Big Goal #8: Stress Less!

Does this picture say “stress less,” or what?  I saw it on Pinterest (follow me!), and it immediately made me long for a relaxing afternoon at the beach… with my own personal hot tub, or course – HAHA!

Stressing less was part of my New Year’s Resolutions for 2012, but I honestly haven’t kept it at the forefront of my mind.  In addition, several very stressful events have occurred this year, so a little stress was unavoidable.  In fact, some of that stress (when combined with over-consuming nuts and eggs) caused me some pretty serious digestion woes, which lead to a gut-healing protocol that made it all better.

For a look at some of the science behind stress and cortisol, read this post.  

So what am I doing to cultivate a more relaxed lifestyle?  Take a look…

 

More SLEEP!

You can read more about this goal in an earlier post, but it’s too important to ignore here.  Staying up super-late to work (or even just play!) on the computer, do things around the house, etc., absolutely adds stress to your body.  Lack of good, solid sleep makes you exhausted and emotional the following day, and unfortunately there is no way to “catch up” on a full night of sleep.  So, in an effort to prevent the emotional and physical stress that comes from too little sleep, I’m making a serious effort to change my bedtime habits during this Whole43.  Again, read more about how I’m doing that HERE.

 

PLAN to Relax!

Take a look at your calendar.  Do you have something written on your to-do list for most of the days you see?  I usually do!  However, I don’t usually have “relaxation” written on my list.  In today’s culture, most of us are in a constant state of GO!  From the time we wake up to the time we force ourselves to turn off technology and lie down, we are on the move.  Doing this… doing that… never stopping to breathe.  Keeping your body in a constant state of “fight or flight” adds an incredible amount of stress to your body, and greatly affects your health (and may even be taking years off your life!).

My goal here is to slow down (mentally and physically!), and schedule actual time for relaxation.  This will involve quarterly weekends away with my amazing husband, turning off the computer at 9 PM each night for a little bedtime relaxation, taking Sundays to completely relax and unplug, and less evening plans during the week.

 

Agents for Relaxation…

This is a fun one!  When I relax, I like to really “do it up!”  Here are a few of my favorite agents:

Epsom Salts – I’ve mentioned this in two of my other goals (here and here), so you know now how much I love Epsom Salts!  I love how a warm bath makes me forget my worries, and just enjoy being still and quiet!  If you don’t do this on a regular basis, even if you’re a guy, I would encourage it!

Essential Oils – There are definitely a few scents that can help clear your mind and rejuvenate!  Spearmint, lavender, bergamot, and a host of others… Check out your Whole Foods skin care area to pick up a few oils.  Check out my other comments on Essential Oils in this post.  Put a few drops on your pillow before bed, dissolve a few drops in water and spray it around the house, put a little in your body lotion or bath and inhale deeply, etc.  Aromatherapy truly is therapy… I love it!

Neck Wraps – This is a wonderful way to relax tension in the neck and shoulder, and to inhale some rest-encouraging scents!  You can make your own neck wrap by sewing some fabric in the shape of a long rectangle, and then filling it with either rice or cracked corn (find this at Whole Foods) and your favorite combination of herbs (lavender, chamomile, eucalyptus, camphor, & peppermint are some that come to mind right now).  Use the neck wraps warm, after heating in the microwave, or cold, after chilling in the freezer.  These herbs will really help with neck/shoulder pain, or even headaches.  Nice way to encourage your body and mind to RELAX!

Hot Tea – Again, warmth and smells are relaxation-encouragers!  Brew your favorite tea, and then sit still and enjoy it.

 

It’s amazing how much effort goes into slowing down these days… But I assure you that it is worth the effort!  It may even add years to your life!

 

Big Goal #7: Supplements

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out this post, where I share my 8 BIG GOALS for these 43 days.

And don’t forget to GET IN ON THE GIVEAWAY!

 

I take a few supplements on a regular basis, and I’m about to tell you a little more about them.  However, during this challenge, I’m adding a few additional items (in food form, not in pill/powder form) to my diet.  Check it out!

 

Supplements I Take

Probiotics - According to Chris Kresser, “among other things, the gut flora promotes normal gastrointestinal function, provides protection from infection, regulates metabolism and comprises more than 75% of our immune system. Dysregulated gut flora has been linked to diseases ranging from autism and depression to autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s, inflammatory bowel disease and type 1 diabetes.”

After my recent digestion woes, I began taking a supplemental probiotic as part of my gut-healing protocol.  If you eat plenty of fermented foods, you may not need the added supplement.  I, however, don’t have as much as I should in the fermented foods department.

I’ve heard Robb Wolf recommend Jarro brands for probiotics, so I ordered this one from Amazon.  I have definitely been impressed with it!  Robb also recommends that you switch up your probiotics so that you get many different strains of good bacteria.

 

Cod Liver Oil / Butter Oil Blend - If you have listened to the Balanced Bites Podcast, you know all about this product already!  Diane and Liz talk about it a lot, so be sure to go back through some of the podcasts (they’re FREE!) to hear more.  Liz also explains it here.

In a nutshell, the fermentation keeps all the vitamins, particularly vitamins A and D, found in cod liver oil intact. Because these are fat-soluble vitamins, they are best absorbed when taken with high-quality fat… hence the butter oil blend. The butter oil comes from pastured, grass-fed cows.

Personally, I have noticed a change in the softness of my skin, even a reduction of the tiny little bumps on the backs of my arms. I have also noticed that my nails and hair seem stronger and healthier (and grow faster).

I take 1 tsp. per day. When you refrigerate it, it forms a thick paste. I try to send the tsp. toward the back of my tongue, and then swallow it with a few big gulps of water. The Cinnamon Tingle flavor makes it taste like you’ve just had a stick of Big Red gum… not bad at all.

For more information click here.  To order, click here.

 

Magnesium - I’ve written all about magnesium, and about my favorite way to take it… check out this post.  My favorite part about Natural Calm is that it helps me relax and go to sleep easier.

 

Supplements I Eat

Sauerkraut - In an effort to eat more fermented foods, I purchase raw sauerkraut from Whole Foods, and I’m ready to venture out and start doing some fermentation of my own.  I’ll start with this recipe… very exciting!

Kombucha - I love GT’s Kombucha – it is so delicious, and incredibly low in natural sugars.  Kombucha is a fermented tea, and GT’s Kombucha adds organic herbs and juices to flavor it.  It is fizzy and delicious!  However, it is also a little pricey, so I’m considering making this on my own as well.  This recipe looks good… can’t wait to give it a try!

