Coming Clean: Pineapple-Jicama Salad + a "Health Challenge"

Happy Leap Day! {Do people actually celebrate this? I suppose leap day birthdays/anniversaries do it up big since they don't get the chance often!}

Though I'm not formally observing this once-every-four-years event, I did take a big "leap" last week that I thought I'd share since it's related to food which is, of course, the reason you're here.

Those who know me well know two absolute truths: I love food, and I dislike exercise. While the former fact has served me well in some ways, the latter is not something I'm proud of. In fact, it's something that I've attempted to change time and time again.

So, when a friend approached me 2 weeks ago asking if I'd be interested in participating in a "Health Challenge", my knee-jerk reaction was, "HECK NO."

"Health Challenge" sounded like sneaky code to me for other words like "diet" and "sweat." Bleh.

Despite my initial reaction, I let her send some information about what she was doing and told her I'd think about it. When her email popped up in my inbox, most of my suspicions were confirmed. There would be exercise. And there would be eating regulations. And I really wanted nothing to do with it.

And yet... something piqued my interest. Maybe it was the fact that I never did lose the last 5 pounds of my pregnancy weight. Or perhaps my recent lack of energy and inability to sleep well finally pushed me to take action. Whatever it was, it was enough to make me think, "Seven days? I can do anything for 7 days. Let's give it a shot."

So I told her I'd do it.

My husband was completely shocked, knowing how I feel about most of these detoxes, cleanses and challenges, and truthfully, so was I. Nevertheless, I geared myself up for the week of clean eating and exercise, said a little prayer, and started along with the rest of the group last Monday.

My day was immediately impacted as I normally start the morning with a cup of coffee {with about a teaspoon of sugar and half & half}, and the challenge clearly stated there was to be NO sugar. I don't like my coffee black, so I figured I'd go ahead and ditch the caffeine, too while I was at it. Surely, the one cup of caffeinated coffee I drink daily wouldn't be that hard to wean myself from for just a week...

By Day 2, I was feeling the effects of what I'm guessing was mild "sugar and caffeine withdrawal", which was surprising as I didn't even think I indulge in enough of either to have any sort of symptoms. Clearly, I was mistaken. I felt slightly groggy, irritable, and very, very tired. Like, I took a nap while my todder napped in the afternoon, tired. {If you know me, you know that I don't nap. Unless I'm pretty sick.}

Eating "clean" wasn't going so terribly. I try to keep things fairly healthy anyway {you'd never know it by reading this blog, huh?! Remember when I started my "Coming Clean" series?}, so the only real challenge was avoiding foods with added sugar {which SO MANY things contain. I'm looking at you boxed chicken broth!} and any of the treats I allow myself during the week {a nibble of chocolate, a small scoop of gelato in the evening, prepackaged granola or yogurt containing cane sugar... those allowances add up!}. Also... NO alcohol. Which really isn't a big deal considering that I went a full 40+ weeks without so much as a drop, but I've become quite chummy with my wine glass, especially on weekend evenings and particularly stressful days.

Clockwise from top left: Avocado & strawberry salad with chicken, pecans and homemade apple cider vinaigrette;
"Loaded" sweet potato with black beans, tomatoes, pickled jalapenos, green salsa and Greek yogurt;
Granny Smith apple and almond butter snack; Roasted butternut squash over arugula with walnuts & a sprinkle of herbed chevre. 

Still, the food portion was manageable, which made me feel good. The exercise?? Not so much.

Our group leader sent us daily 30 minute exercises {think: P90X, Insanity and the like} that we were required to complete daily. Thirty minutes may not seem like a huge deal to most, but for a girl who considers power walking her physical activity of choice, it was a bit of a shock to the system. {Read: I couldn't complete half the reps on Day 1. Sad but true facts.}

The mere sight of "Shaun T" and "Tony Horton" was enough to turn my stomach, and we developed a mildly unhealthy love/hate relationship over the next 7 days. But I held myself accountable and did as much of each workout as I physically could. Sure, I could barely lift my child into his crib, and had to hang on to the banister to ensure my wobbly legs wouldn't give out as I climbed the stairs to our second floor... but I just kept reminding myself that anything it's possible to stick to anything for just a week. JUST A WEEK.

