OK boys and girls, we have completed week ONE, with just three more (and beyond) to go. I want to know how you’re doing – lets get some chatter on the comments below. Also, please email me your scores from the first week, I want to post them tomorrow so everyone can see how everybody else is doing. Just send me you total points for Monday through Sunday.
The first topic I want to talk about is breakfast – the most important meal of the day (or something like that). I know a lot of people struggle here because many of their go-to breakfast meals are gluten based, i.e. cereal, granola, oatmeal, breakfast sandwich, toast, etc… This is because they are readily available and cheap breakfast options. No one ever said that this was the cheapest way to live but keeping your car running optimally is not about the cheapest option either. Funny enough, you will have an easier time convincing people to “scale” breakfast than servicing their vehicles. That’s a whole other post all together.
Here are two important tips to help you out with breakfast and hopefully make you more successful in the morning. First get it out of your head that certain things can and can’t be consumed in the morning. When cooking dinner, especially for something more complex, don’t be afraid to make too make. Leftovers are great to eat for breakfast. There is no golden rule that says you can’t eat a piece of steak or chicken for breakfast with some vegetables. “Golden Rules” are generally far from golden by the way.
Second, if you are cooking eggs, try to experiment with the order of operations. By that I mean cook whatever you are putting in your eggs first, and then add your eggs. The incredible edible egg absorbs the flavor of the other ingredients when added together before cooking. If you start cooking the eggs first and then always add something afterwards you are always left with eggs and what you cooked. If you add a raw egg to something, you very rarely taste the actual egg. Think about when you add an egg to baking goods, you never actually taste the egg as it merges with the other ingredients when mixed before cooking. For example, try frying some vegetables and avocado (or guacamole) in the pan first with some spices, and then add your eggs while it is still in a stew like form. You’ll be surprised how much it does not taste like an omelet. Give it a try and let me know how it goes.
Today’s Nutrition Questions:
What has been the hardest part for you so far? What do you miss the most? What’s the first thing you think you will NEED to have once this is over? I ask you this because I will be curious to see if it’s something you crave 3 weeks from now. You may be surprised, your pallet may mature by then.
Post your answer to comments below.
Hi! I’m somewhat enjoying the challenge. I’ve found some good websites and recipes and I’ve been paying so much more attention to what I’m eating and that’s what I was hoping to do! For breakfast I’ve either been making spinach and mushroom (and zucchini when on hand) omelettes or an apple with almond butter if I’m in a hurry. Last night I made an egg casserole with sweet potato, chorizo and onion that is fantastic and I have plenty of leftovers (recipe: http://www.health-bent.com/pork/paleo-breakfast-casserole) minus the optional cheese, of course. I’m most craving salty crunchy snacks like pretzels, chips, etc and cheese, but have found that I’m not really missing the cheese I used to put in my eggs. The weekend was tough because I was at a “girl’s weekend’ with my college friends. Totally fell off the wagon, but should be good from here out! Looking forward to everyone elses responses
**Oh, random question…vanilla extract is okay right? Its extracted with alcohol, that’s why I’m asking…(no, I’m not drinking it for the alcohol, just wanting to put it in my coffee for flavor…)
Kate B,
Regarding vanilla extract, I have seen mixed information arguing whether or not it is technically “paleo” but my conclusion is that it is totally acceptable. Both vanilla extract and cinnamon are great additions to your coffee for those of you who are looking to spruce it up a bit. You can read more about vanilla and cinnamon below
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/health-benefits-cinnamon/#axzz1jqBf7U7c
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/dear-mark-carob-psyllium-chia-seeds-and-vanilla/#axzz1jqBf7U7c
Also, as we have discussed this morning, Health Bent is a fantastic recipe website. Here a few more of my favorites
http://www.primal-palate.com/
http://everydaypaleo.com/
http://paleomg.com/
http://nomnompaleo.com/
For the record, when this challenge is over I will be looking forward to digging into some Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The flavor is still TBD.
I think the new recipes definitely help! otherwise I woudl be eating very boring meals for 30 days. I added guac on my eggs this weekend – it was great! I miss home made cookies, but that might be because i ate so many over the holidays! also sadly miss diet coke, but have been trying to stop drinking it so this is a good thing!
PS forgot to add my scores so far – so at seven days in was 56 points
i think i can, i think i can
I can honestly say, I’ve cooked more this week than i have in two years…and it hasn’t been that bad. Lots of experimenting…
I have a total of 56 points crom 1/9-1/15.
I have used my stove more in the last 3 weeks than I have in the last 6 years in my apt. Just sayin.
week 1 53pts
Leah, I have also cooked more the past 2 weeks than I have in at least 2 years! And bought more groceries than I have been buy too! My points so far (from 1/9-1/15) are 46 (I blew it on Saturday! But I’m still fighting the good fight!)
50 points for week 1.