No Holding Back

Living With Purpose

Pork and Sweet Potato Stew {Whole30 compliant}

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Whole30. I first heard about it when my older sister told me she was completing the Whole30 challenge. As she described how good she felt after two weeks of eating clean (you can eat lean proteins, fruits, veggies, and healthy fats such as avocados and olive oil) I became intrigued.

One of my doctor’s had encouraged me to try eating this way to help with the associated pains from Lupus. I hated the thought of giving up so many foods that I love. And a whole MONTH with no alcohol? Seriously?

But a visit for my annual eye exam was the straw that broke the camel’s back. As my doctor spoke with me, she told me she’d be scheduling me for another test, because she saw what could be the beginnings of Glaucoma in my right eye. (The results came back okay, no need to worry, but the fact that I was facing yet another potential health issue tipped the scales for me. I knew it was time to make some changes.)

So I decided to jump into the Whole30 program. I downloaded the accompanying book It Starts with Food and my mind was literally blown by the information provided in it about things found in our food and how they impact us. There are certain things I will never eat again, just because I feel like it’s similar to consuming poison.

I’m 24 days into the program, and like my sister said, it’s really not that hard. The most difficult aspect about the program is planning. I have to be prepared each day with what I’m going to eat. I don’t just have the luxury of throwing pasta and sauce on at the last moment. People, it is harder than it looks to get all those fruits and veggies in during one day! But I am motivated by the daily emails of encouragement, and actually really enjoying trying new recipes, cooking with herbs and spices… and what I’m making is not only good for me, it’s delicious!

As an added bonus, I haven’t had any stomach issues since I started. No pain, bloating, embarrassing “happenings” (unlike the dog who is about to stink me out of the room!) and I have more energy than ever. My mind is clear again.

I am a believer.

My first week in the program, as I was scanning what I had on hand, (which happened to be sweet potatoes and a pork roast) I thought of a family favorite and wondered if it could be Whole30 compliant. And it was. So I made it and enjoyed every minute of it. Of course, I did not take any pictures, but, just trust me when I say: SAVORY!

But it looks something like this:

Moroccan Sweet Potato Stew (Recipe)

Moroccan Sweet Potato Stew (Recipe) (Photo credit: Ruthieki)

 

Pork and Sweet Potato Stew – my mother’s recipe

 

Pork and Sweet Potato Stew {Whole30 compliant}
Recipe Type: dinner
Cuisine: American
Author: Kat Biggie
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
Delicious, savory, and whole30 compliant!
Ingredients
  • 1 2 1/2 – 3 lb pork loin cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2-3 stalks of celery, chopped
  • 14 oz chicken broth (be sure to check that it is whole30. I use my own homemade stock)
  • 10 oz juice (yes, juice is allowed!) apple-cran or apple or orange juice all work
  • 2-3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2-3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1-2 tbsp of sage (I probably used closer to 3)
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Instructions
  1. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper. Brown the meat quickly in hot oil. Remove pork from pan.
  2. Place all other ingredients in a crock pot. Add the meat when cooked.
  3. Cook on low all day.
  4. (You can prep everything the night before to shorten the prep time in the morning.)
  5. ENJOY!

I hope you try it. If you do, let me know what you think!

 

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Comments

  1. Definitely looks delicious. Is it cheating to substitute chicken for pork, just because both Kevin and I truly not fans of pork here? But definitely looks so yummy and thank you for sharing 🙂

    Reply

  2. As I sit here yet again gassy and bloated and struggling with tummy issues – you may have made me a believer too.

    Hmm…..

    I am not a good food planner- so that is where I would be challenged bigtime. And what about sugar? Oh and alcohol? And God help me if I can’t have my coffee or diet coke.

    I know… diet coke. I picture you squirming with disgust right now.

    Nevermind.

    😉

    Reply

    • I used to be addicted to Diet Coke too. No sugar, no sugar substitutes. But you’d be surprised how much you CAN eat that is delicious. I seriously don’t feel like I”m missing anything (except wine!) It’s just 30 days though without those things. As for coffee – yes. You can have it black or with cream of coconut. I make mine with cinnamon in the grinds and cream of coconut (not coconut creamer) and it is not in the slightest bit sweet, but it’s not just black either. I weaned myself off of creamers though!

      Reply

  4. Yum!
    I may have to read that book because I’m really wondering what foods to never eat again.
    It makes sense, though. The world (or at least our country) is being slowly poisoned by the chemicals in our “foods.” It’s horrible.
    This kind of lifestyle is important.

    Reply

  8. This looks really yummy. I’ll have to look into the Whole30 thing. Sounds cool. My stomach is dying for vegetables right now. They are super hard to come by in Nicaragua! I’m buying the biggest salad I can find when I get to the Atlanta airport (where I have a long layover).

    Reply

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