Amy Rose

Quick check in (I should be working right now) -- just had to tell you all about my NSV this weekend. I've been disappointed with my jeans that I just bought a couple months ago because they're stretched out and don't fit well already -- what a waste of money. So went to buy a replacement yesterday and realized that I've dropped a size! No wonder those pants didn't fit Also, can't get this smug look off my face, but I earned it! Good Luck to all -- Eat Well!

That's just how I felt about yesterday's Lara Bar, Cherry Pie flavor. Ewwwww. Lara says there are only 3 ingredients and one is unsweetened cherries, but that is NOT what it tastes like! I like their other flavors, but this one was a bomb.

Thanks, @Kiralyn D! I've put your recipe in my collection for this weekend.

These last few days have gone by so quickly, but I am 100% on plan and feeling great. I still haven’t made the Chicken Hash, though I did buy all the ingredients last weekend. Maybe I’ll do it tonight. (Note to self: COOK on the weekend like you plan to do – weeknights are for eating, not cooking) Because I love rewards, I bought myself a beautiful pendant necklace that is designed for mindfulness and centering. It has already helped me recall that I have successfully completed a Whole 30, and that I am focused on completing this one, too. In the moment of food-choice, it helps me to be mindful and choose well. In the last couple days, my mind has started to clear and I have become mentally sharper and more productive at work. This is such a relief – I was afraid I was slipping into a brain fog of old age where all the “youngsters” would outpace me and I’d just be pathetic and useless. But NO – it was the food I’ve been eating. Not sure if it was the sugar, the grains, or the additives but I feel like my old self again -- intelligent and perceptive. I can’t put into words how relieved I am about the return of my brain function. It’s the key to my self-esteem. (OMG – I never realized that until I just told you – how weird). On a lighter note: got a great deal on an Instant Pot (the one I’ve been wanting was on sale yesterday at Amazon), and this will give me more choices for cooking. I need all the help I can get. Looking forward to playing with it over the weekend, so if anyone has a favorite Whole30 Instant Pot recipe, please post it. @LizaQ- honey, you are not supposed to drink a bottle of Caesar Dressing with your breakfast, even if it is W30 compliant. Just sayin' Eat Well – Enjoy!

Hello, all – I hope you are having a good time with this journey. Still 100% on Whole 30, and very comfortable in my success. Feeling better during the day and sleeping well. I do need more sleep now to feel rested. My usual night is 7 hours, but I will increase it to 8 hours a night from now on – it’s a lovely gift. Speaking of gifts, I’ve added a twist to my Whole 30 – Four Day Wins (idea courtesy of life coach and author Martha Beck). For every four days I am 100% on this eating plan, I get a present. Since I've mastered the first 4 days I will buy myself a sweet little house plant. After the second 4 days (ending on Monday) the prize will probably be some stencils for my bullet journal. These presents aren’t expensive, they’re just a physical trophy for my good behavior. There’s a lot of psychological reasons for doing this – check out the book “The Four Day Win” – but . . . yay, presents! I haven’t decided what the next prize will be after that. Maybe something for the shade garden, or an inexpensive watch band, or a new embroidery kit, or more colored pencils. Something inexpensive to make me smile, and to mark my progress. @mirjam.have you tried Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice Tea? It's the bomb! And it's an herbal tea, so no caffeine to worry about -- perfect for afternoons and evenings when you want a little something great. Good Luck to everyone. Make plans to power through your weekend. Eat Well!

Successful day three. Yesterday’s horribly ugly mood is long gone and I’m feeling much better. I finally got around to making the white chicken chili recipe tonight. It’s in the crockpot right now and my kitchen will smell heavenly by breakfast time. Also, stopped by Trader Joe’s this evening and picked up some frozen cauliflower rice. Grabbed an extra jar of ghee so I won’t run out, plus some lovely frozen cod for a later date. I didn’t stay long, though. Way too many goodies in that store. Good luck to everyone! Eat Well!

Thank you for the tip about NomNomPaleo.com, @Aud1. That will be a great resource for recipes and Whole30 tips. Here's a terrific quote I brought back for everyone: Your only job during the Whole30 is to focus on making good food choices. You don’t need to weigh or measure, you don’t need to count calories, you don’t need to purchase everything organic, grass-fed, pastured, or local. Just figure out how to stick to the Whole30 rules in any setting, around every special circumstance, under any amount of stress… for 30 straight days. Your only job? Eat. Good. Food. -- Melissa Hartwig, the headmistress of Whole30

Day 1 was a complete success in my world. Plenty of good food, three meals, no snacking, no hunger. And I slept so well last night -- one of those NSVs that I like very much. Tonight I need to make White Chicken Chili in the crock pot. Served over cauliflower rice, it has become a staple in my new diet. I'm not fond of spicy food, so my "chili" turns out more like a flavorful chicken soup, but I enjoy it. @KelK95 here's a lunch suggestion -- layer cooked chicken, chopped avocado and your favorite salsa (watch out for additives in the store-bought stuff). You can make this stacked lunch with as much or as little food as you want. The fat in the avocado will keep you satisfied all afternoon! And you could add your favorite lettuces, veggies, etc if it makes you happy. Lunch is a celebration. @Hope4Overcomers, as the laziest cook you will ever meet, my daily prep is minimal -- dish out prepared food, heat it up. This is only possible if you cook enough food on the weekend to last the week. I make two larger recipes -- White Chicken Chili and Beef & Tomatoes are my favorites -- and I buy a roasted chicken from the grocery and strip off all the meat. This guarantees I have great options waiting for me every time I open the refrigerator. At Trader Joe's -- ghee and frozen cauliflower rice are the bomb!

