February 22 Start Date

[madisonbopbop]

@CKM I'm feeling pretty achy this evening too. @Girl I also have never been a headache sufferer until now! The headaches have been mild though luckily. I'm feeling it more tonight then I have over the last 6 days.

 

Day 6:

For breakfast...I made a breakfast salad with cherry tomatoes, romaine, dived deviled eggs, red onion, compliant, bacon, avocado and then finished off the Whole30 ranch from the other day.

For lunch...I did my own version of Melissa's Chicken Hash from page 228 with leftovers. I fired up some crushed walnuts in a pan, mixed the sweet potato mash and carmelized onions from yesterday, added thin slices of Granny Smith apples, a dash of apple cider and shredded pieces of the prepped smoked chicken from yesterday, let it brown and then added  just a dash of apple cider vinegar and it was soo delicious!

I took my 2 year old to Chick Fil A because she wanted to play and didn't want to eat any of the food I had made so far in the day. I had an unsweet ice tea.

Snack...I was so hungry today. I was sure to think if I would be willing to eat boiled fish and broccoli at the time just to make sure it was real hunger..and it was. I grabbed an RX protein bar for a quick snack before I started cooking. It contained egg whites, almonds, cashew, dates, cocoa, and peppermint oil. The label focuses on the first 4 ingredients and the flavor was listed in smaller letters on the bottom so I didn't realize until I bit into it that is was like a chocolate mint flavor(no sugar added). I'm not that big of a chocolate fan so I don't feel like this screwed up my Whole30 but I did only have a couple of bites before passing off the rest to a friend just to avoid confusing my brain incase it was hoping for sugar.  

For dinner....I made sunshine sauce and mixed it in a salad with broccoli slaw, carrots, cabbage, spinach, almonds, cilantro, basil, salt, pepper, topped with smoked chicken breast and served with a side of roasted bell peppers, garlic and carrots and a couple of pieces of raspberries and strawberries. 

After dinner...I had a La Croix with lime.

I also premade breakfast for tomorrow morning since it will be a hectic morning and I totally tasted it.

WOAH! I feel like I had a lot today. I had a hard time feeling satisfied.

In the Whole30 book there are examples like treating yourself to kombucha or sparkling water while you're at a social event...I think I'm having a hard time determining today if I'm truly hungry or I'm just craving/bored. I mean like I said, earlier at snack time, I would have eaten boiled fish and broccoli...but I didn't eat boiled fish and broccoli, I grabbed something that was convenient. Am I doing this thing right??!

How did everyone else do today??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Girl]

Wow. All in all everyone seems to be doing great with sticking to the plan and not letting the little things effect them too much. Go people go!!!

Day5

It was fine.  I was proud of myself for only eating at meal time and keeping my portions under control. No headaches today and lots of energy. The weather was sunny and crisp so I went for a walk with a friend (7.5 km). I also slept all night through (I was waking up for a few hours in the middle of the night). I was also feeling calm and peaceful today. Like my life didn't revolve around food.....finally. I'm curious to see what I feel like when my TOM starts. I've got some more time before that so I hope to have some good habits by then. 8)

Starting day 6

My plan for dinner this evening is to make minestrone soup in the crock pot. We have a busy day today and my family has meetings to attend tonight. So I figure this should be an easy dinner (hopefully with leftovers)....8)

[CKM]

@madisonbopbop That looks good!

I did well yesterday.  Dinner last night was spaghetti squash with the WHOLE30 pasta sauce (I added some leftover roasted eggplant and butternut squash and then used my immersion blender to blend everything together.  It was very yummy!) w/ 91% lean ground beef.  

Today was left over curry chicken salad (delish!) I made and lunch was shepard's pie.  Dinner tonight is going to be the left over spaghetti squah with meat sauce.

One thing I'm worried about is an afternoon snack.  I usually work a public service job from noon to 5 and then have a 35-45 min drive home.  I'm often hungry at the end and so that I don't stop to 'get a bit' I've put some Larabars in the car.  My worrie is that eating one every day would be like eating a candy bar in habit (although I did not have that habit before I started the program).  It's something I don't want to get into.  I know the advice is ti have a mini-meal, but the suggestions are not really do able for Texas heat and with no refridgeration - not to mention trying to consume while driving home.  I've thought about nuts to break it up.

