Class: coffee
Breakfast: carrot latkes, chicken breast, mayo, small piece of avocado, lemon tea.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Day 7
Pre-Breakfast: lemon tea
Breakfast: paleo mocha, 2 small arepas, 2 scrambled eggs, 1/2 a chicken breast, and some guacamole. Yum!
Snack: paleo mocha
Lunch: mexican thing (pork, tomatoes, onions, peppers, cheese)
Pudding: helado de paila (coconut and blackberry)
Snack: cocoa with coconut milk.
So... sugar and dairy. And corn. Balls.
Breakfast: paleo mocha, 2 small arepas, 2 scrambled eggs, 1/2 a chicken breast, and some guacamole. Yum!
Snack: paleo mocha
Lunch: mexican thing (pork, tomatoes, onions, peppers, cheese)
Pudding: helado de paila (coconut and blackberry)
Snack: cocoa with coconut milk.
So... sugar and dairy. And corn. Balls.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Day 6
Breakfast: 2 arepas, 3 huevos pericos, 'mocha' (coffee with cocoa and a large tsp of coconut cream)
No - arepas are not primal/paleo/whole 30. However, this is my entire life - my intention is to never go back to eating rubbish on a daily (hourly?) basis. I think as a treat - a maximum of once a week - a couple of arepas are not going to affect me that badly. Let's see how bad my sugar cravings are this afternoon....
Lunch: Tuna, mayo, and broccoli with a little bit of tomato thrown in. The broccol/tomato mix was sprinkled with sesame oil and seeds. Peach tea x 2.
Dinner: Pollo! With a natural lemonade.
Post-dinner: 2 coronas and some salsa dancing :D
No - arepas are not primal/paleo/whole 30. However, this is my entire life - my intention is to never go back to eating rubbish on a daily (hourly?) basis. I think as a treat - a maximum of once a week - a couple of arepas are not going to affect me that badly. Let's see how bad my sugar cravings are this afternoon....
Lunch: Tuna, mayo, and broccoli with a little bit of tomato thrown in. The broccol/tomato mix was sprinkled with sesame oil and seeds. Peach tea x 2.
Dinner: Pollo! With a natural lemonade.
Post-dinner: 2 coronas and some salsa dancing :D
Friday, October 5, 2012
Day 5
Class: water
Breakfast: coffee with coconut cream, carrot latkes, chicken breast, mayo.
Snack: peach tea
Lunch: mince, pericos, tomato puree, broccoli
Snack: cocoa with a spoon of coconut cream
Breakfast: coffee with coconut cream, carrot latkes, chicken breast, mayo.
Snack: peach tea
Lunch: mince, pericos, tomato puree, broccoli
Snack: cocoa with a spoon of coconut cream
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Day 4
Pre-breakfast: peach tea
Breakfast: coffee with 1 tsp of coconut cream, fridge scramble (mince, broccoli, pericos, 2 eggs + 2 leftover egg whites)
Snack: a handfull of macadamia nuts (Still surprised just how yummy they are everytime I eat them!)
Lunch: Pollo and a bit of plantain. Peach tea (caffeine after 12 o'clock! Hmm... we'll see)
Dinner (about 9pm): pollo, carrot chips, mayo. Blue tea.
Breakfast: coffee with 1 tsp of coconut cream, fridge scramble (mince, broccoli, pericos, 2 eggs + 2 leftover egg whites)
Snack: a handfull of macadamia nuts (Still surprised just how yummy they are everytime I eat them!)
Lunch: Pollo and a bit of plantain. Peach tea (caffeine after 12 o'clock! Hmm... we'll see)
Dinner (about 9pm): pollo, carrot chips, mayo. Blue tea.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Day 3
Still obsessed with chocolate. Had a near miss in the supermarket this morning - strawberries! Chocolate! Nutella! Peanut butter!
Class: coffee
Breakfast: "Fridge scramble" - broccoli, pericos, minced beef, eggs, chilli powder. Peach tea.
Snack: 2 tbs of macadamia nuts
Lunch: steak, mayo, sauteed pinach, fried tomato, fried plantain.
Snack (pre class!) small steak and mayo.
Nothing after tkd!
Class: coffee
Breakfast: "Fridge scramble" - broccoli, pericos, minced beef, eggs, chilli powder. Peach tea.
Snack: 2 tbs of macadamia nuts
Lunch: steak, mayo, sauteed pinach, fried tomato, fried plantain.
Snack (pre class!) small steak and mayo.
Nothing after tkd!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Day 2
Class: coffee
Breakfast: Carrot latkes, mayo, pork, lemon tea
Snack: square of cocoa, green tea
Snack: 2 fried eggs and mayo in lettuce wraps (lots of spices)
Lunch: steak, fried tomato, sauteed spinach, fried plantain.
Snack: cocoa (drink) with coconut bits.
I'm really quite desperate for chocolate at the moment.... The cocoa has tempered it slightly, but I'm still considering popping out to the shops, or making an arepa, or just eating in general really. Is it hunger or just a craving? I really don't know...
Another snack: 2 fried eggs with pericos. Then I started knitting and watching documentaries and managed to forget about food.
I don't think I slept well last night, so much as I fell unconscious when my head hit the pillow... an improvement?
Breakfast: Carrot latkes, mayo, pork, lemon tea
Snack: square of cocoa, green tea
Snack: 2 fried eggs and mayo in lettuce wraps (lots of spices)
Lunch: steak, fried tomato, sauteed spinach, fried plantain.
Snack: cocoa (drink) with coconut bits.
I'm really quite desperate for chocolate at the moment.... The cocoa has tempered it slightly, but I'm still considering popping out to the shops, or making an arepa, or just eating in general really. Is it hunger or just a craving? I really don't know...
Another snack: 2 fried eggs with pericos. Then I started knitting and watching documentaries and managed to forget about food.
I don't think I slept well last night, so much as I fell unconscious when my head hit the pillow... an improvement?
Monday, October 1, 2012
Day 1
In the time since I finished my whole 30, I've become addicted (quite possibly literally) to sugar again: Jumbo chocolate bars, arepas, queso y bocadillo, fruit.... No fruit itself isn't unhealthy, but as a crutch it is. If you can't sleep because you're craving something sweet and you eat fruit, only to find that you then can't sleep because you're on a sugar high, there's a problem.
This time around I'm going to be stricter - no pretend pancakes, no fruit except in emergency situations (ie, stuck outside the house and the alternative is being hangry or eating grain based foods), only one cup of coffee a day, reasonable portion sizes in reasonable proportions, no eating late at night.
So, let's go!
Breakfast: green tea, carrot latkes (egg whites only - the yolks were for the) homemade mayonnaise, and leftover grilled chicken.
Snack: black tea with lemon, 2 squares of cocoa (no, not chocolate).
Lunch: pulled pork (2 portions), mayo, lettuce wraps, coca tea.
Dinner: huevos pericos (3), mayo, lettuce wraps. Pink tea.
Post tkd: It's really difficult not to munch! However I settled for a lot of water, and a cup of cocoa with a spoonful of desiccated coconut in it. It was nice!
I really must go to sleep now...
Lunch: pulled pork (2 portions), mayo, lettuce wraps, coca tea.
Dinner: huevos pericos (3), mayo, lettuce wraps. Pink tea.
Post tkd: It's really difficult not to munch! However I settled for a lot of water, and a cup of cocoa with a spoonful of desiccated coconut in it. It was nice!
I really must go to sleep now...
Monday, September 24, 2012
Recipe: Banana Pancakes
Yuck! Bananas! :( Unless mixed with so much cinnamon that you can't taste them :D
Mash one (as ripe as possible) banana with an egg, as much cinnamon as you feel you need to mask the flavour, and as much coconut flour (or desiccated coconut) as necessary to make it pancake batter-y. No sugar necessary - promise! Fry in small pancakes slowly over a low heat (otherwise pancakes will be very difficult to turn over, and probably burn on the outside while still being raw and bananary on the inside).
Serve with cooked apple, and coconut cream if you've got it. Surprisingly delicious!
Mash one (as ripe as possible) banana with an egg, as much cinnamon as you feel you need to mask the flavour, and as much coconut flour (or desiccated coconut) as necessary to make it pancake batter-y. No sugar necessary - promise! Fry in small pancakes slowly over a low heat (otherwise pancakes will be very difficult to turn over, and probably burn on the outside while still being raw and bananary on the inside).
Serve with cooked apple, and coconut cream if you've got it. Surprisingly delicious!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Recipe: Spare Ribs
Brown 1kg of spare ribs in the pressure cooker. Add a cup of broth, a large tsp of mustard, and 4 or 5 peeled garlic cloves. Top up with enough water to just cover the ribs, and cook under pressure for 20 mins.
Based on the ingredients found here.
Based on the ingredients found here.
Recipe: Chili
In the pressure cooker brown about 1.5kg of cubed beef (I used the fat leftover from this). You'll probably have to do 2 or 3 batches!
Meanwhile, dice an onion, chop some garlic (5 small cloves), and roughly cut up a carrot. When the meat is brown on most sides, add all of this into the pot along with:
Cook for about an hour. Once cool enough to open, you might want to reduce the liquid - or add less to begin with?
I'm sure you could hide some extra vegetables in there if you wanted.
Inspired by Easy Peasy Paleo Chili and Pressure Cooker Chili Recipe.
Meanwhile, dice an onion, chop some garlic (5 small cloves), and roughly cut up a carrot. When the meat is brown on most sides, add all of this into the pot along with:
- a can of beer (if you can get to it before your boyfriend does)
- a can of chopped tomatoes
- a packet of tomato paste
- about a cup of beef stock
- as much chilli powder as you can handle (I forgot this, and added it at the end when I served. It was fine)
- as much water as necessary to cover the meat completely
Cook for about an hour. Once cool enough to open, you might want to reduce the liquid - or add less to begin with?
I'm sure you could hide some extra vegetables in there if you wanted.
Inspired by Easy Peasy Paleo Chili and Pressure Cooker Chili Recipe.
Recipe: What to do with TAIL
Yes, I said tail :D
In a pressure cooker, attempt to brown about 1kg of pieces of tail on all (meaty) sides. Add as much water as your pressure cooker (mine is 6l) can SAFELY hold, then lid and boil for about an hour.
Once it's cooled, strain the liquid - fantastic(ly delicious) bone broth! To be used in later recipes/as a warming drink. Leave it in the fridge for a while then scrape/scoop off the fat. There'll probably be a lot. I saved mine to cook with (best caramelised onions ever). What's left is wobbly like jelly! Awesome!
Separate the meat from the bones and any cartilage that didn't completely disintegrate. Use in soups, arepas, omelettes, lettuce wraps.... :)
Recomended: sauté some chopped onion, add the shredded meat and a chopped tomato. Cook until heated through/ the onions are done. I call this "beef pericos" (like the eggs) but I know that's wrong. Still yummy though :D
In a pressure cooker, attempt to brown about 1kg of pieces of tail on all (meaty) sides. Add as much water as your pressure cooker (mine is 6l) can SAFELY hold, then lid and boil for about an hour.
Separate the meat from the bones and any cartilage that didn't completely disintegrate. Use in soups, arepas, omelettes, lettuce wraps.... :)
Recomended: sauté some chopped onion, add the shredded meat and a chopped tomato. Cook until heated through/ the onions are done. I call this "beef pericos" (like the eggs) but I know that's wrong. Still yummy though :D
Shown here with (clockwise from the green thing): avocado, fried plantain, homemade mayo, homemade sauerkraut.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Recipe: Pulled Pork
Place rack into pressure cooker and fill with water to just above the rack.
Add 3lb (1.5kg) pork loin, cut into 1" thick slices.
Sprinkle generously with salt, the juice of two limes, and 4 small garlic cloves.
Fix the lid, bring the pressure up and cook for about 30-40 minutes.