Clockwise from top left: Strawberries with a dab of coconut cream;
Gluten free spaghetti with sauteed zucchini & kale in green olive tapenade "sauce" and a teensy sprinkle of cheese;
"Faux-potle" bowl with cauliflower rice and black beans, homemade pico de gallo, avocado, salsa verde and a glob of Greek yogurt.

As the week went on {slowly... ever-so-slowly!!!}, the "fog" lifted from my brain. I actually enjoyed the challenge of preparing my meals with clean ingredients... and I made some absolutely delicious things that I'd eat during any "non-challenge" week. On Friday, I repeated Monday's workout and found that I was able to complete most of the exercises and reps without feeling like I might keel over, and I learned to modify the things that I still didn't feel strong enough to do properly. {Push ups, I hate you forever.}

Most of all, I felt... Proud. Proud because I stuck to something I didn't really want to do to begin with. Proud because I was doing something for myself and not making excuses {I work from home with a toddler, I write about food, it's time consuming/expensive/inconvenient/impossible}. Proud because I avoided temptation and didn't give in when I wanted to {Friday night, all day Saturday, Sunday during a baby shower that had CAKE.} Proud because I'm pretty sure that's the longest I've ever gone without sugar!

Commitment is... saying "NO" to cake & champagne punch at a baby shower!
Note: I removed at the middles out of the sushi and skipped the white rice.
Pictured: Cucumbers, grape tomatoes, pepperoncini, Kalamata olives, California rolls,
smoked salmon, poached shrimp with a squeeze of lemon juice, strawberries & apples. 

The result? I lost 2 pounds. Most people have said "All that work and that's it?", and I suppose you can choose to look at it that way. But the truth is, it was only 7 days. And maybe I didn't lose the full 5 pounds that I've been holding onto {I've decided that I may not even want or need to!}, but I did GAIN quite a bit more -- confidence, accountability, self-respect. Things that far outweigh, well... the weight.

I feel like black & white makes it more "medical" than weird.
Plus, good lawd do I need some sunshine on my belly!

Left; Oh hi, I'm just over here dying after a workout. Right: Hey look! Ab-ish type shadows!!

Does this mean I will never eat a cookie again? Absolutely not. I firmly hold onto the belief that moderation is key. {And, um, I'd work myself out of a job!} I indulged -- no, REVELED! --  in my cup of coffee this morning... but only added half the sugar I normally do. I followed it up with some sprouted grain avocado toast and a banana with almond butter. I'm completely satisfied.

I'm telling you this because, like me, I'm sure there are some of you that are wondering if YOU could complete a challenge like this. You can. If you WANT to. And even if you don't really want to, but you're willing to commit.

For me, this was an unexpected -- but welcome -- change in routine, and good reminder that it's important to "check in" every now and again and make sure you're staying balanced. {I found that I had veered slightly off course into The Land of Carbs and Sugar in the past few months.}

So, if you're thinking you might need a little change, I say give it a try. You can do it without telling anyone about it if you're afraid you'll quit half way through. Or better yet, you can find a group who will support you and push you to the end when you want to quit half way through. Either way, the challenge is yours, and so are the benefits when it's all said and done!

Some notes:

1. I gave myself a "rest day" on Saturday and didn't work out since I was "in motion" all day.

2. Our group leader sent us daily meal plans detailing what we should strive to eat. I somewhat followed them, but modified to fit my needs {no red meat, minimal grains or gluten free, etc.} and ate when I needed to. Do not go hungry! You will backpedal and cheat if you do. Instead, choose nutrient-rich foods to fuel yourself and make "good choices."

3. LEARN ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO MAKE "GOOD CHOICES"! I am lucky that I married a man with extensive knowledge and experience in the field of nutrition, and though I don't always do what he says, I know my options and I know what I should be choosing. Foods that say "all natural", "fat free", "low fat" and "whole grain" are not always what they are cracked up to be. In fact, most of the best foods don't "say" anything at all because they're not prepackaged and they come from the earth! Education is key, folks.

4. I chose not to add any of the approved natural sweeteners to my food, with the exception of one day when my gluten free oatmeal was a little too bland/tart with the Granny Smith apple I grated into it. {I added a splash of pure maple syrup.} Though honey, stevia and pure maple syrup were approved in this challenge, I figured I'd use the opportunity to try to retrain my taste buds to find the natural flavor in foods without additional sweetening. And guess what? By the middle of the week, my toothpaste tasted too sweet!! Crazy!

