A Girl & Her Greens

In which I discuss the contents of my CSA box and what I end up doing with it.

[samdamda]

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s the week my Untiedt’s CSA begins!

The first week included:

Cauliflower Zucchini English Peas Lettuce Romaine Radishes Kohlrabi Asparagus Cilantro Dill Mint Lemongrass

Since Tuesday was taken up by heartbreaking soccer (#USMNT), my first big cooking day was on Wednesday.  I washed the greens in preparation for salads, potted the herbs (that looked like they weren’t going to make it), and made fettuccine alfredo with cauliflower sauce and sweet peas for dinner.

Collin (who hates peas) made stir-fry with CSA summer squash and asparagus for his dinner on Wednesday. Here are the leftovers, which I got to eat some of for dinner on Thursday (sorry Dixie Dog, not for you).

Last night (Friday) I did a simple bolognese to top some zucchini noodles, which might be my favorite way to eat zucchini (outside of desserts).

Things I have yet to use: radishes, romaine, and kohlrabi. I’m planning to try sautéing the radishes in butter to see if I enjoy them more that way (not a huge fan) and making this kohlrabi gratin.

P.S. Those sad-looking herbs in the first photo came back splendidly after being re-planted.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! CSA Week One: It's the most wonderful time of the year! It's the week my Untiedt's CSA begins! The first week included:

[samdamda]

Whole 30: Day 2 Now realizing that my meal plan is going to make these updates real repetitive. Changing things up today to make it more exciting (for you and me)! Day 2 went well aside from my massive sugar withdrawal headache and subsequent lackluster workout. Food was great though! Oh, but I was craving dessert real bad before bed, but I managed to convince myself I didn't need it. #winning Breakfast: Blueberry tortilla, sunflower butter (First time I've had it. Tastes like middle school softball tournaments.), banana, and coffee. Lunch: Spinach with apple and Tessemae's balsamic, butternut squash chili, Wholly Guacamole, and sparkling water. Pre workout snack: Two deviled eggs. Dinner: Steak salad with romaine, green apple, celery, and Tessemae's lemon garlic dressing.

[samdamda]

It's time to dust off the ol' Tumblr, because Sam is doing another Whole30! I know, I can feel your excitement. Things that will be better this time: I've already been planning for weeks by making meal plans, cleaning out my fridge, and buying all the food. No grad school. Proper time for the reintroduction phase (no deep dish pizza on day 32 this time). The knowledge that I've done it before, so I can do it again! Things that will be challenging this time: Living with a husband that is NOT doing Whole30 and likes to buy junk food and alcohol. So, we'll see how it goes! Anyway, here's what I ate: Breakfast: Sweet and Savory Blueberry Tortilla (my fav) with almond butter, banana, and black coffee. Lunch: Steak salad with Tessemae's ranch dressing, a handful of pistachios, and an orange. Dinner: Beef Chili with Butternut Squash topped with avocado. Mood: Feeling great! Bring it on, Whole30!

[samdamda]

I'm Out of Eggs

Sometimes I get in food ruts. This is my food rut. Eggs. Zucchini. Onion. Asparagus. Cheese. I’m not mad about it, it just doesn’t make for an interesting food blog. I will try harder.

View On WordPress

[samdamda]

Whole30: Results

Well, I did it. I finished the Whole30.

While my results weren't as dramatic as they are for some people, I'm happy with how things turned out. I lost 6 pounds and what looks to be a lot of inches (I forgot to measure when I began). I did have more energy in the afternoons and evening workouts seemed easier. So, good stuff.

I completely failed at doing any sort of planned reintroduction of foods because I had serious food boredom set in at the end. If I do it again, I'll do a better job of planning meals and prepping ahead of time.

All told, I'd recommend the Whole30 to anyone who wants to change their relationship with food. After a week not officially on the Whole30, I can tell that I am still approaching eating differently (less about comfort, more about fuel), so I hope I can keep that up!

[samdamda]

Congrats on finishing the Whole 30!! :)

Thanks, Ellen!

[samdamda]

Whole30: Day 30

Guys! I made it! I finished the Whole30!

Breakfast: Microwaved sweet potato with almond butter, cinnamon, strawberries, & an Americano (things were starting to get weird, guys)

Lunch: Repeat photo for a repeat meal of Paleo Pizza Stuffed Pepper, tomato sauce, & spaghetti squash

Pre-Workout Snack: A pear & roasted almonds

Dinner: Because I couldn't bear to cook one more compliant dinner, I ordered Bite Squad from Republic and got the Wild Acres turkey burger with guacamole, pico de gallo, & field greens. It was SO good.

And, then a bonus pic of me flexin' because I AM DONE!

[samdamda]

Whole30: Day 29

I'm so close, you guys.

Breakfast: Pumpkin Cinnamon N’Oatmeal (I added 2 eggs this time to boost the protein) with blueberries, almond butter, cinnamon & coffee

Lunch: Butternut squash hash with apples, Brussels & chicken apple sausage (this is an old photo, but same food minus the egg)

Snack: Apple with almond butter & almonds (double almonds!)

