WHOLE30 Day #15 – Desperately Seeking Dinner

Aidells Organic Chicken & Apple Sausage; Fully Cooked; Gluten Free; Made with All WHOLE30-Approved Ingredients

So this weekend promises to be a hectic one if today (Friday) is any indication. With Hubs recuperating from a minor medical procedure; the baby still fussy from teething and recovering from her somewhat traumatic 6-month pediatrician visit yesterday; and my mother busy with several church activities. I’m left to figure out dinner with very little time and my still-depleted energy levels.. Hmm…I’m noticing a theme here.

Fortunately, I’d discovered these fantastic sausages at our local Wal-Mart earlier in the week while searching for something new to offer the fam for dinner. They’re all organic, made with chicken and apples. Plus they taste great! And check out the ingredients above. Notice anything? Hint – there’s no added sugar and no funky chemicals like MSG, nitrites, nitrates etc. Plus, these little beauties are 100% gluten free – which is huge for our family! My mother is not doing the WHOLE30 with us but does have Celiac (Coeliac) Disease, so we are always a gluten free household. Best of all (at least today), these beauties are fully cooked on arrival. Hallelujah! I prepped ours in the oven and served along my favorite crispy roasted green beans. An even faster preparation would be to grill or sauté the sausages and then add them to some steamed cabbage, seasoned with salt and clarified butter. Maybe with some unsweetened applesauce and good German mustard along side…yummy!

Ready in Minutes – These Sausages Are Delicious + Gluten-free, Sulfite-free and Sugar-free

One caveat: sausages of any kind are not what the Hartwigs would call high quality protein. So I augment the protein content of the meal by adding hard-boiled eggs to the tossed salad I serve with dinner every night. What’s that you say? You’re not having a salad with dinner every night? You should really remedy that pronto. Here’s to happy eating and a healthy weekend to all!

Wisdom of the Day:
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
~Psalm 31:14-15 (English Standard Version)
Read more here.

WHOLE30 Day #13 – Where’s the Friggin’ Energy I Was Promised?!?

Day #13 and according to my trusty WHOLE30 (official) Timeline, I should be experiencing boundless energy and bizarre cravings right about now. I am not, repeat NOT, experiencing anything remotely close to boundless energy. My “energy” ain’t even in the same vicinity as boundless. It’s in a whole other country from boundless, on a separate continent, in a different hemisphere really. My energy currently resides somewhere in the realm of utterly absent, near the neighborhood of completely devoid. It feels like I’m putting in extra effort to scrape myself off the couch in order to attend to my daughter, who is by the way teething and trying to crawl right now. So, you know, I need that boundless energy I was expecting. I’m literally too tired to have any bizarre food cravings. Just trying to conjure up images of delectable, forbidden foods like pizza or doughnuts takes more effort than I have available. I’m using everything I’ve got to sit here and keep myself upright after a day of childcare. I don’t really care what we eat for dinner or how it tastes. I’m just barely holding on ’till bedtime.

There’s no denying it. I’m definitely lagging behind the expected milestones. I’m just now experiencing the misery and bloating predicted for days 8-9. At this rate, I probably won’t reach “Tiger’s Blood” (AKA feeling great) phase for another 10-12 days, at least. I’m bummed! And I’m uncomfortable. Did I mention I’m tired?

It is possible that I’m running behind the curve, so to speak, because I’ve been intentionally imperfect in my adherence to the program. Could my beloved powdered coffee creamer at last be causing me problems, delaying my WHOLE30 progress?

At this point, I figure I have 2 choices. I can continue to purposefully, if selectively, break with protocol and take my chances in terms of achieving the positive results I’d initially wanted when we committed to this program. Or I could throw comfort and caution to the wind and really dive into this thing by – horror of horrors – forgoing my franken creamer. I’m not sure I can face the morning with nothing but straight black coffee to greet me. But I have a 6-month old, so forgoing coffee altogether is not an option! So I’ve decided to try the concoction we worked out for Hubs.

1. Start with freshly brewed coffee, then stir in 1 Tbsp. pure (unsweetened) cocoa powder. I find that the cocoa dissolves best if you stir it in to hot coffee. You should have something that looks more or less like this:

We like to mason jars because they can be sterilized and are reusable.

