Rubarb's Whole30 Food Log

[rubarb]

Day #3! Whoo Hooooo!

Today's eats:

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs, 1/2 avo, 2 baby yellow squash, fresh bell pepper (yellow, red and purple - yum!), and a baked tomato filled with an egg.

Lunch: salad of romaine, tomato, purple bell pepper, the other half of that avo and a few chicken sausages

Dinner: Chicken cooked in coconut oil with roasted veggies (brussel sprouts, broccoli, squash and some garlic)

Positive from the day - I picked up some ground bison meat this past weekend. Put it in the fridge today to thaw overnight. I'm eager to try it out tomorrow. Not sure just yet what I'll do with it, but I suppose zucchini spaghetti is always an option.

Observation - I ate three meals today. That is so wild to me. Three meals and that was all. No snacks. Didn't even want anything else. Who am I? I have become so accustomed to calling myself a grazer, munching the day away or thinking about what I would eat next. So I now have this conflict in me. My body is saying it's fine. But my mind is still in disbelief. After dinner, I was satisfied, but felt like I should want a dessert or something. Crazy. Shouldn't I be wanting something to eat? At this point, I'm looking in the fridge and hoping I can finish all the food in there.

I've read a few times about "real hunger" and how we don't usually wait for it but eat out of habit. I've gone five hours before eating my next meal both today and yesterday. I think what's also playing in my mind is all the times that I ate something that seemed to evaporate in my stomach and I was ravenous an hour or two later. I HATE that feeling. I would get angry because was so hungry. There were times when I would eat something at the first sign of hunger because I didn't want to be on the edge like that. I'm sure it was a hypoglycemic issue. It didn't happen every day, but it was often enough.

Anyway, so far, so good. I feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Looking forward to more days being under my belt... and looking forward to wearing a belt with my shirt tucked in. Ha!

[Derval]

Well done, that's great!

[rubarb]

Day #4

Breakfast: 3 eggs poached in marinara sauce (a new favorite thanks to Meg Poore Tuttle)

Lunch: Ate out at a salad bar. Chose grilled chicken with a fresh kale salad, topped with red bell peppers and strawberries

Snack: about 4 raspberries

Dinner: Bison "stew" made with ground bison and lots of veggies, with a simple romaine salad on the side.

I felt pretty satisfied today, but got super tired in the afternoon and had to take a nap.

Today's email was really helpful because I find I'm wanting to eat something sugary just because. It's not out of hunger, more like habit I suppose. I had those 4 raspberries in protest. I get it about the blood sugar and insulin issue, but it still makes me kinda sad. There were freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies at work today. The smell was overwhelming. But I did not partake. Yay me!

Did a 3 mile walk this morning. I love walking early morning before the day gets underway. One thing I want to start working on is drinking water between meals. I usually don't drink much. That needs to change.

[maggief]

Day #4

Breakfast: 3 eggs poached in marinara sauce (a new favorite thanks to Meg Poore Tuttle)

Lunch: Ate out at a salad bar. Chose grilled chicken with a fresh kale salad, topped with red bell peppers and strawberries

Snack: about 4 raspberries

Dinner: Bison "stew" made with ground bison and lots of veggies, with a simple romaine salad on the side.

I felt pretty satisfied today, but got super tired in the afternoon and had to take a nap.

Today's email was really helpful because I find I'm wanting to eat something sugary just because. It's not out of hunger, more like habit I suppose. I had those 4 raspberries in protest. I get it about the blood sugar and insulin issue, but it still makes me kinda sad. There were freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies at work today. The smell was overwhelming. But I did not partake. Yay me!

Did a 3 mile walk this morning. I love walking early morning before the day gets underway. One thing I want to start working on is drinking water between meals. I usually don't drink much. That needs to change.

Awesome job! And your bison stew sounds delicious Have a great Day 5!

[rubarb]

Day #5 More yummy recipes discovered!

Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs, 1/2 avo, cup cherry tomatoes and raspberries

Lunch: The most amazing curried salmon ever! I made it up as I went along, but need to write the recipe down so I can make again. It was coconut milk, chopped onions, curry powder, smoked paprika, garlic and ginger. Put the salmon in the pan with some baby eggplants, covered the pan for about 15 minutes or so until the salmon was cooked through. Wow. Had it on a bed of raw, spiralized zucchini.

Dinner: Finished off the salmon, but had it this time on a bed of mashed cauliflower. The cauliflower was super easy. Chopped it up and boiled it to soften. Then added some ghee and some of the sauce from the salmon dish. Blended it up and voila! Also had a huge kale salad on the side with 1/4 avocado and some fresh bell peppers on top.

Why do I still want to eat something that is not on the plan. The food I'm having satisfies me, yet... I've not had any grains, dairy, etc. but the thought sure came to mind today. Hold on, I know what it was. I do counseling work and today I had a few appointments that were heart-breaking. I remember when I left one, my first thought was that I wanted to get a piece of bread or a muffin. Whoa, yes, emotional eating. Fortunately I didn't act on that thought.

Exercise? The usual 3 mile walk in the morning with my daughter and then a squats and buns workout. Burning! I've been toying with the idea of checking out crossfit. Everything I've read makes it sound pretty intimidating.

Good news: My copy of It Starts With Food came today!!!! Yay!!! I'll be reading voraciously over the next few weeks.

[maggief]

The curried salmon sounds so good!! I'm definitely adding that to my recipe list, I love fish and don't know why I never cook it. Do you add the coconut milk, etc. right from the start or do you sear the salmon first? I'm excited to try this

Please don't be intimidated by crossfit. I'll admit it isn't the right workout for everyone, but the community and support I've found through my local CF gym is just incredibly warm, welcoming and encouraging.

[rubarb]

The curried salmon sounds so good!! I'm definitely adding that to my recipe list, I love fish and don't know why I never cook it. Do you add the coconut milk, etc. right from the start or do you sear the salmon first? I'm excited to try this

Please don't be intimidated by crossfit. I'll admit it isn't the right workout for everyone, but the community and support I've found through my local CF gym is just incredibly warm, welcoming and encouraging.

Please do try the salmon! I didn't sear it first, just poured the milk in and then placed the salmon in. I was thinking that it would poach. Cooked it on low. And the salmon was not frozen. Tell me how it comes out for you!

Thanks for the encouragement about the CF. I want to check it out sometime this month.

[rubarb]

Day #6 - Kind of a weird day. I had no plan and got distracted with many work appointments. Not a great combination. I don't even want to put up what I ate, but here we go.

Breakfast (at 10:30am): 3 eggs, a banana and a few almonds

Snack (at 2:00pm): a packet of raw almond butter. I knew I wouldn't be home for a few hours and the food options around were not good. Then I remembered that I had that packet in my purse.

Snack (at 3:30pm): a Bold Original Dried Meat Snack from Gourmet Grassfed. I ordered six and they arrived today. Love them! I'll be using them for emergencies for sure.

Lunch/Dinner? (at 4:00pm): chicken with the leftover curried coconut milk sauce from yesterday's dinner over leftover zucchini pasta. On the side, I used Pure Wraps to bundle up the leftover kale salad, 1/2 of an avocado and more zucchini. Oh my goodness, yum city. The only thing about these wraps is that you can't refrigerate them and if they get too warm, they'll melt. I ordered them and they also arrived today. Good thing since I had no plan!

Snack (at 6:45pm): a 6oz container of raspberries

So there you have it. Strange eating day, but I think everything was still on the W30 plan. I totally need to go to the store tomorrow.

TWO BIG encouragements from today -

1. Yes, I should have eaten breakfast earlier and should have had a plan for the entire day. BUT, I never felt like I was falling off the cliff like I have before when I go too long without food. It's strange to see myself that way. I was still calm and not frantically searching for the first thing I could put in my mouth. That response is what makes me want to keep plugging away.

2. I slept for 8 hours. EIGHT HOURS!! I haven't had that much sleep in weeks. I forced myself to get in the bed at 9:30 last night and then woke up just before my alarm at 5:30. It felt so good.

