Getting back on track. May 17 = Day 1!

[TrayS]

Yesterday was Day 1.

 

Woke up in the morning feeling sufficiently crappy from having indulged in beer and tons of grain-laden food at a German style Biergarten the afternoon before. I didn't really need a reminder of why I was doing this, but the fact that I actually let myself consume that much crap at one time was indicative of how far I've strayed these past months.

 

During the week my mealtimes are fairly consistent, but yesterday was Sunday, and weekends tend to have their own schedule.

 

I had coffee first (yeah, yeah, I know....) Fortunately I love my coffee black ever since my first Whole 30 (at least some changes have been permanent!) so no issues there...

 

Finally around 10:00 I was starving. I had leftover roasted chicken and cut up some cucumbers and a handful of blueberries. While I ate standing up in the kitchen, I made a batch of clarified butter.

 

We had a family dinner planned for the afternoon. My husband cooked a giant pork roll on the pit barrel, and I roasted sweet potatoes and carrots and sauteed asparagus to go with it. Had a small handful of almonds around 4:00 because I was really hungry by that point. We ate around 4:30. I had about 3/4 of a giant pork chop, one small sweet potato, and a pile of asparagus and carrots.

 

Around 8:00 I ate a mini-meal of leftovers because I was hungry again.

 

My gut was really unhappy most of the day. I felt incredibly bloated. Not shocking given what I had eaten on Saturday.

 

I slept ok, a bit restless and some asthma (a sure sign my body doesn't like what I've been eating).

[TrayS]

Today was (is) Monday. Felt ok getting up this morning. Woke up around 6:15, took my low dose of thyroid med first thing, then sipped on coffee as I showered and got dressed like normal. Around 7:30 I ate breakfast: three eggs fried in clarified butter, cut up cucumber, a couple of strawberries and a small orange. Fortunately, this breakfast has been my routine since I started my job a few months ago, so other than using clarified butter instead of regular butter, no changes required.

 

I rode my bike to work as usual, arrived around 8:30. Not long after I sat down at my desk, I felt the carb headache start. It's a very specific headache, almost seems to get worse when I move my head a certain direction. But I've had it before, and I know what it is. Oh, such a special feeling...

 

I made another cup of coffee.

 

Around 11:30 I was already getting hungry, but it wasn't time for lunch yet so I ate a small handful of almonds.

 

Ate lunch around 12:15, leftovers from yesterday's dinner, the equivalent of about half a porkchop, 1.5 small sweet potatoes, and what was left of the asparagus (not that much).

 

Had a green tea in the afternoon. Headache progressed. Experienced some work-related stress (but fortunately my job usually isn't that stressful, at least not compared to my last job).

 

Left around 5:45, got home 20 minutes later and was starving. Devoured half a porkchop and two small nectarines (yeah, yeah, I know....)

 

Went grocery shopping to pick up some things. Came home and ate another half a porkchop, and a giant pile of green beans that my husband made while I was gone (sauteed in clarified butter and garlic, yum).

 

I haven't wanted any sugar or crap today. I was really ready for this when I started. I am aware, however, that I went really heavy on the starch and carbs today, but I'm ok with that. Frankly, it eases the carb flu a bit, and I'll cut down to the recommended 1-2 pieces of fruit in the coming days. But sweet potatoes are always a good idea. Really great for digestion!

 

I am now drinking a mug of Celestial Seasonings apple cinnamon tea and OMG IT'S SO GOOD. I still have the headache but I don't feel too terrible physically. Mentally, I am feeling a lot of anxiety, but I know that's just a consequence of the weekend (prior to starting). When I eat and drink like crap, I really, really feel it.

 

Time to remove the bright screen from my face and go to bed...

[TrayS]

Tuesday! Day 3!

 

I was expecting a continuation of the carb flu that struck yesterday, but aside from feeling pretty tired I was ok. My headache was pretty much gone. But.... it was a KILL ALL THE THINGS day in a major way. Holy crap am I in an awful, awful mood today! No patience whatsoever.

