Day 2 - Meal 3 and I'm Not Craving Dessert...Yet...

Dinner tonight was thought up on my bus ride home tonight. I wanted to use the leftover pork from the slow cooker and cauliflower from the soup because if I didn't, both would go to waste. I toyed with the idea of cauliflower mash (I have a cuisinart food processor but have never used it and didn't know how) so on my ride home I looked up videos on how to use the food processor. I wanted to keep the recipe simple because I couldn't use butter or almond milk while doing Whole30 and my order of ghee has not arrived yet. And for the pork, I wanted something sweet because the blogs keep saying that adding something sweet to your meals will help you overcome the thought of needing something sweet after the meal! So I went with a paleo recipe that I found for a fig and pork ragout. I really wanted to add fresh figs to my recipe, but that would mean spending more money on more food and I really wanted to keep tonight's dinner simple and use only ingredients I already bought! Unfortunately, this eliminated the sweetness from my meal, but I was so impressed with the balsamic and caramelized onions that it was sweet enough (the figs will definietly be used next time)! To make this Whole30 approved, I steamed snow peas in the microwave and had a well balanced plate of protein and vegetables (the cauliflower mash would have been good for the vegetables, but the plate needed a pop of color).

The cauliflower mash was so easy to make once Ryan and I both figured out how to open the food processor! I can't believe we never made mashed potatoes in this before. Now I can't wait to make homemade guacamole and salsa and more types of mashed foods!!! And pesto!!! The world of possibilities that have just been opened!

Cauliflower Mash
 *Cauliflower

Yes, that's it, cauliflower. I added garlic and chives which turned the mash a bit green because I blended it, and I really think it would be great with almond milk or ghee but I don't have ghee yet and almond milk, unless homemade, is out during Whole30 because it has added sugars.

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil.

2. Add cauliflower to boiling water, cover and cook for 10-15 minutes until soft.

3. Drain the cauliflower and add it to the food processor.

4. Turn on and let the magic of puree begin! I processed mine for 2-4 minutes which made it a bit thinner.

Serve hot and enjoy!

I added garlic and chives and pureed some more.

 

Pork and Balsamic Onion Ragout

1 pound of pork, diced into 1 inch cubes
1 onion, chopped
2 tbsp oil (olive or coconut or ghee)
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup water, dived (1/4 cup, 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup)
salt and pepper and rosemary to taste

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat. Once it is hot, add the pork. Salt and pepper to taste.  Cook until heated through, but do not over cook. It should be golden brown on the outside.

2. Remove the pork from the pan and add the onions. Let the onions cook until golden, about 2-3 minutes.

3. Add 1/4 cup of water to the saucepan and mix and let cook until the water has evaporated.

4. Add 1/4 cup of water and cook until evaporated again. Onions should be soft and turning darker and golden in color.

5. Add balsamic vinegar and 1/2 cup of water to the pan and cook until sauce thickens. Add rosemary.

6. Add pork back to the pan and and cook for an additional minute.

Serve and enjoy!

This recipe made enough for 3 people so I saved some for dinner another night and set some aside for lunch tomorrow. I will top the salad I made for today but did not eat with the cold pork and caramelized onions. I probably won't need additional oil for dressing! I didn't even measure the oil and I didn't weight the meat, I just eyeballed it and trusted that I would be able to portion it out and know how much to eat on my own.

Today I feel great! I feel so much less bloated - I know Whole30 isn't about weight loss but I think I have lost a pound already just from bloating which is obviously from all of the sugar I eat, including fruit. I have not had a banana, an apple, an orange, a pear, or grapes in 3 days. I honestly believe that I was eating way too much fruit - need even too much dessert after dinner in the form of ice cream, but all of the fruit in one day was really effecting me. I am confidently wearing my clothes and looked in the mirror tonight, even after 3 meals and my stomach was flatter and my skin is clearing up and I feel lighter and healthier. And feeling good makes my attitude so much happier and lighter as well. I can feel the change - just 28 more days to go! Stay positive!

Tonight I really am doing my best not to have something sweet. Because I didn't put figs in the dinner, I had 1 piece of apricot immediately after while I was cleaning up just to get the sweetness over and done with. And that's it, that's all I needed. And today, I did not snack. I had nuts in the morning, larabar and then 3 full meals. I had 3 almonds and 1 cashew at 3:30pm because I felt the sugar craving coming on even after finishing my lemon tea, but I would like to not have so many nuts during the day because those will cause bloating and digestive problems if I eat too much. I feel good and I want to continue this trend. I need to just work on pre/post workout meals on the go and breakfast at work.

The most important thing is to not think of it as breakfast because then I think cereal, pancakes, waffles, etc. But if I think of it as Meal #1, then eating soup, or leftover pork ragout doesn't seem so strange. In fact, pork ragout hash with an egg over easy sounds really amazing. I might have to reconsider having leftover pork for lunch Meal #2 and have it for Meal #1 instead. Or I could make an avocado egg boat for Meal #1. I always wanted to make one, but it was way to high in WW Points. But now I can't think in terms of points, but understand that the fats and protein or essential to starting the day. I was also reading on the blogs that it is better to heavy load your mornings with meals so that by Meal #3 you aren't as hungry and you will fill up faster so you won't even need a snack or Meal #4 with something sweet. I know this morning that is what I was worried about, but I was still full from pre/post workout meals and my omelette that by 1pm I wasn't running to the fridge for lunch, but was able to eat slowly and enjoy the food!

Ryan is leaving tomorrow for Houston but I have dinners prepped so I am not worried about him not being here to support me. He really has been amazing these past few days. I sent him the photo of the plate of brownies and he wrote back to be strong and be focused and that I don't need it! His support helps so much because I want to be the best version of myself for me and for him! I want him to be proud of me! Ryan even asked if it would be okay if he bought gluten free macaroons or if it would be too tempting for me. He bought them - I hope he hides them when he leaves!

Have a great night everyone.
XO