Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Whole30:Day 31

Good evening faithful followers!  I made it!

Today is Day 31 of my Whole30 experiment and boy did I fall of the wagon.

Today I ate grains, legumes, added sugar, alcohol, and dairy.  But, I am planning to start a second Whole30 tomorrow.  Or, maybe a Whole7, Whole14 or even a Whole21.  I'm not quite sure yet.

This experiment wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and I really enjoyed eating so healthfully.  I didn't miss the food mentioned above and really want to reintroduce them one at a time to see if any of them negatively impact my health.  Today was simply a day to celebrate and enjoy dinner with friends.

Last post I mentioned my new Instant Pot.  It cooked frozen chicken breasts so well that I decided to make rice in it tonight and it turned out great!

Last post I also promised to give you my final thoughts on the Whole30, so here goes...

I have talked about clearer skin and less headaches, but just yesterday I broke out with six new pimples and had a mild headache.  This is all related to ovulation, but I was really hoping the Whole30 would minimize these particular issues.

I also talked a lot about wanting to wake up like Tigger and have Tiger Blood throughout the day, but neither of those have happened consistently for me during this experiment.

On a positive note, my nails seem a little healthier, my tummy flatter, and my waist smaller.  My sugar cravings feel under control, I'm continuing to wean off heartburn medication, and I even lost a few pounds.  Weight loss was not my main goal, but it is certainly welcome!

The Whole30 offers two options for reintroduction.  One of them is called the slow roll, and that is what I plan to do.  I'm not sure when I'll start that process, but I plan to blog about it, so stay tuned!

Thanks for following along.  This blog has held me accountable and I've enjoyed sharing the good, the bad and the ugly of the Whole30!


Sunday, July 17, 2016

Whole30:Day 28

Day 28!  Four days since I've posted.  Two days to go!

I have no idea what I've eaten in the past four days, but I can assure you that it (or at least the ingredients) was Whole30 compliant!  Almond "pancakes", salmon cakes, salad, fruit, nuts.

Last week I bought an Instant Pot (or as I call it, Instapot) on Amazon Prime Day.  I have several friends who have one and rave about it.  So far I'm loving it!

This afternoon the kids and I did the water test to make sure it works.  Then I "boiled" eggs in it.  I forgot to make an extra egg to taste, so I'll find out tomorrow if they're any good.  Scott eats them for breakfast during the week and he said they definitely peeled easier.

Right now I'm cooking frozen chicken breasts in it.  The cook time is 12 minutes!  My plan is to make chicken salad tomorrow.

After three weeks and 5 days I can tell you that Whole30 staples are eggs, unsweetened almond milk, salad greens, avocados, tomatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, spinach, bell peppers, frozen broccoli, frozen cauliflower, frozen sugar snap peas, frozen green beans, beef, chicken, turkey, ghee, unsweetened cocoa, bananas, other in season fruit and vegetables, tree nuts, and Whole30 compliant coconut products, almond butter and cashew butter.

With only two days to go I'm still not sure what to reintroduce first! I am planning to enjoy a glass of red wine on Day 31, but other than that, I'm not sure what I've missed most - or at all.

My skin is clearer, my nails seem stronger, my tummy seems flatter, my waist seems slimmer.  I have had less headaches and have been weaning off famotidine, an acid blocker.

When I was pregnant with Foster I developed heartburn/acid reflux/GERD.  My OB prescribed Zantac which I took until after he was born.  I went off the medication, but had to go back on something.  My family doctor prescribed Aciphex, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) which I took daily until about two years ago.

PPIs are not for long-term use and even though my doctor assured me they were okay, I was experiencing frequent headaches and symptoms of a magnesium deficiency, which are side effects of PPI use over one year.

Since weaning off Aciphex I have been using over the counter acid blockers.  Many people who have completed the Whole30 talk about weaning off medications, specifically for heartburn, so I thought I'd give it a try.  I am down to taking the famotidine every third day and using Tums as needed.  We'll see how it goes once the Whole30 is over and I'm no longer taking a daily acid blocker.  Wish me luck!

I'll let you know how the frozen chicken breasts fared in the Instapot and what my final thoughts are in my next post.

Until then...

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Whole30:Day 24

I literally just had to go look at my calendar to see what day I'm on.  I don't know if that's good or bad.

Where to start?  Hmmm.  Well, I didn't post yesterday so let me think about what I ate.  

Breakfast was the usual frittata and hot lemon water.  Morning snack was red grapes.  Lunch was a salad with mixed greens, tomato, avocado and tuna salad.

The tuna was from Whole Foods.  It's only ingredients were tuna and water, whereas typical grocery store brands contain soy.  I made the tuna salad with homemade mayo and dill relish.

Yesterday's afternoon snack was homemade trail mix and dinner was leftover chicken drumsticks, Brussels sprouts and roasted carrots and onion. Yum!

I did have some chocolate yesterday, but it was literally three small pieces, about the size of M & Ms.  One of the volunteers at the Pregnancy Care Center where I work brought them back from Peru and literally put them in my hand.  It didn't seem polite to decline that small of a serving and have to explain the Whole30. She was excited to share and I was excited to try Peruvian chocolate!

