Sunday, June 29, 2014

Day 6 - Breakfast (Bacon Egg Cups)

Bacon Egg Cups

6-12 farm fresh bacon slices
8-10 eggs
12 oz broccoli
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (see below)
1 tbsp minced onion
1 tbsp chives
1 tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt

1.     Line a baking pan with foil, top with oven safe cooling rack.
2.     Place bacon on rack and bake 10-15 mins at 400 degrees. Cook long enough to render the bacon fat but not crispy.
3.     Pour rendered fat into a bowl, add seasonings and eggs.
4.     Beat eggs until fluffy.
5.     Wrap bacon inside cups of a large muffin tin.
6.     Divide broccoli into the muffin tins.
7.     Pour egg mixture into cups until about ¾ full.
8.     Bake 15 mins at 350 degrees, or until the tops are golden brown.


Cajun Seasoning

2 tbsp fine sea salt
1 tbsp seasoned chili powder
5 tsp cayenne pepper
5 tsp garlic salt
4 tsp ground black pepper
2 1/2 tsp celery salt
2 tsp ground mustard
1 1/2 tsp ground basil
1 1/2 tsp ground sage
1/2 tsp ground oregano
1/2 tsp ground thyme
1 tsp onion salt

Mix ingredients and store in air tight container. I’m replacing all my spices as they run out with organic, I’ve done some research on non-organic spices and there’s some scary junk out there!



We also finished off the last of the Scotch eggs, I got excited about the bacon and forgot about them.


Saturday, June 28, 2014

Day 5 - Dinner (Paleo "Stuffed" Green Peppers)

Paleo "Stuffed" Green Peppers

1 large green bell pepper
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 Vidalia onion
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 6oz. tomato paste
Minced garlic (I probably used 5 cloves)
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste

Chop bell pepper and onion, add to a hot skillet.
Add garlic to skillet until veggies have softened.
Add beef to skillet and brown.
When beef is brown add diced tomatoes and paste.
Add seasonings to taste.
Cover and simmer for 5 mins.


Day 5 - Lunch (We survived eating out!)

I really didn't want to eat out but we had a busy day and we hadn't gotten to the grocery store yet. We ended up at Applebee's and I'm hoping there weren't too many hidden ingredients! We both had the 7oz steak with double order of steamed veggies instead of a potato. We also had house salads; no croutons or cheese and used oil and vinegar in lieu of dressing. I was happy with the salads they tasted a lot like a BLT.

Day 5 - Breakfast (Leftovers)

Breakfast - Paleo Scotch Eggs

I have to admit how quickly my appetite has changed. I hate to get my hopes up and be disappointed but I'm thinking this is working. I was worried about a low carb diet, but after the first two days I have felt great. It's very freeing not to be grazing all day long or watching the clocking obsessing about my next meal. Buying organic is definitely more costly but still cheaper than buying groceries plus eating out. I feel good about the foods that were buying and I like helping the local guy out.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Day 4 - Lunch and Dinner (Leftovers)

Lunch - Mason Jar Salad with Rotisserie Chicken

Dinner - Jamaican Jerk Pork and Veggies


Day 4 into the journey and I’m feeling pretty good. I woke up this morning feeling a little feverish but after breakfast felt much better. My milk supply is still normal and a week of a teething, cranky baby hasn't broke me. If I can make it through this week the last 3 will be a breeze. I do have the challenge of going back to work after my 6 month maternity leave during week 3 so I’m sure that will be rough. Emotionally it will be hard leaving my baby, but I’ll just have to be prepared so there are no slip-ups.

Day 4 - Breakfast (Paleo Scotch Eggs)

Paleo Scotch Eggs

6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
1 pound ground pork
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice or homemade gingerbread spice mix (see below)
1-1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

1.    Mix pork and seasonings.
2.    Wrap 1/6 of the meat mixture around the egg.
3.    Line a baking sheet with foil and top with oven-safe cooling rack.
4.    Place eggs on rack.
5.    Bake eggs for 45 mins at 375 degrees or until pork is cooked.


Homemade Gingerbread Spice Mix

2 tbsp cinnamon
2 tbsp ground ginger
2 tbsp allspice
1 tbsp nutmeg
1 tbsp cloves
Pinch of black pepper

1.    Mix spices and store in an air tight container.



Wow, these smelled amazing baking in the oven, like fall! Mike and I couldn't wait until breakfast we had to try them. So delicious, I had brown mustard with mine, yum!


Day 3 - Dinner (Jamaican Jerk Pork and Veggies)

Jamaican Jerk Pork

4 bone-in pork chops
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
2 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons ground allspice
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil

1.    Rub jerk seasoning on pork chops.
2.    Allow meat to marinade for 15-20 mins.
3.    Sear pork chops in hot pan for 4 mins on each side.
4.    Place pork chops in crockpot,
5.    Cook on low for 3-4 hours.


Jamaican Veggies

2 pounds carrots
1 cup Vidalia onion
1 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp cayenne 
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp orange juice (or pineapple juice)
1 tsp ground cumin
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1/2 tsp chili powder
salt (to taste)

1.    Cut veggies into chunks.
2.    Mix veggies and seasonings in a bowl.
3.    Pour on top of pork chops, cook 3-4 hours on low in crockpot.

Recipe adapted from Yummly’s JamaicanCarrots


I have to admit this was by far the best pork chop I’ve ever eaten in my life. I made enough for two nights and it took all my strength not to eat that other pork chop! I refrained, I wasn’t hungry anymore and buying organic is more costly, we’re buying our meat locally from Grundhofer’sNot certified organic but they are grass fed, pasture animals raised without added hormones or antibiotics. The veggies were really good too, had a nice kick to them. I was surprised that I ate breakfast at 8 am and wasn’t hungry again until 5 pm, I ended up eating a couple hardboiled eggs instead of my salad so I could eat dinner with Mike at 6 pm. I have been a habitual grazer and clock watcher for close to 20 years, so this is a huge change for me.


