In The End

I did it.  I survived 30 days of eating healthy.  This last week was the hardest and I didn't help myself by thinking of all the wonderful things I would be able to eat and drink again.  Ironically, even though I could (if I wanted to) eat absolutely anything and everything today, I only strayed from the Whole30 diet to have a mocha in the morning made by my favorite barista (I have no idea if I spelled that right, much like I have no idea how to order a coffee in that special lingo they all use).  

I was so scared that the second I put something non-Whole30 in my mouth, I would get sick and my special dinner tonight wouldn't be as much fun.  I ordered an 8 ounce cup and took it back to my class (I'm being educated this week at work) where it sat on my desk for at least a half hour before I summoned the courage to take the first sip.  It was good, but it really didn't get me excited.  I'm hoping I get more excited about the tortilla chips in just a few short minutes.

Day 30 - I wandered the aisle at the store thinking of something special to buy myself as a treat yet nothing jumped out at me.  Spaghetti for lunch, curry for dinner, scrambled eggs for a late night snack after Roller Derby practice.  Seems like 30 days of eating better and reading labels really did change my habits.   I'd just be careful if you try to take my chocolate/peanut butter combo candy away from me.  You might just lose those fingers.

WCotD = Nothing.  I was more interested in taking a nap.

It's the Final Countdown

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1....

This is it folks.  Today is my last day on the Whole30 diet.  I have less than 10 hours to go.

It probably seems like I'm super anxious to get off the diet but in reality I'm not.  I'm looking forward to having Jenni make me a mocha in the morning over our coffee stand conversations instead of that black Americano.  I'm looking forward to wine tasting at Taste Buds next week as part of the Wenatchee Wine Week.  I'm looking forward to a host of other little things that I took for granted prior to February 8, 2011 (the official start of Whole30 for me).  But, since I've actually enjoyed all of the various meals and snacks that I've made for myself over the past 30 days, I don't see myself straying too far off of the Whole30 path for the foreseeable future.

There's been a few disasters along the way.  I have to mention the mustard green debacle again because it really was gross.  Last night, Chelsea and I tried to make a Whole30 PB&J sans peanut butter and bread.  I basically dumped some almond butter into a bowl and mushed in some fresh blueberries.  Not quite the miracle that is a normal PB&J - there's just something about almond butter.  Cutting my finger pretty bad during the first week and burning my kale chips (which I did a couple of times last week - must remember to set the timer!!).

There's been some amazing successes.  Getting comfortable in the kitchen.  Cooking yummy stuff that other people wouldn't realize is really healthy for them unless I told them.  Losing nearly 10lbs.  Feeling healthy.

Tomorrow, I'm celebrating Day 31 with a group of good friends and that is what I'm looking forward to the most.  Not the tortilla chips (mmm.....) but all of us heading up to Leavenworth for good food and good conversation.

I would definitely do the diet again.  I'd actually like to do it again and cut out caffeine entirely since that is most likely the reason that I did not see the change in my energy levels that other individuals reported.  But that is probably going to have to wait until after the big projects at work are over and done with.

Here's to healthy eating and feeling good about yourself!  And to tortilla chips.  It's the simple pleasures in life.

Day 28 - I had homemade spaghetti for lunch and a bunch of fruit for snacks throughout the day.  Red curry for dinner with wilted mustard greens (GROSS) and kale chips (YUM).

Day 29 - More of the same, leftover spaghetti for lunch, fruit, almonds and curry for dinner tonight.

WCotD = PB&J.  My coworker busted out a PB&J Lara Bar and I started drooling immediately.

Simple Garlic Greens

(from the Clothes Make the Girl)

You need: greens, olive oil, fresh garlic, salt, pepper, a lemon wedge

Directions:
1. Wash the greens. Remove any tough and/or thick ribs, then roughly chop or tear the leaves. Don't dry the leaves; you want that water for steaming.

2. Heat a large skillet and throw in about half the greens. Stir 'til starting to wilt, then add the rest. Put a lid on it! During this process, you may need to add more water – bonus! beef or chicken broth – to convince the leaves to mellow out. Kale takes a while; beet tops are a little more willing to give it up.

3. When the leaves are dark green and as wilted as you like them – as all things, I like mine very well-done, which means quite wilted – take off the lid and let any remaining water evaporate.

4. Turn off the heat and drizzle some olive oil over the greens. Crush a clove or two of garlic into the pan. Stir.

5. Sprinkle with a little sea salt and pepper, then, if you like, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice

My Thoughts:  I used Mustard Greens.  Yuck.  Wait, I need to say it again. Yuck.  I might even need to yell it since my mouth is still not happy with me.  I have no doubt that if I made this with Kale I would have fallen in love with the recipe but mustard greens are not my friend.  Very easy recipe to make and I'd probably try it again with a different green because, as we all know, I like my garlic.

