Today was my rest day and much needed. I even got to sleep in!
I didn't eat the way I should i.e. I missed breakfast. We were running errands and time slipped away.
For lunch, I had the leftover curry chicken legs from last night and a salad. They are seriously so good. Y'all need to try that one.
Dinner didn't happen until after the girl was in bed, but it was a good throw together meal. I had a chicken andouille sausage, sautéed some yellow squash with onion (this always makes me think of my Grandmamma), and some Brussel sprouts.
Snacked on some raisins, cashews, grapes, half an apple and a banana in there as well. (I'm probably eating too much fruit, huh?)
I made some chicken salad that's coming together in the fridge overnight. I'm excited to have it for lunch tomorrow.
Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Our Wildcats won big so there was a lot of celebrating going on in the Hendrick house.
Have a happy Monday!
xo.
Megan
Monday, March 31, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Day 11
I'm a bit under the weather, as is the little one, and I am up entirely too late watching a movie but...
Good news. Made it through the second "quittin" day.
Breakfast was leftover Pumpkin Breakfast Pudding from yesterday and a cup of black coffee.
Lunch was a nitrate free, organic andouille sausage with a bit of homemade,compliant Paleo mayo and leftover coconut shrimp and veggies from dinner last night.
After my run I was starving so I ate a banana and pack of raisins.
For dinner we made these Curried Chicken Drumsticks with Carrots and it was very easy and quite good. We couldn't believe you baked them at 475 for 40 minutes, but they came out really tender and the skin was perfect. We mixed the seasoning together in a bowl and rolled the chicken in it, then the carrots. I will say, don't drench the carrots in it because they can get a little spicy if you do. I'm a wimp though, so go for it if you're stronger than me. I had a side salad with mine which my husband had brown rice as it suggests.
For a movie snack, I had a bowl of cantaloupe, honeydew and blackberries. Now, melon and blackberries are Whole30 best choice options for fruit which is great. What I failed at, if I'm being super strict, is that I ate them not out of real hunger, but just because. Maybe I was having a sugar craving, maybe it's just because I'm used to having a snack during a movie. Either way, it doesn't help me mentally get past that "addiction". This is just in interest of full disclosure. Now, I am all for anyone trying this plan in any capacity and level of commitment to the rules they like. Any clean eating is better than none. I don't feel guilt because I know I was putting something worthwhile into my body. But I just need to acknowledge and accept why I ate it and how that affects one of my goals of getting rid of the hold sugar has on me.
Have a wonderful Sunday! More basketball to enjoy. I will be forcing my husband to eat the cheese dip he's planning on making in the kitchen. ;) Go Wildcats!
xo,
Megan
Good news. Made it through the second "quittin" day.
Breakfast was leftover Pumpkin Breakfast Pudding from yesterday and a cup of black coffee.
Lunch was a nitrate free, organic andouille sausage with a bit of homemade,compliant Paleo mayo and leftover coconut shrimp and veggies from dinner last night.
After my run I was starving so I ate a banana and pack of raisins.
For dinner we made these Curried Chicken Drumsticks with Carrots and it was very easy and quite good. We couldn't believe you baked them at 475 for 40 minutes, but they came out really tender and the skin was perfect. We mixed the seasoning together in a bowl and rolled the chicken in it, then the carrots. I will say, don't drench the carrots in it because they can get a little spicy if you do. I'm a wimp though, so go for it if you're stronger than me. I had a side salad with mine which my husband had brown rice as it suggests.
For a movie snack, I had a bowl of cantaloupe, honeydew and blackberries. Now, melon and blackberries are Whole30 best choice options for fruit which is great. What I failed at, if I'm being super strict, is that I ate them not out of real hunger, but just because. Maybe I was having a sugar craving, maybe it's just because I'm used to having a snack during a movie. Either way, it doesn't help me mentally get past that "addiction". This is just in interest of full disclosure. Now, I am all for anyone trying this plan in any capacity and level of commitment to the rules they like. Any clean eating is better than none. I don't feel guilt because I know I was putting something worthwhile into my body. But I just need to acknowledge and accept why I ate it and how that affects one of my goals of getting rid of the hold sugar has on me.
Have a wonderful Sunday! More basketball to enjoy. I will be forcing my husband to eat the cheese dip he's planning on making in the kitchen. ;) Go Wildcats!
xo,
Megan
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Day 10
Held it together for day 10. According to the timeline, day 10 and 11 are the days you are most likely to give up, so I powered through it by focusing on making all new recipes and reasserting myself to my goals.
For breakfast, I made this Pumpkin Breakfast Pudding. I could only make a half batch because I didn't have as much coconut milk as I thought I did, but I still used a whole banana. I also had to add a lot more almond meal to the oil for the topping for it to even resemble the photo. It still never browned or baked up as I expected it to. The overall flavor was good though and I welcomed the change. I still had an egg with it though. I'm desperately trying to figure out ways to get more veggies into my day.