Bone Broth - I’m sure that most of you have heard about bone broth by now.  What a wonderful (and convenient) way to load up on natural vitamins and minerals.  For a ton of information on bone broth, including a fantastic recipe, check out this link.  I also love the Quick Pressure Cooker Bone Broth recipe from NomNomPaleo.  And I’m very intrigued by this recipe.

Liver - I can’t yet say that I enjoy it, but I have definitely been experimenting more with LIVER!  There are so many minerals that come with each bite of liver, so it is definitely worth the yuck-factor, in my mind.  My favorite way to eat it so far is to shred a frozen chunk of it using a cheese grater.  It can then be added to any ground beef/pork/lamb dishes that you make, almost without being noticed!

Vegetables - This goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway… vegetables are one of the most amazing vehicles for vitamins and minerals!  In this house, not one meal goes by without the addition of 3-10 vegetables (not an exaggeration… our salads are pretty intense!).

 

Other “Supplements”

Epsom Salts - I’m not sure this counts as a supplement, but I’ve been really into Epsom Salts lately.  they are high in magnesium, and they have some detoxifying properties – how cool is that?  Read more about the benefits of epsom salts here.  What a great way to [literally] “soak up” minerals!

Essential Oils - Again, not a supplement in the truest sense of the word, but I definitely love how these oils contribute to my well-being.  My favorite use for them is through sense of smell.  I love a few drops of lavender on my pillow, or some peppermint oil watered down in a spray bottle for room freshener (particularly if I have a headache!).  I’m still learning alot about essential oils, so I’ll continue to share as I go.  In the meantime, read more about them here.

Vitamin D - Wondering why this isn’t in the “Supplements I Take” section?  Well, because I’d rather absorb natural vitamin D from the sun!  It’s bright and sunny outside this time of year, so take advantage of it!  Did you know that 15 minutes in the sun is more beneficial than taking a vitamin D supplement?  I have written this word on each day of my planner: OUTSIDE.  This reminds me to go sit on the porch, take a walk, or just stand outside and enjoy the fresh air for at least 15 minutes each day.

 

Which supplements do you take?

Big Goal #6: Meaningful Workouts

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out this post, where I share my 8 BIG GOALS for these 43 days.

And don’t forget to GET IN ON THE GIVEAWAY!

 

This post will be short because it’s been a busy day, and it’s almost 9:00, which means it’s almost time to shut this thing down (read more HERE).

Basically, I just want to introduce my 6th BIG GOAL for this 43-Day Challenge: Meaningful Workouts.  What does this mean?  Well, fitness is definitely one of those things that is different for everyone (n=1), but I’ll tell you what it means to me…

I’m a firm believer in not killing yourself during a workout.  What this means is that I don’t agree with the mentality that a workout has only been good if you’re about to pass out on the floor by the end of it.  In fact, I don’t really think you should be overly exhausted after a workout.  Working yourself to the point of pain and exhaustion only adds stress to the crazy amounts of stress we already have to deal with on a daily basis.  And I’m not just talking about mental stress here, though that is an issue… I’m also talking about our bodies’ already on-the-go predicament.  If you think about how things used to be, before the craziness of the agricultural revolution and the development of the 40-hour work-week, things weren’t as busy as we keep ourselves these days.  Just keeping up with real life puts enough stress on us, and I don’t think adding “just a little more” is worth the benefits that may come from killer workouts.  Basically, I think those types of workouts just shoot us in the foot, so to speak.

What I believe is best is MEANINGFUL workouts.  Do just enough to work your core muscle groups HARD.  Then stop.  For me, this means lifting heavy dumbbells (bigger than the ones pictured, I promise!), squatting, lunging, etc.  I do a little low-impact cardio in intervals just to raise my heart rate a little, and then I let it lower again while I do more lifting.  I do around four 45-minute workouts each week, and I find that this keeps me in great shape.  All these exercises are done in my home, and I do use a few videos occasionally to keep me motivated, as well as a few yoga tapes for some variety.  Keep it simple!

I’m firm, toned, and strong, and I like it like that!

Again, my workout may be very different from the one that is best for you… I’m just sharing my thoughts on my eight goals (though I do believe the same “don’t kill yourself” philosophy goes for everyone).

For more of my posts on fitness, click here.

Big Goal #5: Go to BED!

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out this post, where I share my 8 BIG GOALS for these 43 days.

And don’t forget to GET IN ON THE GIVEAWAY!

 

I love sleeping, and I usually get enough sleep each night.  However, this does not always mean that I go to bed early.  I LOVE staying up late, and I can usually sleep in a little later if I need to, so the temptation to keep late, unnatural hours is one that I often embrace.  If it were up to me (and my husband, who is also a “night-owl”), I would go to bed around 1 AM every night/morning, and wake up around 11 AM.  However, that schedule just doesn’t work well for those of us who have jobs!

I’m not going to delve into all the science behind the benefits of going to bed with the sun, but I do want to point you toward some excellent resources.  Keep reading…

If you have been following my blog for very long, you know that this is such a difficult challenge for me!  Check out some of my past ramblings on sleep HERE.  I obviously haven’t tried hard enough to stick to the early bedtime routine, but I’m willing to try again, and to KEEP trying until I get this stay-up-late habit under control.  Why?  Mainly because I know going to bed earlier and rising earlier is a more natural way to live.

Before electricity, we didn’t have technology (or even lightbulbs) glaring us in the face.  As the sun starts to go down, we should ideally start settling in for the night.  In today’s culture, when phones are on the bedside table and laptops are easily-accessible on the floor beside the bed, we can go from “settling in” to “WAKE UP!” at the touch of a button… even if it’s 10:00 at night.  

Our bodies were created with a rhythm that suggest we rest when the sun sets, and rise when the sun rises. When we dance to this rhythm, our health improves (blood sugar is more regulated, cortisol levels are more regulated, cells and tissues are able to fully rest and restore, etc., etc., etc.).  In addition to better health, we’ll be in a better mood the following day, which ultimately means less stress and more productivity!  It all makes sense to me… how about you?

