Dare You To...

In the journey to become your best self, you've got to actively seek out information that will help you make better choices.  This weekend, I had such an opportunity, and took it.

And that means another event recap...


Appropriately coinciding with my one-year paleoversary, I traveled this weekend to Washington D.C. to learn even more about the science behind and practical implementation of a paleo lifestyle.  At Crossfit Metro Center,  the Balanced Bites Nutrition Workshop would be presented for the last audience for a while.  I'm so fortunate to have taken part!

The Balanced Bites Workshop is led by Diane Sanfilippo (of BalancedBites.com) and Liz Wolfe (of CaveGirlEats.com), two very smart and funny women whose podcast has made my commutes far more enjoyable and educational. 
The workshop was basically an all-inclusive schooling on what different foods--and the nutrients and micronutrients that come with them--do in and to our bodies, and how we can make better choices for optim…

Just23 days ago, I began the 21 Day Sugar Detox.  It's something I'd wanted to do for a long time now, and the new year seemed like the perfect time.  Well, it wasn't perfect, because I knew that I had a trip on January 19, during which I would not want to restrict myself, but I figured a 19-Day Sugar Detox was better than nothing. It would be a good chance to dabble in it and see how it went!


And now, my first go-round is complete :)

Here, I'll give you a small background on it (but go to the website for all the details!), a glimpse at some of my eats during the 3 weeks, and a set of lessons learned about myself and my food--thanks to the detox program.

A bit of background: 
The 21 Day Sugar Detox is not intended to be a permanent lifestyle.  It is a nutrition-based program for anyone who experiences sugar or carb cravings, energy spikes and dips, brain fog, lethargy, and other undesirable symptoms of an unhealthy, unnatural diet.  It's carefully designed by Diane…

Happy New Year!  My 2013 resolution involves having a different focus each month, and that begins with....

January: New Year Nutrition.

Really, before I tackle any other goals and focuses, I need to feel good, first, right?  That's why 2013 will start with the inside, which, of course, starts with food.



Step 1: Return to Paleo

I've gushed about the paleo lifestyle before, and I've shared my personal experience going paleo to "mostly paleo," and yet, in spite of my conviction that it is incredibly healthy and yields undeniable positive results, I've fallen off the wagon.

This fall, I got busy, and tired, and just sort of consciously gave concessions for a while, going beyond just 80/20 or "flexible."  In that craziness, I also came to rely on sugar for energy.  My poison of choice?  Chocolate-covered almonds, cashews, and blueberries. It was a temporary sweetness, that soon left me feeling foggy-headed.

Just as I discovered last spring, the food I eat …

Sorry to do another nutrition book talk with you so soon, but this one is brand-spankin' new and comes out next week, so I wanted to give you the low-down ASAP!

Diane Sanfilippo of Balanced Bites is one of my top nutrition resources.  Her website is choc-ful of information, as is her podcast with Liz Wolfe.  I highly recommend downloading it and listening.  They do know the science behind their nutrition advice, but also take a human, emotional approach to some topics.  Definitely helpful!  I listen to them banter and answer questions frequently during my commutes, so when I had the sudden opportunity to meet my nutrition celebrity, I could not pass it up.


Outside a local Whole Foods, Diane was kind enough to give me a hug, share an advance copy of her new book, and chat for far longer than she needed to.  It was amazing that the voice I'd listened to for so long was now actively engaging in conversation live, with me. Crazy.  But then I eventually had to let her do her shoppi…