nineteen

Turkey Unwich and a Banana

Mixed Green Salad w/Turkey & Garlic Vinaigrette 

eighteen

Garden salad w/bacon avocado gyro meat oil & vinegar

Cilantro Citrus Glazed Salmon w/Roasted Veggies & Guacamole 

seventeen

Beef Kofta

Chinese

sixteen

Meal one 

Forgot pic

Asian Meatballs & Broccoli Slaw

Meal two

London Broil w/Pearl Onions & Artichoke Hearts

fifteen

Meal one

Cumin Spiced Pulled Pork w/Cole Slaw

Meal two

 Leftover Lamb & Salad w/Garlic Spread

fourteen

Breakfast

Fried Eggs & Fresh Organic Roma Tomato

Lunch

Forgot pic

Mexican Chili & Sweet Potato Spears

Dinner

Malek al Kebab - House Salad w/Lamb

No comments today... So tired... 

thirteen

... Let's not talk about details today. 

Here's what I ate:

Breakfast

Omelet w/Broccoli Salad & Snap Peas

Tasted great, easy to make.

Lunch

Mediterranean Beef & Kale Stew w/Mashed Sweet Potatoes

MEAT! This was good, though I wasn't really in the mood for stew. Also, the recipe is a lot better with lamb.

Dinner

Aidell's Chicken & Apple Sausage w/Cole Slaw and Orange Slices

Kinda in a hurry for dinner tonight. Didn't feel like repeating pulled pork so I was glad I had these sausages available. This did the trick.

Tomorrow marks two weeks of tracking and trying to stay Paleo. It also marks the end of just Paleo for this round of tracking. Wednesday will begin the Whole30 which I will count down to end on Valentine's Day. :)

twelve

Breakfast

Sweet Potato Omelet & Aidell's Chicken and Apple Sausage w/Grapes & Banana 

All good and a great, filling way to fuel for the day.

Lunch

Forgot pic

Gus 'n' Us - Grilled Chicken Salad w/Walnuts, Dried Cherries, Mandarin Oranges & Strawberries

So delicious I couldn't stop eating until it was gone. I swear they put crack in their chicken! :)

Dinner

Turkey Lettwiches w/Cole Slaw & Grapes

The perfect, yummy, filling food for watching the Golden Globes.

I spent the afternoon at Trader Joe's with Bryan's mom, sister and baby niece. It's fun to make an adventure of grocery shopping, but it was sooo crowded! I got some good stuff though (Whole30 approved turkey kielbasa, freeze dried banana slices, eggs, Castile soap, and some fun bread for Bryan who is not doing the paleo thing).

Beginning with Wednesday, I'm going more strict and following the rules of the Whole30. It will end on Valentines day. I'm ready!

eleven

Today was a whirlwind of cooking, sneezing, hanging up pictures over Bryan's, back pain, and mood swings. 

Yes folks, it's that time where chocolate becomes the only cure for my ills, and I can't have any... 

Here's what I DID eat though:

Breakfast

Scrambled Eggs w/Grilled Onions & Fresh Organic Roma Tomato Slices and Red Grapes and a Banana (decaf coffee too)

This was a good hearty breakfast that didn't leave me feeling like crud. 

Lunch

Salisbury Steak w/Onions & Peppers

The Paleo recipe I tried called for spinach to be mixed into the meat, but I had kale. It turned out very good. I had enough to freeze for another day, but I would make this again too.

Dinner

Cumin Spiced Pulled Pork w/Shredded Cabbage & Pickles

The cost of the organic, grass fed, pork shoulder was money well spent with this recipe. It was so tender and spicy! I will omit the mushrooms next time because YUCK! I like to try new recipes as close to script as possible the first time, plus Bryan likes mushrooms, so I left 'em in this time.

I'm now quite tired and still very cranky thanks to all the friggin' dishes I had to wash all day... I'll probably go to bed early to try to sleep off this crap attitude.

ten

Ugh! Can I just forget today even happened?

Breakfast

Egg Mug Scramble

Tasty and easy. I made one like the pic in the microwave at work with two eggs and some roasted red peppers. I also had some watermelon.

Lunch

Jimmy John's - Turkey Tom Unwich w/Avocado

Forgot the pic so I recycled the roast beef one from the other day. I normally go out for lunch with the girls, but today I could barely leave my desk to use the restroom... 

Dinner (no photo available)

On The Border - Steak Fajitas

I slipped from my grain free initiative tonight. I had a 12oz frozen margarita, the crumb equivalent of three regular sized tortilla chips and one flour tortilla along with a pinch of cheese and about a teaspoon of sour cream.

My stomach feels gross and my ankles are swollen... 

I have to stop letting my day effect my long-term plans. I was just starting to feel the benefits of eating free of grains, sugar, dairy and legumes. 

It's back to square one. The countdown from 30 begins in four days and I am going to get my ass in gear and quit screwing around with loopholes and eating garbage.

The key is to recommit to this with every meal. I can do it!!!

nine

Bad day.