 

Again with the coffee upon waking and breakfast around 7:30.. today I had wilted spinach in 3 scrambled eggs, a small orange, a couple strawberries and blueberries, and cut up cucumber.

 

Lunch at 12:15: salad with spinach, leftover chicken breast, cucumber, carrot, strawberries, and olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

 

Around 3:30 I started to get hungry again and ate a small handful of almonds.

 

Came home around 6, immediately ate the final 1/3 of a porkchop that was still in the fridge from Sunday, and a peach.

 

I'd been craving deviled eggs all day so I made a dozen with homemade aioli. So good! I had a few for dinner around 8:30 with a few bites of the final porkchop (that my husband was eating), leftover green beans, and a sweet potato with clarified butter.

 

My goal for the coming days will be to dial back the fruit. I really think eating more of it these first few days helped to mitigate my carb flu, it hasn't been nearly as bad as in the past, but it's time to reduce the intake.

[wholemango]

my goal is also to reduce fruit intake... and nuts.  It's so convenient and delicious!

[TrayS]

my goal is also to reduce fruit intake... and nuts.  It's so convenient and delicious!

It is!! Better than nothing for emergency food, but I'm thinking I need to order some Primal Pacs to get the benefit of the (compliant) jerky if I'm going to be eating between meals.

[TrayS]

Today, Day 4, was a much better day than yesterday. I was a bit concerned this morning when my husband and I were squabbling over bathroom occupancy (we live in a 2/1 and are adjusting to the reality of both getting ready for work in the morning in a house with one bathroom) that my every nerve would be lit like it was yesterday, but fortunately I got over it relatively quickly. Then I had a really busy day at work that distracted me from all else.

 

Breakfast at 7:15 was 3 eggs w/ spinach cooked in clarified butter, cucumbers and strawberries.

 

Lunch (12:15) was leftover deviled eggs, sweet potato with clarified butter, and cut up cucumber. There is a farmer's market in the park across the street from my office on Wednesdays during the summer, so I went and bought a few things including raspberries, which I ate a few of (not too many) throughout the afternoon.

 

When I got home after 7, I ate another deviled egg. Dinner (8:30) was tri-tip, sweet potato and grilled artichokes, both with clarified butter.

 

Had two cups of coffee (one before/with breakfast, one after I got to work), one cup of white tea around 3 pm, and a cup of apple cinnamon tea after dinner.

 

I did manage to cut back my fruit today, so I am pleased with myself about that.

 

I've been sleeping pretty well this week too (aside from some weird dreams)... Approx 8 hours Sunday and Monday night, only 7 hours last night. I should probably go to bed now!

[wholemango]

I struggle in my mind restricting fruit intake...it feels so wrong because I've been so used to eating a few servings a day.  It's only 30 days...I tell myself!

 

Grilled artichokes sound great!

[TrayS]

I struggle in my mind restricting fruit intake...it feels so wrong because I've been so used to eating a few servings a day.  It's only 30 days...I tell myself!

 

Grilled artichokes sound great!

They are!!! We figured out that the key is to boil them first. Super good with clarified butter.

[TrayS]

Today, Day 5. Slept pretty well last night, from around 10:30 to 6:30 but had a hard time waking up this morning. Managed to drag myself out of bed and get ready for work, but I felt kinda like lead this morning when I got on my bike for the commute. Fortunately, the ride to work woke me up and the fatigue didn't seem to last into the day.

 

Breakfast (7:30) was three eggs w/ spinach, half a sweet potato, and an entire avocado.

 

Lunch (12:30) was deviled eggs, sweet potato w/ clarified butter, cut up cucumber and a few blueberries and raspberries.

 

Snack when I got home at 6:00 was the lone remaining deviled egg and a few raspberries.

 

Dinner (7:30) was leftover tri-tip, sweet potato and artichokes with clarified butter.

 

Had two cups of coffee this morning, one cup of white tea in the afternoon. Debating on whether to have an herbal tea before I go to bed. Decisions, decisions...

