Primal Journal ~* Diana Renata *~
(858 posts) (60 voices)-
Some of my meat (snake, raccoon, fox) I get from my nephew who traps. Other stuff (boar and rabbit) are farmed/free range. Then the really exotic stuff (kangaroo, ostrich, antelope) came from http://www.exoticmeats.com
Exoticmeats.com IS quite pricey, and don't pay extra for fast shipping. Our stuff didn't arrive in 2 days like we'd asked.
I'm nowhere near a master chef- mostly a dabbler. I'd been somewhat Primal for a couple years, indulging in grains occasionally, but went full on early this year, dropping grains completely and cutting out dairy. :)
Posted 6 months ago # -
Oh no, everything has it's own taste and texture.
Kangaroo is probably my favorite. It's like the very best grass-fed beef ever, x1000. It's so tender. It's best cooked medium-rare to rare. I even snagged a little bit raw and OMG I didn't even have to chew. It's wonderful. I'm a big fan of gator too- kind of like a meaty fish. I wouldn't say it tastes much like chicken. The ostrich is nice- a red meat surprisingly. The antelope was a lot like venison. Not much difference there really.
When it comes to my wild stuff, fox isn't my favorite, but it is good lean red meat. Wild meat has to be cooked well, which sorta dampens the experience for me. I prefer my meat rare. Fox tends to get tough because there's really no fat. Raccoon is absolutely my favorite wild meat. It's so fatty and tender- sort of a mix between duck and pork. I'm still hoping to add coyote and possum to my list. I hear possum is actually quite good.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Busy, busy, busy day.
I got my beef and boar today, and a TON of organs. Hearts, tongues, livers and kidneys, not to mention lots and lots of fat! I'm working on some lard right now. One crock full, and the 2nd halfway. I still have 3 more crocks in the cupboard to fill up, but I don't think it'll get done tonight.
Not a bad food day, though the eggs just weren't cutting it most of the day.
Breakfast: Shredded squash and egg scramble.
Lunch: Fried eggs and onions.
Dinner: Fresh-out-of-the-pig heart and liver, with gooseneck squash.
Pics on the blog. :)
I also got a good workout this morning. The 4am weight sessions are actually kinda nice. There was one guy there, kind of in my way, but we made it work. Squats, weighted crunches, pull-ups, chest press, and some dabbling with the slosh tube. I like the slosh tube. I think I'll have to make one when I do my sandbag.
I'm also apartment hunting. I'm fed up with this government housing crap. Nothing but welfare mamas, drug dealers and theives. Would you believe somebody is stealing my tomatoes? They're still green! I brought my plant indoors, which is going to hinder its production, but unless I want to grow tomatoes for the neighborhood it's what I gotta do. *sigh* Hopefully I can get a place with a nice porch, back yard or balcony where I can grow a few veggies in the summer.
Ok, gonna veg and watch the rest of House. Night all. :)
Posted 5 months ago # -
That's great that you got your beef & boar! Lard is great. I'm working on a steak and kidney stew recipe to replace our family favorite of steak and kidney pie. Will let you know if it's a success.
Good luck apartment hunting. I understand about the govt. housing - been there! Hopefully you can find a nice place.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Deb- Let me know how that steak and kidney stew comes out. I have no idea how to cook the kidneys I've got.
Hannah- that month will pass in no time, and then you'll be in meaty heaven!
I've been doing a lot of playing in the kitchen, and it sucks I don't have tons of time to play on the forum. I'm going to try to eek out a few more minutes tonight, but I still have tons of other crap to do too. *sigh* SO much to do, and SO little time.
Today I ate a bit more than usual. I'm trying to be less anal about my food. I've started reading "In Defense of Food" and it's really got me thinking about how I sometimes don't enjoy the simple act of eating, being too caught up in the nutrition of it all. I have to learn to enjoy the experience since I'm eating real food, not processed crap.
W/O: Some cardio (45 minutes moderate intensity) then when I got home I sprinted a few times between the speed bumps in my parking lot. That was actually pretty fun. I think I might miss them when I move.
B: 2 eggs, fried with boar bacon. Yum!
L: 2 liver patties and asparagus left over from yesterday's dinner.
D: Oh, so yummy tonight. Primal meatloaf, cheesy mashed cauliflower and carrot fries.
D: Apples with almond butter. SO good.
