Week 2:
Day 8:
Breakfast: Eggs & Asparagus
Lunch: Panera Asian Sesame Chicken Salad modified
Dinner: Eggs, Asparagus & Sweet Potato
Extras: Coffee and Larabar
Today was a good day. The biggest highlight was probably going with Hannah to Pet Smart and picking up the newest addition to the house I live in, Avery. She is a chocolate lab and is very loving and affectionate.
Today food-wise- Had eggs a lot more than usual today, so I'm looking forward to more variety... have to plan to do so... the next few days. Also I picked up coffee beans today and was undercharged for them, so I need to go back to the store to pay the difference. Speaking of coffee I made my second batch of coconut creamer today... it already looks like more of a success than last week. Time will tell!
Day 9/10
Less about food and more about how I felt. So Day 9 I woke up not feeling the greatest- had a sore throat, slight headache (possible fever), and my digestion was off. I called to talk with my Mom and she was good to keep on track with Whole 30... when I really just wanted to get some processed medication that I was certain would magically fix everything. She also recommended less coconut... which means that after the coffee I had morning of day 9 I haven't had coffee and until I feel completely on the mend won't have coffee. I made soup and actually will probably make soup more often to use what vegetables are left at the end of each week.
Day 10, woke up feeling slightly better. Got some tea- made breakfast... went to school where I did have some ibuprofen. I probably will before I sleep as well. Tonight I did make some zucchini with beef and cauliflower filling that was tasty and I look forward to having again. Also there is talk of snow in the area so I may have a day this week, or at the least some extra time, to recuperate and get over this cold/flu/feeling awfulness that I've had. But hey, here's to sticking with it when all I want is chicken noodle soup, ginger ale, and still teaching (when I would just like to stay at home).
On a happy note/challenging note: I've been invited to go to NYC on Saturday. I am super excited, but that may mean that, snow dependent, I might need to ask for a substitute, and I will have to be creative in meals for 24+ hours and will have multiple temptations *ahem Starbucks* at every corner. On a positive note it's Wicked so I'm extra motivated to make it happen!
Days 11-16... School Days, NYC, etc
I am still Whole 30 Compliant... I managed to get Whole 30 approved meals in the city, and finished up planned meals from the week.
To be honest- right now I am exhausted... partly due to the fact that I was a bit stressed about trying to figure out where to go with lessons today, partly the trip is catching up. The show was great, but the weather was not the greatest and although I sleep alright on the bus I'm finding I could use better sleep in my own bed. I'll get there!
Monday, February 17, 2014
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Whole 30- Week 1 Reflections...
Day 1:
Day 2:
Breakfast: Hot Pumpkin Cereal
Lunch:Slow Cooker Pork Roast, Sweet Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli Was taken out to lunch :) Got Lemon Pepper Tilapia, Shrimp, and Salad
Dinner:Spaghetti Squash, Tomatoes, Chicken Completed Pork Roast that I had planned for lunch
Snack- Cinnamon Pears/ Coconut Cream Pie Larabar/ Handful of Almonds
Extras: 1 cup of coffee w/ coconut creamer and found myself drinking more water today
This morning I woke up ready to try Hot Pumpkin Cereal. It's one of the recipes this week that I wasn't sure what to expect... and it took my tastebuds and some more shredded coconut to get going. What a boost in energy! The one thing I discovered about that meal is that it's really filling and for someone who has eaten light in the mornings I might need a smaller serving. Other reactions to food throughout the day weren't too drastic. I realized at one point, looking over the meal template, that there wasn't a spot for snacks that I had automatically placed in- oops. I don't feel too bad though because my body is adjusting to healthier changes 24/7 for the next 30 days so if my snack is a healthier option, at least for this week, I'm not going to be too hard on myself.
Mainly today was my Sunday routine. Drink coffee, eat breakfast, do devotionals and then usually listen to hymns on youtube, that I'll be playing in church that day, to double check tempi while checking emails and facebook... Goal for next week read... knit... anything other than obsessively check those places.
