Recipe of the Weekl: Paleo Banana Bread Smoothie

Perfect for post work-outs, breakfasts on the go, or to satisfy your sweet tooth, this Paleo smoothie is inspired by one of my all time favorite indulgences: banana bread.

Recipe of the Day: High Protein Paleo Pancakes

Who says you can't have breakfast for dinner? Traditional breakfast foods are a satisfying way to start the day, but can be a satiable way to end your night. There's so many good options - savory  meats, fluffy eggs, hearty maple syrup, and - my personal weakness - pancakes!

Unfortunately, pancakes and/or waffles aren't very Paleo friendly. so I did a little research to create a healthy primal alternative. I was inspired by a recipe I found at my favorite fitness blog, Tone It Up!, and made some small tweaks for my diet. These pancakes are super easy to make and an effortless way to pack more protein into your day. Love these for a post workout treat, or pair them with bacon, eggs, and fruit for an ultimate savory breakfast meal!

Power Ingredients: 
Cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Bananas contain potassium to nourish muscles post workouts.
Egg Whites are the purest form of protein to get you lean.
Almond Butter helps you stay full to keep slim.

Keep reading to see the recipe...

Paleo Detox Diet: Day 3 - Sympathy for the Devil

Temptation is the devil looking through the keyhole. 

Yielding is opening the door and inviting him in.

-Billy Sunday

The Sin, Enkel Dika

6:10 AM

I wake up before my alarm goes off to the gentle and soothing sound of birds chirping outside my window. I toss around for ten more minutes before rolling out of bed to stretch and get myself going. 

6:45 AM

Head outside hit up the apartment gym. Brrr - this freezing weather makes me wish I was back in bed, wrapped up in my big, fluffy comforter.

Once I reach the gym, I do a circuit of sprints, walking at 15% incline, and weight training for 25 minutes. 

Calories Burned: 200

7:15 AM

I feel surprisingly energetic and refreshed, considering the awful state I was in yesterday. This whole concept of AM work outs is starting to grow on me.

I realize that in my exhaustion-induced stupor last night, I forgot to prepare any food for today - no de-thawed/marinated meat or chopped veggies. On top of that, my roommates are both running around the kitchen, and jumping in the middle seems like jumping into a pack of lions all fighting over a piece of meat. I don't want to stress about being late, so I just quickly make my smoothie and pack some almond butter and decide to buy lunch today. Could be a horrible idea, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. 

Paleo Detox Diet: Day 2 - Sweet Nothing

Without a struggle, there can be no progress.

-Frederick Douglass

6:15 AM

The unwelcome sound of a rooster crowing jerks me out of pleasant sleep, and it takes me a second to recognize that it's just my phone's alarm. I feel exhausted, so I convince myself that five more minutes of sleep will be beneficial and hit Snooze. 

7:50 AM

I open my eyes and am greeted by bright sunlight. Unusual...

Then, the realization settles in that I hit Dismiss, not Snooze on my alarm - and now it's time to panic. 

Good Morning, Protein!

8:05 AM

After a quick shower, I hustle to get my meals together for the day - protein berry smoothie, celery and almond butter, strawberry & salmon salad, and deviled eggs from last night. I'm mad at myself for sleeping in and missing my AM workout, but I make a promise that I will make it up later. It's the least of my worries, since I'm so behind in schedule.

8:20 AM

Run out the door make-up free and hair up. Today will be one of those days where I just avoid mirrors (ignorance is bliss). 

Paleo Detox Diet: Day 1 - Rise & Shine

The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself.

 - Mark Caine

6:15 AM
As my alarm goes off, my immediate reaction is...Nooooo. Curse you, Daylight Savings Time!

6:30 AM
Hit the treadmill at the gym in our apartment complex. Alternate between walking and jogging at varied inclines for 20 minutes. End with a 5 minute ab circuit. 
Calories Burned: 185

7:00 AM
Prep my lunch for the day. Grilled (using a stove-top grill pan) chicken breast over a bed of romaine, spinach, parsley, and chopped veggies. Cut up 2 stalks of celery and pack them with 1 tbsp. of crunch almond butter. 
Blend up berries, coconut water, and egg white protein powder and toss into a 16 oz. water bottle.

Recipe of the Day: Paleo Deviled Eggs

This recipe is delicious and ridiculously easy to make. I replaced mayo with avocado for a healthier version of the traditional snack - plus it adds a nice, creamy texture to the egg yolk. The combination of spicy cayenne and crunch celery makes this a fulfilling treat that is high in protein and nutritious. 

Paleo Detox Diet: Day 0 - Prepare to be Cleansed

Oh, New Orleans. There is no trouble that you won't find, no concept of day and night, and no vegetable that hasn't been battered and deep fried. Basically - Bourbon Street is like Disneyland for adults (and I loved it). But after a week of hurricanes, jambalaya, and good old fried chicken, I fell out of my workout regimen and continued to eat poorly, even after I'd returned to reality. With work being incredibly busy, I put little effort on getting back on track and felt myself getting lazier and lazier by the day (ignorance is bliss). And then came the dreaded moment - hopping on the scale for the first time in weeks. 

The shenanigans one can find on Bourbon Street....

Yikes - the scale revealed I am five pounds over my happy weight. Besides the weight gain, my body just doesn't feel as good as it should - I've been feeling bloated, lethargic, and mentally cloudy for a while now (basically...I feel like crap because I've been eating crap). On top of that, my skin has broken out and looks dull and ashy. There's no question about it: it's time for a detox to reset my life. 

For the next week, I'll be recording everything from my grocery list to my results, and every detail in between - how hungry I am, dealing with temptations, my recipes, etc. - so you can follow my progress (or lack thereof). 

Here's my Paleo Detox Plan...