Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Grilled Chimichurri Shrimp


Grilled Chimichurri Shrimp Recipe

Serves: 2-3

  • 1 pound fresh shrimp, peeled & deveined I used white Mexican shrimp 15U from Whole Foods. $20 for one pound. I calculated that each person would get about five shrimps.
  • 2 small bunch organic fresh parsley leaves You can use either Italian flat leaf or curly.
  • 2-3 cloves organic garlic
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano Fresh oregano is extremely strong and changes the flavor profile. I prefer dried. 
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 cup organic EVOO
  • 1 large organic lemon, juiced
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Red pepper flakes to taste Peppers are not approved on the Repairvite safe list. Shhh, I cheated.
Here is the inspiration recipe from Giada De Laurentiis.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Roasted Acorn Squash

The only squashes in my vocabulary used to be butternut and Japanese KabochaI had my first experience with acorn squash earlier this week.

Acorn squash got its name because, well, it looks like the shape of an acorn. It's predominantly green. To pick a ripe acorn squash, find one that is firm with a dark orange spot (pictured at top).

Since I have never eaten or cooked acorn squash before, I decided to roast it. Roasting is my fav technique lately (read, lazy). To flavor it, I decided to season with curry powder & salt to balance out the inherent sweetness.

Based on my taste test, acorn squash is indeed a mildy sweet, slightly fibrous variety. It's quite similar to the Kabocha.


Roasted Curry Acorn Squash Recipe


Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Meal Planning ~ Week of 9/15/13

Today, I went to the Brea Farmers Market & Mother's with my hubby. Our priority was to buy fresh and organic produce. We also "splurged" on some artisanal teas.

While I'm on the Repairvite detox, I cannot have any caffeinated drinks. I have been craving tea lately as I have been watching my co-workers enjoy their K-Cup coffees.

We bought the teas from this local tea vendor. We got two gift-sized packages of honey chamomile ($4) and Rooibus Chai tea ($6). I am so excited to try this chocolatey herbal Chai (I will ignore that chocolate has some caffeine).

Meal Plan
My problem is that I always buy produce and "snacks," but don't get proteins for main dishes. I like to buy my meat/poultry/seafood fresh (like, same day fresh). I have been so sick of chicken lately. When I am indecisive about my proteins, I tend to ignore them altogether. 
Anyway, I created a game plan below of how I'm going to use what I bought, but, ironically, don't have many actual meals planned for the end of the week. 

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Meal Planning ~ Week of 9/8/13

It's been about three weeks since I've been eating gluten-free. This week, I am going start a detox program to help heal my small intestines from gluten-related damage.

The diet is very strict and basically only allows fresh meats (no eggs), veggies, and low-sugar fruits. Paleo peeps, welcome me temporarily to your family.  

I went to the farmer's market and Sprout's today to pick up organic ingredients for me to cook meals and juice this week. I am usually accustomed to shopping for 1-2 days at a time, so it will be challenging for me to commit to almost a week's worth of food in order to minimize waste.

Here is my general game plan for this week. Detailed recipes to follow.

Meals

Wednesday
  • B - Canadian Bacon & raw, sliced organic heirloom tomatoes that I bought from the Brea Farmer's Market ($3/lb.)
  • L - TBD
  • D - Sauteed pork chops & baked organic spaghetti squash
Thursday
  • B - Baked sweet potato (made night before)
  • L - Dinner leftovers
  • D - Sirloin Steak, organic baby spinach salad & organic baby tomatoes
Friday
  • B - Sliced heirloom tomatoes + TBD
  • L - Dinner leftovers
  • D - Cauli rice + protein TBD
Saturday
  • B - TBD
  • L - Dining out with bestie
  • D - Baby Shower

Juices
  • Green Juice I: Organic baby spinach, organic cucumber, organic celery, organic baby lemon
  • Green Juice II: Organic beet tops, organic cucumber + fruit TBD
  • Green Juice III: Organic lacinato kale, organic cucumber, organic celery, lemon, honeydew melon
  • Beet Juice: Organic raw beets, organic kale, apple, ginger
  • Carrot Juice: Organic carrots, lemon juice, water

Snacks
  • Carrot sticks
  • Cantaloupe sorbet

Salad Dressing

Green Goddess: Avocado, garlic, parsley, olive oil, salt, pepper, lemon juice, champagne vinegar, shallot, basil (some or all of ingredients)