Any suggestions?

[madisonbopbop]

1 hour ago, CKM said:

@madisonbopbop That looks good!

I did well yesterday.  Dinner last night was spaghetti squash with the WHOLE30 pasta sauce (I added some leftover roasted eggplant and butternut squash and then used my immersion blender to blend everything together.  It was very yummy!) w/ 91% lean ground beef.  

Today was left over curry chicken salad (delish!) I made and lunch was shepard's pie.  Dinner tonight is going to be the left over spaghetti squah with meat sauce.

One thing I'm worried about is an afternoon snack.  I usually work a public service job from noon to 5 and then have a 35-45 min drive home.  I'm often hungry at the end and so that I don't stop to 'get a bit' I've put some Larabars in the car.  My worrie is that eating one every day would be like eating a candy bar in habit (although I did not have that habit before I started the program).  It's something I don't want to get into.  I know the advice is ti have a mini-meal, but the suggestions are not really do able for Texas heat and with no refridgeration - not to mention trying to consume while driving home.  I've thought about nuts to break it up.

Any suggestions?

Ummmm all of the food you've been eating sounds so amazing!!!!! Yum! Was the curry chicken salad recipe from the Whole30 book? I need to try that. 

I'm going on a miniature road trip this weekend for work and I've been concerned about traveling with my meals also! (I live in Texas too!) My plan is to pack some compliant beef jerky and some jars of veggie baby food (you can get those squeeze packs too so it's easier to eat while driving). Both of which are fine if you don't have a cooler and I think nuts are a great idea too! I also invested in a little mini-insulated lunch bag that I can throw an ice pack in and it keeps things cool for most of the day..your food may not be cold but it will stay fresh and not be piping hot from sitting in the sun. I'm right there with you on those protein bars...I opened one yesterday, had a few bites and then realized it was something I shouldn't get into the habit of indulging in. 

Thank you for the meal inspiration!!!

[CKM]

@madisonbopbop re: the curry chicken salad.  I took inspiration from the protien salad and a curry chicken salad I had at a food coop years ago.

Here's how I made it.

1/4-1/3 cup Mayo (homemade)

1 12-oz can chuck chicken, drained

mix the Mayo and chicken together. Add 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoon curry powder (I got mine from Sprouts).  Mix up.  Add your chopped onion, celery and whatever else you want (I added fresh pineapple I just cut up and toasted some slivered almonds).  Add salt and lemon juice.  Mix up and enjoy!

[madisonbopbop]

@CKM  I'm going to make that for lunch tomorrow! I'm out of my prepped chicken so I'm going to try it with tuna. Thanks for the recipe! I've even got a few pieces of pineapple left in the fridge...I can't wait to try this!

 

Day 7:

breakfast...I made a recipe I found online by Jay Demay..I'll attach the recipe below. It was like a breakfast quiche with Whole30 tomato sauce. I used compliant prosciutto instead of pepperoni. It was pretty good, I just wish I liked eggs more...I'll eat it again in the morning because we still have leftovers. 

Midmorning I felt great. I was tingly with energy and positivity. Even though I could feel a tinge of pain in my lower back (I have chronic pain there but it wasn't hurting me as much as usual) The chronic pain in my neck and shoulders has not bothered me at all today.

 

lunch...I made my take on Melissa's chicken hash again with a strawberry spinach salad with Whole30 raspberry vinaigrette.

I wanted a snack but resisted the urge to have one.  I did some tasting as I was making sauces for dinner.

Dinner...marinated flank steak in Whole30 chimichurri sauce then grilled it. Mixed a salad with romaine, spinach, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, avocado, red onion and topped that with Whole30 Cilantro-Lime Mayo. Sautéed mushrooms in avocado oil with onions and garlic and a splash of coconut aminos then served the mushrooms with a dash of chimichurri sauce on top. I had two bites of pineapple with a tiny bit of sunflower butter. ..it was a very savory and satisfying meal. I made a big plate and finished it, I felt very full. I also had a few sips of mineral water. Maybe I over did it?

I can't believe I already need to go to the grocery store again.

I've noticed this week my skin is softer?? Maybe from the dietary changes??

We have a whole week under our belts!! How was everyone's day?

