Shakshuka

I’ve been dating Shakshuka for 3 years now. We met in 2012 when I began my weight loss journey. He showed up for breakfast one day and never left. I keep him around because he treats my body with kindness and respect. 

What I loved about Shakshuka is that he never left me bloated, fatigued nor congested. Instead he filled and satiated me and gave me energy to prepare for my day. This North African King came to take care of my body and I bet he can take care of yours too. As I prepared this, I thought about you and your weight loss journey. I know it’s been challenging. Especially the eating part. There are so many diets and labels to decipher that it is hard to know what you should be eating. 

I don’t believe in diets. I believe in dates. 

So before I fully introduce you to Shakshuka, let’s talk dating. 

When you’re dating someone, you often spend time getting to know them over a meal. You guys go to a restaurant. You order food. You talk and get to know each other over a period of time. And at some point you decide whether or not you want to continue seeing them. 

Before I decided to continue seeing Shakshuka, I dated him at restaurants and then in my home. I wanted to make sure that what he was offering was a match for what my body wanted – Nutrition, Wholeness and Love. Your body is your boo. You’ve already decided that you want to be with her. Especially the healthy, better feeling, better looking version of her. 

So now it’s time time that you get to know her. You have to figure out what she likes and how to give it to her. You have to listen to what she needs and honor that. 

And the only way to find that out, is to take her on dates with meals like Shakshuka and others that I will continue to introduce you to here on Body Food Freedom. 

In 3 Steps, let’s look at how you can date your body. 

The next time you get hungry. 

1. LISTEN IN. 

Ask your self, ” What am I in the mood for?” Be sure to consider what your taste buds like and what you actually enjoy eating. This is critical to making healthy dietary changes. If you don’t like it, it won’t stick. 

Also consider your body’s health needs. Ask your self, ” How do I want my body to feel?” If you are feeling groggy, you may need to eat something to pep you up. Remember, your food needs to work for your body, just like your relationship needs to work for your life. 

2. HONOR YOUR BODY’S REQUEST. 

This is where a lot of women get stuck. Instead of listening to her body, she listens to her diet or her emotions. She gets stuck between restricting herself to a list of foods or eating whatever is in sight because of how she is feeling. It’s important that you listen to and honor the requests of your body. 

Sometimes you may be “in your feelings” too much to be able to hear what your body wants, and if this is the case, then you should talk with me here. Your body is wiser than any diet or doctor or nutritionist out there. It knows what you need and it can communicate that to you. The more you date your body, the more you will know how to feed it so that you get the results you want. 

3. GO ON A DATE AND MAKE YOUR PLATE. 

This is where you can find out whether Shakshuka is right for you too. Whether you are eating a homemade meal or eating out, I want you to date your body. Just like you talk with and listen to your date when you go out for dinner you are going to do the same thing with your body. 

When you eat, listen to how your body responds. Does she actually like what you’re eating or does she simply swallow it? Does she have any reactions to what you eat? (i.e. indigestion, mucus, acne, weight gain, “The Itis” aka food coma, etc.) The more you pay attention to what’s happening inside, the more your future “dates” will be full of meals that are truly best for your body. 

Dating my body helped me go from 177 pounds to 125 pounds in one year. 

Learning to listen to your body is the key to weight loss. Just like listening to your date is the key to finding out whether or not you want to continue seeing him again. Let’s start with this Shakshuka. Maybe you might take him as a lover too.

Shakshuka

Poached eggs in spiced tomato sauce with chick peas

• Author: Shelley
• Prep Time: 10
• Cook Time: 30
• Total Time: 40
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Cuisine: North African

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 1 loaf crust bread, torn or sliced
• 1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 15oz can chick peas, rinsed and drained
• 1 red onion, diced
• 1 bunch greens (spinach, kale, chard, or collards) finely chopped
• 1 TB garlic, minced
• cumin
• smoked paprika
• salt
• chives, minced
• feta or goat cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. On medium heat, saute red onion in a large, deep, oven proof saute pan
3. Once onion is softened, stir in tomatoes, chick peas, greens and garlic.
4. Add cumin, smoked paprika and salt to taste.
5. Carefully crack each egg on the surface of the tomato sauce.
6. Place pan in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until egg is set.
7. Remove from oven and sprinkle with chives and cheese.
8. Serve immediately with warm crusty bread.

Notes

I like my yolks hard, so I tend to bake mine a little longer. Try adding meats such as lamb or sausage. Instead of goat or feta cheese, try shredding a bit of manchego on top.