Primal Update 2.0

...well 2.4 to be exact. Since my first Primal Blueprint update on July 13th I have dropped another 2.4% of bodyfat. And that's pretty amazing when you think about 1. that works out to be about 8% of the fat contained on/in my body. and 2. I've had some not-so-healthy weekends, nutritionally speaking, in the last month or so.

I've also converted friend, Tara Smith, to the Primal Blueprint. We both voiced a little frustration at ourselves for having some nutritional slips, so we've arranged a Primal Lunch Date this week so we can swap recipes, cook primal food for each other, and act as a general source of moral support. Our respective roommates (Tara prefers to call hers "husband" but this seems so...legal) are marginally on the Primal Blueprint by proxy and I know Steve has seen some results, but he's really yet to get into it head on.

And to date, the friend who introduced me to the Primal Blueprint book (~cough cough~ YOU know who you are!) has yep to crack that thing open and give it a try. ;-P

And last but not least, I have discovered quite possibly the best somewhat Primal recipe ever...totally by accident and through the contribution of two vegans. Vegan #1 took me to a vegan restaurant in Nashville, where I ordered an almond milk smoothie. It was so good that I told everyone about it, even vegan #2 who suggested that for a homemade recipe I substitute ice for a frozen banana. The result is the Frozen Banana Smoothie, which takes on the texture of ice cream.

So a quick recipe for all to try at home, in a blender add together: one frozen banana, 3 tablespoons of almond butter (primal) or peanut butter (non-primal), and 250 mL of unsweetened almond milk....blend...and voila!

Putting Things into Perspective

So for anyone out there who has ever wondered how many cups of spinach you'd have to eat to equal two slices of whole wheat bread (queue Wheaties commercial flashback),...well consider your wish fulfilled.

Harder. Better. Faster. Stronger. blog has posted an interesting comparison between super high carb foods like rice, corn, beans, and potatoes (ya know, those foods we all eat cos they are "healthy") and pits those against your leafy greens and broccoli.

So wait...I'd have to eat how many cups of bell peppers to equal one cup of oatmeal? Only...unlike Santa's Super Sugar Puffs...this comparison works in favor of the bell pepper.

Primal Update

Let the record show that I have dropped over one percent of my total body fat percentage in six weeks.

GO ME!

Gone Primal

So I recently (i.e. about a month ago) found myself gazing down upon a friend's unread copy of The Primal Blueprint. (Side note: it remains to this day, to the best of my knowledge, unread by said friend...to losely quote his reasoning, "If I read it then I know and have no excuses." ha!). I have to admit it was a very interesting and informative read. So the general jist according to the author, Mark Sisson, is that we should eat and live more like our primal ancestors. So, eat and play like a caveman, not work and die like a cubicle-bound insurance claims representative. It's actually quite difficult to fully encapsulate Sisson's principles in a single sentence but the idea is that modern culture puts too much emphasis on eating processed carbs and grains and killing ourselves at the gym, with the result being...well, no long-term positive result. Instead a vicious cycle develops in which we gain and lose weight and in the process set ourselves up for diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and a long list of other ailments which are now inflicting humans more than every before. So The Primal Blueprint discusses how a primal existence is healthier and more enjoyable, and more true to our evolutionary development. To sum it up: turn off the television, put down that cupcake, grab a leg o' lamb and go play Frisbee with your dog. Ok, that's probably an oversimplification, but if you want a more technical explanation...buy the damn book.

Anyway, I've been "primal" for about 30 days now. I actually started primal living the day I cracked the book open and read Sisson's quick list of the primal living principles. And despite my above mentioned friend's criticism that perhaps I should read the book in its entirity before diving in head first, I think it actually gave me an advantage. First, it was so cool to notice some change in my body's reaction to this new lifestyle and then read that exact change in the book the following day or so. For example, I noticed around day 8-10 that I no longer required my usual 5-6 daily feedings and that my overall need to feed had dropped significantly; I then read something to that same effect a day or so later. Second, slowly absorbing the information in the book and applying the neccessary change to my life was easier in piecemeal, opposed to one drastic and cold-turkey stop to my previous dietary and exercise habits.

So, a month in and the results are as follows: can eat fewer meals, can actually skip a meal or two and be fine (those of you who know my previous anxiety and physical reaction to skipping a meal will understand the significance this holds for me), a steady supply of energy throughout the day that is high in the morning and slowly dwindles til its bedtime, and a stack of jeans that are a little too loose now. I pretty much have the dietary changes down, but finding the time to include fun and a daily nap in my busy schedule is a little more challenging. But I'm happy to report that I survived the 30-day Primal challenge (which is try it out for a month and see how it impacts your life). It isn't even necessary to buy the book to get started, Sisson's blog, www.marksdailyapple.com has all the information needed to successfully go full on Primal.

