Monday, May 28, 2012

On the Menu ~ week of May 28

On to week 2 of Whole30... here goes nothin!!


Monday - Pan seared pork chops with braised red cabbage & apples


Tuesday - Jerk chicken and mango stuffed avocados with side salad


Wednesday - Grilled spice-rubbed flank steak, roasted portabello & herb mashed cauliflower


Thursday- Mustard lime chicken with brussels sprouts and prosciutto


Friday - Green chili turkey burgers with Asian asparagus and orange salad


Saturday - Chili rubbed pork chops with pineapple relish and roasted butternut squash hash


Sunday - Dry Brined Rotisserie Chicken with Cuban Flavors with fresh artichoke and lemon-tahini sauce


note:  I change recipes a lot.  If the recipe calls for canola oil, you can bet I am using olive oil.  Sometimes I omit ingredients that are not Whole30 approved.  I would say at least 30% of the time I am messing with the recipe and I will try to make notes of what I did :)

Sunday, May 27, 2012

My Everyday Life ~ May 21-27, 2012

Here's what my past week looked like:

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Walking through the garden center (again!)




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This tree reminds me of a Dr. Seuss movie :)




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Long row of American flags out front of my work for Memorial Day weekend





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Shipment from REI :)





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My nephew, Austin graduates from Jr. High and heads to Woodstock North High School next year!





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The starting point of the Blackhawk Country Roads bike ride.  All signals were painted on the road in this fashion, the circle would have a line coming out of it and that would indicate which direction to travel.





Karol Crossing the Kishwaukee River 05/27/12
My friend Karol crossing over the Kishwaukee River on the Blackhawk Country Roads ride

 


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Self portrait while riding in near 100 degree heat in N. Illinois and S. Wisconsin





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Wish I had taken more pics, but it was so hot, just wasn't feeling it.  There was a really great cow pic that didn't turn out :(  Glad to have finished a 30 mile journey and return for grub:)








Recap: My first week of Whole30

Monday Rosemary Roasted Chicken with mashed cauliflower and asparagus
review: I used fresh thyme instead of rosemary because that is what I had on hand.  The whole meal turned out great, I was really pleased.  The mashed cauliflower was very easy and really delicious.



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Tuesday Spaghetti Squash with Chicken Meatballs served with Rao's Marinara and roasted carrots
review:  Spaghetti squash was easy and tasted very good, I would prefer to have beef meatballs over chicken, they leave a little something to be desired.  I roasted carrots with salt, pepper and olive oil and they were very good.  I don't think I ever made carrots without honey before ;)


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Wednesday - Hamburger w/avocado and Green Bean and Shittake Stir Fry
review: easy, quick meal... hamburgers made on indoor grill.  The stir fry was a cinch and very good.  I dont miss ketchup when I can have half an avocado with my burger! yumm!!!


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ThursdayGrilled Buffalo Shrimp and Asian slaw
review:  I wont be making this recipe again... the shrimp were not that flavorful, only spicy.  Also when they went on the grill the smell took my breath away... literally.  My husband had to come see what was wrong with me.  The asian slaw was ok, I thought since it was an Alton recipe it would be fantastic, but I don't really see myself making this version again.


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Friday Herb Crusted Pork Chops and Oven Roasted Broccoli
review:  I loved this dinner!  Instead of panko, I used unsweetened shredded coconut for the crust.  It was so good!  I always love roasted broccoli, I think it tastes like candy!  (I know, I'm crazy!)  These pork chops are from a local farmer and they are so delicious and juicy!  I cant wait to order 1/2 pig from them!!!


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Saturday  lunchSausage and Spinach stuffed portabello mushrooms
review:  This was a good dinner... I made three smaller mushrooms for myself and two larger ones for my husband.  I was nice and put some cheese on his LOL.  The meat was a bit crumbly when you cut into the mushroom, but the flavor was good and we used local meat:)


Saturday dinner - Grilled Flank Steak, herb mashed cauliflower and veggie kabobs
I didn't end up making this dinner, we were having a busy, holiday weekend.  Saved the flank steak for next week.



