Friday, April 15, 2016

21 Day Sugar Detox Day 11 & 12

Thursday and Friday of this week have been pretty quiet.  I tried a new recipe last night and only took one picture--of raw shrimp--and forgot to take of the final product--ha.  I was in such a hurry and hungry by the end that I just wanted to sit down and eat.

Have you tried Siete Tortillas yet?  They are so good!  The taste is definitely different than your traditional flour or corn tortilla, but are so worth the substitution.  I heated mine under the broiler for a few minutes.  The only complaint I have (though hardly a complaint since the product is so good) is that my taco fell apart pretty quickly.

Accidental discovery--I was roasting a sweet potato in the over and tossed a tortilla in to heat.  Well, I forgot about it while preparing my daughter's breakfast and ended up with a crisp, brown tortilla.  The end result was actually quite tasty and I will use as chips for lunch today.

As a reminder, I am level 2 with the energy modification.

Day 11

   BreakfastPeterson's Farms Paleo Bacon
                    2 Vital Farms eggs, scrambled
                    Organic coffee with unsweetened coconut and almond milk
                    Water

   Morning SnackAlmond Milk Smoothie     

                              8 oz. unsweetened almond milk
                              1 green tip banana
                              1TBSP 100% organic cacao powder
                              1 TSP hemp hearts
                              1/2 TSP chia seeds
                              1 heaping TBSP almond butter
                              All ingredients blended together in Nutri Bullet blender
                        
   LunchLeftover PaleOMG's Pizza Spaghetti Pie

   Afternoon Snack1 Apple Banana Cinnamon Cookie (recipe here)
                                  Grapefruit

   DinnerShrimp & Cauliflower "Grits"
               Cherry Lime La Croix water


Day 12
   Breakfast: 2 breakfast tacos using Siete Almond Flour Tortillas
                    2 Vital Farms eggs, scrambled
                    Avocado chunks

   Morning Snack: 1/2 green apple with almond butter

   Lunch: 2 slices Applegate Farms turkey breast with full fat/grass fed cheddar 
              Sauerkraut
              Crisp Siete tortillas with no sugar added salsa
              1/4 of roasted sweet potato with cinnamon, nutmeg and a drizzle of full fat                       
              coconut milk.

   Afternoon SnackAlmond Milk Smoothie     

                              8 oz. unsweetened almond milk
                              1 green tip banana
                              1TBSP 100% organic cacao powder
                              1 TSP hemp hearts
                              1/2 TSP chia seeds
                              1 heaping TBSP almond butter
                              All ingredients blended together in Nutri Bullet blender
                              ***Can you tell I'm in love with this shake? 

   Dinner: Out for date night!

Heather

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

21 Day Sugar Detox Day 10

Day 10
I was on a mission yesterday to find good quality, grass fed yogurt and Whole Foods did not disappoint.  I found a wide variety of Maple Hill Creamery yogurt and was so excited to use in my smoothie bowl this morning.

Today was very busy so I just threw together a taco salad with leftovers from Monday's dinner--it was still delicious.  Dinner is also leftovers from last night, which I can't wait to eat because the pizza spaghetti pie from PaleOMG is SO good!

As a reminder, I am Level 2 with energy modifications.

Day 10
   Breakfast: Organic coffee with unsweetened coconut and almond milk
                     Water
                     Smoothie Bowl (threw this together without really measuring)
                              unsweetened almond milk
                              Maple Hill Creamery Grass Fed Plain Yogurt
                              1 green tip banana
                              1TBSP 100% organic cacao powder
                              1 TSP hemp hearts
                              1/2 TSP chia seeds
                              1 heaping TBSP almond butter
                              All ingredients blended together in Nutri Bullet blender
                              I topped the bowl with Cacao Nibs and walnuts
                     
   Morning SnackPlantain chips with guacamole

   Lunch: Taco Salad leftover from Monday
               Cherry Lime La Croix sparkling water

   Afternoon Snack: 2 Apple Banana Cinnamon Cookies
         
   Dinner: Leftover PaleOMG's Pizza Spaghetti Pie

Heather

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

21 Day Sugar Detox Day 9

Day 9 has been great so far.  I realized this morning I have met my goal for participating in this 21 day endeavor--to stop mindlessly eating sweets.  The realization that I no longer think about chocolate every minute of the day and have will power makes me so happy and honestly proud of myself!  I hoped this would happen but was very skeptical.
I really do feel great!

