This WIAW showcases the adding-in portion of my elimination. Last week, I first welcomed dairy back into my life after my three weeks were up, and the world got a little bit brighter once I had my yogurt, ice cream, and cheese to enjoy in moderation. Grains came in a few days later, but that didn’t go quite as well. The morning started off sweetly enough, with my first Cookie Dough Oatmeal Cake in months alongside a Pink Lady apple. I’ve been enjoying my quinoa flake bakes for breakfast, especially when gooey with peanut butter and chocolate chips, but I didn’t realize how much I missed my oats, especially since I’ve been limited grains for awhile now.
Unfortunately, less than an hour after enjoying my scrumptious breakfast, I started to feel familiar pangs in my stomach. I wasn’t sure whether to put it down to the oats, but I’d been eating dairy for a few days without issue so I was pretty sure the yogurt in the oatmeal cake wasn’t the culprit. I’m going to try oats again in a few days, and rice and corn as well, but I think I’m zeroing in on the problem being some sort of grains. At least I’ve found lots of great grain free flours and flakes to bake with! In fact, for a morning snack once my stomach calmed down, I enjoyed a Grain Free Banana Bread Blondie with another cup of coffee.
For lunch, a not-so-sad desktop salad, with romaine, cucumbers, beets, cranberries, chicken, apples, and honey mustard vinaigrette. I also had some turkey jerky because I was still hungry and knew I needed protein, and some carrots and hummus, and another apple. Lots of healthy snacks! And re-used photos, because there’s only so many times I’m going to snap a picture of an apple at my desk 🙂
For dinner, I was able to melt a little Cheddar on my usual broiled salmon, asparagus, and red potatoes. I think I’ve shown some version of this meal in at least half my WIAW posts, but what can I say – I’m a creature of habit when it comes to winter comfort food!
Afterwards, I had a bowl of cantaloupe, honeydew and blueberries for dessert, and the remainder of a bar of sea salt dark chocolate by Alter Eco that lasted a whole three days. And then a Grain Free Fudge Brownie, because once I get going with the dark chocolate…
Favorite easy winter dinner?
Have you had success using an elimination to figure out (dis)comfort foods?
Latest dessert discovery?
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renaissancerunnergirl 
The bar of chocolate lasted 3 days?!? Wow – I wouldn’t have made it that far… 😉
Your salmon dinner looks great – I would totally repeat that meal, too. During the colder months I love soup as an easy dinner – I usually make a large pot and either freeze the rest or have it as lunch the next day. My current favorite is beets, celeriac, turnips, and whatever root vegetables I have on hand.
As for dessert, I’ve been eating lots of banana bread lately.
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Thankfully replacing grains is a lot easier than dairy, it seems. I’m glad that you are narrowing in on the problems.
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I have considered trying an elimination diet- though I have not done it yet. There is nothing wrong with being a creature of habit- as long as the habits are healthy ones, righ?
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That dinner looks marvelous – no point changing something you love! I’m glad you are getting back to your beloved oats – though I’m sorry about the discomfort you still felt. What an experimental process this is! Good thing you have all sorts of delicious looking grain free treats to keep you going. I need that fudge recipe.
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I actually think I’m saying goodbye to oats…quinoa flakes to the rescue! The recipe is linked and also on my recipe page.
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I’ve been going through my fair share of chocolate too! Thank you, Valentine’s Day!
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I have found with dairy, I have an immediate physical reaction. Grains and gluten, not as much! If you have to end up eliminating grains but still like sweet breakfasts, there are a ton of easy-to-make almond flour pancakes out there. I personally love eggs and fruit for breakfast!
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I do eggs and fruit for breakfast so much! Unfortunately I’m allergic to tree nuts, but I can use coconut/buckwheat/quinoa/tapioca flour…any grain free!
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Sorry to hear you had some stomach issues, but hopefully this will help you figure it all out! All your food looks great!
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Sorry you’re having problems with oats but it sounds like you’re doing just fine with those grain-free banana bread blondies. Those look delicious. Glad you don’t have to give up cheese!!
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Me too! You have no idea.
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Great eats! How do you like that turkey jerky? I think I saw some at Starbuck’s and it caught my eye.
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It’s pretty good but I also picked it up in the work snack basket. It costs like $5 a packet at Starbucks, the local health food store, or even on Amazon, so I’m not sure I think it’s worth it in that context unless I’m traveling and really need on the go protein.
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Chili is my go to meal for the winter months! I’m actually abroad in Sydney right now though so it’s our summer so we’re not having to worry about that!
Elimination diets and I don’t work out.. I can never complete them! I know that gluten and I do not get along but I continue to eat it anyway…
I’m really into cottage cheese and cocoa powder for a high protein snack!
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