@JodiLou, I was never a breakfast person before Whole 30, either. But I have truly enjoyed having something warm, tasty and EASY each morning. On Sundays I make a breakfast casserole and slice it, then refrigerate. Each morning it's just two slices and a quick microwave warmup. For a good recipe, check out https://crazytogether.com/easy-delicious-breakfast-saved-whole-30/ Or just eat leftovers -- good food is good food. @dnewc- Hey, a veteran of Whole 30! Welcome. Do you have any tried & true recipes you are already planning to make? I love to hear what other people have come to reply on.

My total weight loss was 9-1/2 pounds for my first Whole 30. YAY, ME! I changed my reintroduction plan after I read all the warnings about starting with wine. But since I wasn't interested in legumes or dairy or sugar, I started to cautiously eat bread to see how my body reacted. Surprisingly, I had no physical symptoms but I did notice a new craving for chocolate (weird). I chose my bread wisely to maximize the enjoyment factor -- fresh baked bread one day, a fresh bagel the next day, and some perfect sourdough for a tomato sandwich (heaven). Saturday night I had some Sangria at a party and that was nice but not life changing. On Easter I had a couple chocolate/caramel eggs which I had been hoarding for three weeks (they really are my favorite). Sunday evening I had a bowl of ice cream but it was just too sweet -- I threw it away. If y'all knew me better you would be fearing for my sanity right now, but I swear I'm OK -- my tastes have truly changed. OK -- now I'm starting a second Whole 30. Yep, I have enjoyed the food and the weight loss and especially enjoyed the way I felt on a daily basis. The few days on Reintroduction didn't show me much that would draw me towards an expansion of my food groups. I'm just going to do it again. A huge Congratulations to @Wing and a Prayer, @DIversityand @Liesje -- you have all been wonderful partners on this journey!

Hello, all! I’m 62, live in South Carolina (upstate, near the Blue Ridge Mountains), and I’m starting my second Whole 30 today. My first Whole 30 ended just last Tuesday, and I took a few days off to relax and enjoy (but not overdo). I’m content to be back on program today. It feels like home! Having good food already waiting in the refrigerator and being well fed every day – I like this! It’s encouraging to see so many people beginning their Whole 30 programs today. I agree with @POWERG - group support was so important the first time around.

@ShannonM816, thank you for the term "food freedom"! As a reintro-newbie, that idea makes me really happy.

I simply cannot believe I am on day 29 -- without making any poor decision on any day! I have stuck with a legendarily difficult way of eating and I DID IT! Congrats to anyone who is still with us, and a huge YAY! to @Liesjefor showing us the way! Some new habits -- serious meal planning, weekend cooking, mindful eating -- will become part of my regular life now. Some new recipes -- white chicken chili, breakfast casserole, liver and onions -- will be staples in my new way of eating. I have two days to plan my Reintroduction Strategy. Since the only thing I've really missed is wine, I will begin with a glass on Wednesday evening. Then I will eat very clean on Thursday and Friday to see how I feel. Then maybe another glass of wine. I will introduce other foods slowly and carefully to see what affects me and what doesn't. One weird thing I've noticed: for the last three nights I have had dreams about eating off-plan, and they weren't good dreams. In one, I was eating a handful of Halloween candy corn just because it was there next to me. In another, I was eating a sandwich (boring white bread and cheap bologna - ewww) just because I was in a hurry. Both times I woke up thinking I'd blown my Whole 30 for atrocious food. What a relief it was just a dream -- but I am obviously worried about the end of this 30 days. Planning and mindfulness will get me through it. Just wish the dumb dreams would stop!

Changed my mind! I am definitely making these tomorrow! Chicken Veggie Poppers! Makes me hungry just to read about them. http://www.paleopaparazzi.com/2016/06/whole30-chicken-veggie-poppers/

I'm still on the program 100%! It is getting easier to stick to this way of eating; it's becoming part of my life now. I love having great food already prepared and waiting for me in the refrigerator. I love knowing that I'm feeding myself quality food. And my body truly loves the feel of clean energy every day. I can feel the difference -- it's as if a lot of toxicity that I was used to has cleared from my system and I am lighter and more in tune with my world. I will start my weekend cooking tonight. I'm planning on White Chicken Chili again, it was just so good last time. And I'll make some sort of beef-based or pork-based recipe as well. Any recipe recommendations are welcome! @Liesjemy breakfast casserole (a true life-saver) is from this website: https://crazytogether.com/easy-delicious-breakfast-saved-whole-30/ I make it in a 9X9 glass casserole and after it's cooked I slice it into 12 pieces and refrigerate. I scoop out 2 pieces every morning and microwave until nice and warm. A tasty and easy breakfast for a sleepy non-breakfast-eater! @DIversity, I am so proud of you! Leaving a party without breaking your own eating rules is so difficult. I hope you gave yourself a lovely reward for that. Good luck to everyone this weekend!