spaghetti squash

Whole30: Days 19-21 Recap

March 3, 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 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?

____________________

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!

Whole30: Days 16-18 Recap

February 27, 2015

{Day 16}

Tuesday, February 17th

I worked from home today as I had a mid day site meeting for a project. It is just more efficent to work form home in the mronign and go directly there and backhome as I would be spending a lot of extra time driving to go to work, plus parking there is crzy $, regardless of being reimbursed. So it was a nice morning at home. I decided to try eating out at lunch as it was lunch time while I was at my meeting and I didn’t feel like getting home and then starting on making lunch. I got Chipotle… meh. At least Dinner was awesome.

Breakfast

Waffled hashrown (leftover from my Waffled Breakfast Egg Sandwiches), 2 over easy eggs, breakfast sausage, blueberries, and some guac (Wholy Guacamole)

This was awesome. I liked the mix of the savory potato with the egg, spicy sausage, and sweet fruit. Plus, guac always wins!

Lunch

Chipotle Salad with Pork Carnitas and Fresh Tomato Salso, Tomatillo- Red Chili Salsa, and guac.

I always get salads at Chipotle, but I get them with Barbacoa, lettuce, Fresh Tomato Salso, Tomatillo- Red Chili Salsa, cheese, sour cream. Sometimes guac. Always, no dressing. The Barbacoa is just the best! Sadly, it’s not allowed while doing Whole30 because of the ingrednets used: Beef , Water, Chipotle Chile, Rice Bran Oil, Cumin, Garlic, Oregano, Black Pepper, Salt, Cloves, Bay Leaf, Sunflower Oil. Damn you Rice Bran Oil and Sunflower Oil. DAMN YOU!

I thought that the carnitas had little taste. And I missed the sour cream. It was tolerable but I wouldn’t go out of my way to get Chipotle while doing Whole30 again, esp for $10!

Dinner

Sauteed chicken breasts with roasted broccoli and cherry tomatoes. Served with a Tahini based sauce.

This was the first time I used Tahini. I freaking love it. I’m looking forwrd to making dinners like this again.

I do know that you should limit sunflower seeds, and related products, but I’m happy to have used it anyway to change things up from the typical mustard or mayo. Plus, now I can make my own version of Annie’s Goddess Dressing… the best dressing (besides Hidden Valley Ranch) ever.

{Day 17}

Wednesday, February 18th

Back to work. Back to the normal routine. I keep saying to price how I will be glad when we can eat breakfast at work again. I enjoy that so much more than eating at home. It saves money but I can’t wait for the option to be able to easily grab something on the way into work.

Breakfast

Hash made with potato and kale, fried egg.

I seriously question if I could do Whole30 without Frank’s Red Hot sauce. I really do put that shit on everything.

Lunch

Leftover chicken with leftover roasted broccoli and tomatoes

A reapeat from the night before but still really good.

Unfortuantely, I didn’t cook some of the chicken enough the night prior (Autumn was haivng a rough night getting settled, so I was distracted) so I only ate 2 of the 3 pieces I brought.

Dinner

Bunless burgers, coleslaw (made with homemade mayo), avocado, Claussen pickle halves

I made mayo!!!!!!!!! It was so much fun and easy too. I didn’t have mustard powder so I just put a squeeze of mustard in but I’m going to buy some now. I love Hellman’s mayo but I definitely see myself making mayo again and again.

It felt good to make the mayo and then the coleslaw as it felt ‘normal’. Like I could do Whole30 in the summer with salads, grilled veggies, sausages, grilled chicken and steak, and coleslaw. It felt good to have some ‘normalcy’.

{Day 18}

Thursday, February 19th

I feel run down but Autumn is starting to get sick. I have been knocked out with her sickies in the past so I’m curious if I get just the sniffles or a whoop you on your butt cold.

I had to work really late today so I had to properly plan for it so I would have food for myself for dinner so I wouldn’t have to go to Chipotle again. No thanks!

Breakfast

Cruistless quiche made with kale and mushrooms, Kiwi

I put WAY TOO MUCH tobasco Sauce on it.

Lunch

Salad with Sauteed Chicken. Made with romaine, grape tomatoes, carrots, broccoli

Really good but I could have eaten more. I need more chicken next time. I need to also make Annie’s Goodress Dressing too!

Snack

Cacao Macadamia Budi Bar with some On Guard Beadlets (DoTerra)

Okay, so the beadlets aren’t a snack (ha!) but I took them with the budi bar as I was super hungry after lunch. The salad just wasn’t enough. Glad to have had this on hand. They are so good!!

Dinner

Bunless burger, coleslaw (made with homemade mayo), roasted veggies and pears.

I had to work really late (11.30) so I ate this at work. I had made the burger in the morning so I would just have to reheat it at work. The roasted vegies and pears were leftovers from a wine and cheese event held at work, that I didn’t attend.

____________________

A good few days. But so happy that I am halfway through. Happy there is an end in sight and that I’ve gotten this far without any slip ups or horrible throughts about wine, buttery mashed potatoes, grilled cheese, or ice cream sandwiches. Actutally, that last part is a lie… But I’m happy to have stuck to my guns have have followed the Whole30 rules.

