Cook Smarts is going through a bunch of different diets (diet meaning the “what you eat” definition rather than the weight loss definition) for fun. Last week was vegetarian and this week was Paleo. More below!
Breakfast uno: pancakes!! With nut butter drizzle. I use the Great Harvest mix, which is hearty and whole grain.
Leftovers!
On a cold dreary day I put together a simple bowl of cereal with blueberries and banana. This was Kashi Harvest shredded wheat and milk.
This strange looking mix was a cup of yogurt with raspberry jam swirl topped with some whole wheat apple muffin Matt brought home from the bakery. Plus banana, chia seeds and almond butter on top.
And last but not least, hot oat bran with jam, chia and peanut butter.
Jumping forward to dinners, we had Sesame noodles with my friend Hillary one night! We made these way back when I was pregnant! {The recipe is on that post}. So good!
Night two started Cook Smarts off with Mahi Mahi with Romesco Sauce. We used trout instead (because we had it on hand) and instead of all zucchini noodles I did a blend of zucchini with fresh spinach fettuccine. We added goat cheese (breaking the paleo rules again) as Jess’s recommendation. Loved this dish!
Next up we had more romesco sauce – this time over flank steak with a butternut squash salad on the side topped with walnuts and a homemade balsamic dressing.
Our third night we had a Butternut Squash Chili. Matt put it together while I ran to the gym late at night (we were off schedule from snow) and when I walked in the door he said “I don’t know what to think about this chili – it’s just meat and a few veggies.” It ended up tasting great, but I really missed the BEANS! Topped off with greek yogurt and avocado.
We ended the week with a sausage and mushroom frittata. I used some spicy sausage from my freezer that I bought at the farmer’s market this fall, and it turned out great. We added cheese…well because cheese is delicious! Salad on the side.
I ran the gamut of leftovers again starting with leftover chilled noodles. SUCH a good all-in-one lunch.
We had one extra serving of trout + noodles that I had the next day. Mazen loves trout too! This was such a good lunch.
Next up I made a salad out of the leftover flank steak with a Virginia roll on the side. I also had some cheese with Mazen.
And finally leftover chili on a really cold day.
Have a great week you guys!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
Your yogurt with raspberry jam looks SO good! I’m going dairy free for a few weeks to see if helps my stomach issues, so now I’m just craving some yogurt! Haha
Christine (The Raw Project) says
The pancakes look wonderful and now I’m craving them! We have tons of leftover chili here too we’re working through, great for easy work lunches.
Jackie says
What did you think of the paleo eating? Would you ever consider it? It seems so restrictive to me!
KathEats says
I felt unbalanced and limited…hence why I strayed from the plan!
Grace says
To be honest, I don’t see why you felt so unbalanced and didn’t leave one meal paleo considering you could eat whatever you wanted to for breakfast and lunch.
Hope says
Were you giving Paleo dinners a shot just to see what it’s like? I think you can’t really judge the diet if you aren’t actually following the rules for a few meals.
That said, the second I try to limit carbs in my diet all I want is all the carbs!!
Farah says
@ Grace – I think that’s a little judgmental! They’re Kath’s meals so she can do whatever she wants…we all modify recipes/meals to suit our preferences.
Liz says
I don’t see how you had one paleo meal. How can you say it was restrictive? You had cheese and grains often. I’m confused.
Obviously, they are your meal, so eat what you want, but I don’t see how it’s paleo.
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
YUM! Those sesame noodles sound absolutely amazing! I may have to build those into next week’s meal plan… 😉
Linda says
We love the Great Harvest pancake mix too. My husband makes a big batch on the weekend and we freeze the left overs. To re-heat in the morning I’ve been putting them in the toaster and they’ve been so good. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
Ali says
Again all those meals look delicious. I have been craving noodles with all this snow!
Maureen says
I do a butternut squash chili in the slow cooker but always have to add some black beans! Your trout meal looks extra delicious. I’ve never had trout before….is it a “fishy” tasting fish or more mild?
KathEats says
It’s on the mild side
Alex @ Kenzie Life says
Those sesame noodles look so good! I’m a big fan of noodle-type pasta salads so I bet I’d love that. Hope you have a great week too, Kath!
