Crockpot Pulled Pork Burritos (Paleo Friendly)

My intention when starting a blog this year was to share stories of my journey with organization, homemade meals, and DIY projects. As you have probably noticed, I have been on a huge fitness kick the entire summer (and now into fall). While this has cut back on time for DYI projects and organization around the house, I have still been working on many healthy recipes to share.

A couple months ago, JD and I decided to change our diet. The original thought came about when I was setting goals at the beginning of the year (although what I didn't know at the time was how well this goal would correlate with Crossfit which I wasn't even doing at the time). As I continue growing in fitness, I want to incorporate a more balanced approach to healthy eating. When you are dedicated to enhancing your life through fitness, it only makes sense improve the way you are eating too. So, my “no processed foods” goal came about….

Since I love cooking, trying new recipes, and making up my own, it seemed like an easy transition and a fun challenge. That was at the beginning of the year….Halfway through 2013, I still hadn’t taken the first steps to healthier eating.

Around the same time I was rethinking my goal and how to integrate this change into my lifestyle, I began working out at CrossfitFlyOver. As I previously mentioned, when I push toward fitness, it only makes me want to get more out of it and I knew I needed to change up our diet.

Through Crossfit, I was introduced to a diet that is based upon eating wholesome foods from the food groups our hunter-gatherer ancestors would have thrived on including: fresh meats (preferably grass-produced or free-ranging beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and game meat, if you can get it), fish, seafood, fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and healthful oils. After researching Paleo recipes, finding a few more blogs to follow, and modifying a few weeknight staples, I realized we could make Paleo meals that include WAY more than just chicken, veggies, and salads.

Crockpot Pork Burritos is one of our all-time favorite meals. It took very few modifications to turn this favorite in a Paleo-approved meal….And the end result is just as good!

Crockpot Pulled Pork Burritos (serves A LOT)

Ingredients:

• Pork loin (around a 3lb boneless pork loin with the fat trimmed off)
• Spices: chili powder, cumin, lemon pepper seasoning, salt/pepper
• Peppers — green, red, yellow (if you like heat, add in some jalapenos)
• Small white onion thinnly sliced
• Salsa — prepare a homemade salsa or purchase a fresh salsa (jarred salsa)
• Head of lettuce (tortilla shells)
• Monterrey jack cheese
• Toppings: serve with guacamole, sliced avocado, tomoates or green onion

Place the pork loin in your crockpot. Combine spices with about 1 cup of water and poor the mixture over the pork loin. Next, add in the salsa and peppers. Cook for 6-8 hours on low in a crockpot.

For the non-Paleo recipe, try the crossed out ingredients listed above.
 
At some point (I make no gurantees when), I will get better at providing measurements, real instructions, and appetizing photos. I can tell you though, any recipe I post will be simple, easy to modify, and absolutely delicious!

Redefining My Fitness

Redefining My Fitness

At the beginning of summer (Monday following my Dam to Dam run), I started my journey with Crossfit. Like many unaware people out there who haven’t stepped foot in an actual BOX , I was a complete skeptic. All I could think was this is just the next expensive, workout fad…..But, since my husband wouldn’t stop asking me to go, I figured I would at least try out the free first week. Needing a break from running and always up for trying something new, I thought, what could 1 week hurt….

Well, actually, it could hurt a lot! I remember the soreness from that first week….and hurting more than I have ever hurt from a workout. Was I really this out of shape? My motivation for each demanding workout came from knowing it would be done soon. If I could run for more than 2 hours, than could do the daily workout….right?

Well, it’s been more than 3 months and I am hooked. Even though some may call it obsessed, I know the change Crossfit has made in my life — and it’s hard to not be excited. I have noticed a positive difference in numerous areas — from my health, to my confidence, to my fitness level as a whole. And now that I am back into half-marathon training, I have really noticed how Crossfit complements my running performance.

More importantly, Crossfit is pushing me and motivating me to try harder and undefine limits I previously set. The possibilities are endless…..

As we celebrated JD’s 30^th birthday this past weekend, I couldn’t help think about turning 30 in May. And while I have had this “perception” stuck in my head, it’s good to know at almost 30, I can say I am in the best shape of my live and it is only getting better.

From One Challenge To The Next

It’s been awhile since my last post. Here’s what I’ve been up to since mid-May.

Dam to Dam—Not sure what it is about this race, but it always gets the best of me. While it wasn’t a PR or great feeling run, I did get to “enjoy” the time running with good friends. Stacy ran with me the entire way which is not her pace! She motivated me to keep moving (as much as I could I listened) and we crossed the finish together. After that race, I decided I should cross that off my Thifty Before Thirty list. They days are only getting shorter….