Drain, shred and serve with:
Arepas and guacamole
Tortillas, sour cream, avocado and pico de gallo (chopped tomato and (preferably red) onion marinated in a little vinegar)
Lettuce cups and the above
Cauliflower rice
Zoodles (+ bbq sauce?)
This was the only picture I got before I ate it all :D (well, all 0.75 lb of 'my' portion anyway)
Add 3lb (1.5kg) pork loin, cut into 1" thick slices.
Sprinkle generously with salt, the juice of two limes, and 4 small garlic cloves.
Fix the lid, bring the pressure up and cook for about 30-40 minutes.
Drain, shred and serve with:
Arepas and guacamole
Tortillas, sour cream, avocado and pico de gallo (chopped tomato and (preferably red) onion marinated in a little vinegar)
Lettuce cups and the above
Cauliflower rice
Zoodles (+ bbq sauce?)
This was the only picture I got before I ate it all :D (well, all 0.75 lb of 'my' portion anyway)
Monday, August 27, 2012
Re-introduction: Dairy
As the arepas on Saturday were cleared, I thought I'd try another experiment. Trying three things out back to back is probably not the best idea though, so nothing else new until the weekend.
I had 4 (four! they were so good....) arepas with scrambled eggs, fried tomatoes, butter, and cheese (doble crema).
To be honest, I hadn't really missed cheese, butter or milk. They were a lot easier to cut out than I'd feared. It was just another hassle when eating out, but other than that I didn't mind not having them. Ice-cream though is a different story... As I was fine with the butter and cheese yesterday (there might have been a couple of new spots due to them, but they were small so as an occasional treat I don't mind) I now have renewed hope for Crepes & Waffles!
Verdict: Butter and cheese are ok sometimes. Further experimentation is "needed" for other types of cheese and, more importantly, ice-cream ;)
I had 4 (four! they were so good....) arepas with scrambled eggs, fried tomatoes, butter, and cheese (doble crema).
To be honest, I hadn't really missed cheese, butter or milk. They were a lot easier to cut out than I'd feared. It was just another hassle when eating out, but other than that I didn't mind not having them. Ice-cream though is a different story... As I was fine with the butter and cheese yesterday (there might have been a couple of new spots due to them, but they were small so as an occasional treat I don't mind) I now have renewed hope for Crepes & Waffles!
Verdict: Butter and cheese are ok sometimes. Further experimentation is "needed" for other types of cheese and, more importantly, ice-cream ;)
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Re-introduction: Arepas
Since I learnt how to make them, I've never gone more than a week without doing so, and since I came to Colombia I've been making them once or twice a week and buying them too! Sadly a lot of the street arepas have wheat flour in them, leading to the incident that started the Whole 30 off for me.
So, Saturday morning breakfast, finally, 2 arepas! With scrambled eggs and ham (have completely forgotten my Italian....).
Arepas tend to fill me up for quite a long time, despite being so high carb. They do make me feel literally full though... but as there were no other side effects noticed (skin ok, digestion ok....)
Verdict: OK! Woot! But as a sometimes food, not an everyday one.
I wonder if 'normal' corm will be ok? Grilled corn on the cob is a common street/park snack here...
So, Saturday morning breakfast, finally, 2 arepas! With scrambled eggs and ham (have completely forgotten my Italian....).
Arepas tend to fill me up for quite a long time, despite being so high carb. They do make me feel literally full though... but as there were no other side effects noticed (skin ok, digestion ok....)
Verdict: OK! Woot! But as a sometimes food, not an everyday one.
I wonder if 'normal' corm will be ok? Grilled corn on the cob is a common street/park snack here...
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Re-introduction: Tequila
As the champagne on Wednesday didn't cause any unexpected effects (or any effects really, it was a very small amount), I decided to try a NorCal Margherita. Very yummy! And no bad effects at all :D
Verdict: Alcohol is probably ok! Not going to try beer though... I don't think it's worth it. I'll stick to champagne, tequila, and possibly wine :D
Thursday, August 23, 2012
The end?
No, not even close!
I got weighed this morning at the office, and I was 65.3 (? I can't remember now...)kg! That's not what I had hoped or expected :( It is, however, that time of the month, so I'm simply not counting this result. I'll measure myself later today, but next Thursday is going to be my 'official weigh in and results day.' I've been eating ridiculous quantities over the last week, either because it tasted good or because I was craving something sweet and decided to eat something 'healthy' even though I wasn't actually hungry. I know I've missed off a few 'snacks' (ie, full sized meals) here, just because can't remember it all... So, trying not to be disheartened by the scales this morning, I do know why it went up (hormones + bending the rules), but it still sucks.
I got weighed this morning at the office, and I was 65.3 (? I can't remember now...)kg! That's not what I had hoped or expected :( It is, however, that time of the month, so I'm simply not counting this result. I'll measure myself later today, but next Thursday is going to be my 'official weigh in and results day.' I've been eating ridiculous quantities over the last week, either because it tasted good or because I was craving something sweet and decided to eat something 'healthy' even though I wasn't actually hungry. I know I've missed off a few 'snacks' (ie, full sized meals) here, just because can't remember it all... So, trying not to be disheartened by the scales this morning, I do know why it went up (hormones + bending the rules), but it still sucks.
Day 32
At TKD last night
It was el Profe's birthday, so there were sweets (no thanks, not worth it), cheesecake (not ready to experiment with dairy yet, and it may well have included flour which is a definite no-no) and champagne (yes please, but only about 3 tbs!). I thought champagne was a good way to 'break' the whole 30 :D Although I'm still carrying on with the numbering.
Breakfast
Small coffee at work.
Black tea with lemon.
Carrot, beetroot and onion latkes (making them in a food processor is not recommended, it was a much wetter mixture than usual), and small burgers. Mayo.
Snack
Beetroot and mayo, with a cup of chicken broth (wish it were the real thing instead of instant). I tried really hard not to do this :(
Lunch
Pollo, plantan, and a natural lemonade with no sugar.
I keep thinking of all the things I'm 'allowed' to eat now... chocolate, arepas, empanadas, cheese... I want to try a little of everything NOW! That would, of course, totally undermine everything I've been doing for the last month though. I've decided on arepas for breakfast of Saturday, so I've just got to hold out another day and a half before I try something 'new!'
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Day 31
Breakfast
Carrot latkes, beef and onion burgers, mayo. Chicken stock.
I've decided to carry on for another couple of days. On Thursdays one of my classes always weigh themselves so I'll have some scales handy. I don't want to undo all of the good eating over the past month today by eating something that, it turns out, doesn't agree with me, before I get a chance to see the results. I'm not optimistic about having lost weight though, although on average my skin is much better. The extra day or two will also give me time to plan which foods I'm going to try and in which order. Really nervous!
Snack
More carrot latkes, with peanut mayo sauce.
Lunch
Mince, tomato and onion. Salad, avocado, and a fried egg. Like a bandeja paisa without the ... well, without most of it really. But if you squint you can kind of see the resemblance :D
Dinner
Pork, lettuce, and peanut mayo sauce.
Carrot latkes, beef and onion burgers, mayo. Chicken stock.
I've decided to carry on for another couple of days. On Thursdays one of my classes always weigh themselves so I'll have some scales handy. I don't want to undo all of the good eating over the past month today by eating something that, it turns out, doesn't agree with me, before I get a chance to see the results. I'm not optimistic about having lost weight though, although on average my skin is much better. The extra day or two will also give me time to plan which foods I'm going to try and in which order. Really nervous!
Snack
More carrot latkes, with peanut mayo sauce.
Lunch
Mince, tomato and onion. Salad, avocado, and a fried egg. Like a bandeja paisa without the ... well, without most of it really. But if you squint you can kind of see the resemblance :D
Dinner
Pork, lettuce, and peanut mayo sauce.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Day 30 !!!!!!!
Breakfast
A cup of chicken stock/broth (from a powder)
2 scrambled eggs, a small piece of pork, a slice of avocado, and peanut sauce mixed with mayo. And a black coffee.
I'm not sure what to do tomorrow... I'm actually quite nervous! I'd like to continue a bit longer, to be healthy for as long as possible, but on the other hand I'm really curious to reintroduce certain foods and see how they affect me... But then again I feel like I just don't want to know if the answer is that they're noticeably bad for me! ...
Snack
Small steak, julienned carrot and cucumber, sesame oil and seeds.
Lunch
Tuna, mayo, fried tomato and avocado lettuce wraps.
Another snack
Small steak, julienned carrot and cucumber,, shredded lettuce sesame oil and seeds.
Dinner
Pork chop, lots of lettuce, mayo with added sesame oil.
Sesame oil = addictive....
A cup of chicken stock/broth (from a powder)
2 scrambled eggs, a small piece of pork, a slice of avocado, and peanut sauce mixed with mayo. And a black coffee.
I'm not sure what to do tomorrow... I'm actually quite nervous! I'd like to continue a bit longer, to be healthy for as long as possible, but on the other hand I'm really curious to reintroduce certain foods and see how they affect me... But then again I feel like I just don't want to know if the answer is that they're noticeably bad for me! ...
Snack
Small steak, julienned carrot and cucumber, sesame oil and seeds.
Lunch
Tuna, mayo, fried tomato and avocado lettuce wraps.
Another snack
Small steak, julienned carrot and cucumber,, shredded lettuce sesame oil and seeds.
Dinner
Pork chop, lots of lettuce, mayo with added sesame oil.
Sesame oil = addictive....
Monday, August 20, 2012
Recipe: Peanut Noodles
While I was growing up, and long past the time when I stopped growing, peanut noodles (from a book by Ken Hom, so used that it always fell open at the right 2 pages for this recipe) was a staple. When I realised that my gluten allergy/sensitivity meant I couldn't eat them anymore, I wasn't very happy at the idea of never eating this again. For some reason I went 2 or 3 years without realising I could put the sauce on something else... It's very strange how restricting my diet so much has really expanded the range of foods/dishes I eat/cook. I'm sure someone famous once said something about limits being good for creativity...?
Recipe:
Using a julienne peeler, shred a couple of courgettes (depending on size) and a carrot. Fry/sauté until they're cooked through and a few of the 'noodles' are becoming crispy (you could steam or boil them too, but I didn't want soggy noodles).
Meanwhile, mix 2 tbs of tahini (sesame paste - no peanuts on the Whole 30, and anyway all of the peanut butter I can find here contains sugar)
with 4 tbs of toasted sesame oil (its this not the peanutter that gives it the flavour anyway so you really won't miss it),
a pinch of chilli powder (careful with chilli sauces - they usually contain sugar too),
and salt and pepper.
I added a small splash of balsamic vinegar too.
Stir well and drizzle over noodles, vegetables, salads, meat... I'm going to try it on avocado next!
Recipe:
Using a julienne peeler, shred a couple of courgettes (depending on size) and a carrot. Fry/sauté until they're cooked through and a few of the 'noodles' are becoming crispy (you could steam or boil them too, but I didn't want soggy noodles).
Meanwhile, mix 2 tbs of tahini (sesame paste - no peanuts on the Whole 30, and anyway all of the peanut butter I can find here contains sugar)
with 4 tbs of toasted sesame oil (its this not the peanutter that gives it the flavour anyway so you really won't miss it),
a pinch of chilli powder (careful with chilli sauces - they usually contain sugar too),
and salt and pepper.
I added a small splash of balsamic vinegar too.
Stir well and drizzle over noodles, vegetables, salads, meat... I'm going to try it on avocado next!
Day 29
Only two more days to go!
Breakfast
Courgette/carrot latkes, and 'taco filling' (onion, garlic, minced beef, chilli powder, tomato puree). Black coffee.
Lunch
Pollo y platano
Dinner
Chicken, a fried egg with mayo in lettuce, and fried courgette slices. All topped with the super yummy 'peanut' sauce!
Breakfast
Courgette/carrot latkes, and 'taco filling' (onion, garlic, minced beef, chilli powder, tomato puree). Black coffee.
