Whole30-ing the best I can

[Shelda17]

25 May 2013 (Day 13)

I keep reading other people's logs, and it does seem like a really good way to keep track of things. This morning I feel like starting my own. So here goes.

After a bit of an emotional meltdown yesterday (see the "Discouraged and Sad" thread in the newbies section), I got a bunch of emotional support and encouragment, and finished the day with a real win: ate out twice (my first two Whole30 eating in restaurants experiences), and stayed strong all day. I started on 13 May 13 (I like the way that looks, as I'm pretty fascinated with numbers). Anyway, that makes this day 13, which is another nice little bit of symmetry.

I'm feeling pretty good today, energetic and having a good day planning things. I've been up since 6am, and didn't eat meal #1 until almost 11am, but that's unusual for me so I'm not going to worry about it. I had to wash a bunch of dishes to have a clean pan, and I've been puttering around with a bunch of things. Kept getting distracted.

Meal #1 (10:50am)

• Premade Paleo turkey hash with arugula and two fried eggs
  
• Beet & Cabbage Sauerkraut (I just bought this from my local Natural Grocers. Not a big fan of sauerkraut, but keep reading about how good fermented foods are for healing the gut, and mine could definitely use some healing, so... it was actually pretty good. Had cilantro in it, which probably helped. How could it hurt?!)
  
• Two stalks of pickled okra (which I love, and was thrilled to find had no nasties in its ingredients list)
  
• Fresh pineapple & strawberries (probably still a bit too much fruit, but at this point I'm happy if I keep it only with meals, which has been working well. I may try a week without fruit soon to see how that feels.)
  
• Kombucha
  

Meal #2 (3:50pm)

• Two slices Applegate Naturals Roast Beef (wow, that was tasty!)
  
• Sweet potato salad (Premade Paleo side)
  
• Leftover green beans with Penzey's "Sunny Paris" seasoning
  
• half an avocado
  
• Small glass of pineapple flavored Zico coconut water (I'm having a bit of digestive upset and heard this can be good for replacing fluids & balancing electrolytes
  

Bone Broth (6:30pm)

• I have my bone broth frozen, and I thawed out some for a recipe I'm making for dinner later, and thought I'd just drink the rest of the cup. Put it in a favorite Starbuck's mug, which amused me (I'm easily amused).
  

Meal #3 (8:45 pm)

• This is later than I like to eat dinner, but so it goes. I guess when you don't start eating until 11am, things just move this way
  
• Leftover Citrus Carnitas from Well Fed. Damn those are good! I have a couple more servings in the freezer (yeah!)
  
• Broccolette, sauteed in avocado oil, and topped with a dash of lime oil. The lime oil I don't think I'll try for this again. Lime juice would have been better, but I didn't have a lime
  
• Kiwi fruit
  

All in all, a pretty fine day. I probably did a little too much, and I'm a bit wiped out. But a fairly good wiped :^) The weather here has been gorgeous. Enjoying being able to have the windows open and listen to my wind chime.

[7babies]

I started the same day you did. Congrats on doing well yesterday.

[Username]

Keep it up!

[Shelda17]

26 May 2013 (Day 14)

I've had a kinda long hard day today. I'm having digestive "issues" and it's beginning to drive me a little nuts. I'm beginning to wonder if all the fat I'm eating just isn't agreeing with my post-gallbladder-removal body. Which doesn't really make sense, given that I've been able to eat pints of ice cream and greasy burgers and fries without incident (back in the "old" days a month or two ago). But I'm hanging in and hoping this resolves soon.

First Meal (~11am)

Despite my goal of keeping my sleep in my regular weekday groove this weekend, I got all messed up yesterday and last night. Ah, well... move on... But I didn't get up until late, and then I needed to cook (had a plan for first meal that involved quite a few things). So I didn't eat until late, and I was HUNGRY! Felt kinda good, actually, the hunger part. I don't think I've often let myself go without eating long enough to be truly physically hungry. But I could absolutely tell this time. That seems like progress.

• Coconut scrambled eggs (very nice recipe, but they could use some more spices. Not sure what, but they were a little bland)
  
• Patties of homemade sausage. These are SO good! Somehow the spices in this recipe are just right. And I had some yummy local pork to start with
  
• World's Best Braised Cabbage, from NomNomPaleo. This was just as good as all the comments say, and I had a chance to try the new duck fat I ordered from U.S. Wellness Meats. What a great way to eat cabbage!
  