 

If you need more convincing, check out these resources:

• The Paleo Solution, chapter eight.
• Robbwolf.com on sleep: http://robbwolf.com/2012/06/01/rest-faster/
• Jason Seib on sleep: http://everydaypaleo.com/2012/06/07/get-some-sleep/
• Not Sleeping Could Make You Fat and Antisocial - http://www.paleoplan.com/2012/06-18/not-sleeping-enough-could-make-you-fat-and-antisocial-part-1/
• What Sleep Deprivation Does to Your Body - http://www.paleoplan.com/2012/06-21/sleep-part-2-what-deprivation-does-to-your-body/

 

So during this 43-day challenge, we’ll be making some extra efforts to ensure an early bedtime, and plenty of sleep each night!   Here are some tips that have been helpful for us so far… feel free to share yours in the comments!

• Turn off all electronics (including phones!) at 9 PM/sundown, and then relax toward sleepy-town for the next hour.  The goal is to be sleeping by 10:30 each night.
• Don’t drink caffeine after noon.
• Take a warm bath 40 minutes before bedtime – add some lavender-scented epsom salts for an added bonus!.
• STOP eating at least two hours before bedtime.
• Keep your bedroom slightly cool – this increases the desire to “snuggle-down” and get cozy.
• When it’s time for sleep, turn off all lights, and sleep in a 100% dark room (read more about this in The Paleo Solution, chapter eight – FASCINATING!).
• Take your magnesium supplement right before bed – this one is my favorite, and it really does help me relax.
• Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to your pillowcase to increase relaxation.
• Don’t make late-evening plans (at least not on a regular basis).  My husband gets off work at 6:00 on weekdays, which does not leave us much time for socializing in the evenings.  A good alternative is to save plans for weekends when we have more daylight hours to spare.

Besides all the benefits that are listed in the resources I mentioned above, I just know that I feel so much better when I’m on a regular sleep routine.  We were really diligent in this effort during the month of February, and we saw some amazing results.  It’s so easy to fall back into old habits, but I’m not one to listen to excuses, so it’s time to SHAPE UP!

 

Well, it’s almost 9 PM… time to wrap some things up and shut ‘er down.

Goodnight!

Big Goal #4: Natural Hair Care

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out this post, where I share my 8 BIG GOALS for these 43 days.

Again, my inspiration for non-chemical hair care comes from Liz Wolfe at CaveGirlEats.  Be sure to also check out what I’ve learned from her on Natural Skin and Oral Care here.

I’m a bit of a hair freak, and I’m currently growing out my short haircut, so it’s already in an awkward stage.  I’ve heard that getting your hair adjusted to it’s natural pH balance can be a painful (meaning “ugly”) process, so I can’t say that I’m looking forward to this one!  What I AM looking forward to is less contact with toxins AND a smaller hair-care budget!  This approach is FAR less expensive than even the cheapo shampoos and conditioners at the drugstore.  There are a number of great natural shampoos available as well, but they’re pretty pricey!

Here’s what my hair regimen will look like:

1. Shampoo: Baking Soda

2. Conditioner: Apple Cider Vinegar

CAN IT BE THIS SIMPLE?

Well, can meals be as simple as meat and vegetables and still provide great results?  Affirmative!

So I’m giving this a try… to be honest, I’ve been putting it off, so I’m just starting today.  I’ve heard that your hair has to go through a “detox phase” when you switch from chemical products to a natural hair solution.  YIKES!  I don’t like transitions!  The detox phase could be a period of time where your hair is really oily, or really dry.  My hair is naturally pretty oily, so I’m prepared to look like I’ve been soaking in an olive oil vat for the next few weeks.

Check out your personal care products (click here), and see what kind of toxins you’re regularly applying to your body!  Did you know that tons of shampoos and conditioners actually contain gluten?  Craziness!

Regular shampoos strip the natural oils from your hair, and regular conditioners add “fake oils” back in for moisture.  What sense does this make?  What I love about the natural method I’m about to start is that it just makes sense (kinda like the Paleo diet, no?).  According to Liz (see this post), “Baking Soda clarifies and removes build-up and Apple Cider Vinegar restores your scalp’s natural pH balance.”  I like the sound of that!

 Here are the instructions:

Mix 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda with warm water.

Gently, gently, gently work mixture through your hair.

Rinse thoroughly.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of unfiltered, unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar to a cup of warm water.

Pour it on your hair, and let it sit for a few minutes.

Rinse thoroughly.

 (You can pre-mix the ratios that work best for you, and keep them ready in mason jars in your shower!)

Liz says that adding a few drops of essential oil to your hair as it dries will really cover the cider vinegar smell, but that the smell really dissipates pretty quickly as your hair dries, so no worries!

This natural process will allow your hair to regain its natural pH balance, and produce balanced, natural oils on its own.  It may take a few weeks to strike that balance, but it will happen, and I’m willing to be patient.  For a look at Liz’s BEAUTIFUL hair after being on this program for a few weeks, check out this post.

Can’t wait to see how this goes!

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Again, thank you so much, Liz Wolfe, for all the inspiration and information!  You rock!

Big Goal #3: Natural Skin/Oral Care

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out this post, where I share my 8 BIG GOALS for these 43 days.

As I mentioned yesterday, I am a HUGE fan of Liz Wolfe at CaveGirlEats.  Her opinion that not putting chemicals on your outsides is just as important as not putting chemicals on your insides resonates with me, and I’m ready to give it a go!  Most of what I’ve learned about skin care has come from http://cavegirleats.com/bodycare/… so go check that out for yourself to see what we’re trying to AVOID in some of today’s product ingredients!

Also, check out her podcast interview with Bill and Haley of PrimalPalate!  She talks a lot about her body care ideas, and it’s just a fun conversation on which to eavesdrop.

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Skincare

This is a little scary for me, because I’m big on anti-aging skin care.  In fact, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I used to be a Mary Kay Sales Director… I sold skincare for a living, and I even earned a free car and had over 40 women on my team (I quit for a number of reasons that I won’t go into here).  I love Mary Kay products to this day, and I have seen great results from their products.  However, I am not too proud to admit that they might not be the best ingredients to put on my skin every single day.

Looking at the labels on all my [many] bottles of products, Mary Kay and otherwise, I have been pretty shocked by the huge array of ingredients.  Everything from dies and alcohol to sodium chloride and methychloroisothiazolinone was present in these bottles!  Yikes!  So I’m testing a new, natural method, and we’ll see how it goes!  By the way, check out this website to evaluate your personal skincare items.

