Herbed Mayo

Simmie Sinow

This is THE BEST mayo ever!

It also can be very thick -- which may be a blessing for those of you that have issues with runny homemade mayonnaise.

The key to not having to worry about runny mayonnaise is adding some powdered type of spices to it as the extra powder will thicken the mayonnaise up really nice.

These will become your new best friend in seasonings for your  mayonnaise:

1 whole egg, cold right out of the refrigerator
1 egg yolks, cold right out of the refrigerator
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp dill pickle juice OR 1 tsp lime juice
1 heaping tsp mustard powder
1 Tbsp Trader Joe's "Everything But the Bagel" sesame seasoning **
1 Tbsp Trader Joe's Onion Salt blend **
2 1/3 to 2 1/2 cups oil (I use avocado oil or olive oil)

Note: This mayonnaise WILL be thick! No more fretting about runny mayonnaise.

What I do is "slam" the eggs into the bottom of the jar I'm making this in,  so as to break the yolk.  A fork or knife works just as well, but just isn't as much fun!

Add all the ingredients into your jar, in the order they are listed above. Be sure the oil is the last thing you pour in.

Before beginning to blend with your immersion blender, be 100% sure that the blender head is at the very bottom of your container.   This is critical.

Blend on low until you think your blender head is ready to pull up and LEAVE IT THERE longer.  Trust me on this.

When you think you've blended it a little too much.....give it another 20 seconds.

When it is done, it may not be super smooth, so take a spoon and just mix it up a bit and it will be fine.

You can use this as mayo or as a base for a dip to add some chipotle powder or other seasonings to as a veggie dip that also serves as your fat portion as part of your meal.

** Important Note: If you are using a different recipe that calls for less than 2c of oil, make sure to downsize the amount of the Trader Joe's spices.  Otherwise, you will wind up with mayo that sticks like glue!

Whole30 REINTRODUCTION -- a must!

Simmie Sinow

Did you know that Reintroduction is a mandatory part of Whole30? Yes, this is true.

We all know those who don't want to do Reintroduction.  Some because they don't plan to add things back into their eating program, others because they don't trust themselves. And others because they don't understand the process of Food Freedom.

What they don't realize is that Reintroduction is not necessarily about adding those items back into your food rotation, but knowing which foods you need to treat like poison, which foods you can tolerate occasionally with minimal reactions, and which foods can be added back into rotation with no reactions.

Doing an elimination diet and not reintroducing just makes no sense, because you don't come out of it knowing which foods are causing issues -- and that is the whole point. Whole30 is not a "forever" plan, so knowing where to start with customizing your way of eating is essential.

We all know that the reintroduction schedule from Whole30 is lacking some items.  Below you will find graphics of both the Whole30 schedule and also the schedule that has worked best for me.

You can also add another two categories: split wine into organic (no sulfites) in addition to the wine category; split sugar into an artifical sweeteners category in addition to the sugar category.  I found that adding an artificial sweeteners category to be super helpful. Splitting dairy into 2 categories is, in my opinion, really important -- a lot of people  can tolerate either yogurt/milk or cheeses, but not both.

WHOLE30-RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE:

AN ALTERNATE SCHEDULE:

Maryland Crab Cakes Redux

Beth Salerno Teixeira

From Beth, author of this recipe: We Marylanders are picky about good crab cakes. I needed a compliant recipe for my son's birthday that didn't have all the distracting fillers, so I created my own. He loved them. See for yourself:

1 can lump crabmeat or 16 oz fresh
1 egg
2 tsp Old Bay
1/8 tsp dry mustard
1 1/2 Tbsp mayo
1 1/2 Tbsp yellow mustard
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp olive oil or ghee
1 tsp parsley flakes
1/4 cup unblanched almond flour

Mix fillers first then fold in crabmeat and mix in the egg.

Form 8 cakes
Bake 375 for 12 min
Pan sear in 1 Tbsp oil 1 min each side until golden brown

Chipotle Mayonnaise

Simmie Sinow

This is so ahhhmaaazing!!! Since I enjoy things really spicy -- if you don't -- scale back the chipotle powder to 1-2 tsp instead of the 1 Tbsp called for below.

