KUNG PAO CAVEMAN?

Six of us went to the Knoxville Travel Show today that was held on the Convention Center near the World’s Fair site. It was $5 to get in and we picked up lots of brochures and free travel gear. The highlight, if there was one, was the Holland Great Land cruises to Alaska. My wife and I have wanted to go back for over 10 years.

Holland has a tour that is boat, train, and bus that would be great if we could afford it. The trip lasts 21 days with 2 nights in Denali National Park! I think we started saving today!

Anyway, Judy’s sister Terri and her husband Steve joined us for supper (that’s dinner to you Yankees) at P. F. Chang’s, which is one of my favorite places in Knoxville. It wasn’t quite caveman, but Caveman has been wanting some seafood with spices, some nuts, a little brown rice, and some Kirin Ichiban.

We began (and I forgot to thank them for buying the appetizer) with CHANG`S CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS, which is quickly cooked spiced chicken served with cool lettuce cups and hot sauce.

I had the KUNG PAO SCALLOPS AND SHRIMP, which are quick-fired with peanuts, chili peppers, and scallions. My hot favorite! The only other thing I might try instead next time was what Steve ordered. He ordered a new dish called SHRIMP AND SWEET GLAZED WALNUTS, and it was very tasty!

The plate photo in no way represents the total meal…that’s just what I moved to my plate showing off with my chopsticks! Believe me; you will be full when you leave!

As usual, no room for desserts!

PALEO DIET COMING ALONG

As I said below, I’ve lost at least 9 pounds and feeling really good. Started walking earnestly today and have a hike planned Wednesday. I’ll probably post pictures either on Flickr or on Mushy’s Moochings.

I ate out Thursday and ordered Hawaiian Steak on A Stick, mushrooms and onions, and creamed spinach. Apparently the little bit of cream and the 2 Killians didn’t bother me.

I ate out Friday and ordered Rudy Tueday’s New Orleans Seafood dish with broccoli, and instead of the potatoes I got their mashed cauliflower. I also had 2 Killians and so far it has affected my loss.

Tonight, I grilled a hamburger steak for my wife and I (after I ran to the store and swapped out the propane tank). It was delicious with sautéed onions and green beans, and some sliced tomatoes. Note I included a few nuts too! I’m beginning to like nuts with everything I eat!

THE PALEO DIET

You probably won’t see too many carbs on this page for awhile. I decided to start eating like a caveman, but not raw!

I’m a “hunter-gatherer” for as long as I can make it stick. I read somewhere that you have do something at least 21 days to make it a habit – well, that’s my first goal.

I began Tuesday morning at a plump 240 – my first goal is 20 pounds, but I really just want to feel better. The theory behind the Paleo or “Caveman” way of eating is that man didn’t start living shorter lives until he started growing what he ate. Along with agriculture came flour, meal, and sugar, which begot breads, pastries, and pasta.

It’s going well. I eat a boiled egg, some nuts (anything but peanuts and cashews allowed), and some kind of fruit for breakfast thus far. During the day, my wife and I have carried a banana or apple and a baggy of mixed nuts wherever we went. If we got hungry, we just munched out!

Suppers (that’s southern for dinner) have consisted of fried (olive oil is all that’s allowed) chicken, grilled steak, and tonight this wonderful pork tenderloin with stir-fried vegetable medley. What a fantastic meal, whether your on a diet or not!

It beats Adkins because fruit and nuts are allowed. The other main difference is no dairy products on the Paleolithic – caveman didn’t milk cows, they ate them!

I simply cut up the tenderloin and fried it in olive oil with garlic and hot sauce added. I salted and peppered each side of the meat and dropped it into the hot oil. I took about 20 to 25 minutes, browning the pieces, to cook thoroughly.

Then I dumped in the vegetables and almonds into the same hot oil, salted and peppered it and cooked it for about 8 to 10 minutes.

Wish me luck folks!