Lunch
Pollo y platano
Dinner
Chicken, a fried egg with mayo in lettuce, and fried courgette slices. All topped with the super yummy 'peanut' sauce!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Day 28
Breakfast
2 fried eggs, each sprinkled with curry powder and chilli powder, wrapped in lettuce with a bit of mayo. Black coffee.
Lunch
Pollo y plantain. Black coffee with cinnamon.
Snack
Pollo and mayo.
Dinner
Peanut Noodles!!!!!!! (recipe coming soon) with spinach and steak. I'd missed this soooooo much!!!!! :D :D :D
2 fried eggs, each sprinkled with curry powder and chilli powder, wrapped in lettuce with a bit of mayo. Black coffee.
Lunch
Pollo y plantain. Black coffee with cinnamon.
Snack
Pollo and mayo.
Dinner
Peanut Noodles!!!!!!! (recipe coming soon) with spinach and steak. I'd missed this soooooo much!!!!! :D :D :D
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Day 27
Breakfast
Omelette with onion, garlic, ground beef, tomato puree, a little mayo, chilli powder and spinach. Black coffee.
Lunch
Apple with tahini, hot chocolate with cinnamon.
Pork, fried carrot, sauerkraut, and 'coronation sauce' (mayo + curry powder - I'd been craving it). A very good combination actually!
Omelette with onion, garlic, ground beef, tomato puree, a little mayo, chilli powder and spinach. Black coffee.
Lunch
Apple with tahini, hot chocolate with cinnamon.
Pork, fried carrot, sauerkraut, and 'coronation sauce' (mayo + curry powder - I'd been craving it). A very good combination actually!
Dinner
2 chicken legs (in the cinema - expensive but miles better than popcorn and coke!)
Friday, August 17, 2012
Day 26
Breakfast
More pancakes and strawberries and (coconut) cream! Oops :D This time with a cooked nectarine as well (like sauteed, but with water not oil, and sprinkled with cinnamon).
I also had (instead of coffee, as I'd already had one at work, and instead of chai tea as I ran out yesterday) hot chocolate!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesomeness!!!! When I was eating the coconut cream yesterday I hadn't noticed that it had separated, so today I heated it up, added a square of cocoa, and enjoyed! It's good to know I can still have hot chocolate without the milk. Next time I make my own coconut milk I think it would be perfect for this as well :)
Lunch
Pollo and plantain :D
Dinner
Chicken, fried grated beetroot (I was going for crispy but it didn't work - still nice though) and mayo wrapped in lettuce.
Very proud that I didn't eat lots of snacks or extra meals today :)
More pancakes and strawberries and (coconut) cream! Oops :D This time with a cooked nectarine as well (like sauteed, but with water not oil, and sprinkled with cinnamon).
YUM
I also had (instead of coffee, as I'd already had one at work, and instead of chai tea as I ran out yesterday) hot chocolate!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesomeness!!!! When I was eating the coconut cream yesterday I hadn't noticed that it had separated, so today I heated it up, added a square of cocoa, and enjoyed! It's good to know I can still have hot chocolate without the milk. Next time I make my own coconut milk I think it would be perfect for this as well :)
Lunch
Pollo and plantain :D
Dinner
Chicken, fried grated beetroot (I was going for crispy but it didn't work - still nice though) and mayo wrapped in lettuce.
Very proud that I didn't eat lots of snacks or extra meals today :)
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Day 25
Breakfast
Small black coffee in class.
Chai tea, lots of strawberries, lots of coconut cream, coconut pancakes.
Yummmmmmm ^^
I'm going to try and make sure that the coffee this morning is my only coffee today.
Lunch
Woohoo! I helped a couple of students settle a bet (how to correctly pronounce Wembley Stadium) and the loser had to buy the class lunch - as judge I was invited too!
A huge steak, really yummy, with a pile of julienned vegetables next to it. Lots of sparkling water and ... a black coffee... Still, only two in a day is already cutting down!
Dinner
Lettuce wraps with minced beef, a bit of tomato puree, mayo, avocado, and beetroot chips on the side.
I really love eating :D
Small black coffee in class.
Chai tea, lots of strawberries, lots of coconut cream, coconut pancakes.
Yummmmmmm ^^
I'm going to try and make sure that the coffee this morning is my only coffee today.
Lunch
Woohoo! I helped a couple of students settle a bet (how to correctly pronounce Wembley Stadium) and the loser had to buy the class lunch - as judge I was invited too!
A huge steak, really yummy, with a pile of julienned vegetables next to it. Lots of sparkling water and ... a black coffee... Still, only two in a day is already cutting down!
Dinner
Lettuce wraps with minced beef, a bit of tomato puree, mayo, avocado, and beetroot chips on the side.
The ingredients ready to be wrapped
I really love eating :D
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Day 24
Breakfast:
Spaghetti! With spicy tomato and beef sauce. Ok, julienned courgette, not pasta. It was close enough though! Am very excited about this new discovery :D If I ever get my hands on some decent (ie, not smoked) bacon I'm going to make a carbonara!
Lunch:
Tuna, tomato, mayo and avocado wraps. I added tomato puree to the tuna/mayo mixture as I didn't have any 'real' tomatoes to fry.
Dinner:
Steak, sauerkraut, fried carrots, mayo.
I've realised that I'm drinking a lot of (black) coffee. This is surprising! I don't feel the roller coaster of highs and crashes that I get with sugar, but I don't want to replace one 'addiction' with another. Must try to cut down.
Spaghetti! With spicy tomato and beef sauce. Ok, julienned courgette, not pasta. It was close enough though! Am very excited about this new discovery :D If I ever get my hands on some decent (ie, not smoked) bacon I'm going to make a carbonara!
Lunch:
Tuna, tomato, mayo and avocado wraps. I added tomato puree to the tuna/mayo mixture as I didn't have any 'real' tomatoes to fry.
Steak, sauerkraut, fried carrots, mayo.
I've realised that I'm drinking a lot of (black) coffee. This is surprising! I don't feel the roller coaster of highs and crashes that I get with sugar, but I don't want to replace one 'addiction' with another. Must try to cut down.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Day 23
Breakfast
Black coffee, lettuce wraps made with onion, minced beef and tomato puree, with a quarter of an avocado and a spoonful of mayo.
Wrapping food in lettuce makes it so much more fun, but I really can't explain why :D Perhaps it's because I actually have to concentrate on the food instead of just shovelling in forkfuls...
Lunch
I got invited out to a v posh restaurant by an old student, hard to say no :D Thankfully restaurants always have a grilled-something, and are always happy to switch the rice for some extra salad. Grilled salmon in ginger and some-kind-of-fruit sauce, with lots of vegetables and a small salad. The sauce probably wasn't perfectly compliant, but it was delicious!
Dinner
Leftover chicken and mayo. Fried carrots.
Black coffee, lettuce wraps made with onion, minced beef and tomato puree, with a quarter of an avocado and a spoonful of mayo.
It looks gross but honestly it tasted wonderful. I make awesome guacamole.
Wrapping food in lettuce makes it so much more fun, but I really can't explain why :D Perhaps it's because I actually have to concentrate on the food instead of just shovelling in forkfuls...
Lunch
I got invited out to a v posh restaurant by an old student, hard to say no :D Thankfully restaurants always have a grilled-something, and are always happy to switch the rice for some extra salad. Grilled salmon in ginger and some-kind-of-fruit sauce, with lots of vegetables and a small salad. The sauce probably wasn't perfectly compliant, but it was delicious!
Dinner
Leftover chicken and mayo. Fried carrots.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Day 22
Breakfast
Black coffee, courgette and onion fritters, spicy fried eggs, and a dollop of guacamole.
Lunch
Steak, fried carrots, red cabbage, mayo. Black coffee.
Dinner
Steak, fried beetroot, mayo.
Dinner II
Steak, mayo, fried carrots.
I did not get enough sleep last night. I've been hungry and in the mood for picking/grazing all day. Not good. It's very obvious now that my appetite really is connected to my sleep levels. At least I managed to restrain myself to healthy foods though, instead of eating the extra-large Jumbo bars I'd been craving.
Black coffee, courgette and onion fritters, spicy fried eggs, and a dollop of guacamole.
Lunch
Steak, fried carrots, red cabbage, mayo. Black coffee.
Dinner
Steak, fried beetroot, mayo.
Dinner II
Steak, mayo, fried carrots.
I did not get enough sleep last night. I've been hungry and in the mood for picking/grazing all day. Not good. It's very obvious now that my appetite really is connected to my sleep levels. At least I managed to restrain myself to healthy foods though, instead of eating the extra-large Jumbo bars I'd been craving.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Day 21
Breakfast
Scrambled eggs, fried tomato, avocado, black coffee.
Lunch
Tuna, mayo, fried tomato, avocado.
Dinner
Chicken with plantain and a real lemonade (no sugar).
Snack
Cold chicken with mayo, fried carrots.
Scrambled eggs, fried tomato, avocado, black coffee.
Lunch
Tuna, mayo, fried tomato, avocado.
Dinner
Chicken with plantain and a real lemonade (no sugar).
Snack
Cold chicken with mayo, fried carrots.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Day 19
Breakfast part 1
Black coffee
Breakfast part 2
An apple and a handful of salted macadamia nuts.
This 2 part breakfast was also a 2 part revelation. If I have time to make (and drink!) coffee before I go out, then I have time to fry/scramble a couple of eggs. It won't be as spectacular as the breakfasts I've been enjoying (really, really enjoying) recently, but as I'll be working extra in the mornings soon I'll have to get used to less complicated breakfasts anyway. Prepping a bit of spinach or tomato the night before shouldn't be too much trouble. It should also help me control portions better - if I'm not just standing over the stove wondering what else I can add, then I should be able to stick to normal-human sized portions, instead of the fuel-for-Olympic-athlete sized portions that I can't seem to stop cooking.
The second part of the revelation was about taste. The macadamias tasted like vanilla icecream! I don't think I'd ever noticed that before. Since I've cut out all added sugars etc I'm sure my tastebuds have changed (for the better). Things actually have flavours now, and I can pick out different ingredients in a mouthful. The vanilla ice-cream taste must be because one of my favourite ice-creams in London (sadly/thankfully not available here) had macadamia nuts in, but I never really noticed the taste (just loved the texture). Now I know what they taste like, and I love them!
Lunch
Pancakes, a whole carton of strawberries, and most of a can of coconut milk.
Damn that's good! So good that I'm not going to eat it again until the Whole 30 is over. It's too much fruit, and I obviously can't control myself, so I'm just going to send it to sit on the naughty step for the next 11 days (Only 11 days left! Woot! I've already started planning/worrying over the reintroduction of various foods after this is over - I can't wait to find out what really affects me and whether it's worth it, although I'm terrified that the answer will be "no, it's not").
Just so you know, I'mking queen of the world ;) I feel good today. You know when you're in love and you want to tell everyone? Or it's unexpectedly sunny so you can't stop smiling? Even at random strangers? I'm somewhere between those two today - happy and wanting to tell everyone to start their Whole 30 NOW!
Black coffee
Breakfast part 2
An apple and a handful of salted macadamia nuts.
This 2 part breakfast was also a 2 part revelation. If I have time to make (and drink!) coffee before I go out, then I have time to fry/scramble a couple of eggs. It won't be as spectacular as the breakfasts I've been enjoying (really, really enjoying) recently, but as I'll be working extra in the mornings soon I'll have to get used to less complicated breakfasts anyway. Prepping a bit of spinach or tomato the night before shouldn't be too much trouble. It should also help me control portions better - if I'm not just standing over the stove wondering what else I can add, then I should be able to stick to normal-human sized portions, instead of the fuel-for-Olympic-athlete sized portions that I can't seem to stop cooking.
