I’m going to be starting my Whole 30 Challenge on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. This is where I’ll be recording my meals and progress.
(I did one Whole 30 successfully, back in 2013. Here’s my Whole 30 food log from that time.)
Day 1
Today was the first day of my Whole 30. We returned from a 3-day trip late last night so I wasn’t completely prepared mentally, but I dove in. Sooner started, sooner finished. Right?
I headed to Sprouts to grab some fresh fruits and vegetables and a few key Whole 30 ingredients, like coconut chips, cashews, Safe Eggs, and Pellegrino. You can watch my periscope of my shopping haul here.
We spent the afternoon with my brother and sister-in-law, first at their hotel’s pool and later at our house for dinner. It was hard not to eat the same as everyone else, but I managed. Sooner started, sooner finished, right?
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Spinach, Onion, Bell Pepper, and Mushrooms
Lunch: Spinach Salad with Chicken, Avocado, Strawberries, Grapefruit, and Almonds; Pellegrino and Lime
Dinner: Chicken with Jamie’s Spice Mix, Cauliflower Rice, Roasted Green Beans, Avocado; Pellegrino and Lime; Strawberries; Decaf Coconut Latte
Day 2
I’m hanging on. Woke up with a headache. Drank a lot of water. Ate too much food probably. I didn’t lose weight the last time I did this, so I’m trying not to eat too big of portions. I’m afraid of being hungry later, honestly.
We spent the afternoon hanging with my brother and his family. FishPapa took our eldest out for Dinner with Dad, so I let the other kids just make plates from leftovers and whatever they could rummage in the fridge for dinner. That’s what I did, too.
Breakfast (pictured): Aidell’s Chicken and Apple Sausage, Zucchini and Sweet Potato Hash, Avocado, Koops Mustard, Decaf Coconut Latte
Lunch: Chipotle salad of chicken, veggies, lettuce, guacamole, and salsa. Pellegrino and Lime.
Technically I broke the rules by ordering the chicken at Chipotle. I forgot to check about the oil, and yes, it’s rice bran oil. I’m not going to sweat it.
Dinner: Leftover Chicken with Jamie’s Spice Mix, Cauliflower Rice, Roasted Green Beans, Sauteed Peppers, Onions, and Mushrooms, Avocado; Pellegrino and Lime; handful of almonds.
Day 3
I took the littles to Chuck E. Cheese’s today. It was a rainy day and the girls had never been there. It was also a good excuse not to make pizza on a Friday night. We cruised through the grocery store on our way back to the house, so I was starving by the time I got home.
The day went fine, but I really missed my Friday night rituals: wine, pizza, popcorn. Only three more Fridays to go! 😉
Breakfast: Fried Egg, Aidell’s Chicken and Apple Sausage, Zucchini and Sweet Potato Hash, Avocado, Green Tea
Lunch: Turkey Patty, Sweet Potato Fries, Lettuce, Tomato, Homemade Mayo, Koops Mustard
Dinner: Hearty Gluten-free Meatballs, Spaghetti Squash, Green Beans, Monkey Salad
Day 4
Food is not very fun this weekend. I’m so bored….
Breakfast: Fried Eggs, Zucchini and Sweet Potato Hash, Avocado, Decaf Coconut Latte
Lunch: Turkey Patty, Sweet Potato Fries (recipe coming next week), Salad with Paleo Ranch Dressing. I made my regular ranch dressing but used coconut milk instead of the buttermilk. There was a slight coconut flavor, but it wasn’t bad. Felt like a triumph!
Dinner: Rosemary Chicken and Potatoes in the Slow Cooker (recipe coming next week), Green Beans
After dinner I went to Sprouts for more sparkling water and Larabars. I also found amazingly large strawberries on sale. Forgot to get eggs, though. Ugh.
Day 5
Food continues to be not so fun. I’m eating for survival and it seems really hard to get excited about another meal. Did I mention that my FRENCH friend Jenny suggested I do this. I can’t even believe it. Of all people, she should have warned me not to, but no. She raved about it. Sigh. I think I’m the one who told her about it in the first place…. Sigh again.
Regardless, I tried to liven things up with an avocado rose this morning. That was kinda fun.
Breakfast: Last of the Zucchini and Sweet Potato Hash, an Aidell Sausage, Avocado, and very large strawberry. I saved three berries for myself from the kids but only ended up eating one. I’m trying not to overdo.
Lunch: Chicken Salad with Celery and Raisins on a bed of butter lettuce. It wasn’t very exciting, unfortunately. Eating to live at this point.
