Life Sucks & Then....There's Soup!

    Here's the story:  I began another Whole30 on October 1, but, for whatever reason, haven't been having the success early on that I had experienced during my first Whole30 in July.  Then I caught a cold which diminished my willpower immensely, but I held strong.   
     Soon after I came down with the sniffles, I got word that my brother was in the hospital, and, although I later began to wonder "What was I thinking?!?", I hopped in the car and traveled downstate to see my brother and help my daughter move into her new apartment.  I guess my thought process was that my cold had showed some improvement and it was possibly the last time I might see my brother alive.  
    I wore a hospital mask to keep from passing my cold germs to my brother, but unfortunately, my cold took a definite turn for the worse after spending the day going in and out of the hospital in the drizzly, cold rain.  I was unable to sleep at all that night, but not for lack of trying!! I was feeling so miserable and wished I hadn't left home and then all of a sudden the inspiration came to me:  I should make myself some chicken soup the next day to help me feel better! Then ideas came to me of how I should go about it and what ingredients should go in it.  And so that is how the soup I call "Midnight Inspiration" came to be!  Now I can even be thankful for that sleepless night, as the soup was amazing!

Midnight Inspiration (or Soup Surprise)

 Dice and saute' in coconut oil: 1 red bell pepper, 1 green bell pepper, and 1/2 large sliced red onion.  After these have softened somewhat, add 1/2 large butternut squash, diced, 1/2 bag snow peas, stringed and cut in 1/3's, 2 diced jalapenos, 2 minced cloves of garlic, and a small amount of chopped kale.  Add additional coconut oil and saute' until nicely browned and softened.  Place the veggies in crock pot along with 1 qt. homemade beef stock and set on low heat.  Now, using the same fry pan, cut up 2 chicken breasts and break up 2 1/2-3 pounds of ground beef and saute' well.  Add seasonings as follows to both the meats in the fry pan and the veggies in the crock: salt and pepper, Trader Joe's 21-season salute, dill weed, chili powder, about 4 t. of cumin(altogether), and cayenne pepper.  After meat is cooked, add it to the crock pot, turn the heat to high and cook for about 3 hours. Toward the end of cooking time, cut up the remaining butternut squash and steam or boil it until soft, then mash it and add it to the soup.  Serve the soup with diced avocado, grated cheese, and sour cream, if desired, but it is most scrumptious even without these additions!  Even veggie haters cannot help but love it!  The possibilities are endless in changing this soup up.  Experiment to your heart's content and ENJOY!!

Still here!

Been a little quiet on the blog recently. I am still mostly following the Whole 30, though I have allowed small amounts of cheese and HWC, as well as the occasional dash of stevia. Dinner tonight was tasty! Salmon on the Foreman grill with my version of Wilson Sonoma's potlach seasoning, sweet potato with coconut oil and cinnamon, and apple poppyseed coleslaw (I used a little stevia instead of the honey in the recipe, and used my homemade mayo). Oh, and a few vinegar cukes!

Because I still haven't lost, I am going to have my hormones looked into. I am thinking my purposely too-high thyroid hormone is causing a problem. I am also thinking I may have to do low-carb paleo for awhile. I'll keep you posted!

Sugar - The Root of all Evil

   The other night my husband and I were having a conversation about how I was doing on this program.  I told him I was doing quite well, and hadn't even found myself "bending the rules" very often at all (which frankly surprised me!).  I then shared how I was unprepared when away from home one day last week, and found myself eating an Almond Berry Chicken Salad from Wendy's. I explained to him how it wasn't the salad itself that was a problem, but the "Fat-Free" dressing which I should not have indulged in, as it was loaded with sugar.  He chimed right in saying how his sister was talking about all the "Fat-Free" foods that have tons of sugar added to make up for the loss of taste caused by removing the fat. This sparked an entirely new discussion about how the "Fat-Free" industry played a huge role in the rampant obesity epidemic in the US. This is when I told him about the piece I had seen on a television news show where they said that sugar was so addictive and responsible for so many deaths from multiple diseases, that someday sugar would be lumped in the same category with nicotine, alcohol, and other addictive, destructive substances.  He looked at me as though  I had sprouted another head!  I guess he's not quite buying into that, but it does give us something to ponder. I think the reason we look at sugar differently, is simply due to the fact that it is in the food category and, therefore, necessary to our survival. But, let's face it, sugar is not necessary for survival, it just tastes good!