The second part of the revelation was about taste. The macadamias tasted like vanilla icecream! I don't think I'd ever noticed that before. Since I've cut out all added sugars etc I'm sure my tastebuds have changed (for the better). Things actually have flavours now, and I can pick out different ingredients in a mouthful. The vanilla ice-cream taste must be because one of my favourite ice-creams in London (sadly/thankfully not available here) had macadamia nuts in, but I never really noticed the taste (just loved the texture). Now I know what they taste like, and I love them!
Lunch
Pancakes, a whole carton of strawberries, and most of a can of coconut milk.
Damn that's good! So good that I'm not going to eat it again until the Whole 30 is over. It's too much fruit, and I obviously can't control myself, so I'm just going to send it to sit on the naughty step for the next 11 days (Only 11 days left! Woot! I've already started planning/worrying over the reintroduction of various foods after this is over - I can't wait to find out what really affects me and whether it's worth it, although I'm terrified that the answer will be "no, it's not").
Just so you know, I'm
Day 18
Lunch
Lettuce wraps (avocado, fried tomato, minced beef with chilli powder, mayo) with 'chips' (chunkily cut beetroot and carrot slices, fried). Coffee with coconut milk.
My 'chips' weren't as crispy/crunchy as I'd hoped. Is it possible? Next time I'll try thinner than normal and see how they turn out.
Totally delicious :D
Dinner
Two fried eggs, each sprinkled with curry powder and salt, and wrapped in lettuce leaves.
Wrapping food in other food makes it funner ;)
Lettuce wraps (avocado, fried tomato, minced beef with chilli powder, mayo) with 'chips' (chunkily cut beetroot and carrot slices, fried). Coffee with coconut milk.
My 'chips' weren't as crispy/crunchy as I'd hoped. Is it possible? Next time I'll try thinner than normal and see how they turn out.
Totally delicious :D
Dinner
Two fried eggs, each sprinkled with curry powder and salt, and wrapped in lettuce leaves.
Wrapping food in other food makes it funner ;)
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Day 18
Breakfast
(eaten on the run between classes)
A small handful of almonds, about 4 inches of a pepperami-type sausage, and a cup of mango/papaya. Black coffee in my first class (love those guys :D )
Snack
2 fried eggs with curry powder (I'd like to get more turmeric in my diet, but can't find it here except as a pre made curry mix - hoping to try it out with mayo and left over chicken soon), and a coffee with canned coconut milk (damn that stuff is good!)
Amazingly my breakfast was at 8:45, and my snack was at 1:30, but I didn't die in between. In fact I happily survived getting the wrong bus (twice!) and walking all around Homecentre and Exito. I wasn't the happiest I've ever been (thoughts of bed and huge plates of food were rather intrusive) but I definitely managed that a lot better than I ever have before (ie: no will-kill-for-food-or-for-looking-at-me moments). Huzzah :)
(eaten on the run between classes)
A small handful of almonds, about 4 inches of a pepperami-type sausage, and a cup of mango/papaya. Black coffee in my first class (love those guys :D )
Snack
2 fried eggs with curry powder (I'd like to get more turmeric in my diet, but can't find it here except as a pre made curry mix - hoping to try it out with mayo and left over chicken soon), and a coffee with canned coconut milk (damn that stuff is good!)
Amazingly my breakfast was at 8:45, and my snack was at 1:30, but I didn't die in between. In fact I happily survived getting the wrong bus (twice!) and walking all around Homecentre and Exito. I wasn't the happiest I've ever been (thoughts of bed and huge plates of food were rather intrusive) but I definitely managed that a lot better than I ever have before (ie: no will-kill-for-food-or-for-looking-at-me moments). Huzzah :)
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Day 17
Snack(s)
I finished the rest of the strawberries with coconut milk :D Happiness!
Lunch
Burgers, fried carrots, tomato and courgette, with lettuce and a fried egg. Awesomeness!
Recipe: Pancakes
In a food processor, chop half a largish apple. Add in an egg, some cinnamon, and enough desiccated coconut so that it looks kind of like pancake batter.
Fry in spoonfuls (you'll probably have to flatten them a bit) until they're cooked through.
Serve with strawberries and coconut cream :D
Fry in spoonfuls (you'll probably have to flatten them a bit) until they're cooked through.
Serve with strawberries and coconut cream :D
Day 17
Day 17!!!! That sounds like such a lot!
Breakfast
Coffee with coconut milk.
"Pancakes" with strawberries and coconut milk.
Chai tea (black).
NOM! I haven't had strawberries for over 6 months! I couldn't resist when I saw them in the supermarket today (most strawberries here are for juicing and have a lot of white on them, not so red). Despite the price I regret NOTHING! (and the best part is that I still have half the box left!)
No, paleofying things is not part of the plan, but, like I said, I regret nothing :D There was no dairy, no added sugar, no grains, no nothing that might make me feel/look bad. In fact I feel quite clever for inventing the recipe! Oops, heheheh
Breakfast
Coffee with coconut milk.
"Pancakes" with strawberries and coconut milk.
Chai tea (black).
NOM! I haven't had strawberries for over 6 months! I couldn't resist when I saw them in the supermarket today (most strawberries here are for juicing and have a lot of white on them, not so red). Despite the price I regret NOTHING! (and the best part is that I still have half the box left!)
No, paleofying things is not part of the plan, but, like I said, I regret nothing :D There was no dairy, no added sugar, no grains, no nothing that might make me feel/look bad. In fact I feel quite clever for inventing the recipe! Oops, heheheh
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Day 16
Breakfast
Black coffee, a small handful of almonds.
Grilled beef steak and too much plantain, small orange juice, and a cup of papaya and mango.
Eaten while walking around the Simon Bolivar Park - several kilometres!
Lunch
Two fried eggs, 1/4 of an avocado, small spoon of mayo, coffee with coconut milk.
Today I'm feeling a lot better. My skin is healing already - no new spots, just the scars/scabs/marks from yesterday. I still feel fat though - I'm eating correctly, but too much, and probably too late at night.
Walking around the Simoncho and trying to ignore the choclos was hard, but I did it :D
Black coffee, a small handful of almonds.
Grilled beef steak and too much plantain, small orange juice, and a cup of papaya and mango.
Eaten while walking around the Simon Bolivar Park - several kilometres!
Lunch
Two fried eggs, 1/4 of an avocado, small spoon of mayo, coffee with coconut milk.
Today I'm feeling a lot better. My skin is healing already - no new spots, just the scars/scabs/marks from yesterday. I still feel fat though - I'm eating correctly, but too much, and probably too late at night.
Walking around the Simoncho and trying to ignore the choclos was hard, but I did it :D
Day 15
Dinner
I made tacos/burritos with lettuce instead of the grain based wrap. Yum!
Minced beef and chilli powder, mayo, avocado, fried tomato, all in lettuce leaves, with a 'side' of courgette fritters.
Yesterday (I'm writing this on Tuesday - day 16) was awful. Really really low self esteem all day, terrible spots, felt fat and lazy.... At least I cooked well and resisted the temptation to bury myself in icecream. I'm so happy it's over!
I made tacos/burritos with lettuce instead of the grain based wrap. Yum!
Minced beef and chilli powder, mayo, avocado, fried tomato, all in lettuce leaves, with a 'side' of courgette fritters.
Yesterday (I'm writing this on Tuesday - day 16) was awful. Really really low self esteem all day, terrible spots, felt fat and lazy.... At least I cooked well and resisted the temptation to bury myself in icecream. I'm so happy it's over!
Monday, August 6, 2012
Day 15
Breakfast
Burgers, courgette and carrot latkes, mayo, coffee with coconut milk.
I've successfully cut down on my mayo consumption - I'm limiting myself to one tablespoon at a time. This is mostly because I'm now storing my mayo in an old peanut butter jar so it doesn't look icky as quickly. However, I think I'm eating too much protein. I'm definitely eating more than a palm sized amount at most meals, so for this week one of my goals is to consciously measure my protein and see if I'm still satisfied. If not, I'll step up the fats again, and then the protein if it turns out I do really need it (I am building muscle here! I might genuinely need more than a palm sized amount, but I doubt that it would be three times though...)
In other news, my skin is awful this morning! Thankfully only under and around the jaw. What on Earth happened? It really was clearing up so well! I have two suspects: the new high oleic sunflower oil which I've been using instead of olive oil (it's half the price and I go through so much in cooking and mayonnaise making - I really hope it's not the oil!) or the coconut milk which I had yesterday. Although the packet of desiccated coconut which I used to make the milk said 100% coconut, and there was no mention of sugar anywhere, it was ridiculously sweet! I thought perhaps my taste buds had adjusted after no sugar and very little fruit, but now I'm thinking otherwise. In the end I went through the whole batch (two cups or so) of coconut milk in one day. I swigged it when I went by the fridge, drank it with cocoa squares, and fantasised about a hot chocolate made from it. The cinnamon leftover pancakes I made with the used up coconut were also very sweet. Gosh darn it! If it contains sugar then it would explain why it tasted so sweet, why I felt compelled to use it up so fast, and probably why I have so many new spots this morning. I'm definitely not going to buy that brand again, and I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that the spots go away and don't come back - meaning the oil is 'safe' to keep using.
ETA - the new coconut milk that I made this morning is sweet, yes, but no where near as sweet as yesterday's batch. It must have contained sugar...
Burgers, courgette and carrot latkes, mayo, coffee with coconut milk.
I've successfully cut down on my mayo consumption - I'm limiting myself to one tablespoon at a time. This is mostly because I'm now storing my mayo in an old peanut butter jar so it doesn't look icky as quickly. However, I think I'm eating too much protein. I'm definitely eating more than a palm sized amount at most meals, so for this week one of my goals is to consciously measure my protein and see if I'm still satisfied. If not, I'll step up the fats again, and then the protein if it turns out I do really need it (I am building muscle here! I might genuinely need more than a palm sized amount, but I doubt that it would be three times though...)
In other news, my skin is awful this morning! Thankfully only under and around the jaw. What on Earth happened? It really was clearing up so well! I have two suspects: the new high oleic sunflower oil which I've been using instead of olive oil (it's half the price and I go through so much in cooking and mayonnaise making - I really hope it's not the oil!) or the coconut milk which I had yesterday. Although the packet of desiccated coconut which I used to make the milk said 100% coconut, and there was no mention of sugar anywhere, it was ridiculously sweet! I thought perhaps my taste buds had adjusted after no sugar and very little fruit, but now I'm thinking otherwise. In the end I went through the whole batch (two cups or so) of coconut milk in one day. I swigged it when I went by the fridge, drank it with cocoa squares, and fantasised about a hot chocolate made from it. The cinnamon leftover pancakes I made with the used up coconut were also very sweet. Gosh darn it! If it contains sugar then it would explain why it tasted so sweet, why I felt compelled to use it up so fast, and probably why I have so many new spots this morning. I'm definitely not going to buy that brand again, and I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that the spots go away and don't come back - meaning the oil is 'safe' to keep using.
ETA - the new coconut milk that I made this morning is sweet, yes, but no where near as sweet as yesterday's batch. It must have contained sugar...
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Half way there (almost)
Wow, I can't believe I've completed an entire fortnight! Well, I still have tonight to go, but I'm feeling pretty confident. I've also got really good at turning down unhealthier food choices. I never thought I'd be able to pass up certain brands of icecream, be able to play nintendo while my opponent is happily drinking beer and eating queso y bocadillo without joining in, or watch a film without popcorn. Have I finally turned a corner?
Kind of... I feel stronger (physically, yes, but mostly mentally) but I know that it's a lot of hard work to refuse certain 'treats.' I know that when my whole 30 is over I will add certain things back into fairly regular rotation as long as they don't screw with me too much - corn (in the form of arepas), and I'm really hoping cheese is ok for me too. I have a feeling that icecream will be worth the sugar/dairy once a month too, although I hope I'll be able to limit it to that. The arepas will probably be once a week, they're just so convenient as street food, and so yummy as breakfast. Maybe once a fortnight though - I've stepped up my breakfast efforts, and I'm really proud of what I'm able to cook now. Even better - when I cook for other people they enjoy what I give them!