So what will my new skin care routine look like?  Take a look at the chemical-freeness…

1. First and foremost, Green Pastures’ Fermented Cod Liver Oil / Butter Oil Blend.  Read all you need right here (thanks, Liz!).  Everything she says is true… my own skin is also looking better than EVER since starting this supplement.   I’ll share more about it when I talk about my supplements on Tuesday… stay tuned!

2. The Oil Cleansing Method.  What is it?  Read the details here.  Did you know that if you use chemicals to remove oils from your skin, your body will overcompensate and send more oil to provide necessary moisture?  It’s true!  Want to hear another little-known fact?  Here you go: oil dissolves oil.  WHA???  I love how this website states it: “Your skin naturally produces oil because it needs it. It is not a malicious force to be reckoned with; it is there for the benefit of your skin, allowing your largest organ to function properly. It is naturally occurring. Not only does your natural oil help lubricate, it also heals, protects, and moisturizes your skin so that it may function properly. Properly functioning skin is beautiful, clear, and glowing. Learning to work with your skin, not against it, will save you tremendously.”

Here’s what I do (adapted from CaveGirlEats):  First, get your water heated, gather a few washcloths, and get your oil blend (I use 20% Castor Oil and 80% Grapeseed Oil).  Next, pour about a quarter-size portion of oil into your hands, and rub together to warm.  Massage the blend onto your face… it won’t burn your eyes, and is great at removing eye makeup too!  Massage firmly, concentrating on the problem-areams that need to be “dissolved.”  Finally, get your washcloth VERY warm (it should not burn you, but it should be warm enough to open your pores and dissolve oils).  Place it on your face, and hold it there.  This is my favorite part… breathe deeply and enjoy the steam!  Wipe your face gently, rinse well, and don’t scrub!  You may want to do the steam process a few more times to ensure removal of all oils.

To quote the above website again, “This deep cleansing method should be done regularly, but not too frequently. You’ll know if you’re deep cleansing too frequently by the dryness that your skin will exhibit. Don’t be surprised if you find you’ve unblocked an oil flow for the first few days. Once you remove the plugs from your pores, they will begin functioning properly again. Perfect skin won’t happen overnight and while it should take a few massages to achieve your goal, you should notice a huge difference in your skin after the first deep cleansing massage. Give your skin a few days to adjust and adapt to being clean and clear of blockages; understand that the new oil coming from your skin is actually a good sign and will balance out very shortly. You’ll find redness and irritation subsiding. You’ll find your skin losing that “congested,” and thick feeling.”

Sounds great to me!

For moisture, I pat on a little Jojoba Oil after I cleanse.  Love it!

Right now I’m only doing this process in the evenings, and just splashing some warm water on my face to freshen me up in the mornings.  So far I haven’t seen a huge difference in my skin – positive or negative – but I’ll keep you posted!

Note: I found all the oils in the skincare section of Whole Foods. 

Body Care

 Deodorant:  There are lots of aluminum-free options out there, including “Tom’s of Maine, Aluminum-Free,” which works pretty well!  But I wanted to do something even more natural, so I gave the Tropical Traditions roll-on a try.  After testing it for two weeks, I’m not very impressed.  I’m not a super-sweaty, smelly person (in fact, I’m pretty cold-natured, and I smell pretty dang good!), but this deodorant definitely does not last as long as I’d like.  It smells wonderful, and keeps you fresh for a few hours, but after that, prepare to stink.  Sorry, but those are the facts (at least for me).

Now I’m trying Liz’s suggestion: a swipe of coconut oil followed by a dash of baking soda.  I hope that works better!  I’m kinda missing my aluminum-filled deo right about now!

Body: I love taking a warm bath.  It’s an amazing stress-reliever, and just a chance to sit still and be quiet!  And while I used to be a big bubble-bath girl, I have learned to appreciate the pure comfort of epsom salts.  They have some brands available that are already scented with essential oils (lavender and eucalyptus are my current favorites!), or you can crush some lavender herbs into your bath, and enjoy the relaxing scent.

Epsom salts relieve tired, strained muscles naturally, they are high in magnesium, and they have some detoxifying properties – how cool is that?  Read more about the benefits of epsom salts here.

For body moisturization, I love Moksa Organics (see my review of their products here).  Everything is all natural, and the body butters are fantastic!

For soap, Liz recommends Granny’s Lye Soap.  I’ve yet to find any, so right now I’m using Dove’s unscented bar.  But I’m on the hunt for some lye!

Oral Care

Another recommendation from Liz!  Have you heard of OraWellness?  I’m not going to go into a ton of detail on this one, but go check out this website to watch videos and learn more about their Brush Blend.  Check out Liz’s experience with it here.  My husband and I have been using it for the last 3-4 weeks, and I love it!  The ingredients are: organic and wildcrafted essential oils (cinnamon, peppermint, spearmint, clove, myrrh, and manuka) in a base of organic almond oil.

It was a little tough to get used to not having the pasty lather when brushing our teeth, but we’ve gotten used to that, and our teeth feel cleaner.  I also feel like my mouth is fresher in general.  I’ve been using the little toothbrush that they recommend, and it really does make brushing easier.

(Go check out the ingredients in your toothpaste right now!  You won’t believe all the crazy ingredients!)

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That’s it for now!  As I said, I’ll be sure to keep you posted on how things go…  It’s really fun to experiment with this stuff!

Let me know if you try any of these ideas, and how you do!

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HUGE THANKS to Liz of CaveGirlEats for inspiring me to step out of my comfort zone and give this a try.  And thanks for all the wonderful information!  I’ve spent an unspeakable number of hours on your site… but not in a weird, stalker-way, so no worries.

Big Goal #2: Be “Well Fed” (+ a giveaw...

UPDATE: I completed this goal!  Check out the picture post here.

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out yesterday’s post, where I share my 8 BIG GOALS for these 43 days.

 And be sure to read to the end of this post to check out my exciting giveaway!

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Big Goal #1 will be expounded upon as I go through the month and re-read my highlights from It Starts With Food.  In short, we’re doing a Whole30 from now through the end of July.  I am so excited!

Big Goal #2 has already been super-fun, and I am so excited to share it with you!  Here it is:

In an effort to broaden my Paleo food horizons and experiment with some new styles of cooking, I’ve decided to make each and every recipe from Well Fed during the next 41 days (kinda “Julie and Julia” style, ya know?). 

We started our challenge on Tuesday, and our meals have been INSANELY DELICIOUS so far!  To be honest, I was starting to get into a little cooking rut – only cooking things that I’ve made a bazillion times (hey, they’re easy and delicious, so why not?).  But my sweet husband has hinted around a little lately that maybe we should try some new recipes.  That sounded like a challenge!

