Cooking LEAP Style

After my last post on my LEAP sensitivities, many of you wondered what I was even able to eat.  Well, let's just say, not a lot....

Here is a list of the foods that I was able to eat for the first 42 days--

Proteins:  Pork, Tuna, Crab, Catfish, Chicken, Salmon, Tilapia

Grains & Starches:  Oats (gluten free), Rice, Buckwheat, Corn, Quinoa, Sweet Potato

Vegetables:  Green pea, String Bean, Spinach, Carrot, Cucumber, Yellow squash, Lettuce, Beat

Fruits:  Pineapple, Grapes, Oranges, Raspberry, Blueberry, Papaya, Olive, Banana

Nuts, Seeds, & Oils:  Hazelnut, Pistachio, Pecan, Peanut, Sesame, Walnut, Olive

Flavor Enhancers:  Honey, Vanilla, Turmeric, Dill, Oregano, Mint, Sesame, Maple Lemon

Other:  Salt, Baking soda

Needless to say, this has been a struggle.  I was raised around food, good food, food with lots of seasoning, and meals that contained BEEF!!!!  Yes, that's right, I still have yet to have beef since starting this journey September 16th.  That is probably the most painful part.  I'm, also, surprised I haven't been disowned by my family.

After a lot of nagging and whining, I have been able to begin adding foods back in slowly.  With that, I have added in onions, garlic, black pepper, cayenne pepper, peaches, apples, avocados, and garbanzo beans.  Nothing too crazy and definitely not exciting, but I have developed a new love of food.  For one, I eat a lot of rice!

About once a week, I spend the evening cooking up a variety of foods that I can eat during the week.

A night of cooking LEAP Style

I have learned that rice can be added to anything!  Normally, I eat a lot of rice with some sort of steamed vegetable and a protein added.  Above, you can see that I have some sliced carrots, sweet potatoes, and some sliced apples in the oven.  Depending on my week, will depend on how many nights I have a kitchen that looks like this.  To save time and ensure that I am sticking to the restrictions I cook rice, popcorn, a protein and oatmeal in bulk.  I, also, put meals in containers for the week to assist with saving time in the morning.

Through this, I have, also, learned to like breakfast (mostly because I am starving by the time I wake up).  Most mornings I either eat a rice cake with natural peanut butter, honey, and a fruit or gluten free oatmeal with fruit.  Another new breakfast that I have come up with is rice, rice milk, honey, and fruit.  Snacks have become a huge part of my day, as well.  One of my favorite snacks is popcorn.  Remember, though, that I have to pop my own popcorn on the stove.  To make a little more entertaining, I like to add salt and honey.  I dare you to try it!  I promise you wont eat popcorn any other way!

For now, I dream of the day that I get to add BEEF!!!!!!  (Anna I sure hope you're reading this one....hint, hint.....)  :o)

Tootles, 

Kasey