I'm Back!

Hello again!  It's been a really long time since I wrote something here.  In my last post I shared a bit about my adventures in "Paleo-ism".  I completed the "Whole30" challenge just a few days early due to low iron levels (something that I had been battling prior to the challenge but never had diagnosed) and severe fatigue.  Aside from the fatigue I felt great and lost 13 lbs but was totally done with continually shopping and cooking.  I celebrated my birthday the day after I ended the challenge and the celebrating kind of kept on going.  I spent most of the spring off and on some sort of healthy eating plan but was struggling to regain focus and find my way again.  Then a funny thing happened after a family trip to the happiest place on earth.

My little family of 3 along with my mom, sister and sister's fiancé went to Disneyland at the beginning of May.  I have to say it was the best vacation I have ever had and although I was thoroughly exhausted by the end of the 8 days I was super sad it was over.  In the weeks since we came back home I really struggled with my emotions, lack of self worth, my eating and depression and anxiety.  It was a horrible blend of so many negative and controlling things and a nasty "chicken and egg" situation.

You know what finally broke that ugly spell?...a trip to the local nursing uniform shop.  I was down right pissed off that very few things fit and the ones that did were boxy and unflattering.  I was pissed that my recent weight gain resulted in needing bigger uniforms.  I was totally pissed off but hey, you know what?  Getting angry motivated me to do something about my eating and emotions.  I put on my big girl panties (literally, lol) and decided to chose my attitude rather than let it consume and control me.  I decided to get out in the sunshine.  I made a conscious decision that the little world around me was going to be more conducive to health, being a better mommy and wife, loving myself and lifting the fog that seemed to block all positive potential.

So, I will now officially say that I am back where I want to be on this journey and my little Sherpas, I hope you can support me with your good thoughts, prayers, smiles...whatever you have to offer.  I in return will share all the good things I learn and discover along the way :)

Cave Mommy?

Hi everyone, I've really been slacking on this blog.  In some ways it's not such a big deal but the reason why I started sharing with you all was to try and help me be more accountable and focused on my health journey.  I have been doing great...have lost 33 pounds since the end of  November (almost 50 in total since September).  I am able to wear my wedding ring again, am down 2 pant sizes, sleep better and feeling great about where I am and where I'm headed.  I try not to get too wrapped up in a goal or a number but rather enjoy the journey along the way.

I am 2.5 weeks into a Paleo clean eating challenge called the "Whole30" and feeling great.   My friend Carrie was the first one who introduced me to the Paleo way of eating.  Being overweight all my adult life and trying many diets, gimmicks, you name it Paleo or eating like a caveman was a concept I didn't get.  No dairy, no sugar (certain sweeteners and clean sugars are allowed), and no grains just seemed too restrictive but as I began to clean up my eating it began to make more sense ( I won't get into the science behind Paleo but there is a ton of info on the Internet).

For the first 5 days or so it was really hard as I was moody, tired, and had one heck of a headache.  I also gave up coffee as I didn't see the point in drinking it if I couldn't have cream or sugar...a caramel macchiato.  After those 5 days things got much better; my belly bloat is gone, I'm sleeping great, I feel mentally clearer and I am now a black coffee drinker!  My family eats the same things I do but on occasion I will make them brown rice to go with our meal and they still consume dairy and bread which is fine.  I think they are eating better just by having all the fresh fruits and veggies in the house.  I do spend a lot of time in the kitchen but I think any time you increase your fruit and veggie intake this is bound to happen.

So for me right now this is working.  This is a weightloss tool in my mind but also it has given me mental and emotional freedom when it comes to food and cravings.  Without sugar I am not having the sugar highs and lows and hypoglycemic crashes.  I survived 5 birthday parties in the past 2 weeks including my son's.  I hope to post a bit more as I continue the Whole30 and share some recipes.

Love a less chubby and happier mommy :)

Not Quite Granola Bars

In my attempt to make a really healthy granola bar I came up with something Magnus actually liked but was supper crumbly.  My living room floor shows evidence of both, lol.  So this is attempt number 2 and and it is kind of a cross between a cake and a granola bar.  Also it is nut free, gluten free, and playdate friendly.


This super easy recipe requires one bowl and one 9x13 pan.  Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and let it sit for a few minutes.  Add the larger quantities of raisins and maple syrup if you want this sweeter.  These squares are tasty but offer more of a "wholesome" sweetness.  Bake in a greased pan; 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until the edges get a deep toasty brown colour.

