Eat Clean Paleo Recipes: Pumpkin Waffles with Maple Glazed Apple Slices #eatclean #glutenfree #dairyfree

I am challenging myself in 2013 to tackle on my new Paleo diet head on!  The only problem is, I don't have any clue how to cook any Paleo meals.  I originally thought that I would only be eating egg whites and meat every morning! Not very exciting if you ask me.  However, after researching many Paleo websites and books, there is so much variety when it comes to meals!  I had never even heard of coconut flour which is apparently a great substitute in Paleo baking.  I now feel that this diet can be possible and not boring!!
So one of my first ever Paleo recipes was from PaleOMG, Pumpkin Apple Spice Waffles.  Luckily, I had a can of pumpkin puree in my cupboard for this scrumptious breakfast treat.  Overall, I would say that these waffles turned out pretty good.  They fell apart a bit when I opened the waffle maker because both sides were stuck.  However, I did manage to get the back together.  When I topped them with the baked, glazed apples, it was the icing on the cake.  I dare you to give these a try!  Go the PaleOMG for the recipe!  And to make it extra Paleo, add some egg whites or meat to your meal!

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Mom, Fitness and Hormones Update - #Paleo Diet in 2013 #sweatpink #fitfluential

It is Paleo diet for me in 2013!  Since succumbing to ill health this past year, I have learned so much about how foods can affect your overall health.  In the Western world, we have all been introduced to the Canadian or American Food Guides that state the foods and portions we need to eat for optimal health benefits.  But the truth is that our society is still plagued with serious diseases and these food recommendations are not helping overcome this.  What is even more disturbing is that they could be contributing to our ill health.
Until this past year when my body became extremely toxic, I had enjoyed consuming high carbs and dairy products as is greatly emphasized in the food guides.  However, I was 30 lbs. over my normal weight and my health was deteriorating.  It wasn't until I eliminated those foods from my diet that I started to see great improvements in my overall health.  My extra weight was starting to come off and I had more energy than ever before.  I started to enjoy exercising again, which I didn't have the motivation for when I was unhealthy. 

So naturally, I had gravitated to the Paleo diet and have vurrently started to implement these changes in my meals.  I think the thought of eliminating grains and dairy in our Western culture can seem like a challenge, but it is actually quite simple.  There are many Paleo recipe books, blogs and websites that can assist anyone in making this change.  I know that I am not a nutritionist or dietitian so I can't make the claim that this is the diet for you.  However, if you have had ill health or weight problems and they have been impossible to overcome, then perhaps trying a Paleo diet may help you over that hurdle.  From this past year, I know that making a drastic diet change is not easy (because nothing in life is ever easy).  But there are many resources on the Internet at your disposal.  You just have to take the plunge and commit.  I know I will!

Paleo Diet Lifestyle - http://paleodietlifestyle.com/

My Eat Clean Pantry Group Will Be Starting in January 2013!

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What's In Your Cupboard? Coconut Milk #dairyfree #sweatpink #fitfluential

I believe many of us health nuts have all heard about Coconut Milk.  I always see a variety of new Coconut Milk products in most grocery and health food stores.  It is surprising when I share this with friends and family that they have never heard of it or its benefits over cow's milk. There are so many advantages to including Coconut Milk as a substitute for dairy:

• Dairy-Free: Coconut Milk is another alternative for those who need to stay away from cow's milk because of intolerances, vegan or paleo lifestyles.  It is also seems to be a better alternative than soy milk, since there has been so much controversy around the health benefits of soy.  In addition, it also tastes amazing! I also like it better than rice milk, because rice milk has such a thin consistency.
• Medium Chain Fatty Acids: Even though Coconut Milk does have a higher content of saturated fats than skim milks, it is actually more readily absorbed by the body.  It acts as a great energy source and has less adverse affects on the body than long chained fatty acids (LCFAs).  It is rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) that do not increase the risk of atherosclerosis or high HDL-Cholesterol. There is also some evidence that it is helpful for weight maintenance after following a restrictive diet.
• Baking: I also find Coconut Milk great for baking since it has a thick, creamier consistency.  It is great dairy-free substitute for soups and cookies