Dinner: 2 scrambled eggs with chicken apple sausage and Brussels

[samdamda]

Whole30: Day 28

I feel like I've been doing the Whole30 for my entire life. I'm sick with a cold (again) and I turned into a crazy, bread craving monster this afternoon, but I did not cave. Proud moment, that.

Breakfast: Pumpkin Cinnamon N’Oatmeal with blueberries, almond butter, & coffee

Lunch: Chicken apple sausage, Brussels, & a scrambled egg, a pear, & la croix

Dinner: Paleo Pizza Stuffed Pepper, tomato sauce, & spaghetti squash

[samdamda]

Whole30: Day 27

Okay, happy almost done with Whole30 thoughts: A great coworker (who has done Whole30 before) made me a delicious lunch today! I'm going to be super slim and clear-skinned for my Valentine's date! I'm eating "too much" fruit and almond butter and I don't care! Wheee!

Breakfast: Blueberry tortilla with almond butter and strawberries

Lunch: Spaghetti squash with grassfed beef and marinara sauce, mixed greens with red peppers, oil, and vinegar, and apple slices

Snack: Pistachios

Dinner (not pictured): Spinach salad with pear, strawberries, olive oil & balsamic vinegar & carrots with almond butter

[samdamda]

Whole30: Day 26

Majorly behind on these updates. Probably because I can't believe this Whole30 business isn't done yet. 

Breakfast: Butternut squash hash with apples, brussels & chicken apple sausage with two friend eggs

Lunch: Leftover steak stirfry

Dinner (not pictured): Spinach salad with strawberries, pear, olive oil & balsamic vinegar and a cashew cookie larabar

[samdamda]

Whole30: Day 25

Guys, I could really go for some pizza. February 20th (which is when I will be devouring some Chicago-style 'za on vacation) can get here anytime.

Breakfast: Blueberry breakfast tortilla with almond butter, more blueberries, almond slices & coffee

Lunch: Butternut squash, Brussels, apple, & chicken apple sausage all roasted together with some oil & balsamic vinegar with an egg on top. (This was DELICIOUS)

Snack: Roasted almonds

Dinner (not pictured): Spinach salad with pear, strawberry, olive oil, balsamic vinegar & turkey lunch meat

[samdamda]

Whole30: Day 24

Yesterday was the first day where I was really hungry in the evening (hence the two snacks). I also didn't eat any red meat. Those two things could possibly be related.

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs with turkey & avocado & coffee

Lunch: Turkey, carrots, pear, & almonds

Snack: Pecan Pie Larabar

Dinner: Side salad with grilled chicken, olive oil, & balsamic vinegar at French Meadow

Snack: Strawberries with almond butter

[samdamda]

Whole30: Day 23

Whew, I'm behind! This was Friday, where I clearly didn't want to get out of bed to make eggs, so I had a weird-o orange breakfast. I was into it.

Also, Chipotle continues to break my heart by not having carnitas.

Breakfast: Carrots with almond butter, a clementine (I only ended up eating one), & a homemade Americano 

Lunch: Lund's salad bar (AGAIN) with rotisserie chicken, hard boiled eggs, lots of veggies, oil and balsamic vinegar, & citrus kombucha (super yum)

Dinner: Sirloin stir-fry with yellow bell pepper, carrots, onion, broccoli, stir-fry sauce from Well Fed (Collin wasn't into the sauce, I'm on the fence about it. Lots of cinnamon), & club soda with lime

[samdamda]

Whole30: Day 22

This is my "Oh crap, I slept through my alarm!" breakfast. It was actually pretty good! I'm really into almond butter, if you couldn't tell.

Breakfast: Banana with almond butter and raisins, carrots with almond butter, & 1/2 grapefruit

Lunch: Sweet potato (I swear it's under there somewhere), chocolate chili, onion, guacamole, & lime la croix with the juice from my breakfast grapefruit squeezed in

Dinner: 3 egg omelet filled with delicious avocado pesto my coworker made and a side of Brussels

[samdamda]

Whole30: Day 21

That breakfast tortilla I've been making is good. Maybe too good. I'm having trouble eating eggs any other way now. Sweet eggs, FTW.

Breakfast: Blackberry tortilla with almond butter and banana

Lunch: Chocolate chili with tomato, onion, and guacamole, & sliced pear

Dinner: Italian meat loaf chopped up and mixed with tomato sauce over green beans

Snack: Apple

Okay, I had around 4 servings of fruit, which is double what is recommended on the Whole30. My goal for the rest of the time is to stick to that 2 serving rule. Wish me luck.

[samdamda]

Whole30: Day 20

I can't believe I'm 2/3 of the way done! That is a selfie to display my excitement about this fact. In case you're wondering, that mug is full of coffee.

I had a coworker attempt to make me Whole30-compliant lunch. She got everything right except adding feta to the salad. I felt obnoxious picking out the cheese in front of her. #Whole30Problems

Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs with tomato, banana with almond butter, & coffee

Lunch: Chicken strawberry salad with almonds, oil, & vinegar, a pear, & sparkling water

Pre-Class Snack: Larabar & half a bag of pistachios

In-Class Dinner (not pictured): 2 hard-boiled eggs, carrots & almond butter