Pins and Procrastination https://pinsandprocrastination.com Green cleaning, DIY, crafts, organizing, and more Wed, 11 May 2016 17:32:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.4 65788647 13 Tips for Surviving (and thriving!) on Your Whole30 https://pinsandprocrastination.com/13-tips-for-surviving-and-thriving-on-your-whole30/ https://pinsandprocrastination.com/13-tips-for-surviving-and-thriving-on-your-whole30/#respond Tue, 09 Feb 2016 12:37:15 +0000 http://pinsandprocrastination.com/?p=3576 The Whole30 is all over right now. I see it on pinterest, facebook, and instagram ALL THE TIME. And with good reason! The Whole30 is a great way for people to take control of what they eat, learn what makes them feel good (and what makes them feel not so good), and address the sugar...

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The Whole30 is all over right now. I see it on pinterest, facebook, and instagram ALL THE TIME. As a Whole30 veteran myself, I can say there is good reason for the hype! The Whole30 is a great way for people to take control of what they eat, learn what makes them feel good , and address the sugar addiction that we all have. These 13 tips will make sure your Whole30 is as awesome as possible!

The Whole30 is all over right now. I see it on pinterest, facebook, and instagram ALL THE TIME. And with good reason! The Whole30 is a great way for people to take control of what they eat, learn what makes them feel good (and what makes them feel not so good), and address the sugar addiction that we all have. It makes eating healthy simple. I really can’t say too many positive things about it. I’m assuming that you’re here because you are ready to start your Whole30 journey! Well awesome! I’m happy for you, and I hope you can learn from my experience (and mistakes!).

As a veteran of two whole30s and many whole7s, I feel like I’ve got a handle on this whole30 thing. It has made a lot of positive changes in my life (read more about it here!). It inspired me to go 100 days without eating sugar. It makes me more aware of what I eat. It’s made me a much better cook. And I feel healthier when I do it.

You know that feeling when you have been going on a bit of a binge and eating too much of whatever you want? It happens more often than I care to admit. But it also makes me feel terrible about myself. But I have the solution! Whenever this happens to me, and I’m sitting in a sugar coma with a stomachache and headache, I just think, “another Whole30 (or Whole7 or Whole 15 or Whole whatever…) for me!” And having that kind of control back in my life makes me feel empowered.

So, here are my best tips for how to survive, and even thrive, on your Whole30!

13 Tips for Surviving (and thriving!) on Your Whole30

1. Read the book(s)

Seriously. You will not understand it if you don’t. When you’re doing your whole30, you might think, well this feels arbitrary! Aren’t beans good for me? And that’s a really reasonable thought. You have to read through WHY you are temporarily eliminating legumes so that you don’t slip up.

Also, reading the books totally fired me up. It got me so INSPIRED and MOTIVATED to do the whole30 and change my life. I wouldn’t have had the motivation if I hadn’t read It Starts With Food cover to cover.

So I can’t emphasize enough that you have to read It Starts With Food. I’ve also read The Whole30, which is great and answers so many questions plus it has lots of great recipes. So if you want to do it all the way, you should really read both. But if you only read one, read It Starts With Food. Reading will give you the motivation you need and all the explanations for WHY the Whole30 helps.

2. Plan, plan, and plan some more!

If you don’t do at least SOME planning before you start your Whole30, you’re setting yourself up to fail. If you keep tempting foods in your house, you’re orre likely to give in to cravings. If you don’t meal plan, you’re more likely to go out to eat an off-plan meal.

I like to take the Whole30 in 5 day segments and plan each out. I plan out a breakfast, dinner, and side dish. Lunch is almost always leftovers from dinner. I stock up on easy quick snacks.

I know it seems counterintuitive not to start right away, but the Whole30 is pretty specific and strict. If you haven’t prepared by finding some good recipes, picking what to eat what days, getting off-plan foods out of the house, and stocking up on quick easy snacks, you will have a hard time finishing your Whole30. At the very least clean out off-plan foods and make a grocery store run before you start.

If you need some help, I’ve made some free Whole30 planners for you!

3. Remember your motivation

There will be times, especially in the first two weeks, when you want to give up. I was at that point pretty recently. On the Whole30 timeline, it mentions it is pretty common to get very irritable on days 4-5. I hadn’t experienced that in my past Whole30’s, but in the most recent one, I definitely did. Those days happened to coincide with that time of the month and it was like a perfect storm.

I was angry at EVERYTHING. Credit to Lars for putting up with me. I was complaining about food. I was complaining about not wanting to eat anything. I was complaining about anything that crossed my line of vision. And I came very, very close to giving up.

But what kept me from giving up was asking myself- why did I start this in the first place? Because I’m sick of feeling crappy whenever I eat. Because I want to be choosing foods that are good or my health. Because I have so many different chronic illnesses that I owe it to myself to take the best care possible of my body. All those reasons were just enough to keep me from quitting.

Write down your motivation. You may need to look back at it. Or even better, every day, write down a different reason why you are motivated to keep going on the Whole30. You wont finish the 30 days if you don’t remember why you are doing it in the first place.