Today was very similar except my morning snack was cantaloupe and then celery with almond butter.    

After lunch I ate a Blueberry Muffin Larabar which held me over until supper, which was a recipe from It Starts With Food.  Ground beef, onion, garlic salt, pepper, and red onion served over fresh parsley with sugar snap peas.

That banana bread is still a temptation and some coworkers had Nutella today which I would have enjoyed on a banana or apple.

Three weeks in and I still don't feel any more energetic than usual.  My skin is clearer and I'm not as bloated as I was before the Whole30.  Those two issues are hormonal for me (as I've mentioned), so I'm not sure if one cycle is enough time to see if the Whole30 really resolves them or not.

I'm starting to feel a little anxious about adding sugar, grains, dairy, and legumes back in, as I'm not sure which to start with or even if I want to add them back in.  It Starts With Food and Whole30 both have recommendations for reintroduction so I'll be exploring my options this week.

After my last post I have been thinking about a Bible verse I can use to deal with sugar cravings and binges:

1 Corinthians 6:12 
"Everything is permissible for me," but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me," but I will not be mastered by anything.

To paraphrase, I have the right to eat whatever I want, but not all foods are beneficial and I will not be mastered by any of them.  

To personalize, I have the right to eat as much sugar as I want, but since too much sugar is not good for me, I will eat a serving and leave the rest.  It is not in charge of me!

Or even, I can eat as much sugar as I want, but it is not good for me, so I'm not going to eat any right now.  Sugar is not the boss of me!

I've also been thinking about this quote: “Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”

To personalize, If you eat sugar and feel like the day is ruined, instead of eating more sugar, just start over right now.  Don't wait until tomorrow to start over!

That quote is attributed to Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Mark Twain among others.  Anyone know the real source?

I'm hoping I can wake up early and enjoy the morning tomorrow.  I have a lot to do!

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Whole30:Day 22

I want some banana bread and chocolate and creamer in my coffee, STAT.

These have been temptations today.  If I was not doing the Whole30, all of that would be in my belly right now.

But, I'm three weeks into this thing, and I'm gonna finish! I am disappointed that I'm having these cravings, but this morning I woke up at 5:45 and are you ready for this? I stayed awake! 

I had a good hour of quiet time to read my Bible and straighten my hair! You know, the important things.

Yesterday I had more yard work to do and no time to update, but I basically ate the same things I eat every Sunday.  Eggs, Whole30 compliant bacon, lunch at in-laws, signature smoothie and leftovers for supper.  No cheats or cravings.

Sundays I spend a lot of time in the kitchen prepping food for the week ahead.  Last night I made a breakfast frittata, cut up strawberries, and made lunch for today.

This morning I had the frittata and a cup of hot lemon water for breakfast.  My morning snack was a Banana Bread Larabar and a hot cup-a-joe (decaf). 

For lunch I had a salad with mixed greens, tomato, avocado and chicken salad.  My first afternoon snack was Whole30 compliant trail mix and my second was strawberries and blueberries.

Scott baked chicken drumsticks and Brussels sprouts for dinner.  I love Brussels sprouts!  The chicken took a while so I ate two slices of turkey bologna with a Claussen pickle while I waited.

For an evening snack I had my usual spoonful (or two!) of cashew butter and some almond milk.

As you can see, my diet is about the same each day.  I don't mind the monotony, but some people would.  You can also see that I'm snacking more than the Whole30 recommends. I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm full...unless I'm eating sweets, then I tend to binge which is one of the reasons I'm participating in the Whole30 in the first place.

Like the banana bread, for instance, if I have one piece, I'll want another and another.  I figure if I've already had a sweet for the day, I may as well have more.  The healthy diet is ruined for the day and I'll start over tomorrow.

I know that is not right thinking and I am hoping this experiment will help change my mindset in that regard.  The Whole30 has helped me avoid cravings, like today, but what will I tell myself when the Whole30 is over?

Obviously, a piece of banana bread is not a problem and if I could just stop at one, that would be ideal.  But, since that's hard for me, in some ways it's easier just to avoid the banana bread altogether.

How do you handle temptations?  Sweets?  Treats?

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Whole30:Day 20

You guys.  I am exhausted.

The kids let Scott and I sleep until 8:00 this morning! I woke up around 6:00, but since I won't be able to sleep in for the next three days I decided to stay in bed as long as possible.

Scott made breakfast this morning, two slices of Whole30 compliant bacon and two fried eggs.  (I'm pretty sure he used Pam, but that'll be our little secret.)

I enjoyed a hot cup of lemon water and then had fruit salad and a cup of decaf coffee while I finished the grocery list.

Scott took the kids to Opryland Hotel and Opry Mills Mall today while I went to the market and then came home and tackled the yard, and by yard I mean an acre of trees.  Trees that shed limbs and branches every time the wind blows.  Remember all those storms I've been telling you about?  Yeah, we had a yard full of downed limbs, branches, etc...  Not to mention all the overgrown hedges.

