Thursday, January 8, 2015

Meal Plan #1 - Whole30 Our Way

MEAL PLAN #1
January 12-19 of Whole30 our way!

Notes before you begin:
  • This menu is made for my family of 2 adults and 3 kids (small eaters) at dinner & 1 adult for breakfast/lunch. Wednesday my family eats dinner with our small group from church so that meal will be just for 1 adult. If you need another family dinner explore Pinterest for meal ideas or this post
  • Meal titles in maroon are live links to the recipes.
  • I have organized two small prep-days for the week to make this week of meals as easy to prepare as possible, to minimize your time in the kitchen. Don’t feel you have to do it all, just do what works best for you.
  • When shopping READ LABELS, sugar is in everything, EVERYTHING, everything! Yes, dextrose means sugar! Other hidden names read here.
  • This is about the journey, be open minded to new food ideas or you will give up fast. Try to enjoy being in the kitchen and being creative with your food. This is not about a number, this is about a new relationship with food. The journey works, so stay focused.
  • Keep focused on your goals – write down your goals, what you hope to see change, and keep a journal if not daily do it weekly. This helps see progress and change. My goal is easy; to be the best me to serve & love my God & my family.

Day #1: Monday
Breakfast: Smoothie – Your Own Creation
Note: My plan is to do smoothies on school mornings to get us out of the house on time. Planning on using coconut milk, ½ banana, ½-1 cup frozen fruit, big handful of organic spinach (I store in ziplock in the freezer so it doesn’t get bad), and a scoop or two of protein supplement. I will keep my fruit minimal to keep sugars under control. I am using Collagen Peptides by Vital Proteins as a protein supplement – it is grain, free, gluten, dairy free! It supports joint health and anti-aging! Also, I love my Nutribullet!

Lunch: Crockpot Breakfast Casserole topped with avocado & side salad w/ Homemade Greek Dressing
Note: Breakfast Casserole, Salad & Dressing will be prepped on prep day #1, so this is oh so easy!

Dinner: Crockpot! Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken w/ Green Beans & Potatoes (minus the cheese peeps) & a side of fruit, if you need to finish off with a sweet treat.
***** chicken recipe: use recipe above for ingredients and stuffing/spice directions and then follow this link for crockpot cooking directions http://wellnessmama.com/3308/slow-cook-chicken/ *******

Note: We are cooking a whole chicken here! I’m so excited to try this!

Day #2: Tuesday
Breakfast: Leftover Breakfast Casserole w/ Avocado & Fruit Side
Note: I love Pomegranate seeds, which are in season right now, and all you need is a tablespoon or two to satisfy that sweet craving. Costco & Trader Joe’s carry just the seeds although cutting up a whole pomegranate is fun for the kids. Pop them in the freezer for an extra crunch!

Lunch: Salad w/ Leftover Lemon Herb Chicken & Homemade Greek Dressing
Note: Be creative here add in a boiled egg and bacon to make a cobb salad or add sliced almonds and unsweetened shredded coconut for a sweeter twist.

Dinner: Crockpot Taco Meat served over Greens w/ Plantain Chips topped w/ Avocado Lime Dressing or make Nachos with Sweet Potato Chips – AMAZING!
Note: Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken – and remember the quality of your meat is important! For a little extra work, Pinterest Paleo tortilla or wrap options.  And I promise you will love this dressing as a substitute for your good old ranch.

Day #3: Wednesday
A lovely day of leftovers to clear out the fridge and keep you out of the kitchen – enjoy the break!
Breakfast: Smoothie – Your Own Creation

Lunch: Breakfast Casserole with Side Salad & Avocado

Dinner: Empty the fridge salad night! Lemon Herb Chicken over Salad or Taco Salad


Day #4: Thursday
Breakfast: Leftover Breakfast Casserole w/ Avocado & Fruit Side
Note: I know we are repeating here – this is making this lifestyle affordable and doable.  And hey I’m not the boss of you eat something else! Pinterest Whole30 recipes or check out this post on my sister blog from my first Whole30 prep.

Lunch: Leftover Taco Salad w/ Avocado Lime Dressing or Taco Meat Scrambler (Scramble up some eggs, leftover taco meat, and throw in some veggies, top with guacamole)
Note: Don’t get bored, get in the kitchen and be creative!

Note: This is one of our favorite meals from our first round of Whole30. Top your burger with guacamole or a dollap of Paleo Mayo. You can add seasonings to the mayo to make spicy or more of a sauce.
**Sweet Potato Fries have become a staple in our house, I gave you a link above but here is how I do it. Peel, rinse, slice into coins, in a bowl toss potatoes with olive oil & add seasoning – Everyday Seasoning (TJ), Garlic Salt (TJ), Italian Seasoning, Seasoning Salt – I know seems like a lot but it is what makes them amazing. If you have a stoneware cookie sheet use it, makes them perfectly crispy. If not use put foil on top of your cookie sheet. Spread coated potatoes in a single layer and bake at 400 for 25-30 minutes – watch them, they will burn. You can use white sweet potatoes or yams, I prefer yams they are sweeter. Make extra-they are a great breakfast side dish.
**Having green beans again to be affordable – buy a big package for Monday and Thursday.