Pics are available on my blog for the last couple of days. I really gotta figure out how to streamline the process so I can get my blogs done fast.
http://wildernesschilde.blogspot.com/
Ok, gonna go browse the boards and get some other stuff done.
Posted 5 months ago # -
I really need to take some lessons in what flavors 'go' together. I'm still a 'baker' vs. a 'cook', so my desire for meddling around in my kitchen always ends up in some sort of 'baked good' that tempts me into carb madness, even if it IS Primal.
I read your blog! I read everyone's blog, if I can get the time. I should really focus on my blog, but I don't have much time set aside to dedicate to it right now.
Have a great weekend Hunter-woman!
Posted 5 months ago # -
Haha... thank you!
Just tinker around. Actually one of the best ways to learn what goes with what is to watch cooking shows. You'll start to see patterns in what the different chefs do. And there's nothing at all wrong with borrowing recipes, and modifying them to your own taste. :)
Today was pretty busy. I'm reading "In Defense of Food" and am starting to realize I actually am pretty Orthorexic. I think about food more as a sum of nutrients than actually FOOD. So in going to a Harvest Festival, and then the Apple Harvest Festival in Ithaca, I worked on loosening up about eating. I went a little high on the carbs, but I'm guessing still below 100g. There I go again. Dammit.
Anyways, I got to try some really great cheeses- one made with cumin, my very favorite spice. A great cup of coffee, breve (latte made with heavy cream instead of milk), sashimi, a load of concord grapes (nature's candy!), some tasty macaroons, and I made a really great beef tongue.
I think I'm getting a little bit burned out on the internet, so I might not be around too often, though I'll try to keep up and check in. With the blog- well, I'll just have to update when I have something interesting to post. It might be once weekly. I'd like to post at least once a week, but I know I absolutely can't handle every day. I guess it's just all the external stuff I have to take care of demanding my attention. Namely finding a new apartment, and actually moving. Plus the new job starts next month, which will really cut into my free time, working approximately 60-65 hours a week.
And I've still gotta hunt down a few choice recipes- hopefully I'll get the chance to actually use them rather than just collect them.
Ok, off to do something productive, and sleep more. I haven't been sleeping enough lately.
Grok on!
Posted 5 months ago # -
Oh my, I love a breve. When the Baristas go to make it, I say "Can you make that with the heavy whipping cream?" otherwise, they'll only make it with half n' half. It's my one 'treat' that I have in view of CW muggles ;-)
Posted 5 months ago # -
hannahc
MemberOh I'll miss you DR! Though I get burned out on being connected all the time too. I'll go entire weekends without looking at the computer, and I love it.
Also, In Defense of Food is a great book, as are The Omnivore's Dilemma (also by Pollan) and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Those three changed my entire view on food and eating. It's definitely hard to let go of the counting/tracking (I still do it too), but it helps to know how to enjoy the taste of foods and appreciate them in season.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Haha! "Muggles!" So glad to hear somebody else uses that word, and great idea applying it to CW too. ;)
I think the burnout is fading, but I'm not ready to jump back in yet. My poor blog is stale, but I just don't feel like updating it. Maybe I'll do some kitchen experiments later in the week.
I loved Omnivore's Dilemma, and I'm looking for a host of other great food books. I'm nearly done with In Defense of Food. Some of these things should be required reading, IMO.
So just a brief rundown over the last couple of days:
Yesterday and today I had liverwurst with eggs and squash for breakfast. The liverwurst had a bunch of junk added to it, but my dad bought it for me. I'll have to teach him to read labels.
Been eating leftovers and stuff so nothing new with food. Beef tongue, some pork chops, squash. Yesterday I did have a mini pig-out with the last of my almond butter, and 2 cups of blueberries.
I was going to make a meatloaf with liver tonight, but I'm not really feeling like cooking. I snacked on some pork rinds and almnonds. Not really hungry. I might eat another cup of berries. I've got a ton of them that my sister gave me. Maybe I'll do the meatloaf tomorrow. Gotta find a good recipe first.
Got some other things to take care of, and read the boards of course. :)
Posted 5 months ago # -
Figured I should check in real quick.
No real workout again today. Did tabatas outside (between the speed bumps) yesterday. I've been sleeping so much lately. If it's the season, winter's really going to suck. I MUST get my ass out of bed and go do some weights tomorrow. I want to be able to do 1 un-assisted pull-up before the end of the month when I put my gym membership on hold. For November I want to try going at it at home, but the only thing I can't do at home right now is a freakin pull-up.
