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Tag Archives: paleo

becoming a meat eater

12 Tuesday Feb 2013

Posted by Corey in February 2013, Food, Self Reflection

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

community, eating, family, food, food story, me, paleo, self-love, soulful

old things

delicious smells

raw yum

lothar and zen

I’ve struggled with eating meat. I was a vegetarian for many years and almost completely vegan for a time as well. I have always been extremely empathetic towards those things in the world that are smaller or more innocent than myself — rescuing turtles from busy streets and finding stray cats safe forever homes. Eating animals just felt wrong for a long time. I have always adored my fruits and veggies, so why eat all that flesh ripped from unknown bodies, wrapped in plastic and tossed in anonymous store coolers? I chose not to for a very long time and that decision felt right and good.

When my gluten-free journey began four years ago I eliminated wheat from my diet, but continued to rely heavily on grains — oatmeal at breakfast, quinoa salad at lunch, rice pasta at dinner. I couldn’t figure out why my weight continued to fluctuate so dramatically or why my stomach still hurt so often. Why was I bloated all the time? Why did my joints ache so much? Why couldn’t I sleep and why did my skin break out all the time? I was a busy mama of four very young children so I was just doing what I had to do to get through each exhausting day. I felt like I was already making more educated food choices than so many other people — I’d read Michael Pollan’s Omnivores Dilemma and Marion Nestle’s Food Politics — that this must just be how I had to live. I knew about good food, didn’t I? I ate organically when our budget allowed. We didn’t go out often. So, why was I still so sick?

This past year has been one of extraordinary discovery for me personally and for our family as a whole. We have gone through a great stripping away of old habits, unnecessary clutter and a complete reevaluation of what feels right and good. Beyond releasing the unnecessary tangibles, this journey has also been about releasing thoughts and behaviors that no longer serve a positive purpose in our lives. I finally decided, after examining so much internal struggle, that it was time to feel better. I finally came to the realization that I deserve to feel better. That I am worthy of health.

With the encouragement of my husband and the support of my dearest soul sister, I quietly sought out the guidance of a holistic-minded GI specialist. It took me a few unpleasant visits to cold and impersonal offices to finally find someone with whom I connected. Someone whom I could trust with my body. My doctor now is young and energetic and perfect for me. He really listens and doesn’t rush. I can exhale when he is in the room. I can share my secrets — my deep dark I-don’t-share-them-with-anyone secrets. I didn’t realize what a burden I had been carrying around until I finally shrugged it off and looked at it. Until my doctor and I examined it from the inside and the outside. Until we had talked about it and tested it. Until I finally, with deep relief, I accepted it.

My doctor has guided me through some very western medical procedures, removing  a precancerous growth from my colon and eliminated certain diagnoses. But he has also, with equal grace, guided me to a new way of eating and nourishing my body. He encouraged me to try a new way of feeding this one and only body I will ever have — this unique and amazing vessel that carries my soul on its journey. This body that is teaching me oh, so many lessons. My doctor, and that soul sister of mine, they knew what I needed.

Paleo — No grains, no dairy, no legumes, no refined sugar, very little caffeine or alcohol.

Eat like a cavewoman? Eat meat at almost every meal? No sugar? No more creamy hummus? No more steaming soy lattes from Starbucks? No more fresh crunchy corn on the cob? Gulp. It has taken me a good long while to wrap my head around such a drastic shift in my eating habits. Although my intuition had been gently guiding me in this direction for a while, I was still holding on to so much fear. I realized that I was fearful of being well. Wow. I believed that I deserved to be unwell. I believed that I deserved to suffer. Again… Wow.

No more and never again.

I believe now that I deserve to be healthy and strong and well. I deserve to have energy. I deserve to have a significant amount of our family resources devoted to me — to my belly, to my body, to my piece of mind. If I am to be a leader of young spirits. If I am to be an example and a role model to my children, they need to see me care for myself with respect and integrity. They need to see me make myself a priority. They need to see me thrive.

