Feast Your Eyes on the FIRST EVER MOTTL-MADE Grass-fed, Paleo Meatloaf!
Check us out! Was inspired by my Whole 9 Seminar (which I will elaborate upon shortly), but I'd like to publicly thank the husband and B for adding in the grass-fed ground beef after I combined all the spices, tomato paste, and onions. They mixed it up thoroughly and packed the pans (we made one for the Millikans as well- I know! Pretty brave to pass it along to friends on our flagship attempt!)
On the side I made my favorite lemon cauliflower and also a Rogan Josh variety:
*A slight tangent here, but have you all heard of and/or been to Penzey's in Maplewood? Laura Ceretti (Hulka's wife) told me about it, and I am a believer.
A shop dedicated to QUALITY spices, herbs, and blends that blow any other spice you can get at any regular grocery store out of the water.
No kidding.
I'm not even a foodie, and I can tell a HEY-UGE difference in the flavor when I use them:
Here are some we have in our spice cabinet. The store is in Maplewood on Manchester...now go find your keys, lock your house, jump in your car, and peruse this cozy little shop. :) You'll be happy ya did!
WHOLE NINE NUGGET #2:
HIGH QUALITY PROTEIN IS KEY
1. Worth repeating...again...and again...and again.
Antiobiotic-free, hormone-free, grass-fed/pasture-raised is your best bet hands down.
Better for your health (No harmful chemicals, higher omega 3's since the animals are eating grass instead of grains- basically eating how they are SUPPOSED to eat instead of how factory farmers determine they should eat).
Better for the health of the animal (Conventionally raised animals live in crowded, unsanitary conditions, eating grains, which they aren't meant to eat. Their diets make them sick. Their conditions make them sicker. Antiobiotics are pumped into their bodies and then get into our bodies when we purchase that meat. Ugly scenario.)
Better for the environment. The fewer chemicals swirling around in the world the better. 'Nough said.
If you haven't seen the documentary Food, Inc. (yes, it's also worth mentioning repeatedly), PLEASE DO! Your eyes will be opened, and you will be better informed and put your dollars where they matter most.
2. THIS POINT MADE ME SIT UP A BIT STRAIGHTER. Eating a variety of high-quality meat and poultry provides a complete amino acid profile, a host of minerals, and healthy saturated fat (like I mentioned in yesterday's post). Makes sense, and it's probably not an issue for many of you, but even the Husband gets in a rut with eating the same thing most days for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and you may be in the same boat.
I have been extreme in this arena. NO VARIETY. :(
As many of you know, I was a strict vegetarian for 26 years, and sucked it up and did the first Paleo Challenge with our group last January. Fish was too strong. Red meat made me too sad. I was left with chicken, turkey and eggs, so that's what I have been eating for over one full year.
I did get stronger. My energy levels did increase. I stayed full longer throughout the day.
But, get this.
My ferretin (iron stored in fat cells) was almost depleted- scary levels. Had been for some time. And my zinc level was the lowest my doctor's office had ever seen.
Besides NOT getting a variety of amino acids, I was not getting enough of these 2 key minerals.
I've been on supplements for a full year and just NOW are my levels in the lowest of normal range.
Kathy T., our trusted, friendly, super brainy neighborhood dietician told me yesterday that if I ate red meat 3x a week, the supplements wouldn't be needed.
Soooo, I tried bison for the first time a few weeks ago in a chili recipe, and then had a bit of the grass-fed beef meatloaf the other night. (I didn't actually cry while eating it, but yes, I was thinking about cows the entire time... :( Sadness)
Slowly but surely...
3. Protein is the most satiating macronutrient- even more so than fat.
It fills you up! Remember, when you start to eat a meal or a snack, go with your PROTEIN FIRST!
4. Protein also is incredibly important as it stimulates the release of the hormone glucagon, which we'll talk more about later (all of our Paleo Challengers have heard about this mobilizing hormone). Glucagon RELEASES energy that is stored and makes you feel alert and energized.
MEAT-RELATED LINKS:
Karma is in my favor today, as look what Whole 9's recent blog post is!
The stars are aligned. Reading through this, I seriously kept nodding my head. I'm not alone! :)
Eating Meat: A Primer for the Meat Challenged
Whole 9's blog post series on navigating the good and the bad with eggs, meat, etc.
Herb Sayers, super nice guy and fellow CF gym owner, is a local resource! His family owns Sayersbrook Farms in Potosi, Missouri, which is a bison ranch. Here is what they have to offer if you're interested in ordering:
In addition to Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Schnucks both carry some grass-fed meat. It's out there! You just have to look!
