dairy free

Whole30 #2: Day 1-3 Recap

April 4, 2015

I am documenting my second Whole 30 journey to help me see how far I’ve come from my first Whole30 (Feb 2015) to this one (April 2015). Plus, I don’t want to fall into any food ruts. Hopefully this will keep me inspired through the whole process. I’m looking forward to the transformation in how I approach food, cook with it, and enjoy it. Check out all my Whole30 related posts HERE from why I did my first Whole30, why I am doing this one, and food diaries.

{Day 1}

Wednesday, April 1^st, 2015

Here we go again!!

Like last time, the first day didn’t seem like it was such a hardship and I still felt normal. I’m awaiting my slump coming up in a few days. But the first day went perfectly. It felt great to start again.

Breakfast

Spinach and Mushroom Crustless Quiche and Homemade Bacon

I couldn’t resist making bacon to kick off this Whole30. And damn, was it good!! It was filling after I ate it and kept me satisfied for a long time. Of course,

Lunch

Simple salad with a sauteed pork cutlet. A Fruit bar

The greens for the salad were from a bag from Trader Joe’s, but it had butter lettuce in there that was really nice. I threw the salad together quickly so I forgot to put cucumber in, Bummer! But I took the time to make pork cutlets. We shared 1 large chop for our salads.

I then had the apple and strawberry Fruit Bar. yum!

Dinner

Beef with roasted fennel, onion, and tomatoes

I had to go back to work to get some stuff done so I focused on making a quick dinner. I did the roasted veggies as they are pretty easy to prep and taste really good. The beef was just reheated from a bag I got from Costco when I went shopping on Sunday. I love that as it’s a quick complaint option for busy lunches or dinners.

Late Night Snack

Since I was awake and (mentally) active later that normal I had some nuts as a snack. I had about 20. I love pistachios!

{Day 2}

Thursday, April 2^nd, 2015

Today felt good. It felt good that I was already 1 day into Whole30. I like mentally crossing them off the calendar. Getting through each day is a great accomplishment.

Breakfast

Spinach and Mushroom Crustless Quiche with Roasted Veggies

I ate this at work and it worked out well. I really like to eat breakfast there. Anyway, more quiche with leftover veggies from the dinner before. Really good!

Lunch

Salad with a hard boiled egg, roast beef, & guacamole

It was a big salad. I think all salads should be big salads. It was nice and filling from the volume of it and protein in it. I used up the leftover beef from the prior dinner. I heated it up since cold meat on a salad gives me the willies. I love fresh avocado on a salad but I didn’t have any at home so I used a 100-calorie cup of Wholly Guacamole. So good! I don’t like the yolk in a hard boiled eggs so I only eat the white park.

Dinner

Sauteed fish (seasoned with Adobo) with garlicky asparagus and tomatoes

The fish was from a Trader Joe’s. I don’t remember the kind, but it’s from a blue bag. It’s light in texture, and thin, allowing it to cook quickly, which is great for our busy schedule. I peeled the asparagus and then put it in with the fish so it was a 1 pan dinner! I added the tomatoes just a few minutes before the fish was done to heat up enough to just burst.

{Day 3}

Friday, April 3^rd, 2015

Today was the toughest so far, and it honestly wasn’t that bad. I wasn’t really craving anything but I was hungry. Very hungry.

Breakfast

Spinach and Mushroom Crustless Quiche with slices of Homemade Bacon, Smothered in Frank’s Red Hot

We finished up our quiche by having a slice each. And I made the rest of the bacon too (divided up between breakfast and lunch). The morning was rushed so I basically ate my bacon while showering- no joke. ha!

I honestly think I couldn’t survive Whole30 (or life!) without Frank’s Red Hot. I buy it in bulk from Costcos!

Lunch

Salad with homemade bacon and hard boiled egg white, a clementine, and mini Cashew Cookie Laura Bar (not pictured)

This was a damn good salad. Good flavors and textures. I loved the crunch from the bacon (leftover from what I made in the morning) and the softness from the egg white. Dressing was quickly thrown together with a complaint herb seasoning packet. It was pretty good! And I had a 100 calorie Cashew Cookie Laura bar. It got me over the hump that I was feeling about 45 minutes after eating lunch.

I focused on staying hydrated at work so I had a black coffee, water, and iced tea. Staying hydrated just helps me feel good, but helps with hunger too!

