So, apparently it is one week later. I ate badly all week. S-I-G-H. I feel awful, and not just the guilt. I physically feel awful. Apparently I am like my mother in yet another way: We have two switches, ON and OFF, ALL or NOTHING. It's not like I spent the last week allowing myself to have one Diet Coke a day. Nope, I spent the last week apparently trying to decide if the human body could accommodate several gallons of it a day. Short of spending time on a therapist's couch, I don't think I can pinpoint why that is.
But yet, I am committed to starting over yet again, even with a wedding and Memorial Day looming quickly ahead. I mean, I made it through Easter without cheating! Where is that girl?
You know what else is looming ahead? Beach vacation in July. Another huge S-I-G-H.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Penitent
Here I am at what should have been Day 13 completely penitent. I started the day off with Diet Coke and doughnuts. I had Wendy's for lunch, and let's just say I didn't have a salad. But I weighed midday and was shocked to discover I've lost 5 pounds in 13 days (remember that last time I only showed a loss of 3 pounds after 20 days, which I gained back by going crazy for 9 days). I know this: I will not be binging for 9 days. I have given myself permission to binge today. Tomorrow is a good ole' Southern pot luck, so I'll see how that goes. But come Monday, I'm refocused.
Here is a further breakdown of my Whole30 thoughts. I know to ask for oil and vinegar even if it's not listed on the menu. I think I will make this choice often in the future, but I know that sometimes this girl needs ranch dressing. (PS, Whole30 ranch is one of the worst things I've ever tasted, and one of the few things I've ever deemed completely inedible after making.) I've become very used to saying "no cheese or croutons", and I think can continue this practice as well.
I like that as long as I stick to the approved foods, I can eat as much as I want. I hate portion sizes. I hate measuring and counting, whether it be carbs or calories. I hate not feeling full, which always leads me to binging in the end. I do not like being the only person at an event making healthy choices.
I like having my eyes opened even more to added ingredients. I'm pretty sure I will continue making my own taco seasoning. I'm planning to make my own BBQ sauce this week, which is a Whole30 recipe. I like that it made me pick up different fresh veggies that I normally don't buy just to get some darn variety. I've eaten more fruit than I ever have. I'm rare in that I've always eaten more veggies than fruits.
And even though I've had a terrible eating day, it's important to note that my coffee was still black this morning :)
Here is a further breakdown of my Whole30 thoughts. I know to ask for oil and vinegar even if it's not listed on the menu. I think I will make this choice often in the future, but I know that sometimes this girl needs ranch dressing. (PS, Whole30 ranch is one of the worst things I've ever tasted, and one of the few things I've ever deemed completely inedible after making.) I've become very used to saying "no cheese or croutons", and I think can continue this practice as well.
I like that as long as I stick to the approved foods, I can eat as much as I want. I hate portion sizes. I hate measuring and counting, whether it be carbs or calories. I hate not feeling full, which always leads me to binging in the end. I do not like being the only person at an event making healthy choices.
I like having my eyes opened even more to added ingredients. I'm pretty sure I will continue making my own taco seasoning. I'm planning to make my own BBQ sauce this week, which is a Whole30 recipe. I like that it made me pick up different fresh veggies that I normally don't buy just to get some darn variety. I've eaten more fruit than I ever have. I'm rare in that I've always eaten more veggies than fruits.
And even though I've had a terrible eating day, it's important to note that my coffee was still black this morning :)
Day 12 - BOOM!
Day 12 - Friday, May 10
So you know I've only been drinking 3 beverages -- black coffee, water, and unsweet tea (sometimes caffeinated and sometimes decaf) -- so why in the world I was typing that every day?
Breakfast: Banana
Work Lunch at The Grill: Beef tenderloin kabobs with sweet potato fries
Afternoon snack: Orange
Work Supper from Bulldog Deli: Chef salad with no cheese or croutons and oil & vinegar. But while ordering for 4 people, I got mad. I wanted hummus. My coworkered ordered the hummus salad. My choices were SALAD with either ham and turkey OR grilled chicken and bacon OR grilled chicken and fruit. Two pages worth of menu, and I had only a choice of which meat to go on my boring salad. I further started to unravel.
