Month: January 2017

Fermenting and Whole30

We are EIGHT days from January being over and we are ready. I have being doing Whole30 this month with a tight budget, but it is going well. I have had plenty of “I am giving up” moments but thanks to my friend’s support group, they have helped give me that extra push. Plus Mr. Wonderful has helped a lot!

A couple of weeks ago we got some cabbage, and it’s not something we normally have so I was looking for some things to do with it. Then I remembered that sauerkraut is fermented cabbage and when it is raw it has tons of gut health probiotics. So I made some with the help of my helper!

Then I got adventurous and made a mexican taco topping inspired vegetable ferment. If it works, I will share that one later.

I used to ferment wheat for bread and other things, think sourdough starter. It was a lot of work, and I had problems, but it is something I want to do more of. I think this summer I might bring that back.

One of the great things about fermenting is that it is doesn’t require any new equipment. Most home cooks have a glass jar, knife, salt, and a something to smash down the vegetables. I am looking forward to some probiotic full vegetables.

Whole30 Pork Sausage

I am doing another round of Whole30, this round I am doing with some friends. Well, we are spread all over the place, but we are doing it together. It is really fun to be able to share with the others.

This is not my first Whole30, nor my first January Whole30. One thing that I have noticed with Whole30, is that there are THOUSANDS of recipes. Of those thousands of recipes, most of them call for some random hard to find, unicorn ingredient.

SERIOUSLY!?! Isn’t Whole30 about eating real food, and making real food accessible to busy people? So why does your recipe call for salt mined by virgin unicorn breeders?

This has been something that has been frustrating for me. I find a recipe, it sound delicious, but it calls for some ingredient, that I can not find or is only available at speciality places. I am not one to order or drive hours away to get the one ingredient. So I just don’t make the recipe.

When I am not Whole30-ing, I will play with the recipe, maybe use a similar, yet not compliant ingredient in place of the specialty. One of these experiments lead me to make my own complaint substitute. AND IT IS DELISH!

I really enjoy spicy foods, so this pork sausage has a bit of a kick (I think it could use more, but Mr. Wonderful says it is hot enough). It is great for Italian dishes or with just some sauted zucchini or carrots. Plus, since ground pork is cheaper than pre-made sausages, it is cheaper! So save a little and try this!

Note: I use a mortar and pestle to grind up the fennel seeds. Mr. Wonderful does not like fennel, but if I grind it up, he doesn’t notice it. You can leave it whole if you wish.


Whole30 Pork Sausage
 
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In need of a simple sausage recipe for a Whole30 meal? Try this pork sausage.
Ashley Teare:
Serves: 2 pounds
Ingredients
  • 2 lbs ground pork
  • Spice Mix:
  • 1 tsp Italian Seasoning (OR ½ tsp basil, ½ tsp oregano)
  • 2 tsp Fennel seeds, crushed
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic granules
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp parsley
Directions
  1. In a small bowl, stir together the spice mix.
  2. In a large mixing bowl sprinkle over the spice mixer and mix until well combined.
  3. Divide into 1 pound portions, use or freeze.
  4. To brown: Over medium heat cook, using the back of a spoon to break up. Cook until no pink remains.

 

Happy New Year!

Are you ready for a totally awesome year?

I am. I have a plan, and I am 7 days strong on my plan. It’s not easy. Only after 5 days did I notice a difference and am I really feeling good. I am enjoying waking up and walking, (slightly hobbling down the stairs). I look forward to my planned meals, and cooking them. My New Year resolution was a perfect one.

I love that my kitchen is clean every morning.

Had you going? Working out, sore muscles, and meal plans are not new to me. But having a clean house, I just don’t know where to start. I have tried FlyLady, and an app I heard about unF* your habitat. I have also tried a good old fashioned chore chart.

Maybe I am just lazy.

Despite some nights when I really just want to go to bed, I suck it up and wash the dishes, wipe down the counters and stove, and sweep the floor. I am slowly working on transitioning it to encompass the kitchen table also. But I feel like it is this catch all, that never gets clean. Maybe when I finish my online classes and the table isn’t also my desk…