My Evil Pizza Fantasies…

WHOLE30 Days #17-19…. I posted a few days ago that I was somewhat frustrated by my slow progress with respect to the projected WHOLE30 timeline, specifically that I seemed to be lagging behind, not yet experiencing any surges in energy or cravings for foods off-limits during the program. Well, I’m happy to report that I seem to be catching up, at least as far as cravings go. Yeah, it’s been a whale of a weekend in the food fantasy department…hmm, whale. I wonder what whale tastes likes. No, I’m not that desperate…yet!

Shamu is about the only thing I haven’t found myself dreaming about eating these last few days. I’ve literally gone to bed at night with visions of pineapple pizza pies dancing in my head. More than once I’ve dreamt about food. On Saturday night (technically it was early Sunday morning), I dreamt that I was finishing off a huge plate of chocolate chip pancakes (with butter and syrup on top, thank you very much) when I was suddenly awakened by my daughter crying for her own breakfast. I was so disturbed by her screams and the thought that I’d so disastrously broken with the WHOLE30 protocol, that I started shouting. Poor Hubs had to shake me to wake me from my semi-comatose, food-hallucinating state. At various points during my waking hours (usually during the mid afternoons), I find my thoughts turning and returning to such dastardly fare as Oreos, onion rings and fast food hamburgers. And I don’t even like hamburgers as a general rule. It’s all pretty weird but to be expected according to the WHOLE30 experts.

On a positive note, my overall energy level has improved. I won’t say that I’ve surged into the “boundless” department, but I’m no longer tethered to the sofa struggling to find the strength to remain upright. I find that I can more quickly respond to my daughter’s needs, which is of course my top priority. And my daily yoga sessions are less of a chore. My balance has improved, which is a really good thing because toppling to the floor from a simple triangle pose was really starting to get me down (literally and figuratively)!

I even had some energy leftover this evening to try out a new recipe for dinner – Oven Fried Sprouts (pic below).

Crispy & Delicious Oven-fried Sprouts

This took some creativity on my part because the main ingredient is brussels sprouts, Hubs’ all time most hated vegetable. Here’s the scoop:

Ingredients:
• 9-10 oz. shaved Brussels sprouts (I used Green Giant)
• 1 Tbsp. liquid coconut oil (I used Carrington’s brand)
• ½ tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. garlic powder
• pinch allspice
• 1 tsp. dark sesame oil
• 1 tsp. rice vinegar
• 1 tsp. hot sauce (optional)
• ½ packet stevia sweetener
• 3 pieces crisply cooked bacon, crumbled

Process:
1. Preheat oven to 400° and spray a 9X13” cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray (I used coconut oil spray).
2. Spread sprouts on prepared pan in a thin, even layer. Then sprinkle evenly with salt, allspice and garlic powder.
3. Top mixture with both oils then toss lightly to ensure even distribution of oils and seasonings.
4. Bake in preheated for about 15 minutes. Then remove from oven and stir.
5. Return to oven for about 10 more minutes, keeping an eye to ensure your sprouts don’t get too brown. You want a nice combination of dark crispy pieces and bright green leaves.
6. When you are satisfied that the sprouts of done, remove from the oven. Just before serving, sprinkle with vinegar, sweetener and (if using) hot sauce. Then toss well to combine, and top with crumbled bacon.
7. Be sure to serve these in a pretty dish (presentation is important when serving a vegetable your family has historically rejected). If anyone asks, these are “fried sprouts,” just leave out the Brussels part. And emphasize the “fried” part because isn’t everything better when it’s fried.

I’m proud to report that Hubs actually ate these and announced they didn’t taste like Brussels sprouts at all. Unfortunately, he’d been with me at the grocery store when I purchased them so I couldn’t fool him completely. But my mother (who also hates Brussels sprouts) ate two helpings and said she’d really enjoy having them more often. All in all, I’m calling this recipe a success, and I hope your family enjoys it too!

Verse of the Day:
Someone who is full refuses honey, but anything bitter tastes sweet to a hungry person.
Proverbs 27:7 (CEB)
Read more here.