 

 

[Bethany Stewart]

Wow @madisonbopbop, seeing what you eat every day is so inspiring! Looks like you're getting a lot of variety. 

I made chicken salad today too, but used this recipe from The Real Food Dietitians: http://therealfoodrds.com/blueberry-chicken-salad-rosemary/. It's SO GOOD. My husband probably ate close to the entire batch all by himself (he's got a crazy metabolism), but luckily I had made extra.  

Today's my day 8. During the afternoon yesterday, I had an attack of brain fog/fatigue in the afternoon. This morning, I felt strangely lightheaded and weak, to the point that I couldn't finish my workout. I'm guessing that I need more calories in the morning; usually I have 2 scrambled eggs with about a cup of veggies, along with a cup of coffee with coconut cream, and sometimes a handful of fruit. I'm going to try adding another egg and some more coconut oil tomorrow and see if that helps.

Keep going, everyone! We're more than a week into it!

[jmcbn]

11 hours ago, CKM said:

I've put some Larabars in the car

How about some tins of fish and pouches of mackerel? Protein & fat is always going to be your best choice for 'snacks' and both of these items are hardy - they'll withstand the heat, and don;t require refridgeration. Jars of pickled goods too...

[Gloria Starr]

Hi Everyone!  thank you for posting your amazing food choices.  I reallly am inspired by them.  So the last couple of days have been a challenge.  the prior day...day 6 ai was on the road 10hours of my day.  So i had pack my road trip snacks to survive.  I even tried celery sticks which i do not like to see if i can acquaire the taste.  Sorry didnt work but i did eat about five short sticks forcefully.  loll I did enjoy the baby tomatoes and bell peppers i had as well as the cut up fruit.  I did stop at a local friendlys and begged them to make me a hearty omelet with veggies and steak.  i had to get managerial approval as it wasnt breakfast.  they helped me sort out what i could and couldnt have by looking at the ingredient list of each item i ordered.  everything was fresh.  i asked for grilled baby potatoes which were lightly seasoned.  they made my day as this became my late lunch dinner. i originally went in to request a soup. a we all adiscovered that all of their soup had sugar and milk even the chicken noodle...what milk in chicken noodle soup?  This is when they went out of their way to help me find something healthy for me to eat.   when i got home i had a salad with grilled chicken.  Day 7...goodness I was tired, no energy and on top of it my toddler was sick with a stomach virus.  I had very little appetite and worse off with a severe case of bloating with diahreah.  at least didnt feel constipated anymore.  But it was a rough day.  I did eat a good breakfast with eggs and veggies, lunch was salad with tuna and dinner was grilled chicken with plaintains.  did crave a crunchy snack but ate fruits banana or pear to alleviate the craving.    I feel i need to work on my portion control.  Any suggestions?  also any recommendations for a ketchup substitute?  lastly what coconut milk are ppl using for ur coffee?  i just realized i didnt drink coffee this morn.  i wonder if i was experiencing a withdrawal this am?  hmmm.  Good night all.   looking forward to day 8 of my week 2.  

[LookyLoo]

We made it to Day 8! 25% done!

Food-wise, everything has been going pretty smoothly. I'm forcing myself to eat breakfast before the gym, usually just a quick scrambled or soft-boiled egg with some avocado or spinach. I love eggs generally but it's really a struggle for me to eat first thing in the morning. Lunch is usually leftovers from last night's dinner, over greens in most cases. Last night I made sirloin steak with cilantro-lime cauliflower rice. I had intended to make the cilantro-lime mayo from the book, but my homemade mayo turned out reeeaaallllly eggy and I didn't think it was going to be work well with those flavors. So I sautéed the cauli rice in coconut oil, lime juice, garlic, and cilantro and it came out delicious.

Mood-wise, however. Different story. I have been like a teenager the last few days. Feeling great and happy and then 10 minutes later, ready to kill someone. Rocking my workout with plenty of energy and then barely able to keep my eyes open. I'm all over the place. I'm assuming things will even out soon! I have been surprised about the mood swings, as the Whole30 is not very different from my usual diet. Just goes to show, even small changes can have big impacts!

[CKM]

@jmcbn That would be a great idea if it wasn't for the fact that I am HIGHLY allergic to fish and shellfish.  Given that I'm doing this as a way to deal with my IBS and reduce inflammation, I think that would be very counter-productive.  

