I have posted many photos of my food creations on Facebook. Months of encouragement from my kids, friends and family have prompted me to start posting them here on this groovy new blog. Yes, I did say Groovy.
Here is a little background on some of the recipes I will be posting here.
About 4 years ago Marty and I moved to Nepal. Our eating choices changed dramatically. We were no longer living in the land of preserved food. Everything was fresh and local. We did hang on to a little snack of Pringles (usually the whole can between us), but other than that, we ate fresh foods and unplugged from the "normal" life that we were used to. Those changes in our eating combined with the fact that we walked everywhere was such a healthful and freeing experience.
While in Nepal our second year, I wrote a cookbook "Wherever You Go, There You Eat" and gave it to our kids for their Christmas present in 2011. I will be updating that cookbook and will post the link here for those of you who are interested. Anyway, our life journey in eating has changed over the years. In the book I explain a little history but in a nutshell, we let go of fast food as a quick lunch on the go and pulled things out of our daily diet that were disturbing our oldest daughter's tummy. After seeing changes that diminished her tummy trouble, other things we ate began to be replaced with better alternatives too. Pretty much we became a Gluten-free, Paleo family without even knowing what Paleo was. On a Fall weekend afternoon in 2011, I was perusing the internet and stumbled across Robb Wolf. He is a Paleo dude with the most awesome book explaining the science behind eating Paleo. What is the Paleo Diet. After reading his book, I was hooked. It all made sense to me. Basically, if you don't know what it is, it means eating fresh fruits/veggies, eggs, healthy fats, meat, nuts and omitting sugars, unhealthy carbs, preservatives and alcohol. Yes, that last word, well, we didn't omit that. Yes, I admit it. However, by making some of these changes, positive results started happening. I started searching for more inspiration on food choices. While living in Nepal, some of our alternatives were challenging but we made do just fine. I think we felt the best we have felt in years. Sleep was awesome, appetite was fulfilled and energy level was increased. Now, granted, this took time. It wasn't a get fit--rock and roll--right off the bat. Making a change like this basically is releasing old habits and picking up healthful ones. It was a step in the right direction.
In our move to Tunisia we have been blessed with beautiful fruits and veggies, olives, olive oil, nuts and fresh meats. I was really excited to get in the kitchen and create. I had a cook in Nepal and she was absolutely wonderful. The first year she cooked her meals for us. The second year, I shared my recipes with her and she made them. It was a fun experience working together. So, having my own kitchen to myself was a bonus in Tunisia. Now, side note, life experiences during our first year in Tunisia brought on some stresses. Our eating habits changed and preservative treats entered in our diet again. Our waistline grew, sleepless nights occurred, and numbing crept in. It was a spiral of emotions, worry and stress. Not a good combination. We made it through the 1.5 years living on little sleep, poor eating habits and low energy. It was time for a change.
Visiting our 4 kids over the Christmas holiday was refreshing and helped us refocus on our goals in life. Remembering to embrace each day, be present in the moment, live healthy, and be more active. Also, release those things that we absently reach for that give us a moment of immediate gratification. So, when we got back from holiday and settled back in Tunisia, our new journey began.
I heard about the Whole 30 program and shied away from it. Remember, we like wine (hehe). I could see how the other changes wouldn't be too hard. We don't eat bread much (well, it did creep back in because it is a "crime" not to eat the delicious Tunisian bread here, OH MY!), sugar isn't a huge gotta have (except Marty does have a sweet tooth. I like sugar, it just doesn't like me), beans (meh, we can take em or leave em), dairy (we don't drink milk and rarely eat a bit of cheese - feta is our fav). The hardest thing to let go of was our wine moments. I wrestled with this but came to a point of "Hey Bridge...why not? Why can't you do this? You know you want to. Just do it for cryin out loud!" So on January 15th Marty and I made the leap to do the Whole 30. If you want to read more about it check out the link below. Now, don't knock it till you try it. It is hard, but let me tell you, you will be amazed at how much better you feel. More in control, appreciative of preparing and eating the meals, and your sleep will be outstanding.