[TrayS]

Today was Day 6. Slept well from about 10:45 - 6:30. I felt really good this morning, I was randomly singing to myself and everything. I went to work and had to leave early so I had to get something done beforehand and it went to the last minute, which stressed me out. Then I went to my doctor's appointment and apparently my appointment was yesterday. I had the day wrong. UGH! My stress level has not yet recovered. I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep.

 

Breakfast at 7:30 was three eggs with spinach and clarified butter, half a sweet potato and a grapefruit.

 

Lunch at 1:00 was a salad with spinach, leftover tri-tip, tomato, cucumber, avocado, and oil/vinegar. I ate a few berries to go with it.

 

When I got home this afternoon I snacked. Half a sweet potato and some almonds. Not ideal, I know...

 

Dinner at 8 was a chicken thigh, baked kale, and a small sweet potato with clarified butter.

 

Sigh. I hope I feel better tomorrow...

[TrayS]

Looks like I have some catching up to do on my log!

 

Saturday, Day 7. Slept 9+ hours, woke up (I think because of the cat?) at some point around 3:30-4 and took a bit to get back to sleep, and then slept clear through my normal wake-up time of 6:15-6:30 (on weekdays I set an alarm for 6:30 but usually wake up before it) and didn’t wake up until the alarm I’d set as a failsafe to get up in time to eat a proper breakfast and still make it to yoga-in-the-park at 9:00 went off at 7:45. I was like… seriously? Ok then.

 

I had some coffee and ate leftover chicken and kale and a grapefruit around 8:15.

 

Here in Sacramento there is a free yoga session in the park every Saturday and Sunday morning. Well over 100 people show up, the energy is fantastic. So that’s how I started my Saturday. It’d been a couple weeks since I’d gone, so I really, REALLY needed it.

 

After that, we drove a couple hours to my husband’s cousin’s house for a bbq. I wasn’t sure what they would have in the way of compliant food so I was snacking in the car. I ate two hard-boiled eggs, a banana and some almonds. There ended up being some good clean food there so once we arrived around 2 I ate a chicken-pineapple-pepper kabob, salad (no dressing) and some fruit. I was actually pretty full by this point.

 

We lingered through the afternoon and eventually around 5 I was hungry again so I ate a burger patty wrapped in lettuce with tomato and onion. That was it for food for the day.

 

It was my first event for this Whole 30 where I had to forego alcohol in a situation where almost everyone else was drinking, and the first time since my miscarriage in December (so I really don’t want people assuming my lack of drinking is because I’m pregnant again – I’m not). It only came up once when my husband’s other cousin told me I must try her grapefruit margarita. I just explained I was on Day 7 of my Whole 30 and she had seen my Facebook post on Day 1, so we chatted about it for a few minutes.

 

I did miss the alcohol a little bit. I am used to relying on it as a social lubricant when I’m in a large group. I enjoy the taste of good wine and good beer. But it wasn’t too bad.

 

However, by the end of the day I was EXHAUSTED. Probably a combination of being near that point in the Whole 30 timeline and the energy of socializing with people I didn’t know and without alcohol. My husband had drank the whole time we were there, so I had to drive home, and it was hard to stay awake. I crashed at about 11 pm, right after we got home

 

Sunday, Day 8, I slept through the night and woke up at 8:15. Again, slept clear through my normal wake-up time.

 

Had coffee and breakfast at around 9:30. I decided to make an old favorite from previous Whole 30s for breakfast, fried bananas. I cut the bananas into slices and “batter” them in scrambled egg and tapioca flour, then fry them (usually in coconut oil but this time I used clarified butter). I made some compliant bacon and scrambled eggs to go with it, and had some cucumber slices and a couple of strawberries.

 

Sunday morning we usually go to the farmer’s market, there is a huge one here in Sacramento. We picked up a ton of fresh produce and 2 flats of eggs.

