Harvest Whole 30 Prep
I cannot wait to kick-off of my Harvest Whole 30!
I did my first Whole 30 back in May, and had a great experience.This time around, I'm looking for some added energy, hoping to get rid of some tummy trouble and (let's be honest) a little weight loss is a welcome side effect!
I've been recruiting friends and family to join me on this journey, so I plan to share meal plans, recipes and motivation from this blog on our Facebook group page. If you want to join along, pop on over to the Facebook page, or shoot me a note and subscribe!
Alright, folks - we are one week away - it's time to start prepping!
I've created a meal plan for the first week.
I will provide recipes for most of the meals listed on here as we go. For now, here are some tips and tricks to get you started!
Day 1:
Breakfast: 2 Sliced tomatoes, 2 hard boiled eggs and 1/2 an avocado
This is a simple one to kick off your week. If you don't like tomatoes, slice up an apple melon instead.
Snack: 1/2 cup raw nuts s+ 1/2 c banana chips
I buy raw nuts and unsweetened banana chips in the bulk food aisle at Fresh Thyme. If you can't stand the unsweetened banana chips, just do a mix of nuts (I have a nut allergy, so my options are limited.) Roasted nuts are fine, as long as they are not roasted in peanut oil!
Lunch: 2 Turkey Meatloaf Muffins with a steamed vegetable
Frozen, steamable veggies are a lifesaver for quick and microwaveable sides. Just read the labels and make sure all that's in the bag is veg. The best part about these is you can eat the whole bag!
Snack: Celery with nut butter and raisins
Remember ants on a log? Justin's almond butter is compliant. I use the "grind your own" station at Fresh Thyme to make raw cashew butter. I've heard Trader Joes and Whole Foods also carry compliant versions.
Dinner: Grilled pork chops, sauteed green beans, olive oil roasted carrots.
Choose whatever cut of meat you like to throw on the grill. Just watch what seasonings you add to it!
Day 2:
There are lots of different non-dairy milk options out there. Stick with coconut, almond or cashew and make sure there's no added sweetener. I prefer SO Delicious unsweetened coconut milk in the carton. Also, read the label on you shredded coconut. It's easier than I expected to find one that contains only coconut.
Snack: Raw veggie with guacamole.
Wholly Guacamole has a few varieties that are compliant. I love to combine sliced peppers, carrots, cucumber and snap peas with the Avocado Verde flavor. You can make your own guac, or, if you feel like splurging, Tessamae's has a few ranch dressings that are compliant. Most large grocery stores will carry that brand.
Lunch: Beef vegetable stew with baked sweet potato.
My favorite trick? Wash the potato and wrap in foil. Put it in the crockpot on low when you go to sleep, and it's ready to take with you for lunch the next day!
Snack: Unsweetened applesauce with cinnamon
Dinner: Braised brisket meal with a side salad. (I add carrots to my slow-cooker with the brisket).
Let salads become your friend. Typically mine have lettuce/greens with carrots, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, walnuts and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. My favorite is cranberry balsamic from a local place The Olive Twist. Create your salad from whatever you have in your fridge. Again, if you really need a dressing, check out Tessamae's brand for some compliant options.
Day 3:
Breakfast: 2 Egg Muffins + 2 Sliced Tomatoes
Snack: Raw Veggies with Guac
Lunch: Shredded leftover brisket with a steamed vegetable
Snack: 1/2 c raw nuts + 1/2 cup banana chips
Dinner: Meatballs, mashed potatoes and sauteed greens.
We have lots of beet greens and kale from our garden this year. Chard works well too. If greens aren't your thing, steam or roast your favorite veg to accompany this dinner!
Day 4:
Breakfast: Whole 30 "Cereal" with Coconut milk
I throw a mix of nuts, raisins, banana chips and raisins into a bowl and pour a little milk over it. So, use your favorites and see what combinations you come up with!
Snack: 2 Hard Boiled Eggs
Lunch: Garlic Lemon Chicken breast with side salad and some fresh lemon wedges.
Snack: Fresh fruit
I always recommend you buy your fruit on sale. This will help your budget but it will also help you get fruit that is in season and ripe.
Dinner: Taco meat over lettuce with avocado, tomatoes, lime, etc.
Feel free to add whatever other (compliant!) taco toppings you like: jalapeno peppers, olives, etc.
Day 5:
Breakfast: Sweet potato / sausage hash topped with an avocado.
Snack: Fresh Fruit
Lunch: Leftover Taco meat over lettuce with avocado, tomatoes, lime, etc.
Snack: 1/2 c raw nuts + 1/2 c banana chips
Dinner: Chicken Stir Fry over Cauliflower rice
I use the frozen stir fry veggies. Just make sure you discard the sauce!
Day 6:
Breakfast: Veggie Omelet with Chicken
I call this a garbage omelet because I try to use up whatever raw veg I have left. If you can't stomach chicken for breakfast, replace with sausage or steak.
Snack: Fresh Fruit
Lunch: Meatloaf muffins, roasted veg and roasted sweet potato
If you roast a pan of veggies + sweet potatoes at the beginning of the week and throw them in the freezer, they are super easy to reheat later on!
Snack: Unsweet applesauce with pinch of cinnamon
Dinner: Stuffed peppers, sliced fresh fruit, sliced tomatoes
Day 7:
Breakfast: Sausage patties + 2 eggs
I buy chicken sausage at the butcher counter at Fresh Thyme (Andouille, Cajun, Baja and Chorizo are compliant) and make my own patties. If you want to splurge, you can check out Aidell's links or Bilinski's products as well. Keep in mind - not all flavors are compliant.
Snack: 1/2 c raw nuts + 1/2 c banana chips
Lunch: Tuna Salad Lettuce wraps with grapes (or side of fruit)
Snack: Unsweet Applesauce with a pinch of cinnamon
Dinner: Broccoli Sweet Potato Bake
So there you have it! Week One of the Whole 30 - a day by day guide. Stay tuned for my full shopping guide as well as recipes and prep instructions as we get closer to kicking this off.
Questions? Do you know of a great product that's compliant that I should include for Week 2?
