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!

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Grr...urg...LOVE,

This Primal Yogi 

Thanksgiving Dinner: Who Invited the Paleo Chick?

You know what's the BEST time to start a new bad-ass-eating-life-journey?  The Holidays.

*Cricket noises*

Now by “best,” I mean, “What is wrong with me?”

Not to worry my dear sweet Cave-Kids, I wouldn’t be reporting to you on the subject if I didn’t think it possible. In fact, I am here to say, “YES WE CAN!” And in fact, I did. Operation: Paleo Option Thanksgiving was a rousing success by all of those who participated. So what if I was the only one who did...

I attended Thanksgiving dinner at the in-laws and left it in the hands of the Fates that I would be able to fashion my own diet-appropriate meal as my loved ones dined on scalloped potatoes, corn bread stuffing, biscuits and (my old-favorite) green bean casserole. You know the kind I’m talking about…that gloppy goodness that involved a can of mushroom soup and fried onions on top? Sigh. I was determined that I could eat and be happy without having to make the family-chefs go out of their way to prepare Paleo-foods for me.

The Hubs couldn’t be stopped from bringing along a crock-pot full of homemade stuffing, but we were also sure to come armed with my favorite: Brussels sprouts roasted with bacon. Thus--no matter what--I was safe.

Roasted Brussels sprouts with Bacon

1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts, quartered

4-6 strips bacon, thick cut

Salt & Pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Quickly blanch your sprouts to brighten their color and boost the flavor-soaking powers.

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove bacon from pan and set aside, retaining bacon fat from cooking.  In a bowl, toss quartered Brussels sprouts with remaining bacon fat (nom, nom, nom). We collect our rendered baking fat, or lard, so if you do the same you can add more as needed, or drop a slab of butter in the pan after snatching out the bacon. Chop bacon and add to mixture. On a foil lined baking sheet, scatter Brussels sprouts and bacon. Pop those bad boys in the oven for about 30 minutes. Magnifique!

Thankfully once we arrived, I was pleasantly overwhelmed by the scent of Paleo-friendly options! My meal consisted of smoked turkey, sprouts (of course), roasted broccoli and red peppers, a homemade cranberry-apple sauce and a nice selection off of the Hors d'Oeuvres tray.

LEMON BARS!

So aside from the three glasses of champagne (whoops!), my Thanksgiving fell well within my needs. My sweet darling mother even brought along a dessert just for me: a BANG-A-RANG Lemon Bar recipe from Civilized Cavemen Cooking. It was just scrum-dilli-umptious and refreshing, with an almond macadamia nut crust. I’m happy to say, the left overs came home with us.

Finally, I don’t want you to be glum that you have to “miss out” on the Turkey-Leftover-Sandwiches because where there’s a will, there’s a way to use those day-after goodies. Shred the turkey for taco salad, meatloaf or PALEO-casserole. Breakfast is where you’ll find I use EVERYTHING we brought home. Not even the antipasto will go to waste!

Antipasto Leftovers + 3 Eggs = 

BOOM: SCRAMBLE!

We can do it, Cave-kids. I promise. Stick with me.

 December, here we come!

Grr…urg…LOVE,

This Primal Yogi

*NEXT ON THE BLOG*

A Yogi in the Box