Dinner

Thick cut pork chops (cutlets?) with roasted veggies, served with whole grain mustard

I don’t know the difference from pork chops and cutlets. I should look into that. Anyway, these were really thick – about an inch! – boneless chops/cutlets. I seasoned the pork with Adobo and used the leftover bacon fat from the bacon I made in the morning to cook these bad boys. They were super thick so they took awhile, but I multi-tasked well and talked to my dad (feel better from your eye surgery!)The flavor from the bacon fat was so good!!

For the veggies I cut up fennel, onion, and kale sprouts. I got the Kale Sprouts from Trader Joe’s. It was the first time I had them so it was fun to try something new. Rounded out a really good dinner.

Late Night Snack

I was busy working on my laptop from having to leave early to get Autumn and I was crashing around 9.30pm (2 hours after eating dinner) so I had a heaping spoonful of crunchy almond butter. I started to feel better about 10 minutes later and go through my work stuff!

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What are your favorite Whole30 recipes? Please share!

Are you considering doing Whole30? Give it a try!

Whole30: Days 28-30

March 12, 2015

I am documenting my Whole 30 journey to help me see how far I’ve come and to keep me inspired through the whole process. I’m looking forward to the transformation in how I approach food, cook with it, and enjoy it. Read why taking on this challenging dietary adventure is so important to me HERE.

{Day 28}

Sunday, March 1st

It was a good/bad food day. Good in that it was Whole30 foods, but bad in timing of eating. I grazed most of the morning and early afternoon picking at a recipe I was trying to develop for the blog. At least dinner was awesome.

Brunch

(Failed) sweet potato waffles with a berry sauce (no sugar!)

I was trying to make my waffled hashbrowns but with sweet potatoes and it just didn’t work out well so we ate the waffles that sorta survived.

Dinner

Salad with steak, with a homemade mayo based ‘ranch-y’ dressing, topped off with salsa and guac (Holy Guacamole)

This was so good, and not just because it was delicious, but because we all sat down to dinner together. It’s pretty rare for us to eat with Autumn as she eats so early (5.30) but we get out act together today and had an early dinner together. So nice. I really need to put that effort in on the weekends. Plus, she loved the steak. kept asking for more and more, as well as humus. Adorable!

{Day 29}

Monday, March 2nd

In the home stretch! I felt good all day and then crashed and had a banana at night as a snack/dessert. It was really good then but annoyed with myself later. I need to get better about fighting urges like that. Blah.

Breakfast

Eggs over a potato hash with salsa and guac

I overcooked my eggs and was pissed so I made myself new eggs. Annoyed to waste food, but I should at least be able to enjoy the eggs I am eating, no?!?!?

Lunch

Salad (romaine, carrots, tomatoes) with some yummy leftover steak, with EVOO & vinegar dressing. Almonds.

Awesome salad. I got the almond from a job walk through. They were giving them out to promote heart health instead of junky snacks. Love that.

Dinner

Leftover Roasted Chicken with potatoes and green beans

We finished up the chicken from the Mayo Crusted Roasted Chicken that I made on Saturday night. It was basic but quick and it works some nights just to get dinner out of the way.

Dessert

Banana with some almond butter and a sprinkling of cinnamon

Super hungry. I shouldn’t have given in but I’m all over the place with being hungry/not. In a moment of weakness I grabbed the banana. Kinda pissed about it but I have been weird/blah/whatever since getting my period post-baby & post-breastfeeding. My body is just freaking out some days. AHHH!!!

{Day 30}

Tuesday, March 3rd

It’s our last day!!! Kinda exciting, kinda bittersweet. I know I can extend it but I need to take a break from it to test things out and just have a damn cookie. It was a crazy busy day but a good one.

Breakfast

Egg scramble with mushrooms, topped off with salsa and guac

I’m tired of eggs, I don’t care anymore. I am very thankfully for picking up the organic salsa from Costco though.

Lunch

Mixed greens salad with berries and prosciutto, EVOO & vinegar dressing

This has to be my favorite salad, at least currently. I freaking love the berries in the greens. Nice mix with the salty prosciutto

Snack

Cherry Pie Lara Bar

Lunch was great but it left me hungry. I need to up the protein in my salads.