Trust Me...I Meant Two Years!

(Scene: Jen is sitting on the couch in dimly lit living room with what appears to be a crossword puzzle book and a pencil, sitting opposite is recently arrived guests Gabe and Emilie).

Gabe: (said with a smug intent) So...what happened to "I'm not gonna read ANYTHING for two years, not even a restaurant menu?" Looks like you're messing with words to me.

Jen: (flashes up cover of book in hand with an equal amount of smug intent) Sudoku, baby, yeah! BAM!

Emilie: (giggles amusingly).

Distractions Needed

So, the job hunt begins. And while I battle it out with who knows how many other recent graduates and stress over that first dreaded student loan bill, I'm trying to find things to fill out my days. Inexpensive things to fill out my days. I think "inexpensive" is a pertinent qualifier, because while it would be nice to rebuild my bike or attempt a radio satellite...I have to remember that my dwindling savings limits my options. (Side note: the rebuilding of the Purple Trail Eater is on hiatus until such time as gainful employment has been successful). The same financial worries have also forced me to push back plans of giving mountain bike camping a valid effort...who knew panniers could be so damn expensive. And while I'm still trying to think up some clever and cheap ways to rig my bike down with the bare bones gear for outdoor survival, I think I could reasonably keep myself happy and occupied with just on-foot exploration and day trips to the closest mountain bike trails/parks.

The important goal here is not let myself get dragged down by the seemingly fruitless job search and the grey, dreariness of winter. Both which can lead to muscle loss, brain apathy, and mid-section increases. I'm doing pretty darn good at keeping the motorcycle on the road during the cold weather season, but I have my riding partners to partly praise for that. But it's the activities that require more independence and long, cold nights alone in a tent out in the middle of nowhere that are lacking at the moment. My gear for such endeavors is mostly set; I'm lacking a couple of items which would make it easier but not neccesary to actually hitting the trail. And while company would be great, the majority of my friends have jobs and can't just escape for an overnight backpacking trip. Which really leaves only two option. Either I commit to a plan and just do it...or sit at home and daydream about it.

On a similar note I've been a mostly inactive member of Nashville's hiking meetup group for over a year now. In that time I've managed to make it to only one planned event. Now might be a good time to get out of lurk mode on the website and actually get out there and meet new people. As an added bonus, I may actually meet a similiarly unemployed recent graduate looking to distract him/herself from the realities of life with hiking/backpacking/camping activities. My impecunious misery would love company. :)

The Strip Down

I've decided to rebuild The Purple Trail Eater -- that heavy monstrosity of a bike that I rode for the Dirt, Guts, and Donuts race. I mean, I gotta give the bike props. For a P.O.S. that was likely manufactured by child labor in a developing nation, assembled by a minimum wage earning high school student, ridden for a few years, bought at a yard sale to be refurbished by a guy that earns his living doing such things as refurbing Walmart bikes, and bought by yours truly who got a crazy notion one day that she should start cycling the twelve odd miles to campus...it held up like a champ in the 8ish miles of DG&D. Of course, I suspect this is because the bike is composed of metals once used in Cold War era Soviet tanks. Anyway, another crazy notion hit me tonight. I want to put new life into this bike. The initial plan: strip the bike down to the frame and rebuild it into a single or fixed gear (to be determined) mountain bike. This is also a solo project with minimal expert (read: professional) or technical (read: manly) help.

Step one, the strip down, was completed tonight. I learned a lot of things tonight...mostly about using tools whose names do not exist in my vocabulary (but have made up my own names...kudos to anyone who can give the real name to the "shiny metal locking clamp thingy" and "the clicky wrench"). I did have to dig into my limited reserve of technical assistance for brute strength tasks like cutting the brake and shifter cables and removing the crank turned out to be a two person job. But 99% of the strip down was completed sans help.

And here is all that remains of the Purple Trail Eater.

I haven't decided whether to keep the purple or do a repaint, I'm kinda digging the idea of some WWII mat Jeep green, complete with white star. But ignoring the aesthetics for the moment I think the first task is a new crank. It was the last thing to come off, so seems right that it should be the first to go back on. Lucky for me Nashville has a bike shop that sells slighty used and lightly abused parts, and I imagine that will be my first shop stop. Steve pointed out a few obstacles which may kill this project. He thinks there is a possibility that the frame may have proprietary (that's the word he used, but I prefer non-standard) sizes which may make shopping for cranks and downtubes an impossibility. But we'll just have to wait and see.

Stage 1, The Strip Down: Complete

Stage 2, The Crank: Standby