 

After the market we went for a 20 mile bike ride. I thought lunch could wait until after, but realized I should’ve brought some food. Fortunately my sister shared a few bites of tuna and raisins after the ride and that held me over until we got home and started prepping Sunday family dinner. I made a batch of delicious guacamole and had some of that with cucumbers and carrot sticks. YUM. Then I ate chicken, tri-tip, squash and onion kabobs, a sweet potato, and some spinach salad for dinner. I ate too much – I was too full. Not surprising since I didn’t eat enough during the middle of the day. I’ll plan better next time…

 

I was feeling tired by 8 pm and thought I should go to bed, but my husband started watching Gone Girl and I got sucked into it. So I didn’t go to sleep until 11. Woke up at 7:45 this morning. Again, slept right through my wake-up time.

 

Breakfast at around 9, spinach with three eggs, half a sweet potato, a few raspberries, and a spoonful of guac with cucumbers. Coffee, obviously.

 

I spent the day doing chores around the house and ate lunch when I got hungry again around 2:30. I ate leftovers from last night – chicken, tri-tip, veggies and half a sweet potato with clarified butter.

 

I went running around 6 and ate dinner right after I got home around 7. Ribs, green beans, and half a sweet potato.

 

I noticed today that my mood was a lot better than previous days. I think that the first week of the Whole 30 coinciding with my PMS week led to the Perfect Storm of rollercoaster feelings this past week. It was really difficult for a few days, so I’m hoping this improvement lasts.

 

Since I have to wake up on time for work tomorrow, I think I should go to bed now.

[TrayS]

Tuesday, Day 10. I went to bed by 10 last night but I couldn’t fall asleep. I was thinking that maybe I had too much coffee in the morning. And perhaps I was a bit wound up to go to work the next day. My anxiety has been problematic recently. This will be a topic of discussion at my next therapy appointment…

 

It probably took me until close to 11 to fall asleep. I woke up at one point just before 5 but managed to go back to sleep, and woke up for good at close to 6:30.

 

Breakfast at 7:30 was three eggs with spinach, half a sweet potato with clarified butter, the rest of the guac (basically a spoonful) with cut up cucumber, and a few raspberries and blueberries.

 

Lunch at 1:00 was a salad with kale, carrot, cucumber, the meat from 3 pork ribs, and oil/vinegar.

 

When I got home at 5:30 I was hungry so I had another rib and a couple apricots.

 

I ate dinner at 7:30: 3 ribs, leftover kale, and a sweet potato with clarified butter.

 

Yawn…

[TrayS]

Wednesday, Day 11. Woke up at 6:15 feeling really good this morning. Almost didn't want my coffee, but drank a little bit. Breakfast at 7:15 was 3 eggs w/ spinach, half a sweet potato w/ clarified butter, a cut up cucumber and a handful of raspberries and blueberries.

 

When I got to work I normally would've had a cup of coffee or black tea, but decided neither sounded good. I was feeling wound up and didn't want that much caffeine. So I had some white tea instead (about 15 mg/cup) and that hit the spot.

 

Ate lunch around 12:15: kale with leftovers from Sunday (veggies and tritip/chicken) and a cut up sweet potato with oil and vinegar.

 

Went to the farmers market across the street from my work. Later in the afternoon around 4:30 I was hungry. I don't know why because my lunch was not small. But all I had on hand was my farmer's market food so I had a small handful of almonds and some fresh cherries (not an ideal mini-meal, I know).

 

It held me over until after my 6 pm yoga class. I ate my dinner at 7:30: 4 ribs, leftover green beans, sweet potato w/ clarified butter.

 

Energy held through the end of the day, and mood was a lot better than days past.

[TrayS]

Thursday, Day 12. A little harder to wake up this morning for some reason but I felt really good all day, physically and mentally. I got about 8 hours of sleep and woke up just before 6:30. Breakfast at 7:30 was three eggs with spinach, half a sweet potato with clarified butter, cucumbers, and raspberries/blueberries.

 

Had one cup of coffee in the morning and a black tea at work. Didn't feel super jittery like yesterday.

 

Ate lunch at 12:30. I had run out of leftover protein so in a bind this morning, I fried up three eggs and threw them in a container of kale with a chopped up carrot and chopped up sweet potato, oil and vinegar. It was actually pretty good.

 

Started to get hungry around the time I rode home, held off for awhile while my husband cooked dinner but he was taking a long time and finally I ate some cherries and almonds right before dinner, which was salmon and artichokes.

