On Coconut Oil

Pretty basically everywhere I go lately, I hear about coconut oil. And so I figured it was time to try it out.


I picked up Dr. Bronner’s Unrefined Whole Kernel oil at Whole Foods and made chicken and peppers with it.

Pros: Easier clean up than olive oil, and if you accidentally use to much like yoahsss truly tends to do, it doesn’t splatter.

Cons: Contrary to what I’ve heard, the coconut flavor doesn’t cook out completely. The whole time I felt like I should have had some Malibu Rum in hand (+ possibly my swimsuit and a tan).

Re: cooking, I think I’ll stick with EVOO. However, I quickly transferred it from my kitchen to my bathroom, and it’s served as lovely lotion/chapstick this week.

Put the lime in the coconut, my friends!

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Atlanta Fresh!

I'm not opposed to making blanket statements, and certainly wouldn't dare to call myself a skeptic. But as a seasoned Greek yogurt connoisseur, when I heard that Atlanta Fresh Greek yogurt was life changing, I knew I needed to investigate.

Still abstaining from sugar, I could only try the plain version, which was kind of a bummer because of their enticing flavors (Chocolate Rocket! Peach and Ginger!). But, it worked out since I typically eat plain anyway; it made it easier to benchmark.

While I didn't love the price, it had an undeniable smoothness that made it taste more decadent than other Greek yogurts. I also love that it's local because even though I don't technically know the owners, it still kind of makes me feel like I'm supporting my friends.

Next time, I'm thinking I'll mix it with my Reginald's and just really be blissing.

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orange you glad?

Hallelujah oh my stars yaay! Yesterday, after three months of detoxing, two of which have been completely sugar free, I have been officially granted permission to add fruit back into my diet. Still no grains or refined sugar, but I don't.even.care. I'm so stinking excited to eat fruit again. I can't think of a better way to kick-start the most fabulous month of March. 

A funny thing happened during the course of my sugar freeness. My taste buds have changed completely. Things like natural peanut butter (just nuts+salt) taste sweet. My Reginald's cashew butter tastes like absolute candy. Once an exclusive Riesling and White Zin drinker, now I opt for the slightly dryer Pinot.

I feel weirdly dramatic saying this, but I almost can't imagine what it'll taste like when I try ice cream and chocolate milk (my two obsessions pre-detox) again. Will I still like them? Will I be able to add sprinkles to my froyo? Or will it be too much?  (Seriously.)

Last night after leaving the doctor's office, I bee-lined for Whole Foods to stock up on fruit. Upon arriving, I got so overwhelmed with options that I walked out with only bananas. There were too many options! So much potential! Fight or flight at its finest.

I can't wait to jazz up my smoothie regimen, eat Greek yogurt with fruit, and, oh my gosh, have a banana with peanut butter for breakfast. Cloud nining to the max!

I hope your Thursday is equally as exciting as mine. Even if it's the little things, like tiny baby blueberries. Nom!

PS: Best Leap Day ever.

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smoothie fridee

Due to some recently discovered food allergies and intolerances, I’ve been on a pretty restricted diet since December. And by pretty restricted I mean no corn, wheat, soy, oat (OK, grains.) or sugar.

For a while I didn’t want to blog about it because I didn’t want it to be perceived as complaining, but then I realized that I have been heavily relying on other people sharing their coping mechanisms online, so why wasn’t I sharing what I’d learned, too?

At first I tried to just take those things out of my diet, but now that I’m a few weeks in, I am tired of veggies, meat and nuts. Minus peanut butter. Will never grow tired of that.

This week I have been exploring more options, including the smoothie below. I was really struggling without fruit, and this one tastes almost as good as my regular morning banana smoothie. Even if you’re not grain and sugar free,  I highly recommend it.

Ingredients:

Almond Milk

Spinach

Peanut Butter

Flax

Ice

Cinnamon

I subbed the peanut butter and flax for my latest obsession, Trader Joe’s PB with Flax. Blend to taste, and enjoy! And know I did!