Dinner

Chicken skewers with mixed veggies (peppers & mushrooms) in a sunbutter sauce

Price made this as I was at a planning board meeting (my first one!!) so he made dinner for us. He was bummed he didn’t make a dipping sauce for the chicken but I was starving after the meeting and going to Trader Joe’s (for Autumn’s goat milk). It was really good. I can’t wait for all the snow around our grill to thaw and for Price to start grilling again!

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I’m so proud of us for doing Whole30 and that we did it together. I know that this experience has taught us both about our eating and drinking habits. It’s been very eye-opening. I’ve noticed changes throughout the process about cravings,

I’ll do a follow-up with our lives post Whole30 soon!

Whole30: Days 25-27 Recap

March 9, 2015

{Day 25}

Thursday, February 26th

People are commenting on all the weight I have been losing. I am happy it’s noticable and I feel better about it as it’s been a signifcant amount – about 55+ pounds. I am looking forward to weighing myself when Whole30 is done with to see what I lost in this month.

I see a big change in Price as well. It’s nice that the work involved with sticking to Whole30 is paying off. Of course, it’s more than just losing weight but it is a big factor for us.

Breakfast

Chia Pudding (made with complaint cashew milk) with blueberries and chopped pecans

I’ve missed variety in breakfast, like having oatmeal or a quinoa bowl, so this helps change things up from eggs, eggs, eggs. But it doesn’t get cold, like I run the risk of eggs getting cold if the morning or crazy. Also, its nice to have it all prepped out in the morning as making eggs can be a pain in my ass.

Lunch

Salad made with romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers topped off with prosciutto, EVOO & vinegar based dressing

It was simple and got the job done.

Dinner

A baked seet potato (actually made in the microwave) topped off with pulled pork carnitas, diced avocado, and some garlicly mayo

Price didn’t eat all of his. I ate all of mine. I felt fat…

{Day 26}

Friday, February 27th

Today started off well but ended poorly. We got a BIG HUGE bill from the stupid nutrionist that we had to take Autumn to (per her Dr’s suggestion & referal). The one we didn’t even want to take her to because we aren’t worried about her low weight has she eats well and eats healthy foods, but we took her anyway and got a big bill for like $860. WTF. I called insurance to check it and found out we would be getting another for about $150 or so related to the appointment. I wanted to light the hospital on fire and punch them in the face as they ran out. At that moment I was glad we were doing Whole30, or I would have split a bottle of wine with Price and bitched and bitched about the bill.

Breakfast

A scramble made of eggs and potato hash

It was boring. I wanted a bagel.

Lunch

Salad with pulled pork carnitas & an avocado, then I had a Lara Bar

The salad was on the light side. I did eat most of it before taking a picture, but it was still a pretty small salad. And salad is a stretch as it was just some romaine for the pulled pork. Like the day before, it got the job done.

Dinner

Aidell’s Chicken sausage with broccoli

I’d say this was similar to a stir fry but I’d have to say that I miss having a rice or quino base to it, mostly quinoa. It was good but boring as it was basically just sausage and brocolli, but it was friday night and I was feeling lazy about cooking. Normally I’d have just ordered pizza. Umm, pizza…

{Day 27}

Saturday, February 28th

The biggest change in things is our weekend breakfasts and my approach to snack food. I’d previously make something like pancakes or waffles or go out to get a bagel or donuts. I miss all of that but it’s nice that the breakfasts don’t feel so heavy. I’m happiest that my snacking has been eliminated. Esp, when we are out, like I’d happily eat a sample at Costco, but now I can’t/won’t and that definitely helps out with calorie cutting.

Breakfast

2 over easy eggs over a hash made of potato, Aidell’s sausage, and tomatoes

I used the extra sausage link I had from the night before and added it to a diced potato and I then threw in some grape tomatoes too. I love blistered tomatoes- so freaking good. The eggs were nice and runny.

Lunch

Apple with some Almond Butter

I wasn’t really hungry from a big breakfast and just being busy meant that I’d eat lunch at 3.30, and I knew we’d be having a great dinner so I didn’t want to ruin my appetite for it.

Dinner

150507_Whole30_Days 25-27_14

Mayo Crusted Roasted Chicken with accompanying roasted veggies (carrots, potatoes, onions) and string beans

I need to roast chickens more often in general, but this Mayo Crusted Roasted Chicken is awesome. I’m thinking of changing up some of the spices next time just to have some fun with it, but it’s a great base recipe to work with.

