Whole30 Week 1

The Clothes Make the Girl

Remember when I said the New Year was going to hit me with changes? All I can say is oh my golly are we in for a wild ride. I really feel like these changes are either going to make us crumble or completely transform our lives -- starting with Whole30. January 2nd was a crazy day. All of my "measurable goals" were put into action and everything sped up sooner than I expected. Aaron and I were talking yesterday about how this is the year of health for us, which is definitely challenging because it means we're going to spend a lot more and save a lot less. We're trying to keep the grand scheme of things in perspective and know that ultimately these health changes are only going to improve our lives in big ways. I found out yesterday I have a minimally invasive surgery this coming week -- and while all I've wanted to do is stress eat -- I know that my clean eating habits for the month will help with the recovery process and that the surgery will benefit my health, even if I am a baby about it. Talk about kicking things into high gear. 

We're being cliche "New Year people" with our Whole30 commitment, and I am sure day one is far from difficult because we are still enthusiastic with the highs of New Year's resolutions... but I know there will be a downward slope and depleted motivation (and cash). I'm beyond glad my friends -- and husband -- are doing it with me; Aaron is, without a doubt, the best dreamer and creative foodie you would want in a husband and roomie, and he makes our limited paleo diet a culinary exploration. For real, he is one awesome human. 

Anyway, I wanted to share with my non-paleo readers what this health plan is all about. I am new to paleo and in no way count myself as a paleo eater, but Whole30 has definitely introduced the appealing aspects to the lifestyle. People say my cravings for cheese and pasta will go away, but that is a knee-slapper. Y'all don't even know. 

Yo, Paleo/Whole30, I'm really happy for you, I'mma let you finish, but dairy has some of the best tastes of all time. 

Too bad dairy doesn't feel the same way about me, because I'm fairly certain I have lactose intolerance. Anyway, here is the premise of Whole30:

There are certain foods (like sugar, dairy, grains and legumes) that could be having a negative impact on your health and fitness without you even realizing it. To learn how these foods are really affecting you, you have to strip your diet completely and cut out, as the Whole30 site states: "all the psychologically unhealthy, hormone-unbalancing, gut-disrupting, inflammatory food groups for a full 30 days... Push the “reset” button with your metabolism, systemic inflammation, and the downstream effects of the food choices you’ve been making. Learn once and for all how the foods you’ve been eating are actually affecting your day to day life, and your long term health."

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Foods you can eat? Real food. Eat meat, seafood, eggs, a lot of vegetables, some fruit and an abundance of good fats from fruits, oils, nuts and seeds. Eat foods with very few ingredients, all pronounceable ingredients or -- if you can -- no ingredients listed at all because they’re totally natural and unprocessed. 

For 30 days, you avoid sugar of any kind, alcohol (even for cooking), grains, legumes, white potatoes, carrageenan, MSG or sulfites and even paleo-ifying baked goods, desserts and junk foods. The last and final rule is that you are not allowed to step on a scale or take any body measurements for the duration of the program. I love that Whole30 is all about getting healthy with the added benefit of losing weight. For me, I am not doing the program to lose weight... but I AM tired of people giving me flack for abiding by strict food guidelines just because I am skinny. Can't skinny girls be healthy too? 

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Aaron and I would be lost without Mel from The Clothes Make the Girl. She is a blogger and author of the beloved paleo cook book, Well Fed and Well Fed 2. A few days ago she blogged a Whole30 2014 Week 1 Meal Plan that included a shopping list, a number of awesome meals and a cookup that we attempted last night. Her cookup plans are basically for brave souls who want to cook ALL of their meals at once for the better part of a week, making the transition away from sugar and cravings a little easier... not to mention she gets super creative. We are eternally grateful for that Sunshine sauce recipe, Mel. Kudos on that one!

Her cookups are not for the faint of heart, but we are relieved to stock up on the goodies she outlined for us. Plus, her plans make our fridge look healthy, organized and ready to go. 

Anyway, if you are eating clean for Whole30, I would love to hear some of your favorite tips and recipes. I'm sure I won't consistently share my Whole30 revelations on here, as I am sure I will want to "kill all the things" soon enough, including focused blogging time. I will be drained, according to this: 

So in the mean time, I wish you luck on your journey to good health. If I say some grumpy things to you, I'm sorry... it's the sugar-deprivation talking... or the pain meds. :) Here's to 2014!