Unlike Price…

He has stuck with the diet 100% but cheater cheater weighed himself on Day 16! how dare he!!! At least he is super happy with all the work he has put into sticking with Whole30 as he has lost 8 pounds in 16 days. That’s awesome. But cheater cheater!!!

Whole30: Days 13-15 Recap

February 19, 2015

{Day 13}

Saturday, February 14th

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

We had a nice day together as a family. We went to the Natick Mall to do some shopping and just get out of the house… hello cabin fever… before more snow dumped on us. So we spent a few hours there, even having out first Whole30 dining experience. I think I did a good job of picking out salads for us. For dinner I made a yummy Valentine’s Day dinner for us. Truthfully I missed the chocolate!! And wine!!!

Breakfast

A Big Ass Sweet potato (Costco!) with 2 fried eggs, wholly guacamole, and Trader Joe’s Salsa Verde.

This was really good but so much. The potato was crazy big, but yummy. I didn’t eat all of it. Next time I would just make 1 potato for us to split.

And Costco has the best sweet potatoes, so much better than Trader Joe’s. But Trader Joe’s rocks the salsa.

Lunch

Salads at California Pizza Kitchen: Roasted Veggie & Moroccan-Spiced Chicken

I did my best to avoid the non-compliant Whole30 things by requesting no dressing on the salad and to get oil and vinegar instead, and by omitting things like cranberries. I figured that if I slipped up, then I slipped up, but I’m not starting over. Maybe the dates had sulfates but if I left out every questionable thing then we would have just been eating lettuce and more lettuce. Either way, the salads were good, but damn I wanted pizza so badly.

* photos above from CPK website, our phones were dead

Dinner

Steak with coocnut flour crusted sauteed shrimp, roasted potatoes, and spaghetti squash

I tried to make a good dinner that would be sweet and romantic for Valentine’s Day since we were staying in and doing W30. I went with the surf and turf theme with the steak and shrimp. I think it worked will for the night.

I do not suggest using coconut flour to coat shrimp. It burned off very easily and the kitchen got smokey! I will just roast them in the future.

Dessert

Strawberries and Blueberries with Coconut Milk Whipped Cream

I really missed something sweet for Valentine’s Day so I whipped up come coconut milk to make ‘whipped cream’. It was good but would have been better with some vanilla extract, at the very least some vanilla bean caviar. I would try to make the whipped cream again.

{Day 14}

Sunday, February 15th

Another snowy day. Price sent over 2 hours outside shoveling with our neighbor’s visiting son, his husband, and another neighbor who parks in a spot in our driveway. It was such a bummer for him to do that again. On the other hand I enjoyed my day inside cooking. I made a roast by searing it on all sides and then roasting it in the oven for several hours.

Breakfast

Waffled Breakfast Sandwich with sausage and guacamole

So freaking good!!! I really have been missing the fun breakfasts I normally make on the weekends so I had to come up with a version that would work, so, of course, I turned to the waffle iron to make a thicker version of my Waffled Hasbrowns to substitute as the bread. It was yummy but messy, still so worth it!

Recipes here…

Paleo WaffledBreakfast Sandwiches

Homemade Paleo Breakfast Sausage

Lunch

Meat sauce with spaghetti squash

I loved the meaty sauce that I had the other night so I used up the rest of the leftover spaghei squash from dinner the night before. I could eat this 3x a week, easily, but I do miss the cheese.

This was Price’s lunch…

He had been craving wings so when he found this recipe from Against all Grain I had to make it for him. He really enjoyed them and has already requested them again. They were quick to make and the dairy free ranch was good, although I winged it sinc eI didn’t have everything on hand.

Dinner

Pork shoulder with cauliflower rice

Oh man, this was so good. The pork was tender and so flavorful.

ItT was the first time I made cauliflower rice. It was really good but next time I would use olive oil to sautée it vs the coconut oil that I used. It just didn’t jive with the other flavors, but I liked the texture a lot. I will be making it again!

I made the pork shoulder by searing it on all sides, then putting it in the oven with some carrots, celery, and onions and a large can of diced tomatoes. I cooked it at 325 for about 4 hours. So tender!!

{Day 15}

Monday, February 16th

Half way through!!! So exciting!

It was President’s Day so I had the day off with Autumn (price had to work.) I’ve been enjoying the extra time with Autumn, plus it is nice that I get to cook at home. I’m most proud of this experience that I have been able to resist noshing during the day, especially on those darn tasty Goldfish crackers.

Breakfast

Quick version of Waffled Breakfast Sandwiches with some strawberries

I had made extra ‘buns’ when I made them on Sunday so I just reheated them while I made an egg. I used a generous amount of guac on the ‘buns’.

Lunch

Sauteed pieces of chicken breasts on a salad with radishes, celery, and grape tomatoes

Autumn liked this as well. She, of course, had already eaten her lunch but decided she wanted this as well. So we shared 🙂

Dinner

Pork shoulder with roasted green beans and grape tomatoes with leftover cauliflower rice

I love roasting green beans and tomatoes like this. It is quick to prepare and so delicious.

____________________

Things are going well. The hardest part during these few days was trying to eat out. I am glad that we are doing Whole30 as it made us stick to salads instead of getting pizzas at CPK but I miss cheese. It was the first time I really missed cheese. At least we are half way through now!!