Breakfast

Eggs w/Salsa

Delicious. I really love this magical combo.

Lunch

Star Deli - Western Chicken Salad

The President bought us all lunch. This was the only nice part of the day. This was very tasty and I'd definitely get it again.

Dinner

 Shish Kebab Express - Shish Kofta Triple w/Sweet Potato Fries

Really good, but I knew the fries were not prepared in a Paleo approved oil so I kinda defied myself. I'd blame the bad day, but we all know that food is not the best way to help us feel better. I need to be on my toes better going forward.

It was a bad day and there are a lot of things to say that back that up, but I don't want to rehash and complain here so I'll just say that I hope tomorrow is better.

I'm going to get into the Whole30 frame of mind beginning with day fifteen so I can make some serious mind/body changes for the last 30 days of this cycle. I know I can feel better than this.

In other news, my brother-in-law is Superman http://whitelake.patch.com/groups/goodnews/p/i-owe-him-my-life-neighbor-says-but-hero-wears-label-like-illfitting-clothes

eight

Day eight was good. I went back to the office and was so happy to be able to print and call people and have born if my good monitors :)

Breakfast

Chocolate Banana Pancakes

Same recipe as the other day, but with a tsp of unsweetened cocoa powder. Pretty good, but it yielded a few too many pancakes for me to take on alone.

Lunch

Beef Stew w/Green Beans & Potatoes and Cauliflower Fauxlenta

Good and filling but kinda runny. I need to figure out how to thicken the recipe without obliterating the meat. The Fauxlenta was good as always, but I like it better in cake form than mashed.

Dinner

Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps w/Mashed Sweet Potato & Cubed Pear

Dinner was a bit hurried as I had to rush off to a class, but this was very good and I would plan this in the future.

I had my first RCIA class tonight. If you don't know, it stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. I am a born-again, baptized Christian, but I'm going through the process of becoming Catholic so Bryan and I can have our wedding at his family parish. One class in and I know it will be a breeze. :)

seven

One full week of eating free of grains, dairy and legumes. I feel great and am noticing less bloating and less crazy cravings for junk. It was another snow day from work and, while I love that I'm saving on make-up and dress pants laundry, I miss the office and the jokes and general fun.   

However, I am taking advantage of the extra time I'm not spending driving to make some pretty great breakfasts. 

Speaking if which...

Breakfast

Turkey & Onion Omelet w/Dried Cherries & Pear Slices

Who says grown ups can't make their breakfast look like a face? Well, that one looks creepy so I'm probably one of those people. :)

Lunch 

Lamb Kofta w/Garlic Sauce & Grilled Squash and the last of the broccoli slaw and salt potatoes.

Yum times a million. I can't get enough of this kofta.

Dinner

Grilled Chicken Salad w/Avocado, Cucumber & Onion and Mashed Sweet Potato

Tasty standby, but the avocado was on the spoiled side so I had to pick around it...

One week done, roughly five to go!

six

Day six of eating a paleo diet went smooth as butta. I feel a lot better and can breathe through my nose again! 

Breakfast

Twin Eggs w/Roasted Red Peppers & Grilled Onions

This was a weird experience. The food was great, but I had never seen an egg with two yolks before; let alone two...

The 4th yolk broke on impact...

While there is no scientific cause for concern, the internet says that the superstition relates to an impending marriage... I'll say! :)

I read on and found out it's not that uncommon and you can buy them by the dozen at some places...

Lunch

Butternut Squash Soup w/Bacon

Well, they can't all be winners. This was just too weird with regard to flavor. I have yet to figure out a savory butternut squash soup recipe like the ones sold by V8 and Campbell's. Back to the drawing board.

Dinner

Athenian Chicken w/Greek Grean Beans and Chicken Gravy (reduced drippings w/lemon juice)

Really tasty, though a little dry. 

Today was a very cold day in the Detroit area. I saw -10 on my car's thermostat when I went out to clean it off (being proactive for the return to work tomorrow). So far I have worked 2 of the 3 business days, this year, from home. It's been nice to have a change if pace, but I'm happy to return to the office environment tomorrow. I miss my friends. :)

See you tomorrow evening when I recap a full week of grain, legume, and dairy free bliss!

five

Feeling much better today thanks to the wonderful expectorant I have been taking. Today was an adventure trying to get a snow thrower the day of a huge blizzard. We ended up finding a small business (Studz True Value Hardware) that had refurbished models on sale. With a 60 day money back guarantee, I figured why not? Still beats shoveling, right? I gave it a try and I have to say it was kinda fun just pushing it along while the snow went flying.

This morning I tested out a recipe that my sister shared on Facebook the other day which involves 1 banana mashed up and mixed with 2 eggs... Oh my gosh, you guys!

Breakfast 

Banana Egg Pancakes

Who needs flour? NOT ME!!! These were delicious and a really fun way to get my eggs in (omelets and scrambles get boring). If you like bananas, I highly recommend.

