Almost a Year on Whole 30

Wow - I can't believe almost a year has passed since I did my very first Whole 30 challege. Started on November 1, 2011, I have to say it was the start of a wonderful journey and a new way of looking at food. It is what I had hoped for and I am now able to eat without it being an entertaining event. Eating is for survivial and who doesn't want to survive as a healthy individual. I have not had a slice of bread or a cookie or a piece of cake in a year. Can you believe that? Now that is not to say that I haven't indulged and been less vigilant in my diet. Which is why, every so often, it is time to do a "reset" and go through the process again. Time to break any old habits that have been developed over the past year and take control once again. And, if I can drop a few more lbs. along the way, than that's even better. I lost about 25 lbs over this past year but have gained back 5. I want to be sure that I'm not back on an upward swing but I also know that as a triathlete at the end of my season, the time I spent working out has diminished greatly so that certainly can account for the weight gain. But, like I said, I do not want that to be the trend. Keep in mind that losing weight should not be the only reason for doing a Whole 30 as you might be disappointed. I only lost 8 lbs in that 30 days and really thought I would lose more than that - however, I continued losing weight over the year in a slow process that should help me maintain that weight loss. So today, I begin again. Day 1 of the journey and I will try to blog my meals to help me later find those things that I like the best. Here is my breakfast - 2 fried eggs, 2 pieces sugarless bacon (brand is Fields) and roasted vegetable hash. I made roasted veggies over the weekend with butternut squash, carrots and sweet potatoes. It made a huge batch and I was wondering how I would eat it all - so I cooked some of it this morning in coconut oil until it was crispy - YUMMMMM. Will have a banana a half cup of my mixed nuts (raw almonds, cashews, pecans and macadamia nuts). Lots of water, vitamins and coffe. My day has begun. I am meeting a friend for lunch at a restaurant on Wed and already know that they have a chopped chicken salad that I can get without croutons, cheese or dressing. I'll bring my own homemade dressing so that should go fine. Also have a happy hour this week with some old friends - that will be more challenging. I'm thinking I will only be having water and that will be OK. So to complete the day. Lunch - paleo chili with a salad and homemade 1000 island dressing. I finished up my nuts with a few dates. For dinner I had bacon and eggs again, which my husband requested and I also ate some more of that roasted veggie hash. Snack before bed was a little almond butter with some dates. Day 1 over.

Last Day - Hurray!

Nuff said...

2 Days left...

That's counting today, you know - tomorrow will be the last day of my challenge.

Today for lunch I had tuna salad made with my homemade mayonnaise and it tasted fine....Yay for that!

My larabars bit the dust - literally. I set my husband's lunchbox on top of the pan holding the larabars. When he pulled out his lunchbox, the pan went flying out and the crumbly bars ended up all over the place. They now live within my vacuum. Hmmmm...will have to try this again but need something to bind them together better - perhaps almond butter. I actually tried a little of this last night - crumblies mixed with the almond butter and it was YUM!

And the cruise countdown is.....4 days....

Three Days Left to Go

Made it easily through Thanksgiving however, I have to say that there are some things I would like to have I just don't know how lenient I will allow myself. I don't want to blow this. Can't wait to weigh myself on Thursday morning.

Today's challenge - I googled Homemade Larabars and there are a bunch of recipes to choose from. I chose one for Chocolate Coconut Larabars and it was very easy to make. I put this in the refrigerator to set and will try them tomorrow. Also had a very good roast today that I made in the crockpot. I also tried googling homemade Miracle Whip because I think I just don't like mayonnaise. I might try putting some pineapple juice in my mayo to sweeten it up - maybe that will make it better. If I could conquer this one, then I would be SO happy.

The countdown to my cruise is at 6 days - can't wait.

Thanksgiving on Whole30!

Haven't eaten dinner yet but I think it will be awesome! I'm not cooking the turkey but I'm making sure that there is plenty of Whole30 food available. I made a fruit salad out of honeydew, canteloupe, pineapple, orange and banana; a garden salad with spring greens, iceberg, radishes, black olives, cucumbers and cocktail tomatoes - will top that with some homemade ranch dressing. I also have homemade applesauce and mashed sweet potatoes - add the turkey and I think the feast will be complete.

Banana ice cream later this evening for dessert - have you made this before? One ingredient - frozen bananas in the food processor until it becomes ICE CREAM. So many options for toppings - nuts, pineapple, coconut, coconut oil with dark chocolate cocoa mixed in (this actually hardens on the ice cream and is just like a dip cone).

Started my day running a 5k and finished within my goal time and third place in my Age Group - I will take that any day. That would be 3rd out of 10 women - that makes me feel good. It was a difficult run - nothing but hills.

So let's see - day 24 - 6 days left. Oh, and it's my 22nd wedding anniversary today too!