Mid-Twenties Habit Breaking

[florry]

I am 25year old living in New York so I am constantly surrounded by social boozefests, excessive brunching and dinners out. Originally from Ireland I have packed on quite a lot of weight since arriving here over a year ago. I was a chubby kid but lost it all in my teens and had an organic diet, quite similar to the Paleo diet before I even knew what it was. Since moving here my habits have change completely, I no longer prepare and cook food at home, I have a lot of sugar, alcohol and caffeine in my diet. I have not been exercising as regularly as I used to and my fitness has really gone downhill, before I arrived here I had just completed a half marathon, now I can barely do a 5miler. So it's definitely time for a lifestyle overhaul and I am loving this website for all the support at offers and the daily newsletter. 

 

I have been on the Paleo diet for 9 days now and I am feeling a bit more in control of my eating habits. I am also 25days off cigarettes, which in my eyes is a bigger achievement, Yay for healthy lungs!!!! My daily patterns are all dependent on my work week, I work in a bar as a server so I end up eating very late in the evening sometime, the days I will work late I have to eat breakfast later also.

 

Day 9 - Monday -

Working @ the Bar 3.30pm - Close 11/12am

 

Breakfast - 2 egg in garlic and oil with a side of cucumber and apricot from our local garden produce bag! (10.30 pm)

MId-Morning Black Iced Coffee Break (12noon)

Lunch - Chicken Salad - chicken, greens and 1 boiled egg (3pm)

Dinner - Summer Salad - Arugula, peaches, macadamia nut, radishes (10.30)

[eronn_actually]

Good for you for quitting smoking!  That is a huge achievement!

 

I'm in the same boat as you - I used to cook for myself a lot, and was in a good exercise routine, and then I got a great social life and my healthy habits fell to the wayside.

 

Your eggs look very yummy!

[Colleen Roy]

Congratulations on quitting smoking! You are on the right path now! You might want to make sure that you add some protein to your salads? Nuts don't count as a protein source. Good luck!

[florry]

Thanks for the heads up Colleen, I know I should add more but I just don't like eating too much at that time of night! I got home from work at 11.30 pm last night and had a 5am start with my Crossfit class, I find when I eat late I am more tired in the morning than when I have something lighter. 

 

I'm feeling good this morning, day 10 and my email this morning was about my 3 'go to' meals. My easy dishes are

1. poached eggs, sauté spinach,garlic and tomato confit

2. Meatballs and Roasted Vegetables

3. Salmon, asparagus and avocado

 but I'm a little bored with them as I have been cooking these since college so I want to leave my cooking comfort zone and try new, easy go to recipes.....although it may defeat the purpose, I want to learn new dishes!

So taken from paleomg.com,http://paleomg.com/simple-shrimp-salad/, my go to this week will be;

 

 

1. Asian Chicken Salad 

For the salad

• .5 chicken, cooked, cooled and chopped
• 1/8 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
• 1/8 cup green cabbage, thinly sliced
• ¼ white onion, thinly sliced
• 1 small carrot, minced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• chopped green onions, to garnish
• 1 tablespoon sliced almonds, to garnish

For the asian mayo

• 1/4 cup avocado oil
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

 

 

Instructions

1. In a tall container, add egg, lemon juice, dijon mustard, garlic powder, and a bit of salt and pepper. Place your immersion blender to the bottom of the container, turn on and wait until the mixture thickens. You may need to raise the immersion blender a bit to help mix all of the oil.
2. Then use a spoon to mix in sesame oil
3. Place in refrigerator to cool.
4. While the mayo cools, mix together the chicken, cabbage, onion, carrot, and celery in a large bowl.
5. Then place sliced almonds in a small skillet over medium heat to toast. The will just need to toast for about 5-7 minutes until slightly browned. And toasty. Mmmm.
6. Add all of the mayo to the chicken salad ingredients and mix well.
7. Garnish with toasted almonds and green onions.

