AliS

I go to a network group every Tuesday and stressed over the food so much.... not much was complaint or if I wanted something that was … was way more than my work would pay for (plus, I don't want to spend my money but the network group deal is that everyone orders). Anyway, I noticed another person always just ordered a plain salad (which for the restaurant was basically a bowl of lettuce). I took my own whole30 dump ranch and did that. Was it great? Naw, but I focused more on my networking and discussing than what I was eating. Maybe the same idea? Focus on conversation? 
 
Not the ideal solution, but it does work for me so I thought I'd share. 

I go to a network group every Tuesday and stressed over the food so much.... not much was complaint or if I wanted something that was … was way more than my work would pay for (plus, I don't want to spend my money but the network group deal is that everyone orders). Anyway, I noticed another person always just ordered a plain salad (which for the restaurant was basically a bowl of lettuce). I took my own whole30 dump ranch and did that. Was it great? Naw, but I focused more on my networking and discussing than what I was eating. Maybe the same idea? Focus on conversation? 
 
Not the ideal solution, but it does work for me so I thought I'd share. 

Day 24 -- Today is a snow day so I'm going to prep some meals (including soup!). 
I had an awesome NSV today (possible TMI alert- fair warning men!). I was getting dressed for the morning and put on my bra... I was distracted by the news (watching weather) when I clasped it at the most natural feeling spot (not too tight, not too loose)... I then realized I clasped it on the final spot! It may not be long now before I need to get a new smaller banded bra!!! When I started 24 days ago, I was on the largest setting & there was a lot of spillage. Now it's comfortable, no boob spillage, no side boobs, no back cleavage (if you wear a bra that's too tight & the fat on your back pushes together). YIPPEE!!!!!!! 
 

Yes! It was tough. Before we started, I had already done a pantry challenge to start clearing out stuff... I wasn't sure if I was doing Whole30, or Keto, or Paleo at the time, but we started working towards it. Once we decided I had already gotten rid of all just flour & sugar and other baking things.  I haven't kept the kids 100% Whole30 but at the house mostly. When I did my final "clean out" I did keep the last of some things around for the kids to help transition... we had some cereal, oatmeal, fruit snacks, noodles & Dairy-free Mac & Cheeze sauce (my oldest is dairy intolerant). As they finished them off... I haven't repurchased.... I think they're down to a few noodles left.. and then they do have some stuff in the freezer I'm letting them have once-in-awhile... but not the standard. 

Again, they go to their grandparents A LOT and while I've at least gotten my mom to not let my 4-year-old snack constantly.... it's still a bit of a battle with my inlaws... however, I'm so happy they are starting to have a greater range of what they will eat.

I know I haven't posted a lot but I've been complaint!! Today we had a birthday party and my MIL made a meal that had things that everyone could have and enjoy. I skipped cake for fresh fruit for my dessert too. 

Don't worry I didn't fall off the wagon! I was at my grandparent for Day 12, 13 & 14..... and I STAYED WITH IT!!! Guys, you have NO IDEA (unless you have grandparents like mine) how big of a deal that is. I took my own dinners to make and share. I did have to remind my grandma a dozen or so times that I couldn't eat x, y, z. But otherwise it went with out incident. I can't remember in what order I ate everything but basically, 
Raw veggies, cantaloupe, cucumbers in vinegar & onion, chicken thighs, deconstructed stuffed bell peppers w/ beef, riced cauliflower & sweet potato, eggs, white potatoes, almonds, complaint polish sausage, unsweet tea, water, strawberries, halo oranges, roast beef, carrots

This is my favourite salad dressing!
It's better than the Olive Garden one I have in my fridge.
Don't add the water until you have tried it without it. Ive found I like it better without the water.
Has a nice tang.
 
http://www.antihousewife.com/2012/01/the-og-ish-italian-salad-dressing/

Thank you! It did... and again let me realize I can do this .... and with the help of the forum & Pintrest!  It's funny b/c I had my original start date as Feb. 15th so it'd be after my girl's night, Superbowl & Valentine's Day.... I started early b/c I hit a wall and decided to just go for it. Now I'm on Day 7 and confident and feeling great. Plus, so far pretty much everything I have made has been delicious and not made me feel gross after eating it. 

