Week 1, Update Part 1 cont.

   So, I didn't start back up right away. Lee and I are going to a dinner party at 13 Coins Sunday night and I want to be able to have Veal Marsala,hehe. So, I'm restarting on Monday April 3rd.

   Even after 6 days, I was already starting to feel better and had lost 5 pounds. I've been eating as usual for the last few days and feel like crap. Bloating is back and just a general malaise overall.
Really looking forward to starting back up.

Week 1 Update, Part 1

   So, 4 days in and I thought I would go ahead and update you a little on some of the things I've discovered...

LABELS, LABELS, LABELS!

   If you decide to do this, get ready to read a lot of labels! I've never really bothered reading labels because I didn't really care how much sodium/sugar/crap was added to food as long as it tasted good (to me, anyway). I'm still not so concerned with salt amount as much as added sugar/crap. Try to find bacon without sugar...(Whole Foods, in case you're wondering). Can someone please tell me why breakfast sausage has corn syrup in it? Forget anything in the condiment aisle. You'll be making most of that from scratch for the month. Primal Kitchen makes a compliant mayo that's really good. But, everything else you can make cheaper in the long run. Recipes will follow.

PLANNING IS KEY!

   

      

I actually didn't start until Tuesday because I spent Sunday shopping and Monday chopping, slow cooking a lot and steeling myself for the week ahead. Although I have to say, so far it's been so easy I almost feel like I'm not doing it right. Then again, it's only 4 days in...still waiting for the withdrawl from everything to kick in. Next week will probably be CRANKY! :)


Day 1   Ratatouille Frittata, Avocado
           
             TJ Chili Lime Chicken wrap, Avocado

             Basil Beef Goulash w/ Eggplant
       
Day 2   Bacon (Whole30 approved), Scrambled Eggs, Avocado
     
             TJ Grass Fed Angus Beef Lettuce Wrap
           
             One Skillet Paleo Dinner

Day 3   Ratatouille Frittata, Avocado

             Shredded Chicken with Summer Vegetables

             Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

Day 4   Sausage Breakfast Frittata, Avocado

             Chicken Salad with Ranch Lettuce Wraps

             Paleo Egg Roll in a Bowl with Sweet and Sour Sauce

Day 5   Bacon Kale & Sweet Potato Hash

             TJ Grass Fed Angus Beef Lettuce Wrap

             Paleo Chicken Buffalo Casserole

Day 6    Sausage and Poached Eggs, Avocado

              Chicken Mango Salad over Frisee

              Rib Eye Steak, Rutabaga Fries and Asparagus with Balsamic Vinegar

And then, Day 7 became Day 1. It turns out the balsamic vinegar I was using has sulfites in it which are not allowed. Naturally occurring as in Trader Joe's Organic Balsamic Vinegar is fine but I had a cheap version from Target with added sulfites which is not. And in keeping with the Whole30 rules, there are no slips. It has to be 30 days 100%. Which I'm fine with, but, I learned a valuable lesson.

READ ALL LABELS!! :)


            

My Whole30 Experience

On Monday March 20th, I will be starting the Whole30 eating plan.
For those of you who aren't familiar with it, go here.

So, I'm just your average Joe with moderate cooking skills. Also, a lifetime of horrendous eating habits, but, the desire to improve my eating habits and health. Then I discovered the Whole30 plan.

I've no desire to diet because I know better. I tried being vegetarian for a month, but, Super Bowl took care of that. I'm unorganized, have little to no self control and tend to be on the lazy side...well, not lazy. Let's just say I always take the path of least resistance, hehe.
My kitchen area is small with little counter space so clutter/chaos is basically a way of life.

The reason for the above information is if I can do the Whole30 plan and stick to it the whole 30 days, then anyone (I mean ANYONE) can.

I have researched and researched everything I can find. Thank you, Pinterest.

If you're interested in doing this, I highly recommend "It Starts with Food" by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig. Also, "The Whole 30 Cookbook". Both are available on Amazon here and here.

I am really pushing the envelope by giving up smoking, alcohol, and completely changing my diet plus, Girl Scout cookies went on sale last week! I am determined to make it work though.

At the end of each week, I will be posting meal plans plus my weekly prep guide. I will also be telling you what works, what doesn't, and what the experience is like for me and my partner in wellness, Lee Sutherland.

Until then Ciao!
Brian