2. Once combined, refrigerate the mixture at least 4 hours or overnight.

3. In the morning, add unsweetened coconut or almond milk or drink it straight if you prefer.
I like mine over ice.

The end result tastes a bit like a protein shake without the sweetener. But it sure beats the bitter hatred that is straight black coffee. I’m ready to give this a try for my AM drink and see if I don’t begin to experience the predicted WHOLE30 benefits in a more timely manner. I’ll keep you posted. In the mean time, I hope you enjoy this healthier chilled coffee drink in good health, joy and peace. Cheers!

Wisdom for the Day:
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
~Proverbs 3:7-8 (ESV)
Read more here.

WHOLE30 Day #11 – Sometimes You Feel Like a (Coco)Nut

Day #11 of our WHOLE30 Journey. And according to the authors of It Starts with Food and the WHOLE30 official timeline, these are the hardest of our 30 days. Here’s hoping that holds true for me. I’m really tired, unnervingly cranky and surprisingly hungry, like all the time.

Interestingly, I’ve become extremely fond of all things coconut these days. I’m chalking this up as progress, since the Hartwigs and others (see this article for example) rate coconut oil as one of the healthiest fats for consumption, especially for dieters and those looking to improve their skin (see chapter 15 of It Starts with Food). Um, rich yummy taste and prettier skin? Yes please!

So tonight’s dinner features coconut in each dish. The menu:
Mango Tango Chicken (recipe below)
Crispy Roasted Green Beans (also pictured below)
Toss Salads with Fruit & Nuts
Birthday Date Treats for dessert

Mango Tango Chicken

Ingredients:
•1 (2.5 lb.) bag frozen chicken tenderloins, (e.g. Tyson)
•1 tsp. salt
•1/4 cup unsweetened dried mango slices, crumbled
•1 sweet red pepper, seeded, diced
•1 sweet onion (e.g. Vidalia), peeled and diced
•1/4 tsp. hot sauce
•1/4 tsp. garlic powder or 2 garlic cloves, crushed
•1/4 tsp. cumin seeds
•1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
•1/4 cup lime juice
•2 Tbsp. unsweetened coconut flakes

Process:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (Fahrenheit).
2. Lightly oil a 9X13″ baking pan with coconut oil and add tenderloins to pan in a single layer.
3. Sprinkle chicken evenly with salt.
4. Top with mango, onion and pepper. Then evenly sprinkle on additional seasonings.
5. Stir together pineapple and lime juices then pour over all.
6. Finally, sprinkle the top of chicken mixture with coconut flakes. Then cover baking dish with aluminum foil.
7. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 40 minutes or until internal temperature reach 170 degrees.
8. Remove foil and turn oven to BROIL. Return pan to oven and broil for about 5 minutes or until nicely browned.
NOTE: This step is optional but makes for a nicer presentation.
9. Allow to rest at least 5 minutes before serving.

I served with Crispy Roasted Green Beans, that roasted in the oven along side the chicken.

Crispy Roasted Green Beans – simply seasoned with garlic, salt, lemon juice and (natch) coconut oil!

Wisdom of the Day:
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
~Psalm 23:5-6 (English Standard Version)
Read more here.

Recommended Resource of the Day:
21 Unexpected Beauty Uses for Coconut Oil

WHOLE30 Day #10 – Breakfast Casserole Revised

Updated Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole

The weekend is over, and a new WHOLE30 week is before us. Hubs is returning to work, and that means I need to prepare something he can take for breakfast each day. While he says that he really enjoyed my first make-ahead casserole, Hubs requested I make another this week with a few modifications. I’m posting the revised and updated version as a separate post because the tweaks make it sufficiently distinct, and Hubs says “better.”

As I stated in the original post, this casserole is really versatile. Serve it as simple and elegant brunch dish, as a light lunch along side a salad or take it along to pot-luck type social function (you’ll be guaranteed a complete protein, some healthy fats and carbs). I personally love this casserole anytime of day and prefer mine served with a dollop of guacamole. The creamy, tangy goodness of the guacamole really helps to expedite the sense of satiation; while the healthy fat provides an extra dose of satiety to get you through the morning (or rest of your day or evening) without energy crashes or cravings. For more on the intricacies of satiety and satiation, be sure to check out It Starts with Food (pay particular attention to chapter 4). The science-y information provided is easy to understand and will help you get through the tough early-middle days of a #WHOLE30.

