Chocolate Avocado Pudding

That time I made pudding out of avocados.

Please save your judgement.

I'd tried a similar version before so when I came across this recipe and knew I had dates needing to be used, it was a no-brainer. Plus, I like healthy non-traditional recipes. And I got to use my nifty high-powered food processor which is always fun!

We had some interesting conversations around it for sure.

"Kati, WHAT is in this cup in here?"

"It's dates I have soaking for a recipe."

*****

Then after I'd made the pudding, Ryan asked:

"Do we have any avocados?"

"No, because I used them in the pudding."

"Oh, NO. I am not eating pudding with avocados."

Wimp. :>

I thought it was yummy and I would totally make it again. You could even add some honey or maple syrup to amp up the sweetness but I enjoyed it as is.

Smooth. Creamy. Chocolaty. And loaded with healthy fat. Try it. You might surprise yourself.

Recipe here.

Post-Whole 30 ~ Wrap Up

Who's tired of me saying "Whole 30?" It's OK. You can admit it. =) I wanted to wrap up my January challenge with some things I learned, the good and bad that is the Whole 30, and where I plan to go from here. You can read my day-to-day recap of the entire month here.

Lessons Learned ~

1. Variety is a must! You will probably not get through the Whole 30 if you don't build some variety into your meals/snacks. It's KEY to avoiding food boredom and I had fun trying new recipes like Comfort Noodles, Homemade Paleo Mayo, and Slow Cooker Italian Pork Roast.
2. Carbs are good. Every one's make-up is different but I find that I need ample carbs. Some people - and guys more than girls - do alright with a lower amount of carbs but I definitely had to make an extra effort to ensure I ate enough carbohydrates each day. Sweet potatoes, white potatoes, and fruit.
3. Keep it simple. This doesn't necessarily go against #1. You can keep meals simple AND have variety. By the time I got home from work I didn't always have the energy (OK, I usually don't) to prepare an elaborate meal. Think > meat. veggies. fat. carbs. So...chicken, broccoli, both cooked in coconut oil or ghee + some sweet potato fries. Done. I always tried to think one meal ahead and honestly you often have to take it that slow. What am I eating for lunch? Which meat, veggie, fat, and carb?
4. Rx Bars and Primal Pacs are your on-the-go friends. I'm really glad I ordered a set of each for at-work snacking, errands, and around workouts.
5. Sign up for the Whole 30 Daily! You can read all about it here. I'm really glad I did this. It was an easy way to recommit each day and learn more about what was happening on the inside, as well as tips and encouragement for the long haul.

The Good/The Bad ~ 

1. My blood sugar, moods, and energy regulated. No, I didn't test for this but I could feel it. After a few days, you notice the sugar/carb crashes are mysteriously absent and you don't feel like you're going to wither away if you don't eat every two hours. I was less cranky and had less PMS. I felt more level.
2. I proved to myself that I don't need something sugary every day or after meals. That habit forms so quickly but by the end of the challenge, you realize that dried apricots, dates, or a smoothie are a great healthy substitute for uh...kettle corn.
3. I ate more vegetables. Veggies are a huge part of the program and Paleo/whole foods eating in general. And there are so many to choose from! I grew quite fond of zucchini, either spiralized or sauteed.
4. I realized just how many foods contain added sugar. Deli meats, dried fruit, spaghetti sauce. It's in everything!

• I missed the variety of carbs. I love a good sweet potato just as much as the next gal but being gluten free, my carbs are already limited. That's mostly because I don't do a lot of gluten free bread or pasta to begin with. I would occasionally have rice or quinoa but neither of those is allowed on Whole 30. Potatoes - even prepared a variety of ways, got old after a while. And I'm not a huge butternut squash fan. :-0
• I ate the same meals over and over, but in different ways. Again, this is just the nature of eliminating processed foods. You eat meat, veggies, fruits, and fat and mix them up to create variety but in some ways are on repeat. My staples were eggs, chicken, bananas, almond butter, potatoes, coconut oil, etc.

