So Delicious Mint Mocha

It’s that time of year.  It’s cold.  The calendar is filling up quickly. And by default, I’m already behind on my Christmas shopping.  It’s not that I don’t enjoy weaving my way through the crowded masses at the malls as I search for the perfect gifts for my wife and family… There are really quite a few things about the adventure that I enjoy.  Near the top of the list of “Things I Like About Christmas Shopping” is the peppermint mocha.  In my book, it tastes like Christmas.  It’s warm… countering the chill on the air.  It’s sweet… in contrast to the bitter attitudes of some of my fellow shoppers.  And it’s caffeinated.

In years past, before hitting the stores I would make a swing through a Starbucks drive-thru and shell out almost $5 for a warm cup of cheer.  According to the Starbucks Nutrition page, here’s what I was paying for…

Sweet Potato and Celeriac Casserole

“What is THAT?” inquired the lady behind me in the checkout line.  IT was my latest experiment… or at least one of the ingredients.  I was looking for something to put into a vegetable casserole of sorts. Something that would act like a potato, or perhaps a turnip.  Something I hadn’t tried yet.  I already knew that the dish would be topped with shredded sweet potatoes and have a base of onions, celery and... something else.  But, what?  Inspiration struck as I was browsing the produce section and about to reach for celery.  Lying next to it was its cousin, celery root (also known as celeriac).  It’s not exactly the most attractive vegetable in the produce section.  Regardless, I grabbed it hoping it would make a nice addition to my dish.

How I Got My Dad to Eat Brussels Sprouts

They were never served in my parents house.  They always carried negative adjectives with them.  Overcooked.  Soggy.  Stinky.  I suppose, as my Grandmother must have prepared them, the Brussels sprout never stood a chance.  Not knowing a thing about them (aside from the myths my parents imparted upon me), I didn't try them until my wife made them one glorious night.  It was a culinary/dietary epiphany on par with the times I (re)discovered sweet potatoes and spinach... both irrational fears stemming from "bad experiences" as a child.

So, what is different about these sprouts? 

I Am Thankful For...

I realize that I am truly blessed and I am thankful for many things.  My health... My wife... The love and support of my family... The amazing trainers and awesome community at CrossFit White Rock... and of course, bacon and eggs.

Without them, I don't know if I would have made it this far into my journey toward a healthier lifestyle.  While today is Thanksgiving, and it will filled with many indulgences, I started the morning like I have so many others this year.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Whole 30 Challenge - Results

After 30 days of eating according to the Whole 9 philosophy, I lost 5.5 pounds and 3 inches around my waistline.  Do those numbers seem a bit incongruous? I think the dramatic drop in waistline to the absence of the occasional diet soda in my routine... and possibly to my body not having to process dairy for a month.  I'll be very interested to see how my body rebounds in the next couple of weeks to the re-introduction of some of these things.

Whole 30 Challenge (Day 30) - The Final Stretch

It has certainly been a life changing 30 days... and as life would have it, not in any way I would have expected.  I didn't end up posting as often as I had planned, as I ended up interviewing and negotiating a new job that I will begin next month.  Despite the odd kinks that this process threw into my schedule, I have steadfastly remained on track with the Whole 30 Challenge.

I will post all of my statistics tomorrow after weighing/measuring in the morning.  Today, I'll recap some of the highs, lows and challenges of the past 30 days.

Roasted Autumn Medley

As the seasons change, so does the produce section.  The onset of cold weather means, “Goodbye” to some summertime favorites, but also, “Hello” to a new set of ingredients to play with in the kitchen.  When foraging through the store, looking for something to throw together for a family gathering, I started to ponder primal/paleo options for the upcoming Holidays.  Like every year before, there will be no shortage of creamy mashed potatoes or savory cornbread stuffing at my parents’ house.  With thoughts of integrating the menu this year (I’m not looking for a hostile takeover), I decided to try this one on the family at a dinner this weekend…