For a late lunch I just did some chicken tenderloins over coconut oil in the skillet. I had a salad and carrots with that. It was really easy and tasty.
For dinner, I used this Coconut Shrimp recipe. I also made the mango-pineapple sauce she recommends at the end. It was really good, but we made way too much and probably didn't purée it as smooth as she did...which equals baby food for the girl. I also made my own sweet potato fries, and ...let's pretend I didn't forget about them in the oven and burn them terribly. So, with a sad heart, I had a bag of steamed veggies on the side. They are so handy, and as long as you get the ones without the sauces, they are compliant.
Corey asked me this evening if I was feeling any different and the answer is no. I feel exactly the same. Still the same symptoms I'm trying to fix with this plan and I feel like I'm still at the same measurements. But honestly, that doesn't bother me. I'm just amazed that I've been 10 days without sugar, without putting a single processed food in my body, and I also know that my body is still adjusting and figuring out the changes I'm making.
Gonna gear up to stay on plan for the weekend. Hope everyone has a great one!
xo,
Megan
For breakfast, I made this Pumpkin Breakfast Pudding. I could only make a half batch because I didn't have as much coconut milk as I thought I did, but I still used a whole banana. I also had to add a lot more almond meal to the oil for the topping for it to even resemble the photo. It still never browned or baked up as I expected it to. The overall flavor was good though and I welcomed the change. I still had an egg with it though. I'm desperately trying to figure out ways to get more veggies into my day.
For a late lunch I just did some chicken tenderloins over coconut oil in the skillet. I had a salad and carrots with that. It was really easy and tasty.
For dinner, I used this Coconut Shrimp recipe. I also made the mango-pineapple sauce she recommends at the end. It was really good, but we made way too much and probably didn't purée it as smooth as she did...which equals baby food for the girl. I also made my own sweet potato fries, and ...let's pretend I didn't forget about them in the oven and burn them terribly. So, with a sad heart, I had a bag of steamed veggies on the side. They are so handy, and as long as you get the ones without the sauces, they are compliant.
Corey asked me this evening if I was feeling any different and the answer is no. I feel exactly the same. Still the same symptoms I'm trying to fix with this plan and I feel like I'm still at the same measurements. But honestly, that doesn't bother me. I'm just amazed that I've been 10 days without sugar, without putting a single processed food in my body, and I also know that my body is still adjusting and figuring out the changes I'm making.
Gonna gear up to stay on plan for the weekend. Hope everyone has a great one!
xo,
Megan
Friday, March 28, 2014
Day 9
Just so y'all know, I was just doing my stretches before bed and I was fixated on a turkey club sandwich. My mind is so mean. And obviously still working on supressing those nasty cravings.
Today was fine. Ate three solid meals and a snack. Nothing to write home about...yet I'm still writing.
I had two fried eggs with bananas and blackberries for breakfast. p.s. Have y'all ever eaten a blackberry with a slice of banana. delicious.
I did make Paleo Mayo and with it I made a Paleo Ranch Dressing. These made me feel slightly more "normal". I had the ranch on a romaine and tomato salad with a leftover hamburger patty from last night for lunch.
I didn't know what I wanted to make for dinner so it ended up just being leftovers after we ran an errand and got munchkin ready for bed. I ate the last burger patty and the left over asparagus.
I've got three new recipes I'm PLANNING on making tomorrow. Hopefully I'll follow through.
I wish I could figure out if there's anything I could eat at restaurants. I just don't see anything that would be completely compliant. It would be nice to pick up something quick from time to time.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday! UK basketball is tomorrow. Wish I could have a beer to take the edge off ;)
Go Wildcats!
xo,
Megan
Today was fine. Ate three solid meals and a snack. Nothing to write home about...yet I'm still writing.
I had two fried eggs with bananas and blackberries for breakfast. p.s. Have y'all ever eaten a blackberry with a slice of banana. delicious.
I did make Paleo Mayo and with it I made a Paleo Ranch Dressing. These made me feel slightly more "normal". I had the ranch on a romaine and tomato salad with a leftover hamburger patty from last night for lunch.
I didn't know what I wanted to make for dinner so it ended up just being leftovers after we ran an errand and got munchkin ready for bed. I ate the last burger patty and the left over asparagus.
I've got three new recipes I'm PLANNING on making tomorrow. Hopefully I'll follow through.
I wish I could figure out if there's anything I could eat at restaurants. I just don't see anything that would be completely compliant. It would be nice to pick up something quick from time to time.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday! UK basketball is tomorrow. Wish I could have a beer to take the edge off ;)
Go Wildcats!
xo,
Megan
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Day 8
Hey y'all. This is gonna be a quick one cause I am in bed as I type and ready for my head to hit the pillow.