 

I had energy after dinner and I cleaned the entire kitchen including the floor. I could get used to this!

[AllisonS]

Hi! Earlier in your log you described making deviled eggs with aioli. Any chance you could share the recipe. Sounds delist and I have been struggling eating eggs. Thanks! And great job!

Alli

[TrayS]

Hi! Earlier in your log you described making deviled eggs with aioli. Any chance you could share the recipe. Sounds delist and I have been struggling eating eggs. Thanks! And great job!

Alli

Oops I'm a bit behind on my log!

 

I didn't really follow a recipe, in the sense that I didn't really measure anything. But here's what I did:

 

boiled 12 eggs, cut in half, scooped out yolks

made a batch of aioli: one egg yolk whipped with a teeny drop of vinegar, slowly add oil while whipping to emulsify. I'm guessing it turned out to be somewhere around 1/2-3/4 cup and I used it all

mixed aioli with the egg yolks, added salt, garlic powder, and brown mustard to taste

squeezed the mix into the egg whites with a ziplock bag with the corner cut off

dusted with paprika

 

You could also add cut up dill pickles (assuming they are compliant, of course.)

[TrayS]

Today was Day 18. I've been taking notes on my phone but somehow when I get to the end of the day, the last thing I want to do is put this big bright screen in my face and log my food. Maybe I should do it in the morning instead! I'll have to catch up on my entries one of these days (today is not that day.)

 

Last night I slept well except for around 5 am when the cat woke me up. Also, I keep having to get up and pee around 4 - 5 am, which I don't usually have to do except if I am in the week before my period (and of course for the three months I was pregnant.) I'm thinking perhaps my body is ridding itself of crap still.

 

My anxiety is greatly improved. I feel better than I have in as long as I can remember. My basal body temperatures are extremely stable, which is great.

 

Breakfast at 7:30 was 3 eggs with spinach, a small sweet potato with clarified butter, cut up cucumbers and a handful of berries.

 

Lunch at 12:00 was a salad with spinach, pork, cucumbers, pepitas, and a cut up peach with olive oil and vinegar as dressing, with a side of sweet potato.

 

At around 3:30 my stomach started to growl so I ate a few strawberries and a handful of almonds. I wasn't really planning on eating at this time (and I usually don't even keep fruit at my desk but I had gone to the farmers market at lunch), and so soon after my lunch I'm not sure it was actual hunger.

 

But it held me until dinner at 8, baked chicken with potatoes and gravy (made with tapioca) and sauteed squash. And a few more strawberries (with dinner).

 

I've been having a bit of digestion upset this week and I'm not sure why, but I'm thinking perhaps I should cut out the few nuts that I have been eating..... after I go backpacking this weekend.

[TrayS]

Ok, well, backpacking trip delayed until next weekend due to weather. But, that gives us a chance to round out our food with some dehydrated sweet potatoes and kale! Yeah!

 

So today is Day 21. I've kept food notes on my phone, but honestly, I eat really similarly most days. So I'll just continue here with Day 20 (yesterday)...

 

Breakfast at 7:30: 3 eggs with spinach, a sweet potato, cucumbers, strawberries. Coffee.

Lunch at noon: I actually had packed lunch, but ended up getting invited to lunch with coworkers, so I went. Fortunately, we went to a salad bar-type place, so I was able to find something compliant. I had a giant salad with greens, carrots, olives, green onion, cucumber, lots of crushed hard boiled egg (that was the only compliant source of protein), and a small bowl of fruit. Fortunately I had packed olive oil to go with the lunch I'd packed, so I brought that with me and used it as a dressing.

When I got home around 6, I ate the food I'd packed for lunch: a salad with spinach, carrot, cucumber, leftover chicken and cut up strawberries, olive oil for dressing, plus a sweet potato.

 

Last night was the Sacramento Bike Party, so I went with my husband, sister, and a friend. Last month I'd had fun drinking beers on the event, but this time was a sober event for me and that was ok, it was still fun. I'm really trying to break the association that alcohol = fun, something I've always struggled with.