Day 20. Where did the time go? Since I started Whole30, a lot of people have been asking me about it. In general, I have to say its really not as bad or hard as it seems. Its 30 days of your life, or if you are me, 45 days since I accidentally had soy on day 10. I like the meals and recipes I have found online and I also, really enjoy trying new foods. Yesterday, I was telling my brother about whole30 and I think I actually scared him with the list of "off limits" foods. The most frightening for him, no alcohol. I have to say, Its actually refreshing to have real fruits and vegetables in the house. You have to use them, or you lose them, so it forces you to cook and eat healthy. Aside, from one or two cravings with pretzel sticks and some cupcakes., i haven't had any real cravings. I haven't had any dairy, legumes, carbohydrates, added sugar, alcohol, gluten or processed foods. I can happily report, that I have been sleeping like a brick house, have more energy and can honestly say I don't crave crap or anything sweet and processed. It doesn't bother me to see people eating carbs, or having candy. But that might be related to the fact, that I recently had 3 cavities filled from eating bags on mini Pez to no end. If you are thinking about trying Whole30 do it. You have nothing to lose. I would love to say that I lost 30 pounds so far this month, but a cardinal rule of Whole30 is no weighing or measuring after day 1. So until February 16th, I wont be able to let you know my exact lbs lost. If you are looking for inspiration, go back to my previous blog where I show before and after pictures of my friend Lauren. Now is a great time to try Whole30 because you are able to find a ton of recipes from other people also doing Whole30 for their New Years resolutions. Before I go, I have to share my most recent Pinterest whole30 recipe that kicks major ass. Visit www.Balticmaid.com for more recipes and as always, steal ideas from the ever amazing, Pinterest. I know give to you, the awe-inspiring Caribbean Plantain and Meat Casserole.
Ingredients for 4 servings
- 1 lb ground beef
- oil, if necessary
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, chopped
- several garlic cloves, grated
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 2 tbsp cumin
- several tsp oregano, to taste
- salt and pepper
- 4 -5 medium sized tomatoes, chopped
- 4 to 5 very ripe (dark brown/black) plantains
- oil
Directions
In a large frying pan, brown the ground beef. If the beef is very lean, you might want to add a little oil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
When the meat is done, remove it from the frying pan with a slotted spoon. Add the chopped onion and the bell pepper to the frying pan. Cook them until the onions are translucent, and the peppers become soft. Then add the grated garlic and the tomatoes. Also add the paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Let the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes.
In a different frying pan, heat some oil. Peel the plantains, and cut them into about 1/2 cm (0.2“) thick slices. Add them to the frying pan. Cook the plantain slices until they’re brown on one side, and then turn them in order to brown the other side. Set aside when done.
Once the tomato mixture becomes saucy, add the cooked meat back to the frying pan. Cook for an additional 5 minutes or so. Season to taste with cumin, paprika, oregano, salt and pepper.
Preheat the oven to 175°C / 350°F.
Pour about one third of the sauce into a 23×23 cm / 9x9” casserole dish. Use half of the plantain slices as the second layer; next comes another third of the beef- tomato sauce; then the remaining plantain slices topped with the remaining meat sauce. You should have 5 layers of alternating sauce and plantains by now.
In a little bowl, slightly beat the eggs. Pour them over the casserole.
Bake the casserole for 20 to 30 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.
** I made mine with the veggies I had on hand and skipped the egg step because it seemed gross. It was so delish. I gave it a 10 and Hans loved it too. Try it, you wont be sorry! **
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