DucatiGirl Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 Hello, I'm excited to be starting my first Whole30 August 1st and wonder if anyone would like to buddy with me? I've been eating Paleo for about 6 weeks now and feel really good. I'm hoping to find out what other foods cause me issues by doing a Whole30. I'm familiar with eliminating grains and other offending foods due to my battles with ulcerative colitis for over 10 years. Now I am hoping to change my relationship with food and figure out what really makes me feel good, rather than just what keeps me from feeling bad. Thank you for your support! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowToBeCrunchy Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 I'd be your buddy, though I'm starting August 2 (odd day I know, but it's pay day so I can go to the grocery store - and since there are 31 days in August I'll end my Whole 30 on the last day of the month and be able to see if I make my goal on Sept. 1). I've been stepping into primal for a few months now. I have eliminated most grains and dairy, though I do have small amounts now and again. I have really amped my intake of veggies and fruit. The biggest thing for me has been eliminating soda. I haven't had a Coke (my old addiction) for over a month now. And since I drank my last two liter of Diet 7up a couple days ago I am now on just water. Big change for me, when I used to drink about 1 soda per day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cathy22 Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 I'd love to be supportive and find support as well. I have done some paleo in the past but really I"m going to be going cold turkey. I really want to feel healthy and have more energy (something I'm lacking now). I am really exciting about starting and using this week to do some meal plans and will shop on the weekend at a farmers market. I like Diet coke and although I only used to drink one per day, I feel it's something I need to cut out for good. The count down is on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DucatiGirl Posted July 23, 2012 Author Share Posted July 23, 2012 I think the toughest part for me will be my glass (or two) of wine in the evening after work. It's been a stressful couple of months at work and now that things are calming down a little, my wine habit is persisting. At first the hard part of going Paleo was sugar, mainly in the form of cupcakes. But now that I've been eating lots of veggies and avocado my sugar cravings are much less frequent. I've been dropping the grains from our family dinners and my kids don't complain too much anymore. Ultimately I'd like to have them on the bandwagon too, but baby steps. I have to make sure I can do it myself first. I'm glad to have supportive group to go on this journey with! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenjohn98 Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 I would love to get my family on the primal/paleo bandwagon as well. I have got them to love my Grassfed Gourmet beef jerky, so we are on our way I am really looking forward to this Whole30 journey, I would love to have a group to motivate me and learn from! Jen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DucatiGirl Posted July 24, 2012 Author Share Posted July 24, 2012 Hi Jen, glad to meet you. My husband is mostly paleo but reluctant to give up his cheese, so I'm doing my first Whole30 solo, at least at home anyway. My kids are fairly adventurous eaters but love their rice and hamburger buns! My kids are 3 (almost 4) and 11 (almost 12). The 3 year old is a little easier to convince than the 11 year old but I'd like to get her as healthy as possible before she hits full-on puberty. I need to pick up some Grassfed Gourmet beef jerky to replace the stuff we've been eating (with added sugar of course) my kids love beef jerky! Did you order yours or can you find it locally? -Megan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenjohn98 Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 I ordered it when it had free shipping, but we are already almost through that bunch, so I just placed another order online today. Not sure if we can buy it locally, but I need to look into that..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urr Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 I'm starting my first Whole 30 on August 1st and love to be able to chat and support each other if possible. I don't think my whole family will join me 100% but we've decided that nothing else will be an option at home. But my 2 year old won't be a problem since she allready almost eats this way anyways I'm looking so much forwad to starting this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DucatiGirl Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 Maybe once our families see the delicious food we're eating all month long they will be eager to join us too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grace Anna Brinton Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Hi there! I am also starting on Aug 1st and would love some ppl to share with. I definitely need to clean out my diet: wine, dairy, etc. I struggle with sugar cravings especially at about 9pm. Also, my boyfriend of 6 yrs still thinks I am crazy when it comes to being healthy, he has gotten a lot more supportive and healthy himself but I can relate to the feeling that family is not 100% behind you or willing to do Whole 30 with you. Hope to get to know you guys more and looking forward to this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akurtz102 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Hi there, also starting on the 1st and can completely relate to living with someone and them disapproving of your choices. We are healthy about 90% of the time already, but still have work to do (no caffeine or coffee, but love our sweets!). He also loves his grains and rice so I just told him that if he doesn't want to eat what I do for dinner, then he's on his own! Tough love :-) I barely have time to cook, let alone two separate meals. Is anyone already starting to feel a little overwhelmed with the shopping and can and cannot haves? I think my biggest concern is boredom as I have to do most of my cooking on weekends because of my work/workout schedule. If its not quick and easy on week nights, its not happening :-) Look forward to everyone's tips and suggestions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stayfitwithme Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I'm in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhmomi Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I ordered it when it had free shipping, but we are already almost through that bunch, so I just placed another order online today. Not sure if we can buy it locally, but I need to look into that..... Beef jerky is super easy to make. I bought a Nesco dehydrator for about $60 from Amazon to make it. I just dip it in coconut aminos and sprinkle garlic powder, black pepper and cayenne on it. I have the butcher slice the meat for me and I get whichever cut they recommend that is on sale, generally London Broil. I admit it hasn't been grass fed beef that I used so I still need to check around for the best deal on that. I don't dry out the meat as long as some people might because I love the chewier texture. I keep it in the fridge and it holds up really well for a week. I make small batches and it always gets eaten quickly so I have never had it longer. It's fine to take out of the fridge in the morning and eat later in the day without having a cooler for it if you are on the go. I don't make it very salty, but if I were planning to go camping and