Have a great night! I've got to get to bed.

[rubarb]

Day #7

Happy to be at one week. Today, again, I didn't have much food available and little plan, but I know the weekend will solve that. I'll be off to the farmer's market for fresh veggies!

Breakfast: 3 eggs poached in marinara with 1/4 avo and lots of spinach thrown in the marinara after I fished out the cooked eggs.

Lunch: Busy, busy. Grabbed a couple of the beef jerky things that came in the mail yesterday and had them with 6 oz of raspberries. Not the best, but not bad either.

Dinner: Big meal - chicken, a couple yellow squash cooked in coconut milk with onions and more spinach. Not bad. I was hungry and it was filling.

Exercise: Squats program (300 total squats today) and a three mile walk. I'm loving the walks and working up a sweat.

Really seeing how when I'm out and running from one appointment to another, I have to have food with me. There are little to no good choices out there that you can grab and go.

[Aberrantatavia]

Hi rubarb!

Planning is really key when you are on the go all the time. I'm away from home on average 14 hours a day so I need to plan accordingly. I cook most everything on the weekends and just have a good variety available during the week so I don't have to think about it as much, I can just grab what I need out of the fridge and I'm good for the day.

Some of the portable things like egg muffins take some time to put together, and other things like grilled chicken are pretty easy.

Keep up the good work and congrats on starting your journey!

[rubarb]

Thanks for the encouragement! Yeah, I'm really seeing the need for even more planning than I originally thought. I'm going to try out those egg "muffins" this week for a few of my hectic mornings.

Hi rubarb!

Planning is really key when you are on the go all the time. I'm away from home on average 14 hours a day so I need to plan accordingly. I cook most everything on the weekends and just have a good variety available during the week so I don't have to think about it as much, I can just grab what I need out of the fridge and I'm good for the day.

Some of the portable things like egg muffins take some time to put together, and other things like grilled chicken are pretty easy.

Keep up the good work and congrats on starting your journey!

[rubarb]

Day #8 and I'm feeling like I'm protecting something so precious to me with each meal and food choice I make. I remember when I made the connection between dairy (especially cheese) and waking up with a mucousy, drippy head. Yuck. You couldn't get me to eat cheese again for anything now. I'm starting to feel the same about the sugars. I can't say that I see a tremendous change from getting away from the grains, but from the sugar? Yes! That out-of-control, blood sugar roller coaster feeling I do NOT miss. But, one day at a time. Reading the stories of others is giving me such motivation to keep going. I want to experience the changes I've read about.

Today's fare:

Breakfast: 3 eggs, scrambled. That's it. But they were the farm eggs with the huge, orange yolks. So wonderful.

Snack: Came home from the farmer's market and I was so thrilled to try a few new things. As I put a lunch together, I nibbled on cherry tomatoes.

Lunch: Squash blossoms stuffed with ground chicken and tomato sauce. A beaten egg was poured over top and a little almond flour sprinkled over all. I've never tried using squash blossoms before, and the recipes I got from others at the market always included cheese. But the end result was delicious. I tried one fried and the others were baked. Fried is better.

Snack: While at the local Target, I was hungry (mostly, I believe from not having any sizable meals so far) and picked up a LaraBar. I think read somewhere that they were compliant and the ingredients sounded OK.

Dinner: Went out with friends and ordered blackened salmon with collards and asparagus. I love substituing the suggested starch with a veggie. This meal was divine and it was so wonderful to eat with friends and not stand out because of my food choices. No one asked and I didn't volunteer.

So it was an unusual day as far as my schedule and I didn't take nourishing myself seriously, but I'm confident that I'll have the time tomorrow to complete my weekly planning for meals. Really looking forward to that.

[rubarb]

Day #9

Breakfast: Egg and spinach muffins (recipe from this site) with 3 slices of bacon. Haven't had bacon in more than 20 years, but wanted to try it out. Eh. Maybe I cooked it a little too long. I got a few kinds from the farmers market, so I'll be trying them all out this week. We'll see. Those egg and spinach muffins were fantastic though. They are on my list of go-to quick and easy breakfasts.

