It is estimated that Americans spend over $60 billion per year on weight loss programs or trying to lose weight (2). Also, the worldwide obesity rate has tripled since 1975, with approximately 1.9 billion adults considered overweight throughout the world. (3) Chances are, you or someone you know are either on a diet or has tried to lose weight at some point.
We all start weight loss programs with good intentions. Then one of two things happens. Either we lose the desired weight, only to gain it back after returning to old eating patterns or we give up because the weight loss meal plan is too strict or boring. If you’re in the former group, you’re in good company. (Hint: I’m in this group) There’s a statistic floating around in the world of weight loss, which you’ve probably heard, that 95% of dieters regain the weight they lost. Some say this is just folk lore and can’t be proven. Whether it’s accurate or not, it is an indication that people have trouble sticking to a healthy diet, losing weight, and keeping it off.
The key to any good weight loss plan is not to make temporary changes, but to make a healthy and permanent change to your lifestyle and eating patterns. One of the keys to changing your eating patterns is learning how to prepare interesting and tasty meals, while keeping them healthy. That’s what I set out to do, as I entered the next phase of my 21 day detox.
As many of you know, I’m currently doing a 21 day Red Tea Detox plan. The first 7 days consisted of a 7 day fast, which included a 72-hour herbal tea fast, followed by 4 days of 24 hour intermittent fasting.
Today, I’ve begun the first of a 14 day/4 phase eating plan. Phase 1 is 5 days in length, with day one being only vegetables and the remaining four days will be veggies and protein. Since I’ve been fasting for 7 days, the last thing I want to eat is a plate of boring, steamed veggies and baked chicken or fish. 😝 Who’s going to stick to a diet like that?…BORING!
The meal plan I’ll be following is a low carb paleo diet, combined with intermittent fasting, which means I’ll be on a 16/8 schedule, 16 hours fasting and 8 hours eating, 3 meals per day. I’ll be aiming to keep my carb count below 30 grams per day. For my calorie count, I’ll aim for 1100/day, with an upper limit of 1500. The allowed foods are VERY healthy, with nuts/seeds, lean forms of protein, as well as heart healthy fish and alkalinizing veggies.
Here is a list of the foods I’m allowed to eat for the next 5 days. I’m also allowed herbs, spices, healthy oils like flax, coconut, and olive as well as butter/ghee. (1)
Phase 1 Vegetables to Eat
- Artichoke
- Asparagus
- Beets
- Bok choy
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Cucumber
- Celery
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Peppers
- Spinach
- Squash
- Tomatoes
Phase 1 Proteins to Eat
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Turkey
- Lean beef
- Tofu
- TVP (textured vegetable protein; reconstitute with water and use like ground beef)
- Nuts and seeds
- Unsweetened soymilk
- Unsweetened cashew milk
- Unsweetened nut milk with protein added
- Whey protein shakes (remember to double-check carb content)
- Vegan protein shakes (remember to double-check carb content)
One of the keys to sticking to any weight loss plan is to make it interesting. So, as I was writing my meal plans for the next 5 days, I decided I should share some of the recipes I found with all of you.
So, armed with the above two lists, I set out to find some fun, interesting and tasty recipes to include in my meal plan. I want our meals to feel like we’re not missing anything. I can’t have boring meals and stick with the eating plan…nope. In the recipes below I have a few “bread” recipes, some veggie recipes and protein recipes: a few beef, a few chicken and a few fish. No more steamed broccoli and baked chicken, although that’s okay once in a while! I hope these recipes spark your imagination, because eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring!
Some of the best Alkaline and Paleo Websites:
In my research, I came across a few recipe websites that were jam packed with wonderful recipes, some with alkaline recipes and some with paleo. Here are a few of them:
Paleo Recipes
- PALEO GRUBS (One of my favorites)
- PALEO LEAP
- PALEO FLOURISH (Includes a nut free list)
- THAT PALEO COUPLE (This is a WordPress account! Head on over and show them some love!)
- MEATIFIED
Alkaline Recipes
The Recipes
BREAD – Since nuts and seeds are allowed, I availed myself of the plethora of creative people on the internet, who have created paleo and keto versions of different items.
