Week one- and it's DONE!

Well- it's official! I made it past one week! One week of no sugar, no wheat, nothing that could turn into instant sugar... and to be honest... it hasn't been to bad. Once ya get past the sugar with drawl for the first few days, things turn around.
One of my saving graces was a Cinnamon Bun Muffins (that I turned into a loaf)

Cinnamon Topping:
1/2 tbsp xylitol
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp grapeseed oil

1. To make cinnamon topping, combine all ingredients in a small bowl (if you feel the need to increase the amount xylitol- DO IT!!!)
   
2. Set aside. 

Muffin/ loaf mix:
1 Cup blanched almond flour
2 tbsp coconut flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp celtic sea salt
1/4 cup grapeseed oil
1/4 cup xylitol
3 eggs
1tbsp vanilla

1. Combine first four ingredients in a medium bowl. 
2. In a larger bowl mix the remaining ingredience. 
3. Blend dry ingredients into wet and scoop 1/4 cup into a lined muffin cup, or pour into a parchment lined loaf pan. 
4. Spoon topping onto muffins/ or on top of loaf.
5. Bake muffins for 8-12 min at 350 degrees. 

Now that the week is up and the loaf is gone... it's time to make another batch!!! REMEMBER: Preparation is the key in beating the 30 days! 

Survivor!

Today was my first dreaded experience of EATING OUT! Only SIX days in and I faced my fears... I mean when you can't eat sugar, or carbs etc. it sometimes sends a person into panic, distress concern when they are in the position of not being able to plan what they eat.
I was out for a lovely lunch with my folks- and I REFUSE to make it a big deal that I'm doing a 30 day challenge (I can't handle being someone who can't live life because of the food choices they are making).  The choice of restaurant- Ellice Cafe - picked by my parents. I figured I would go there, scour over the menu and try to see what could work. Low and behold I was in luck and they had a 1/2 lb of roasted veggies!!!! (Funny thing was I had been to Ellice Cafe before and had never noticed they had that on the menu till today- ha!)
Let me tell you not only was it roasted veggies, but all the types of veggies that were in there were things I could eat (ie. no corn, or sweet potatoes, or carrots).
I know I didn't have protein in this mean, but my previous snack AND my following snack both had a portion of protein in them so I wasn't too worried... that and I'm sure if i asked for grilled chicken they would be able to do it.
Day 6 DONE! Already 1/5th finished!
Hope you are all doing well.
[k]

Flax Bread

So this is  the stuff that is currently keeping me alive! I figure i should share it with you guys so that you can make your own!!

Here we go...
Grab:
1 1/2 C  Blanched Almond Flour
3/4 C     Arrowroot powder
1/4 C     Flax Seed Meal
1/2 tsp   Sea Salt
1/2 tsp   Baking Soda
4            Eggs
1/2 tsp   Xylitol
1 tsp      Apple Cider Vinigar


What to do:

1. Mix first five ingredients together in a bowl.
2. In another bowl blend eggs until frothy (about 3-5 min).
3. Stir Xylitol and vinigar into eggs.
4. Mix dry and wet together
5. Pour into 7.5"x3.5" loaf pan lined with parchment paper (or well greased)
6. Bake at 350 for 30-35 min, or until a toothpick inserted into center of loaf comes out clean.
7. Cool, slice and serve *(or store for emergency... like when you forget to plan a meal in advance!)

Day 5* still ALIVE!

GOOOOOD MORNING!
Welcome to day 5 of the little challenge- I had an ok day 4... my stomach was doing some cartwheels, which wasn't fun. But I think it had to do with a mix of my lack of eating the veggies and eating WAY too much of the flax seed- WOOPS!

But- after chugging about 3L ish of water by the end of the day I was doin much better. *** DRINK YOUR WATER!!!! As much as you can and as often as you can!

This morning we started the day with a GOOOD MORNING and had:

• 1 Egg with added egg white
• 1 cup spinach wilted
• 1 piece of flax bread
• 1 LARGE cup of coffee with milk and Xylitol (saving grace when you need something sweet)

Here's to the rest of the day!

[k]

weekend delight-

So... this weekend was spent doing homework- and by that I mean... BAKING!
If there is one thing I learned from the first few days of the this crazy challenge is that you need to be prepared. So I grabbed my new best friend (a 30 day approved cookbook) and went to town.
First on the list- SHOPPING!
I stopped by Costco and grabbed Grape Seed oil (On Sale!!!), almond butter (ALSO on sale!!!), Balsamic Vinegar and berries.
Then we moved onto Bulk Barn to grab Arrow Root flower, some Walnuts, and Almond flower (WAY to expensive, so next time I'm making my own.)
Last stop was Super Store for Coconut Cream, Stevia,  and veggies.

After a long day in the kitchen I had created:
**Flax Bread
Coconut Coco Macaroons
**Cinnamon "Bread"
**Eggplant Bake
Double Chocolate Walnut Brownie

It all turned out good- but the ** were AMAZING and recipes will be coming soon.

Now that I have things ready for the week I feel like I'll be alright and be able to not starve, or go over to the dark side and start eating sugar...
3 Days down... only 27 to go!!!
[k]

Welcome to breakfast- Day 1. Looks delish eh? You are probably questioning what it is, and if I've lost it. Well... for breakfast I was in a little bit of a rush *(note: they aren't joking when they suggest you should plan things!) So I grabbed some stuff out of my fridge and mixted it up!

I call it...

Chocolate Berry Moose

• One handful of mixed frozen berries
• 1/2 C of greek yogurt (got from Costco)
• Coco powder - READ the label; I had two types, one with potentially wheat added, the other without- ironically it was the No Name brand that didn't have the added illegal ingredient.
  
  Mix it all together, and enjoy. It tasted SOOOOO good! (Maybe because I was hungry, maybe because I was eating berries and chocolate which I love... either way. I'll make it again)

 
 
 

Initiation

Yesterday was the official kick off to the 30 day program, or should I say challenge. I sat in a room full of eager  people wanting to give up sugar (or life) as they know it! Who would have thought over a hundred people would ever sign up for such a thing?!

We got information about the next few weeks of our lives, how to succeed, and how not to fall off the bandwagon within the first few days (which I hear are supposed to be lovely much like coming off of a drug addition.
We got check lists of food to eat, not to eat, and where to get the "goods". 
We were told to prepare ourselves (and loved ones) to be patient and wait for the headaches, mood swings, and cravings to pass. (ie. if I sound crabby for the first few days, I appologise in advance :s)


Good luck to all those who are joining me on this lovely journey- I question our sanity!
[k]