What’s New:
•Per Hubs’ request, I decreased the amount of potatoes by half because he felt the original version was a bit spud-heavy.
•He also requested “more eggs” so I added a half cup of pure egg whites for more eggy flavor and to really ‘up’ the protein content.
•I used to heartier meat this go-round which Hubs reports imparted greater flavor.

What’s the Same:
•I still used leftover meat, in this case ~8 oz. grilled beef/bison burgers. I really prefer poultry in the casserole, but my family prefers red meat.
•I wanted to keep the spinach and red peppers because I believe the extra fiber and nutrients are important
•The seasonings and preparation remain essentially unchanged from the original entry found here: Original Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients:
•8 extra large organic eggs
•1/2 cup liquid egg whites
•8 oz. leftover (cooked) beef, crumbled
•1/2 pkg. ready-to-cook hash browns (plain shredded potatoes)
•1 red pepper, seeded, diced
•10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and well drained
•1 tsp. salt
•1 tsp. Dijon mustard
•1 tsp. hot sauce

Process:
1. Toss hash brown potatoes with salt and place in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 5-7 minutes (depending on size/power of your microwave).
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (Fahrenheit), and spray an 8X8″ baking dish with coconut oil spray.
3. Whisk eggs and egg whites together in large mixing bowl.
4. Fold in meats, vegetables (including potatoes) and remaining seasonings. Stir well to combine.
5. Pour into prepared baking dish. Cover dish with foil, and then carefully place into the hot oven.
6. Bake 55 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully remove foil to test for doneness (a knife inserted in the middle of the casserole should come out clean).
7. Allow casserole to cool at least 20 minutes or overnight before serving.
Makes roughly 9 large servings.

Wisdom for the Day:
God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love. This was according to his goodwill and plan 6 and to honor his glorious grace that he has given to us freely through the Son whom he loves.
~Ephesians 1:5-6 (Common English Bible)
Read more here.

Resource of the Day:
12 Favorite WHOLE30 Recipes from The Kitchn

WHOLE30 Day #9 – You Say It’s Your Birthday

Happy WHOLE(30) Birthday to Me! Let’s Celebrate with These Simply Delicious Date Treats!!!

… Well, it’s my birthday too. And as much as I’d like to dive in mouth-first to a great big birthday cake with 3″ of thick sugary buttercream frosting, I’m staying strong. Also, I’m pretty sure that the authors of WHOLE30 would not have a lot of sympathy for me and my birthday cravings. Still, I feel the need for a little treat to celebrate my special day. So I concocted this simple little treat using the following 3 (program approved) ingredients:

3 Simple Ingredients

1. All natural almond butter (no sugar added)
2. Whole pitted dates, unsulphured+++
3. Unsweetened shredded coconut

The result tastes a bit like a coconut almond cookie or candy. It’s very sweet and very satisfying. You really only need one or two (at most) of these treats to really feel as though you’ve just enjoyed a delicious dessert. Good thing too, because according to WHOLE30 program rules, these kind of sweets should (for the most part) be avoided during the program. I reasoned that these little treats were acceptable this once because 1.) I used all approved ingredients (hopefully, see note below regarding dried fruit). 2.) I was not trying to recreate any specific naughty traditional dessert (e.g. these are NOT paleo pecan pie bars); and 3.) the healthy fat helps to blunt the impact of the sugar in the dates; and 4.) lastly because this type of small indulgence is important for me to remain motivated and enthusiastic about staying the WHOLE30 course.

If you’re interested in recreating my birthday treats, be forewarned, it can get a bit messy. But the results are deliciously worth it! So here’s the process:

1. Stir almond butter so it’s smooth and has a consistent texture.
2. Spoon several Tbsp. of almond butter into a plastic sandwich bag. Try to keep the butter closer to one bottom corner of the bag.
3. Refrigerate the almond butter baggie for at least an hour (this makes it easier to work with).
4. Place about 10 dates on a plate. TIP: Take out a few more than you expect to make. Invariably, a couple of the dates will be smushed and unusable for this recipe.
5. Snip one end of the plastic bag and roll the almond butter portion of the bag into as narrow a cone-like shape as possible.
6. Pipe the almond butter into each date, smoothing out any that leaks out.
7. Gently roll each date in coconut flakes and store in refrigerator. Enjoy!

These delicious little treats are the perfect way to celebrate health with someone you love!

Thought for the Day:
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
~Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
Read more here.