I had a portion of this tonight with a protein and some fruit for my post yoga dinner and it was great.  Enjoy :)

The Recipe:

3 cups instant oats

1 cup hemp hearts

1/2 cup chia seeds

1 cup flax meal (ground flax)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tbs vanilla

1.5 tsp baking soada

1/2-3/4 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup apple sauce

1/4 cup grape seed 

2 eggs 

1/2-3/4 cup raisins

Deconstructed Cabbage Rolls

My husband and I tried something new this past week for date night.  Usually we end up going for dinner and a movie but this past Wednesday we went to Bikram Yoga (hot yoga) and I loved it!  Jay had gone before Magnus was born but with becoming a parent it was one or those things that fell by the wayside.  I assumed I would not fit in or feel welcome in an environment filled with super fit, Lululemon, Barbie dolls and I was totally wrong.  I've gone once more on my own and although I'm still very sore I am so happy to have found an activity Jay and I can do together or on our own and one that doesn't include a treadmill.


This recipe is more of a creative effort to clean out the leftovers in my fridge and satisfy my craving for cabbage and onions (I must be hormonal or something, lol).  I have never made cabbage rolls but from what I have tasted in the past this includes many of the things this recipe is known for.

Begin by sautéing the onions in a bit of oil or butter (I used a bit of homemade Ghee) until translucent.  Next I added the cabbage and continued to sauté in the frying pan on low-med/med heat.  Once the cabbage is nicely wilted and the volume has decreased a fair bit I added the pepper, paprika, and vinegar and cooked the mix a bit longer.


To plate this I put a generous base of the cabbage/onion mixture and sprinkled a bit of brown rice over top and finished with the meat sauce.  In making this meal I had leftover brown rice and tomato meat sauce so it came together really fast and easily.  Also with watching my carb/grain intake this was an easy way to portion things according the my model of healthy eating.

The Recipe:

2 medium onions cut in quarters then thinly sliced

1/2-3/4 Savoy cabbage head sliced (think coleslaw sized)

1-2 Tbs white or apple cider vinegar

1/4 Tsp Paprika (smoked or regular)

Cooked brown rice (leftover or a small pot full)

Tomato meat sauce thinned out if you like with water or additional tomato sauce

Pepper to taste

Warm Butternut and Beet Salad

Well, I am very happy to say I made it through the holidays with a weight loss!  I did indulge a bit but overall kept my healthy momentum.  We had a quiet, relaxing Christmas and New Years with lots of time together as a family.  I'm sure many of you have seen recipes similar to the one I'm posting below but this is my spin on it and what I had for lunch today.


On a cookie sheet in a 450 degree oven I roasted the butternut squash and beets (cut to a bite sized dice).  I added a bit of olive oil to the veggies first and did a good toss.  I roasted until the veggies were tender which was 20-30 minutes (sometimes I find beets take a while to cook this way).  While the veggies were roasting I toasted the walnuts in a dry nonstick pan until they started to brown and smell nice and toasty.  Once cooled off a bit I coarse chopped the walnuts.

For the dressing I mixed the basalmic, olive oil and Italian seasoning.  I have a Tupperware salad shaker thing that worked great for this.  Finally I added all the ingredients and tossed to mix.  This is great both warm and cold.  Sweet potatoes (the orange ones) and acorn squash would also be great added or substituted in this recipe.  Also I didn't add any salt as the feta has plenty and the Italian seasoning had a bit as well, you may choose to add salt and pepper to taste.

The Recipe:

1/2 of a medium butternut squash (2-2.5 cups diced)

3 medium beets (1.5 cups diced)

1 Tbs olive oil

1 Tbs balsamic vinegar

1/2 Tsp Italian seasoning (I used Epicure Italian salad dressing seasoning but any dry seasoning mix you prefer would be fine)

1/2 cup Feta cheese

1/2 cup walnuts toasted

Salt and pepper to taste 

Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites

With a picky toddler in the house I am constantly trying to come up with snacks that are not processed, not loaded with sugar and nutritious.  It can be so frustrating.  We had some friends over today and although everyone seemed to like these Magnus did not.  "Sigh", but I will share the recipe because I'm sure most of you will enjoy it.


I used a food processor for this recipe and it was so easy.   The dates I had on hand were a bit dry so I added them to the coconut oil when I melted the oil in the microwave.  Add all ingredients to the bowl of the processor and turn it on to low for a bit until the ingredients look like they are well incorporated.  At this point I scraped down the sides and bottom and blitzed it a bit longer.

The picture below is what your mixture should look like.  I took out the blade and put the bowl in the fridge to let the mixture firm up a bit then rolled into desired sized balls and placed them back in the fridge.

I would store these in the fridge.  If you like these could be rolled in fine coconut or chopped almonds...pecans can also be used in place of the almonds in this recipe.  I ended up with 18 one inch balls and these are a great portable snack.

The Recipe:

1/3 cup melted coconut oil

1/2 cup dates pitted (they do not need to be pre-chopped)

1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree

1/4-1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/2 cup almond meal or flour

1/2 cup instant or quick oats