Have you tried Primal Kitchen mayo products?  I noticed this morning while shopping at Whole Foods that they now carry the basic mayonnaise and I was SO excited.  I have been debating for a while now whether I should order online, but it just seems strange to order a jar of mayo online.  I don't know why--we order everything else online, but there was just something about ordering mayo.  Well, it was worth the wait.  So delicious!




My chicken salad for lunch was so good with the addition of this delicious ingredient.



As a reminder, I am Level 2 with energy modifications.

Day 9
   Breakfast: Organic coffee with unsweetened coconut and almond milk
                     Water
                     2 Vital Farms eggs, scrambled
                     1/3 avocado
                     1 apple sausage patty from my 21 Day Sugar Detox quick start guide

   Lunch: Plantain chips with guacamole
                Chicken Salad with Primal Kitchen Mayo (used with leftover roast chicken from      
                Sunday night, celery, walnuts, salt and pepper)
                Coconut La Croix sparkling water
         
   Dinner: PaleOMG's Pizza Spaghetti Pie

Monday, April 11, 2016

21 Day Sugar Detox--Days 6, 7 & 8

My first weekend on the 21 DSD went pretty well but not perfect.  The dinner I was worried about was smooth sailing until I saw the double chocolate, gluten-free cookies.  Yep, I failed and ate one.  It was delicious, but definitely was followed with guilt.  So, I reminded myself of how well I ate for the actual dinner and forgave myself for the cookie splurge.  I picked right back up Sunday morning and haven't looked back since the cookie-ha.

Day 6
   Dinner: homemade guacamole, fajita chicken and beef with sautéed onion and bell     
                pepper.

Day 7
   Breakfast: I made the apple sausage patties from my 21 Day Sugar Detox quick start guide      
                       and they are delicious.  I used ground chicken because I could not find quality         
                       ground pork that was not already seasoned.

   Morning Snack: Almond Milk Smoothie     
                              8 oz. unsweetened almond milk
                              1 green tip banana
                              1TBSP 100% organic cacao powder
                              1 TSP hemp hearts
                              1/2 TSP chia seeds
                              1 heaping TBSP almond butter
                              All ingredients blended together in Nutri Bullet blender
                              ***Can you tell I'm in love with this shake?

   Lunch: 1 link of spicy pork sausage from Whole Foods, spicy mustard and sauerkraut

   Dinner: Roast chicken (leg and thigh)
                Sweet potatoes, carrot and onion

   Dessert1 Apple Banana Cinnamon Cookie (recipe here)

Heather

Saturday, April 9, 2016

21 Day Sugar Detox Day 5

Day 4, everything I said about you I take back.  Yesterday afternoon was rough.  Maybe it was my fault and perhaps I did not consume enough carb rich vegetables (I did not eat sweet potato yesterday) but I was shaky, weak, lethargic, hungry--not fun.  I'm thinking the combination of the sugar detoxification from my body and being pregnant didn't work with the amount and type of food I ate yesterday.

Day 5 started with a new approach and so far so good! 

As a reminder, I am Level 2 with energy modifications.