1 whole egg + 1 egg yolk
2 tsp mustard powder
1 Tbsp vinegar (ACV)
1/2 Tbsp lime juice
2 +cups oil (I prefer avocado) **
1 Tbsp chipotle powder (try 1-2 tsp for less spicy)
1/2 Tbsp TJ Onion Salt blend

1/2 Tbsp chives

** With the addition of powders and spices, the 2 cups of avocado oil very often is not enough and the mayonnaise comes out really thick. What I recommend doing is adding more oil at the end and continuing to blend and then when you're done, take a spoon and just mix it.

Place head of immersion blender in bottom of measuring cup (2 cup measuring cup works just right).

Blend.

Move head around the *bottom* of the measuring cup, but don't lift up. Keep blending bottom ingredients until thoroughly emulsified.

ONLY move the head of the immersion blender up when it has emulsified up to the very top except for a very thin layer of oil on the very top. Do not do this too soon. Do not tilt sideways!

New To Whole30? Read On!

WHAT IS WHOLE30?
It's an All-or-Nothing 30 days (up to 90 days) elimination diet plus a minimum of 12 days of reintroducing foods eliminated to get your eating, health, and relationship with food on a healthier track.

After the reintroduction, most people transition to Paleo, as Whole30 is not a lifestyle, but a learning tool to customize your way of eating for the rest of your life.  To read more on the learning tool and not lifestyle, click HERE to go to Dallas Hartwig's article on this.  http://whole30.com/2015/05/whole30-learning-tool/

Whole30 is not for the faint of heart -- there is a lot to take in, and it's important to fully understand what you're getting yourself into before starting. As I've been saying for at least 7 years (before my first Whole30), there is NO way of eating or changing habits that's right for everyone--there is no One Size Fits All.  Find the plan that is Right For You!

The best way to do Whole30, for optimum results (and who doesn't want the best ever results?) is to follow not just the Rules, but the Recommendations as well.  Don't half-a** this effort that is so important to every part of you -- you deserve the best results and not just some fly-by-night mediocre results.

Here are some links that I feel are critical to understanding and having a successful Whole30.  Please note that some of these links are only available on the Whole30 - First Timers Support Group on Facebook--those are indicated with an ** before the topic.  Italicized items are links to follow.

THE BOOKS
It Starts With Food  -- This is the most important book to read, along with Food Freedom Forever (FFF is for after your Whole30). This explains why you're doing what you're doing.

The Whole30  -- This is more of a mechanics of Whole30 and is intended more for those that don't want to know the Why behind what you're doing.

Food Freedom Forever -- This is extremely important to read, as it helps you to understand just What "food freedom" means.  This book was very well thought out and is critical to your future way of eating and how you approach food and change your relationship with food.

NOW.....for some Whole30 reading:

WHOLE30 PROGRAM RULES -- This is very important to read and understand fully.

Reintroduction is Step 2 of Whole30..don't skip it
-- Prepping for Reintro, links to other articles on Melissa's once-a-year Whole30, why to do Reintro, etc.
-- 12 day Reintroduction process
-- Slow Roll Reintroduction process

8 STEPS/THINGS TO DO TO GET READY FOR WHOLE30
These are short articles, and will help you prepare for your next 30 days! Be sure and go to the full page for each article, don't just read the snippet.

MEAL TEMPLATE  -- Be sure and download this file -- it shows you what your minimum portion sizes should be and also what each meal should include.

** SNACKING -- Your eventual goal after a week or so of fine tuning your food portions, is to get to the point of 3 meals, no snacks. Snacks tend to be "mindless" eating, so let's get to it and make this mean something!

BECOME AN EXPERT LABEL READER -- I cannot stress enough how important it is to do your own homework on compliant ingredients.  After a while, it becomes second nature to you.  See the item below, "Searching for Whole30 information."

SWYPO  -- This is probably the most confusing part of all of Whole30.  Be sure and read the very end where it explains that there are some foods that are just plain off-limits to everyone for 30 days.

** OFF LIMITS FOOD LIST FROM SWYPO ARTICLE
This is a list from the SWYPO article that itemizes those things that are off-limits foods/dishes/recipes for everyone.

