Encore

I was advised to make a Top 10 list about the Whole30.  Instead of the 'best' things, I'm listing the biggest takeaways from completing the Whole30 successfully.  So here they are in no particular order:

Top 10:

1. It is not hard.  (battling cancer is hard, fighting in a war is hard)

2. I never thought I could get better sleep.  I had what I thought were good sleeping habits before...it's nothing like how I'm sleeping now.

3.  My workouts are much more efficient.  I don't lose energy and my heart rate isn't as high when I'm exercising (and it's not because I'm not working as hard)

4.  I don't need bread or cheese or beer. 

5.  Everyone is gluten intolerant.  (cut it out of your diet and see what happens to your gut...mine is much less poochy for lack of a better term)

6.  There is enough time in your day and in your weeks to eat like this, as long as you make it a priority.  Trust me it's worth it. 

7. It's really not that much more expensive to eat real, whole food.  (I bet you will spend less on dr's visits, antacids, etc.)

8.  It is empowering to be in control of how your body looks and feels!

9.  Pumpkin shakes may seem and look like a good idea, but they taste like baby food. (Gerber if you're reading, call me)

10. Feeling good is in your control.  Everything you put into your body is either healthy or unhealthy.  There is no in between. 

For those who are wondering....no I did not have a Bloody Mary with breakfast.  I ate completely paleo today, including the Pumpkin Shake I mentioned....it's not good. 

But speaking of pumpkin, I did make a purchase today for when I am ready....Dogfish Punkin :) 

Finale!

Well folks, we've made it.  When I wake up tomorrow, as long as I don't sleep walk down to the local 7-11 and sleep eat taquitos, I will have successfully completed the Whole3o challenge.  30 days of no grains, legumes, alcohol, dairy, soy, etc.  30 days of real, natural delicious food.  The last meals: 

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with spinach, steak. Lunch: Tuna wraps with tomato/avocado. Dinner: Spaghetti and tomato/avocado.  (I know, tomato and avocado were on a brief hiatus). Snack: apples and almond butter. 

I've had a bunch of people ask me what I'm going to eat tomorrow.  Probably the same good food I've been eating the last 30 days.  I think it'd be a bit hypocritical to reward myself for completing this challenge with food/drink. I'd rather reward myself with something materialistic.  Today, I bought a trash can online.  No, I will not allow that to be my reward. It just so happened I needed a trash can and I bought it today.  I'll probably cash in this weekend when I go shopping. 

So, I will continue to eat the paleo way until I really want something nonpaleo.  I'm not sure when it will happen, but I want it to be worth it. I embarked on this challenge to change my relationship with food, for the short term- success.  I think the hardest part for me will be the time after the whole30.  I've done well because there are guidelines and rules to follow-- it was easy to control.  Now, it's up to me to make better decisions on my own. I'm sure there will be hard days and easy days, and I'm sure the easy days will become more frequent as time goes on. I hope anyways.  

In closing, thanks for all the support and encouragement along the way.  As much as I became consumed and obsessed with the Whole30, I did with blogging as well.  I really had fun writing about my journey.  And although I did feel extreme pressure to post daily and make people laugh, I did enjoy the process and think it was helpful.  It was like I had an audience to report to and I didn't want to disappoint. I know some people have requested that I continue with the blog....and I will try to blog about life after the whole30, but it may be less frequent and not as comical. 

And those asking for after pictures, please message me privately.  


KIDDING!

29 of 30

I just typed out that title and I cannot believe tomorrow is my last full day of the Whole30 challenge.  This journey has certainly gone faster than I imagined it to go- it has given me perspective, motivation and control.  I don't have urges to put 'bad stuff' into my body.  Well, for the most part. 