 

This kinda goes against one of the “keep it simple” tips in my eBook (Easy Paleo: 21 Practical Ways to Simplify Your Paleo Life, $4.99), but it’s just for a one-month challenge, so I can handle it!  Generally, trying to use a recipe every night isn’t the best idea… but this is going to be SO fun!

 

As I read through my new favorite book of all time, It Starts With Food, I learned that Melissa Joulwan’s Well Fed is completely Whole30-approved and recommended (except for one very desserty recipe at the end).  This was really exciting to read!  I LOVE Melissa’s work (check out my interview with her here – what a cool chic!).  She has an amazing website, and her book is so lovely.  I’ve made lots of recipes from her site (including Chocolate Chili), and they have all been delish, so I knew we were in for a treat!

Here’s a look at what we’ve had so far, and a peek at what’s in store for the end of the week!

Monday

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Good grief, this was good!  Just looking at the picture makes my mouth water!

First on the list, Salmon a l’Afrique du Nord (Well Fed, p. 103).  Wow.  That’s basically all I have to say.  To be honest, I’ve never cooked salmon on my own before, so this was really a challenge!  And to top it off, the recipe has you cook the entire 2-pound filet in one piece… yikes!  So when I went to Whole Foods to pick up a few things, I stopped by the meat and fish counter and spotted a beautiful piece of wild-caught Alaskan salmon.  The clerk was even able to tell me exactly where in Alaska it was caught (Anchorage), and who the fishermen were… very cool!  This was not a cheap piece of fish, so I was a little nervous about botching the recipe!

I followed Melissa’s instructions to the letter (except for the fact that we don’t have a grill… I used my oven broiler instead), and the fish came out beautifully.  I’ll tell you how it tasted in a moment.

Next up, we had Cumin-Roasted Carrots (Well Fed, p. 115).  Wow again.  Who knew that carrots could taste so freakin’ good?  The spices blended perfectly with the salmon, and the carrots were juicy and succulent with the tiniest little crunch deep inside.  Amazing.

Finally, we added Turkish Chopped Salad (Well Fed, p. 141).  This blend of chopped, raw veggies is perfectly spiced, full of flavor, and so good for you!  And I loved the excuse to use raw radishes… YUM.

All in all, this was seriously the most gourmet-tasting meal I have ever cooked.  My husband and I were saying “wow…” with almost every bite.  And the best part?  None of it was difficult!  The most time-consuming part was probably chopping all the veggies for the salad… but turn on a good podcast, and you’re good to go.

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Tuesday

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On Tuesday, we had another delicious dinner!

First off, Meatza Pie (Well Fed, p. 77).  Now, this is what I call a pizza crust… MEAT!  This recipe does not look complex, but the flavors are insane.  I started off by making Melissa’s blend of Italian Sausage Seasoning (Well Fed, p. 49), and then pressing it into the beef before forming a crust in the bottom of a baking dish.  Once that is cooked, you make up the simple sauce recipe, which includes Pizza Seasoning (Well Fed, p. 49), and just toss on whatever veggies you have available.  I have ALOT of yellow squash right now, so I used that, some broccoli, some onions, and some bell peppers.  This dish was easy, spicy, and delicious!

As a side dish, we had Greek Broccoli (Well Fed, p. 117).  What a cool recipe!  I would never thing to toss broccoli with tomato paste and a bunch of fabulous spices, but it totally works!  We really enjoyed this dinner.

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Wednesday

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Last night’s dinner consisted of Grilled Chicken Thighs (Well Fed, p. 29) over Steam-Sauteed Veggies (Well Fed, p. 33).  As I mentioned above, we do not have a grill, so I followed Melissa’s “No Grill?” instructions… very handy!  Why in the world have we not been eating more chicken thighs??  They are DELICIOUS!  I don’t know why, but we usually spring for boneless, skinless breasts… and now I know that those are far less flavorful!  I picked up some organic thighs from Costco, and boy, they were tender and juicy!

As a side dish, we made a big salad with Creamy Italian Dressing (Well Fed, p. 59).  Most amazing salad dressing I have ever had.  Period.

My salad consisted of mixed greens, baby spinach, raspberries, blueberries, oranges, avocado chunks, slivered almonds, and cucumbers.  So, so, so good.  The dressing was so amazing that we actually “sopped it up” on our chicken thighs and scarfed it down.

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Thursday

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We didn’t get enough chicken thighs last night (seriously, we both wanted them again!), so I baked this again, but with a different spice mixture: Ras el Hanout (Well Fed, p. 47).  What an amazing spice blend!  It contains cumin, ginger, pepper, cinnamon, coriander, cayenne, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg.  Can you smell it already?  I can!  It is amazing.  I sprinkled the seasoning over the chicken before baking, and it gave it a beautiful flavor.

As a base, I also made Creamy Spice Market Kale (Well Fed, p. 111).  Have you ever had moist, juicy kale?  I hadn’t before tonight… the coconut milk in the recipe truly does make it creamy and wonderful.  But be prepared – it is definitely spicy!  We loved every bite.

We had a good amount of salad and dressing leftover from last night, so we were thrilled to enjoy that again!

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Friday

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Tomorrow night we are having dinner with some friends, and I’m bringing the food.  I’m making Shepherd’s Pie (Well Fed, p. 97), and I am so excited!  This will be my first experience with ground lamb, and I can’t think of many things I love more than mashed cauliflower (Well Fed, p. 113), so I’m sure it will be delish!

UPDATE: Check out the picture!  This was delicious… My lamb didn’t arrive in time, so I made the “Cottage Pie” variation from the book (ground beef instead of lamb).

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Saturday

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On Saturday, we’re going to visit some Paleo friends who live near our beef farmer, so we’ll pick up an order on the way!  Blair and I met through my Facebook page, and we’ve had lunch a few times.  We’ve had so much fun, that we decided our hubbies should meet as well!  Three cheers for Paleo meet-ups!  Blair is cooking for us, and I’m bringing a few side dishes (probably the Cumin-Roasted Carrots and Turkish Chopped Salad recipes that I tried earlier in the week – they are definitely winners!).

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Sunday

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On Sunday, I’m making Waldorf Tuna Salad (Well Fed, p. 67).  I have recently fallen in love with tuna, so this is sure to be delicious!

Update: Here’s the picture, and YES – it was amazing!!

