Compromises

I thought I would have an easier time keeping up with the whole30 challenge since no one is around to tempt me with fast food, but instead I'm having a completely different issue.

Knowing that we will be moving in about 6 months made me question the timing of this challenge. I only have 6 months to eat REAL New York Pizza! And bagels. Don't get me started on New York bagels.

So, I am compromising. When I am home, it is 100% whole30 compliant foods, but if I am out with family and want a slice of NY pizza, I will have it. We don't go out to eat every day or anything, once in a while wont hurt!

I'll still post my whole30 compliant meals for everyone who is looking for inspiration :)

I have four pictures from days 10 and 11. I realized I forgot to take a picture halfway through my broccoli and egg in a red pepper breakfast on day 10. Lunch was a vegetarian deluxe salad from au bon pain, just skipped the chick peas and cheese.



I didn't feel like making breakfast on day 11, so I had broccoli and red peppers. Lunch was Applegate roast beef with red peppers and baby carrots. Simple and no cooking involved but delicious and filling.



I'm excited for tomorrow, I plan on making some of my favorites to keep on hand for meals. I'll try to remember to take more than just the finished product!

Whole... Life?

I've been feeling really good recently,despite cheating a little on Whole30.

So good, in fact, that I'm thinking of stopping "whole30" and eating like this indefinitely.

Other than the weight loss (which any one would love by itself!) I find myself sleeping better and feeling more energetic and it is only my second week eating like this!

Day 8 was mostly leftovers, but you know I called it Lazy Paleo for a reason right? ;)

I had leftover eggs and sausage for breakfast and leftover shell steak and a roasted potato for lunch. the only meal that wasn't leftovers was dinner, Applegate Roast Beef with broccoli. Simple, delicious, and nutritious!  



Yesterday I made eggs in bell peppers for breakfast and saved one for this morning. Lunch was red pepper, mushroom, and roast beef roll up with baby carrots. We went out to dinner with my mom, so I had chicken and vegetables at Boston Market.



It's easier than I thought to find paleo options when you're going out to eat. I am pretty confident that I can keep this lifestyle up for more than just 30 days :)

I cheated.

In the spirit of authenticity, I am being honest here: I cheated on my whole30 challenge.

Today started out just as planned. I had a very healthy whole30 breakfast, Aidell's Chicken and apple sausage with scrambled eggs and strawberries. We couldn't finish it, so I packed up the leftovers to take with me when we went out with my parents. I also brought strawberries, carrots, and almonds in a bag.

Outside food is not allowed at the circus though, so I ate a bunch of carrots before going in and it sat in the car. I didn't realize we would be in there for four hours and eventually caved. I ate some french fries. I figured it was the closest I could get to paleo food there since potatoes ARE allowed. I was good for a while until I realized we hadn't hit intermission yet and I was starving, so I also had some of my daughter's popcorn.

I tried not to beat myself up over it since I am actively making changes to my eating habits, and normally I would just say ok I did well here is a cheat day, but I was really proud of myself for doing well this time around.

We went to dinner after the circus and I ate strawberries and carrots in the car because I was still hungry. I was proud of myself for picking something paleo at dinner though! In the past I would have said, well I cheated already might as well get whatever I want now! Instead, I had a salad with oil and vinegar and ordered a broiled shell steak for dinner. I had a couple bites of some non-paleo food just to try it, but at the end of the day, this is a learning process and I'm proud of myself for making better choices overall.

Lightbulb! Whole30 Challenge (or Lazy Paleo!)

I am on day 6 of my whole30 challenge and I am sharing it on my Facebook and Instagram when I realized I could be sharing it here!

I tried to make my meals quick and easy because it's detox week and I expected to not feel 100%. That and because I'm a lazy cook... I should rename this entry Lazy Paleo!

Here is a little catch up on the week so far.

I started my challenge on Sunday February 8. Breakfast was a mushroom and spinach frittata. Lunch was salmon salad, made with homemade paleo mayo (recipe here) on cucumber rounds and dinner was steak and eggs. I planned for salmon and mixed vegetables but we went out to eat and I tried to play it safe with something I knew they wouldn't/couldn't add much to.



I had some leftover frittata for breakfast on Day 2. Lunch was Applegate roasted turkey, spinach, mushroom, and tomato roll up with paleo mayo. Dinner I made the salmon and mixed vegetables I was going to have on the first day.



Day 3 was a mushroom scramble with spinach for breakfast. Lunch was very similar to what I had on day 2 because I wasn't feeling great, but that is expected during detox week! Applegate turkey, mushroom and tomato roll up (with paleo mayo) and some cucumber slices.
Dinner was garlic pepper tilapia (cooked in ghee) with spinach.



Breakfast for Day 4 was a fruit bowl with some almonds. Lunch was leftovers: mushroom scramble, tilapia, tomatoes, and spinach!

Are you seeing a pattern?

I had so much spinach this week I think I'm turning into Popeye! Let's just say I learned my lesson and wont be shopping at Costco for the rest of the challenge! ;)

Dinner was a little different though! I had Aidell's Chicken and Apple Sausage with some zoodles, yum!



Day 5 I made something a friend of my recommended in Hawaii. Banana porridge, made by mixing a mashed banana with (whole30 compliant) coconut milk. It was so good my munchkin tried to eat it all so I had to make a second batch!

I think you already know what I had for lunch: Applegate Roasted Turkey, baby spinach, grape tomatoes, and mushrooms. I continued with the leftovers for dinner: spinach, zoodles, and sausage. Quick and easy, great for lazy paleo eaters ;)



Today was day 6 and I tried to keep it as simple as possible. I think you know what I mean by now!

Breakfast was leftover sausage, strawberries, and spinach (no, I haven't finished it yet). Lunch was carrots, grape tomatoes, and turkey. Dinner was tilapia and... you guessed it! SPINACH!



We have officially FINISHED the spinach! Starting tomorrow, I'll be using the other veggies I have. Some of my favorites are mashed cauliflower and zoodles, though I love steamed veggies as well.

I'd like to add that this wasn't all we ate. We snacked on apples, bananas, and oranges between meals as needed. The first two days I was eating a Larabar a day between meals, then I realized that the kind I bought are not compliant. I decided not to start the challenge over though, because I really wanted pancakes and went with what I thought was a whole30 approved snack. That is still a win in my book!

Tomorrow is definitely going to be interesting. My parents and I are taking my munchkin on a special Valentine's Day outing. I know I will be unable to eat what they will have there, so I am going to try and bring some compliant snacks and keep them in the car.

Until next time!