pacificallypaleo

A Sunday win

12 May 2013 Leave a Comment

Not every day is a win. For me, its been month. I’ve noticed that JRs belly has been protruding a bit more than usual, my pants are a bit tighter and our unison as a family has been “off”. Maybe its been the indulging from the Whole 30, maybe the chaotic schedule, or maybe its the weather… what ever it has been- it changed this weekend.

The weekend started with my husbands birthday on Friday and was followed up by having both Saturday and Sunday off! The husbands birthday gift came in early Saturday morning:

http://www.rogueapo.com/

I ordered through Rogue Fitness who have a website set up specifically for APO deliveries! I ordered it April 7th and it arrived May 11th. Not bad!!!! We will definitely order through them again!

We were both able to attend both boys’ basketball games- I even got to see MC make his first basket (BL was taking JY to the bathroom, bummer)… I cried! I was so proud of him; it was awesome seeing his hard work pay off!!!

On Sunday, my bed was infiltrated by my minions at 6am. But, hey, they came toting gifts! From MC: a jar of hand-made sugar scrub. From JY: a paper mache’ flower-pot. From JR: a hand-made card where he claims his mother weighs 84 pounds and her job is “cleaning“; nice! I consumed my cup of coffee, we changed into PT gear and headed to the garage.

WOD: Jackies Little Sister; For Time:

1000m row
30 thrusters 16#
10 handstand holds for three seconds

WOD: Jackies Little Sister; For Time:

500m row
30 thrusters 16# then to 8#
5 handstand holds for three seconds

WOD: Jackies Little Sister; For Time:

200m row
20 thrusters 8#
5 handstand holds for three seconds

All three kids took to the rowing machine like it was second nature! It was also nice letting the kids wod one at time- it gave each kid cues from both parents! The husband and I did Jackie, too; I subbed pull-up with 3 second hand stand holds and the husband subbed pull-up with hand stand push ups.

All in all, a great Mothers Day!

Tootles-

jess

Got Beef?

30 Apr 2013 Leave a Comment

by pacificallypaleo in Dining Out Tags: Ishigaki beef, Jams, okinawa, paleo

I GOT BEEF! When I think of “Japanese beef”, I usually think of Kobe… but there’s a new cow in town: Ishigaki! Ok, he’s been around for a while, but he is gaining popularity and you should know about him!

He is from the island of Ishigaki- only an hour flight from Naha!! According to this website, the cows are happy, healthy and stress free… my kind of cow!

Friday night was date night for my and my rock star husband and we chose to go to Jams in Onna Village. Once we were seated I scanned the appetizers: Ishigaki Shashimi (raw beef)!! My excitement level went through the roof… then my excitement bubble popped: sold out. Of course.

I explained to my husband that I joined a new facebook group called: Natural Living Okinawa… and they let me in on the beef secret. The “local” beef got my husbands attention and he started flipping through the menu. He noticed that every “set” came with an upgrade: Ishigaki Beef!

Jams is a teppanyaki restraunt (where they cook on a grill in front of you) and has a massive menu with both set options and ala carte. We ordered grilled oysters as an appetizer and the Hibiscus Set for dinner. The set included curry soup, salad, 2 massive shrimps, 4 large scallops, 2 fillets of white fish, Ishigaki beef, bok choy, sprouts, local spinach, a purple rice cake, rice and vanilla ice cream for dessert. We also had fresh fruit drinks (with fancy umbrellas)… our total came to a little over $200– which is the same amount I spend at the commissary for a week of groceries… but- hey- it is date night!

I had planned on taking pictures, but I didn’t, sorry. Heres the best I can do: the chef sliced the bright colorful veggies with precision and flare. When he cooked the shrimp he took the shell and set it aside. The shrimp was minimally seasoned and each bite was a perfect fusion of sea, butter and garlic! The scallops literally melted in our mouths. The white fish was good- it came with a thick sauce on top: different, but good. And then— the steak. The beef was marbled red and white with a thick white border of fat. The chef trimmed the fat and set it aside then lighty seasoned the Ishigaki beef, grilled it, and served it in long medium rare strips. There was two different “steak sauces”. I didn’t use either, the steak was immaculate on its own!

Once all the food was served he brought the shrimp shell back to the center of the grill. I didn’t give it much thought because I was in Ishigaki beef heaven. He fried the shrimp shell, seasoned it and then put it on my plate. Hmm. In the best English he could muster he told me, “like a chip”. It did not taste like any chip I have ever had… but then, I saw him reach for the fat he had cut off the steak. He brought the fat to the center of the grill. He diced it up, fried it, seasoned it… and gave it to us: Ohhhhh Eeeem Geeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!