🌟🌟The Best Low Carb Bread Recipe 🌟 🌟
I’ve made this recipe MANY times and it’s wonderful! Even my kids and hubby like it. Make sure and follow her tips. They make all the difference! What I love about this recipe is the high fiber content. There is 7 grams of fiber per slice!
Low Carb Maven
- 10 ounces blanched almond flour
- 3 ounces Bob’s Red Mill Golden Flax Meal
- 100 grams NOW Psyllium Husk Powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces egg whites (226.80 g)
- 3 ounces vinegar (85 g)
- 14 ounces boiling water (396.89 g)
Best Keto Bread Recipe
- 1 1/2 Cup Almond Flour
- 6 Large eggs Separated
- 4 tbsp Butter melted
- 3 tsp Baking powder
- 1/4 tsp Cream of Tartar
- 1 pinch salt
Cauliflower Bread
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower , cut into bite-sized pieces (or 3 cups cauliflower rice)
- Parchment paper
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Cheesecloth
- 1 large egg , lightly beaten
- ½ cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- ¼ tsp sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
- ¼ tsp . ground black pepper
- 4 green onions , thinly sliced, reserve a small amount of the greens for garnish
Cauliflower Bagels
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 cups packed cauliflower rice (600g or 21 ounces)
- pinch of kosher sea salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 tbsp. almond flour
- 2 tbsp. coconut flour
Everything Bagel Spice Combo
- 1 tbsp. poppy seed
- 1 tbsp. sesame seed
- 1 tbsp. minced garlic
- 1 tbsp. minced onion
- 3/4 tsp. kosher sea salt
Flaxseed Keto Wraps
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 6 tbsp flax seeds milled
- 1/4 cup / 30g pre-shredded mozzarella
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 3 tbsp water
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- pinch of salt
VEGETABLES – I feel creativity was essential for this particular food group. While we all know vegetables are very healthy and good for us, they don’t always taste good. And, let’s be honest, they can be kind of boring. I looked for tasty and sometimes creative ways to prepare veggies. Here’s what I found.
Brussel Sprouts with Pistachio and Lemon
Get Off Your Acid
INGREDIENTS
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
¾ cup shelled pistachios
Zest and juice from one lemon
16 large Brussels Sprouts, leaves separated from the core. Cut the end of the sprout off and peel leaves off.
Salt and pepper to taste
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE RECIPE
Zucchini Pasta with Spinach Lemon Pesto
Get Off Your Acid
INGREDIENTS
4 zucchinis
3 cups baby spinach
1⁄4 cup basil
3 garlic cloves
Juice of 1 small to medium lemon
1⁄4 cup cashews
1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1⁄2 cup cherry tomatoes sliced in half
Salt to taste (Celtic Grey Sea Salt, Himalayan, or Redmond Real Salt)
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE RECIPE
Italian Marinated Zucchini Squash
with Sun Dried Tomato
Get Off Your Acid
INGREDIENTS
- 2 fresh zucchini
- 2 fresh yellow squash
- ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. minced oregano
- 1 tbsp. minced dill
- 1 tbsp. minced basil
- 1 tsp. sea salt
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE RECIPE
Raw Cucumber Sushi Rolls
The Blender Girl
Ingredients
- 1 English Cucumber
guacamole
- 1 large avocado, peeled and pitted
- 1 cup curly kale leaves (ribs removed), chiffonaded
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon Celtic sea salt, plus more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin, plus more to taste
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional), plus more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon sweet paprika, to garnish
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE RECIPE
Paleo Chimichuri Abundance Bowl
The Blender Girl
Ingredients
cauliflower rice
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or coconut oil (in liquid form)
- 1 teaspoon Celtic sea salt
vegetables
- 1/2 medium red onion, peeled and cut into eighths
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diagonally sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to taste
- 3/4 teaspoon Celtic sea salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, plus more to taste
- 2 medium zucchinis, diagonally sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 (8oz/227g) bunch broccolini (about 12 stalks), trimmed
- 1/4 cup (12g) finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 cup (110g) sauerkraut (optional)
- 1 medium avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced
- 1/4 cup (45g) sliced or slivered almonds
chimichurri sauce (yields 1 1/3 cups (306g))
