the whole30

This is one of the rare posts on this blog that has almost nothing to do with Joshua, but we figured some of you might be getting sick of all the Joshua pictures. (Just kidding, who could possibly get sick of pictures of that kid??) 

Brett and I recently completed a 30-day diet/challenge, called the Whole30. For those who are unfamiliar, it's 30 days of no added sugar, no dairy, no grains, no legumes, no white potatoes, no alcohol, no processed foods. (See? I said "diet/challenge" for a reason!) I had been thinking about it for a few months, and ultimately decided to do it for a few reasons - I finished breastfeeding Joshua in December, and was looking for a way to get rid of the rest of my pregnancy weight; I wanted to work on some healthier eating habits; and ultimately, I wanted to get rid of (or significantly reduce) my sugar cravings. And Brett kindly went along with it so I'd have some extra accountability.

It was definitely a challenging experience. I spent a lot more time making dinner than usual (I couldn't have any "easy" nights of pasta, pizza, or take-out) and our grocery bill skyrocketed. But overall, we're glad we did it! I think it's something I might do once a year. (Brett is not sold on that idea.) I thought I'd share some of our favorite meals from the Whole30... all of which are now in "regular diet" rotation. :)

1. Pork Chili (adapted from It Starts With Food)
Ingredients:
2-3 tbsp. olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 green peppers, diced
1 lb. ground pork
1 can diced tomatoes
1 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

Directions:
Saute onions and bell peppers in olive oil until softened. Add ground pork; drain excess fat after cooked through. Add diced tomatoes and spices; simmer 10-15 minutes. Serve over bed of raw baby spinach, with diced avocado on top. 

2. Chicken Sausage, Cauliflower Rice, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients:
4 chicken sausages (Note: If you are doing the Whole30, make sure to find one that is compliant. We found this Chicken & Apple sausage at our local grocery store which we LOVED.)
1 onion, diced
1 head cauliflower
1 lb. brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
coconut oil, olive oil,
salt, pepper, garlic powder (to taste)

Directions:
Heat oven to 425°. Toss brussels sprouts with 1-2 tbsp. olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Spread onto baking sheet and place them in the oven for about 25 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through.
Meanwhile, make the cauliflower rice. Start by chopping a cauliflower into similar-sized chunks. Dump them into a food processor and pulse until it resembles rice. Satue the onion in coconut oil until softened. Add the cauliflower, stir, and then simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes.
Heat the chicken sausage. (We usually dice it up and heat it in a pan for a few minutes, since it's already cooked).
Serve sausage over cauliflower rice, with brussels sprouts on the side.

3. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with No Sugar Added BBQ Sauce
Unfortunately, I can't describe this recipe as quick or easy, but it is delicious! Find the recipe here.

Just typing this up has made me hungry! Hope you enjoy them!

recipe roundup

I wouldn't consider myself a very good cook... but I can follow a recipe pretty well. So I LOVE finding delicious and (somewhat) healthy recipes that are easy to follow and make me seem like a good cook.

My criteria for a good recipe (for normal weekday cooking) include:

• simple and easy to follow directions (I usually have a small child tugging on my pant leg while making dinner)
• easy to find ingredients (either food that I typically buy or something easy to find on this island)
• at least somewhat healthy (cream of chicken/mushroom/etc. soup is a big red flag)
• delicious (it has to be worth the effort)

I seem to have stumbled upon a few winners lately, so I thought I'd share the love.

• Shrimp with Scallions and Crispy Potatoes: This was a big winner with Brett. Joshua didn't like the curry flavor, so next time I'll scoop out his portion before adding the curry powder.
• Barbecue Chicken Wraps: A friend suggested this recipe to me and it was a BIG hit. There are plenty of variations floating around the internet (probably on Pinterest), but I use this basic recipe with very thinly sliced regular Gouda (instead of shredded smoked Gouda). This recipe also earns bonus points for the "able to prepare ingredients during nap time, store in the refrigerator, and assemble quickly at dinner time" factor.
• Baked Potato Soup: This might be another recipe floating around Pinterest (I'm always late to the party since I stopped using Pinterest), but it's seriously delicious. And it's another recipe that's great for throwing together during nap time, or on Sunday morning for an easy lunch after church. (Yeah, this doesn't quite meet the "healthy" criterion, but I'm okay on occasion). 
• Quinoa and Sweet Potato Chili: Okay, this isn't actually a recent discovery but it's too good to leave out of this list. It's an unconventional chili recipe, but seriously delicious. It's very filling (even without meat!), it freezes and reheats beautifully, and super simple to throw together. It's a staple around here!

And, since I'm always on the hunt for a good recipe... What are some of your favorite weeknight recipes??