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Just to let you know, their official stance is that communion is fine. I took it last Sunday, though is you decide not to, that's also fine! Our church uses grape juice instead of wine though, for the exact reason Jihanna mentioned. I have already done a reintroduction in the past though so I know I don't really have any true food intolerances (though lots of sugar definitely makes me tired and affects my sleep)

Day 30!!! Already have my legume reintro planned for tomorrow. Brunch: 2 fried eggs, sauteed mushrooms, jamon and brussel sprouts in basil pesto. Yum!!!!!

I don't feel as though I'm having as dramatic an experience with this second Whole30 either. It's been easier than the first time, but like you I'm not sure i'm getting as much from it. I wonder if that's typical ... and maybe an indication that our baseline is now better, so eating this way isn't as much of a change? One area where I have improved is making hash browns with various root vegetables. Two big things I've learned are important to do are to make sure to squeeze out excess moisture from the grated potatoes/beets/whatever, and to make sure the temperature isn't too high. I used to cook them too hot and the bottoms would burn while the veggies in the middle remained raw. A mellow medium heat lets them cook through and brown evenly. You're a good cook so you may be onto these points already, but they've made a big difference for me!

I have this feeling 99% of the time I eat out whether i'm on whole30 or not!

I remember feeling rather huge my first time through, and my pants started fitting more tightly for a bit there... but in the end, I'd lost weight. I'm hoping the same holds through this time, because it's happening again I AM trying to make a conscious effort of being mindful of how much is going into my mouth, though, because overeating is a life-long issue for me (and sometimes it's so sneaky and subtle, like "Oh, there's only a big spoonful of the mash left, and not even half a baggy worth of that roasted broccoli... yeah, I think I'll just eat them, that's not enough for anyone to really use..." but all that after I've already had my full meal, of course). I agree that your picadillo description is amazing. I've always loved picadillo (made with beef, though) and think it's high time I throw something together to introduce my family to it... maybe next week!

I've found that it tends to be people who are insecure with their own food choices that need to sabotage others. They know they eat too much crap, and either (1) want to change but don't feel they can, or (2) don't want to change but know they should. And getting others to eat the same crap they want to eat justifies their bad choices. Good for you for handling the situation!

Yes, you need to be prepared. I was on W33 while travelling from Toronto to Adelaide (34 hours of travel, 3 airports) and finding food was hell - the world is not geared up for W30. But, you also need to be mindful of what you can take on planes or through security. I found I couldn't even find things in Relay (airport shop). I ate a few bags of Lay's plain chips out of desperation. For travel, I'd recommend a packet of nuts, some boiled eggs, compliant jerky (if you can get it - I haven't been able to source it here in Canada), fruit/dried fruit, larabars, veggie sticks. Remember to leave any leftover food on the plane - most foreign countries won't let you in with them. From the Air Canada menu I have been able to purchase Wholly Guacamole mini pack (served with corn chips - had to skip those) and cut up veggies - that worked well. I love tomato juice so I get that as my free beverage. Finally, most airlines link to their menu offerings. Air Canada, for example, even sells vouchers for meals that allow you to pay a lower price ahead of time. It might be good to check with your carrier to see what'll be on offer. Of course, not everything is always available of every flight so yo're still going to want to be preapred. You might also be able to preorder a special meal. For the 10 days of hotel living - that can be a challenge. Hopefully a continental breakfast is on offer and you can at least get eggs and fruit I find it's a challenge otherwise. I tend to find the closest city style grocer and load up my room bar fridge with things I can eat just in case. Having fruit and veggies with some babaganoush on hand is a godsend if the food at the restaurant we're meeting at is largely non-compliant. Dodging the break offerings of muffins and pastries is easier if you're not starving! I also bring my favourite tea bags with me just in case the coffee is crap. I hope this helps a little... Safe travels!

I love, love, love that you were able to place your physical dietary limitations over the religious need to participate in Communion! While I know this isn't the place for religious discussion, I just had to agree that what's in our hearts absolutely must weigh heavier than whether or not we take part in the rituals of the church. After all, there are food allergies and severe intolerance that could be an issue, and I wouldn't say a recovering alcoholic (like me) should ever drink wine, even in small amounts. I've promised my youngest that we'll go to church this coming Sunday. We're non-denominational so I can't predict when Communion will occur, but I definitely won't be taking part for the duration of my W30 and possibly afterward. Ours uses juice not wine, at least, but I'll have to get past the point where I'm okay to start making exceptions to my only-slightly-flexible food rules after reintroduction... maybe I'll get creative.

Unfortunately, it's true that not everyone will understand... and some who don't understand won't be willing to accept and respect your decision to do this. It really sucks that it's happened to you, but I'm so glad that you weren't actually tempted by what this person offered (that would've made it a little more difficult to handle it gracefully, I'm sure). I honestly think being able to shrug off temptations is a great way of showing them that you're not missing what they're craving, too. Do what's best for you, and if they can't handle that then they can pay attention to something else.