Today wasn't anything special, and actually I made the mistake of basically skipping lunch all together. I know, shame on me. I had a late breakfast and had a workout, shower, getting ready to do while A took her nap. Then she needed to be fed and we had errands to run. Excuses, excuses. I know, I've got to get more consistent with my mealtimes.
Breakfast was scrambled eggs with a side of raspberries and blueberries. I snacked on a Larabar in the car, and cashews after I got home. Dinner was good though. I fried up a hamburger patty in the skillet with coconut oil, roasted some asparagus and had a yummy spinach salad that I picked up at the Down to Earth whole foods store when we were getting a few things. It was all easy which is great.
Hope everyone had a good day! Thanks again to everyone who reads this. Getting great feedback on Facebook and helpful advice and tips! I'm really lucky to have a great support system :)
xo,
Megan
Today wasn't anything special, and actually I made the mistake of basically skipping lunch all together. I know, shame on me. I had a late breakfast and had a workout, shower, getting ready to do while A took her nap. Then she needed to be fed and we had errands to run. Excuses, excuses. I know, I've got to get more consistent with my mealtimes.
Breakfast was scrambled eggs with a side of raspberries and blueberries. I snacked on a Larabar in the car, and cashews after I got home. Dinner was good though. I fried up a hamburger patty in the skillet with coconut oil, roasted some asparagus and had a yummy spinach salad that I picked up at the Down to Earth whole foods store when we were getting a few things. It was all easy which is great.
Hope everyone had a good day! Thanks again to everyone who reads this. Getting great feedback on Facebook and helpful advice and tips! I'm really lucky to have a great support system :)
xo,
Megan
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Day 7
One week in the books! And it wasn't a bad day at that.
For breakfast, I knew I needed to be eating more colors, so I went outside my comfort zone. Don't worry, it was still eggs...but what was supposed to be a veggie omelet turned in to an accidental frittata for like 10 people. No, but seriously, it ended up waaay bigger than I intended. I could only eat half. I chopped up some orange and yellow bell pepper, broccoli and mushrooms and had two pieces of bacon on the side. Yummy protein pre-run.
Little Bit and I went to the grocery store so lunch was a little late and, as always, thrown together. (I don't disappoint.) It did the trick though. I had a can of sustainable salmon (a brand called Wild Planet recommended by the Whole30 following because it doesn't contain soy like many canned fishes do) with a squeeze of lemon, a sliced tomato, hard boiled egg and half an avocado. I've been eating lunches like this a lot in the last couple of months. They offer a lot of bang for your buck.
I found a bar that's Whole30 compliant, and at the Commissary no less. Cue the Angel choir! The Larabar uses dates as a binder for nuts and fruit. Of course, I can't have any of the chocolate or peanut butter flavored (and definitely not the cookies and cream), but just having an option of a little grab and go snack is wonderful. I will have to concentrate on not using them to curb a sweet craving though and only use them as an energy boost or hunger squasher. Someone also recommended the brand Nakd to me. They are based in the UK so I will have to order them, but I'd like to try it.
Dinner didn't come together until late again, but it was actually quite successful! Husband approved even. I made these Crispy Italian Chicken Thighs. They were cooked perfectly, held in their moisture and the skin was crispy and really flavorful. (I didn't even mind the garlic.) I might go a little easy on the seasoning next time, but that's just personal preference. They were still super tasty and really easy. I had them with a side of steam bag veggies. (Sorry there's a bite missing. Oops.)
They say day 6 and 7 are the "I need a nap days". I would agree. Then again, I always feel like I need a nap. But I actually fell asleep on the couch during the girl's afternoon siesta. I don't normally do that except on the weekends sometimes.
I'm feeling a little better overall about the process. I still have my cravings (right now for instance, I just want a cupcake), but I'm extremely susceptible to advertising and things around me, and currently we have cupcakes in the house for a friend's birthday. I've really got to get some ideas for different breakfasts and lunches. I've found a couple I'll be trying in the next several days. Hopefully they'll be hits!
Thanks for reading and staying interested, even if only slightly. Just knowing that anyone is reading this helps me to stay motivated. I used to be a hardcore quitter, but I'm different now. The last two years, with my first weight loss journey, then being pregnant and having Amelia, and now my second go round with weight loss and consistent exercise, they've all played a huge part in who I am today and my outlook on my health and my life and everything I want out of them. This is just another stepping stone in figuring out what works for me.
xo,
Megan
Little Bit and I went to the grocery store so lunch was a little late and, as always, thrown together. (I don't disappoint.) It did the trick though. I had a can of sustainable salmon (a brand called Wild Planet recommended by the Whole30 following because it doesn't contain soy like many canned fishes do) with a squeeze of lemon, a sliced tomato, hard boiled egg and half an avocado. I've been eating lunches like this a lot in the last couple of months. They offer a lot of bang for your buck.