Food was good today. Resisting the urge to stuff my face to deal with emotions. I so thought I was over this. *sigh*
Breakfast- Bacon and eggs.
I totally 1000% resisted doughnuts today at work! A customer brought in 2 dozen as a "thank you." My boss even sorta demanded I go get one, but I refused. Then when I went in to the break room for lunch the boxes were on the table. I opened them up, saw 1 in one box and 2 in the other, so I condensed them down, tossed out the empty box, and closed the lid. I wasn't even tempted to lick my fingers. VICTORY!
Lunch- Beef tongue and squash.
Dinner- Liver loaf (Liver, zucchini, onions, eggs, spices.) Not horrible, but needed more egg and spices.
So I got into a bit of a spat with my boss. He was in a pissy mood (I didn't realize) and I made a smart remark at him. He tore into me. Anyhow, after the fact we talked. It came down to "Sorry I snapped at you... blah, blah, blah. You are already in the top 1/4 for wages so if you want a raise you have to be exceptional, yadda, yadda. Oh, and by the way the vacation time at the end of next month, you may get denied."
Problem with the vacation thing- I need an hour and a half off work monday, tuesday, wednesday and thursday at the end of October for training at Texas Roadhouse. I can't miss it, NO MATTER WHAT. My boss better not try to screw that up for me. I'm going to have to work out a deal with him if we get a lot of work- like going in early, working through lunch, and taking no breaks to make up for that hour and a half. I'm seriously worried that I'll either miss my great job opportunity at the restaurant, or say bye to the full time job I've got now.
Ugh. I hate stress. I just want a big brownie sundae or something, or at least another serving of liver loaf. I really just want to eat.
No. Can't. Won't.
*sigh*
Posted 5 months ago # -
Holy crap! You do sound stressed. I'm sorry. At least you are working out. My belly is pooching and I haven't lifted ANYTHING heavy in a month!
The whole Boss / work thing bites. I sure hope it works out for you.
Posted 5 months ago # -
awesome job resisting the donuts!
Your work sounds very stressful right now. Hopefully the weekend will make your boss be in a better mood and you'll be able to get those hours off you need. Crossing my fingers for ya.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Thanks girls. Today was a pretty good day and the boss was in a relatively good mood. I'm not going to poke any sores until the week before those days off. If he denies them, there will be issues.
Posted 5 months ago # -
I tell ya what, I'm really looking forward to Survival Week next week. I think I'm going to rely on coconut milk a good part of the time as well as a good amount of IF'ing. I'm feeling "jiggly" lately and it's getting me down.
I tinkered with some yoga this morning. My god I'm inflexible! I'm really going to have to work on this.
Posted 5 months ago # -
I'm looking forward to it also. Since I'm taking a break from P90X, I'm feeling very jiggley and I don't like it. I have actually been thinking about taking an actual yoga class instead of doing tapes at home. I did a class once before and it was fun.
Posted 5 months ago # -
hannahc
MemberJiggly! Me too. I can feel and see more squish around my middle and on my thighs. Blech! I've been ignoring my yoga lately, don't even know why exactly, but it does make me feel better overall. Nice and limber, and strong in a different way than weight training makes you feel. I'm definitely going to lift some heavy things at the gym today, maybe yoga will be my cool down :) Have a good weekend in Vegas DC, and I hope you're having a better day DR!
Posted 5 months ago # -
DITTO girls! Feeling the blurpy belly creep up on me!
Next week we get back to our (new) roots! Survival week with lotsa meat, fat, IF and exercise! (I've been WAY too long out of the gym!!!)
Diana, I hope you have a good work day!
Posted 5 months ago # -
Gotta say it's been a pretty good day. Totally pigged out for breakfast and lunch, finishing up the last of my liver meatloaf (with extra bacon grease) and an acorn squash. Good thing those things are small. I'm IFing dinner. Might pull a 24-hour fast til lunchtime tomorrow.
I can't wait til Survival Week, and I think I'm going to try to sneak some of it in through the weekend without the family being aware. They'd look at me with that CW disapproval- lol.
I think the week will be pretty much carb-free, high in fat. I'm looking forward to drinking lots of coconut milk. Wish I could find some without additives (guar gum in my organic kind.) I was thinking of getting some coconut oil, but the milk is just so thick and creamy, and tasty. Suggestions would be great if anyone has any.
