My Afflation

Yeah, the vegetarian kickstart didn’t go as planned. Completely derailed, but what else is new. I have finally admitted that I need to do meal prep for our different dietary needs/desires/my own personal sanity. I don't need to eat as often and he does to be on strict IF + Keto, and IP is gone for the next two months, so I can ease up on the FODMAP+ Paleo AIP side prep.   So … we’re (I'm)going to attempt meal prep this Sunday (guess who gets to clean the fridge first) and see how it goes. I’ve done it before with some success and much grumbling. Him, not so much, but I also don’t have an issue with food. I exercise so I can eat. I know that I love to eat and try new flavors (eating the same thing week in and week out will make me fall off sooner any "diet"faster than anything else), and I know when I am full and stop eating. My issues these days are hormone imbalance (birth control keeps me sane but also packs on the pounds) and lack of exercise plus a shitt...

This is a bit of a crazy week. I am finally employed again (YAY! I start today!), but I have a long commute (not so yay), out of the city and I don't think I will have time to grocery shop until I get a better lay of the land and my new schedule.

Sometimes it takes me a little bit to get back into the proverbial saddle. I planned for all of January, and most of February is in my Passion Planner , I just haven't gotten around to that final step of putting it on the blog. Lucky for you, I'm feeling extra motivated today, so here you go, this week's menu plan.

Unfortunately, not R.E.M nor Denzel related. I just don’t have enough time in the day to get things done. I need a few clones of myself. So here I am, taking a few minutes at the end of the work day, before I start my commute, trying to scramble on menu planning and debating the energy-draining thoughts of driving my commute, grocery shopping, and then cooking dinner.

Days 11-20 I continue the cannibalization of my blog and social media (mostly G+ for this second post).

I've been more than a little skeptical of the home delivery meal kit plans for various reasons.

The plan this week was to cook everything on Sunday and reheat throughout the week because evenings this week are hella busy. That didn't happen (but the house is clean!!!) I mean, look at those floors... I managed to menu plan and place my grocery order on Friday for Saturday delivery (yes, my time is worth the cost) so that was an organizational win. Maybe you'll have better luck with AmazonFresh . I'll be able to make and prep at least two meals tonight, probably have leftovers on Wednesday, and we'll have to see how the week works out. Adjusting to being out of the house for 10+ hours a day is still happening. Menu Plan Monday - hosted by orgjunkie.com Monday : Shepherd's Pie (recipe adapted from  Caveman Casserole ) Paleo Shepherd's Pie Tuesday :  Moroccan Chicken Stew Apparently, when I nuked G+ I lost the photo to this one. Thursday :  Blackened Chicken & Avocado Sauce --Over Zoodles This one is quick and easy. ...

via GIPHY It's been a busy week and I  am woefully out of the practice of blogging on a regular basis. My goal is to change that in the coming weeks (let's be real, months). Monday was extremely busy with trying to catch up and get ahead of the housework. With two dogs and weather, I don't know why I bother. I hit and exceeded my step goal, so that's a bonus. I was lazy and ordered Indian food from the local restaurant. I have no idea what I would do without Eat24 . Tuesday : Butternut Squash Soup with Chicken Sausage Wednesda y: Chile-Crusted Scallops with Cucumber Salad   Thursday : Ratatouille with Chicken  Friday : Little Lamb Meatballs in A Spicy Eggplant Tomato Sauce  Saturday : Chicken Cacciatore

Ok, not really, but it is Valentine's Week. Yay. And I have managed to hit 190 again. Not so Awesome Sarcasm GIF from Awesome GIFs And so we find ourselves focusing on discipline. Clean eating. Willpower. And horrible weather that encourages #emoeating . Shall we begin? Menu Plan Monday hosted by Orgjunkie.com Sunday : Zuppa Toscana - with sweet Italian chicken sausage. Zuppa Toscana Monday : Paleo Spaghetti - really, zoodles, homemade marina sauce, and meatballs. Tuesday : Something special -- Seared Steak with pan-roasted grape and port sauce -- wait! Breaking News! I don't have to cook. That will be saved. Wednesday: Paleo Butter Chicken Thursday : Paleo Avocado Burgers  - modified from the original recipe. No dressing needed. Pineapple Avocado Burgers Friday : Paleo Cream of Broccoli Soup with Chicken and Bacon Saturday : Crockpot Chicken and GF Cornbread Dumplings So, how are you dealing with the dead of winter?