*Slip-Ups ~ The Whole 30 is pretty strict regarding program compliance. You can DO this, they say. No slip-ups, no cheating. In fact, there's an entire Q/A column about "If I eat xyz food, do I have to start over?" That being said, they also advise common sense and remind you as a participant that you are an adult. You get to decide if you should truly start over or if you're fine to carry on. I was pretty proud of myself as far as the rules go. I did eat out a couple of times and stuck to the meat, veggie, potato rule (no butter!) but at one restaurant did go with a Greek dressing on the side for my salad that contained who knows what. I thought it was a better choice than a sugar honey mustard though. I know one burger was cooked in veggie oil but I skipped the fries and made my own potatoes one night. I also didn't do the whole smoothie thing until the very last few days when I had a hankering for something sweet at night. All this to say that 30 days is a long time. It's hard to be 100% on point with every choice but I'd say I was about 99% there!

Where I Go From Here ~ 

It's been less than a week since my Whole 30 ended. 5 days to be exact. Since that time I've definitely eaten off-plan. I did not follow the recommendation to use the Hartwig's "re-introduction schedule" for new foods and I'm OK with that. I've eaten:

• a chocolate cupcake Luna bar
• honestade tea
• tortilla chips
• white rice
• gluten-free cinnamon raisin bread
• peanut butter
• honey

And a few other things. I've also spent at least two of those days feeling super tired and lethargic. Call it the new foods or just a coincidence but it has truly made me think about how I want to move forward. Which off-plan foods are worth it for me personally and which make me feel like crap? And is feeling yuck worth it? Maybe sometimes?

This is one of the benefits to completing a Whole 30. It shows you - literally your body speaks to you - about how certain foods affect YOU. PERSONALLY. Fascinating and enlightening. I don't think the Luna bars will stick around. :) And probably not the white rice. I just don't think it works for me. Plus, with my MTHFR diagnoses, I cut out anything fortified with folic acid. Both of those foods contain it. Peanut butter is eschewed while eating Paleo in favor of almond butter and while I found an almond butter I half-way enjoyed, OMG. I bought some Organic natural PB yesterday for a recipe and I'd forgotten how good it tastes.

My plan is to continue eating within a Whole 30/Paleo template because that is how I feel best.

I don't eat this like this to look a certain way or to see a certain number on the scale, although those are often side benefits. Food is about health to me and when I eat good, I feel good. When I feel good, I can DO a lot more. I can be a better wife and mom and have the confidence I need to live out God's plan for me. I still enjoy treats and will eat some whenever I want. I'm excited to move forward and put to use the knowledge I've gained this past month throughout the year and beyond.

Fuel for the Fire

Man I love this. I'm getting fired up tonight. Jazzed. Feeling a spark of life come back. Feeling that there's work to do and I might just be the one called to do it. Thinking that maybe - just maybe - my interests, passions, and dare I say calling may be God-given and there for a reason. 

I read another chapter in Unstoppable last night and I want to write a post about just that but it was so good. It's the kind of chapter you read the whole way through with that knot in your throat. The kind of knot that appears when you want to cry but don't. When you know that what you're hearing is true and you know it in your gut. When someone is speaking the truth and reminding you that giving up / dropping out is not an option. And definitely not recommended.

Honestly, I'm tired. I'm tired of people not caring. I'm tired of the vast majority of people seeing zero connection between their health and what they shove into their mouth on a daily basis.

Autoimmune diseases, food allergies, compromised gut health, diabetes, sleep disorders, mood disorders, depression, anxiety, arthritis.

There's a connection here and I promise lasting relief is not the latest prescription drug being offered on the TV commercial you just watched, with it's cargo train of side effects.

It's called FOOD. Real food that we were designed to eat. Adequate, restorative sleep. Exercise. Moving your body. Laughter. Stress Relief. Homeopathic, natural remedies. Essential Oils.

