W30D4

I'm admitting a slip-up when it comes to the Whole 30. I had alcohol tonight with some of my current and former co-workers. I started Whole 30 with the knowledge that I already had plans to consume alcohol during the 30 days. I totally understand the reasons why I shouldn't consume alcohol and I know how alcohol affects my bodily functions. I also firmly believe that our ancestors did not have easy access to fermented beverages. So while I believe that they probably had irregular access to some sort of alcoholic beverages/materials, I don't believe that it would be a commonly consumed product. However, I also recognize the fact that while I do follow a Paleo lifestyle, the foods, whether they be meat or vegetables, that I eat now are not the same foods as what my Paleolithic ancestors eat. Food products have evolved (or been genetically engineered) to be different from what humanoids ate 10,000 years ago. The cow meat that I buy at a store now, is not the same as what would have been hunted and killed by our ancestors. Just accept that fact. I do recommend that you should aim for grass-fed meat whenever possible. And speaking of grass-fed meat...

Spinach Meatballs
1 lb grass-fed ground beef
3/4 cup frozen spinach, thawed and thoroughly drained
3/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 1/2 tsp dried basil
1 1/2 tsp dried parsley
1 egg

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Combine all of the ingredients together using your hands.
3. Roll into 1" diameter balls and spread across broiler pan.

4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until thoroughly cooked.

5. Serve with spaghetti squash and pasta sauce or pesto sauce.

W30D3

OMG this pesto sauce is YUMMY! If I hadn't restrained myself, I might have eaten the entire jar of pesto sauce. Who needs "pasta"? I was eating it by the spoonful, but it tastes damn good with the spaghetti squash and meatballs.

Pesto

4 oz fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup pine nuts
1 clove garlic
3/4 tsp sea salt
pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
1/3 cup EVOO

1. Place the basil, pine nuts, garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes into a food processor.

2. Process until smooth.

3. Slowly pour in the EVOO. Stop a couple times to scrape down the sides of your food processor bowl, if needed.

Serve it up... and try not to eat it all at once.

W30D2

Well, I finished Day 2 of this Whole 30. Nothing big to report. However, the weather's been rather interesting here in Texas, and it's kinda throwing me off of my game. Since when do we get freezing rain, sleet, and snow this far south? I just want to curl up under the covers with a cup of hot cocoa. Don't worry... I didn't. It's only the second day! My will is strong enough to last more than 48 hours. I have eaten a bit more nuts and fruits than I normally would, but I'm adjusting to life without chocolate. It's rough. Wish me luck!

Southwestern Omelet

4 eggs, whisked
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped avocado
1/3 cup sliced grape tomatoes
1/4 onion, chopped
1/4 cup pepper, chopped
1 tbls olive oil
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
a couple shakes of cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp cumin

1. Heat the olive oil over a large pan and saute the mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. Mix in the spices. Once the onions become a bit translucent, remove from the pan and set aside.

2. Add a bit more olive oil to the pan, then pour in the whisked eggs. Once the eggs are ~75% cooked, return the veggies to the pan and spread evenly.

3. Fold in half and top with some of the sauteed veggies and sliced avocado.