My Everyday Life ~ May 21-27, 2012

Here's what my past week looked like:

Walking through the garden center (again!)

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

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

Shipment from REI :)

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

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.

My friend Karol crossing over the Kishwaukee River on the Blackhawk Country Roads ride

 

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

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.




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 ;)



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!!!



Thursday- Grilled 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.



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!!!



Saturday  lunch- Sausage 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!)

On the Menu ~ week of May 21

I started the Whole30 Program this week!



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

My Everyday Life ~ May 14-20, 2012

Here's what my past week looked like:

Zen frog fountain at Village Green Garden Center

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

Under Perryville Road, spying fish in Willow Creek

I may or may not have gathered strawberries off this plant while bike sitting outside of Logli ;) 

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!)

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

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

Volunteering at the Rockford Marathon

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!)

She's a princess in my book <3

Week 6 - Jason's SUPER chili

Its Super bowl Sunday!  WooHoo!!!  This post should be called the Boy with the Green Soup Pot because Jason is taking over this week:)  His friends are coming over to watch the big game and he wanted to make his famous chili for the occasion.  I could not be happier, he doesn't cook for me very often and I love watching him work in the kitchen.

So which team are you rooting for?? Me?  I don't really have a preference; I will be waiting for the commercials and halftime of course!  I like football; it’s just that I am not really interested in either team this year.  I guess if I HAD to choose, I would choose the Giants only because I would like to see Eli Manning win another Super Bowl. I don't think he gets the attention he deserves.  I feel like he will always be standing in the shadow of his big brother, Peyton. So yeah.... GO Giants!

OK...on to the chili... this recipe makes a BIG batch so invite over your favorite peeps to share.  I should also point out that this is a hearty, thick chili and has quite a bit of spice.  If you are sensitive to spicy food, I would recommend leaving out the hot packet of chili spice.... if you like your chili a little on the soupy side, I would recommend adding in extra tomato sauce.

I hope I didn't make you cry at home because this chili looks so good.  Go make it!!!  It's so worth it, I promise :)

On a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate this a 10.  Not just because my husband made it!  Truly, this chili is exactly what you want to eat on a cold day or watching football.  We traditionally like to enjoy it on a crisp Halloween evening.  It sticks to your ribs and the delicious flavor keeps you coming back for more even when you are full!  It is definitely a crown-pleaser!

May your soup pot always be full!

Amanda

SUPER CHILI

by Jason Pronko 

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 lb fajita steak
• 29 oz can tomato sauce
• 27 oz can kidney beans
• 26 1/2 oz can black beans
• 12 oz can chili beans
• 2 - 11 oz cans golden corn
• 2 - 10 oz cans Rotel chili fixins
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1/2 - 1 cup Captian Morgan Spiced Rum
• 1 envelope McCormick Chili Mix (regular)
• 1 envelope McCormick Chili Mix (hot)

Directions

1. Drain all cans of beans and corn; pour into large soup pot.  Mix in chopped onion.
2. Add tomato sauce and both cans Rotel to the pot stir to combine and cook on medium heat.
3. In a large frying pan, brown the ground beef and add to the soup pot.
4. Cut the fajita meat into bite sized pieces, cook in the frying pan and add to the soup pot.
5. Add in chili packets and rum. Stir to combine and cook over low heat for a few hours stirring occasionally.  We typically cook for 3-5 hours
6. Serve with cornbread, sour cream, cheddar cheese & bacon

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Food Find - Detox Salad

My running friend Beth shared this with me and I was super excited when I read the recipe.  It was exactly what I needed to get on track for the new year.  Even though I continued to run, I put on five pounds in the last two months eating and drinking whatever I wanted to!  I have to admit, my exercise routine fell by the wayside a little in the last month.  With getting a cold, then Jason's grandma passed away, then Christmas and New Years... I definitely skipped a few workouts.  I am back on the wagon now!  Doing spin twice a week, yoga once a week and trying to get out to run 3-4 times a week.  Getting my eating back under control seems like such a chore, but with recipes like this, I can set myself up for success :)

This salad is fresh and filling!!  I made the recipe exactly as is except for the kelp, I don't think I am ready to cross that bridge yet!  Since this recipe makes a metric ton of food, I shared this salad with my boss, Kelly.  She enjoyed it for lunch so I shared half of my container with her.  There is no way I could eat this whole recipe in a week!  My recommendation would be start out slow!  If your stomach is not used to this amount of vegetables it might get a little upset.  I am eating 1 cup servings at this time... I imagine that I will be able to increase that in the future.  It seems weird to put maple syrup on top of these veggies but I tell you, that's what really makes it delicious!  The nuts and fruit help too, I just love this combination, no matter how weird it seems.  This is definitely one of those recipes I will make over and over again.


from Oh She Glows
Detox Salad - Inspired by Whole Foods
serves 10

Ingredients

• 2 heads broccoli (1 bunch), stems removed
• 1 head cauliflower, stems removed
• 2 1/2 cups shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 cup currants
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 4 - 6 tbsp fresh lemon juice, to taste
• 1/4 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt, pepper to taste (, salt and lots of pepper)
• 1 kelp granules or Herbamare (optional), to taste

Directions

1. In a food processor process the broccoli  until fine. Add into large bowl.
2. Now process the cauliflower until fine and add into bowl. Do the same with the carrots.
3. Stir in the sunflower seeds, currants, raisins, and parsley. Add lemon juice and seasonings to taste.
4. Drizzle on pure maple syrup or poppy seed dressing, before serving

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Goals for 2012

Culinary
1. Plan weekly menu
2. Cook more ethnic food
3. Sunday Soup Pot
4. Use the Weber wok & rotisserie more
5. Purchase local food on a weekly basis (when available)


Fitness
1. Do more yoga
2. Add in some strength training
3. Ride bicycle to work at least 3 days a week (weather permitting)
4. Train for a half and full marathon
5. Run 1000 miles in 2012


Personal
1. Read 2 books per month
2. Take more photos
3. Finish crocheting that "one" blanket in the closet
4. Finish the wedding sampler that I started before our wedding in 2008
5. Try to keep a positive mindset and learn to deal with negative people better