BarbaraV7

Hi @Rebecca001 Happy New Year! I hope you’ve been feeling better now? of course the little weight I lost already came back so I’m starting again after our holidays in London next week. this time I’m also going to restrict my calorie intake so I’ll hopefully lose some weight this time around My start date will be January 10th. Maybe there are other people starting around the same time

Hi Rebecca, I suppose you could call it food adventures ;-) I did quite well at the wedding & the whole weekend overall. I tried to be careful & not drink too much. I made wise food choices when I could & one evening only had a few slices of watermelon as that was my only option. I think dairy is my trigger. We had a lobster bisque soup at the wedding dinner & someone mentioned there was cream in it. I ate the dessert as well which was something with chocolate & ice cream. I regretted one hour later. I was bloated (like 4 months pregnant) & had reflux. So I’ll try to stay away from dairy as much as I can. we came back last night & shops are closed here on Sunday. There was no food in the house. My husband decided to order pizza for the kids & my parents so I tagged along. I’ve never been a big pizza fan so I won’t have any issues to stay away from it. On another note, I believe gluten & wheat are ok for me as I didn’t have any issues after eating pizza. I didn’t have breakfast & just treated myself to an açai bowl. There’s a little granola & a bit peanut butter on top but aside from that, I’ll try to stay on track. I just realised we also have a few dinners coming up & kids have a 2 week holiday starting Friday afternoon so I’ll just try to keep paying attention to what I’m eating when I can make my own choices for now. As soon as I can, I’ll be doing another round as it feels safe & even though I only lost 5 pounds, at least I’m not gaining weight & I got rid of the water retention & the bloating. I’m hoping once I get back on track with exercise etc…, I’ll lose a bit more weight. maybe my body needs a bit more time to lose the extra pounds I’d wish to lose. My current weight is 160 & I’d like to get back to 150 or 145 which was my forever weight until I moved here & gained 10 lbs in one year…

Hi Rebecca, I'm at day 30 today which means I'm finished & can start with the reintroductions tomorrow. I'm sorry you still aren't well. In a way it's good to know that you're not satisfied nor felt that Tiger Blood as I'm not feeling that as well & I have no idea what they're talking about as I never felt it. I am very low on energy as well & I think besides the water retention lost, I didn't lose any weight. I am usually 4-5 days/week in the gym or running or doing something... I haven't done anything (except going for walks), in the last 3 weeks. I just physically couldn't???? We are attending a wedding abroad this weekend so I will be eating out for 4 days which will make it impossible to keep a 100% on track so I will try my best to make the right choices but I will for sure enjoy champagne & wine. I'm also coming back on Monday for a second round with hopefully more energy this time around. See you on Monday & I sure hope you get to enjoy your dinner out & some wine! Maybe that's exactly what we needed ;-) Take care! Barbara

Hi Rebecca The ratatouille Sounds Like a great idea, it’s like a shakshuka. oh yes cutting out nightshades would also be too restrictive for me. I don’t always eat potatoes but when I don’t eat meat, I feel I need a little bit of sweet potato or normal potatoes or I get hungry again after 1 hour ;-) yes I also make my chia puddings with frozen fruits & another favourite is grating an apple with cinnamon (cinnamon is supposed to be anti inflammatory) & raisins. Pop some roasted nuts on it in the morning & it’s a bit like a healthy muesli or Bircher muesli. I don’t know why but I’ve been very moody this week/end & inpatient & irritable. I can’t wait for Wednesday actually. I’m planning to have some Prosecco or wine. I’m kinda done hahahaha have a lovely Sunday evening & good luck tomorrow going back to work.

Hi Rebecca, You’re most welcome! I’m making it again tomorrow. Getting lots of protein in my body might hopefully help me lose some weight…? I understand how you feel. I’ve also not felt the need nor been wanting to drink except for this weekend. I’m getting a bit frustrated because I feel like I haven’t lost any weight except for the water retention. It kinda doesn’t make sense either, eating super healthy, I try not to eat anything after 8pm to give my body the rest to digest for at least 12 hours. I drink water with ACV in the am… it’s frustrating but still I want to come back after next weekend for another round. I’m going to give myself “a break” from Wednesday through Sunday evening. Besides wine, I’ll try to watch what I’m eating but we’ll be away for a wedding so you can’t control whatever is on your plate when you eat out, as per my last week experience… I’ll be back on Monday for another round & thanks for the tip. Tracking my food might be a good idea. maybe I should do that as well. what do you usually eat for breakfast? I’m getting a bit bored with my chia pudding or sweet potato & avo toast. I’m not much of an eggs person in the am & I love fruits. I’ve been wondering if I eat too much fruit but then again I always eat it with a crunch of toasted nuts or nut butter, sweet potato or chia pudding… a friend of mine is doing a similar diet but she’s not allowed to eat any form of potato. Maybe I should cut back as well. take care & enjoy Sunday! Barbara