WEIGHING AND MEASURING YOURSELF IS OUT FOR 30 DAYS
-- Knowing that NOT doing this is part of Whole30
-- Break Up With Your Scale
This is one of the hard-and-fast rules of Whole30.  Do this, and it's back to Day 1.  There's a good reason for this, so read up on this.

RESTARTING -- YES YOU DO NEED TO DO IT
Yes, you readlly do need to do this if you break one of the rules.  Because: the rules, your commitment to yourself, science. There are only 3 rules -- and good reason to restart if you break one.  Don't look at it as failure, but success -- by restarting, you are following Whole30 and NOT choosing to disregard one of the rules.

WHOLE30 PDF FILES --There are a bunch of helpful files at this link -- do go and download at least the Meal Planning template (shows you what each meal should include and minimum portions, along with pre- and post-workout snacks), shopping list (basic foods you can eat list), common additives (forbidden additives list and most common ok to use additives list), and sugar names.

SEARCHING FOR WHOLE30 ANSWERS ON GOOGLE
Searching via Google for answers on Whole30 is really easy!  Just go to Google and put the following in (making sure to replace IngredientName with the actual name of the ingredient you're questioning--or the topic you are looking for answers on):  forum.whole30.com Ingredient Name (or you can use IngredientName Whole30).  Look for forum links and look for Moderator answers on posts on the forum.

Hamburger Stew from Mom - a la Crockpot

Simmie Sinow

This recipe and meal brings back some good memories from when I was a kid and my mom was still alive (she died in '93 from cancer).

This is a modified version of her recipe -- mostly I've added some mushrooms (because I love them and mom hated 'em!)

Serves 4

20 oz, Lean Ground Turkey
1 cup chopped, Celery, raw
2 cup uncooked, Diced Yams
1 cup chopped, Yellow Onion
1.50 cup chopped Tri-color Peppers (or
1 8 oz container Sliced Baby Bella Mushrooms
4 oz carton Baby Bella (Crimini) Mushrooms (the tiny ones)
1 cup chopped, Carrots, raw
14 oz can diced tomatoes (I use Fire Roasted)
2 cups Beef Broth
2 cups Water

Notes on ingredients:
(1) On the beef broth/water, you can also use all beef broth or all water
(2) Ground turkey: this amount was chosen because that is how the ground turkey is generally packaged. You can use 1 lb or you could use more than 20 ounces.
(3) You really can use any veggies you want, or add more to this.

Brown ground beef in a medium fry pan. Drain fat.

Place beef, vegetables, tomatoes and water in slow cooker.

Cook on low 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 6 hours.  Test your yams/potatoes before deciding it's done -- the larger the chunks, the longer this will take to finish (hint: cut the potato/yam in cubes).

You can throw in a handful of black olives in your bowl at mealtime, or add some green olives in the last 30 minutes of cooking for your fat.


ENJOY!

Eggs in Hell

Simmie Sinow
Inspired by my mother (about 60 years ago), Mario Batali, and many others who have "fooled around" with this dish!

Serves 3

This is a complete meal template meal all in one pan! Nothing to add!

This is one of the most versatile meal-in-a-pan dishes ever! You can substitute out any of the veggies for different veggies, which makes it really great. You can also use some cajun seasonings, etc.

I overshot on quantities of veggies when I made it a couple of days ago, so I wound up with leftovers, which made for a very quick breakfast bowl!

1 cup diced small hash browns
1 cup diced sweet mini peppers (just put the strips in your blender and let the blender do the chopping!)
1 diced small yellow onion
2 cups diced small mexican zucchini
1 can olives
Any other vegetables you want to include (mushrooms would be great in this)
1 jar + Trader Joe's Puttanesca Sauce or any marinara sauce or salsa if you'd like that flavor spin. I used 1 jar and about 1/3 cup out of a second jar.

Put enough oil of your choice to cover the surface in a large frying pan and heat for a minute or so.

Then dump all the ingredients above except the sauce into the pan and saute on medium until the veggies are softened up a bit (less than 10 minutes).

Put the sauce in with the rest of the ingredients, mix well, cover, and cook until bubbly.