I found a bar that's Whole30 compliant, and at the Commissary no less. Cue the Angel choir! The Larabar uses dates as a binder for nuts and fruit. Of course, I can't have any of the chocolate or peanut butter flavored (and definitely not the cookies and cream), but just having an option of a little grab and go snack is wonderful. I will have to concentrate on not using them to curb a sweet craving though and only use them as an energy boost or hunger squasher. Someone also recommended the brand Nakd to me. They are based in the UK so I will have to order them, but I'd like to try it.
Dinner didn't come together until late again, but it was actually quite successful! Husband approved even. I made these Crispy Italian Chicken Thighs. They were cooked perfectly, held in their moisture and the skin was crispy and really flavorful. (I didn't even mind the garlic.) I might go a little easy on the seasoning next time, but that's just personal preference. They were still super tasty and really easy. I had them with a side of steam bag veggies. (Sorry there's a bite missing. Oops.)
They say day 6 and 7 are the "I need a nap days". I would agree. Then again, I always feel like I need a nap. But I actually fell asleep on the couch during the girl's afternoon siesta. I don't normally do that except on the weekends sometimes.
I'm feeling a little better overall about the process. I still have my cravings (right now for instance, I just want a cupcake), but I'm extremely susceptible to advertising and things around me, and currently we have cupcakes in the house for a friend's birthday. I've really got to get some ideas for different breakfasts and lunches. I've found a couple I'll be trying in the next several days. Hopefully they'll be hits!
Thanks for reading and staying interested, even if only slightly. Just knowing that anyone is reading this helps me to stay motivated. I used to be a hardcore quitter, but I'm different now. The last two years, with my first weight loss journey, then being pregnant and having Amelia, and now my second go round with weight loss and consistent exercise, they've all played a huge part in who I am today and my outlook on my health and my life and everything I want out of them. This is just another stepping stone in figuring out what works for me.
xo,
Megan
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Day 6-I'm sorry for the words I spoke out of hanger...
Today, a little better. Not so mad. Not so sad. Not thinking of how I can get out of this crazy mess.
Though I still only had meals based on convenience, I felt more satisfied and content. Maybe it was because I was more active today than yesterday (my rest day for the week), with taking the girl to Gymboree and doing my workout. (She also only took one nap so that kept me busy.)
My meals:
Breakfast was scrambled eggs and whites and I browned up some nitrate free turkey in the pan. I had a side of blueberries and raspberries.
Lunch was the leftover taco meat from Saturday night and a bed of romaine with salsa.
Dinner wasn't thrown together until 830 after little bit was in bed. And thanks to my cousin Emily who posted this awesome recipe for roasted broccoli, I had something to work with. I didn't add any garlic because, well, the thought of anymore garlic in my diet makes me queasy. It's like the thing everyone just throws into any potentially bland dish to make it acceptable. (Okay, maybe I'm still a wee bit cranky.) The little crunch and crispness of this side was exactly what I was craving. And I had yet another chicken apple sausage with the broccoli. My husband pointed out to me though that it's not so bad to have the redundancy of a meal you know is easy, within the rules, and ready to go when you just don't have the time or any idea of what to come up with, especially in these early stages. I'm just about over the chicken/apple flavor, but it's kept me in line when it would have been so easy to cave and run out to get something I shouldn't have.
I had some cashews and a kiwi thrown in there somewhere today.
I'm on a mission to find new recipes to try this week. I've got a list going right now and a trip to the store planned for tomorrow. Hopefully I'll prove to some of you who are reading this as a way to determine if you want to try it that it's not always going to be this hard and you can try new and good foods!
xo,
Megan
Though I still only had meals based on convenience, I felt more satisfied and content. Maybe it was because I was more active today than yesterday (my rest day for the week), with taking the girl to Gymboree and doing my workout. (She also only took one nap so that kept me busy.)
My meals:
Breakfast was scrambled eggs and whites and I browned up some nitrate free turkey in the pan. I had a side of blueberries and raspberries.
Lunch was the leftover taco meat from Saturday night and a bed of romaine with salsa.
Dinner wasn't thrown together until 830 after little bit was in bed. And thanks to my cousin Emily who posted this awesome recipe for roasted broccoli, I had something to work with. I didn't add any garlic because, well, the thought of anymore garlic in my diet makes me queasy. It's like the thing everyone just throws into any potentially bland dish to make it acceptable. (Okay, maybe I'm still a wee bit cranky.) The little crunch and crispness of this side was exactly what I was craving. And I had yet another chicken apple sausage with the broccoli. My husband pointed out to me though that it's not so bad to have the redundancy of a meal you know is easy, within the rules, and ready to go when you just don't have the time or any idea of what to come up with, especially in these early stages. I'm just about over the chicken/apple flavor, but it's kept me in line when it would have been so easy to cave and run out to get something I shouldn't have.