13 Tips for Surviving (and thriving!) on Your Whole30

4.Use your support system

I would not have made it through the Whole30 if Lars hadn’t been doing it with me. He wasn’t very strict about it the first time, because it was something I wanted to do for my health and he doesn’t have any health issues. So he was really doing it to support me. But without him I would have had a tough time.

So before you start, tell people in your life WHY you are doing the Whole30. If you’re feeling down, you can ask them to remind you. And even better, if you know someone who will go along with it, start with a Whole30 buddy. And if neither of those things will work for you, find a buddy in the Whole30 forums. Isn’t the internet amazing?

The Whole30 isn’t easy, but it is worth it. Without some support, you might not make it through.

5. If you’re not perfect, it’s not the end of the world

I know Dallas and Melissa may disagree with me on this one. I do believe that the Whole30 should be without any slip-ups or cheats, but sometimes things are beyond your control. Sometimes you have to go out to eat for a work obligation, and you may not know whether your food is cooked in a permitted oil, even if you request it. But you have to eat, and you have to live. Life doesn’t stop for the Whole30.

It is not uncommon for me to lose my appetite. Just one of many symptoms I deal with from living with chronic illnesses. On the Whole30 you are supposed to have 3 meals a day according to a meal template. I can’t eat three meals every day. I just can’t. But I do my best. I also find that I feel better when I eat a little more fruit than the Whole30 suggests.

Lars was recently out drinking an iced tea, which was unsweetened of course. When he went for a sip he accidentally picked up his friends coke and had a sip of it. He was shocked and surprised and the taste was unpleasant for him, but he wasn’t just going to spit it out. It was a complete mistake. And he decided not to start over. I know that Dallas and Melissa say that one sip or bite of an off-plan food can set off inflammation- but in this case, Lars forgave himself for it.

You have to do the best you can for yourself. If the fear of not being perfect on the Whole30 will keep you from doing it, you have to let that go. It is better to do your best and get the improvements the Whole30 offers than to give up because perfection isn’t possible.

13 Tips for Surviving (and thriving!) on Your Whole30

6. You don’t need to be a 5 star chef

It may be overwhelming to think of cooking so many meals at home. It is even for me and I enjoy cooking. But don’t choose not to do the Whole30 because you aren’t an amazing chef. It is so simple.

You just need to follow the meal template. If that means that you have a steak with a side of steamed veggies (in one of those microwaveable bags) for most of your meals, you aren’t doing anything wrong. Eating on the Whole30 is more simple than you think.

The Whole30 book is great for this. They take you through kitchen basics on what you should have on hand, and have tons of super simple recipes and basics for people who haven’t cooked before. And guess what- one of the benefits of the Whole30 will be that your cooking skills improve! Mine have.

And remember- the crock pot is your best friend. One of my favorite Whole30 meals is made by essentially tossing some chicken and salsa in your crock pot. And it comes out delicious. Seriously, crock pots are amazing.

7. Larabars are useful, but they’re also a slippery slope

Larabars (and rxbars!) are delicious. They are also Whole30 approved. They’re great if you’re out and about and need an emergency snack. But you don’t want to become reliant on them or eat them when you want something sweet.

They may be awesome and a good tool, but they still have a high sugar content. Sure, that sugar comes from dates and other approved sources, but it is much more than you would find in a recipe you make yourself. And so if you eat one when you are craving sugar, you are essentially giving in to your cravings instead of conquering them.

So I say limit your larabars. Use them only when necessary and not otherwise. You don’t want to end the Whole30 and go right into a sugar-addicted binge, right? Stick to protein and fat filled snacks whenever you have the option.

8. Control cravings responsibly

This goes hand in hand with limiting your larabars. You’re going to have cravings. Unless you’ve been doing the paleo diet, the Whole30 will be a dietary change for you. You will be cutting out some things that you enjoy, unfortunately. And your body will whine about it.

I get cravings a lot on the Whole30, but they do get easier to deal with over time. Sugar, salt, starch… my body craves all these things. Fried foods. Seriously.

But when you get a craving, be careful what you reach for. If you are actually hungry, eat a responsible snack, like some turkey and carrots. If you are just craving without hunger, distract yourself. Read a book. Go work out. Watch a movie. Go for a walk. This craving will pass.

My other favorite tool when I’m having a craving is to drink some mint tea. It tastes good and it helps quench thirst. It wont satisfy your craving, but it will distract you until your craving goes away. And since it isn’t sweet it wont keep you addicted to that sweet rush.

9. Stay off the scale

If you want to ruin your Whole30, weigh yourself every day. If you want to make it through and feel great, stay off the scale.

The first time I did the Whole30, I did not stick to this. I barely lost any weight for the first 20 or so days. Since I wasn’t doing the Whole30 for weight loss, that was fine for me and I still stuck to my motivation. But if weight loss is a big motivator for you, it will discourage you to step on the scale and not see the progress you hoped for.

