Day 25 - Whole30 - Really? Day 25? Time Flies when you are enjoying the ride

1:14 PM Man, I was busy as soon as I walked in my office door this morning.  So you get a lunch hour post today.

I was out of bed at 6:14 I think.  I was awake earlier, but not much earlier.  The hubby slept better last night, but came to bed rather late.  He was tinkering...he loves to tinker and that makes me happy.  Anyway!  Breakfast was a small leftover turkey avocado burger, smashed cauliflower, and mayo with coconut oil coffee.  And then....I forgot my lunch at home!  I was so proud of myself because I had time to empty the dishwasher, we left home with a clean kitchen, not a single dish in the sink, and the bed was made AND I even had time to curl my hair! I was patting my self on the back all the way to work until I got out of the car and got my 3 bags...my book bag, my purse and my lunch....whoa wait a minute....no lunch bag!  Fortunately my dad meets me at work almost every morning for about a 10 minute visit.  He has a key to my house and he more than willingly went to my house, got my lunch, and brought it back to me.  Do I have the best dad or what?

So - lunch is the same!  Turkey avocado burger, smashed cauliflower and leftover grilled squash.  I know you might be thinking "Doesn't the same thing 3 meals in a row get boring?"  Actually, it does not.  The things I am cooking and eating now are so different that I enjoy getting to really experience the new recipe or the different way of eating.  Bringing my lunch of leftovers beats anything I can get at a restaurant!  I mean seriously, there is only so much eating out in Tahlequah, OK a person can take!  Also I brought a small and larger burger - because you know I am still having a hard time believing I am going to be fine with smaller amounts of food.  I ate the small one and there is no way I can eat the other one too!

This morning I have no idea what my husband and I were talking about that led up to this but he said, "You are not as grumpy anymore"  which he followed with, "I am not saying your are NOT grumpy any more, just not as grumpy."  I choose to just ponder on the, "you are not as grumpy anymore"  I count that as a huge PLUS!

Okay -back to work for now.  Talk to you tonight!

10:47 PM Wow! What a night! At our employee appreciation I ate shrimp with lemon squeezed over it, fresh vegetables and a few blackberries. Afterwards my family and my daughters family went to the carnival! We had a blast! I rode everything! One daughter commented on how great it was that I didn't stand back, afraid to ride because of my size and then she yelled while we were on a ride "let's hear it for the skinny mom". Then to top it off she posted the sweetest "I am proud of you mom" post on Facebook. I just live this new freedom I have! We got home after 10 and I am just not hungry! I am about to go to bed and haven't eaten a thing since about 4:50pm!! 

I am feeling abundantly blessed tonight. I believe this is only the beginning!!

Lots of love!

Whole30 - Day 24 - One day closer!

9:32AM Good Morning!  Up at 6:16 this morning.  Hubby was a bit restless last night and I was awake several times through the evening.  I am hoping he is ok today.  He surely did not get a lot of sleep.  Okay, so I got up and again, it slipped my mind that today was....do you remember....it's Wednesday and what do we do on Wednesday??  That's right, it's "Walk to school day!!!  So I am thankful because I actually did a little bit of preparation last night!  So it didn't take me as long to get my lunch packed and Brandy chose an easy peasy option for lunch.  I ate breakfast while blow drying my hair - gross to some I am sure, at times a necessity for me.  I had steak strips, tomatoes and avocados.  Day 3 for steak in the morning.  It is quite yummy, maybe my favorite!

Last night I got home later than I usually do.  I had planned on cooking my dinner, already knew what I was going to have, but planned on being home at least 30 minutes earlier.  25 days ago I would have been 9 kinds of stressed and worried.  I mean, I ate my lunch at 1:30 and now here is was going to be past 8 when I eat dinner.  That is over 6 hours without food! 25 days ago, I would have been near tears.  Why?  I really don't know.  It was "that kind" of dependence on food.  I am sure deep down I was thinking I was going to die!  Or maybe I felt like a failure because I had let myself go that long without food.  I know it sounds silly but the panic and emotional upset was very real.  Again, I want to tell you, I AM FREE!

I am still pondering over the great message I heard Monday night.  The theme: BE BRAVE!  On Day 1 I was brave, on Day 2 I was Brave, and even on day 3.  I was battling something that was controlling me and once I was in control I didn't need as much bravery.  I will need a certain amount of bravery going forward to stick to this new change.  But not as much as I need on those first few days.  Isn't that true of any fear or issue that controls us that we try to overcome?  We must be extremely brave at the beginning but as we begin to conquer we need a little less Brave.  We become more confident.  We become more skilled.  Choosing not to fear takes Bravery.  Choosing to overcome fear takes Bravery.  Eventually the fear becomes a thing of the past. The quicker we put on the brave the quicker the issue becomes part of our past.

  

I want to encourage you in BRAVERY today.  God will honor this and help you in the process, you are most certainly not along.  Be set Free!!

9:47 PM Well! I am tired! But I am finishing this post and reading a bit more of It Starts With Food before going to bed.  Tonight I made turkey avocado burgers on the grill. The recipe was for chicken avocado burgers - but turkey worked great! I made smashed cauliflower to go with it along will grilled squash. The recipe made 4 burgers. So hello lunch and maybe breakfast! I am still in shock over the mayonnaise I made yesterday! So good!

Tomorrow night I have an employee appreciation banquet that will be serving "heavy hors d'oeuvres"...trying to not get nervous about that and then to the carnival that's in town. I am not worried about eating there at all - ick! But it may be another late night before I get home to eat. Fortunately I have a leftover salmon patty and coleslaw. That will be my dinner, its planned, that should make me feel better.

I really want to talk to everybody about Whole30 - I am so excited and encouraged by the awesomeness of it!

Until tomorrow sweet people!

Whole 30 - Day 23 - Just in Awe!

8:21 AM First of all I was out of bed at 6:06 this morning!  New record for this journey!  We left the house a few minutes ahead of schedule.  So far it's a pretty awesome morning! For breakfast I fried up some more steak strips, cut up a tomato and added some avocado along with black coffee today.

I can't even begin to tell you how much is going through my head lately.  This is and has been a truly wonderful experience.  I mentioned yesterday how I feel like I am finally free.  It's true, I am free!  But, the battle is not over.  I hate to compare my reliance on food to a drug addiction or to an alcohol addiction but yet, to make my point I need to.  Once someone has been "clean" 14 days, 30 day, 60 days, etc., they still have to stand firm in their clean choices.  I don't know if the desire to go back to the old lifestyle ever goes away.  I wonder if there is always a sense of comfort from what was.  I don't expect this battle to be over in the next 7 days.  Nor do I expect it to be over in another 30 days.  As I continue to make progress there will be challenges.  At this point I am confident that I will overcome but I am not so prideful to think it will be easy and not require effort.

I feel like my body and my brain are communicating far better than ever before.  I had a friend who talked about "listening to her body" a lot.  When she was tired, she slept.  When she woke up, she got up.  I am beginning to understand this.  It's very clear to me in the evening.  I just get to a point that I am tired, undeniably tired.  So I have been getting to bed a bit earlier.  Last week I was waking up before 5AM - that was crazy!  But I decided this week I was going to try to get up, like out of bed, when I wake up.  The past two nights I have slept pretty hard and have woke up with my alarm. This morning I easily, almost without thought, got out of bed just a few minutes earlier.  When eating my mind and my eyes are dismayed be the much smaller amounts of food that I eat.  But they are quickly swayed into satisfaction as I begin to eat.  I am not stressing nearly as much about food and yes, starvation, as I was.

I am still pondering over last nights message.  The speaker and the message struck a deep chord with me.  I am still trying to process through it.  I can tell you this, God has been so good to show me lately just how far I have come in many areas of my life, my physical day to day life, and my spiritual life.  I am so encouraged by this.  I feel like I am standing on a mountain top looking down at all my past struggles, disappointments, and failures.  You would think the view would't be so pretty.  But it is magnificent.  I don't resent all these things, I embrace them, because they have made me into a better person, a happier person, a person full of peace and joy.

8:47 PM So tonight since I am just cooking for myself - I have class and get home after everyone has eaten - I cooked salmon patties (My daughter calls them crabby patties and yes - she eats them!) I planned to make the Whole30 mayonnaise but was thinking "no way"! This stuff is amazing! It blows store bought mayo out of the water! I made tartar sauce out of it and used it to make cole slaw. My dinner was the bomb!!! 

Oh goodness! I didn't tell you about lunch! Leftover grilled chicken, fresh spinach, dices tomatoes and avocado.

Today has been a non stop day and I am so thankful I have the energy and desire to get through it boldly! I have a couple of things to do before bed. I feel an exceptional sleep coming on!!

Thank you again for reading!!

Day 22 - Whole30 - Have I mentioned how awesome this is?

