Whole30 #2

Its been a while since I wrote in this space, the holidays were busy especially with my mother visiting. We cooked together a lot and I learnt some great recipes which made it even more special. It was time to get back in to the swing of things, plan meals and a workout schedule around work…the usual beginning of the year things. I did my first Whole30 in January 2015 and it was about time for another one in 2016. Even though I eat paleo for the most part the first Whole30 was tough. No form of sugar like honey, agave or maple syrup was a big deal for me. The first couple of weeks were difficult but around week 3 I felt great. I could crossfit six consecutive days without feeling fatigued. As a result of that one month of eating clean, I didn’t have sugar cravings until almost the end of the year. I feel like my sugar cravings have been kind of out of control since around thanksgiving time, the holiday season didn’t help either.

Why Whole30?
Very often I am asked, why would you put yourself through this? You eat healthy anyway, so why ‘this diet’? 

Even though I typically eat good, changing things up gives the body a shock by spiking up the metabolism. With growing concerns related to obesity and diabetes this program is just one of many that are out there. 

Since I was eating Paleo anyway, Whole30 seemed like a good fit, little did I know that it would take Paleo to another level. I put myself through this because I enjoy it, not saying its all fun and easy. There are times when I wanted to almost give up, its a lot of work to be able to cook 95% of meals at home, get tired after a whole days work and not be able to order in food. But at the end of it, the energy and feeling during week 4 makes all this so worth it. 

 

First Whole30
This summarizes how I felt during and after my first ever Whole30:

• Week 1 & 2 – Tired and fatigued, major sugar cravings, almost wanted to give up as I had this strong urge for coffee with milk and sugar
• Week 3 – Not as tired as week 1 & 2, more energetic
• Week 4 – Super energetic, no cravings, more confident about my body, clothes fit better

 

A Typical Whole30 Day

---

Morning routine 
1 tbs apple cider vinegar with half cup water
1 glass of warm water with freshly squeezed lemon juice

---

Breakfast
2 egg whites with scallions, applegate chicken hot dog
Black coffee flavored with cardamom

---

Lunch
Cauliflower rice with chicken, stir fried cabbage
Dandelion and chicory drink after lunch

---

Snack
Roasted fox nuts or trail mix
Tea

---

Dinner
Baked salmon, stir fried vegetables, fresh juice

 

Versatility is the name of the game
I get bored easily, especially when it comes to food. This is what got me the during the first Whole30, I made big batches of food on weekends and got sick of eating the same thing for a week.
After giving it some thought I figured it would make more sense to cook small batches to last for about two days to avoid the ‘boredom’.

Occasionally I spend some timing brainstorming ideas on how I can use one ingredients in different ways and make it versatile, for example (I know its a bit nerdy):

BROCCOLI

• Steamed broccoli sauteed and garlic sauteed in olive oil
• Broccoli fried ‘rice’ with scallions, mushrooms and peppers
• Broccoli pesto with mixed vegetables
• Broccoli and egg white omelette
• Broccoli and sweet potato burgers 
• Broccoli and sausage
• Chicken and broccoli in black pepper sauce
• Broccoli and almond salad with grilled chicken

Another thing that helps in this process is to have a Whole30 partner. Cooking together and sharing meal ideas is the best way to make this an exciting process.

 

Whole 30 Meal Planning List  

I usually don’t like making such radical changes on the 1st of the month, instead prefer easing into a program like this and utilize the first few days to clean up my pantry and put away all the non-compliant items. One of the hot favorite Whole30 and paleo compliant foods is Avocado, so here’s my story…

“I love Avocado. Avocado doesn’t love me back.”

There was a point in time I could eat a whole avocado and be okay but I’m not sure when I developed a severe intolerance to something so amazing. Now even a small piece makes my stomach hurt and for someone who eats healthy for the most part this is a big deal. This is the reason why my recipes almost never include avocado, not being able to include it in the Whole30 meal plan hurts but I am trying to come terms with it.

The other important thing for me in the morning is coffee, I have never been into black coffee and that was a tough one. However, I discovered ways to make black coffee interesting by attempting different brewing techniques such as french press or cold brew coffee with natural flavors such as cacao, cardamom or cinnamon.

 

Here’s a quick list I put together of meal options so its handy while I’m on the program.     

 

Whole 30 Favorites