Starting A New Diet - Primal/Paleo Eating

 I've finally decided it's high time to reign in my bad eating habits. Last week I lost my damn mind while on vacation. Apparently I think calories eaten while I'm away don't count. Because I denied myself NOTHING. All the while my tummy is pushing further and further away from my waistband. that mess ain't cute.

Somehow I stumbled on a the Paleo Diet / Primal Eating Diet online. Basically you eat what our ancestors would've eaten before we discovered agriculture. We're talking lots of protein, fats and carbs that can be found in fruits and veggies. Here's the list of sites and articles I read before deciding to pull the trigger:

Mark's Daily Apple

Nerd Fitness

How To Keep Feces Out Of Your Bloodstream
Crazy title for a great article about grains and why we shouldn't eat most of them. Who knew those damn things don't want to be eaten?

Mark Sisson's Definitive Guide To Grains
Another interesting read that will scare the corn out of you.

This is my third day on the diet and I'm feeling pretty good. I have:
More energy
Less belly bloat
Fewer sugar cravings
Practically no gas at all (which is unusual for me)
Significantly less hunger ( before I'd be hungry every couple of hours)

Anyway, here's my first Primal breakfast. Eggs, Lite Sausage, left over broccoli and tea w/honey:

Just Saw The In Laws

Well, we just got back from a week long vacation to see my hubby's family in Indiana. We had a great time catching up with everyone. My mom tagged along too! So I actually had another black person to hang out with for a bit (LOL)!

Here's a few pictures taken at my MIL house in the country:

Cousin Ebbi making friends

 Ian swinging from Nana's tree

 Sweet Pea playing in the sand box

 The neighbors mules...or donkeys??

 Eating Nana's chocolate cake on the porch

 Sweet Pea sharing her mimosa

July 2012 Natural Hair Update

My hair and I are getting along much better these days. I'm listening to her now and we're finally starting to see serious retention. Mainly because I've finally acknowledge the primary issue I face: Over-manipulation.

It has been the bane of my HHJ all these years. I simply cannot jump on every bandwagon that comes along without suffering a setback of some sort. My hair just wants to be left alone. To that end I'm currently employing protective hairstyles that last a week or more. I've also done a mini chop to rid myself of those unsightly damaged ends. Here's a pic of my blown out hair with a self trim:

Here's another pic with most of my hair hidden under a scarf and a twist out bang:

Braids without extensions (before my trim):

This weeks hairstyle - stretched twists with Kimmaytube Leave In:

Homemade Cornbread Recipe - Jiffy Mix Dupe

I've always enjoyed sweet cornbread. And the only one we ever had in the house (as a kid) was Jiffy Mix. Even though Jiffy Mix costs less than $1 at the grocers I choose to make this homemade version I found at www.allrecipes.com. My kids love it!

Ingredients:

1 C all purpose flour
1 C yellow corn meal
2/3 C white sugar
1 tsp salt
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1 C milk
1/3 C vegetable oil

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a large bowl mix all of your ingredients. I typically mix dry ingredients first then add wet ones.
3. Pour mix in a greased a 9 inch round pan.
4. Baked in preheated oven for 20 - 23 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Original Recipe