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.

Roasted Acorn Squash

The only squashes in my vocabulary used to be butternut and Japanese Kabocha. I 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

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. 

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)