Then I went to work graduation, which is one of the best parts of my job, especially after the week of "Probation and Suspension and Dismissals, OH MY!" And amid all the happiness and excitement, I just had enough. When Angel and left, I teetered on the "will I fall off the wagon" line for about 15 minutes. I then a took a flying leap :(
We went back to Bulldog Deli and had dessert (chocolate eruption cheesecake for me) and DIET COKE. The only good news is that I physically couldn't eat the entire piece. But I did drink 2 huge Diet Cokes. And then a package of nabs at bedtime. It's terrible, I know, but I was missing carbs really badly.
Yes, I am disgusted with myself. So disappointed...again. But I'm going to see how "paleo" I can move forward from here. Past Whole30, you can actually have honey, etc. I will try my best to stop acting like a crazy emotional binger and have some sense. We shall see.
Fruits = 2 servings (banana, orange)
Vegetables = 4 servings (Salad: lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers; sweet potato)
Protein = 2-3 servings (beef, ham and turkey)
Healthy fat = 1-2 servings (oil and vinegar)
Empty carbs = nabs
SUGAR = BOO! (cheesecake)
CHEMICALS = Diet Coke
So you know I've only been drinking 3 beverages -- black coffee, water, and unsweet tea (sometimes caffeinated and sometimes decaf) -- so why in the world I was typing that every day?
Breakfast: Banana
Work Lunch at The Grill: Beef tenderloin kabobs with sweet potato fries
Afternoon snack: Orange
Work Supper from Bulldog Deli: Chef salad with no cheese or croutons and oil & vinegar. But while ordering for 4 people, I got mad. I wanted hummus. My coworkered ordered the hummus salad. My choices were SALAD with either ham and turkey OR grilled chicken and bacon OR grilled chicken and fruit. Two pages worth of menu, and I had only a choice of which meat to go on my boring salad. I further started to unravel.
Then I went to work graduation, which is one of the best parts of my job, especially after the week of "Probation and Suspension and Dismissals, OH MY!" And amid all the happiness and excitement, I just had enough. When Angel and left, I teetered on the "will I fall off the wagon" line for about 15 minutes. I then a took a flying leap :(
We went back to Bulldog Deli and had dessert (chocolate eruption cheesecake for me) and DIET COKE. The only good news is that I physically couldn't eat the entire piece. But I did drink 2 huge Diet Cokes. And then a package of nabs at bedtime. It's terrible, I know, but I was missing carbs really badly.
Yes, I am disgusted with myself. So disappointed...again. But I'm going to see how "paleo" I can move forward from here. Past Whole30, you can actually have honey, etc. I will try my best to stop acting like a crazy emotional binger and have some sense. We shall see.
Fruits = 2 servings (banana, orange)
Vegetables = 4 servings (Salad: lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers; sweet potato)
Protein = 2-3 servings (beef, ham and turkey)
Healthy fat = 1-2 servings (oil and vinegar)
Empty carbs = nabs
SUGAR = BOO! (cheesecake)
CHEMICALS = Diet Coke
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Days 10 & 11 - Weary
Day 11 - Thursday, May 9
Breakfast: Black coffee, water, banana
Lunch: I was having a TERRIBLE day at work and was actually kinda trapped in a meeting as lunch was fast approaching. Lucky for me that Angel is awesome. She ordered lunch, went and got it, and made healthy choices for me -- chicken grill salad with takeout oil and vinegar! I only got to eat about half before being called into another meeting, but I was so thankful for it!
Afternoon snack 1: Deluxe mixed nuts 2.25 oz package (Angel even took care of my snack for me!)
Afternoon snack 2: Banana
Supper at Taste of Home following baseball: I watched everyone else eat fried catfish and the best baked potatoes on earth, followed by homemade Mennonite pie, while I ate baked chicken and double salad for my sides. The first bowl of salad I opted for Italian (again with places not having oil and vinegar, oy!). But I've come to hate the taste of Italian dressing. I have really gotten to like oil and vinegar, but I desperately miss ranch. So here's the journey my brain went on, "Italian isn't 100% compliant, so why is it any better than ranch? The Atkins diet said ranch was ok. I mean, they both have added stuff....I miss ranch...I'm not eating fried foods or sugar or carbs...I'M GOING TO EAT RANCH!!!" And it was the best thing I've eaten in 11 days.