- 3/4 cup (180ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest, plus more to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
- 1 teaspoon Celtic sea salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, plus more to taste
- 1 cup (30g) firmly packed basil leaves
- 1 cup (30g) firmly packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 1/2 cup (15g) firmly packed cilantro leaves
- 1/2 cup (23g) firmly packed finely chopped chives
- 1/2 medium avocado, peeled and pitted (optional, see instructions)
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE RECIPE
PALEO CAULIFLOWER TABOULI
The Blender Girl
Ingredients
- 1/2 large head of cauliflower chopped up into florets (discard the tough core)
- 3 large bunches finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 2 cups finely diced tomatoes (about 8 large tomatoes with flesh scooped out)
- 1 bunch green onions, finely chopped (white and green parts)
- 1 English cucumber, peeled and finely diced (after seeds scooped out)
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to taste
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon Celtic sea salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE RECIPE
Raw Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai
Live Energized
Ingredients:
3 medium courgettes (zucchini)
3 large carrots
2 spring onions, chopped (also known as green onions, scallions)
1 cup shredded red cabbage
½ packet of beansprouts
1 cup cauliflower florets
1 bunch of fresh coriander/cilantro, chopped roughly
Coconut Oil
Sauce
¼ cup tahini
¼ cup almond butter
¼ cup tamari
1 tsp coconut sugar
2 tbsp lime or lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 inch of ginger root, grated
Alkaline Detox Lime-Chili Stir ‘Fry’
Ingredients:
Pak-Choi
Carrots
Mange-Tout/Sugar Snap Peas
Beansprouts
Broccoli
Cabbage (red or green)
Courgette (Zucchini)
Fresh Lime Juice
Chili
Coriander
Vegetable Boullion
Brown Basmati Rice/Wild Rice (Use cauliflower rice to make it paleo)
Summer Coleslaw
Ingredients
2 cups Napa cabbage finely sliced
2 cup red cabbage thinly sliced
2 red peppers thinly sliced
3 carrots julienne sliced
2 cups bok choy sliced mostly white and some green parts
small bunch chives chopped in 1″ pieces
3 tbsp raw sesame seeds- lightly toasted if desired
For the dressing
2 tbsp braggs liquid aminos
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil-cold pressed organic if possible
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
2 teaspoons grated ginger
2 tsp raw sesame tahini
Celtic sea salt to taste
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE RECIPE
PROTEIN
Caramelised Onion, Carrot & Ham
Omelette Roll
Ingredients
- • 1-2 tablespoons of ghee or butter
- • 2 medium onions (I used one brown and one red onion), cut in half and sliced thinly
- • 2 small carrots, peeled and grated
- • ⅔ teaspoon sea salt
- • 2 garlic cloves, finely diced
- • 6 large eggs
- • Pinch of black pepper and sea salt
- • A little coconut oil, ghee or butter for greasing
- • Rimmed oven tray, about an inch deep, 8-9″ by 15-16″
- • Parchment/baking paper
- • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (optional) or harrissa sauce (you could also use something like pesto)
- • 2-3 slices of free range ham (Use sliced turkey if you’re avoiding processed meats)
Paleo Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts, skin removed and cut into 1/2 inch strips
- 1 28oz can of diced tomatoes
- 32 ounces organic chicken broth
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- 2 jalepenos, de-seeded and diced
- 2 cups of shredded carrots
- 2 cups chopped celery
- 1 bunch of cilantro chopped fine
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced – I always use one of these
- 2 Tbs tomato paste
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- sea salt & fresh cracked pepper to taste
- olive oil
- 1-2 cups water
Ginger Beef and Noodle Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon(s) coconut aminos
- 1 medium lime(s), juiced
- 2 medium garlic clove(s) minced
- 1 teaspoon(s) ginger, fresh grated
- 11/2 pound(s) beef – flank, sirloin, or NY strip steak(s) sliced
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 tablespoon(s) kosher salt or less to taste
- 3 tablespoon(s) sesame oil
- 2 medium onion(s), green sliced
- 1 teaspoon(s) red pepper flakes crushed
- 2 tablespoon(s) cilantro, fresh for garnish
Kickin’ Steak Fajitas
Ingredients
- 1 pound(s) beef – steak(s), boneless cut into 1½ inch x ¼ inch strips
- 1 large onion(s), yellow sliced
- 4 medium garlic clove(s) sliced
- 3 medium bell pepper(s) any color, seeded and sliced
- 2 large jalapeno pepper(s) or serrano peppers, seeded and sliced
- 1 medium avocado(s) seeded and sliced
- 4 tablespoon(s) avocado oil or olive oil
