It’s been a week. I’m still doing the Elimination diet. This week has had its ups and downs. I still haven’t felt awesome, but I am guessing my body is detoxing a bit or my body just hates me…or both. Hopefully this week my symptoms will lessen or go away. I have found plenty of food that I can eat, however let’s just say I have a lot of things over rice or quinoa. There is nothing wrong with rice or quinoa, but I have a feeling it will get old. I haven’t done much meal planning, just go with the flow–which I feel I would have a bit more variety if I meal planned better. Maybe timing will work out better this week…
I have ate some delicious food and made some food that has been surprisingly tasty. One huge struggle I have had is seasoning. Most spice blends have some kind of pepper in it, whether it be red bell pepper to a spicy pepper. I am also avoiding black pepper–so that takes out every spice blend. I just season to taste, which I do a lot in my cooking when I have a bit more time–I just like to use spice blends when I am short on time.
Other challenges I have faced is breakfast. I can’t do eggs. I can’t do cereal or oatmeal…and frankly, that is usually what I have for breakfast. I am having a lot of chia pudding with fruit for breakfast, since it really is just chia seeds and nut milk. My other go-to breakfast item is smoothies…and a lot of them. I am making them with rice protein. I don’t love the rice protein powder I got, but I am just going to go with it and hope I can go back to the whey protein I like when I can reintroduce foods. I do know of some good plant-based protein powders, but they are pricer than the rice protein I have. Since I am spending more on food with this elimination diet, I am trying to cut costs where I can. Oh…other hard part about breakfast, NO COFFEE. Yeah, it is sad. I miss that delicious hot cup in the morning. Although I haven’t fallen asleep at work or anything, so I suppose I am doing just fine.
I have decided I now love almond butter, which was not the case a month ago. I have gone through a whole jar of almond butter in less than a week, between having it with apples or rice/nut crackers. It is definitely my go to snack. I think I have ate more almond butter this week than I have in the past year.
I have even had dessert this week: Avocado Chocolate Mousse. It may sound weird, but it is delicious and way healthier than regular chocolate mousse. I will be sure to post the recipe later this week.
Some food highlights of my week: Basil Kale Pesto with Rice Pasta and Roasted Chicken, Salmon over Quinoa with Brussel Sprouts, and Mexican chicken with Black Beans and Avocado over White Rice. (Side note: the “Mexican” chicken was a challenge with out peppers, but I just spiced it with garlic, onion, cumin and oregano.)
Everything is made from scratch, as I have to to avoid the foods I can’t eat. I do typically cook most of the food I eat from scratch as I like to know exactly what is in my foods, so it really isn’t a big deal. However, I do like my occasionally protein/granola bar or cereal, but I am probably much better off only eating foods from scratch.
Saddest part of the week: The Packers unfortunate loss. That’s all I’m going to say. I did however make Asian Turkey Lettuce wraps for the game. While I missed the cheese and beer (GF, of course), the wraps were tasty.
This photo was taken during the first quarter…not the last five minutes of the fourth quarter. See I am happy…not sad.
All in all though, this week went fairly well. Two more weeks until I can start reintroducing foods!