Healthy Nic!

• For most of the week I had more energy, but the energy was zapped toward the middle/end of the week.  I think I have figured out why my energy levels weren't great...I was slacking on water those days.  I made sure to drink, drink, drink, drink, drink water today and my energy levels have gone up.  

• I'm finding myself not missing an evening snack every night.  I still think about a snack or dessert every night, but I'm not devastated about it.  I think my brain is realizing that there will be no more food after dinner.  Yay! 

• I did totally want to give up on day 11.  All I wanted was big plate of cheesy nachos, with a big margarita, and a giant chocolate chip cookie with ice cream for dessert.  Like, for real...I was so close to giving up.  It passed, but did make me super grumpy.    

• I'm still feeling like I sleep great, but I think I could sleep longer. 

• Confession:  There was yeast extract in both the beef broth and fire roasted tomatoes I used for the chocolate chili.  I've read you should stay away from that during the Whole30 due to possible MSG that might be in there.  I just couldn't find those two items without it.  I'm pretty sure I don't have a bad reaction to MSG, so I'm okay with this. 

Two weeks!!  It feels like it's been a very looong two weeks, but at the same time when I look back and really think about it - it's gone by pretty fast.  That's just the way life is though.

Today was a good day.  We watched Transcendence and went grocery shopping.  I love the days were you have a plan, but don't have any time constraints.  Maybe that's why we ate dinner at 8:45pm?  :)

Today's Spirit:  Back to happy and more energetic.  As a side note, I think I've figured out what caused my lack of energy the last couple days...lack of water.  I didn't drink very much water the last couple days, so I upped my water intake today and think that did it.

Today's Food:  Good.  I had vegetables at breakfast (look mom!) and made a chili that had cocoa powder in it and it was awesome!  It's definitely a keeper!

 Meal 1:

• 2 eggs, scrambled with salt & pepper (cooked with a little evoo)
• roasted broccoli (salt, pepper, evoo) 
• pink lady apple
• almond butter, 2 TBSP
• hot water with lemon juice

 Meal 2:

• 2 oragnic, all beef hotdogs
• sauerkraut
• cauliflower faux-tatoes 
• water

Meal 3:

• chocolate chili 
• synergy kombucha blueberry (1/4 serving)
• water

13 days without a Starbuck's latte and I can't believe I've made it this long!  I can't say I haven't thought about the creamy goodness that is the Starbuck's latte the last couple days.

Today was better.  I had the luxury of sleeping in a bit and spent the day relaxing - it was pretty great.  We picked up some sample paints for repainting, which I'm super excited about!

I am experiencing some brain fog today.  I can't think of the correct word at certain times and have a hard time explaining things.

Today's Spirit:  Better; still tired with a little brain fog mixed in

Today's Food:  Great!

Meal 1:

• 2 eggs, scrambled with salt & pepper (cooked with a spray of evoo)
• pink lady apple
• almond butter (2 TBSP)
• coffee, black
• water

Meal 2:

• chipotle carnitas salad (with medium salsa & guacamole, no beans, no rice, no cheese, no dressing)
• water

Meal 3:

• grilled hamburger (salt & pepper)
• portabello mushroom & green leaf lettuce
• mushroom & onion (sautéed in ghee)
• roasted carrots (evoo & pepper)
• plantains strings (sauteed in ghee)

Today was another day that wasn't great.  Super tired again...so tired that I felt like I was moving in slow motion all day.  And to make matters worse, I have a very short fuse tonight.  I'm hoping tomorrow will be better.

Today's Spirit: Tired and grumpy

Today's Food:  Good - no complaints, although I'm still craving the same things as yesterday

Meal 1:

• spinach & garlic chicken sausage link
• italian chicken sausage link
• roasted sweet potato (evoo, salt, pepper)
• raspberries
• coffee, black
• water

Meal 2:

• egg, hardboiled
• roasted green beans (evoo, salt, garlic powder)
• roasted sweet potato (evoo, salt, pepper)
• water 

Meal 3:

• 2 organic, all beef hot dogs
• sauerkraut 
• roasted brussels (evoo, salt, pepper)
• banana 
• water

Looks like we are here to stay in the double digits!

This morning was great and then the afternoon and evening came.  Dun..dun..dun!  I was pretty tired, grumpy, and bloated.  On top of that, I was really craving a few things I can't have.  What are they you ask.  Well, since I've been thinking about them all afternoon I will tell you - nachos, margaritas, and chocolate.  Oy Vey!!

