Primal Journal - Siobhan page 112

[Siobhan]

I use an eight-pounder, which is fairly standard for hammers you will find at the Home Depot or any hardware store. It seems weird, but there is something really natural about swinging or lifting a hammer. It's one of those things you have to do to understand. And there is lots and lots of information on the internet - just Google 'shovelglove' and you will find many YouTube videos and tutorials and some pretty funny essays about it.

Yes, I am also chiming on buying yourself some clothes, Pam! If I were taller, or you were shorter, I would send you some of mine. Seriously! I have way too many, despite hauling boxes and boxes to the thrift shop. Couple of reasons for this - my 'nice' clothes are all classic and I take very good care of them, so I have accumulated them over the last 20-25 years - my casual clothes come largely from the thrift shop or our terrific Maine ultra-cheap discount department store, Renys. And I have been about 6 different sizes in the last five years. I'm not into fashion at all - most of my clothing purchases are driven by my relentless desire to be comfortable but still look decent. Enough about my closet - get thee to a shop!

Had some real fun last night. My friend had to pick up her car in Portland, so I drove her there. First we had a major shopping spree at Trader Joe's where much wine, tea, nuts, spices, coconut cream, sardines, and chocolate was purchased. Also many Applegate Farms meats, which can hopefully be consumed before going bad. Then we went to a really nice restaurant, something I rarely do, and which was really nice. Pretty easy to stay primal - Had a salad, steak, roasted eggplant. Did indulge in flan at the end. Had to. And an espresso. It was a long lonely dark ride home, though, as she drove her own car back. I really need to do things like that more often - must start instigating these excursions.

Am very hungry but it is the kind of hungry that can wait, so I have a large Porterhouse steak rubbed with TJ's paprika spice mix and some wild mushrooms waiting to be cooked in an hour or so.

[Siobhan]

Bought some TJ's Tuna for Cats, which seems to be a very healthy food for said felines. I only bought two cans because I didn't know if they would like it. Well. I opened up a can last night and they gobbled it down like they were African lions during a drought and looked at me with their hopeful cat faces and broke my heart. Of course you know what will happen, don't you? I will make a trip there and buy a carload of it and they will decide they don't like it.

[Judg]

Well, of course. A cat isn't a cat if he isn't perverse...

I am assuming then that tuna was not really the major ingredient. Eaten straight, it gives cats the runs and tuna cat food has enough tuna in it to flavour it, but not enough to bother them. Our poor cat had been fed straight people tuna when we got her. She was not looking good. Did my heart good to see her getting healthier. DD has her now, and I have become quite allergic to cats, so she will not be replaced. I can visit people with cats, but a few hours is enough. I still greet just about every cat I meet when out on walks though. Hubby laughs at me.

[Siobhan]

It is specifically formulated for cats, no grains, complete nutrition. They've carried it for years, I've fed it very successfully to a succession of felines. Kinda sorta famous among us feline fanciers, it's called...wait for it..."Tuna for Cats." I can't believe how great they look since I have improved their diet. Their coats are twice as thick and shiny, they are both heavily muscled. If you really want a demonstration of the difference nutrition makes, a cat is a good subject as they are naturally athletic and don't generally need a whole lot of exercise to be fit and muscular (unlike me...) Although I am clearly NOT advocating feeding a poor diet as a test!

Had a fantastic brekkie of aforementioned steak, mushrooms, and onions. While the pan was hot I decided to cook up some raw chicken sausages, which I transformed from bland and tasteless to out of this world with TJ's South African Smoke Spice and red wine. Seriously, this made a truly delicious glaze. I can see that I should have bought several jars of this concoction. It is simply smoked paprika, sea salt, garlic, and basil. I know you are thinking, "I could make that myself!" But I've tried and failed. This is just plain better. It says something on the label about that taste that you are always trying to achieve but seldom do...I've been there!

I have an embarrassment of riches in the refrigerator. All sorts of natural meats. Avocados. Baby carrots. Squash.

[lopisheep]

Well, I wear PJ bottoms around the house to save my one pair of jeans. It's not REALLY a money issue:-) It's just that books are so much more fun and then with changing my diet around all the time and having food idiosyncracies, I spend too much there. Annoying! Yes, you're all right. Think I'll get some clothes at the end of the month.

Portland, eh? Reminding me I live in the most confusing area in the world. I am less than two miles from the Portland, Oregon border -- not Portland, Maine. I live in Vancouver, a city in Washington -- not Vancouver, B.C. (although I did live there once). I live in Washington State -- which is not the same as Washington, D.C. I'm always having to explain where I live.