I'm really happy that I've been able tosurvive thrive for a fortnight without any dairy. Wheat was comparatively easy to give up, but in so many foods it's the melted cheese on top that makes it so moreish, or the butter it's cooked in that gives it that specific taste. I was very surprised to learn that scrambled eggs without butter (using olive oil, or my new toy - high oleic sunflower oil instead) taste just as good! And that I can drink coffee or chai tea black!! (Although I have to admit, coconut milk is delicious and I think will never be improved upon.)
Just for being able to stick with this for fourteen (14!) days makes me feel like a superhero. I'm so happy I'm finally doing this! I've been wanting to eat 'perfectly clean' for so long, but have always made excuses/exceptions. I feel proud of myself, and even if that's the only positive result I get (although the skin on my face is noticeably clearer, and I have lost a little weight already) then it will still all be worth it. Although... have you seen the photos of my food? You can hardly say I'm depriving myself! I'm experimenting in the kitchen, cooking and eating new ingredients and recipes, savouring every mouthful (in front of my computer... still need to work on that)... This 'diet' is great! :D
Well, that's enough rambling. I really hope that the next 16 days pass as painlessly as the previous 14. I hope that I don't have to eat healthy food instead of unhealthy food (instead just not having the cravings for snacks). I hope at the end I can see a difference in my body. I hope that my facial skin stays clear and gets clearer under my jaw. I hope that the people I care about can see a difference in me and are inspired to try this too.
Buen provecho!
Kind of... I feel stronger (physically, yes, but mostly mentally) but I know that it's a lot of hard work to refuse certain 'treats.' I know that when my whole 30 is over I will add certain things back into fairly regular rotation as long as they don't screw with me too much - corn (in the form of arepas), and I'm really hoping cheese is ok for me too. I have a feeling that icecream will be worth the sugar/dairy once a month too, although I hope I'll be able to limit it to that. The arepas will probably be once a week, they're just so convenient as street food, and so yummy as breakfast. Maybe once a fortnight though - I've stepped up my breakfast efforts, and I'm really proud of what I'm able to cook now. Even better - when I cook for other people they enjoy what I give them!
I'm really happy that I've been able to
Just for being able to stick with this for fourteen (14!) days makes me feel like a superhero. I'm so happy I'm finally doing this! I've been wanting to eat 'perfectly clean' for so long, but have always made excuses/exceptions. I feel proud of myself, and even if that's the only positive result I get (although the skin on my face is noticeably clearer, and I have lost a little weight already) then it will still all be worth it. Although... have you seen the photos of my food? You can hardly say I'm depriving myself! I'm experimenting in the kitchen, cooking and eating new ingredients and recipes, savouring every mouthful (in front of my computer... still need to work on that)... This 'diet' is great! :D
Well, that's enough rambling. I really hope that the next 16 days pass as painlessly as the previous 14. I hope that I don't have to eat healthy food instead of unhealthy food (instead just not having the cravings for snacks). I hope at the end I can see a difference in my body. I hope that my facial skin stays clear and gets clearer under my jaw. I hope that the people I care about can see a difference in me and are inspired to try this too.
Buen provecho!
Day 14
Breakfast
Taco omelette with lettuce instead of avocado, black coffee.
Snack
Cold chicken, mayo, black coffee.
Lunch (4pm!)
Steak, fried egg, fried courgette, plantain and carrot slices.
Square of cocoa and spoon of coconut milk.
Taco omelette with lettuce instead of avocado, black coffee.
Snack
Cold chicken, mayo, black coffee.
Lunch (4pm!)
Steak, fried egg, fried courgette, plantain and carrot slices.
Square of cocoa and spoon of coconut milk.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Recipe: Pork and Apple
Slice an onion into half rings and soften in a pan.
Add chopped pork (I like stir-fry style strips) and brown a little.
Add a peeled and sliced apple, and enough water to just cover everything. (If you're not serving with sauerkraut then you can hide some finely chopped white cabbage too, and noone will ever know!)
Turn up the heat and let the water boil away (watch carefully towards the end).
Add chopped pork (I like stir-fry style strips) and brown a little.
Add a peeled and sliced apple, and enough water to just cover everything. (If you're not serving with sauerkraut then you can hide some finely chopped white cabbage too, and noone will ever know!)
Turn up the heat and let the water boil away (watch carefully towards the end).
Recipe: Courgette Fritters
Slice a courgette into approximately half-centimeter rounds.
Dip each slice into beaten egg, then into shredded coconut (Would ground almonds work? Or hazelnuts?).
Fry over a low heat, turning and poking as little as possible, until they're at your required softness. If you've cut very thick slices covering the pan works well.
Serve with a sprinkle of salt and a dollop of mayo.
Dip each slice into beaten egg, then into shredded coconut (Would ground almonds work? Or hazelnuts?).
Fry over a low heat, turning and poking as little as possible, until they're at your required softness. If you've cut very thick slices covering the pan works well.
Serve with a sprinkle of salt and a dollop of mayo.
Day 13
Breakfast @ 10:30am
Burgers (minced beef, finely diced onion, one egg white) with lettuce, fried beetroot slices and mayo.
I'm experimenting with high oleic acid sunflower oil now. It's half the price of olive oil, and I think it's just as good for me... I'm not going to check that though until I've used the bottle up. I;m afraid that if I find out it's not as good as I'd hoped then I'll feel have to chuck it out and I don't want to waste the food or the money...
Lunch - pollo (no plantain!)
Dinner - a huge radish, courgette fritters, and the leftover coconut/egg made into cinnamon pancakes.
Burgers (minced beef, finely diced onion, one egg white) with lettuce, fried beetroot slices and mayo.
I'm experimenting with high oleic acid sunflower oil now. It's half the price of olive oil, and I think it's just as good for me... I'm not going to check that though until I've used the bottle up. I;m afraid that if I find out it's not as good as I'd hoped then I'll feel have to chuck it out and I don't want to waste the food or the money...
Lunch - pollo (no plantain!)
Dinner - a huge radish, courgette fritters, and the leftover coconut/egg made into cinnamon pancakes.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Recipe: Vegetable Latkes
Grate an assortment of yummy vegetables. Courgettes and/or carrots (with a bit of onion grated in too) are recommended. Squeeze as much water out as possible, by any means necessary.
Beat a couple of eggs and stir into the mix of grated veg (add one at a time, depending on how big your pile of veg is).
Fry over a gentle heat until they smell good - then they're probably ready to be flipped.
Really delicious!
Shown here with scrambled eggs. Bacon would also be an excellent accompaniment :)
Beat a couple of eggs and stir into the mix of grated veg (add one at a time, depending on how big your pile of veg is).
Fry over a gentle heat until they smell good - then they're probably ready to be flipped.
Really delicious!
Day 8
Breakfast
Courgette and carrot latkes, 2 scrambled eggs. Black coffee.
Lunch
Tuna, mayo, fried tomato, 1/4 of a large avocado. Black coffee.
I've decided that I actually quite like my coffee black. I'd never thought that was possible! Im not at the espresso stage yet, I definitely prefer it watered down, but I do really enjoy it.
Courgette and carrot latkes, 2 scrambled eggs. Black coffee.
Lunch
Tuna, mayo, fried tomato, 1/4 of a large avocado. Black coffee.
I've decided that I actually quite like my coffee black. I'd never thought that was possible! Im not at the espresso stage yet, I definitely prefer it watered down, but I do really enjoy it.
Day 7
Dinner
Carrot, mayo, left over chicken, sauerkraut.
It's not that I was hungry exactly, but I really wanted to eat something (more specifically: queso y bocadillo).
Carrot, mayo, left over chicken, sauerkraut.
It's not that I was hungry exactly, but I really wanted to eat something (more specifically: queso y bocadillo).
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Day 7
Breakfast @ 8:15
A fried egg, some sauteed spinach, half a fried tomato, and some leftover chicken breast, with coffee and coconut milk.
Lunch @ 1
Chicken, some plantain, and a no-sugar-natural lemonade (ie lime juice and water).
Snack @ 2
Macadamia nuts and (black) coffee.
I'm still obsessing about chocolate bars, bocadillo y queso, icecream and all manner of sweet things on a regular basis, but I've successfully gone a whole week without them! I'm feeling very chuffed today, and not just because I received my new belt and certificates in TKD this morning. I also managed 90 sit ups and 49 puch ups (from the knees) - HUZZAH!!!
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Day 6
Breakfast
Taco omelette, coffee and coconut milk.
Lunch
Chicken, plantain, lemonade (no sugar).
Dinner
Courgette fritters and mayonaise.
I really really really wanted snacks today, all day.
Taco omelette, coffee and coconut milk.
Lunch
Chicken, plantain, lemonade (no sugar).
Dinner
Courgette fritters and mayonaise.
I really really really wanted snacks today, all day.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Recipe: Taco Omelette
Soften/brown a sliced onion, a clove of garlic, a chopped tomato (deseeded because I'm fussy), and a small handful of minced beef. Sprinkle on a little chilli powder.
When it's very thoroughly cooked, empty out the pan and make an omelette. While it's cooking dice 1/4 of an avocado.
Dump the beef mixture into the omelette, top with the avocado and dash of salt.
Serve to hungry people - it's a very 'satisfying' (big) meal :D
When it's very thoroughly cooked, empty out the pan and make an omelette. While it's cooking dice 1/4 of an avocado.
Dump the beef mixture into the omelette, top with the avocado and dash of salt.
Serve to hungry people - it's a very 'satisfying' (big) meal :D
Day 5
Breakfast @ 6:45
An apple and a small handful of salted macadamia nuts.
Lunch @ 12:30
Taco omelette, coffee with coconut milk.
An apple and a small handful of salted macadamia nuts.
Lunch @ 12:30
Taco omelette, coffee with coconut milk.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Day 4
Dinner @ 8:30
Sauerkraut, 2 fried eggs, a carrot and mayo.
I was craving something salty before dinner, but now I can't stop thinking about chocolate.... Damnit.
Sauerkraut, 2 fried eggs, a carrot and mayo.
I was craving something salty before dinner, but now I can't stop thinking about chocolate.... Damnit.
Day 4
I weighed myself today - the students in one of the offices weigh themselves every Thursday.
I was 64.2 kg. Hmm. I'm trying not to be annoyed by that. It's just a number, and a number I want to go up! But almost 3 decades of social conditioning means that it's not a happy number at the moment.
For years (as long as I've been weighing myself - ie, since I was 17 or so) I've wanted to get down to 60 kg. This has never happened, and if I put on healthy muscle (sorely lacking at the moment) then it never will. I'm trying to come to terms with this but I hate to admit, it's very difficult.
I was 64.2 kg. Hmm. I'm trying not to be annoyed by that. It's just a number, and a number I want to go up! But almost 3 decades of social conditioning means that it's not a happy number at the moment.
For years (as long as I've been weighing myself - ie, since I was 17 or so) I've wanted to get down to 60 kg. This has never happened, and if I put on healthy muscle (sorely lacking at the moment) then it never will. I'm trying to come to terms with this but I hate to admit, it's very difficult.
Day 4
Breakfast @ 9
Taco omelette (onion, tomato, minced beef, chilli powder and avocado), coffee and coconut milk.
Snack
? Don't remember. Probably chai tea with coconut milk?
Lunch @ 4
Steak, spinach, carrot, mayo.
Snack
Cinnamon tea with coconut milk. A few macadamia nuts (I was craving something salty, not sweet! Progress?)
Taco omelette (onion, tomato, minced beef, chilli powder and avocado), coffee and coconut milk.
Snack
? Don't remember. Probably chai tea with coconut milk?
Lunch @ 4
Steak, spinach, carrot, mayo.
Snack
Cinnamon tea with coconut milk. A few macadamia nuts (I was craving something salty, not sweet! Progress?)