Lunch: Ground chicken cooked with tomato sauce and a bunch of steamed and then sauteed broccolini. Yummmmm. And a few grape tomatoes on the side.

Dinner: Finished off the chicken by putting it in wraps (the coconut ones) with juliened cucumber and slices of avo. Wow, that was good. Also had a LaraBar - the pecan kind.

A refreshing treat - Yesterday, I put some lemon balm leaves and stems in a bottle of water with a squirt of lime juice and let it sit overnight. So refreshing today!

Today's challenge - really wanting to eat something unhealthy. Again, it's an emotional response and I'm glad I see that. My husband tore his achilles tendon. He can't walk, drive, etc. He's in a lot of pain and it's difficult to sleep. Just happened yesterday. Ugh. I feel so bad for him. My worry makes me want to show him love and offer comfort through food. In the past, had something like this happened, I'd go and get some ice cream for us to enjoy together. I'm happy those days are gone. Instead, I picked up a grapefruit for him. Ha!

[maggief]

Today's challenge - really wanting to eat something unhealthy. Again, it's an emotional response and I'm glad I see that. My husband tore his achilles tendon. He can't walk, drive, etc. He's in a lot of pain and it's difficult to sleep. Just happened yesterday. Ugh. I feel so bad for him. My worry makes me want to show him love and offer comfort through food. In the past, had something like this happened, I'd go and get some ice cream for us to enjoy together. I'm happy those days are gone. Instead, I picked up a grapefruit for him. Ha!

So sorry to hear about your husband's injury! Awesome job staying strong through that challenge tho Keep up the great work and I hope your hubbie recovers soon.

[rubarb]

THANKS!!

So sorry to hear about your husband's injury! Awesome job staying strong through that challenge tho Keep up the great work and I hope your hubbie recovers soon.

[rubarb]

Day #10 Loooooong day. As the only driver in the house now, I'm pretty busy! Saw myself responding to the stress with food cravings. I had a few cherry tomatoes and a couple LaraBars as snacks, so not bad overall. Reading the book, It Starts with Food and that's a huge help.

Breakfast: Omelette filled with 1/4 avo, sugar-free tomato saue and scallions. Cooked in ghee. Cuke slices and raspberries on the side.

Lunch: Chicken between romain leaves with 1/4 avo and sauteed eggplant slices on the side

Dinner: Another piece of chicken between romaine leaves, this time with guacamole and sauteed onions. Sauteed brocollini on the side.

Tired and getting to bed early tonight. Even with the huge shift in schedule because of my hubby's injury, I'm still loving this way of eating. Really feel I'm loving myself to eat this way.

[Derval]

Even with the huge shift in schedule because of my hubby's injury, I'm still loving this way of eating. Really feel I'm loving myself to eat this way.

That's it isn't it, eating this way is truly nourishing our bodies. I was talking to a friend about weight-loss/healthy eating and I said the change came for me when the switch came on that my body deserved quality food. Tears came to her eyes and she said "yes, but that's a whole self-esteem issue, to think that you deserve that"...I nearly cried for her, so sad that she feels that way

Anyways....you're doing great, hope your hubby recovers asap.

[rubarb]

Thanks Derval! This food transformation touches on so many levels. Every day I have to ask what I deserve and make an effort for me. Good stuff.

That's it isn't it, eating this way is truly nourishing our bodies. I was talking to a friend about weight-loss/healthy eating and I said the change came for me when the switch came on that my body deserved quality food. Tears came to her eyes and she said "yes, but that's a whole self-esteem issue, to think that you deserve that"...I nearly cried for her, so sad that she feels that way

Anyways....you're doing great, hope your hubby recovers asap.