A lot of people have asked 'what are you going to do when it's over?'  I honestly think I will continue on this path of eating paleo until I really want something nonpaleo. I feel good.  It's hard to describe elaborately. I have no desire to eat bread or cheese.  (I also haven't been face to face with a pizza in 29 days). I've been sleeping like a baby. I have energy and rarely experience the usual afternoon sluggishness.  You know that 2:00 feeling the 5 hour energy commercials always tell you about. I want to workout.  My mouth actually watered for spinach yesterday. I desire good food.  I've enjoyed channeling my inner Jules Childs. I am proud of what I've accomplished. 

One of my biggest challenges has been the social aspect for sure.  I've cut down on my social engagements to limit temptations, etc. My nonpaleo, social butterfly self would definitely call my whole30, seltzer drinking self LAME. I've had some conflicting thoughts on that matter, the whole30 is almost social suicide. No, it's not that bad. I just wanted to use the phrase social suicide since it's in Mean Girls. I've obviously chosen to limit my sociality (can't believe that's a word)- so I need to be better about going out and being ok with not drinking. 

Although I'm not sure what I was so concerned with, I never once worried that I would fall off the wagon. My only worry involving wagons concerns the Mennonites and their road apples. 

I am looking forward to having the option to enjoy a beverage if I want it.  I'm not saying tomorrow at 12:01am I'm going to crack a beer....that would be ludicrous.  I'll just have a Bloody Mary with my breakfast Wednesday before I go into work.  Kidding people. 

The process of reintroducing foods is a little intimidating.  The top 3 items I'd like to reintroduce are aforementioned adult beverages, sugar free creamer and gum.  I feel like that's a really weird combination, but that's honestly what I think. Anyways, enough reflection for this evening.  I'm not even finished the challenge yet.  

Hung out with my main man Shaun T this morning.  Loathing walking push ups. And the rug in my living room is cheap so I get rug burns on my palms. Sometimes my frugality gets the best of me.

Anyways, breakfast was: steak and an egg, with my sweet potato/nan concoction.  I've had a lot of interest for that recipe, so here it is: 

Microwave a sweet potato in a wet paper towel for 4-5 minutes (until fork tender).  Cut up a small banana (the riper the better).  I usually use a 1/2 of the sweet potato at most.  Mash together the nan and potato, add about 1/4 cup of coconut milk and 2 tsp of cinnamon.  Reheat once everything is incorporated and top with walnuts.  Devour. 

Lunch was my leftover 'surf' from dinner last night, atop a salad with tomatoes and EVOO.  It was as scrumptious as it looks.  Post lunch nibble of raspberries and walnuts.

The weather today was pretty miz. Soup was calling my name for dinner.  Needed a little protein with it, so had a little bit of spaghetti squash and meat sauce. I couldn't even finish the soup. I've noticed I become fuller quickly, I guess when I'm meant to be finished. 

Also, if you're interested in what I'm doing right now, it's not watching the O's play the Yankees.  Of course not. I'm hanging out in the front of a classroom with a room full of underachieving student athletes. I, in my baby earphones listening to Mumford and Sons sipping seltzer water; them in their oversized headphones jammin to Chris Brown and texting under their desks. 

Sweet life. 

Surf and Turf

As much as I want to write about the dinner I just ate, I feel as though I should keep this blog chronological. 
Apologies for not posting yesterday, it was Homecoming at BC and the day was busy.  We started the day with an Alumnae Game, the official end of our fall ball season. It was a good turnout, specifically loved the alum that showed up with a wooden stick.  I know you're probably thinking she was 80, well she wasn't, she was only a few years older than me. I don't know how the Indians did it. 
Following the Alumnae Game (that I officiated....lord help us), we had a tailgate. I'm not sure why I planned a tailgate for the last weekend of my whole30 challenge, or maybe I secretly enjoy torturing myself.  I know there is a word for that but I have no idea what it is. I just tried to google it and I got masochist.  I don't think that's right.

A la the tailgate, I had 2 100% all beef burgers with mustard and some veggies.  The only thing I really wanted was the taco dip and scoops.  Freaking scoops. 

