And So It Begins… Day One

 

Thirty days without added sugar, grains, legumes (including soy and peanuts), and dairy.

Thirty days of lots of meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruit, nuts, and healthy fats. No portion limits. No counting calories.

Why? To get out of a horrible cycle of low energy, carb cravings, eating unhealthy food, and generally feeling miserable. And to kick the Dr. Pepper addiction. (I’ve already been off Dr. P for almost two weeks!) Losing a little weight would be a bonus, but I don’t lose weight easily and have no expectations in that department. (I bought a scale just to get a starting weight, however, so we’ll see.)

Side bonus? No eating out. I have to go grocery shopping and plan meals. No unhealthy drinks and snacks out for the boys to snitch.

My husband, sister, and brother-in-law are doing it with me!

I will try to post a weekly update here on my blog with recipes. Here are my food ideas so far:

 

Breakfast:
Eggs
Sauteed veggies
Bacon/Sausage/Chicken Apple Sausages
Spinach Smoothies (banana, pineapple, huge handful of baby spinach, coconut milk, frozen berries)
Sliced banana, coconut milk, and chopped pecans (roasted in coconut oil) dusted with cinnamon

Lunch:
Leftovers
Tuna salad on tomato (soy- and sugar-free mayo)
Chicken salad on lettuce
BLT salad with guacamole dressing
Taco salad (lettuce, taco meat, tomato, olives, avocado)
Shrimp crunch salad (with shredded carrot, celery, sunflower seeds, and mayo-lemon dressing)
Cauliflower and broccoli salad (with chopped artichoke hearts, black olives, cubed chicken, and vinaigrette dressing)

Snacks:
Celery with almond butter
Almonds with a tiny amount of chopped dried apricots
Sweet potato chips
Sunflower seeds

Dinner:
Panama pork stew
Grilled tri-tip and bacon-wrapped asparagus
Bun-less burgers (with bacon and avocado) and sweet potato fries
Shrimp and veggie stir-fry
Pecan-crusted tilapia and roasted veggies
Chicken strips with marinara sauce and green salad
Spaghetti meat sauce over thinly-sliced sauteed red cabbage
Swiss steak over cauliflower ‘rice’ and green salad
Seasoned pulled pork over shredded lettuce with diced tomatoes, olives, and avocado
Chicken and veggie soup
Crab bisque and green salad
Various grilled meats and roasted veggies (brussels sprouts, French green beans, cauliflower, broccoli, yams, etc. with olive oil and sea salt)

Sweet Treats:
Pumpkin milkshake (frozen pumpkin puree, coconut milk, and pumpkin pie spice in vitamix)
Chocolate banana milkshake (frozen banana, coconut milk, and unsweetened cocoa powder in vitamix)
Fried apples (thinly sliced in coconut oil, topped with cinnamon and nutmeg)

In Desperation:
Lara Bars

I would LOVE it if those of you who are participating would post food and meal ideas in the comments and just generally let me know how things are going and what is working well for you. It is so much more bearable with the company and support of friends!

 

Life is not merely to be alive, but to be well. 

~Marcus Valerius Martial