Laurie Sayeed says
Hi Kath–
Is it possible for your friend from N.O. to share his Gumbo recipe please? I’m planning a fat Tuesday party and would love some tips. Also, where I’m from the okra is usually hit or miss, any tips on cooking with this or possible substitute for? Thanks.
KathEats says
Gumbo coming soon!
Livi says
I have been loving chili for these cold days!!
Chelsea @ Designs on Dinner says
The noodles and trout look great, but I don’t know if I could eat chili without BEANS! I know adding beans isn’t “traditional,” but I always think of a mixture of delicious beans when I think of chili. Still, everything looks great! And looks like they all make great leftovers, too.
Elizabeth says
Your dishes, as always, look awesome!
I am craving some sesame noodles now!
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
Lovely meals, Kath. Have a wonderful week!
Florence says
The yogurt muffin concoction looks so delicious! You always have the best mix of healthy and satisfying meals!
Tatum @ Eats From The Oil Patch says
MMM.. first time cold stirfry-eater the other day.. SO good.
Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon says
These look like tasty meals from Cook Smarts! I love that you subscribed. Such a great plan for a family.
Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog says
I just started using Cook Smarts recipes this week. I’ve been halving the recipes, but I like the idea of have leftovers for lunch. I guess it will just take a little while to get in the swing of things. I didn’t get to do the Sunday prep this week, but know I want to for next week. I think that will make everything easier.
Becky @ Life Outside The BOX says
Aaaaaaand I’m officially hungry after all those amazing food pics!
emily says
That trout looks delicious! If adding goat cheese is wrong, I don’t want to be right 🙂
Caitlin says
Oh me oh my, loving all this fresh food especially that pink flank steak and the trout. So glad you added the goat cheese. Worth it!
Jesse says
goat cheese makes everything better in my book.
http://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2014/02/work-outfit-8.html
Shel@PeachyPalate says
The trout sounds amazing..even with the zucchini noodles 🙂 Did you prefer paleo or vegetarian week best?
KathEats says
Veg : )
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Ah! I thought you might have gone paleo week! Although as non meat eater I might be biased the veggie week seemed more interesting recipe wise.
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Everything looks so tasty!
Amelia says
Ha, I love how you added cheese or mixed up your meals to “un-paleo” them. I would do the same. My mom & sister both eat VERY paleo and it drives me nuts (my sis is also diagnosed Celiac). Whenever they visit, we literally cannot go out to eat anywhere without it creating a huge ordeal. I too feel that it (paleo) is unbalanced and very limiting. Eating should not be restrictive unless you have an allergy or disease that prevents you from having that food.
Love your eats as always and thanks for the link to the sesame noodles. I’m putting these on next weeks meal plan!
S says
Yikes, I doubt your sister likes having Celiac and all of the planning, worrying, and restricting that happen to go along with it. I hope you’re kinder and more empathetic (or is it sympathetic?) about her condition and diet when she’s with you.
Amelia @i_heart_kale says
S, maybe I didn’t not convey this correctly. We are very understanding of my sisters Celiac disease and restaurants are very accommodating. In fact, she is never concerned and she could care less about eating paleo. It’s my mother, who is obsessive compulsive about paleo for both her and my sister, and likes to make a huge ordeal.
I suppose it’s hard to convey tone and exactly what I mean through Internet comments.
Hope you have a lovely night.
Amelia @ Eating Made Easy says
Those dinners look delicious!! I’ve gotta try Cook Smarts.
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
You’re reading my mind…I keep meaning to buy some chia seeds to add to oatmeal, etc..and I just bought some mushrooms with the intention to make a mushroom frittata! 😉
Joanna says
Hi! I’m new to the blog and was wondering what a Virginia roll was and where I can get one. Thanks!
KathEats says
It’s a roll we make at our bakery, Great Harvest Bread Co. You might have a location near you? A lot of us make them.
Joanna says
Thank you!!! 😀
Sarah says
Were any of your meals actually real Paleo? 🙂 I did Paleo for 3 months and felt awful. I happen to like cheese and beans, and some grain, in moderation!
Weight loss tea says
Having a list of healthy meal ideas on hand is a great way to set yourself up for success with your healthy eating plan. This promotes healthy lifestyle and staying fit and stronger.