At some time during our taste buds climaxing a young Japanese couple sat down next to us. They ordered the lobster. Their lobster came out… alive. Then the chef, well, cooked it. It was shocking, disturbing and frankly it looked amazingly delicious!!! If you have a special day to celebrate and you want to celebrate with a beautiful dinner, I highly recommend Jams… especially if someone else is paying!!!!

Tootles-

jess

Whole 30 KISSed goodbye

25 Apr 2013 1 Comment

by pacificallypaleo in Crossfit Kids, Dining In Tags: crossfit, crossfit kids, KISS, plantains, whole 30, wod

It was an 80′s party and I hate 80s parties. Trying to recreate my fashion statements as a 6-year-old is not what I consider “fun”. But, it was a homecoming for two brothers. And my outfit was in fact, amazing. **Make-up by Haley**

KISS

I mentally prepared myself for the party: No drinking. I think I had convinced 89% of myself that I could pull this outfit off without drinking. Then I saw the kitchen counter: guacamole, fresh salsa, spinach artichoke dip and chicken buffalo dip. I’m not going to be able to use my paleo ribs to dip… it’s got to be a chip. If I’m gonna have one, might as well have 20. If I’m going to have chips, might as well wash it down with a gin and tonic. Riding that slippery slope!

Done.

I woke up in the morning, hung over, bloated and slightly embarrassed… but I didn’t feel guilty. I know I had a lot of supporters around me but in the end this is my body… my journey. I stepped on the scale: 160.5. I lost 4.5 pounds in one week. I learned quite a few lessons during my 20 day journey:

The Whole 30 or eating clean is a lot easier when your spouse is on board
I conquered my fear of kale
Found out what a plantain is… and what it isn’t
I became more proficient at washing dishes
Realised what works for me.

Overall the Whole 30 was a great experience! I felt better. I felt stronger. My clothes fit better. My mood was more stable. But it was tough. Will I do it again? Probably not.

What works for me is eating paleo Monday through Friday… final answer.

Last week I posted my attempt at frying plantains. I followed the directions… I fried them… I ate them… they tasted like fried bananas. The following day I went to the commissary and saw a sign: Plantains. Hmmm, not what I thought. Woops!

The plantain has a sticker… that says: Plantain!

The baby bananas is what I fried the day earlier… the larger banana is a plantain. Noted. I sliced the new “plantain” fried it in coconut oil and voila- plantain chips! Crispy, conveinent and does not tasted like a fried banana!!

Yesterday at RCFA the wod was: Kelly. 5 rounds for time: 400 meter run, 40 box jumps and 40 wall balls…. with a 30 minute cut off. I got 4 rounds plus the run- and an idea: this would be a perfect CFKs workout!

Kellys Little Sister: 5 rounds for time for MC, 4 rounds for time for JR, 3 rounds for time for JY

300m run
15 box jumps (step ups for MC, jumps for JR & JY)
15 wall balls (basketballs for MC & JR, bouncey ball for JY)

Scaling is absolute favorite thing about crossfit: Anyone can do it.

Crossfit Kids Kokoro

Tootles-

jess

The Whole 30 SUCKS

20 Apr 2013 3 Comments

by pacificallypaleo in Dining In Tags: after game snacks, paleo, that mom, whole 30 sucks

I’m almost three weeks in and I’m way over this. The last few days have been hell. My mouth waters when I see something sweet, carby or laced with GMOs that my jaw actually hurts. HURTS!!!!

get in my belly!

Week one sucked. Week two I was on a protein high. And week three has just sucked. It could be any of the following: my monthly visitor, the death of a PJ, Boston, Waco, being stood up for coffee, being stood up for lunch, or having to go to a stupid 80s party…. but really, I want to blame the food.

The food that I have been eating has been good, don’t get me wrong, but it comes with an hour of creating a grocery list, a 1/2 hour at the commissary, a 1/2 hour at the gate three market, putting the groceries away, pulling them back out, prepping, chopping, sautéing, browning, processing, shredding, juillenning, steaming, crockpotting, serving, eating, tuperwaring and then to top off the day…. cleaning (ok, ok, my husband does most of the cleaning). You get the idea.

It is exhausting.