I have a feeling I have used that title before ... but hey, it's a different year. And now we are going Whole 30 this week because I need it. Sunday : Lemon Pepper Chicken with Zoodles. Seriously, now that my local grocery store carries zoodles I buy 2-4 packages a week. It saves me so much time ! Monday : Stuffed Peppers Stuffed peppers Tuesday : Paleo-Keto Taco  (Salad) with lettuce wraps instead of blue corn tortilla shells. But this was one of the better pictures I have. Taco night Wednesday :  Grilled Steak & Avocado with Garlic-Shallot puree  (pg 216) and  mandarin strawberry salad Thursday: Spinach Fritatta Spinach and Mushroom Frittata Friday : Lamb Kabobs

Ok, not really a tour of Asia Minor, but we do have a Turkish inspired meal, Chinese and Thai on the menu this week. via http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/s/xoe54u I needed quick and easy meals that would 1) use up ingredients in the fridge from the last few weeks' grocery shopping and 2) not break the bank. Meat gets expensive, so this week we are using lesser cuts and going heavy on the veggies. Leaving out the rice makes these paleo and keto compliant. Monday:  Beef Broccoli  (actually a broccoli cauliflower mix because I mis-read the bag of frozen veggies). I never did get around to trying with coconut aminos, but everyone seems to like it well enough with just the spices and no soy sauce or sugar. I should update the recipe to reflect all of the dietary restrictions and changes that have occured over the years. Tuesday:  Curried Turkey Cutlets with Dried Apricots Wednesday:  Paleo Spaghetti  with meatballs and my amazing marinar...

Yum Trust me. It tastes amazing. Even the picky teenager liked it. Beef Stroganoff over Zoodles I've been craving beef stroganoff the way a pregnant woman craves pickles and ice cream. But, it doesn't fit my current dietary needs and is a trigger for every one of my daughter's food intolerances. And then I had a dream. I've been doing substitutions long enough that it finally came to me, just took a little longer than normal with everything going on lately. Low-Carb, Lacto-Paleo, Gluten-Free, Lactose-Free, Ketogenic Beef Stroganoff Ingredients: 2tbsp Coconut oil 1.5 - 2lbs beef (top round sirloin works well) 3 cups mixed mushrooms 1 cup pearl onions 1 cup beef broth garlic, sea salt and pepper to taste 1.5 cups lactose free sour cream Zucchini Noodles  or  Gluten-Free Supergrain Pasta Shells I don't tend to move things in and out of a pan, so this recipe skips all of those steps. Directions: Cut meat across the grain into bite-sized pieces  Heat t...

Paleo-Keto Shrimp Scampi The last time I posted was three weeks ago and since then we have been working out the kinks between what I need to eat in order to lose and/or maintain my weight (paleo-themed) and what he needs to lose weight (keto). Let me tell you, I can’t do keto at all . I gained 10 lbs! This past week was more Paleo leaning and I have lost 4.5lbs, but I have another 5 or 6 just get back under 165.

I should have taken pictures of the process, but I was really worried about getting it right since I have never  made broccoli soup. Yes, minus the cheddar, but adding some chicken. OK, you can add cheddar for more protein for keto, but not paleo. I ate two servings and wouldn't have minded two or three more. Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Soup Broccoli Chicken Soup Recipe by Annette Holland Paleo and ketogenic friendly version of broccoli cheddar chicken soup. 5 stars Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Total time: 40 minutes Yield: 4-6 servings Ingredients 1TBSP coconut oil 1 lb c hicken tenders, thighs, or boneless skinless breast Full-fat coconut cream (I prefer Trader Joe's) 16oz bag frozen broccoli 32oz low-sodium, sugar-free vegetable broth (or homemade stock) 1/2 cup diced onions or onion powder garlic or garlic powder to taste sea salt and black pepper to taste cheddar cheese (optional) Cooking Directions In a 3qt or larger pot melt coc...