Crack how many ever eggs you want to use on top of the mixture, cover, and cook until the eggs are the way you like it.  Medium heat for 10 minutes gets me yolks that are still a bit loose; if you want eggs the consistency of almost hardboiled, give it about 15 minutes.

Dish it up and eat it!

LEFTOVERS!!!! QUICK AND EASY!
If you're cooking just for yourself, this is a great leftovers meal!  Just put the leftover mixture (without the eggs) in a container in the refrigerator.  The next day, simply spoon out enough for one meal into a pan, heat it until bubbly on the edges, then crack your 2-3 eggs on top, cover, and cook to the consistency you like for your eggs.

Here's my leftovers bowl.....kinda sloppy looking but very yummy!

Chorizo

Angela Scribner-Johnson

Oh my goodness! Angela's recipe for homemade chorizo sounds good and easy!


1 lb ground turkey
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp garlic
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 cup water

Optional:
1 Tbsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp cayenne powder

Cook it all together until done, then combine with your favorite veggies and fats! Yum!

Absolute BEST Mayo Recipe Ever

Modified from recipe on Healthy Indulgences Blog

I've got a recipe on my blog, but have started using this one, which works PERFECT every time. You just CANNOT GO WRONG with this recipe. The key to success is in the process, so pay close attention!!!

1 whole egg + 1 egg yolk
1/2 Tbsp mustard powder
1 tsp sea salt (start with less, as this is too much for me)
1 Tbsp vinegar (ACV)
2 Tbsp pickle juice OR 1/2 Tbsp lime juice
Scant 2 cups oil: do NOT use EVOO or Olive oil...use Extra Light Tasting Olive Oil or Avocado Oil

Combine all ingredients in a 2 cup measuring cup, adding the oil LAST! Place head of immersion blender in bottom of the measuring cup and Blend.

Move head around the bottom of the measuring cup, but don't lift up. Keep blending bottom ingredients until thoroughly emulsified, then do that some more. You want to go beyond what you think you need, time-wise, for blending.

THEN...Move blender up and down now, getting all the oil on the top mixed in. Do not tilt sideways!

The KEY to success with this is blend the bottom ingredients BEYOND what your mind tells you is enough -- at least 1-2 minutes, before lifting.

This is a video that shows the process perfectly -- do not use it for ingredients, as some of their measurements are off and at least one ingredient is not compliant.

Be sure and watch the FOLLOWING VIDEO (click on that link!) to see the process, but don't follow the list of ingredients!

Borscht

Meg Mill Knee

Oh my! This is one of those dishes that I grew up on, but haven't made in my six Whole30's.  Mostly due to laziness in searching for a good recipe.

That's changed!!! For those that love your beets, this is one we've all got to try!  Thanks to Meg who posted this on the First Timers group on FB!

4 cups homemade compliant chicken stock
1 can compliant organic tomatoes, with juice
1 onion
2 med. carrots, chopped
4 medium beets, chopped
1 large potato, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3 cups thinly sliced (or shredded) green cabbage
1 cup fresh green beans, chopped
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
Salt and fresh-ground pepper to taste.

Throw all ingredients except for dill and green beans in a pot and bring to a gentle boil.

Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes to an hour.

Stir in green beans and dill.

Simmer an additional 5 minutes, then serve with whipped coconut cream, if desired.

Kelp Noodle Bowl

Erin Higuchi Pipal

What a great idea!  Kelp noodle bowl! One bowl/dish meal! Contains all your components -- veggies, protein, and fat!  Thanks to Erin for sharing this on the First Timers and the All The Way groups!

For those wondering if this is really Whole30 approved: YES it is.  Click HERE for the Forum link where it is ok'd.

The above are the Kelp Noodles used in this recipe (Erin got them at a local co-op, but we're pretty sure they can be found at Whole Foods) show as their ingredients: water, kelp, sodium alginate.

This is more of an "eyeball it" type of recipe rather than one with exact measurements -- play around with it when you make it!

Equal parts chicken stock and water
Julienned ginger root
Sliced daikon
Mushrooms
Watercress
Green Onion
Cilantro
Fish Sauce
Coconut Aminos
Salt
Frozen Shrimp
Seaweed gomasio
Toasted sesame oil

Bring chicken stock and water to a boil, simmering along with thinly julienned ginger root and sliced daikon.