5. It's only 7 days. But 7 days can seem... long. Stick with it. Be prepared so that you aren't tempted to cheat. I had homemade roasted chickpeas with me when I ventured out on Saturday in case I started feeling munchy while I was out and about. I ate a little bit before I went to a baby shower on Sunday so that I wouldn't be famished and tempted to indulge {luckily, they had some clean options that I did enjoy!}. You can do anything for a week!

Progress, not perfection. If you slip up, that's ok. Just do your best! 

** Thank you, Magdalena, for challenging me to step it up with you! I needed it! If you want to join Magdalena's next Health Challenge, you can send her a direct message via Facebook -- mention that I sent you and she'll throw in a treat to help you during your challenge!

Disclosure: Magdalena is a coach through the Beachbody program. I did not use the program's shakes during my health challenge, but incorporating them into your health challenge is an option if you choose to participate. I did not receive any compensation for this post or for my participation, I simply wanted to share my experience! All opinions here are my own.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Ok, now let's stop talking about food and actually eat some! You guys, I promise you I did not feel hungry or unsatisfied {besides missing chocolate and wine} during this challenge. Because real, wholesome food is so delicious! I had almost forgotten how much I love fruit, but since it was my only source of sugar during this challenge, I rediscovered how amazing natural sweetness really is. {Don't go overboard, of course.}

This Pineapple-Jicama Salad is not a dessert by any stretch of the imagination, but the combination of naturally sweet/tart pineapple and cool, crunchy jicama may just stave off some of those sugar cravings when you need a fix. This slaw is good enough to eat alone, but it makes a fantastic addition to fish, grilled chicken, and "clean" fish tacos.

Enjoy each bite knowing it's good and good FOR you!

Pineapple-Jicama Salad
Inspired by a popular local restaurant, Food Shack in Jupiter, Florida

Juice of 1/2 a lime
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon vinegar {something like rice vinegar works well here}
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro {if you're among cilantro-haters, skip it}
A pinch of sea salt
A pinch of red pepper flakes

1 1/2 cups pineapple, cut into matchsticks/thin strips
1/2 cup jicama, cut into matchsticks
1/2 of a medium Granny Smith or tart apple, cut into matchsticks
1 small red bell pepper, cut into matchsticks

1. In a large bowl, whisk together first 7 ingredients.
2. Add the pineapple, jicama, apple and bell pepper. Toss until well-coated.

You can eat this right away, but it tastes even better if you let the flavors marinate for a few hours! Makes a great topping for fish, chicken and fish tacos!

Note: To make it easier on myself, I bought pre-cut pineapple and jicama spears. You can also simply dice the ingredients if you don't feel like spending the time cutting into matchsticks. It's good either way!

30 Healthy Recipes {That Nourish & Satisfy}

This just in: Greens are the new Christmas cookie.

Um, ok, that's not entirely true. There's nothing like a homemade Christmas cookie, and you know it. But that doesn't mean that healthier options can't be delicious in their own right. 

I've never been one for "resolutions" {I tend to set smaller goals year-round} but I can see how the start of a new year is a good starting point for establishing new routines. It's a fresh start, a clean slate; 365 untarnished days of hope and new resolve. 

For many people, this is the time to attempt new food-related goals including weight loss, trying their hand at cooking {or cooking more often} and maybe even allowing their palates to become more adventurous.

I went through my own set of adventures with nutrition last year and I can tell you that it turned out to be a great experience. As it turned out, limiting myself from eating certain foods resulted in having to get creative and try new things that I may have never thought to try before! Win!

So, if you're one of the thousands out there who are looking to improve your diet without sacrificing the enjoyment of eating flavorful, yummy food, I've got you covered. That's right. It's not all cupcakes and cream puffs around here. 

I'm sharing a one-stop shop for some of the best healthy recipes I've posted to date. Just one bite is all it takes to prove that nutritious can be delicious!

Looking for more wholesome options? Follow my "Delish Nutrish" Pinterest board for lots of ideas from my favorite bloggers!

{Scroll below for links to recipes. Not all are pictured here.}

Beverages
Blueberry-Ginger Cobbler Smoothie

Haute Hydration -- Flavor Combos to Spice Up Your Water!