• Spice Market Kale, from Well Fed
  
• Organic blueberries - these were so excellent. And I ate about 3 ounces, instead of 6 (I always just assumed the whole packet was one serving
  

I think I wore myself out a little cooking breakfast. Then queue the digestive upset, and the afternoon was a little dodgy. I drank the rest of the pineapple coconut water that I opened yesterday to try and rehydrate, and took a nap.

Second Meal (6pm)

• Buffalo chicken lettuce wraps (this is one of the meals from the local meal source, and luckily they delivered fairly early today, because I wasn't sure what I had the energy to cook)
  
• Half an avocado
  
• Frozen peaches (thawed)
  
• Kombucha
  

I am often finding that two meals feels just fine to me, though I understand we're "supposed" to be having three. I'm going to hope tonight is more online, timing wise (I'll do my best to make it so), and then maybe tomorrow will be a little smoother. But I stayed the course, albeit modified a bit from my original plan.

[percypat]

What a comeback! You're doing great

[Shelda17]

Thanks, Percypat! This community is so terrific and supportive. It's helping me a lot to participate here.

[Chitowngirlintx]

Wow! You are quite the cook! I'm inspired now to try some new recipes! How are you feeling overall? I'm just ending day 9 and finally woke up feeling energized today. I may even venture out for a walk tomorrow. That would be a big step for me.

The three meals a day was hard for me to adjust to as well at first. Now I wake up looking forward to breakfast. I keep it simple in the morning but I know for me, having 3 meals a day is helping me stay on track and not snack at night.

You're doing great! Keep up the good cooking! : )

[Shelda17]

Wow! You are quite the cook! I'm inspired now to try some new recipes! How are you feeling overall? I'm just ending day 9 and finally woke up feeling energized today. I may even venture out for a walk tomorrow. That would be a big step for me.

I'm feeling pretty good, except for the digestive issues. Which really haven't made me feel bad, just a little washed out.

And I am having fun cooking (and ordering cookbooks, ingredients, and gadgets). Probably need to tone that back a notch I've been saving recipes, and am getting a little overwhelmed at how many wonderful ones I'm finding. Today my goal is to make a week-long meal plan template spreadsheet that I can use each week to plan what I'm going to eat. I'ver never ever done any real meal planning, other than the next couple of meals in the queue, so this ought to be interesting!

[Shelda17]

27 May 2013 (Day 15)

Didn't have a great night, but better than the one before. Up about 8am (my usual is more like 5:30/6am), and had first meal by 9:30-ish. Progress! And thank goodness today is a holiday in the U.S.

First Meal (9:30am)

• Zucchini Lasagna (one of the meals from the gym): beef, tomatoes, spinach, zucchini
  
• Japanese sweet potato (really interesting, hadn't had one before, white flesh, and seemed quite a bit sweeter than a garnet)
  
• Pack of Artisana Coconut Butter (my goodness this stuff is good, but then I love all things coconut!)
  
• Another serving of frozen peaches (I'm running out of fresh fruit, so I'm eating some from the freezer until I go to the grocery again. But come to think of it, I still have a mango, a kiwi, and a few more blueberries. Maybe have one of those for lunch)
  

I'm finding it a little amazing that I'm at the half-way point of my Whole30! It honestly doesn't seem like that big a deal. I was more or less convinced that I would be hanging on by my fingernails to do this (especially going grain-free), but it's not even really been an issue. Astonishing, really!

Second Meal (3pm)

It's a good thing to be flexible. I like to have a plan, but sometimes the plan just doesn't work out exactly as I'd, well... planned. I was going to make pork chops and Brussel sprouts for lunch, but I got caught up in doing some other stuff, and realized it was mid-afternoon, and I was hungry! So I ate what I had planned for my third meal for my second meal. Maybe I'll cook the pork chops later for a third meal.

• Puerto Rican Beef (meal from CSC): grass-fed beef, kale, lots of onion, red and yellow bell peppers
  
• Mashed sweet potato (also from CSC). I initially felt a little bad about having sweet potato twice in one day, and then remembered hearing from several posts that starchier veggies might help calm down digestion. I'm all for that!
  
• Fresh mango (yum!) I had almost forgotten I had this, but it was at the perfect ripeness.
  

