Chris and I interpreted eating on our mini-vacation during
this challenge a little differently. While
we collectively burned thousands of calories tearing up several thousand
vertical feet on the slopes, he replaced his calories differently than I
did. Now, I’m not leaving tire tracks on
his back as I drive the Paleo Zone Bus over him, but let’s just say he allowed
himself a little more freedom of choices than did I. We each maintained our water intake, perhaps
even more, because hydration is the key to fighting the altitude sickness (a
battle I briefly lost). I’m proud to say
I remained Paleo the entire time, but possibly got duped with some wings that
seemed to have breading despite the ding-dong waitress saying “I don’t think so.”
Each day, we made a breakfast of eggs, greens,
and artichoke hearts for us, while whipping up gluten-free pancakes and cereal for
the kids. We took protein mix in our
backpacks and mixed them at the summit, and successfully resisted the overwhelming
urge to have a beer or two in the 65 degree sunlight on the bar patios up on
the slopes. In years past, we would have
indulged in burgers, fries, and beers on the back slope bars, but on this trip
we were the nerdy, non-partying outback skiers.
Having 3 liters of water via Camelbak in my backpack was the best
decision we made, because my water intake was almost constant throughout the
day. I was however, extremely unpopular
with my kids – “Mom! Are you serious? You have to pee again? What is wrong with you? It's practically on
every run that we have to stop!” Apparently I’m raising camels.
I’ve taken a peek on the other side of this challenge, and eating
Paleo is easy - even when the conditions are difficult. I grew up in a restaurant, so I know that
chefs don’t particularly like to be told how to cook their meals. I know that servers get irritated with people
who switch everything up. And I know
that sending something back to the kitchen because it’s not what you asked for
invites adjectives from the chef that have never been used to describe you
before. I also know that getting the
food you need to eat depends completely on the delivery of the question. “This sauce sounds amazing, but I have some food
sensitivities. Instead of boring you
with all the details, do you think the chef would mind preparing the steak only
with some dry seasonings and holding the sauce?” The server immediately buys
in, saying, “The broccoli should be fine because it’s only lightly
steamed. Will that be okay for you?
Would you like extra broccoli since you aren’t having the cheesy bacon bleu garlic
smashed potatoes?” It’s all about the delivery. Chefs are sensitive artists in
any nicer restaurant, and I added the bonus that I was in a tourist destination. I would have immediately been labeled the
east-coast snot who thinks I know how to cook better than he does, if I didn’t
tiptoe carefully through the semantics. If
you are thinking that a Paleo diet will continue to be a part of your
lifestyle, and you enjoy eating out, I would suggest you make sure you know how
to politely ask for what you want if it isn’t on the menu.
When I came home, there was a much anticipated package
waiting for me – my Well-Fed Cookbook by Melissa Joulwan!
Thanks to Geoff,
my fellow Crossfitter and the commenter who makes me choke on my broccoli with laughter, this recommendation
is top-notch! I’m so excited, I have no idea yet what I’m making first, but I’m
taking the cookbook with me to Wegmans today.
I now have three paleo cookbooks, and this is by far the best. Today I am trudging through the bowels of my
freezer to eat uninteresting things until I can get to the store. The fridge is basically empty, so I’m pretty
certain I will be at my protein shake maximum allotment by the middle of the
day.
Let me remind you that we have only 12 more days on this
challenge. Two more weekends, and then
we get to see the actual measures of our success. Don’t get complacent with the little bit of
progress, instead keep pushing to blow it out.
I realize the postings the last few days have been patchy, but they will
be consistent from here on out. If you’ve
never packed up a family to ski each day, along with dietary constraints for
each of us, you may not understand how any computer time slipped away from me.
I’m back on the Zone Train, and really looking forward to
some deadlifts today!