8:54 AM I am anticipating a busy day.  But, I am ready for it.  I have clear thinking, focus, and energy...not to mention I am in a great mood.  Have I mentioned how awesome it is to feel this way? And did I mention I feel like this EVERYDAY.  I am just praising the Lord for Whole30!  Some of you may laugh at that thought - but I know God intends good for me, He intends great health for me.  He is blessing my efforts to be responsible for this one body He has blessed me with.

This morning was quite the yummy breakfast.  Breakfast I think is where I have to step outside the box the most on this program.  I cooked up some lean steak strips in olive oil and warmed up the other half of the sweet potato I didn't eat last night.  I ate that with my coconut oil coffee. Steak is totally yummy for breakfast and the sweet potato is like a luscious treat! This morning I also did not have to force it down.  I still wasn't "hungry" but I wasn't all ick about having to eat breakfast. I woke up this morning at about 5:40 and got out of bed at 6:16.  I have told myself, this week, I will get out of bed when I wake up just to see what happens.  I could really like this getting up much earlier all on my own, no alarm, nobody else up, yes, there could be some serious awesomeness in this.

OHHHHHHH and the new Whole 30 book should arrive at my house today!  Being the nerdy reader that I am I will not read it until I finish reading It Starts with Food cover to cover. Perfect timing though if you ask me.  If I decide to do back to back Whole30's my next one will start on May 6th.  That gives me 9 days to finish the first book and jump into the second.  Perfect!

Let me tell you this as well.  Bless my husbands heart.  He has been through so many ups and downs with me trying to lose weight and become more healthy.  His "gift" is not encouragement or support so to speak.  His heart is totally there - but what is in his heart doesn't come out of his mouth very well.  He tries though.  Either I am just feeling so much better and I am so much LESS emotional with this program OR he is greatly improving in his ability to voice encouragement and support.  I have asked him a couple of times if he was okay with how this was going....meaning how my doing whole 20 is affecting him.  He has said he is good every time.  I think he enjoys the eating more at home and the things we are cooking.  We talked last night and I asked him how he felt about me doing another Whole30 - meaning 60 straight days.  The biggest area I think it could affect him in a negative way is when we do go out to eat we have to consider what is available for me to eat.  We talked specifically about that.  He is totally in support.  He basically said it is obvious that this is working and so we have to keep going forward.  This morning he showed me a profile picture he took of me of March 25th and tried to explain that I have really become smaller.  Of course I look at it and don't really know.  So he makes me take another profile picture this morning to compare the March 25th picture to.  I think I see it!  That is probably the most supportive thing he has done for me. I have a good man.  He does make me totally crazy sometimes, but he is a good man!
 10:14 and super tired! Wonderful blessed night! Hearing Carrie speak was amazing. Meeting her was amazing! Having all 3 of my daughters with me and my friend Kandra was amazing! They had an amazing taco bar as well which I navigated with ease. A little chicken, guacamole, tomatoes and lettuce. I added some chicken that I had brought with me which led to another completely successful whole 30 day! 

I am sure I will have more I say about tonight when I blog tomorrow. 

Lots of love - I am off to sleepy land!

3 Weeks on Whole 30 - I won't turn back even if I could!

9:17 PM  I just realized I haven't written any thing all day! 

This morning I scrambled up 3 eggs with onion and spinach and had some black coffee.  I only at about 2/3 of it.  For lunch we went out....again.....I had a 6 oz steak, salad with lemon juice as dressing and green beans.  I went grocery shopping - spent a little over $100 and that included extra for cooking dinner for my folks tonight.  So I really should finish this Whole30 for about $400 for the month for my entire family.  I have tossed some things that spoiled before we ate them, so with a little better planning skills it will be even less. I think this is pretty reasonable.

Tonight we grilled steaks, chicken, brats, and hot dogs along with summer squash, zucchini, and onions.  I love grilled veggies.  I also cooked a sweet potato.  Let me tell you that sweet potato rocked!  Let me also tell you I need that home cooked meal instead of eating out.  As I have been cleaning up the kitchen I have my lunch prepared for tomorrow and a back up dinner as my daughters, a friend and I are going to a Women's Spring Banquet at my best friends church.  I am so excited - I am pretty sure I have posted that the speaker is the blogger that, through her posts of her Whole30 journey, convinced me to take my Whole30 journey! 

People are starting to comment on my weight.  Like, A LOT!  I am getting very excited to weigh in on day 31.  I honestly don't know what to expect.  I wonder if I will be shocked or disappointed.  How could I be disappointed if the weight loss is significant that people are noticing and commenting?  I am an odd creature - it could happen.  I have a number that has stayed in my head even though I have tried to shake it...if it is less than that number I am afraid I will be disappointed.  I am going to try to be realistic...hello it will have only been 30 days! 

On paper it is looking like a busy week.  I know I will be ok,, but I want to be more than ok and I know that is all within my power. 

Okay - one more thing for today and I will be done.

Today as I was talking to my pastor about Whole30 (because he noticed my weight loss) I told him, like verbalized, "This is really the first time in my life I feel like I am in control of my food."  This made me think of 2 Corinthians 10:5 -  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ,  I have been able to apply this scripture to many areas of my life and in some very difficult situations.  I have never been able to take captive my thoughts over food.  NEVER.  Now that I can, I can't help but to be convinced I am on a good path with this Whole30. 

Thank again for reading!  As always - feel free to comment or facebook me! 

D. J.

Whole 30 - Day 20 - wonderful day!

2:53 PM I only thought I was tired last night! My fitbit has me at almost 15000 steps and I still have lots of daylight left!

This morning at about 7:10 I are a half of an apple and had my coffee with coconut oil. I do not like to eat much before a race so I planned on having breakfast afterwards. My goal today for the race was to get in the 43s...as in less than 44 minutes. I came in at 43 minutes 54 seconds! Then we did not go eat breakfast - instead we came home and changed and headed to the festival. The strip the festival is on is about 3/4 of a mile and I walked up and down at least 4 times! It's a beautiful day though and I see so many people I know plus it just exciting to see how this festival has grown and how many people are visiting our city. 

We had lunch early at a local diner. It was just after 11:00. I am sure the meat was probably not very "organic-y" but I still count it as a success. I ordered a hamburger patty with grilled onions and mushrooms and a side salad. I couldn't eat all of it! That's always exciting! 

So I came home and showered. I swear I had 4 layers on sunblock on me and I still burned! Ugh! Oh well. It's been a fabulous day. I am going to read a bit and take a nap and then who knows what!!

9:02 AM Here is what I am thinking.  I ate dinner out Thursday night, I ate lunch and dinner out yesterday, I ate lunch out today and my folks brought over grilled KFC for dinner tonight.  I am not loving it.  I feel different, less satisfied I guess. Bottom line, I am not loving it.  I had the grilled chicken tonight, some green beans and I made a spinach salad with vinegar an oil.  I was totally not satisfied.  I added an apple and some almond butter.  That was about 3 hours ago and I feel like I could actually eat right now.  I haven't felt this in over two weeks.  My hubby has just put on his shoes to go get more food for him as he is hungry too after dinner.  I am having to just suck it up and deal.  I will be ok.  It's just an eye opener at how eating out repeatedly can so quickly have an affect. 

I decided to go ahead and post that I have had a successful day - doing so, I know I won't fall off the wagon tonight.  I will, however, have some herbal tea and I plan to have a significant vegetable omelet tomorrow! 

One more thing.  Last week I started waking up on my own, before my alarm, at around 4:00 AM!  Crazy!  If you have been reading my posts you know I am not getting out of bed until after 6:00.  Last night we had a more active than normal night and I went to bed about an hour later than normal.  I still woke up before 6:00 and I actually got up!  I just meandered about and my husband woke up so we visited.  It was odd.  This whole waking up before my alarm is odd.  But I am learning that my body has a lot to say...you know, I am paying more attention to it.  This has just been an interesting journey. 

I don't know if I have posted this but some people choose to do a Whole45 or a Whole60 based on what happens during their Whole30. I am thinking I may be one of those that would benefit from doing the Whole45 or Whole60. 

Okay - that my post for tonight all!

Lots of love!

Whole 30 - Day 19 - Planning/Preparing for the weekend

11:17 AM - Hello friends!  

This morning was simply two eggs fried in olive oil and black coffee.  I was out of bed at 6:17.  This morning was more rushed than I would like - again, I could have done prep work the night before and didn't.  Have I mentioned that I actually have a "PM List" that is laminated that I have used maybe twice!  If I would use it I sure would save myself a lot of head ache.  That may be my focus next week.  

Let's talk about the weekend which basically starts when I get off work at 5:00.  It is Red Fern Festival weekend! I love love love the festival.  We have an amazing car show, lots of vendors, and....LOTS of food!  We have friends coming over from Arkansas and tonight we are going out to dinner.  We have planned on where we are taking them, so I have an eating plan.  If we don't go there I am going to have to be focused and committed to sticking to it.  Tomorrow will be very up in the air as far as eating.  I run in the morning so I will have an egg and fruit with coffee.  Lunch and Dinner - no idea!  So tonight I am preparing and packing enough food to take care of lunch and dinner.  Tonight will be busy, tomorrow will be ALL DAY at the festival and into the evening.  Sunday I will be tired!  A nap will be a priority on the list!  But I will also have to take care of everything I normally spread over Saturday and Sunday, which includes grocery shopping.  I plan to be successful through this weekend! 