I am sitting here with my nightly 9 pm craving for sugar. Some nights I eat a spoonful of almond butter. Some nights I eat fresh fruit. Some nights I tough it out and go to bed. But I do find myself wondering if at the end of the 30 days I'll maybe finally not crave sugar at this time of night?
Final thoughts for today. I had a very emotionally tough day at work. And usually my answer is to fat-kid comfort eat. So I'm thinking that since I made it through today without Diet Coke and chocolate and carbs, maybe just maybe there's hope for me in the long run. Maybe...
Fruits = 3 servings (banana x2, mixed fruit cup)
Vegetables = at least 4 (Salad x2: lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers)
Protein = a lot (grilled chicken x2 and bacon)
Healthy fat = a lot (~2 servings of mixed nuts plus salad dressings)
Day 10 - Wednesday, May 8
Breakfast: Black coffee, water, deluxe mixed nuts 2.25 oz package
Lunch: DISCLAIMER--I ate Chinese food. OMG, I know! But listen. Between semesters, campus seems to forget that even though the students are gone there are still several thousand employees on campus who also eat food. So when me and my work BFF forget our lunches in the hustle and bustle of life, we expect to have the option of walking over and picking up a salad from Toss It Up or Subway. But no, all but 2 eateries were closed, leaving us to choose between Chick-fil-a and Panda Express. Y'all, there's only so much chargrilled chicken salad you can eat from Chick-fil-a. I was lulled into stupidity by the signed at the Panda that says "We add no MSG." So I chose three entrees: beef with asparagus and mushrooms, peppercorn shrimp, and kung pao chicken (removed the peanuts). So yes, it most likely had soy in it and/or unapproved oil. But I choose to see that I ate protein and veggies. Nothing fried/breaded, no noodles or rice, and no honey walnut shrimp (oh so sad to pass that up). I added an unsweet tea and fruit cup from Chick-fil-a, and I ate every bite with a combination of slight guilt and justification wrapped up together.
Afternoon snack: Another deluxe mixed nuts 2.25 oz package (I forgot everything at home remember)
Supper: Cajun turkey, steamed broccoli, sauteed cabbage (Doug makes THE BEST cabbage)
I've decided to incorporate a food talley in every so often. Here goes for today:
Fruits = 1 serving (mixed fruit cup)
Vegetables = 6? (asparagus, mushrooms, celery, bell pepper, broccoli, cabbage)
Protein = a lot (beef, shrimp, chicken, turkey)
Healthy fat = a lot (~4-5 servings of mixed nuts)
Breakfast: Black coffee, water, banana
Lunch: I was having a TERRIBLE day at work and was actually kinda trapped in a meeting as lunch was fast approaching. Lucky for me that Angel is awesome. She ordered lunch, went and got it, and made healthy choices for me -- chicken grill salad with takeout oil and vinegar! I only got to eat about half before being called into another meeting, but I was so thankful for it!
Afternoon snack 1: Deluxe mixed nuts 2.25 oz package (Angel even took care of my snack for me!)
Afternoon snack 2: Banana
Supper at Taste of Home following baseball: I watched everyone else eat fried catfish and the best baked potatoes on earth, followed by homemade Mennonite pie, while I ate baked chicken and double salad for my sides. The first bowl of salad I opted for Italian (again with places not having oil and vinegar, oy!). But I've come to hate the taste of Italian dressing. I have really gotten to like oil and vinegar, but I desperately miss ranch. So here's the journey my brain went on, "Italian isn't 100% compliant, so why is it any better than ranch? The Atkins diet said ranch was ok. I mean, they both have added stuff....I miss ranch...I'm not eating fried foods or sugar or carbs...I'M GOING TO EAT RANCH!!!" And it was the best thing I've eaten in 11 days.
I am sitting here with my nightly 9 pm craving for sugar. Some nights I eat a spoonful of almond butter. Some nights I eat fresh fruit. Some nights I tough it out and go to bed. But I do find myself wondering if at the end of the 30 days I'll maybe finally not crave sugar at this time of night?
