2. My biggest victory was cutting WAY back on SUGAR. I wish I could say I had NO sugar, but I can't.
3. I loved chopping up veggies and just cooking them up in my cast iron skillet. I used that skillet multiple times a day. I feel that was a great way to 'simplify'.
4. It Starts With Food book was super helpful, especially the way they suggest mixing proteins w/ veggies and spices for different flavors (Mexican, Italian, Greek, Asian...etc)
5. I really enjoyed trying new spices. My favorites ended up being a Chipolte Chili and Mexican Oregano. I also bought salt in a little grinder. LOVED adding salt.
6. Grassfed ground beef was a "go to" quick protein that I felt good about eating... even at breakfast.
7. Helped that white potatoes and new potatoes are now allowed on the Whole30. I had lots of potatoes under my meat and stir fry veggies... It was HUGE for me. I think it made me not feel so protein/meat heavy at every single meal.
8. Meals can be so SIMPLE and so good. Favorite dinner ended up being a small steak, baked sweet potato and cooked spinach...or maybe it was taco meat over a baked potato...or maybe just stir fry veggies and chicken w/ a bit of balsamic vinegar and lots of spices...or maybe the canned coconut milk w/ curry paste mixed in w/ the stirfry. It was kind of like 'layering'... each time I made a meal I could layer as much or little as I wanted. All tasted great.
9. Discovered some great uses for Balsamic vinegar...Made my spinach taste out of this world.
10. Not that hard to find paleo when you eat out. Simple grilled chicken and veggies are pretty common place on most menus. I did eat mostly salads when we ate out and I realize that the dressings probably were not Whole30 friendly, but I just thought it was a toss up since I ate lots of good lettuce!
As far as how I feel physically... I feel really good. I don't experience those blood sugar drops in the late morning and early afternoon. I do need a cup of coffee about 2:30, but I think it's because I'm getting up w/ the puppy still at night.
I lost about 4 to 5 pounds. I did not count one single calorie. I just made sure I tried to eat protein with veggie or fruit at every meal...along w/ eliminating dairy, grains, sugar.
I did not exercise at all, but not because I didn't want to. My right heel has been really hurting since Christmas (self diagnosed plantar fasciitis) and my hill walking is on hold.
That's about it!
My goals going forward:
- Reduce sugar/honey or other natural sweeteners to special occasions which will be about once a month. Use agave syrup or raw honey in recipes.
- Continue on mostly paleo plan, eating salads 90% of the time we eat out.
- Try out two 'new' veggies each month. I still want to find a good eggplant recipe.
- Find a good source for Paleo staples. I've heard that Thrive Market is good...anyone else heard of this?
- Find a good meat market source ...just in case there's something better than my HEB.
- Make a great breakfast cereal w/ toasted coconut flakes and nuts. I did get a bit tired of eggs.
