When I Was in Iraq: Part Eleven - the Iraqi Weight Loss Plan

I have struggled with weight for much of my life. I just love food! In particular, I love things like pizza, potatoes, and, of course, Big Macs.

I arrived in Iraq heavier than I wanted to be. But Iraq was going to present the unique opportunity to lose weight in a controlled setting.

The Weight Loss Plan

I would be spending three months total on a US base. I would be eating meals planned and prepared by our kitchen staff. I also would have access to gym equipment. 

So I resolved that I was going to spent those three months strictly avoiding things like sweets and empty carbs. I would also practice portion control. And I would also plan my life around working out every single day.

Now, the base kept things like ice cream and potato chips freely available for anyone who wanted it. So I had to exercise considerable discipline to not indulge myself.

Since the temperature would be reaching potentially 120 degrees in the afternoon while I was there, I fell into a schedule wherein I was lights out at 8:00PM. I slept eight hours and then woke up at 4:00AM. I went to the main building of our base, drank a cup of coffee and worked out. I did a combination of weight training and cardio on an elliptical machine.

The Results

For three months I maintained this regimen. And here's what happened.

Here I am in pictures taken in early July and then in early September.

In total, I had lost thirty pounds in that time frame.

The Position of the Gun

Notice another detail between those two pictures. In early July, I had clearly pulled my holster forward so that my gun was more visible in the picture. I was like, "Hey, look at me! I'm in a war and I'm carrying a gun!"

In September I was still required to be carrying that gun, but in the picture you might not even know it was there, because by then I was like, "Just get me the fuck out of here."

The fact is, I've still spent the next twelve years in yo-yo dieting. I'm heavier right now than I wish I was. I know what I have to do in order to address the situation. And I'll do it, as I've done before. I'll miss you, Big Macs (for a while...;)!

The Paleo Diet: Take Magnesium for Better Sleep

I've experienced much better sleep since beginning magnesium supplements. In this video, I explore the reasons why, based on Paleo Diet principles, humans may require more magnesium than our foods generally contain. (To the right is the product I personally take daily.)
 

It all goes back to the fact that our ancestors cooked meat directly on fire for millions of years.

Photographer Nick Riley graciously gave me permission to use one of his photos which illustrates the cooking methods of modern hunter gatherers. Please visit his beautiful website and explore the world through his talent.

Paleo Christmas Beef Hash!

One of the problems that will come up from time to time when you eat Paleo is, what am I going to do with all this left over steak?!

Last night I had a T-Bone, my wife had one of two filet mignon steaks, all broiled.

So we just got back from Liturgy and we needed a lunch of some sort until tonight's roast turkey.

I decided to quickly make up a concoction using up the steak, some organic non-nitrate bacon we have, and an onion.
I call it Paleo Beef Hash.
First, I cut the steak into small cubes. I cut up about five strips of bacon, removing much of the pure fat. I diced a small onion.

I fried the bacon just until it started to brown and then mixed in the onion. 
  Since I had removed much of the fat, I didn't need to strain any oil off. I let the onions become very soft and begin to caramelize. Then I mixed in the steak cubes and stirred until the meat was fully reheated.

I served this with two chicken sausages, with a shot of vodka on the side to celebrate the Nativity. This hash tasted so good!

Merry Christmas, everyone! And have a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Scrambled Quail Eggs!

Paleolithic humans didn't raise birds for their eggs. But we, like many species, were opportunistic consumers of whatever eggs we could find. We probably didn't make a habit of climbing high into trees looking for the things. But birds like geese, ducks, chickens, and quail make their nests on the ground and were prime pickings for us.
So in the spirit of egg variety, I picked up a carton of quail eggs. I'd seen them for years and always wondered what they're like.

Here's eighteen quail eggs (the whole carton) ready to be whipped up.

I side it with bacon and put some caramelized onions atop.

 They taste perhaps a little lighter than a chicken egg, but virtually the same. I've not fully researched the matter, but quail eggs were considered medicinal in ancient cultures and they apparently do contain substantially better nutritional benefits than chicken eggs.

They only drawback was that cracking all those little eggs was a bit of a nuisance. But the final product was delicious.

Paleo 101

On Survivor, Ozzie spent the last 15 days eating nothing but fish. The rest of them, including Brandon, ate lots of stuff, including the rice they provide at the main camp.

And in a challenge of sheer physical endurance, of course Ozzie wins!

Paleo Proves it!

Why the Paleo Diet is Awesome: Reason #79

Bacon, with Eggs Fried in Bacon Grease. Nuff' Said.

In Search of the Perfect Roasted Almond...

Something in the process my wife invented creates the world's most absolutely delicious roasted almond. Others from our CrossFit Box agree. So to help others enjoy this supernal experience, we've documented the process in detail step-by-step.



If you try this and agree, let me know.

Paleo Shrimp Curry!

It's Friday night and time for something "Fast" friendly.

We wanted to shake up our traditional shrimp casserole somehow. So here's what we did.

One whole bunch of celery, chopped small.

One large onion, chopped similarly.

I fried the celery and onion together in a bit of olive oil until they were starting to brown.

I then cooked a two pound bag of raw shrimp until done.

 I added the shrimp to the celery/onion mixture and put about three teaspoons of curry powder on the whole. I stirred it all together and, voila!

Here's the meal.



It was delicious. We're thinking this same meal could be made with pork or chicken replacing the shrimp. I'll let you know.

A Paleo Cartoon!

Two ladies in a Sauna. But the hottest thing going is the information that the Paleo Diet can help you lose weight!

The Paleo Diet Works!

I lost 30 pounds on the Paleo Diet. Here's a video I made that explains the diet and my further research on it.