Monday, I went to the mailbox twice. No mail… Then when the hubby got home I mentioned to him that the mail hadn’t arrived when I checked. He ever so kindly reminded me that it was a holiday. What!?! Do I live in a box? It was Martin Luther King Jr. Day and I had no idea. Probably due to a few reasons. 1. Since I don’t go to work (although I work 24-7), I don’t look forward to days off. 2. I watch so little T.V. I don’t know what’s going on in our world. 3. I’ve got so much on my mind lately that I completely tune things out. Ahhh! I think it was a wake up call to slow down and pay a little better attention to the world around me. After all, it’s an important day and respect should be given 
So, thank you Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for fighting so hard in what you believe!
Now, onto Wednesday stuff like… What I Ate Wednesday! I’m still going strong with my Paleo Challenge so I’m back this week for another Paleo edition. Of coarse I need to thank the wonderful Jenn at Pea’s and Crayons for hosting yet again! Thanks Jenn!
Before I get going with my eats, I should explain a little something. One of the reasons I chose to go through this challenge was I wanted to see if my body would gain more muscle and lose a little fat as a result of changing my eating style. The first week of the challenge I immediately dropped a few pounds but was still having stomach discomfort and wasn’t really feeling much different energy wise. Obviously it was too soon to notice much of a difference with muscle. As I read more about what I should be eating and thought more about it, I realized not much was going to change with my muscle mass if I didn’t majorly up my protein intake. So this week I’ve been trying to do just that and it’s been tough! From what I’ve learned, in order to really build more muscle, I need to be eating 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight. Normally I probably get between 50 – 80 grams of protein which is good but in order to see the results I’d like, I need to be getting more like 138 – 140 grams of protein a day! Holy protein! If you’re not familiar with me, let me fill you in on a bit of information… I don’t eat red meat. Only chicken and fish and normally not much of that so… this has been tough to say the least!
Here’s what my day of “protein” packed eats looked liked.
After my cup of coffee with coconut milk, cocoa powder and peppermint stevia, I cooked up this tasty breakfast.
It was a scramble with 1 egg and two egg whites, chicken apple breakfast sausage, kale, sweet potatoes topped with avocado. I also enjoyed a glass of fresh kale, apple, carrot, and lemon juice. When I served it up I thought, “wow, that’s a lot of food!” Well, turns out I was glad it was so much food since the Love Nugget ate some too. Little piggy eats his food lately then wants ours as well.
After breakfast we got ready and went to Whole Foods then Trader Joe’s. Even though the Paleo books I’ve read say you can eat jerky, I’ve been avoiding it because all the Turkey Jerky kinds I’ve seen have soy. However, I decided if I wanted to get in more protein this would be a good snack since it’s packed with protein.
So I picked up a bag and munched on some as we drove home. I also enjoyed a Satsuma mandarin. Love these!
The Love Nugget went down for a nap so I quickly put away groceries and headed upstairs to get in a workout while watching the Bachelor
As I prepared lunch for us, I snacked on some trail mix I threw together after our grocery shopping trip. Raw nuts, dried unsweetened cranberries and dried figs. Yum!
Then I scarfed down my lunch as I multi-tasked. Cleaning the kitchen, making the Love Nugget chicken nuggets and a new protein bite. I know, I should have sat down to enjoy it but then I wouldn’t have gotten as much done AND… The Love Nugget would have been begging for my food and I didn’t want tot share. It was good!
Lunch was chicken, avocado, red bell pepper, tomatoes, a little lemon infused olive oil and dill balsamic. Yum!
I finished my meal by enjoying a date filled with homemade almond butter but forgot to snap a picture. Sorry!
The hubby took the day off to go snow boarding and got home early. So we took the Love Nugget and the White Coyote to Gibson Ranch Park again. They had so much fun!
He was so into the geese and ducks but didn’t get too close
He loves the slide now and kept going down the big, twisty slide.
The White Coyote wanted to join in on the fun too!
Of coarse he had to go in the swing too! Loves it!
After playing for a while, we came home and I blended up a tasty protein shake with 1 scoop Fitmixer Vanilla Protein Powder, Banana Flakes, ice and water.
It hit the spot and got in some more protein!
Dinner was going to be turkey chili but instead I used leftover chicken from dinner the night before (roasted citrus chicken) and made some quick tacos.
They were good and filling!
A little while later I was still stuffed from dinner but was craving something sweet. So I enjoyed one of these babies before making my tea and heading to be to read.
Dark Chocolate Espresso “LARABAR” Bite. Recipe to come soon!