Veggies & More

Raw Baby Dragon Bowl with Five Spice Dressing

Orange Glazed Cauliflower

Curried Brown Rice with Zucchini

Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Cauliflower Mash
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Quinoa, Beet & Bean Burgers

Gluten-Free Linguine with Avocado & Arugula Pesto
Sweet Potato, Coconut & Chipotle Soup

Quinoa Dishes
Quinoa "Burrito Bowl"

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Quinoa Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Pineapple-Cilantro Quinoa

Acorn Squash Stuffed with Spiced Quinoa

Lean & Meaty

Teriyaki Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Asian Chicken Salad with Ginger-Sesame Dressing

North African Turkey Meatballs with Brown Date Rice
Hearty Turkey Chili
Chicken with Tomatillo & Cilantro Sauce
Red Curry Spaghetti Squash with Chicken

Fish Dishes
Tandoori Marinated Tilapia with Mango Salsa

Fish en Papillote on a Bed of Vegetables
Soy-Glazed Cod
Sear-Roasted Haddock with Blood Orange Salsa

Desserts and Treats

Individual Strawberry Crisps

Chocolate-Hazelnut Risotto
Gluten Free Oatmeal & Flax Cranberry Cookies

German Chocolate Granola

Here's to a delectable New Year! 

Coming Clean: Individual Strawberry Crisps

I've been on a strawberry kick lately. It could be because it's hard to pass by them without the sweet smell attacking your senses.

I literally came to screeching halt in front of the berries when I ran into the grocery store to pick up some eggs the other day. I stopped, inhaled deeply, and promptly deposited two pints into my basket. {They were 2 for $5. I couldn't just walk away with one.}

Sneaky little things.

{Side note: Is it even still berry season?? I have no concept of such things, though I feel I should probably know...}

The only problem with buying berries in bulk is that if you don't eat them pretty quickly, they start to go south rather fast. Nothing makes me more sad that a moldy strawberry. {Well, ok, that's not true. But moldy berries definitely make the list.}

I've been eating these strawberries just as they are, and have also taken to pouring a little of the Blackberry-Ginger Balsamic vinegar that I picked up at The Ancient Olive over them for a tangy treat. You haven't lived until you've eaten a balsamic berry. Delish.

When I was poking around the fridge yesterday, I noticed that the strawberries were already starting to look a little withered.

Unacceptable.

I put my thinking cap on {my mom used to say this phrase all the time when I was a kid... am I the only one who uses it??}, and quickly threw together a pair of mini Strawberry Crisps that take no time at all from start to finish.

Bonus: They're not terribly unhealthy!

I used gluten free oats, rice flour, honey and maple syrup in place of traditional crisp ingredients {regular oats, all-purpose flour, and sugar} to "healthify" this version, but the flavor didn't suffer at all from the substitutions.

This recipe makes just two, but you could certainly multiply the amounts to serve a crowd. I'm also pretty sure you could bake it up into one big crisp instead of a few small ones if you really wanted to. {But the minis are so cute!}

If you want to make these a little more decadent, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some freshly whipped cream on top for a taste of pure, summery bliss.

It's no berry left behind around here... and if this is the result of using up every last one, I say bring on the berries!

Individual Strawberry Crisps

10 strawberries {approximately}, rinsed, hulled, and sliced
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey {you may want to leave this out if your strawberries are super-sweet}
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon rice flour {or all purpose flour}

For Topping:

1/3 cup gluten free {or regular} oats
1/4 cup slivered almonds
2 tablespoons rice flour {or regular all purpose flour}
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet by lining with a piece of foil. Place two ramekins on the foil.  Set aside.

2. In a small bowl, toss together berries, lemon juice, honey, vanilla extract, and flour until all the berries are well-coated. Set aside.

3. In another small bowl, stir together oats, almonds, flour, and salt. Add maple syrup and coconut oil and mix until the oats are well combined.

4. Spoon berry mixture evenly into each ramekin. Top evenly with oat mixture.

5. Bake for about 15-17 minutes, or until the filling starts to become bubbly and the crisp topping starts to turn golden.

6. Serve warm. {Or top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!}

Coming Clean: "German Chocolate" Granola

I'm happy to share that I have reached the stage in my clean eating adventure where I no longer have raging sugar cravings.

I used to think it was a lie that this was achievable. I'd even venture to say that I was more likely to believe that unicorns roam freely somewhere on this planet.

But I turned down ice cream, y'all.

Like, willingly.

