Hello from day 24 of my 2022 whole30 journey, and a little whole30 favorite recipe roundup ! This time has been a little easier than any other time we’ve done it. On a personal note, my health has been on a bit of a rollercoaster during 2021. For some back story, when I was 23 I had open heart surgery … and it was a long road back to health. So I knew with my history not to ignore some symptoms I was having. After some scares, then being put on a heart monitor, it came back that I wasn’t losing my mind after all, but was experiencing some concerning arrhythmias. I was put on medication, and for the most part it responded. The holidays were stressful with a lot of work, deadlines, and social commitments. Lots of really good, wonderful things – but new challenges, and my stress level felt like it had hit a point. It’s hard to explain fully, but I have always seen myself in this time with younger kids, as a stay at home mom, so this transition to working full time; I still hold on to everything I expected of myself when all of this wasn’t actually work. It’s a standard that I struggle with, and I’m working to have better boundaries and just voicing my limitations more clearly. Anyway … I woke up on the morning of December 29th, in A-fib, and knew I really needed to take a break from the stressors I could control – like triggering food and cutting out alcohol. This month has just been a good time to do it – lots more time at home, fewer social commitments, and just that we’ve done it before – so experience has really helped. JB loves it, and it really wouldn’t be possible for either of us, if we weren’t both doing it at the same time. I have cooked most meals, or have supplemented with a local meal service for some lunches (power meals by dawn, who started her business after doing a whole30 food experiment- so she’s well versed in everything). We went on vacation on our anniversary and stuck to it somehow- which I wasn’t sure was possible, and was actually really enjoyable. It has felt fantastic waking up feeling well, fantastic. I’ve developed a lot less anxiety, better skills in the kitchen, and just feel better all around. Between my old standby The Defined Dish, and Alex’s new cookbook, The comfortable kitchen – we have had delicious flavorful meals. We haven’t shied away from socializing this time at all – I just plan ahead, and always offer to bring something that everyone there will find delicious.
Some stand outs so far, from the Comfortable Kitchen – her whole30 recipes:
The ribs -omg so good! I did modify ours, but kept the boys as Alex had them, and they LOVED them
Zuppa Toascana – I love that this is in the cookbook, and I don’t need to go to a website
Skillet Chicken Fajitas – soooo good, and taste amazing the next day with some eggs.
Creamy Cauliflower soup – I’ve made this four times now. An easy lunch with a salad!
Little gem salad – speaking of salad, this one is so simple but tasty
Peruvian Spatchcock Chicken – that tangy green sauce is everything. highly recommend
Salmon Pastor – tastes so decadent – great for a special occasion.
Mustard Salmon – love this with the cauliflower puree.
Steak Au Poivre – another great one for a special occasion … or a Tuesday (:
Stay tuned for more faves…