Blueberry Coffee—I had to find a way to regulate my obsession with blueberry coffee. Well, that was kind of accomplished. Instead of driving completely out of my way to work, to enjoy this delicious beverage, I found a blueberry syrup online. Add that syrup to some Dunkin Donuts coffee (or even the FREE stuff at work isn’t bad), and I am set for the morning. It’s probably a good thing I found this syrup....the day I received it in the mail was Day 1 of Crossfit.

CrossFit—Yep, I joined in on the CrossFit craze and now understand all the hype. Knowing I needed a change from just running, I decided to test it out. What’s the worst that could happen, right? Although I couldn’t move for the first whole week (very sore muscles), I made it and completed week 2 today! It definitely helps that I’m doing this with a group of friends and every one there really is encouraging and friendly.

I am enjoying the quick, intense workouts, heavy lifting and sense of community. In many ways, it’s reminds me of a half-marathon with the discomfort, exhaustion, competition (either with the group or yourself) and uncertain moments….but it’s only half the time and almost every day. Now, I just need to fit some running in my schedule.

What have you been up to the last month?

Another Year Bites The Dust (Almost 30!)

Thanks to all the amazing family and friends for the birthday wishes today!

One year from today, I will be the big 3-0! Since I turned 21 (the only birthday that seemed to matter), it doesn’t seem like I’ve been getting closer to 30 each year. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was at Drake, living on my own for the first time and enjoying FREEDOM! Birthdays seem to come and go….and besides all the appreciated love and wishes from friends and family, it has always been just another day, another year passed.

Awhile back, I decided I needed to challenge myself and redefine each year. I started thinking about all the things I have always wanted to do, but for some reason, hadn’t gotten to yet. I feel like a lot of plans or dreams get lost in the shuffle of our busy lives and every day to-do lists. And as another year passed, I thought….what am I waiting for? If now's not the time to do everything….then when is the right time exactly!

 

I envisioned a list of comprised trips I’ve been putting off, challenges I’ve been procrastinating on, skills I’ve been waiting to acquire, roadblocks I needed to overcome, and plain old amazing things that I’ve never even thought about doing before.

So, here’s my bucket list of sorts that I intend to finish before May 7, 2014—my “30 Things to Do Before I Turn 30”.

(Since I created my list, I have actually accomplished a few!)

 

 

 

 

 

1. Run another half-marathon (under 2:15)

2. Do more volunteering (Girls on the Run 5k- coming up)
3. Take golf lessons (and get good…. But not sure 1 year is enough time)
4. Sew something (even if it’s just reattaching a button!)
5. Pay off any debt (with exception of student loans….those may take a lifetime)
6. Build a piece of furniture from scratch
7. Study the Bible
8. Master Grandma Mary’s coffee bread (Attempt #1=FAIL) and other recipes (borsch, cookies, etc.)
9. Blog (regularly- define regularly and set goals)
10. Try new recipes and create some of my own
11. Take more road trips
12. Get better at documenting moments (actually use my camera!)
13. Take a graphic design class
14. Reupholster or refinish a piece of furniture
15. Coach a softball team or help out at practices
16. Travel outside the country (Italy, Costa Rica)
17. Travel inside the country (Colorado, South Carolina, visit Alex)
18. Refinish an old piece of furniture
19. Create a 5 year personal plan
20. Go zip lining
21. Take a cooking lesson
22. Join a book club (or start reading more)
23. Grow an herb garden
24. Sister for Crosby (another wheaten terrier)
25. Ride a day or two of RAGBRAI
26. A new house
27a. Run a marathon…..I may be kidding on this one? But if I try, JD must do a half-marathon
27b. If not, run a half-marathon under 2 hours (aka, keep up with Stacy and Shelby an entire race)
28. Visit 3 baseball stadiums/new cities…change it up from Chicago/Wrigley
29. Reach out to family/friends more frequently (birthday, anniversaries, etc.)
30. Start a family

As I read through my list, there are many people that come to mind who can help me achieve these in 1 year. And you better believe I will be reaching out to them (YOU!) for great advice, experience and to share some quality time!

For instance, there is no way I can build something without my dad’s help….mostly because I wouldn’t have the tools! I ask for each birthday/Christmas, but apparently my dad (and JD) don’t trust me with a table saw!

Sewing…I think of my Aunt Kathie who can make anything and everything. Me on the other hand, I tried to sew on a button once and the outcome was very sad. I’m not sure why I asked for the sewing machine for Christmas (thanks Mom!) but I need to start putting it to use.

Running (no matter the goal), I know I couldn’t do any of it without my great running buddies! It’s mostly true that “The hardest step is the first step out the door” but not when you know you’re meeting up with great friends! Some days, 12 miles doesn’t seem like a long enough time to spend chatting outside on a gorgeous day! When we finish, I always look forward to the next run! Even if I can't walk to my car because my legs are SO sore!

I have made a few small dents, but it looks like I’ll be busy this next year! So, wish me luck as I continue to tackle this list. And feel free to share your suggestions or expertise!