Going back to the whole30 timeline, days 10 and 11 are the most common days people quite the challenge.  At one point I really considered it, but decided to suck it up and keep going.  I'm 1/3 of the way there and have been feeling good for most of it so it would be a bad idea to throw in the towel now.   Tomorrow will be better.

Today's Spirits:  Happy and energetic in the morning and a crap-fest the rest of the day.

Today's Food:  I didn't eat a great lunch and need to focus on getting a healthy fat with every meal.

 Meal 1:

• 2 eggs, scrambled with a little evoo
• 1/2 avocado
• raspberries
• coffee, black

Meal 2:

• 1 egg, hardboiled
• roasted sweet potatoes (evoo, salt, & pepper)
• roasted green beans (evoo, salt, & garlic powder)
• water 

Meal 3:

• sirloin steak, grilled (salt, pepper, sunny paris seasoning)
• roasted broccoli (evoo, salt, & pepper)
• cauliflower faux-tatoes (cauliflower, ghee, salt, & pepper)
• sparkling water 

Double Digits Baby!  We have made it to day 10!  1/3 of the way there!  Woot!

I'm still feeling good.  I'm more energetic, sleeping better, and generally happier.  My skin doesn't look any better yet, but I'm hoping that will also clear up during this process.

Also, I'm not going to lie - I've been thinking about what my first 'treat' will be after whole30...like a lot.  ;)  I've also decided that I'm going to eat more whole30/paleo-like post whole30.

Today's Spirit:  Energetic, hopeful, & happy

Today's Food:  I didn't have much of an appetite for lunch.  I knew that not eating would be a bad thing, so I ate something small.

 Meal 1:

• a garlic & spinach chicken sausage link
• scrambled egg hash (sweet potatoes sautéed in coconut oil, spinach, green peppers, eggs)
• coffee, black and cold

 Meal 2: (didn't have much of an appetite)

• a hardboiled egg
• larabar

Today shall be deemed...Random Cat Picture Tuesday!  That is, as long as I remember to take a random picture of Moeki on Tuesday's.  :)

It was a good day.  I felt like I had more energy, even though I didn't sleep the best last night.  A major milestone happened today, I feel like my brain knows not to expect any more food after dinner. Hopefully this lasts and my nightly treats will be a rare occasion.

Today's Spirit:  Energetic, happy, & hopeful

Today's Food: Good.  Today's food was all about quick and simple.

 Meal 1:

• 2 eggs, scrambled with a little evoo
• 1/2 avocado
• strawberries
• coffee, black

 Meal 2:

• leftover chicken lime soup from dinner last night
• 2 all beef, organic hot dogs with a bit of mustard
• strawberries & blueberries
• water

Meal 3:

• 2 spinach & garlic chicken sausage links
• roasted green beans (evoo, salt, garlic powder)
• roasted sweet potatoes (evoo, salt, pepper)
• water

"Welcome to today another chance to feel the change!" - unknown

Cruising right along!  Day 8 is done, and I'm ready for tomorrow.  This week's meals are going to consist of leftovers and easy to put together meals.

Day 8 Spirits:  Good energy levels, slight headache (probably from not enough water yesterday)

Day 8 Food:  Ok - lots of leftovers

 Meal 1:

• 1 italian chicken sausage link
• scrambled egg hash (sweet potatoes sautéed in coconut oil, green peppers, spinach, and eggs)
• coffee, black
• water

 Meal 2:

• buffalo chicken salad (chicken breast, granny smith apples, celery, onion, salt, pepper, celery salt, & homemade mayo, tabasco buffalo sauce, iceberg lettuce)
• roasted broccoli
• nectarine
• water

Meal 3: 

• leftover chicken lime soup
• plantains fried in a bit of ghee
• sparkling water

We made it through the first week!  This week has been an adventure in recipe finding, label reading, mayo making, dish washing, & even more dish washing!

Here are some of my thoughts about the first week.

• I was surprised that the detox wasn't worse.  
• I never had a headache bad enough to take ibuprofen.  
• I have been pretty tired this first week, but nothing that has stopped me from my normal routine. 

• I think the hardest part is finding things to eat.  There are a ton of recipes online and I've tried a few new ones this week that were very good.   I need to find a better balance of coming up with my own meals vs trying something new so not everyday is a new recipe.  

