whole30 foods

Whole30 #2: Days 22-24 Recap

April 30, 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 22}

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015

Did Hump Day translate to Hungry Day?

Breakfast

Boloco Shake: Strawbana (omitted the frozen yogurt)

We got out of the house quickly this morning so that I could get into work a bit earlier as I had a busy day ahead of me. Because of that I didn’t have time to make breakfast so I ran into Boloco for something. I wanted to make a burrito into just a bowl, but I asked about their eggs and was informed they add milk to the eggs. Bummer but the smoothie was really good.

Mid-morning Snack

Trader Joe’s Apple and Banana Fruit Bar

No protein for breakfast = hungry a short time later. Duh.

Lunch

Homemade California Chicken Salad over Organic Mixed Greens

On Monday night I roasted chicken breasts so I could make chicken salad that we would enjoy throughout the week. It was a definite win.

Dinner

1/2 Spaghetti Squash with Rao’s Marinara Sauce

I finished off the spaghetti squash for dinner before running back to work.

Price had buffalo wings. He loves them.

Late Night Snack

Package of salted cashews (Trader Joe’s), the rest of the dried Rambutan (4 pieces)

I needed a snack to get me through the long work day. I like being back at work to get a lot of stuff done, especially before presentation meetings or deadlines, but it makes me more active and snackish at night. booo…

{Day 23}

Thursday, April 23rd, 2015

OMG! I was like a bottomless pit today. So hungry. I don’t like when I give into cravings/impulses but there are just days when you need the extra energy. At least it felt like that today.

Breakfast

2 eggs over-easy with potato hash, served with guac and salsa verde (Trader Joe’s)

Autumn was really hungry this morning so she eat breakfast at home. She kept pointing at my guac on my plate after finishing off her own so she eat most of mine. Nothing is sacred anymore! ha!

And eggs… I hate you.

Lunch

Homemade California Chicken Salad over Organic Mixed Greens; strawberries and honeydew melon

I love that I get to eat Chicken Salad while doing this ‘diet’. The best part about doing Whole30 is that it doesn’t feel like it’s such a hardship. Sure at times I struggle and get bored with the food, but overall it works for me because it’s not so restrictive.

Afternoon Snack

Package of Raw Almonds (Trader Joe’s)

I wish you were chips. Or cheez-it’s. But nuts will do. Sorta.

Dinner

Stir Fry with Chicken and Bok Choy, served with cauliflower rice and a drizzle of sesame oil

I was so bummed when I realized that I had grabbed the wrong item at the grocery store- I grabbed the roasted red chili paste instead of the red curry paste. Oh well, I improvised a sauce and made it work.

Dessert

Strawberry and banana slices with coconut whipped cream topped off with some chopped walnuts

The strawberries were on their last leg so we I just whipped this up to finish them off before they went bad. It was good but I’m still a fan of ‘regular’ whipped cream. Plus, it just made me wish it was a strawberry shortcake.

{Day 24}

Friday, April 24th, 2015

It was a busy day, but a great one. I love when I get a lot of things done from a punch list walk through, an oil change, hitting up the container store, and then more work at home in the afternoon. It was a great way to end the work week.

Plus, less than a week to go!!!

Breakfast

Black Coffee (not pictured!)

I had to get out of the house earlier than usual to drive to my project’s site so I didn’t have time to make breakfast. Oh well.

Lunch

Salad with organic mixed greens and veggies topped off with buffalo shrimp and homemade ranch dressing

Since I was out and about in the morning I worked at home for the rest of the day, which let me make lunch for myself at home. I freaking love when I have the opportunity. I was super hungry since I didn’t have breakfast so I felt like treating myself to the big salad and topping it off with some shrimp. Awesome.

Dinner

Oven fried fish with roasted platains and baby zucchini, with a cilantro sauce (based on the Cilantro Vinaigrette from What’s Gaby Cooking)

I joked on Instragram that food on whole30 is so boring… ha!

This dinner kicked some major ass. I loved the cilantro sauce and the plantains. I am going to make this dressing/sauce all the time now. Plus, plantains are always awesome.

Dessert

Apple with almond butter

Should have skipped it but I am just so happy that an apple is a dessert now. Progress!

____________________

What are your favorite Whole30 recipes? Please share!

