The final CF7C Paleo Challenge Push! Plus Pina Colada

Okay sports fans, the CrossFit Seven Cities Paleo Challenge is on its last leg of the journey!  I hope that by this point you are fully immersed in the discipline of "conscious eating", and the concept that food CAN TASTE GOOD and be filling even without those (processed) items that we as a nation are conditioned to consume.

I mean think about it - Have you seen any food commercial on TV, including the "Healthy/Dietary/Natural" foods, that isn't processed, or doesn't have at least ONE item that is not Paleo-friendly?  As a nation, we buy what we see, plus all that stuff is SO DARN EASY TO MAKE!

And, oh yeah, let's not forget the FDA's mission to make PIZZA a VEGETABLE so it may be listed on School menus as such.  School menus, for goodness sakes...  Some of the recent foibles of that great "trusted" institution (FDA) have left many questions for me personally, relating to the true intentions of it between "Profit" or "Public Awareness".

And then there's "Life" in general, balancing "what-to-eat" and "when-to-exercise" with work and family; and Social interaction.  My case in point -

Last week was "Restaurant Week" in Virginia Beach and my wife and I, who get to spend precious little time together decided to get out and relax a bit.  We chose a very good local place, "One Fish Two Fish"  and everything was excellent, Ambience, Service and Menu.  But in my "obsession" with staying as close to the Paleo guidelines, I found it very difficult to find any Menu item that did not have a Starch, Grain, or Dairy portion in it.

Now, I "adapted and overcame" to a point, sticking to the meat and veggie part of the appetizer (Locally-made salami, olive tapenade, roasted red peppers, baked Camembert cheese, toasted baguette slices), and requesting no starch with my entree (Grilled Veal "Cowboy" Chop with vegetables).  Hovever, one of the "Veggie" items on my dish was a Stuffed Artichoke over a Portobello Mushroom cap drizzled with a balsamic reduction, and wouldn't you know it, the "Stuffing" had BOURSIN (goat) CHEESE in it!!!!  AT that point of knowledge, I THREW CAUTION TO THE WIND AND ENJOYED EVERYTHING ON MY PLATE!!!!!

My point here it that I am sure that for most of you there have been "Challenges to this Paleo Challenge", but DO NOT DISMAY!!!  You are Strong, and one or two strays off your path are NOT CAUSE for FAILURE!!!

If you maintain awareness of your total dietary plan, finding the right combination of foods when in a "NON-PALEO" setting can be achieved; and the old adage of Getting Back On That Horse after falling off rings true.

Plus, YOU ARE WORKING YOUR TAIL OFF IN THE GYM!  You ARE seeing improvements in your performance, HAVING FUN, FEELING and LOOKING GOOD!!!  I AM CONVINCED that you will see improvements in your "Benchmark" categories after the Challenge's final test.

So, when this challenge is all said and done, look back - reflect, and take note of what really worked for you.  And when "LIFE" continues, I hope you will take the Nutrirional Knowledge you have gained through your own research and use it a a Key tool towards your journey of "Well-Being".

Okay, so here's a recipe that I thought would give a little Tropical feel to the cold and crappy days we are about to have, plus it can be consumed either before or after a workout or anytime!

Pina Colada

Ingredients for ONE

1 cup Almond milk (I use unsweetened)
2 ice cubes
½ cup diced pineapple
¼ cup coconut milk (Now available at your local Harris Teeter store)

Place ingredients into a blender and bend for 1 min.

Thanks for reading my thoughts, I hope you can find something of use in any of my posts.  If you Have any comments I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THEM, anything from content to structure, questions, arguments.  If not that is fine too...  Until the next time:

EAT WELL, AND BE HEALTHY!