This tiny little action has made me question everything I've believed to be true up until this point in my life.

I kid.

But seriously, it's become a lot easier to say no to sugar.

In a way, I've been cheating because I've allowed myself to snack on yummy things every so often that are sweetened naturally. It keeps me sane from going off the deep end and throwing in the towel on this whole thing. And I'm actually enjoying playing around with flavors to satisfy my sweet tooth without necessarily going all sugar happy.

One of my favorite satisfying snacks lately has been homemade granola.

By the way, have you ever looked at the nutrition label on most store bought granolas? Many are a super sneaky sugar hideout just waiting to derail your clean eating plans.

You're all, "Oh, look at me! I'm being so healthy and eating granola!" Meanwhile, you might be downing as much sugar as you would in one of those colorfully packaged kids cereals. I don't know about you, folks, but I prefer chocolate chip cookies as my vehicle for unhealthy sugar intake. Just sayin'.

Anyway, I totally psyched my taste buds out with this recipe for "German Chocolate" Granola. {There's no German Chocolate in it, hence the quotation marks.}

Like the cake, it's got coconut, pecans, and a nice chocolate flavor {thanks to unsweetened cocoa powder} without too much naughtiness. The sweetness comes from honey and a dash of maple syrup, which are healthier sweeteners than traditional sugars. {I found this article from Mark's Daily Apple pretty interesting & educational in regards to why honey is a better choice.}

I love to indulge in a little bit of this with some almond or coconut {or almond-coconut} milk.

Just a reminder... this is still considered a treat and should be eaten sparingly. Remember, it's all about moderation {not gluttony or deprivation}! But it's nice to find a healthy living loophole when it comes to snacking.

Ok, it's not exactly a scoop of gelato or anything, but it'll do the trick. If you don't believe me, we can go hunting for unicorns together. :)


"German Chocolate" Granola

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats {not quick cooking}
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut {I use the Reduced Fat kind from this brand}
1/2 cup chopped pecans or pecan chips
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
4 oz. unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon coconut extract

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Prepare a sheet pan by lining with foil or with a silicone baking mat.

2. Combine oats, coconut, pecans, cocoa powder, and salt in large bowl. Mix well.

3. Pour applesauce, honey, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and coconut extract in to bowl with dry ingredients and stir until well combined and no dry spots can be seen.

4. Spread out onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Stir mixture and spread out again, then bake for another 15-20 minutes.

5. Remove from oven and let cool. Store in an airtight container.

Coming Clean: Chocolate-Hazelnut Risotto

So, I'm definitely detoxing.

I'm irritable, uncomfortable, and just want to stick my face in a bucket of gelato.

Is that so much to ask?

I'm even having weird nightmares about all kinds of crazy things. 

Last night, I dreamed that I was leaving a friend's party and had to drive someone else's car to the next place I was going. The seat was pulled too close to the steering wheel, so I tried to adjust it while I was driving. Suddenly, it went flying backwards faster than I expected. My feet were too far from the pedals to be able to brake. So, I was careening out of control while merging onto a busy highway. 

Somehow I managed to avoid catastrophe and made it to college, where I had a huge exam awaiting me. Except, I had no idea what room it was in, what time it started, who my professor was, or how to make my way around the giant campus.

Meahwhile, I get a call on my cell phone from "The Government" {no specific branch, just a lady saying "This is a call from The Government". They had seen my reckless driving fiasco and had some questions to ask me. As I'm trying to explain my situation {and still navigate my way around this terrible labyrinth of a school}, my phone battery dies. 

Crap.

I miraculously get to the right place and find that there is a huge line of people waiting to pick up their testing materials, which are given out by machine. After a long wait {and a near meltdown thinking that this test is timed & probably almost over by now}, I make it to the front of the line and can't figure out how to work the darn machine. I'm swiping my student ID over and over again, but it isn't working, and the mob of students behind me is growing tired of waiting.

Out of nowhere, a librarian holding a phone with one of those long, curly cords from back in the day, tells me that someone from The Government is calling for me, and that they seem pretty mad. 

In the meantime, I've figured out that the test I'm taking is made up of a combination of advanced anatomy and some sort of math I've never seen. WHAT?

Luckily, this is where I woke up. Which is good because I'm pretty sure my blood pressure was probably through the roof from the stress of this nightmare.

I have got.to.get.a.grip.

