Another days of my eats awaits you. I know you must be excited, rah rah.
This was a rest day (last Sunday) and I was definitely feeling low on energy even after decent sleep. I tend to feel this way on days I don’t run, but possibly due to the 20 miles the day before, it seemed to be exaggerated today. Not that that has anything really to do with my food, but just thought I’d mention it.
I don’t tend to eat anything different on purpose based on how much I run, but rather just eat what I want, what makes sense given the circumstances of my day, and more or less depending on how hungry I am. You know, no over-thinking or calculating. Intuitive eating, if you like that term. But not too intuitive, because I have 3 kids you know and it’s hard to be all intuitive with lots of kids around.
Thanks to Jenn for the what I ate party. Because partying means taking time out of your day to find out what other people eat when you’re not looking. I’m cool with it.
I woke up at 6am and wrote a blog post. My husband was out coaching again all day and so when the kids woke up at 7, I was just finishing up the post and started getting breakfast ready for everyone. I don’t remember what the kids had, but here’s what I had.
Now if that doesn’t look like every other breakfast I’ve ever posted on here, well, yup, it does. Fried plantains, bacon, kale and a toasty little fried egg on top. Plus coffee in that gosh-ugly travel mug I use every day. No picture, but if you’re really that interested I’ll link to an old post with one. Please don’t click just to see the ugly mug.
After breakfast I prepped a pork roast for the slow cooker and threw it in there to have for dinner later. You’ll have to read the rest of this though to get the recipe.
My older daughter had her first performance with the dance company she just joined, so she was really excited. It was at our local street fair and my parents came to watch too.
She was thrilled to perform and did a great job. Afterwards at about 12:30 we walked over to the diner in town for lunch. My kids associate my parents and diners with pancakes lately, so my tow younger ones had chocolate chip pancakes in the shape of Mickey Mouse. I opted for a burger with bacon and a side salad with balsamic vinaigrette. Just learned how to spell that word “vinaigrette.” Blogging is like being back in elementary school sometimes.
This really didn’t fill me up since I’m used to eating bigger or more nutrient dense meals I suppose, plus it had been a heck of a long time since breakfast. When I got home I had some coconut water and hung out with my parents for a couple of hours.
Around 3 I had a snack. Cut up Applegate grassfed hotdog and half an avocado. I always eat my snacks in kid bowls apparently.
And now for the pork recipe. My older daughter and I are fan of pulled pork and shredded beef and all slow cooked meat really, but the other family members have made it clear that stuff is not their favorite. So, I decided to challenge that and make a really simple but good pulled pork. And if they didn’t like it, at least I’d have leftovers to eat for days.
Kid Friendly Pulled Pork Recipe
Ingredients
- 2-3 lb mine was 2.4 boneless pork loin roast, trimmed of excess obvious fat
- 1/2-1 tsp chipotle chili powder use more if you like spicier
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1-2 tsp dried chives
- Fine grain sea salt
- 1/4-1/3 cup water
Instructions
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Take your sea salt and rub a generous amount into the roast on all sides.
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Mix the other seasonings together in a small bowl, and then rub the mixture on all sides as well
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Place the roast in your slow cooker, and pour the water over it. Use less water for a smaller roast and more for a bigger one. I used 1/4 cup for a 2.4 lb roast and it was perfect.
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Cook on the "low" setting for 7-8 hours. Once done, take a fork or two and start shredding it.
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Used it for anything and everything!
So that night I had the pork over spinach and topped with avocado, and the past two mornings I’ve had leftovers with plantains, kale and eggs. It’s delicious and even my pickiest eaters cleaned their plates. Good feeling!
For a snack before bed, I peeled, sliced, and sauteed an apple in coconut oil and then topped with some cashew butter and dark chocolate (85%.) I highly recommend it if you’re out of bananas. Actually, I’ve been eating that for a few days now because after I stumbled upon it I wasn’t about to give it up right away.
What’s your favorite way to eat pulled pork? Do you ever feel like the food you make it home is better than what you get if you go out? Who’s ever topped apples with chocolate?
I can imagine that you’d be lacking on energy after a 20 miler 😉
I have to try sautéing an apple in coconut oil, that sounds delicious!
I normally eat my apples with almond butter – it’s my go to snack.
http://www.nessruns.com
Almond butter and I also like cashew butter even better. I got a little tired of coconut butter all the time.
I have actually never made my own pulled pork- so I guess my favorite way to eat it is when someone else makes it for me! But it may be fun to try out and it would be great for leftovers all week if we made it on a Sunday!
Yup it’s been great for leftovers for 3 days now in my breakfast 🙂
I second Lisa–I don’t think I’ve ever done it myself. Probably be cause I would eat it all…. I will say that i have become more of a pulled chicken person lately. Maybe I can change my own mind.