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Day 3
Lunch
In the blue restaurant - salad, plum chicken (hopefully nothing too nasty in the sauce), fruit salad.
Coffee with coconut milk afterwards.
Dinner/Snack
Don't remember.... Cinnamon tea?
In the blue restaurant - salad, plum chicken (hopefully nothing too nasty in the sauce), fruit salad.
Coffee with coconut milk afterwards.
Dinner/Snack
Don't remember.... Cinnamon tea?
Day 3
Snack @ 12:30
Steamed/sauteed (?) diced apple and peach, sprinkled with cinnamon and lots of dried coconut left over from making my own coconut milk. Chai tea with my coconut milk.
I think I ate this more because I could (I had the ingredients) than because I was hungry.... It was really good though :D
Steamed/sauteed (?) diced apple and peach, sprinkled with cinnamon and lots of dried coconut left over from making my own coconut milk. Chai tea with my coconut milk.
I think I ate this more because I could (I had the ingredients) than because I was hungry.... It was really good though :D
Day 3
Breakfast @ 9am
Half an avocado, a fried (in olive oil) tomato, and a can of tuna with mayo. Chai tea with canned coconut milk.
Half an avocado, a fried (in olive oil) tomato, and a can of tuna with mayo. Chai tea with canned coconut milk.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Day 2
Breakfast @ 9am
ETA - black coffee in class. So easy to forget that even though I have one almost every day!
Onions, tomato and minced beef fried in live oil, inside a 3 egg omelette (even if I learn how to eat properly and control my cravings, I don't think I will ever be capable of spelling 'omelette' correctly the first time). Green tea.
I am soooooooo tired. I went to bed too late last night - sadly usual after tkd. I'm just too happy and full of energy (while at the same time being exhausted physically - a very strange combination). Also, being unable to sleep on my left side due to a new ear-piercing didn't help much either.
I'm also desperate to eat the watermelon in the fridge - just because I know it's there and it tastes good. I shouldn't have bought that - but then I shouldn't have gone shopping on an empty stomach :D
ETA - black coffee in class. So easy to forget that even though I have one almost every day!
Onions, tomato and minced beef fried in live oil, inside a 3 egg omelette (even if I learn how to eat properly and control my cravings, I don't think I will ever be capable of spelling 'omelette' correctly the first time). Green tea.
I am soooooooo tired. I went to bed too late last night - sadly usual after tkd. I'm just too happy and full of energy (while at the same time being exhausted physically - a very strange combination). Also, being unable to sleep on my left side due to a new ear-piercing didn't help much either.
I'm also desperate to eat the watermelon in the fridge - just because I know it's there and it tastes good. I shouldn't have bought that - but then I shouldn't have gone shopping on an empty stomach :D
Monday, July 23, 2012
Day 1
Post-Tkd snack @ 10pm
Two eggs, scrambled in olive oil, sprinkled with dried oregano, paprika and chilli powder. Cinnamon tea and a nectarine.
Yummy :) The nectarine (sugar) is probably not the best idea at this time of night, but it was either that or throw it away in the morning. And hey - I haven't eaten chocolate all day. I feel justly proud of myself. Also - I totally owned Chon-Ji :D
Two eggs, scrambled in olive oil, sprinkled with dried oregano, paprika and chilli powder. Cinnamon tea and a nectarine.
Yummy :) The nectarine (sugar) is probably not the best idea at this time of night, but it was either that or throw it away in the morning. And hey - I haven't eaten chocolate all day. I feel justly proud of myself. Also - I totally owned Chon-Ji :D
Day 1
Dinner (?) @ 4:15
Sauteed onion, apple and pork, with a serving of homemade saurkraut. Coffee and coconut milk.
A very german meal! And one I'm proud of :D The saurkraut isn't too strong yet, but it's definitely more than just cabbage. As this is my first batch I'm going to leave it to ferment and eat a little everyday, that way I'll know for the next batch how many days is ideal.
Sauteed onion, apple and pork, with a serving of homemade saurkraut. Coffee and coconut milk.
A very german meal! And one I'm proud of :D The saurkraut isn't too strong yet, but it's definitely more than just cabbage. As this is my first batch I'm going to leave it to ferment and eat a little everyday, that way I'll know for the next batch how many days is ideal.
Day 1
Snack @ 11am
Fried steak (in olive oil) with homemade mayo. Green tea.
It's not that I have specific cravings, more that I'm craving any and all foods. That time of the month. Oh what a wonderful day to not eat an entire tub of icecream/extra large chocolate bar/etc :(
Fried steak (in olive oil) with homemade mayo. Green tea.
It's not that I have specific cravings, more that I'm craving any and all foods. That time of the month. Oh what a wonderful day to not eat an entire tub of icecream/extra large chocolate bar/etc :(
Day 1
Breakfast @ 9am
A can of tuna with a dollop of home-made mayo, half an avocado and a fried tomato. Coffee with coconut milk.
A very good (re)start if I say so myself :D
A can of tuna with a dollop of home-made mayo, half an avocado and a fried tomato. Coffee with coconut milk.
A very good (re)start if I say so myself :D
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Attitude
I am not going to suffer. I am not going to deny myself anything.
I am going to eat good food, in good quantities, and enjoy it. I will enjoy it because I'm actually really good at cooking good things to eat and inventing new recipes, I'll enjoy it because its delicious, and I'll enjoy it because I know I'm helping to heal myself - inside and out.
I'm going to get clearer skin, a less flabby body, more energy, and more love for life in general.
I'm going to be a shining example of what healthy really looks like to the people I love.
I'm going to look better naked, and I'm going to perform better in TaekwonDo. I'm not going to be out of breath when I climb up the pedestrian bridges.
I'm going to be able to wear all my favourite clothes without feeling self conscious.
I'm going to be able to relax about my health - I'll know that I don't have diabetes, nor am I on the path to get it. I'll be more 'me' all month long without certain female side-effects.
I''ll be able to look at foods and drinks that I know will damage me, and not care that I'm going to eat/drink something else. I'm not going to rely on food (any food!) to calm me down or cheer me up.
I'm going to be sure that if I ever have children, I'm already doing the best I can for them before they're born, and that I'll probably be around and be interesting (have the energy to play) for a long time after their born. I'll be sure in the knowledge that I know how to look after them (or at least their nutrition).
This is going to be good. I'm going to be awesome.
I am going to eat good food, in good quantities, and enjoy it. I will enjoy it because I'm actually really good at cooking good things to eat and inventing new recipes, I'll enjoy it because its delicious, and I'll enjoy it because I know I'm helping to heal myself - inside and out.
I'm going to get clearer skin, a less flabby body, more energy, and more love for life in general.
I'm going to be a shining example of what healthy really looks like to the people I love.
I'm going to look better naked, and I'm going to perform better in TaekwonDo. I'm not going to be out of breath when I climb up the pedestrian bridges.
I'm going to be able to wear all my favourite clothes without feeling self conscious.
I'm going to be able to relax about my health - I'll know that I don't have diabetes, nor am I on the path to get it. I'll be more 'me' all month long without certain female side-effects.
I''ll be able to look at foods and drinks that I know will damage me, and not care that I'm going to eat/drink something else. I'm not going to rely on food (any food!) to calm me down or cheer me up.
I'm going to be sure that if I ever have children, I'm already doing the best I can for them before they're born, and that I'll probably be around and be interesting (have the energy to play) for a long time after their born. I'll be sure in the knowledge that I know how to look after them (or at least their nutrition).
This is going to be good. I'm going to be awesome.
Oops...
Well, that sucked. In a totally delicious way :D
The fruit scramble for breakfast meant I ended up picking and grazing all day - not on anything 'naughty' but on too much fruit, on tomato puree, on shredded coconut... Basically the higher carb end of the lower carb spectrum.
Then on Thursday I went for a late night coffee with a friend (not the wisest of choices, but better than a late night beer, right?) which ended up being a latte... Woke up the next morning with a sore throat - connected? So I had icecream (what? Even I don't understand that logic!) and a large Jumbo (milk chocolate with peanuts). Then yesterday I had a (very small) arepa for breakfast and another large Jumbo in the evening, along with a natural lemonade(no sugar) at lunchtime, and a couple of handfuls of raisins at night because it was the only sweet thing in the house. No - there's honey as well. I tried a spoonful and had to spit half out - way too sweet! I suppose there's still hope for me after all...
Well, today is a new day: let's get to it!
The fruit scramble for breakfast meant I ended up picking and grazing all day - not on anything 'naughty' but on too much fruit, on tomato puree, on shredded coconut... Basically the higher carb end of the lower carb spectrum.
Then on Thursday I went for a late night coffee with a friend (not the wisest of choices, but better than a late night beer, right?) which ended up being a latte... Woke up the next morning with a sore throat - connected? So I had icecream (what? Even I don't understand that logic!) and a large Jumbo (milk chocolate with peanuts). Then yesterday I had a (very small) arepa for breakfast and another large Jumbo in the evening, along with a natural lemonade(no sugar) at lunchtime, and a couple of handfuls of raisins at night because it was the only sweet thing in the house. No - there's honey as well. I tried a spoonful and had to spit half out - way too sweet! I suppose there's still hope for me after all...
Well, today is a new day: let's get to it!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Day 6
Big snack/light lunch (?) @ 11:30 (!)
Fried a portion of beef steak in olive oil (there is no coconut oil here, or ghee), and ate it with half an avocado. Also had a cup of coca tea with lime. Delicious, and at just past 1pm I'm still not hungry.
Why did I need more food so early though? The 'high carb' breakfast? The daydreaming about other recipes? The lateness of the breakfast meaning I was hungrier than I should have been? The exercise (not exactly difficult though) before I ate? Mere cravings (as opposed to real hunger) that I should have just ignored? The lack of protein? The fact that I tend to eat while at my computer instead of concentrating just on the food? Sigh. Get with it Z!
New resolution: to eat nicely (ie: not scoffing while checking Google Reader). Probably should have been doing this for 6 days already, huh?
Day 6
Breakfast @ 9:30
After my first class (which included a small cup of black coffee) I went to the supermarket. This always takes me ages and includes lots of walking. Not ideal before breakfast! I managed to avoid snacking though (not even fresh OJ!) as I knew what I'd be eating when I got home (meal planning not only helps keep you organised/within your budget, but it's really helping me not eat bad food either - knowing that what is to come is tastier and healthier than what's on offer now is proving very useful).
I adapted (due to lack of correct ingredients and a lot of hunger) Robb Wolf's breakfast scramble.
A whole nectarine, diced, softened in olive oil, sprinkle of cinnamon, shredded coconut, and blended/pureed apple (peeled) with 4 eggs to make the scramble. As I had blended the eggs in with the apple the result was pretty much a cake/pancake texture - very light and fluffy. Awesome! And it tasted amazing - so amazing that I'm going to have to limit how often I eat this breakfast. As someone who's not yet over her sweet tooth, I think eating 'cake' for breakfast is too close to my old habits.
Coffee with coconut milk to drink (addictive!).
After my first class (which included a small cup of black coffee) I went to the supermarket. This always takes me ages and includes lots of walking. Not ideal before breakfast! I managed to avoid snacking though (not even fresh OJ!) as I knew what I'd be eating when I got home (meal planning not only helps keep you organised/within your budget, but it's really helping me not eat bad food either - knowing that what is to come is tastier and healthier than what's on offer now is proving very useful).
I adapted (due to lack of correct ingredients and a lot of hunger) Robb Wolf's breakfast scramble.
A whole nectarine, diced, softened in olive oil, sprinkle of cinnamon, shredded coconut, and blended/pureed apple (peeled) with 4 eggs to make the scramble. As I had blended the eggs in with the apple the result was pretty much a cake/pancake texture - very light and fluffy. Awesome! And it tasted amazing - so amazing that I'm going to have to limit how often I eat this breakfast. As someone who's not yet over her sweet tooth, I think eating 'cake' for breakfast is too close to my old habits.
Coffee with coconut milk to drink (addictive!).