Are you considering doing Whole30? Give it a try!

Whole30#2: Days 19-21 Recap

April 28, 2015

{Day 19}

Sunday, April 19th, 2015

This was the last full day with my mom visiting us. And it was a busy day too! The biggest thing was that we went to my dress fitting. Oh the drama!!! But the best thing was that the sash that was too small before fit. WOOHOO!!

Breakfast

2 eggs over-easy, potato hash, and homemade bacon

The original intent was to get up early and to get to Target to shop the Lilly For Target sale but I got too eger about breakafst and made it for us and we ended up missing the sale because we showed up at 8.04 and kthe racks were clear at 8.01. Big fucking bummer, Good Job Target…

But at least we had bacon!

Lunch

Salad with leftover chicken (from dinner the night before)

I was so freaking hungry when we got home after my (long ass) dress fitting so this salad was a must. I threw it together for the 3 of us as quickly as possible. And then I topped it off with leftover chicken from the night before. We all grabbed some seconds!

Dinner

Steak Tenderloin with roasted tiny potatoes and asparagus

I wanted to send Mom off with a ‘Bang!’ so I made steak for us. She doesn’t cook to much for herself at home so I enjoyed cooking for her while she was here. And I think she enjoyed it too 🙂

Dessert

Banana with almond butter

OMG! I was starving. Strange, but I was.

{Day 20}

Monday, April 20th, 2015

It was Patriot’s Day so daycare was closed, so I had Autumn home with me. And it was the last day my mom was visiting. After I dropped her off at the airport I then went to work so I could introduce Autumn to my coworkers there. She had a blast there and then enjoyed a nap while I tried on clothes at Loft. The best is that I got a shirt in size Small (!) and shorts in size 2 (!!!!). FUCK YA!!

Breakfast

2 egg omelet filled with potato hash, guac, and salsa

This was my sad attempt at a Whole30 complaint breakfast burrito. It would have been great had I wrapped it up properly. I am not discouraged! I will try again and it will be awesome.

Lunch

Salad with romaine, broccoli slaw, red onion, cucumber, grape tomatoes, and avocado with homemade ranch dressing

I quickly inhaled this after I dropped Mom off at the airport and before Autumn and I left to head into work to say hi to everyone. It was awesome. Plus, it was awesome that I got to make mom a salad too to bring to the airport. Worked out well that she had a healthy lunch for her day of travel.

Later on, when I was at work, I shared a mini Chery Larabar with Autumn. I grabbed it for myself but she decided to eat it to. So I basically had a bite. ha!

Dinner

Spaghetti Squash with sauteed chicken with Rao’s Marinara Sauce

Rao’s Sauce is made with just Italian tomatoes, olive oil, fresh onions, salt, fresh garlic, fresh basil, black pepper, oregano… so it’s Whole30 Complaint. Woohoo!!!

I was so excited to have a ‘pasta’ dinner. So craving this.

{Day 21}

Tuesday, April 21st, 2015

3 weeks… here we go!!!

This last stretch is getting tough. I’m happy with doing Whole30 again but I just want to enjoy some normal food again. I feel like I only think about food related to what to eat, what not to eat, what I don’t want to eat, what I can’t wait to eat, etc. It’s all about food, I just wish it was all about Oreos and Cheez-it’s!

Breakfast

1 over-easy egg with 1/2 avocado

Boring.

Lunch

Homemade California Chicken Salad over Organic Mixed Greens

I roasted chicken breasts on Monday night to make this so we would have lunch for the week. I love doing a lot of meal prep all at once and then just whipping things together at meal time. This works well for this. And I honestly like Chicken Salad more on greens than in a sandwich, or maybe I’m just so used to not having bread….

Snack

Organic Dried Rambutan from Organic Living Superfoods

I picked this packet of Organic Dried Rambutan because I had never heard of Rambutan before and wanted to try it out. They are basically lychees. They were awesome! I ate about 2/3 of the 4 oz package.

Dinner

Aidells’ Chicken and Apple Sausage with Roasted Broccolini, served with mustard

Cut up sausage, throw on sheet pan with broccolini, toss with some olive oil, roast in oven. My kind of lazy meal.

Dessert

Berries with coconut whipped cream

We had angel food cake at home from mom visiting. So hard not to grab a piece. Ugh.