I had some cashews and a kiwi thrown in there somewhere today.
I'm on a mission to find new recipes to try this week. I've got a list going right now and a trip to the store planned for tomorrow. Hopefully I'll prove to some of you who are reading this as a way to determine if you want to try it that it's not always going to be this hard and you can try new and good foods!
xo,
Megan
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Day 5-Kill ALL the things
Not going lie, I didn't eat the way I am supposed to today. I didn't deter from the rules, I just hardly ate. I guess I just felt unmotivated and didn't feel like preparing. Fail on my part. I had eggs and my bacon for breakfast, cashews around 2pm and then we threw together some Mahi Mahi we needed to use. We seared it in a pan with some lemon zest, thyme, garlic, and salt and pepper. I had a baked sweet potato on the side.
I reference the "kill all the things" because that's what they say most feel on days 4 and 5. Yep, that's fairly accurate today. Just not feeling like I've got a hang on preparation and making the most of the foods I can use. I'm going to do better!
xo,
Megan
I reference the "kill all the things" because that's what they say most feel on days 4 and 5. Yep, that's fairly accurate today. Just not feeling like I've got a hang on preparation and making the most of the foods I can use. I'm going to do better!
xo,
Megan
Day 4
Howdy everybody.
So, Day 4. According to my husband, I'm grouchy. I don't feel grouchy, but apparently my lack of enthusiasm for conversing makes me grouchy. I do feel a bit sluggish and tired today. That accompanied with my never-prepared-weekend-self makes for potential grouchiness.
I didn't take a picture of breakfast well, because it was eggs. Y'all know what eggs look like. The child was particularly temperamental this morning so it wasn't giving me much time to focus on making breakfast. I needed some quick protein before my run.
Lunch was a concoction. I just threw together some things during nap time. It was a Chicken Apple Sausage, some guacamole and veggies and a hard boiled egg.
I had a banana for a snack. Super yummy...again.
Dinner was grass-fed beef with homemade taco seasoning. I put it on top of romaine and topped with organic salsa and a side of guacamole. Here's the recipe where I got the idea. It has the recipe for the taco seasoning. I left out the red pepper flakes and for 1lb of beef, I only used half the seasoning. I also added salt.
Sorry the pictures won't load today for some reason.
I know this isn't very interesting, but like I said, I'm mostly just using it to stay accountable for what I eat. When I start to feel some results, I'm sure these will become more interesting.
Hope everyone has a great rest of your weekend!
xo,
Meg
So, Day 4. According to my husband, I'm grouchy. I don't feel grouchy, but apparently my lack of enthusiasm for conversing makes me grouchy. I do feel a bit sluggish and tired today. That accompanied with my never-prepared-weekend-self makes for potential grouchiness.
I didn't take a picture of breakfast well, because it was eggs. Y'all know what eggs look like. The child was particularly temperamental this morning so it wasn't giving me much time to focus on making breakfast. I needed some quick protein before my run.
Lunch was a concoction. I just threw together some things during nap time. It was a Chicken Apple Sausage, some guacamole and veggies and a hard boiled egg.
I had a banana for a snack. Super yummy...again.
Dinner was grass-fed beef with homemade taco seasoning. I put it on top of romaine and topped with organic salsa and a side of guacamole. Here's the recipe where I got the idea. It has the recipe for the taco seasoning. I left out the red pepper flakes and for 1lb of beef, I only used half the seasoning. I also added salt.
Sorry the pictures won't load today for some reason.
I know this isn't very interesting, but like I said, I'm mostly just using it to stay accountable for what I eat. When I start to feel some results, I'm sure these will become more interesting.
Hope everyone has a great rest of your weekend!
xo,
Meg
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Day 3
Hey y'all!
Had a decent day. I got to go in to work so I was pretty preoccupied and kept my cravings to a minimum. I had a cute lunch date too (okay, two cute dates). I didn't eat while they were there though, but managed to hold my composure while the husband ate an awesome looking and smelling Quiznos sandwich. Here were my meals:
Breakfast: I scrambled one whole egg and two egg whites and had a side of nitrate free, organic bacon. It was delish. I also had a banana when I got to the office, and it may have been the best tasting banana I've ever had in my life. I think it did something for my sweet tooth.
Lunch: Well this...just not great. I baked a thin cut, boneless skinless chicken breast last night with a little salt, onion powder and smoked paprika. It just wasn't very tasty warmed up. I ate it though. If nothing else, I needed the protein. I had it with a side of arugula, red bell pepper, the lemon vinaigrette I made, tomatoes, blueberries and raspberries.