Dinner was leftover spaghetti squash and sauce with a side of spinach.  I'm trying to work more greens into my meals. It was fabulous.  Sauteed the spinach with salt and garlic, hit the spot. 

I actually decided to be social last night and meet some friends out....got wasted off soda water and lime. Not. 
So while the table ordered wings, fries and dogfish beer (maybe my fave), I took my carbonated bev to the face.  Like a champ.  Oh I did have a celery stalk. 

It really wasn't that bad...I enjoyed the company and it was good to get out of the house. Not as difficult as I thought it would be to not drink.  Got home around midnight and did not toss until 8:45am.  Glorious. 

I lounged in sweats, watched a movie and didn't brush my teeth until 12pm today and I'm not ashamed of it. 

I joined a basketball league, mainly to make friends with a secondary goal to exercise and compete. Didn't want to overdo it with lunch, so I just had an apple with some almond butter. Seemed to work I only had 1 air ball. It was really fun, looking forward to hooping more often. 

Ok, finally I can get to my dinner and the title of this blog. SURF and TURF.  

Salmon with lemon juice, olive oil, tarragon, chives, S&P.    

Ribeye purchased from a local farmer's market- rubbed in garlic, S&P and EVOO.  

Side of spinach sauteed in garlic.

Washed it down with a refreshing spritzer of seltzer water- garnished with lemon and raspberries. 

BAM.

Jules is back. 

Evening Y'all

Well this day, the 26th day of the whole30, was a freaking crapshow. Honestly. One of my biggest peeves of this challenge is having to eat in public, around people that don't understand what you're doing and probably won't ever. I don't like being considered high maintenance and tonight I was.

I attended the Bridgewater College Hall of Fame banquet this evening, it was a lovely affair.   I did my best to plan ahead (at $25 a pop, I was getting my paleo time and money's worth), I chatted with the chef ahead of time to explain my conundrum and he was on board.  Phew.  They served a fancy salad, pork, asparagus and a parsnip mash with some glaze over the top.  Easy fix- garden salad with balsamic, plain pork and boiled asparagus.  Dessert for me wasn't the mouth watering chocolate lava delicacy, but a plate of fresh fruit.  So the salad was good, then dinner started to be delivered. About 9 different servers tried to give me the 'normal' dinner with the non-paleo friendly culinary treasures.  It didn't help that the one Russian server lady (god love her) tried twice to give me the 'normal' plate and got offended when I tried to explain I had a 'special' plate back in the kitchen somewhere. Comically enough, I was sitting at a table with a few current BC colleagues, and a few very former BC athletes/coaches- the mean age of us ladies (myself excluded) was probably about 76. I'm not sure any of them understood my dilemma; the phrase 'hunting and gathering' was thrown out in every other sentence to help explain, to no avail. Oh well. Finally my 'special' plate came out and I felt like a princess.  I've never aspired to be a princess, but you probably already knew that. 

Anyways, dinner went smoothly enough and it was a great banquet (sorry no pics of din, wasn't the environment to be snapping shots of my food).  I always get inspired hearing about other athletes and their experiences.  Success breeds success right? 


So breakfast today was the usual- see pic in case you've been living under a rock and this is your first experience with my blog.  Side note- seeing pumpkin flavored creamers in the grocery store does not encourage paleo thoughts. 

Lunch was random...and for once, was not planned ahead. I made spaghetti squash and a homemade meat sauce using ground turkey.  Yes, I made spaghetti on my lunch break.  Not sure who does that.  It was delicious though. 

Apparently, I do not live in central Virginia, but actually central Texas...we have freaking Friday Night Lights going on in my backyard.  Who sets off fireworks after a high school football game?  It's 9:30 people and I'm lame. 

Day 25...blog of pics

Almond Butter....slight addiction

 

Breakfast: scrambled eggs western style with proscuitto, onions, green peppers, red peppers and a side of mango.