Since I’m in such a bright and cheery mood, lets talk about: snacks after a kids game. I think its stupid. We shouldn’t reward our kids with crap food. Its dumb, really.

What happened to the days (ugh, those damn 80′s) when a parent brought sliced oranges? I’ll tell you what happened.

scenario 1: A mom wanted to one-up the other moms: Look what so and sos mom brought- fresh doughnuts… yay!!!!
scenario 2: A mom was too “busy” to cut up five oranges and put them in a bowl. Buying capri suns and a bag of chips is “easier”.

Thanks lady. Now I’ve been wracking my brain for three weeks dreading the “snack” game. Last week it was JRs turn. I was still on my protein high and was damned and determined to make it a “healthy” snack. I packed a 100% juice box, cut up oranges and two Easter Reeces Peanut Butter Eggs. Yup. I failed.

For MC I was going to make plantain chips, a Tupperware of guacamole, a water and sliced oranges. I didn’t. I made trail-mix (almonds, pecans, coconut flakes & raspberry M&Ms), a tangerine, a G2 Gatorade and Peanut Butter Cup. Fail- I know.

I’ll tell you why: I’m not ready to be that Mom.

I’m this Mom: CLICK HERE.

Ok, now that we all are laughing… food:

“ripe” plantains

Slice the ends off.
Then slice longish.
Then peel.
Then fry in coconut oil.

Looks like fried bananas.

I went with everdaypaleo.coms recipe for the fried plantains. Out of 7 plantains that I fried… maybe three “chips” were crispy. The others were soft and tasted like fried bananas (which is good-by the way). Makes it tough to “dip” into guac… but it was overall it was pretty darn good meal!!!

taco salad, plantain chips and guac

Tonight is an 80′s party. I hate the 80′s. Seven gin and tonics would really make the night go better. And I really want to throw in the towl and go back to my Monday through Friday paleo living. But, really, what’s 10 more days?

toodles,

jess

GMOs: Cereal. Killers.

15 Apr 2013 2 Comments

by pacificallypaleo in Uncategorized Tags: cult, GMOs, paleo, the Following

GMOs. What are they?!!?!? Where are they?!?!?! I’ve been learning a bit on GMOs since learning about them from my SIL. Recently, I reflected on my high school biology career… I failed biology 2 years in a row. Maybe this isn’t the topic for me. But, then again, you can get information in a video- and I LOVED movie day!

Dont have time for 2 1/2 hours of video? Heres pictures!

6 months ago in California Proposition 37 (required labeling of food products made from GMOs) was axed. $47,000,000 (thats MILLION) was donated to oppose this measure. There has been lots of pictures on facebook with lists of GMO users (the BAD GUYS):

This was sent to Stephanie by her Mom as a pamphlet.

snopes says these companies are not owned by “Monsanto” but these companies use products developed by Monsanto.

Potato: Potato.

Heres the happy list:

Follow me here- I’m going out on a limb… I started watching a new show: The Following. The show is about a serial killer, Joe Carroll, who is the leader of a serial killing cult.

The Monsanto

I have nicknamed Joe Carroll: The Monsanto. Monsanto… cereal?!?! Anyone!?!?? Watch the show, let me know what you think!!!

Ok, back to life, back to reality…

Both of my boys are playing organized basketball. After every game a different parent is in charge of sending the kids home with a snack. First off, why do we need a snack after 16 minutes of exercise and secondly; chips, Gatorade, doughnuts, and granola bars just doesn’t feel like an appropriate “snack”. I’ve called on my facebook homies to help me out on a fun and healthy snack… more to follow!

Tootles.

jess

Whole 30 Day 15

14 Apr 2013 Leave a Comment

by pacificallypaleo in Dining In Tags: okinawa, paleo, paleo cilantro coleslaw

Half way there!!! Woot woot!!! I’m feeling a bit “skinnier”, I’ve had no gas, no more embarrassing tummy rumbles and I wake up in the morning starving. Last night I wanted to make Pineapple and Mango Sweet Hot Wings. I started this recipe at about 3 in the afternoon. I didn’t notice that the sauce took an hour to make or that it would have been best to have it “rest” overnight. For this recipe my kitchen helper and I winged it!

