NoMoreCrunchyCravings

clapping 1 by NoMore CrunchyCravings, on Flickr clapping 2 by NoMore CrunchyCravings, on Flickr

This is a beautiful thread.

I don't have children, but after you have decided what to do, if it includes limiting what your son will be eating, you need to be clear with the church care providers, the MOPS people, and at his play dates, etc. well in advance. If you just suddenly spring a dietary limitation on someone right when they're going to be caring for your child, they'll feel ill-prepared and stressed out, and possibly won't be able to follow your requests. However, if you give them quite a bit of time to prepare, or send along snacks for him and tell them (include a simple list, it's easier to be able to refer to!) what he's not to have, you should be good. If they don't listen to you, reinforce with them why you're making these changes - for his health! If they still don't comply, it's maybe time to change care providers/play date homes.

I've thankfully not encountered too many crazy comments from friends or family. The nuttiest things come from coworkers, but even those are mostly "How in the world can you eat that for breakfast?!" whilst making faces and pointing to my container of grilled fish or baked chicken or hamburgers or whatever sitting atop steamed veggies and roasted or sautéed root vegetables, and with mayo or olives on the side. I usually answer by spooning a giant mouthful right in with a smile. Mmmmmmm.

Susan, that sounds great. Would you mind posting the entire recipe along with your process? I'd love to try your pear and apple puree method. Thank you!

While I'm doing strict w30 I don't drink the wine (or grape juice) or eat the challah on Shabbat. I do say the blessings, smell the sweetness of the wine/juice and smell the richness of the challah, but I don't actually eat any. In general ingredients and recipes will be super easy - all of your meals will be meat or parve since dairy is prohibited in the w30. Almost anything in the produce department is good to use (not corn, soy or peas however), almost everything in the meat or fish departments are good (as long as they're just meat/fish and no crazy additives - read your labels on EVERYTHING), eggs are good, and that's about it. Add tea or coffee without milk or with some form of compliant coconut or almond milk, use lots of olive oil, nuts sparingly, and small portions of fruits with your meals and you easily can manage it while keeping kosher.

Thanks for all the replies, folks. One of my jobs is located across the street from Whole Foods so I'll check them out next week when I go in for a shift. If not, I may look into fermenting my own. There aren't many farmer's markets around me this time of year, and truth be told, I've never once seen a fermenter's stand. Produce, honey, wine, candles, soap, bread, cheese, yes. Fermented stuff, no. Too bad, it sounds like a lovely idea.

Has anyone had luck finding kimchee that is compliant or do you guys make your own? I went to the largest Asian grocery store I've ever been to today and looked at EVERY bottle and container of kimchee the store had (over 25 kinds!) and each and every one listed sugar in some form. I was amazed that there wasn't a single type without sugar. Vegan ones. Cucumber ones. Garlicy spicy ones. Plain ones. Country style ones. Spring onion ones. Ones with nothing else but a tiny list of ingredients written in English. Ones packaged from a bulk container by the grocery store staff. Every damn kind had sugar. Does anyone have any advice?

Mine come almost a week early every time I do a whole 30, despite being on oral contraceptives, then come on time when I'm between w30s.

I can't believe that I can fit six large eggs in my open (outstretched) hand. I really got a kick out of seeing the photos people included of what all your hands look like with all the many eggs they could hold! I won't be eating six eggs at a sitting on a regular basis (unless I'm aiming to get sick of eggs anytime soon), so I frequently prepare three eggs plus another type of protein. This is a good thread for beginners like myself!

Don't forget about crustaceans and bivalves! Shrimp/prawns, langostino, crawfish, lobster, crabs of every variety, oysters, muscles (super easy to cook), clams, scallops, octopus, squid... there are so many fishes to try other than just the same old tilapia and salmon that most people think about. Catfish and it's Vietnamese brother basa/swai is a very mild fluffy delicious white fish that's great pan sautéed with lemon, garlic and parsley or "breaded" with eggs and ground walnut or almond "crust," flounder and sole are also delicate and delicious cooked so many ways. If you have an Asian grocery store in your area, check it out for different ideas for protein sources-- mine (a predominantly Korean market) has an amazing seafood section, along with a fantastic produce section (a third of the entire store!), and some really beautiful amazing meats in all different cuts and thinnesses (thicknesses?).