For lunch I had leftovers again.  Boston Pork Butt (it's almost gone, y'all!) and collard greens.  I drank a glass of unsweetened tea with it and then got to work.

Trimmed hedges, pulled down vines, picked up sticks (wheelbarrows full) and then bathed the dog.  I was literally soaking wet.  Or, as my dad would say, sweating like a fat man at a fish fry.  When I bathed Lucky I decided I may as well turn the hose on myself since I was already soaked.

During the yard work marathon I took a break to drink my signature smoothie which held me over until dinner.  Scott made salad with tomatoes, avocados, and Whole30 compliant homemade dressing; grilled steak and baked potatoes.  I ate every bite and he wins Father and Husband of the Day!

I don't think I had more energy than usual today.  I love yard work and once I get started it's hard to stop.  I can say that my tummy appears flatter, waist looks smaller, skin is clearer, and I'm having less sugar cravings.  I'm enjoying all the fresh food and rarely missing processed things like chips and bread.  I'm also not really missing dairy, as didn't pine for sour cream on my baked potato.  The ghee, salt and pepper were just fine.

I can't decide how I'm going to celebrate on day 31 or what food (groups) I'll reintroduce first.  Any suggestions?

Friday, July 8, 2016

Whole30:Day 19

Good evening.  It's storming here, again, and I'm sure the kids will be down any minute.

Until then I'll tell you about my day.

First of all, I slept until 8:30.  The kids were occupied until then, but I guess they finally realized they were hungry.  I should have gotten up when Scott got up for work, but that bed is just too darn cozy and for some reason I still have not morphed into Tigger or gotten the Tiger Blood so infamous with the Whole30.  Feeling rested and waking without an alarm clock is probably what I wanted most out of the Whole30, but so far, I've only had a few mornings like that.

For breakfast I had the last of the frittata, fruit salad and hot lemon water.  I am a major creature of habit.

I did not have a morning snack.  Probably because I slept late and had a late breakfast.  Or maybe because my breakfast was larger than usual.  Or, possibly because I was busy with the kids while trying to clean the fridge.

How do refrigerators get so nasty?!  Dog hair?!  Is it just ours?!  I gave Foster all the expired stuff.  He mixed it all together and then tasted it for a quarter.  Funny kid.

Either way, for lunch I had my usual salad greens with tomato and avocado.  The protein was chicken salad.  I enjoyed the salad with unsweetened tea.

After lunch the kids and I went to my neighbor's to swim.  Thank you Scarlett!  Once home I had my signature smoothie for a snack.

Usually that smoothie holds me over until dinner, but today I was hungry.  Scott brought home his lunch leftovers, which included Public Deli salami.  I topped a piece of it with avocado before he asked if I was sure I could eat it.  Duh.  I looked at the ingredients and Dextrose was listed.

Since dextrose is a sugar it is not allowed on the Whole30, but an exception is made for table salt which contains dextrose.  And, you know me, if the authors of Whole30 can make an exception  for table salt, I can make an exception for salami.

We went back to Scarlett's house for dinner where she and I made a Thai curry dish.  The ingredients were coconut milk, green curry paste, onions, yellow bell pepper, cauliflower, pineapple and shrimp.

The recipe is from It Starts With Food and made enough for the two of us.  Everyone else had pizza.

Scarlett and I went on a long walk after dinner and I thanked a Mount Juliet police officer and a retired police officer for their service.

Mine and Scarlett's dads are both retired police officers and our hearts are breaking for those that were killed in Dallas last night.  We are praying for their families and for the families of the men killed in Minnesota and Louisiana.  May the truth of each case be determined soon so that we can all be set free from anger and judgement.  So that those who died can rest in peace and those that pulled the triggers can be held accountable or exonerated.

Lord have mercy.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Whole30:Day 18

What's happenin?!

Not much here.  Just wrapped up Day 18 of my Whole30 experiment or as my friend, Carrie, called it my "30 day thing".

Today the kids woke me up at 7:00 after a stormy night.  They both ended up in bed with me while Scott was banished to the couch and didn't get any sleep at all.

For breakfast I had frittata and hot lemon water.  My morning snack was half a cup of fruit salad and half a cup of regular coffee.  Look at me changing things up!

I cleaned out our art drawer today and Foster and I melted down all the broken crayons into cute little paw shaped tie dye crayons.

I also did some laundry and the P90x yoga DVD.  Man, I love that DVD!

Lunch was the same as yesterday, but I drank tea instead of coconut flavored sparkling water.  The tea is probably what kept me from dozing off during my nap today.  That or the four year old girl playing in bed right next to me.  She was up last night during the storm, but apparently not in need of a nap.  Little does she know she'll be going to bed early tonight!  Mwah-ah-ah.

For an afternoon snack I made my signature smoothie, which held me over 'til dinner. And for dinner I had leftover Boston pork butt and collard greens. Surprisingly I am not sick of either of those!

Once home from work I'll probably have a tablespoon of cashew butter and a sip of almond milk.

I would have expected a hormonal headache yesterday or today, but so far, knock on wood, I haven't gotten one!  And, my skin is still clearer than usual!

How was your Thursday?