 

 

Pit stop at the Farmer's Market: free range eggs, raspberries, green pepper, sweet potato, tomatoes and a ribeye.

 

 

Lunch: turkey burger topped with carmalized onions and tomato with mustard and chive mayo in a lettuce wrap.  Heaven.

 

day 24

I am getting hate mail for not posting yesterday.  Relax peeps....had a busy day.

 

Had another great night of sleep, yes, passed the remote test again.  I've actually been turning my tv off before I fall asleep, something I've probably not done since 7th grade.

 

 

For breakfast had an egg with salsa and my usual sweet potato/nanner combo.  I can really tell if I don't eat enough protein in a meal....get hungry earlier than usual. Had a snack of banana and almond butter (tried a new brand- Kettle, really recommend). Played some hoops at lunch, couple 3's, couple air balls. 

 

Lunch was my homemade vegetable soup with avocado/salsa combo.  Again, not enough protein and was hungry by 6pm. Took care of that problem with a little carnitas delight from Chipotle.  Don't you hate when people call it "Chipoltee"? God that drives me up a wall.

 

As for today, got in a run in the foggiest weather I've seen since England. I wore reflective clothing and a headlamp just to be sure I wasn't trampled by a horse and buggy.  Kidding, just wanted to give you a mental image. Sometimes my sole motivation for running in the morning is so I can have my miracle mash.  I think I'm addicted to it. I'm serious.

 

 

Just looked at that picture...although those may look like animal fecal matter, they are actually dates. And they are delicious.

 

Lunch was leftover chili and a salad.  Perfectly content with it.  While I was home for lunch, I made turkey burgers with carmalized onions.  I plan on eating one of those on top of a salad with some chive mayo for dinner.  Meal preparation is dominating my life.  Good thing I overshop and buy tons of produce/protein.  I got a bunch of fresh herbs today from a coworker (thanks Ellen!)- chives, basil, thyme, parsley and terragon.  Have never used terragon, looking forward to incorpating that somewhere.

 

 

Heading to UVA tonight to watch their w.lax team play JMU, so a premade dinner was in order. Luckily my assistant is driving, so I can scarf my whole30 meal on the way to Charlottesville.  Blogging now so that I don't receive deaththreats later.

 

Catch 22

Running out of creative titles and I have 22 days down.  This blog has nothing to do with a Catch 22. Sorry for misleading you. 

Had another awesome night of sleep.  Really wanted to stay up for the RHONJ reunion part I of III, but I went to bed. Those that know me well know that was difficult. I'm actually getting tired at night (not after lunch like before) and easily falling asleep.  I'm a loser and do the remote test when I go to bed. For those of you that don't know what the remote test is (and you shouldn't, because I made it up last night)....I leave the remote about 6 inches from me before I fall asleep and see where it is in the morning.  If it's in the same spot when I wake up, flawless slumber.  I have passed the remote test the past 2 nights. And this is what excites me.  

I spent a little time with Shaun T this morning for Insanity Abs.  I like the Ab workout because it's like 23 minutes and you don't do any crunches.  I will have a 6 pack when I wake up tomorrow. Breakfast was scrambled eggs with homemade salsa on top and my go to sweet potato/banana mash of heaven.  No the mini pumpkins were not part of my meal. 

Lunch was amazeballs (haven't said that in a while) and I definitely overate. I tell you what, poaching chickens may be my new fave past time. Made some more chicken salad today with walnuts, grapes, celery, S&P. Side of tomato/guac and a little DVR'ed RHONJ.  Nailed that lunch on all levels. 

I don't think I snacked all day.  Proud of myself. Came home a little early and made some vegetable soup using the broth I got from aforementioned poached chicken. Talk about sustainability.  I am putting on a clinic. 

I had to incorporate the world's smallest tabasco bottle into the blog today.  How freaking cute is that thing? 