The low down of Whole 30 - Whole 30
The list of good eats and not so good eats - What to eat and what not to eat
Healthy carbs - Good carbs to eat
So, Marty and I have been giving it a try (Our oldest daughter and husband are up for the challenge and have been enjoying the ride too. Our other daughter has taken gluten out of her diet and is feeling so much better). It has been fun to be communicating with my oldest daughter daily. We check in on each other and share what we are cookin in the kitchen, we are learning together and cheering each other on. We are on day 18 already. In our journey so far, Marty and I both had headaches on day 4, 16 and 17. I can understand day 4 (it kind of felt like a migraine hangover headache) but on Day 16 and 17? I mean come on! You would think that those toxins would be out of your body by then. I think the reality is it was another detoxifying headache. Same symptoms. Day 18 though we are feeling pretty darn good. We just have 12 more days to go! I think the thing we have figured out is that we can live without some things. Yes, we do miss our cheese and wine (LOL) and we will add them in time but next time around more thoughtfully. Side note: We own a house in the most beautiful location in Washington State in a little town called Walla Walla. It is called the "Napa Valley of Washington." Amazing wine and peaceful place to visit and live.
Anyway, back to the present. We can get some things here and others we have to bring in. Like I said earlier we have made changes in our eating but now are more serious and have made modification in our diet like using coconut milk instead of cream or milk, soda water with mint, lime, or lemon for our evening refreshment, hot tea before bed instead of a glass of wine, baked sweet potato chips instead of bagged processed potato chips, fresh herbs, veggies, etc. This blog will be a mixture of Paleo eating and Gluten Free eating. It won't be all Whole 30 stuff. But I will give you an example of the delicious recipes I have been making while doing the Whole 30, I will post those first. I have about 16 + recipes. I will have more as we complete this Whole 30 goal. But at least this will get us started in the right direction of eating more healthful. They are so flavorful, filling and totally delicious! If you don't have some of the ingredients for example: coconut oil - use olive oil. Use the internet to help you find other alternatives. If you are not on Pinterest, get connected. It is filled with fantastic recipes, helpful hints and tools to create your healthful kitchen.
Feel free to check out the links I gave you earlier in the mean time. If it means just changing one thing in your current eating plan, then that is a step in the right direction. I think the big thing is, this is not a DIET. This is a life eating change. Making choices to fuel your body, move your body and rest your body. Here is a little disclaimer, I am not a pro, I don't have nutritional PhD, nor do I claim to be a chef. I am a mom, wife, and am doing the best to find the most in life to live healthy. I have a passion for cooking and love to be creative, share meals, tips and love to learn new things. I really don't like to measure. So please forgive me if I say "a blob," "a dallop," or a "bitty amount." I think you all get the idea of what kind of measurements those mean. But I will do my best to put the actual cups, Tbls and tsp just so everyone is on the same page.
I hope you enjoy some of these creations. Mostly I hope you have fun in the kitchen. Be creative and don't sweat it. Turn on some music, pour a glass of something and enjoy taking care of yourself and your family.
With lots of Love,
"Mommy Like"
Here's what get's stocked up in our kitchen each week...
Lots of fresh produce and fresh herbs...
Meat once a month from my two favorite butchers. One supplies beef, turkey and chicken. The other pork. All the meat gets divided up into ziplock bags and stacked in the freezer. Sometimes when I am feeling super creative, I season and prep the meat before placing it in the freezer. That way all I have to do is defrost, cook and bam! din din is made. I will show you a few recipes in the future where I have done this. The bottom photo are the meats, some homemade pesto (in those baby green jars), pepper flakes from my favorite olive guy at the market, coconut or olive oil cubes with herbs (frozen in ice cube trays, then popped out and put into a container for easy access. Sometimes I freeze my herbs too. The jars to the top left are homemade chicken broth. My butcher is so wonderful and debones the chicken breasts then wraps up the bones for me. I love it because when I am prepping my meats I place the bones in a pot and get my broth going. I know exactly what's in there and the broth freezes great in Trader Joe's size coconut oil jars. Perfect amount of broth for recipes.
See this little guy? Yup, he is my new friend in the kitchen. I brought one from the States but with the plug voltage situation here, I didn't want to fry it. So on a trip to see our daughter in Germany, I toted this puppy home in my suitcase. It made it back in one piece! I have taken it for a spin a couple of times and I love it! I have not had a crock pot overseas for 4 years. This little guy will be traveling the globe with us that is for sure. My new treasure!
