Day 14: Struggling in the kitchen

[lisanaili]

So far I´ve been doing really good on the program, I even went out this weekend and stayed on track. I´ve been telling everyone how good it is, and that I have more energy, etc.

However, today has been a really bad day. Since day 1, I´ve been struggling with cooking. Normally, I´m a pretty good cook, but ever since I started the W30 I´ve been a mess in the kitchen. Everything tastes bland!!! I bought the book Well-Fed and I´ve tried a few recipes on the net but it is not working. Today I got really frustrated when I made pumpkin soup and it just tasted wrong. This is discouraging me a lot!!! I don´t want to throw away these expensive and hard to find ingredients and at the same time don´t want to eat bland tasting food.

In addition, I just don´t know what else to come up in the kitchen with I´m a very picky eater and I´m coming short with ideas. And trying things from books and the net and it hasn´t been working. I´m from Puerto Rico and our cuisine is very rich in flavors and the recipes I found around doesn´t cut it for me.

I just want this to get out in the open and see if it puts me in perspective. I´m doing this for the right reasons, get healthy. I´m really motivated towards this, even though I haven´t seen much results (I know I have to patience).

I just need some advice or encouragement, please

[kb0426]

Can you find recipes that you would love if you just swapped out ingredients? I have had many amazing meals in Puerto Rico; I think if the chicken and rice, for example. Obviously you would have to skip the rice, but the chicken is amazing! Use the recipes you already love to build the foundation for a great meal.

As for food blandness, zest of lemons or limes, as well as vinegar, often can be used to brighten the flavors if they taste too flat, much like salt would do.

[Susan W]

I'd take those recipes from Well Fed and find them a challenge. You say you are normally a good cook. Can you not adjust any recipe or way you have of cooking for this plan? I sure did. Use any spices and double them if you need to to make them be acceptable for you. Riced cauliflower becomes your rice. If you want this, you'll make it work.

I also would drop the "picky eater" label and see if in reality you have just nurtured that in some way.

[missmary]

There isn't a restriction on salt or spices, so in addition to the citrus and vinegar that kb046 suggests, your food can be very flavorfull. Make sure you are using enough fat, because this carries flavor as well.

Of course, if you are used to processed food, it will take some time for your tastebuds to adapt.

Maybe post a few recipes you miss and we could help you modify them?

[Tom Denham]

I went crazy with spices when I first started cooking Whole30 meals and nearly everything I made was too hot. It took me months of practice to stop adding too much cayenne, ancho chili, or red pepper flakes. It sounds like you need to go the opposite direction of what I did. Be bolder.

Melissa Joulwan publishes measured amounts of spices in her recipes. I don't cook like that, so I say things like "Add a dusting of salt, garlic powder, and ancho chili powder" in my recipes. And sometimes I say, "Add a generous dusting of red chili powder." It depends upon your tastes. Add more spice if you like spice, add less if you want blander food.