ncc28 Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 I just went shopping in order to begin my Whole30 tomorrow, April 6th. Looking forward to documenting the experience here! -Nora Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 6, 2014 Author Share Posted April 6, 2014 Day 1: Started my morning with a cup of coffee and coconut milk. Yikes. It took some getting used to, and I'm thinking about making the switch to tea for the rest of the month. For breakfast, I had leftover chicken and veggies. I've always loved leftovers for breakfast, so this was a pretty normal Sunday morning meal. I had a more standard breakfast for lunch. Two fried eggs (coconut oil), with a handful grape tomatoes and a banana. Way more fruits than vegetables, but I'll get the hang of it. Lots of meal prep to do for the week, and a trip to the gym in store before Day 1 dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 7, 2014 Author Share Posted April 7, 2014 Day 2: Had an omelet with 2 eggs, onions and tomatoes for breakfast. Starting to feel hungry at 11:40am, but have a solid lunch packed. Lunch will be a garden salad and leftover curried chicken, spinach and cauliflower. And, maybe a banana on the side. I packed it just in case. Dinner tonight: shepherd's pie, I think, although inspiration might strike. Overall, feeling sleepy on this Monday, but I think that is more about bed time than anything else! I'll have my first public test tonight. Weeks ago, I scheduled drinks with a colleague - well before making the decision to embark on Whole30. Tonight, I'll not only have to resist a glass of wine, but also explain to someone the reason for sticking with seltzer and lime :-) Wish me luck! -Nora Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 7, 2014 Author Share Posted April 7, 2014 Day 2 Update: I ate lunch at 12pm and was feeling hungry by 1:30pm while sitting in a dry budget meeting.... Trying to distract myself with a big bottle of water and a brisk walk after this post! Any strategies out there for shutting up a growling stomach in between meals? -Nora Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GFChris Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 If you're genuinely hungry between meals (hungry = you could eat steamed fish and broccoli), have a mini-meal containing a protein and fat. Being hungry between meals can be a sign that your earlier meals need to be bigger. Play with your portion sizes of protein, veg and fat until your meals satiate you for 4-5 hours. Use the recommended meal template as your guide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 8, 2014 Author Share Posted April 8, 2014 Day 2 (final) update: Really enjoyed shepherd's pie with sweet potato topping. It was a bit too sweet with the sweet potato, so would probably switch to cauliflower in the future, but still really delicious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 8, 2014 Author Share Posted April 8, 2014 If you're genuinely hungry between meals (hungry = you could eat steamed fish and broccoli), have a mini-meal containing a protein and fat. Being hungry between meals can be a sign that your earlier meals need to be bigger. Play with your portion sizes of protein, veg and fat until your meals satiate you for 4-5 hours. Use the recommended meal template as your guide. Thank you! I don't think I was actually hungry. Just bored and antsy. Once I left my meeting, I was able to distract myself with work and was totally fine through the end of the day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 8, 2014 Author Share Posted April 8, 2014 Day 3: A little cranky today, but not sure it's related to Whole30. The good news is I'm managing hunger much better than yesterday! I'm mildly concerned about the amount of saturated fat (from coconut oil and milk) in my diet at the moment. I used coconut milk for cooking on Sunday night, but also stir 1-2oz in my coffee in the morning to make it more palatable. For that reason, I'm still considering a switch to tea, which I'm happy to drink neat. But, coffee has as strong a hold on me psychologically as anything else in my diet! As for the coconut oil, I initially started using it in place of butter for things like eggs, but I also swung to extreme usage and began using it while cooking dinner (when I used to use olive oil). Starting with my next round of cooking, I'll trust my normal cooking routines - olive oil for most meats and veggies. Coconut oil or ghee when I would have otherwise used butter. Planning a trip to the gym after work tonight. Will grab a quick pre-WO snack before changing into gym clothes and heading out the door. And, will likely use leftover shepherd's pie (with sweet potato) as post-WO and dinner combined. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 9, 2014 Author Share Posted April 9, 2014 Day 4: Woke up with a splitting headache! Yowza. Not good. But, it was gone by 8:30am, after some breakfast and coffee. I have a work dinner tonight at a place known for their pizzas. I hear they have a great salad, though, so I'll be spending some of my lunch exploring an online menu to figure out exactly what to eat. I'm also going to dig around for natural remedies for seasonal allergies. Spring is upon us (finally!) and the only downside to a New England spring is allergies. If anyone has recommendations, please share! Other than my morning headache, I'm feeling good. A little foggy at times, but no major cravings or crankiness about what to eat, cooking, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 10, 2014 Author Share Posted April 10, 2014 Day 5: I have an admission to make! Last night at my work dinner, everyone was drinking wine and I thoughtlessly ordered soda water with a splash of cranberry juice. I thought I could make this juice exception for a little flavor while everyone around me had 2-3 glasses of wine. It didn't occur to me until much later that a typical restaurant bar probably only uses cranberry juice cocktail which would have sugar in it! I managed to ask what ingredients were in the house made salad dressing, but the cranberry juice slipped past. I'm feeling terribly guilty for not thinking through that But...I am not going to start over. I might tack a couple of days on at the end, but I would really like to chalk this up to a mental mistake and learn from it. I need to think about every single choice. Today, I'm fighting through a really sore throat, which I think is still allergies. I'm inhaling steam from my tea cup at the moment and hoping that a lot of tea/water will clear things out. Other than the sore throat and the guilt, I'm feeling really good coming in to Day 5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 10, 2014 Author Share Posted April 10, 2014 Day 5 Update: "Kill all the things" has fully set in. I didn't even see it coming, but I have been such a debbie downer and so annoyed by EVERYTHING. Wow. I hate myself like this. I'm also sick and out of eggs so dreading a visit to the market. Feeling like a whiny brat at the moment... Bear with me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GFChris Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Day 5: I have an admission to make! Last night at my work dinner, everyone was drinking wine and I thoughtlessly ordered soda water with a splash of cranberry juice. I thought I could make this juice exception for a little flavor while everyone around me had 2-3 glasses of wine. It didn't occur to me until much later that a typical restaurant bar probably only uses cranberry juice cocktail which would have sugar in it! I managed to ask what ingredients were in the house made salad dressing, but the cranberry juice slipped past. I'm feeling terribly guilty for not thinking through that But...I am not going to start over. I might tack a couple of days on at the end, but I would really like to chalk this up to a mental mistake and learn from it. I need to think about every single choice. Today, I'm fighting through a really sore throat, which I think is still allergies. I'm inhaling steam from my tea cup at the moment and hoping that a lot of tea/water will clear things out. FWIW, accidentally having sugar does not require a restart, so you're good to continue anyway. No guilt needed. Hope you feel better soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 11, 2014 Author Share Posted April 11, 2014 Day 6: Still fighting a cold or something like it and really glad we're going in to a weekend, when I can sleep and give my immune system a fighting chance. Last night, had curried chicken breast with mashed turnip and a bell pepper for dinner. It was delicious. I'm definitely not tired of my food options, but I'm starting to get tired of the cooking and clean up. I finally threw every dish and utensil I own in to the dishwasher last night because I was down to my last fork. Thankfully, my food prep on Sunday has limited the amount of work on weeknights. Nonetheless, I think a big hurdle for me over the next 24 days will be overcoming sheer laziness at dinner time. Happy Friday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 Day 7: One week down! I wish I weren't sick - I think I'd be enjoying this adventure a little more. I'm oil pulling with coconut oil while typing this post. I've found that it helps clear up (temporarily - which all i can ask during a cold) post nasal drip and sinus grossness. My stomach is growling for a good breakfast. Might pull together a sweet potato hash to go with my eggs. On a TMI note, something gave me some GI issues yesterday. I had to run to the bathroom twice within 90 minutes (really unusual for me. I'm pretty regular). It seems like perhaps something I ate just ran right through me. My meals in the last three days included: BFast: Eggs with spinach and onions each day except for one, when we ran out of eggs and I was in a rush, so I swallowed a handful of cashews and a banana while running out the door. Also, coffee with coconut milk each day. Lunches: Salad greens with grilled chicken and an assortment of veggies, including 1/2 avocado one day, usually cucumber, mushrooms, bell pepper and occasionally roasted red pepper. Dinners: sweet potato shepherd's pie, which just had ground beef, onions, spinach, spices and an egg white to bind everything together. Side salad with grape tomatoes and homemade red wine vinaigrette. Chicken marinated in a little olive oil, curry powder, garlic and S&P. Sliced bell pepper on the side. Everything is cooked with some type of fat - usually olive oil or coconut oil. And, I often have a cup of green tea in mid-morning/early afternoon. I thought I might be using too much fat in cooking, which, coupled with fats I'm consuming elsewhere is too much for my body to absorb. Also, it's possible my body is having a had time adjusting to digesting this volume of vegetables (especially raw with skins, like the peppers?). **TMI warning** I've noticed bits of undigested foods when going to the bathroom, which is why I wondered about the veggies. But, the issue was short-lived. I've been fine since then (knock on wood). Today is about feeling better, making a grocery list and getting outside for some fresh air and vitamin D! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 13, 2014 Author Share Posted April 13, 2014 Day 8: Coming through the worst of my cold and feeling pretty good. The only major issue I've had in the last couple of days is trouble sleeping. I frequently struggle to get to sleep or stay asleep. I don't think it has gotten any worse since starting Whole30, but it definitely hasn't gotten any better. I'd really love for better to sleep to be one of the benefits of completing this adventure - fingers crossed! I'm planning to make some chocolate chili tonight, since it will probably get me through a few days of lunches or dinners this week. Everyone raves about it online, and it seems incredibly easy, so I'm excited to give it a shot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GFChris Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 The only major issue I've had in the last couple of days is trouble sleeping. I frequently struggle to get to sleep or stay asleep. I don't think it has gotten any worse since starting Whole30, but it definitely hasn't gotten any better. I'd really love for better to sleep to be one of the benefits of completing this adventure - fingers crossed! Here are some tips to help with getting to sleep: - shut off all screens an hour before you go to bed (no TV, smartphone, tablet, etc.) - make sure your bedroom is completely dark: shades drawn, no lights or electronic devices glowing - have your bedroom at a comfortable cool temperature - stop eating at least 2-3 hours before bed - take a hot bath before bed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share Posted April 14, 2014 Day 9: Finally gave in and took dayquil this morning. I went all weekend without OTC cold medicine - great meals, lots of water and herbal tea, breathing in steam, gargling ACV & warm water for the sore throat, oil pulling, etc. All of my tricks to relieve sinus pressure and soothe my throat worked...for a little while. But, this morning, I just couldn't do it anymore. My head is pounding (and I think worse from blowing my nose so much), a cough has set in and I still can't breath through my nose. I'm also cranky from not getting enough sleep during this little springtime cold. Being a sniffly mess over the weekend is one thing, but I've got to start functioning again now that it's Monday. I can't actually spend the morning at work with my head over a bowl of steaming water. So, the dayquil.... It's got a medium-length list of non-compliant inactive ingredients. A list that, for today, I'm overlooking. If this were any other blatant cheat (i.e. a slice of my boyfriend's grilled pizza last night), I'd feel worse about it. The good news is that I made chocolate chili last night and it was seriously delicious. The recipe makes about a thousand servings, so chili for days! This is going to be an interesting week. Tomorrow and Wednesday I hit days 10/11, which are supposed to be tough to get through without giving in to temptation. I feel ready for them - bring it on! Cranberry juice and dayquil aside, I feel really good about making the right choices and finding compliant food options, even when I'm eating out. I know I am the type of person who needs super strict guidelines to hold myself accountable to (I'm definitely a rule-follower in life :-), and these last 9 days might be the first...ever...that I've had the discipline to say no to foods I know aren't good for me. Finally, beyond days 10 and 11, we're coming up on two tough points in the month: 1. A 4 day conference, when I'll be staying in a hotel and have most meals provided. I'm more worried about breakfast than any other meal. The conference organizers almost always serve bagels/muffins in the morning. I haven't figured out how to manage this one. 2. Easter - it's not even Easter Sunday I'm worried about. My family knows I'm committed to this, and there will undoubtedly be meat and vegetables available at dinner. It's the CANDY that is calling my name. It lines the aisles of every store and there are commercials on tv for candy I don't even like. But, the sugar obviously has a hold on me because I'm lamenting the absence of chocolate eggs in my life. Kind of scary! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 15, 2014 Author Share Posted April 15, 2014 Day 10: I had no appetite this morning, which sometimes happens when I have a cold, but it could also be Whole30 fatigue. I just stood in my kitchen for awhile, looking in the fridge, looking at the stove, emptying the dishwasher, looking in the fridge again - as though the options would change if I kept checking. I ended up eating something and as I was brushing my teeth after, I realized that this was actually a bit of a turning point. In the past, mornings lacking breakfast inspiration would result in me leaving the house on an empty stomach and stopping at a coffee shop for a coffee and a bagel or breakfast sandwich. It is just so easy to grab food that is convenient, but not especially nutritious. From here on out, I can't let myself off the hook for preparing meals with fresh, filling and healthy ingredients. Starting to feel a little better and got a good night's sleep, so aside from some food boredom, things are on the up and up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 Day 11: Good morning! I woke up with a ton of energy. I had veggie egg muffins ready to go in the fridge and added 1/2 and avocado to a couple of them for breakfast. The morning routine felt like a breeze compared to yesterday when I