I know it may seem like my life is really exciting with all these food experiments and road apple dodging ,but it's really not. Currently doing my normal Monday evening ritual. Watching Monday Night Football you suspect? False. Watching delinquent student-athletes pretending to study while I blog and do some online shopping.  By online shopping I mean load up a cart of awesome outfits that total over $400 and then X out the page. 

Must be Sunday.....

No farmer's markets/road side stands open and I was dodging road apples on my run today.  All the mennonites down here are great with all of the good produce they provide, but they also provide some items in the road that neither smell good, nor provide me with wanted obstacles while running.  I swear if I twist my ankle on horse shit, I'm going to lose it. 

Apologies for no post yesterday- twas a busy day off campus!  Probably a good thing we went to Richmond, forgot yesterday was Yard-Sale-a-Palooza in Bridgewater.  The biggest holiday of the year. I swear I could barely get out of my garage because there were yard-salers all over creation.   

It was great to see the team play against some other people and they did pretty well.  I had some green peppers and guacamole before we played and a Lara Bar in between.  No real lunch for me, but I wasn't starving. So bfast and snacks were all well and good, until we got to the glorious team dinner.  Lasagna, garlic bread, spinach & artichoke dip, pita chips, red velvet cake, candy corn....aaaaaah.  I settled for my homemade chicken salad on top of a salad.  It would've been better if i was eating in solitude. One of the annoying parts about this challenge is that a million people ask you a million questions.  Sometimes it is hard to explain- so I try to keep it simple and sweet. Then they ask if I've lost weight.  Oh jeez, here we go again. 
Luckily, there was fresh fruit out, so I could mingle and snack like everyone else. 

We got back at about 9:15pm or so.  After our bus hit a police check point on campus...normal.  They actually stopped the bus and asked for the driver's license. Really? 

Anyways, got home, watched a little TV and was in bed around 10:30.  I had the best sleep I think I've ever had.  Literally did not move all night; it was awesome.  This morning, breakfast was ok.  I had eggs scrambled with proscuitto and green peppers and a side of tomatoes. Added a little cinnamon to my coffee to spice it up.  Haha get it? I know, lame. 
Had a little date/walnut snack as well, didn't feel satiety from breakfast alone. 

Went to support our volleyball team over lunch, and again wasn't starving, so just had a lara bar.  Oh also got in a run before that. I worked out 6 days this week, something that hasn't happened in a little while.  I usually shoot for 4-5x per week. 

I was in football-cooking mode- so here is the spread for the game: turkey chili, guacamole and salsa.  I need to figure out what to shuttle the salsa into my gob with....green peppers aren't cutting it. Whoever invented Scoops is a genius.  Mind you I consumed these items while those around me had said Scoops, Oktoberfest beer and cupcakes.  Brutal. 

Luckily the Redskins pulled it out! I still do not like Billy Cundiff, but he pulled through when we needed it.  Although, if he would've just hit the 6 yarder he missed earlier, we wouldn't have been in that position. Whatever, a W is a W. 

Hard to believe 3 weeks are down!  I feel like I'm in a good stride now and am easily handling it.  I am actually nervous to be 'finished' and not sure how I will react physically and mentally.  It seems weird to me that I am nervous to finish. Will keep you posted on those thoughts. 

I'm so cool....

I poach chickens on Friday nights. Seriously.  I'm poaching a chicken while watching Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.  Why do I torture myself.
Wait until you hear what I had for dinner....eggs and a freaking carrot.  Felt like a reindeer. 
I'm making it sound worse than it really was.  Probably my worst whole30 dinner, but not gag worthy.  I was left feeling a little unsatisfied. Probably doesn't help that it smells like Thanksgiving in here with the poaching of the chicken.  I want stuffing and leftover turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce on a homemade roll. 
Ok, here is the poaching extravaganza....I put carrots, onions, celery (the trinity), salt, peppercorns, crushed garlic cloves, rosemary, sage and parsley in a big pot with the bird.  I also stuffed some of the aforementioned items into the cavity of the chicky chicky.  Covered with water, brought to a boil and then turned down to a simmer for about 50 minutes.  Took it off the heat and covered for about 10-15 more minutes.  

