Every now and then I enjoy reading the paleo and nutrition blogosphere’s version of tabloids and op-ed to read various perspectives on and incarnations of ‘paleo’ nutrition. Often the nickname “Grok” is used in this community to refer to our quintessential Paleolithic ancestor. I found a recent post with a quote I liked: “…do you enjoy Christmas because it’s fun, family, warmth,…it’s all socially healthy — or do you really believe in Santa Claus…like…literally? Well, ‘Grok’ is just the paleo version of Santa Claus… We’re getting the benefit of a mythology we’ve created for our own convenience.”
(If you’re lost at this point, check out this video “Paleo In A Nutshell”, the CFSB Nutrition handout or the nutrition pages).
Living like Grok is part of a ‘paleo’ lifestyle construct. It’s one that is rooted in scientific findings, is evidence-based indicates will achieve longevity and high performance. Eating whole, natural foods, doing functional exercise, sleeping well, and perhaps intermittent fasting are just a fraction of the things Grok did (or a fraction of the time spent) in any given week, but these represent the main Grok-like activies that we can get the most use out of.
It’s largely up to individuals to implement those activities. A key theme in the big picture in this effort is that these new lifestyle habits (eating differently, drinking less, sleeping more, exercising differently) often appear to conflict with a modern lifestyle in some ways. While I enjoy playing ‘bad cop’ in the nutrition talks (Forrest plays ‘good cop’), I’m well aware of (and have experienced) how slow lifestyle transitions can be. Convenience is a major factor when priorities other than eating/sleeping well fill your your plate.
Here’s a list of some of the best paleo convenience foods with my notes. Add yours to the comments; I’ll compile them all later the Nutrition section of the website. Also, check out the Paleo Challenge update note at the bottom!
DIY Nutritious Paleo Convenience Foods
- Jerky (beef, turkey, fish, etc.): Most store brands are relatively high in sodium. Whole foods has some great tuna and salmon jerky; Trader Joe’s has buffalo, beef and turkey jerky that are lower in sodium that most brands; you can also order some of Remy’s home-made kind (very low sodium).
- Sardines: No, seriously! Trader Joe’s brand in olive oil are TASTY (better than tuna!) – not bad sodium content, very high in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Hard boiled eggs: Trader Joe’s makes a prepackaged version if you’re really short on time. I think they come out to $0.80/egg (?)
- Dried raisins, blueberries: Raisins’ sugars are mostly glucose, rather than fructose (muy bueno); berries are lower glycemic load and higher nutrient density than most other dried fruit, but still pack a sugary punch per oz.
- Nuts: Buy raw when possible for better fatty acid profile; organic benefits are mainly social/environmental (worker safety, bee extinction from pesticides). Best: walnuts, mac nuts.
Pre-prepared Paleo Convenience Meals
- Paleo Brands “Paleo Gourmet”: Newly launched line of paleo meals endorsed by Robb Wolf. In my opinion: needs more green vegetables in these for adequate nutrients for caloric load.
- Paleo Kits: This is excellent jerky and nuts; add some vegetables to this to complete.
Restaurants
- Sabra (Lebanese restaurant across the street from CFSB on PCH): I’m going to talk to the owner about a special ‘paleo’ option so we don’t have to have a detailed discussion each time on subbing out rice/pita/hummus. Shall we have it be called “The CFSB Special”? Any better ideas?
- Anywhere: Ask the chef to make you something tasty that just has meat and lots of vegetables. Go bunless, skip the beans and processed stuff — rice, tortilla, noodles, ask for extra veggies and meat instead.
Bars, Shakes, Stimulants
- Larabars: If you cannot get your hands on real food, this is an option. It is now in protein, so supplement with meat or jerky.
- Whey isolate or egg white protein: Use for mass gain post-workout or if absolutely necessary as meal replacement. Avoid ones that use casein.
Cheats & Treats
- Paleo Treats: A quote from their ‘Wisdom’ page: ”We stay away from salt and preservatives, drink a shot-glass of fish oil a day, and we’re waiting for the rest of the world to start eating like paleo-humans not fat plastic processing machines.”
A few blogs to add to your RSS for recipes and good reading:
- http://robbwolf.com/ – excellent podcasts and general and CrossFit-specific nutrition
- http://eatmovethrive.blogspot.com/ – recipes
- http://www.marksdailyapple.com/ – great recipes and perspective pieces
- http://www.sonofgrok.com/ – recipes
- http://mypaleokitchen.blogspot.com/ – recipes
The Paleo Challenge is almost over! Next week will be ‘after’ pictures and final benchmarks. I love the accountability people are feeling about their diet (“I thought of you, Remy, as I turned down the pre-meal breadbasket”) as a result of seeing results and feeling better, and I enjoy being given a hard time about how long it took me to hunt/gather my post workout meal. More of you are bringing PWO food, talking about your food discoveries, and how much better you feel eating unprocessed foods, taking fish oil, and getting more sleep. You’re inspiring new generations of crossfitters at CFSB who you work out with every day. I’m not too worried that most of you will continue eating/living this way post-Challenge and that the rest of you will try again or join in for the first time with the next Paleo Challenge (set to start in April).
