Whole30

I learned about Whole30 a few months ago when my sister read the book and did it for herself. Then our friends Jacob and Valerie did it. Then my friend Alyson and her hubby did it! I wasn't convinced, considering it made both my sister and Valerie sick (totally normal). But, after reading the book, I was ready to try it and see if a) I could figure out what was causing my stomach issues and constant headaches and b) to get eating healthier! I just felt like I needed some kind of reset. And it has been wonderful.

We are just finishing day 13. Almost halfway! It's going pretty slow, if I'm being honest. But not in a bad way. Just slow. I have actually really been enjoying it. I definitely still want to stuff my face with cake and cookies all the time, but I push through and eat my nuts or fruit or veggies. :)

The first few days were pretty stinky. I had terrible sugar withdrawal headaches. But, those wore off after about 72 hours and I've felt better and better ever since. The dinners have been incredible. I haven't ever felt so healthy as I do now. It's almost freeing eating like this! Maybe that's weird. But that's how I feel. I literally know what every single ingredient is in everything I'm eating. I love it. It will definitely affect how I shop and eat from now on! I will update once we finish!

Meatballs and marinara. One of my favorites!

Chicken Curry with mashed potatoes. yum.

Meatloaf. Just had to substitute almond meal for oats and then used Whole30 approved ketchup. 

***UPDATE!***

Whole30 is officially over. I learned so much during those 30 days. I learned that what I eat greatly impacts my mood, energy, happiness, and overall health. I had less stomach aches, less headaches, better sleep, way more energy and was so much happier during Whole30. (Not to mention the 10 pounds I lost). I couldn't believe how different I felt. There were so many subtle things about myself that have just kind of always been that way, that I didn't really think of them as symptoms. It was just who I was. Tired, all the time. Turns out, a lot of it was what I was eating. 

I finished my Whole30 on November 3rd. Then I did 13 days of reintroduction. I reintroduced beans, gluten free grains (rice and quinoa) and dairy without any problems. I couldn't believe it! Hooray. I saved gluten for last. Boom. It hit me. Gluten just doesn't agree with me. Who knew?! I never knew gluten affected me. I felt awful after my day of gluten. I felt nauseous and bloated and I woke up the next day with a terrible headache. So I'm cutting way back on gluten and using gluten free whenever I can. 

I've been eating almost completely Whole30 even since stopping. It's scary to jump back into normal eating. Whole30 seems more natural now. And most my old recipes seem so unhealthy, I don't even crave them. 

So that's where we are at. I was the only one that stuck to it completely and did the reintroduction so I can't speak for anyone else. But it was life changing for me!