needed a longer shelf life, I would slice it a bit thinner, marinate it really well first and dry it longer to prevent spoliage. If your family loves jerky, you just might want to check out making your own. It's fun and yummy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DucatiGirl Posted July 28, 2012 Author Share Posted July 28, 2012 jhmomi - Thank you for the homemade jerky tips! I've been wanting to buy a dehydrator for some time now, I think you just helped me make my decision. My kids love jerky! It's so great to see so many supportive folks getting ready to go on this journey together! I'm getting excited for August 1st. Trying to eat as clean as I can leading up to so I don't get stuck with too much of a hangover. Will try my hand at clarifying some pasture butter this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derval Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 I make it in a low oven too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DucatiGirl Posted July 28, 2012 Author Share Posted July 28, 2012 Even better, thank you for the tip! Do you have a butcher that can slice meat thin for you or do you do it yourself? I've heard it works well to slice the meat partially frozen to get a thin, even cut. What's your experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhmomi Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 Ducatigirl - I have the butcher slice the meat because I'm lazy. I also love meat so I don't mind if a slightly thicker or uneven piece doesn't dry out as much and has a chewier texture. It's MEAT no matter how long I dry it so I love it! Since you have kids, I will share that fruit rollups are very easy to make in the dehydrator. You will need to get the special fruit roll trays to make them easily but some people use plastic wrap instead. I like the trays. They take forever to make but my kids love them. I don't even cut them but instead just rip in into pieces for them. They think it's cool. I am making some now with strawberries and applesauce that I pureed in my VitaMix. Tip - I pureed it a long time so it warmed up a little. Dehydrators take forever so I thought starting this time with the fruit sauce warm might cut down an hour of drying time. I am also trying banana chips for the first time. Sliced thin and dipped in water that I added a little citric acid too to keep the color from changing. I also use a small amount of citric acid to make regular apple slices for the kids that don't turn brown so quickly. I know lemon juice works too but they aren't thrilled with the flavor if I use lemon juice. My kids are 4,6, and 8 and a whole apple is more than they usually want. I am going to try zucchini chips this week as well as some other snacks for my kids. I've done kale chips in the oven but not yet in the dehydrator. I've heard mixed reviews about oven vs dehydrator for them. I saw a dehydrator recipe that called for coconut, chopped dried apples and peanut butter balls but I figure sunbutter would work just as well. Might not be best for the Whole30 (is it too Paleofied?) but still sounds pretty good for a Paleo treat. I am going to try and come up with some healthier school snacks and treats for my family this year. My kids aren't Paleo so I may try one snack that called for putting spoonfuls of yogurt on the fruit roll trays and sprinkling with chopped nuts, coconut and/or raisins. That sounded interesting, similar maybe to yogurt covered nuts and raisins only less artificial stuff, especially if I use plain yogurt and just add a bit of honey or maple syrup or even pureed dates for sweetness. We go back to school August 13th! Of course I am telling you all the great things I want my kids to have (and they do like just about all healthy foods)... but they still had donuts yesterday when we went to Dunkin Donuts for coffee. My husband likes most Paleo stuff I have made but has no plans to give up sugar, grains or dairy. Anyone else make stuff with a dehydrator? Any favorites? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowToBeCrunchy Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 Hi there, also starting on the 1st and can completely relate to living with someone and them disapproving of your choices. We are healthy about 90% of the time already, but still have work to do (no caffeine or coffee, but love our sweets!). He also loves his grains and rice so I just told him that if he doesn't want to eat what I do for dinner, then he's on his own! Tough love :-) I barely have time to cook, let alone two separate meals. Is anyone already starting to feel a little overwhelmed with the shopping and can and cannot haves? I think my biggest concern is boredom as I have to do most of my cooking on weekends because of my work/workout schedule. If its not quick and easy on week nights, its not happening :-) Look forward to everyone's tips and suggestions! My biggest tip is to just shop the perimeter. At least at my grocery store that is where they keep all the whole foods - the fruits and veggies, meats and seafood, eggs and bacon. (There's some naughty stuff there too - like the bakery items and legumes - but that's where all the good stuff is). Since I'm already stocked up on coconut flour, milk and oil and organic olive oil there isn't a thing I need that can be found in the inner isles of the store. I make it in a low oven too That's the method I keep meaning to try - any tips for seasoning the jerky that are paleo friendly? My favorite sued to be teriyaki, but I'm pretty sure that's out as most teriyaki sauce contains sugar and gluten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derval Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 That's the method I keep meaning to try - any tips for seasoning the jerky that are paleo friendly? My favorite sued to be teriyaki, but I'm pretty sure that's out as most teriyaki sauce contains sugar and gluten. You need to get coconut aminos. I get my piece of sirloin steak (pick a piece with very little marbling) and put it in the freezer for about 45 mins so it's almost frozen - this makes it easier to cut thinly. Cut diagonally to get good sized strips & put them all in a ziploc bag with a slug of aminos. Leave for at least 2 hrs, even as long as overnight. Then lay them on a rack over a baking tray and cook in a very low oven for about 1-2 hours (not sure about timings, just take them out when done ) turning half way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DucatiGirl Posted July 29, 2012 Author Share Posted July 29, 2012 jhmomi - Thank you so much for the kid friendly recipes! My kids would probably love the fruit roll ups. After school and lunch snacks are a necessity around our house, especially since we can't manage to get dinner on the table much before 7. We make our own plain, whole milk yogurt and my little guy likes it with a little frozen fruit or fresh berries thrown in. My 11 year-old isn't a big fan though, not sweet enough for her. But they are fairly adventurous eaters. We've got a few more weeks before school starts but it's coming up quick! Derval - Thank you for posting your jerky recipe/process. I appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhmomi Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 FYI - apparently coconut aminos are in short supply in some areas right now but should be back on store shelves soon. I read (probably somewhere in this forum) that there was some issue production/manufacturing/shipping related and it should be available any day. My Whole Foods is still out of the stuff but I have plenty to last until they get a shipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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