Monday, July 16, 2012
Day 5
Dinner @ 7pm
Before making lunch I fried some sliced up pork chops in olive oil. These were eaten, along with an apple and a small handful of almonds, walking between work and tkd. Not the best setting for a meal, but it gave me the energy I needed without weighing me down, and I didn't crave anything off the street after my lesson either. Perhaps that's because I knew that a fried egg and a cup of cinnamon tea with coconut milk were waiting for me when I got home? :D
Before making lunch I fried some sliced up pork chops in olive oil. These were eaten, along with an apple and a small handful of almonds, walking between work and tkd. Not the best setting for a meal, but it gave me the energy I needed without weighing me down, and I didn't crave anything off the street after my lesson either. Perhaps that's because I knew that a fried egg and a cup of cinnamon tea with coconut milk were waiting for me when I got home? :D
Day 5
Lunch @ 1pm
A huuuuuge salad with mayo (made with extra virgin olive oil... not so good....), and a tin of tuna mashed up with half a large avocado and some sauteed onions/tomatoes that I had in the fridge (always prep ingredients when you can - saves sooo much time!).
A cup of lemongrass tea to follow.
:)
A huuuuuge salad with mayo (made with extra virgin olive oil... not so good....), and a tin of tuna mashed up with half a large avocado and some sauteed onions/tomatoes that I had in the fridge (always prep ingredients when you can - saves sooo much time!).
A cup of lemongrass tea to follow.
:)
Day 5
Breakfast @ 9:15
Sauteed onions, garlic, white cabbage, minced beef, tomato paste and 1/2 cup of water - boil to reduce. Lots of chilli flakes too :D Crack an egg on top because it's awesome (next time if I still want the egg I think I'll fry it separately though). A coffee with coconut milk to drink.
Woke up tired but happy and lots of energy :)
Sauteed onions, garlic, white cabbage, minced beef, tomato paste and 1/2 cup of water - boil to reduce. Lots of chilli flakes too :D Crack an egg on top because it's awesome (next time if I still want the egg I think I'll fry it separately though). A coffee with coconut milk to drink.
Woke up tired but happy and lots of energy :)
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Day 4
Dinner @ 6pm
One and a half cold chicken breasts, left over from the chicken yesterday, with the rest of the mayonnaise I had made for lunch. No, cold chicken and mayo doesn't sound that appetising, but really it's delicious! I think I can take all the credit for that with my mayonnaise ;)
To follow, a cup of cinnamon tea with a tablespoon of coconut milk (disappointingly weak - must let it infuse for longer before I add the coconut milk next time. Still yummy though).
Let's see if I last until bedtime...
One and a half cold chicken breasts, left over from the chicken yesterday, with the rest of the mayonnaise I had made for lunch. No, cold chicken and mayo doesn't sound that appetising, but really it's delicious! I think I can take all the credit for that with my mayonnaise ;)
To follow, a cup of cinnamon tea with a tablespoon of coconut milk (disappointingly weak - must let it infuse for longer before I add the coconut milk next time. Still yummy though).
Let's see if I last until bedtime...
Measurements
Well, it's Day 4 so I'm a bit late with this, but as I'm doing the Whole 30 more for health (and spots! Damn them) than weight loss reasons (and besides, I have tkd to firm my muscles up) I'm not that bothered about this part. Still, in the interests of science and going the whole 9 yards (get it?) I've taken down my 'vital stats' (dearly wish I could get all the blood work done, but no idea how to go about doing that in the UK, let alone Colombia).
So:
When I started tkd I was 65kg. That didn't make me very happy, but after 2 months walking a lot less than I'm used to and eating loads of food (because hey! I'm in Colombia! Eat everything you can see! It's all delicious and gluten free (but made of corn)! ) it was to be expected.
This morning at tkd (on the very same scales) I was ....
Weight: 63.3kg
Height: 175cm
(BMI: 21)
Bust (no bra): 90cm
Waist: 68cm
Hips/Bum: 102cm
And the following measurements I did more to make me laugh and to track my hopefully increasing arm muscles (I need to be able to do more pushups for tkd) than for the Whole 30:
Right arm (straight): 26cm
Right arm (flexed): 27cm
Left arm (straight): 25cm
Left arm (flexed): 25.5cm
I love that I have half a centimetre of bicep :D
So:
When I started tkd I was 65kg. That didn't make me very happy, but after 2 months walking a lot less than I'm used to and eating loads of food (because hey! I'm in Colombia! Eat everything you can see! It's all delicious and gluten free (but made of corn)! ) it was to be expected.
This morning at tkd (on the very same scales) I was ....
Weight: 63.3kg
Height: 175cm
(BMI: 21)
Bust (no bra): 90cm
Waist: 68cm
Hips/Bum: 102cm
And the following measurements I did more to make me laugh and to track my hopefully increasing arm muscles (I need to be able to do more pushups for tkd) than for the Whole 30:
Right arm (straight): 26cm
Right arm (flexed): 27cm
Left arm (straight): 25cm
Left arm (flexed): 25.5cm
I love that I have half a centimetre of bicep :D
Day 4
Lunch @ 1pm
Experimentation is fun!
Grilled pork topped with mora sauce (sauteed onion, garlic, apple and mora then blended and reduced a bit - still a bit pulpy, maybe my blender isn't that powerful, or I used the wrong attachment?) Not at all what I was expecting, but the restaurant version that inspired this sauce was more of a 'sweet and sour' consistency, so probably involved naughty ingredients.
Also - an entire plate of spinach, carrot, red cabbage, and radishes topped with homemade mayo. FTW! My new blender (hand held) has a whisk so I made the best mayo I've eaten in 6 months (back in London I used to make it all the time).
Drinking a cold hibiscus tea as I type, just because. I really don't feel like I need anything sweet at the moment. I guess I've finally found the right amount of fat to eat! Thank you mayo!
Experimentation is fun!
Grilled pork topped with mora sauce (sauteed onion, garlic, apple and mora then blended and reduced a bit - still a bit pulpy, maybe my blender isn't that powerful, or I used the wrong attachment?) Not at all what I was expecting, but the restaurant version that inspired this sauce was more of a 'sweet and sour' consistency, so probably involved naughty ingredients.
Also - an entire plate of spinach, carrot, red cabbage, and radishes topped with homemade mayo. FTW! My new blender (hand held) has a whisk so I made the best mayo I've eaten in 6 months (back in London I used to make it all the time).
Drinking a cold hibiscus tea as I type, just because. I really don't feel like I need anything sweet at the moment. I guess I've finally found the right amount of fat to eat! Thank you mayo!
Day 4
Breakfast from 6:30 to 8:30
Breakfast #1 - a couple of the papaya 'ice' (much more ice than icecream, but still yummy. And even better - as it's not exactly what I had hoped for I should eat less of it! Very yummy though) I made yesterday (about 2 tbs of fruit) and a COFFEE WITH COCONUT MILK. I had really missed those :D
Breakfast # 2 - scrambled eggs (3) with paprika. Also yum :)
These kept me fuelled very nicely through my TKD class, although next time I'll try and have the eggs a bit earlier so I can't feel them in my stomach...
After TKD I was in a 'must eat carbs' mood - fantasising about fruit, arepas, empanadas, toast... (Toast? Seriously? After what happened earlier this week?)
So I bought lots of fruit and didn't eat it because I was busy cooking lunch instead :D
Breakfast #1 - a couple of the papaya 'ice' (much more ice than icecream, but still yummy. And even better - as it's not exactly what I had hoped for I should eat less of it! Very yummy though) I made yesterday (about 2 tbs of fruit) and a COFFEE WITH COCONUT MILK. I had really missed those :D
Breakfast # 2 - scrambled eggs (3) with paprika. Also yum :)
These kept me fuelled very nicely through my TKD class, although next time I'll try and have the eggs a bit earlier so I can't feel them in my stomach...
After TKD I was in a 'must eat carbs' mood - fantasising about fruit, arepas, empanadas, toast... (Toast? Seriously? After what happened earlier this week?)
So I bought lots of fruit and didn't eat it because I was busy cooking lunch instead :D
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Day 3
Snack @ about 11:30am
I really really really wanted something to eat. I'm not sure if it was real hunger (probably not), habit or craving. In the end, knowing that lunch would be at least an hour away I had a sliced apple with 'coconut concentrate' spread on it, sprinkled with cinnamon.
While this was actually quite nice, it was entirely due to the apple and cinnamon. Coconut Concentrate is a vile earth-tasting (and looking) spread. This makes me sad as it's one of the only 2 coconut products available in every supermarket here (the other being desiccated coconut). It's made from ground up coconuts and looks and tastes like they ground the whole thing, shell and all! It's probably made from the bits left over after the pretty white bit has been shredded for desiccating. At least it kept me satiated for a good couple of hours, I got the awesome coconutty nutrients and the flavour was easily maskable :) I'll probably repeat this snack, but not every day.
I really really really wanted something to eat. I'm not sure if it was real hunger (probably not), habit or craving. In the end, knowing that lunch would be at least an hour away I had a sliced apple with 'coconut concentrate' spread on it, sprinkled with cinnamon.
While this was actually quite nice, it was entirely due to the apple and cinnamon. Coconut Concentrate is a vile earth-tasting (and looking) spread. This makes me sad as it's one of the only 2 coconut products available in every supermarket here (the other being desiccated coconut). It's made from ground up coconuts and looks and tastes like they ground the whole thing, shell and all! It's probably made from the bits left over after the pretty white bit has been shredded for desiccating. At least it kept me satiated for a good couple of hours, I got the awesome coconutty nutrients and the flavour was easily maskable :) I'll probably repeat this snack, but not every day.
Day 3
Dinner @ 8pm
Sauteed onions, garlic, beef (cut into strips) and spinach. I was going to add some of the fun new spices that I picked up today, but the garlic smelled so good I decided to leave it. It was really yummy - I'd totally forgotten how good garlic tastes as I hadn't cooked with it myself for (literally) years. To drink: something else fun that I picked up today. Cold-brew (!) hibiscus flower tea. Apparently a good source of vitamin C, a pretty colour, and very nice. Hopefully that and the other infusions (cinnamon tea!) I bought will help me to avoid puddings. Speaking of...
I made popsicles without the stick today. I'll probably have one after dinner. I stuffed a papaya in the freezer before I went on holiday without planning what to do with it when I got back. My new (I really went shopping today) immersion blender/whisk/thing ground it up, I added a squeeze of lime juice and smooshed it into an oversized icecube tray. Each portion is about a tablespoon. Hopefully they'll last me along time!
In other news: WE HAVE COCONUT MILK! Or rather, I have coconut milk. Three cans was all the shop had, and now it's all I have :D It will be used in coffee (obviously) and, if I remember, the next batch of popsicle-style desserts.
Sauteed onions, garlic, beef (cut into strips) and spinach. I was going to add some of the fun new spices that I picked up today, but the garlic smelled so good I decided to leave it. It was really yummy - I'd totally forgotten how good garlic tastes as I hadn't cooked with it myself for (literally) years. To drink: something else fun that I picked up today. Cold-brew (!) hibiscus flower tea. Apparently a good source of vitamin C, a pretty colour, and very nice. Hopefully that and the other infusions (cinnamon tea!) I bought will help me to avoid puddings. Speaking of...
I made popsicles without the stick today. I'll probably have one after dinner. I stuffed a papaya in the freezer before I went on holiday without planning what to do with it when I got back. My new (I really went shopping today) immersion blender/whisk/thing ground it up, I added a squeeze of lime juice and smooshed it into an oversized icecube tray. Each portion is about a tablespoon. Hopefully they'll last me along time!
In other news: WE HAVE COCONUT MILK! Or rather, I have coconut milk. Three cans was all the shop had, and now it's all I have :D It will be used in coffee (obviously) and, if I remember, the next batch of popsicle-style desserts.