Hopefully I won't be too out of it tonight to post!  I plan to keep you updated through the weekend!

9:55 PM I am tired! This afternoon for lunch we took our secretary out to lunch.  I had a spinach salad with chicken and walnuts. They had olive oil and lemon juice that I used for dressing. It wasn't too exciting or overly flavorful.  Our friends don't get here until about 7:30...that means I didn't eat dinner until after 8:00. I will not lie, I was hungry and panicking about it. Fortunately no body died. This was my most tempting meal of my whole30. We ate at my favorite pizza place tonight. My favorite appetizer and pizza were ordered. I ordered their wonderful salad with chicken and brought my own dressing. I would have loved to have had a piece of both. But how I have been doing and how I have been feeling won out. I made it through day 19!! 

Hoping for a great run tomorrow and a fun day at the festival!!

Thanks for reading!!

DAY 18 - Whole30 - Wowzers!

8:48 AM.  Let's talk a little bit more about yesterday first.  I didn't blog about it yesterday because it kind of threw me for a loop - but I stayed the course thank you very much!  I was more emotional than normal yesterday and cravings came out of no where!  It was a bit of a mental battle yesterday.  Having control over my food for the past two weeks has allowed me to change my stinking thinking.  I was able to grab hold of the cravings and tell my self - I am in control!, This craving will not add health to my body, I am not hungry.  Things like that.  I can guarantee you 19 days ago I would not have been able to do that.

This morning I sauteed up some bell pepper, broccoli and onion in olive oil and then added two beat eggs (with a bit of water) and it was very yummy.  I had plain old black coffee today - I don't know why, it just sounded good.  I was out of bed by 6:15 and was able to eat breakfast at the table with Brandy.  We were ready in plenty of time.  There were a couple of things I would have liked to have taken care of before we left - but again, I am getting there.  This new shift of routine is interesting and rewarding.  On our way to school we realized we forgot a hat for Brandy - it is Hat Day at school.  We had plenty of time to turn around and head back to the house.  That luxury was nice!

Okie dokie pokie!  That's all I have time for this morning!

9:42 PM Hello there! It's just about bed time! So just a quick post. Lunch - I ate in a mad rush! It was leftover cabbage with the hamburger pico mixture and avocado.  I did over 3 miles tonight and it felt amazing! Like wow - it's been a while since it felt that good! Dinner was at almost 8:00. I had a hard time with dinner tonight - I just didn't want to eat. Mazzios hit the spot! Lettuce olives eggs baby carrots and peppers with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I am continually amazed at how little food it takes to be totally happy!

I am quite excited about Monday! I am going to meet the young lady that wrote the blog that convinced me to do this Whole30!

Ok - TTFN!!

Whole 30 - Day 17 - Can you believe it!?!?

9:42 AM It's going to be another fantastic day! Breakfast this morning was simply two eggs fried in olive oil and my coffee with coconut oil.  Silly me, I totally forgot today was "Walk to School Day" so we were in a mad rush to get ready!  Again, even though I forgot, even though we were rushed, I was calm and focused.  No stress!  I was up in between 6:10 and 6:15!  We made it to "Walk to School Day" and all is well!  I must say again though, some prep work last night would have made this morning smoother.  I could have prepared my lunch in it's container.  I could have prepared Brandy's lunch too.  Plus I waited until this morning to go through her school bag.  I had plenty of unrushed time last night.  I will get there!

Here is a little funny for today.  I purchased a hair straightener that will work on wet hair!  I am thinking - HUGE time savings!  Well, I don't straighten my hair right now at all.  So there is that little glich - not being very efficient with the whole process of straightening.  Much to my regret - it simply does not dry as fast as the blow dryer!  I am going to keep working with it in hopes that maybe the process will become smoother - I am not overly hopeful though!

9:03 PM another day is in the books.  This evening my old habits were trying to pop up. But I kept them at bay! I had some Alaskan cod with summer squash and broccoli. I put ghee on the veggies. It was good! 

I did not have dinner planned so it could have been disastrous tonight. Now that I am more in control than the food I am able to make much more calm and realistic decisions. But let me say - I prefer planning rather than shooting from the hip! I am working in my menu for next week and for finishing this week. Planning and pre-prepping are your friends.

A very personal note now. It has nothing to do with Whole30. I have been blessed to have 2 spiritual moms. Women who have grown my up in my relationship with God. Today one of them had a stroke. I know it is almost time for her to go to our Heavenly home. My heart is sad and glad at the same time. I am sure I will be shedding a few tears tonight as I think about one of the most precious women in my life.

As always - thanks for reading! Please comment here or on my Facebook! Much love to all!

Whole 30 - Day 16 - Let's give them something to talk about!

9:17 AM.  It has been a fantastic morning even though I ended up eating my breakfast in the car!  It's a good thing I am focused on progress and not perfection!  I had two turkey roll ups (spinach in the middle) these things are quite tasty. Don't forget my coffee with coconut oil.

I have a lot to say today...I think I have had a lot to say a lot lately! I hope you enjoy it!

First - someone asked me today about the cost of doing this plan.  I don't know if anybody noticed, but I haven't gone to the grocery store this week.  That is because the food I have purchased over the last two weeks is still going!  I did by 2 pounds of beef and 2 dozen eggs from the health food store the end of last week that was about $20.00.  So seriously - here I am at week 3 and have spent less than $250.00.  That's buying mostly compliant protein and some organic produce.  Also, the price of compliant protein here in our little town is quite a bit more expensive than going to a Sprouts or WholeFoods in Tulsa.  I am planning to start a monthly trip to purchase the protein.  Also, I am eating out A LOT LESS!  I think I may do a comparison to what we spent eating out last month to this month when I am done.  Finally, I am not throwing out food!  I am trying to buy just what we need and most of it is fresh now so buying just what we need decreases the chances of throwing it out if it goes bad.  We are also eating our leftovers now!

Here is an interesting thing I have noticed.  My husband and 7 year old are grazer/snackers.  Since I have started this Whole30, I have been cooking more at home - this includes breakfast and dinner.  I pack my lunch.  I have always packed my 7 year olds lunch..this isn't a new thing.  Okay, so I notice there is A LOT less snacking going on in our house!  I mean A LOT!  There have been 3 consecutive days that my husband did not have an evening snack.  They just happen to be on days that we cooked.  There have been meals that he has eating only the protein and veggies...he didn't eat the carb that I cook for him and Brandy.  Plus, they are clueless that they now eat fresh local eggs and more natural protein choices!  I should have weighed my husband when I started this! Ha Ha!

I have a friend who chit chats with me every now and then that is on Whole30.  I just love it because unless you are on this - you don't understand the awesomeness of it!  You just don't realize how bad you feel and how stupid your choices have been until you do this.  I have friends asking me more about this!  I have friends telling me they know someone else that has done this.  One even told me her doctor has done it and "kinda" mentioned it to her!

Let me jump back to my morning real quick.  Hubby and I snuggled again until 6:20.  Have I mentioned how much I like snuggling with him.  Keep a clean mind now - it really is just cuddling.  So, I was up later than I planned.  I had a few more things I wanted to take care of before the housekeeper got there.  I jumped back into an old habit.  I made my breakfast and packed my lunch as I was on my way out the door.  Two things I was to focus on here.  Even though it was one of the hairy mornings - I did not yell at my daughter or my husband one single time!  I was not stressed and emotionally upset.  I was fine!  Totally fine.  This is not the routine I desire to have everyday, even though it turned out more than fine, I like the new habit I am forming better.  The second thing is the importance of having options ready at all times.  When we have grilled I have grilled extra pork and chicken.  When I have done crock pot things I do a bit bigger batch.  I have compliant food ready!  When I chop or even cook veggies, I chop and cook more than we need.  This morning I went to the frig, pulled out some meat and put in a to go container, added some sauerkraut to it (I bought a large jar of it so I could easily store it in the frig for multiple use) and BAM I have lunch in less than 60 seconds!  The turkey lunch meat - less than a minute to make two roll ups!

I told you I had some things to say today! I will be back later, you can count on it!

1:53 PM Don't worry! I am not as talkative as I was this morning!  Just ate my lunch - pork and sauerkraut.  Yummy!  It's been a busy day, but not overly productive so I need to get to it!

8:50 PM late night! I had class until about 7:15 and then I had to run to Wal-Mart. I got home at about 8:00. I fried up some hamber and added pico to it in the skillet. I shredded up some cabbage and put it on a plate, put a nice amount of the hamburger mixture on top of the cabbage and then....you guessed it! Avocado on top. I was feeling the hunger on my way home so I was a bit worries that I might lose control. Nope! I am as groovy as they come!! 