Third Meal (8:15pm)

Later than I'd really prefer to be eating, but I did want to go ahead with a third meal today, and this was when it could happen. Tomorrow things will get more regular as I go back to work. I wasn't sure I really felt like eating anything, but once I started eating, I was hungry. Learning to listen to the bod is a process, for sure!

• Pork Chop and Brussel Sprouts (recipe from PaleoOMG). I can't remember the last time I made myself a pork chop. And I have enough for another meal later in the week.
  
• Cauliflower "rice"
  
• Several okra pickles
  
• A few blueberries (and I do mean a few, like 2 oz or so). I'm finding just a bit of fruit quite satisfying.
  

I also realized today that I have not had a snack since I started my Whole30! I almost don't believe this, but it's true. Haven't even wanted one. Before I started on the paleo path, I would be absolutely jonesing for a snack both midafternoon and in the evening. So far, cravings just gone!

[Physibeth]

This article might be helpful in adjusting your Whole30 to not having a gallbladder. The digestive issues you are having can certainly be from more fat than your post-gallbladder body can safely handle though I'm no expert.

http://balancedbites.com/2012/12/faqs-how-can-i-eat-paleo-without-a-gallbladder.html

[Shelda17]

Thank you, Physibeth! That was quite helpful. I'm doing most of what she says already, and I do find the digestive enzymes are helping. I so wish I'd had the information I have now about 15 years ago, but so it goes...

[LRM]

You are a Rock Star! Don't we all wish that we had W30 5/10/15 years ago? I hope your digestive issues ease up soon. In the meantime, I love the dishes you are making - you sound like an amazing cook. What time is dinner tomorrow night?

[Shelda17]

I am really enjoying cooking again, even though I have to modify things a bit, and work at not getting myself overwhelmed. The m.s. fatigue is a mighty force. I'm trying to sort out how much I can realistically do, but this is problem solving that I enjoy.

And yes, I imagine we all wish we had the information we have now at a much earlier point in time. Still, it's not helpful to dwell on that. That yesterday is ashes thing!

Appreciate the support!

[Chitowngirlintx]

I'm enjoying cooking again too. I thought at first that would be the hard thing to get used to. Really, I had just forgotten how much I enjoy cooking. The fact that the food is making me feel this good just keeps me at it. I got a little overwhelmed by all of the recipes, thinking I was going to have to become a chef overnight. What I'm learning is to try new things, yes, but also how to adapt what like to eat into my new eating habits. It's not as complicated as I was trying to mak it.

Keep up the great work!

[Shelda17]

Oh, and knock wood, but my digestion feels a little calmer today. Hope that continues!

[percypat]

I've always liked cooking, but I love it even more now. Mostly because there is no guilt whatsoever about certain ingredients going in. So I can cook and create to my heart's content and there's no voice in my head whispering "I should so not be eating this".

Hope that good digestion did indeed continue Shelda

[Shelda17]

28 May 2013 (Day 16)

Wowzer! Just over the half-way mark. Kind of astonishing. I know I keep using those words (astonished, amazed), but I truly am. I thought this was going to be way harder than it has turned out to be. Now I'm feeling just a little silly for putting it off this long. But I guess you're ready when you're ready, and not before, eh?

I'm lucky enough to have three pre-prepared meals for today, which makes it easy, especially as I'm going back to work after the holiday. I'm feeling a little sleepy, and three people have told me I look tired, although I don't feel tired. What's up with that? I slept pretty well, and generally feel more or less energized. Well, energized for me, which isn't very!

First Meal (8am)

• Breakfast frittata: eggs, beef, lots of veggies, including black olives.
  
• Guacamole (one of those little "snack packs"). I love those; they're so convenient!
  
• Leftover mango from last night. Yum!! I'm really noticing how little fruit it takes to satisfy me these days. I had a few slices, and that was enough. Fruit tastes so good and I think I've tended to mindlessly eat it until it was all gone. It still feels like a "treat" but an easily controlled one; a treat with brakes, I guess.
  

Second Meal (1pm)

• Spaghetti made with beef and spaghetti squash
  
• The last of the mango and the last of the blueberries
  
• I was wishing for a salad today, will have to be sure and put greens on my grocery list for this week
  

Third Meal (7pm)

• Better Butter Chicken (I think this recipe is from Everyday Paleo). I love, love, love Indian food, and this reassures me it's possible to have paleo versions. This is one of my all-time favorite meals from the gym.
  
