Real Man Food: Part 2

[Look at all that fake food. Makes me sick! I tell hya what!]

Travel back in time to about 480 B.C. to the pass of Thermopylae, you'll find a guy there cutting up a bunch of Persian , tap him on the shoulder, tell him he's not a "real man" because he doesn't eat "real man food," and see if you can make it back to your time machine with all your limbs attached to you.


Too unrealistic? Ok book a flight to Las Vegas, take a taxi ride to 4055 West Sunset, open the door to Xtreme Couture MMA, ask to speak to the 6 time MMA Champ president ( if you're lucky he might be eating a spinach salad.), tap him on the shoulder, tell him he's a pussy for eating "rabbit food", and pay your hospital bill after waking up in an ICU 3 days later recovering from a coma and reconstructive surgery on your now disfigured face.


Now that I've ruffled some feathers, I'd like to show you how I shop at the grocery store


First, let me clarify that I am NOT a professional nutritionist. I've spent a lot of time researching and applying different ways to eat healthy, and have come up with an system that works for me based on what I'm doing in the gym. What works for me may or may not work for you. However, I will say that you will notice drastic changes in the way you look and feel once you start incorporating more whole foods into you diet.


4 RULES I TRY TO FOLLOW WHEN GROCERY SHOPPING:

1. Know Your Grocery Store: If it is dirty, the produce looks like its about to expire, and you get a feeling the staff is unprofessional, find a better place. My wife and I drive out of our way to go to HEB because the Kroger's with in walking distance from our house looks like a flea market and the stench of expired produce slaps you in the face when you walk through the door. If the inside smell worse than the garbage can outside,...I don't need to tell you what to do.
2. Make A List Of Exactly What You Need Before You Go: Eating healthy doesn't have to be expensive. You'll save money by getting only what you need for the next week. It is OK to stock up on bulk things like nuts, grains, and other items that will keep for a while. For example, if you generally only eat one apple a day, don't buy ten. This will keep you from over eating and keep you from wasting money on spoiled food. I also feel that it is best to shop early on a Saturday or Sunday for the coming week so that you don't risk overstocking your tummy and fridge. As you can see in the picture above, my basket if full of fruits, berries, veggies, nuts, lean meats, organic eggs, and occasionally organic milk and Greek yogurt.
3. Do Your Best To Stay On The Perimeter: Generally, grocery stores have all their whole fresh foods on the perimeter. I guess they do this so you have to pass all the canned and processed shit on your way to the milk and eggs. Don't dabble in the center for too long or else you will leave with more than you intended to take. (i.e. That "spare tire" you thought you sent to the junk yard.)
4. Only Veer Off The Path For Whole Foods That Are Not On The Perimeter: This is where you will pick up things like walnut/flax seed/ e.v. olive oil, bulk nuts, seeds, grains (organic, raw and unsalted of course) goji berries, spring water, organic no salt added canned tuna (sometimes), Organic coffee (sometimes),organic nut milks and butters, vitamins, minerals, freeze dried greens, fish oil. You get the idea. I will occasionally buy Ezekiel sprouted grain cereal deping on my workouts. Again, don't be tempted to grab the Lucky Charms over the Ezekiel. If it is in a box or can and the ingrediet list is longer than the Bible, put it back. ( see "spare tire" comment above)

In Part 3, I'll give you how I generally eat from week to week and why. I would also like to give you an update on some changes I've made on my ETK paln. Drop a comment below and let me know what you think about this post, or if you want to add anything to my list. Look forward to hearing from you.

"When In Command, Take Charge."