Why Can't We Not Be Sober?

A long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away (and a lot warmer), I had the pleasure of being introduced to the phenomenon that is fine wine by a rather spectacular friend of mine (MICHY!!!).  I don't doubt we were drinking anything more than Two Buck Chuck at the time but it was delicious and started me down a long twisty road of wine tasting and collecting.  Together we've wine tasted in Napa Valley and Temecula and I've gone up to Chelan several times to check out what Washington has to offer.  Which makes it surprising that the one item I really have NOT craved or desired while doing the Whole30 diet is wine (or beer).  Not that I was a huge drinker prior to the diet but I just figured I'd miss the occasional glass of wine with dinner. 

This past weekend, I checked out a punk show put on by a couple of local bands up in Cashmere.  It was at the Pioneer House and, once the music got going and the kids started dancing, really reminded me of my college days and nights spent at the Nile. (Which is apparently now "world famous" - I can be proud to say I was there when it all started.)  So even though nearly everyone in attendance had a beer or two in hand, I didn't ever think once that I really wanted a drink.  (Unlike when someone eats pizza in front of me and it takes all of my willpower not to kick him in the kneecaps and steal the pizza....)  The even stranger thing is that although tomorrow is my very last day on the diet, it's not a glass of wine that I'm looking forward to the most.  In fact, if someone said you can either (1) eat tortilla chips or (2) have a Hop, Skip n Go Naked, I'd totally pick Option 1.  I just don't have the urge to drink.  But, um...   tortilla chips.  Mmm......

I'm working on getting a bunch of my recipes and resources put together since my diet has generated a little bit of buzz through the hospital and friends on Facebook.  I basically talked to other friends and Googled the crap out of the diet.  Some of it is already here on the blog, some of it is tucked away in that special place that is my brain and I ought to get it out of there before it goes missing.

Day 25 - I put my new found cooking skills to the test by having company over.  I made the spicy beef lettuce wraps but turned it into a salad instead of wraps.  I didn't poison TB so I guess it was a success.  Checked out the Eastmont High School's production of Little Shop of Horrors after dinner and it was awesome.  There's some serious talent at that school. 

Days 26, 27 - Nothing exciting to eat on these days although I made a double batch of curry using the red curry paste for the first time. I also used my mini cookie cutters when I chopped up my bell peppers so I had little red hearts and green trees in the curry.  Sometimes I just amaze myself with my awesomeness.  Ha!

WCotD = Definitely NOT Mustard Greens.  Whoever thought it'd be a good idea to eat that crap, ought to be shot.  Pizza.  Definitely pizza. 

This video reminds me of the Friday and Saturday nights spent at the Atomic Cafe. 

Thai Beef with Basil

(from The Clothes Make the Girl)

I made another version with chicken

The basic ingredients:

• steamed green beans
• 1 lb. extra-lean ground beef
• a handful of fresh basil leaves
• 1-2 garlic cloves, crushed
• a lime
• coconut aminos

 Get cooking:

1. Heat some fat in a pan over medium-high. I like coconut oil.

2. Sprinkle ground beef with salt and pepper, then brown in the pan.

3. When the meat is browned, add green beans, basil leaves, and the crushed garlic (If you don't have fresh garlic, use garlic powder or leave it out).

4. When everything is cooked the way you like it, add a few splashes of coconut aminos and stir-fry another minute.

5. Pile on a plate and squeeze the lime juice over the top.

You can earn bonus points by garnishing with a few curls of carrot (scrape a carrot with a veg peeler) or a sprinkling of finely-chopped scallions.

Now... make it fancy:

• To make it spicy: Add some chili-garlic paste.
• To add more veg: Toss slices of Japanese eggplant into the stir-fry step.
• To make it sweeter: Replace green beans with snow peas or snap peas.
• To make it souper: Throw it in a bowl and add beef broth and chopped fresh scallions.
• To make it seem exotic: Cut a hard-boiled egg in half and use as garnish on the plate. (Also delicious dropped into the soup version.)
• To incorporate more healthy fats: Sprinkle the top with crushed nuts or add more coconut oil to the stir-fry step.
• To make it fusion: Skip the nuts and add fat with slices of fresh avocado.
• To make it a complete meal: Add fruit for dessert. Strawberries, raspberries, and pineapple are a great complement.