It's been a great day! Have I mentioned how much I am loving this program?!? 

Lots of love!!

Day 15 - Actually I guess today is half way - Whole30

9:36 AM  Good morning!  I was out of bed by 6:12!  Woohoo!  I am getting there!  This morning I made some turkey lunch meat rollups - filled with raw spinach and about a teaspoon of pico.  I made three rollups.  The slices of turkey were about 5 - 6 inches across.  I fried Brandy her egg and we sat down to eat.  I ate one roll up and was good to go.  I had no desire to eat anymore.  So....I now have two rollups and a grapefruit in my lunch bag!

I have been thinking the past few days about how easy this has been.  I have come to the conclusion that the eating has indeed been easy.  I have talked about a few habits over the past couple of weeks.  Habits along with just changing the way we function each day - our lifestyle - those are the hard parts.  It's hard to change what we have done for many many years!  It is hard to change your morning routine.  It is hard to plan ahead and to be prepared.  We say - life is too busy, I don't have time.  It's a lie we tell ourselves, or, truth be told, a lie satan has planted and we have believed.  Some of you may be saying - "satan? Sure, whatever" but I am telling you, he sneaks in to cause choas, stress and ill health.  John 10:10 is pretty point blank on this! satan comes to steal, kill and destroy!  He steals, kills and destroys our peace, our hope for health, our attempts to live a quality life with our family.  This viscous cycle of being busy and never having time is a cycle we have been led into thanks to satan.  God does not desire this for us.  Read the end of John 10:10.  Jesus came that we might have life MORE ABUNDANTLY!  More joy, more health, more quality of life.  Don't even get me started on the lies of satan that we have believed about our selves and our self image.  God is blessing me greatly this journey, not only with steps in improving my health, but with my goal to make a lifestyle change that improves quality for myself and my family.  He is opening my eyes to life in these areas as He would have them to be.  God desires the best for us and when we make honest efforts to make better decisions for our lives, He is good to honor our efforts.  I just love God!

More later gators!

9:09 PM What an odd evening it has been. My hubby we as home early so we got to got out to dinner with my dad. We went the hubby and dads preferred Mexican restaurant and I had my trusty Pollo Loco. It. Was. Not. Awesome! Lol! But I was fine! Since it was so early we got home early for the evening and I have just been able to piddle around.  Our housekeeper comes tomorrow so of course I have to pick up before she gets here. I have read a little bit too. I have one more task to take care of and off to bed to read some more! I am trying to read "It starts with food" completely before my new whole30 book arrives! I preordered it and it is released tomorrow!!! 

A couple of things to note at this point. I have had minor swelling issues in my feet and legs for years! I noticed yesterday my feet had ZERO swelling, checked my legs, ZERO! I am definitely more relaxed and like steady all day long. I am focused and plowing through work from 8 all the way until 5! At 4:30 I am not thinking about taking a power nap when I get home. These are significant pluses!!

Now we are officially half way through this Whole30!

Day 14 - 2 weeks baby!

I9:21 AM I can't believe today marks the end of weeks.  Really. It does not feel like it has been 2 weeks. I think now though is when the rubber needs to meet the road. Solidifying my new habits! This morning I did not want to get up and fix breakfast. So I didn't! But I knew I had thick sliced turkey deli meet. I threw some raw spinach in 2 slices and rolled them up and ate them...in the car :-(. New habits making a new lifestyle is really hard. Creating a new normal is hard. However, it is time! It is the right thing to do and the bible tells us time and time again to never tire of doing what is right. 

Today we plan to go to te movies. I don't really plan to "snack" on anything. I am a little scared at attempting this. I do plan to have a large ice water with lime. Ican do it! Of course I will let you know how it goes! 

7:00 PM we ended up come to the 7:15 movie instead of a matinee. So, I ate dinner before we came. More of the crock pot chicken with pico and lime juice. I also brought a small container of macadamia nuts as my snack. I just could not do it cold turkey. I got a large ice water. I am sure I am good to go. Lunch was interesting. We went to Chinese and I thought it would be easy peasy! The buffet has titles of the dishes and they used to list which ones were diabetic friendly or south beach diet compliant. They didn't have those! So I know which dishes have sugar and I I wasn't sure I just avoided it. If the sauces looked thickened I didn't partake. I got a lot of cabbage, just cabbage, a dish that is eggs and cabbage and a chicken stir fry type dish. I was totally satisfied before i had eaten everything. All is well! I think we are just a couple of hours away from officially having a successful 2 weeks!

9:32 PM success! I am glad I took the nuts! Lol! Pretty darn good movie too - Paul Blart Mall Cop 2. I know the ACMs are still on but I think I am headed to bed early to read a bit. 

I am so proud of making it 2 weeks! I am really going to make it the Whole30!!

Lots of love!!

Day 13 - I really can't believe this!

8:46 AM.  Good morning. Well, its the weekend.  It's pouring!  My plan for this morning is totally shot!  I planned on getting up, going to breakfast with my dad, go clean my car, farmers market and then grocery shop.  Planned on being home by noon because I get to keep my grandson today!  So instead I just ate my breakfast - pico burger patty, pico and avocado!  I am totally making more pico today - a lot more! 

I want to express my amazement at how truly easy this whole 30 has been.  I have been afraid to believe it's easy because I have been expecting "the hard part" to kick in.  I also have trouble finding words to explain the ease.  I do not have any trouble eating what is on the plan and not eating what is restricted from the plan.  In talking to my Whole30 gals last night we did discuss that since what we are allowed to eat is so wonderful and really decadent that we simply don't feel like we are really being deprived of anything. The book (It Starts with Food) talks about making the decision to only eat things that will bring health to our body.  Why this hasn't really clicked with me before is beyond me!  But it also got me thinking this is the only body we get and God gave us this body.  We have an obligation to take care of this gift, just as with any gift God gives us.  I can look in the mirror and see that I have failed in this task miserably!  But the good news - God doesn't give up on us!  His desire is for us to be fit and healthy and He will help us on this journey to make the most of the body He gave us.  I also believe wholeheartedly that He will heal the damage we have done to ourselves through the years of eating abuse.  Doesn't this excite you! I am not a preacher so let me direct you to a good read http://www.faithandhealthconnection.org/weekly-health-scripture-romans-121/

I am contemplating adding a couple of other goals for the next two weeks.  I have backed off of activity goals/focus because I didn't want to overwhelm myself. I don't think I will do anything too crazy but maybe a daily step goal with a weekly mileage goal.  I also haven't been focused on water consumption.  That's an easy add it.  I can track both of these using my fitbit.  I am going to think about this today  and tomorrow and make a decision. 

That's all for this morning.

8:47 PM Today has been a bit on the difficult side.  I was tempted to throw in the towel, I am not going to lie.  Lunch happened late, like 2:00.  I warmed up some chicken from yesterday and had some pico and an avocado with it.  As I mentioned my morning did not go as planned.  That threw me for a bit of a loop.  Lunch was late - which was fine but my day was just off step.  We invited the parents over for dinner and they wanted to bring KFC.  I said that was fine but asked if they would get some grilled pieces for me, to which they willingly obliged.  I thought doing my own sides would be a good idea so I put a sweet potato in the oven.  They arrived, I had put my sweet potato in the microwave to finish cooking it through....apparently 10 minutes is WAY to long to cook a sweet potato in the microwae...I burned that puppy like no other - not one bite was salvageable.  On top of that KFC grilled chicken is horrible! Just horrible!  I had some green beans and carrots with this lame chicken!  I was not happy and I was not satisfied.  I tried for a couple of hours to get over it but finally made a couple of eggs with pico and did not eat all of it because I got satisfied! Odd.  I didn't go off plan at all. Yes, I hate that I was tempted.  It's been so easy so far. I am a little bummed. I guess all that matters is that I am still on plan. Praying for more focus and confidence tomorrow.

Just a little FYI - when I type this at the end of the day it seals my day for sure.  I will not slip up and have anything else for the night as I have already posted that I had success.

As always, thank you for reading!

Day 12 - Are my clothes fitting looser?

8:11 AM.  Today I feel charged up and ready to go!  I am mean seriously in a FANTASTIC mood!  Lord help my office mates!  I just turned up Happy by Pharrell and played it as loud as possible - the whole office danced to the whole song!  This isn't the first time we have done this.  I love my office!  I didn't even sleep that well last night - my husband got in bed on top of the sheet and slept that way...the whole night!  I didn't bother him though, he got home at almost midnight.  I love my husband too.

Okay - so this morning I got up at 6:15!!  I changed it up a bit.  I got in the shower first, then put my product in my wet hair and started my skincare.  Then I got dressed.  Finished skincare.  Now while I work on breakfast my moisturizer can soak in to my skin and my hair can begin to dry - cutting down drying time!  I made breakfast - two eggs with home made pico de gallo mixed in, scrambled. Topped with avocado.  I had regular black coffee today.  I also fried up some hamburger with complaint beef - thank you Oasis Health Food store - with pico de gallo mixed in the patties.  I am having one for lunch today with asparagus and ghee.