3 bags of chicken drumettes (freezer section by the deli)
1 can of crushed pineapple (1/2 for the sauce, 1/2 for the dip)
1 bottle of sliced mango (across from the eggs)(1/2 for the sauce, 1/2 for the dip)
4 T Sriracha (because there are no jalapenos in this country that have any heat)
1 T minced garlic
1/2 can tomato sauce
1/2 can beef stock
2 T apple cider vinegar
2 t paprika
2 t cayenne
1/2 can coconut milk (for the dip)

I made the sauce with the above ingredients, charred my chicken and placed it all in the crock pot for 3 hours. I stirred it twice. I put the mango, pineapple and coconut milk into a food processor and blended it for the dip- but I left about 3 T of pineapple for the coleslaw. When it was 5:30 I looked at the chicken again. The chicken looked ready, but the thick beautiful sauce had turned watery. I put all the chicken back under the broiler and I put the sauce in a sauce pan on med/high. I brought it to a boil and let it boil for about 15 more minutes until it thickened. Then I plated the chicken and added the thickened sauce ontop. The side was a fresh yummy coleslaw:

Paleo Cilantro Coleslaw

1 cabbage diced
1/4 red onion diced super small
3 T crushed pineapple
2 T Cilantro & Roasted Onion Olive Oil (can use any oil… but maybe not coconut)
2 T Alfoos Mango White Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 c diced cilantro
1/2 lime juiced

Mix it all together, if you have time let it get frisky in the fridge for about an hour.

Spicy Mango Hot Wings, Pina Colada Dip & Paleo Cilantro Coleslaw

Tootles-

jess

Whole 30 day 13

12 Apr 2013 1 Comment

by pacificallypaleo in Crossfit, Dining Out Tags: bovinos, okinawa, scale, weight, whole thirty

Things are going great with the whole 30. But I have been cheating. The first time I cheated it was day 5. I could feel the swelling in my belly go down. My jeans were starting to fit better. I was feeling really good…. so I cheated.

The whole 30 is tough. This is my third attempt!! Refraining from all: sugar (to include artificial sweetener, honey and syrup), alcohol, smoking, grains, legumes (beans), dairy, MSG and processed foods– it’s tough. Its hard. But the last part is the toughest for me: “You are not allowed to step on the scale or take any body measurements for the duration of the program.”

Yes. I’ve weighed myself. Twice. The first time was day 5. My weight dropped 4 pounds in 5 days. 161. Then my mind went on overdrive: what if I lose a pound a day for the next 25 days? The people in the biggest loser do it, maybe I can too! This was also the first day out of the carb-fog and I started “feeling good“… coincedence??? Hmmmm.

Just yesterday a girlfriend finished her first Whole 30. She lost 15 pounds and posted pictures to prove it. She looks ah-mazing!! In my heart I am so proud of her! Her picture was the last thing I looked at when I went to bed last night and I went to bed with a smile on my face…

But then… I woke up.

I hit the snooze button and started wondering how my weight I have lost. I knew I wasnt supposed to weight myself. I even looked at myself in the mirror like a life time move: “You dont want to do this”. I stared at my own raised eyebrow: 163.

I’m disappointed for two reasons: 1. that I couldn’t follow directions and 2. that I havent lost more weight. I PR’d (personal record) my high bar back squat (30#), low bar back squat (20#) AND my snatch (9#)last week… BUT, I also didn’t move on my deadlift, shoulder press or my clean and jerk.

Hmph. That’s all I have to say about that. Oh, and I promise not to weigh myself again until May 1st…. right before I eat a piece of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.

Speaking of carrot cake: my handsome husband (and Whole 30 team mate) and I went on a nice little date night last night! We chose to eat at Bovinos since it’s most compatitble with our eating.

Near Araha Beach!

First off, you can make reservations online!!! I would highly suggest reservations for the weekend! We were seated near the window and chose the buffet option. Being able to eat as soon as you sit down is always a win for me! We went up to the salad bar and it was FILLED (the picture above is from a girlfriend of mine who went there for lunch… I had forgot my camera) with veggies: lettuce, tomatoes, carrots (slightly pickled- YUM!), black olives, sprouts, pickles, spinach, and green beans. Around the corner is where they hid all the carbs: rice and beans. Once we started on our salad the meat came around… and around… and around again! As long as we had our green card showing- the meat kept coming! Once we turned it to red they brought out roasted cinnamon pineapple! Amazing!

Tootles.

jess

pacificallypaleo

A Sunday win

Got Beef?

Whole 30 KISSed goodbye

The Whole 30 SUCKS

GMOs: Cereal. Killers.

Whole 30 Day 15

Whole 30 day 13

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