The Menu: A Grain-Free Week

I have been eating a grain-free, corn-free, refined sugar-free, mostly soy-free, and mostly lactose-free diet for over a year now. It was a change that I made for my digestive health, and I can't foresee myself going back to eating processed foods or grains in the future. WE EAT. HAPPY. has been a journey of finding the right dietary balance for my life. I have chosen to keep all of my recipes (ones that include ingredients that I have since eliminated in my own diet), because I stand by the quality and the flavor of these dishes that I worked on through out the years. 

To be clear, I am not a health professional or a nutritionist. I am simply sharing what I have learned, what works for me and my life, and then offering a menu that can help you detox processed foods, eliminate bloating and toxins, and feel energized. This diet, and menu, is about getting back to beautiful whole foods-- foods you can identify clearly, that you can make at home simply, and enjoy for exactly what it is. You can give it a go, or read more about the benefits of a grain-free diet from the resources listed below. 

RISE & SHINE 

• On the weekdays, I like start my day light, with a smoothie. 
• This Banana and Almond Green Smoothie is my current favorite.
• Kale and Almond Shake
• For something warm, try GOOP's Chai Gingerbread Shake
• On the weekends, I usually like a heartier breakfast to sustain me throughout active days outdoors.
•  Poached Egg on Sauteed Greens with Bacon and Red Onions
• Soft-boiled Eggs with Asparagus Soliders, Bacon, & Fruit
• Goat Cheese and Arugula Frittata  and Carrot and Date Muffins
• Something I am dying to try, Avocado Wrapped Bacon on Paleo Bread

MID DAY

• Mid day meals tend to be very plant based for me. I enjoy satiating salads or satisfying soups any day of the week.
• Avocado and Sweet Potato Salad with Creamy House Dressing
• Beet and Avocado Salad
• Chicken Salad with Apples and Almonds on Greens
• Egg Salad Bites with Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper Almond Crackers
• Roasted Carrot and Ginger Soup
• Many Mushroom Soup

FULFILLING DINNERS

• Dinner varies from season-to-season and week-night to weekend. But simple and delicious is always key, right?!
• Roasted Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes and Little Red Potatoes (a one pot meal)
• Roasted Maple Mustard Salmon with Apple, Cabbage, and Tuscan Kale Slaw
• Tuna and Ginger Burger (skip the bun and put it right on greens- or try this bun recipe here)
• Spaghetti Squash with a Quick Tomato Sauce OR Pecorino and Olives
• Lemon Tarragon Chicken with steamed broccoli or mashed cauliflower 
• Lamb and Butternut Squash Stew with Moroccan Spices 
• Mussels in White Wine and Lemon Broth
• Sticky and Gorgeous Greek Stew
• Haddock Papillote with Fennel & Potatoes

SWEET TREATS & SNACKS

• Chocolate Almond Brownies
• Chocolate and Coconut Bites
• Banana Cake with Chocolate Chunks and Almonds
• Pumpkin and Almond Bouchons with Creme Fraiche or Coconut Whipped Cream
• Flourless Banana and Chocolate Pudding Cakes
• Almond Date Truffles 
• Rosemary & Chili Honey Roasted Almonds

MY FAVORITE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

• Paleo Magazine - Paleo 101 (basically how I live day-to-day)
• Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall
• Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis
• Clean Program by Alejandro Junger M.D.
• The Paleo Diet by Loren Cordain, Ph. D.
• Food Mood and FODMAPS by Emily Deans M.D. 
• Demystifying the Diet from GOOP

MY INSPIRATIONS

• Zenbelly Catering 
• Hemsley & Hemsley
• Slim Palate
• Comfy Belly
• Roost Blog 
• A Tasty Love Story
• GOOP - Not grain-free but awesome recipes
• Manger-Not grain-free but awesome recipes
• Jewels of New York - Not grain-free but awesome recipes

• A List of Some Great Cookbooks