And I think part of the solution is dessert.

No, but seriously. I'm enjoying the healthy recipes I've been making -- a lot -- but the real issue is that I'm MISSING the things I'm trying to avoid.

Specifically sweet treats. Because a life without Nutella is not a life worth living.

They say that necessity is the mother of invention. Well, so is desperation.

This.

I am happy to say that this "cleaner" dessert recipe* hits the spot. Ok, so it's not Nutella, exactly. But you won't hear any complaints.

Completely inspired by the Chocolate Risotto I had at Disney, this version is non-dairy, uses honey as a sweetener instead of sugar, and gets its rich, creamy texture from coconut milk.

Did I ever think I'd come up with something this good? Only in my dreams. ;)

Chocolate-Hazelnut Risotto
Inspired by the chefs at Disney, and this Whole Foods Recipe

1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil {I used this kind}
2/3 cup arborio rice**
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

4 cups almond milk
1/2 cup non-dairy hazelnut creamer {I use So Delicious Coconut Creamer}
1/2 cup honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup coconut milk {I used full fat but you can use "lite" if you'd like}
1/4 cup toasted hazelnuts, chopped {Optional}

1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together cocoa powder and a few tablespoons of almond milk to make a paste. Gradually add in remaining almond milk, whisking to combine. Stir in hazelnut creamer, honey, and vanilla extract.  Bring to a simmer and leave over medium-low heat.

2. Meanwhile, in a skillet with high sides, warm 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil over medium heat. Add rice and stir to coat, toasting for about 2 minutes.

3. Ladle about 1/2 cup of hot milk mixture in to the pan with the rice. Stir often until most of the liquid is absorbed. Continue to add liquid in small amounts {approx. 1/3 - 1/2 cup at time}, simmering until almost absorbed and stirring, stirring, stirring {that's what creates the creaminess of risotto... developing those starches!}.

4. After the last bit of liquid has been absorbed, stir in coconut milk. Continue to stir until thickened and  {once again}, mostly absorbed.

{This whole process took me about 40 minutes. The rice might still have a tiny bit of a bite to it, but shouldn't be hard. If you find that it is still a bit hard, reduce heat to low and put a lid on the pan. Cook this way for 6-8 minutes, making sure to monitor the liquid level... it shouldn't get too dry.}

5. Spoon risotto into serving dishes and top with chopped toasted hazelnuts if desired.

Makes about 4 servings.

*A Note about "Clean Desserts" - Desserts are desserts. And while this is definitely a more wholesome version of the original, please remember that these sweet treats should still be enjoyed in moderation. {Bummer, huh?}

** You can substitute with brown arborio rice if you prefer, but it will affect the cooking time as brown rice takes longer to soften and cook through.

Coming Clean: Strawberry-Quinoa Salad

They say the truth hurts.

I can attest to that.

Sometimes it's a stinging feeling, like you fell and scraped your pride. Sometimes it's a dull ache. The kind that alarms you enough to go to a doctor and get it checked out.

At least that's the kind that I experienced recently. Nothing serious, just a little reminder that at 31, I need to be on top of things pertaining to reproduction and eventually attempting to create offspring.

NOTE: This post discusses things of a personal nature. If you feel uncomfortable reading the word "ovary" on a food blog {which, I wouldn't fault you for}, this would be your cue to scroll down to the recipe or click to another post. I won't be getting too graphic, but I thought I'd give you a heads up just to be fair.

Anyway, I recently went to my annual lady parts appointment {And OH MY GOSH, I am sort of in disbelief that I'm actually telling you this here. All of you. Wow.}, and had the same conversation that I have with my doctor every year. It went something like this:

Doctor: "So, how are you doing?"
Me: "Fine, thanks!"
Doctor: "Good. Any important changes to report? Or questions you might have?"
Me: "No. Well... actually, there's this one thing..."

And so, just to be certain that the "one thing" was, in fact, nothing new to report, my doctor set up a follow up appointment to check out a few more things and make sure all was well.

It's never a good thing when you overhear the doctor say, "No, I want to talk to her for a sec.", and then close the door behind her. It's the kind of thing that makes your stomach churn and your palms sweat. And in the few minutes leading up to that "talk", your imagination can seriously run wild.

Long story short {And saving you LOTS of unnecessary details. You're welcome.}, I was told that I have a cyst on one of my ovaries.

