it... the pie got baked, again. But... the inside was totally edible. I mean, the whole thing was technically edible, but the crust was dark indeed. Lol. We decided to put in on the counter with a spoon and as people walked by they'd take a scoop out. Hey, we're all family so we all have the same cooties. It totally worked out. A sweet appetizer, if you will.

Turkey Day was good, the ma-in-law and sis-in-law kept me company in the kitchen and we all stayed busy. We had Turkey and Ham, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Mashed White Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts with Onion and Bacon, Stuffing, Green Bean Casserole, and Cresent Rolls. I kept it Paleo, and for the first time I think Ever, I didn't overeat and that felt awesome. I cleaned up and did the dishes, and before I knew it I was mid-breakdown. Emotion caught up with me, and I deeply and painfully missed my Dad. Things like this happen, and I let them run their course. I hope they never stop, because even the pain of missing him makes me weirdly happy.

Turkey Day morning the hubs, the dad-in-law and I got in a good workout.... we did Cindy, a 20 min AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) of 5 Pull Ups, 10 Push Ups, 15 Air Squats. Friday we were able to visit Crossfit Kinnick (home of the Games competitor Jeremy Kinnick) and get a parter WOD in. (This is the dad-in-law's home crossfit box). "Black Butter" was a 30 minute AMRAP of 200 meter run (together carring a 35# kettlebell), 10 Clean and Press at 85#, 10 Burpee Box Jumps at 20", 10 Kb swings at 35#. It was my first RX'd workout and I rocked it (along with my partner Katie). Wanna see me all beastly...

Yeah, that's me... gettin' it done! Light Weight! hehe
Friday during the day we spent making Tamales, a family tradition. Saturday we went up to Grampa's. Grampa is 90 years old, and he is my kids Great-Great-Grandfather. How cool is that! He lives in the mountains and has the most amazing old cabin filled with schtuff... it's an American Picker's dream! Sunday was drive home day and settle in before the work week. Great trip, all around!

Third Topic: Christmas

Are you ready? Because I sure am not. lol. I'm usually the lady that decorates the week before Thanksgiving, I love Christmas That Much! But this year, I didn't get things decorated until this past weekend, and even then I sifted through my decorations and got rid of A-Lot! I don't want to be cluttered this year. I'd absolutely love to buy new decorations, but you know how that goes... do you spend the money of decorations, or on the kids. Kids win every time. But when they're old enough to know better, I'm gonna get me some serious Christmas decor. Watch out!
The hubs and I did most of the shopping this past Sunday. We're not doing big gifts for the grownups, just the kids. That's the way it should be. Daddy always said Christmas is about the kids. I like to spoil them, both mine and my sister's. But I also try and put them all in check, they get so much that I constantly remind them about the kids who get nothing because they're poor.
Now to wrap the gifts I have, which funny enough is becoming one of my favorite things about the holidays. Even though the kids just rip it right off, I enjoy making pretty presents. hehe
The kids are having a Christmas party next weekend. I'd better get planning. I think we'll do a few minute to win it games and fill them up on lots of holiday sweets. Paleo sweets. hehe


Okay, it has taken me for-ev-er to type this blog up. I'm gonna go relax on the couch with some Kombucha and hot tea and a holiday movie. Until next time... ttfn!