I snacked on a combo of cashews, almonds and macadamia nuts in the afternoon. I took a hard boiled egg but didn't get to it.
Dinner: I made this eggplant dish tonight and it turned out great! I was really wanting a "stick to the ribs" kind of meal and it hit the spot. I didn't use any cayenne pepper (I just don't like things too
spicy) and I used half of the black pepper the recipe calls for, for the same reason. I didn't have anything on the side, but boy did I want some pasta, Parmesan cheese on top and a big side salad with ranch dressing. But again, it was satisfying without any of that too.
Had a decent day. I got to go in to work so I was pretty preoccupied and kept my cravings to a minimum. I had a cute lunch date too (okay, two cute dates). I didn't eat while they were there though, but managed to hold my composure while the husband ate an awesome looking and smelling Quiznos sandwich. Here were my meals:
Breakfast: I scrambled one whole egg and two egg whites and had a side of nitrate free, organic bacon. It was delish. I also had a banana when I got to the office, and it may have been the best tasting banana I've ever had in my life. I think it did something for my sweet tooth.
Lunch: Well this...just not great. I baked a thin cut, boneless skinless chicken breast last night with a little salt, onion powder and smoked paprika. It just wasn't very tasty warmed up. I ate it though. If nothing else, I needed the protein. I had it with a side of arugula, red bell pepper, the lemon vinaigrette I made, tomatoes, blueberries and raspberries.
I snacked on a combo of cashews, almonds and macadamia nuts in the afternoon. I took a hard boiled egg but didn't get to it.
Dinner: I made this eggplant dish tonight and it turned out great! I was really wanting a "stick to the ribs" kind of meal and it hit the spot. I didn't use any cayenne pepper (I just don't like things too
spicy) and I used half of the black pepper the recipe calls for, for the same reason. I didn't have anything on the side, but boy did I want some pasta, Parmesan cheese on top and a big side salad with ranch dressing. But again, it was satisfying without any of that too.
It's the weekend and they always spell trouble for me. My planning just usually goes out the window since the hubs is home and we go run around. Gonna stay on track though! I'm determined to see what can really happen when you're fully committed to the plan!
Friday, March 21, 2014
Day 2
Two things to be proud of:
I drank coffee black today and didn't hate it. It's amazing what we will do out of desperation. I've been going to green tea for an afternoon pick me up these last couple of months, but that wasn't going to cut it today.
And my husband. He's been eating everything I make at dinner. He's had zucchini two nights in a row and that's amazing for him! Helps me feel supported as well.
So here were my meals for the day:
Breakfast: Two eggs fried with just a little coconut oil and an apple. (Sorry, I break my yolks and don't like em pretty. Also, I was feeding Amelia at the same time.)
Snack: I was really loving the Special K Protein cereal with almond milk before I started this plan and have been craving it. I saw a little mixture like this on Pinterest and thought it might curb the craving. It was a perfect post-run snack. Strawberries, blueberries, cashews, and coconut flakes. I then poured a little coconut milk over it.
Lunch: I threw this one together too. (Like I said, it was a rough day.) I rolled Nitrate free turkey around avocado then added just a little salt and pepper. I had some kiwi and leftover hash from yesterday's breakfast on the side.
Dinner: Nothing about this one came out as planned. These were supposed to be Apple Cider Vinegar Porkchops, but I forgot the chicken broth so they are just seared and finished off in the oven. I made these Zucchini Fritters, but either I failed epically or we should just stop trying to make "bad" things (like a fried fritter) healthier. The flavor was there but they were falling apart and just didn't cook right. Then I just added some leftover green beans from last night.
So there you have it, Day 2. Hoping I get into a groove by next week. I think I'm feeling some of the funkiness they say the first week can bring.
I'm working tomorrow, so I'm packing up my lunch and snacks right now. I'm pretty excited about how it's looking. Gotta stay prepared!
xo,
Megan
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Day 1
Day 1 in the books. Not going to lie, my 8pm sugar craving came and all I could think about were cookies or a piece of chocolate and a Diet Coke. Thankfully, all of that is out of the house! I wouldn't have caved, not this soon.
It's small habitual things you just don't notice. I had to really watch myself from not doing things like eating the other half of my daughter's string cheese or taking my vitamins with my husband's Gatorade. Things I just do.
Anyway, no giant changes of course, but just knowing I did not put a single processed thing in my body today makes me smile a little. I also really enjoyed cooking three completely new meals today. And here they are.