+++ After posting this recipe, I read about approved and unapproved additives during WHOLE30 as I continued to educate myself on the program. I encourage anyone considering WHOLE30 to begin reading and researching the program rules and to familiarize yourself with the wealth of free info and tools available at the WHOLE30 website. Anyway, the dates I used in this recipe (e.g. Sunsweet brand) do not include sulfites on the ingredients list nor do the manufacturers indicate sulphites included during processing (even on the Sunsweet website because I looked). But neither the bag nor the website states the product is sulphite-free which is a pretty big selling point among dried fruits, so I’m left to wonder. Sulfites are definitely off limits during WHOLE30 so when in doubt, choose a brand that clearly states “unsulphured” or “sulphite-free.”

WHOLE30 Day #6 – The Great Mayonnaise Fiasco

I love salads. Salads are a huge part of my meals, especially dinner. I eat a salad every single day. Maybe it’s because I’m from Florida where it’s hot so much of the year. Perhaps I’ve grown accustomed to eating a cool, crisp salad in the evening as a refreshing closure to a hot, sticky day. I don’t know how it started for sure, but I know I love them. And I almost always enjoy them – with one caveat. Salad dressing. Salad dressing is key! If the dressing is bad, the salad is bad. Certainly the quality and condition of the greens are important too, but the salad dressing makes or breaks the salad. You know I’m right. So when we began our WHOLE30 journey a big concern for me was “what the heck am I gonna use to dress my salads?”

After some internet research, we found Tessemae’s All Natural Dressings , several of which are WHOLE30 approved. According to Tessemae’s website, their products are available for direct order from the company and at a number of retailers like Whole Foods and Amazon.com. Prior to starting WHOLE30 we made the trek to the nearest Whole Foods and bought a couple bottles of their Zesty Ranch (which is delicious, but which we finished all too quickly). But we were disappointed to learn we couldn’t purchase the mayonnaise at any of the retailers listed in our area (and believe me, I’ve been to all of them in the last few days). Now, I could just order some mayo online, but for some reason that seems lazy to me. For some reason I believe I should be able to make my own mayo, like they did in the olden days or something. There’s plenty of recipes online for homemade mayo so I assumed mayo-making is an easy thing to accomplish. Not so, my friend, at least not in my experience. (In case you’re wondering, I felt compelled to have mayo available because it’s required for yummy things like tuna salad, chicken salad, egg salad etc. And mayo can be used as the base for my favorite salad dressings including ranch and Caesar. But it’s nigh on to impossible to find a mayo in your grocery that is NOT made with soybean oil or other nasty ingredients shunned by WHOLE30.)

So I dove in using this recipe as a basis, replacing the vinegar with lemon juice and equal parts EVOO and liquified coconut oil (e.g. the coconut oil that has been modified to remain liquid at room temperature). I then decided to dismiss Hubs’ offer to assist me, convinced I could whip up a brilliant mayo very quickly using a stick (immersion) blender just like Alton Brown. Sadly, I got a little off balance as I tried to manage the blender, slowly drizzle in the oil drop by drop and hold the large measuring cup I was using to hold the emulsion. Not sure exactly what happened but suddenly half my concoction was all over the counter top and I was screaming. Disaster! Hubs sprang into action and helped me rescue most of the wayward emulsion. We transferred it to a more appropriate bowl and continued drizzling in the oil and used a more appropriate hand mixer to finish whipping the mixture. Here’s my result:

Tastes great, but a little thin

Unfortunately, the mayo never reached the expected thickness. I’m not sure which of my missteps caused this result. I’m confident I can still find a usage for my “creation.” But I’m also sure I’ll be purchasing some more Tessemae’s Dressing soon. Life’s too short and WHOLE30 is too hard to go through this again!

Lessons Learned:
1. Use a bowl and not a measuring cup when making mayo.
2. Ask for help instead of trying to do it all yourself.
3. Coconut oil is always a health choice. But in hindsight, the modified liquid version may have prevented the end result from thickening as expected.
4. There’s no shame in simply ordering approved products online. WHOLE30 is challenging enough. Why make it harder on yourself?

Recommended Resources:
1. Shop Tessemaes Online
2. Tessemaes on Amazon

Thought for the Day:
Where there is no [wise, intelligent] guidance, the people fall, But in the abundance of [wise and godly] counselors there is victory.
~Proverbs 11:14 (Amplified)
Read more here.

WHOLE30 Day #8 – One Week Down!!!