Day 25:

I know, despite my two indulgences, that I have eaten cleaner these last few weeks than I have in a long time; maybe ever. And I know that it's healthy for me to eat this way. But that doesn't keep me from wondering why I don't seem to be making any progress. My weight really hasn't budged any since the first 10 days. My clothes aren't fitting any differently. I seem to have developed a neck strain or something that is causing regular intermittent headaches. I am not giving up, but I am frustrated. I guess I am going to have to try to do even better: source pasture-raised meat, move to more organic veggies, limit fruit, and add the recommended supplements.

Dinner tonight (and lunch for tomorrow!):

Day 22: Back in the saddle.

Yesterday was the moot court banquet. I usually am not able to go, and wouldn't have this term under the circumstances, except my campus was hosting and I was in charge. I couldn't not go. I did my best to plan ahead. I ate a good breakfast, packed lunch and a snack, and contributed food to the potluck that I could eat--paleo deviled eggs and crab-stuffed mushrooms wrapped in bacon. I knew there would be guacamole, fruit, and vegetables that I could also have. I was too busy doing prep to eat lunch, though I managed to eat the snack. It didn't help that there was no microwave so I couldn't heat up my lunch. There was a lot of food I could have eaten but didn't: brownies, cookies, chips, bread, pasta salad. When it came down to it, there were some things I couldn't resist having. I ate one meatball, a little caprese salad, a small amount of my buffalo chicken dip, and a small amount of a snickers-apple-marshmallow fluff-cool whip dessert. I also had some alcohol. So I started over again today.

Dinner was yummy! Burgers with guacamole (avocado, cilantro, red onion, tomato, garlic, lemon juice, salt) and stir-fried mixed veggies.

Day 17...or 1.

So you're probably wondering about my post's title. Well, it's like this. I ate cake yesterday. I am not proud. A classmate of mine watched Camryn one night last week and bought her a cake. An Arnie's Chantilly cake. She went up north and left almost half of it here. I told her I was going to pitch it if she didn't eat it before she left or take it with her. And I should have. But I gave in and ate some. I think it was easier to give in because I was so hungry. I ate breakfast around 8 a.m., but didn't get home from school and the grocery store until around 2 p.m. As usual, anything I could have would first have to be fixed. The cake was easy. The good thing is, I didn't feel good from the sugar. And I didn't gain. But I do have to basically start over. I guess it's a good thing I figure this plan is a way of life rather than a temporary thing. Lesson: I need to find some "legal" foods that I can have with me to fight off hunger when I can't get a meal at the ideal time.

Today went better.



Dinner tonight: chicken breast with sauteed peppers, avodaco, and homemade pico de gallo. Plus a ginormous glass of water with lime and mint. Scrumptious!

OOPS!!! (Off-Plan) Meal Alert!!

I'm afraid I tested the dairy theory a bit prematurely! My hubby and I went out to eat last night in celebration of my birthday, and it was not a good whole30 experience.  We went to Bob Evans and I had a choice between chicken breasts with broccoli and fresh fruit, or a cobb salad. Because chicken breasts prepared in a restaurant are typically quite tasteless, and the broccoli is not always cooked to suit me either, I chose the salad.  I would have been safer with the chicken breast for sure!

I gave the waitress my order, explaining that I did not desire any cheese or croutons, and would like oil & vinegar rather than the blue cheese dressing suggested on the menu.  I also requested that she not bring the bread that was included in my meal.  She immediately explained that they do not offer oil & vinegar and suggested a balsamic vinaigrette.  I sighed and told her that I would try it.  She assured me that if it was not to my liking that I could get a different dressing, but of course, that was not the problem. 