Also, watching Married at First Sight is the best.

____________________

What are your favorite Whole30 recipes? Please share!

Are you considering doing Whole30? Give it a try!

Whole30 #2- Days 13-15 Recap

April 21, 2015

{Day 13}

Monday, April 13th, 2015

I forgot my phone at home today!! It was terrifying. I realized it when I got on the bus and there was nothing I could do about it.

Breakfast

Lara Bar- Cherry

I really, really like Lara Bars. I am so thankful there is a good, affordable option for a snack or as a replacement to a meal that I was too rushed to make.

Lunch

Salad- mixed greens, veggies, homemade vinaigrette

I enjoyed my salad just as much as this woman was enjoying her’s.

Dinner

Ground Pork Stir Fry mixed with Broccoli Slaw in a Coconut Curry Sauce

This was a ‘I don’t give a crap about cooking right now’ dinner. I threw together some broccoli slaw with pork (that I was originally going to use for breakfast sausage)

{Day 14}

Tuesday, April 14th, 2015

Price had a sleep study at night so it was weird to sleep alone, as well as have dinner alone. I def missed him. I probably would have mindlessly had dessert or wine without him, but Whole30 reigned me in. yay!!

Breakfast

2 over easy eggs, diced sweet potato with salsa and Frank’s Red Hot

I made sweet potatoes in advance and it was awesome. It made breakfast (and lunch) so much easier. I am doing to make a big batch of roasted sweet potatoes again soon.

Lunch

Leftover pork stirfry (from the night before) with 1/2 a sweet potato and 1/2 a slice of tomato, pistachios

It was a little bit of everything! It was fine, but not very satisfying.

Dinner

Salad with mixed greens and veggies, topped off with pulled pork tenderloin

Price was not at home for dinner so I only had to worry about throwing something together for me. It’s not to say that I really worry about making a grand meal for us but I care so much less when it’s just me. So I whipped up a salad and tossed some slow cooker pork tenderloin on there and ta-da dinner!

{Day 15}

Wednesday, April 15th 2015

HALF WAY DONE!!!!!!

Breakfast

Since I was solo for the morning routine, I didn’t have much time for breakfast (or lunch prep) so I just threw together some left over sweet potato, 1 link of chicken sausage, and roasted broccolini. Then I got 2 over easy eggs from the cafe in my building.

It was a really good breakfast, and huge. It was so filling that I wasn’t too hungry for lunch for a long time.

Lunch

Cashew Cookie Lara Bar and Pulled Pork (not pictured)

How many Cashew Cookie Bars can I eat while doing Whole30? Not enough!!! It’s really my favorite one. I think I could eat one for B.L.D for all 30 days. (I should try that next time… jk…)

I took a photo of my pulled pork tenderloin, but it was super blurry and looked gross, but it wasn’t. It was super yummy. Plus, I might have put some leftover homemade ranch dressing on it. OMG. I loved it.

Dinner

Mushroomy, meaty sauce on cauliflower rice, string beans

The leftover sauce from a few days prior was perfect on cauliflower rice. It basically resembled chili it was such a thick, hearty sauce. It was really good. I made us so green beans too just to add a veggie, not like cauliflower isn’t one…

Great Moment

I made this cake for my coworker’s birthday and I didn’t even have any. No accidental licks of my fingers. Nothing. And damn, it smelled awesome.

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What are your favorite Whole30 recipes? Please share!

Are you considering doing Whole30? Give it a try!

Whole30 #2: Days 10-12 Recap

April 16, 2015

{Day 10}

Friday, April 10th 2015

I went to the gym in the morning. It felt good to go. I signed up for the abs class but got a more in depth training session with the trainer as I was the only one who showed up. Yay me! It felt good getting a lesson on arms and abs. And then I was sore.

Breakfast

2 over-easy eggs with homemade bacon and guac (store-bought), then a clementine & some berries at work

Friday’s are tough as it’s Pod Breakfast Day at work and it’s typically a sea of bagels, muffins, and donuts. Thankfully, I made breakfast at home and found some fruit to snack on once I got at work.

Lunch

Watercress and Fig Salad from Cocobeet, Kale Chips from Cocobeet

I love Cocobeet!! They are $$$ but the quality of their juices and food is so damn good. I miss going for their breakfast bowls when I wanted to treat myself to a healthy, hearty breakfast. (I miss you quinoa!!) And their Chia Pudding is the best. THE BEST.

