Whole 30 on

Well, the November Whole30 is over.  It was (after that first week anyway) much less painful than one might suspect.   The major cravings have gone away.  I don't wake up in the morning requiring Diet Pepsi.  I also don't require it at regular intervals throughout the day.  Unfortunately I also have not replaced it with water or anyone similar wholesome appropriate beverage but that is neither here nor there.  

On average the gut feels better.  There are still terrible days but they are less frequent than they were before.  I suppose that is something. As far as food goes though I seem to be hitting my stride.  I'm not missing grains or dairy.  Soy is harder not because I just love soy but because it's so ubiquitous in American food.  It's nearly impossible to eat out or even buy a lot of canned or frozen vegetables because they're laced with the stuff.  That is one area where I've been a little more lenient just for convenience sake.  Otherwise, all is good.  I'm tweaking recipes and learning what my new "staples" are.  Nothing too exciting got made in this weekend's rotation but a smattering are below.  Another batch of baked fajitas - these are awesome on top of salad for work lunches.  I've done seafood, chicken and now made my way back to steak.  Another quiche which has become a weekly endeavor - this time pumpkin 'crust' with broccoli, mushrooms and eggplant.  Babaganoush.  And sweet potato chips.

I'm sure new recipes will come eventually - especially with a vacation in a few weeks - but I seem to have settled into a pattern here and lost my inspiration for new cooking adventures.  

 

Pumpkin Quiche

 

This is remarkably similar to the butternut squash version of two weeks ago but is even easier since it doesn't involve actually roasting a squash on your own.

Makes: 8 servings

Nutrition:  71 calories, 9g protein, 1g fat, 7g carbs

Ingredients:

1 can (15oz) pumpkin puree

1 onion, sliced

8oz mushrooms, sliced

8oz spinach, chopped

2 cup liquid egg whites

1/2 cup coconut milk

Directions:

* Preheat oven to 400F. Spread pumpkin onto bottom and sides of non-stick cake pan.  

*Saute onions over low heat just until they start to soften.  Add mushrooms and cook over medium heat until tender.   Add chopped fresh spinach and continue to cook, stirring frequently until wilted.

 * Add the sauteed mixture to the crust

 * In a separate bowl mix the egg and coconut milk.  Pour over the sauteed vegetables in the crust.

 * Place in the oven and back at 400F for 50 minutes

* The center should be fully cooked and not liquid when complete and the edges just starting to brown.

Butternut squash crust quiche

 

Quiche with a butternut squash crust. This was perfect for mornings avoiding grains.  I never put much thought into it before but we really tend to carb load for breakfast... 

Makes: 1 9" pan, 8 servings

Per serving: 90 calories,

7g protein,

2g fat,

14g carbs

 

Ingredients:

1butternut squash

2 large eggs

1 1/8 cup liquid egg whites

5 oz mushrooms, sliced

1 small onion, chopped

about 1/4 pound asparagus

Directions:

1. Roast butternut squash in over at 375F for approximately 1 hour.  Depending on the size it may take longer or shorter.  It is done with easily pierced with a fork. 

 

 

While the squash is cooking you can prepare the remaining ingredients.  Saute the onion and mushrooms over medium heat until the onions are translucent.

Grill  (or saute) the asparagus.  I cut these in half and only used the tip half in the quiche.  Both halves would be fine and you can feel free to use smaller or larger pieces. 

Prepare the egg mixture by mixing eggs and egg white together in bowl.  You could add milk here if you're eating dairy, I did not seeing as it's whole30 time right now. 

Remove squash from the oven.  Remove the peel (I should basically just fall right off if it's done).  Mash the squash and press in an even layer on the bottom and sides of a pie pan. Place the pan in the over for approximately 5-10 minutes and bake at 375.

 

 

 Remove the pan from the oven and increase temp to 400F.  Place mushroom and onion mixture on top of crust.  Pour egg mixture over mushrooms and onions. 

 

 Arrange asparagus over top of the egg mixture and return to the over at 400F. Cook for 40 minutes or until firm and lightly browning.