Nom Nom Paleo Podcast Episode 16: Leveling Up Life at Camp Nerd Fitness with Michelle Tam
Join Us for Episode 16!
We’re thrilled to be back with a brand new episode of the Nom Nom Paleo Podcast! In Episode 16, your host Michelle Tam, joined by her family, dives into a lively discussion covering a wide array of topics. From the vibrant flavors of seasonal autumn produce and Michelle’s unforgettable experience as a Headmaster at the legendary Camp Nerd Fitness, to our latest “crushes of the week” and a thoughtful answer to a reader’s pressing question about navigating snack time in a non-Paleo preschool environment, this episode is packed with insights and entertainment.
No need to jot down notes, fellow nerds! As always, we’ve prepared extensive show notes, complete with all the details and links mentioned in the episode, ensuring you can easily explore everything at your leisure.
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What We’re Cooking: Seasonal Delights & Kitchen Hacks
As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, our kitchen comes alive with the bounty of fall. We’ve been enjoying a delightful array of seasonal produce, celebrating the rich flavors and nutritional benefits that this time of year brings. Michelle shares her recent culinary obsessions, particularly her newfound love for spaghetti squash, and her excitement for the upcoming winter squash season.
Pressure Cooker Spaghetti Squash: A Game Changer
Spaghetti squash has been a staple in our recent meals, and Michelle has discovered an incredibly easy and fast method to prepare it: the pressure cooker. This revelation transforms what can sometimes be a lengthy process into a quick culinary victory, making healthy eating more accessible than ever. If you’ve been hesitant to try spaghetti squash, or are looking for a quicker way, Michelle’s step-by-step recipe here is a must-try. It truly changes the game for incorporating this versatile vegetable into your Paleo diet.
Anticipating Winter Squash & Persimmon Perfection
Beyond spaghetti squash, we’re eagerly anticipating the arrival of other beloved winter squash varieties like kabocha and butternut squash in the coming months. These nutritious and delicious squashes are incredibly versatile, perfect for roasting, mashing, or adding to hearty stews. Their natural sweetness and creamy texture make them a comforting addition to any fall or winter meal.
Henry, our resident fruit connoisseur, is particularly thrilled about the return of persimmons to the farmers’ market. In our region, two main types are available: Fuyu and Hachiya. However, Henry’s loyalty lies solely with the Fuyu variety. These small, orange, pumpkin-shaped fruits are best enjoyed when crisp, offering a delightful texture akin to an apple. They’re perfect for snacking, adding to salads, or simply savoring on their own. Meanwhile, our younger kids have been devouring copious amounts of crisp Asian pears and jewel-toned pomegranates. Michelle even recounted a humorous (and slightly messy) attempt to gracefully de-seed a pomegranate on Periscope, which hilariously resulted in our kitchen resembling a “murder scene.” It’s all part of the fun of cooking and exploring new ingredients!
The Camp Nerd Fitness Experience: A Deep Dive into Wellness
Michelle shares an exciting personal anecdote: despite never attending sleepaway camp as a child, she more than made up for it this year by attending not one, but *two* transformative camps within weeks! Her first adventure was as a happy camper at Belcampo’s Women’s Meat Camp, an experience she enthusiastically detailed in Episode 14. Hot on the heels of that, she flew to Georgia to take on the role of an instructor, or “Headmaster,” at Camp Nerd Fitness, an event that truly exemplifies the spirit of leveling up one’s life.
A Summer Camp for Adult Nerds
Imagine a sleepaway summer camp, but tailor-made for self-proclaimed adult nerds. That’s precisely what Camp Nerd Fitness offers. It’s more than just a gathering; it’s an incredible bonding experience designed for individuals passionate not only about sci-fi, comics, and video games but also deeply committed to enhancing their nutrition, fitness, mindfulness, and overall wellness. The camp fosters a unique community where like-minded individuals can connect, learn, and grow together, stretching beyond their comfort zones in a supportive environment.