Final thoughts for today. I had a very emotionally tough day at work. And usually my answer is to fat-kid comfort eat. So I'm thinking that since I made it through today without Diet Coke and chocolate and carbs, maybe just maybe there's hope for me in the long run. Maybe...
Fruits = 3 servings (banana x2, mixed fruit cup)
Vegetables = at least 4 (Salad x2: lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers)
Protein = a lot (grilled chicken x2 and bacon)
Healthy fat = a lot (~2 servings of mixed nuts plus salad dressings)
Day 10 - Wednesday, May 8
Breakfast: Black coffee, water, deluxe mixed nuts 2.25 oz package
Lunch: DISCLAIMER--I ate Chinese food. OMG, I know! But listen. Between semesters, campus seems to forget that even though the students are gone there are still several thousand employees on campus who also eat food. So when me and my work BFF forget our lunches in the hustle and bustle of life, we expect to have the option of walking over and picking up a salad from Toss It Up or Subway. But no, all but 2 eateries were closed, leaving us to choose between Chick-fil-a and Panda Express. Y'all, there's only so much chargrilled chicken salad you can eat from Chick-fil-a. I was lulled into stupidity by the signed at the Panda that says "We add no MSG." So I chose three entrees: beef with asparagus and mushrooms, peppercorn shrimp, and kung pao chicken (removed the peanuts). So yes, it most likely had soy in it and/or unapproved oil. But I choose to see that I ate protein and veggies. Nothing fried/breaded, no noodles or rice, and no honey walnut shrimp (oh so sad to pass that up). I added an unsweet tea and fruit cup from Chick-fil-a, and I ate every bite with a combination of slight guilt and justification wrapped up together.
Afternoon snack: Another deluxe mixed nuts 2.25 oz package (I forgot everything at home remember)
Supper: Cajun turkey, steamed broccoli, sauteed cabbage (Doug makes THE BEST cabbage)
I've decided to incorporate a food talley in every so often. Here goes for today:
Fruits = 1 serving (mixed fruit cup)
Vegetables = 6? (asparagus, mushrooms, celery, bell pepper, broccoli, cabbage)
Protein = a lot (beef, shrimp, chicken, turkey)
Healthy fat = a lot (~4-5 servings of mixed nuts)
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Day 9 - GrumpIER
Day 9 - Tuesday, May 7
Last night AH's drainage kept both of us up. And if you know me, you know this girl needs her 8 hours of sleep. So I was already grumpy from Sunday about Whole30, I haven't had enough sleep, and it's final grade time at work. Bad combo.
Breakfast: Black coffee, water, pecan pie Larabar, banana (spread out over morning)
Lunch: Leftover shepherd's pie, 3 egg yolks, sea salt almonds
I was honored at a reception this afternoon for my 10 years of service to MSU. Although it's actually 11 years at the end of August, but I guess they are on the "school calendar" for these receptions. And they had a wonderful spread including chocolate cups containing chocolate mousse. You know what I had? BLACK COFFEE. Ugh, ugh, ugh!
Supper: Salmon patties made with almond flour and fried in coconut oil (Whole30 this time!), stove top sweet potatoes with cinnamon and date sugar, and stewed tomatoes with okra.
Somebody better tell me soon that I look good! ;)
Later in the night I had fresh fruit and sunflower seeds in the shell while I caught up on my shows on DVR. The process of eating the sunflower seeds was a good long diversion, but man the salt made my mouth sore.
Last night AH's drainage kept both of us up. And if you know me, you know this girl needs her 8 hours of sleep. So I was already grumpy from Sunday about Whole30, I haven't had enough sleep, and it's final grade time at work. Bad combo.
Breakfast: Black coffee, water, pecan pie Larabar, banana (spread out over morning)
Lunch: Leftover shepherd's pie, 3 egg yolks, sea salt almonds
I was honored at a reception this afternoon for my 10 years of service to MSU. Although it's actually 11 years at the end of August, but I guess they are on the "school calendar" for these receptions. And they had a wonderful spread including chocolate cups containing chocolate mousse. You know what I had? BLACK COFFEE. Ugh, ugh, ugh!