Breakfast: Sweet Potato, Apple, and Pancetta Hash. Recipe Here
Lunch: Applegate Nitrate Free Organic Chicken and Apple Sausage, an arugula salad with avocado, red pepper and homemade lemon vinaigrette and a half a grapefruit
Dinner: Lemon Dill Salmon and zucchini baked in parchment with Garlic a Roasted Green Beans. Recipe for Salmon Here and Green Beans Here
Snacks: Natural cashews and macadamia nuts, strawberries
I have pictures but can't seem to get them on here. If I figure it out I'll add them later.
xo,
Megan
It's small habitual things you just don't notice. I had to really watch myself from not doing things like eating the other half of my daughter's string cheese or taking my vitamins with my husband's Gatorade. Things I just do.
Anyway, no giant changes of course, but just knowing I did not put a single processed thing in my body today makes me smile a little. I also really enjoyed cooking three completely new meals today. And here they are.
Breakfast: Sweet Potato, Apple, and Pancetta Hash. Recipe Here
Lunch: Applegate Nitrate Free Organic Chicken and Apple Sausage, an arugula salad with avocado, red pepper and homemade lemon vinaigrette and a half a grapefruit
Dinner: Lemon Dill Salmon and zucchini baked in parchment with Garlic a Roasted Green Beans. Recipe for Salmon Here and Green Beans Here
Snacks: Natural cashews and macadamia nuts, strawberries
I have pictures but can't seem to get them on here. If I figure it out I'll add them later.
xo,
Megan
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
T-10 Hours...
...until breakfast, and the start of my very first day on my Whole30 journey. For those that haven't heard of the Whole30 program, it's 30 days of strict clean eating meant to be utilized as a "nutritional reset". Though, for me, it's the beginning of what I hope will be an entirely new relationship with food. Now, don't think this means I won't touch the things I love again (see you in April Chic-fil-a), but I hope it will teach me how to incorporate these better choices into realistic, day-to-day eating habits.
I'm here because I have a problem. I am a sugar addict. It's real. Cravings, withdrawals, denial. What brought me here was when I opened my pantry 5 days ago and realized I had 7 boxes of cookies. No one person should be able to claim 7 boxes of cookies as their own (and I can't pin them on my husband or my 10 month old who has 2.5 teeth ). And I don't binge on cookies, but 2-3 a night, because of a relentless craving, adds up.
Aside from the cookies, I took a look at where else in my day I was consuming sugar. Peanut butter on my toast with a side of fruit flavored yogurt for breakfast (or a chocolatey granola bar when I didn't have time for anything else), sweet vinaigrettes on salads for lunch, sugar added into foods I never would have imagined...and, I mean, I've been actively making healthier choices for the last two and a half months. After reading the ingredient labels on so many things in my cupboards (and not to mention considering the "better" choices I've been making at drive thrus and restaurants), I started to realize just exactly how I've been wasting the precious calories I've been counting since January. I've only focused on how many of these "addiction" foods I can cram into my calorie allotment for the day and not what it takes to fuel my body. I've been active 6 days a week, either strength training or cardio, for the last two and a half months (except for 4 days for a bit of a "stay-cation" with the hubs), and yet I wasn't really modifying the quality of foods I was putting in to this new, more active body.
As part of the program, they suggest you tell people what you're doing, mostly as a form of accountability. So this is my way of going public. I'll post what I'm eating, how I'm feeling, but I'm not supposed to weigh myself or measure during the next 30 days, so no number talk. If you read it, let me know! It'll motivate me to hang in there! Aside from weight loss, some of the other benefits can be more energy, better sleep, less joint pain, improved focus and just overall happiness.
So here I am. Ready to see what it feels like when you start treating your body with just a little more respect and kindness. It's just 30 days, right???
xo,
Megan
For reference, here are the basic "No" foods on the program:
Do not consume added sugar of any kind, real or artificial. No maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, coconut sugar, Splenda, Equal, Nutrasweet, xylitol, stevia, etc. Read your labels, because companies sneak sugar into products in ways you might not recognize.
Do not consume alcohol in any form, not even for cooking. (And it should go without saying, but no tobacco products of any sort, either.)
Do not eat grains. This includes (but is not limited to) wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, rice, millet, bulgur, sorghum, amaranth, buckwheat, sprouted grains and all of those gluten-free pseudo-grains like quinoa. This also includes all the ways we add wheat, corn and rice into our foods in the form of bran, germ, starch and so on. Again, read your labels.
Do not eat legumes. This includes beans of all kinds (black, red, pinto, navy, white, kidney, lima, fava, etc.), peas, chickpeas, lentils, and peanuts. No peanut butter, either. This also includes all forms of soy – soy sauce, miso, tofu, tempeh, edamame, and all the ways we sneak soy into foods (like lecithin).
Do not eat dairy. This includes cow, goat or sheep’s milk products such as cream, cheese (hard or soft), kefir, yogurt (even Greek), and sour cream… with the exception of clarified butter or ghee. (See below for details.)