stared at my egg carton for awhile, willing the eggs to turn in to breakfast on their own. I'm feeling much better as my cold passes (aside from the snow on the ground...in April!). Just some lingering sniffles, but definitely feeling like myself again. I even slept a little better last night. I got to sleep much later than normal, because I was just awake and energized (I had a relatively late dinner out with family, which got me out of my evening wind-down routine). But, I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow; one trip to the bathroom at 4:30am, but no tossing and turning! I feel like I shouldn't feel this good yet (it's amazing what a little extra energy can do for your whole outlook), but maybe compared to how lousy I felt when during the worst of my cold, it's no wonder I feel great on Day 11. I'm trying not to psych myself out and adopt an "I got this" attitude. There are a lot of days left in this month. I need to keep preparing, like the pre-made egg muffins this morning, to help myself make the right choices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 Day 12: Another great night of sleep! I'm so grateful. I even woke up earlier than normal with a ton of energy. And, while I have not yet dreamt about non-compliant food, I know some cravings have been sneaking in to my waking hours. I spent a few minutes last night on a paleo blog with a whole section on paleo sweets and basically drooled over my laptop. It was torture and I won't be returning to that blog until after May 5th. I have fleeting daydreams about dessert and easter candy. Meanwhile, I'm heading in to a travel week, with 4 days at a conference. I'm pretty worried about food options while I'm there and may spend some time reading/posting in the travel category for tips. I'm also not sure how much food to buy at the grocery store this weekend since I won't be doing as much cooking next week. I suppose I could still follow my Sunday cooking routine and freeze everything. This will definitely take some planning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attackkitten Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Can I see this chocolate chili recipe? That could be exciting to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 Can I see this chocolate chili recipe? That could be exciting to me. Absolutely! I stole it from theclothesmakethegirl.com, but I think the original is from Well Fed. Enjoy! http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/2009/02/22/my-favorite-chili-recipe/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GFChris Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Absolutely! I stole it from theclothesmakethegirl.com, but I think the original is from Well Fed. Enjoy! http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/2009/02/22/my-favorite-chili-recipe/ FYI: theclothesthatmakethegirl.com and Well Fed are the same. Melissa Joulwan is the author of both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 18, 2014 Author Share Posted April 18, 2014 Day 13: Had some digestive issues last night and this morning my stomach is making some pretty weird noises. Wondering, still, if I am having trouble digesting certain vegetables. I'm going to cut out bell peppers, which were present in two of my three meals yesterday and were not fully digested hours later. I'm trying not to worry about it too much, but if this continues for the full 30 days, I'll talk to my doctor about it. I always thought my tummy troubles were because of dairy, gluten or sugar (hence whole30). After cutting those out, there appears to be some other trigger in my system. Nonetheless, I'm still happy to be cutting dairy, gluten, sugar, etc. for now. I have much more energy and just feel happier throughout the day. If I can figure out the digestive challenge also, this would be such a win! Meanwhile, I'm writing this post as a distraction from making breakfast. Feeling less than inspired by my options today. It's also Friday and payday, which is often a day when I am willing to forego making my own meals to just buy them throughout the day. That's become quite a habit, it seems, because I feel the urge to do it today, even though I know I should at least prepare my own breakfast at home. Breaking out of hold routines is harder than I expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc28 Posted April 19, 2014 Author Share Posted April 19, 2014 Day 14: Yesterday was terrible, and it was entirely my fault. My ambivalence about breakfast should have been the first warning sign that I was off my game, but I was unprepared for lunch and bought a veggie chili only to discover beans (duh). The chili went in to the office fridge for a co-worker to have for lunch on Monday. My schedule was so busy that I couldn't go back out until a 3:45 meeting at Starbucks, where I picked up some almonds and freeze dried fruit. Then, I was crashing a major deadline and stayed at the office until 11pm, with nothing prepared for dinner. When I finally got in the car, I finished the starbucks almonds, and when I got home I ate my last egg muffin before unwinding and heading to bed. What a disaster. It's the result of a total lack of preparation...and maybe some self-sabotage. I kept thinking, Maybe I should just f*** it and get something to eat that isn't compliant. The angel and devil on my shoulders were at war yesterday. I'll head to the grocery store today, in order to start week three completely fresh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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