Family's First Whole30

[lisajohnson777]

This January we are participating in our first Whole30. My husband and I are in our late 40s and want to make lifestyle changes. We have 3 teens, 17, 14, and 14, left at home and their favorite food groups are macaroni and cheese... and they prefer them together. We all have various health issues, (nothing serious thank God), that I am looking forward to seeing clear up.

Using this week to clean out our pantry and fridge make a meal plan and precook/prep/package as much as possible.

[MJam]

I have tiny children but I would just suggest have lots of healthy snackies all prepped....hard boiled eggs, some nuts, raw veggies and dip (homemade mayo and spices), frozen grapes, sliced up meat like ham and roast beef (not deli meat of course). Sweet potato meatloafs (loaves?) are easy to make in advance and store in the freezer.

Congrats on committing and transitioning the whole fam!

[Kirsteen]

Congrats on comitting and on bringing the whole family. My *kids* are now 24 and 27, eat really unhealthy diets but are way beyond my influence. i really wish I'd been more aware when they were younger. I like the way you're planning ahead, I really think that's the secret to making the W30 as easy as possible. Lokk forward to hearing how you're all doing.

[AJ10]

I would love to bring my family on board! Hoping once I figure things out for myself I will be better equipped to prepare for the kids. I have tried to implemet things with their diets. Baby steps for now. My husband might be slowly coming around. Getting rid of sugar drinks is a huge step for him! My kids are 11 and 8. I look forward to hearing your ideas and how things progress!

[lisajohnson777]

Thanks! There is SSOOO much information on here, I need to set a timer or my whole day will be spent on here. I am getting really excited about starting. My husband is on board, that will make things easier. I don't really expect the kids to be 100% compliant, but at least the majority of their diets for the month of January will be better. My hope is that they will make the connection between feeling more energetic/thinking clearer and what they put in their mouths so they can choose to stick to the plan on their own.

AJ10, baby steps are the way to go... we'll be baby stepping right along with you.

Kristeen and MJam, thank you, planning and prepping definitely looks like the way to go. I have to look up those sweet potato meatloaves! that sounds great.

I looked at Whole30 OAMC (once a month cooking) on pintrest and there was a bunch of stuff on there. Lots of great ideas!

I got the "pat" yesterday... you know... someone thought I was expecting so they felt the need to pat my stomach... LOL! I was surprised... caught off guard... took it as confirmation that I need to do something different.

[melbournegirl]

How horrible for you Lisa but how wonderful that you are doing something so good about it for all of you. I would love to convert my kids (10 and 12) as they have skin and sugar issues. They eat a pretty healthy diet by aussie standards but still have dairy, grains and sugar. I have decided to cut out legumes for the whole family (pappadums, chickpeas, tofu) and I no longer serve rice as a side dish and have cut back on bread and pasta, I also serve up eggs for breakfast more often and tuna for snacks but the next step is a pretty big change. Good luck.

[AKA Jane Random]

Thanks! There is SSOOO much information on here, I need to set a timer or my whole day will be spent on here. I am getting really excited about starting. My husband is on board, that will make things easier. I don't really expect the kids to be 100% compliant, but at least the majority of their diets for the month of January will be better. My hope is that they will make the connection between feeling more energetic/thinking clearer and what they put in their mouths so they can choose to stick to the plan on their own.

AJ10, baby steps are the way to go... we'll be baby stepping right along with you.

Kristeen and MJam, thank you, planning and prepping definitely looks like the way to go. I have to look up those sweet potato meatloaves! that sounds great.

I looked at Whole30 OAMC (once a month cooking) on pintrest and there was a bunch of stuff on there. Lots of great ideas!

I got the "pat" yesterday... you know... someone thought I was expecting so they felt the need to pat my stomach... LOL! I was surprised... caught off guard... took it as confirmation that I need to do something different.

Good gravy...when will people learn that it's never appropriate to ask a woman when she is due. It's happened to me multiple times!

[Jtandi]

I am starting Jan 1 with my family, too. I expect my husband to drop off within the first few days, but already warned him no unapproved foods are coming into this house this month! our kids are 17 months and 8 years and they are a huge reason I am doing this!

[lisajohnson777]

How's it going Jtandi? Husband still hanging in there? My family is complying, but not very happy about it. Long faces and grumbles abound!

We had Chicken Fajitas with Pico de Gallo and Guacamole wrapped in lettuce leaves and Cauliflower "Rice" last night. The family loved it!

I went by my local produce outlet store (retail store for a wholesale produce supplier) and picked up this week's worth of veggies... great prices. Lots of time spent in the kitchen, but so worth it.

I am on day 9 of my W40 and I have already dropped 5 lbs! really need to work on my water intake.