The last day of our paleo challenge!...and some chicago paleo restaurant options

It’s hard to believe it is already DAY 45, the last day of our paleo challenge!  This day finds me full of mixed emotions. 

On the one hand, I’m super excited we made it a full 45 days on our paleo rules, existing well within the limitations we set out.  For example, we had very little fruit and virtually no honey or other natural sweeteners – much less than the prescribed rules allowed.

On the other hand, I am scared!  I have been a meal planning machine for the past 45 days, and with the end of the challenge approaching, our last meal plan ended today.  Yesterday the thought of not having a planned paleo lunch pushed me over the edge and I planned out our meals for another week.  I’ve determined that I need to keep planning, the difference is that now the plan includes some scheduled restaurant stops.  These are restaurants that will provide some paleo options, if not paleo – at least ‘primal’ – for us that means potentially adding in some dairy.

We need to make sure to not let the restaurant meals over take the planned, home cooked meals.  We already have 2 nights of dining out scheduled for this week, partially due to just being able to!  But, these are very good paleo option restaurants.  If you ever find yourself in Chicago and in need of a paleo option, these should work:

• El Barco Mariscos – specializing in serving an abundance of grilled seafood and meats served family style, also serve a great ceviche! (will be staying away from the sugar-filled margaritas this trip – maybe just go for some straight tequila!)
• Old Town Social – specializing in charcuterie, they also have amazing specials (often involving delicious roasted meats).  At the very least, they serve a grass-fed beef burger topped with bacon and an egg – take it bunless and you’re good to go.

Complete 45-day Paleo Challenge, check.  Continue paleo lifestyle, working on it!

#45 - Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls (the second time)

I will follow the rules.

I am not generally a rule follower – if you put a fence in front of me, I want to jump over it. However, for this challenge we will set forth the rules and I will follow them. So, here’s the food rules. Pretty straightforward in terms of what is considered paleo and what is not. I do believe that you have to decide how paleo ‘works’ for you on an individual basis. (a great post from Everyday Paleo on this topic) For that reason, I think our alcohol rules are pretty lenient – but it’s what is going to work for us and our lifestyle – since my hope is that our post-challenge habits are not that far off from the challenge rules.

Absolutely will be eaten

• Lean meats (grass-fed as much as possible)
  
• Poultry
  
• Fish
  
• Shellfish
  
• Omega-3 eggs
  
• Veggies (non-starchy)
  
• Berries
  
• Nuts - primarily walnuts & macadamias
  
• Oils – olive, coconut and walnut
  

Not a bit, none!

• All dairy
  
• All grains
  
• All legumes
  
• Corn & corn products
  
• Refined sugars
  
• All other oils
  

Thoughtfully consumed

• Fruit – 2 servings per day max
  
• Sweet Potatoes – only on big workout days
  
• Almonds – last resort nut, all nuts limited to 4oz max per day
  
• Honey/Agave – Barely any, couple tablespoons per week (just enough to enjoy a very rare ‘paleo candy bar’)
  
• Nut flours – only walnut; max two nut flour ‘breaded’ meals per week
  

Alcohol

• Vodka – preferably Ciroc (gluten free, distilled from grapes), rocks or with club soda
  
• Tequila – (will be trying Robb Wolf’s NorCal Margarita recipe)
  
• Wine & Ciders – preferably organic and low sugar on the cider
  
• Limit 1 drink per night, no more than 3 nights per week.
  
• Max 1 night a weekend multiple drinks are ok if out for a social drinking occasion.
  
• Remain cognizant of time before bed, allow 2-3 hours between a drink and bed time. If not, have a small, protein-laden snack.
  

Supplements (Ryan’s plan)

• Fish oils – personalized quantity: use Robb Wolf's fish oil calculator
  
• Vitamin D - maybe, will do more research, but something should be done because the sunlight is elusive right now.
  
• CLA - 2000-3000mg/daily
  

I will take the fish oils, and may dabble in some fish oils that include flax and CLA, but overall I am just not as sold on the concept of supplements as Ryan.