[rubarb]

Day 11

Today's menu:

Breakfast: 3 fried eggs on top of mashed cauliflower. It's funny, I think I had mashed cauliflower only once, years ago, and I didn't think much of it. Now, I love it. This morning, I tried it in the pressure cooker with 1/2 a can of coconut milk and 1/2 of a chopped onion. After only 6 minutes on low pressure, it was perfect. Blended it up with a little ghee for flavor, and it made enough for me and my hubby with leftovers. A few cherry tomatoes on the side.

Lunch: Had a work appointment during lunch. We went to a salad place. Yum! I had spring greens, chicken, avo, red onion, eggplant, cukes, bacon, grapes. It was delicious and I was happy with my choice, even though I know the chicken and bacon did not come from pastured animals. I had lemon-tahini dressing on the salad. I think I need to find and make a salad dressing that is compliant so that I can take it with me. It would also get me to make salads more often at home.

Dinner: By dinner, I was tired and feeling very lazy. I almost didn't eat, but I knew I'd probably be hungry later and I didn't want to make a poor choice later. Ate a few raspberries and then took out the leftover cauliflower from this morning. Found a can of tuna and once drained, I added that to the cauliflower on the stove. Cut up a baby eggplant into strips, rubbed some ghee on them and sprinkled on a few seasonings and placed them under the broiler while the cauliflower warmed up.

This was completely by accident, but the cauliflower with the tuna in it completely took me back to when I used to make chicken pot pies for my family. That dish was a family favorite, but I'd never make it now. I used to use the cream of celery soup and I now find that yucky. But that creamy feel and taste with the protein mixed in... yep, I'll be making this again. The cauliflower could easily be a base for a one-dish meal. Next time, I may try putting in shredded chicken instead and some roasted veggies.

Exercise: Did a three mile walk and an upper body routine with light weights.

Must. Go. To. Bed. Goodnight!

[Nancy H.]

Rubarb....I am so excited in reading your log. I am going to start on the 15th and have been raiding my fridge and getting rid of all the stuff I will NOT be eating for the next 30 days. You should sere all the stuff I threw out or froze. But I am excited to start. My book came today and I'll be reading that tonight.

But what I really want to know is: where did you find the recipe for the egg and spinach muffins? I am going to need all the help I can get and those sound interesting.

[rubarb]

Hey redrider, I found the recipe somewhere on this site. If I run across it again, I'll post a link. I plan to change it up a bit though, add other veggies. Here's a recipe that calls for a bit more but sounds really good: http://theprimepursuit.com/2012/02/06/who-is-sick-of-eggs-for-breakfast/?blogsub=confirming#subscribe-blog

The recipe is for a casserole, but I figure I could just cook it in a muffin tin. ;-)

Welcome to the paleo journey! I'm still reading through the book myself - total paradigm shift for me!

Rubarb....I am so excited in reading your log. I am going to start on the 15th and have been raiding my fridge and getting rid of all the stuff I will NOT be eating for the necxt 30 days. You shuld sere all the stuff I threw out or froze. But I am excited to start. My bood came today and I'll be reading that tonight.

But what I really want to know is: where did you find the recipe for the egg and spinach muffins? I am going to need all the help I can get and those sound interesting.

[rubarb]

Day 12... almost halfway there! I have found myself wanting something sweet or something to munch on. Keep thinking of that picture of the fish with steamed veggies. Yeah, I've not really been hungry, just craving... craving what? Today's email about stress was so timely. I'm kinda feeling like there are many plates to juggle at one time, but I'm determined to get it all working together. This 30 days is time to practice throwing it all in the mix. Drink more water... have a plan for meals... get some exercise in... get to bed at a decent hour... I will do this!

Today's fare:

Breakfast: 3 egg omelette filled with avo and tomato sauce; a side of raspberries

Lunch: Working lunch out. Chose a salad with chicken on top. It had avo (I'm having avocados every day now!), blackberries, onions... and some dressing that I wasn't too sure about. I still need to make my own dressing to take out!

Snack: a Bold Gourmet Grassfed Beef Jerky - Love these! I think I'm going to start ordering them every month.

Dinner: Working appointment at dinner. Had grilled chicken with sauteed onions and peppers on a bed of lettuce and steamed broccoli on the side.