What I did for today was put some complaint almond butter in a small container and sliced up an apple.  I put them in a lunch bag with some  blue cooler thingies. ( I just can't think of the name right now). I've also thought maybe baba ganoush and celery/carrots?  What do ya'll think of the epic bars? Or would those be too close to the whole Larabar issue?

However, the WHole30 has enable me to identify a trigger for me.  It looks like eggs might be something of an issue. I'm not having an issue with the mayo, just a whole egg. My doctor recommends abstaining from them for the rest of the time and reintroduce them after I've been symptom free for 2 weeks or more. That's not that big  a deal.  I'm not much of an egg person anyway.  The good news is that this is working!  Things are 'clearing up' so to speak.  YAY!!!!!

YEAH!  I have finished an entire week!  I'm no longer feeling headachy or any muscle aches, which is good.  Today I took the dogs out for walks. (Separately.  I'd have road rash trying to walk both at the same time. They are SO competitive!) 

Last nights dinner was the left over spaghetti squash with lean beef and the pasta sauce.  Surprisingly, I really felt more of a desire for the squash and the tomato/pasta sauce than the meat.  Does that mean my gut is changing or what?  Breakfast this morning was some tea and the last of the Shepard's pie leftovers.  Lunch was the curry chicken salad on romaine lettuce.  My snack is an apple with almond butter.  Dinner tonight is roast chicken with green beans, spaghetti squash and grapes.

@LookyLoo I'm with you on the moods.  I'll be doing fine, happy one minute and them cranky the next. :-/

 

[jmcbn]

8 minutes ago, CKM said:

mcbn That would be a great idea if it wasn't for the fact that I am HIGHLY allergic to fish and shellfish.  Given that I'm doing this as a way to deal with my IBS and reduce inflammation, I think that would be very counter-productive.  

What I did for today was put some complaint almond butter in a small container and sliced up an apple.  I put them in a lunch bag with some  blue cooler thingies. ( I just can't think of the name right now). I've also thought maybe baba ganoush and celery/carrots?  What do ya'll think of the epic bars? Or would those be too close to the whole Larabar issue?

Doh!! No, don't be eating tins of fish then.... Absolutely not!

Protein & fat are your best option so the olives (if you like them) are still up there for fat choices (although re-reading my previous post I see I typed 'mackerel' instead of olives LOL). Or how about compliant jerky? Or I hear you can get tinned chicken in your part of the world (although I'm not sure I'd be a fan, personally). The epic bars are okay if you can't find anything else. And you have to bear in mind that this might not be every day. I've been at this a long time & often go WAY more than 6hrs between meals. You too may reach a point where your lunch is composed in such a way that it will tide you over & you won't actually NEED that snack...

[ArtFossil]

@CKM, you could substitute tins of chicken. These are part of my arsenal of portable and compliant meals. 

[CKM]

@jmcbn @ArtFossil Again, the issue is having something I can have in the car while driving.  Would nuts be OK?

See, part of the issue is Houston, TX Traffic.  The other part is that I'm diabetic. My work schedule is that between lunch and dinner is going to be 6.5 to 7 hours.  So for me, yes, a snack - at least currently, is needed.  Last thing I want is to have a blood sugar drop while driving among Houstonians.  They can be quite vicious.

Would the apple and almond butter work? I can drive and munch on that fairly easy.  I don't want anything too large.  I cook dinner as soon as I get home.

[ArtFossil]

5 minutes ago, CKM said:

@jmcbn @ArtFossil Again, the issue is having something I can have in the car while driving.  Would nuts be OK?

See, part of the issue is Houston, TX Traffic.  The other part is that I'm diabetic. My work schedule is that between lunch and dinner is going to be 6.5 to 7 hours.  So for me, yes, a snack - at least currently, is needed.  Last thing I want is to have a blood sugar drop while driving among Houstonians.  They can be quite vicious.

Would the apple and almond butter work? I can drive and munch on that fairly easy.  I don't want anything too large.  I cook dinner as soon as I get home.

Well, fruit and fat will not sustain you the way protein and fat would. If you have a refrigerator at work (although cooked meat keeps just fine throughout a long day) you could bag up some sliced chicken and some olives. This is just as munch able if not more than the apple/nut butter and I can personally testify that this can be consumed under vrtally any conditions. 