This week’s recipe is from Mark’s Daily Apple: cocoa-coconut balls… mmmmmmmm. Have one of these with a hunk of jerky between lunch and your afternoon CrossFit and see what happens 
WOD 3/10/2010
A. Max L-Sit Hold x 3
B. 500M Row Max Effort
C. 6 Rounds
6 Front Squats
9 Ball Slams
12 Push-Ups
* Front squats start from the ground
D. Optional:
Snatch Pull 2-2-2
Hang Power Snatch 3-3-3
Jerk 2-2-2
CrossFit Rugby
A. Hang Power Clean 3-3-3
Front Squat 3-3-3
B.For Time:
50-40-30-20-10
Suicide Run (just one per round)
Kettlebell Swings
Knees to Elbows
Jumping Back Squats
CrossFit On-Ramp
A. Tabata Plank Hold
B. AMRAP 12
7 Wall ball
7 V-Ups
7 Push Press
Don’t forget this weekend is the So Cal Sectionals. Remy and I (maybe Slaughter) are competing. If you want to come see us get our asses kicked on Saturday/Sunday the events start at 830 am both days. It’s $25/person, for both days. I know that people will be willing to carpool so I hope everyone can make it!
oh its 50 total and not 100 ? tight .. i might just be able to make it down there to scream in your faces
I believe that it’s a buy 1 get 1 free deal for the tickets this weekend. So basically find someone to go with. $50 for 2 people.
OK MAJOR UPDATE.. FROM PETRANAK”S … FINGERS
Hey All,
We’ve heard the conversation, and agree… price for spectating is too high. We’ve been given the go-ahead to make a change… hope you all like… and please pass the word.
Price for registration is still the same at $50, but it will get you 2 entries. 2 for 1… for both days. So if you were thinking about it, and you have a friend to bring with you, it’s now HALF price. I’m sure there will still be complaints, but it’s the best we can do. Hope to see lots more of you out there!
Andy
PS – Make sure when you come to the gate, your friend getting in free is with you – you’ll get 2 wrist-bands, one for you (registered), and one for your guest. Oh yeah – and the same policy applies to anyone that has already registered too!
And yes it is 50 dollars for both days.
Make sure to watch Criminal Minds tonight because our own Scarlett will be on it playing Betty, a tough Texan bartender with a soft side and a knack for solving murders. Let’s see if she was able to sneak a burpee in to filming.
Holy &@$(*%# shit:
http://games2010.crossfit.com/qualifiers/socal-sectional-wods-1-2-announced.html
We will need the entire CFSB family cheering
yikes that chipper looks intense.
omg wow .. that first WOD looks intense haha .. so .. if i were to just spectate its 50 bux ? and no free ticket ? cause im not registered to compete .. i just wanna cheer!
Spectators: 1 ticket = $50. If you have a person with you, that person gets in free.
I’m loving the workouts for Saturday. I think they really encompass everything that is Crossfit and the variability that we are expected to be able to perform at any time. It’s going to be insane to watch. Go get’m Remy, Jon, and Chris (or Greg).
Anyone want to carpool???? I am down to cheer on our badass Crossfitters!!! Remy next time, I promise I will be your partner in crime!!!
Scarlett, can you sign my tits????? HA
Everyone better be there on Saturday cheering on our team! Make sure to represent and wear your CFSB shirts.
I’m pretty sure Forrest keeps a copy of this under his pillow: http://www.crossfitwest.com/?p=3948
Cool is all that matters. CrossFit Santa Cruz has it all figured out.
I looked at the rugby WOD before coming to class. big mistake. I’m never peeking again
dear nicole… lauren wants to carpool… the end
Dear Lauren, Nicole doesn’t go to 24 Hour Fitness.
Holy hell Criminal Minds was a let down. 6. pages. gone into editing oblivion. I need a drink. And a cookie. Or twelve. But thanks for the support everyone
Fingers crossed for next time!
PS- Nicole, if the offer still stands, I’ll sign your tits for you. However, you should know that my signature is worth far less than you might think. Might wanna offer up a calf or an ankle instead. Save the tatas for someone who gets more than one word on screen…
Ha!!!! … dear forrest. I gotta give that one too you. Simply amazing. Tell newbie on-ramper its not ok to tattle! … ps. I cancelled my membership … the end to a very true story
Lauren, my one true diary love, done and done. Now I need your digits. Guys don’t get all excited-or do:)
Scarlett, please do not tell me what to do-I would like your name imprinted in black ink. Thank you for complying with my requests. (PS: love ya)
lol the ” (“I thought of you, Remy, as I turned down the pre-meal breadbasket”) ” i actually went to a restaurant and after ordering our meal .. which we tried to keep very paleo like .. they asked what kind of bread we wanted .. and when we turned it down .. they were very surprised and asked if we might want to just take some home .. they came back 3 or 4 times asking if we wanted bread haha ..