When my order arrived, I noticed right away that she had failed miserably in following my instructions.  There was cheese on my salad and she plopped a basket with three homemade rolls right under my nose.  The rolls were not just for myself, but I felt that three was more than was necessary for just my husband, as he would never eat that many in one sitting.  Now, I definitely had the option of asking the waitress to start all over from scratch with my salad, but being extremely hungry at that point, I chose to keep my mouth shut and eat it the way it was.  Additionally, I tried the vinaigrette dressing and could not stomach it.  It was wayyyy too sweet!  Since I had already failed to comply with the program as it is set forth, and the vinaigrette was off-plan as well (SUGAR!) I chose to ask the waitress to bring me the blue cheese dressing.  

Besides that, the evening went extremely well!  My husband chose to order one of their deals where dessert is included in the meal, and I did not even ask for a bite of his hot fudge sundae!

Today, however, I ran into a little problem at a restaurant yet again!  I went with a large group of people to a favorite burger place, and was prepared as to how I would order and eat my burger (I had even brought my own paleo mayo!), but this was not enough! I had the famous Clyde burger and asked her to do it low carb with mustard, pickle, lettuce, tomato, and onion.  When I got my burger it had....yep, you guessed it!!! CHEESE!  Once again, I was way too hungry to send it back! Sometimes you just cannot win, I guess.  From here on out, I vow to avoid restaurants at all costs!!

Two weeks! I am definitely feeling better. I think I am sleeping better, too. I've also noticed the past couple of days that sometimes when I am eating, I seem to feel full quicker. Bonus!

Today's breakfast: Fried eggs, and mixed berries with coconut milk.

Today's lunch: Salmon cakes on lettuce with cucumber and a nectarine.

Tonight's dinner: Chicken drums, sweet potato with coconut oil and cinnamon, and sauteed cabbage with tumeric, ground mustard seed, garlic, and salt.

Overall, a good day!

 

Day 13: Even if I want a Diet Coke, I don't want one.

Saw this snippet on Facebook this morning. Diet Coke cravings cured!

"Many overweight individuals who crave colas take refuge, so to speak, in ‘Diet’ colas. That’s because Diet colas ostensibly do not contain the high-calorie sweetener high-fructose corn syrup. But the next time you reach for one of those ‘smart drinks’, remember one little word - aspartame - and the many diseases you could be inviting.
Researchers and doctors have found that aspartame acts as a slow poison as the side-effects could take several years to manifest themselves. Among the most frequent symptoms are vision loss; memory loss; obesity; testicular, mammary and brain tumors; seizures, coma, and cancer.
Worse still, the symptoms of aspartame poisoning appear to mimic the symptoms of certain major diseases such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, lupus, ADHD, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic fatigue, and depression. This makes it very difficult to diagnose.
Aspartame is a synergistic methanol poison, and methanol is known to cause serious birth defects and major developmental disorders such as autism and attention deficit in the offspring of aspartame users.
Despite these devastating research and empirical findings, clever advertising campaigns have managed to make the world believe that aspartame and all the other artificial sweeteners are just simple, harmless, food additives that lend foods and beverages a sweet and delicious taste while helping you keep slim, or even shed some extra pounds.
But here is the double-whammy for individuals who are overweight: Not only is Diet soda not a diet product, but a chemically altered, multiple sodium (salt) and aspartame-containing product that actually makes you crave for carbohydrates and gain weight. It contains formaldehyde, which is stored in the fat cells, particularly in the hips and thighs." -- Andreas Moritz

Day 12:

I did my best at the DBA dinner. I ate fresh fruit from the appetizers and gave away my drink tickets. I did eat the tossed salad though it came with dressing which I am sure wasn't "legal" (as did the chicken and asparagus). But I pushed aside the rice, skipped the rolls and dessert, and had water and tea with lemon. I don't consider myself starting over. I did the best I could in the circumstances I faced. I already figure this will be more than a 30-day gig anyway. I can't get where I want to be in terms of my health in 30 days. I can't correct 40 years of wrong in one month. I am chalking it up to one of those inevitable occasional situations and moving forward.