• I've been to the grocery store every single day this week. 

• I feel like I've spent a lot more money this week on groceries.  

• This may sound silly, but I've been dreaming more.  I rarely would dream before I started whole30, but this last week I've dreamt 5 times!  

• I need to invest in a better hand lotion.  My fingers are getting dried out from all the above mentioned dish washing. 

We made it through the first week of Whole30!!  Today was pretty tough sticking to the whole30 plan, we celebrated Matt's Grandmother's 80th birthday with the whole family.  We partied at a restaurant where there was a brunch buffet and cake.

I think Matt and I did a great job navigating through the food situation.  While our options were limited, we planned they would be and had a small breakfast before hand.  We passed on the yummy smelling cake, which to be honest, was pretty hard for me to do.

Day 7 Spirits:  Tired, tired, tired...

Day 7 Food:  Tried plantains for the first time ever and they were so good!

**Looking back on today's food it's a bit obvious I didn't get enough protein, which probably contributed to my tiredness.**

 Meal 1:  Pre-brunch

• 1/2 banana
• 1/2 chicken sausage

Meal 2:

• 2 sausages
• pineapple
• cantaloup
• mixed veggies 

Meal 3:

• plantains fried in a little ghee
• chicken lime soup with some cabbage added 

Day 6 is here and almost done with!  Today was a much better day for me and I'm sure much easier on Matt.  :)

Today I spent most of the day doing some food prep for the upcoming week.  I was busy pretty much all day which made it fly by.  Here's hoping the next 24 days go this fast.

Day 6 Spirits:  Determined and optimistic

Day 6 Foods:  Good!  We had our first meal not prepared by me that was Whole30 compliant and I was craving roasted broccoli for dinner.  That's a win!

 Meal 1:

• chicken italian sausage (delish!)
• 1/4 avocado
• strawberries
• coffee, black

 Meal 2:

• chipotle carnitas salad (with medium salsa and guacamole - no beans, no rice, no cheese, & no salad dressing) 
• 1/2 banana, not pictured
• water

Meal 3:

• chicken salad lettuce wraps (chicken breast, granny smith apples, celery, onion, salt, pepper, celery salt, & homemade mayo)
• roasted broccoli (EVOO, salt, & pepper)
• roasted sweet potato leftovers (EVOO, salt, & pepper)
• water

So...today wasn't a great day.  I stuck to the plan and that was good, but my mood hasn't been great.  Not even good, really.  According to the Whole30 Timeline,  I think I'm totes at the 'kill all the things' phase.  My apologies to Matt and anybody that may encounter me today.

On a brighter note a big shout out to my sis-in-law, Jen, for helping me make homemade mayo.  My second and third attempts failed miserably and she saved the day!  Apparently the fourth time is the charm.

Day 5 Spirits:  Grumpy, tired, irritable, generally blah

Day 5 Food:  I am getting sick of roasted veggies, which I didn't think could happen.  I need to think of new ways to get my veggies in next week.

 Meal 1:

• 2 eggs, over-easy
• 1/2 avocado
• mandarin orange & blueberries
• coffee, black

Meal 2:

• 2 all beef, organic hot dogs with a bit of mustard
• roasted zuchinni (EVOO, salt, & pepper) 
• water

Meal 3:

• chicken salad on a lettuce leaf (chicken breast, granny smith apples, celery, onion, salt, pepper, celery salt, & homemade mayo)
• roasted brussels (EVOO, salt, & pepper)
• la croix berry flavored sparkling water

Today was great, except for the extreme humidity!  Yuck!  I'm 100% ready for fall and the glorious return of Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte.  Of course, I won't be partaking in that magnificent drink until September 17th when the challenge is over.  Here's hoping for a chilly September 17th!

I felt like today was so. much. easier.  Don't get me wrong, I'm still getting used to all the prep and washing of dishes - my fingertips are getting cracked and dried from what seems like the constant clean-up.  But, my hunger was at bay most of the day.  I ate breakfast and wasn't even a bit hungry for a good 4-5 hours later.  Win in my book!

Day 4 Spirits:  Positive & hopeful.  No headache with minimal tiredness.

Day 4 Food:  My first attempt at making homemade mayo was a serious fail, but I will try again and I will win!  The failed mayo caused a last minute change for dinner, which resulted with something even better.

