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Thursday, March 3, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Viva La Mexico
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| We were too busy enjoying each other and the break from reality we didn't manage to get a picture of us together until we waited for a taxi to take us back to the airport. |
- Enjoying Tequilla Sunrises (or something like that) from the top of a lighthouse while the sun set on Puerto Vallarta.
- Losing my bathing suit top not once but twice (second time right as our server walked up) while sunning at the pool. I have never seen G laugh so hard.
- Taking a tequilla shot with Victor at Victor's Restaurant in the Marina.
- Eating dinner at Mama Rosa's, high on a hill in El Centro.
- Leaving the incredibly lovely, romantic dinner at Mama Rosa's to have a drink at La Vaquita (yes, a cow themed bar).
- Listening to a crazy cheerful, happy flight attendent on the way home. Seriously, this woman was like nothing we'd ever seen before.
- Spending four whole days with my favorite person without cell phones and computers (for the most part) and having the best. time. ever.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
What Does It Really Cost?
A lot of the skeptics that I see online and even a few friends seem to immediately dismiss Paleo eating because it "costs too much". People hear terms like organic veggies, grass fed beef, and wild salmon and think that they can't afford to move to the lifestyle. Out of curiosity to see if this is true, I'm going to try to break down my meals for a bit. It won't be perfect since most of the staples I use I've had for a while and I'm still eating some meat that was purchased pre-Paleo.
In a given month, I try to keep the cost of groceries, meals out, and alcohol under $600. It's a number that forces me to cook and eat at home more than not, but still allows me to go out on the weekends and enjoy myself. My theory is that I can eat Paleo for the same amount. I am eating out less, drinking less (though last weekend is Austin in NO reflection of that), and spending more time planning my meals. I'm going to track each day in March (at least that's my goal!) to see how it turns out.
Here is what I've committed to myself to eat, so I don't have to write it down each time:
Eggs - 100% vegetarian, cage-free, no hormones/antibiotics, Omega-3, from a local farm in Petaluma. I already buy these at my local market and they are $4.99 per dozen, or 42 cents per egg. Pasture raised can only be found at Farmers Markets and go for $7.50 per dozen here.
Beef - Grass fed, no hormones/antibiotics. I haven't started buying this yet, so I don't know what to expect other than Whole Foods sells 1 lb ground for $6.99 regular price.
Fish - Wild or sustainably farmed (after looking at the prices on wild, I'm going to make this concession from the typical Paleo stance). I haven't bought this yet so I don't know the actual prices.
Chicken - Organic, cage free, no hormones/antibiotics. I have a 4 lb whole chicken in the freezer from TJs that was $12.99.
Veggies & Fruit - I will follow the "Dirty Dozen" rules and make sure to only purchase organic the items on that list. Otherwise, I'll use my best judgement.
Other rules:
1. When I cook for boyfriend at home, I'll count it twice. When we go out to eat and he pays (mostly our system - I buy groceries and cook, he pays when we go out), I'll not consider part of the expense. If we go out and I pay, I'll count it.
2. I'm not going to count items like spices, olive oil, coconut oil, etc. I'll assume I spend less than $10 per month replenishing these and try to come in under $590 to save myself a lot of hassle.
Here's a start, just for fun, with today's food. The total comes out to $12.76. That is well below the $20 per day average needed to stay under $600. It's also super healthy and fresh. The other thing I've noticed is because I have to be so prepared and on top of things, I don't waste food. There are rarely veggies anymore in the fridge that go uneaten. So I think it will be an interesting experiment if I can keep up with it. I'm fairly certain Paleo either maintains or reduces my food expenses.
Breakfast - Hard boiled eggs with guacamole and salsa
3 eggs - $1.25
2/3 avocado - $.54
1/3 lime - $.10
1/3 organic onion - $.25 (guess, bought last week)
1/3 carton of salsa - $.83
spices for guacamole
Snack - 1 organic Pink Lady apple - $.69
Lunch - Taco Salad
1/2 organic romaine heart - $.38
1/4 ground turkey - $1.25 (guess, pre-Paleo not healthy but in freezer so not wasting)
1/4 ground turkey - $1.25 (guess, pre-Paleo not healthy but in freezer so not wasting)
1/3 carton of salsa - $.83
1/2 avocado - $.41 1/2 bag of precut butternut squash - $.99 olive oil and spices for taco seasoning
In a given month, I try to keep the cost of groceries, meals out, and alcohol under $600. It's a number that forces me to cook and eat at home more than not, but still allows me to go out on the weekends and enjoy myself. My theory is that I can eat Paleo for the same amount. I am eating out less, drinking less (though last weekend is Austin in NO reflection of that), and spending more time planning my meals. I'm going to track each day in March (at least that's my goal!) to see how it turns out.
Here is what I've committed to myself to eat, so I don't have to write it down each time:
Eggs - 100% vegetarian, cage-free, no hormones/antibiotics, Omega-3, from a local farm in Petaluma. I already buy these at my local market and they are $4.99 per dozen, or 42 cents per egg. Pasture raised can only be found at Farmers Markets and go for $7.50 per dozen here.
Beef - Grass fed, no hormones/antibiotics. I haven't started buying this yet, so I don't know what to expect other than Whole Foods sells 1 lb ground for $6.99 regular price.
Fish - Wild or sustainably farmed (after looking at the prices on wild, I'm going to make this concession from the typical Paleo stance). I haven't bought this yet so I don't know the actual prices.
Chicken - Organic, cage free, no hormones/antibiotics. I have a 4 lb whole chicken in the freezer from TJs that was $12.99.
Veggies & Fruit - I will follow the "Dirty Dozen" rules and make sure to only purchase organic the items on that list. Otherwise, I'll use my best judgement.
