Whole30 while we traveled…

One of my biggest worries when I began Whole30 on August 1, was the trip we were taking to visit friends August 4- August 10. I wasn’t sure we could stick with it when out of our home, not cooking our own meals, and heaven forbid, what if someone baked something delicious while we were staying at their house?!

We loaded up with fruit and homemade Lara Bars and trekked to the first city.

I am super pleased with how well we did on our trip. We had a few “cheats”– namely rice and lavaş (basically tortillas) when we didn’t have a choice. And one night I had a small portion of lasagna my friend had made for us which was uber delicious, but my tummy hurt that night and I’m wondering if the dairy didn’t sit right with me?

Overall, traveling while on Whole30 was totally doable and I’m proud we stayed strong (even against cake and cookies!)

Day 2

We went to the mall this morning to pick up a few birthday presents and grocery shop. I think carrying my own snacks is a big key to my success. If I can reach for a handful of cashews or an apple, I won’t buy a bag of pretzels or a candy bar when I get hungry. (Or an iced White Chocolate Mocha… Just sayin’…)

I realize Whole30 doesn’t encourage snacking, but can we be real for a moment? If you’re eating like a rabbit, you might need some snacks in-between veggie-meals.

Anyhow, day 2 goes down as a success thanks to healthy snacks stashed in the purse. 28 more to go…

Anyone else out there doing Whole30 this month?

Day 1 Recap

Last night when I crawled onto the couch bed (the a/c in our room has been out for almost two weeks), I reflected on the events of the day and decided I picked a horrible day to start Whole30.

• Kindergartener throwing a fit (so unlike him) because he had to do schoolwork.
• Owie paper cut on my palm
• 93*F
• Dentist appointment to get a cavity filled– boo hiss.
• riding a minibus with no a/c to and from dentist appointment (oh the back sweat… And everywhere else sweat)
• blisters from my shoes
• bad cramps
• headache all evening
• three-year-old throwing fits over a “monster” (read: book bag) beside his bed.

So, basically I picked a TERRIBLE day to give up coffee (with creamer and sugar) and chocolate– my always and forever vices.

Let’s hope Day 2 shows some improvement.

Whole30: Take 2

I didn’t finish blogging my whole30 journey last year, and I did successfully make it through the 30 days of no sugar, no grains, no dairy, but I failed miserably when it came to reintroduction!

I’m taking the plunge again. Again I find myself struggling with belly issues, hormone issues, itchy skin and dandruff, irritability, headaches, super low energy… basically I feel like a wreck most of the time, and I suspect I will see some differences if I can get a handle on how my body process different kinds of food and achieve some balance.

I’ve been considering doing another whole30 for a while now, but woke up this morning (August 1) and thought, “I’m doing this.” So I took a sip of black coffee (ugh!), added some coconut milk and fried up an egg in coconut oil to get my day started.

What I’m looking forward to: I know I can do the 30 days of NO (fill in the blank), because I’ve done it before. This time, I’m looking forward to an upswing in energy, mood improvement, and general physical improvements, but even more than all that, I look forward to taking the things I learn about my body and my relationship with food into the rest of my life (instead of dropping it all like it’s hot on day 31…). Also, WHITE POTATOES ARE LEGAL NOW. Perfect, wonderful, great news!

What I’m dreading: Black coffee. I am just not sure I will ever enjoy a cup of coffee without flair. It’s just not cool. Also, we are taking a road trip to visit four different cities and a bunch of friends next week. Keeping on whole30 with friends around, and snacks around, and while not home, could prove… difficult. I am stocking up on stuff for me to nibble in the car (cashews, almonds, dried fruit), I hope I can stay strong even while traveling.

So… here goes nothing. Again.

DAY 10!

I am actually shocked that I am here. I have made it ten whole days without dairy, grains, and sugar! And I really feel good.

Both Hubby (he got on board after the mac-n-cheese fiasco, bless him) and I have noticed a huge upswing in energy. We just feel GOOD.

I still haven’t gotten the kinks worked out in the coffee department, coconut milk and/or almond milk just isn’t cutting it for this sugar and cream coffee girl. I switched to tea which I can more easily drink without sweetening.

I mentioned that our first try at mashed cauliflower was kinda boring, but a few days ago I tried the Cauliflower Mash recipe from Against All Grain that adds roasted garlic—- oh man. Seriously I think I have dreamed about that cauliflower mash every night since. And I made it again tonight. Because. So. Good.

Whole30 is taking more time in the kitchen than usual, but I feel so good about all the food I am putting in front of my family. I know exactly what is in every dish. I know how much sodium we are taking in. I know how much sugar we are consuming (NONE!), so I don’t feel duped by processed foods with sugar and salt secretly added in.

I have cut out snacking, which is a huge deal. Just catching myself each time I want to head to the kitchen for something sweet or salty, has really shown me how much snacking I was doing before– mostly out of boredom!

Last night I made up a beef and vegetable soup off the cuff for dinner and it was amazing. I feel like I am really appreciating the flavors of my food, noticing things I wouldn’t have seen before I cut out sugar and processed junk!

1/6

• I definitely notice a boost in energy. I am feeling good. Even without coffee or naps, I just feel good. (This means I need to give up Oreos permanently, right?)
• Swallowed a bug during my run tonight. I am guessing that is OK on Whole30… protein, right?
• We ate out at a restaurant today– chicken kebabs and grilled tomatoes and onions. Not too bad. Not many other Whole30 choices.
• Found out coconut milk is available in Turkey. Also found out I can make my own. We will see which happens first. Very excited about the coffee “creamer” possibilities…
• Found cheesecloth, which I need to make clarified butter, almond milk and coconut milk, so this was a good find!