Triumph: Hannah asked if I had a headache and I honestly said no and once I said that it seemed like my body decided that's what it wanted to do, but after drinking some water no more issues.
Foe: Boiling/Peeling Eggs... The pot did not want to boil and once I got to peeling the eggs I destroyed many of them which will make it interesting when trying to use them for salads.
Final thought- between a lack of sleep or the change of nutrition I am ready to sleep at a more appropriate time. Hopefully I have a restful sleep for what promises to be a fun day after having Tuesday-Friday as snow days for the students and me (except Friday- "optional" work day that I worked... I was going a little stir crazy).
Day 4:
Breakfast: Frittata
Lunch: Spinach Salad w/ Raisins, Almonds, Strawberries, and Pork Roast Meat
Dinner: Pork Roast, Sweet Potato, and Broccoli
Extras: Coffee, and 2 Larabars- one after lunch and one after dinner
Today was a rough start. Once I got coffee in my system and started moving things got better, but I could definitely sense the change of energy stores. I had energy throughout most of the day, but noticed that it was more subdued than usual.
I got to choir rehearsal and reached the point where I was tired. I got back home and should have gone to bed, but instead stayed up a bit which led to it taking longer for me to get to sleep. Particularly with my habit of reading before bed, which at the moment is finishing It Starts With Food and as always the Bible.
Day 5:
Breakfast: Frittata
Lunch: Spaghetti Squash w/ Tomatoes and Chicken
Dinner: Strawberry Coconut Smoothie
Extras: Coffee, 2 Larabars, Nuts, and Hard boiled egg*
Today I felt at points that I was in a fog. After I finished teaching my last class of the day I was just ready to breathe, relax, and regroup, but I had car duty- which I managed to do with a cheerful attitude. Today I was a little more strict with kids, which I felt bad about, but got some amazing pictures and an apology note from the one class that was having a lot of issues listening.
Once I got to the faculty meeting I was ready for some time to breathe and saw the grab what you want candy dish, which wasn't too tempting since I wasn't facing towards it, but there was the realization that if I were staring at it throughout the meeting that it would've been so easy to give in and resulted in extra extras*. Mainly today and yesterday I'm realizing a loss of a source of energy and at this point I'm thinking it's from the sugar intake I normally have. I'm hoping that the transition to a healthier source happens soon because I am beat. I also hope that I continue to sleep well and on that note I'm ending notes for today since I'm starting to yawn... about an hour earlier that where I would reach this exhaustion before whole 30. I truly feel that this whole sleeping longer is for the best.
Day 6 and Day 7...
Didn't keep up with documenting so well... but I completed the first week. I find I'm sleeping better and have only looked at banana pancakes as something to make that I probably shouldn't since it's a food I wanted before.
Also- just out of interest I weighed myself (on day 8... more in the next post) to see what this week meant weight-wise and I'm down 2 lbs. 4.5 lbs more than I was when I graduated high school and the food is tasty, I'll take it.
Breakfast- Asparagus Frittata
Lunch- Spaghetti Squash, Tomatoes, Chicken
Dinner- Coconut Strawberry Smoothie
Snack- Cinnamon Pears
Extras: 2 cups of coffee... one hot, one iced- both with homemade coconut creamer
I woke up not feeling the best. A little stuffed up and had issues getting to bed the night before... and thus began Whole 30. I was not the most enthusiastic to have breakfast to make, but after seeing my housemate had put up my name to cross off and I got some coffee in my system I was ready to go.
Before today, I had planned breakfast and lunch. Later after checking out a house to rent, then going to church *Yup on a Saturday, I accompany at a church on Sundays*, I finally planned meals this week and had a plan to shop. I should be set until I begin week 2.