I did lose weight on the Whole30 (which I actually ended up doing for 45 days the first time) and almost all of it was in the last 15 days that I added on. I could tell through my body’s responses that the 30 days was not long enough for me the first time through. If I had focused on weight loss, I would have given up on day 30.

I also urge you not to do the Whole30 if your only goal is weight loss. Most people who do the Whole30 lose weight. But the other benefits (or non-scale victories) are way way better! More energy, better sleep, better skin, a sense of healthiness, less bloating, less headaches, etc… those are all way more beneficial to me than the scale. So if you only want weight loss, the Whole30 might not be for you. You need more motivation than that to make it through and trust the program.

13 Tips for Surviving (and thriving!) on Your Whole30

10. Starches are not the enemy

Yes, the Whole30 is low carb and low starch, and yes the Whole30 wants your body to learn to run on fat as an energy source. But that doesn’t mean you get rid of starches all together. If you’re struggling on your Whole30, you probably aren’t eating enough starchy veggies. I try to eat at least one serving each day. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, and squash are all great sources of healthy starches.

The Whole30 may be decreasing your carbs, but that does not mean that your body still does not need or want carbs to function. It can be a really hard transition for your body. So make it a little easier on yourself and embrace starches. Don’t be scared of them. They will not ruin your Whole30. I’m not saying to eat only starches… just don’t feel like you should avoid them. They are still good for you.

11. Non-food rewards

I don’t know about you, but if you are anything like me, I use food to control my moods. Well, I’m trying not to anymore. But my instinct after a stressful day is to reach for the chocolate. And one of the  things I’ve tried to teach myself on the Whole30 is not to use food as a reward. It will just ruin the experience. What’s the point of doing the Whole30 if you reward yourself with a cupcake as soon as the 30 days are over?

So try to think of other non-food rewards. If you make it through a really tough day and stick to the plan, make yourself a luxurious bath. When you make it through your family dinner without slipping up, buy yourself some great new music that pumps you up. If you make it through the whole program- celebrate by splurging on that thing you’ve been eyeing. Get a mani pedi. Get new clothes that fit you better. Buy a new book. Get a massage. Get flowers. Visit the museum you’ve been wanting to go to. Watch a guilty pleasure movie. Netflix binge your favorite show. The ideas are endless.

12. Follow the spirit of the plan, not the letter

Yes bananas and eggs are approved, but paleo pancakes do not you follow the spirit of the plan. You aren’t supposed to be using less delicious replacements for food, you’re supposed to be changing how you think about what you eat. Yes, unsweetened applesauce is technically an approved food, but if you have a giant bowl of it with berries for breakfast, you aren’t following the plan and it won’t work for you.

A good rule of thumb is, if you say anything is “technically allowed,” it isn’t following the spirit of the plan. Don’t do it half way. Do it right. You owe it to yourself.

13 Tips for Surviving (and thriving!) on Your Whole30

13. If it’s not for you- that’s okay

There is a transition going into the Whole30. You will probably feel worse for a few days before you feel better- this is your body adjusting. But there are situations under which the Whole30 doesn’t make sense anymore.

It’s just not for everyone. And that’s okay.

If it doesn’t agree with your body, accept that. My husband did great on our first Whole30, but on our fourth he was losing weight like crazy. I was worried about him- and he did step on the scale because we were concerned about his health. He had lost 17 pounds in 15 days. And he was never overweight, he’s a slim guy. That was just not healthy and too much stress on his body, so he stopped that Whole30 early.

You owe it to yourself to give it a good chance, but you also owe it to yourself to listen to your body if it is telling you it does not like what is happening.


 

The Whole30 has been so positive in my life. It has really made a difference in my relationship with food. And you can have that too.

So there you have it- 13 tips to help you through your Whole30! Now get to that reading and planning… you won’t regret it!

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Paleo Watermelon Cake (Only 3 Ingredients, and no sweeteners!) https://pinsandprocrastination.com/paleo-watermelon-cake-only-3-ingredients-and-no-sweeteners/ https://pinsandprocrastination.com/paleo-watermelon-cake-only-3-ingredients-and-no-sweeteners/#respond Thu, 21 May 2015 13:44:17 +0000 http://pinsandprocrastination.com/?p=3671 Paleo desserts are tricky. Some say you shouldn’t do them at all. But sometimes you do need a treat- especially celebratory occasions! That’s why this recipe is so great- it is a whole food dessert- you are not altering the ingredients to be something they aren’t already. You are just combining them in a tasty (and...

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The paleo diet has been so good for my health- but not matter what I just cannot kick my sweet tooth. So once in a while I need a sweet treat! This "cake" is perfect for summer and it is so simple- you really only need 2 ingredients.

Paleo desserts are tricky. Some say you shouldn’t do them at all. But sometimes you do need a treat- especially celebratory occasions! That’s why this recipe is so great- it is a whole food dessert- you are not altering the ingredients to be something they aren’t already. You are just combining them in a tasty (and adorable) way. So you can enjoy this without any feelings of guilt whatsoever. I know I do!

