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 15 - Whole30® My Compost Bucket Runneth Over

What a great problem to have...
Buckets full of peels, trimmings, cores, eggshells and coffee grounds. There is sure to be most lovely compost from what I have been feeding the bin!

It is just about time to start the seeds inside for fresh summer vegetables. I CANNOT WAIT!

Feeling great. I have added a little morning bootcamp work out 3 days a week. It is so awesome to be sore again. Sore means you actually did something that worked your body and I welcome it.

"Wow, I really regret that workout." – nobody. ever.
Too true.

DAY 14 - Whole30® LOVING my 16" Electric Skillet

How fantastic is that? ^^
Makes life pretty easy to slap some ghee or coconut oil down and throw in your veggies and protein. Spice separately or together. This has been key for me!! (the non-chef/cook) Clean up is super-duper easy = 1 pan.
I have enjoyed some new recipes for sure, and Sunday prep for the week is essential. Not only a great grocery list but getting some things divided, chopped, sliced, peeled & cooked.

Tomorrow will mark halfway. I cannot believe that I have done this so well and to the letter, especially after not even being able to go 2 days in a row with general healthy eating, I was struggling so badly post holidays... clothes were not fitting. Well, they are now!!! Still tight but not painful. I was ridiculous.

Whole30® is the perfect jump start to eating the way we were meant to eat. As extreme as it sounds and it DOES sound insane at first, it is really not that crazy. I feel good, I think more clearly (not always about my next meal, as I did before... no lie.)
AND I am proud that I am in control of what food I put in my body!

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