Hey all! It’s time for some meal planning!

Regarding the whole clean eating thing I’ve been doing, I’m going to write a separate post about it instead of updating here in the weekly menu. As I talk to people in real life, I’m finding that even the most reluctant want to give some variation of this a try by the time we are done with our conversation. So, I’ll write a post explaining how I have adjusted my diet and why, along with tons of ideas for food you can actually eat when it feels like everything is off limits. Stay tuned!

Until then, here is my menu for the week, with modifications for my current way of eating in parentheses.

MONDAY:
– Thai Beef Basil with Brown Rice

TUESDAY:
– Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

WEDNESDAY:
– Chicken Stir Fry, Brown Rice and Potstickers (no potstickers for me)

THURSDAY:
– Leftovers

FRIDAY:
– Taco Night (Carnitas and Chicken; I will be having a fajita bowl with brown rice)

SATURDAY:
– Eat out night

SUNDAY:
– Breakfast for Dinner: Pancakes and Smoothies (Going to try these for myself and adjust to make them flourless and dairy-free)

You all know the drill! Share your menus in the comments! Love that we are all back on this meal planning train together!

Hi everyone!

For those who care about the whole clean eating thing that’s happening with me right now…I went to the doctor and it is definitely food that is causing the trouble. All test results came back super healthy, so I’m dealing with food allergies and sensitivities. So, all in all, good news…but maybe a bit annoying. 😉 I’m still eating crazy healthy and going to slowly experiment with different foods to see what kind of reaction I have (if any) to different things. Quite frankly, when I wrote last week’s post I was feeling so grumpy about what I couldn’t eat and quite bored with my options. Another week in and my mindset is completely different. Eating this way is definitely getting easier (I never in a million years thought I would breathe those words because bread and also food writer). Anyway, this really is a fascinating process and I’ll write more soon. Promise. Until then, let’s get down to business with planning out dinner this week, shall we?

MONDAY:
– Roasted Chicken (link to my recipe coming this week – will update when it’s live!)
– Roasted Vegetables and Salad

TUESDAY:
– Boozy Beef Stew

WEDNESDAY:
– Stuffed Peppers

THURSDAY:
– Leftovers

FRIDAY:
– Thai Beef Basil with Brown Rice

SATURDAY:
– Eat out night

SUNDAY:
– Chicken Stir Fry with Potstickers (I won’t be eating the potstickers, but my kids will revolt if I don’t provide them anyway!)

You all know the drill! Share those menus you’ve got planned in the comments below! THANK YOU!

Hey everyone! So, one week ago when I planned my weekly menu it was a regular old week. Except for a horrific rash on my face that had been bothering me for nearly two weeks, that is. I went to the doctor on Tuesday. She told me to essentially eat like a hunter gatherer for 1 week and that I absolutely could not eat sugar, dairy or wheat for the week. So, since Tuesday I have only eaten meats, beans, vegetables, fruits, eggs and brown rice. (I’m allowed to eat oats, too, but just haven’t yet.)

If you know me at all, you know special diets are just not my thing. But I of course listened to the doctor and got on it stat. And I have good news, which is also bad news in my opinion because I love bread so much. This clean eating stuff actually worked. WHAT THE?! Here are my conclusions so far:

• This way of eating not only has cleared up the rash (which was terrible, friends…terrible), but my skin overall has never looked this good. I have always struggled with acne, so this is saying something.
• I have lost over 6 pounds already. I’m sure some of that was water retention, but every time I step on the scale the number is lower. Note: I am not actively trying to lose weight. Note #2: Don’t worry, I’m not wasting away or anything. 😉
• Eating this way was easier than I thought it would be and the food I have been eating has been delicious.
• Eating this way requires a lot more food prep. Which just takes a little more planning. But I am also using way more fruits and vegetables, which is fantastic. I took about 30-45 minutes on grocery shopping day to prep a bunch of raw veggies so they are waiting in the fridge for a snack or for cooking.
• I AM ALSO BORED TO DEATH WITH FOOD. Really. Today the food boredom is really kicking in. This boredom is manifesting itself in two ways. First, I’m sick of thinking so hard about food. Second, I am just bored with the options. I wish I could eat more things.

I meet again with the doctor in two days to go over test results and to discuss the diet changes and next steps, including reintroducing foods slowly. The reason I am telling you all of this is because this is a food blog and this has been a pretty significant development in my daily experience with food. I won’t write about it all the time, but it was just so fascinating to me that results came so quickly with this diet shift. Crazy stuff.

Okay, so here is this week’s menu, which is one I should be able to enjoy if I have to continue with the food restrictions beyond this Tuesday.

MONDAY:
– Carnitas Rice Bowls

TUESDAY:
– Boozy Beef Stew

WEDNESDAY:
– Stefania’s Braised Chicken

THURSDAY:
– Leftovers

FRIDAY:
– Grilled Chicken with Salad

SATURDAY:
– Eat out night

SUNDAY:
– Roasted Veggie Scrambles

Your turn! Share your dinner plans for the week in the comments below! (And any clean eating wisdom…I’ll take it!)