Sunday - Charcoal Rotisserie Chicken with fresh artichoke and lemon-tahini sauce
I didn't end up cooking this, I am saving it for next Sunday as we had a very busy Memorial Day weekend!!  I did bring a salad and leftover broccoli to my bike ride for lunch.  For dinner I was at a graduation party where I ate a hamburger and some pickles.  Slim pickens for me out in the real world, but just trying to remember food is fuel!  Super proud of myself for not just giving up and eating junk because I didn't have many choices.  Giving myself a great big pat on the back ;)  Also thankful no one was really paying attention so I didn't have to do too much explaining.



Overall, I had a great week.  I found that planning ahead and doing most of the vegetable prep on Sunday is key to having a successful week.  I would say that I got dinner on the table within an hour every day, if I had not prepped the daily time would have been much higher.  I am usually pretty hungry when I get home from work, so the sooner dinner gets on the table the better:)  For my breakfasts, I would have a green smoothie and a slice of frittata.  For lunch, I have a spinach side salad with homemade dressing and some leftovers from the previous night's dinner.  My snacks included fresh fruit and nuts.  I mostly drink regular filtered water, sometimes having herbal tea or coconut water (especially when exercising)  I am down three pounds this week and feeling good.  I have definitely felt a lack of energy while doing work around the house and also while sitting at my desk at work.  No real cravings have hit me (yet!)

Monday, May 21, 2012

On the Menu ~ week of May 21


I started the Whole30 Program this week!
The


What this means that I am on a strict diet that is free of grains, dairy, alcohol, added sugar, white potatoes and processed foods for the next 30 days.  I will be eating WHOLE foods to my hearts content including meat, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.  I hope to see positive changes in my energy levels, digestion, skin, sleep and concentration in the next month. That's a lot to ask isn't it?


My plan after the 30 days are over is to incorporate some things back into my life such as:  an occasional beer, some gluten free baking with natural sweeteners and some cheese.  You may think this sounds like Primal Eating or a Paleo lifestyle and you would be right, however I choose not to label myself with those terms.  I choose to say that I eat whole, fresh, nutritious foods.  I am mostly interested in getting healthy foods in my body and not worry so much about if they were paleolithic or neolithic.  I'm reallllly not into dogma.


My husband has not changed the way he eats, so I carefully choose meals that he will enjoy the meat and he can supplement with brown rice, baked potato, quinoa or other easy starch. 


I will keep you posted on how I feel, in the meantime here is the plan for eating this week :)


Monday - Rosemary Roasted Chicken with mashed cauliflower and asparagus


Tuesday - Spaghetti Squash with Chicken Meatballs served with Rao's Marinara and roasted carrots


Wednesday - Hamburger w/avocado and Green Bean and Shittake Stir Fry


Thursday- Grilled Buffalo Shrimp and Asian slaw


Friday - Herb Crusted Pork Chops and Oven Roasted Broccoli


Saturday - Sausage and Spinach stuffed portabello mushrooms


Sunday - Grilled Flank Steak, herb mashed cauliflower and veggie kabobs





Sunday, May 20, 2012

My Everyday Life ~ May 14-20, 2012

Here's what my past week looked like:

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Zen frog fountain at Village Green Garden Center


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Bike ride with my husband at Rock Cut State Park
(photo inspired by my friend Beth)
 


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Under Perryville Road, spying fish in Willow Creek


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I may or may not have gathered strawberries off this plant while bike sitting outside of Logli ;) 
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Last day of bike to work week!  I was lucky to have beautiful weather five days in a row!
(I need to do something about those glasses!)


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Jay hung the sheets out to dry in the sun and this little baby grasshopper was found on them
(sorry for the crummy pic)


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What my car looks like when I havent driven it for five days


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Volunteering at the Rockford Marathon

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Cheering on my best friend's daughter at the Milk Day Princess Pagent
(My mom made the dress out of crepe paper and I made the flower!)


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She's a princess in my book <3