The holidays are finally over and it is time to get back to clean eating. My body is screaming for relief, despite loving just about every dessert I managed to put in my mouth. No resolutions for me, just back to the same old same old clean eating and hoping I will lose this holiday weight (thankfully only 5lbs this time!).

It's officially Fall and I am craving carbs, like potato soup , but Houston doesn't understand that it's Fall. It's still acting like Summer. Like SoCal, but worse. Much worse with the humidity. Well, except for today, today it's cool and rainy and finally a day I can wear jeans! This week's fall inspired menu will include seasonal vegetables and warm comfort food. Monday : Beef Pot Roast/Brisket with roasted vegetables (The Whole30 pg 214) Tuesday : Ratatouille (pg 288) and Meatballs (pg 226) Wednesday : Chicken with grilled asparagus Thursday : Salmon and Garlic Mashed Potatoes Dairy Free Garlic Mashed Potatoes Friday : Surf'N'Turf Salad Surf'N'Turf Salad Breakfast will be these wonderful Blueberry Muffins and/or Eggs and Bacon. Lunch will be leftovers (if I'm lucky), or tuna and avocado.

This week I just asked what everyone wanted to eat. I'm still not sure I remember everything correctly, but two different kinds of curry were asked for. That works for me. Curry is easily and naturally Whole30 (especially now that I have switched to using coconut cream), and free of everything Joy can't eat without massive modification. Actually, everything she asked for this week I can cook without modification. Monday : Curried Turkey Cutlets with Dried Apricots Curried Turkey Cutlets with Dried Apricots Tuesday : Lemon Garlic Chicken Quinoa Pasta Primavera Pasta Primavera Wednesday: Curried Chicken - Indian Style Chicken Curry Thursday: Beef Broccoli   - I really need to pick up some coconut aminos, but the last few times I have made it with just the spices and seasoning have gone over fairly well. Beef Broccoli Friday : Chili Verde Chili Verde Saturday : Strawberry Avocado Chicken Salad Strawberry Chicken Avocado Salad Menu Pla...

I might have stocked up on chicken parts last week (or maybe two weeks ago ), and the items on that menu plan made lots of leftovers, plus a trip to NOLA, and I haven't had to go grocery shopping in a while. After taking stock of what meat was still in the freezer, this trip will mainly be veggies and side dishes. Sunday : Pineapple Ceviche - inspired by the yellowfin tuna cones at SoBou . So good! I still need to write up that trip. Maybe I will while noshing on ceviche. Yellowfin Tuna Cones Monday : Jerk Chicken and Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Caribbean Jerk Chicken and Stuffed Sweet Potato Tuesday : Chicken Cacciatore (Whole30) Wednesday : Pecan Crusted Chicken (no breadcrumbs) Thursday : Casablanca Chutney Chicken Casablanca Chutney Chicken Friday : Early birthday trip, I better not have to cook dinner. Saturday : Still celebrating. I'll probably post all my delicious eats on Foodspotting .

The chores never end, even when you work from home. The Man asked if he could help with anything, so I handed him the cookbooks and said "Pick a few recipes". Going back to strict Whole30 is helping him, I'm supplementing my mood with raw honey and dark chocolate. Trust me, it's needed. And with the <insert expletive> heat and humidity in Houston, I'm ok with not losing weight the way I was in California. I figure I'll hit goal weight eventually. It's taken over a month for me to get back on a regular walking schedule, that's good enough for now. In no particular order this week: Sunday : Tilapia with Green beans and Cherry tomatoes #cy365 Day 27 Tonight's dinner is a #nourishing meal of broiled tilapia (liberally seasoned with Italian seasoning), green beans and cherry tomatoes with a side of avocado. Cooks up from frozen in about 15 minutes. #timesaver #whole30 #captureyour365 #paleo #oneography #foodphotography A photo p...