Supper: Salmon patties made with almond flour and fried in coconut oil (Whole30 this time!), stove top sweet potatoes with cinnamon and date sugar, and stewed tomatoes with okra.
Somebody better tell me soon that I look good! ;)
Later in the night I had fresh fruit and sunflower seeds in the shell while I caught up on my shows on DVR. The process of eating the sunflower seeds was a good long diversion, but man the salt made my mouth sore.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Days 7 & 8 - Grumpy Has Set In
Yeah, I've hit the end of week 1 grumps. Read all about it.
Day 8 - Monday, May 6 (Happy Birthday, HLM!)
Breakfast: Black coffee, water, monkey bowl
Lunch @ Sweet Peppers Deli, repeat of last week: Chicken grill salad, no cheese or croutons, except I was legit and asked for straight up oil and vinegar; fruit cup; unsweet tea with lemon.
EARLY Afternoon Snack: Sea salt almonds, WATER
Supper @ Staffords after baseball: Salad, which was actually a really nice assortment of veggies, with BBQ meat (no BBQ sauce) and about half a packet of Italian dressing...not Whole30 approved :(. What can I say, not all establishments have oil and vinegar. Plus, I had to watch everyone else eat ewwy, gooey sandwiches with french fries, so Italian dressing seems pretty mild in the face of that. SIGH...
While I was attempting to put AH to sleep, which was taking forever, for some reason I suddenly imagined a sugar cube disolving on my tongue. Yeah, I have issues. Right now I'm sitting here with the jar of almond butter, a spoon and my unsweet tea.
Day 7 - Sunday, May 5
Breakfast: Black coffee, water, sea salt almonds later in the morning
Lunch from Hardees: $6 Thickburger, no mayo, ketchup or bun; exotic chips
Supper @ my mom's for my grandfather's birthday:
Here's where the grumpy set in. First of all, it's a party. Usually at parties I'm all, "Woo hoo, it's a party! Let me eat a ridiculous number of yummy calories!" And when you're the only person abstaining, it stinks. Second, I planned ahead by having knowledge of the menu. I planned in advance to limit myself to grilled fish, sweet potatoes, salad, and fruit. When I got there I was all excited by the site of oil-based slaw. Then my dreams were shot down when I was told it had sugar in it; so I didn't have any. Then I saw that the salad had shredded cheese mixed all in it. I nearly cried. But I ate it anyway. Then I made my stupidest choice: 2 deviled eggs, which I know contained mayonnaise. Then I realized as I was eating the sweet potatoes that they were probably cooked in butter. So then I was having a full-blown pity party in my head. I cannot even eat 100% legit by planning ahead?!?! I would like to point out that I passed up pasta salad, fried fish, hushpuppies and THREE kinds of dessert, yet I'm sitting there beating myself up over small amounts of butter, cheese and mayo. At that point I realized that the only way to eat 100.0% Whole30 for the duration is to prepare every single morsel at your own home with your own two hands. That is not a reality for me. So I will celebrate what I consider 95%+ compliance, and I will move forward.
I also had a moment when I realized my friend was at day 21, and here I was BACK at day 7.
Forward, march!
Day 8 - Monday, May 6 (Happy Birthday, HLM!)
Breakfast: Black coffee, water, monkey bowl
Lunch @ Sweet Peppers Deli, repeat of last week: Chicken grill salad, no cheese or croutons, except I was legit and asked for straight up oil and vinegar; fruit cup; unsweet tea with lemon.
EARLY Afternoon Snack: Sea salt almonds, WATER
Supper @ Staffords after baseball: Salad, which was actually a really nice assortment of veggies, with BBQ meat (no BBQ sauce) and about half a packet of Italian dressing...not Whole30 approved :(. What can I say, not all establishments have oil and vinegar. Plus, I had to watch everyone else eat ewwy, gooey sandwiches with french fries, so Italian dressing seems pretty mild in the face of that. SIGH...