Add mushrooms and watercress. While waiting for daikon to soften, cut up green onion and cilantro for garnish.

To the broth, add fish sauce and coconut aminos to taste, with a dash of salt.

When daikon becomes transparent, throw in some frozen shrimp, and simmer until pink.

Place kelp noodles in bowl, straight from the package! Ladle soup over noodles. Once served, garnished with cilantro and green onion, seaweed gomasio and toasted sesame oil.

Target Shopping for Whole30

This list was last updated March 5, 2018

Note: As always, double check ingredients, 
as product ingredients are known to change. 

Better safe than sorry!

One of my favorite local stores! Below is a list that a FB Whole30 group put together of their favorite items.  It is by no means a full and exhaustive list, but is a darned good start for ideas!

For a PDF file of this list to download, click HERE

Walmart Shopping for Whole30

This list was last updated March 5, 2018

NOTE: Always read your labels, as manufacturers change ingredients from time to time.

For a PDF file of this list, click HERE

Whole Foods Shopping for Whole30

NOTE: Always read your labels, as manufacturer’s change ingredients from time to time.  Keep an eye out for carageenan, sulfites, added sugar, and other non-compliant ingredients!  

To download the following in PDF format, click HERE.
     

Aldi's Shopping for Whole30

PLEASE NOTE!!!!

• Not all locations carry all items
• Brand names vary between locations and also may change in each location, so check for non-compliant ingredients at all times! (mostly problematic are added sugar, non compliant oil, carageenan)
• Aldi's is a cash-and-carry establishment; however they do take debit cards
• You'll need to pay to use a shopping cart, but get your money back once you return the cart

To download this as:

• PDF format, click HERE.

Preserving Zoodles

Simmie Sinow

Preserving zoodles -- this was a thorn in my side for the last year, until I decided to apply the process I use on leafy green vegetables to zoodles!

I've tried blanching the zoodles and then freezing them -- yuckityuckity, mushy zoodles is not my cup of tea unless I'm deliberately overcooking (almost to the point of burned) so they have that caramelied onion familiarity to them.

So the following is how I get them to last over 10 days in the refrigerator.  I'm so jazzed about this.

Basically you're going to wrap your zoodles like a Christmas gift (no open ends!), then put them in a ziploc bag, squish the air out and put them in your refrigerator.

When you take them out, they will seem very dry.  Don't concern yourself with that -- once you saute them, they will absorb just enough moisture to be perfect!

FIRST: Julienne/zoodle-ize your zucchini (and this can be done with butternut squash, potatoes, etc.).  I use a julienne tool, as I have yet to find any other tool that works as well.  For this use, I didn't want curly zoodles, so I just whipped them out straight; when I want curly ones, I go around the zucchini instead of down.

THEN take enough paper towels (still connected to each other) to accommodate your zoodles and spread them on the paper towels. For one fairly good sized zucchini, I use 3 regular sized paper towels.

THEN....you're going to wrap this like a Christmas present (no open sides/ends), so I first fold up the sides, then just LOOSELY roll it all up. Leave on the counter for 5-10 minutes to allow the first layer of paper towels to absorb some of the moisture.

After that is done, wrap it again in another paper towel.

NOW: move it into a ziploc bag, squish the air out and store in the veggie bin in your refrigerator.

All Purpose Spice Mix

Simmie Sinow

This is my all-purpose spice mix that I use for just about anything and everything!  It goes on eggs, rubbed on chicken before baking, a little sprinkled on salmon before broiling, dumped in an oil+other spices mixture for spicy casseroles -- basically, you name the dish, it gets some of this put on it.

I got tired of having to keep making it in the smaller bottles I have, so I am using an old large Costco Granulated Garlic 18 oz jar for it and made 6x the recipe (the recipe I use is 1 Tbsp each, more or less).  I'm hoping this will last me a while!

EQUAL PARTS of:
Smoked Spanish Paprika (this is sweeter than the usual paprika)
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Ancho chile powder or Chipotle powder
Salt

Sometimes I modify it and use a BBQ spice in this as well.

Whole30 Rules and Recommendations

Simmie Sinow


Rules and Recommendations!!!! This is a quick graphic that you can keep with you to help you remember what's allowed and what isn't.

