3-2-1 The Encore Experience

Yesterday was Day 5 with no booze. I was tested when we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant and my husband ordered me a margarita. It was tempting given I had just spent an hour and a half in stand still traffic, when the drive should have been 30 minutes tops. I declined and felt a sense of pride in my resolve. :) Just to give you an idea of what my alcohol consumption typically is, I usually have an average of two large glasses (see photo) of wine during the weekends and more on a typical weekend. I have gotten into the habit of refilling my glass before it was empty. I'm not sure what that was about (maybe so I couldn't count exact how much I'd had?). I wasn't even tasting the wine after a while. I found myself experiencing too many nights that I couldn't remember and regret for things I'd say, unbeknownst to me. Obviously, my relationship with alcohol is out of whack! I was using alcohol to self medicate for stress and pain, which are interrelated for me...

Yesterday was much better as far as the amount of fatigue. I made it through the afternoon without feeling like I had to have a nap. Not bursting with energy yet, but going in the right direction.  I've been drinking cran-water, which is part of the #fatflush plan. Cran-water helps repair the liver by diluting the toxins that prevent bile from breaking down fats and sludge in the liver and gallbladder. It also has potassium which is needed for liver health and gets depleted with alcohol abuse.  I've had good results drinking cran-water in the past. It definitely helps with getting rid of bloat and water weight.  Differences: - I'd say the darkness under my eyes is about 80% gone. I need way more deep sleep to fully get rid of it completely  - definitely sleeping better - I'm not weighing myself, but I feel less bloated Cheers, Dana

Two of my most used #paleo-friendly kitchen gadgets are the Veggetti spiralizer and the Nutribullet.  Sometimes you just have to have a delivery mechanism for that great #paleo friendly sauce. That's where a spiralizer can be your new best friend. I use mine to create #zoodles (zucchini noodles) with a fresh pesto sauce or cucumber spirals with a spicy sesame sauce. Spot on, when I'm craving pad Thai.  There are several spiralizers in the market, ranging from simple and inexpensive to complex and a chunk of change. You can find the Veggetti at Walgreens in the As Seen On Tv aisle or somewhere like Target for under $20.        The other gadget/tool I use religiously is my Nutribullet. Beyond using it for smoothies, I use mine to make gravies without having to use flour or arrowroot.  For delicious, guilty free Pot Roast gravy, take some of the wonderful juices created from your pot roast and put it in the large Nutribullet container. Then a...

Yesterday was Day 3 of my #30DaysNoAlcoholChallenge. So, since it's been 72 hours, all the alcohol should now be out of my system. I have to say, Monday and Tuesday, I felt like someone ran over me with a Mack truck! I felt like I had the flu. Totally drained! #holycrapbatman I could have slept for three days. Seriously...... I've been drinking tons of water and all indications (ahem) seem to say I'm hydrated, so that's good. I gave up my Diet Coke habit of many long years almost two months ago, so that helps. Last night was the first time I reeeeeaallly wanted a glass of wine. My husband bowls on Tuesday nights and my ritual is to watch my shows with a "few" glasses of wine. I'm not sure whether it was a real craving I was experiencing or habit, but I used the time giving myself a facial instead. Differences I'm noticing... my face and neck looks less puffy/bloated the darkness under my eyes is lighter (not gone yet though) my legs don...

I've ordered my first Auto-Immune Paleo Survival Kit from @BarefootProvisions. Perfect for people, like me that travel a lot!   http://barefootprovisions.com/products/the-paleo-mom-aip-survival-pack#.VRAyVmdFAcY

Today is Day Two on my #30DaysNoAlcoholChallenge. So far, so good. No real withdrawal symptoms (DT), with the exception of being edgy....and that may be my 2 cups of regular coffee! What's a foodie to do!

Join me in taking a #30DaysNoAlcoholChallenge! Watching the interview with @JamesSwanwick and @Travis Richardson helped me make up my mind to cut the booze out of my diet for at least 30 days to see how it changes how I feel physically, emotionally, how it affects my weight loss (of lack there of)! For more on James, see his guest blog on +Robb Wolf Paleo Diet 's site! http://robbwolf.com/2015/03/12/no-alcohol-30-day-challenge/

http://www.houstonfarmtohome.com Anyone in the Houston area wanting to incorporate grass fed beef, pasture raised chickens or pork and grass fed milk needs to try Houston Farm to Home!  Excellent meats and service. Tell Matt I sent you! info@houstonfarmtohome.com

I listened to +George Bryant  (author of the Civilized Caveman Cooking cookbook)  and +Travis Richardson   today and wow, am I blown away?!?! Such raw, honest, openness! Such a gift to all of us that have struggled with eating disorders. Thank you so much, George! My main take-aways were: Take the 7 day challenge to talk about a secret or fear openly with someone because what you focus on will keep showing up How you relate to food is how you relate to everything in this world and each meal gives us the opportunity to be your best self. It's a good thing we eat several times a day! I encourage everyone to take part in the #BodyBlackBeltSummit hosted by Travis Richardson! Way more than I had imagined it would be so far. #hugsnbacon #paleofx

#BodyBlackBeltSummit I'm attending the Body Black Belt Summit on March 16-26. It's online and it's free! There are 20 Master's presenting, including one of my faves @JenWhittman. http://bodyblackbeltsummit.com/

I had the most delicious smoothie after my workout this morning. Since I'm striving to eat the most nutrient dense foods possible, I used pumpkin, which is very nutrient dense and low in calories. Girl with the Flax-in Smoothie 1 C. Coconut Almond Milk 1 C. Organic Sugar Free Pumpkin Puree 1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder 1 T. Chia Seeds 1 T. Ground Flaxseed 1 t. Coconut Palm Sugar or Stevia to taste Add a few ice cubes if you like your smoothies thicker. Blend until smooth! Enjoy! Note: If you are using a Nutribullet, be sure to put your liquid in the bottom so all the other ingredients don't stick to the top!

Si tes http://paleoleap.com/ http://nomnompaleo.com/ http://www.inspiralized.com/2014/05/15/the-best-beginner-recipes-for-the-spiralizer/ Favorite Ingredients Madhava Natural Sweeteners, Deliciously Organic Coconut Sugar, 1 lb (454 g) (Save Image)                          Edward & Sons, Organic Coconut Flour, 1 lb (454 g) (Save Image) Edward & Sons, Organic Coconut Flour, 1 lb (454 g) (Save Image)  

This will be a seven day detox program. I decided that before I start taking iodine for a bromine detox, I'd empty everything out of my system that could get in the way of releasing the toxins out of my body. I do not want the toxins hanging around making me feel sick. I'm not usually "regular", so there is a good chance that I could get sick from the detox. Besides, I just got back from traveling where I don't eat the best or move enough, so a good  cleaning out would do me good. :) I am using The Cleaner by Century pharmaceuticals. I bought it at GNC and paid way too much, apparently. Day One - Monday, March 9 Because I am very sensitive to drugs, I took 2 pills at 1pm, then 1 pill at 3pm instead of the 4 that the directions say to take at bedtime. I didn't experience any cramping. No bloating.  No bad taste. No runs to the bathroom, basically no side effects the first day.   Day Two - Tuesday, March 10 Had to go to the ...