- 1/4 cup(s) cilantro, fresh chopped, optional for garnish
- 1 medium lime(s) quartered, optional for garnish
- 1/2 packet(s) Trader Joe’s Taco Seasoning Mix or mix together 2 teaspoon(s) chili powder, 2 teaspoon(s) cumin, 2 teaspoon(s) garlic powder, 2 teaspoon(s) onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon(s) cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon(s) black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon(s) sea salt
Cuban-Style Slow Cooker Flank Steak
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup(s) chicken broth
- 2 teaspoon(s) cumin
- 11/2 teaspoon(s) oregano, dried
- 1 teaspoon(s) sea salt to taste (optional)
- 1 teaspoon(s) black pepper to taste (optional)
- 1 can(s) tomatoes, diced (14 oz)
- 1 medium onion(s) sliced
- 2 medium bell pepper(s), green sliced
- 2 medium garlic clove(s) chopped
- 1 tablespoon(s) capers chopped
- 11/2 pound(s) beef – flank steak(s) cut crosswise into three pieces
- 1/4 cup(s) olives, pimento-stuffed sliced
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE RECIPE
Chicken and roasted pepper stuffed mushrooms
Meatified
Ingredients
- 4 – 5 large Portabella mushrooms
- ¾ – 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1½ cup roast peppers, drained
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1½ tbl Italian seasoning
- Optional: 1 tsp almondflour per mushroom
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE RECIPE
Caribbean Paleo Jerk Bake Chicken
My Natural Family
INGREDIENTS
- 4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1 Red Bell Pepper (cut into thick slices)
- ½ Fresh Pineapple (cut into ½ “ thick slices)
- 1 Tbl Arrowroot Starch
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Ground Allspice
- ¼ tsp Ground Nutmeg
- ¼ tsp Ground Pepper
- 1 tsp Real Salt
- ½ Tbl Chopped Garlic
- 1 Tbl Fresh Lime Juice
- 2 Tbl Raw Honey
- ¼ Cup Coconut Aminos
- Cilantro (chopped, to garnish)
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE RECIPE
Baked Indian-Style Lemongrass Chicken
Paleo Leap
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 chicken thighs, skinless and boneless
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2 lemongrass stalks, sliced
- 1 lemongrass stalk, minced
- 4 shallots, minced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 small mild red chili peppers (optional)
- 1 tbsp. fresh ginger, minced
- 2 green onions, minced
- 1 tbsp. fresh turmeric, minced
- Juice from 2 limes
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, to garnish
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE RECIPE
Paleo Fish Tacos
Paleo Flourish
For the Fish:
- 1 lb **
tilapia**(or halibut/cod), cut into 1/2 inch by 3-4 inch strips (**NOTE FROM TAMARA-DO NOT EAT TILAPIA EVER! IT’S FARM RAISED AND NASTY STUFF- I’LL WRITE AN ARTICLE SOMETIME.**) - 1/2 cup coconut flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons cumin powder
- dash of pepper
- Coconut oil for frying
For the White Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- dash of chili pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of raw honey (optional)
To Eat:
- 4-6 lettuce leaves
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- 4-6 slices of lime
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE RECIPE
Cilantro Lime Salmon
Paleo Leap
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
- Juice and zest of 2 limes, and then slice the limes
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped + more for garnish
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE RECIPE
Orange Rosemary Seared Salmon
Paleo Leap
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets, skinless
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp. fresh rosemary, minced
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 2 tsp. orange zest
- 1 tbsp. tapioca starch (optional)
- Cooking fat
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE RECIPE
SOURCE:
- L. Miller, (n.d.). The Red Tea Detox. Retrieved from: http://redteadetoxofficial.com/
- http://www.worldometers.info/weight-loss/
- http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/
This was such an informative post! Thank you for all the amazing recipes. I was doing keto but have now just gone to low carb.
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Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often.
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Oh that’s a complete,full of healthy deliciousness article.
Definitely saving it!! Thanks!
https://mommyonthegodiary.wordpress.com/
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Sorry for the delayed reply. I’ve been on a leave of absence and am currently getting caught up. Awesome! My pleasure!
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