Now let me tell you what I did last night.  We got home at at 9:00.  I had ran to the store to get some chicken and all the fixings for pico de gallo!  Why? Because tonight is women's fellowship at church and I am trying to make sure I have compliant options.  The 8 chicken breast are in the crock pot right now - seasoned with cumin, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt and pepper.  When I get home I will shred it up in the crock pot and it will be delicious!  I also made a good batch of the pico de gallo!  For myself, as a back up plan, I will take fresh spinach, avocado, and the other hamburger I cooked this morning.  I feel confident this evening will post no threats to my continued success!

This is going to be a great day!  I will do my best to be back around the noon hour!

9:47 AM  Bonus snippet: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up(1 Thessalonians 5:11). I am very thankful that I made this journey public.  I appreciate the conversation, encouragement and  motivation from my friends!  It is helping a great deal!

9:42 PM  It has been a really great day!  For lunch today I got to go to the park with my oldest daughter!  I happily ate my hamburger patty and asparagus.  The women's spring banquet at church was fantastic and eating went very well thanks to that preplanning! 

Today I got to chit chat real briefly the two friends who are doing this too and that was fun! 

Today I also experienced the ENERGY!  The steady stream of power all day long!  Focus, patience, control, ease.  It is fabulous! I am loving this!  And yes, I do believe my pants are fitting looser!  To be sure I am going to was and dry them real good this weekend and try them on again.  Seriously, I will do this. 

I love this Whole30.  I love not being controlled by food.  I love being in control.  I love the pure ease.  I love how I am feeling. 

Ending with lots of love today!

D. J.

Day 11 - Really?

9:37 AM.  I am a bit chatty this morning so this may be a longer than normal morning post!

I actually had to look at my calendar today to make sure I was on Day 11.  I found that funny.  This morning I wanted to revert to my normal.  I didn't want to get up earlier and make breakfast.  I just wanted to get up, get ready, and eat a granola bar in the car with my coffee.  But I made myself get up at 6:20 and head to the kitchen.  I picked up the kitchen from last night, made me scrambled eggs with leftover roast cut up in them.  Also has a sliced tomato along with my coffee and coconut oil.  I had to seriously rush to be completely ready before I went out the door.  So I did it!  I am proud of myself for not giving in to normal and for moving forward on creating a new normal.

For the past few days I have had a sweet metallic taste in my mouth.  Strong sweet metallic taste.  So much so, this past weekend I fixed a glass of water, took a drink and thought that the cup must be dirty because I could taste sweet in it.  I was mad dang it...here I am avoiding sugar and someone put a dirty sugar laden cup in the cabinet.  I pulled out another cup and the same thing happened.  So then I decided it must be something going on with our water.  Until I got to work on Tuesday and filled my glass here up from the water filling station. It tasted the same.  I started thinking about it.  My coffee had the same taste and the taste was in my mouth in the mornings.  I googled it today.  It can be caused by a lot of things, but one is a dramatic change in diet.  It should only be temporary.  I hope so, it's kinda nasty.

Today and tomorrow I will start working on a tentative menu for the next 2 weeks!  I am excited!  I am also planning a trip to the farmers market Saturday morning, even more excited!

Okay - that's all for this morning!  Until the noon hour.

10:00 PM looks like I missed the noon hour! I had left over roast and asparagus - oh and that nasty taste in my mouth! 

Dinner was Pollo Loco at an Mexican restaurant! This stuff is so good I decided to include a pic of it!  I did not have a single chip!

I found out today a friend secretly started whole30 a day after I did! I am so excited for both of us! I have another friend that started maybe this week! It's fantastic!

I "wogged" a couple of miles tonight - it's still not feeling great. But it's coming. Oh!! I did have a half of apple and almond butter before I went wogging. 

Good night friends!

Day 10 Whole30 - This ROCKS!

8:29 AM.  Good morning!  Wow - I almost feel like wonder woman today.  I got up at 6:16 - please note that is 4 minutes earlier than yesterday and had to get busy! Today is "Walk to School" day, so we leave a good 10 minutes earlier than normal.  I got up, emptied the dishwasher, put a roast in the crock pot with new potatoes and I peeled and cut up carrots and put in it too. BAM!  Dinner for tonight - which will be busy because it is church night.  I made my breakfast and Brandy's breakfast and even fried up some ham for my man.  I had two eggs fried in ghee and a sliced tomato - darn it, I just realized a could have had a half of an avocado too.  Oh well.  I quickly ate my breakfast so I could get ready in time to leave for "Walk to School" day.  I left the house without make up but was able to put it on before anybody arrived at the designated parking lot for "Walk to School" day.  Can you tell "Walk to School" Day is a big day in our house!

Let me take a second to give props to my husband here.  In my wonder woman flitter this morning I asked if he could make the bed.  He said yes, and he made it very well :-) Also, last night, I asked for help cleaning the kitchen before I started homework.  He said he would take care of it.  I spent over 2 hours on homework and sure enough - he cleaned the kitchen and started the dishwasher.  Things like this go FAR with me.  They scream, "I love you and support you!"  I am smiling as I type this.

Okay - so here we are at day 10.  My confidence seems to increase each day that I will be able to complete this full 30 days!  I have read that some people do a Whole45 or a Whole60.  I might be tempted since it has been fairly easy so far.  Today I actually think my pants are fitting looser.  I so hope this blog will encourage others to give it a whirl.  My friend Erin started it 2 days ago!

1:03 PM Lunch was simply my leftover scallops and mashed cauliflower broccoli.  It looked like such a small amount of food when I packed it this morning.  Seriously, there was a little bit of panic - what if I starve!?! I had to use some positive self talk and remind myself that A) I will not starve B) I just don't need as much food any more!  It was yummy!  Its nice too, that when it comes lunch time I don't have to decide where I am going to go and what I am going to eat.  This was a daily stressor for me.  Now it is gone.  Preparation and Planning - they do wonders!  The same for dinner - it's in the crock pot! It will be ready when I get home! No worries, no scrambling to feed the family and myself before church.  This Whole30 is becoming an even more awesome change than what I expected.

9:12 PM. My roast carrots and avocado was good! I found out mustard is compliant so I had some on my roast. I had kids tonight at church and we always have snack and candy. When I say "we" I mean me too! Tonight I did not partake. It wasn't hard - just odd. I am enjoying a cup of herbal tea now. Planning on bed pretty quick where I will read some and I think hubby and I are going to watch an episode of blue bloods. I love doing that! I think Netflix is the bomb! 

Kind of a so so post...I will try to be more exciting tomorrow - on Day 11!!!

Day 9 Whole30 - Just keep swimming Just keep swimming

11:44 AM Oh goodness!  I have thought maybe once this morning, "Oh I need to start my blog for the day" but then got busy and I just thought of it again.  Today I am busy busy.  Since I missed work yesterday I am getting caught up today, which hasn't been bad, just fast and furious.  I got up this morning by 6:20 - I am really trying to get up earlier - and made a fried egg in ghee/olive oil for myself and made Brandy her ham and toast.  I absolutely did not want to eat so I literally only had one egg.  By the way - Brandy did go to school today and I think she will be ok :-).  I also had my coffee and coconut oil.  At this point in time I am thinking I should have eaten more as I am getting a little shakey.  I won't eat my lunch right now because I would have to eat it super fast before class.  Also - food still does not sound appealing.  Like I am getting hungry but don't particularly "want" anything.

8:34 PM Whew it has been a non stop day!  And it's not over!  So a quick post then on to taxes and homework!  Lunch today - I put a leftover pork chop into a container and threw some sauerkraut on top of it.  When I warmed it up at lunch it was beyond yummy!  Like crazy yummy!  Hunger has remained minimal and my desire to snack during the work day is zilch!  I do notice I am more focused from the start of the day through until 5:00.  Last week I was experiencing a bit of a crash at about 5:30.  Not the past few days.  Today I am still going.  I can tell I am getting tired but will be good for another couple of hours. 

Okay for dinner - I splurged!  I made myself 12 scallops!  Rarely do I eat seafood, good seafood and not feet guilty because I love butter or tartar sauce on the seafood.  So I made the scallops with ghee.  I planned on eating all 12 - I could only eat 6.  I also made more mashed cauliflower and added broccoli to kinda up the flavor.  It worked.  I am surprised by how little I ate and feel totally satisfied.  I am keeping the food pretty basic through this week.  Next week I plan to try a couple of recipes  to shake it up a bit. 

I asked my husband how HE was doing with our eating plan for the past 9 days.  He said it's good!  I try to make a starch of some sort for him to accompany what we are all eating.  I think he is enjoying that we are eating home cooked food more often than not now. 

I am still excited, I am encouraged, and more and more hopeful!

Thanks for reading!

D. J.

Whole30 Day 8 - Hello week 2!

