Primal Living Tasmania conference - part two

Now I know you are probably already a bit jelly that you didn't get to this event and you missed out on awesome food and stuff.  

Let me just say "but wait there is more.........."

Speakers!!

and what an array of speakers!

Gary Fettke

Christine Cronau

Jenna Lovell

Rohan Anderson

Alexx Stuart

Guy Lawrence

David Gillespie

Zee Arain

Rod Tayler

Gerard Chrochon

Chrystal Fieldhouse

Not all of them were my 'cup of tea' and I feel that a couple probably could have been left off the list and stuck to their trade table instead, but that is just my opinion.

Gary Fettke

I was really looking forward to Gary speaking as I have followed him for some time,  and I was not disappointed.  Although I believe sugar is the root of many evils and have cut it out of our diet I didn't feel he was preaching to the converted.  He spoke alot about the link between inflammation and glucose/fructose and the mitochondria which I found really interesting.  Another thing he highlighted was the need for seasonal eating.  He used paleolithic man (stoneage) as an example, describing their need to 'fatten up' in the good seasons (summer/autumn) to tide them over the harder months when food was more scarce.  This makes sense as our weight does change seasonally.  Anna spoke of this in her article recently.  And, because the focus of the day was mostly low carb, high fat (LCHF) he also spoke about good vs bad oils' and the study of 'blue zone longevity' which is something I want to read more on.

His last words really stuck with me  

"we need to be humble in our eating; local, seasonal, natural"

Christine Cronau

I am new to the Christine band wagon as I only just started following her the last few months.   Christine's talk focused heavily on the LCHF philosophy.     How our low fat culture has seen a rise in strokes, heart disease, diabetes and thyroid disfunction.  She highlighted many of the dietary myths that are spun around food promotion and the 'health' industry.  

Rohan Anderson

I loved this guy.  

Do yourself a favour and check out his blog.  

He is so entertaining and tells a story of tree change that is becoming very common.

 David Gillespie
David has written multiple books on sugar and oil.  His talk focused on oils and had some great information that was new to me.    Check out his books  (via link above) if you haven't heard of him.  I particularly found this chart informative.  It outlines how much polyunsaturated fat is contained in certain oils.  Obviously the ones on the left with least amount are the ones you want to use and avoid those on the right.  Sorry the photo quality isn't much better.

Although I suspect the speakers were in many cases 'preaching to the converted' I found this to be an informative and entertaining day.  I am really glad I went as there were many things I learnt, particularly from the speakers I have commented on above.
If you are bummed you missed out because you live interstate then please check out Jo's website as she is taking this national.  I am not sure if she will have the same speakers but keep your eye out for it in your part of the woods.  It seems to be the current trend in workshops and I have seen Changing Habits hosting similar as have Low Carb DownUnder

Primal Living Tasmania conference - Part One

I was fortunate enough to grab a last minute ticket for the Primal Living, Changing The Way We Eat conference held this weekend in Hobart.  Talk about spur of the moment and the planets colliding stuff! Tickets = no money, Money = no tickets and then someone had a ticket and couldn't go KAPOW!    

Hobart I am in you!!

I headed down to Hobart on Friday afternoon.  An 8am registration and icy morning roads didn't appeal to me.  Now, if you haven't heard of airbnb for accommodation I suggest you check it out!!  Some great places to stay and at a reasonable price.  I stayed with Sarah (and Ruby) in Harrington St.  Nice and close to the north Hobart eateries, quiet area and a lovely home.

Take your own water bottle!

Seriously, if you are going to the Wrest Point, take your own.  $4.70 for a small bottle of water is just crazy!  I had run out and forgot to go to the supermarket on the way, so was pinched.   I also thought the set up might have been tables to sit at with water.  It was theatre style auditorium so I was busted!  Fortunately, the conference had water filters dotted around the trade room so I could refill my bottle.

I am Bulletproof, hear me roar!

So, if you haven't heard of the bulletproof phenomena that is taking us by storm you have obviously been living under a rock.  Me, hadn't had one because I don't think any cafes serve them and I am basically lazy.  So I broke my cherry yesterday (twice)
The OptimOZ team providing the coffee use their brand of MCT oil to make their coffee.  I did find it incredibly creamy and tasty, however it did react and I was very bloated afterwards.  Will test with home made to see if it has the same effect or is just their blend.

There were around 20 trade tables and they all offered great deals on the day, samples and plenty of information about their products.  Many of them contributed to the food served which was great.
One thing I dislike when I go to something like this is being harassed by the stall holders and all but one avoided doing this.
I didn't buy a heap of stuff.
What I did indulge in was some raw honey from Miellerie,  King Island Beef Jerky 
and some Rumbles Paleo bars.

Who doesn't like a goodie bag!

I love a goodie bag.  Mind you my kids do even more.  This one didn't fail to please and had loads of samples (although a few were missing from mine so I am thinking they may have run out.  Which was a bit disappointing).
Loved the magazines included and the discount vouchers that last longer than a week.
A suggestion for future events would be that they avoid including brochures for trade table holders.  Because no one gets a chance to have a good look through until they get home they tend to grab brochures off the table.  This is a complete was of paper and money (on the business's part) because it is a double up that ultimately ends up in the recycling.  If I go past a table and am interested I will grab their brochures etc  I don't need them in the bag as well.
It was awesome to see Urban Farm Tasmania including seeds in the bags too!