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We’re in the home stretch!!!! It’s exciting to be so close to the end. Truthfully, part of me wants to continue but part of me is really glad for it to come to a close as it has been so limiting and I need some variety in things. Granted the cooking is fairly simple as it’s what I hae time for. Plus, I want a god damn cookie! Plus, I want to actually enjoy going to Seattle and doing Whole30 while out there would make things boo-hoo boring.

I haven’t felt any big changes- no extra energy, no decreased joint paint, no less aches- but I didn’t have anything that was greatly effecting me, like other people who have stuff like arthritis or eczema. No tiger blood for me,but I didn’t have a big fog in the start either. I’m still tired, but I think that is my nature and I just need more sleep. Clone me and I think I will start to feel better. ha!

Whole30: Days 22-24 Recap

March 6, 2015

{Day 22}

Monday, February 23rd

This is really feeling like routine now. I miss things like toast with eggs and chip with salsa or guacamole but I generally like the change.

Breakfast

2 eggs, leftover potato hash, bacon, and 1/2 avocado

It was a really generous breakfast but I always seem to need a bigger breakfast on Mondays to kick start the week.

Lunch

Chicken soup with a Cashew Cookie Lara Bar

I feel like I should have used eaten more soup or stews because they are so good. I still miss rice or pastina in chicken soup though. Since it felt pretty ‘light’ I also grabbed a Lara Bar from my stash in at my desk.

Dinner

Aidell’s Chicken and Apple Sausage with a mix of sauteed peppers and mustard

I was feeling rather lazy so it was all just thrown together. The mustard really made it work though.

Dessert

1/2 Banana with Almond Butter

Super hungry around 8.30 so we shared a banana with some almond butter. Not ideal to do but pacing around the kitchen so something had to be done.

{Day 23}

Tuesday, February 24th

I worked from home so that I could go to a meeting… that I ended up missing. UGH!

Breakfast

A mixed veggie egg scramble with some guac and our homemade bacon

Not much to say… it was good!

Lunch

Salad with romaine, radishes, tomatoes, prosciutto, hard-boiled egg white

I made a big mess of a salad. I’m getting used to having salads without cheese but I still do miss it at times. Like this could have used feta.

Dinner

Chicken with roasted string beans and tomatoes with baked potato, served with ghee

I could easily eat meals like this all the time. Although having some sour cream on the baked potato wouldn’t hurt. ha!

{Day 24}

Wednesday, February 25th

Back to work. Less than a week to go. I’m so happy that we have decided to take this journey together. It has been a struggle but it’s been good to have support with each other.

Breakfast

A banana and a Cherry Pie Lara Bar

It was a hectic morning so I just didn’t get enough time to make us breakfast. I grabbed a banana to bring to work, which I had with a Lara Bar.

Lunch

Chicken Soup with some salad (mixed greens with avocado & prosciutto)

Since I was still hungry after having soup for lunch on Monday I decided to have some salad with it instead of having a Lara Bar, as I was having one with breakfast. Smart- as it felt like a complete meal. Soup and Salad is a good combo.

Dinner

Butternut squash noodles with marina sauce

I got to get a mani, pedi so Price prepped dinner by peeling and spiralizing the squash. It was nice to have the mani, pedi but to also have the help in the kitchen. I sent Price the link to Ali’s how-to so he would have some help with it. And ta-da it was all done when I got home! So I just tossed in some olive oil, salt, and pepper and under the broiler it went.

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One thing that I have been struggling with is staying hydrated. I don’t really understand why as it’s not like I used to drink much soda and now I’m adjusting to life without soda. It’s just one of those things I’ve noticed. I think I should get some more seltzer so do a better job for the remaining portion of this Whole30 as I really like seltzer and sparkling water.

Whole30: Days 19-21 Recap

March 3, 2015

{Day 19}

Friday, February 20th

Survived another work week! Another pod breakfast day. So many bagels, breakfast burritos, and pastries all around. ALL AROUND!!! But I made it through the minefield and didn’t stray over to grab a delicious Boloco breakfast burrito. (SIGH/YAY!). The day was good, except for Autumn getting sick & having to be picked up from daycare, but it was a good food day.

