I ended the Detox Challenge realizing that my bread eating habits got in the way of me feeling good. I decided to challenge myself to a month without it. It was a big part of my diet during detox, but not because it was part of the plan. I simply grabbed it as an easy snack with avocado on it or with my morning scrambled eggs, or just because I wanted something warm. Toasted bread with peanut butter sometimes saves the day - until it gives me a stomach ache. So, realizing that bread doesn't do me any good and knowing I can do better, I am taking up this challenge. Grains don't suit my metabolic type. They give me stomach pain and make me gain weight fast. They also make me feel sluggish, so what's the point.
The biggest challenge is my breakfast. My standard breakfast is an egg sandwich - 3 eggs on 2 slices of whole grain bread. It keeps me full for a while and I can eat it while walking to my morning clients. As an alternative I can eat omelets but it's a bit more challenging to walk the streets of New York holding a plate, fork, a bag and my cup of coffee while chowing down an omelette. Let's face it. Bread is convenient. You can get a sandwich at any corner. You are presented with the dreaded bread basket at any restaurant. It's considered the basic food of life. It's everywhere and part of our daily diet. Giving it up is not an easy feat for me, but I know I can do this. Enter my boyfriend. He has been eliminating bread for about two weeks because it made him congested. Without it he feels much better.
After sharing with him my goal for the month, this morning I was presented with a lovely breakfast option to replace bread. The Brits have a dish called "Bubble and Squeak". It's a dish that combines the leftover veggies from a roast with mashed potatoes. It's formed into a burger or patty of sorts, then pan-fried until golden brown. Let me tell you, the Brits are on to something..
If you make this at home, I suggest you go easy on the potatoes because they are, after all, high in starch. Use only as much mashed potato you need to hold the veggies together - you'll keep your starch intake low. The three sunny-side up eggs provided about 20 grams of protein. And, there was also a side of roasted brussels sprouts with a few bits of bacon. So, all in all, the meal consisted of about 35 grams of carbs and 22 grams of protein.
You can use any veggie you like. The Brits typically use brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, and peas. The cold chopped veggies are fried in a pan with the mashed potatoes formed into patties until golden brown. Some people add lamb or beef to the mix to add protein. I prefer to eat my eggs with it and just have one patty because it's just enough carbohydrates to feel full but not to get a mega overdose on carbs that will put your body into fat storage mode.
Why is it called "Bubble and Squeak"? Well, try it and you'll hear that the sounds the cakes make are living up to their name.
Note that they're all pretty high in carbs. Stick to one cake and add your protein on the side to balance your blood sugar. You might also want to replace butter and margarine with olive oil to keep it artery friendly.
Here are a few interesting variations:
Vegan Bubble and Squeak
The Classic British Version with bacon and cabbage
Gordon Ramsey's Real British Version
The biggest challenge is my breakfast. My standard breakfast is an egg sandwich - 3 eggs on 2 slices of whole grain bread. It keeps me full for a while and I can eat it while walking to my morning clients. As an alternative I can eat omelets but it's a bit more challenging to walk the streets of New York holding a plate, fork, a bag and my cup of coffee while chowing down an omelette. Let's face it. Bread is convenient. You can get a sandwich at any corner. You are presented with the dreaded bread basket at any restaurant. It's considered the basic food of life. It's everywhere and part of our daily diet. Giving it up is not an easy feat for me, but I know I can do this. Enter my boyfriend. He has been eliminating bread for about two weeks because it made him congested. Without it he feels much better.
After sharing with him my goal for the month, this morning I was presented with a lovely breakfast option to replace bread. The Brits have a dish called "Bubble and Squeak". It's a dish that combines the leftover veggies from a roast with mashed potatoes. It's formed into a burger or patty of sorts, then pan-fried until golden brown. Let me tell you, the Brits are on to something..
If you make this at home, I suggest you go easy on the potatoes because they are, after all, high in starch. Use only as much mashed potato you need to hold the veggies together - you'll keep your starch intake low. The three sunny-side up eggs provided about 20 grams of protein. And, there was also a side of roasted brussels sprouts with a few bits of bacon. So, all in all, the meal consisted of about 35 grams of carbs and 22 grams of protein.
You can use any veggie you like. The Brits typically use brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, and peas. The cold chopped veggies are fried in a pan with the mashed potatoes formed into patties until golden brown. Some people add lamb or beef to the mix to add protein. I prefer to eat my eggs with it and just have one patty because it's just enough carbohydrates to feel full but not to get a mega overdose on carbs that will put your body into fat storage mode.
Why is it called "Bubble and Squeak"? Well, try it and you'll hear that the sounds the cakes make are living up to their name.
Note that they're all pretty high in carbs. Stick to one cake and add your protein on the side to balance your blood sugar. You might also want to replace butter and margarine with olive oil to keep it artery friendly.
Here are a few interesting variations:
Vegan Bubble and Squeak
The Classic British Version with bacon and cabbage
Gordon Ramsey's Real British Version
I'll try this because I can't eat grains and I don't want to eat Greek yogurt every morning.
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