Well folks, I’m almost done with day #20 of Whole 30!
It’s still hard and takes commitment, but it’s almost becoming second nature to me.
I’ve definitely found some foods/recipes that I enjoy and it’s made it a lot simpler. I know there are a million different “gourmet” Whole 30 recipes out there, but I’ve chosen to keep it very simple. I pretty much eat a lot of the same things most days. Yes, it’s getting old, but the simplicity actually helps me.
Here are the basic things I eat; veggie/egg creations, sweet potato chips with guacamole, green smoothies with limited fruit, stir-fry creations with veggies and leftover meat, roasted veggies, salads, apples, bananas with almond butter, berries, leftover meat and/or deli meat and that’s about it!
I’ve tried to make different things for dinner though. The last few weeks I’ve made things like Tacos (taco salad for me), Pot Roast and mashed potatoes, Beef Stew, Pancakes for the kids (omelet for me!), Turkey Burgers (bunless for me), Grilled Chicken with salad and fruit and Grilled Chicken with baked potatoes (sweet potato for me.)
I also plan to make Chicken Stew, Vegetable Soup and some sort of Spaghetti Squash creation this next week.
Yes, I feel like I’m cooking all the time! It’s kind of a pain, but I also feel a sense of accomplishment. I know it’s VITAL that I always have good food choices available and convenient for me. I always have a stash of roasted veggies, some sort of protein (leftover chicken, turkey burgers, roast, deli meat), sweet potato chips, guacamole and bananas on hand at all times.
I still have cravings from time to time, but it’s usually when I’m hungry. I’ve tried to train my brain to “not to go there” and not think about all of the foods I wish I could eat! I also like to always have a plan and know what my next meal will be.
Surprisingly, I really haven’t been eating that many salads! When I first started Whole 30, I thought I would have a salad every day. However, I really only eat a salad every 3-4 days or so. I’ve been enjoying my veggies warm or in green smoothies instead. I did have this yummy salad a few days ago…
It was just romaine, apples, leftover chicken, slivered almonds and snap peas topped with a drizzle of Balsamic Vinaigrette and Frank’s Buffalo Hot Sauce. I LOVE apples and chicken together in a salad!
I also had this the other day that I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED…
I know that looks sick, but it was so good! It was just some of my Cauliflower Rice topped with leftover grilled chicken and green salsa! SO GOOD!
In fact, I think I’ll cook up some more Cauliflower rice tonight and get some chicken marinating.
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We did go out to dinner at the CHEESECAKE FACTORY (aauughh!) a couple nights ago with some friends. Even though their “menu book” has a bazillion choices in it, I felt like I could only eat a couple of things on the menu.
It was very depressing. I ended up ordering the Cobb salad without the bleu cheese…
It was a great salad, but the cheese was very much missed. It definitely adds so much flavor! We had such a fun time with our friends though…
However, they all ordered cheesecake after dinner (auuughhh!)
Doesn’t that look insanely good??!!! Yes, I was dying and probably could’ve polished off all three of them myself! In fact, I should just delete that picture from my blog because it is so painful, lol.
I was very proud of myself for staying strong!
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I’m happy to say that a new Sprouts Farmer’s Market store opened near my house a couple weeks ago!
I am in heaven! Sprout’s reminds me a lot of Trader Joe’s in that it offers great quality, natural foods at great prices! I’ve gone twice now and it’s been so busy both times! I’ve had to wait in line about 15-20 minutes, but it was worth it. I’m sure the crowds will die down soon…I hope.
Thankfully, the kiddos have been very patient.
I’ve been amazed by the quality produce and good deals! I bought a TON of their boneless, skinless chicken breasts for $1.77/lb. and portioned it out into freezer bags to use for dinner or grilling. I also bought a TON of their berries because the blueberries/raspberries were only 88 cents a box! The strawberries were $2.50/2 lbs., which is a very good deal this time of year!
I got some other good deals like Organic apples for 99 cents/lb. and small pineapples for a dollar! LOVE!
