Cute little eggplant from the market a few weeks ago
So we’re halfway through 30 days of no :
– dairy (except kefir yogurt)
– alcohol
– sugar of any kind (including honey an maple syrup)
– grains (not even quinoa guys…)
– snacking between meals
– faux versions of foods from approved ingredients (like date brownies or zucchini noodles)
The hardest part of the whole30? Like I mentioned earlier this week, the bread to accompany certain dishes I really enjoy. Also milk in my coffee and the no snacking between meals. Even if I’m full, I WANT a snack at certain times of the day (3pm, when I walk in the door at the end of the day, late at night). Sometimes I give in and have a banana and nut butter or other fruit/veg but I really try not to. I’m an addict in a 30 day rehab program, I gotta fight the temptation so I can come out of this with a reprogrammed mind. I try to be more conscious of what I am feeling. If I feel full, I stop myself from grabbing something to eat. If I am hungry, I prepare a meal. Obviously this is trickier working in an office, but that is why I make sure to have a large lunch that will fill me up till dinner time.
At this halfway point, I am kind of bored though. The novelty of the whole thing has worn off and now I am just looking forward to be able to do some fun baking again and take full advantage of local produce – with recipes that may include cheese or flour or pasta. I want to take those beautiful ontario peaches and make a delicious pie and eat it on my parents’ porch with a cup of earl grey tea with milk and honey.
Since my eating habits were not very bad before starting this challenge, I am not having a life crisis with food. I don’t really eat much processed crap and I already make an effort to healthify most of my cooking. So now I am just waiting around till this is over and I can go back to eating what I used to eat. So that side is a little disappointing. I didn’t think this challenge would make me realize I was already fine. Aside from the occasional overindulging. Don’t get me wrong, I think the month will help me have a better handle on some bad habits and it will definitely make me read more labels once the month is over. I also think it’s kickstarted my getting back into cooking full meals more regularly and reduce my snacking on anything within arm’s reach at meal times.
Tonight we are trying a new recipe for baked falafel with a garlic tahini sauce. This challenge has definitely forced me to look for new recipes to avoid eating stir-fried vegetables every night.
And while we are waiting, lets make a list of things I can make in a few weeks. Like some chocolate and nut butter cups, maybe an heirloom tomato galette? I think fall would be a good time to make a Garlic, chives, & smoked gouda brioche. Well that was a salivating good bit of food porn for my afternoon. Think of me while you drink wine, have a toasted tomato sandwich with aged cheddar and mayo or enjoy a weekend latte at your favorite coffee shop this weekend. And please, savour those delicious flavours.