CIAO and CHOW wk 1: Recipes and quick update

WEEK 1

So, we are successfully 6 days into our eating experiment (which you can read about here )
and so far we have not suffered too much.  ;)

Quick update and then some of the recipes we have really enjoyed:

Joshua and I both have been "cleaning out" a bit more and both of us have felt less of a post meal "crash," especially Joshua.  While energy isn't up (which, we have two littles who don't really help in the energy dept anyway), it isn't worsening after a meal as it was before with carb/refined/sugar/dairy heavy foods.  I have gotten hives for several days in a row now, but I noticed it was after I started eating peanut butter in one of our recipes (which I will post).  I have been tested positive in the past for a peanut allergy.  I also noticed some of the scalp pain after the peanut butter was incorporated, so I'm keeping an eye on that.  Other than some cravings, both Joshua and myself have found it quite manageable to eat this way.  We shall see how much money it costs in the end, if it will even out to past grocery budgets or need to be adjusted...

So.  The good stuffs. Recipes.
(oh, really quick side note...we added 65% no dairy organic choc chips to this experiment to stay sane in our treats cravings....and one recipe calls for the tiniest bit of honey)

MEALS:

Ok, so we are only using quinoa for a grain, so I'm trying to get creative with the quinoa.  Pictured below are from top left to Right: Asian Cabbage Salad, Curry Coconut Oil Fried Quinoa and on the bottom of the collage picture is a bean salad over quinoa. 

ASIAN CABBAGE SALAD:

1 bag shredded cabbage

Shredded carrots (to taste)

Chopped green onion (I used about 3 stalks)

Cilantro (to taste) 

2 small avacados

Sesame seeds (to taste)

Chopped almonds (about 1/2 cup)

Olive oil to taste

1/2 lemon's juice

Prep ingredients and mix! Nom.

CURRY QUINOA

Cook two cups quinoa in 4 cups veg broth

Saute 1 cucumber and shredded carrots in coconut oil, curry powder and other desired seasonings

Add quinoa to veggie mix with a little more c. oil and stir in pan a few more minutes. 

BEAN SALAD:

2 cans black beans

About 3 chopped tomatoes

Diced red onion (1/2)

Cilantro to taste

1 bag organic sweet corn

Small spoonful minced garlic

2 chopped avacados

1/2 lime's juice

Prep: stir all ingredients and mix in quinoa!

MANGO CUCUMBER QUINOA

1 cucumber chopped

2 mangoes chopped (I used Trader Joe's frozen cubed ones, thawed)

About 4 tbs pumpkin seeds

Handful of cilantro

chopprd walnuts and almonds to taste

1/2 lemon's juice

about 4 tbs olive oil

2 cups uncooked quinoa 

salt and pepper to taste

Prep ingredients and mix...can enjoy hot or cold! This recipe was so refreshing to us.

BREAKFASTS:

Not gonna lie, breakfast time is comfort food craving time...but we have enjoyed these few dishes:

SMOOTHIES (not pictured)

-Protein powder (vegan) and produce, different varieties

QUINOA CEREAL (not pictured) 

Cook 1 cup quinoa in 2 cups almond milk with vanilla, cinnamon and chopped apples.  Stir in Almond butter to taste when cooked.  I found this surprisingly delish!

BANANA WITH ALMOND BUTTER AND CHOC CHIPS (splurge)

picture enough needed

SNACKS!

So we have been chowing down on these nut balls, eh heh heh.

Mix and shape:

2 cups almond flour

1/3 c choc chips

2 tbs peanut butter

2 teas vanilla

1/4 c coconut oil (soft and solid)

1 tbs honey

BAKED APPLES DELICIOUSNESS

half apples of choice and core middle. spread and fill hole with a little coconut oil and sprinkle liberally with cinnamon.  Bake in oven until desired softness.  Easy and a treat!