Other rules:
1. When I cook for boyfriend at home, I'll count it twice. When we go out to eat and he pays (mostly our system - I buy groceries and cook, he pays when we go out), I'll not consider part of the expense. If we go out and I pay, I'll count it.
 |
| Tonight's Dinner |
Here's a start, just for fun, with today's food. The total comes out to $12.76. That is well below the $20 per day average needed to stay under $600. It's also super healthy and fresh. The other thing I've noticed is because I have to be so prepared and on top of things, I don't waste food. There are rarely veggies anymore in the fridge that go uneaten. So I think it will be an interesting experiment if I can keep up with it. I'm fairly certain Paleo either maintains or reduces my food expenses.
Breakfast - Hard boiled eggs with guacamole and salsa
3 eggs - $1.25
2/3 avocado - $.54
1/3 lime - $.10
1/3 organic onion - $.25 (guess, bought last week)
1/3 carton of salsa - $.83
spices for guacamole
Snack - 1 organic Pink Lady apple - $.69
Lunch - Taco Salad
1/2 organic romaine heart - $.38
1/4 ground turkey - $1.25 (guess, pre-Paleo not healthy but in freezer so not wasting)
2/3 avocado - $.54
1/3 lime - $.10
1/3 organic onion - $.25 (guess, bought last week)
1/3 carton of salsa - $.83
spices for guacamole and taco seasoning
Snack - 1/3 bag organic carrots and 1 red bell pepper (out of organic, realize this is on dirty dozen) - $1.52
Snack - Nuts from vending machine - $.75
Dinner - Turkey, Avocado and Butternut Squash
1/4 ground turkey - $1.25 (guess, pre-Paleo not healthy but in freezer so not wasting)
1/3 carton of salsa - $.83
Paleo Reality
My only complaint about Paleo is the time I spend in the kitchen. I don't mind the time I spend learning, researching, and discovering new recipes. I don't even really mind the cooking. But I spend so much time doing dishes! I know it will be easier once I move and have a dishwasher, but right now it is so time consuming. These are just the dishes from the food I brought to work today!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, February 18, 2011
Eating Paleo in Austin
I am in Austin this weekend with some of my favorite people: my love, the BFF, and the BFF's hub. We (minus the love) were supposed to run the Austin Marathon on Sunday. Then we realized we'd run a combined ten miles in 2011 and wondered why we'd waste a rare weekend together on 26.3 miles of torture. So instead we relaxed and enjoyed a few days in 70 degree weather.
My flight just landed and I have about two hours before they all land. After just breakfast and an apple after a Crossfit session this morning, I'm starving! I wandered through each restaurant and (shockingly) decided my best bet was Tex Mex. The woman taking orders was not Paleo friendly and rolled her eyes when I asked for the taco salad with just lettuce, beef, salsa, and the green goodness. I ended up with cheese, without salsa, and in a tostada shell. The meat for sure had sugar in it, but I scooped out as much cheese as I could and skipped the shell and it was pretty decent for a quick airport meal.
I'm hoping I can eat as Paleo as possible all weekend. I know it won't be as healthy as simple veggies, protein, an fat at home, but it will be way better than my former ways!
My flight just landed and I have about two hours before they all land. After just breakfast and an apple after a Crossfit session this morning, I'm starving! I wandered through each restaurant and (shockingly) decided my best bet was Tex Mex. The woman taking orders was not Paleo friendly and rolled her eyes when I asked for the taco salad with just lettuce, beef, salsa, and the green goodness. I ended up with cheese, without salsa, and in a tostada shell. The meat for sure had sugar in it, but I scooped out as much cheese as I could and skipped the shell and it was pretty decent for a quick airport meal.
I'm hoping I can eat as Paleo as possible all weekend. I know it won't be as healthy as simple veggies, protein, an fat at home, but it will be way better than my former ways!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Paleo Happy Place: Chipotle
Very few things make me happier than the combination of guacamole, salsa, and seasoned meat. Chipotle is a Paleo lover's best friend. Ask for the salad, skip the beans in favor of fajita veggies, pick a meat, go for the salsas (leaving the corn one alone, of course), and add a heap of the green goddess. Yes, I did just call it that. In the Bay Area you'll pay nearly $9 for this, but it is oh-so-delicious.Unfortunately, after a review of their website, Chipotle doesn't get the 100% Paleo stamp. They use soy bean oil to cook all meats. On the flip side, the meat they serve is a huge step above most convenience food places. Check out their website to see the current percentages of grass fed, humanely raised, and antibiotic and hormone free meats. Then go get yourself a salad, pronto.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Last Minute Paleo
I forgot my lunch today (luckily in the fridge) and needed to find a quick Paleo option. The cafeteria here at the office had no good entree options and the salad bar is sub par for even workplace cafeteria standards. I thought about Thai (really, this does not feel like a "diet" when curry is allowed) but didn't want to get in my car. My only other option was Specialty's Cafe.
I had low expectations, but was very pleasantly surprised! Minus the "splash of cream" in the soup, my meal is completely Paleo friendly. I wouldn't want to spend $8.10 daily, and the soups do rotate, but it's great to know this is available.
Medium Butternut squash soup, side of roasted chicken, and an apple for afternoon snack.
(The cookies smelled amazing, that much doesn't change, but I actually just enjoyed the aroma and had no desire to eat one.)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I had low expectations, but was very pleasantly surprised! Minus the "splash of cream" in the soup, my meal is completely Paleo friendly. I wouldn't want to spend $8.10 daily, and the soups do rotate, but it's great to know this is available.
Medium Butternut squash soup, side of roasted chicken, and an apple for afternoon snack.
(The cookies smelled amazing, that much doesn't change, but I actually just enjoyed the aroma and had no desire to eat one.)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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