It's actually not a big deal. In fact, it wasn't "news", exactly. The first time I heard about it was a few years ago when my doctor initially discovered a few of them. Upon my most recent visit, they found that the original ones had disappeared.

But those aren't the current problem. The problem is this new addition which is larger than my doctor feels comfortable leaving to resolve on its own. Which means surgery. Which means I'm a basket case. Which means, I can't think about anything but this damn thing.

I can imagine that you're wondering, "And what exactly, Dianna, does this have to do with food?? You know that's why we come here, right?" {And yes, I do.}

But it has everything to do with food. Because food is the fuel that we run on. And I, my friends, have been doing a poor job of fueling myself properly.

Don't get me wrong... I'm careful about what I eat. I read labels. I eat my veggies. I cook { and bake} from scratch. I limit my bad fats. I don't even eat red meat. My husband is a super healthy eater, and by default, I don't get away with a whole lot.

That being said, I have a vice. A few of them, actually. Namely dairy {cheeeeese}. And sugar. And coffee {with sugar and dairy}. And wine. Mmm, wine.

These things that I love so much... they're {sadly} inflammatory. And I know that. I do. But this little thing called blogging has given me just enough reason to consume way more of them than I need to. Even though I give away the majority of the things I make. Even though I'm all about "moderation". I've eaten far more goodies than I should in the name of the blog.

It's what happens when you notice that your cupcake posts get about 10 times more views than your roasted vegetable posts, and as a natural result, you have cupcakes in your house 10 times more often than you normally would.

But that's not your fault. And it's not the blog's fault.

No excuses, no finger pointing... I'm coming clean.

Here's the thing: I cannot live a life without the aforementioned items. Well, ok. I can. I just don't want to. And I don't think anyone should have to if they don't want to. So, I don't plan on eliminating them completely, because quite frankly, that's just cruel.

But something's got to be done. And since there isn't much I can control in this situation, I figured the least I could do was try to aid my body in healing itself so that I can avoid surgery. Perhaps the food isn't the direct culprit, but it can't hurt to investigate.

So... I'll be writing some posts in a new series: Coming Clean.

I debated writing about this in such a public forum. It could make people uncomfortable. It could stir up controversy. I've already had these talks with friends {and family} who have different opinions about diet and medicine and holistic approaches. I respect all of them.

I'm just not a "Here, take a pill." kinda gal. And I feel like I need to take some responsibility for my own health. I'm not suggesting this is the only route, or the right route for you, but it's the route I'm taking.

So, since this is going to affect what you'll be reading, I decided to share. You might have suspected something was up anyway when you started seeing less frosting and more fruits & veggies. ;)

For your sake and mine, I'm going to to do my very best to share only the tastiest things I come up with. And don't worry... there will still be cheese. And sugar. And wine. Just not as much as before.

I've got six weeks before my next appointment... six weeks to shrink this little sucker and show it who's boss. And if eating stuff like this Strawberry Quinoa Salad is the solution, then I don't think I'll mind it one bit.

This dish is a perfect combination of flavors - savory, sweet, crunchy, refreshing. And yes, there's even a little cheese involved.

Strawberry Quinoa Salad
Adapted from PureWow via Mette Williams - Culina, L.A.

1 cup quinoa, rinsed
1 1/4 cups water
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar {or champagne vinegar}
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped
Scant 1/2 teaspoon salt
Pepper to taste
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
6-7 strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/4 cup slivered or sliced almonds, toasted {or regular almonds, chopped}, plus extra for garnish
3 scallions, finely sliced
1/4-1/3 cup reduced fat crumbled feta cheese

1. Make Quinoa: In a medium pot, combine quinoa and 1 1/4 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low heat and cover. Simmer until most of the water is absorbed, 8-10 minutes. Stir once, then reduce heat to low and allow to sit and steam {covered} for about 6-8 minutes more. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool. {You can speed this up by spreading it out on a cookie sheet.}

2. Meanwhile, whisk together olive oil, white balsamic, lemon juice, parsley, mint, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.

3. Transfer cooled quinoa into bowl with whisked mixture. Add cucumber, strawberries, almonds, scallions, and feta. Gently toss to combine and coat the entire mixture with vinaigrette at the bottom of the bowl.

4. Garnish with extra toasted almonds if desired. Enjoy at room temperature or as a cold salad. Both are equally delicious!