Daily 3 mile walk - check. Squat workout - check.

Morning water - no But I'm going to go and make tomorrow morning's water right now and put it on my bedside table. Lemon water with a bit of ginger. Mmmmm.

I really hope I'm losing some weight. It's so tempting to check, but I've not done it. I keep thinking I need to eat less fat if I want to see results. Arghhhh! What keeps me going is the way my relationship with food is changing. I'm full with every meal and I can go for hours without thinking about food. And when I do get hungry, I'm still in control. That's pretty wild. It's like I'm someone else. At the same time, a part of me is still waiting for that other shoe to drop. If I sound conflicted, it's because I am. That's OK. Just venting.

[rubarb]

Day #13

Looked in the mirror at the end of my day and smiled. It seems like my face is thinning out a bit. I feel like I look healthier, even younger. ha!

Had one appointment at Panera Bread this evening. Oh my, all that bread all around me. I was tempted but also not. I used to love Panera, but now there's not much it offers. I had a salad and an apple.

Another day of being on the go from one appointment to the next. Food was scarce, but I was able to stay true to what I want. I have got to find time in my schedule to sit down and do some concrete planning. So far, I've planned in the shower, but it needs to go on paper and get posted and have a grocery list attached. Hopefully tomorrow!

Today, I had...

Breakfast - Omelette with 1/2 avo and tomato sauce inside. I really enjoy this breakfast. I would have loved to have some veggies on the side, but I was short on time.

Lunch - One appointment ran late and that squeezed out the time I thought I would have to make lunch for myself (yep, should have made it in advance). Fortunately, I had an emergency pack in my purse and I ate as I drove to the next appointment. 2 beef jerkys and 2 LaraBars. Lots of chewing and it tasted good, but about 30-40 minutes later, I started to get a very mild hot flash. Ugh. That's a sign to me that I either had too much food or there was too much sugar. It's like a warning system. Still, there were worse choices out there.

Snack - Was able to stop at home for about 30 minutes. One of my DDs had made some mashed califlower and steamed broccoli. There was some left over for me. YUM! Best thing I had all day.

Dinner - Salad with chicken, avo, and several veggies. The dressing was suspect, but I am not going to think about it. I'm moving on. Also had an apple on the side. Really enjoyed that.

Exercise: Did a 20 minute upper body routine with free weights. Didn't get any cardio in today but was very active!

[rubarb]

Day 14 - Another packed day, but I am slowly learning, even if it's the hard way.

Breakfast - No time at home, had to grab something from the breakfast bar at Whole Foods. The two egg offerings both had dairy in them (cheese in one, half and half in the other). Fortunately, they also had hard-boiled eggs. Yes!! I scooped up 3 and had some spring greens a couple slices of plantain and quacamole. Also had a container of raspberries.

Lunch - Again, out and on the go. One appointment ran late, so I only had time to have an apple and some almond butter. Eh.

Dinner - Came home and cooked. Yes!! Ground chicken with onions, garlic, eggplant and yellow squash all in a homemade tomato sauce. Fresh basil and oregano in there too. Divine. I have come to realize that I can't get premade tomato sauce. Even the sugar free one has soy in it. What in the world?

Here's the victory from the day. I portioned out my lunch and dinner for tomorrow already. More of the chicken dish I made today with a salad on the side. I have a long class I'm attending tomorrow and I want to be ready with real food that will fill me! I also made some herbal tea in bottles and popped them in the fridge so that they can cold brew overnight. Mmmmmm. I might take an avocado with me as well. All I need to do is make breakfast in the morning. Everything else is set. Yay!

[Derval]

Here's the victory from the day. I portioned out my lunch and dinner for tomorrow already. More of the chicken dish I made today with a salad on the side. I have a long class I'm attending tomorrow and I want to be ready with real food that will fill me! I also made some herbal tea in bottles and popped them in the fridge so that they can cold brew overnight. Mmmmmm. I might take an avocado with me as well. All I need to do is make breakfast in the morning. Everything else is set. Yay!

Nice work!