Dinner: Typical weird looking Whole 30 meal – Shrimp Scampi (made with ghee), Leftover sweet potato fries, leftover spaghetti squash, steamed broccoli, a bit of avocado.
I’m not hungry, but I want to end the day with something sweet. Will probably just have fake Pellegrino and lime…
Day 6
Today was a busy school day. Nice distraction from food. I decided it was better to just focus on nutrients and not overeating.
Breakfast: Aidell Sausage, Spinach with Mushrooms and Peppers, Avocado, Coconut Latte
Lunch: Leftover Chicken Salad, half a Larabar
Dinner: Leftover Spaghetti Squash and Turkey Bolognese, Green Beans
Day 7
End of week 1. Yay! I’m feeling better about my meals. Trying to be creative and find some fun things.
Breakfast: Egg Scramble with Prosciutto, Peppers, Onions, Mushrooms, and Spinach, Full Caf Coconut Latte
Lunch: Italian Salad with Prosciutto, Peppers, Onions, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts, and Black Olives
Dinner: Taco Bowl with Potatoes, Turkey Taco Meat, Lettuce, Pico de Gallo, Olives, Guacamole
Day 8
I’m hanging on! I had another fun experience in the recipe development department. Finding clever ways to eat this way that wouldn’t seem weird to someone not eating this way is one of my small pleasures this month.
Date night was hard. Usually we go out for beer (for him), wine (for me), wings, and pizza. Not this month. Chipotle was cheap, easy, and doable, without having to plague a waiter about ingredients.
Hanging on, hanging on.
Breakfast: Aidell’s Chicken and Apple Sausage, Roast Veggies (from the freezer; note: they soften a lot upon freezing. cook al dente next time)
Lunch: Nicoise Salad Wraps! So good!
Dinner: Chipotle Salad with lettuce, carnitas, mild salsa, and guacamole.
Day 9
Only 21 days to go! Yay. I’m not particularly enjoying this, but I’m not dying either, so that’s good. Again, when I make something creative and yummy, it’s easier. Like those Fajita Burgers. Recipe coming soon!
Breakfast: Two fried eggs, hash made of sweet potato, mushrooms, leeks, and peppers
Lunch: Fajita Burger (no bun), carrots, guacamole
Dinner: Surf and Turf – an burger patty, sauteed shrimp, leftover hash from this morning, and a green salad with vinaigrette
Day 10
School kept us busy today. I ate. I’m fine. Trying to limit my potatoes, but those oven fries were amazing.
Breakfast: Aidell’s Chicken Sausage, Home fries, green beans, fajita veg
Lunch: Lemon Chicken, Cauliflower Rice, Fajita Veg, Green Beans
Dinner: Dijon Pork Tenderloin, Broccoli, Oven Fries
Day 11
It was a busy work day, so I didn’t fret about making food. Just grabbed what I could eat that was quick. I’m getting tired of protein, but I’m making myself eat some.
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs, Leftover Broccoli and Fajita Veg
Lunch: Leftover Pork Tenderloin, Vegetable Soup
Dinner: Spinach Salad with Chicken, Grapefruit, Strawberries, Red Onion, and Almonds
Day 12
Breakfast: Skillet Eggs
Lunch: INO Double patty with lettuce and tomato, brought it home and added an avocado.
Veggie Chips for a snack. Total cheat, but I don’t care.
Dinner: Chicken with Caesar Salad
Day 13
Breakfast: (pre-yoga) Monkey Salad; (post-yoga) Aidell’s Chicken Sausage and Veggie Chips
Lunch: Spinach Salad with Chicken, Avocado, Apples, Almonds, and Scallions with Homemade Vinaigrette
Dinner: Grilled Fish, Oven Fries, Steamed Carrots and Green Beans
Day 14
Breakfast: Fried Egg, Aidell’s Chicken Sausage, Leftover Oven Fries made into hash with onions, mushrooms, and spinach
Lunch: Leftover Grilled Fish and Steamed Vegetables, 1/4 avocado. 1/2 Larabar
Dinner: Taco Salad Wraps: lettuce, turkey taco meat, homemade pico de gallo, avocado, plantain chips
Day 15
Breakfast: Chicken Sausage, Uncured Bacon, Leftover Oven Fries made into hash with onion, pepper, and spinach. Coconut Latte
Lunch: Shrimp and Vegetable Stir-fry
Dinner: Chipotle Salad with Carnitas, salsa, and guacamole (date night!)
