And then there are lunches and dinners

Sometimes one cannot be Paleo perfect in my universe.  Yesterday was a fine day but not without pitfalls.

A dear sister of the heart fetched me for  a lunch by the river to celebrate my upcoming birthday.  The menu was so tempting but I settled for a delicious and only mildly sinful platter of meats, shrimp and shredded raw veg.  The crispy coating on the butterfly shrimp was not starch free and I can bet the wasabi mayo was not Paleo...or the ginger beer I drank. But it was scrumptious and I felt I did the best I could.

But then I went home and ate some cookies.

Himself fetched me for a dinner at a Chinese post-doc's home to meet the new baby and the parents in from China.  Chinese people are the original groaning board feest folk.  Spare ribs, lamb, a whole fish, okra, some other veg that was yummy but unnamed, and scrambled egg, followed by two steaming platters of fresh dumplings ( my downfall), soup, and then some other carb heavy foods (which I shared with Himself just to taste) followed by watermelon.  If you don't fill your plate happy helping host hands will come along and do it for you.  Honestly this is one reason why we really try to avoid going out to dinner with hosts every night while in China...SO MUCH FOOD.  and there is no saying no. I try to get away with the minimum but oh, dumplings. I love most authentic Chinese cuisine and this was also flavored with love.. yumm.

So yesterday was sort of a bust. Delicious but deadly.

This morning I bustled around the garden and brought in rhubarb which is in the crockpot with strawberries, orange zest and juice, and some raw honey.  It will be compote.  We ate the first  ripe strawberry from the garden last night. whoo-hoo.

I haven't  been satisfied with the last couple of batches of  20 second mayo...so I experimented:  to the large egg and cup of mild olive oil I added 2 teaspoons of Dijon, a tablespoon of apple vinegar, and a quarter teaspoon each of garlic and onion powder, plus grinds of sea salt and pepper.  MUCH better.  yummy even

I nuked an pack of bacon, and ran eggs through the egg cooker. If I don't do a bunch of  Paleo worthy prep I eat whatever comes to hand....not good.  I need to find my fresh no cilantro salsa recipe...

Since I have some wonderful soup already in the fridge I feel I am on track for fresh food ready to eat.

Tonight I am alone for dinner....but there is ham chunks and salad stuff so I will probably be all virtuous and eat that.

This weekend is full of barbecues and birthdays.     In a land where bread and potatoes is central to meals, Paleo safe meals are few.  The challenge is ON!