Rules, if broken, are a "Back to Day 1 for you" thing, so do your best not to go there!

It is, in my opinion, so very important to follow both of these lists (even though the Recommendations are not requirements).  If your Whole30 doesn't go as planned, if you haven't followed the Recommendations, then you really don't know WHAT the cause for a less-than-stellar Whole30.  If, on the other hand, you have followed the Recommendations, then there's one thing you can toss out as a possible source.

Good luck with your Whole30!

Tilapia Filets with Roasted Red Pepper Mayonnaise

Modified from Betty Crocker recipe

1 Tbsp Ghee
1 1/2 - 2 lb tilapia filets
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp paprika (smoked paprika would be wonderful!)
1/2 cup homemade mayonnaise (recipe HERE)
1/4 cup chopped roasted red bell peppers (from a jar)
1/4 tsp cumin
1 garlic clove, minced

Heat oven to 400°F. Using about 1/4 of the Ghee, lightly grease shallow baking pan.
Arrange tilapia fillets in buttered pan. Brush fish with remaining butter; sprinkle with salt, pepper and paprika.

Bake at 400°F. for 15 to 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily with fork.

Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine all remaining ingredients; blend well.


Serve fish with mayonnaise mixture.

NOTE:
Instead of the roasted red bell peppers, for those who enjoy some heat: use some ancho chile powder or some chipotle powder in your mayonnaise.

Fish Baked in Lettuce Packets

Modified from Betty Crocker recipe

What a great idea -- something different than wrapping fish in cabbage (which not everyone can tolerate)!!!

6 large lettuce leaves or 12 small lettuce leaves
1 medium carrot, shredded
1 small zucchini, shredded
1 1/2 pounds fresh or frozen (thawed) fish fillets, cut into 6 serving pieces
1 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons Ghee

Heat oven to 400ºF. Place a few lettuce leaves at a time in hot water. Let stand 1 to 2 minutes or until wilted; drain.

Mound a portion of the carrot and zucchini near stem end of each lettuce leaf. Place 1 piece fish on vegetables. Sprinkle with marjoram, salt and pepper; put a small dab of ghee on top.

Fold lettuce leaf over fish; place seam side down in ungreased rectangular baking dish, 13x9x2 inches. (Vegetables should be on top of fish.) Cover and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until fish flakes easily with fork.

Veggie Loaded Breakfast Bake

Simmie Sinow

This recipe is intended to make 4 good sized servings. You can make it into a much larger dish by simply doubling or tripling the ingredients.

This is great after being refrigerated overnight (after eating one serving!) and warmed up in your microwave.

Gather up your ingredients:
1 cup cut mini sweet peppers (I chop the end off, slice it lengthwise and cut crosswise)
1/2 to 3/4 cup cut olives (cut in half crosswise is fine)
1/2 large zucchini chopped (not real small)
Other veggies of your choice

6 eggs
seasoning 

1 Aidells Chicken and Apple Sausage, sliced

How to put this together:
Combine in a mixing bowl and mix together well:
1 cup cut mini sweet peppers (I chop the end off, slice it lengthwise and cut crosswise)
1/2 to 3/4 cup cut olives (cut in half crosswise is fine)
1/2 large zucchini chopped (not real small)
Other veggies of your choice

Put the above in an oiled small baking dish.  I use one that makes 4 decent sized servings--fairly small baking dish as it's only me I'm cooking for.

In the mixing bowl you just emptied, combine:
6 eggs
seasoning

Whisk well, then pour the mixture over the veggie mixture, making sure the vegetables are covered by the eggs.

Then:
1 Aidells Chicken and Apple Sausage, sliced

Add these to the top, scattered, then push them down so they are covered by the egg mixture.

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 30-40 minutes.  Fork test at the end to make sure it's cooked through enough, then place on a cookie cooling rack to cool for about 15 minutes before cutting and eating.

I put some salsa on top and it's good to go.

Notes:
On the olives, you can use green or black or whatever kind you want. I found the green olive flavor to be a bit overpowering in this recipe, so the next time I make it, it will probably have black olives in it instead.

Instant Gratification?