This is where a larger-than-life, belly laughing, lederhosen wearing German butcher named Lothar begins to walk with me on my journey. A friend of ours introduced us and we formed a fast friendship. Isn’t it so easy and so joyful when kindred spirits connect? Lothar helps me feel okay with eating meat again. More than okay, in fact, he makes me feel honored to be part of this food chain. He knows each and every farmer from whom he gathers his meat. He has visited their farms and has seen the lives these animals live — they live in open pastures and fresh straw. They eat the grasses and the forage they are meant to. They are allowed to grow naturally and unhurriedly. They are respected and cared for with loving attention. They know no fear or suffering

Every Saturday, in a new and happy family ritual, we travel a couple of towns west to the Purcellville Community Market. There, among the antiques and soaps and pickles, we find Lothar with his coolers of freshly processed meat. He makes almost any meat product you can imagine — smokey bacon, spicy sausages, savory roasts. He saves us extra pieces of our favorite speck and offers us special cuts and previously untried delicacies. (I may eat liver for the first time this spring, when, Lothar promises me, it tastes the most delicious.) I trust him, too, with my body. He respects the animals he butchers. He feeds me and my family food raised purely and cleanly and locally. Food I can feel good about eating.

So for now, and for as long as it feels right and good, I will be a meat eater. My skin is clear, my sleep is restful and rejuvenating, my belly is finally at peace and the endless bloating is gone. My weight is completely stable for the first time in my adult life. My joints are more supple. I am eating more and feeling more nourished than I ever have at any time previously in my life. My moods are more even and so are the moods of my children. We all feel better eating this way. My relationship with food feels different now — more positive, more relaxed, more joyful.

Paleo works for us.

I am a meat eater.

~~~

Have you struggled to feel worthy of good health or longed for an easier relationship with food? If you feel called to share, I encourage you to leave a comment, to tell us your story… We all have one.

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(paleo) apple cinnamon muffins

08 Friday Feb 2013

Posted by Corey in February 2013, Food

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Tags

baking, dairy free, food, gluten free, grainfree, paleo, recipe

granny smith goodness

ooey gooey yum

I posted an image of these yummy treats on Instagram and was almost immediately asked for the recipe. So, voilà! I decided to share it here with you and with my Instagram family — all who might want a little more paleo goodness in their lives. These muffins are actually a variation of my (paleo) blueberry bread and are delightfully quick and easy to whip up. Today was cold and rainy and gray so I made these this afternoon to warm up my kitchen. What smells more heavenly than the scent of warm apples and cinnamon wafting from the oven? Not much, in my opinion. Not much.

~~~

2 cups almond flour
4 large eggs
2 Tbsp raw honey
1 Tbsp all natural vanilla extract
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 large Granny Smith apple diced and lightly sauteed (I used a bit of coconut oil)

A. Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk thoroughly to eliminate any clumps (almond flour is very moist compared to conventional wheat flour)

B. Combine wet ingredients and mix thoroughly

C. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients mixing until combined

D. Stir in cooled apples

E. Place batter into a greased (we use coconut oil) muffin pan and bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean

F. Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes then gently pop then out, top with homemade coconut butter and serve!

makes about one dozen muffins

coconut make it even better

These muffins were inspired by a recipe I found here.

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(paleo) blueberry bread

04 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by Corey in February 2013, Food

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

baking, dairy free, food, gluten free, grain free, nourish, paleo, wellness

hot from the oven

moist and delicious

I have a very sensitive belly and am on an ever-evolving journey with food. It has taken me many years to learn how to hear what my body is telling me. Now I listen very carefully and heed its messages. My body has a lot of very strong opinions. For now, and for as long as it feels good and right, I am choosing to avoid grains, legumes, dairy and refined sugar (a bit of raw honey or pure maple syrup is a rare treat). I have also released my caffeine habit and only occasionally enjoy a glass of my very favorite red wine. The popular name for this style of eating is Paleo or Primal. I am not married to those labels, understanding that this works well for me now, but that I need to remain in awareness of my body.

Many people, when they first learn of my dietary choices, immediately ask me, “What can you eat?” I can eat oh, so many things — delicious local and sustainably raised meats that we purchase from Lothar, our artisanal butcher, every Saturday morning at the farmers market. I can eat every sort of fruit or vegetable offered at the family owned organic health food store we visit excitedly every few days. I can eat raw nuts and seeds. I can eat coconut milk and dark chocolate and bacon. I can eat well, very well.

By releasing my attachment to grains, a whole new world of alternative “flours” and baking techniques is slowly being discovered in my kitchen. Although the bulk of my diet consists mainly of simple, whole foods prepared and eaten with their natural integrity disturbed as little as possible, there are times when nothing will satisfy my cravings but a hot stack of pancakes or a slice of warm bread. My soul still calls for the comfort foods of its past. My intention is to nourish my spirit with the familiar smells and tastes and textures of the food it craves, but to do so with ingredients that facilitate a healthy and strong vessel for its journey.