You could probably use chicken for this, I would think, although not sure of the time for that.
Every time I eat out now I am SO disappointed and feel really off. I love making my own stuff at home and my stomach feels much better. Must say that pic of the diner food is so sad compared with the food YOU make! Plus the cost is so much higher for lower quality… but convenience/immediacy ( I need to eat NOW) definitely wins out in some cases.
I love pulled pork though I’ve never made it. I like it pretty plain with just a little bbq sauce. I could eat just a lump of pulled pork with some collard greens. When I was little, my dad and I used to get the best shaved pork sandwich at Nick’s down the street from us (what sub shop is not called “Nick’s”?? 🙂 ) My Dad still talks about that sandwich! I think he mostly liked the cup of bbq sauce it was soaked in.
I’ve tried cocoa powder mixed with applesauce and that is yummy so I can see the appeal of the apple/chocolate combo. I’ve tried caramel and apples and THAT is super tasty.
I’ve just accepted that restaurant food is not anything to get excited over anymore 🙂 Agree that you can make much better food at home for loads cheaper!
Since I got my crockpot last year I love slow-cooked everything. Usually it’s pulled chicken but it’s so good and makes great leftovers. These days if I’m going out to eat I only order something that I can’t make myself at home – love homemade pasta and any kind of seafood. And I agree with you – diner paleo food makes me feel sad.
Diners are no longer exciting for me, but rather a “what’s the best thing I can get that won’t make me sick” kind of thing. I’m fine with it though because I rarely go out. A good steak is a nice treat at a good restaurant though since I don’t cook much steak at home.
Hi Michele!
I’ve never made pulled pork before but I love my slow cooker. I can’t believe I haven’t now that I’ve seen this! I’ll definitely give it a go – and I’ll show it off if it comes out looking really perfect muhaha. Great recipe!
This is a pretty no fail recipe I would think, the slow cooker is very forgiving!
Almost any meat (especially steak) is better at home for sure. The only thing I can really think of that I don’t prefer homemade is salad. For some reason it always tastes better at a restaurant even when I make an identical salad at home.
I’m having pulled pork at my wedding 🙂 My fiance and I are from NY and live in NC, and wanted to give our families a southern experience while they’re here. We have an awesome caterer that makes amazing pulled pork!
I’m actually always disappointed with restaurant salads, but maybe it’s the places I’m going to. That sounds like some awesome pulled pork!
Yup, I trust the food I make at home much more than the ones. I eat when I go out. I know what it feels to be tired, Michele! I have adrenal fatigue, and it simply sucks. That bedttime snack looks quite yummyy and I’m quite sure you oils sub any pureed fruit, like pumpkin puree even!
I think any cooked fruit would be good with nut butter and dark chocolate 🙂
Salads are always better at home than in a diner… LOL
The pork sounds good. One question – I’ve never much liked pork loin cooked in a slow cooker. I guess pulling it helps – what would be overcooked for another dish is just right for that – but I wondered if you’d found that to be an issue? I’ll use pork shoulder – but it doesn’t always fit in the cooker, and then I’m stuck… so using the loin would be easier.
So true about the salads, diners don’t give salads enough love in my opinion.
I haven’t done a loin that wasn’t pulled, but I’ve also done pork shoulder and pork butt and haven’t noticed a big difference. The loin was the smallest, which is why I chose it since in truth we don’t need more than a few days of leftovers! I would think whatever cut you choose would be fine, although if it’s bone-in it would take longer.
I have been surviving on an apple with peanut butter and chocolate every day for the last bunch of years. The best snack ever!
Yup it’s yummy 🙂
I made pulled pork tacos last Sunday with Stupid Easy Paleo’s tortillas, which are always amazing! I love sauteed fruit. I did peaches last week and was in heaven.
That sounds so good! I’ve seen the tortillas on instagram and have been meaning to try them.
I had the Applegate hot dogs with avocado yesterday too. It’s a great combo!
This is often a quick snack for me and works really well 🙂
Oh my gosh! Your food just looks amazing! I had to smile about the apples – I eat something like that multiple times a day 🙂 I prefer apples to bananas actually. I’ll be trying that pulled pork recipe soon, too! Yummm!
I loved pulled pork because it is so easy to prep in the slow cooker! I also love that you can play with the seasonings and change it from Italian to Asian to BBQ, depending on your mood.
Good point! I actually don’t like bbq flavor much so never really go that route. But there are so many good seasonings to play around with.
great recipe for the pulled pork! looks delicious!
Thanks, it was a keeper 🙂
I’m a bit late to comment but I just made this pork and it was delicious!
That’s great! So happy you liked it!
Can pork tenderloin be used instead? Thanks!
I loved that recipe, and my family did too! Even the second time i made it, my kids left their favorite game, toca boca world for it. Thanks.. Keep sharing good stuff