Well, we’ve completed a full week of our WHOLE30 journey. Seven days down and 23 more to go. As I pause to take stock and savor this accomplishment, I am struck by one overwhelming realization – I am completely and totally exhausted. I mean I’m tired like down into my bones. I’m so tired sometimes it feels like extra work to sit in the chair and breathe.

My primary job every day is taking care of our nearly 6-month old baby, cook and take care of the home, etc. I’m also blessed to have the help of my mother who lives with us. Her assistance is especially wonderful these days with my energy waning. I find myself craving a nap every day and trying to power through with alternate nostril breathing and coffee. It takes all the strength I’ve got to complete my daily yoga sessions, and I seem be more sore afterwards. Luckily, I’m still able to do my MUTU Core Exercises every day which is extremely important to me because I’ve seen such amazing results in reversing my diastase recti (AKA the “mummy tummy”) I developed during my pregnancy.

I can’t imagine how Hubs is managing his work load. I am grateful for his attitude. He continues to encourage me through the process and reminds me that according to the WHOLE30 authors, this fatigue has arrived right on scheduled and is expected part of the 30-day timeline.

Wisdom for the Day:
Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.
~Psalm 54:4 (NASB)
Read more here.

WHOLE30 Day#5 Delicious Dinner in a Hurry – Turkey Cabbage Skillet

WHOLE30 Dinner in a Hurry

So our WHOLE30 journey continues and today was pretty hectic for me. I was out most of the day – running errands, dealing with maddening traffic and frustrating people. Basically, all the typical stressors everyone encounters. But I was left with very little time and almost no energy to prepare the elaborate WHOLE30 dinner I had planned for the family.

Plan B, what can Mommy throw together in a hurry using WHOLE30 approved ingredients that happen to be readily available in the kitchen right now? Ground turkey breast, check. Now for a veggie. Something quick. Ready-to-use cole slaw – score! Now, something to add extra flavor and pizzaz. As I stood there wondering, what is WHOLE30 sanctioned and goes well with cabbage, my eyes landed on our fruit bowl, and I suddenly flashed back to several recipes from Hubs’ German heritage. Apples, excellent! Done and done.

The recipe that follows is quick and can easily be thrown together while you manage other tasks like preparing salads, helping the kids with homework or any of the other myriad items on your evening to-do list. And it happens to be darn tasty, if I do say so myself. Enjoy!

Turkey Cabbage Skillet

Ingredients:
•1 lb extra lean (98% lean) ground turkey breast
•1 pkg. ready-to-use cole slaw mix (not including dressing)
•2 medium red apples, sliced
•1 tsp. salt
•1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
•1 Tbsp. coconut oil
•1/8 tsp. garlic powder (or 2 cloves garlic, minced)
•1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
•pinch tarragon leaves, crushed (optional but highly recommended)
•a few generous sprinkles white pepper (again optional but recommended)

Process:
1. Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over MEDIUM-HIGH heat and add ground turkey.
2. Sprinkle salt and other seasonings (except mustard) over meat while stirring continuously as meat browns.
(N.B.: Meat will keep covered over LOW heat for about half an hour if needed while you prepare the remainder of your meal.)
3. About five minutes before serving, turn heat to MEDIUM and stir in cabbage mixture and apples.
4. Stir to combine.
5. After about 2 minutes, turn off heat. Stir in vinegar, then cover skillet.
6. Wait a couple more minutes then stir once more before serving.
NOTE: This makes about 5-6 servings so it’s great if you need leftovers for lunch the next day. Here’s a pic of Hubs’ Turkey Cabbage lunch from our WHOLE30 day #6. He said it was even better the next day. Score!!!

Perfect lunch leftovers!

Recommended Resource of the Day:
Grace Gifted

Thought for the Day:
The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
~Proverbs 16:9 (NASB)
Read more here.

WHOLE30 Day #4 Prepping Breakfast for the Week

We began our WHOLE30 journey over a long weekend. But alas, all good things come to an end, and Hubs returns to work tomorrow. That means, we need to figure out what he can eat every morning for breakfast instead of his beloved Honey Nut Cheerios. The first few days, there been plenty of time to make leisurely brunch-style meals, but work week mornings are hectic and require advanced planning.