Dinner tonight was quick and tasty. I had seared yellowfin tuna with squash and sauteed onions, red pepper, spinach, and garlic. I have a roast in the oven for lunch and dinner tomorrow since I will be gone thirteen hours. And I made salads to go with it.

Now for homework. :(

Going to be a busy day, but good, too, I think. I am meeting a classmate this morning for a walk on the White Pine Trail after I drop Camryn off at the Y. Then I'll have to come home for a quick shower, grab my stuff for tonight's dinner event, and dash off to school for a presentation. I snuck onto the scale again this morning--down 5 lbs! That's plenty of motivation for me to eat as clean as possible today, knowing I will be at the mercy of the golf club for dinner. I will have some legit chicken before we go, and then allow myself only the fruit and asparagus--no bread, cheese, rice, dessert, or wine. I won't eat their chicken unless I can get the "piccata" off of it. Wishing you all a paleo day!

Dinner Day 10

    Dinner tonight consists of: salmon with pesto vinaigrette, sweet potatoes sauteed in coconut oil with cinnamon, coleslaw (with paleo mayo, of course!), and tossed salad with pesto dressing! Absolutely scrumptious!

Dinner!

   

Challenges

   We all face challenges in life--there is no getting around it.  This program has been a challenge in & of itself.   Throw in the other major challenges experienced in the course of everyday life, and the combination can at times, seem overwhelming.  I faced some challenges in the past week, and on the second day of my program in particular, that could have easily derailed my efforts and commitment to this plan.
    My husband and I were invited to a last minute BBQ last Monday, and I knew that I would need to hustle to figure out to handle this unexpected challenge.  I threw together a quick chicken salad and away we went! When I first arrived I was immediately greeted with "Oh, you have to try this dip!", so I had to go into my spiel about how I was doing this program and couldn't possibly try the dip.  My friend is, unfortunately, familiar with my strange forays into various diets or unconventional eating patterns, so she accepted my explanation.
    It was not easy eating my chicken salad while the others indulged in BBQ ribs, crackers, chicken salad, and dips, knowing that I could not even have a deviled egg without compromising my commitment to the Whole30.  Then, of course, there was the cake and ice cream!  A friend chose to taunt me, "Are you sure you don't want some?", sticking it in my face.  But I was strong!
    After dinner we enjoyed some fireworks over the pond, that is until the neighbor came over all riled up over the noise! Our hosts, as well as their neighbors, have horses, and this particular neighbor was saying that her horses were going crazy, and boy, was she ever mad! Everyone started clearing out as quickly as possible when things started heating up. I made a major mistake, stepping off the side of the porch in the darkness, and managed to twist my ankle.
    I'm fine now, but I must say I did envision what most likely would have occurred if the outcome had been more serious.  My sister-in-law recently broke her ankle and was completely dependent on her husband for the major portion of the household chores.  If this had been my fate, it would have made this program 100 times more challenging than it already is.  My husband is not the least bit supportive of my efforts I'm afraid.
But although this fact makes it more difficult, I am soooo grateful to have the support of my two teammates.  Unconditionally.  It makes the whole process infinitely easier.  Thanks to both of you!  Let's do this!

Day 9: Still going strong

I am so thankful I had dinner ready in the crock pot tonight when we got home. I was sooooooo hungry. And the best part? It's oxtail stew with lots of veggies and even picky Camryn loves it!! (Recipe here: http://bipolarpaleo.blogspot.com/2011/09/oxtail-stew.html#) I will say, I added a jar of our homecanned tomatoes (after I drained a little of the extra water out) and it cooked on high for 10 hours.

In other news, it seems the headache may be subsiding. I will be glad if it stays away entirely.

Now if only I could get my eye to quit watering from allergies I'd be all set!

