Time to take the 5 Healthy Habits to the next level.....

Ok, as promised I'm going to bring you in on my crazy thoughts as of late.
Look, I know the 5 Healthy Habits work...let's be honest, I have been living them only 40% for the last 5 months and have still watched my weight, and my size drop while my work capacity has increased. I have seen significant changes in my digestive issues and have seen more high days in my energy. My doctor says he is impressed with my blood work...in short...I'm improving. Slowly and steadily I have watched myself get fitter, and fitter. But honestly, it has now brought me to a point where I feel like I want to jump start things a bit. Yeah, I guess I'm getting impatient.

I know without a doubt in my mind that I will continue to lose weight and get healthier as I master these 5 habits. I'm just about there, and as you get this great foundation down you too will start to realize that it is far 'Better' than 90% of the advice out there. It gets you to a great state of health...but we each will have to tweak the last leg of the journey to accomplish 'Best' and accommodate our individual goals. Everyone's lifestyle is a little different, their goals are different. So to reach 'Best' you will need to make some choices that fit you. For me, I think it's the Zone Diet with a Paleo twist.

Yesterday I gave you countless examples of people who have already made this jump. They have found the formula their bodies work optimally on, within the parameters of their lifestyles. I think what I love about the 5 Healthy Habits is how easy it is to squeeze them into anyone's lifestyle, if you're willing to try. I also love the gentle and progressive impact they have on your health and well being. You immediately see your body, mood, energy etc. change within only a few days of living these Habits. I know I CAN, and WILL, live them for the rest of my life.  But as I get better at the 5 Healthy Habits...this is definately the 'Best' I'll be pushing for. A clean, Paleo approach with a simple focus on a good balance. Of course, I need to master the 5 healthy habits a bit more first...at least more like 80% ....

Before and Afters....the benefits of paleo/zone eating

6 weeks later Jill went from 19% bodyfat to 13.5% bodyfat

I can always get excited when I see a success story...I had to share with you some of the awesome stories I've seen:
Jills Story
Brenda Glidden
Omaha Crossfitters
Crossfit Fire
Robb Wof case study



We have talked a bit about the paleo lifestyle as we explore improving the quality of our food. Now I'm starting to get more information that makes me want to do something a little crazy...I think it's time for me to jump into a more structured format and get this weight off once and for all...more on that tomorrow. but for today - enjoy these inspirational stories and get a healthy dose of motivation.

Korean Style Tacos - featured recipe

So I made this little doosey last Sunday for my friend Cate and her sweet hubby, Kyler. They came to have dinner with us. It was so fun to get to know them better, and they didn't seem to mind being guinea pigs for the dinner. We paired it with our Tokyo Slaw and they were great together! It is super spicy and delicious, I really think you will be impressed with how easy it is and how yummy it is. We had both corn tortillas and lettuce available for wrappers, as well as some thinly sliced red onions to garnish. I think you will love it, try it out!

Kogi BBQ Sauce Recipe
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons     fermented hot pepper paste (this is spicy)
3 tablespoons     sugar (I used raw honey)
2 tablespoons     soy sauce
1 teaspoon         rice wine vinegar
2 teaspoons       sesame oil

Super easy to incorporate with chicken breasts in a crock pot for a few hours (5ish) until shredded and delicious. Or you could use pulled pork etc. If you don't like spicy I would veto the pepper paste, or at least use a lot less. It was so amazing paired with the cooled cucumber relish...such a great dinner combo.

Cucumber Relish
Ingredients:
1 large                 English cucumber (or 2 Japanese cucumbers), sliced very thinly
2 tablespoons      rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon       sugar (I used raw honey)
1/2 teaspoon       finely minced fresh chili pepper (or more depending on your tastes)
generous pinch    salt

mix together and store in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.

Use the leftovers on your salad the next day with a simple lime ginger vinaigrette, or your favorite dressing!

Orange Ginger Vinaigrette - featured recipe

I love salad...it's not secret. And I also love making my own dressings. Most of which end up being just few of this and that....so usually I don't use a recipe. But when I stumbled upon this one...I had to give it a try. It comes from the funnest blog filled with little recipe finds by a professional recipe developer (I want that job!) named Jaden Hair. Here is the first of many (I'm sure) of her yummy finds... Check it out:

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon orange zestJuice from ½ large orange1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar (I prefer Mitsukan brand)1 teaspoon honeysea salt to taste
¼ cup light vegetable oil

Whisk together and enjoy.

Making dressing is all about balance of flavor: lively and tangy, slightly sweet, a little heat and just enough sea salt to bring out all of the flavor notes.The fruit in the dressing is flexible – use any citrus: orange, lemon, lime, tangerine, blood orange or go a little more exotic with passion fruit (cut in half spoon out fruit only).