Simmie Sinow

One of our biggest problems with going on a weight loss program (yes, I know Whole30 is not for weightloss primarily, but let's be honest--a lot come to it for just that very reason, especially with the mixed messages on that from the Hartwigs) is the need for instant gratification. We expect to change our eating habits and lose a gazillion pounds in days and if we don't see a drop, we give up. It is a process that takes time and effort, we CAN'T give up on ourselves, we have to keep trying, keep pressing onward and upward because the dedication is what will win in the end.

The same things we tell our children when we want them to walk...they fall and we stand them up..it takes them months to walk, months to talk, years to speak and converse well, months and years to learn but we want to lose weight in days. How happy are we for them when they accomplish these things? How hard do we push them to reach their goals?

How hard do we push ourselves to reach our own?

How quick are we to give up on ourselves when we don't see immediate results?

We are not being fair to ourselves or the process!!

Use that same methodology we use for the children...patience, perseverance, dedication. We have to keep working at it and it will pay off in the end. Have faith, do not give up. Be strong together as a group!!!

It is nice to lose weight quick (which not all experience), but the issue is that we can easily put it back on just as quick as we lost it if we don't change our way of thinking. The loss will be temporary, not permanent -- learn those new eating and dietary habits and have them become a true *habit*. If we are not willing to do this, then no diet or lifestyle change is going to work, not even this one. Get the change in your heart and brain, and you'll be ready to transition to a more habit-filled Paleo (or whatever you decide to do after Whole30).

We ARE an instant gratification society, especially with weight, but think about it:

HOW LONG did it take all of you (especially those of us with over 50 pounds to lose) to GAIN the weight?

It is not going to come off fast, it is a gradual process.

And to keep it off, a MINDSET change HAS to happen.


Otherwise, you may as well go on to the next diet right now.

Crustless Chicken Pot Pie

Tina Thomas

A big thanks to Tina for this one! This really hits the spot!

Small onion, chopped
2-3 lbs. boneless chicken breasts
Minced Garlic (optional)
Bag of frozen vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots--or any combination you enjoy)
Red Potatoes
Seasoning: salt, pepper, garlic salt, red pepper flakes (optional)
1 can Coconut milk or equivalent amount of unsweetened almond milk

Grease the bottom of your crockpot with olive oil or avocado oil.  Add all the ingredients except the coconut milk and cook on low for 6-7 hours.

After 6-7 hours, add the can of coconut milk and cook for another hour.

Shred the chicken and enjoy!

Eggroll in a Bowl or Eggroll Insides

Modified recipes from various sources and combined

In a large, deep skillet, brown/saute the following:

• 1 lb or less ground meat (pork, beef, lamb, chicken, etc.)

After the meat has browned, add:

• green onions, diced
• celery, diced

While the meat is browning, in a small bowl combine the ingredients below

• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 cup soy sauce replacement (coconut aminos or heavily salted water)

Once the meat is cooked, add dry coleslaw mix to skillet and stir well. Pour soy sauce mixture into the skillet and stir, continuing to cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until cabbage is wilted, but still a bit crunchy. Serve with sliced green onion.

NOTE:
Alternatively, you can pre-saute the cabbage and just combine it with the cooked meat when you get to that point; this can save a little bit of time if you are in a rush.

Hoisin Sauce

Modified from MyPurplePaleo

I love my hoisin sauce!  I found a recipe online and modified it a bit to my liking!

This will give you about 1/4 cup

¼ cup coconut aminos
1 Tbsp almond butter
1 - 2 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
2 tsp white vinegar
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp onion powder
2 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp hot sauce (try Frank's Hot Sauce which is Whole30 friendly)
1/8 tsp black pepper


Combine all the ingredients together in your blender or food processor and blend it until it is well combined.  With the almond butter, it will be a bit thicker than just a liquid sauce, which is how it should be.

Note:
Normally I would say if you don't want to spend the money on the coconut aminos ($7/bottle), to just use heavily salted water.  In this recipe I'm not sure the heavily salted water would work; I've not tried that yet, but down the road I probably will.

The coconut aminos are a replacement for soy sauce, but not that close as they are definitely on the sweet side and very little (if any) salt to them.