Challenge: Buzzfeed Clean Eating Detox

 Lunch Day 1

 Lunch Day 2

Dinner Day 1

As I continue my journey to be a healthier happier self aware person, I have decided to take on Buzzfeed's Clean Eating Challenge!

Length: 2 Weeks

What: No Processed Food- All Homemade, No alcohol or Coffee, High Protein, Low Carb, Gluten-Free

How: Super detailed and organized meal plans with weekly grocery lists and ahead of time prep guides

Who: Omnivores looking to get away from fast food and take out

Thoughts so far: Day 2

• PROS: So far, I love the breakfasts and salad dressings in particular! Today, I had yummy overnight oats with blueberries. The meal plans  have been creative thus far, aka a great place for recipe inspiration. I would check out the recipes, even if you are not sold on the entire detox. . I have made my own adaptions to keep it meat-free but still high protein, hence the almonds in the last salad. I plan to substitute quinoa, almonds, chickpeas, etc wherever recipes call for a portion of protein. The salads are HUGE, so no worries at all about getting full. 

• CONS: The groceries add up fast, for the first week I spent close to $100, and that is not including the ingredients I already had at home.  Some of the ingredients were difficult to find; I needed to make substitutions. Although in the first photograph, I used spinach because I forgot the asparagus (my bad!). In the Day 2 salad, I was not a fan of the large dose of fennel.  Fennel tastes too much like black licorice. 

You can also follow my experience on instagram: sugarsprout  

Lots of love! 

-Monica

Heartfelt and Homemade

 Menu from Jamie's Italian in Covent Garden

Delicious baked mushroom antipasti

After hearing about Jamie Oliver's mega win against McDonald's (no more pink slime burgers!), I couldn't help reminiscing on the absolutely delicious dinner I had at Jamie's Italian while I was in London.  This led to my memories of watching Jamie's 15 minute meals in anticipation the summer before my travels.  Basically, I ended up taking a lengthy trip down memory lane.  Feeling incredibly homesick for my flat across the ocean I have been looking for ways to incorporate some of my fondest British memories into my life here in Chicago- especially anything Jamie Oliver.

Found a super simple recipe for my very first drink in London: Pimm's Cup

Made a big batch of Jamie's Leek & Potato Soup

Excited to try this Jamie recipe next! Ricotta Fritters with Tomato Sauce and Courgette Salad

I know what you're thinking... these are not quintessentially British dishes.  No, they are not.  In London, me and my roommates had so much fun experimenting with food since we were fending for ourselves over there.  We learned from each other and from the cultures around us.  Self-proclaimed foodies we were constantly trying new restaurants and foods- that is something that I very much want to continue here in the U.S.  Starting with these spectacular recipes! 

P.S. (Images 1 & 2 are from my friend's Instagram. 3- Honestly Yum. 4 & 5- Jamie Oliver's website).