While I was attempting to put AH to sleep, which was taking forever, for some reason I suddenly imagined a sugar cube disolving on my tongue. Yeah, I have issues. Right now I'm sitting here with the jar of almond butter, a spoon and my unsweet tea.
Day 7 - Sunday, May 5
Breakfast: Black coffee, water, sea salt almonds later in the morning
Lunch from Hardees: $6 Thickburger, no mayo, ketchup or bun; exotic chips
Supper @ my mom's for my grandfather's birthday:
Here's where the grumpy set in. First of all, it's a party. Usually at parties I'm all, "Woo hoo, it's a party! Let me eat a ridiculous number of yummy calories!" And when you're the only person abstaining, it stinks. Second, I planned ahead by having knowledge of the menu. I planned in advance to limit myself to grilled fish, sweet potatoes, salad, and fruit. When I got there I was all excited by the site of oil-based slaw. Then my dreams were shot down when I was told it had sugar in it; so I didn't have any. Then I saw that the salad had shredded cheese mixed all in it. I nearly cried. But I ate it anyway. Then I made my stupidest choice: 2 deviled eggs, which I know contained mayonnaise. Then I realized as I was eating the sweet potatoes that they were probably cooked in butter. So then I was having a full-blown pity party in my head. I cannot even eat 100% legit by planning ahead?!?! I would like to point out that I passed up pasta salad, fried fish, hushpuppies and THREE kinds of dessert, yet I'm sitting there beating myself up over small amounts of butter, cheese and mayo. At that point I realized that the only way to eat 100.0% Whole30 for the duration is to prepare every single morsel at your own home with your own two hands. That is not a reality for me. So I will celebrate what I consider 95%+ compliance, and I will move forward.
I also had a moment when I realized my friend was at day 21, and here I was BACK at day 7.
Forward, march!
Sunday, May 5, 2013
My Whole30 Thoughts to Date
You may be thinking, hey lady, you've only been doing this Whole30 thing for 7 days. But actually, all my tries combined, I've made it over 30 days. But this time I intended to make it consecutively and say I'VE DONE IT!
Know that it takes at least a week to see any positive changes in your body. Which is hard for me who needs immediate confirmation that sacrifices are paying off. After the 1 week mark I notice I feel thinner and the bloat is almost gone. But I don't know about pounds lost because you are not allowed to weigh until you make it the entire 30 days.
Black coffee is easier if it's flavored. However, the hubs hates flavored coffee, so I only make it on weekends when he's working. The rest of the time it's good ole' Folgers black.
Make sure you have a support system. And I don't mean people just cheering on this "crazy diet" you've decided to try. (I've heard that phrase a ridiculous number of times by now.) You really need someone who's doing it with you or at least a similar challenge. The first time I had Jack and Sara. The failed attempt in April was alone; not shocking. This time I have Michelle and Angel, who is trying something different but similarly limiting. We spend A LOT of time talking, texting and emailing about recipes, products, challenges, GRIPES, etc.
Speaking of texts, last night one of us almost caved on Diet Coke. I took a trip down memory blog lane the other night, and it really helped me have some faith in myself. I never thought I could give up sweet tea or Dr. Pepper, but I did in 2010. Actually, I never thought I would LIKE Diet Coke, and now here I am writing it love letters every week that I can't have it. Oh yeah, and I never thought I'd like skim milk...nearly 15 years ago.
And speaking of time, this eating plan takes tons of prep work. I spend Sunday mornings pouring over Pinterest and "granola" blogs looking for recipes that I might legitamitely make.
Our trip to Whole Foods in Bham last weekend was something. First, they were out of coconut aminos, which is the only thing I wanted to buy in Bham. I seriously wanted to have a cry baby fit right there in the aisle. We also tried Fresh Market and Golden Temple for it with no luck. Golden Temple was one of the strangest stores I've ever been in (um, is that a pentagram on that mortle and pestle?), but it is where I acquired the date sugar!
The funniest and grossest has been kombucha. I egged Michelle into buying it, and OMG. Worst drink ever. Tastes like vinegar mixed with pond water. Michelle chugged 1/2 the bottle to feel better about the money she spent on it (just another reason we get each other; frugal rules!). Notice the sludge in the bottom of the bottle.