This dessert can also be a fun surprise. If no one knows that it is a watermelon, when you slice it open and see that shocking red people are always surprisingly excited. I speak from experience on this. The other great thing is that it is quick and easy. It takes very little work at all. I love when you get more benefits from your efforts. Less is more, right?

So the next time you have something to celebrate, or just find a really delicious watermelon, treat yourself to this fabulous dessert!

Paleo Watermelon Cake (Only 3 Ingredients, and no sweeteners!)

Really you only need two ingredients to make a great watermelon cake:

  • a watermelon, and
  • full-fat canned coconut milk.

And that’s all you need to make the best paleo dessert ever. Simplicity wins!

I usually add a splash of vanilla extract to spice up the flavor a little, but it isn’t necessary. And paleo purists will say not to have vanilla extract at all. But to each their own.

Paleo Watermelon Cake (Only 3 Ingredients, and no sweeteners!)

I’ve made this cake on more than one occasion. Most recently on Easter. Adding the whipped “cream” can be tricky. It doesn’t always listen to what you want. But I think I’ve mastered a technique that works.

The key to successfully frosting your watermelon is the right spatula.

Okay, that’s not the entire technique. But it is important. The next thing that makes the frosting stick is to work from the bottom up. You want to make the frosting thickest on the bottom, and pull up from there. Once you get a rhythm going, you will have no problem at all.

Paleo Watermelon Cake (Only 3 Ingredients, and no sweeteners!)

Paleo Watermelon Cake

paleo-watermelon-cake-cover


Ingredients

  • One small or medium watermelon
  • One can full fat coconut milk
  • Vanilla extract (optional)
  • Decorative toppings (optional- good ideas include sliced almonds, raspberries, or strawberries)

Instructions

  1. First, chill your coconut milk. You can do this by placing the can in the fridge overnight or in the freezer for 30 minutes to an hour.
  2. When your coconut milk is chilled, carefully remove the lid of the can without tipping or shaking it. The can should have a thick creamy part on top, and a watery part on the bottom. Scrape out the thick cream and leave the water on the side (or just drink it right there! Yum!)
  3. Place the cream in a mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer, whip until creamy.
  4. Add a splash of vanilla extract, and keep whipping until creamy, fluffy, and smooth.
  5. When the cream is ready, cut your watermelon into a cake shape. You do this by slicing off two ends to make a flat “top” and “bottom.” Then, resting the watermelon on its flat bottom, cut the rhinds off in a circular motion, until you yield a round cake shape.
  6. Place the watermelon round on the plate which you plan to serve it on.
  7. To add the whipped cream to the cake, you need an angled icing spatula Using the spatula, scoop a large amount of the whipped cream and create a thick layer at the base of the cake. Working from there, use the spatula to pull the whipped cream up along the sides of the cake. Once the sides are finished, add whipped cream to the top of the cake.
  8. Wipe any stray whipped cream off the plate, and decorate as desired.
  9. Then serve!

This cake is super amazing, and anyone you make it for will love it. It is perfect for summer and quick and easy to throw together. I hope you enjoy making and eating it! If you do- send me pictures and I will feature them on the blog!

Paleo Watermelon Cake (Only 3 Ingredients, and no sweeteners!)

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Paleo On the Go (And a Giveaway!) https://pinsandprocrastination.com/paleo-on-the-go-and-a-giveaway/ https://pinsandprocrastination.com/paleo-on-the-go-and-a-giveaway/#comments Wed, 01 Apr 2015 14:33:18 +0000 http://pinsandprocrastination.com/?p=3456 This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Jamba Juice. All opinions are 100% mine. We all know how hard it is for paleo eaters to go out to eat. No one likes to be the annoying one at the table asking every detail about how their food is prepared. I know...

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Jamba Juice. All opinions are 100% mine.

Sometimes being paleo is downright inconvenient. When I'm out with friends and I need a snack to keep me going I always feel like the one slowing everyone down. But the new paleo friendly juices from Jamba are so amazing and perfect to grab when I'm out and about.

We all know how hard it is for paleo eaters to go out to eat. No one likes to be the annoying one at the table asking every detail about how their food is prepared. I know I really hate doing it. But whatever reason you are eating paleo for, it’s hard to find the balance between convenience and sticking to the diet. I love to cook, but I can’t cook every meal every day. It’s exhausting. And the DISHES!

So anyways, I was super excited to find out that Jamba Juice has a new line of Fresh Squeezed Juices available! I have always loved Jamba Juice. Sure they have their all fruit smoothies, but if you want to be really careful and get the most punch out of your juice, cold-pressed is the way to go. These juices are preservative free, cold-pressed, paleo-friendly, and completely, 100% juice. Yum!

So, paleo friends, you are in luck! The perfect on the go snack, pick me up, or quick breakfast is here, and I’m gonna tell you all about it. PLUS- there is a giveaway included in this post, so make sure you read all the way to the bottom to find out how to enter!

Paleo On the Go (And a Giveaway!)

I went to our local Jamba to try out the new juices. When I got there, I was overwhelmed with flavor choices. Lars and I took about 5 minutes and let 2 groups of people pass us in line trying to figure out what juices we wanted. I wanted to try them all.