Yesterday was a busy day so I didn’t get a chance to track my protein intake but I’d say it was probably right around 125 which was I ate the day before. Getting there but it’s tough! Now I need to add in more weight into my strength training in order to assist in building muscle. Oh and more stretching! Don’t want short bulky muscles!
QUESTIONS –
-
What was a favorite eat from your day?
- Do you know how much protein you eat in a day?
- Any ideas on how I could add more “clean” protein to my diet?
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
My favorite eat was quinoa, salsa, black beans and chicken.
And it’s good to try the paleo challenge but really, most people consume enough protein during the day (or more). Eating nuts, legumes, meat, all of that provide protein.
By the way, your breakfast looks yummy.
Yum! I miss Quinoa! Since I’m doing the paleo challenge, no legumes for me. I’m totally getting enough protein to get by, but if I really want to increase my muscle mass, I need to take it up a notch. Which is why I’m aiming for 130+ grams a day. I’d like to see if it has a positive effect. If not, I’ll go back to the normal amount
Your eats all look so good! I have a hard time getting enough protein too. With meat…I could pretty much take it or leave it. I seem to get the most with grilled chicken breast. A whole chicken breast has a lot of protein! Maybe try a salad with shredded chicken breast, some type of bean, quinoa and you could even through in a boiled egg.
I’m exactly like you, take it or leave it as long as it’s chicken! Grilled chicken is my go to also so I’ve been preparing two breasts on Sunday to have for the week. That’s helped. No beans or quinoa on Paleo
I’m getting better with eggs. I’m not a big hard boiled egg fan but I came up with a good paleo deviled egg recipe that’s been pretty good. Some days I think it would be so much easier if I ate red meat but it just never sounds good…
I don’t know how much protein I eat in a day, but I do know that my body responds well to me having more rather than less. My favorite protein sources are all seafood (salmon, barramundi, tuna, shrimp, clams, etc.). I also add extra egg whites to meals to increase protein if I feel it’s lacking.
I agree with you, or my body does at least. Definitely responds better to more protein and honestly the past few days I’ve felt really good since I’ve concisely increased my protein. I need to add in more seafood and just stocked up on some petrole sole. What is barramundi? Good idea to add egg whites!
Haha, love that The White Coyote looks like he’s trying to run up the slide.
The eats look delish – especially the tacos & the breakfast scramble!
He was trying to get up the slide! So funny! It’s because my hubby was up top and he’s a daddy’s boy. The Love Nugget thought it was pretty funny! I highly recommend trying a sweet breakfast scramble. I’m obsessed!
I’m very similar to you before your Paleo challenge. No red meat or even very little chicken and fish. I live on beans, nuts, seeds and protein powder for my protein needs. Good luck with the rest of your challenge. I hope you see results!
That breakfast looks amazing. I think that I will have to recreate it, but with Field Roast brand vegan sausage. It sounds delicious!
Vegan sausage would be delicious!
I think I need to up my protein, been around 10-15% of my daily calories, so it will be interesting to see what suggestions you get.
You are doing a great job Giselle, it really shows. Maybe try making hard boiled eggs as a snack throughout the day
Thanks Jessie! I’m trying to get more into boiled eggs. I can’t stand them plain so I have to make a deviled egg and still have a hard time stomaching them. Getting there though! Just made a batch tonight and they turned out good!
Your eats look delicious! I know the average for a women is 46g I believe but according to my activity level I should get around 75g. I do a good job with getting at least 60g
My lunch today was green curry tuna over cauliflower. So yummy!
Eggs and almonds are my between meal protein choices… Good luck getting enough protein!
I don’t think I’ve had green curry before…. I need to try it! I could eat almonds all day! Love them!
Ahhhh that picture of the little guy on the slide is adorable!
Thanks Liz!
My favorite eat dinner tonight, chicken scallopini over sauteed baby kale. I was craving Italian food and it hit the spot! Almonds, homemade trail mix, apples with almond butter are some fun and easy protein-filled snacks that I like to eat. Also, adding 100% egg protein powder into baked goods and smoothies is another easy way to add in protein.
Oooh, that chicken sounds delicious! I eat so much almond butter I think I might turn into an almond! I love it!
OMG! I am pinning all your pictures for Paleo ideas….awesome find!
So glad you found it too! I’m loving all the Paleo recipes I’ve been doing lately. I’m actually done with the challenge this Thursday but think I’ll stick with it for a while longer! At least most the time. I do miss me some greek yogurt and goat cheese!