Starting 11/11 -- accountability and meal ideas for a tired teacher ;)

[healthyteacher4992]

I have started and stopped Whole30 too many times to count since I first heard of it a year ago. I am so ready to stop quitting and FINISH it.  I'm a first-year middle school teacher who wants to incorporate exercise and real meals -- especially in the evenings and the weekends even when I'm exhausted from the school day and work load.  I want to have energy again. I want to feel more confident.  I want to break habits of reaching carbs and sugar for "quick energy fixes" that just make me feel gross and cause my energy to crash.  I need accountability and meal ideas for a busy, tired teacher though! Any buddies are welcome !  

[Melissa S.]

I am also a teacher!  I have found tons of crockpot recipes that are Whole 30 compliant - and the two I've made were great!  Here's a link to my favorite so far: http://myheartbeets.com/crispy-carnitas/  I absolutely loved this on a bed of spinach and kale, the meat had such great flavor!  Good luck - hang in there - one day at a time x 30!  You can do it!

[Brandi_lynn]

Day 2, I sautéed onion spinach and cherry tomatoes, divided it up into a muffin pan and poured whipped eggs into each cup. Baked at 375 for 25 minutes. Grab and go

[Sueboo41]

Check out http://meljoulwan.com/2013/12/29/whole30-2014-week-1-meal-plan/. It was suggested on this site and it was exactly what I needed! I found it Friday night as I was planning to start Sunday and needed to shop on Saturday.

Great ideas, flexible and not horribly time intensive. I prepped this weekend by cutting up peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, and onions. Bought cole slaw mix for chopped cabbage and julienne carrots too. Been having quick stir fry dinners using this and meat. I did the crock pot pork recipe ... It cooked overnight Saturday night and I shredded it when I got up on Sumday. I also cooked 8 chicken thighs and chicken breast which have been handy too.

I also picked up a package of individual Apple slice packs (30 cal, so I figure it's about 1/2 Apple each pack)

For lunches, I've been using half and half salad greens, 3-4 cups (what I can pack into a quart ziplock bag), a handful of diced cooked chicken breast, a pack of Apple slices, a small portion of chopped walnuts and a boiled egg. I heat up the chicken cut up the Apple slices and egg and put it all together for a salad that I top with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. We have a kitchen at work, so it's easy!

For breakfasts I use the chopped veggies with a little ground beef and coconut oil all stir fried and top with a fried egg. It's all making for an easy, compliant week. I noted that I am not eating any starchy carbs, but I feel good so far and haven't missed them. I had been slowly cutting them and had pretty much eliminated added sugar before going w30 fully on Sunday. I'm not going to worry about the starchy veggies until I miss them or feel lousy. I have sweet potatoes on hand in that case.

I love the sharing on this forum!

[mrpotterlovesme]

I have also started and quit many times over the last six months. I would really love to see it though to the end. I believe it will provide both physical and mental benefits. I fear failure again.

[ArtFossil]

Thanks for the nudge to get a crock pot. I haven't used one in decades but it makes a lot of sense to try for someone who's away from home all day. :-)