If you don’t believe me, here are just some of the amazing flavors we considered:

Jamba Juice Fresh Squeezed Juices

Orange Reviver: Oranges, apples, bananas, beets, and chia seeds. Hello extra fiber and deliciousness!

Jamba Juice Fresh Squeezed Juices

Carrot Cayenne: Carrots. apples. ginger. cayenne pepper. For spice lovers like me, this was extra tempting.

Jamba Juice Fresh Squeezed Juices

Kale Orange Power: Fresh orange juice, kale and bananas. All the yum of orange with all the super-goodness of kale.

Jamba Juice Fresh Squeezed Juices

Tropical Greens: Apples, pineapples, supergreens, and chia seeds. Another superfood friendly treat.

But in the end, we decided to try out:

Orange Berry Antioxidant (Fresh Orange Juice, Frozen Strawberries, Frozen Blueberries) and Triple Revitalizer (Fresh Orange Juice, Fresh Carrot Juice, Bananas).

Paleo On the Go (And a Giveaway!)

Lars tried the Orange Berry Antioxidant and I tried the Triple Revitalizer. Cheers!

Paleo On the Go (And a Giveaway!)

I gotta say, these were every bit as good as we expected. The cashier told us we would have to wait a bit longer as the juices were fresh pressed. I did not have a problem with this. We got to see the juices in action in the juicer, and then blended together. So I can vouch that they are definitely fresh. And fabulous.

The Orange Berry Antioxidant was super sweet and also a little bit tart. It was basically dessert. It was thicker than I usually think of juice being. The Triple Revitalizer was just the perfect level of sweetness for me. The carrots balanced out the orange and banana. And it was much more juice-like. We tasted each others but both decided we liked our own best, so it worked out really well.

I can say that I am definitely a fan of these juices! And as I’m writing this post, I am thinking about how I can find the time to make it back to Jamba to try more flavors. Seriously. And if you want to try them too, make sure to Find Your Closest Store.

And…. Drumroll Please…

Now to the best part- THE GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment on what flavor of juice you want to try most, and you will be entered into a draw for a $20 Jamba Juice gift card! Make sure to include your email (which won’t be published or used for any purpose other than this giveaway!)

The giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Denise!

Visit Sponsors Site

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Paleo Sweet Potato Crust Quiche https://pinsandprocrastination.com/paleo-sweet-potato-crust-quiche/ https://pinsandprocrastination.com/paleo-sweet-potato-crust-quiche/#comments Fri, 20 Mar 2015 11:00:57 +0000 http://pinsandprocrastination.com/?p=3284 Although Lars and I have not really been successful at our second Whole30, I still love making the recipes. This recipe is an amazing Whole30 breakfast because it has everything you need- fats, veggies, and protein. It’s easy to make and it reheats really well. It has been fully approved at two separate brunches by...

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If you love the Whole30, you're a paleo eater, you don't eat gluten, or you just love yummy healthy food, you've got to check out this paleo sweet potato quiche. It is the ultimate whole30 breakfast- everything you need in one package. Plus you wont believe how easy it is to make! This Sweet Potato Quiche is delicious.

Although Lars and I have not really been successful at our second Whole30, I still love making the recipes. This recipe is an amazing Whole30 breakfast because it has everything you need- fats, veggies, and protein. It’s easy to make and it reheats really well. It has been fully approved at two separate brunches by non-paleo eating folks. So let the deliciousness ensue.

I adapted the recipe from Fourteen Forty. I love sweet potatoes, especially at breakfast, and I knew I had to try it as soon as I saw it. The original recipe has lots of cheese in it and less veggies than I would have liked, so I made it paleo-friendly. It was a great success.

You will need two gadgets for this recipe. You could get by without them, but it will be much easier if you do have them. They are a mandolin slicer and an olive oil spray bottle. They are two of my favorite kitchen gadgets and I use them both often, so I personally think they’re worth it.

If you love the Whole30, you're a paleo eater, you don't eat gluten, or you just love yummy healthy food, you've got to check out this paleo sweet potato quiche. It is the ultimate whole30 breakfast- everything you need in one package. Plus you wont believe how easy it is to make! This Sweet Potato Quiche is delicious.

Sweet potatoes are so lovely looking, aren’t they? Use your mandolin slicer to make your sweet potato crust. The thin slices get laid out in a pie pan and baked. Yum. If you want an extra thick crust you can add more than I did here, you will just have to cook it a little longer.

If you love the Whole30, you're a paleo eater, you don't eat gluten, or you just love yummy healthy food, you've got to check out this paleo sweet potato quiche. It is the ultimate whole30 breakfast- everything you need in one package. Plus you wont believe how easy it is to make! This Sweet Potato Quiche is delicious.

And here is the quiche ready to go in the oven! My stomach is literally growling while I am writing this post. I should probably go eat something. I just wish I had more of this leftover and I could eat some right now.

