30 Day Paleo Recap, RKC Training update and an easy recipe for Clams!

So, my I completed Day 30 of Robb Wolf's 30 Day Total Transformation on Feb 6th. To tell you honestly Day 30 came and went and I didn't look back.
Overall, my experience during the 30 days was extremely positive.
I began sleeping better.
Food began to taste real again.
I felt strong in my training sessions.
I felt lighter in my own body and my jeans started to fit easier.
I fell in love with eggs again.
I had minimal sugar cravings.
I barely missed bread.
I learned about the benefits of eating meat from pastured animals.
I was reminded just how delicious a sweet potato is, freshly baked, pulled straight from the oven.
I also learned that sardines can make a pretty filling meal.

And the list goes on. So many positives.
Very few negatives.
The negatives for me are timing and cost - it takes time to prep and cook food and it costs more for pastured meats, wild fish and organic nuts/seeds, veggies and fruits.
Will the negatives keep me from this lifestyle? No.

I am a member of 3 CSAs which provide me with meats, eggs, and in season, fruits and vegges. The farms are not certified organic, but practice Integrated Pest Management. For me, paying extra for the highest quality food is worth it.
At this time of change for me, segueing out of the client's kitchen and into a more fitness based career, I have the time to prep the food to eat. It's become exciting to prepare food again in my kitchen and I'm loving it.
So, I'll keep it going. And when I want to try something out that's not Paleo, I will. No biggie. I'm sold on this way of eating and I can't see not keeping it up. I can't see myself ever going back to a carb based diet, I just can't....

RKC Training
For over a week, I've had pain in my shoulder, underneath the collar bone, radiating towards my arm o nthe right side. I essentially took the week of from kettlebells to rest it. It's now feeling better and I plan to start my RKC training up again. I will go lighter w.the overall weight that I'll use, and I'm going to stay away from pressing (for now). I have time on my side. I'm still waiting for RKC Philly 2012 to be announced!!

Here's a quick Paleo friendly dish that can be an app or entree....fresh steamed clams! Clams are a great source of protein (22g in 3 oz) and have a relatively low caloric load (130 cal in 3oz). They do have cholesterol in them (55g in 3oz), and are packed with iron, potassium and Vitamin A.  They are worth seeking out.

I served the clams with a mix of sauteed greens: kale, collards and cabbage with bacon and garlic. The greens complemented the clams, which were steamed with bacon, garlic and oregano.
(We got the clams from a friend who goes clamming off the coast of the South Shore, so they are extremely fresh). All you need to do to prep them is to give them a quick soak in cool water for about 10-15 minutes, then give them a good rinse and scrub to get the sand off.
The version of the recipe that I made is a classic version, but like most recipes, all you need to do is shift the flavor profile a bit and you'll have a totally new dish. One example would be to add in ginger with the garlic, some curry paste, coconut milk instead of stock, cilantro instead of oregano and lime juice and you have an amazing Thai inspired curry dish. Experiment with flavors you enjoy.

Steamed Clams
Ingredients
Clams- 1-2 lbs per person for app serving
5 gloves garlic, minced
1/2 lb bacon, diced
2-3 TBS fresh oregano, chopped
1/2 cup stock (For a non-Paleo take, use 1/2 cup white wine)
Pinch red pepper flakes
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Technique
Cook bacon in Dutch oven or a big enough pot that can hold the clams.
After bacon has crisped up, add in garlic to saute, lowering heat a bit so garlic won't burn.
Add in the clams, stock, oregano and cover, allowing clams to steam open, approximately 10-15min*.
Finish with fresh squeezed lemon juice.
*After cooking the clams, discard any clams that have not opened; unopened clams indicate that the clam was dead before cooking and should not be eaten.



Try these clams out - they are really buttery and salty-sweet and go great with the bacon. Mussels would also work well prepared in this way.

Coming up next on the blog, a review of Paleo Snax Almond Raisin cookies and Steve's Original jerky and Paleo Krunch bars (hint: they are INSANELY delicious)....
Till then, eat well and play hard!