My Thoughts:  OMG, this has to be one of my newest favorite dishes.  It really is so easy and fast to make and it is really, really tasty.  Even the leftovers are awesome (especially since the lime juice has had a chance to seep in really good).  To make it Whole30, I substituted sliced zucchini for the green beans in the basic ingredients.  I also added chilies to give it a kick.  This literally took me 10 minutes max to prepare and cook.  Another awesome recipe from Melissa Joulwan.  I need to figure out some sides to work with this dish.


Edited 5/8/2012 - Over the summer we made this almost once week with chicken.  Just as delicious as the beef version.

Spicy Beef Lettuce Wraps

Serves 2-4
(from The Clothes Make the Girl)

 

Ingredients:

The Beef:

• favorite fat for sautéing
• 1/2 onion, diced fine
• 2-3 fresh chili peppers, washed, seeded, and sliced thin
• 1-2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 lb. happy cow ground beef
• a handful of fresh basil leaves (optional)

The Sauce:

• 1/4 cup Sunbutter
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 teaspoons coconut aminos
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1/4 cup water
• pinch dried ginger

 The Go-Alongs:

• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 head lettuce: red, green, butter, or a mix, leaves washed and separated
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 2 carrots, shredded
• a handful of snap peas, slivered

 

Directions:
1. Prepare the go-along vegetables. Wash and slice the vegetables. Place on a plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Put in the fridge 'til you're ready to eat.

2. Make the sauce. Place all ingredients in a food processor/blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.

3. Make the beef. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite fat in a sauté pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onions and peppers, sauté until vegetables are slightly softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the ground beef and crushed garlic. Stir fry until the meat is cooked through. To make it really sing, throw in the basil leaves and cook just until the basil is wilted.

4. Serve and eat! Serve everything family style so your fellow foodies can make their own wraps to order. I like to start with a lettuce leaf, add a few slivers of onion and cucumber and some carrots, then top with the meat mixture, and drizzle that with some of the Sunbutter sauce. Just roll up and eat!

 

My thoughts:  Really yummy even though the first time I made the dish, I totally skipped the go alongs and just chucked the meat on a plate of romaine lettuce and drizzled my sauce over the top.  The second time I made the dish was for company so I went all out and cut up cucumbers and carrots and threw those on top of the romaine lettuce as well. 

I substituted almond butter for the sun butter since I didn't have any but other than that I didn't change much.  I wonder if that changed the flavor a lot of the sauce?  I could definitely taste the almond flavor and since I'm a little burned out on almonds, I didn't really get all excited about it.

 



The first attempt



 

I Have Become Cumbersome

Anybody else hear those crickets that have been hanging out here on the blog?  Yeah, me neither.  Pretty much, I hit the halfway point of Whole30 and stopped blogging about my experience.  I had some pretty epic ideas for posts which mainly centered around the song that I wanted to use for the title/video.  With all the cooking I've been doing, I've been checking out a lot of gadgets so I was going to write a "review" of what I'd be using and use the Inspector Gadget theme song (I know you all have that stuck in your head now).  Another idea was to write a post about what I liked about the diet and what I didn't like (song choice:  You Suck by the Murmurs).  But as usual time and my mind got away from me so you'll just have to imagine the awesomeness of my posts.

It is official though.  I have become one of those people.  You know, the ones who refuse to go to a specific restaurant because they "just can't eat anything there".  That's so not true.  I don't care what kind of diet you're on or picky an eater you are, there is ALWAYS something on the menu.  I was invited to a Women's Resource Center's breakfast the other morning.  Me being the absentminded individual that I am didn't even think about that breakfast = food I might not be able to eat.  We were served little cups of fruit and then a plate of some sort of quiche (I think), sausage, biscuits and some other stuff.  My solution?  I just asked for a bigger bowl of fruit.  Yum!  I've gone out to dinner a few times since I started this diet and each time I've managed to find something on the menu that passed for Whole30.  So I'm not really one of those people but I am a little cumbersome to feed. 

I'm on the downhill stretch though.  It seems like this last week has been the toughest out of the entire month.  Food that I don't normally crave suddenly looks like manna from heaven.  Pizza?  Please!! Ice cream?  Yes!!  I am sick of nuts though.  I really don't want any more almonds or walnuts.  Still addicted to kale though. 

Days 17-24:  Such a slacker!!  Ha!  Dinner out on the 17th day (spinach and strawberry salad from McGlinn's), sledding on the 19th (no special cocoa for me) and the Women's Resource Center breakfast on the 24th day.  Lots of Thai beef lettuce wraps, spicy basil beef and spaghetti for dinner.

WCotD = pizza, ice cream and more pizza