9:38 AM.  I am so excited to be starting week 2!  I am proud of myself.  This morning I got out of bed at 6:16 and started the coffee and started breakfast.  I had two fried eggs, fried in ghee (by the way I think ghee is amazing and a must)  and a small sliced tomato.  I am confused by the fact I am not hungry and I don't really want to eat.  I know I read something about this in the book.  I need to go back and read it again.  I fried Miss Brandy her egg.  We sat down at the table to eat together.  She wasn't looking "right", then she coughed and her little eyes welled up with tears.  I asked if her throat hurt, it did.  I asked if she felt ok, she didn't.  I took her temp and sure enough I have a puny little girl today.  So, today we are home.  It is also going to be a rainy day.  And my hubby won't be home until late.  This is a day that would normally lead to much snacking.  I am not going to lie, I am a little nervous.  This plan encourages no snacking between meals.  So I have made a list of things to do that should keep me pretty busy all day long.  Plus I am going to take some time to just read!  I will be reading more of It Starts With Food.  I also have homework I plan to work into the mix.  I really should be ok. 

1:25 PM Oh my - habits!  All morning I wanted to nibble!  I was not the least bit hungry.  Those habits have a strong hold on us.  I am aggravated by the pull.  Mad that something as simple as a little habit can have so much power.  I am winning the battle!  For lunch I had 1 piece of pork, a few leftover Brussels sprouts, I made a "coleslaw" out of cabbage, carrots, olive oil, and white vinegar, and I made mashed cauliflower which was really yummy!  I fixed a lot because I thought I was really hungry - I mean I did fight off the nibbles all morning - I got full fast!  I ended up not eating like half of it.  Crazy!  Little Miss is a little worse.  She has been quiet all day...this is not normal.  This is an odd day.

9:39 PM Day 8 is done! Whew!  Miss Brandy has made a come back.  Bless her heart she turned off the TV this afternoon on her own and said she was going to sleep and she did...for over 3 hours! She was a new little girl when she woke up.  I think if we can keep her coughing down tonight she will be good to go for tomorrow.  I took a little snooze while she did, not 3 hours though!  But I was surprised I snoozed.  I do feel kinda blah today.  So, tonight for dinner, I did not want to eat.  Nothing sounded good.  I ended up warming up another pork chop and had the rest of the mock cole slaw I made at lunch.  This afternoon I continued to battle the desire to nibble.  But I won! 

I have my lunch prepared for tomorrow.  Brandy has placed her breakfast order for tomorrow.  Bacon or ham and toast.  I worry that may be a bit challenging. I also read today that this week is actually the hardest week.  I wish I would not have read that.  But I am going to keep on a trucking through this.  I like the concept.  Aside from having to resist my nibbling habits this is actually pretty easy. And I feel pretty good.  It feels good to be in control of my food rather than my food being in control of me.

That's all for today!

D. J.

Day7 - Can you believe it!?

1:36 PM Its time for a quick nap so I will make this short.  Today I made my breakfast first thing when I woke up - like yesterday. I like it!  It will help me not eat in the car or my bathroom! LOL!  I sautéed onion and mixed greens and added 2 beaten eggs.  I did two eggs in an effort t increase my protein.  We had worship practice after church today.  We eat lunch together then practice.  I packed my lunch and warmed it up at church.  Is it weird? Is it awkward to take your own food and be different - you bet....get over it!  It's no big deal.  I had two pieces of pork and Brussels sprouts.  It was kinda fun actually - two people actually sampled my Brussels sprouts!

Ok - nap time! More later.

9:54 PM I felt like I had a speed nap today! I had  hard time getting into a decent sleep and before I knew it, it was time to wake up.  I ran to the grocery get the weeks groceries and groceries for a family dinner tonight - 13 of us total.  So the part of the groceries that were truly for this week was about $70.  I am very pleased with the cost of this plan.  Not to mention I am not going out to eat nearly as much now at lunch or at dinner!  More money saved. 

So, family dinner tonight, Rotisserie Chickens and grilled summer squash, grilled sweet onions - that's what I ate.  We also cooked carrots on the grill and had more carrots inside on the stove along with green beans.  Did you notice anything interesting?  It wasn't exactly planned - but we did not have a single starch!  No body said a word about it either.  It worked!  Now I will say, my dad and one of my daughters ran back to the store and got cake, ice cream, pie and my favorite store bought bakery cookies.  I told everyone if they were going to bring  that into my house that they would also be taking the leftovers out of my house when the evening ended.  They did!  And I was not tempted at all.  Would I have liked a cookie, sure, but I didn't really want it and I certainly didn't need it.  I am amazed how easy it was to not even give it a thought.  When we were grilling our vegies I grilled some pork for my lunches this week.  It was eaten.  Not to fear though  - I got more out of the frig and grilled it when all but 2 family members had gone home. 

I had quite a to do list today and it simply did not get completed.  But our family time was GREAT and I got my grocery shopping done for the week which was probably the most important thing on my list.

Here is a little snippet for girls only -
It is "my regular time" and I want you to know I did not crave chocolate at all the past few days and I am not craving it now.  My back is hurting and I am tired.  But other than those things I didn't have the normal issues leading up to my cycle.  Yes, I believe it's because I am eating Whole 30.

Back to everyone now.  So I have successfully made it a week.  I have maneuvered tricky situations and meal plan changes this week.  How? Preparation and planning for the just in case.  I am more confident now than I was a week ago that I will succeed.  No, I have not weighed.  The book says do not get on the scale for 30 days. I say, "Gladly!" Do I think I am losing weight?  I do.  I either feel better and thus feel better about myself so I feel thinner or I am actually thinner.  Either way, in my opinion, its a win win!

I am ready for another week!

D. J.

Day 6 - let's do this

12:57 PM okay - so far it has been a day about adjusting. I expected that my sister would have eggs that I could make for breakfast...they ran out yesterday morning. Thankfully I had planned and prepared! I had cooked chicken breasts that I brought with me. I simply warmed it up with some onion, cut up half an avocado...that I brought with me and had breakfast! Warmed chicken is much better than cold chicken for breakfast.  Oh, and I was up early enough to eat breakfast at the table!! Woohoo!!!!! Then of course it had my coffee with coconut oil. Lunch is served at the retreat. I was able to ask for no dressing on the grilled romaine head with grilled chicken. But once I sat down with it the only thing compliant was the 2 small strips of chicken. There was bacon, Parmesan, and fried onions all through the lettuce. So I pulled out my handy dandy "just in case" bag. Cooked chicken breasts, shares some with my sister, carrot sticks and cauliflower. I honestly felt like everyone was staring at me.  No, I didn't feel like they were, I just worried that they were. I decided my determination to be successful on this whole 30 for 30 days and my desire to find my way in having a healthy lifestyle far outweighed what anybody might think about me pulling food out of my insulated lunch bag. In all actuality I am sure very few even noticed what I did. Getting over myself! Also - they had desserts! I seriously had NO desire to have any. Patting myself on the back.

Side note - this retreat is wonderful! Just what I needed!! One more workshop and one more final session and it will be over...too soon.

8:38 PM  I am home and I  am pooped! I am thinking bed by 9:30.  Part of my tired is physical, part of it is emotional.  The retreat made me take another step forward in my faith, a step of committed seeking to grow.  Today was also the hardest day I have had on Whole 30.  That being said it still wasn't bad.  I made it through.  I was on my way home by 6:30 and I hadn't eaten since 11:30 ish.  I felt a strong tinge of hunger and was getting a headache.  I; wasn't sure if the headache was from my emotionalness (yes, another new word) at the retreat, hormones , or hunger.  But I did know if I waited the hour and half until I got home to eat that it would be dangerous to my ability to reason through the making of a compliant meal.  Mazzio's salad bar to the rescue again.  Salad, boiled eggs, vinegar and olive oil.  Today was hard because it is frustrating to eat when you don't have a choice of what you are going to eat (lunch today, preplanned menu), and it's frustrating to find a place compliant to eat on the road.  I thought about rib crib - but don't they use a dry rub? Don't dry rubs have brown sugar in them?  Charlie's chicken - do they offer chicken that isn't battered?  Taco Mayo or Taco Bell - Can I have a taco salad with lettuce, tomato, onion and chicken only? Later I realized Taco Bell used to have a fresco menu...didn't it eliminate the stuff we shouldn't have?  UGH!  I had eaten all my prepacked chicken breast, and I thought I was taking too much. 

A couple of things I learned from my reading last night; 1) I am not eating enough protein at each meal.  I literally though - WHAT? I have to eat more? Good grief!  2) Variety will be important going forward.  I need to mix up the proteins through out the day for sure.  A couple of things I learned just from the past 2 days; 1) If the meal isn't perfect life will not end 2) The realization of preparation become more evident each day of this Whole30.

Finally, I FEEL GOOD!  I feel really good.  Good enough that I am content to continue moving forward.  Good enough that I am hopeful of feeling even better over the next week! 

That's all for tonight folks - sleep well!

D. J.

Day 5 - Whole30 - Wow!

