Joy Comes in the Morning

During the month of August, I took some time to pray and fast over a few areas of my life. When I fast, I often choose to do the Whole 30. I’m not new to the Whole 30, but this Whole 30 experience was very different from the other times I’ve done it.

I also chose to journal and read a chapter every day from two books covering the areas I need guidance on the most right now: fear and my marriage. One of my aunts gave me this beautiful journal for my birthday and I wrote in it every day this past month! I received this 30 day devotional from a pastor friend. I highly recommend these books!

God has really worked in these areas of my life recently. When we get to the end of our own resources and strength, that’s where God can begin to really work.

Fear and anxiety have been more and more common in my daily life the last few years, but this devotional has really helped. Each entry has a Bible verse about fear. Fear will flee when we turn our eyes from our surroundings to Jesus Christ. We really have nothing to fear.

As I said, when I take time to fast and pray over specific areas of my life, I often do the Whole 30 because it requires me to totally lean on the Holy Spirit for help! I also like the way it clears my mind from the distractions around me and I like how it makes my body feel.

I’ve tried a few new recipe ideas that I want to share. I often will eat Whole 30 for breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the week. So, it can be hard to come up with new ideas. One of my favorite new recipes is this Whole 30 take on my favorite sloppy joe recipe. I don’t even miss the bun!

When I make this recipe for the Whole 30, I substitute the ketchup for 8 ounces tomato sauce, add in 1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar free ketchup and omit the brown sugar. It’s even better this way and probably how I will make it from now on.

https://dinnerthendessert.com/ultimate-sloppy-joes/

I love soup! I could eat soup every day. This will be a new favorite when the weather gets a little cooler. It’s a sweet potato beef stew I made in the crock pot. So many vegetables. 🙂

Sweet Potato Stew

We often have salads for dinner…at least once a week. When I fast, I don’t buy or make specials condiments. One, because I am frugal and two, because I am lazy. But I decided last minute to whip up and avocado dressing to toss with my salad! It was yummy and simple. Almond milk, avocado, salt, pepper, minced fresh chives and a little garlic powder.

I took a picture of our breakfasts one morning: Lucky Charms and Poached eggs with tomatoes and a side of fruit. Poached eggs are my new obsession. So fluffy and creamy. Green onions or chives really compliment them. Fancy.

We also have burgers once a week. I found a great sugar free ketchup at Wal-Mart that I love! I eat it with burgers, potatoes and eggs.

Fajitas. I have a yummy homemade fajita and taco seasoning recipe for Mexican dishes. It uses common spices you probably already have in your cupboard. I also have a really good guacamole recipe!

1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

I usually use 1-2 Tbsp. per 1 pound of meat, but more won’t hurt. I use enough to cover the meat well. 🙂

I eat A LOT of eggs on the Whole 30. That is probably one of the biggest complaints of the Whole 30: people get sick of eating so.many.eggs. Not me! I LOVE eggs. Pico de gallo  and guacamole on eggs. A revelation.

 

Who doesn’t love pot pie? I know people who don’t, but they are crazy. This pot pie is nothing like my mom’s, but it’s good. Worth the little bit of effort and ingredients. That’s another thing about the Whole 30 that I love: it teaches me simplicity. The fewer ingredients, the better.

Paleo Chicken Pot Pie

Poached eggs with spinach along with a tomato, avocado and cucumber salad and a side of sliced nectarines. I love eating spinach with eggs whenever I can because I want to get as many greens in my diet as I can.

This meal was my lunch for a week, but it could also be eaten as breakfast! This chicken was soooooo delicious I could eat it cold. It’s called Everything Chicken.

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1- 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth

I cooked everything in the crock pot for 6 hours on low.

I know some of you also have been doing the Whole 30 and eating low carb, so I hope these ideas inspire you to create something new!