Day 5
   Breakfast: Organic coffee with unsweetened coconut and almond milk
                     Water
                     1/2 of spinach and smoked salmon frittata (Recipe here)
                     2 slices bacon

   Morning SnackAlmond Milk Smoothie     
                              8 oz. unsweetened almond milk
                              1 green tip banana
                              1TBSP 100% organic cacao powder
                              1 TSP hemp hearts
                              1/2 TSP chia seeds
                              1 heaping TBSP almond butter
                              All ingredients blended together in Nutri Bullet blender

   LunchPollo Asado with Cilantro Cauli-Rice (leftover from Wednesday)
               -from my 21 Day Sugar Detox quick start guide

   Dinner: Whole Foods Rotisserie Chicken (leftover from last night)    
               Brussels sprouts with crispy capers and bacon from the 21 Day Sugar Detox       
               quick start guide book.

I am up for my first challenge tomorrow evening.  We are going to a friend's house for dinner and I hope there are a few selections that I can make work with the 21 Day Sugar Detox.

Heather

Thursday, April 7, 2016

21 Day Sugar Detox Day 4 + New Recipe

Day 4--what's up with you?  Why are you torturing me?  The crazy cravings have hit and it's not fun.  Easter candy--obviously not surprised.  Pizza--yep.  Cheeze Its--huh?  I don't even eat those fake cheese crackers so why am I craving them?  Should I have eaten more meat in my breakfast?  I have no idea.  Sigh.

Other than a bit of low energy today, I feel fine.  No headaches or digestion issues so far.  I created a delicious frittata for breakfast this morning, partly in an effort to use spinach and smoked salmon before it went bad.  Check it out.

As a reminder, I am Level 2 with energy modifications.

Day 4
   Breakfast: Organic coffee with unsweetened coconut and almond milk
                     Water
                     1 green tip banana + 1 TBSP almond butter
                     1/2 of spinach and smoked salmon frittata
                     
Spinach and Smoked Salmon Frittata

Ingredients
     2 TBSP coconut oil, divided
     1/4 cup chopped onion
     As much smoked salmon as you like (or other protein)
     Generous handful of spinach
     4 large eggs (I used Vital Farms brand)
     2 TBSP coconut milk
     Salt and pepper to taste

Heat 1 TBSP of coconut oil in a small skillet over medium heat.  Once heated, add onion to sauté while you complete next steps.


Place other TBSP coconut oil in a cast iron skillet.  Preheat your oven to 350 F and place the skillet in the oven.

Add eggs to mixing bowl and whisk.  


Add coconut milk, spinach, smoked salmon, salt and pepper to mixing bowl with eggs and combine.  Once the onions are cooked, add to mixing bowl.

Remove cast iron skillet from oven, add mixture from mixing bowl to skillet and cook on stovetop over medium heat for 5 minutes.


Put skillet back in oven for 12-15 minutes or until top of frittata is puffy.  While skillet is still in oven, turn the broiler on high and cook for an additional 5 minutes.  Be sure to watch the top so that it does not burn.


Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before transferring to a plate.

With any frittata, get creative with the add-ins: any vegetables you have on hand, leftover protein from the night before or cheese.

   Late Morning Snack: 1 Apple Banana Cinnamon Cookie (recipe here)

   Lunch: Spinach and kale salad
                2 slices Applegate farms roasted turkey breast
                1/4 yellow bell pepper
                ~5 cherry tomatoes
                ~1/3 avocado
                Hemp hearts
                Drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette 
                La Croix Berry sparkling water

   Afternoon Snack: Grapefruit and 1 Apple Banana Cinnamon Cookie

   Dinner: Whole Foods rotisserie chicken (leg and thigh)
                Whole Foods Seaweed salad
                Brussels sprouts with crispy capers and bacon from the 21 Day Sugar Detox       
                quick start guide book.

Any chance pizza is compliant with the 21 DSD?  Joking:)

Heather
              
   


Wednesday, April 6, 2016

21 DSD Day 3

All of the articles I have read regarding the 21 Day Sugar Detox state that day three can be the worst.  Carb cravings, flu-like symptoms, moodiness--yikes!  So far I have experienced none of this.  Maybe this will happen tomorrow, maybe not.  If it does, I know this is my body's way of naturally detoxing all of the toxins I consumed prior to Monday.  I find that if I just eat when I am hungry, and make the meals count with good fats, protein and vegetables, I don't experience cravings.  Hmmm, until today after lunch.  I met a friend for lunch--my first meal out since starting the 21 DSD on Monday--and had my first strong craving for dark chocolate.  I was able to pass by the bowl of my favorite hard candies with no problem, but the chocolate craving was still there.  I find that drinking a sparkling water seems to satisfy my craving, so there is my answer to that problem.