Day 4

I switched to hot green tea from coffee this morning and it was fine. It might have to be my new morning go-to drink. Almond milk in coffee just isn’t cutting it…

Breakfast was meh… scrambled eggs with spinach, garlic, onion and green pepper. I don’t know if it was missing something or if I just don’t like spinach. Maybe both. Those puppies could have used some cheese.

Lunch was a new invention for me: chicken + tomato on lettuce wraps. Also kind of meh. Luckily my kids are being pretty chill about the whole mommy’s-making-us-eat-weird-stuff-where’s-the-dessert?

During naptime however, I pulled out my new cookbook Against All Grain. Y’ALL. I want to be Danielle’s real life BFF. Seriously, how cute is she? And you should read her story about combating serious health issues with diet! Amazing stuff, I tell ya.

1. This cookbook is gorgeous. Really, really lovely photos, layout, food, fonts– every.thing. Adore it all to pieces.

2. This book might be my saving grace for Whole30. Seriously I feel so inspired. I marked some a ton of recipes with post-its and I can’t wait to try them. She makes real looking food with Whole30 compliant ingredients! We will be eatin’ good these next 26 days! Tonight we did her Baked Chicken Strips. They are coated with coconut and my entire family downed them. We definitely will be making them again soon! I also whipped up some of her Breakfast Cookies for tomorrow morning, so I will report back about them after we chow down at breakfast. It’ll be nice to eat something besides eggs!

Dinner tonight: Baked Chicken Tenders + Fresh Green Beans + Fall Fruit Medley

Well, I’ve done 1/2 a week. I usually would reward myself with a cupcake, but tonight maybe I’ll just sneak one of the “breakfast cookies” instead. And pretend it has frosting.

FYI: I was not compensated in anyway to write about Danielle Walker’s cookbook, Against All Grain. I bought it myself a few months ago and am so impressed with it! It’s worth a buy if you’re interested in Whole30 or Paleo eating.

Cheater!

This morning was a little crazy… sick kid + we needed to run downtown to pick up my residence visa since the offices will be closed all next week for an Islamic holiday. Hubby tried to get it  for me yesterday but I needed to be there in person to get it. We got to the office in time for me to run in and grab it before Hubby would drop me + sick kid back home and take the older two to church. Whew.

I walk up to the oddly un-busy visa office and was told the office didn’t open for 40 more minutes. Grrrr, so much for our perfectly timed plan.

So, I did what any normal person would do. I cheated. Hubby needed some whole bean coffee from Starbucks, and when you buy a bag of coffee you get a free drink. I should have just gotten a drip coffee, but I have been so disappointed with almond milk in my coffee I sprang for a latte. Then I added one sugar.

You know what? The whole thing tasted gross. I felt guilty for drinking it. I made me feel weak, and I hope I have learned my lesson for the next 27 days. No more cheating!

Day 2: Surprisingly Good

True Story: I opened my eyes this morning and thought about just staying in bed since there was no cream and sugar waiting to greet me with my coffee. Then I remembered that I had started to make almond milk the night before. Score!

I finished up the almond milk (adding only vanilla, no sweeteners) and hoped it would salvage the taste of the coffee. Not so much. I might have tossed a sugar cube in the mix. I can neither confirm nor deny this possible cheat.

We took the kids to the zoo this morning for fun, and I am glad our zoo is not American, because I didn’t  have to fight the urge to buy Icees, cotton candy, funnel cakes, or anything else un-Whole30. I did pack a lunch for myself: apple, carrot sticks, hard boiled egg and cashews, so I chowed down like a rabbit while my kids enjoyed their hot dogs. Have I mentioned I am not making the kids do Whole30 right now? Hubby is joining me for the most part. Except that leftover homemade mac and cheese he had the gall to eat IN FRONT of my face this morning. He has issues with wasting food. I have issues with him eating forbidden fruits in my face. Whatev.

For dinner tonight I did chicken kebabs again because the meat was so good last night and I wanted to eat it again. We cooked some carrots with cinnamon and also made some Mashed Cauliflower to complete the meal. The cauliflower ain’t no mashed taters, but I was overall please with this meal– we will do it again!

Things I’m learning about Whole30:

• Preparation is key to success in this. If you have things ready to go/make/grab/cook/eat, you will not reach for junk.
• Trying new things is fun. Cauliflower Mash? Normally, no thanks. On Whole30? Sure, why not? I have stocked up on some new recipes to try and the excitement about new things is motivation to keep with it.

Also, I ran today and I am really proud of the fact that I completed this run:

Especially considering 18 months ago, I struggled to run for ONE MINUTE without stopping. I am feeling strong today. Bring it on Whole30!

Day 2 is gone. 28 more to go!

More of Day 1

So I took a nap and felt a little better until my Hubby was late for dinner and in the dinner-prep madness my three year old got mad at me and peed on the floor on purpose. You know, just the usual day in my life as a mom.

For dinner I had marinated some chicken during the day in some olive oil, apple cider vinegar and Italian seasonings (totally made it up off the cuff) and in a moment of inspiration, I skewered them and did kebabs. I planned to throw them on top of a basic salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, red and green peppers). I made a dressing with some juice from an orange, olive oil, splash of vinegar, cinnamon… eh, pretty bland. My dressing will need some work over the coming weeks.

I found some recipes online, and I’m feeling good about having some things to make. If they work out, I’ll link to them later.

Biggest challenge today? Like a genius, I did an M&M math activity with the kids tonight after dinner. It was so hard not to scoop up a handful for myself, but I held out. I stood strong in the face of those delicious candy-coated chocolates. I think I can do anything now.

Well, one day down. 29 to go… I can do this.