2. Simple Shrimp Salad 

 

• 1 egg, hard boiled, peeled, and chopped
• 1 cups cooked and peeled shrimp, chopped
• 1 green apple, cored and diced
• 1/4 red onion, diced
• 1 stalks of celery, diced
• ¼ cup ground dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon parsley (I used dried, fresh is the best though)
• ½ teaspoon thyme (I used dried, fresh is the best though)
• ½ teaspoon basil (I used dried, fresh is the best though)
• salt and pepper

 

 

Instructions

1. First boil your eggs. Add three eggs to a small saucepan filled with water, place over high heat and let boil for 15 minutes. Then put eggs in cold water and let cool. Then peel and chop and add to a large bowl.
2. Then chop your cooked shrimp, green apple, red onion, and celery and add to the bowl with eggs.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl and mix well.

 

 

3. Citrus Salmon Berry Salad with Sweet Curried Pecans

 

 

 

• 1 large piece of salmon
• large handful of spinach
• large handful of arugula
• handful of mixed berries
• â…“ cherry tomatoes
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• â…› teaspoon cayenne pepper
• dash of salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the dressing

• 1 large orange, juice
• â…“ cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• â…› teaspoon garlic powder
• pinch of salt and pepper

For the sweet curried pecans

• 1/4 cup pecans, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• couple dashes of curry powder
• dash of cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• sliced avocado to top

 

 

Instructions

1. Turn your grill on! Yay grill!
2. Place your spinach, arugula, blackberries, blueberries, and tomatoes in a large bowl.
3. In a smaller bowl, add your dressing ingredients and whisk together.
4. Now, plop your salmon onto a piece of foil, top with olive oil then with garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper.
5. Take the pieces of foil running lengthwise and pull them to the center of the salmon and pinch the foil together and fold on to close. Then roll up the open sides. Pretty much do anything so the foil packet is closed.
6. Place salmon on the grill and let cook for about 8-12 minutes or until salmon is cooked to your preference.
7. While the salmon is cooking, make your candied pecans.
8. Add a tablespoon of coconut oil to a small skillet and place over medium heat.
9. Add your pecans and use a spatula to move the pecans around (the will burn quite quickly).
10. Once the pecans begin to brown just a bit (3-5 minutes) add your honey, then your curry powder, cinnamon and salt and mix to combine.
11. Once the ingredients are well incorporated, remove from heat and place on plate to let cool.
12. When your salmon is done cooking, place on top of your salad and top with candied pecans, then drizzle with dressing. Avocado on top never hurt anyone.

Day 10

(Working 10.30 am - 9pm)

 

Crossfit 5.50 am - 7am

Breakfast - 2 meatballs, saute greens in garlic and coconut oil (8.00)

Mid Morning Coffee - (noon)

Lunch -Chicken salad + boiled egg(3pm)

Dinner -Lamb Salad - moroccan spiced lambe tenderloins with a side salad(9pm)

[Colleen Roy]

I hear you on not wanting to eat anything too heavy when you get home so late! What about a hard boiled egg? I keep a Tupperware container of grilled chicken thighs in the fridge all the time. They aren't too big, but provide much needed protein quickly. I would think if you aren't able to eat meal 3 till that late and then you are getting up for a 5:00 CrossFit WOD, you would definitely benefit from the added protein before bed.

Thanks for sharing those recipes! They look delicious! Asian salad will be on my list to try next week!

[eronn_actually]

I think it's great to try new recipes while you're on the Whole30, as long as they're compliant!  While you do need some easy meals you can make in a pinch, if you have no variety you'll probably get bored with what you're eating.  Even though I'm usually a creature of habit and have no problem eating the same meals over and over, I'm finding that since I'm already cutting out so much food, the more variety I can get during the 30 days, the better.

[florry]

Thanks Coleen for the tip, I really do think pre cooked food is a must with my schedule, I will definitely try the had boiled eggs and chicken! Variety, I definitely agree with you on that i'm going to try out new recipes on a weekly basis, I new dish a week would love any suggestions!

 

Sorry if this listing get annoying but I like to keep track for myself!

 

Breakfast - Mango, blueberry and Almond butter Smoothie (no animal protein cause I was rushing @ 10.30)

MId Morning Coffee

Lunch- Salmon Fillet, walnuts and salad(3pm)

Mid afternoon coffee

Dinner- 2 meatballs in sauted vegetable with balsamic vinegar(10pm)