Day 3
Lunch in the early afternoon
Pollo! three pieces and (probably too much) plantain.
Walked a lot today, from Fontibon to Hayuellos to home via Homecenter, and lots of walking around in each place too. I was knackered... But not exhausted, if that makes sense? I was tired of walking and of being on my feet, but I wasn't out of breath or anything like that.
Pollo! three pieces and (probably too much) plantain.
Walked a lot today, from Fontibon to Hayuellos to home via Homecenter, and lots of walking around in each place too. I was knackered... But not exhausted, if that makes sense? I was tired of walking and of being on my feet, but I wasn't out of breath or anything like that.
Day 3
Breakfast @ 9:30ish
Green tea with lime while my brain was still waking up.
Pork, apples and onions, with a fried egg on top. Half an avocado with balsamic vinegar while I was cooking (REALLY hungry!) and a very weak black coffee (I got it right this morning).
Woke up feeling reeeeaaaaally lazy and content. Realised that I needed to go to the loo to pee, but other than that my stomach wasn't sending any signals. I think I'm over the worst of the wheat-arepa disaster! (Fingers crossed that I'm not speaking too soon.)
I'm not sure if the sudden onset of intense hunger was caused by the green tea and lime (acidic jump start to my stomach?) or the lack of a real dinner last night, or all of the dreaming of recipes I've been doing...
Here's to an optimistic day 3!
Green tea with lime while my brain was still waking up.
Pork, apples and onions, with a fried egg on top. Half an avocado with balsamic vinegar while I was cooking (REALLY hungry!) and a very weak black coffee (I got it right this morning).
Woke up feeling reeeeaaaaally lazy and content. Realised that I needed to go to the loo to pee, but other than that my stomach wasn't sending any signals. I think I'm over the worst of the wheat-arepa disaster! (Fingers crossed that I'm not speaking too soon.)
I'm not sure if the sudden onset of intense hunger was caused by the green tea and lime (acidic jump start to my stomach?) or the lack of a real dinner last night, or all of the dreaming of recipes I've been doing...
Here's to an optimistic day 3!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Day 2
"Dinner"? - all evening
Due to the aforementioned tummy troubles I've kind of given up on food now. I've had another cup of lemongrass tea, and a square of cocoa (no, not chocolate) because I'm still craving, but I'm definitely not hungry.
It would be hard not to continue 'grazing' if I had anything whole 30 approved in the house. Thank god for an empty kitchen?
Due to the aforementioned tummy troubles I've kind of given up on food now. I've had another cup of lemongrass tea, and a square of cocoa (no, not chocolate) because I'm still craving, but I'm definitely not hungry.
It would be hard not to continue 'grazing' if I had anything whole 30 approved in the house. Thank god for an empty kitchen?
Day 2
Lunch @ 4pm
Ground beef with contents of refrigerator (actually very yummy - onion, white cabbage, carrot, tomato, spinach, and garlic for my cold) - cooked like a slow stir-fry. Lemongrass tea.
I'm feeling... better I suppose. The fortnight prior to starting this challenge was filled with awful food choices. Backpacking around Peru for a week and a bit meant lots of rice and potatoes (a couple of which were the yummy orange sweet variety, but the rest were just standard chips). That blocked my systems, if you know what I mean :( Things were just beginning to normalise when, thinking it was my last opportunity to eat something 'unhealthy' on Wednesday evening (as I'd already decided to start this) and feeling ravenous after Taekwon-Do, I decided to have an arepa with cheese on the way home. Normally that wouldn't affect me, but what I have now realised is that the arepas from that vendor aren't pure corn: they also contain wheat flour. I'm allergic to wheat. I've been to the bathroom about ten times since then... I think I'm finally starting to slow down now though.
In beter news, I asked my local butcher what the cows eat, and he said they eat 'mostly grass.' Apparently they also eat a lot of salt...? At least I don't have to worry (too much) about eating beef in Colombia now.
I still really want chocolate. If it's this bad now, what will it be like when I hit the real withdrawal phase in a couple of days?
ETA - I've just had a cup of papaya with lime juice. For a fruit it's relatively good, but it's still caving in to sweet cravings. Better than the tablespoon of honey I was considering though!
Ground beef with contents of refrigerator (actually very yummy - onion, white cabbage, carrot, tomato, spinach, and garlic for my cold) - cooked like a slow stir-fry. Lemongrass tea.
I'm feeling... better I suppose. The fortnight prior to starting this challenge was filled with awful food choices. Backpacking around Peru for a week and a bit meant lots of rice and potatoes (a couple of which were the yummy orange sweet variety, but the rest were just standard chips). That blocked my systems, if you know what I mean :( Things were just beginning to normalise when, thinking it was my last opportunity to eat something 'unhealthy' on Wednesday evening (as I'd already decided to start this) and feeling ravenous after Taekwon-Do, I decided to have an arepa with cheese on the way home. Normally that wouldn't affect me, but what I have now realised is that the arepas from that vendor aren't pure corn: they also contain wheat flour. I'm allergic to wheat. I've been to the bathroom about ten times since then... I think I'm finally starting to slow down now though.
In beter news, I asked my local butcher what the cows eat, and he said they eat 'mostly grass.' Apparently they also eat a lot of salt...? At least I don't have to worry (too much) about eating beef in Colombia now.
I still really want chocolate. If it's this bad now, what will it be like when I hit the real withdrawal phase in a couple of days?
ETA - I've just had a cup of papaya with lime juice. For a fruit it's relatively good, but it's still caving in to sweet cravings. Better than the tablespoon of honey I was considering though!
Day 2
Good morning!
Breakfast @ 9:30
3 (proper sized) egg omelette, sauteed onions and mushrooms, half a chicken breast, half an avocado. Large cup of (watered down) black coffee (plus one small cup of normal black coffee in class at 7am).
I'm feeling good, but that's because I'm still halfway through my awesome breakfast.
Breakfast @ 9:30
3 (proper sized) egg omelette, sauteed onions and mushrooms, half a chicken breast, half an avocado. Large cup of (watered down) black coffee (plus one small cup of normal black coffee in class at 7am).
I'm feeling good, but that's because I'm still halfway through my awesome breakfast.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Day 1
Dinner @ approx 8:30
Pollo! In Colombia they have excellent charcoal grilled entire chickens pretty much everywhere! A few are only electric-heater-grilled, but thankfully not many. A standard chicken comes with a couple of tiny arepas, a plate of boiled and salted potatoes, and a grilled plaintain. So, not the best of meals....
I had two legs, a thigh, and a piece of plantain (twice in one day! Argh) and called it a night (I have previously been known to eat an entire half chicken and all of the plantain in one sitting after Taekwondo or other exercise, so I actually showed a lot of restraint).
The good: I have two flame grilled chicken breasts sitting in my fridge for tomorrow.
The bad: I just had an incredibly nutrient-lite meal, and my second helping of ripe plantain. I'm also stuffed.
To finish the day off and curb the intense chocolate cravings I'm sipping a cup of herb tea (I can't remember which one but it's nice).
I'm not really used to eating dinner. I usually have such a late breakfast that lunch ends up being at about 3pm, and then I'm busy (working and martial-arts-ing) in the evenings. I usually just have fruit, a fried egg, or chocolate.
Day 1
Lunch @ 2:15
Pork with Invisible Cabbage (aka 'pork, onions and apples, no cabbage, honest') with fried plantain.
A square of cocoa powder (yes, really) and a cup of green tea with lime as 'pudding.'
Despite obsessing about food I was surprised to notice that it was half past one. Perhaps the green tea and lime I had instead of a snack helped, or the fact that I was engrossed in sorting out holiday pictures.
The plantain is not a good choice in comparison with other vegetables, as it's pretty much a potato in disguise. It sure is yummy though, and very cheap and plentiful. I'll try to cut down to twice a week or use it more as a garnish until I find out that it's definitely on the 'Do Not Eat' list. The problem with cooking for two is that you have tosecretly hide cabbage in their lunch compromise, but if I'm going to complete 30 real days (and not 30 cheating/making excuses days as I used to) then I'll just have to start serving better vegetables to those I cook for.
Broccoli here we come!
Pork with Invisible Cabbage (aka 'pork, onions and apples, no cabbage, honest') with fried plantain.
A square of cocoa powder (yes, really) and a cup of green tea with lime as 'pudding.'
Despite obsessing about food I was surprised to notice that it was half past one. Perhaps the green tea and lime I had instead of a snack helped, or the fact that I was engrossed in sorting out holiday pictures.
The plantain is not a good choice in comparison with other vegetables, as it's pretty much a potato in disguise. It sure is yummy though, and very cheap and plentiful. I'll try to cut down to twice a week or use it more as a garnish until I find out that it's definitely on the 'Do Not Eat' list. The problem with cooking for two is that you have to
Broccoli here we come!
Day 1
Breakfast @ approx 9am:
3 (smallish) egg omelette, with sauteed onions, tomato, spinach, and genova. Cooked in olive oil.
Large (oops, but it was watered down a lot) cup of black coffee.
I'm physically satisfied (and should be as that's a pretty normal breakfast for me) but can't stop thinking about eating things... Yesterday I was snacking (mistake 1) on oranges and mangoes (mistake 2) all day and ended with a late night (mistake 3) arepa with cheese (mistake 4). Is this obsession caused by sugar withdrawals already? Or is just because I'm still reading through 'It Starts With Food' which is making me think about eating?
I wish I had coconut milk to put in my coffee, it just tastes so good, and is really satisfying.
720 what?
I've decided (for the umpteenth time) to try to clean up my diet. No, this time it's different. This time I've decided to clean up my diet (as Yoda says 'Do or do not. There is no try'). I'm not sure why but I've settled on the Whole 9's 'Whole 30' regime out of the many Paleo/Primal offerings out there. Perhaps because it's the only one I haven't finished reading yet?
This blog is not to provide any great service to human kind, not even entertainment. I just need to keep track of what I'm (not) doing and how it makes me feel (sadly the wonderful PaleoTrack doesn't allow for notes). I have also learnt that I do nothing difficult unless I'm in competition with someone (I'm such a nice person, huh) or someone is making me do it. I hope that the knowledge that at any moment someone I know could stumble across this blog will be enough to keep me honest. I promise that if I break the diet (20th July potato soup is not optional, will explain later) it will go on the blog, although (you will be relieved to know) I will probably not post about every compliant meal I eat (there will probably be a lot of repetition).
At the moment I have no idea how much I weigh (as I'm hoping to put on muscle I'm avoiding scales as rising numbers will make me chicken out of healthy diet and healthy exercise), and I'll probably take down body measurements later today. I'm also in the process of finding a health care provider here in Bogotá (instead of relying on my traveller's insurance) so I'm hoping that will include a medical exam with relevant tests (I don't think I've ever had cholesterol measured before, I'm kind of looking forward to it).
As the book says, It Starts With Food. ¡Buen provecho!
This blog is not to provide any great service to human kind, not even entertainment. I just need to keep track of what I'm (not) doing and how it makes me feel (sadly the wonderful PaleoTrack doesn't allow for notes). I have also learnt that I do nothing difficult unless I'm in competition with someone (I'm such a nice person, huh) or someone is making me do it. I hope that the knowledge that at any moment someone I know could stumble across this blog will be enough to keep me honest. I promise that if I break the diet (20th July potato soup is not optional, will explain later) it will go on the blog, although (you will be relieved to know) I will probably not post about every compliant meal I eat (there will probably be a lot of repetition).
At the moment I have no idea how much I weigh (as I'm hoping to put on muscle I'm avoiding scales as rising numbers will make me chicken out of healthy diet and healthy exercise), and I'll probably take down body measurements later today. I'm also in the process of finding a health care provider here in Bogotá (instead of relying on my traveller's insurance) so I'm hoping that will include a medical exam with relevant tests (I don't think I've ever had cholesterol measured before, I'm kind of looking forward to it).
As the book says, It Starts With Food. ¡Buen provecho!
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