Some of my most common uses for Coconut Milk are:

Protein Smoothies:

• 1 Cup of Coconut Milk
• 1 Cup of Rice Milk (if you want to lessen the amount of saturated fat in your smoothie)
• 1/2 Cup Frozen Fruit
• 2 Scoops of Vega Protein Power

Blend together and enjoy

Chai Lattes:

• 1/2 Cup of Coconut Milk
• 1/2 Cup of Water
• 2 Tbsp. of Chai Latte Loose Leaf Tea

Combine and bring to a boil in a saucepan.  Strain.  If you have a milk frother, you can froth the coconut milk to make a frothy topping!

Coconut Milk Yogurt:

 Coconut Milk Yogurt can be used as an alternative to cow's milk yogurt.  It can be a great topper for oatmeal or granola.  It is also great on its own topped with fruit!

Is Coconut Milk In Your Cupboard? 
Please share some of the ways you use Coconut Milk in your diet!  I could always learn more!!

References:
The Bioavailability of Saturated Fats in Coconut Milk - LiveStrong
http://www.westonaprice.org/know-your-fats/skinny-on-fats

For anyone in #Canada, my Eat Clean Pantry Group Will Be Starting in 2013! #sweatpink #runchat

My new Eat Clean Pantry Group will be starting in January 2013! More details to come after Christmas! Until then, eat to your hearts content! Afterwards, join me and start your Eat Clean New Year's Resolution in 2013!

This is available to anyone living in Canada.

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Picking Myself Up and Gettin' Back To It #runchat #sweatpink

 (Me at our hotel, Flamingo)

Well...after my trip wonderful trip to Vegas with my husband, I have come back with a renewed sense of self.  As some of you know, I was unable to run in the Rock n'Roll Half Marathon due to injury and my nagging health issues (Candida and IBS).  It was so hard for me to watch the race going on while watching from the sidelines.  I had felt so close to achieving this goal of mine to run a half marathon since having children.  Instead my health had gone from okay to worse again over the fall, and I just couldn't justify training for the half marathon when I felt so poorly.  However, taking this much needed break has been a time for me to focus on getting better slowly and not rushing my body into something it is not ready for quite yet.  I realized that I needed to give myself a chance for my body to heal through this difficult year of poor health.  I must say, that it has paid off because that is exactly what I needed.

(Rock n'Roll Marathon in Las Vegas)

One of the best moments of the trip to Vegas, was to re-connect with my husband without our children with us.  This is the first time in 7 years we had taken a trip together for more than a couple of days.  We appreciated having this time to relax throughout the day and do anything we wanted whenever we wanted!  It is a luxury that you don't appreciate very often before you have children.  My husband Mickey and I had a wonderful time eating breakfasts outside in the warm weather as well as watching magnificent shows in the evenings.  And, of course, we had to do a little shopping (LOL).  So the trip did not feel like a waste for me since we didn't run in the race.  It was a chance for us to have time to ourselves, and we took full advantage of it!

 (A relaxing breakfast with my husband outside the Paris hotel in Las Vegas)

So now, with 2013 fast approaching, it is time to re-focus and get back to my game plan.  I am hoping to take time this winter to work on core and strengthening exercises to get ready for the spring running season.  I have a few running events in sight for next year.  One is running in a trail run in the Alberta mountains as well as registering the Las Vegas half marathon next year in December.  Of course, there will be several that I will be running in throughout the year that I will announce in 2013.  I am most excited about getting together with my mom's running group!  I sure miss those Saturday mornings getting together with other moms, as we share our fitness goals as well as life in general (and that after run coffee time).  I am not sure what this year will hold for me health wise, but you go to always have hope to keep yourself going!

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