Wheelin’ n Dealin’

Paleo challengers, you are SOOOO close to the finish line…can you taste it? You all are truly awesome sauce- right along with the members who have cheered you through each challenge WOD-good luck with your last leg! (It just occurred to me what an odd expression that is. Now I want to know the origin. I am a dork. **googling**)

Today, we are gonna get right to this weeks important topics: where to get the goods, and a (very pocket-friendly, easy, and $crumptious) meal example.

Incorporated into the next several posts will be my favorite places to buy paleo pantry staples. (Notice the *MY*. Please school me in the comment section if you know better. Competition is fun, and sometimes makes you richer.) My favored places may not always be the lowest price, but perhaps they are the most convenient to Westminster, or can be delivered to your front stoop. Time is money, people! (Money is also still money.)

Why am I listing these places, you ask? Well, because I want to keep whittling out the room for excuses. I feel at this point, that most of you know WHY you should go paleo. I feel at this point, most of you AGREE paleo is ideal for your health, quality of life, and longevity. (New to CrossFit Retribution?  Have no idea what in tarnation we are talking about?…you may find it helpful to go back to the beginning of the nutrition blog (like here!) and move forward!) Also, like 57 of you ask me this kind of “where should I get ___” question on a weekly basis.

FATS (click here for a refresher of why we love the stuff)

Coconut Oil- Anywhere but Westminster. You laugh, but I am serious! At Trader Joe’s, a jar of coconut oil is $5.99. Tropical Traditions online is a great place to buy, especially in bulk, and once you are on the email list for coupons. Personally, at the recommendation of others at CFR, I finally decided to sign up for a ‘suscribe and save’ on amazon.com. I receive a delivery every three months and no longer even have to think about it! (Or drive to Pikesville!) **Coconut oil is a SOLID at room temp-don’t be put off by this fact! It melts in a snap and there is NOTHING wrong with it! It becomes liquid around 72degrees.**

Kerrygold Butter-grassfed. delicious. $5.99 for a 17.6oz tub at BJ’s Wholesale. They might as well give it away. A serious steal.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil- honestly, I buy what is on sale. The last several months, Giant has had store-brand EVOO for $3.99/ 17oz. Make sure it is 100% olive oil. NO veggie/canola/crap oils added. (I once read this crazy article on the seriousness of ‘underground’ oil sales and Italian-Olive-Oil-Mob-Bosses and haven’t really trusted the labels since then….seriously. But I digress…)

Extra Light Olive Oil- See above. This is still 100% olive oil. It has to do with the distillation process. It may also read “exta light tasting” olive oil (just check your label to make sure it is not hiding another oil) .I have also been buying this at Giant for the same price. This is a must have for making your own mayonnaise. One 17 oz bottle will get you approx 2.5 batches of mayo. Trader Joe’s and Shoppers are also good places to check.

I always have fun  looking in the ‘gourmet food’ sections of places like Marshall’s, TJMaxx, etc. I almost always find fabulous paleo fats with fantastic price tags. I have purchsed walnut oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, and high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for pennies on the dollar. (I know HomeGoods in Mt. Airy has coconut oil right now…you know you wanna go…)

Okey dokey artichokey…there is your first little list. If I gave you all the tips at one time, you would want to punch me in the mouth the next time I see you because of your grocery bill. It’s all about wheelin’ n dealin’. Patience, Grasshoppers.

Go fly a kite. I mean, make some dinner.

 $almon $alad

 $2.88 per person…IS THIS HAPPENING? It’s a Thanksgiving miracle!

Chop:

1/2 a jalapeno, 1/2 a red pepper,  1 stalk celery, 1/4 a cucumber,  and a handful of cherry tomatoes.

Open your salmon and drain. Empty into a large bowl, and using a fork, flake the salmon.

Add all of your chopped veggies, a little salt and pepper, and three tablespoons of homemade mayo.

 Mix with a fork until combined.

 Cut avocados in half, remove pits.

Put your $almon $alad on top

Place green beans in a pot on medium heat and steam while you make the salad.

(Or go the microwave route. I still don’t have one.)

To make salad:

Place arugula in a large bowl.

Using a vegetable peeler, make ‘ribbons’ out of the remainder of your cucumber. Add to bowl.

Pour 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil and 1/3 cup vinegar of choice (I like white balsamic for dressings) over greens.

Salt and Pepper to your liking.

Stir greens until evenly coated.

If you have any,  put a  few raspberries on top because they are pretty and delicious, and add a hint of sweet.

I challenge you to spend $12 at the fast food drive through for your family of four. You all have to be full. And feel good about what you ate, or fed your chilluns’.

NO I DO NOT. That is an impossible challenge. Stay away from there and make $almon $alad instead.

Or see what paleo deliciousness  you can make with $12…and let us know so we can copy!

Until Next Time…

Mallory

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