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I recently got some new running shoes that I am in love with!
They are Saucony Kinvara 5’s and I love them! I’ve been an Asics running shoe lady the past several years, but I wanted to try something new this time. I did a lot of research and decided to try the Kinvara 5. I think I made the right choice!
First off, I love the bright colors! They are also light weight and very roomy. They are very comfortable! FYI, I usually wear an 8 or an 8 1/2 in regular shoes, but I get a 9 in running shoes. However, I read several reviews and most of them recommended getting these shoes a 1/2 size bigger than you usually get. Soooo, I got a 9 1/2, but they fit perfectly! I’m so glad I got the bigger size.
Oh, and they retail for $100, but I found them on Ebay for $67! Boom.
I ran on the treadmill this morning and felt great! I only ran 3.75 miles, but it was just perfect for me right now.
I think my “normal speed” right now is right around a 9 minute mile. I still want to speed up quite a bit, but I’m happy to be making progress. I can definitely feel a difference as I’m losing weight too!
Seriously!
I’ve been going to a great class at the gym on Tuesday nights. It’s been different every week; tabatas, kick boxing, circuit training, weights, etc. and I love it so much! It’s so tough and such a great workout!
Anyway, the first week I went (3 weeks ago), I felt heavy and out of shape. I pushed myself very hard, but it was tough to move my body quickly and I didn’t feel very agile. It’s kind of hard to explain, but it was an interesting spot to be in. My mind still thought my body should be able to jump up and down quickly and easily, but my body didn’t want to cooperate.
It was very frustrating.
However, I’ve noticed progress each week! I can move my body so much easier now and I feel lighter! I’m starting to feel like my old self again!!! Wahoo!
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Well, it’s getting late and I want to spend the rest of my Saturday night with my sweet husband, so I better end this.
I just want to say that eating a healthy diet is hard, but very, very rewarding. I LOVE sugar so much and I’m missing all of my favorite treats, but the joy and happiness I feel from eating my favorite foods is so short lived! Eating well and losing weight is slow and the results aren’t instantaneous, but the effects are much more satisfying and last a lot longer!
So, with that being said, I’m going to keep on pluggin’ along! I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!
Way to go girl! Sounds like you’re doing a great job! You look fantastic and I love the picture of you running and your ponytail flying up in the air, hahaha!
Thanks so much Brandi! It’s so nice to slowly, but surely lose some of this baby weight!
Cute shoes, and score on the price!!!
GREAT deal on the produce and meat prices, when good food is sold at a lower price, I always want to stock up 🙂
I was so happy to find those shoes at such a great price! So far, I have loved them too.
You are doing a great job ! Hang in there. things like resisting dessert at Cheesecake Factory get easier. I am sure your body is loving you for your Whole 30 month !
Thanks so much! I know my body is loving Whole 30. I feel so so so good! I’ve noticed that at times I can easily resist dessert, but other times it is so tough. It usually depends on how tired or hungry I am. I’m definitely learning a lot about myself this month!
It’s always a treat to find your favorite running shoes at a lower price. We have a local running store that offers a customer rewards plan where if you buy 5 pair you get the 6th free. That sounds like a lot of shoes, but my husband and I go through two pair each a year.
Loved your Cheesecake Factory story. I don’t know how to get rid of the sugar around here. This afternoon our foreign exchange student is hosting a cooking class for her friends in my kitchen. They’ll probably make sixteen different kinds of strudel and a couple of cakes. I’ll just need to leave the house or something.
Buy 5 pairs, get the 6th free sounds awesome, especially for runners! I ought to check some of our local stores to see if I can find a deal like that.
Oh, that would be tough to have someone in your house hosting a cooking class!!! Wow. I hope you survived that, lol.
Mmmm, that first salad seriously makes my mouth water.. I have never been much of a salad person, but recently I’ve been CRAVING salad with this pregnancy.. weird! – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
You know, veggies never sounded good to me when I was pregnant! I still ate them, but never craved them. 🙁 You’re lucky to be actually craving salads!
