Sean's Paleo blog @sallinson-blog - Tumblr Blog

Something I found that offers a little (food) for thought? lol pardon the pun.

just trying to stir the debate on this mode of eating

OK...here we go.

First off, I really encourage this type of stuff. I am a scientist at heart and definitely think it is healthy to continually question what we believe in and why. I hope everyone takes the time to watch this video fully as well as read through the rebuttal that I have linked below.

As far as this video goes, I have a couple of quick comments and then will attach a more detailed response from a reputable source. It seems to me that she deliberately chose the title to cause controversy and get attention. I watched the whole 22 min and really for the vast majority she agrees with what we believe in. She eventually admits that paleolithic man did eat meat (and fruits and vegetables) just like us. She tells us that we should eat the whole food, which is mentioned countless times in any paleo book that you read...just that most of us aren't really interested in eating marrow and organs on a reg basis. She talks about eating what is fresh and in season and makes good points on why we should stay away from processed foods. Other than the title there isn't much controversy in what she is actually saying.

She spends a lot of time discussing how our current fruits and vegetables aren't the same as what would have existed in paleolithic times. I am not sure her point here...again every paleo book has a section on this. However, we can not go back in time, so we eat the current versions which are still our most nutritious options.

Anyway, I could go on...but I would rather you read what Robb Wolf had to say about this video. Here is the link:

http://robbwolf.com/2013/04/04/debunking-paleo-diet-wolfs-eye-view/

angel-neill

I am so proud of myself. I went to St Anne’s spa today and I ate Paleo 100%. I said I couldn’t eat sugars and they made me my own special soup and salad and the lettuce wraps with chicken. I was so happy. You can go out and eat Paleo. It was hard seeing my friends eat desert while I had veggie sticks and fruit but I did it and they were impressed. It was a good day!!!

sallinson-blog

Very impressive Angel! Others (I won't mention any names) have given into temptation and cheated under much easier circumstances. Way to stay strong... and now (like you said) you learned that you actually can go out and eat healthy.

bevwintjes-blog-blog

drool………

oh great…Paleo challenge and Tims brings out their freaking delish pumpkin muffins? Oh The humanity. ..

Yesterday was as sucky as sucky gets performance wise and cravings and grumpy…I was totally embarassed to turn in my WOD reps. Guess hoisting an extra 15lbs of flubber is harder than i first thought!! Onward and upward!

Food, meds and sleep all good. Performance, not good but I will get there.

sallinson-blog

Bev, Bev, Bev...get this put on a bumper sticker so you never forget it:

"Dead Last Finish is greater than Did Not Finish, which trumps Did Not Start"

Never be embarrassed to submit your scores. We keep score only to make you push as hard as you physically can on any given day. We all have days that we aren't proud of, but all Cindy and I have ever asked is that once you walk in the door at Crux, you give the maximum effort that you are capable of.

No one at the Crux should ever be judged by the score they submit, but by the effort they put out. And besides, like a wise man once said....just by coming in the door, you are doing infinitely better than all those sitting at home eating 'friedpooptaters marinated in caramelfucksauce' and wondering why they have barrel asses.

dwideman

Too Much Baking

I have done the paleo challenge once before, but didn’t really get too into the baking. Now, I have discovered it. Haha. My question is, how much is reasonable? I have made a banana loaf and well, to be honest, went a little nuts, haha. I am thinking a half of a piece with lunch and maybe a muffin after dinner. Any experienced paleo people want to help out an amateur?

sallinson-blog

As little as possible. If it helps get you through the next few weeks, then I guess it is a worthy sacrifice. But I really prefer that people stop spending so much time trying to replace sweets in their diet. Your body can not tell the difference from natural sugars and added sugars...so you are not really doing yourself any favours by eating these treats. Our purpose here is to break the sugar addiction...and if you are just replacing one form of sugar with another, it won't happen. I think we all would get more out of this 5 weeks by limiting (or eliminating) sweets of all kinds for the duration.

I know that isn't going to happen though...and if it did you guys would all be so grumpy that I don't think class would be much fun.....so just try to minimize as much as possible.

Once we are done the challenge, I would throw the paleo 'desert' recipes in the garbage. Try to go without sweets the majority of the time, but if you feel you need something once in a blue moon...have something good, that isn't even close to paleo and that you really, really enjoy ....and then stay disciplined and don't have it again for a long time. Take a look at the post I put up a few days ago from beastmodal domains...he talks about this too.

mandybambrough-blog

This has been the hardest day so far. Its 12:42….working night shift in markham…I have a lunchbox full of amazing paleo food….but all I want is to hit up Tims for some warm cookies. I have refused to make paleo “treats” because they somehow turn into a face stuffing binge with the excuse of “its...

sallinson-blog

You know it's tough when Mandy posts on Tumblr...she must really be struggling. I agree completely about the 'treats'. Your body can't tell the difference between 'natural' sugar and added sugar. And fructose (sugar found in fruits) is the worst kind for you...too much is a very bad thing. Just try to stay full (or at least don't let yourself get hungry) and if possible, it can help to stop thinking about food as a reward. For the next 5 weeks food is simply the fuel for your CrossFitting, calorie burning machine. Find other ways to get your pleasure...it doesn't have to be food you know!