My passion is health. How can we possibly live up to our full potential and be all God has called us to be when we're held back by illnesses that attack our body and zap our strength? As I wrap up my first official "Whole 30" I  believe in the power of what we do - and do not eat - so much that it's lit a new fire in my bones.

Perfectionism is not the goal. Health is. Not perfect health. But optimal health. Attainable health. I want to spread this message. I want to do what I can, with what I can, now. And I will.

You Might Be Doing a Whole30 If...

You use a quarter of a large Hass avocado and store the rest loosely in a paper towel in the work fridge. You forget to take it home but think, it's cool. I'll use it tomorrow on my Chipotle! #toomuchhealthyfattowaste

Grapes taste like candy.

Around day 15, you start wondering which foods you'll indulge in after it's over and then think, eh, probably nothing too crazy.

Eggs. #becauseeggs

You get excited. Yes, EXCITED when you successfully whip up a bowl of Paleo / Approved Whole 30 mayo. And you take pictures of it.

You put the mayo on pork chops because you're tired of eating pork chops.

It's a good day because you found Tuna without soy.

You consider eating Chipotle every day for lunch from Day 15 on because it makes you feel more... normal. Then you think, yeah, but I could MAKE THIS so much cheaper.

Dried Mango tastes like candy.

Dishes. Always.

You pay $12.99 for Justin's almond butter then shudder to think what your mother would say.

You wonder how you'll get through the next two weeks but by now it's a pride thing and there's no way you're quitting.

Comfort Food ~ Whole 30 Style

I've decided that part of the fun *yes I said fun* of doing a Whole 30 is trying new recipes. New veggies. New combinations. New flavors!

I stumbled across an article by Melissa Joulwan of "The Clothes Make The Girl" listing her most popular recipes of 2014. Intrigued, I scanned it Sunday morning and was immediately drawn to one called Comfort Noodles. I mean, who doesn't love comfort food? Plus I was 12 hours into a major pouting session over some disappointing news. I had all the ingredients and got right to work.

I PROMISE you need to try this recipe! It was so, SO, good. Like, licked the bowl good. Do yourself a favor and go buy a spiralizer (or veggie peeler), zucchini, and almond flour (you should already have the rest) and whip this up. Make extra.

Recipe here:

my first time making "zoodles!"

mmm, garlic.

runny eggs.

scrumptious.

told ya.

I only had 1 zucchini and 2 eggs, so that's what I worked with. I will definitely make the full recipe next time. I totally felt like I was eating some rich, creamy pasta dish with salty bread crumbs. Which sounds weird - but oh so yum.

I can't wait to try more of Melissa's recipes. Like Mayo!

Whole 30

I'm thinking about doing a Whole 30 in January. What is a "Whole 30" you might ask? Good question. The Whole 30 is a program developed by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig who say,

Think of it as a short-term nutritional reset, designed to help you put an end to unhealthy cravings and habits, restore a healthy metabolism, heal your digestive tract, and balance your immune system.

For 30 days, program participants adhere to a squeaky-clean Paleo diet consisting of meat, seafood, vegetables, fruit, and healthy fats, all while ditching sugar, grains, dairy, and legumes. No cheating, no slip-ups. And if there are, you start over. Sound harsh? It is.

What's the point? Why do a Whole 30? The Hartwig's postulate that until you remove the most offensive and inflammatory foods from your diet (think wheat and sugar), it's impossible to pinpoint which foods might be contributing to issues such as joint pain, heartburn, or infertility.

*****

I did an "Eat Real" challenge a few years ago with a local Crossfit gym and my former co-worker. The goal then was 33 days and I made it to day 27. Ryan had emergency spleen surgery #2 and I got sick with a hellacious bug which meant I downed ginger ale, crackers and stress-ate the most ridiculous cookie dough brownies I've ever seen. But. I did make it 27 days! 