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Also, as a snack this week, we enjoyed Carmelized Coconut Chips (Well Fed, p. 153).  I cannot believe how much these crispy little goodies taste like popcorn!  I will definitely be cooking up a batch before our next movie outing.  Fo’ sho.

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Who loves a GIVEAWAY?

 

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Seriously, people… not only is Melissa Joulwan a culinary genius, she is also such a sweetheart!  She emailed me today and offered a SIGNED COPY of Well Fed to one lucky winner… cool, huh??  I’m also throwing in a copy of my eBook, Easy Paleo: 21 Practical Ways to Simplify Your Paleo Life.  What a great combo!

Here are the rules:

1. Commit to doing a Whole30 yourself!

2. “Like” the Easy Paleo Facebook Page

3. Either “like” The Clothes Make The Girl on Facebook, OR follow Melissa on Twitter (@melicious)

4. SHARE this giveaway post with your friends on your own FB page (I will be able to see the “shares” under the post).

(The “share” button is directly under the FB post ON FACEBOOK – right beside the “like” button).

5. Comment on this post, letting me know that you’ve done all the steps above, and the dates of your own Whole30.

Easy peasy, huh?  Get on it!  You NEED both of these books!

Drawing will be done on July 1st, 2012.

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Be sure to check out the next post: Natural Skin Care!

43 Days… Let’s Do This!

This little post will be an introduction to a series of BIG GOAL posts to follow.  

Get on board with me!

As I mentioned yesterday, we just returned from a Disney World vacation.  A few months ago, we decided to start a Whole30 as soon as we returned to get back on track (though we didn’t go far off track even on vacation – yay!).  After reading Dallas and Melissa Hartwig’s It Starts With Food (check out my review here - have you read it yet? OMG!!!), I was even MORE excited about starting a new food challenge, and even changing a few more details of my food lifestyle for good.

This will be my third Whole30.  My first one was almost one year ago, and was my introduction to Paleo.  The second one was six months later, in February of this year.  And now it’s time for a third, and I am so excited!  To be honest, I feel more healthy right now than I have ever felt, but I always experience even more amazing results when I keep my diet squeaky clean for an extended period of time.

This time, we’re going through the end of July.  We started yesterday, so it will basically be a Whole43.  And in addition to clean eating, I’m taking on several other challenges to enhance the benefits of being focused this month+.  Read my summaries below, and let me know if you’re interested in committing to this with me!

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Big Goal #1 – Clean Eating

I really believe that “it starts with food.”  Any goal that you have – clearer skin, weight loss, more energy, better sleep – can be accomplished by adjusting your diet and raising your food standards.  I’ll be writing more about this concept as I go through the month.  A lot of my thoughts about food have changed recently, just since reading the aforementioned book, so I’ll be sure to keep you informed!

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Big Goal #2 – Being Well Fed

Have you checked out Melissa Joulwan’s cookbook, Well Fed?  Find my review here.  This cookbook is excellent and beautiful!  It is packed with amazing recipes, and I recently learned that all of the recipes (except for one at the end that is very desserty) are Whole30-approved AND recommended by Dallas and Melissa (creators of the Whole30 and authors of It Starts With Food).  These folks don’t make a lot of recipe recommendations, which tells me that their standards are HIGH!

So, in an effort to broaden my Paleo food horizons and experiment with some new styles of cooking, I’ve decided to make each and every recipe from Well Fed during the next 41 days (kinda “Julie and Julia” style, ya know?).  We’ve had several already, including the Carmerlized Coconut Chips (pictured above, recipe here: www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/2011/06/13/carmelized-coconut-chips/), and they have all been delicious!

I share more about this goal, the pictures from the recipes we’ve made in the last few days, this week’s menu, and more in this post.

UPDATED: I completed this goal!  Check out the picture post here.

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Big Goal #3 – Natural Skin Care

I am a HUGE fan of Liz Wolfe at CaveGirlEats.  Her opinion that not putting chemicals on your outsides is just as important as not putting chemicals on your insides resonates with me, and I’m ready to give it a go!  This is a little scary for me, because I’m big on anti-aging skin care.  In fact, in a previous life I was a Mary Kay Sales Director… I even earned a free car and had over 40 women on my team.  I love Mary Kay products to this day, and I have seen great results from the products.  However, I am not too proud to admit that they might not be the best ingredients to put on my skin so regularly.

So what will my new skin care routine look like?  Check out this post.

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Big Goal #4 – Natural Hair Care

Again, my inspiration for non-chemical hair care comes from Liz Wolfe at CaveGirlEats.  I’m a bit of a hair freak, and I’m currently growing out my short haircut, so it’s already in an awkward stage.  I’ve heard that getting your hair adjusted to it’s natural pH balance can be a painful (and ugly) process, so I can’t say that I’m looking forward to this one!

More on this topic HERE.

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Big Goal #5 – Better Sleep

I love sleeping, and I usually get enough sleep.  However, this does not always mean that I go to bed early.  I LOVE staying up late, and I can usually sleep in a little later if I need to, so the temptation to keep late, unnatural hours is one that I often embrace.  During the next 41 days, we’ll be turning off all electronics at 9 PM (sundown), and then relaxing toward sleepy-town for the next hour.  The goal is to be sleeping by 10:30 each night.

More on this goal HERE.

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Big Goal #6 – Meaningful Workouts

I get BEST results from my workouts when I’m eating clean.  So I’m really excited to see what I’ll look like at the end of July!  My philosophy on working out is to LIFT HEAVY THINGS, but to not overwork my body.  Over-working leads to bodily stress, that that’s the last thing any of us need!

More on this goal and my workouts HERE.

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Big Goal #7 – Supplements

I take a few supplements on a regular basis, and I’ll tell you more about those on Wednesday.  However, during this challenge, I’ll be adding a few additional items (in food form, not in pill/powder form) to my diet.

Read more here!

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Big Goal #8 – Stress Less!

This was part of my New Year’s Resolutions for 2012, and I haven’t kept it at the forefront of my mind.  In addition, several very stressful life events have occurred this year, so a little stress was unavoidable.  In fact, some of that stress (when combined with over-consuming nuts and eggs) caused me some pretty serious digestion woes, which lead to a gut-healing protocol that made it all better.

So how am I going to reduce stress in my life?  Check it out here!

 

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Sounds like a lot, huh?  Well, it’s not as much as it seems.  Stay tuned over the next week as I share more about how I’ll keep things SIMPLE throughout this process.  You know me… I’m all about Easy Paleo.