Struggling to stay strong?

I am hearing that some of you are really struggling with the first week...which is perfectly normal. Whether it is that constant 'hungry' feeling or the lack of variety in your meals. Any way you slice it, it comes down to the addiction. We are all (to some extent) addicted to sugar/starch and your body is trying every way it can to get you to cave and give it what it wants. It literally is no different than a drug addiction...the biology is exactly the same. And just like giving up smoking, it is the best thing for you and it will definitely get easier.

If you weren't warned before hand...the first 2 weeks are the toughest. At some point during that time you will hit rock bottom. You will feel worse than ever...hungry, foggy, lethargic (doesn't this sound fun?). This is your withdrawal. But shortly after this is when you rise from the ashes to become the new you that is no longer addicted to crap. When you come out of the fog, you will feel much better than you ever have. No more afternoon drowsiness, no more bloated feeling, no more fog...you will feel tight and strong...you will be alert and awake and you will look at your beer swilling husband (or wine swilling wife) that didn't join the challenge and feel sorry for them and their lack of will power...it's so sad.

The best thing you can do for yourself is stick it out and get through this rough spot. It's only 5 weeks and really all we are expecting is for you to stay away from processed food. You know you can do this and that it is the best thing for your body, so commit to finishing this and use your network (this blog, your team, other gym members, your trainers) to help.

If you are hungry, make sure that you are eating enough protein (1 gr per pound of bodyweight) and enough healthy fats (some nuts, avocado, coconut oil etc.)...and more protein does not mean drink more shakes!! Eat real meat. This extra protein and fat will keep you satiated and the urges to eat junk will be less.

If you are bored of your meals, try something else! We regularly eat a coconut cream pork dish, a chicken stir fry with gluten free soy sauce and spaghetti squash with meat sauce (among others) that I am more than happy to eat all year long...because they are great! If your food isn't tasting good, then you aren't trying hard enough. Get more recipes or simply spend a bit more time preparing food. A can of sauce and ground beef is not a meat sauce!! Get creative and add other meats (ground sausage, pork etc.) as well as spices, veggies and of course bacon. Email Cindy for some specific recipes to try.

Cmon people, stick it out and if you are struggling let us all know so that we can help. We are in this together....especially if you are on team 'More Meat, Better Snatches'!!

Go Team!

http://beastmodaldomains.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/my-take-on-nutrition-paleo-brownies-are-dumb/

This is the link to the article that Allen steals all his funny photos from. Not that I want to detract from his unique (or maybe not so unique after all) sense of humour...but I think the whole post is worth reading. Please don't think that I agree completely with his specific nutritional advice (I would never tell you to have a shake in the morning), but he is pretty funny and the general theme is great. Think for yourself, put healthy fuel into your body, workout hard and sit back and enjoy the six pack abs. Sweet.

A couple of recipes for a clean(er) carb load night

Here are a couple of recipes from Paleohacks, brought to my attention by Josephine. Either one would be a perfect addition to a Carb Load. Make sure to avoid them if you are on a ULC time!!

Fried Honey Banana

Why You Need It:

Simple, delicious, and just dirty enough to satisfy almost every craving. Bananas–when extremely ripe–are an excellent source of fast-acting carbs, while packing a nutritional haymaker at the same time. Add in some organic honey or maple syrup, and you’ve got a winner. Topping it all off with cinnamon will add flavor, while attenuating the insulin response to all these fast-acting carbs. Lick those lips. Go ahead.

What You Need:

Bananas

Cinnamon

Honey/Maple syrup

What You Gotta Do:

Cut banana in 1/8 inch slices. Use a high-heat friendly oil, or any fat like coconut oil for the pan. Place slices. After 1-2 minutes, flip the bananas. Turn off the stove. Mix 1-3 tablespoons of honey & 1/2 tablespoon of water & add over bananas. Sprinkle cinnamon on top.

Roasted Caramelized Sweet Potato

Why You Need It:

This little powerhouse of a recipe is so simple, and incredibly delicious, you’ll find it hard to wrap your head around the fact that this is, indeed, Paleo.

Melt-in-your-mouth, sweet, salty, caramelized goodness. All waiting to HELP you toward your physique goals by satisfying your need to “cheat”, while eliminating any gastric upset and inflammation.

A wit for your digestion, is a win for your physique. And, in this case, a big fat WIN for your tastebuds.

What You Need:

Sweet potatoes

Honey/Maple syrup

Cinnamon

Real Vanilla

Dates (optional)

Flaked unsweetened coconut

Sea Salt

What You Gotta Do:

Cut sweet potatoes into 1/4’s, and place on a baking sheet lined with tin foil. Bake on high heat (375-400) for 60-75 minutes. Remove pan from oven, top with maple syrup or honey (OR BOTH), cinnamon, vanilla, and shove the dates INTO each slice. Finally, top with flakes of coconut and salt, and place back into the oven until all is melted (about 15 minutes). Remove, let cool, and enjoy.

