I have had a fairly stressful couple of months, and unfortunately have turned to food to ease my nerves. Bad idea. I have put on a few pounds and am not too happy with myself. For some reason I got the notion that ice cream should play a part in my daily food consumption, which has not done me much good. Since I would like to feel better and fit into my clothes properly I am considering doing the Whole 30 program.
Have you heard of it? It is hugely popular right now, and there are several books on the topic available on Amazon, as well as other books on the subject of Clean Eating. The basic concept of clean eating is that you eat the freshest, in season foods available–the way they come in nature. Drink lots of water, choose organic when you can, and most important: avoid processed and refined foods. Pretty much if it comes in a package or crinkly bag, you shouldn't eat it.
Whole 30 is a slightly more drastic version of the Clean Eating concept. You only do it for 30 days, and after that time, hopefully you will have gotten the habit of eating better and can ease up a bit. For starters the things that are not allowed for the 30 days are Sugar, Alcohol, Dairy, Grains, Legumes. Eliminating these foods from your diet for 30 days can have huge health benefits (so say the proponents). I have read some testimonials, and those who can stick with it are raving about how much better they look and feel.
I am considering trying it starting August 1. For now, I have been easing into the concept. I swear if I gave up chardonnay and ice cream alone I could probably lose 15 pounds in two weeks. At any rate, I know I should eat better–less carbs, more protein and fresh fruit and veggies. This will be sort of a health "reset" for me.
I'll keep you posted on how I am doing. So far, I have some recipes that have been super. I made Ground Chicken Stir fry and served it in lettuce wraps for dinner one night and I think it was better than P F Changs!
Source for Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe: Go to http://www.onelovelylife.com/chicken-lettuce-wraps/
27 responses to “Eating Cleaner”
Would you please share your recipe for the ground chicken stir fry? My problem with the Whole 30 is dinner. By the time I get home from a full day of teaching (yes, I am teaching summer school this year) I just want to eat the fastest thing i can put together. Plus, that cold glass of chardonnay is calling my name. Thanks!
Would you please share your recipe for the ground chicken stir fry? My problem with the Whole 30 is dinner. By the time I get home from a full day of teaching (yes, I am teaching summer school this year) I just want to eat the fastest thing i can put together. Plus, that cold glass of chardonnay is calling my name. Thanks!
Would you please share your recipe for the ground chicken stir fry? My problem with the Whole 30 is dinner. By the time I get home from a full day of teaching (yes, I am teaching summer school this year) I just want to eat the fastest thing i can put together. Plus, that cold glass of chardonnay is calling my name. Thanks!
The fresh fruits in your photo look delicious. Given a choice, I could let the ice cream go; Chardonnay, not so much!
The fresh fruits in your photo look delicious. Given a choice, I could let the ice cream go; Chardonnay, not so much!
The fresh fruits in your photo look delicious. Given a choice, I could let the ice cream go; Chardonnay, not so much!
You will feel different!!!!!! NO sugar, etc. Once you are off those foods you do not crave them as much. No “little” headache from this and that chemical. You CAN do whole 30 as it is written… it is a mind set and if you can sew you can do this… and when you ease off you put just one food back at a time and see if your body has any thoughts. You can do it!!
You will feel different!!!!!! NO sugar, etc. Once you are off those foods you do not crave them as much. No “little” headache from this and that chemical. You CAN do whole 30 as it is written… it is a mind set and if you can sew you can do this… and when you ease off you put just one food back at a time and see if your body has any thoughts. You can do it!!
You will feel different!!!!!! NO sugar, etc. Once you are off those foods you do not crave them as much. No “little” headache from this and that chemical. You CAN do whole 30 as it is written… it is a mind set and if you can sew you can do this… and when you ease off you put just one food back at a time and see if your body has any thoughts. You can do it!!
Well at least I am not the first responder to say I am not willing to give up my wine just yet BUT I think this is a great idea to try Nicole. I have continually adjusted my ” I don’t eat that anymore” diet for quite a while now and I do feel really good about how and what I eat. I think no gluten for me has been a good one. I certainly am not 100% on anything but in general with an occasional slip I am a whole lot better with what is going into my mouth. Good luck!
Mary!