The Philosophy Behind Nerd Fitness
For those unfamiliar, Nerd Fitness is an outstanding online platform founded by Steve Kamb, affectionately known as the “Rebel Leader.” Steve’s philosophy centers around teaching self-identified nerds how to “level up their lives” as if they were navigating a real-life video game. His website is a treasure trove of engaging and informative articles covering everything from effective exercise routines and practical Paleo eating strategies to holistic lifestyle advice. He consistently motivates his audience to embrace new challenges, try things that might initially seem daunting, and ultimately achieve their personal best.
Life at Camp Nerd Fitness: An Immersive Experience
Michelle arrived at Camp Nerd Fitness with a general understanding that it was the second iteration of the event, held at a serene, remote campground in northern Georgia. This year, 300 enthusiastic campers, many of whom were returning alums from the inaugural camp, immersed themselves in a packed four-day schedule. Campers resided in rustic cabins, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and community. The days were meticulously planned with a diverse range of classes designed to cater to various interests and skill levels. These included foundational practices like meditation and weightlifting, insightful nutrition workshops, dynamic primal movement sessions, and even thrilling swordplay lessons. Beyond the structured classes, a steady stream of social activities ensured constant engagement and fun, from invigorating hikes and competitive video game tournaments to an epic, camp-wide game of zombies vs. humans and lively nightly theme parties. And to fuel all this activity, every single meal and snack was thoughtfully prepared to be Paleo-friendly, aligning perfectly with the camp’s wellness focus and ensuring sustained energy for all participants.
Michelle’s Culinary Workshops: Empowering Paleo Cooks
As a Headmaster, Michelle had the privilege of teaching four distinct and highly popular classes at Camp Nerd Fitness. Each workshop was designed to equip campers with practical skills and delicious recipes for maintaining a Paleo lifestyle, even amidst busy schedules or challenging environments. Her classes included “Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner,” “Viva Las Veggies,” “Desperation Dinners,” and “Paleo Out In The Wild.” These workshops provided hands-on learning and valuable insights into preparing nourishing, flavorful meals.
Here are the recipes and accompanying Periscope videos (where available) from each of Michelle’s engaging classes:
Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner
This class focused on creating delicious and easy chicken dishes that are anything but boring. Michelle shared her go-to recipes for transforming humble chicken into culinary masterpieces, perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
- Cracklin’ Chicken
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
- My Sister’s Phenomenal Green Chicken
Desperation Dinners
Life gets busy, and sometimes you need quick, healthy meal solutions. This workshop was all about those moments when time is short, but the desire for nourishing food is high. Michelle provided strategies and recipes for whipping up delicious Paleo meals in a pinch.
(Watch the Periscope video here.)
- Madras Chicken Salad
- Garbage Stir Fry
- Homemade Paleo Mayonnaise
Viva Las Veggies
Making vegetables exciting and appealing is key to a vibrant Paleo diet. This class explored creative and flavorful ways to incorporate more vegetables into your meals, transforming them from side dishes into stars.
(Watch the Periscope video here.)
- Sweet Potato Hash
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon
- Roasted Garlic Autumn Root Vegetable Mash
Paleo Out In The Wild
Maintaining a Paleo lifestyle while traveling or navigating non-Paleo environments can be a challenge. This essential workshop provided practical strategies and tips for staying on track, no matter where your adventures take you.
(Watch the Periscope video here.)
- Download the Keynote slides from the lecture here.
Continue Your Level-Up Journey
The spirit of Camp Nerd Fitness extends far beyond the campground. For those, like Michelle, who are working towards their first dead hang pull-up, Steve Kamb, the Rebel Leader himself, offers a fantastic article on the Nerd Fitness website dedicated to mastering this challenging exercise. And if you’re ready to push your physical limits even further, we highly recommend exploring the site of fellow Headmaster Jim Bathurst, Beast Skills, a comprehensive resource for calisthenics and bodyweight training.