I am a little concerned about tomorrow night. I am attending the Law Review Distinguished Brief Award Banquet, and won't have any control over what is served. I will do my best to eat within the guidelines, but I won't necessarily know for sure I am not having vegetable oils, soy, or sugars hidden in the stuff.

Forgive me Teammates, for I have Non-Paleo'd

More confessions.  Today I needed a soda.  So I stopped at the gas station and picked one up on the way to school this morning.  Ron reminded me that diet coke wasn't paleo . . .  And I may have had some ice cream after dinner.  And I didn't know we weren't supposed to get on the scale. . . . but I was down 4.5 lbs this week.  *sigh*  Oh well, onwards and upwards.

My teammates are the awesomest!

I found a dry rub for pork chops (cumin, pepper, coriander) and seared them in bacon grease. I rounded out the meal with sauteed spinach and onions, artichoke hearts, and sweet potato. Y.U.M.

Day 8: We made it through week 1!

We are officially kicking off week 2 -- woohoo! And I have so much to share. Breakfast today was inspired by my partners: An omelette with sauteed onions, garlic, spinach, and tomatoes, plus half an avocado and some bacon. I have to tell you: I love omelettes. But I have avoided making them since we started this program because I didn't think it could be an omelette without cheese. Even while I was making it I was thinking, "Just three more weeks and I can add a little cheese." I was WRONG! It was delicious and I didn't even miss the cheese.
I also had a little fruit salad, as I had some odd pieces of fruit that needed to be used up. I added some ceylon cinnamon: c'est magnifique!

While we are confessing things, I, too, must confess that I haven't stayed away from the scale. Taking into account that I gained early on, from that hight, I am down 3 lbs. now. But I really am starting to internalize that this isn't about the number on the scale. This is about health.

This program was started by a couple who now have a book out called, "It Starts With Food." My copy arrived Friday, and I was able to get through the first third yesterday. It hasn't really said anything that I didn't already know. But it was a great reminder, because somehow, even though I know certain "foods" I put in my body are bad for me and are the probable cause of all of my health issues, I do it over and over again. I really want to change that. I don't want to be controlled by the "food." IF I am going to eat something that I know will make me less healthy, I will have to own it. Yesterday was my first real test since we began. I left the house at around 10:15 in the morning, knowing I would't be home until maybe 9 or 10 at night. I planned ahead and took the food I needed for the day. But even with planning, sometimes things don't go according to plan. I had to eat dinner at 4 p.m. because I then had to get ready for the moot court competition. By the end of the first round about 7 p.m., I was so hungry. But I couldn't get to my food. It would have been so easy to join all of the competitors, moot court team, judges, and bailiffs who were eating pizza, chips, cookies, and pop. There were moments I wanted to sprint across the room and gorge myself. I didn't give in. And instead of going to the bar for the after-party, where I couldn't eat or drink anyway, I went home and ate real food. I am so happy I didn't give in to the temptation. The book points out that the franken-food is specifically designed to addict us; I get it. And now I am going to kick the addiction. For good.

Confessions

    I have several confessions to make this evening.  For starters, I have to confess that I was bad today.  Oh no--I stuck to the nutrition program completely.  My reference is to the fact that we are encouraged to stay off the scale during this entire 30 days.  I was weak!! I could not resist the temptation!  Actually, hopping on the scale everyday is a HUGE obsession of mine, so it has been extremely difficult to have resisted this long.  Good news, though--I have lost 3 pounds! 


    My second confession is that I copied some of my cohorts previous Whole 30 meals which they were kind enough to blog about! For breakfast this morning, I actually combined parts of two different meals: I made the meal posted on Day 1 with the addition of the strawberries and blueberries on the side, from a breakfast posted yesterday.  I added some of my special Ceylon cinnamon to the berries and YUM! I made an accidental discovery as well.  The cinnamon mixed with a bit of the coconut oil on the plate from my eggs and veggies, and it was sooooo good! 


    My final confession would be that I took a picture of my breakfast with my cell phone, but I do not know how to get the pic from my phone to my computer!  I plugged my phone into my computer tonight via USB, but all it did was proceed to charge the phone.  Do you think maybe I'll have to break down and read that little book of instructions that was given to me with the phone?!?


