snack bag redux

I've been sewing snack bags this weekend. Happy to report they've had a slight makeover and have been turned inside out! Funny thing is, they still look like they are inside out to me. I thought it would be more fun to have the print on the outside.

The inner is a nylon lining, not water proof but water resistant - enough to keep your food fresh and to ensure ease of cleaning! As always, Joyful Earth snack bags are closed with a snap closure. I prefer snaps for many reasons: they are easy to clean and keep clean, they are durable and long lasting, and the double fold keeps your food nice and fresh.

I've also added a smaller size for smaller snacks like pretzels, nuts or cookies. The larger size still has two size settings but the smaller size only has one setting.

You'll find some snack bags this week when I guest stock at the Alchemy congo on Hyena Cart. There will also be a few up for grabs at Lily Pad Landing on Thursday night.

Happy St. Paddy's Day - Did you buy your copy of the Primal Blueprint yet?

A quick fly by post today - The Primal Blueprint is bidding for Amazon Best Seller status and is holding a campaign to sell as many books as possible over the next 24 hours. The book is available at Amazon for $17. Shipping to Canada isn't all that bad either! Read more at the MDA website - if you email your Amazon receipt to Mark, you'll get a bunch of freebies too!

Read details at Marks Daily Apple.

Order your book now!

Mine is on the way!

~fresh~ the 9th on the 9's

Excited about this! My first official stocking at Fresh is Tuesday March 9th at 9am and 9pm Hyena Cart time. The theme this month is "Wee/Pocket or Tiny", check it out:

From special guest Les Petites Choses

From Little Bear Knitwear and Beneath the Rowan Tree

From Alphabette Zoope and Bugsnugger


From Earth Muffin


From Starving Artist Bazaar


From Tickety Bu:


From Wild Child Woolies

So, how much protein/fat/carbs do I need?

One of the first questions I am asked when someone I know is going to attempt the Primal Blueprint diet is what on earth should I be eating? Sometimes knowing just how many carbohydrates are suggested, how much fat to eat and how much protein to eat can be a bit confusing. I had these same questions, and asked for advice from the person who originally introduced me to Primal eating. I've since put all of the steps into an email that I send out on a pretty regular basis.

Without further ado - the "What on Earth should I be eating?" email. With a disclaimer... I am NOT a nutritionist, I am not a Primal Blueprint specialist... this is just what I've surmised/learned over the past six months and it is what has worked for me. I think that each person needs to sit down, figure out what their goals are, what their own lifestyle will permit and create their own plans from there. Consider this a jumping point:

First, go to this site to figure out your Basal Metabolic Rate:

http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

then click on the link below that says "Harris Benedict Equation" - that will let you know how many calories per day you need based on your activity level.

To figure out the amount of protein you need, you need to figure out your body fat composition. I used this calculator, its not as accurate as a caliper test but it gives you a general idea:

http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/diet.html

You need .7 grams of protein per lb of lean body mass per day. This will help you to maintain your lean mass - the key to health according to the Primal Blueprint! The rest of your diet should be primarily fats (healthy fats like nuts, coconut and olive oils (no vegetable oil!!), avocado, meat, butter, cheese) and then the only carbs from vegetables and some fruit, mostly berries.

To get an idea of how you are doing with total calories/carbs/fat/protein - you can track your eating for a day or two on fit day. Its too much work to do this regularly - but I did it for the first few days and would probably do it again once a month to make sure my #'s are still in check.

http://www.fitday.com/

Here are some interesting links from Marks Daily Apple:

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/definitive-guide-to-the-primal-eating-plan/
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-context-of-calories/
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-primal-carbohydrate-continuum/

some random joyful earth goodies still available

Available at Etsy

Available at Lily Pad Landing

Available at Alchemy

Available at Venus Vanguard