this diet diary

This is what they look like after roasting!

My quest to totally eliminate wheat from my diet and significantly decrease my carb intake (per my thryoid doc’s recommendation - keeping under 100g per day) means tons of veggies for dinner!

I’m aiming to have super nutrient dense foods and I allow myself to have an unlimited amount. What I’ve noticed is that when I load up on unlimited amounts of healthy foods - I get fuller easier with less actual food and have less cravings for anything else. I eat until I’m satisfied and then I stop and I don’t feel guilty.

Brussels sprouts are notorious for being a veggie that people love to hate on. I don’t get it. They taste great, They’re versatile and can be superstars by themselves or compliment any recipe. Their texture is unique and particularly hearty.

Health Benefits: They are packed with protein and Vitamins C & A & K. And fiber. They even help reduce your risk of cancer or heart disease (source) and regulate inflammation.

They are low in calories and serve up a little bit of healthy fat. Oh and you’ll also be excited to know they are a source of magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, calcium, manganese, copper, selenium & iron.

If you haven’t experimented with them in the kitchen - do it. This recipe is incredibly easy & requires only 4 other ingredients that you probably already have.

Just toss them in olive oil, add fresh cracked pepper & just a tiny bit of kosher salt and balsamic vinegar and put them on a baking sheet. Bake at 400 for 25 minutes - done!

They are great with mushrooms, dates, nuts or bacon - yum!

Brussels in the making! I’m lightly tossing these in olive oil, pepper & a drop of balsamic vinegar and baking them at 400 for 20-25 minutes.

Late afternoon juice, yum!

Skipped the carrots - this blend has generous amounts of ginger & lemon + kale, spinach, celery, cucumbers & red apples.

Soooo good! Carrots are higher in carbohydrates than leafy kale or spinach so I’m opting to be resourceful and use more nutrient dense veggies, a minimal amount of fruit (in this juice, just 1 apple) and less carby or starchy veggies.

Yum. Double Power Green juice!

I forgot to take a picture of my green juice from ChopShop until I drank it - whoops. I haven’t indulged in one of their veggie juice concoctions yet because I have my *own* juicer. I always try to order things that I can’t make myself.

Anyway, it was worth it. So good. Super refreshing.

That being said, today has been a great day. Amazing. And just last night I was having a pity party and cranky. I’m pretty sure it was just hormonal but it’s SUCH a great reminder that everything is temporary.

Pain, suffering, bad days & cranky attitudes are temporary. They go away eventually so it’s important to keep that in mind so you can rebound back to your peppy, positive & joyful self much faster.

Dinner on our snazzy new plates. I made red lentils for the first time and they turned out surprisingly well!

This is the chicken protein bowl from my new favorite restaurant, the recently opened ChopShop in old town. I’ve already been 3 times since they opened their doors last week. This combo of goodness is made with thai coconut milk & peanuts with cauliflower, chicken, mushrooms, broccoli, snap peas, carrots, etc.

If you’re in the area, I highly recommend checking this healthy new spot out. They have tons of fresh juices, iced teas, coffees, lots of veggies, breakfast items, sandwiches & wraps, salads and this yummmmmy forbidden black rice. It’s not overpriced but you’ll probably spend $7-10.

This pitcher once held freshly juiced kale & carrots & apples & celery. And I forgot to take a picture of it in all its green glory soooo here’s the residue in the glass!

kale & spinach make it green, apples & ginger make it tasty & red and green bell peppers give it a foamy head! juice for dinner :)

Phase 2: we call this one “supreme green”

Juicing success! Secret ingredients are lemon and ginger with tons of kale, spinach, celery, cucumber, red bell pepper, carrots, baby bok choy & tomatoes!

this is how I’m rewarding myself after a long day at the doctor’s office full of: blood tests, ultrasounds & lots of paperwork.

whole foods’ juice menu differs from location to location but I splurged on the green giant with celery, cucumber, spinach, parsley, wheat grass, & apple.

red bell pepper & red cabbage + broccoli + mushroom & garlic - perfect as filling for lettuce cups! Yum!

monday’s veggie mania: bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, carrots, onions, spinach, broccoli & more stir fry style.