"What people need and what they want may be very different." Elbert Hubbard
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| Sunset from Grandma Betty's deck. |
I was grocery shopping the other day and came to a realization...grocery shopping triggers my want/desire for kombucha. Hmmm...interesting. The only reason that I even thought about this was because of my current venture into the "Whole30". And, the only reason I even thought about this particular food/drink choice was because I "couldn't have it (kombucha is fermented with sugar, which is not part of the "Whole30"); normally I would consider it a reasonable choice, as the sugar is minimal and it's touted digestive benefits. When I got home, Scott (who is currently doing the "Whole30"+ketchup* along with me) mentioned a similar relationship with himself and these Rockstar energy drinks (don't judge...he hasn't had one in almost a week). I just found it interesting and wondered how many other people mindlessly consume foods and beverages that they don't need, but rather want, and how just one change could impact not only their health, but their pocketbook. Just Scott's one daily energy drink has the potential to save us an average of $2.75/day or about $82/month. That comes pretty close to paying for a CrossFit membership.
What could you cut out of your daily routine, that may be more of a want versus need?
*No, ketchup (or catsup) is not Paleo and it is definitely not "Whole30"-approved, but if that's the extent of his junk consumption than I'm, totally ok with that.
And, now...my weekend in review:
Friday
Breakfast: Three Mini Frittatas (3 Eggs) w/Ground Buffalo (2oz) and Yam (2oz)
Coffee: 16oz w/Coconut Milk (3oz)
Lunch: Salsa Chicken (6oz)
Dinner: Leftover Roasted Veggie Meat Sauce (2 cups; about 6oz meat) over Roasted Yam (1/2 medium)
Saturday
Breakfast: None (I was still stuffed from the previous night's dinner)
Coffee: None
Lunch: Double Burger (8oz) w/Tomato and Lettuce (from The Sand Dune)
Dinner: Goat Burger (8oz) w/Baby Greens, Avocado, Hazelnuts, and Lemon-Hazelnut Vinaigrette (recipe below)
Sunday
Breakfast: Leftover Goat Burger (8oz) w/Iceburg Lettuce and Iced Coffee (12oz) w/Coconut Milk (2oz)
Snack: Dried Mangoes (Just Mangoes from TJ's...we ate the entire bag) and Canned Salmon (6oz)
Dinner: 6oz Salsa Chicken (I made a big batch for the week ahead)
Lemon-Hazelnut Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
Juice of One Small Lemon2 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 T. Roasted Hazelnut Oil
Pinch of Sea Salt
Pinch of Smoked Paprika
1 T. Chopped Fresh Cilantro
Whisk ingredients together and adjust to taste.
This dressing can be made up to three days in advance, but is so easy to make that it can simply be whisked in the bottom of your serving bowl. I like to serve with mixed greens and toasted hazelnuts (if you can get Oregon hazelnuts...do it!). This would also be great with:
Arugula+Peaches+Hazelnuts
9 comments:
Love this post! I often will have something because I want it vs need it. I guess technically there aren't too many things we really "need" in life, but it's true that we often reach for things out of some habit or filling up a hole that was left by either lack of sleep, stress, not enough of the right kind of good foods, etc. I think challenging ourselves to avoid certain things for a period of time can be helpful for exactly this reason: to really SEE what we are eating on a regular basis that we may even REALIZE we are throwing down our pie holes! You're a long-lost sister, Jen, one of many with whom I've connected in the last year. It's amazing... you're amazing. Keep up the awesome work. I'm on Day 6 of my own 21-Day Sugar Detox program and it's been very eye-opening, as it is each time I do it. Herbal tea is my friend!!! :)
http://www.21daysugardetox.com if anyone is interested in checking it out... it has a regular (non-paleo) and advanced tracks (which are paleo-oriented).
Keep rocking it!
Diane :)
Oh oh...the answer to this one is easy for me: Starbucks. I totally use the convenience factor when realistically I can make pretty much the same coffee at home for a tiny fraction of the cost. I don't go every single day but it's gotten to the point where it was maybe 5 out of 7. I don't even want to calculate the cost or I'd be mad at myself.
Usually, I go when I've forgotten to make my French press the evening before and thrown it in the fridge (I love love love iced coffee). So I cave in and go on the way to work. If I was just a tiny bit more prepared, I'd be ok.
Thanks for posting and keeping us all thinking about questions like these and your amazing recipes. Now...to find those silicon mini-cups online AND make tomorrow's French press...
Starbucks! I did the Whole 30 twice and made the same realization you have come to here. Bravo for your post. Starbucks, albeit only a grande bold, saves me almost $45 per month
Thank you, Diane! I feel the same way about you. I truly am a better person for knowing you...you inspire me! :) You'll have to meet another one of my long-lost sisters, Stephanie (for some totally weird reason, I'm having visions of the opening scene from the Brady Bunch, where they're all looking up, down, and around at each other in those squares...)...she posted right below you. I think it's so cool how life has worked out and the relationships that I've recently formed. So, thank you both for being such incredibly cool and inspiring women!
Thank you, Cspin! Starbucks is a tricky one! I make my coffee at home (being a forming store manager and barista...I know my way around a coffee pot), but it's still a pretty expensive habit. I think, for me, the biggest take-away so far is the increased awareness...I truly feel that this is the point. And, I totally agree with Diane...it's such a worthwhile effort, simply for the fact that you do have to think about the choices that you make and WHY you make them in the first place.
Wine. I am convinced that if I gave up wine that the Whole30 would be a snap--and I'd probably lose this layer of clinging, non-budging fat. I certainly don't NEED it, but I do WANT it. One glass. While I cook. And talk about saving money.
Oy vey.
I agree, I have been craving some small things that I didn't realize I was mindlessly consuming on a regular basis. You are doing awesome!
Kombucha is part of my weekly grocery gathering....it's the only time I have one. I guess it has become more of a habit than a need.
i definitely WANT those little dishes you made the frittata in though, where did you purchase?
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