If you love the Whole30, you're a paleo eater, you don't eat gluten, or you just love yummy healthy food, you've got to check out this paleo sweet potato quiche. It is the ultimate whole30 breakfast- everything you need in one package. Plus you wont believe how easy it is to make! This Sweet Potato Quiche is delicious.

Okay- so now on to the real reason you are here. The recipe!

Paleo Sweet Potato Crust Quiche

If you love the Whole30, you're a paleo eater, you don't eat gluten, or you just love yummy healthy food, you've got to check out this paleo sweet potato quiche. It is the ultimate whole30 breakfast- everything you need in one package. Plus you wont believe how easy it is to make! This Sweet Potato Quiche is delicious.

Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 35 mins
Total time: 50 mins


Ingredients

  • 1 medium sweet potato
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 cup spinach, ripped into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup mushrooms, chopped
  • 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
  • 1/2 small onion, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (approximate)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  2. Prepare the sweet potato by slicing with a mandolin. You can peel before slicing, but I personally don’t mind the skin.
  3. Spray your pie tin with olive oil, and line with sweet potatoes. Spray again.
  4. Cook sweet potato crust for about 15 minutes
  5. While crust is cooking, chop and prepare all veggies
  6. Place a sauté pan on medium heat and add about a tablespoon of oil
  7. In the sauté pan, cook mushrooms, onion, bell peppers, garlic, and spinach. Add the spinach last as it cooks very quickly.
  8. Whisk 6 eggs in a large mixing bowl
  9. When vegetables are fully cooked, pour into mixing bowl full of eggs and stir
  10. When pie crust is cooked, reduce oven to 375. Pour egg and vegetable mix into the crust and bake until fully cooked, approximately 30-35 minutes

If you love the Whole30, you're a paleo eater, you don't eat gluten, or you just love yummy healthy food, you've got to check out this paleo sweet potato quiche. It is the ultimate whole30 breakfast- everything you need in one package. Plus you wont believe how easy it is to make! This Sweet Potato Quiche is delicious.

Yum. Sweet potato goodness. Before I found this recipe I considered myself a master of the frittata. This is so similar, but the sweet potato crust really kicks it up a notch. So now I guess I’m a master of the sweet potato crust quiche.

You can use whatever veggies you like. I’ve loved the combo of mushrooms, onion, bell peppers, and spinach. But I think maybe I’ll have to add asparagus into the mix as well next time I try it. This is one of those recipes that you won’t get tired of because you can change it up every time.

Try this recipe out at home and let me know how it goes for you! You don’t even have to tell anyone it’s paleo… they won’t miss the grains and dairy!

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Preparing your Whole30: Free Printables (Fit your whole meal plan on one page!) https://pinsandprocrastination.com/preparing-your-whole30-free-printables-fit-your-whole-meal-plan-on-one-page/ https://pinsandprocrastination.com/preparing-your-whole30-free-printables-fit-your-whole-meal-plan-on-one-page/#comments Thu, 05 Feb 2015 14:56:59 +0000 http://pinsandprocrastination.com/?p=3092 Hi friends! So, as I’ve already mentioned, Lars and I are doing the Whole30 for the second time. Since I have the benefit of experience this time around, I am making sure to get everything prepped and planned in advance. Part of that preparation included making this meal planner and grocery list. When I was...

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Are you busy planning and preparing for your whole30? These free printable planners will help you out a ton. Check out the free whole30 grocery list template and the whole30 meal plan template. The meal plan template fits your whole plan on ONE page.

Hi friends!

So, as I’ve already mentioned, Lars and I are doing the Whole30 for the second time. Since I have the benefit of experience this time around, I am making sure to get everything prepped and planned in advance.

Part of that preparation included making this meal planner and grocery list. When I was done with filling in all our meals, I thought that my little spreadsheet was pretty useful, and other people might think so too!

I’ve split the Whole30 into 6 different 5 day segments. I find that easier than going by a regular week, because then you can start and end on any day you want without confusion. Also, it makes sense when you are eating this much fresh food at home to go to the grocery store every 5 days.

So, click on the images of these awesome planners to download the PDF file.Are you busy planning and preparing for your whole30? These free printable planners will help you out a ton. Check out the free whole30 grocery list template and the whole30 meal plan template. The meal plan template fits your whole plan on ONE page.

So you can see for the meal planner that there is an option for sides. I find that the meal that I spend the most time cooking and planning is dinner. (Makes sense, right?). In our last Whole30, we ate the previous dinner’s leftovers for lunch most days.

So the way I like to plan our Whole30 dinners is by picking a protein and a side. Some meals don’t need a side, like hearty stews or big salads. The point is to try to get in interesting proteins, veggies, and fats. So that’s why the spreadsheet is set out that way.

If you would rather download an editable excel file, you can download that here.

Are you busy planning and preparing for your whole30? These free printable planners will help you out a ton. Check out the free whole30 grocery list template and the whole30 meal plan template. The meal plan template fits your whole plan on ONE page.

I have the grocery list set up by store sections. I find that when I include canned or frozen goods in the “vegetables” section I forget to pick them up. I always feel like I’m done with fruits and veggies once I get out of the produce section of the store. Having the canned and miscellaneous categories makes it easier to shop without forgetting items.