I made compliant ham!!

Day 28: As I'm an infrequent churchgoer, when I decided to go to church this morning I ran into a challenge that I hadn't really thought about--Communion! I wasn't sure how to weigh sticking with W30 and declining the bread and wine vs the wellbeing of my immortal soul, but then I decided that it's the thought that counts as opposed to the physical ritual and I passed on the gluten and alcohol. So I'm still fully compliant, with just two days to go--woot woot! Breakfast: Sweet potato and golden beet latkes. Compliant breakfast sausage (have I mentioned how much I love Applegate Farms for making a no-sugar-added breakfast sausage???). Lunch: Salmon cakes with delicious homemade tartar sauce (this stuff is seriously good). A heaping pile of sautéed bok choy with coconut aminos (which I continue to find sketchy). Dinner: Hubby made turkey burgers, which I enjoyed on a bed of lettuce, and roasted cauliflower. Fantastic local strawberries for dessert. Exercise: A walk plus biking with my kids.

Congratulations on day 30!

Congrats! Sounds like a yummy start to Day 30!

Good morning! I’m on day 7 of my first Whole 30. I am a teacher, so I’m using my summer to focus on my overall heath.

I love coconut aminos and also prefer it to soy sauce now, so good! Tahini is also OK and can be a great base for dressings and sauces, just make sure you read the label:)

I’m starting on the 10th!

Starting on June 9th for round 2! I’d love to take this journey with you all!

Oh, NSV - bought a jumper a while back, which I really liked. Spilled red wine on it, and ruined it. Was in the same store today, and they had the last few on clearance. My original one was an XL but I have lost weight, si I wanted an L. No dice, M only... and it fit!! Really well!!

I love coconut aminos and prefer them to soy sauce now. I use them in the same way as soy sauce and sustitute 1:1 in recipes. I've also fallen in love with this ketchup/BBQ sauce - so much better than anything I've every purchased: 1/2 cup tomato paste 6 dates, soaked for 10-15 minutes in 1/4 cup hot water to soften 2 tsp garlic powder 2 tsp chili powder 2/3 cup coconut aminos salt and pepper Once the dates are soft and mushy, mix it altogether to a smooth consistency. For ketchup, add more hot water to desired consistency.

Tahini is fine, just double check ingredients if you buy it to be sure there's nothing added to it. Some people use coconut aminos to substitute for soy sauce, but some people don't care for them. They're definitely not exactly the same, you'd just have to try them and see if they work for you.

Congrats on what sounds like a good start to your new Whole30! Your picadillo sounds delicious--I may have to make some of that myself!

Sydney weekend! Finding it a bit tough, to be honest, had a compliant salad from a burger chain for brunch but it was very average, need to find somewhere for dinner ( until the average salad, i was happy to go there twice), we have a few hours to kill before the show and i really just want to find a nice bar to lounge in, but that won't end well. This didn't post so update, went to a seafood restaurant for dinner, had the most expensive dry plain fish and steamed broccolini of my life. Plus the worst coffee. I hate eating out on W30, can't understand why people do it voluntarily. All my food today sucked, can't wait to cook myself something worth eating!

This was the best thing that I could have ever done for my body. To be intentional of what I’m feeding my body and how I am fueling it has been an amazing experience. It was definitely uncomfortable but wasn’t “hard.” My eating habits pre-Whole30 were really bad - I’m talking about sugary cereal for breakfast, maybe another bowl for lunch (if I ate), and a Lean Cuisine or something along those lines for dinner. I also travel 100% for work, so many days, I just ate whatever was in the lounge - whatever that may have been. In the past 30 days, I’ve become proud of what I eat, and mealtime is now sacred for me. I feel better and I look better (down 8 lbs - which is significant for me). I’m going to continue for another 15 days before the reintroduction, but I want to encourage anyone to continue to see it through. I really didn’t get the benefits until after week 2, and since then, it has indeed been Tiger Blood. Good luck, everyone!

I may or may not have tweeted @Melissa in a fit of frustration.

Well, an unexpected benefit of this experience is that I am figuring out who I can trust. I just had someone I know try, 4 times in a row, to throw me off plan by offering me things she specifically knew I was avoiding. And then she basically tried to shame me by speaking derogatorily about what I am doing in front of mutual friends by calling Whole30 "That horrible thing you're doing". Which of course opened up a whole discussion I wasn't prepared or in the mood for, in public. What the hell?!? I think I recovered and handled the explanation of what I am doing well but the wild thing is I am not even tempted by any of these things AT ALL. I feel satisfied on what I am eating to the point where I barely even have interest in coffee anymore! If you knew me, you'd realize that this is truly earth shattering news. lol! I feel like some people are threatened by me mentioning that I am making some changes for my health. I am not saying they should or need to do what I am doing, I am just explaining what I am doing because it effects my scheduling. I need to eat at regular intervals, etc. Ugh! But the good news is I navigated both a saturday night party and a sunday opera outing with no problems.