So today is the day of the girl's night I am hosting. EVERYTHING I am making is whole30 compliant. I know what I have will make a delicious meal with bunch of options for everyone to enjoy. I've worked like a crazy person today though.... the good news is I've now prepped a lot of stuff for tomorrow & even for meals for my family through the rest of the week. 
My Girl's Night Spread (I'm hosting): 
Fruit platter (pineapple, strawberries, blackberries, halo oranges, red grapes) <-- also had bought cantaloupe but forgot about it and the plate is full. Used to the top of the pineapple as a center of the platter as a fun decoration.
Veggie platters (purple cauliflower, rainbow carrots sticks, celery, cucumbers, radishes, broccoli, grape tomatoes, mini peppers)
Black Olives (i won't eat those... I only like olives in things... my husband opened some up so I'm putting them out)
Meatballs
Burger bites (small tiny burger patty, romaine lettuce, a grape tomato, & a pickle on a toothpick)
Bacon Wrapped Enchilada Jalapeno poppers
Dips: Marinara Sauce, Ranch, and a bbq sauce that isn't bbq I'm used too so it's kind of tastes between ketchup & bbq which is fine <--- all made & Whole30 compliant. 
I kept going back and forth between bacon wrapped hot dogs, but I thought that was overkill. Sprouts had the Applegate (?) or whatever that brand is that is Whole30 complaint on sale for $3.99!! I will probably do this tomorrow for what I take to the Superbowl Party plus the jalapeno poppers. 

So today is the day of the girl's night I am hosting. EVERYTHING I am making is whole30 compliant. I know what I have will make a delicious meal with bunch of options for everyone to enjoy. I've worked like a crazy person today though.... the good news is I've now prepped a lot of stuff for tomorrow & even for meals for my family through the rest of the week. 
My Girl's Night Spread (I'm hosting): 
Fruit platter (pineapple, strawberries, blackberries, halo oranges, red grapes) <-- also had bought cantaloupe but forgot about it and the plate is full. Used to the top of the pineapple as a center of the platter as a fun decoration.
Veggie platters (purple cauliflower, rainbow carrots sticks, celery, cucumbers, radishes, broccoli, grape tomatoes, mini peppers)
Black Olives (i won't eat those... I only like olives in things... my husband opened some up so I'm putting them out)
Meatballs
Burger bites (small tiny burger patty, romaine lettuce, a grape tomato, & a pickle on a toothpick)
Bacon Wrapped Enchilada Jalapeno poppers
Dips: Marinara Sauce, Ranch, and a bbq sauce that isn't bbq I'm used too so it's kind of tastes between ketchup & bbq which is fine <--- all made & Whole30 compliant. 
I kept going back and forth between bacon wrapped hot dogs, but I thought that was overkill. Sprouts had the Applegate (?) or whatever that brand is that is Whole30 complaint on sale for $3.99!! I will probably do this tomorrow for what I take to the Superbowl Party plus the jalapeno poppers. 

That is encouraging! I've gotten to reduce my meds once and it was halved. I was thrilled!! Thankfully my PCP isn't getting me started on cholestrol medicine so I am hoping that I can get back to normal with diet & exercise. 

That has to be the best gift ever.... teaching her healthy eating habits that will help her along her whole life. I truly wish as an overweight child my parents had done the same, instead of getting me diet pills as a teen or telling me to eat healthy, but not helping me get there. 
This has truly inspired me that I am doing right by my own kids. I see my 4-year-old already a total carb/junk-food-aholic. My oldest is dairy intolerant. Neither is overweight, but my oldest's (he's 8) goal is to run a 5k by the end of 2018 so we're training together. We're working on the food and transitioning them currently to Whole30 while DH & I are fully Whole30 right now. 

Best of luck to you! My significant other is 39 and has been on meds for high blood pressure for years. His doctor was pleased with where he was while on Whole30, and said he could start reducing his dosage, and if he keeps things up, he could come off the meds completely! You're in the right place!

I am starting as well! My original start date was going to be Feb. 15th, but I decided to bump it up quite a bit. I do have a girl's night that I am hosting Saturday night & am a little nervous, but I have a week to come up with compliant finger foods. I mean, if my gluten-free friend can make all my parties & such and can't eat everything (and she doesn't drink)... why can't I? 

Thank you guys for the ideas! The Whole 30 Appetizer list is amazing... I had promised jalapeno poppers (pre-starting Whole30) so being able to make Whole 30 compliant ones will be great. 
I may make some buffalo wings for our house to eat before hand so I can feel "on theme" & full so I won't be apt to snack while we are at the party.
P.S. Day #1 was awesome except for me having to eat a fat free dinner for my scheduled ultrasound for this morning & then b/c of that also.... having to wait nearly 3 hours after I normally eat breakfast to eat... but I have hard boiled eggs & an apple and a bottle of water that will be waiting on me as soon as I'm done. The reason for the ultrasound is health Reason #3 why I am doing Whole30 (something is going on around my colon).  I need to prep myself for my triggers so I can be successful! Parties are absolutely one.