[ladyshanny]

5 minutes ago, CKM said:

@jmcbn @ArtFossil Again, the issue is having something I can have in the car while driving.  Would nuts be OK?

See, part of the issue is Houston, TX Traffic.  The other part is that I'm diabetic. My work schedule is that between lunch and dinner is going to be 6.5 to 7 hours.  So for me, yes, a snack - at least currently, is needed.  Last thing I want is to have a blood sugar drop while driving among Houstonians.  They can be quite vicious.

Would the apple and almond butter work? I can drive and munch on that fairly easy.  I don't want anything too large.  I cook dinner as soon as I get home.

Honestly, the apple and almond butter are fine. But actually not a recommended choice and here's why. If you are trying to treat or avoid blood sugar drops, the best way to do that is to get your body used to being able to access body fat as energy. Once this happens, no more blood sugar drops. Yes you can eat the apple and almond butter because they are compliant and easy to get at. But by providing what is essentially sugar and a sugary-type fat, your body just keeps on expecting to get the easier to access energy.

The reason protein and fat are recommended are that they last longer once you eat them AND they train your body that "energy" doesn't mean sugar or carbs. 

That's all. But yes, if you wanted to and it was all you could manage, apple and AB would be fine.

[jmcbn]

11 minutes ago, CKM said:

@jmcbn @ArtFossil Again, the issue is having something I can have in the car while driving.  Would nuts be OK?

See, part of the issue is Houston, TX Traffic.  The other part is that I'm diabetic. My work schedule is that between lunch and dinner is going to be 6.5 to 7 hours.  So for me, yes, a snack - at least currently, is needed.  Last thing I want is to have a blood sugar drop while driving among Houstonians.  They can be quite vicious.

Would the apple and almond butter work? I can drive and munch on that fairly easy.  I don't want anything too large.  I cook dinner as soon as I get home.

Chicken, jerky, olives, & epic bars can all be eaten in the car. Nuts are a fat source - an inferior fat source due to their high levels of inflammatory omega 6 fatty acids, and they're pretty hard on the digestive system which is why we recommend they be limited to a closed handful every other day max. Nuts & their by products that is.

And as I've said a couple of times protein & fat is ALWAYS going to be your best option for a snack/mini meal.

Will the apple & almond butter work? It's compliant, and it'll tide you over, but it's not ideal.

[CKM]

@jmcbn @ladyshanny  Thank you both. I didn't realize that nuts were inflammatory.  That's something I'm trying to avoid, so. . .. .

For what it's worth, I'm not trying to rig the diet or anything like that.  I honestly am trying to find the best solution for a problem that has derailed me on my food plans in the past more times than I can count. 

It seems to me that the best solution is to find compliant jerky to keep in the car.  

[ladyshanny]

4 minutes ago, CKM said:

@jmcbn @ladyshanny  Thank you both. I didn't realize that nuts were inflammatory.  That's something I'm trying to avoid, so. . .. .

For what it's worth, I'm not trying to rig the diet or anything like that.  I honestly am trying to find the best solution for a problem that has derailed me on my food plans in the past more times than I can count. 

It seems to me that the best solution is to find compliant jerky to keep in the car.  

Haha, no, we know you're not trying to cut corners. Sometimes it's hard for folks who are smack into it to see cause and effect so we like to point it out. Those blood sugar crashes you're aiming to rid yourself of are best exterminated with protein and fat. That's all.

Those historical derailments were likely the cause of sugar drops and they don't just go away if you don't fix them so they keep getting worse and then you get home and you're STAAAAAAAAAARVING and b&tchy and you just don't care anymore so you eat 3 cupcakes and now it's a trainwreck.  Most of us have been there. To turn that physiology around, we teach the body to access our fat stores by consistently feeding it protein and fat and NOT feeding it sugar/fruits/nuts alone. Once you have the fat adaptation shift, then you can be hungry without being hangry and you can even be starving without having that mental break that opens the door to cookies, pizza, cupcakes, whatever.

You'll be fine.  

[CKM]

@ladyshanny Exactly!  That's exactly what happened to me.  And I'm trying to work with my body instead of against it.

Thanks again!

[CKM]

How is everyone doing today?  It's day 9 and I must admit that (a) having sugar cravings and (b) feeling blah and uninspired and stressed.  I don't know if that's normal or not.  