But I found a few things that are whole30 complaint. I grabbed one of their salads and boxes of kale chips. It was my first time trying kale chips & nutritional yeast- so good!

Dinner

Aidell’s Chicken and Apple Sausage with roasted broccoli, served with mustard

I was tempted to make a meat and mushroom sauce over butternut squash noodles but I was burned out. So it was a simple dinner kind of night. I cut up 2 crowns of broccoli and tossed them with some olive oil, garlic, and salt & pepper on a baking sheet. I tossed it under the broiler. After a few minutes I added the sausage links that I sliced up on a diagonal. A few minutes later it was all done. Divide up and drizzle with mustard. Done!

{Day 11}

Saturday, April 11th 2015

I spent a good chunk of the day at work catching up on things there while Price and Autumn ran lots of errands. They even planted flowers. So cute. It was a good day, not much to say…

Breakfast

Eggs with potatoes and bacon

When I was growing up my dad would make ‘potatoes and eggs’ on the weekends. I loved it. I like my do my potatoes the same way but slicing them on a mandoline and putting them in a skillet to ‘fry’ up. I only used about a tablespoon of oil on the whole batch of potatoes- not too bad! It just another way of making home fries.

‘Lunch ‘

Kale Chips & some pistachios

I finished off the kale chips while I was at work for the afternoon. I wasn’t really hungry from the big breakfast.

Dinner

Meaty mushroom sauce on butternut squash noodles

Our butternut squash was a dud! It was soft in the middle (like seeds in the long part, weird) so we had to chop it up to spiralize it. It made our noodles tiny and annoying, but dinner was good overall.

Dessert

Cocoa packed chia pudding (chia, compliant coconut milk, cocoa powder)

I wanted to try something new so I made this chia pudding quickly on Friday night. It was a big dud as the cocoa made it pretty bitter and thickened it up too much. Blah. Live and learn.

{Day 12}

Sunday, April 12th 2015

The weekends are so hard for me to stick to Whole30. I just want to make waffles to enjoy and to get food while out running errands. Or get take out. I’m starting to feel less committed to this Whole30, as compared to the first one, and Price feels the same way. We will stick it out to accomplish it but my heart isn’t into it like the first one. Hoping that feeling changes soon.

Breakfast

Eggs with potatoes and bacon

I’m getting tired of eggs.

Lunch

Cashew Cookie Lara Bar (1pm) & salad (3pm) made with mixed greens, romaine, sprouts, tomatoes, cucumber, and almonds with a homemade ranch dressing

I grabbed the Lara Bar while I was shopping at Trader Joe’s. I was so hungry after our busy morning together shopping so I inhaled it in the car. It tasted like it was was best food on earth. ha!!

Once we got back home and I got Autumn down for a nap I made Price and I salad that we enjoyed sitting on the back porch. I can’t wait to get our patio table up to use!

Dinner

Chicken (Organic, free range) with roasted tiny potatoes and broccolini (8.30pm)

Dinner was awesome. I loved the tiny potatos and broccolini. I’m already thinking about my next Trader Joe’s trip and when I can get more.

I’ve been having a FB msging convo with Rachel about quality of chicken. While we would love to buy organic free range chicken (and other meats) for our families we’re running into a budget problem. It’s so easy to grab store brand chicken at $2.49 a pound compared to $6.99 a pound (like what I bought a trader joe’s). So we have been talking quality in terms of taste and processing. I did notice that I really enjoyed some air chilled chicken that I recently bought. I need to remember the brand and where I got it (Market Basket?) to get it again, and check and see if it was organic or not and how much it was a pound.

Dessert

Chia pudding (complaint coconut milk, cocoa powder) with a sprinkling of unsweetened shredded coconut

I was so excited about the unsweetened shredded coconut that I picked up from Trader Joe’s. The chia pudding was still blah, but the coconut was a nice add to it to jazz it up.

____________________

What are your favorite Whole30 recipes? Please share!

Are you considering doing Whole30? Give it a try!

Whole30 #2: Days 7-9 Recap

April 14, 2015

{Day 7}

Tuesday, April 7th 2015

I got the change to work from home in the afternoon. I love that! I was able to make a fresh lunch. No leftovers for me! Man, leftovers get so boring. It was nice to have something ‘fancy’.

