In just a few days I’m looking forward to leading a group through the Whole30, starting January 2nd! This will be my third time and I can’t wait. Something about starting the new year off eating well feels good to me. Over the holidays it’s easy to indulge and graze through the days and weeks and before you know it, you can’t button your pants! If that sounds like you and you’re interested in joining me on your first or tenth Whole30 journey, let me know and I’ll add you to our group! It’s full of encouragement, recipes and helpful tips. None of us are experts, some learning as they go.
This is me on the first night of the re-introduction process after my very first Whole30. That wine glass I’m holding? I couldn’t even finish it. I was about 7 sips in and got a pretty bad headache, so it’s safe to say I have an issue with sulfites which are found in almost everything!
Whole30 has changed my life in a few ways already that I’m looking forward to the transformation that will happen over the next year even more. Not only do I feel great eating WHOLE foods consistently, but during the re-introduction of foods, I was able to recognize the ones my body didn’t digest so well, like corn and milk. Corn was the worst. Now that I know the affect corn has on my body, I’m very much aware of how I will feel whenever I indulge in a bowl of popcorn or eat something that contains cornstarch or eat my favorite snack, chips and salsa at a mexican restaurant. Knowing what you should and shouldn’t eat has it’s pros and cons, but if you ask me, there are more PROS than cons. I want to take care of my body and I’ve learned that the detox my body goes through with the Whole30 is one of the best ways I can take care of it.
My hope this go-round is that I can sustain eating well as much as possible, well after I’m done with Whole30. When I eat well, I not only feel better but I sleep well too. I’m not tired all of the time and have incredible energy. Because of my experience with Whole30, I decided a few weeks ago to challenge myself with a huge goal. I’ve wondered if I should say this outloud (type outloud), but I know that I need to in order to make it real to me… My biggest goal for 2019 is to do the Whole30 for 4 straight months. Yes, you read that right! From January 2nd – April 30th I will only eat foods that are Whole30 compliant. I want this to be a lifestyle change for me and I know that in order to truly make that possible, I need to have consistency for at least four months to change my current habits and introduce new ones.
If you want to learn more about the Whole30, this info on their website is a great place to start : https://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/ Also, here is their most recent post on joining the January Whole30 : https://whole30.com/2018/12/january-2019
Maybe you’re not convinced with the Whole30 and you think it’s just one of those “fad diets”. And I could tell you until I’m blue in the face that it’s not, but you won’t believe me until you try it for yourself. I have never truly “dieted” in my life and I’ll tell you now, the Whole30 is not a diet. It’s much more than that. Remember when I said I was able to discover the foods that my digestive system didn’t like so much? I’m able to now eat and not have an upset stomach or take tums, because I know how to avoid that. The Whole30 gives you more energy, causes you to sleep well (no irritability!!), gives you clearer skin, makes you lose weight (even without exercise…but exercise is good so of course keep that up!), and the list goes on… All in all, the Whole30 makes me feel all around great and I don’t think there is any other program out there that could do the same. It’s a healthy and safe way to take care of my body, so who can argue with that?
You in?
I’ll leave you with two of my absolute favorite Whole30 meals:
Chia Pudding Breakfast
•2 cups full fat coconut milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
•1/4 c + 2 Tblsp chia seeds
•1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla powder
Seal the top, shake until well blended + refrigerate overnight or for 12 hours. Top with fruit and cinnamon. I like to use frozen blueberries or bananas.
Sun-dried Tomato Creamy Chicken
- 1/4 cup Unmodified Potato Starch (or Tapioca Starch or Corn Starch if you don’t eat Paleo)
- 1 Tbsp Real Salt
- 1 tsp Freshly Ground Pepper
- 8 Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin removed)
- 3 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (divided)
- 1 Yellow Onion (Sliced thinly)
- 3/4 cup Sliced Sun-dried Tomatoes (not packed in oil)*
- 1 Tbsp Garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning (oregano, thyme, parsley)
- large pinch Red Pepper Flakes
- 13.5 oz can Coconut Milk
- 1 cup Chicken Stock (or Broth)
- Basil (shredded, to top)
Find the full recipe at My Natural Family.
Cheers,
Jen