The food!  OMG!  THE FOOD!!!!!

I only wish I had written it all down so I wouldn't have to go from memory.
Did I mention it was awesome!
OMFG!
I am sure it was quite alien for the hotel chef to cook this way and I hope it was a learning experience for him and his staff.
It truly was delicious.

Morning tea consisted of bone broth, pumpernickel bread with pesto and butter, Kind Island Beef Jerky,  Mt Gnomon sausages, organic apples, terrines, nuts, cured meats and more coffee!

A few hours later lunch was served.  Again, we were not disappointed.
It is so nice to go to an event that I can actually eat at and not have to take my own food.
I cannot remember all the dishes for lunch but the ones I do remember wet dishes of beef, lamb, offal, wallaby kofta (divine!), meatballs, veg, salad, sauerkraut, spiced cauliflower 'cous cous', sweet potato, chia puddings and raw coconut rough chocolates.

So much happening and I haven't even started on the speakers!  
Watch this space or subscribe for updates
and I will share my thoughts and notes on all the speakers on the day.

Eating out on the protocol

One of the things I hear from people is "oh I couldn't do that, I like to go out too much!"   

I am sure you are familiar with this if you are doing the protocol. Or perhaps you are put off from doing the protocol for this very reason.

Now I have to admit at this point that I don't go out to eat very often due to finances (or lack thereof).  But if I do it is usually to catch up with someone more than the actual convenience of a meal out.

The total days of a round on the protocol is approximately 90 days.  I figure that phase 2 is less than half of that.  A small sacrifice in the bigger scheme of things.

The fact that I am probably going to feel less than ordinary if I go out and eat what I want anyway is a good motivator in itself to stay true.

Obviously the loading phase is the best time to cash in on no restrictions and go to town LITERALLY!  

For both rounds so far I have had a 'last meal' and gone out for something healthy but full of good fats for loading.  A great opportunity to fill up before the six weeks.

This doesn't mean that I don't go out during phase 2.   I just do it a bit differently. I opt to meet in a park or similar and take my own lunch.  Or, there is a great cafe in Launceston called Amelia Expresso that you can take your own food to and just purchase a cuppa (they also offer pastries, cakes and light snacks too).    I think more places should do this.  Even if not on protocol I find it expensive to take my kids out but would probably do more if I could take our food and just buy a drink for us!  A few places will also let you take your own food if you explain you are on a restricted diet but don't expect it across the board :(

During phase 4/5 it is much easier, although can still be challenging.  Particularly if you live somewhere that has limited choice of eateries.  We are lucky in Launceston as we have a great range of places to get good, healthy and interesting food.  Some places will be more than open to tweaking a dish to suit your needs too.

However, there are things to watch out for, in particular menu descriptions.  I was out last week with family, we went to a local pub (not my first choice but I didn't get to pick the place) and I ordered a prawn and avocado salad with no dressing (suspecting it would be out of a bottle and loaded with junk).  Sounds simple enough, the menu said quite clearly 'Prawn and AVOCADO salad'.  Yup, I assumed that meant slices of avocado, which was obviously a poor assumption to make.   Firstly, the meal came out drowned in salad dressing.  I explained that I couldn't eat that and that I had requested no dressing.  With much huffing and puffing the waitress took it back and eventually came back with a replacement.  This time no dressing but a huge dollop of commercial 'avocado' dip.  This was the avocado portion of the salad!!  I explained that no, I couldn't eat that either, I had been expecting sliced FRESH avocado.  Was met with a tirade of rudeness so I requested a refund and decided to eat when I got home.  They did try to tell me the dip was just mashed avocado but it most definitely wasn't.  I am not stupid!

 Lesson learnt!

ASK

ASK

ASK

If you are not sure, don't make assumptions.  Ask what is in the dish and double check you can eat it.

Last night I went out for dinner  ( I know, I really don't go out often!  LOL) with friends.  We went Mexican.  I made a decision that after sticking to protocol for six months I would have what I wanted!!  I had a dish that stuck to my phase 4 pretty much, I did have a small tortilla wrap and a few corn chips.  My downfall was having two margaritas and I gained overnight and felt a bit icky this morning.  But, this was my decision and I knew I would have consequences from my night out.  If I had wanted to stick to protocol I could have avoided some of the items on my plate and had water to drink.

Mind you, I am in round 2 and this is not my last round so I can probably afford to cheat a tiny bit.  When it comes to my last round I most definitely will not take these liberties as I will be endeavouring to achieve LS (leptin sensitivity).  I am thinking I probably have another 2 rounds!

What I am saying is that you don't have to stay at home and eat zucchini and chicken every day LOL  You can go out, you can mix it up a little and be creative and maintain that social life.  At the end of the day, the worse you can do is get a tummy ache and a bit of a gain.  There is always tomorrow :)