Breakfast

Scrambled eggs with sweet potato has, guac

We don’t have scrambled eggs often. Hardly ever. I got an herb packet while I was in Seattle so I am going to have to use that next time as they were good.

Lunch

Sauteed fish over salad with tomatoes, red onion, avocado, TJ’s verde salsa

I threw this together quickly once I got back from my final punchlist of a project. It felt like a celebratory lunch.

Dinner

Chicken breast with baby zucchini over lightly dressed greens

Price really likes these baby zucchini, I should get bags and bags of these when I go shopping there. They are quick to prepare and taste so good. I like that they don’t get very watery like how ‘adult’ zucchini tend to get.

{Day 8}

Wednesday, April 8th 2015

Woohoo! 1 week through. Today was a rough day, not because of Whole30 exactly, but because I am a moron. Such a moron.

Breakfast

Spinach and Sweet Potato Crustless Quiche served with quacamole and salsa verde; venti cold brew with some cinnamon sprinkled on top

I made my quiche look like cake!!! It has quacamole frosting and a salsa finishing sauce. And I’ve lost my damn mind. It didn’t taste like cake. It didn’t trick me. It just made me more annoyed. I dunno. ha!

I grabbed this cold brew on the way into work. I was so excited that I had a moment to get a coffee and to try cold brew. I sprinkled some cinnamon on top. It was so good, but then…

Lunch

Salad- mixed greens with 2 hardboiled egg whites, sweet potato hash, (leftover) chicken breast, 1/2 avocado, with homemade ranch

I was in need of this salad. I felt so off from the caffeine bomb from the cold brew. I would have preferred something like a burger and fries, like when you ‘soak up’ booze after a night of drinking, but my salad was my only real option.

Snack

I had a HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE headache from my caffeine crash. I thought I was going to throw up on the bus ride home. I had a bunch of water and this bag and started to feel better. UGH.

Dinner

Roasted Chicken with roasted green beans and grape tomatoes with a ‘special sauce’

I started to roast the chicken but then had to go to the gym so then it was Price’s job to take over. He finished it up and broke it down for our dinners and lunches coming up. It was really yummy.

I made a ‘special sauce’ with some homemade mayo, Franks Red Hot, and spices. So good!

Food Swap!

My friend Kellie is also doing Whole30 with us. She swapped (Puerto Rican) sofrito for mayo from me. I can’t wait to use it!

Exercise

I went to the gym!! I was supposed to meet with a trainer after work to create a program but he was sink or something so I met with the assistant manager who was nice and showed me some arms stuff to do. Looking forward to meeting with a train to create a real program and doing it.

{Day 9}

Thursday, April 9th 2015

No coffee for me today after yesterday’s mishap. ugh!!

Breakfast

Spinach and Sweet Potato Crustless Quiche served with quacamole

We didn’t like this quiche much. Maybe it was the sweet potato but not our favorite. Blah!

Lunch

Clementine with chicken breast and string beans, homemade mayo

My lunch felt boring but it was really good. I feel like I take too big of a serving of chicken but if I don’t eat much then I don’t feel full. And I don’t think it’s a volume thing as a protein thing.

Clementines are da bomb…

Dinner

Stir fry of shaved pork & baby bok choy on cauliflower rice

I really like cauliflower rice now. I don’t miss regular rice. I do like sticky, tart sushi rice but regular rice- blah.

I need to get more coconut aminos. It was missing form this dish. I have to be better prepared next time!

____________________

What are your favorite Whole30 recipes? Please share!

Are you considering doing Whole30? Give it a try!

Whole30 #2: Days 4-6 Recap

April 9, 2015

{Day 4}

Saturday, April 4^th, 2015

The weekends are hard for me. I don’t experience the time crunch that I do during the work week, necessarily, but I want to snack more. And I miss the big carb-y breakfasts. I want a waffle damn it!!!

Breakfast

2 Over-easy eggs over sweet potato hash

I wonder how long it will take for Price to bitch about sweet potatoes… ha! I gotta focus on changing things up for breakfast.

Update: First Sweet Potato comment: Day 9. ha!!