Anyways, I hope you find these planning tools as helpful as I do! Good luck!

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We’re doing the Whole30… again! https://pinsandprocrastination.com/were-doing-the-whole30-again/ https://pinsandprocrastination.com/were-doing-the-whole30-again/#comments Tue, 03 Feb 2015 13:00:27 +0000 http://pinsandprocrastination.com/?p=3077 In October of last year, Lars and I did the Whole30 for the first time. The Whole30 is a 30-day elimination diet, where you cut out all grains, sugars (yes, that includes alcohol), dairy, and legumes. This basically leaves you with meat, vegetables, fruit, nuts, and eggs. It may sound difficult, but it is totally...

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The Whole30 has been life changing for me. Find out why I'm doing the Whole30 AGAIN and lots of lessons I learned the first time around.

In October of last year, Lars and I did the Whole30 for the first time.

The Whole30 is a 30-day elimination diet, where you cut out all grains, sugars (yes, that includes alcohol), dairy, and legumes. This basically leaves you with meat, vegetables, fruit, nuts, and eggs. It may sound difficult, but it is totally worth it.

If you want to do the Whole30, read It Starts With FoodIt will tell you all the guidelines for the 30 days and give you all the reasons why they chose the foods they did (and believe me, it isn’t the illogical paleo answer of sticking to what our ancestors ate…). I always am skeptical on food science because there is so much conflicting evidence out there… but a diet that gets rid of processed foods and has you cooking at home is ok by me.

Part of why we did the Whole30 was that I wanted to address my very serious sugar addiction. I ended up doing the Whole30 for 45 days and then cut out all added sugars for 100 days total.

Now that I am not cutting anything out anymore, my sugar addiction is sneaking its way back in. So we figured it’s time to do the Whole30 again! If you’re starting the Whole30 and want some help planning, check out these great free printable Whole30 planners.

The Whole30 has been life changing for me. Find out why I'm doing the Whole30 AGAIN and lots of lessons I learned the first time around.

After the Whole30, I feel I’ve mastered the frittata

The Whole30, although very similar to a paleo diet, does not allow “replacement” foods or any type of dessert. So you can’t make those tortillas with only paleo ingredients or paleo chocolate mousse. You aren’t even supposed to have fruit after a meal, because it reminds your body of dessert. And we are trying to get rid of that nonsense.

It has a really easy to follow meal guideline. You make sure you have enough servings of protein, fill the rest of the plate with veggies, and make sure to include enough fats. Fruits can be eaten as part of the meal, but you shouldn’t exceed 2 servings of fruit a day.

So sorry for those of you who aren’t interested, but the next few weeks will be Whole30 oriented. I’ll be sharing some free printables, recipes, and whatnot.

The Whole30 has been life changing for me. Find out why I'm doing the Whole30 AGAIN and lots of lessons I learned the first time around.

My favorite Whole30 lunch- avocado tuna salad!

My impressions from our first Whole30:

  • Holy cow I’m spending WHAT on groceries?
    • Actually, it’s less than we usually spend on eating out and takeout…
  • Cooking and trying new recipes is fun
  • Doing dishes sucks
  • I miss goat cheese
  • I miss dessert
  • We need a bigger kitchen
  • It’s ridiculously absurd how quickly Lars loses weight when he stops drinking beer
  • I actually like salad dressing when I make it myself
  • Healthy food is delicious
  • Ok but I’m kind of sick of eggs
  • I am sleeping better
  • Is that my skin? Because my skin has never looked this good
  • My crock pot is my best friend
  • I rarely need snacks during the day
  • I don’t feel bloated
  • I feel GOOD about what I’m eating
  • I actually know when I’m hungry
  • I’m so glad that I did this

Keep your eyes open for a bunch of free printables that we use to keep ourselves organized during the Whole30!

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Update: Paleo Coconut Curry Chicken Tenders https://pinsandprocrastination.com/update-paleo-coconut-curry-chicken-tenders/ https://pinsandprocrastination.com/update-paleo-coconut-curry-chicken-tenders/#comments Thu, 09 Oct 2014 11:00:36 +0000 http://pinsandprocrastination.com/?p=2425 Update: This is a revisit of my old post on Paleo Coconut Curry Chicken Tenders. I’ve updated the pictures and the recipe with the changes I’ve made over time.  I’ve been gluten free for a few years now, and in some of my gluten free cooking I’ve also experimented with paleo recipes. I think they’re...

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paleo-chicken-tenders-title

Update: This is a revisit of my old post on Paleo Coconut Curry Chicken Tenders. I’ve updated the pictures and the recipe with the changes I’ve made over time. 

I’ve been gluten free for a few years now, and in some of my gluten free cooking I’ve also experimented with paleo recipes. I think they’re a lot of fun and I’m a huge fan of almond flour and coconut oil, which are in basically every paleo recipe.

So, in experimenting with paleo recipes, I came across this incredible recipe for paleo coconut chicken on pinterest, and added a few tweaks. The original recipe is from Beezy Body Fitness.