Lunch/Brunch

Gyro & Eggs with Hashed Browns

We went out for brunch w/ Bryan's parents and, while I did say I was allowing potatoes, I do not think I'll go for diner hashed browns again. This meal resulted in a major tummy ache. Everything else was great though.

After our Adventures in Purchasing Expensive Outdoor Equipment we headed back to Bryan's to test out the new toy and take care of some seriously stacked up laundry. Then it was time to FEAST!

Mixed Green Salad w/Hickory Smoked Turkey, Sugar Snap Peas & Red Wine Vinaigrette with Broccoli Slaw, Grapes & leftover Salt Potatoes

These potatoes did not make me feel sick last night so I figured they were a safe choice. Everything was really good, especially the broccoli slaw which I made with my mayo, red wine vinegar, and olive oil and some random spices like salt, pepper, garlic powder and chili powder. Really, really good and I did not miss the sugar that is usually the star of the slaw dressings.

All in all, this was a great Sunday. Since the Midwest is about to be buried in a million inches of snow, I get to work from home tomorrow. So day six will be a fun day of working in my PJ's and figuring out what to eat since the lunch I had planned is in my office freezer. :)

four

FOUR!!! Heh heh, get it? GOLF!!!

Today was day four and I was still sick as all whatnot so I kind slept/rested through lunch... 

Here's the food pictures!

Roasted Red Pepper Omelet w/Avocado

Yum yum goodness and kept me well fueled for our ill advised trip to Meijer this afternoon

Lunch

Sleep

Delicious, delicious sleep 

Dinner

Lemon & Thyme Mahi Mahi w/Asparagus & Golden Salt Potatoes

Oh my gosh, you guys! Salt potatoes! Look it up! Thank you upstate NY and your, turn of the century, Irish, immigrant workforce! Delicious and creamy texture makes mashed potatoes look like chump potatoes... Potatoes for chumps? The fish and asparagus were good too. 

I know you might be saying, "oh but wait, Mel! You can't have potatoes on the Whole30!" and you'd be right, but I'm not doing the exact Whole30. I'm doing a Paleo forever kinda thing and that means I need to have a sustainable variety at my disposal so I don't go kookoo bananas and quit in a week/month/quarter. This is a lifelong change that I am documenting for 45 days and may continue FOREVER!!! Muahahahahahahaha!!! :)

Anyway, on to day five. Goodnight!

three

Ugh! So siiiiick! Can't even sleep!

Anywhoozle, here's what I ate

Breakfast

Egg Rumble w/Onions & Wilted Baby Greens

Tasty and quick, but next time I'm using hit sauce to make it perfect.

Lunch

Jimmy John's Unwich 

Roast beef, tomato, cucumber, and onion wrapped up in crisp lettuce. Nice work James Johnathon's

Dinner

Leftovers... couldn't cook. Blah.

Too sick to share stories or whatev, good night... NyQuil take me away!

two

I woke up sicker than yesterday and just got worse... The itchy nose and sneezing and snots... I hate it!

I will just make this a short one. 

Here's my breakfast

All Beef, Nitrate Free Hotdogs w/Green Beans

I was running late this morning and, with the major snowfall sure to slow my commute, I decided to skip cooking eggs and grabbed something quicker. Tasted just fine, though I did get comments about eating this for breakfast.. 

Lunch

Chocolate Chili w/Avocado, Onion & Green Olives

Always good and quite comforting to this sick girl on such a cold day.

Dinner

Malek Al Kebab House Salad w/Lamb

This never fails to please. Malek is my favorite middle eastern place by far. I originally planned for butternut squash soup, but my recipe needs work since every time I think of it I go "eh, blah" and eat something else instead...

On to day three and hoping to feel better in the morning. If not, I'm going to work from home and nurse myself back to health in my PJ's with hot tea. :)

one

Eating clean for the next 45 days felt like a very welcome assignment for me as I drifted to sleep with an icky stomach last night. I had been feeling bloaty, achy, grumpy, and just plain lumpy. Then, I woke up this morning with a tickle in my throat... by this evening (now) it is, for sure, a yucky cold coming on, complete with post nasal drip and a "hot eyes" feeling.

Oh, it's not going to stop me from doing 45 days of perfect eating, but I do feel like mega kuh kuh right now and want my comfort foods (crackers, ginger ale, orange juice, chicken noodle soup...) 

I'm hoping that my body quickly remembers how good it feels to eat whole, unprocessed, healthy foods and recovers quickly!

Here are some pictures of what I ate!!!

Breakfast

Avocado Stuffed Omelet 

Very good. Next time, I think I'll add tomato and bacon!

Lunch

Steak & Eggs w/Salsa

More eggs!!! Really yummy. I pan seared and then broiled the steak with Ghee for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Topped with a couple sunny-side-up eggs and my favorite salsa (La Preferieda)

Dinner

Chateaubriand Roast w/Green Beans & Mixed Baby Green Salad w/Pear Infused White Balsamic Vinaigrette

Really good food today. The grass-fed, organic roast was sooo flippin' good. It melted like butter in my mouf! Wooo!!!

Good night!