Day 16
Breakfast: Zucchini and Sweet Potato Hash with a fried egg and a chicken sausage
Lunch: Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Avocado, Tomato, and Italian Vinaigrette
Dinner: Hearty GF Meatballs with Red Sauce, Cauliflower Rice, and Green Beans
Day 17
Breakfast: Aidell’s Chicken Sausage and Leftover Zucchini-Sweet Potato Hash
Lunch: LO Meatballs, Cauliflower Rice, and Green Beans
Dinner: Grilled Tri-tip, Brussels Sprouts with Mushrooms and Bacon, Oven Fries, Avocado and Plantain Chips
Day 18
Breakfast: Aidell’s Chicken Sausage and Leftover Zucchini-Sweet Potato Hash, Avocado
Lunch: Spinach Salad with Leftover Brussels Sprouts and Oven Fries
Dinner: Grilled Turkey Patty with Bacon, Tomato, and Pickle; Cantaloupe; Homemade Cole slaw
Day 19
Breakfast: Aidell’s Chicken Sausage and Leftover Zucchini-Sweet Potato Hash
Lunch: Shrimp and Vegetable Stirfry (recipe coming soon); Avocado and Plantain Chips
Dinner: Chipotle salad of carnitas, lettuce, salsa, and guac
Day 20
Breakfast: Fried eggs, leftover vegetables and power greens, green tea.
Lunch: Avocado and Plantain Chips, Cajun Chicken, LO Coleslaw
Dinner: Grilled Tri-Tip Steak with Herbed Seasoning Mix, Hashbrowns, Broccoli
Day 21
Breakfast: Aidell’s Chicken Sausage, Soggy Roasted Veggies from the freezer, avocado, green tea
Lunch: Spinach Salad with LO Steak
Dinner: Grilled Fish, Oven Fries, Cole slaw, Melon
Day 22
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Peppers, Mushrooms, and Scallions
Lunch: Spinach Salad with LO Fish, Avocado, Tomato
Dinner: Taco Salad with Ground Beef, Avocado, Tomato, Scallion, and Hot Sauce
Day 23
Can you tell that I’m losing steam? I had my physical yesterday and had a great talk with my new GP. She’s going to run some tests, but thinks that my muscle twitching and hand pain is still my thyroid not yet calmed down. And since this diet is helping NONE OF THE ABOVE, it’s a little hard to keep going.
But, I’m going to keep up through next Thursday, out of principal, but I won’t be doing the traditional reentry phase and string things out for another two weeks. I’ve got parties to enjoy and the FishMama Trifecta: Mother’s Day, my anniversary, and my birthday. So, it will be done next Thursday night.
Today I went to Legoland with the kids for a press event. None of the free food they provided fit Whole 30 or appealed to the kids, so we spent a small fortune at a restaurant that had very slim pickings for Whole 30. Tonight’s date night, where I will also have slim picking. Whine. whine. grumble. grumble.
Breakfast: Hashbrowns, Fried Egg, Power Greens
Lunch: Chicken Breast, Fries, Larabar
Dinner: Chipotle Salad with Carnitas, Lettuce, Salsa, and Guacamole
Day 24
Stomach bug?
Breakfast: skipped
Lunch: LO Taco Meat in a salad with lettuce, avocado, tomato, and hot sauce
Dinner: Grilled Dijon Pork Tenderloin, Salad, Potatoes, Carrots
Day 25
Had a stomach bug for the last two days. Was totally bummed not to lean on my regular yogurt, rice, and homemade electrolyte drink. Instead, skipped a meal.
No Breakfast
Lunch: LO Taco meat, Cauliflower Rice, LO Carrots
Dinner: Turkey Patty with Bacon on a Salad of Baby Greens and Tomato
Day 26
Stomach is still bothering me.
Breakfast: Hash of Potatoes, Sausage, and Spinach, Fried Egg
Lunch: nothing much: roast beef, carrots, guacamole
Dinner: Grilled Fish, Vegetables
Day 27
Breakfast: Monkey Salad
Lunch: Salad with Chicken
Dinner: Hash with Sausage and Egg
Day 28
Breakfast: Sweet Potato and Zucchini Hash, Sausage, Bacon
Lunch: Salad with Turkey, Melon
Dinner: Sweet Potato and Zucchini Hash with Taco Meat, Salsa, and Guac
Day 29
Breakfast: Sweet Potato and Zucchini Hash, 2 fried eggs
Lunch: Salad with Turkey and Avocado; Larabar
Dinner: Vegetable StirFry with Best Ever Pulled Pork
Day 30
Breakfast: Sweet Potato and Zucchini Hash, Chicken and Apple Sausage
Lunch: Salad with Turkey and Avocado
Dinner: Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Bowl from Bushfire Kitchen