This should help keep bananas off your mind for a bit Rhonda.

A funny read to finish off the paleo posts

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/18wBPC

This has absolutely nothing to do with paleo...but if you have a free 5 min and want a laugh, read through the email exchange on the link. Very funny

Still not feeling quite right?

If you are feeling great since you have adjusted to paleo, if you are losing inches and your wod times and strength are improving...this post isn't for you.

If however, you still haven't felt the benefits of paleo yet, if you feel 'under the weather' or lethargic.....it could be that you suffer from leaky gut and/or the beginnings of an autoimmune disease. If you think this could be the case or just want to make sure that you are as healthy as you can be, you should think about restricting some of the foods that are known to cause leaky gut. Obviously gluten is the biggest villain (and we are all off of that now), but there are others.

Take a look at the following link for a description of leaky gut and what it means to you

http://fitfemaleforty.com/2010/11/10/got-leaky-gut/

This next link will give you some ideas on how to modify paleo if you have any concerns and/or aren't feeling quite right since you started paleo (Jane V??)

http://www.thepaleomom.com/2012/05/modifying-paleo-for-autoimmune.html

The bottom line is that (unfortunately) you will need to get more restrictive with your diet for a period of time. Try eliminating foods that are known to be an issue and see if you improve. If it makes the difference, then it will be a small price to pay.

Team 'Sean' no more

Team Sean has officially gotten a new name courtesy of Yorick (good thing I put out that APB!) We will now be known as the 'Hardcore Carnivores'

crossfit-steve-blog

Is this Paleo?

Granulated Organic Coconut Sugar

sallinson-blog

We can argue whether it is Paleo or not, but that misses the point. Added sugar is added sugar and the insulin spike will be the same regardless. Avoid it during the challenge while we try to break your sugar habit. Once we are done it could be used sparingly as a sugar substitute...a slightly less bad way of sweetening something.

cheating already??

I will keep this short and sweet... I think it is vital for me to emphasize that the early stages of this challenge are the most important. Remember that your body is addicted to the carbs...the sugars and starches lead to an insulin spike, that makes you feel great for a short time and then a crash that makes you feel tired and crappy and also makes you crave more carbs to refuel the spike/crash cycle. This addiction has been medically proven to be very similar to a drug addiction and like a drug addiction it has to be broken completely.

If you give into your cravings during the crucial first couple of weeks, your body will remain a 'sugar burner' and will never adapt to become a 'fat burner'. You will continue to have the cravings (since you haven't broken the cycle) and you will not get the results that you should from all your other sacrifices during this time. And no, it doesn't matter that there isn't any sugar in a Vanilla diet Coke...your body tastes the sweetness and reacts as if there is sugar in it. The carb cravings begin again.

Once you have broken the cycle, your body will adapt to survive (thrive) without constant sugar. Only then can you cheat (once in a while) without worrying about falling completely off of the wagon. You will still get a temporary insulin spike from future cheats, but your body will have adapted to burning fat for fuel by then and will be resistant to go back to sugar just because of the odd hit.

Don't get me wrong. One cheat does not ruin everything, it is just a temporary setback. But we have to try to be strict...especially at the start. It is hard to break an addiction, but it is the only way to get the results. Fight through the cravings and the feeling crappy for the first couple of weeks and I promise that not only will it get easier, but you will get better results and get them quicker. It is worth it!

God dammit people....EAT!!!!!

I was going to reply to one post or another on people's food logs for the day, but it is obvious to me that most of you have the same problem. I say this every time and yet people fall back into the same line of thinking. Here it is again...

THIS IS NOT A DIET!!! You have to eat and eat lots. We are CrossFitters and that takes a toll on your body. You need to help your body repair itself by eating ...just make sure it is the right stuff. Your body is going to feel hungry for the first week or two as you break the addiction to carbs and this is even if you are eating enough protein and fats. However, most of you aren't eating close to enough...it's surprising some of you haven't gone mad from lack of nutrition.

There isn't one person in this gym that should be only eating one egg for breakfast. Unless you are a 10 yr old girl (and if you are you should be squatting 215lbs!!) or you weigh under 100lbs, that isn't enough protein!! You should be targeting 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight per day. Protein helps keep you satiated and if you are eating that much protein, you won't be hungry for all the other crap that you are craving right now. For some ideas on the number of grams of protein in certain foods see the post here (under 'Grams of Protein').

If you are tired, or hungry or sore, the first place you need to look is at what you are eating. Chances are you aren't taking in enough protein, so step it up a notch.

The world's toughest workout??

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/fitness/exercise/fitness-trends/is-this-the-worlds-toughest-workout/article2217702/

weekend reading

http://crossfitdelawarevalley.com/2011/10/14/why-you-need-to-get-stronger/

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