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A Traveler’s Life-Saver & A Gut Health ...

First of all, HELLO!  Remember me?  It’s been quite a while since I have published a blog post… actually, my recent “break” was the longest period of time I have neglected the blog since I started it.  It feels good to be back!

As you may have seen on my Facebook page, I recently returned from a week-long vacation in Disney World.  We had some good times, and some good foods!  But I have to admit, it is wonderful to be back home.

Eating Paleo-style is a little more difficult on busy vacations and hectic trips.  We took this trip with my husband’s family, and we had 5 parks to visit in 5 days, with two full travel days (10-hour drives each way).  My typical idea of a vacation is having no schedule at all… no time crunches or restraints (check out this post to see how I normally eat on vacation).  But, if you have ever been to Disney World, you know that the idea of “no schedule” is just a happy, distant thought.  From the time we arrived until the time we left, we were constantly on the run.  Late nights and early mornings were followed by crowd-fighting, sweating, and power-walking from attraction to attraction.

We stopped at a grocery store shortly after we arrived to pick up a few essentials.  Our breakfasts consisted of halved avocados, rotisserie chicken, blueberries, Paleo Krunch with coconut milk, and almond milk.  Not bad, but not ideal.  We were eating on the go to allow for more sleep each morning.

For lunches and snacks, we packed turkey-rolled avocado slices, raw fruit/nut bars, apples, sliced red and yellow peppers, pistachios, and Paleo Kits.

We mainly ate out for our dinners, except for two nights when we had burgers with guacamole, or baked chicken with a wonderful berry salad and brussels sprouts.  I was very impressed by our dinner at Smokey Bones Bar and Grill.  There were a ton of meat options on the menu, with lots of simply-cooked vegetables as sides.  I had 1/2 a chicken (and almost finished the entire thing!) with broccoli and sweet potato.  It was delicious and filling.  I’m sure the sauce contained more sugar than I would have liked though.

Another place that really impressed me was the Rainforest Cafe.  I had salmon grilled on a cedar plank (WOW – AMAZING!), and a few veggie sides that I don’t even remember because the salmon was so amazing.  There were several great options in the way of meat and seafood on the menu.

 

So what is this traveler’s life-saver that I mentioned?  The Paleo Kit, of course!  Order yours at StevesOriginal.com.  I had not tried these little bags of goodness until I attended the Balanced Bites Workshop a few weekends ago, where I fell in love with them.  I ordered 15 of them before our trip, and I was so glad I did!  It was really nice to have well-sourced protein (jerky), some good fat (coconut), and a hint of sweetness (strawberries) during those long days.  Each kit is SUPER filling, and really delicious.  From now on, I will always be sure to stock up on Paleo Kits before we travel.  Having a healthy, filling, and delicious snack option kept us from going overboard on overpriced, over-sweetened goodies between meals while we were at Disney.

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A Gut-Health Update

To those of you who have asked how I’ve been feeling lately, thank you!  In answer to your question, I am feeling great!  

For those who have no idea what I mean here, I recently had some pretty serious digestion woes.  After a few weeks of constant stomach aches after every meal, I created my own gut-healing protocol.  Within a few days, I was already seeing amazing results.  And now, months later, I have basically stuck with this program (only having nuts occasionally), and I’m doing really well with it!

My conclusion is that the cause of my extreme gut sensitivity was an intense period of stress and travel, combined with seriously overdoing it on nuts (raw almonds and pistachios, almond butter, almond flour, almond milk, raw fruit/nut bars, etc.) and eggs (I was eating around 3-4 each and every day).

Through this painful process, I learned some valuable lessons!  First and foremost, even if you’re eating “paleo foods,” balance is SO important!  Nuts were definitely too large a part of my diet before this experience.

I also learned that eggs are not the only breakfast food worth eating… check out my no-egg breakfast ideas here!  And, unfortunately, I still cannot consume eggs.  For one thing, I have no desire for them at all.  The thought of them makes me feel a little sick.  And for another thing, when I have experimented with them since healing my gut, I have had stomach pain right away.  Sad, but true!  I’ll probably try again every few months, but for now, I’m dealing with what seems to be an egg allergy.

So, again, thank you for asking about me!  I’m enjoying better gut health than I’ve ever experienced.

A Visit to Savory Spice Shop

A few weeks ago, my husband and I were strolling through a Greensboro, NC, shopping center, and came across Savory Spice Shop.  I have never noticed the store before, and since I cook a lot, I’m always interested in good, local sources of ingredients.  We walked inside, and I was immediately flooded with the amazing smell of spice!

There wasn’t a particular scent that stood out… they all seemed to mesh together in a beautiful harmony of flavor.  Being a big-time foodie, I was entranced!

Within moments of walking in the door, we were greeted by Ashley, the Assistant Manager, who gave us a quick tour of the store, and some information on a few of the spices.  She was so welcoming and knowledgeable, and I appreciate that she had lots of experience with most of the spices we saw!

I fell in love with this amazing little store, and decided that I would have to go back for an interview with Ashley!

I made an appointment, and went back to Savory last week.  Again, when I walked in the door I was in scent-heaven.  Amazing.

I could not believe the extent of variety!  Who knew that there are so many types of Paprika?  Ashley told me that paprika is made from ground and dried bell peppers or chili peppers, that it packs a huge amount of flavor, and that it goes on more than just your deviled eggs!  The flavors range from mild to hot, and “Sweet Smoked” is the most flavorful variety.

 

While at the shop, I learned that Savory Spice Shop is actually a franchise company!  It was started as a mom-and-pop company in Colorado by Janet and Mike Johnston.  This couple wanted to provide high quality herbs and spices at an affordable price.  Their store and website experienced so much success that they began offering franchise opportunities so that more stores could be run locally.

Ashley says that there are several things…

1. Savory provides amazing, personal service.  In Savory shops, you can taste and smell everything before you walk out the door.  The employees are knowledgeable, and they can make recommendations for pairings.  It’s not just a browse-and-buy experience… it’s a personalized shopping experience.

2. The level of quality of Savory spices is remarkable.  If you compare the look and smell of the spices you see at typical grocery stores, the difference is amazing.  All of the spices smelled 100 times better than my bottles at home, and some of them smelled completely different from what I’m used to smelling (in a better, fresher way).