It is so fast and easy. The best recipes yield delicious flavor without a crazy amount of work, and this is one of them. These basically taste like chicken tenders with a hint of coconut and curry (or a lot of curry if you are like me).

paleo coconut chicken

Put the flour and seasoning in one bowl, eggs in another, and shredded unsweetened coconut in a third bowl. Dip chicken strips in egg, then flour, then coconut.

Trust me- you are going to want to make these all the time. So easy and delicious they will make you wonder why coconut and chicken aren’t always together.

They are the perfect main dish for a night when you don’t have too much time. The prep takes less than 10 minutes and they only take about 15 minutes to cook. Fast and easy, just how I like my cooking.

paleo coconut chicken

Ingredients

  • 1 lb organic chicken tenders or chicken breast cut into strips
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1.5 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 teaspoon of curry powder (or more to your liking)
  • coconut oil

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  • Grease a cookie sheet with coconut oil (you can also use parchment paper instead of oil, either works)
  • Mix flour and curry powder in one bowl, put eggs in a second bowl, and the coconut in a third bowl
  • Dip chicken strips into egg, then curry and flour mix, then coconut
  • Optional: Sprinkle additional curry powder on chicken tenders if you’re really nuts for it like I am
  • Bake at 400 degrees for 12-17 minutes, or until lightly browned on the outside and fully cooked

paleo-chicken-tenders-3

I like to eat these with mustard, but I bet they would go great with different kinds of sauces. Let me know how the recipe goes for you and any dipping sauces you use! 

paleo-chicken-tenders-2Yum! The perfect healthier alternative to chicken tenders. Everyone loves chicken tenders, so you gotta indulge somehow.

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Paleo Strawberry Pastry Dessert Recipe https://pinsandprocrastination.com/paleo-strawberry-pastry-recipe/ https://pinsandprocrastination.com/paleo-strawberry-pastry-recipe/#comments Mon, 26 May 2014 12:46:56 +0000 http://pinsandprocrastination.com/?p=1287 So I invented this dessert while writing my post on Top Ten Uses for Three Ingredient Paleo Naan. I thought that it might be awesome because three ingredient paleo naan is so simple and delicious and versatile, so I just tried it out. And it was even more amazing than I could have expected. Seriously, how...

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Paleo Strawberry Pastry

So I invented this dessert while writing my post on Top Ten Uses for Three Ingredient Paleo Naan. I thought that it might be awesome because three ingredient paleo naan is so simple and delicious and versatile, so I just tried it out. And it was even more amazing than I could have expected.

Seriously, how can something only sweetened with a small amount of honey be so amazing? It’s because strawberries are amazing. And so is coconut oil. And coconut milk. And when they all come together in this recipe they make magic.

If you need an easy paleo dessert that will give you a lot of taste for not too much effort, this is the recipe for you.Paleo Strawberry Pastry

First, you mix the ingredients for the pastry crust- the coconut milk, tapioca starch, and almond flour. Paleo Strawberry Pastry

Then start cooking the naan on low-medium heat in a frying pan greased with coconut oil. Cook it only half way through.

Paleo Strawberry Pastry

While the naan is cooking in the pan, cut up the strawberries into small pieces and grease a cookie sheet with coconut oil. (You could also use parchment paper instead of coconut oil).

Paleo Strawberry Pastry

Cut the naan in half, with the cooked side facing down. Add strawberries and roll up into your desired shape. Add glaze, and make sure some gets on top and inside of the pastry. Then cook! And that’s all it takes.Paleo Strawberry Pastry

Aren’t they beautiful? They taste even better than they look, if you can believe it.

Here is the full recipe:

Serving Size: 4 pastries

Ingredients:

For the pastry dough:

  • Go to My Heart Beets to get the recipe for the dough/naan
  • Coconut oil for frying

For the glaze:

  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the filling:

  • About 15 medium strawberries

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
  2. Mix the ingredients for the paleo naan in a large mixing bowl
  3. Cook half the naan dough in a large pan with coconut oil until halfway done, the point at which you would flip it over
  4. While the naan is cooking, wash and cut the strawberries and mix the ingredients for the glaze in a medium bowl, and grease a cookie sheet with coconut oil
  5. When the naan is halfway done, place it on the cookie sheet with the cooked side facing down and cut the naan in half
  6. Repeat steps 2-3 and 5 for a second naan
  7. Place cut up strawberries in the center of the pastries, and fold up in your desired shape
  8. Brush the glaze over the top of the pastries, and pour the rest so that it seeps inside the pastries
  9. Cook for 15-35 minutes, or until the outside is crispy and the inside is soft and fluffy
  10. Let cool for 5-10 minutes, and serve

 

Paleo Strawberry Pastry

Yum. My mouth is watering looking at this picture. And my stomach is starting to growl. I should go make some more of these.

You could also try making these with different fillings- any other fruit or even chocolate or nutella. That sounds crazy amazing. My mouth is watering all over again. I need to go eat something. And then make some more of these pastries.

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