The Whole 30 rules are slightly more strict. No added sugar in any of your meats (no grocery store bacon.) No butter - unless it's clarified, or you can use ghee. No "paleo-ifying" desserts even with approved ingredients. No almond flour & date cookies. No egg and banana pancakes. SWYPO is what they call that - I'll let you Google - and it's not allowed. 

So why am I planning to do this? Defining your WHY is always important. I have three reasons.

1. I need a re-set. I eat gluten free 100% of the time but that doesn't mean I don't indulge in sugar or other processed gluten-free foods (cough, cough, AHEM kettle corn) whenever I feel like it. I want a fresh start to a new year and I believe the Whole 30 will help. I also recently finished two months' worth of fertility drugs. No telling how those affected my hormone levels and other body systems.
2. I like sugar too much. Whether it's PMS or just wanting something sweet after meals, it's definitely become a habit and not a great one. Our bodies aren't designed to need chocolate after meals. Or ice cream. That's a learned behavior and craving. I went 27 days without any added refined sugars and I know I can do it again. I hope. :-0  #imightdie
3. I'm still looking for any contributing factors to our fertility issues. While doing some Internet research a while back, I read where one girl quoted her new specialist/naturopathic physician as saying, "Once you remove inflammatory foods like gluten and dairy, your body can focus on what it's supposed to do - creating and keeping a pregnancy." Something like that. And while I'm not naive enough to think that a Whole 30 is going to give me a baby, I still want to try everything in my power to get there. Above and beyond that though, I want to feel good. I want my hormones to function like they should. I want to sleep well every night. I want to identify whether or not I might have some autoimmune issues going on.

I haven't determined my start date yet. Right now it's looking like January 5th. I'm excited. And seriously already talking myself out of it. It's so hard and I only know that because I REMEMBER SITTING ON THE COUCH CRYING the first week of "Eat Real." I don't know if it's better to know what you're getting into or not but either way, I think it will be good. 

If you'd like to join me or just want more information, start here! I'd love to have some company and moral support. I'm hoping to use the next week or so to prepare, hunt down recipes, and meal plan. 2015...it'll be here before you know it!

The best banana bread you'll ever eat

I'm kind-of in a funk after work today but I'm going to press on and not talk about how much I love working in a room full of all women share this awesome recipe with you.

 

Before I do though, do you ever feel stuck?  For a reason?  This is where I'm at.  It has come up many times over the past few years and yet I'm still here.  I'll think, is this really where I'm supposed to be?  I feel like this is where God has me because when I've tried to change the situation, it doesn't work.  I wind up exactly where I'm at, even when it's not my passion.  Even though I'm not the best at it.  Just thinking out loud. 

 

On to the bread.  I've been meaning to post this recipe for forever but just haven't.  I wish I could take credit for it!  It. is. so. good.  AND IT'S HEALTHY!  For real.  Not like "Pinterest-this-is-only-100-calories-healthy" but actually healthy.  Everything inside is good for you.

 

I wish I had better pictures :-/  In fact, these pics are from when I added pumpkin instead of all banana.  That's why it's orange-y.  Either way is delish. 

 Here is the original recipe!

And here are some specifics I used~

 

1/8 c. less flour

3 T. butter & 4 T. oil

1 1/2 t. cinnamon

3 super ripe bananas

5 T. honey

*I skipped the stevia

You really can't mess this up too much by playing around with amounts.  And the coconut flour I used is this one.  I need to order more because we're out!  Very affordable and I made quite a few loaves from the can.

It is super moist, naturally sweet, and SO, STINKING, GOOD.  Yum.  Enjoy!

 

Speaking of healthy...would someone make these for me please?  ;-)

 

 

Almond Flour Recipes

My sweet friend and Ryan's cousin Nicole asked me to share the almond flour recipes I've been using lately.  While on the official "Whole 30," you're not allowed to Paleo-fy bread or dessert like foods but since I'm not doing one right now, I've been enjoying experimenting a little.  Karlyn likes having a muffin and I know I'm giving her a much better treat than your typical bakery style processed sugar bomb.