• Swiss Chard
  
• Baby Carrots
  
• Coconut Butter
  

I'm a little tired tonight, and planning to head to bed early (we'll see how that actually goes). My digestive upset is a bit improved today, but not as much as I am hoping it will be soon. Just keep on keepin' on!

[Shelda17]

29 May 2013 (Day 17)

Feeling good today, and have some nice clarity. I wrote in my journal for a bit this morning, something I've been "meaning" to do. I'm thinking a lot about physical activity, about movement. There are lots of things I simply can't do: I walk with a 4-wheel walker, and use a power chair for any great distance. My legs just don't work the way I would like them to work. BUT... my arms work just fine, and my physical therapist gave me a set of exercises for my arms about a month ago, and I have yet to do them on my own. What's that all about? So I started writing about how all this feels, to be so frustrated about my body's limitations, yet to know that I can't live in my head. I don't "have" a body, I am my body! There's a lot more to think about, and lots of emotions to traverse, but I did my exercises this morning, and will figure out how to incorporate them into my schedule. I've created healthy habits before (like wearing my seatbelt and flossing my teeth), and I can do this!

I think there's spill-over from how good I'm feeling about my nutrition into thinking more about other ways to take care of myself. I had hoped that would happen, and it feels great! I feel gentle and kind towards myself, always a plus.

First Meal (7am)

• Indian spiced turkey burger
  
• Roasted mushrooms and onions
  
• Avocado (half)
  
• Blueberries (3oz)
  

Second Meal (12:30pm)

• Leftover pork chop and Brussel sprouts
  
• Avocado (the other half)
  
• Blueberries (3oz)
  

I go grocery shopping after work today, and have some nice meals planned for the weekend. And I'm going to try sardines! (this recipe: http://www.theclothe...y-weird-dinner/). I made myself a little spreadsheet for meal planning, and had my first go at it last night. I think this could really help!

Third Meal (8pm)

• Ginger Citrus Chicken with veggies and almonds
  
• Kale
  
• organic blackberries (It's kind of fun to realize that I feel like I can afford organic berries since I'm eating fewer of them)
  

I had a busy day, but had some energy remaining when I got home after my shopping. That felt good!

[Shelda17]

30 May 2013 (Day 18)

Day 18?! How is that even possible?

First Meal (8am)

• 2 hard-boiled eggs
  
• small bag of pistachios in the shell. These were on sale last night at the grocery. This might be a good way to buy nuts, come to think of it. More expensive, but also a clearly defined portion: this one was 1.5oz with the shells. After putting it in my cart I almost put it back, because I didn't want to be snacking on nuts. But then it occurred to me it would be a nice package of fat for a meal that needed some.
  
• baby carrots
  
• cherry tomatoes (I felt the need of a green vegetable, but didn't get a chance to roast the broccoli I had planned last night. More ready-to-go veggies in the fridge would be a good thing)
  

Had a good experience shopping last night. I've been bad about buying too much food and letting it spoil. This week I actually made a meal plan (never did that before). I made a shopping list, and as I saw other things in the store that looked yummy, I was able to tell myself that they wouldn't fit into the plan, and would probably still be there next week. Artichokes were on sale for $1, and that would have been fun. But I had veggies already all planned out and realized it would likely just be extra. Also, I've never bought so little fruit. I did buy 2 peaches (but not 6), and some berries. No bananas, however. So much seems like it's changing!

Which is the point of this whole thing, I suppose.

Second Meal (12:30m)

• Lunch with a friend at Chipotle: got a steak bowl with tomato salsa, guacamole and lettuce
  
• Still hungry when I got back to my office, and ate an individual pack of coconut butter and finished the raspberries from this morning
  

I ordered first at Chipotle, and my friend thought my lunch sounded so good that she had the same thing. Then she shared that she's been eating gluten-free as well.

Third Meal (8:15pm)

Still eating later than I'd prefer, but by the time I get home (about 6pm), this seems to be what I can manage. So, okay..

• Meatloaf
  
• Green beans sauteed with onions
  
• Leftover "World's Best Braised Green Cabbage"
  
• Roasted broccoli (I didn't burn it this time, and it was even better than the last time I made it. I swear I could eat three heads of broccoli this way, all by myself!)
  
