Pumpkin Red Curry - PALEO Recipe #1

Sooooo I should start off by saying that I am embarking on a new little adventure: PALEO. I've been eating clean for some time now, and unfortunately I've reached that dreaded plateau. I know there is plenty more weight to lost, and I am cutting calories like a mad woman (but staying healthy), so why aren't the pounds falling off? My only logical answer: Carbs.

So, here I go, jumping on the Paleo bandwagon. Last night marked the first attempt at a PALEO recipe I found in a book - but I made my own special tweaks, and it was absolutely amazing!!!! It was probably the best "healthy" meal I've made since I started this lifestyle change.

So, because it was THAT good, I thought I'd share.

PUMPKIN RED CURRY – Paleo style

Ingredients:

1  14 oz can of Organic coconut milk (Thai Kitchen was the brand I used. Get the full fat one…. Don't bother with the light. Remember, fat is good for you)

2 tbsp Red Curry Paste (Thai Kitchen Brand)

2 large chicken breasts, cut into small cubes or strips

1/2 Red and 1/2 green bell pepper, sliced length ways

1 white onion – chopped

1 kabocha squash (optional) peeled, seeded and cut into 1 inch cubes.

2 tsp coriander

2 tsp cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp garlic powder (or you can use fresh garlic)

1 tbsp grated fresh ginger (or powder)

In a large wok or saucepan, sauté the onions until translucent. Add the garlic and chicken and stir until all outer edges are white/cooked. Add the coconut milk and red curry paste and stir together. Add the spices, squash and bell pepper and bring to a boil over medium heat. Then let simmer for about 20 – 30 minutes – or until chicken's internal temperature reaches 160˚. Serve over over Cauliflower rice if staying full "Paleo" or even have it by itself like a soup (which is what I did), otherwise you can try it over brown rice. 

A Letter to my future fit self.

Dear Fit and Healthy me,

Your body will never be perfect, and will never "look like" someone else's. Know this. LOVE your body for what it is: YOURS. You were blessed with a perfectly functioning body with two arms and two legs and the ability to use all of them to their fullest potential. Use your body. Keep it moving for as long as possible.

Please don't compare yourself to other fit people. I know it's hard with Pinterest and Facebook and Instagram bombarding you with photos daily, but the only comparison you should make is with the old you, the person who wrote this letter - seeking the confidence you should now have, and another 20 pounds gone. Be proud of what you've accomplished, and try to maintain this accomplishment before setting new goals.

Muscles are sexy. Being skin-and-bones is NOT sexy. Being healthy will always be sexy. Remember, skinny girls look good in clothes, fit girls look good naked. ;)

Don't sweat the small stuff. If you have a bad day, or eat horribly, or skip a workout, don't give up. Keep moving forward and be better tomorrow. Giving up never gets you anywhere except back to square one.

The only bad workout is the one that didn't happen.

Sleep more, party less. You're getting to that age where partying is a thing of the past and taking care of yourself is a vital part of your future. Say no more often.

Fun doesn't need to be defined by food. Just because you can't have that cheeseburger or that plate of nachos doesn't mean you can't hang out with your friends. The food isn't why you go to events, it may have been the reason in the past, but from now on you go for social reasons. You can take care of the food portion of it elsewhere. Fun is defined by who you're with and what you're doing – not what you're eating.

Listen to your body. There are a lot of fads out there, false information and people saying things without any evidence. Do this.... eat that..... Listen to your body and know what it needs and doesn't need - regardless of what anyone else says. They don't have your body - you do.

Always remember where you came from. It's damn near impossible to see yourself as perfect, and I know you probably never will. But please, if anything, pay attention to your progress and know how far you've come. Even as I write this now I am proud of losing those first 15 pounds... even though I have another 20 to go. I am happier now than I was 15 pounds ago... always remember that.

Sincerely,

Me (20 or so pounds ago)

:)

One pound down and losing steam....

Good news first - things are working. 

I've lost 1.4 pounds in a week.... which is exactly on target with my little calorie tracker app. 

{though it kinda sucks I found out it was a solid 300 calories off the first week. It said I could eat 1500 calories a day to lose 1 lb a week... when in fact the real calorie intake is about 1200.

BUT I made the switch to 1200 calories {I eat 1500 and make sure to work out and burn at least 300 a day}, and weighed in today {I couldn't wait until wednesday} and it's working. I'm losing... and it's showing. My clothes are getting bigger, I'm actually feeling thinner. 

But....

This is pretty much how I feel about it.

It's really hard to keep meals under 400 calories. And snacking is pretty much out of the picture unless it's just veggies. No dips or almond butter..... just veggies. BLEH.

It gets so boring. 

Today all I want is a delicious breakfast wrap. I know I deserve it. It is healthy, but the calorie guilt will throw me over the edge. I don't like being this person. Counting calories, watching other people eat what I want. 

I need to find some new recipes that are low calorie and CLEAN.

I know this will be worth it. I know I will get used to this lifestyle. I haven't lost this much weight since 2002. That was11 years ago. Sheesh. I've finally figured out what works, I just need to stick to it... and yeah it sucks right now, but I know I'll look back on this and think: It is so easy now.... why was I such a whiner?  haha