Having a smoothie, albeit more tricky than usual (I made the coconut milk in the recipe), always lifts my mood and gave me the final amount of energy to close the day. At this moment, right before bed, I am de-stressing from talking about renting next year and trying to wrap my head around my budget. I don't know that I will be able to see all the factors, so I just need to do what I can each day and let God orchestrate situations that would work for me and allow me to see them as good options.
Day 2:
Breakfast: Hot Pumpkin Cereal
Lunch:
Dinner:
Snack- Cinnamon Pears/ Coconut Cream Pie Larabar/ Handful of Almonds
Extras: 1 cup of coffee w/ coconut creamer and found myself drinking more water today
This morning I woke up ready to try Hot Pumpkin Cereal. It's one of the recipes this week that I wasn't sure what to expect... and it took my tastebuds and some more shredded coconut to get going. What a boost in energy! The one thing I discovered about that meal is that it's really filling and for someone who has eaten light in the mornings I might need a smaller serving. Other reactions to food throughout the day weren't too drastic. I realized at one point, looking over the meal template, that there wasn't a spot for snacks that I had automatically placed in- oops. I don't feel too bad though because my body is adjusting to healthier changes 24/7 for the next 30 days so if my snack is a healthier option, at least for this week, I'm not going to be too hard on myself.
Mainly today was my Sunday routine. Drink coffee, eat breakfast, do devotionals and then usually listen to hymns on youtube, that I'll be playing in church that day, to double check tempi while checking emails and facebook... Goal for next week read... knit... anything other than obsessively check those places.
Triumph: Hannah asked if I had a headache and I honestly said no and once I said that it seemed like my body decided that's what it wanted to do, but after drinking some water no more issues.
Foe: Boiling/Peeling Eggs... The pot did not want to boil and once I got to peeling the eggs I destroyed many of them which will make it interesting when trying to use them for salads.
Final thought- between a lack of sleep or the change of nutrition I am ready to sleep at a more appropriate time. Hopefully I have a restful sleep for what promises to be a fun day after having Tuesday-Friday as snow days for the students and me (except Friday- "optional" work day that I worked... I was going a little stir crazy).
Day 4:
Breakfast: Frittata
Lunch: Spinach Salad w/ Raisins, Almonds, Strawberries, and Pork Roast Meat
Dinner: Pork Roast, Sweet Potato, and Broccoli
Extras: Coffee, and 2 Larabars- one after lunch and one after dinner
Today was a rough start. Once I got coffee in my system and started moving things got better, but I could definitely sense the change of energy stores. I had energy throughout most of the day, but noticed that it was more subdued than usual.
I got to choir rehearsal and reached the point where I was tired. I got back home and should have gone to bed, but instead stayed up a bit which led to it taking longer for me to get to sleep. Particularly with my habit of reading before bed, which at the moment is finishing It Starts With Food and as always the Bible.
Day 5:
Breakfast: Frittata
Lunch: Spaghetti Squash w/ Tomatoes and Chicken
Dinner: Strawberry Coconut Smoothie
Extras: Coffee, 2 Larabars, Nuts, and Hard boiled egg*
Today I felt at points that I was in a fog. After I finished teaching my last class of the day I was just ready to breathe, relax, and regroup, but I had car duty- which I managed to do with a cheerful attitude. Today I was a little more strict with kids, which I felt bad about, but got some amazing pictures and an apology note from the one class that was having a lot of issues listening.
Once I got to the faculty meeting I was ready for some time to breathe and saw the grab what you want candy dish, which wasn't too tempting since I wasn't facing towards it, but there was the realization that if I were staring at it throughout the meeting that it would've been so easy to give in and resulted in extra extras*. Mainly today and yesterday I'm realizing a loss of a source of energy and at this point I'm thinking it's from the sugar intake I normally have. I'm hoping that the transition to a healthier source happens soon because I am beat. I also hope that I continue to sleep well and on that note I'm ending notes for today since I'm starting to yawn... about an hour earlier that where I would reach this exhaustion before whole 30. I truly feel that this whole sleeping longer is for the best.
