Being Paleo and POOR... (Bonus VLOG!)

...can be the PITS.

Vacation included these awesome ducks.

We just got back from a week-long-penny-pincher vacation where Paleo went OUT THE WINDOW--and adding that adventure to this past month of non-stop performances--it's time to get my butt back on the Paleo Bandwagon...but it turns out that's hard to do when moths are flying out of your wallet.

I can already feel the sluggish, "I just want to nap forever" effects of a week-long carb binge and working out today was challenging, but completely rejuvenating! (See below, *wink wink*) But I know that getting a good sweat-on is only half the work; it's time to refill the cabinets and load up the fridge with those colorful, non-pesticide, organic, from the heavens fruits and veggies and lean, grassfed, free-roaming, super organic, angel kissed meats. YEAH RIGHT!

Ok, no no no...this really is going to happen, but probably not on the first trip. Especially when a credit card bill is due and then rent and electric. So it's about making smart choices, cutting corners where you have to, and making the best possible substitutions you can! These days, Farmer's Markets and CSAs are all the rage and with good competition, many of your local farms are putting together great deals on "grab bags" and discount boxes. If you're heading to the grocery store, try try try to stay in season! This may take some Googling beforehand, but prices will always be better if your produce is coming from around the block, rather than around the world.

Your proteins are a similar story, as it's about striving for quality where you can. I understand more than anyone that feeling when you walk into your Whole Foods/Wegmans/Fancy Grocer, pick up that gloriously perfect package of steaks, then chortle at the astronomical price and move on. It happens, one day though, I WILL BUY THOSE! But when it comes to beef, pork, lamb, chicken, eggs, etc--it is possible to eat well.

In fact, this Whole9Life article does a pretty darn good job laying it down for you. 

Take a peek at what they say about fats too, as it's all good advice. In the end, strive for quality, no matter what tier you happen to be shopping at right now.

See! We can and WILL get back on the Paleo-Track...even on a budget.

Now for something completely different!

I was in the middle of Round 4 of my "Vacation Come-Back" workout when I thought..."Hey, why don't I show the folks that I'm really doing all this nonsense. And you can, too!"

So here it is: This Primal Yogi ~ Vacation Comeback WOD.

And don't worry, in time the quality of these videos will skyrocket! This is the beginning. ;)

5 Rounds - Your Choice of Kettle Bell 

(I'm rocking a 35lb)

10 Kettle Bell Swings

10 Burpees over the Kettle Bell

30sec Over-Head Hold

10 Goblet Squats

20 Sit-Ups

Until next time, Cave-Kids!

Grr...urg...LOVE,

This Primal Yogi

Over Indulgence and I.T. Band Basics

Well culminating with an AWESOME day at Six Flags/Great Adventure with the hubs and some homies, this marks the end of our "excess." There was money spent, dinners out (because there was no food in the house...like that's the answer!), DAIRY, and even a gluten frenzy with a belly full of beer over the past week or two. It's official: our bodies and our wallets are paying for it. Both Jordan and I believe that completely cutting everything out to the EXTREME is just asking for trouble, but it's times like these that I definitely know that the dietary changes I have made in the past year are really for the best. Dairy, gluten, sugars, simple carbohydrates--as awesome as I sometimes think they are in the moment, never fill me, satisfy me or make me happy in the long run.

And it turns out that when shopping correctly (because I know that shopping properly for local veggies, fruits and farm raised meats can seem pricey at first!), keeping all the crap in your daily routine tends to deplete the funds even faster!!

So it's back to working out, cooking at home, brewing our own teas and extract syrups for seltzer, and making sure that our "indulgences" come from the amazing Veggie Boxes we get weekly from Robson's Farm! Check them out!

And here enters "The Challenge!" Tentative title: FREE FUN FRENZY!

Aside from our four days of vacation at the end of the month (where we'll still be pretty darn frugal, I swear!) I'm challenging us to 30 days of seeking out as much FREE FUN AS POSSIBLE! I'm not saying we have to have a schedule jam packed with fabulous freebies, but at least for the next month, I'll be passing along some Primal Passages about ouf Free Finds! (Oooh, I love alliterations.) Check back regularly for our cheapskate choices!

Now on to the yogi-goodness! Regularly I'll be breaking down the awesomeness of particular poses and how they can help with your every day life: whether it's for yogis, CrossFitters, weightlifters, runners, dancers, actors, writers, talkers, sitters, standers, you name it!

As this is the first installment, I want to start with a BANG, attacking a common complaint that I hear in the gym: TIGHT I.T. BANDS! ( <-- Learn what they are!) They are a doozy and can do a number on your form if you aren't regularly tending to their needs. Besides foam rolling, adding the following yoga postures to your routine will have those bands singing in no time!

PRIMAL POSES

Square Pose

SQUARE POSE is from the Yin Yoga practice. Usually you'll hang out here for a bit--start in a comfortable seated position, and slowly (but surely!) start on whichever side you like and place your ankle on top of the opposite knee. Align your shins as parallel as possible. As long as this feels good within the knees, feel free to add gentle pressure using your hands, or turn this into a forward fold. Repeat on the other side.  I'd give it 10 breaths each. 

