Kitchen Gadgets for Whole 30

As promised, I have uploaded the first of 3 videos for different kitchen gadgets and a few recipe demos for the Whole30.  Please visit my youtube channel for the first video.  I have created amazon links for all of the products that were featured in the video.  Hope this helps…now let’s get to cooking!

1. Vitamix

2. Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender with Blending and Whisk Attachments

3.  roaster oven

4. Ball Regular Mouth Half Pint Jars with Lids and Bands, Set of 12

5. OXO Stainless SteeL Garlic Press

6. Swissmar Borner V-1001 V-Slicer Plus Mandoline

7. No Cry Cut Resistant Gloves
8. Spiralizer

9.  Lemon Squeezer

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Round 2 of Whole30

I had the opportunity to present on the Whole30 program at the Purposely Created Advance last weekend.   I was so blessed by the many women who were willing to give the Whole 30 a try.  To those that were at the conference, welcome to my blog!   As mentioned in my session, I am willing to join you on this journey starting October 1st.   You can read my previous posts concerning the Whole 30  here  and here. If you are in need of some kitchen tips and recipes you can also visit this previous post and my Whole 30 pinterest board to get more ideas.  I also plan to upload some videos to my youtube channel by tomorrow.  Please leave a comment to let me know if you have already started the Whole 30 or plan to join the party on October 1st.

Whole30 Day 17

I am on day 17 of the Whole30.  I am so excited because a few other ladies at my church have decided to
join the party.  All those that
have been doing it are reporting great results.
And me?  Well eating healthy is not the issue.  HOWEVER I find that I do a lot of emotional
eating.  I follow the prescribed meal
plan at each meal (protein, veggies, and good fat) and for the most part I am
satisfied until the next meal.  But I
find that if my tenacious toddler pushes the right buttons, or I have a lot to do, I am reaching for
something to snack on (a mini escape if you will), EVEN WHEN I AM NOT HUNGRY!  Sigh. Always something to commit to prayer, so glad God never gets tired of me.  Some of you have asked for recipes, below are a few suggestions.  Enjoy!

• This website has a list of 31 family recipes for Whole 30.  If that doesn’t work for you, try this website.  I am a big fan of her recipes.
• Baked sweet potatoes are simple and delicious. Poke holes in unpeeled sweet potatoes and bake in the oven at 400 degrees for a hour or more.  I sometimes bake them for a hour and a half. I find that the longer I bake
  them, the sweeter they are.  Once cooked, top with coconut oil or ghee.  ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!  The longer I go without added sugars, the more I can appreciate the sweetness of the SWEET potato.
• oven baked sweet plantains These are delicious.  You can also fry them.  I prefer to bake them with either olive or coconut oil because I can pop them in the oven and forget about them.
• Roasted vegetables are delicious.

• Green plantain chips are delicious.  Use an oil that is Whole30 approved.  I personally love these with coconut oil.
• cauliflower rice can be used for stir fry or experiment with different seasonings.
• Roasted portobella mushroom  you can use this as a “bun” for your hamburgers (may be bending the rules here a little bit).
• Visit this website for some great condiments recipe.  Or again, you can do a google search on Whole30 condiments.  Pinterest also has some great ideas.

•  Get a roasting pan and/or crock pot.  Believe me when I say you will not regret
  these purchases.  I find that when I braise the meat and put it  in crock pot or roasting pan and let it cook for a few hours, the meat is ALWAYS super tender.
•  When possible try to season meats night
  before.  This technique combined with
  cooking the meats at low temperatures (I normally do 300 in the oven) always gives great results.
•  Go easy on the salt.  Experiment with different herbs.  Go crazy with garlic and onions.
• I learned from the this cookbook that
  adding foods like tomato paste and mushrooms to a dish adds another element of
  flavor, its so true, try it!
• Challenge yourself to buy a new vegetable each
  time you visit the grocery store.  Don’t know
  how to cook it, no problem, Google to the rescue.  I LOVE GOOGLE!  You can find a ton of WHOLE30 approved
  recipes on the internet.  Don’t assume that  because you didn’t like a
  certain vegetable as a child you wont like it as an adult if it is prepared a different way. 
• Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night,
  it really makes a big difference in your eating habits.  If you want more of the scientific
  explanation, Google it.
• Don’t be too uptight, have fun in the
  kitchen.  EXPERIMENT!  And if it doesn’t turn out right, there is
  always tomorrow to try again!

If you are doing the Whole30, I would love it if you left a comment to let me know how its going.

Whole30 Day 1

Today is my first day of the Whole30 program and I am super excited!   A few ladies and friends at my church have decided to join me and I am looking forward to all the great testimonials that we will have.  If you are still on the fence about joining the challenge, come on, why not?  I don’t think you will regret it.  If you are feeling a little challenged in the kitchen and need some ideas, visit Here for some great suggestions.  Don’t forget to take a before picture  and don’t obsess over the scale.  As a matter of fact, they recommend that you  not step on the scale until the end of the 30 days. It really is not worth obsessing about the number on the scale, focus on how your clothes fit and how you are feeling.  I am big on journaling, so if you are up to it, record changes in moods, energy level, emotional connection to foods that you didn’t realize you had over the next 30 days (what triggers eating when you are not really hungry, etc.).  I made this yummy super easy crockpot chicken with baked sweet potatoes and roasted veggies today to start the Whole30. I sure hope you jump on the bandwagon!

Whole 30

Do you desire to loose weight without starving yourself, feel better, gain more energy, develop healthier eating habits for you and your family, help with specific body ailments, stop taking specific medications? If you answered yes to any of those questions I invite you to join me for a 30 day health challenge starting March 1st.  The name of the program that I will be following is called Whole30.  In a nutshell, on this 30 day program you eat animal protein, vegetables, good fats, and fruits.  You omit sugar, grains, dairy and legumes from your diet.  The point of the program is to heal your gut and help you to kick cravings for foods that are everything but healthy for your body.  You can read this book or get the  kindle edition written by the creators of the program. It is a very informative read.  This cookbook also has wonderful recipes for the program, I have tried a few and they were delicious.  You can also visit the Whole30 official website  to get more detail.

I feel it necessary to say that I am a Christian, not a fact I try to hide.  So while the authors of this program may have different views and choice of words than me, I cannot deny that the program itself is very effective.  I am fully convinced that God is concerned about the whole person, so it is our Christian duty to  make good choices for better health.  As the scriptures says in 3 John 1:2, Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.” With that said, I am so excited about starting the Whole30 and it sure would be awesome if you joined me. Please leave a comment if you plan to join me on this challenge.