8:12 AM First of all, chicken breast for breakfast - not my favorite at all! But I ate breakfast...not in my car...in my office...wrong direction baby step.  However, it was just a funky morning.  I could not find a groove.  I was packing up the rest of my stuff for my trip.  I didn't do things last night that I would normally do and that makes for a hairier than normal morning.  I really have to make that evening shift to preparation for the next day - I even have my list made of what I need to do.  I just haven't started using it.  It starts Sunday - and that is that. Okay - so chicken - meh! But my coffee with coconut oil - ahhhhhhh!!

I did manage to prep all my food last night for my trip - insert pat on the back here - I have chicken, carrots, cauliflower, grapefruit, avacados, eggs and I even attempted a little dip.  I mixed chopped boiled eggs, diced avocado and some olive oil together, mashing as I mixed.  I think it will be yummy!  So I should seriously be prepared for anything.

I am looking forward to this little get away!  I need break - a brain break, an emotional break, a physical break, you name the break I need it!  I pray for an abundance of refreshing! I can't wait.

I plan to at least blog before I go to bed tonight.  Hopefully!

10:15 PM What a fantastic day!  I ate my lunch in the vehicle on the way to my sisters.  It's about an hour and half drive. Boneless skinless Chicken breast fried in coconut oil, carrot sticks and cauliflower.  It didn't take much at all and I was completely happy.  I had searched online for organic restaurants in Joplin and wrote down  4 of them that were organic friendly.  Chipotle was one of the restaurants.  I had never been but my sister says it is awesome.  So we went for dinner- can I just say A.MAZ.ING!  I had "a bowl" with  carnitas (pulled pork from friendly grown pigs) lettuce, fresh pico de gallo, and fresh guacamole.  Perfect portion, perfect flavor!  We ate a table outside, visited and relaxed.  It was a great dining experience. 

Tonight at the retreat they had snacks at about 7:30 or 8:00.  I really wasn't hungry but felt it would be odd if I didn't get something.  I stuck with carrots. broccoli and strawberries.  There were many other tasty looking treats that would have been fun to sample but I resisted easily. 

Here is your bonus for tonight - this retreat is great!  I used to come to this one about 10 years ago and I loved it so much then.  I was a young believer and aching for knowledge about what God wanted from me and what I was suppose to do as a Christian and I guess without knowing it I wanted so desperately to fit into this God life.  I was beat up (from my own words and thoughts), I was a failure, I was imperfect and odd, unaccepted.  Tonight as I listened to the speaker I realize I am still imperfect and odd but I am totally accepted, my past failures no longer have a hold on me and I now have a much clearer picture of who God created me to be.  My heart has changed ever so much.  I know I have grown in the Lord - like I have a clear memory of a past me to compare to the now me and its so obvious.  I feel proud and I feel victorious. God is good folks - that's simply all there is to it! 

I am ready for tomorrow! For the retreat and for Day 6 of Whole30!

Lots of love!

D. J.

Day 4 - I feel good!

10:16 AM - Great news! I did not eat breakfast in my car today!  I ate in the bathroom while putting on my make up! Baby steps.  Again, I realized this morning how much easier mornings would be if I prepared the night before!  I am going to get there.  Today I feel REALLY good!  I didn't expect to, but I do.  I woke up again before my alarm but chose to cuddle with my main squeeze until 6:20.  Cuddling is good.  I warmed up some of the diced steak I cooked on Sunday and cut up half of a happy avocado and mixed.  Had my coffee with coconut oil too.  I packed a larger amount of food today for lunch and snack (if needed).  I really wanted to be "prepared" today.  For what I am not sure! LOL!

I am excited and nervous about the next couple of days.  Tomorrow at noon I will be going to a women's retreat with my sister.  I will be out of my home element for Friday afternoon through until about 9 or 10 on Saturday.  I am excited about the retreat - I haven't been to a womens conference in MANY years.  I can't wait to have some lengthy dedicated unfamilyinterupted (I just made that word up) GOD time!  I want to hear from God and I want to just be and remain in His presence!  Nervous about making good eating choices.  I am seriously taking my insulated lunch back both days with healthy goodies that should get me through.  I will be doing all that prep work this evening.

1:51 PM MAN, Do I feel good!  I was not hungry at noon.  I have class at 12:30.  I usually try to eat a little something before I go to class as I don't want to be distracted by hunger.  It's a hard class...I need to be able to focus.  But, I was so not hungry I didn't eat.  Here it is almost 2 in the afternoon and I am just starting to feel hungry.  This is pretty darn cool.  I have had a pretty productive morning, my mood is great, my focus is pretty great,...I like it!  For lunch I have mixed greens with the final bit of Monday steak. Broccoli, Cauliflower, carrots, and bell peppers all cut up into pieces I can eat with my fingers to prolong the eating process.  Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil as dressing.  I have a grapefruit too, but I don't think I will be eating it with lunch.

8:47 PM  Well hello irritability! You came out of no where and you came in fast.  Not sure if Whole30 invited you in or if the monthly hormones did.  It does not matter, you are simply not welcome here!

Another unexpected dinner out tonight.  This time is was Mexican.  I rocked it!  I resisted chips and even the salsa as I didn't now if there was sugar in it or not.  I had pollo loco and asked for no rice and to add extra salad.  For those of you who don't know what pollo loco is...think sliced pieces of grilled chicken breasts that have been cooked with a green lettuce salad with generous slices of onion, tomato, and avocado.  Lots of food.  I am full! 

I did at least 2 wogging (walk/jogging) miles tonight.  Normally I do 3 - time didn't allow for it.  I was hoping I would feel better while wogging, it was ok, maybe I am hoping too soon. 

Overall though - the eating is rather simple and pleasurable.  I am not having any cravings at all.  I am only tempted to nibble - and that's just out of habit.   I am happy to not be tracking calories or points or what ever.

Day 4 - DONE!

Day 3 Whole30 - Could get interesting

9:11 AM - I slept good last night.  I woke up before my 5:45 alarm.  I didn't get out of bed until 6:15 but I was awake 30 minutes earlier.  6:15 is still earlier than normal for me which is great as I would love to have less rushed mornings.  I do know that preparation the night before would sure help the morning activities - yet, I resist, why?  I have no idea!  I am working on this shift.  Even though I got up earlier today we were still rushing around, it is "Walk to School Day" for Miss Brandy so we needed to leave 10 - 15 minutes earlier.  Again, I thought I might miss breakfast and starve to death if I did (not that I was hungry - just panic at the thought of no food even though it's unrealistic).  Mentally I think if I miss breakfast I will think I have blown it for the day.  I stress over breakfast.  Today I put my breakfast on a small plate instead of a to go container...I took it to the bathroom thinking I could eat it while I was doing make up.  This would be an improvement over eating it the car, right? It's also a step towards getting to the table.  Well, I ended up eating it in the car.  LOL!

I read the timeline last night for Day 2 and 3.  And even though I told myself I would not read ahead, I did.  I am thinking I should just toss that time line.  Yikes!  I choose to believe the good vibrations are going to kick in early for me, I will not be the norm!

12:59 PM - Beautiful and wonderful lunch with one of my daughters today.  She asked last night if we could do lunch today.  I said yes but asked if  we could perhaps meet in the park and bring our lunches? She was totally supportive and agreeable.  It was so nice!  We got to sit, eat, talk, and have minimal distractions.  I can't believe how nice it was and kinda refreshing!  Thankful to have support.  Today I have received to encouraging messages from people.  Both have read the blog!  I can't even explain how much this helps me.  It helps my belief factor and my accountability!  Thank you ladies!  Oh - my lunch today was the last bit of leftover roast, brussell sprouts (do you know I love brussell sprouts?), a half a grapefruit and a couple pieces of cauliflower.  I am a bit full now.  I could have got by with less.

9:03 PM All in all another good day!  I made spaghetti for dinner.  The family had noodles and traditional sauce.  I made my own "sauce" which I kinda normally do anyway because I like big chunky vegies.  Instead of having noodles I shredded cabbage into long strips and cooked it. Added hamburger to my "sauce" and voila!  YUM!  I saved a bit of it just in case I wanted some after church.  I am glad I did because I have had the munchies.  I ate it and have just made me a cup of tea.  I am feeling a little antsy - I have asked my husband to help me clean the kitchen so I won't nibble on things I shouldn't.  Please don't get me wrong - I am not hungry at all.  Just so used to taking a nibble here and a nibble there. I didn't realize how much I do that until these past two days. 

I was a bit tired when I got home at 5:20.  I seriously took like a 15 minute snooze and was good to go.  I am not nearly has tired and out of it as I was last night.

I guess that's all for today folks. 

One more thing - I know its a little funky to comment on my blog...feel free to message me on facebook Denni Swepston - if you can't figure it out here.  I love hearing from you!

D. J.

Day 2 of Whole30 - holding my breath!