Day #5: Friday
Breakfast: Smoothie – Your Own Creation

Lunch: Leftover Coconut Crusted Burger over Greens

Dinner: Jalepeno Burgers served Breakfast Style topped with Over-Easy Egg, Bacon & Avocado on the Grill w/ Grilled Delicata Squash  & DESSERT!!!! Grilled Cinnamon Bananas
Note: #keepthedishesclean #makethemancook #TGIF
Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken. This is my creation so if Breakfast style doesn’t sound good then make your own style. You will love these burgers though. I have never grilled Delicata Squash but I have roasted it, it is amazing! This dessert credit goes to Andrew who creatively discovered it during our first Whole30, it is now made anytime the grill is on!

Day #6: Saturday
Breakfast: Easy Peasy Banana Pancakes Top with Melted Almond Butter & Shredded Coconut
Note: This recipe requires blanched almond flour, if you are new to Paleo this may not be something in your pantry – and it is a pricey item. Here is another recipe that requires no flour – Flourless Paleo Banana Pancakes.
Personal Side Note: Weekend breakfast was the hardest for me our first round of Whole30 because usually Andrew lets me sleep in and makes breakfast – which is usually yummy and covered in syrup. Don’t let the weekend derail you. Plan some family fun for the day, something to look forward to. We will be heading downtown to get Andrew’s PF Changs ½ Marathon Packet – proud of him!

Lunch: Empty the Fridge Salad,
Note: Out of protein? Trader Joe’s and Costco carry Whole30 approved Chicken Sausage that is fully cooked, just heat and serve. Also Trader Joe’s carries frozen turkey burgers and grass-fed beef burgers both Whole30 approved. Out and about with the family? Grab a protein style burger with mustard and pickles (haha, Andrew hates both mustard and pickles). Be aware of hidden sugars in salad dressings and condiments when eating out.

Note: Use what you got! This recipe calls for chicken thighs – you have chicken breats in the freezer – use them! Recipe calls for kale, you have spinach? Use it. It calls for avocado oil, don’t have any? Use olive oil or ghee. You would rather have a baked potato, go for it, they are Whole30 approved! Don’t want to grill, bake it!
This is a great blog post about Whole30 journey… read it, be encouraged!

Day #7: Sunday
Breakfast: Empty the fridge Omelet W/ Leftover Banana Pancakes

Lunch: Chipolte Date– choose a meat over salad with salsa and guacamole as your dressing!  
Note: I will be at Andrew’s marathon and then on my way to Tucson for my cousins’ bridal shower, so wish me luck on staying on track!

Dinner: Almond butter waffles topped with melted ghee sprinkled cinnamon, shredded coconut, and sliced almonds
Note: Sunday night is always Breakfast for Dinner night around here. You and your kids will love these! They keep in the fridge well and freeze well so make a double or triple batch. My kids will also eat them plain so they are good for a grab n go snack in the car.


***Prep Day 1 – Prior to Monday lunch time, I suggest Sunday.
  1. Make big salad & fill it with veggies – mix it up, I like doing a bag of Trader Joe’s Kale, Cabbage Crunch Salad Mix and a big box of spring mix, for my taco salad though I will prefer Romaine or green leaf. Important to buy your greens organic when possible. Costco has a great deal on Organic Baby Spinach and Organic Spring Mix.
  2. Make Homemade Greek Dressing
  3. Make Avocado Lime Dressing
  4. Make Crockpot Breakfast Casserole - add up how often you are going to eat this, maybe make half a recipe
  5. Defrost whole chicken in fridge Sunday night
  6. Wash up produce
  7. Package smoothies for week  - my smoothies
  8. Make Plantain Chips


***Prep Day 2 – Prior to Thursday Dinner
  1. Make salad, unless you have plenty still
  2. Make Whole30 approved salad dressing – no sugar peeps! Here is a list of Paleo dressings
  3. Make Paleo Mayo – without immersion blender use this recipe; with immersion blender use this recipe 
  4. Prep Turkey (or Chicken) Coconut Crusted Burgersput the burgers together but not the coating, that needs done at time of cooking
  5. Prep Jalepeno Burgersput the burgers together and put in fridge
  6. Make up Bacon
  7. Grill or bake chicken for Grilled Chipolte Sweet Potatoes
  8. Make up Almond butter waffles


Snack Idea:
  • Nuts
  • Veggie sticks – make dip with Paleo Mayo or Guacamole
  • Fruit – don’t go over board on sugar
  • Larabar – don’t over do it here and check ingredients
  • Almond butter on anything! – highly recommended on bananas and apples

Printable Shopping List for MEAL PLAN #1 click here

Printable Weekly Schedule for MEAL PLAN #1 click here


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