Day 16 - Whole30® Putting the Food Processor to Work!

I think the only thing I thought to use a food processor for is making my own paper out of recycled paper... (another fun project to post at another time) Silly me... when you are mindful of what you eat ALL THE TIME, you get really creative. Not that actually using a food processor for food is all that creative, but the possibilities are endless. I started off slowly...

Made a little cashew butter! YUM!

Nut butter is so expensive in the stores, make your own!! For cashews, I used "cashew pieces" which will save you a buck or 2.
So many nut recipes here... this girl is good, he whole blog is beautiful and useful.
Beth at tasty-yummies.com - Nut Butter Yumminess

DAY 6-9 Whole30® - Good Thing I like Eggs.

Yes, I have eaten a lot of eggs.
Here are 16 WAYS TO COOK EGGS

I love eggs, from my head down to my legs.

Hard Boil
Soft Boil
Sunny Side Up
Twice Over
Scrambled
Poached
and on and on.... 
We are getting chickens again in the spring, and fresh eggs are so much better. Can't wait.

I have been challenged the last four days by cooking for family, eating out and up against time.

Cooking for Family
They remind me daily that they are not on the Whole30® and I remind them daily of how great they would feel if they gave it a whirl. Oh well. Not too terribly difficult if you are making a meat, and veggies... it is the pasta, mashed potatoes and the like that are the killer. But you know, I am really satisfied with my Whole plate. Like the book basically says if you don't eat sugar, you don't crave it. TA DA!

Eating Out
I was nervous at first... the kids favorite wing place. I do love a sloppy, spicy, delicious chicken wing dipped in some blue cheese but knew that I was going to make this place work for me.. we come here a lot and this should not be that difficult for them or me... it's food. So, I ended up with plain, boneless, skinless chicken breasts grilled with an array of spices and a bowl of celery. Not the greatest meal of all time but it worked for the evening, for the program, the kids got their favs and I was "filled up" and good for the night.

Time
When you leave the house just after breakfast (you guessed it EGGS! oh and asparagus) and thought for sure you would return by 12:30-1 pm, and it is rounding 4 pm when you walk in the door things are all mucked up. Hungry. Not ravenous. But hungry. Now, in the Whole30® program there is no snacking. So if you begin this eating process it had better be a nice meal to tide you over for the next 4-5 hours. Dinner is usually around 6 (or 7 or 8:30, let's be real... my kids play sports, it is late most every night) So, I made my meal. I sat at the table and enjoyed every bite. I made enough to eat again, if indeed I was hungry when "we all ate together". Eating later the evening is also a Whole30® no-no... So when the "all eat together time" came I spent that time peeling and prepping roasted rutabaga, sweet potatoes, and parsnips for future dining. Did not eat, was not hungry. Who knew, when you actually put the right things in your body it really does its job of sending messages to eat when HUNGRY. Pretty cool.

I will leave you with a lovely egg recipe from luvabargin.com

http://www.luvabargain.com/deviled-avocado-eggs.html

P A L E O – I can do ANYTHING for 30 days.

I have finally decided to give it a go. What do I have to lose really?  Well, actually I have weight to lose, and unhealthy habits to lose and getting so sleepy mid-day to lose and, and, and ... So here I go.

Wednesday, January 14 - DAY 1
Whole30®
is a 30 day reset button of a program design by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig at Whole9®
Taking out all the sugar, grains, dairy and legumes that could be having a negative impact on our health. Designed to help put an end to unhealthy cravings and habits, restore a healthy metabolism, heal your digestive tract, and balance your immune system.

sugar, grains, dairy and legumes

DAY 1 was pretty easy. I felt crazy-good positive about my decision and there weren't any "situations"(out to lunch, cocktail moments etc). Awesome grocery trip, grabbed a flurry of veggies, meats and fruits off the list. My youngest daughter and I have been grain free for sometime now, but taking my almond milk and yogurt away still seems weird.
BUT AGAIN, 30 days! I GOT THIS!

The long and the short of the program is
Eat real food.
Do not consume added sugar of any kind, real or artificial.
Do not consume alcohol in any form, not even for cooking.
Do not eat grains.
Do not eat legumes.
Do not eat dairy.
Do not consume carrageenan, MSG or sulfates.
Do not try to re-create baked goods,  junk foods with “approved paleo” ingredients.
Do not step on the scale or take any body measurements for the duration of the program. (only day 1)

Today is DAY 2, still feeling good and prideful about my decision. Went to the grocery (again) because I found some recipes that I wanted to try. Cabbage Rolls being one of them. yum.
Paleo Cabbage Rolls
thank you stupideasypaleo.com

stupideasypaleo.com