Calypso Paleo Pork Chops

This was a fun meal! I was in the mood for something different, and Scott said I should do something with pork chops. I had a papaya in the frig... so with a little help from some recipe morphing, this is what happened! I'm very happy with this experimental, totally paleo meal! Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

3 center-cut pork loin chops, about 3/4 inch thick, fat trimmed!

rub:

1 tsp. paprika

1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves

1/4 tsp. ground allspice

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 tsp. ground ginger

Combine rub ingredients in a small bowl and rub over both sides of pork chops. Place chops in a re-sealable food storage bag. Combine 3 T lime juice and 1 T oil and pour over chops... marinate for 1 to 2 hours.

Grill pork chops on BBQ until pork reaches an internal temp. of 175 degrees (approx. 10-12 minutes... turning half way through grilling time).

Papaya Salsa:

1 1/2 cups diced ripe papaya

1/4 cup each diced sweet red and yellow pepper

2 T lime juice

1/4 C fresh cilantro, chopped

1 tsp. chile paste or diced jalapeno pepper

Refrigerate until serving.

Top pork chops with papaya salsa and serve with side of vegetable or salad.

This is about a 4 block meal.

I appreciate hearing the feedback on your experiences with the zone/paleo challenge! You all are on the right path... if that path has a few hiccups along the way... so be it... that's reality! Forgive, let it go, and get right back to it! :)

I have noticed from reading food logs, that "dining out" is a common challenge. So... here are some tips for eating out on a paleo/zone diet. Hope some of these tip help you! :)

When Dining Out:

*Make sure your main dish is a non-starch based food.

*Choose lean meat or seafood, cooked in the simplest manner!

*Always try to get some fresh fruit for non-starchy vegetable at every meal.

*Keep the meal as simple as you can... the fewer ingredients, the better!

*When traveling... take food with you in a cooler, or stop at supermarket deli's (where salads and pre-cooked chicken are readily available)... instead of the typical convenience fast-trash-road-side-food.

*Japanese restaurants are usually easiest! They always have fish, shellfish or lean beef... and plenty of steamed veggies (skip the rice and soy sauce). Even Italian and Mexican restaurants usually have seafood or meat entrees... you can ask to have these dishes prepared without the bad stuff. Oh and skip the potatoes, and ask for extra veggies instead! Good luck!

***Oh... we will have our next zone/paleo challenge meeting, Sunday, Oct. 4th @ 12:30. It's not mandatory for the challenge, but we will be there for you! ... for ideas, strategies, motivation, or simply an accountability "check-in". See you then! :)