Hi Rebecca I've been MIA but stayed on track as well. Oh my goodness, what you're going through sounds like a nightmare week. I hope your son is back home & feeling better? I feel like this virus & cough has left my body but I'm still very low on energy though. So to hopefully help you a bit... Here are a couple of recipes I love cause they're quick & easy but also family favourites and so so fast to prep and serve. For the kids I will always cook a bit of rice; wholegrain or jasmin. This recipe contains chilli which I omit when cooking for the whole family. Spicy Ginger Cashew Chicken Best cashew chicken recipe and it's whole30 and paleo! This easy dinner is a family favorite- we can't get enough of this delicious and easy to make cashew chicken! Save this recipe for whole30 meal prep this week. INFO Cook Time 15 minutes Prep Time 10 minutes Servings servings MetricUS Imperial Course Main Dish INGREDIENTS Chicken 3 large chicken breasts cut in 1" cubes 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 head broccoli 1/2 large yellow onion 1 cup raw cashews 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds to taste 1/4 cup cilantro to taste Sauce 1/2 cup coconut aminos 1/4 cup chicken broth 1/4 cup soft medjool dates pitted, about 4 2 tablespoons tapioca flour 1 garlic clove 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper INSTRUCTIONS Cut chicken breasts into 1" cubes. Heat a skillet over medium heat on the stove and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook chicken in skillet for about 5-8 minutes (stirring on occasion) until just cooked through- when a piece is cut in half, there won't be any pink left. Chop broccoli and onion into bite size pieces and transfer chicken to a plate. Add broccoli and onion into skillet and cook with a drizzle of olive oil until just soft, but not mushy. In a blender puree ingredients for sauce until completely smooth, then pour over chicken. Stir in cashews, sesame seeds, and cilantro and serve. Nutrition Facts Spicy Ginger Cashew Chicken Amount Per Serving Calories 258Calories from Fat 45 % Daily Value* Total Fat 5g8% Saturated Fat 1g5% Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Cholesterol 49mg16% Sodium 900mg38% Potassium 258mg7% Total Carbohydrates 32g11% Dietary Fiber 9g36% Sugars 13g Protein 22g44% Vitamin A6% Vitamin C71% Calcium3% Iron7% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. I hope you'll find your energy back & things will work out and can only get better! We hosted a dinner party last weekend & it wasn't bad at all for me as I prepared it well to make sure to include Whole 30 friendly meals. I made Brussels sprouts wrapped in bacon with a dark dip sauce on the side (made from nut butter, balsamic vinegar, etc...), pimentos del padron with sea salt. For the main dish sirloin with a dressing consisting of pomegranate, chilli, fresh lemon juice, sesame oil,... Let me know if you'd like more recipes. I also make a bolognese spaghetti sauce & I'll eat it with zoodles & a spiralled carrot. Take care & hang in there. We are nearly there! Do you have an idea what you will introduce back into your diet? I might try dairy as I think it's been a trigger for a long time. Next one will definitely be wine ;-) Barbara

Hi Rebecca, So I figure you live in the UK? I live in Switzerland… Just to map out & talk about that weird cough/ sore throat etc… I have had the same since day 1 starting the whole30 (has nothing to do with whole30- just a coincidence). My husband has the same now, got it from me & my kids are now coughing as well.. I’ve also not felt sick enough to stay in bed but I have no energy to exercise, I normally exercise 4-5 days/week - mix of cardio & strength & I’m a yoga instructor. It’s the weirdest thing that just doesn’t seem to leave my body. It sounds like you have something similar? Every day I’m hoping to get back on my feet & exercise. I’ve been taking walks instead just to keep moving so kudos to you, you manage to run! Take care, Barbara

Hi Rebecca, you’re definitely not alone ;-) Yes back in Asia, they always give you warm water as it’s supposed to be a whole lot better for your system than cold water, especially for women. Even though it’s super hot outside & all you can think of is Ice water, hahahahaa I absolutely get your idea of having “a break” ;-) this is my first whole30 & I’m still trying to figure out how this forum works. It seems there can be so many different threats/topics you want to discuss here, I get a bit overwhelmed & lost. Given the fact that this is your 6th, it must really work, right?! ;-) You’re giving me hope cause so far it’s not been doing what I hoped would but then again, I had a couple of “beginners mistakes” & technically would have to start all over again. Since we’re attending a 4 day wedding soon in Sweden, I can’t “re-start” just now. I’ll have to come back for another “round” after the wedding party. I was thinking, maybe we could share a couple of our best recipes to each other since we’re hitting that week of “boredom” of cooking & food & recipes? Do you like salads, one pot meals, Asian or classics? I have a few recipes I come back to every week as they’re comforting & easy/fast & just always good. so just let me know & I’ll send it over. Btw so sorry for your loss, “The Queen” surely has touched the world but I can imagine it must feel strange without her now… Take care & enjoy the weekend! B

Hi Rebecca looks like we started the whole30 on the same day I just read through your journal & I can relate to how you are feeling. Good job & well done, especially since you went back to work! I’m inspired by your food prepping. I do feel more relaxed when I know the food has already been (half) prepped rather then having to start from scratch every day… It definitely helps. I admire your cutting out coffee. I’m a total coffee addict & can’t leave that out ;-) I suffered a sore throat & a cough for the last 2 weeks (I’ve never had this & it’s strange), my husband & now one of my kids is coughing as well… Sounds like we’re strangely connected & going through the same ?!? Today I was massively tired & now in the evening, I’m having a major headache. I’m hoping for that tiger blood to come in soon cause I’m not yet feeling it ?!? I wish you all the best & I’ll keep on reading your journal. It’s helping & encouraging :-) Take care! Barbara BV7