Below is a glimpse of my Day 3 meals.

As a reminder, I am Level 2 with energy modifications.

Day 3
   Breakfast: Organic coffee with unsweetened coconut and almond milk
                     Water
                     1/2 roasted sweet potato, cinnamon and walnuts
                     Chocolate avocado shake


Chocolate avocado shake, recipe courtesy of EvolvewellStef

   Morning snack:
                 1/4 cup horseradish sauerkraut
                 5 almonds  

   Lunch: Bun-less burger, mustard, lettuce and tomato
                
   Afternoon Snack: Apple Banana Cinnamon Cookies
                               Recipe here

   Dinner: Pollo Asado with Cilantro Cauli-Rice
               -from my 21 Day Sugar Detox quick start guide

I have found that Pinterest is a great resource for more 21DSD compliant recipes.  I see more recipes for treats than anything else.  Looks like everyone is desperately trying to fill the dessert void somehow!

What are your favorite 21DSD recipes?

21 Day Sugar Detox Day 3 TREAT!

Apple Banana Cinnamon Cookies

Oh my goodness y'all--these little gems are so delicious! 


You may not expect much out of these "cookies" when you read the recipe, but be prepared to be surprised.

Recipe courtesy of Civilized Caveman
I replaced the red apple with a green one and walnuts for macadamia nuts (since I didn't have any on hand).

Ok no, this is not a chocolate chip cookie, but I was pleasantly surprised by how yummy they are.  Even my 3 year old said, "these are delicious".  I will definitely make these going forward and include dried cherries and dark chocolate chips after I complete the 21DSD.  Make these now (have I made that clear yet--ha).

What is your favorite 21DSD treat?

Heather

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

21 DSD Day 2

Well, I made it to day two!  Other than feeling more hungry than usual this morning, I feel great.  I have not experienced a sweet craving today, thank goodness.  I started my day with a great breakfast and I think this has set me up for less cravings today.  My husband says he is doing well and is surviving the temptations at work.

As a reminder, I am Level 2 with energy modifications.

Day 2
   Breakfast: Organic coffee with unsweetened coconut and almond milk (I definitely miss a
                     bit of sweetener in my coffee!)
                     2 1/2 scrambled eggs (my daughter ate the other 1/2)
                     1/3 of an avocado
                     a few slices of wild atlantic smoked salmon
                     water with lemon

   No morning snack

   Lunch: ~1 1/2 cup of leftover Cauliflower Chowder from Sunday
                Yogurt Bowl (about 30 minutes later)


               Bulgarian yogurt plus a heaping TBSP of greek yogurt
               2/3 green tip banana, sliced
               Handful of blueberries
               A few goji berries
               Hemp seeds
               Heavy sprinkle of organic 100% cacao
               Heaping TBSP of almond butter
This is definitely not the most attractive yogurt bowl I've seen but this is what I was craving.

   No Afternoon Snack

   Dinner: Leftover Slow Cooker Paleo Italian Meatballs with Parsnip and Turnip Mash
                Recipe for the parsnip and turnip mash can be found via the Meals Made Simple          
               cookbook.

               Spinach Salad with bell pepper, cherry tomatoes and cucumber.
                Balsamic dressing (serves 2)
                   2 TBSP balsamic vinegar
                   1 TBSP olive oil
                   1 TBSP spicy mustard
                   Salt and Pepper
                   Squeeze of lemon   

I hope to have time to bake a few items from the 21 DSD cookbook tomorrow.

More to come on day 3.