Do not eat white potatoes. This is somewhat arbitrary, but if we are trying to change your habits (chips and fries) and improve the hormonal impact of your food choices, it’s best to leave white, red, purple, Yukon gold, and fingerling potatoes off your plate. Do not consume carrageenan, MSG or sulfites. If these ingredients appear in any form on the label of your processed food or beverage, it’s out for the Whole30. No Paleo-ifying baked goods, desserts, or junk foods. Trying to shove your old, unhealthy diet into a shiny new Whole30 mold will ruin your program faster than you can say “Paleo Pop-Tarts.” This means no desserts or junk food made with “approved” ingredients—no banana-egg pancakes, almond-flour muffins, flourless brownies, or coconut milk ice cream. Don’t try to replicate junk food during your 30 days! That misses the point of the Whole30 entirely.
I'm here because I have a problem. I am a sugar addict. It's real. Cravings, withdrawals, denial. What brought me here was when I opened my pantry 5 days ago and realized I had 7 boxes of cookies. No one person should be able to claim 7 boxes of cookies as their own (and I can't pin them on my husband or my 10 month old who has 2.5 teeth ). And I don't binge on cookies, but 2-3 a night, because of a relentless craving, adds up.
Aside from the cookies, I took a look at where else in my day I was consuming sugar. Peanut butter on my toast with a side of fruit flavored yogurt for breakfast (or a chocolatey granola bar when I didn't have time for anything else), sweet vinaigrettes on salads for lunch, sugar added into foods I never would have imagined...and, I mean, I've been actively making healthier choices for the last two and a half months. After reading the ingredient labels on so many things in my cupboards (and not to mention considering the "better" choices I've been making at drive thrus and restaurants), I started to realize just exactly how I've been wasting the precious calories I've been counting since January. I've only focused on how many of these "addiction" foods I can cram into my calorie allotment for the day and not what it takes to fuel my body. I've been active 6 days a week, either strength training or cardio, for the last two and a half months (except for 4 days for a bit of a "stay-cation" with the hubs), and yet I wasn't really modifying the quality of foods I was putting in to this new, more active body.
As part of the program, they suggest you tell people what you're doing, mostly as a form of accountability. So this is my way of going public. I'll post what I'm eating, how I'm feeling, but I'm not supposed to weigh myself or measure during the next 30 days, so no number talk. If you read it, let me know! It'll motivate me to hang in there! Aside from weight loss, some of the other benefits can be more energy, better sleep, less joint pain, improved focus and just overall happiness.
So here I am. Ready to see what it feels like when you start treating your body with just a little more respect and kindness. It's just 30 days, right???
xo,
Megan
For reference, here are the basic "No" foods on the program:
Do not consume added sugar of any kind, real or artificial. No maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, coconut sugar, Splenda, Equal, Nutrasweet, xylitol, stevia, etc. Read your labels, because companies sneak sugar into products in ways you might not recognize.
Do not consume alcohol in any form, not even for cooking. (And it should go without saying, but no tobacco products of any sort, either.)
Do not eat grains. This includes (but is not limited to) wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, rice, millet, bulgur, sorghum, amaranth, buckwheat, sprouted grains and all of those gluten-free pseudo-grains like quinoa. This also includes all the ways we add wheat, corn and rice into our foods in the form of bran, germ, starch and so on. Again, read your labels.
Do not eat legumes. This includes beans of all kinds (black, red, pinto, navy, white, kidney, lima, fava, etc.), peas, chickpeas, lentils, and peanuts. No peanut butter, either. This also includes all forms of soy – soy sauce, miso, tofu, tempeh, edamame, and all the ways we sneak soy into foods (like lecithin).
Do not eat dairy. This includes cow, goat or sheep’s milk products such as cream, cheese (hard or soft), kefir, yogurt (even Greek), and sour cream… with the exception of clarified butter or ghee. (See below for details.)
Do not eat white potatoes. This is somewhat arbitrary, but if we are trying to change your habits (chips and fries) and improve the hormonal impact of your food choices, it’s best to leave white, red, purple, Yukon gold, and fingerling potatoes off your plate. Do not consume carrageenan, MSG or sulfites. If these ingredients appear in any form on the label of your processed food or beverage, it’s out for the Whole30. No Paleo-ifying baked goods, desserts, or junk foods. Trying to shove your old, unhealthy diet into a shiny new Whole30 mold will ruin your program faster than you can say “Paleo Pop-Tarts.” This means no desserts or junk food made with “approved” ingredients—no banana-egg pancakes, almond-flour muffins, flourless brownies, or coconut milk ice cream. Don’t try to replicate junk food during your 30 days! That misses the point of the Whole30 entirely.
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