Made scrambled eggs for breakfast and tried the new ketchup I got from Tessemae's.... Let's just say that Heinz has nothing to worry about. Yuck. But I got through the eggs anyway, so WOOHOO.
Not to mention, bonus points for actually EATING breakfast on a Friday... which, as I mentioned last week, doesn't typically happen. Hooray!
Didn't really do much other than work today and make a Costco run, with a delicious little nap in between. I'm glad I decided to hit up Costco cuz I found a few things that I hadn't been able to find elsewhere, namely BACON. I know bacon is not a health food, but it's delicious and both Derek and I had been missing it with our weekend breakfasts. We kept hearing of the elusive compliant bacon, and seeing whole30-compliant recipes with bacon in them, and were determined to find some! Most people apparently get theirs from farmers' markets (which I haven't really discovered around here), or this one online retailer that makes a limited amount available once a week and it ALWAYS sells out. And it's expensive as fuck. But I read on a message board about someone finding sugar-less bacon at Costco, and since I had to pick up a few things anyway, I figured it was as good a time as any. This is going to do wonders, because not only does bacon make a great addition to many meals, but saving the grease will be a great new and compliant fat source that tastes better than ghee (although I gotta admit, the idea of cooking with bacon grease kinda squicks me out a little).
Dinner also went off without a hitch and I didn't gag once! WOOT!
I'm feeling better about being able to find things I like to eat that are still within the plan, and that's exciting. And a relief.
We've started thinking ahead to what we are going to do after the Whole30. The initial plan was "just Paleo", which morphed into "an 80/20 Paleo" (where you eat Paleo 80% of the time and are "off" 20% -- essentially one day a week), which would give us a little flexibility to still eat some of the foods we really enjoy that happen to not be compliant (although we have given ourselves rules to make sure it doesn't become a free for all, and ensure that we don't turn it into a 20/80). Paleo is pretty much the same as Whole30, except slightly less strict; there are a few sweeteners allowed on Paleo (specifically honey and maple syrup), though the primary difference is that while Whole30 has an actual PLAN, with people who made RULES, Paleo is just... a thing. No one person really owns it, so there's no specific way to be Paleo. So, that gives us a teeny bit more freedom. For us, this translates into allowing sugar/chemicals back into our bodies in small, mostly inconsequential ways, specifically condiments. Finding/making compliant condiments that taste good is a pain in the ass, and since it's not like we drink them by the bowl full, our feeling is that a little bit here and there won't completely break us. Especially since the primary time we HAD been using these things (I'm thinking ketchup in particular) are with foods we shouldn't be eating, so that's another way to guarantee that we'd be using them less.
Also, another difference between Paleo and Whole30 is that Whole30 has a strict "no 'Paleo-ifying'" rule. Meaning, just because a "crap" food is made with compliant ingredients, doesn't mean you're allowed to eat it. Case in point: the very popular Paleo pancakes. They're literally made with just egg and banana. Both clearly compliant. But they combine to make a food that doesn't teach you to let go of your attachment to crappy foods, so they're off limits. When we are done with our 30 days, they'll be back on the table. The thing I like about this is that I get my baking back. Yes, it means stocking up on weird, non-traditional baking goods like almond flour and tapioca flour, etc., but it means that I can get in the kitchen and do something that makes me happy, and not worry about completely ruining my life in the process.
The primary reason I think this 80/20 plan is going to work for us is that not only does it give us some flexibility, but for the most part, I don't think either of us have significant sensitivities to any particular food group. Like, we both certainly do better with less dairy/grains/corn/etc., but it's not causing us complete torture. Weeks/months/years of completely crappy eating have done that. So once we've successfully trained ourselves to stop eating out all the time, and banished 99% of the forbidden food from our home, we both feel safe introducing it in small, limited quantities, like an occasional sandwich, or corn added to a vegetable soup, or something like that.
And, if all else fails, we've also said that we will do a Whole30 at least once a year, or more frequently if we keep finding ourselves falling off track with the 80/20. Once we get through the 30 days and know that a) it works, b) we can do it, and c) it will get us back on the wagon, I don't think it'll be that hard.
So... that's the plan.
Also, before I wrap up, I just want to pause a moment and say thank you to all the people who have been commenting on the FB posts and sending messages with suggestions or things they saw and thought of me. As an example, no fewer than three of you sent me the link to Nom Nom Paleo's Whole30 recipes (which I had, in fact, already seen -- she posted it in January but reposted today as the creators of Whole30 are launching a new group Whole30 today.). The fact that you saw it and thought of me is really special to me and you are all so awesome. I haven't responded to every single one of you because, honestly, I kind of lose track of them all, but know that I appreciate all of you for keeping me in mind and genuinely trying to help me get through this. Most of you know me well enough to know why this is such a game-changer for me, so you should also know that your support means the absolute world. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Now, without further ado...
Also, here is a picture of my cat, just because he's so cute and I can't resist sharing:
What I Ate:
Breakfast: two scrambled eggs, an orange, and some nuts
Lunch: a hamburger with tomato, onion, mustard, and Tessemae's mayo. (I was hoping to get some use out of the ketchup but BLEH. The mayo seemed okay but I'll need to test it some more).
Dinner: steak, potatoes, and cherry tomatoes. I drizzled some of the tomatoes with balsamic vinegar and a little salt add a little kick and see if I liked it... definitely think I prefer them plain. Oh well, it's still produce. Had a plum later to take with my meds.
How I Feel:
Not bad. I'm a little achy today but it's been rainy here so that may have something to do with it. I'm in a good mood though, and I was productive enough to get my work done this morning, clean my desk, load and run the dishwasher, cook two meals, go to Costco, and play video games with Derek this evening. A bit more than I usually accomplish on Fridays, lol.
Tomorrow is the END of WEEK TWO. Almost at the halfway point! WOOHOO!
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