3. Savory spices are ground fresh weekly.  They have a warehouse that only holds enough to stock 3-4 stores in each spice, and they have 20 stores nationwide, so constant, fresh grinding and blending is a MUST.

4. All of the herbs and spices are hand-blended, hand-stirred, and tested.  Savory has foodies working in their warehouses… they taste everything, and test it by cooking with it themselves.

I could definitely tell that Ashley really enjoys her job… she was passionate about it!  One thing she mentioned is how interesting it is to watch people as they smell and taste the varieties.  So often, a smell brings back a memory long forgotten, a taste of some historic day… She told me a story of a woman who smelled one of the amazing cinnamons and burst into tears!  The smell brought back a host of memories of her childhood, and she’d not smelled cinnamon like that since.

Food is emotional and intimate – and the spices are often the main smells and tastes that stand out to us when we cook and eat.

I asked Ashley where the spices and herbs are sourced, and she said that they always have fresh spices because they get them from all over the world!  Savory sources from wherever the particular spice is growing seasonally and economically, and most of the time they come from small farms.  The founders of Savory know many of the owners of the farms that grow the herbs and spices, and they’ve seen the processes from start to finish (from growing to toasting).

I asked Ashley for a few of her favorite spices, and she mentioned these:

Cantanzaro Herbs – a savory blend that you can use for everything! They are a mix of Italian herbs, a little lemon, and some garlic. This blend goes well with nearly every meat or vegetable.

Spiced Vanilla Sugar – this is a sweet blend of sugar, vanilla, and spices.  It works beautifully with spiced pecans, in cream cheese, or in coffee.

Of course, I had to ask about the most expensive items in the store…  Saffron!   Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, and Savory has all kinds of varieties from which to choose!

Saffron lasts around 7 years or more. It has a lovely tobacco-like flavor to it. The reason this spice is expensive is because harvesting it is back-breaking work… the spice is actually the stigma of crocus flowers!  So pickers must be on hands and knees, and bent over, to carefully gather the spice.  You should never get saffron from a regular grocery store! Unfortunately, a lot of people call turmeric “saffron,” so while you think you’re getting a tasty ingredient, you are really getting a sub-par substitution.

 The second most expensive item in the store is the truffle salt.  Truffles actually come from subterranean mushrooms, and they amp up the flavor of anything and everything they contact.

The most underrated spice?  Ashley surprised me with this one!  She says salt!  And it makes sense, if you think about it…  a lot of people just dump salt on everything, or they won’t use salt for anything because they are afraid of sodium (check out this article, by the way!).  But salt is a really important and vital seasoning!  Even on network cooking shows, chefs will crawl all over people for not seasoning the food properly… and the “seasoning” they mean is salt. It is a natural way to enhance flavors, but it should be used delicately and carefully, and you should be sure to taste your food as you add.

Pepper is also underrated.  Pepper brings out the “lower notes” and flavors of your dish, while salt brings out all high, bright notes. Together, these two seasonings make a perfect symphony.

Savory carries many types of salt, from sea salt (from the ocean) to mine salt (from mines).

The most popular spice?  Ashley says that this really depends on what the employees have been using lately. They talk with customers all the time about their favorites, their recent experiences, and their recommendations.  “Pearl Street” has been big one at the Greensboro location lately.  It is great on salmon (marinate it in the fridge, toss it on a cedar plank, then grill it to perfection!). Cinnamons are also big sellers because most people have never smelled cinnamon like this before – it is FRESH and pure, with no added fillers or dyes.

Ashley’s favorite type is Indonesian Cinnamon because it is the sweetest variety.

Curious about how to store your spices?

First of all, they should be kept FAR away from heat!  Are you doing what so many do, and storing your spices above the stove, in a cabinet near the stove, or in an area where there is lots of bright sunlight?  That’s a mistake!  Any light or heat is going to excite the spices and cause them to release their oils, which causes them to release their flavor.

Also, be sure to replace your spices when they start to lose their flavor.  Savory is careful to mark each jar with the date of purchase when you check out so that you can track how long it’s been in your cupboard.

If you have ever complained about the “boring” element of constant meat and vegetables… let me tell you a little secret: spices are the way to keep your food interesting!  Find yourself a Savory Spice Shop, and go experience the wonders of spices from around the world!  Find some new things that you’ve never tried!  Branch out with some different flavors!

Find a store here, or shop online.

One of the best resources for amazing Paleo recipes with lots of SPICE is Melissa Joulwan’s Well Fed (check out my review here).  This cookbook offers amazing suggestions for tons of worldly recipes, and lots of varietal spices are called into play!  In fact, Melissa says “One of the things I love about spices and other seasonings is that, much like a good book, they can take you just about anywhere in the world.“

If you are ready to start your collection, I suggest you start at Savory Spice Shop… preferably the store in Greensboro.  :)

HUGE thanks to Ashley Stricker for teaching me so much about the wonderful world of SPICE!

Be sure to check out the Greensboro location’s Facebook Page too!

On the Menu {week of Jun. 4}

When I first started eating Paleo-Style, I really benefitted from seeing a few weekly meal plans.  I knew that I could make “meat and vegetables,” but I needed some examples of how to make those things take shape on our plates.

 Every weekend I sit down and plan my meals for the week.  I usually go to the Farmer’s Market first, and then make a plan based on what is in season. 

 This is mainly just a dinner menu.  We usually have a no-egg breakfast, frittatas, diced chicken, etc., for breakfast.  

 We always have leftovers from dinner for lunch the following day.

 I hope this helps you as much as it helped me!

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Monday

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 Tomorrow night we’re having Butternut Squash Lasagna and a big, fresh salad.  Yum!

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Tuesday

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Tuesday night we’ll have grass-fed steaks, and sides of sautéed yellow squash and sautéed swiss chard/onions (all from the Farmer’s Market!).

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Wednesday

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 On Wednesday night, we’re having Paleo Spaghetti with fresh Farmer’s Market zucchini.

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Thursday

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 Thursday is my birthday!  I can’t think of anything I’d rather have than Spice-Rubbed Roast, sweet potato fries, and baked kale!

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Friday

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Friday is our nine-year wedding anniversary!  We’re going out for a nice dinner at an amazing local spot called Josephine’s.  Cannot wait!

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Saturday

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On Saturday, my husband’s little sister is graduating from high school!  We’ll be attending a family dinner that night.

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Sunday

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On Sunday, we’re leaving for a week in Disney World!  I’ll be posting later in the week about snacks for the road, etc.

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What’s on your menu this week?