 It was awkward getting that thing out of the pot...the meat was literally falling off the bone and it was hot as hell. Took the skin off, burning my fingers about 9 times. Made a chicken salad out of some of the white meat using s&p, chopped walnuts, celery, grapes and homemade mayo.  Will be taking that as my lunch tomorrow.  We are on the road to Richmond for a play day.  Paleo on the road againnnnn.

Once I pulled all of the meat off the carcass, I threw it back into the jacuzzi and brought it to a boil. I'm planning on using the broth to make a soup at some point.  

Ok, off to hit the hay....bathing birds has got me exhausted.  Wish me luck for tomorrow.  I will be packing my paleo cooler for my day of lax.  Leaving at 10am and probably won't be back until 8pm.  Toughest test will for sure be our stop at one of the player's houses- team dinner with lasagna amongst other goodies.  What day am I on again? 

Thirsty Thursday

And then there was one. The other 2 people that decided to join me here on this whole30 mission have decide to discontinue. So it's me and 11 days.

Blogging from my phone, so it's a shorty.
Lunch was chicken, mayo, tomato and portobello on a lettuce wrap. So yum. Dinner was a 'tuna melt' on a portobello mushroom. Also delish. Limiting my date intake since they are super sugary.
Night y'all!

mummy kicks

For those that don't know....mummy kicks are one of the most dreaded parts of the Insanity workouts.  That or push up jacks (basically a jumping jack on the ground with a push up included, nbd). 

Have to admit....pretty tired right now.  The mummy kicks and push up jacks are starting to catch up to me. Highlight of the morning was when one of my players said to me- "Coach you have so much energy!" Loved that. 

The motivation for Insanity, besides proving to my players that this old gal can still hang, was my breakfast after.  Felt like such a good workout deserved a whole sweet potato in my paleo oatmeal.  I also added a few chopped dates to the mash to spice it up.  Had an egg for some protein.  I also meant to mention, I switched from light coconut milk to regular coconut milk.  I add that to my paleo oatmeal and to my coffee- once you get over the weird consistency it's pretty good.  I am actually starting to enjoy my coffee these days. 

Lunch, per usual, was lame-nation. I should clarify, lunch in the dining hall, per usual was lame-nation. We had a recruit on campus today, so my assistant and I joined the entire BC student body (half of them in camo) for lunch.  Had a salad, with 2 hard boiled eggs, balsamic vinegar and EVOO. Supplemented with a small cup of fruit and a water.  Could hardly contain myself. Not. 

Had a banana before practice, just felt hungry and still not satisfied from lunch.  Previously, I remember getting super hungry during practice.  Hungry coach wasn't a happy coach.  Now I'm cruising through.  Even played a little 3v3 with some players before practice got going.  It was a gorgeous day down here in the Shenandoah Valley and practice went well.  

Had to make a Walmart run to fill a prescription for a player, so decided to see what kind of paleo friendly food Wally M had to offer. I skipped the produce section, really trying to support the local farmers by getting that stuff at farmers markets/roadside stands.  I was surprised to find the following whole30 friendly items: coconut milk, dates (new obsession), tuna in EVOO, pumpkin and tomato paste.  

Dinner nailed it- lettuce wraps with baked chicken, homemade mayo and tomato, with a side of avocado topped with homemade salsa.  For 'dessert' I had a few walnuts and dates.  I've been popping dates like they are oversized tootsie rolls. It's crazy how much I've been looking forward to my whole30 meals.  Also crazy that I haven't been concerned with calories at all- which was my previous way of approaching every meal. Feels good to just eat real, whole food and not worry about anything else. Also feels good to FEEL GOOD.