Day 1

Here we go! Well, I treated last night like my Fat Tuesday and indulged in some of my favorites before starting the diet today. Chicken potstickers, fried tortilla strips with pimento cheese and a cannoli. And I woke up feeling awful. My stomach was in cramps and digestion was a bit of a problem. So, I guess that's a good motivator for the Engine 2 Challenge!

I started my morning with a hearty bowl of oatmeal. Here's the recipe:

Heather Jean's Oatmeal

1 cup water

1/2 cup non-instant rolled oats

1 tsp cinnamon 

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp ground flax seeds

1 tbsp chia seeds

2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce 

1/8 cup raisins

1/8 cup sliced almonds

Bring the cup of water to a boil then stir in the oats. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes. Take off the heat and stir in vanilla, cinnamon, ground flax seeds, chia seeds and applesauce. Pour into a bowl and sprinkle sliced almonds and raisins on top. I enjoyed this with a glass of unsweetened vanilla almond milk too. Mmmmm!

The unsweetened applesauce and raisins added enough sweetness so I didnt even miss the honey I typically sweeten my oatmeal with! The sliced almonds, raisins and chia seeds also added some texture. I used ground flax seeds and whole chia seeds for their Omegga-3 health benefits. Chia seeds are also great for digestion, help you stay fuller longer, provide energy and contain protein and calcium! They really are a superfood!

I got through the whole morning without snacking on anything non-E2! I don't have much non-E2 food in the house but you know, there's still some cookies in the freezer and a small amount of honey roasted peanut butter in my cabinet.

Anyway, I snacked on a few unsalted pistachios and drank a two cups of hot green tea with an added splash of pure lemon and pure ginger juice.

Then I got cooking for the week! I roasted chunks of raw butternut squash. I seasoned the squash with cumin, paprika, fresh cracked pepper and a few drops of liquid aminos. I mixed it all together and baked it on a parchment paper lined baking sheet (to avoid sticking) for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

While the squash roasted, I sliced red onion and red peppers. I threw them into seperate (hot) frying pans and let them cook until they browned. Then I added a tbsp of low sodium vegetable broth to deglaze the pan. I repeated that process until the onions and peppers were soft and delicious! I also threw some chopped raw jalapeño in the red pepper pan and minced raw garlic in the onion pan at the end of their cooking time (to avoid burning).

Then I assembled my lunch: a Spicy E2 Wrap!  I used an Engine 2 Sprouted Ancient Grains tortilla and popped in it the oven for a minute to warm up a tad. Then I smeared it with traditional Engine 2 hummus and piled on the roasted squash, onions and red pepper. I squeezed on a little lime juice, sprinkled fresh cilantro over that and topped it off with a drizzle of Heather Jean's Spicy Chipotle Cashew Aioli! 

Since I'll be eating a lot of the same meals this week (on a budget and cooking for one...) I'll share my Spicy Chipotle Cashew Ailoi recipe tomorrow!

Check out this delicious wrap!!! 

After lunch, I snacked on a clementine and unsweetened coconut water. 

For supper, I had a delicious meal of homemade black beans topped with E2 traditional hummus, half an avocado, lime juice, fresh cilantro and Heather Jean's Chipotle Cashew Aioli! Yum yum yum!

On the side, I enjoyed homemade quiona seasoned with mushrooms, shallots and garlic and a little liquid aminos. I also ate a cup of raw kale.

So, as my first day of the Engine 2 Diet 28 Challenge comes to a close, I'm pretty darn proud of myself! I'm getting ready for bed feeling satisfied, energized and not as bloated as last night with my belly full of potstickers and chips.

And now, here we go, the first progress photo! (And when I was weighed at the first meeting, I was actually 176, not 173.) I'll never stop smiling though!!

                    Day 1: 176 lbs

Today I felt: Excited, hungry at times, motivated and confident

Thanks for reading!