Their usual morning breakfast has been eggs and cereal with skim milk. I tried getting them on eggs and bacon, and for some reason they resisted. Doug, not being very supported, went out and bought them cereal after less than 2 weeks. More to come on this issue, GRR.
So one more thing. I FINALLY have the coconut aminos, a soy sauce alternative, in my cabinet. After 3 stores in Bham, lo and behold the health food store in Columbus had it. Elizabeth was kind enough to deliver, but there is certainly a trip there in my future.
Know that it takes at least a week to see any positive changes in your body. Which is hard for me who needs immediate confirmation that sacrifices are paying off. After the 1 week mark I notice I feel thinner and the bloat is almost gone. But I don't know about pounds lost because you are not allowed to weigh until you make it the entire 30 days.
Black coffee is easier if it's flavored. However, the hubs hates flavored coffee, so I only make it on weekends when he's working. The rest of the time it's good ole' Folgers black.
Yes, that is a Jerry Springer coffee mug. It was free (my favorite), but it's a great shaped mug.
Make sure you have a support system. And I don't mean people just cheering on this "crazy diet" you've decided to try. (I've heard that phrase a ridiculous number of times by now.) You really need someone who's doing it with you or at least a similar challenge. The first time I had Jack and Sara. The failed attempt in April was alone; not shocking. This time I have Michelle and Angel, who is trying something different but similarly limiting. We spend A LOT of time talking, texting and emailing about recipes, products, challenges, GRIPES, etc.
Speaking of texts, last night one of us almost caved on Diet Coke. I took a trip down memory blog lane the other night, and it really helped me have some faith in myself. I never thought I could give up sweet tea or Dr. Pepper, but I did in 2010. Actually, I never thought I would LIKE Diet Coke, and now here I am writing it love letters every week that I can't have it. Oh yeah, and I never thought I'd like skim milk...nearly 15 years ago.
And speaking of time, this eating plan takes tons of prep work. I spend Sunday mornings pouring over Pinterest and "granola" blogs looking for recipes that I might legitamitely make.
Our trip to Whole Foods in Bham last weekend was something. First, they were out of coconut aminos, which is the only thing I wanted to buy in Bham. I seriously wanted to have a cry baby fit right there in the aisle. We also tried Fresh Market and Golden Temple for it with no luck. Golden Temple was one of the strangest stores I've ever been in (um, is that a pentagram on that mortle and pestle?), but it is where I acquired the date sugar!
The funniest and grossest has been kombucha. I egged Michelle into buying it, and OMG. Worst drink ever. Tastes like vinegar mixed with pond water. Michelle chugged 1/2 the bottle to feel better about the money she spent on it (just another reason we get each other; frugal rules!). Notice the sludge in the bottom of the bottle.
So eating like this at home is interesting. The first 20 days, I altered food just for me. Then I decided to subtlely get the males in the house on it too. (Let's be honest, the 2-yr doesn't eat normally enough to get her on it.) I haven't bought bread in 3-4 weeks. Afternoon snacks have consisted mostly of fresh fruit and Larabars. I have let E have low-carb yogurt because otherwise we're running out of snack ideas and ways to get him full. I've also let him have ranch dressing because it's the only way he eats salad. His sandwich box in his school lunch now consists of rolled up lunch meat, a boiled egg, grape tomatoes and baby carrots. The first day he was NOT impressed. "My lunch was a piece of junk!" he said, channeling Si from Duck Dynasty. He has complained less over this 3-week period. It was actually a good day the day I packed a bowl of tuna salad with a fork (no crackers, no bread). He wants it every day! Of course, due to mercury it will be a once a week lunch item.
Their usual morning breakfast has been eggs and cereal with skim milk. I tried getting them on eggs and bacon, and for some reason they resisted. Doug, not being very supported, went out and bought them cereal after less than 2 weeks. More to come on this issue, GRR.
So one more thing. I FINALLY have the coconut aminos, a soy sauce alternative, in my cabinet. After 3 stores in Bham, lo and behold the health food store in Columbus had it. Elizabeth was kind enough to deliver, but there is certainly a trip there in my future.
Cauliflower fried rice, here I come!
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