Along with the fruits, veggies, meats, and oils we have cashews and almonds in the house and at work all the time. Good healthful snack and great to add to recipes. Homemade cashew- or almond-butter are a cinch to make too.
So that's a lot of information friends. I hope it helps a bit. Don't be overwhelmed if you choose to make changes. Just take one day at a time, find a support buddy and feel free to journal your journey. If you have questions, feel free to send me a note. I am happy to coach you along the way.
Remember the only person who can change things is you. I believe in you!
Gluten free and Paleo friendly
Here is a little background on some of the recipes I will be posting here.
About 4 years ago Marty and I moved to Nepal. Our eating choices changed dramatically. We were no longer living in the land of preserved food. Everything was fresh and local. We did hang on to a little snack of Pringles (usually the whole can between us), but other than that, we ate fresh foods and unplugged from the "normal" life that we were used to. Those changes in our eating combined with the fact that we walked everywhere was such a healthful and freeing experience.
While in Nepal our second year, I wrote a cookbook "Wherever You Go, There You Eat" and gave it to our kids for their Christmas present in 2011. I will be updating that cookbook and will post the link here for those of you who are interested. Anyway, our life journey in eating has changed over the years. In the book I explain a little history but in a nutshell, we let go of fast food as a quick lunch on the go and pulled things out of our daily diet that were disturbing our oldest daughter's tummy. After seeing changes that diminished her tummy trouble, other things we ate began to be replaced with better alternatives too. Pretty much we became a Gluten-free, Paleo family without even knowing what Paleo was. On a Fall weekend afternoon in 2011, I was perusing the internet and stumbled across Robb Wolf. He is a Paleo dude with the most awesome book explaining the science behind eating Paleo. What is the Paleo Diet. After reading his book, I was hooked. It all made sense to me. Basically, if you don't know what it is, it means eating fresh fruits/veggies, eggs, healthy fats, meat, nuts and omitting sugars, unhealthy carbs, preservatives and alcohol. Yes, that last word, well, we didn't omit that. Yes, I admit it. However, by making some of these changes, positive results started happening. I started searching for more inspiration on food choices. While living in Nepal, some of our alternatives were challenging but we made do just fine. I think we felt the best we have felt in years. Sleep was awesome, appetite was fulfilled and energy level was increased. Now, granted, this took time. It wasn't a get fit--rock and roll--right off the bat. Making a change like this basically is releasing old habits and picking up healthful ones. It was a step in the right direction.
In our move to Tunisia we have been blessed with beautiful fruits and veggies, olives, olive oil, nuts and fresh meats. I was really excited to get in the kitchen and create. I had a cook in Nepal and she was absolutely wonderful. The first year she cooked her meals for us. The second year, I shared my recipes with her and she made them. It was a fun experience working together. So, having my own kitchen to myself was a bonus in Tunisia. Now, side note, life experiences during our first year in Tunisia brought on some stresses. Our eating habits changed and preservative treats entered in our diet again. Our waistline grew, sleepless nights occurred, and numbing crept in. It was a spiral of emotions, worry and stress. Not a good combination. We made it through the 1.5 years living on little sleep, poor eating habits and low energy. It was time for a change.
Visiting our 4 kids over the Christmas holiday was refreshing and helped us refocus on our goals in life. Remembering to embrace each day, be present in the moment, live healthy, and be more active. Also, release those things that we absently reach for that give us a moment of immediate gratification. So, when we got back from holiday and settled back in Tunisia, our new journey began.
I heard about the Whole 30 program and shied away from it. Remember, we like wine (hehe). I could see how the other changes wouldn't be too hard. We don't eat bread much (well, it did creep back in because it is a "crime" not to eat the delicious Tunisian bread here, OH MY!), sugar isn't a huge gotta have (except Marty does have a sweet tooth. I like sugar, it just doesn't like me), beans (meh, we can take em or leave em), dairy (we don't drink milk and rarely eat a bit of cheese - feta is our fav). The hardest thing to let go of was our wine moments. I wrestled with this but came to a point of "Hey Bridge...why not? Why can't you do this? You know you want to. Just do it for cryin out loud!" So on January 15th Marty and I made the leap to do the Whole 30. If you want to read more about it check out the link below. Now, don't knock it till you try it. It is hard, but let me tell you, you will be amazed at how much better you feel. More in control, appreciative of preparing and eating the meals, and your sleep will be outstanding.
