So this is technically the 5th day of my Whole 30 experience, but the 1st day was a little wonky.  I’m still counting it.  Anyway, I’m loving this so far.  I feel great and my workouts have been really awesome.  The whole week has been awesome, actually.

One thing I’m learning about a “diet” like this (I hate that word) is that if I don’t dwell on it, I really do so much better.  I’m just focusing on buying in-season, gorgeous fruits and vegetables, preparing them in delicious ways for variety, and gorging on them.

I’m trying not to freak out about what not to eat or drink.  I’m just thinking about what amazing, Divinely-crafted foods I do get to eat.

I guess in some ways it should be easy for me at this point in my life, since I’ve been eliminating foods for a looooong time.  But all at once?  And with no red wine in my life?  This really is huge for me.  And I’m actually doing it.  It’s a great feeling.

One thing I’ve been craving every once in a while is a little crunch with my fruit.  So I made a nut mix that’s crunchy, sweet, salty, spicy, and really satisfying.  I sprinkled some on a small bowl of fresh blueberries and it checked off a lot of boxes on my craving list.

SSS NUT MIX (sweet, savory, spicy)

‘gredients:

1. 1-2 cups of small nuts, like sliced raw almonds, pepitas, and cashew pieces
2. 1 tablespoon coconut oil (melted)
3. salt, cinnamon, garam masala, apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice, cayenne pepper (All of these are optional.  If you want to just add cinnamon, do it.)
4. unsweetened coconut flakes (opt.)

‘structions:

• preheat oven to 375.
• mix the nuts with the coconut oil.
• add in the spices ~ just add a few dashes of each, and just a tiny pinch of the cayenne.  Taste as you go and add more of whatever you like.
• spread them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and toast in the oven for 10 minutes (or until brown).
• Let cool and store them in a mason jar or air-tight container.

If you are a person who really needs exact measurements, this is a great recipe to try the “pitch and throw” method, as my mom calls it.  Whether you are right brained or left brained, it can be very freeing to just add a little here and there, taste along the way, and feel confident that you made it without being glued to a recipe.  Try it!

Chances are ~ I’ll probably make this mix and have it on hand forever.  It will be a great quick breakfast, snack, even dessert.