 Meal 1:

• 2 eggs, hard-boiled
• small, closed handful of raw almonds
• coffee, black

 Meal 2:

• 2 all beef, organic hot dogs with a bit of mustard
• roasted veggies (sweet potato, carrots, & brussels)
• 1 mandarine orange with blueberries
• water

Meal 3:

• sirloin steak (seasoned with salt, pepper, & sunny paris)
• sweet potato, baked with coconut oil
• roasted garlic green beans (EVOO, salt, & garlic powder)
• la croix berry flavored sparking water

Day 3 is almost done and I feel ok.  I was hungry most of the day, but didn't really have an appetite.  Weird, I know.

I'm also a bit more tired today and have been fighting a slight headache.

Day 3 Spirits:  Tired and sluggish, but still positive

Day 3 Food: Yummy food for the most part!  There is a lot more cleaning up of dishes, which is getting a bit old.  I'm getting sick of scrambled eggs and avocado, so I think I'll change it up tomorrow.  Shout out to my mom, who rocked out the roasted veggies for tonight's dinner.  :)  

 Meal 1:

• 2 eggs, scrambled
• 1/2 avocado
• mandarin, raspberries, blueberries
• coffee, black (not pictured)

 Meal 2:  Leftovers from last night

• taco salad (iceberg lettuce, grass-fed ground beef with homemade taco seasoning homemade salsa, & 1/2 avocado)
• water

Meal 3:

• chicken and gravy from nom nom paleo
• cauliflower mash (cauliflower, a little ghee, & chicken broth)
• roasted veggies (carrots, brussels, sweet potato, asparagus, mushrooms, & peppers)  Thanks mom! 

Day 2 is almost done and I feel good!  I don't think today was as hard as yesterday, although I did see a jolly rancher chew on the ground and I'm not going to lie - I really thought about eating it, I mean the wrapper was fully intact.  Luckily, I pulled myself together and walked away with my head held high...checking to see if anybody saw me standing over that candy.

I'm hoping tonight's struggle with snacking will be easier than last nights.

Day 2 Spirits - Determined and Positive with a little bit of tiredness thrown in

Day 2 Food - Great food day today!  There were a couple times I felt hungry and realized I wasn't drinking enough water.  The water really seemed to help.

Meal 1:

• 2 eggs, scrambled
• 1/4 avocado
• berries
• coffee, black 

Meal 2:  Leftovers from last night

• grass-fed ground beef with carrots, onions, and green beans
• roasted sweet potato (evoo, salt, & pepper)
• roasted zucchini (evoo, salt, & pepper)
• water

Meal 3:

• Taco Salad (iceberg lettuce, grass-fed ground beef with taco seasoning, 1/4 avocado, homemade salsa
• roasted sweet potato (evoo, salt, & pepper)
• water

I'm back!  It's been awhile since I've posted anything and thought it was time to change that.

I've decided to do the Whole30 Challenge with my sister-in-law.  Our awesome, supporting husbands will be tackling this challenge with us.  Never heard of the Whole30 challenge?  In a nut-shell it's 30 days of clean eating - no dairy, grains, added sugars, etc.  You can find more information on the Whole30 website.

Day 1 is almost in the bag.  The hardest part of my day is coming up though - the "sweet treat time", which is usually between 8-10pm.  20 minutes in and so far, so good.   I feel like I deserve something sweet around this time of night as a reward for surviving the day - not the best mindset to have.  I'm hoping that mindset will go away as I finish this challenge.

Day 1 Spirits - Determined and Positive

Day 1 Food - Overall a good food day.  I did feel pretty hungry a couple times so I may need to add more protein and fats to my meals - or it could be that I'm used to over-eating.  I'll see how tomorrow goes.

Meal 1:

• 2 eggs, scrambled with a little EVOO
• 1/2 avocado 
• berries
• black coffee 
• hot water with lemon juice 

 Meal 2:

• Spaghetti squash with some spinach covered in bolognese.  
• Bolognese had ground beef, carrots, onions, mushrooms, marinara sauce and spices. 

 I was pretty hungry a bit later, so I had a small handful of roasted, salted macadamia nuts.
Meal 3:

• Grass-Fed ground beef with carrots, onions, and green beans.  
• Sides of roasted sweet potato and zucchini, both of those were roasted in some EVOO and salt and pepper.