Man, that sauce you made from Trader Joe's goodies sounds so good. Unfortunately, I can't do fermented or pickled or smoked anything. I seem to be able to get away with bacon. Thus, I use a lot of lemons, oranges, and grapes or raisins for flavoring.

My closet is somewhat like an Amish closet. Just a few hooks! This time, I've let my clothes get so low, I'll have to decide where to start:-):-):-) My oldest daughter is coming up at the end of the month and she and my oldest granddaughter LOVE shopping. But then, the other option is Whole Foods and POWELL'S Bookstore (the biggest west of the Mississippi or something) when they come. Hmm!

Wondering the other day what I'd do if I somehow ruined my one pair of jeans -- wear PJ bottoms to the store:-)

My cats have always had dried food. I've had them so long, I probably won't change now. They are so healthy. A ridiculously beautiful, long-haired Himalayan, a Holstein spotted handsome guy who is huge, and a tabby and white small young lady -- the last two from the Humane Society.

[Siobhan]

Well, I can relate about buying books - that is definitely an affliction that I share! Although I am getting better at using the generous inter-library loan system, which provides me with more than enough reading material. BUT short on primal/paleo stuff, hence my purchase of some of these books.

The TJ's spice mix has smoked paprika, can you do that? If you can't, you can't. I have never liked most smoked stuff. I like the IDEA of smoked stuff, but the actual flavor generally turns me off. I have found the exception.

I just realized this morning that I can actually purchase some clothes because I am close to my final size, which will be a six or eight. I'm a pretty solid size eight right now. I'm wrestling with replacing my beloved capri pants that I have worn all summer - they are still available and on sale although not what I would call cheap. Spending WAY too much money lately.

[JudyCr]

I took my cue from you (as usual and bought several jars of Seeds of Change Tikka Masala simmer sauce, oh, so good!!! I had some org boneless chicken breasts, cut them in bite size pcs and threaded on soaked skewers, then put on the grill. While they were cooking, I made cauliflower "rice", set aside, and warmed up some of the sauce in a sauté pan. Brought in the cooked chicken and let simmer in the sauce for a few minutes. Lordy, it was delish. Thank you, yet again, for another wonderful tip.

[Judg]

Pam, buy the clothes. You already have books. You can borrow them at the library. You can get your reading fix without actually shelling out money. But you do NOT want to have to end up shopping in your PJs.

Siobhan, it's weird to be at that point, isn't it? I've been buying without much thought, looking for as cheap as possible, because I won't be able to wear it long. But sweaters I get now, for example, I will probably be able to keep. Footwear, of course. Probably some tops. I am starting to think long-term for my clothes for the first time in a long time. It's going to take a while to wrap my head around it.

Tikka Masala, yum!

[Coll]

Pam, you are funny! GET SOME CLOTHES! Then get yourself a book as a reward!

Siobhan, thanks for the info about the sledge hammer. I am just going to invest in one and go for it. It just sounds fun! I also got some of the Tikka Marsala sauce and did zucchini fritters with some of that mixed in the batter. Pretty yummy, but I didn't put enough in... gee, darn, guess I'll have to do another batch How do you do fritters with the spaghetti squash? Do you blend it or use it in the string form?

[lopisheep]

Well, paprika is a nightshade, and smoked also causes migraines. But I think paprika is fine. I mean, migraines are usually a build up of toxic smells, bright lights, stress, and certain foods. Seems like it'd take a long time to build up enough paprika for a migraine. However, with all the stress lately, I'm being good. I cleaned two floors thoroughly with "healthy" cleaning stuff and ended up with a mild migraine the other day. Also, fall -- my favorite season -- is not the best for migraines. The warm winds and bright days are not so good.

Well, I can relate about buying books - that is definitely an affliction that I share! Although I am getting better at using the generous inter-library loan system, which provides me with more than enough reading material. BUT short on primal/paleo stuff, hence my purchase of some of these books.

The TJ's spice mix has smoked paprika, can you do that? If you can't, you can't. I have never liked most smoked stuff. I like the IDEA of smoked stuff, but the actual flavor generally turns me off. I have found the exception.

I just realized this morning that I can actually purchase some clothes because I am close to my final size, which will be a six or eight. I'm a pretty solid size eight right now. I'm wrestling with replacing my beloved capri pants that I have worn all summer - they are still available and on sale although not what I would call cheap. Spending WAY too much money lately.