Don’t miss out on all the amazing resources from Nerd Fitness, including Steve Kamb’s inspiring upcoming book, Level Up Your Life. If the thought of attending Camp Nerd Fitness next year sparks your interest, you can get a vivid taste of the experience by watching the highlight reel from this year’s camp and even sign up for updates here! (A special shout-out: all the stunning photos of camp featured in this post were captured by the incredibly talented Will Byington. You can view even more captivating moments from this year’s camp right here.)
Crush of the Week: Must-Have Kitchen Tools & Entertainment
This segment reveals our current obsessions, from essential kitchen gadgets to captivating media, offering you a glimpse into what’s enhancing our daily lives.
The Indispensable Microplane
Michelle recently rediscovered her deep affection for her microplane rasp grater, and for good reason. This unassuming kitchen tool is a true workhorse, transforming the way she prepares aromatics. It’s been invaluable for finely mincing ingredients like lemongrass, ginger, and turmeric, eliminating the fibrous textures often associated with these ingredients. The microplane truly shines when used with frozen ingredients, turning them into a delicate “flavored snow” that effortlessly melts into dishes, infusing them with intense flavor without any unwanted chewiness. If you own one, be sure to try making Michelle’s Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken!
Entertainment Corner
Beyond the kitchen, our family has also been crushing on some delightful entertainment. Owen is engrossed in Jim Gaffigan’s hilarious book, Dad is Fat, a witty and relatable take on fatherhood. Ollie enthusiastically shares why he loves watching the charming animated series, Bob’s Burgers. Even Henry, despite his busy schedule, found time to binge-watch the entire Netflix series, Master Of None, an insightful and comedic exploration of modern life, which Michelle also thoroughly enjoyed!
Question of the Week: Navigating Preschool Snacks for a Healthy Eater
We received a thoughtful question from Jennifer, a parent facing a common dilemma regarding her toddler’s diet:
My son will be in toddler daycare/preschool soon. I have intentionally chosen a place where the kids bring their own lunches so that I can maintain some control over what he eats in a non-intrusive way. But the school offers the usual toddler snacks – graham crackers, goldfish, etc. Is it worth the potential tension and/or complications I would create if I asked the school to limit what kind of snacks he eats? Or do you think this a battle not worth fighting? He has no allergies, I just want him to be a good, healthy eater!
This is a wonderfully relevant question that many Paleo parents grapple with. We delve into this topic during the episode, offering a nuanced perspective. The short answer? It depends. Listen to the full episode for our detailed discussion and practical advice on how to navigate this situation, weighing factors like your child’s temperament, the school’s policies, and your comfort level in advocating for healthier options. We believe in empowering parents to make informed choices while fostering positive relationships with their child’s caregivers.
Stay Connected & Support Nom Nom Paleo!
Thank you for tuning into this episode and for your incredible patience as we work to bring you each new installment! Michelle has been actively hosting live cooking demonstrations on Periscope, where she answers viewer questions in real-time. To join the fun and interact directly, download the Periscope app, follow “Michelle Tam”, and ask your burning questions while she cooks!
If you enjoy what you hear, we would be incredibly grateful if you could subscribe to our podcast and leave us an honest review by clicking here! Your reviews make a tremendous difference in helping new listeners discover our content and grow our community. Additionally, please take a moment to visit our generous sponsor, Thrive Market. As a special offer for new users to Thrive, you can get 25% off your entire purchase and free shipping on your order. Thrive Market is an excellent resource for organic, non-GMO, and healthy groceries delivered right to your door, making healthy living more convenient and affordable.
Looking for even more delicious and healthy Paleo recipe ideas? Head on over to our comprehensive Recipe Index, where you’ll find a vast collection of dishes to inspire your culinary adventures. You’ll also discover exclusive recipes available on our popular iPhone and iPad app, providing on-the-go access to your favorite Nom Nom Paleo creations. And for those who love to cook from beautiful, tangible books, be sure to explore Michelle’s critically acclaimed cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013) and Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017). Happy cooking and healthy living!
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