Ricotta Pancakes with Blackberry and Strawberry Sauce

I'm using this Zone way of eating as a bit of a challenge - there's always a debate around whether or not ricotta is considered Paleo and I'm in the camp that it's probably not - but that really limits your protein foods when you limit it to meat and shakes.  Ricotta gives you lots of options, both sweet and savoury and here's a little recipe from the Grow Eat Kitchen today!   As you can see from the photo - wow, they were so pretty and tasted delicious!  

Carbohydrate ZONE BLOCKS by Weight!

Hi there Grow Eat Run fans - or if you are visiting us for the first time - WELCOME!  

Here is a resource that we would like to share with you.  For the past two weeks we have been following the zone diet (we're not using it to lose weight!) and there are a few things that have really helped us.  

1. Digital Scales!  I cannot stress enough the importance of having digital scales, as everything is weighed, counted or measured.  Pick up some from Kmart or Big W, they will cost you between $30-$40 but it's money well spent.   
2. Read this article: http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/38_05_off_the_crack.pdf - this helped me out after week one.  I was hungry, irritable, hating the zone diet and looking for any excuse to end it....and then I read this.  It made a huge difference and after two weeks of zone, I'm happy, healthy, have more energy and this morning I didn't look at the clock in a 25 minute workout, didn't look for rests - I just kept going! 
3. We made this table!  I can't take all the credit, it was a great idea by Russ and he did the hard yards.  It makes shopping and cooking a world easier - because who knows what 16 cups of raw spinach looks like!  We used nutritiondata.self.com for all the measurements.  I can't stress enough, just use the one resource to work from rather than going from site to site comparing nutritional tables.  I watched this great video by Robb Wolf about zone precision and accuracy and the biggest message I got was don't be too obsessive - you are already doing a far greater job with your food than you were before you started counting, if there's a gram here or a gram there, don't freak out!  

Zone Day 5

Zone Day 4

Zone Day 3

 

Zone Day 2

Zone Day 1

Chocolate Brownies!

After an amazing Summer break I have to go back to work tomorrow (insert boooo.. here)....so what's a girl to do on her last day?  Make some unbelievable SUGAR FREE, GLUTEN FREE, DAIRY FREE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES! It sure did cheer up my day and I hope you enjoy this recipe too.  

Bacchini Muffins

Bacon + Zucchini = Bacchini Muffins!  This recipe is gluten free, dairy free and super light and fluffy.  Great as a breakfast snack, morning tea or putting in kids lunch boxes. 

Kangaroo and Sweet Potato Burgers

What better way to start the New Year than have a BBQ with your mates and cook up some roo burgers!  Kangaroo is high in protein and a lean meat but you do need to pair it with some big flavours.  I wouldn't normally put rosemary, thyme, coriander and cumin all in the same meal - but this strangely works.  The beetroot relish is a great accompaniment to the burgers.  I think the lemon has something to do with it, but I'm happy for it to remain a tasty mystery!  If you don't have kangaroo available - try some lamb, beef, or any game type meat that's in your area!