Eggplant "Pasta" Bolognese

ONE
1 onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, pressed

TWO
1lb minced meat (beef 95/5 or turkey, for ex.)

THREE
2 cups cubed butternut squash
2 tomatoes, chopped

FOUR
1 bunch kale, chopped
1 zucchini, chopped
16oz tomato sauce (or more if needed)
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
salt and pepper, to taste

FIVE
3 large eggplants, peeled and cut into strips
1 T coconut oil

In a large pot, saute the ingredients in ONE with a little bit of water, covered, over low heat, until translucent. Add TWO and cook until no longer pink. Add THREE and cook for 5-7 minutes. Add FOUR, bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, uncovered, until all veggies are soft. In another pan, melt the coconut oil and add the eggplant. Cook, stirring frequently, until soft and brown. Put some eggplant noodles in a bowl and top with the bolognese.

It's been 5 weeks!

It looks like I missed my one month anniversary! That must mean I'm doing well or I would be keeping better track otherwise.... Still loving it, but I think I need to still lower my sugar intake... I've been eating lots of fruit and I still crave something sweet after I eat... Mmmm....Maple syrup...

(Crockpot) Butternut & Sweet Potato Soup

Great for breakfast with your bacon!

ONE
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, pressed

TWO
2 medium sweet potatoes, chopped
1 small butternut squash, chopped (this can feel like a WOD sometimes...)
2 cups water (you can add more when you puree the veggies if it's too thick for your taste...)
1/2 t sage
1 t thyme
salt and pepper, to taste

In a pan, saute ONE until transparent. Transfer to the crockpot. Add TWO and cook on low for 6 hours (or on high for 4 1/2). Using an immersion blender, puree and adjust the seasonings. Yum!

Adapted from The Vegetarian Slow Cooker

Banana Choc Mug Cake

1 banana, mashed
2 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1 T honey
3 T coconut flour
1 t baking powder
pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Transfer to a mug and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes (check consistency after 2, then cook longer if needed)

Veggie Frittata

ONE
1 T coconut oil
1 onion, sliced
1 leek, chopped
4 garlic cloves, pressed

TWO
1 cup butternut squash or sweet potato, cubed
a bunch of fresh spinach
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 tomato, seeded and chopped

THREE
12 egg whites (2 cups)
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Preheat the oven to 350F. In a pan, saute ONE until translucent. Add TWO and cook, over medium heat, for 5-10 more minutes. Transfer to a bowl and add THREE. Mix well. Pour into a greased baking dish and cook for 45 minutes or until set. Serve with hot sauce.

(Crockpot) Ginger Lemony Chicken

ONE
1/2 t cinnamon
1 t cumin
1/4 t turmeric

TWO
3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs and breasts

THREE
1 T coconut oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
 6 cloves garlic, pressed

FOUR
1/4 cup fresh grated ginger
1/4 cup raisins
juice and zest of 1 lemon
1/2 cup water
2 tomatoes, chopped

salt and pepper, to taste

In a large bowl, combine ONE. Add TWO and coat well. In a large pan, cook THREE until translucent. Transfer to the crockpot. Add more oil and cook the chicken in the oil until browned on both sides. Transfer to the crockpot. Combine FOUR in a bowl and pour over the chicken. Cook on low for 6 hours. Season with salt and pepper.

Adapted from The Paleo Slow Cooker

Banana Mug Cake

1 ripe banana, mashed
3 T coconut flour
3 T unsweetened apple sauce
1 T honey
1 t baking soda
pinch of salt
bunch of enjoy life chocolate chips (I dare you not to put a few in your mouth...)

Combine everything a bowl. Transfer to a mug and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes (check consistency after 2, then cook a little longer as needed).

Burrito Bowl

coconut oil
4 pork chops, all visible fat removed (or chicken, turkey...)

ONE
1 onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, pressed
1 carrot, chopped

TWO
1 cauliflower, processed in a blender

THREE
1/2 butternut squash or 1 sweet potato, cubed and cooked (boiled or baked)
1 zucchini, diced
1/2lb. fresh spinach
1/4 fresh chopped cilantro

FOUR
1 batch BBQ sauce

In a large pot, heat some coconut oil. Cut the pork chops in bite sized pieces, salt to taste, and cook until brown. Set aside. Add a little bit more oil and cook ONE until translucent. Add TWO and cook for a few minutes. Add THREE and the pork chops, and cook over low heat.  Serve with BBQ sauce.

BBQ Sauce

16 oz tomato sauce
1/2 cup apple vinegar
1/2 T onion powder
1/2 T ground mustard
1 T fresh lemon juice
1 t paprika
1/2 T pepper
1 cup water
5T honey

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 1 hour, until thickened.

From Paleo Cupboard

Banana Chocolate Pancakes

1 ripe banana, mashed
2 T coconut flour
2 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1 T pure maple syrup
1 t baking powder
3 egg whites (1/3 cup)

Coconut oil, to cook

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Pour some of the batter in an oiled non-stick pan to make a small pancake and flatten with a spoon. Flip over once. Serve with maple syrup. Gotta love Saturdays!

3 weeks!

I started my low-fat paleo adventures on January 10th, right after coming back from Spain. No excuses, no waiting until Monday. The day after I landed. I looked up recipes, went to the grocery store, and started cooking. After three weeks, I feel great. Energy level is up, my endurance WODs have become easier and faster, my belly is flatter (my goal is not weigh loss, but I am realizing I was bloated a lot before), digestion is great, and I have hardly felt any pressure where my cyst is.

Do I miss any foods? Well, sure, I do, but I have missed some since I had to be put on a low- fat diet 4 years ago, so I guess I'm just used to it, and willpower is now my forte. I had to give up olive oil and I did. I had to give up beer, and I did. I had to give up cookies, and I did. So if I have to give up bread, I will. If I can't eat legumes, I don't. It's really not  a matter of will power, but a choice to be healthy, and I choose to be as healthy as I can be. No cheat days, no cravings.