I hope you enjoy these as well!  The almonds I buy are slivered and come in a 2 lb. bag from Costco.  I then grind them up in my Vitamix blender using the dry container.  That thing is super powerful so it works.  I may still have a few almond pieces that aren't completely powder fine but I'm ok with that and it gives it some texture.  :-)

The first recipe was given to me by a friend and I'm not sure where she originally sourced it. 

Pumpkin Almond Flour Muffins

1 1/2 C almond flour/meal (or grind up almonds)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup pumpkin
1 mashed banana
2 tbsp. unsweetened applesauce
4 tsp. cinnamon
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Optional:
1 cup (or more dried fruit)
2 tbsp. shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Grease muffin pan with olive oil.

Mix all ingredients (by hand), stir in dried fruit. Divide into muffin pan - makes 12 large. Bake at 375 for 19-20 minutes. Store in the fridge to last longer.

*For these, I finally got wise and started using baking cups.  Cleaning out my muffin pan was becoming torturous!  I also used 3-4 T. of applesauce and for the optional ingredients used:

1/4 cup chopped dates

1/4 cup raisins

1 small chopped apple - I leave the skin on but you could peel it

The second recipe I found on FastPaleo.com using my app.  You can see it here.  I thought this was really yummy and was a bit easier using an 8x8 pan as opposed to a muffin tin.  I used large medjool dates from Coscto and unsweetened applesauce from Walmart or Target.  I didn't soak my dates because the app version didn't mention it but that will help! 

Since Almond flour has a different texture than regular flour, I found it a little trickier to measure but just do the best you can.  Don't pack it in as tight as you can but also don't loosely measure like you might with flour.  I sort of in-betweened it. :>  The batter is supposed to be thick the recipe says, so I added a bit more flour once my ingredients were mixed up.  I don't think the recipes had a strong almond taste so don't be scared of that if you're not an almond lover.  They are naturally sweet and give you that bready taste you might be craving.  I'll probably also add chopped apple to this one next time.

Enjoy!  Let me know if you make these!

"Off Paleo?"

A recent conversation…

Them: "Oh, are you off the Paleo now?"

Me: "Um, no."

Them: "Oh, is that Paleo?"

Me: "Um, well I'm not going to eat the bread."

Them: "Isn't that chicken breaded?"

Me: "Well...it's meat. And I figured I'd have this instead of a cinnamon roll."

:-0

Here's the thing, if you'll allow me a few minutes. People want a name. And rules. Especially when it comes to food or diets, they want a list. Do's. Do not's. Do not ever's. Ever!

At least, ya know. While you're "on the diet." Deep breath.

Google "Paleo Diet" and you'll come up with a lot. I promise. Google clean eating. Unprocessed foods. Gluten free. It's all out there.

You know what you won't find? The stop eating so much junk so your body can heal and function at an optimal level diet.

Another one.

Me: As I eat my bacon burger - bunless - and some fries, at a backwoods little diner.

Them: "I noticed you aren't eating your bread. Don't tell me you're going on that gluten free fad..."

Me: "Um...well..." I kind of mumbled something I don't even remember.

Them: "Yeah, I mean, some people might have sensitivities to gluten. Oh, yes, I'll have a diet coke please!"

Again.  Really?

I mean, I can see how pouring multiple glasses of liquid chemicals down your throat is not fad-like at all compared to passing on a white, enriched bun that is totally and completely void of any nutrition whatsoever.

I digress.

I'm not trying to insult here. It's just a little crazy. I'm not saying boundaries aren't in order. That's why the Whole 30 is such an amazing program that is changing people's lives! They themselves say, this isn't meant to be a whole 365. You're not going to eat perfectly every day or meal of your life. People are on different schedules (work, school), in different stages of life (newborns!), and are pursuing different goals (weight loss, weight gain, healing from any number of things).