Well at least I am not the first responder to say I am not willing to give up my wine just yet BUT I think this is a great idea to try Nicole. I have continually adjusted my ” I don’t eat that anymore” diet for quite a while now and I do feel really good about how and what I eat. I think no gluten for me has been a good one. I certainly am not 100% on anything but in general with an occasional slip I am a whole lot better with what is going into my mouth. Good luck!
Mary!
Well at least I am not the first responder to say I am not willing to give up my wine just yet BUT I think this is a great idea to try Nicole. I have continually adjusted my ” I don’t eat that anymore” diet for quite a while now and I do feel really good about how and what I eat. I think no gluten for me has been a good one. I certainly am not 100% on anything but in general with an occasional slip I am a whole lot better with what is going into my mouth. Good luck!
Mary!
I did the Whole 30 a year and a half ago. Lost ten pounds (husband lost 20)…it changed my life. I stuck to the program for 45 days…as 30 days was not long enough to break my sugar habit. I have relapsed a couple of times, but for the most part I continue to eat the whole30 way. Am down 25 pounds and keeping it off! I find that cooking is much easier, keeping food simple and preparation pure. For me, the most critical step was cleaning out my cupboards of all foods not allowed. I also signed up for the daily emails (small cost) and perused the website many times a day. You can do it!
I did the Whole 30 a year and a half ago. Lost ten pounds (husband lost 20)…it changed my life. I stuck to the program for 45 days…as 30 days was not long enough to break my sugar habit. I have relapsed a couple of times, but for the most part I continue to eat the whole30 way. Am down 25 pounds and keeping it off! I find that cooking is much easier, keeping food simple and preparation pure. For me, the most critical step was cleaning out my cupboards of all foods not allowed. I also signed up for the daily emails (small cost) and perused the website many times a day. You can do it!
I did the Whole 30 a year and a half ago. Lost ten pounds (husband lost 20)…it changed my life. I stuck to the program for 45 days…as 30 days was not long enough to break my sugar habit. I have relapsed a couple of times, but for the most part I continue to eat the whole30 way. Am down 25 pounds and keeping it off! I find that cooking is much easier, keeping food simple and preparation pure. For me, the most critical step was cleaning out my cupboards of all foods not allowed. I also signed up for the daily emails (small cost) and perused the website many times a day. You can do it!
I’ve heard about Whole 30 but I don’t think it’s something for me … because I don’t think I can live withput chocolate (and a glass of wine now and then;-)
I’ve heard about Whole 30 but I don’t think it’s something for me … because I don’t think I can live withput chocolate (and a glass of wine now and then;-)
I’ve heard about Whole 30 but I don’t think it’s something for me … because I don’t think I can live withput chocolate (and a glass of wine now and then;-)
I think life is too short to eliminate the wine, I think I remember you once saying ” a day without wine is like a day without sunshine” No sunshine for 30 days? Really? LOL Good Luck with the rest.
I think life is too short to eliminate the wine, I think I remember you once saying ” a day without wine is like a day without sunshine” No sunshine for 30 days? Really? LOL Good Luck with the rest.
I think life is too short to eliminate the wine, I think I remember you once saying ” a day without wine is like a day without sunshine” No sunshine for 30 days? Really? LOL Good Luck with the rest.
I did Whole 30 two and a half years ago. I lost 10 kilos. Changed how I eat forever. I don’t stick to it so strictly now but I still don’t eat bread, avoid wheat and hardly eat any sugar. Give it a go. You can do anything for 30 days!
I did Whole 30 two and a half years ago. I lost 10 kilos. Changed how I eat forever. I don’t stick to it so strictly now but I still don’t eat bread, avoid wheat and hardly eat any sugar. Give it a go. You can do anything for 30 days!
I did Whole 30 two and a half years ago. I lost 10 kilos. Changed how I eat forever. I don’t stick to it so strictly now but I still don’t eat bread, avoid wheat and hardly eat any sugar. Give it a go. You can do anything for 30 days!
Good luck! I have found that quilting keeps my hands too busy to stuff my face with tasty treats. Unfortunately, at some point I do have to stop quilting…and therein lies the trouble! Let us know how it goes.
Good luck! I have found that quilting keeps my hands too busy to stuff my face with tasty treats. Unfortunately, at some point I do have to stop quilting…and therein lies the trouble! Let us know how it goes.
Good luck! I have found that quilting keeps my hands too busy to stuff my face with tasty treats. Unfortunately, at some point I do have to stop quilting…and therein lies the trouble! Let us know how it goes.