Pigeon Pose (modification: pillow under hip)

PIGEON POSE  also know as "One Legged King Pigeon pose" or  "Eka Pada Rajakapotasana" (say that 3 times fast!) is one of my all time favorites and one of the first I will suggest to anyone with I.T. Band, psoas, or hip issues.   Begin on all fours then slide your right knee forward to the back of your right wrist; pulling your right knee as close to parallel to the front of the mat as possible. Use your back toes to straighten the extended knee, placing the front of the thigh to the floor. It should extend straight out of the hip (and not be angled off to the left), and rotated slightly inwardly, so its midline presses against the floor and both hips settle heavy and even toward the floor below you. If the spirit moves you, you can turn this into a forward fold and stretch your arms forward. (NOTE: as shown in the photo, this can be modified by putting a bolster or pillow just under the hip of the BENT LEG.) Repeat on the other side, about 10 breaths each.

Triangle...

...to Revolved Triangle!

TRIANGLE POSE  or "Utthita Trikonasana" is going to be a doozy here, as I revolve you later on! Stand tall then step your right foot backwards, toes pointing out toward the long side of the mat. Raise your arms parallel to the floor, surfer-style! Now on a breath out, extend your upper body directly over the the right leg (little teapot-style), bending from the hip, not the waist! Rotate the torso to the left, and bring your right hand down to a block, your shin, ankle, or the floor outside your right footy. Shoot that left arm toward the ceiling, aligning the shoulders. YOU DID IT! (hold for 5 to 10 breaths and you're golden)

NOW....

REVOLVED TRIANGLE POSE or "Parivrtta Trikonasana" is a little more challenging, but I promise you--your legs will know its greatness soon enough! From TRIANGLE POSE, draw your extended arm back down to the floor and square your hips over the forward leg. This time you will plant that left hand down to a block, your shin, ankle or the floor. Then slowly but surely, as you twist and rotate to the right, you will peel that right hand up to ceiling and and stack your shoulders once again. Hello I.T. Bands!! I'd give this about 5-10 as well; repeat both poses on the other side.

Eye of the Needle

EYE OF THE NEEDLE or "Sucirandhrasana" is another yogi-trade-secret and the last pose for today that will work wonders on your legs! Lie on your back with your knees bent and the soles of your feet on the floor. Hug your left knee into your chest. Cross the left ankle over right knee. That's step one! Let the left knee relax away from your torso. Bring both your hands to your right hamstring, lifting your right foot off the floor and threading your left hand through your legs to do so. Using your hands, draw your right thigh toward your chest. Try to keep both feet flexed and chill out here for about 10 breaths. Repeat on the other side.

YOU'VE DONE IT!

Now get those I.T. bands loose, your hips open, and your body ready now for whatever you throw at it!

Until next time, Cave-Kids!

Grr...urg...LOVE,

This Primal Yogi

The dreaded...Plateau Paranoia.

Ooooooooooh we’ve all been there.

You wake up and take the long way around the scale in the bathroom because you haven’t seen the numbers move in weeks. Maybe your work/friends/canoeing lessons, whatever, have you over-booked and your workout schedule has been out of whack.  It’s possible you’ve been caught as a repeat offender to some cheat meals.  Or you know what, you could be doing exactly the right things—working out, eating well, sleeping like a sweet-cherub baby—and you still fall victim…to the PLATEAU.

Speaking as an experienced Nervous Nelly and a Worry Wart, the second I feel like my progress is slowing; I jump into the Plateau Paranoia.

“What am I doing wrong?”

“Why is this happening?”

“Oh well, guess I should just eat all of the French fries in the world…”

NO, NO, NO, no, no, no, no, and I mean no! We have to see these levels of our progress from the bigger picture. Step back into the world view and see what everyone else is seeing because, I kid you not: you’re probably looking for the wrong things to give you that healthy-body-awesome-work cred!

I’m positive my husband is tired of hearing me complain over the past few weeks about how I’m feeling stuck (and of course, he says I’m full of nonsense—thanks, Jordan!) but being honest, my schedule has been really tight, so my workouts have been sporadic and my meals improvised—but I haven’t really been doing anything wrong. And I definitely haven’t done anything BAD. We can’t punish ourselves for our bodies doing their natural thang…which involves leveling out sometimes! And just for that sucker punch in my self-conscious center, two of my gym girls, who I consistently see progressing and looking gorgeous, complimented me this week! (Thanks Katie B. and Sara B.!)

SO I give us all two GREAT options to get out of our heads:

1) Get back in the gym!

- Now let’s not go crazy, I don’t mean it’s time to get weird and live in the gym. BUT, next time you’re in there, maybe talk it out with your trainer. It could be time to change up the routine. Or when was the last time you pushed for a PR?  And what the hell, have a little fun!

2) Get back in the kitchen!

- This is usually where I find the best ways to jump-start my metabolism again with something local, fresh, and new. Creativity in the kitchen is like the kryptonite to Plateau Paranoia!! Check the CSA situation in your area or look up the local farms. We’re SO happy getting our box of goodies weekly from Robson’s Farm. ;)

Then you can come home to a sweet meal of wild caught fish and local tomato salad!

And realize you’re NOT ACTUALLY IN A PLATEAU AT ALL! Your clothes fit better, people think you look slammin’, and now you have all kinds of food and training options! BOOM.

On the Horizon (super soon!) for THIS PRIMAL YOGI:

We have new Paleo recipes coming, updates on the home garden, yoga routines to help your weight-lifting woes, and regular posts to keep you happy and entertained. Saaaaweeet!

The official This Primal Yogi Avatar!

Grr...urg...LOVE,

This Primal Yogi