Chicken and apples (and bleu cheese, sorry!) are my favorite go-to salad ingredients also! Mmm.
Every time I read your blog, I think l’m going to try buffalo sauce on salad next time, but I still haven’t done it yet. I keep reaching for my regular dressing before I remember!
It’s so much fun following along with your accomplishments and success! You are amazing.
Another thing I love is that you’ve never once hinted at any resentment toward your sweet baby for making yourself have to start all over and work so hard to get slim and healthy and strong again. You have such a wonderful, positive attitude!
I love your positive attitude so much Deborah! You are always so sweet and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. It is tough to be pregnant and have a baby and have to start all over with getting into shape….so tough! But, I try not to get discouraged because I wanted to have a baby, I love him to pieces (obviously) and I knew this was the sacrifice I had to make. I try to look at the big picture and remember that it is a relatively short time to have to work to get back into shape, but my baby lasts forever. Sounds cheesy.
I really love the buffalo sauce on salads! It adds a lot of flavor and little bit of heat, but no calories. Score. 😉
Ohhhhh, that cheesecake! I just want to dive in there….but I won’t.
I know, right!??! It was tough. I may need to go back there in a few weeks. 😉
You are doing an incredible job with the Whole 30!!! Your discipline is amazing!!
I have only had one pair of Sauconys and they were not nearly as cool as yours!!!
Thanks so much Kim! This is my first pair of Sauconys and so far, so good. I’m hoping they stand the test of time!
Ooh, just checked out your cauliflower rice method – I never thought of roasting it. I am definitely trying that this week.
Have you been using a low drop shoe for running? The Kinvara is a 4mm drop, so be careful with how you transition into them. If you were in standard running shoes, the lesser drop can cause issues with your achilles and calves. (Don’t get me wrong, I love the Kinvara shoes and run in only 0-4mm shoes, but it takes time to transition to that.)
A great tip!
I really love that cauliflower rice! If you try it roasted, I hope you love it too!
My Asics are definitely not a low drop shoe, but I have some Reeboks that are. I knew the Kinvara 5s were more minimal, but I really wanted to try them. I’m hoping that since I’m slowly getting back into running after having the baby, that my body will have time to adjust to them…fingers crossed! Thanks so much for the tip though….I’m hoping I don’t have any issues with them!
Good for you!!! 🙂 Seriously!! I am so impressed!! Staying strong at the cheesecake factory!?! WOW #impressed!!
Thank you so much! It’s been tough and it’s taken some serious mental strength at times, but I’ve loved it. Cheesecake factory was pure torture though!
You got some great deals at Sprouts. At first I thought it was TJ’s but it would never be that cheap! I am happy you are seeing some progress. I feel, sometimes, it’s more important that weightloss! Don’t you think?
Great blog you have here! I’m looking forward to reading more!
MB
Thanks so much! I’ve been floored by the amazing deals at Sprouts! I’ve been so happy with my results and progress with Whole 30. I’ve learned so much and it’s been a fun process actually!
I can’t believe you’re almost done with the whole 30!!! I AM loving your progress and your STRENGTH!! Feeding your body what fuels it right!
Thanks so much Britt! It’s been a neat process and I’ve learned so much along the way. I love challenging my body and trying new things. I never regret it!
YOU ARE AMAZING! I cannot believe how fabulously you are doing, the cheesecake would have caused me to cave.
Thanks so much Abby! The cheesecake issue was probably the toughest temptation I had on Whole 30. It was REALLY tough, but I’m glad I lived to tell about it, lol.
Way to stay strong at Cheesecake Factory, Mel. Some friends we are tempting you like that. LOL! Now that you’re finished, let us take you back and treat you to your choice, since you passed the test with flying colors. 🙂
Seriously though, such a fun night with you guys. Looking forward to next time.
Thanks JEFF!!! I loved going to Cheesecake Factory with you guys so much! Now, WE (as in Kev and I) should take Y’ALL there again so we can do it again. Cheesecake Factory is the bomb….as are you guys! 🙂