   Not a confession, but I have one more thing I would like to share. For my evening meal tonight, I had a leftover half of a sweet potato and decided to fry/saute it like I frequently do my husband's white potatoes.  It was to die for!  Oh, I also sprinkled some more of that special cinnamon on it, too!


Nite, all!

Coffee. Black.

See?  No creamer! 

I'm a huge fan of creamer in my coffee.  Bailey's on the weekends.  I haven't had any since June 30.   This means that I've got an unopened bottle of Bailey's in the cupboard and a ginormous bottle of fat free vanilla creamer in the fridge.  I should probably just go ahead and toss that.

Now for breakfast . . . Actually, this is what I typically eat for breakfast, minus the fruit.  Himself gets up each morning and makes me breakfast to order before I dash out the door.

This is a 2 egg omelet, starting with a handful of spinach, sauteed, and then stuffed with homemade pico and half an avocado.

Later Gator's!  Hey - is that paleo-friendly? 

Day 5: Why isn't "No" enough?

Sometimes I want to live on an island inhabited only by like-minded people. At least as far as nutrition and health are concerned. I was walking back to my office with my lunch in hand (left-over butter chicken and a cucumber-tomatoe-avocado salad) when some classmates in another office invited me in to share their fare. I politely declined, but immediately one of them protested, "But it's taco salad. Surely you can have a little." Um, no. I said no. I meant no. Why is it so important that I eat what you want me to eat? Why can't I just eat what I want and have that be okay? I have 100% committed to the Whole 30, not 90% or 95%, 100% -- and I have the headaches to prove it!

I was reading an article this morning about a beekeeper and Monsanto, the latter being another reason to live on an island far away from their damaging chemicals and franken-food. It's sad that our food supply has been sold out to the highest bidder. Anyone up for a commune? I have a group starting already. :)

Paleo and Diabetes (and other SAD maladies)

One of my fave nutritional posters on Facebook posted a link to this man's page. He and many other diabetics are turning their health around and eliminating reliance on medications by eating a low-carb paleo diet. Here's a link: http://www.diabetes-warrior.net/a-meal-plan-you-can-live-with/. He's g've bot some good tips and tons of recipes. His page reaffirms what I've been thinking, too: I've got so many years of living the wrong way to correct that I may have to be very strict at first to turn things around, and then loosen up a little after I get where I need to be.

Chicken: It's what's for dinner.

I get bored with chicken. Easily. So color me happy to have found a website with dozens of paleo-friendly chicken recipes. I pinned it to Pinterest. I'll be making this butter chicken for dinner tonight (found here: http://paleodietlifestyle.com/delicious-butter-chicken-recipe/). I have limited veggies in the house at the moment, so this will be paired with spinach, maybe sauteed with an onion. And maybe followed up by some sliced strawberries and coconut flake/milk pudding. I'll pair leftovers with a simple salad for lunch for the next two days.

UPDATE: Delicious! But I think I am going to have to purchase ghee in gallons. :)

Day 4: Just another day.

It's the 4th of July! But much to my daughter's dismay, we aren't doing anything special. I have too much to do and tomorrow it's back to work and school, so there's no time. It's too hot anyway. And my head hurts. I am really trying to be productive, but I just want a diet coke. I took allergy meds, but that isn't helping. Grrrrrrrrr.

Day 3: Somebody forgot to let Monday know it's Tuesday now.

It all started when I woke up an hour late, having slept right through my alarm. I blame the Benadryl. I've been suffering from allergy headaches, and taking Benadryl at night seems to help. But it makes me sleep. And sleep. And sleep. Then I scraped the side of the van in the parking garage this morning. Really? I've been parking there for a couple of years, and this morning I cut it too close? I think the white paint will rub right off. Thankfully it's not dented. Then while trying to remove my sunglasses with my hands full, I dropped my cup of Slim Chai tea in the foyer coming in to school. Apparently screwed-on lids are not spill proof. I want to go back home and start over.

