Paleo, Army and Cheating!!!!

Hey Everyone!

Sorry it's been awhile since my last blog, but I've been away on exercise. For those of you who don't know, I am in the military. I am a medic working in the BMS (brigade medical station) responding to different medical situations (patient screenings, mascal scenerios, traumas etc). I generally do not divulge that information to the general public but in this case it pertains to this subject. My day out here generally consists of getting up at 6 AM, start my 12 hour shift at 7 AM. Rest for 24 hours. 7 PM to 7 AM, than a followed with a 24 hours off. A day off is never truly a day off. We have lectures, several play casualties and general duties to complete. I still have alot of time to myself, however I choose to sleep, watch movies, hang out and study for a course. I have completely ignored working out and I feel extremely guilty.

I started this new diet on my march break. Just before the big 1 month exercise in the middle of nowhere. Everyone (including the cooks) told me: "Good luck, there aren't many paleo options out here!" I only saw this as a challenge. Week 1: Pretty good. My options included eggs, bacon and fruit for breakfast. Meat salad, veggies, fruit, water for lunch and dinner. I managed to stay away from all the delicious baking and pastries. Week 2: Food is still the same from the kitchen but I allowed for 1 cheat (french toast, brownies, turnovers etc.) a day. This is the same week I had my MASSIVE chocolate craving. The KO (kitchen officer, army term for head cook) was more than happy to have me sample his chocolate baking, and let me tell you....it was SOOOOOOOOOO good! Week 3: Diet officially down the drain. I am eating from the full menu but have discovered a new love: French toast topped with an over easy egg, bacon and maple syrup. Week 4: Hasn't finished yet but let me tell you, I'm cheating so much and it tastes so good! Mostly the deserts.

Our mess hall is supposed to follow the Canada Food Guide. However a lot of people do not believe this is the right way of eating and they always stick to a pattern of meals. Now it could be 100% worse and I can be eating rations everyday. These rations are preserved meals in baggies, that can be stored for years. They are loaded with carbs, sodium, sulphites and other unknown preservatives. I have personally had the worst experience on them. I have been nauseous, anorexic because I could not stomach them, puffy and felt weak. So why is it that we are supposed to be the fittest people in the country, ready to respond to anything, yet we are being fed this stuff? We have one of the fattest militaries in the world because of the diet and lack of fitness standard. This has been very frustrating for those of us who meet and/or exceed the fitness standard but get judged because of other less fit members. This frustration is only part of why I have taken such an interest in this way of eating.

I am done this ex in a few days and I am extremely excited to have a regular paleo meal, do my grocery shopping at planet organic and the farmers market and get back into working out on a regular basis. However I will only be able to continue this for another 2 weeks before I head out on a 2.5 week course for work...again!

PS: I am in no way saying that our soldiers are generally unhealthy or that our government does not support our health. They sometimes have no choice in how we eat due to operational tempo. We do have access to gyms every day of the week, have access to professional help with diet and exercise. It is 100% up to the individual soldier to smarten up and start fixing themselves.

What I've discovered about Coconut Oil

Hey everyone!

I have to say to start, thank-you very much for reading my blog. I had no idea so many people cared or that I spoke about it that much. So I'm sitting here with my latest paleo creation, Thai curry chicken and shrimp, and it tastes great (if you like Thai food). It's not too sweet but definitely has those typical Thai flavours.  A little spicy but yellow curry isn't too potent.

Over the last few days I have been using ALOT of coconut oil as per the recipes. ALL of my chocolate deserts have massive amounts of coconut oil in it, so I started wondering why can't I use another ingredient? Turns out the oil helps keep the chocolate somewhat soft when trying to manipulate it. I did some research last night and found some amazing things about it.

It can be used for several uses. Women have been known in some countries to use it as a moisturizer and put it in their hair for all that moisture. I covered my hair last night ( COVERED IT, from scalp to end) and let it soak for approx 40 min. then washed it as per normal. People have been known to drink a tablespoon of oil for it's good fat. Studies have shown that cholesterol levels are much more balanced out, in a population that consumes a lot of coconut in their food. These same people have also little to no traces of cardiovascular disease. So guess what that means!!! You can still fry your food!

Coconut oil has 2 FANTASTIC fatty acids: Medium Chain Triglycerides and Lauric Acid. Medium Chain Triglycerides are a bit complicated, from what I've learned is that the fatty acid, transforms into Ketones in your liver. Anyone that has heard anything about the latest fad "raspberry ketones" will know that it helps with energy levels and weight loss. Lauric Acid in it's form and after it's broken down, is known to kill bacteria, viruses and fungi. Alot of people have been using it as a form of polysporin on wounds.

Guess what, it's also good for your oral hygiene! All you have to do is have the discipline to swish oil around for 10-20 minutes a day. All the bacteria that causes plaque, gingivitis and bad breath is essentially pulled off your teeth and gums, hence the term "oil pulling."

If these aren't enough reasons for you to start using it, I don't know what else I have to say! Next time you have have a cold or strep throat, try oil pulling! Besides it tastes great.

Here is more about it:
http://authoritynutrition.com/why-is-coconut-oil-good-for-you/