The Whole30 Day 1

    Yesterday I spent hours researching migraine triggers related to food. A simple sausage sandwich from Starbucks caused my husband to have the Mother of all migraines. Forty five minutes after he ingested this tasty morsel his headache began thumping inside his brain. Through my research I found that people prone to migraines should not eat sausage. His migraine lasted from noon till 7:45 pm with all the fun things that a migraine can bring. Nausea, light sensitivity, raging pain, and wanting to wallow in bed for several hours. I, being a wonderful and caring wife have come up with a plan!

    We have started the Whole30 protocol this morning and I am uber excited. This protocol is basically a food elimination system which should help us to track Steven's triggers. The only goal for the next month is to get a handle on Steven's migraines. Steven's migraines have a genetic component which means that they are here to stay. However, I am done watching my husband suffer. For the next thirty days there will be no grains, alcohol, added sugar, no dairy, no white potatoes, no MSG, and no baked goods. Also, no whining or cheating. There will be a ton of protein, vegetables, and some fruit.

  

   From my extensive reading I know that the next thirty days will have highs and lows but it is time to suck it up buttercup. Let's do this!

"Damn Fine Chicken"

  

   Thank God we are still getting rain! Today has been utterly delightful because our weather took its meds and is now cooperating. The sky has been full of big rain clouds and there is a slight chill in the air which is very unusual. I love cooking and lounging on rainy days. Did I get out of my adorable pj's? Hell No! I wore no makeup and didn't change my clothes which is freaking wonderful. I did get laundry done and cooked a few meals for this week. Did I mention that it has been raining?

   For dinner I made Michelle Tam's (Nom Nom Paleo) damn fine chicken and damn was it fine! I fed myself, Steven, and my brother in law Mark. Now I know I can tackle world peace, I did just make a totally rad dinner. This meal is very easy and quite tasty. After I let the chicken marinate for about 5 hours I popped it into the oven at 375 for 45 minutes. The chicken was plated with green beans and disappeared quite rapidly. I needed an easy meal because my sweet husband was in bed with an end of the world migraine. Tending to a sick spouse does not leave much time to make magic in the kitchen Julia Child style. Steven began to perk up around 7:45 pm and devoured the chicken and green beans which must mean he will live. I am not a doctor but I have hope.

The ingredients that I used in the marinade.

Chicken resting in its marinade bath.

Dinner is served.

Rainy days are my favorite.

  

Coconut Macaroons

   My dad is the coolest and kindest person I know who loves coconut macaroons. And he had a birthday last week! Being a poor college student I don't have the money for an espresso machine or a Rolex Submariner watch. So I made his favorite cookie which are coconut macaroons.Happy Birthday Dad!

Little nuggets of happiness.

Even though these are for my dad I totally ate two of them. Not ashamed. 

My dad, My hero.

It Finally Rained

   When you make plans God laughs and sometimes even has a guffaw at our expense. For two weeks I have been planning to lay out poolside with my friend Kelsey and several magazines. 10 AM the sun was starting to peek through, 10:45 AM the temperature is dropping slightly and the wind picked up, 11:15 AM no sun and tons of massive rain clouds with lots of wind. Bah Humbug!!!!!!

   OK my temper tantrum is over, thank you for your patience. Let's talk about food!

This is great for our parched town and I do love a cloudy day but not when it interferes with me getting a tan.

Beef sausage over a gorgeous bed of broccoli.

This was poured over my broccoli :).

   On the weekends I am lazy about food, the carhops at Sonic know me by name. Unfortunately, the school semester is over which means I have no more excuses for my occasional splurges. This morning I did at least cook my own breakfast in a kitchen and there were no carhops involved. I heated up some all beef sausage and then cooked up broccoli with Tessemae's Lemon Garlic dressing and sprinkled black pepper on top of the broccoli. Dear Lord this breakfast always hits the spot, is easy, and delicious. I can still be fed with great food and be lazy with this meal! Hooray! Happy Memorial Day Weekend Y'all.

   

Physical Therapy Humor

  We all need to laugh sometime. Come to PT and you can laugh at everyone else's pain as well as your own.  Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

  

Gym Rat

   I am in love with Scandal which I found on Netflix. Yes, I am way behind on television but I have been a little busy as of late, conquering the world and all. This series is wonderful to watch while icing your knee and drinking strawberry kombucha. Icing comes in handy when your pride makes you lift really heavy at the gym. Might not have been the best idea but I had so much fun working up a sweat this morning. Endorphins make me a much happier person to be around. For the good of the state I should work out on a more regular basis. After kicking my own ass I always have a smile on my face and I feel dare I say it, more patient with the general public.

Finding my zen while drinking Strawberry Serenity kombucha

Weekend Report

   

  The adorable tot in the photo had a dance recital on Sunday and is clearly meant to be a star. The tot is my niece Anna and she likes barbies, coconut milk, dance, and flowers. This kid is so cool that she puts Liza Minnelli to shame. I love her to pieces, especially when she demands that I play with her and her vast collection of dolls. We had a great time bonding this past weekend and I could not be more proud of my tiny dancer.

   Anna, my brother and his wife live in Lubbock which has a grocery store called Sprouts. This store is the bomb and I always try to go whenever I am in Lubbock. I found a new brand of almond butter called Wild Friends and it is delicious and inexpensive.

Lordy this won't last long at my house! 

   

    

Niece #2 Clara closely guarding her book.

My four legged child Catfish on our run getting strong on mile 2.

   A nice thing about living in Texas is that I am close to family and can see my two fabulous nieces on a more regular basis. They are growing up so fast and reaching so many milestones and I get to watch them do it. Can't wait for tomorrow's workout which will be grueling (the best kind of workout) and long. Whoop Whoop! I will report back from the gym :).

Catfish needs a nap.