DAY 4 & 5 - Whole30® vs gatherings with LOTS-O-CRAZY Food.

First off, I DID IT!

DAY 4
A previously scheduled gathering of out of town family requesting a hometown favorite pizza meal followed by make your own sundaes with all the fixins AT MY HOUSE! Challenging to say the least, everyone asking "aren't you eating pizza". I answer with the Whole30® explanation and how I believe in it and refer to it like a cleanse of sorts. Only to be dished (which I knew) a hodge-podge helping of naysayers, true supporters and supporters that are encouraging and rolling their eyes simultaneously.
By the way, I ate well that day, bacon wrapped asparagus, eggs, huge beautiful salad loaded with veggies.

DAY 5
The Cake Battle. My brother-in-law [Gary] and I celebrated our birthday's together (previously scheduled meal and dessert) with a meal and our favorite cake from our favorite bakery at my mother-in-laws. The cake, is ridiculously sweet and rich and did I mention ridiculous. After I was watched by many, inquiring about what I was and was not eating, Gary said, "well I know you will eat cake with me". He could not believe I declined, and stated that I would regret it.... I thought to myself, seriously?? The regret would be if were to eat it!

So, I was faced with many challenges even beyond what I mentioned and the saving grace was that I had all REAL FOOD available to me, pre-prepared and ready to go. I really did not crave the other things around me. I had moments, don't get me wrong... Those foods are [were] habit.

Made this yumminess on Sunday.

Thank you holisticallyengineered.com

www.holisticallyengineered.com

Butternut Squash Breakfast Skillet

Ingredients
    12 oz butternut squash, peeled and diced into ½” cubes
    1 Tbsp oil of choice
    1 lb homemade breakfast sausage
    ½ tsp salt
    ½ tsp pepper
    ½ tsp onion powder
    ½ cup water

Instructions
In a large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp of oil over medium-high heat
Add the butternut squash and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
Add the water, cover the pan loosely, and cook for 4 minutes or until
   the water has absorbed and the squash is tender.
Push the squash to the sides of the pan.
Add the sausage in the middle of the pan and begin to brown
  (do not mix with the squash until cooked)
Once the sausage has cooked through, mix it with the squash and add the seasonings.
Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to heat through.

DAY 3 - PALEO - Dreaming of Chips & Salsa

Not sure how normal it is to dream of eating chips and salsa, but I did last night. I remember saying that these were the best chips I had ever had... and realizing with a heavy heart that I had just "ruined my 30 days" and cried while I finished the bag. Woke up so relieved that it was indeed a bit of a nightmare, but I also know how very REAL that could have been. Sadly, I have been known to do such things.

I need to note: I am not a chef, not even really a cook. I do cook because I have a house full of people that require feeding... Cooking has never been my favorite, eating however... I am damn near a professional. As I post recipes that I have invented or found, my terms will not be proper, and my measurements will be vague. I assure you, I won't put anything up that I did not find to be worthwhile.

So here I am Day 3.

Did you know that "runny"(house term) in sunny side up eggs can be the "sauce"!!

Sunny-Side Ground Turkey Plate

Tasty.

carmelized onions (in coconut oil)
ground turkey - about a patty worth
2 eggs (once over still runny, of course - -psst.. it’s the sauce.)
bit-o-salt
pepper
fresh baby spinach

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

A Little Boost!

We get busy with life [GUILTY!] and we forget to dive in and embrace what fills us up from time to time. Get to it folks.