To be Gluten Free, or not to be, that is the question...

What grinds my gears? When someone tells me that they are on a gluten-free diet because it's "healthier." It takes about all of my strength to not smack some sense into people who tell me this. I would accept the following as appropriate comments regarding gluten-free diets.

I'm on a gluten-free diet because...
...I have Celiac Disease
...because my blood test shows highly elevated numbers towards gluten however my scope shows I'm ok, therefore I have a gluten sensitivity and every time I eat gluten I'm stuck to the toilet and things are awful for the next 3-4 days and one time I got this crazy rash (that's my answer, can you tell?)
...I'm gluten sensitive
...because I physically feel better

Choosing to eat gluten-free items (packaged gluten free items I may add) does not necessarily mean that it is healthier for you. In fact, many times you will see that gluten free items may have more calories, fat, sugar than it's gluten full counterparts. I invite you to look carefully at the ingredients and the nutritional value of gluten free products, especially bread, pasta and baked goods. For bread and baked goods especially, you will be shocked at the increase of fat and sugar used in these products.

If you've been reading this blog, you know that I'm gluten-free because I have to be. About 10 years ago, my dad was diagnosed with gluten sensitivity - and at that time it was nearly unheard of. I did learn that it was genetic and it was possible that it could get passed on, but I always told myself I would have no idea what to do if I also couldn't process gluten. When I was first diagnosed - I was absolutely crushed. I loved pasta, bread products, pizza ...I loved gluten. Now I kind of see it as a blessing in disguise and I'm glad gluten is out of my diet and in fact, I don't do very much to replace it. I can't bring myself to eat gluten free bread, I'm sorry, it tastes like crap and to me not worth the calories. I will only eat gluten free pasta if I'm in a serious bind and I have no idea what to do and I'm starving and possible hormonal.

And don't get me wrong, every few months or so (on average every 3-4 months) I'll cheat. That might mean I'm going to have a hamburger WITH the bun. Doing this I'm running a risk, and knowingly I'll have a stomach ache after. I would just rather save my calories for real bread than eat the gluten-free highly processed bread.

I'm not here to tell you how to be healthier, but what I am saying is that if you are on a gluten-free diet and you are just substituting everything you loved to eat with the gluten free alternative, you may be surprised to see that it's not always the "healthier" choice. What I am telling you is to be aware of what you are putting in your body, read the nutritional value, read the ingredients of what's in the processed food. 

*stepping down from soap box*

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Paleo Kofta Kebobs with Roasted Red Pepper Dip

Hi kids, I know it's been a while. Been kind of busy attempting not to fail out of grad school, Open WODs and getting used to a new job. All of these things have been sucking the life out of me which has left very little time for me to blog. Not to mention I'm having tremendous difficulty in finding my dSLR charger, so the pictures a going to be a la iPhone for while. Over the next few recipes I'll update on what's new! Starting off with school, I'm officially dealing with last termitis. I have two final papers creeping up around the corner, and it's been very difficult to write these bad boys. Probably because I know I will be free of coursework so soon that I'm already celebrating before it's over. I've begun the pre-mature celebration with South Park's new video game (The Stick of Truth). In the words of my good friend Olga, apparently I always start a new video game 2 weeks out of all of my due dates.

This is true. I've never realized this before, but I suppose this is my way of dealing with the stress? (aka procrastination).

Anyway, let me bring you to why you came here. Recipe time!

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Open WOD and Recipes coming!

Who knew a new job would absolutely exhaust me?

Anyway, new recipes are coming later this week - I am looking forward to some new posts on here - and as you should be too.

The CrossFit Open got started 4 weeks ago and I have to say each week I've impressed myself. Every workout I've done has hit either a personal record of some sort or a new ability that I wasn't able to do (or never tried to do) before. It has been incredibly exciting period of time for me and a lot of growth too! I also got my first pull-up, so that's very, very exciting. In this time, I've PR'd my Snatch, managed to do 41 toe-to-bars, rowed for the first time, Deadlifted 155 lbs more than I ever have before...it's been exciting and I am going to be very excited to post more soon!

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The Night Before the Open...

...and I'm peeing my pants in excitement/fear.

But right before that, the Paleo Challenge finished up at Crossfit Vortex and yours truly was the winner.  I was incredibly shocked by that news but I could not be any prouder of myself.  I had an incredible 117% improvement in my conditioning and also excellent improvement in my body measurements and strength. I've also decided that I am going to subscribe to my own version of the paleo diet. By this I mean inside my own home I am going to prepare paleo meals the majority of the time, which basically means that I will not be "strict" all the time. By this I basically mean I will enjoy sushi at a restaurant, or popcorn at the movie theatres. I don't intend on making this a ritual by any means but I think everything in moderation is fine. I do feel better internally too, and for someone such as myself plagued with discomfort quite often - it's a nice change.

Things have been quiet recently here because I've transitioned to a new job and I am in absolute love.  I'm so pumped about my new job and everyday is exciting and I hope I'll never lose this feeling. I suppose you could say I'm honeymooning right now, but something tells me that this really won't fad much. I'm also going to Boston! I'm going with some of the people I work with for the day to visit another school. Way. too. awesome.

And now the Crossfit Open. I'm excited, I'm scared, nervous, anxious, can't wait, post the WOD already...you name it. The best part is that I'm going to be doing the WODs with some of the most supportive people I know and I can't wait for them to push me to kill every movement.  I've got an entire community rooting for me, and I am there for them too. I'm excited because this is my first time out and I look forward to seeing what I can do today, and what I can do in 2015. Setting up some benchmarks so I can track my progress and growth. I'm excited to test my limits and set up some new goals for the rest of the year.  This isn't about what place I come in for my age group, or in my region.  This is about being proud of whatever my score is and not comparing myself to others in my box or anyone else. (This is always hard to do, but I really mean it). As most things in our world, we constantly compare ourselves to others, the way they look, their physique, their athletic ability, their intelligence, and the list continues.

Yoga teaches us to really zone into our practice and that what you do in your practice is your own. You own it. Own your performance. So I'm going to zone into my Open WODs, I'm going to be competing with me and the clock.  This is my time to concentrate on myself, think about myself, time to be selfish and not care about whatever else is doing. It's all my time. It's gonna get fun in here.

Sweet Potato Burgers

Recipe after the jump!

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Shakshuka

This is a Middle Eastern favourite of mine! It's such an easy recipe to put together in a short period of time, for breakfast, lunch or dinner! It's simply poached eggs in tomato sauce. At the simplest, as long as you have some canned tomatoes (or the real thing) and eggs - you are basically good to go.

Recipe after the jump!

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