2014 Whole 20 - Week of 1/20

[SASM]

Sadly I don't really exercise at all! I LOVE yoga and have an unused 30 class pass to the studio within walking distance to my house but I haven't gone in over a year after I had a bad experience with a mean teacher! Once I miss something a few times I end up not going back. I also have a gym membership to a new gym that opened up near me and have only gone 3 times since joining several months ago, and that was only to go relax in the jacuzzi and sauna!!! I'm so lame!!!!

I did take a hula hooping class with one of my best friend's over the summer and we both liked it so much we ordered weighted hoola hoops when we got home. You're supposed to do it for 10 minutes a day so I have been trying to do that the last few days since it helps with lower back pain. I can handle 10 minutes a day and not having to leave my house to do it!

Latia,
I am just going to say that I am JEALOUS!!! Opportunities for yoga, studio work (jump into a different class!), a new gym, and hula!!! Soooo jealous!!!!

[SASM]

I made the Bora Bora Fireballs tonight and they were great. I halved the jalapeño and traded the cayenne pepper for chili powder. My kids thought they tasted like dumplings and I would make them again. I made the sunshine sauce last night to go with her Best Chicken so tonight I thinned out some mayo with rice wine vinegar for a "sauce". On the menu for the week is a few nom nom dishes including her eggs in purgatory, kahlua pork, and whole chicken with gravy. For me, the key is spending some time in the kitchen over the weekend to make my almond butter, mayo, guacamole and sautéing some peppers and onions so those are ready to go. I also made the kale and brussels sprouts salad from Epicurious someone had shared in the cooking forum. I leave off the cheese and it is perfectly compliant, keeps for several days and works great with fried eggs on top or as a side for lunch or dinner.

My friend shared the best tip for making mayo - she uses the small tube from her food processor inserted in to the lid of her blender to add oil. It adds it at the perfect rate and the mayo comes together so much faster than me adding it drip by drip!

I make the mayo in my food processor and it is super easy. Just pour the oil through the spout and keep the power on. I cannot use my Vitamix...drives me nuts that I cannot get all of it out!

Soooo glad that someone else loves the Fire Balls and Sunshine Sauce!! My kids just devour them!! I still have yet to make them with the pork. Like you, I do a lot of my cooking over the weekend. And I chop A TON of veggies to keep in the fridge for snacking. I usually have to refill it at least two more times throughout the week. My kids are veg-aholics...sadly mainly $$ red peppers.

[SASM]

Are there any sweeteners that are approved? Starting today and would love a cup of tea. I know sugar and milk are out. What about honey? TIA

Sadly no sweeteners. I like to steep a cinnamon stick in my tea. I used to pour some cinnamon in until I realized that it multiplies and turns into a gel gloppy mess.

[SASM]

Oh, and the absolute fastest way to make mayo is to just use an immersion/stick blender. Dump ALL the ingredients in (oil on top) and just blend it up for 30 seconds! Comes out perfect every time! You don't even have to use room temperature eggs. The whole process takes all of 1 minute tops. I will never buy mayo again it's so easy.

Ohhhhhh...I am going to try this!!! I've wanted an immersion blender for years for big pots of soup and finally just bought one the other day when Costco had them on sale. Now I'll have another use! YAY!

[SASM]

I need recipes using ground beef. We raise cows as a family and I get tons if ground beef. I made chili tonight. I like stuffed peppers or cabbage but that calls for rice. I could do shepherd's pie with sweet potatoes instead... I can't save it all for bunless burgers or meatloaf!

I posted these recipe links in one of the previous weeks' threads. I LOVE LOVE LOVE ground beef!! Sooo jealous!! It is my favorite go-to protein.

SUPER quick recipes:

- Nigella's Thai Crumbled Beef in Lettuce Wraps (I use either beef or turkey)
- Taco Beef in lettuce wraps (I make my own salt-free seasoning)...eat for bfast or make in AM for kids' lunches.
- Bora Bora Fireballs from "Well Fed" ...NOT quick but yummy!

- Any crockpot chili. I love WF's Chocolate Chili but also throw stuff into my crock. Saute some nitrite-free bacon and reserve. Saute the ground beef in some of the bacon drippings. To slow cooker, add tons of chopped up mushrooms & peppers, onions, fire-roasted tomatoes, can of tomato paste, 1-2 chopped chipotles in adobo, chili & cumin (or my taco seasoning). Add in the beef. Cook on Low for 6-7ish hours or High for 3.5-4hrs. Stir in the cooked bacon. Serve with guacamole. Can eat on a bed of lettuce. We also rate cucumbers with huac on the side.

If you have access to "Well Fed 2", she has a TON of Meatball recipes in there.

Also NomNomPaleo has a great Asian meatball recipe on her blog.

Another favorite site is www.paleomg.com but she is NOT as Whole30-friendly as Nom Nom Paleo and The Clothes Make the Girl (Well Fed). She has some CRAZY Paleo Food Porn (SWYPO) but some of her 21Day Sugar Detox recipes might work (more lenient that w30).

[Meatball Mommie]

Do you have the book It Starts with Food? When DH and I did a whole30, we made lots of their variations on ground beef garbage kind of dinners- the mets cooked with shredded cabbage or over salad, etcetera. Basically, bowl-type meals with lots of sautéed or stir fried veggies.

I do, but I will have to give it a look-through again. It's been a while - thanks for reminding me!

Also SASM thanks for all the good links and info. I have around 40 lbs of ground beef in my freezer! My kids aren't fans of chili although DH and I are, so I needed more ideas. Can't wait to try some of the recipes!!!

[SASM]

I do, but I will have to give it a look-through again. It's been a while - thanks for reminding me!

Also SASM thanks for all the good links and info. I have around 40 lbs of ground beef in my freezer! My kids aren't fans of chili although DH and I are, so I needed more ideas. Can't wait to try some of the recipes!!!

The first time that we bought a 1/4 cow, I was sooooo MAD that we received ~40# of ground beef, as we are HUGE steak eaters. That being said, we FLEW through that ground soooo quickly that I bought some from my friend's freezer stock, too! It is just soooo easy to prepare! The last time that we bought a 1/4 cow, I requested 70# ground. Soooo jealous! I have yet to find a GF beef supplier around here. I will look through my recipe stash... Hope you find some yummy keepers!

[hellokitty]

I am salad-organizing today. Washing, cutting and drying veggie salad toppings and putting them into wide mouth canning jars today. My kids' 2 hr delay ended up being a snow day. So, if I can get this one task done today, I will be happy. I'll try to post a pic when I'm finished.

[SASM]

I am salad-organizing today. Washing, cutting and drying veggie salad toppings and putting them into wide mouth canning jars today. My kids' 2 hr delay ended up being a snow day. So, if I can get this one task done today, I will be happy. I'll try to post a pic when I'm finished.

That's a great idea! Are the boys helping you prep too?

[essnce629]

Latia,
I am just going to say that I am JEALOUS!!! Opportunities for yoga, studio work (jump into a different class!), a new gym, and hula!!! Soooo jealous!!!!

Yeah, too bad I just never GO!!!! I would rather take a nap than work out!