• Just a few blackberries
  

I was a little hungry this afternoon, either that or it was just an emotional "need" to have something else to eat. I got involved in a project at work, and the feeling passed. But I was hungry for dinner, so maybe it was just that both breakfast and lunch were a little lighter than they've been the last couple of weeks. Trusting my body's signals, and being able to interpret them, will come with time, I imagine. I have ignored those signals in favor of just eating whatever felt good in my mouth for years, so there's a good bit to unlearn/relearn.

I definitely feel more energy the past couple of days. I'm having to be careful not to overdo it, but I'm still being fairly amazed at how much I've been accomplishing. Of course this is pretty much my focus as well, but I had more or less convinced myself I couldn't manage to cook for myself anymore. But I can! I have to plan, and space things out: do parts of a project and not think I have to do it all at once. For instance, the roasted broccoli was on my list of things I intended to do last night. I did manage to get it cut up, but then I realized there was no way I was going to be able to do the roasting. But hey, that works! Tonight it was ready to go, and I was ready as well.

I'm feeling good about this Whole30, and good about myself. Go me

[Chitowngirlintx]

Woo hoo! It's possible because you decided to make it possible! Isn't it an awesome feeling?!?

I love the fact that your friend ordered the same thing. Sometimes those small signs of support mean more to me than the words.

Have a great day tomorrow!

[Shelda17]

Thanks, Chitowngirlintx! You're right, this didn't just happen by accident. We're making it happen! And yeah, my friend's response was nice. I didn't even say anything about what I'm doing, but she said she really liked the bowl that way.

You have a great day too!

[Shelda17]

31 May 2013 (Day 19)

First Meal (8:30am)

This meal was a sort of hodge-podge. Went to the fridge to see what needed to be eaten.

• Three slices of Applegate Roast Beef
  
• Leftover braised cabbage, roasted broccoli, a small Japanese sweet potato, a bit of leftover ginger chicken with kale
  
• Beet/Cabbage Sauerkraut salad (which went really well with the broccoli - nice combo to remember)
  
• The last kiwi fruit and blackberries in the fridge
  

I was full of energy this morning and puttered around. Did a little too much, and sorta crashed afterwards. It's hard to know how long the energy will last. And I have more mental energy than physical, so I think I'm doing fine, and then my body says, "uh-uh." And says it pretty emphatically. Balance, dear, it's all about balance. And frustration, though it's perfectly understandable, isn't very helpful.

Second Meal (5pm)

I think I'm on the two meal a day plan for today. The first was substantial, and a bit later than usual for me, and I couldn't imagine eating anything about 1 or 2pm. Ah, well... I cooked a nice second meal, and enjoyed it thoroughly.

• Turkey burgers (2 patties) Nice recipe from Elana's Pantry, Green Chili Turkey Burgers. Yum! Very moist and flavorful.
  
• Packet of Wholly Guacamole
  
• Broiled zucchini (Nom Nom Paleo's recipe)
  
• Pickled okra
  
• Handful of blueberries
  

I'm so happy with myself for staying on target eating wise, for making plans and pretty much making them happen, even when I have to modify a bit. And I'm especially pleased to feel that I have control over my refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. I'm pretty clear on what's in there, and how soon it needs to be used. I've been SO bad about this in the past, and it feels really terrific to be on top of it. It's not rocket science, after all. But it does require attention, and intention. It's another way of taking care of myself, really. I was thinking about that with the okra. I really love it, but in the past I've often bought a jar, eaten it once or twice, and then let the rest mold in the fridge.

This is a whole new deal.

[Terresa]

Exactly! It is all about balance!

[Chitowngirlintx]

31 May 2013 (Day 19)

It's not rocket science, after all. But it does require attention, and intention.

I love this statement. I can't think of a better way to sum this experience up. I may print that out an put it in my W30 binder. Love it!

Another day in the bank! Wool hoo!

[calee]

Day 19, how awesome is that! You're doing gret. I loved reading about your cooking escapades. I have to admit to doing very little cooking. I make somethingnd et it over and over until it's gone. Lots of salad topped with some sort of protein. Wonderful that you are journalist about self care. I know we focus a lot on food, but this is a whole 9 life and you're digging in. Bravo.

I too don't have a gall bladder. I eat to template a lot but don't add much fat except avocado. I stopped eating nuts in the first week because I found them tough to digest. I didn't know that until I let go of other things so that I could see more clearly how things effected me.

I really appreciate your stopping by my W30 log! You're doing great. I can't see what you're writing on Day 31!