8:03 AM I got up earlier than normal today, I wanted to finish picking up before the housekeeper came.  Yes, I pick up before the housekeeper came.  No, we are not rich folk, we have simply realized the benefits of having a housekeeper are well worth the small amount of money we pay her to come every other week.  Benefits like sanity, peace, being more accountable to keep the house picked up daily, more time for family and for homework. Anyway!  My getting up early was actually pretty easy.  I have been struggling to just get up on time since that evil daylight savings time.  I was pretty rushed though because I had a lot to get done.  Fortunately I had prepared my lunch last night after dinne - dinner leftovers.  But I was getting worried about having time to do breakfast.  I am happy to say I had plenty of time to scramble up and egg and dice up a half of an avocado.  Let me just say here - AVOCADOS MAKE ME HAPPY!!! It was perfectly ripe too! YUM!  Let's not forget my coffee with coconut oil.  This is living!

I am a little worried about my day - but I should be!  Today I have class at lunch time and class at dinner time.  I brought plenty of leftovers and will just have to choose the right times to eat.  I will also have to remind myself that I will not die of starvation in the middle of the day!

12:09 PM - Super productive day so far at work!  I actually began to feel hungry, like feel the empty in my stomach hungry about 30 minutes ago.  I think most days I really don't experience getting hungry.  So I went ahead and ate a little meal. A small amount of each; leftover roast, carrots and brussel sprouts. All is well.

5:07 PM - Wow - a super productive afternoon as well.  Somehow I didn't have that 3:00 munchy craving or desire to take a nap! Wowzers!  Almost time for my 5:30 Class.  Feeling a little hungry but not enough to want to eat.

8:45 PM.  Hmmm.  Shortly after my 5:07 update I started fading.  Just feeling kinda tired.  Thank goodness my night class was much shorter than normal.  My hubby wanted to go out for dinner.  He was very supportive in discussing options with me.  I didn't plan to eat out at all this week.  We chose Mazzios because I thought I could navigate the salad bar pretty well and I knew they usually have boiled eggs on the salad bar....Protein, check!  Who knew it would be buffet night!  It actually wasn't too hard.  I had salad, carrots, broccoli, eggs and tomatoes with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.  I don't know if I was feeling deprived or just unsatiated but shortly after we got home I warmed up just a bit of leftover steak bites and diced up 1/2 of an avocado.  That did it!  But still tired.  So I am typing to you from my bed.  I will be asleep soon!

Day 2 - DONE!

Until tomorrow.

Day 1 Whole30 and Away we go!

8:58 AM Oh holy cow!  This morning I scrambled some eggs with some diced cooked steak (that I cooked last night) and I cooked it in just a bit of olive oil.  I thought it would be pretty smart to put into like a lettuce wrap.  I used red lettuce leaves.  Let me just say that doesn't work!  About 1/4 of my protein fell out of the top and bottom an onto my car floor! Yes, I know I am suppose to eat at a table - but I eat in my car everyday on the way to work!  Baby steps, I plan to make the transition to my table.  For a brief second or two when I lost that portion of my protein I had a thought that I could possibly die from starvation!  Fortunatly that passed quickly.  There was enough moisture that it leaked out of my wrap, through my paper towel and all over my hand...remember I am driving...ugh! A mess. But I successfully ate the rest and am satified and know my tummy is full enough.  I also had coffee - added coconut oil to it.  If you haven't tried coconut oil in your coffee yet - it is a must!  I heard about this about a year a ago and have been doing it ever since.  YUM!  I haven't read yet if coffee is ok or not? I am assuming it is at this point.

I have that pizza party this afternoon.  I have a salad of organic greens, a sliced bell pepper, carrot sticks, cauliflower and some of the steak.  In a seperate container I have vinegar and oil to add when it is time to eat it.  I purposesly did not dice up the vegies as I plan to eat them with my fingers.  I think this should prolong the eating process and help me to emotionally feel like I have eaten a lot in addition to giving my body time to register that it is full/satisfied.

More later!  Happy Monday.

1: 55 PM Lunch went very well.  My plan with cutting my vegies into strips worked beautifully.  I was the last one to finish eating so I did not have to watch everyone else eating their pizza!  We will have cake shortly to finish up the celebration.  I have a boiled egg and half a grapefruit to eat while everyone else eat their cake.  I don't feel like I am depriving myself.  I don't feel resentful that I am not eating pizza or cake.  I am good!

10:50 PM Day 1 is under my belt.  It was relatively easy.  Dinner was roast, carrots and brussel sprouts..  My 7 year old and I ate at the table.  She was excited about that, so I was too.  It was very nice.

Tonight had normal stresses, getting the 7 year old through her night time routine at her normal unchanging speed of "mosey" makes me irritable.  Husband worked late which is fine but came in the house and immediately started grumping about his day.  That stresses me.  But even with the stress I didn't do anything but keep busy with herding the mosier along and picking up house. Hubby started not feeling well and said he may want t o go to the ER.  In our 25 years of marriage he hasn't even gone to the doctor but maybe 5 times.  Thankfully he seems to be resting ok now. 

I have read that day 2 and 3 can be a bit hairy...I am hoping I will be an exception to the rule! 

Until Day 2 my lovelies!

D. J.

The day/night before Whole30!

Hello again.  I am excited and nervous about starting Whole30 tomorrow.  I feel like I have prepped pretty well.  I took before pictures, weighed and measured.  Even though we had a busy family filled day due to Easter, I went to the grocery store at about 8pm.  I had made my menu for every meal and prepared a shopping list.  Just FYI - I spent $100 for groceries - just food items - for the week.  I have myself, my husband and one daughter at home.  I took time to prep some vegies and fruit.  Out of curiosity I timed it.  To prep broccoli, cauliflower, one bell pepper, two pounds of carrots, 4 potatoes (not for me, they went in with the roast for dinner tomorrow) and a cantaloupe in about 30 minutes. I don't think that's too bad.  I purposely put ziplocks of some of the vegies in the frig at eye level.  I also browned up some steak bits and prepared my lunch for tomorrow while doing all this. 

Another piece of prep work I have done the past 2 days  was to start minimizing my carbs/sugars.  I hope this will make any withdrawals a little less harsh.  Hopefully.

I haven't read enough of the book to feel completely ready...but I do believe I have the basics down.  This is one reason I only bought a week of groceries.  I imagine I will learn more and have a modified plan for next week.  I also hope to run across a recipe or two that I would like to try.

I have two events this week that I am trying to be especially prepared for.  Tomorrow we are having a pizza party to celebrate a coworkers birthday.  Like I said earlier I prepared my lunch so I should totally be good to go!  Friday and Saturday I am going to a womens retreat with my sister.  I have a list of foods to pack that should get me through any situation.  Plus I told my sister that I am on this plan and I know she will be supportive. 

So long for now - I will be back tomorrow night!

D. J.

Well Hello Again, Let's get this Blogging Started Again!

Well I have been insanely busy, wasn't having a lot of hits on my blog so I stopped blogging.  But recently I have started missing it and the outlet it gives me...So I hope I get several who will interact, and I hope to be of help to others, but if I don't, it helps me and that's still a good thing!

I am getting prepared to start a 30 day journey of what some might say is a "drastic" change to my eating.  I am still battling my weight issue.  I am convinced there is an eating/activity lifestyle that suits me AND benefits my health...I simply haven't found it. I feel like I am pretty in touch with my body signals, more in touch than say 10 years ago.  That's progress.  I know I don't feel good when I eat sweets - fortunately I don't have a love affair with sweets.  However I do love bread!  Basically the same affect.

In the past year "ish" under the direction of my doctor I have gone on a couple of medications to address some PCOS issues.  I read A LOT!  I have read that diet can actually play a part in the PCOS symptoms.  I would much rather change my eating instead of being on the medication.

I am experiencing more aches and pains.  Some would chalk it up to getting older.  I believe it could just be my eating choices catching up with me and that by changing my eating choices I would reverse some of the issues. 

I read a little bit about the Whole30 about a month ago.  More recently I read a young lady's blog about her Whole30 experience that she recently completed.  She was a great little blogger.  She blogged almost every day of her 30 day journey! She posted pictures of each meal, which look doable and  delectable, and while she struggled emotionally she did it!  Her posts convinced me to try it. 

I know it sounds funny but I feel like I am on the brink of success with my health.  I am rather excited about starting Whole30 on Monday.  I am going to attempt to post daily and post meal pics as she did.  If not daily, often.  I will take measurements tomorrow. I will weigh Monday morning.  Then under the instruction of the book - I will have my hubby hide my scale for the next 30 days.  The book stresses preparation.  Tomorrow will be about making 2 weeks of menus and to go grocery shopping.  Prep of the foods also on Saturday and Sunday.  From now until Monday morning I will be doing a lot more reading and prepping.  I really am excited.  A little scared.  You know - I don't want to fail.  I have told many that I am doing this, family and friends.  I am looking for accountability more than encouragement.  Sometimes family isn't the best to offer encouragement - lol! 

I have more to say - but perhaps I should save that for tomorrow.

Talk to you soon!