This recipe for (paleo) quick bread is one of my very favorites. It is simple and delicious and my children gobble it up — a most perfect of combinations. I made this particular batch with frozen wild blueberries, but any sort of berry you enjoy would work equally as well. Fresh organic raspberries are especially divine. Enjoy!

~~~

2 cups almond flour
4 large eggs
2 Tbsp raw honey
1 Tbsp all natural vanilla extract
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 cup berries of your choice

A. Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk thoroughly to eliminate any clumps (almond flour is very moist compared to conventional wheat flour)

B. Combine wet ingredients and mix thoroughly

C. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients mixing until combined

D. Stir in the berries of your choice

E. Place batter into a greased (we use coconut oil) loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean

F. Cool in the pan for about 30 minutes then gently pop it out, slice and serve!

on my counter

This quick bread was inspired by a muffin recipe I found here.

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yummy, yummy smoothies!

17 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by Corey in Food, January 2013

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Tags

dairy free, food, gluten free, grain free, health, paleo, recipe, wellness

~Slurpin’ Strawberry~

slurpin' strawberry

1 cup chilled raw coconut water
1 cup sparkling spring water
1 apple with skin on, cut into chunks
3 cups frozen strawberries

garnish with a few frozen blueberries.

~~~

Recently, with my health declining and my soul aching I made the hard decision, with the support of a wonderful holistic minded gastroenterologist, to embrace a new way of nourishing my body. This change means being even more intentional with the food choices I make. Now I choose only simple, real, whole foods for my belly — no grains, no legumes, no refined sugar, no dairy. I have never felt more well. My body feels fully nourished for the first time in years. I can sleep again and keep up with my children (most of the time). My skin is clearer and my eyes are brighter. I know when I am hungry and I know when I am full. I am no longer in pain. This just feels right.

I begin most days breaking my nightly fast with a light and refreshing smoothie. I like to ease into my digestive day and these simple treats are easy to make, yummy and packed with nutrition. Jarl has become my smoothie buddy and my most dedicated taste tester. We love tossing interesting combinations of fruits and veggies in our new Vitamix and tasting the delicious results. “Maybe baby kale next time? Oh, I think this needs pears! I really do like coconut water!” Green smoothies have been especially revolutionary for us. Even those of us with the most discerning of palates will slurp these down with delight. We are so excited to have discovered another way to enjoy the abundance of local winter greens we can’t resist buying at the farmer’s market. So good.

I have encountered a lot of curiosity about my new way of eating, so I thought you might enjoy a few of our very favorite smoothie recipes. These smoothies are a wonderful way to experience nourishment in a new way and I encourage you to give them a try. This is real, honest and whole food at its very best. Simply toss everything in a good quality blender, pour a glass for everyone and enjoy!

We use the the highest quality ingredients we can find (and afford) — sourcing as many local and organic ingredients as we can. Chia seeds tend to be expensive, but we have found that they are very reasonably priced at Costco (of all places!).

~~~

~Pumpkin Goodness~ 

image (1)

1 can coconut milk (we prefer Native Forest organic unsweetened)
1 can pumpkin purée
1 banana
1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 tbsp chia seeds
2 cups ice

garnish with a spoonful of chia seeds and a sprinkle of cinnamon

~Blueberry Superfood

blueberry superfood 2 cups chilled raw coconut water
1 banana
1 pealed orange
2 cups frozen blueberries
2 cups fresh baby spinach
2 tbsp chia seeds
2 cups ice

garnish with a spoonful of chia seeds, fresh pomegranate seeds and jullienned spinach

~Tropical Greenness~

tropical green

1 can coconut milk
1 fresh whole pineapple including the core
2 cups baby kale (or other leafy green)
1 banana sliced and frozen
1 cup frozen mango chunks
1 cup ice

we drink this one down so fast it never gets a garnish!

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With Gratitute

This space, Less & More, is where I come to process. To unravel the experiences of this life we live, to think, to wonder, to meditate. This space is safe. This space is sacred. This space is my retreat for thought and for connection.

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I encourage you to leave comments, ask questions and create community. I will respond as often as life allows and look forward to our time together.

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