Hola! Un Delicioso Arroz Con Pollo

Yes, friends, dinner was amazing.  I found this recipe for Arroz Con Pollo (Chicken and Rice) on Pinterest.  Talk about comfort food, wow this is it!  I remember my Mom making chicken and rice for Sunday dinner when I was little.  It was always a favorite and one of my frequent requests.  I figured this was a dish I would have to say farewell to.  Mom always used the pre-seasoned yellow rice mix which  I knew was off limits due to the artificial junk in the seasoning mix.  Also, I really need to eat healthier brown rice varieties.  So, when I saw this recipe I thought I would give it a try.

Imagine my shock when I tasted my dinner tonight and it was as good as Mom's (dare I say it was better...shhhhh!)

The only adjustments I made to the recipe were:

1.  It needs salt and pepper (and according to Barry, some Texas Pete), add to taste
2.  I used brown jasmine rice
3.  I stewed my chicken ahead of time versus letting it cook in the rice (I used one boneless chicken breast and 2 thighs)

Next time I make this I will double the recipe. You see, it was all eaten and Kaylea wanted more, and more, and more.


Oh, and I was in the mood for some type of dessert so I made baked peaches.

I didn't have a recipe, so I just made up something.  Basically, I peeled and split 2 peaches.  Put them in an 8 x 8 pan.  Put 1 teaspoon of Earth Balance Soy Free "butter", 1 teaspoon coconut sugar, and a dash of cinnamon on top of each peach half.  Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

They hit the spot.

All together I think dinner was a huge success!

The Jury Is Still Out on Gluten

Today was my third day of reintroducing Gluten into my diet.  The first meal on the first day didn't set well on my stomach and I thought for sure it was going to be permanently out of my diet.  I tried again the second day and didn't have any stomach issues.  Then, again today, I had no stomach issues.  The only side effect has been my energy level is at ZERO.  I have done nothing but sleep for the past two days and nights.

I guess the conclusion I have come to is this, I can eat Gluten if I have the time to sleep it off for a day or so.  I think I will mostly try to avoid it.  This will be one of those foods that gets grouped with corn, peanuts, and sweeteners.  I will eat it in extreme moderation.

Let the Reintroductions Begin

Why Hello, Gluten.  How nice to see you again!  (At least I am saying that this morning)

Yes, friends.  Today is Day 22 which is an exciting day for many reasons. 

First, I survived the Elimination Phase where I totally removed gluten, soy, dairy, eggs, corn, peanuts, and sweeteners from my diet.  Yes, it can be done and I have survived to tell about it.

Second, today I begin the Reintroduction Phase.  First up is Gluten.  I don't really know what to expect when I eat it again.  Will it send me running for the hills?  Will I feel its wrath tomorrow when I get out of bed?  Will it be a rekindled friendship?  I just don't know.

Third, today was my Week 3 weigh in and I have lost 9.4 lbs.  I feel like this is a healthy pace and I am pleased.

Stay tuned...and wish me luck!


P.S.  Dinner tonight will be Fish Tacos - ON A FLOUR TORTILLA!!!!!!  

What's for Dinner? Reservations!

Like I mentioned before, my family likes to eat out.  This is the one thing that scared me the most when I considered taking on the challenge of The Virgin Diet.  I just didn't think there would be any place to go out to eat.  Luckily, I have found some restaurants where I can eat and still stay on the plan.  Here are a few I found:

Like I mentioned before, Chipoltle
1 - Beef or chicken brown rice bowl w/black beans, lettuce, salsa, and guacamole
2 - Beef or chicken salad with brown rice, black beans, salsa, and guacamole


Grillsmith
Fit Salmon w/double order of steamed vegetables


Fish City
1 - Crab leg dinner w/double order of steamed vegetables
2 - Dozen boiled shrimp appetizer w/ a side of sautéed spinach with garlic


Texas Roadhouse
6 oz Filet w/double order of steamed vegetables


Burger 21
2 Hamburger patties with lettuce, tomato, and mustard


***When ordering in a restaurant I now ask if the steamed/sautéed  vegetables are prepared with butter.  If so, I ask if I can have them prepared with out (possibly substitute olive oil).  I also had to make the same request for the steak at Texas Roadhouse.  Normally, you don't think of butter being on a steak but many steakhouses brush butter on top to the steaks after cooking.  So far I have found that the wait staff is more than happy to accommodate my requests.  I think the key is just communicating with them and asking a lot of questions.

2nd Week Weigh In

Day 15

I just finished my second week and the number on the scale keeps going down.  As of this morning I have lost a total of 7.4 lbs.

Yay me!

Hey, every little bit helps!

Dinner Suggestions

Planning our meals has gotten so much easier.  I'm sure it will eventually get boring, but for now we are enjoying the home cooked meals.  It is embarrassing for me to admit this but I had lost all desire to cook.  In return we would eat out almost every night.  Now, I enjoy getting in the kitchen again.  I plan on trying one new thing each week.  It might be a gluten free breading for preparing our meat/fish, or a different vegetable that we wouldn't normally eat, or even a new spice that I don't typically cook with.  I am having fun experimenting and seeing how tasty our meals are.

Here are some simple options I came up with:

Shrimp tossed with Olive Oil and Old Bay, then baked in the oven
Brown Rice
Oven roasted Broccoli and Asparagus


Hamburger Steak seasoned with Angelo's Steak Seasoning, cooked on the George Forman Grill
Vegan Mac 'n Cheese (definitely must be an acquired taste)
Oven roasted Zucchini and Squash
Salad topped with nuts


Steak
Mushrooms sautéed with Earth Balance "butter" spread and Aminos (soy-free soy sauce)
Oven roasted Sweet Potatoes
Salad topped with nuts


Vegan Mac 'n Cheese (see tried it again)
Sautéed Spinach with Onions and Chia Seeds


***This has become a favorite lunch or dinner for me***
Chicken Apple Sausage Sandwich
2 pc. Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free Millet Bread (found at Chamberlain's and it's made fresh locally) toasted and spread with Earth Balance Spread
3 pc. Applegate Chicken Apple Sausage


Quinoa and Black Beans
Salad topped with nuts


Maybe this will help you get some ideas.  If you need more information feel free to comment and I will answer any questions you may have.

1st Week Weigh In

Day 8 - One week ago I started the plan.  I didn't expect to see such good results.  I am quite proud that as of this morning I am down 5.4 lbs.

It actually hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be.  I guess I like the structure and having a definite forbidden list.  I don't do well with the whole "everything in moderation concept."  It would appear my moderation gauge is broken.  Once I start I can't stop.