Shamrock Shake + Paleo Round 2!

Top of the morning to you!!

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Happy St. Patrick's day!! Hope you are all wearing your green!
I woke up this morning with a 15 mile training run on schedule. I met up with a few friends and ran a little over 8 with them before I had to cut it short due to pain in my foot and make it back to the gym in time to teach Body Pump. I arrived back at the gym with a little less then 20 minutes till class started so I went up to the treadmill and finished for an even 10. My foot/hip is still bothering me enough to make me limp. I came home and iced and rolled and it feels a little better, but I’m thinking I need to just step back a little before it gets worse.
I did look forward to coming home and making this delicious recovery shake!
SHAMROCK SHAKE

Ingredients:

• 1.5 C. Almond breeze Vanilla unsweetened milk
• 1 Scoop Vanilla whey isolate protein
• 2 tsp. Lime Jell-o powder (fat free-sugar free)
• 1 banana
• 7-8 ice cubes
• 1 handful of spinach

Directions:
Blend all ingredients together in blender.

*The key to this delicious little lime drink is  the lime jell-o!

This made enough to fill my cup TWICE!
ENJOY!
My Paleo Experience Round 2

Did you eat a lower fat paleo to get so lean?
When I started paleo, yes- I would probably have about half of the recommended serving of fat per meal. After the first month or so I turned to higher fat and that is when I fell in love with freshly grounded almond butter. It has now become my staple and I still eat about half a frozen banana with almond butter pre-workout every day! I also started having olive oil in my veggies and half a avocado in my salads. While I was doing paleo, It was through race season last year, so I was running, swimming, biking, AND teaching. I would do multiple workouts during the day (not everyday) so I discovered that my body performed better if I consumed higher fat.
Isn’t consuming to much fat lead to weight gain?
If you eat to much of anything it leads to weight gain. To many grams of carbs, protein, or fat can lead to weight gain. Consuming healthy fats actually burns fat. Paleo is high in fat. I believe it is designed that way to put the body into a ketosis state (Use fat for energy instead of carbs). But you have to pay attention to the carb intake from fruit and veggies to actually reach that state. Its all about finding a balance for your body and what works for you.
Did you count calories while on paleo?
Not really. I didn’t keep a log or journal, but I was mindful of it. Depending on the level of my training days, high or low. High days were probably around 1900 cal. and low days 1500 cal. Give or take. High days I would make sure to consume more carbs, (fruit, sweet potatoes) compared to low days.
That is just what I found out that worked best for me and my body, performance, energy level etc.
What was the hardest thing you had to give up during paleo?
There was a few… GF oatmeal, PEANUT BUTTER, Greek yogurt.
Do you really think paleo is the way everyone should eat?
I never said that.. but no, everybody is different and has different needs. I do think everyone should eat all natural foods and avoid processed food and refined sugars. I don’t think everyone necessarily needs to eat paleo. If you already eat healthy then stick with it. “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” Its always fun to try something different though just to see how your body responds. Take it as a challenge, something to work for. If it will make you feel better about yourself, then why not?
Would you do paleo again?
Yes, In fact I had a few friends ask me questions following round 1 of my paleo experience and we are going to take on the whole 30 challenge!
If you want to join in on the fun I’ll be more then happy to fill you in on the details. More people the better! Especially when friends take it on, it somehow makes it a little easier with some accountability… and the fact that if we mess up anytime during those 30 days we have to do 100 burpees or 300 kb swings each time. (We start MONDAY March 19, 2012)
What are the Pros and Cons of Paleo?
Pro-  (MY opinion)

• It encourages you to eat healthy, whole natural foods at EVERY meal
• Weight loss
• Muscle gain
• Higher energy
• Less cravings
• Consumed MORE water.
• Learn how to prepare healthier meals, Learn more about how your body responds to “real food.”
• Teaches a healthier lifestyle.

Con- (Also, MY opinion)

• It can get a little pricey, take advantage of farmers markets/bountiful baskets. You need to prepare. Make grilled chicken, boil eggs, steam veggies in bulk to just have on hand in your fridge at all times. Makes for quick and easy meals.
• Once your done with the diet ease back into grains and/or dairy slowly. I have a very sensitive stomach to certain grains and dairy now. Bloat, nauseous etc. I enjoy a fro-yo or a chobani every now and then because I love it but I know I will end up with a stomachache later. Consider that a warning? Ha!
• Its not exactly ideal in today’s world, or convenient unless your prepared. Parties, date nights, family dinners etc. can get a little hard, especially when you have to check labels, ask questions and explain yourself to others when they ask questions.

Q. Any IRISH heritage out there? What is your St. Paddy’s day tradition?
Q. Long run today? HOW was it?