Why do I eat this way?

In the comments recently, Chris (http://www.conditioningresearch.blogspot.com/) asked me how I came to eat this way. I promised I would write about it some, so here it goes. Hope you enjoy and if not, no worries I'll also have a meal picture up for your enjoyment ;-)

When I was young, around 7 years old, I started "cooking". My parents never minded me puttering around especially because I would set the table for breakfast and even make menus on a Sunday morning. Now at that time my cooking skills consisted of toasting bread and making eggs. But when you prepare it with enjoyment and love, it just tastes better. At least that's what my mom told me. By age 9-10 I started making dinner sometimes, even came up with a recipe of dover sole with cream and grapes. I also started baking. Mostly Dutch butter cake, known as "boterkoek". I learned that from my grandpa who loved to bake. During the next years, I spent a LOT of time with my grand parents. when my parents were away on business travel, I would stay them. I was always there every Friday afternoon after school as we always ate Friday night dinner at my grandparents. I would help grandma cook or just keep her company in the kitchen.

My grandma who was born in France and didn't come to Holland until her mid-20's, was a great cook! In hindsight what must have made a lasting impression on me, was that she made everything from scratch. Back then probably that was a lot more normal than now. But I got to observe and help.

Getting involved in sports ( I was a soccer and judo/aikido fanatic) the cooking times slowly went away. At age 16 I heard about something called "vegetarian". I was very intrigued by it, and feeling sorry for the animals I hopped on the bandwagon. Secretly, my biggest motivation was the fact tha per the "experts" all the strongest animals in the world were vegetarian. I thought it might help me get really strong and big. It lasted for approx. a year. I believe I consumed more bread that year then anyone in the country ;-).

Over the next years I developed a sugar kick that was something to behold. Eating dutch licorice all day and easily eating 3,4,5 candy bars a day. My 22 birthday present from my parents was a warehouse size box of KitKats (my favorite back then). Shortly thereafter I bought this little book called "The Sugar Blues" by Gloria Swanson.

I sat in utter amazement almost paralysis on my couch and re-read it 3 times.

WHAT????? the food you eat affects you?????

This little book had such and impact on me that I immediately cut out ALL sugar. Threw away the box of kitkats, no more 3 spoons of sugar in my coffee. This started a search for more information. I delved back into my martial arts and went to school part time for acupuncture and massage. I read everything I could get my hands on and over the years ate; partially macrobiotic, vegan, vegetarian, raw, etc etc etc. Then, out of pure frustration and information overload, I started eating "normally" again. The one constant was that I pretty much stayed away from sugar..... candy that is. I ate lots and lots of rice and bread and whole wheat pasta, believing that it was the "healthy" way to eat.

About 6 years ago, I started lifting weights. Once again, I started reading....A LOT! and tried putting into practice all the "advice" out there. Downing protein shakes, eating 6 times a day, you know all the good stuff ;-) Then I came upon this guy in the gym, in his mid 70's. He was in GREAT shape and had an unorthodox work out regimen. I never saw him in the gym for more then 30 minutes, as he usually arrived after me and left before me. I ended up having nice talks with him and he told me that he owed his great shape to only eating "real food" and never working out too much and a general happy attitude. Intriguing to say the least. I was somewhat on this path I realized. I'm always happy, I eat pretty good (loads of chicken breasts and veggies), maybe I need to work out a little less. Then, as always in life, with perfect timing an old friend of mine, who has always led me to good books and info, says to me "You're into working out and eating right? You need to check out this guy Art Devany" I did that 3 years ago and the rest is history.

I followed the recommended sources of information , reading Cordain, and again everything else I could get my hands on. It was like getting confirmation of knowledge that I knew deep inside myself. Real foods....it's so simple really.

So as you can see from the blog, this is how I eat now. Is it true Paleo? Perhaps not, as I do eat butter and cheese and some other items not truly paleo. But overall, everything is real food and my love of cooking has returned with a passion. I try to make these "real-foods" as tasty as possible. Because I do strongly believe that eating is one of life's pleasures. Lastly my humble opinion; eating this way will help you with every aspect of your life. We only have one body, we need to take care of it. Don't leave it up to the doctors, they are here to sew you back together after you've been in a car wreck.

Anywho; back to food ;-)

I called this my "Cerk chicken". My version of Jerk chicken.

The C stands for curry.

Here's the marinade;

red curry paste, coconut oil, garlic, cilantro, lime juice.

Marinate chicken thighs over night, grill and enjoy.

Mix well in the ziploc and then squeeze to get out all the air out. Let the chicken come to room temp. before putting on the grill.

A delicious dinner of Cerk chicken, with a watercress and romaine salad with cucumber dressing. Some cucumber dressing on the side for dipping the chicken. If you have not had watercress recently, GO GET SOME! It has quite an interesting history. Let me know if you need the recipe for the cucumber dressing recipe; it's easy and quick.

Make it a great day, I got to go make break-fast.