Food is going pretty well, though. Yesterday's dinner was roasted chicken with green beans and some avocado.  I woke up hungry, which is actually kind of new for me.  So breakfast was a hamburger patty, with guacamole (i made from the avocado yesterday), wrapped with red lettuce, with pickles and yellow mustard.  Lunch was the last of the curry chicken salad.  My snack is baba ganoush with mini red bell peppers.  Dinner is spaghetti squash with meat sauce.  

[Girl]

CKM - You can keep fighting the sugar dragon! You can do it! Yup, that's a cheer just for you. In regards to the blah, uninspired feeling. You heart goes out to you. Sometimes it is just hard...unfortunately. I wish it was easy but as "they" say. Nothing that is good for you is ever easy.

Keep looking up. You've already got 9 days under your belt. 8)

[Gloria Starr]

Hi Everyone!  Days 8 and 9 have gone well for me.  I dont see any physical change in my body other than how i feel.  I am struggling with insomnia.  Im sleeping less and less...Other than that im more energetic, walking, bending and going up the stairs with no pain.  Havent had any tylenol for almost 2 weeks...a record breaker.  No headaches.  My toddler always asks to go to the stores...my sister spoils her so when i got home from work I was so energetic that I went to marshals for a walk with her...loll Its winter in MA.  She was sooo happy.  All i did was walk around her freely and only spent 5.00...loll.  That night i pulled an all nighter....Last night still had energy to go over... I sm able to focus more clearly.  My bells palsy is so much better.  I ended my meds yesterday and am hoping my bloating/constipation begin to dissipate.  Im not craving sweets as much outside of the whole30 as i satisfy my sweet tooth with fruit.  Im still working on the ned to crunch and on the go bars....Several of you have mentioned Larabars and Epic bars.  Im mot familiar with either...Is there a preference.  Also i need to get back into the gym.  I pay for membership go figure!  so that will be my goal in the next week.  

My meals have been roasted potatoes and fish with broccoli and fruit, grilled chicken with broccoli.  Ham eggs and fruit in the am.  Im struggling eating greens in the morning.  I also 2 nights ago had a tantrum.  I got tired of eating vegetables and wanted a starch...My husband has been great with supporting my emotional crazies..so he'll try to help me find something to help satisfy what i need....loll im trying hard to stay focused without giving up and crashing.  I like how Im feeling physically so I want finish on a good note.  Anyhow on to day 10...incredible!  Just need to work on not losing my sleep all around.  grrrr.  

[jmcbn]

2 hours ago, Gloria Starr said:

Im not craving sweets as much outside of the whole30 as i satisfy my sweet tooth with fruit.  Im still working on the ned to crunch and on the go bars....Several of you have mentioned Larabars and Epic bars.  Im mot familiar with either...Is there a preference.

Hey @Gloria Starr - if you REALLY want to conquer those cravings don;t feed them with sugar. Starve them with fat - a handful of olives, a spoonful of an oil you like - fat is your friend here. Think about how you'd deal with your daughter if she was throwing a tantrum for a blue icre cream with coloured sprinkles & strawberry syrup - you wouldn't give in to her, would you? 

With bars the preference it to not eat them at all. Honestly. Bars are as close as you can get to candy on Whole30 and they will do you no favours. They are for emergency use only, and I've yet to see a true emergency that warranted their use. If you can plan for an emergency you can plan to have real food.

Regarding your sleep - what steps are you taking to try & an improve that?

[madisonbopbop]

Day 10:

The last couple of days have been really busy. I had a hard time sitting down for a meal the last two days. I've been eating mini meals throughout the last two days. I'm off to a better start today with a hearty breakfast of Barbacoa and guac served on Jicama and apple slices with almond butter.  There was a lot of fat in this morning's breakfast, I'll need to make up the difference in veggies in my other meals. 

I have an overnight business trip tonight and I'll be spending quite a few hours in the car. Today I'm going to work on planning my meals and packing. I'm working a wedding which could mean there will be lots of temptations surrounding me tomorrow but I'm going to carry my insulated lunch pack with me and coconut La Croix to keep me satisfied. 

I definitely feel like I need to be getting more sleep and drinking more water!

 

hows everyone else doing?