Day 5

Today I had off from work and took full advantage.  I went to the crazy bootcamp class at the gym this morning and it was just as hard as Tuesday.  It is pretty hard but seems to be over quickly...once it is over at least.  The class doubled in size from Tuesday, which is always a good thing to see happen with a good, new class.  Then I spent a few good hours lounging on the couch and watching TV.  Criminal Minds always sucks me in even though I have seen most of the episodes already.  I also spent some time online looking up new recipes to try out.  I will add some links at the end of this blog of the few recipes that I have successfully cooked.

I also played some more with my newest toy, iRobot Roomba.  I bought it for myself as an early Christmas gift.  I LOVE it.  It makes my life so much easier and makes me less cranky when I get home from work.  I no longer have to vacuum ever day after work...or think about vacuuming and not do it.  The days of dog hair tumbleweeds are over!  I told Dave it would keep up from arguing about cleaning as much and since then we have not fought about it ;)  The old quote, "Happy wife, Happy life" really does apply in this household.  Life is good in the Olsen household :)

Today my food was good and on program.  I am still not finding it hard to follow the Whole30 plan.  I know that this might change when I wake up in the morning, but for now I am happy in my success so far.  I tried a new recipe tonight for smoke paprika chicken.  It was delicious and super easy to make.  I made some mashed cauliflower as well.  This time I added some roasted garlic to the cauliflower and it took it to a whole new level.  I recommend giving it a whirl.

Tomorrow will be filled with more house cleaning as we have a friend flying in for a few days.  I guess I better spend some quality time with the hubby while I can.

Smoked Paprika Chicken
http://theshiksa.com/2011/12/01/smoked-paprika-chicken/
I cooked it just as the recipe called for and it was perfect!

Chipotle Chicken Sweet Potato Hash
http://calmmindkitchen.com/2012/11/23/recipe-chipotle-chicken-sweet-potato-hash/
I would add more spice to this recipe than it called for.  I am not a spicy person by any stretch of the imagination, but it could have used more heat even for me.

Grilled Skirt Steak with Herb Salsa Verde
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2012/05/grilled-skirt-steak-with-herb-salsa-verde
We liked this recipe, but will be cutting down on the herbs in the future.  Our taste buds might not be sophisticated enough for the "herbatiousness" of this dish.

Asian Cauliflower Fried Rice
http://nomnompaleo.com/post/3195098303/asian-cauliflower-fried-rice
Loved this recipe, even if it didnt really taste like fried rice.  It would have been good with some extra sauce (which is what Dave did) but that doesnt fly in Whole 30 life.

I have been using Chowstalker and Punchfork (selecting the Paleo diet option) to find recipes lately.  They have some really good stuff.  I am excited to make some new meals in the coming days.  I am never excited about cooking so this is a really good thing!!