Kim W. at CF St. Charles had these for sale, and Melissa and Dallas from Whole 9 highly recommended them. You can buy the pacs with grass-fed jerky (no sugar), dried fruits, and nuts OR you can just buy packages of the jerky if you need an on-the-go protein. Said they're not as tough to chew as the Paleo Kits.
Mark's Daily Apple Post responding to a reader's question. The first paragraph- sarcastic & funny. Rest of the article- definitely informative!
McWife is lookin' for a new goal!
That's right! 8 planked out real-deal push ups on girls' night!
Yahoo to that!
Overhead squats from "Speal Special" on Monday.
Note how Care-own is fully extended at the top, arms locked- NO BEND at all in the elbows, eyes looking straight ahead, armpits forward. Nice!
And, then the same traits apply to MegMahn's profile in the bottom of the squat- solid positioning with the upper body. That does not change once you descend!
Arms locked tight. Eyes forward. Armpits forward- no hinging and dropping the chest. In addition, she has her weight in the heels, and hip crease below the knee. Lovin' it!
Word on the street has it that Lake Mill killed this one in just under or around 6 minutes!
Top time on the board goes to Eddie Vedder who flew through this burpees. When he's in it, he is IN it- seriously determined. Well done, Eddie V.!
Congrats to our Peanut with top time for the ladies as well! Brooke is just a consistent chickadee, isn't she? Awesome job, my lady!
I ask for personality in the party pic, and who else but EHiss lays it on thick!
LOVE THAT!
Once again, a party pic plea- Merielle, McDreamy, Guy Smiley, and Aunt Deb rise to the occasion.
Notice the Eddie Vedder pose. Always on one knee, arms crossed, slight lean forward. And the Guy Smiley trademarked thumbs up. Patented poses they should be. :)
UpChuck? Grimacing, squatting, and holding a peace sign down low.
Do explain.
MegMahn GOT HER FIRST PULL UP ON MONDAY!
The video shows her second one (she was on the down low for her first and the camera was not at the ready).
KEEP AT IT, MEG! You'll be unassisted 100% of the time super soon!
Marketti forwarded this link along, and here's his plug and plea for friends to join him! :) I imagine this event piques the interest of many in our crew...including Rich (but he'll have to check with the race committee to see if they allow floaties and flippers for the swim portion). Looks like a BLAST for our endurance peeps!
An unexpected day off of school on Monday for the Mottl kids.
Storm knocked out their electricity.
New uses for the rings.
And ring straps.
Safety first, mind you.
It's genetic...the Mottls are easily entertained.
Ummm, my quads were on fire from doing 6 rounds instead of 5, so squatting for the pic wasn't the best idea. As for the peace sign, I don't know how that ended up being that way....must've meant it was war with John and Mike (mad I didn't keep pace with them!)
Posted by: Chuck | March 01, 2011 at 01:58 PM
Oh I was also introduced to Penzy's spices while in college, their southwestern spice is great on chicken!
Posted by: Chuck | March 01, 2011 at 02:07 PM
MEG- Very proud of you and your efforts for variety- thanks for the missouri bison link! I will definitely order ...
Posted by: Kathy Thames | March 01, 2011 at 02:21 PM
Love Penzy's! It's a staple where I come from. You simply cannot make good chili with out Penzy's! My newest faves are the BBQ 3000 on chicken and the ranch dressing seasoning that you add to canola mayo (no butter milk!). Make a salad with the dressing and add the chicken--YUM!
Posted by: Kelly | March 01, 2011 at 02:40 PM
If anyone is interested, I'm going to buy another half cow from Jeremy at Missouri Grass Fed Beef within the next month or two. If somebody wants to split a whole I'd be happy to go in with you. I'll even let you have the tongue ... it's really hard to cook.
Posted by: Trainer Tim | March 01, 2011 at 03:12 PM
@ Tim, I would be very interested in splitting a cow with you (just love the sound of that) -- or maybe just splitting your half, if that would appeal. I'm concerned about freezer space for a half completely on my own. Would love to talk with you about your experience with this.
Posted by: Martha | March 01, 2011 at 08:10 PM
Thumbs up on the Mottl meatloaf! The Millikan 7 thoroughly enjoyed it plus the green beans and rosemary nuts. The Girl Scout cookies "for the boys" were the only pothole in my Paleo road! Thanks again!
Posted by: Angie | March 02, 2011 at 07:54 PM