Lunch

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas over cauliflower rice, with tomatoes, pickled jalapenos, and guacamole

I whipped up a batch of cauliflower rice as it’s so easy to do, and it would be a great base to the pulled pork. Nice and filling.

Dinner

Adiele’s Chicken and Apple Sausage with sauteed broccoli and kale sprouts

This was a 1 pot meal. Perfectly low maintenance and quick. I first cooked the veggies, then added the sausage. Price had 3 sausages and I had 2.

{Day 5}

Sunday, April 5^th, 2015

Easter!! I wanted all the chocolate candies! Gimme all the Peeps and Cadbury eggs!!

It was such a great day with family. Plus, they were so sweet to make the effort to make compliant food. Awesome.

Craving: Buttery rich coffee cake with tons of cinnamony crumb on top. OMG couldn’t stop thinking on it.

Brunch

Crudite with homemade ranch dip, hashbrowns, scramble eggs, buffalo chicken wings

I made the crudite with fresh and flash steamed veggies. I made the buffalo wings too- Price’s favorite! I jsut made a big batch of ranch dip and used it for both. So good. perfect nosh food. We also had eggs & hashbrowns that Catherine made for us. yum!!!

Dinner

Bun-less hamburger with sweet potato oven fries. Burger served with lettuce, tomato, guac, mustard, homemade mayo, Frank’s Red Hot

This was such a good dinner to end the weekend. The burger was great as it had all the same ingredients I’d normally eat on a burger, just no bun! Plus, I made baked sweet potato fries. They barely had any oil. I just lightly misted them with olive oil and baked them at 450 for 15 minutes.

Side note: I love hash but the fries were so good as I used less oil than I normally use to make hash. Plus, I ate much slower as I ate them individually, instead of inhaling them with a fork.

{Day 6}

Monday, April 6^th, 2015

Glad we are 5 days in, 1/6th of the way through! I feel good with the progress. I like this challenge.

I have noticed that I am having trouble getting up in the morning. Not sure why it’s so difficult now when I’m getting more sleep than I was when I was nursing. Maybe it’s a deeper sleep so it’s hard to get out of it?

Breakfast

2 eggs over easy on a bed of sweet potato hash and asparagus, lots of Frank’s

I should have peeled the asparagus, it was still a little too woody for my preference. But it was a decent breakfast.

Almost lunch snack

100 calorie mini Lara Bar- Apple Pie

These are great to have on hand when I am starting to crash and I’ve done a loop around the office and have had some tea for a pick me up, to stay hydrated.

Lunch

Salad made of mixed greens, tomatoes, asparagus, some hardboiled egg, with homemade ranch dressing, guac

I managed to eat some yolk of the hardboiled egg. Amazing. They are so gross to me but I wanted to try to get over it. Going forward I will still stick with the egg whites but at least I tried it.

I love this ranch dressing!!!!

Dinner

Spiralized Turnip, Mushroom, and Tomato Risotto

This was really good. It called for 1 Cup of grated cheese in the recipe but I skipped it making it vegan and complaint. We both really enjoyed it. It would make this again, maybe add some sauteed kale too! (and def make it post Whole30 with cheese!!)

____________________

What are your favorite Whole30 recipes? Please share!

Are you considering doing Whole30? Give it a try!

Our Whole30 Recap and Why I am doing Whole30 AGAIN!

April 7, 2015

I had learned about Whole30 from people I followed on Instagram during the spring of 2014. I was intrigued about it as I was seeing people eat great food during the month and then they would reveal some amazing before and after pictures and stats. I knew I had to look into it more as it seemed like it was something that was really transformative.

Ultimately, Price and I decided to do Whole30 together as a way to transform what and how we eat. We wanted to enjoy the holidays, our cruise in January, and then buckle down in February. I picked for us to start after Super Bowl Sunday as I knew we would want to enjoy some last fun foods and beers before starting. It also gave me time to purge out the cabinets and properly prepare after our cruise.

There were times when Whole30 was a struggle but at other times it was easy and enjoyable. I still craved cookies like crazy throughout the process. And, of course, Price missed beer. But aside from that it was not too difficult. The mornings were the worst as it was hard to cook and eat at home while trying to get ready but it was not the end of the world.

…

Whole30 #2: Day 1-3 Recap

April 4, 2015

{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

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!