Ok, off to look at another apartment. I'm getting sick of looking at bad apartments.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Make your own Coconut Milk. I do that now. It's soooooo cost effective, not to mention FRESH!
I buy the organic coconut flakes from Tropical Traditions and it's REALLY inexpensive in bulk form.
Just boil water and pour 3 cups of the boiling water over 2 cups of the coconut flakes, blend for 2 - 3 minutes, pour through strainer and store in a glass pitcher in the fridge.
That reminds me, I need to make some tomorrow (tonight is date night with hubby! Yeeeeeehaw!).
Don't you hate looking at crappy places to live? It's like, yeah, I may not have loads of money, but come on! I deserve to NOT live in a rat-hole!
Have a great weekend!
Posted 5 months ago # -
Ok, one more before I go. Dumb question but... is home-made coconut milk all fat like the store kind? Any idea what the nutritional breakdown for home-made almond milk might be?
Posted 5 months ago # -
Good question. It's not as thick because of the lack of 'guar gum' etc, but it does extract a lot of the fat/ oil from the flakes and you can see it when you store it in the fridge, since it separates into three levels. The first level is the fat/ oil. The second is like a coconut cream or the sediments and water/ oil floating under the majority of the fatty layer. The last layer is the 'skim' milk or the milky, watery coconut milk.
I suppose knowing the exact nutrient breakdown would be difficult to know for Almond Milk too, depending on how it's made each time. I don't know.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Hey I found this at fitday. Coconut milk (expressed from coconut flakes, water added.)
Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Serving size 1 cup
Calories 552.0
Calories from Fat 478.9Fat 57.2 g 88 %
Saturated Fat 50.7 g 254 %
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.63 g
Monounsaturated Fat 2.4 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg 0 %
Sodium 36.0 mg 2 %
Potassium 631.2 mg 18 %
Carbohydrate 13.3 g 4 %
Dietary Fiber 5.3 g 21 %
Protein 5.5 g 11 %
Alcohol 0.0 gVitamin A 0 %
Calcium 4 %
Vitamin D 0 %
Thiamin 4 %
Niacin 9 %
Vitamin B6 4 %
Phosphorus 24 %
Selenium 21 %
Vitamin C 11 %
Iron 22 %
Vitamin E 2 %
Riboflavin 0 %
Vitamin B12 0 %
Manganese 110 %
Copper 32 %
Magnesium 22 %
Zinc 11 %Posted 5 months ago # -
I already put all the stats on Survival Week, but I don't want my journal to feel neglected.
B: IF
L: Coconut milk smoothie (thanks FNW!)
W/O: 40-minute walk in the breezy cool.
D: 3 eggs scrambled, with 8 ounces of ham steak.
I also wanted to add that I passed a house with some somewhat ugly but probably quite tasty apples all over the ground. I think I'm going to stop over and ask if they'll let me buy some, and I'll take as many as I can get. I want to start preserving.
I pulled all my carrots from the garden, so some of those will get put in the freezer, alongside some extra yellow squash and zucchini. I have a huge bowl of concord grapes in the fridge, just waiting for survival week to end. Only things I can find to preserve them is jelly and pie. No thanks. I might as well just eat them.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Copied over from Survival Week thread because I'm lazy:
Day 2! Done! (Well, I hope. I'm craving those concord grapes SO BAD right now.)
B: IF
L: Coconut milk smoothie- 2 cups. Holy crap that stuff is filling. I actually had to split it into 2 servings for lunch and afternoon break.
D: 3 eggs, 4 ounces lamb sausage, 4 ounces of ham.
W/O: Some random push ups, tried pull-ups again, couple 90* wall sits. Not enough, I know.
Added:
I froze some carrots and yellow squash. I know, I should have blanched them and all that, but I just didn't want to fuss with it. If they actually turn out poorly because I skipped a step, I'll do it next time.
I think I'm going to buy a weighted bar from Target. That'll be a start for my "home gym." I need to find a suitable bag for making a sandbag. Any suggestions?
Posted 5 months ago # -
I wonder if a pillow case would work for a sand bag? Just sew the top shut after you fill it. Otherwise, a burlap bag comes to mind also.
Posted 5 months ago # -
I was thinking about something like that- or design something and have my sister make it. I want lots of handles to grab too. She's so crafty. I think if i can get the right material, she can make it.
Posted 5 months ago #
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