Day 6 and Day 7...
Didn't keep up with documenting so well... but I completed the first week. I find I'm sleeping better and have only looked at banana pancakes as something to make that I probably shouldn't since it's a food I wanted before.
Also- just out of interest I weighed myself (on day 8... more in the next post) to see what this week meant weight-wise and I'm down 2 lbs. 4.5 lbs more than I was when I graduated high school and the food is tasty, I'll take it.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Whole 30 begins... and life continues...
In February I begin to undertake Whole 30. To clarify, Whole 30 is a "nutritional eating challenge (created by Whole9 in 2009) that focuses on eating a paleo based diet"*. It's based on a diet, but from what I've read, and from discussions with my roommate (who just completed Whole30 in January), it's more about detoxing your body from all of the processed materials in food and focusing on getting the nutrition you need.
Further note: At this point (I weighed myself this morning) I am 6.5 lbs heavier than I was when I graduated high school, which I consider to be a healthy weight. This is not for losing weight, although that is a possibility- I'll include that in reflecting on the process.
I look forward to this focused month+ (February's short) of eating healthy and am excited to see what new recipes I enjoy. It will also be a interesting challenge with all of the Valentine's Day goodies that will be around this month. Today on day 1, I am finding an alternative to coffee creamer (you're not supposed to go with substitutions, but this might have to be my exception) with coconut milk, eggs, and coconut oil. Granted I started this yesterday, because I had ran out of coffee creamer, but I find today that I am accepting the taste of it and there's no sugar in it! For me that's a big deal- I like my coffee sweetened.
Beyond the food, I am hoping to make this a month of detoxing other areas of my life, as well as enhancing my life. I'm hoping to have more reading (really want to make sure I'm track with my group to read the bible in a year), knitting, and exercise this month, and less tv, facebook, online games, etc. Furthermore with extra income, that is not taking my piano lesson money to get special treats for myself such as coffee, fast food, etc, I'll be more focused on getting a nice camera- I'm hoping I'll be able to get it by my birthday this summer (maybe sooner, if I get a job I'm hoping to get this summer- prayer about that would be great and I have the information that I'm in the final stages of the interview process and it would be amazing- would be a great opportunity to take tons of pictures).
That's life right now and I hope to keep everyone more updated with the challenges and insight gained this month.
*from thenakedplate.org
Further note: At this point (I weighed myself this morning) I am 6.5 lbs heavier than I was when I graduated high school, which I consider to be a healthy weight. This is not for losing weight, although that is a possibility- I'll include that in reflecting on the process.
I look forward to this focused month+ (February's short) of eating healthy and am excited to see what new recipes I enjoy. It will also be a interesting challenge with all of the Valentine's Day goodies that will be around this month. Today on day 1, I am finding an alternative to coffee creamer (you're not supposed to go with substitutions, but this might have to be my exception) with coconut milk, eggs, and coconut oil. Granted I started this yesterday, because I had ran out of coffee creamer, but I find today that I am accepting the taste of it and there's no sugar in it! For me that's a big deal- I like my coffee sweetened.
Beyond the food, I am hoping to make this a month of detoxing other areas of my life, as well as enhancing my life. I'm hoping to have more reading (really want to make sure I'm track with my group to read the bible in a year), knitting, and exercise this month, and less tv, facebook, online games, etc. Furthermore with extra income, that is not taking my piano lesson money to get special treats for myself such as coffee, fast food, etc, I'll be more focused on getting a nice camera- I'm hoping I'll be able to get it by my birthday this summer (maybe sooner, if I get a job I'm hoping to get this summer- prayer about that would be great and I have the information that I'm in the final stages of the interview process and it would be amazing- would be a great opportunity to take tons of pictures).
That's life right now and I hope to keep everyone more updated with the challenges and insight gained this month.
*from thenakedplate.org
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