Memoirs of Meals Past... Also Known As My Food Diary

That moment comes every morning when I have to decide what I want to eat after a long 15 hour fast (I have been intermittent fasting for almost two years now) and a grueling hour long CrossFit session. Of course I want it to be nutrient dense and full of flavor, but I also want it to be luxurious and delicious even if it is a weekday. Having something that is indulgent on a typical morning is like going on vacation without leaving the kitchen. For what do I typically reach? Eggs!!! Eggs??? “That’s not indulgent” you say. Ah but yes it is and here's why. Eggs are like a blank canvas for flavor profiles and design. Think of all of the amazing dishes made with eggs. Typically I make them scrambled with ground turmeric, red pepper, and spinach. If it’s the weekend and I’m feeling really fancy, I’ll make an omelette with whatever veggies I have in the fridge, sprinkle a little Manchego cheese and top with avocado and tomato. Heaven on a plate. I also have a power green smoothie (I a super green supplement called Amazing Grass that has spirulina, kale, spinach, and wheat-grass) made with frozen banana and water.

Lunch can vary from left overs to a more traditional mid-day meal. As of recent I have been on a tuna fish kick. Call it nostalgia or comfort food, either way that single sandwich takes me back to my mother’s kitchen as a child and makes me feel happy in these times of quarantine. She would make hers with dried dill, onions, mayo, celery, relish and yellow mustard, on white bread of course. I make mine with either olive oil or mayo (depending if I am going full Paleo) onion, Dijon mustard, and sometimes dried tarragon. I’ll eat it out of the bowl just like that, or if I’m feeling the grains, on a piece of organic sprouted bread. Accompany that with an apple or carrot sticks, I’m a very happy camper. Over the past few weeks I have also had nut butter and jelly sandwiches or lighter dishes such as organic Greek yogurt and fresh fruit.

Dinner is where the magic happens for me. Oh how I love to look at raw ingredients and make them into something very special. Where do I even begin? Before COVID-19, I would buy my proteins every two days or so to ensure optimal freshness. That obviously has come to a screeching halt. A few weeks ago I stocked up on chicken breasts, chicken quarters, pork chops, grass fed ground beef and ground wild board and wrapped it in single size servings for the freezer. Picking my protein now is a matter opening the freezer and defrosting the day before. I always have a variety of green veggies on hand. At the local market, I look for the freshest produce but also buy primarily what is on sale. If there is something new and unusual, it ends up in my purchase and I create something around that ingredient. For starches I typically have sweet potatoes and gourds on hand. Very, VERY rarely will I have any grain. If I do it’s typically risotto or faro. With a variety of spices already in my cabinet, the world is my oyster in the kitchen. I’m not afraid to experiment either; this is where my best ideas are created. When items are limited, my creativity takes over and wham, a new meal has been invented!

For snacking I keep it to whole foods for one reason only. If I’m hungry enough to snack, I’m hungry enough to eat a real meal. Although I do go through cracker snack and sourdough pretzel stages(typically when I am stressed I like crunchy, savory foods), this is kept to a minimum. It’s okay to indulge every now and again. I just do my best to be mindful of why I am wanting those snack foods. In season fruits are typically my go to afternoon pick me up, but I also keep raw nuts and dried fruit on hand. Occasionally I will just eat another small meal if I am hungry enough! I also brew my own kombucha (more on that in another post) and drink that daily. Brewing at home saves A LOT of money. Admittedly I cannot divulge my kombucha spending without a bit of embarrassment. Regardless, making my own food instead of buying pre-packaged items saves money, bottom line. It also will save your waste line. See what I did there? Ha ha. Okay now I am off to eat! You guys made me hungry