Monday 25 May 2015

Tasmanian guide to buying LCHF friendly produce

One of the hardest things I have found with changing our lifestyle has been finding user friendly cafes and shops.  
There is a lot of footwork and internet stalking initially, to find what you want.  
The latter made even more difficult because, lets face it Tasmanian businesses just don't seem to get the internet thing.  They either don't have a website or the website they sent up in 2006 hasn't been touched since then.
So, to help other folk out I have come up with a document.  And, well, being a virgo this is what I do LOL

Because this WOE (way of eating) is relatively new to us Tasmanians the demand on businesses hasn't be high for the products we want.
However, I am not one to shy away from asking.  I figure the worst they can do is say no, and really that doesn't do them any favours does it!

I have been pleasantly surprised with most responses and am pleased to say that most places that I ask for a specific request either agree straight up or at the very least agree to consider my request. 

Only this week I put the challenge out to Conmurra Farm where I buy my meat to see if they would do some paleo sausages.  I asked that they be just meat, fat and seasoning with no filler at all.  They gladly took this on board and sent me a kilo of pork and a kilo of beef with my order to try out!  
And a great price of under $10 per kilo!
You can't get better service than that!

Also, if you are a first time buyer thru the link above you get a discount!

Obviously I can't buy all my food through Conmurra.  
Below is a run down of where I get most of my bits and bobs for the week:

Wholesome House - Mowbray
David and Lee are awesome!  They stock most of what I need and if they don't then they will do their utmost to source it and get it in for you.   
They stock all Ashgrove products, organic seasonal fruit/veg, MCT oil, coconut oil, ACV in bulk, bulk nuts/nutmeal/nut butter, herbs/spices loose, ghee, eggs, sauerkraut plus much more!  
They also have a great range of water filters, which is really important to keeping healthy.  I have a reverse osmosis filter that I bought from them and truly it is the best thing I have spent money on and has paid for itself in no time! 

If you don't filter your water I highly recommend researching the benefits and consider doing it. 
I also try and do my veg shopping at Harvest Market most Saturdays. There are two great stalls there that sell chemical free veg.  They are really reasonably priced and you are supporting local independent businesses at the same time.

I also buy my coffee at Harvest from Ritual Coffee.  Another local small business.  His coffee is great tasting and good quality so well worth the $$$

Steve & Grace's greengrocer out at Youngtown have avocados super cheap most of the time. I got some for 65c each this week!  And, the greengrocer in Mowbray often has cauliflower cheap too.

But to do the leg work for you
I have created a guide to buying LCHF/paleo.  

This is downloadable and printable for you to use.
Obviously it doesn't list every business in Tasmania.  It has many Launceston businesses who were contacted and a few in other areas around the state.

It also doesn't list every item.  I think most people know where to buy eggs or almond meal from.  The products included are the ones I see most people asking about on websites, forums and FB groups.  

If you have a product you find tricky to buy or you know of a business that stocks loads of good stuff then please leave a comment and I can add it to the list.  

I would love to be able to include more businesses out side of Launceston.

Friday 8 May 2015

head down and bum up and back to work!

I am heading in for that last 15kg.  
I am hoping to stick with LCHF way of eating rather than doing another HCG round.  
I want to join a local gym that supports LCHF and build some lean muscle and increase by strength so I can't really do that if I am doing HCG.


I have come so far and I know there is never a finish as such, as this is a lifestyle change, not a quick fix diet that has an end date.  
But I know that I really only need to lose another 10-15kg to be within a healthy weight range and not obese.  



Did you know I have lost almost half my starting body weight.  
Not far off and that blows me away.  
I forget how big I was and it is funny because I feel like I am so teensy now, and compared to what I was I kind of am LOL


So, while I am feeling proud and bold I am going to share my current before and after.
I am nervous and a bit cringy doing this 
but 
I want all those people out there who think it is 
impossible, 
are overwhelmed, 
depressed 
and 
not confident 

that it can be done.




Saturday 18 April 2015

I fell off the wagon

Well, not me personally.  But I hear it all the time.  I am in quite a few bucket loads of groups on facebook  for HCG protocol, banting, LCHF, paleo peeps and every day there are several posts lamenting how they (the writer) have failed and fallen of the wagon.  Generally followed with self flagellation to an extreme.


Seriously, don't!  JUST DON'T!!!

Life is too short to beat yourself up over this shit.
At the end of the day all you can do is continue on eating what you know works for you.  

Take a look at why you 'fell off'
What caused you to eat something you feel you shouldn't have.




What exactly did you eat?


Life is there for living and food is there not only to fuel your body but also to enjoy.  

Maybe next time take a look at what you think you are craving, can that be satisfied with something that isn't going to hurt you or make you ill.
Sugar craving, try some almonds
Chocolate craving, have some super dark chocolate with high cacao 



But please, don't make yourself feel bad over it.

This is a life change. 
If it were a diet and you were trying to lose weight by a certain period then you might feel disappointed that that wasn't happening.

Because eating real food that your body agrees with is a lifestyle you are not time limited.
You cannot fail