After hunting around for a while, I finally located this recipe from Gal on a Mission and used it as the basis for our casserole. I made a few modifications from Gal’s original recipe including: replacing the whole potatoes with ready-to-cook hash browns (which I also partially pre-cooked in the microwave before adding to the casserole); I used leftover turkey and roasted chicken instead of sausage; and I added chopped red bell pepper and spinach for extra nutrients and fiber. The result earned high praise from the Hubs. He says he enjoys having something hearty to start off his day and that it’s easy to pack up a second helping for a mid-afternoon snack. Best of all, he hasn’t once complained about missing those Cheerios!

NB: I have since revised this recipe at Hubs‘ request. You can find the updated recipe (which Hubs prefers) here. Now, weeks after we completed #WHOLE30, he still requests this casserole every Sunday for his weekday breakfast. It’s also a simple and elegant brunch dish as shown here with a side of asparagus, but the possibilities are endless. I personally love this casserole anytime of day (it makes a terrific light dinner entree) and prefer mine served with a dollop of guacamole. It’s creamy, tangy goodness helps expedite the sense of satiation; while the healthy fat provides an extra dose of satiety to get you through the morning! For more on the intricacies of satiety and satiation, be sure to check out It Starts with Food (pay particular attention to chapter 4). The science-y information provided is easy to understand and will help you get through the tough early-middle days of a WHOLE30.

Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients:
•8 extra large organic eggs
•4 oz. leftover Turkey Tenderloin
•4 oz. leftover roasted chicken
•1 pkg. ready-to-cook hash browns (plain shredded potatoes)
•1 red pepper, seeded, diced
•10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed of excess moisture
•1 tsp. salt
•1 tsp. Dijon mustard
•1 tsp. hot sauce

Process:
1. Toss hash brown potatoes with salt and place in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 5-7 minutes (depending on size/power of your microwave).
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (Fahrenheit), and spray an 8X8″ baking dish with coconut oil spray.
3. Whisk all eggs together in large mixing bowl.
4. Fold in meats, vegetables (including potatoes) and remaining seasonings. Stir well to combine.
5. Pour into prepare baking dish. Cover dish with foil, and then carefully place in the hot oven.
6. Bake 45 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully remove foil to test for doneness (a knife inserted in the middle of the casserole should come out clean).
7. Allow casserole to cool at least 20 minutes or overnight before serving.
Makes roughly 9 large servings.

Recommended Resources of the Day:
1. New Beauty Product Reviews & Awards
2. Meatified – Paleo, WHOLE30 & Autoimmune Healthy Recipes

WHOLE30 Day#3 – The Struggle Is Real & the Search for Substitutes

The revised pop is the one on top 🙂

Day #3 of our WHOLE30 process, and I’m feeling some ambivalence – sort of frustrated but still motivated to move forward. After yesterday’s foiled attempt to conceal my illegal coffee creamer consumption, I’ve decided to view this as a process and am no longer expecting perfection from myself. Not sure if that’s a cop-out or a wise perspective to adopt moving forward. Nevertheless, I’ve chosen to keep the coffee creamer for now, with all its artificial ingredients with the goal of giving up the creamer by the end of our WHOLE30 process.

I have decided instead to focus on finding a healthy and natural substitute for my beloved sugar-free tropical (artificially) flavored popsicles which are full of unpronounceable chemicals and dangerous food dyes. I recognize that according to the authors of It Starts with Food, would not recommend frequent consumption of fruit juice. However, to my mind, swapping out acesulfame potassium, locust bean gum, red and yellow dyes for pure unsweetened, unadulterated fruit juice seems a step in the right direction. Here’s what I did:

WHOLE30-ISH Juice Pops:

Ingredients:
•2 cups unsweetened organic pineapple juice
•1 cup pure cranberry juice (check to ensure no added sugar or additives)
•2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice

Process:
1. Stir all liquids to combine and pour into a storage bottle (you will have extra liquid).
2. Lightly spray popsicle molds with coconut oil spray to prevent sticking and ensure easier removal.
3. Pour liquid into molds and insert sticks. Then simply pop the molds into the freezer for several hours or over night.
4. When frozen, allow the molds to sit for 5-10 minutes at room temperature before removing. Then place popsicles in freezer bag.

This recipe makes roughly 24 popsicles at about 17 calories per pop.

Wisdom of the Day:
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
~Proverbs 16:24 (NASB)
Read more here.

Recommended Resource for the Day:
Imperfectly Paleo

Daily Beauty Wisdom

Walk in wisdom : grow in beauty: live in love

Whole30