Effing Puppy Chow

  The title of this particular entry may seem weird. BUT, let me explain, as I sit here and write this blog about how FANTASTIC Paleo is, and as I'm getting ready to encourage you all to keep trucking with this challenge, my co-worker is sitting next to me munching on absolutely amazing looking puppy chow. SO, with that being said, we will stay in this together. I blog to keep my filthy little mitts away from that delicious puppy chow! The reason that I am only remotely not chomping at the bit to eat some is because I'm proud of the reason it's sitting next to me. My OTHER, fantastic, Paleo friendly, Crossfit loving co-worker Robyn cleaned out her cabinets due to participating in this paleo challenge. SO, for that reason I am super proud of her and I will allow Konna (the non paleo lover... freak...) to munch on the nasty disgusting sickening puppy chow. There, I think I've convinced myself that I don't need it. HA!
  Okay, now that my little puppy chow rant is over, on to the good stuff! Day 1 of the next 30 days of our lives is up and running. How are you guys doing? I, for one, can actually say I'm doing pretty dang good! Breakfast was scrambled eggs and salsa. If you haven't yet tried that delicious mixture, you should. Breakfast heaven on a plate. I had some almonds for a mid morning snack, and for lunch I had tuna, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and salsa. Common theme? Salsa! It's loaded with veggies and it can make almost anything taste amazing! My mid afternoon pre-workout snack will be cucumbers. And, well, my dinner is going to be amazing as well. I'll be posting that recipe and pictures after I'm done devouring it.
  Today's workout is double unders (which I have yet to master) and snatches. Go ahead, giggle. I do. I considered naming this blog "wanna see my snatch?" Yep. Crossfit. The gift that keeps on giving. You should ask Maranda about snatches. You'll graduate from a giggle to a full on laugh. So, needless to say, today's workout will present some challenges for me... which I'm up for. Bring it on. Remember my motto? I love challenges, because I win. More in a while... =)
  I'm back, and SO excited to share these recipes with u! I just had the most amazing paleo food experience ever. I'm hoping for lunch to come soon tomorrow so I can enjoy the leftovers! For dinner, I made yet another recipe from paleomg.com. The woman is genius.

Paleo Avocado Cilantro Chicken Salad

Ingredients

• 1lb chicken, cooked and diced
• 2 avocados, pitted
• 1 bundle cilantro, stems removed
• 3-4 long carrots, shredded
• 3-4 stems celery, diced
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 handful sliced almonds
• juice of 1 lemon
• juice 1/2 lime
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. So you need to start off cooking your chicken however you’d like. If you want a more “grilly” flavor, grill it. Duh. I just boiled my chicken because I didn’t have a ton of time so boiling the chicken was the quickest option. Have you ever seen boiled chicken? It looks disgusting. Just a warning.
2. While your chicken cooks, make your dressing. Pull out your wonderful food processor. Mine has been smoking lately. Making almond butter does a number on the engine…oops.
3. Add your avocados, cilantro, lemon, lime, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to the food processor. Mix thoroughly until the avocado becomes a paste. This will take about 1-2 minutes or so.
4. Once your avocado creamy sauce/paste is tasting delish, add it to your diced chicken. If you haven’t already shredded your carrots or diced your other veggies, do that. I just the shredding attachment on my food processor to shred my carrots.
5. Mix veggies into your chicken salad and add a handful of sliced almonds.
6. Top with salt and pepper for a little extra flavor and a little leftover cilantro.

 Now, I know it looks nasty, BUT it was SOOOOOO good! I can't wait for the leftovers for lunch tomorrow! Now, I have one more little morsel of goodness for you tonight. A bonus recipe, if you will. I got this one from Emily's blog (baconandskinnyjeans.blogspot.com) This is an after workout protein shake. I strongly agree with her when she says if everyone tasted this, there would be a shortage of canned pumpkin in the world.

BLEND TOGETHER:

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 tbsp honey

1-2 carrots, chopped (for some extra orange goodness)

1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (I use Jay Robb's 100% whey)

1.5 cups water

lots of cinnamon (the more, the merrier)

ice as needed

POW. Pumpkin paradise.

Seriously, soooooooooooo good! Alright peeps, I hope everyone had a successful first all paleo day! On to day 2. I'm feeling pretty confident. We WILL do this!!!