Thursday, June 26, 2014

Day 3 - Breakfast & Lunch (Leftovers)

Breakfast - Breakfast Meatloaf and Eggs

Lunch - Mason Jar Salad with Rotisserie Chicken

Last night I had to eat a little watermelon, I was having some serious carb withdrawals; headache, irritability, brain fog. I felt much better after eating the watermelon. I read that the first 3 days are the hardest and that most withdrawal issues are nonexistent after 3 weeks. I've also noticed that I feel dehydrated so much quicker, for me I have to really need to drink more water since I'm still breastfeeding.

I've started reading Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis Here's the synopsis from the book:

Wheat Belly was the original book that turned the nutritional world topsy-turvy and exposed “healthy whole grains” as the genetically altered Franken wheat imposed on the public by agri-cultural geneticists and agribusiness. The tidal wave of astounding health and weight loss successes, many of them recounted in Wheat Belly social media, has created a nationwide movement away from the destructive effects of wheat products.
  • Removing products made with modern wheat yields astounding and often unexpected benefits in health and weight loss.
  • Autoimmune, gastrointestinal, and mind effects top the list for conditions that improve or reverse with wheat elimination.
  • Weight loss can occur at a surprising rate, typically 15-18 pounds over the first month, when wheat is eliminated.




Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Day 2 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (Leftovers)

Breakfast - Breakfast Meatloaf and Eggs

Lunch - Mason Jar Salad with Rotisserie Chicken

Dinner - Buffalo Chicken and Celery Salad


I woke up yesterday with a horrible headache, probably from the long weekend of crappy foods. Luckily, today the headache is gone, but someone is still teething and crabby, so we’ll see how the day goes. I was a little worried that cutting out grains would affect my milk production but this morning I was able to pump 5 oz so still normal.

Day 1 - Dinner (Buffalo Chicken and Celery Salad)

Buffalo Chicken

2 lbs chicken breast
2 cups hot sauce
½ cup butter

1.      Pour half the hot sauce in crockpot add chicken breast and butter.
2.      Top with the remaining hot sauce, stir occasionally.
3.      Shred chicken when it's cooked, add back to crockpot to simmer until you're ready to eat.
4.      Cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Celery Salad

1 cucumber
6 ribs celery
1 red onion
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp red wine vinegar

1.      Slice cucumber thin and the celery and onion ultra-thin.
2.      Toss veggies with oil and vinegar.
3.      Salt and pepper to taste.
4.      Allow time to marinade 4-6 hours and mix occasionally.

Both recipes adapted from The Chew’sGrilled Buffalo Chicken with Crunchy Celery Salad

Sorry no picture, I woke up with a mongo headache and after a day of a fussy, teething baby the picture just didn't happen. I'll try to remember for Day 2's leftovers to take a picture.

Day 1 - Lunch (Mason Jar Salad with Rotisserie Chicken)

Mason Jar Salads


I used the following rules:

1.     Buy fresh local organic produce.
2.     Dressing goes in first.
3.     Highest content water toppings on bottom; onion, cucumber, peppers, et.
4.     Bulkier veggies next; Julianne carrots, cherry tomatoes.
5.     Then, I packed as much spring/spinach mix on top.
6.     Lastly, I put an ounce of walnuts on top, hoping that would keep the lettuce from getting gross touching the lid.

Recipe adapted from The Paleo Mama's Mason Jar Salad

I used an organic rotisserie chicken from my local Fresh and Natural grocery store, broke it down and chopped it up. My husband had hard-boiled eggs since I was burned out from the night before and hadn't gotten around to it yet.

I had to make our dressing because even at the organic store all the dressings had either dairy, vegetable, soy or canola oils... Ideally the oils that should be used are Olive, walnut, flaxseed, macadamia, avocado and coconut. Olive oil is the most affordable, but when I made the dressing I was discouraged it tasted funky like olive oil. Luckily, the next day the dressing tasted much better and I really didn't notice the olive oil taste at all. Mike requested ranch, so here's the recipe I used.

Paleo Ranch Dressing


1 whole egg
1 1/2 cup olive oil
1 tbsp ranch seasoning (see below for recipe)
4 tbsp lemon juice

1.     Process egg and 2 tbsp of lemon juice in food processor.
2.     Slowly drizzle oil into the food processor (I used a small 2 cup processor, so I had to add a tbsp of oil at a time)
3.     When the consistency is like mayo, mix in the last 2 tbsp of lemon juice and the ranch seasoning.
4.     Store in an air tight container in the fridge, remember that egg is raw!


Ranch Seasoning


2 Tbsp. dried parsley
1 1/2 tsp. dried dill weed
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
2 tsp. dried onion flakes
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. dried chives
1 tsp. salt

Mix all ingredients in an air tight container.







Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Day 1 - Breakfast (Breakfast Meatloaf and Eggs)

Breakfast Meatloaf (6 servings)


Ingredients:

2 cups diced onion
1 lbs ground pork
1 lbs ground beef
2 eggs
1/2 cup almond flour
1 tbsp garlic powder
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tsp ground sage
2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp sea salt

Instructions:

1.    Mix almond flour with all the seasonings.
2.    Combine pork, beef, onions, seasoning mix and eggs.
3.    Spray a large muffin tin, separate the meatloaf into the 6 cavities.
4.    Bake for 45-60 mins at 350 degrees.

I served these butterflied with velvety basted eggs. (Mike had hard-boiled eggs, more convenient on-the-go)

This recipe was adapted from SLOW COOKER BREAKFAST MEATLOAF DECEMBER 28, 2013 BY: MEATIFIED