I'm not trying to lose weight. I don't have celiac's disease. So yeah, I'm not gonna sweat eating a couple pieces of chic-fil-a chicken. I'm also not going to feel dumb-even though I did a bit-for ditching my bun as you enjoy your third diet can of coke for the day. 

Let's be intelligent here people. I'm not going "off paleo" any more than I "went on paleo." I'm trying to change my eating habits for the better. I'm working on reducing processed foods and cutting way back on sugar. I'm experimenting with new recipes and making myself like almond butter. :> I'm not on the paleo diet. I'm trying to eat whole foods that my body actually recognizes as food.

I have several reasons for doing this, some I haven't even shared. I may later. Hear me when I say I'm not trying to judge what you do or don't eat. Eat that piece of birthday cake. Enjoy your coke. If those are once in a great while things that you're choosing to indulge in because you like them, then enjoy the heck out of them! It's all about choosing. And knowing what those choices mean. And living with the outcomes. I certainly do not eat 100% whole unprocessed foods. This is life! But we only get one body.  I'm learning more every day. Up until last Fall, I thought I was doing good by eating my oatmeal for breakfast, a whole wheat sandwich for lunch, and Annie's Mac 'n' Cheese with dinner. Talk about a grain fest! This is a passion of mine and food is a broad and deep subject for many, with lots of underlying emotions and issues.

Do you have thoughts/comments/questions?

I have more to say. =)

Kid Tested, Mommy Approved

What makes a successful Paleo dinner at our house?  Short prep time and "Yummy!" coming from my toddler's mouth. 

I wanted something new for dinner Saturday night.  I was searching through my super handy "Fast Paleo" app (full site here) and came across:

Beefy Mexi "Cauli" Rice

Recipe Here

I bought the ingredients we needed and got to work.

Try it!  The cauliflower took NO time to cook and it doesn't even taste like cauliflower once the dish is done.  (If you don't like that taste) :>

I'm excited to use my new "rice" with other ingredients.  Ryan wasn't home for dinner so Karlyn and I ate this up ourselves.  I had leftovers yesterday and today too!  I added salsa to the skillet and also used a full pound of ground turkey.

Eat up!

Apple Cinnamon Love

This is delicious.  It's my go-to paleo "dessert." 

Cinnamon-y.  Caramel-y.  Drenched in coconut-y wonderfulness. 

Dig in.

RECIPE HERE!

*You can even let them cook a little longer and get a bit charred.  Mmmmm.  Karlyn ate this up last night with some turkey burger.  :-)

You eat what?

Meat. Veggies. Fruit. Healthy Fats.

It's a challenge at times and I'm nowhere near perfect.  But I'm trying!

Blueberry Banana Popsicles

I. Am. So. Sore.  I'm not sure if I lifted the weights yesterday or banged them against my legs.  Ouch-ie.  But in a good way.

This morning was my first real day of training for my new tasks at work.  I think it's going to be great!  It should be a perfect fit for my part time hours.

Now let's move on to the good stuff.  I made popsicles.

I found these cuties at Walgreens on clearance for $1.50.  Um, we only saved $0.50 but whatever.  I have been wanting to get something like this and may look for some larger sturdier ones but these will work for now :>

In the mix:

*2 bananas

*1/4-1/3 cup frozen blueberries

*1/3 cup full fat coconut milk (canned)

*capful of vanilla

blend!

This my child resisting having her picture taken. 

This is my child giving in. 

Ha ha.  There was leftover smoothie so we sampled.

Later, we tried them.  Pretty good!  I had one last night while I watched the show a show.  One of us tried it and didn't love it.  I think it's the cold factor.  Because clearly it's yummy.

 

I want to experiment more.  Do you have popsicle molds that you LOVE?  Tell me!  Any great recipes??