Day 12: Homemade Breakfast Sausage

June 12, 2016Leave a comment

Every packet of sausage or bacon I’ve picked up in the last 12 days has sugar in it. It’s depressing. And I wanted a good breakfast this morning. It is my favorite day.

So I made my own.

And it is amazing.

This breakfast hash is something I’ll be making for a long time. After two weeks of just eggs and egg muffins, I wanted something of substance.

For the homemade sausage, you need:

1 pound ground pork
2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
1/8 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
Coconut oil to help with browning

Combine all spices and stir. Using your hands, mix into ground pork until well combined.

This will make your dreams come true. It has just the right amount of kick. If you like it spicy, add more red pepper flakes. If you like it less spicy, only use 1/8 teaspoon cayenne.

I browned my sausage and set it aside.

Then I sautéed baby tri-colored potatoes, onion and jalapeño until soft. Add the sausage back into the pan.

In a separate pan, fry two eggs in coconut oil. I like my eggs runny for hash.

Plate the potato and sausage hash, top with the fried eggs and finish with compliant salsa and guacamole.

I can’t wait to tell you about tonight’s dinner, but it requires its own post so I can share the details of making it.

How’s your weekend? What did you have for breakfast?

Day 10: Double Digits

June 10, 20161 Comment

Y’all, the chicken legs I made tonight were amazing. I found a dry rub on Pinterest that was Whole30 approved.

What you need:

Coconut oil
Paprika
Salt
Pepper
Garlic powder
Parsley
Red pepper flakes

Coat the chicken in the paste-like mixture. The coconut oil will melt when it hits the grill so watch for flare-ups. Grill the chicken legs for 45 minutes to an hour on medium to medium-high heat.

I also threw the one squash we grew on the grill with onions and red bell pepper, and I made another pack of mushrooms with Balsalmic vinegar.

So. Good.

The boyfriend and I felt like we were eating normal food. All the food I’ve made so far has been normal. But we can’t just go out somewhere and grab a drink and a bite to eat.

I tried to go to Chipotle today, but they cook everything in rice bran oil. Not compliant. Saddest day. All I could eat is the guacamole or salsa.

Lunch today was leftovers from last night. And breakfast was a couple of egg muffins with a side of mixed berries. All good things.

Still a touch of a stomach ache. Not as tired. But I remain in a constant state of annoyance at everyone else eating whatever they want. Hopefully, this will pass, and I’ll enter into a state of euphoria.

Day 9: Let Me Eat Out

June 9, 2016Leave a comment

I want someone else to cook for me. I just need a break from the kitchen. So. Much. Cooking.

But everything has been tasting good. I’m just ready for a night out and drinks and tacos.

Breakfast today was egg muffins with salsa. I mixed homemade pesto into this batch. Very tasty.

Lunch was leftovers from last night’s dinner. A pork chop and half a sweet potato. Not pretty, but full of flavor.

Dinner tonight was a winner. I found Whole30 compliant chicken sausage at the store. Life. Saver. Especially when I’m in no mood for cooking. I had pre-sliced onions ready to go, and I sliced some wilted bell peppers to add to the mix.

The fresh green beans were sautéed in coconut oil, garlic and good Balsalmic vinegar. The vinegar created a sweet sauce. Totally delicious.

The boyfriend had a day like I had yesterday. He was basically a zombie. Came home from work and laid down.

I’m feeling back to normal, but with more alertness and energy. I am thankful tomorrow we will enter double digits. And I’m thankful for the chicken sausage. And I’m thankful for beer. Even though I can’t drink it right now.

I will. Soon.

Day 8: Whoa Is Me

June 8, 2016Leave a comment

After three days of feeling great, I’m back to feeling like crap. The book said this would happen. But my Superman mentality said that won’t happen to me.

Last night I had a terrible stomach ache. So painful. I did cook supper and boil eggs for breakfast. But supper wasn’t my favorite.

Avocado turkey burger with sautéed broccoli. I took two bites of the burger and knew it was NOT what I wanted. The boyfriend ate his wrapped in lettuce and topped with salsa. We both thought cheese would make it delightful.

Breakfast today was two boiled eggs and a handful of delicious strawberries.

Snacks so far have been an apple with cashew butter.

I was so happy to be out of the funk. And this new funk is powerful. I’m so tired. But at least my mind isn’t foggy like it was before.

It’s the first day I’ve thought incessantly about breakfast biscuits for the cafeteria at my office. I can’t even go in there. Makes me too sad/annoyed that I can’t have the biscuit of my dreams.

So there’s that.

The book says it’s all normal. The psychological effects of elimination are starting to rear its ugly head.

So I’ll go back to work and try my best to not face plant into my desk.

Day 7: Spectacular Spectacular

June 7, 2016Leave a comment

I’ve made it through the fog. No more headaches. No more feeling drunk when I wake up in the mornings. No more mid-day slump.

Over the weekend, I hit my groove with Whole30 cooking and meal prep. Hallelujah!

Egg muffins and berries for breakfast yesterday and today. The muffins are full of sautéed veggies, and they reheat marvelously.

I’ve had avocado tuna salad with cucumbers the last two days for lunch. The boyfriend has been cleaning up leftovers for lunch. Lemon chicken and veggies and chicken tacos.

But supper last night was amazing.

Pesto chicken with sautéed zucchini and yellow squash.

I made the pesto with walnuts, basil from the garden, tons of garlic and good olive oil. First time to make pesto without Parmesan cheese. And it was still creamy and delicious.

I cooked the chicken and diced the veggies Sunday morning so it made cooking last night a breeze.

Such goodness.

On another note, I’m acquiring a taste for black coffee. I still miss the cream, but it’s much I more bearable now that the fog has lifted.

The boyfriend says his pants are already fitting and feeling much more comfortable. That’s a huge win since it’s one reason we chose to do this.

My skin is looking much better. Less breakouts. More freckles, but that’s from all the sun I’ve been getting.

We will keep plugging along. Eating good, whole foods while being mindful of our cravings. I did almost judo chop a lady for a bag of Cheetos the other day. So…baby steps.