The low down of Whole 30 - Whole 30
The list of good eats and not so good eats - What to eat and what not to eat
Healthy carbs - Good carbs to eat
So, Marty and I have been giving it a try (Our oldest daughter and husband are up for the challenge and have been enjoying the ride too. Our other daughter has taken gluten out of her diet and is feeling so much better). It has been fun to be communicating with my oldest daughter daily. We check in on each other and share what we are cookin in the kitchen, we are learning together and cheering each other on. We are on day 18 already. In our journey so far, Marty and I both had headaches on day 4, 16 and 17. I can understand day 4 (it kind of felt like a migraine hangover headache) but on Day 16 and 17? I mean come on! You would think that those toxins would be out of your body by then. I think the reality is it was another detoxifying headache. Same symptoms. Day 18 though we are feeling pretty darn good. We just have 12 more days to go! I think the thing we have figured out is that we can live without some things. Yes, we do miss our cheese and wine (LOL) and we will add them in time but next time around more thoughtfully. Side note: We own a house in the most beautiful location in Washington State in a little town called Walla Walla. It is called the "Napa Valley of Washington." Amazing wine and peaceful place to visit and live.
Anyway, back to the present. We can get some things here and others we have to bring in. Like I said earlier we have made changes in our eating but now are more serious and have made modification in our diet like using coconut milk instead of cream or milk, soda water with mint, lime, or lemon for our evening refreshment, hot tea before bed instead of a glass of wine, baked sweet potato chips instead of bagged processed potato chips, fresh herbs, veggies, etc. This blog will be a mixture of Paleo eating and Gluten Free eating. It won't be all Whole 30 stuff. But I will give you an example of the delicious recipes I have been making while doing the Whole 30, I will post those first. I have about 16 + recipes. I will have more as we complete this Whole 30 goal. But at least this will get us started in the right direction of eating more healthful. They are so flavorful, filling and totally delicious! If you don't have some of the ingredients for example: coconut oil - use olive oil. Use the internet to help you find other alternatives. If you are not on Pinterest, get connected. It is filled with fantastic recipes, helpful hints and tools to create your healthful kitchen.
Feel free to check out the links I gave you earlier in the mean time. If it means just changing one thing in your current eating plan, then that is a step in the right direction. I think the big thing is, this is not a DIET. This is a life eating change. Making choices to fuel your body, move your body and rest your body. Here is a little disclaimer, I am not a pro, I don't have nutritional PhD, nor do I claim to be a chef. I am a mom, wife, and am doing the best to find the most in life to live healthy. I have a passion for cooking and love to be creative, share meals, tips and love to learn new things. I really don't like to measure. So please forgive me if I say "a blob," "a dallop," or a "bitty amount." I think you all get the idea of what kind of measurements those mean. But I will do my best to put the actual cups, Tbls and tsp just so everyone is on the same page.
I hope you enjoy some of these creations. Mostly I hope you have fun in the kitchen. Be creative and don't sweat it. Turn on some music, pour a glass of something and enjoy taking care of yourself and your family.
With lots of Love,
"Mommy Like"
Here's what get's stocked up in our kitchen each week...
Lots of fresh produce and fresh herbs...
See this little guy? Yup, he is my new friend in the kitchen. I brought one from the States but with the plug voltage situation here, I didn't want to fry it. So on a trip to see our daughter in Germany, I toted this puppy home in my suitcase. It made it back in one piece! I have taken it for a spin a couple of times and I love it! I have not had a crock pot overseas for 4 years. This little guy will be traveling the globe with us that is for sure. My new treasure!
Along with the fruits, veggies, meats, and oils we have cashews and almonds in the house and at work all the time. Good healthful snack and great to add to recipes. Homemade cashew- or almond-butter are a cinch to make too.
So that's a lot of information friends. I hope it helps a bit. Don't be overwhelmed if you choose to make changes. Just take one day at a time, find a support buddy and feel free to journal your journey. If you have questions, feel free to send me a note. I am happy to coach you along the way.
Remember the only person who can change things is you. I believe in you!
Gluten free and Paleo friendly
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