Breakfast

Chia breakfast pudding with banana & (1/2), blueberries, and chopped pecans

I really should I made chia pudding more often because it was a nice refresher from eggs, eggs, and more eggs for breakfast.

Lunch

Crustless quiche made with sauteed kale, onion and mushrooms; pistachios

Not my favorite quiche, but it worked for lunch. I had to run home to get Autumn from daycare because her cold hit hard during the day, so I inhaled this. Not ideal but at least I got to eat it hot instead of not having lunch. So we spend the afternoon cuddling, and she slept in the Baby K’Tan for about 2 hours.

I freaking love pistachios now. I mean, I always loved pistachios, but have purchased them 2x now while on Whole30. They are so good, and what I really like about it is the process of eating them. At least I don’t shovel them into my mouth like goldfish crackers or another snack.

Dinner

Sauteed fish over salad (romaine, celery, avocado, grape tomatoes) with a lemony tahini dressing

Price was out for poker so I made myself this dinner. It was quick, which was good with taking care of sicky Autumn, filling, and delicious. I ate it while sitting on the floor in the bathroom while Autumn took her bath. ha!

Side note- I made Price food to take to poker so he would have dinner there. Everyone else ate pizza but I made him pork cutlets, roasted veggies and sauteed kale. And he took a San Pellegrino with him too.

{Day 20}

Saturday, February 21st

It was a busy day cooking. I love days like that, but I did miss the baking element to it. I felt like I got a lot done, which was a good feeling. I prepped plenty of Whole30 meals by making the chicken soup, which will last us beyond this Whole30 adventure.

Breakfast

Homemade bacon, 2 over easy eggs, some pear

I’m of the feeling that you really need something to soak up all the delicious runny yolk goodness, which was missing from this breakfast. But it was still good as the bacon is killer. I can’t wait to get more pork belly to make more.

Lunch

Homemade Chicken soup

It was really good but I did miss the rice that I normally have with chicken soup. I didn’t mind it without it but it just felt ‘light’ to me without rice or pastina.

Dinner

Oven roasted fish with roasted fennel and tomatoes, squash

This was a perfect meal. Easy to prep, healthy, flavorful, and easy to clean up.

The squash was a bust since I had left it in the oven after I had turned it off so it was pretty dry. Blah.

{Day 21}

Sunday, February 22nd

Another day of cooking! I love weekend likes this. I had missed the baking the day before so I made muffins witht Autumn. Sad to not have any as they looks and smelled so freaking good

We also watched the Daytona 500 and the Oscars. I missed having some beer and wine while watching them.

Breakfast

Potato hash, homemade bacon, over easy eggs

I learned my lesson from the day before and made a quick potato hash to help soak up that blissful runny yolk goodness. And the bacon was still on point. I was thinking about doing it with some coffee grounds next time.

Lunch

Buffalo Chicken Tenders, 1 Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas taco

Ever since I made Pricer the Bufflao Wings from Against All Grain, he has been talking about them over and over again. So it was time to make them again so that he could enjoy them with watching Daytona. I made myself some tenders with chicken breast as I don’t like to eat wings.

I was making my post for Secret Recipe Club so I made 2 tacos using Boston bibb lettuce, some thinly sliced radishes, sliced grape tomatoes, guac, and cilantro. We each had one. So yummy!

Dinner

Spaghetti squash with homemade meat sauce

I made the sauce to be similar to my Four Meat Italian Gravy, with the exception of the sausage and meatballs. I could have used a complaint sausage and made my own meatballs, but I was feeling ‘lazy’ since I was already making the chicken soup and pork carnitas over the weekend. Ether way it was still really good. I am 110% sure that I am going to put ribs in my sauce from now on. Dear short ribs, I love you.

We were talking about how we don’t miss pasta. Still miss some grated cheese on top, but don’t miss pasta. Sure, we will have it from time to time in the future, but don’t feel the need for it. Although, I could destroy a bowl of ravioli right now…

Dessert

Chia pudding with some whipped coconut cream with berries

Still not a fan of whipped coconut cream. I think I’m missing the vanilla flavor. Maybe if I had a vanilla bean to scrape in I would like it more?

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Everything has been going well. I am happy to have reached the 2/3 mark.

I’m feeling good which is good, especially since Autumn got hit badly with a cold on Friday. I ended up the with the sniffles over the weekend but not a cold, which is really good. So if that is a Whole30 thing, then yay!