Heather
                   
             

Monday, April 4, 2016

21 Day Sugar Detox Starts Today!

I have decided to participate in the April 21DSD (day sugar detox), created by Diane Sanfilippo of Balanced Bites.  Diane created this customizable 21 day program to help guide participants through a sugar detox.

For me, this exercise in detoxifying sugar from my body is SO overdue.  My dessert obsession began as a child.  My grandmother made the most delicious homemade desserts, which isn't bad on occasion.  As I became an older child, my brother and I were rewarded with candy.  As a teenager, I would walk to the convenience store with friends after school to purchase my favorite candy--Airheads and Nerds--and fill up a large cup with a super sugary fruit drink from the frozen drink dispenser called Parrot Ice-ha.  As an adult in my 20s, I would always end my grocery store trip with a bag or box of candy at checkout and eat on the drive home.  Over the past few years I have cut out the candy snacking at the grocery store and do eat an overall healthier diet, yet somehow I have created this habit (yes, it's a habit) of automatically reaching for a sweet snack after lunch and dinner.  Don't get me wrong--there are definitely days when I crave dark chocolate--and I think that is ok, but it's not ok when I think about what type of sweet item I will eat while still eating dinner.  It is ridiculous and has to end!  So here I am today.  After I began to follow a mainly paleo diet about 6-7 weeks ago, the Balanced Bites podcast has become a staple in my life.  This is where I learned about the 21 DSD and decided it is time.  I even convinced my husband to participate in hopes of making the next 21 days easier.  So here goes!

My objective: To detoxify my body of the sugary crap and learn to enjoy food without the need for sugar.  I look forward to less toxic sugar side effects, primarily skin irritations, breakouts, mood swings and low energy levels.

I plan to chronicle my meals on most days and supply recipes or the link to a recipe.

**Note: I am pregnant so my meals will include the energy modification for Level 2.  My meals will also vary dependent upon my daily workouts.

Day 1
   Pre-workout fuel (60 minute boot camp): half of green tip banana with a bit of almond 
   butter, water.

   Breakfast: Almond Milk Smoothie     
                   1 cup unsweetened almond milk
                   Other half of green tip banana from earlier + ~half of frozen banana
                   ~1/2 TSP 100% organic cacao powder
                   ~5 frozen organic cherries + a couple frozen organic blueberries
                   ~1 TBSP almond butter
                   All ingredients blended together in Nutri Bullet blender
                  
                   Coffee with unsweetened coconut milk and unsweetened almond milk

   10:30 a.m. snack: 10 unsalted almonds
   
   Lunch: Nori Wrap
               1 sheet of nori, cut in half
               1/3 medium avocado, smashed on nori
               Thinly sliced piece organic cucumber
               2 slices Applegate Farms roasted turkey breast
               
               Cauliflower Chowder (~1 1/2 cup)
Cauliflower Chowder, recipe courtesy of Daily Paleo

This soup was leftover from last night and I did not have extra bacon for lunch today.  I used my homemade chicken bone broth and used an immersion blender, which made my version a bit smoother.

   Snack: Roasted Sweet Potato
               1/2 medium sweet potato
               small bit of Kerry Gold grass fed butter
               sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg
               Grapefruit

   Dinner: Slow Cooker Paleo Italian Meatballs with Parsnip and Turnip Mash
Recipe and photo, courtesy of Paleo Newbie

               Parsnip and Turnip mash recipe from the Meals Made Simple cookbook.  
               I served the meatballs and sauce over the mash and it was delicious.

It is now 10:15 p.m. and I have officially made it through day one.  I did notice a bit of a headache around 11:30 a.m.  Not sure if this was the result of no sugar all morning or just a coincidence.  Either way I feel so great to have not cheated once--I really want to do this right and give 100% to see the full results.  I did notice I was hungry between meals, which is why I added the grapefruit.  I know that on the days I workout my appetite is off the charts so I will wait and see how I feel tomorrow with no workout.

More meals and recipes to come.

Heather