On another note, I know we're not supposed to be watching numbers, but I can't help myself. I haven't cheated -- although I really, really wanted a diet coke and some dairy yesterday -- but I am up a pound. This is very concerning. I can't afford to go up anymore. I am hoping it's hormonal as MM is right around the corner.

Still, I am undeterred. I will ermerge from these 30 days victorious -- even if I don't lose!

Our First Month of Independence!

Here we are - Day ONE.  We've each got specific reasons for being here and sharing our journey with you.  One or two of us have followed programs very similar to Whole9.  One or two of us have heard others talking about programs similar to Whole9.  It sounds like it should be easy, right?  Sounds like is totally different than Doing like.  And we are going to be chronicling what we're doing for the Whole30 days.  We'll be sharing what we eat, what we do . . . frustrations, triumphs . . . small victories - like making it through a whole day and then the next and the next . . . hopefully we'll have huge victories to share - my huge victory will be favorable numbers.  Not so much the number on the scale, though it wouldn't be a bad thing if that number were to go down.  But rather, my main reason for being here and dragging my two friends along with me:  Cholesterol and blood sugar.  My most recent doctor appointment had me with a prescription for statins in my hand.  In fact, my doctor called the 'script in and they were delivered in the mail.  I cannot bring myself to take them and I choose to address this without medication. 

We're going to share this Whole30 days with you, readers.  We're going to change our way of life, way of eating, way of thinking, way of taking care of ourselves and our families.  My two friends and I are choosing to share and live this publicly in hopes that we can both inspire and be inspired! 

My inspirational dinner tonight:  Grilled chicken, mixed green salad w/red onion, grape tomatoes, broccoli, EVOO and balsamic vinegar plus cukes and carrots AND grilled avocado that I stuffed with my homemade pico de gallo (sp?).  Feast your eyes!

 Together, we can!

Hopes for this journey

     As I embark on this journey with my daughter and her classmate, I have stopped for a moment to reflect on all I hope to accomplish in the span of 30 days.  Better health and an improved body image for myself to be sure, but above all that, I have hopes that we can be an inspiration to others.  I particularly wish to be a positive influence on the younger generation who are just getting a start in life, and yet are bombarded daily through television ads about the glories of fast food as well as other processed junk foods.  These ads are extremely influential on their impressionable minds and, let's face it, the stuff is addictive!!  If the only power we have  to fight these powerful influences is in our own positive behavior, then we must do everything we can to become that positive role model for the younger generation!

Breakfast: the most important meal of the day. I browned some green onions in ghee, tossed in some heirloom tomatoes (cut in half) to warm through, sprinkled with pepper and real salt, and topped with half an avocado (cubed). I added two eggs over-easy on the side. Delicious! As I was eating, I realized the real issue I will face is not feeling hungry or deprived, but fitting a healthy eating lifestyle into my crazy busy day. I don't always have this kind of time in the mornings. Or the rest of the day for that matter. I am going to have to find some ways to make this quick and easy.

Day 1

Today is the day we begin our journey. We are two third-year law students and a retired bookkeeper, ranging in age from 40 to (almost) 58. The three of us have decided to follow the Whole30 plan (you can find it here: http://whole9life.com/). It's not about weight loss, though hopefully that will be a side effect. It's about better health through better nutrition, and becoming attuned to your body's ques after eating certain foods.

Because losing weight is not the primary objective, we won't be posting numbers and agonizing over them. But I did get on the scale this morning so that I will have a comparison at the end. It's not pretty. I am within 7 pounds of my highest weight as an adult, which is approximately what I weighed when I gave birth to my first child. I have struggled all of my life with extra weight and typical health issues surrounding extra weight abound in my family. I know now that the problem has been the industrialization of our food supply and that the key to health is eating whole, real foods rather than processed, chemical non-food. I need to correct hypertension, avoid diabetes , balance my hormones, and remain cancer-free. I'd rather do it with delicious food than with prescription medicines.

Let's do this!