Cheers to Me!

It's day 30 of My Whole 30 "adventure." I made it to the finish line! Think of the tortoise in "The Tortoise and the Hare" story.  Some moments were REALLY hard and I wanted to quit. It got easier. I learned to survive without dairy, legumes, grains, sugar, soy and alcohol. I learned to order "compliant" food off restaurant menus. I am really conscious of reading labels now, and wanting to eat food in it's "clean" and natural state.

I wasn't perfect, but pretty darn close. There might have been a tiny bit of sugar in a restaurant's Balsamic salad dressing, I realized I had bread and juice during Communion (I just feel confident that God understands) and I did cheat once and have half a glass of red wine with my son who was home visiting. Not only did I feel guilty, but it was underwhelming.

If you read any of my posts over the last month, (I'll link them below) then you'll remember I wasn't super committed at the starting line. I found myself participating before I had prepared myself mentally, or my kitchen physically. But...I did it. I read lots of articles, watched some You Tube videos, tried LOTS of recipes (mostly found on Pinterest) and just kept going.

I will do my best to slowly reintroduce the foods I've abstained from, but it could be a little tricky following the suggested plan while in Napa! I head to the airport soon for my rendezvous and weekend getaway with my husband. I'll hopefully take some wonderful pictures and will share some of our favorite spots in a future post.

I finally stepped on the scale this morning and it says I lost 12 pounds. Yay! My clothes are fitting better and  I'm sure I lost some inches, but I never measured...  

Will I ever do this program again? Maybe...but probably not. I will be adopting lots of the healthy habits I learned. Do I recommend others try it? YES! If you have bad habits that you'd like to break, and want to get serious about losing weight and getting healthy. I think having to give up SO many foods helps you stay focused and committed.  I learned to say no and use willpower. 

I nibbled on nuts while my bible study friends enjoyed a delicious quiche... I even sat across from my husband (who started the plan five days before me) while he had a glass of wine and chocolate mousse for dessert and I didn't cry or whine... Congrats to him!

If you want to find out more, you can check out  the official website. and I found this very informative article written by "Preventative" magazine that I wish I'd read 30 days ago,

So enough about that... Here's a recap on what's been going on in my little corner of the world:

• My ugly, bloody eye isn't completely healed, but it's much better. 
• The air quality here in Washington State is horrible-so smokey from the fires up in Canada. The sun appears orange and it's uncomfortable to be outside for long. 
• Our dry-spell has reached about 54 days without rain. 
• I'm thrilled to discover that both our daughters will be given there own classrooms to teach in, rather than having to fit into a corner of  another teacher's room, or wheel around a cart. 
• It's MUCH more fun to watch "Chesapeake Shores" on the Hallmark channel, then the depressing, scary news on "NBC." Season two started Sunday night. Make sure you watch season one first.
• I need to purchase the "Nasa-approved" protective glasses to be ready for the Solar Eclipse on the 21st!

With the unsettling news about North Korea and possible missiles, I choose to focus on my family, health, friends, choosing joy, and remaining confident that the one who created this Earth and ALL the people, is still in control!

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 14:27

Enjoy the rest of your week and weekend! I'll be in the Vineyards... Cheers!

In His Grip,

xo Jane

If you missed my 30 day journey:

https://learningjane.blogspot.com/2017/07/heres-truth.html

https://learningjane.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-journey-so-far-my-whole-30-adventure.html

https://learningjane.blogspot.com/2017/07/see-jane-keep-going.html

https://learningjane.blogspot.com/2017/08/5-favorites-for-friday-my-list-and-few.html

See Jane Keep Going

I am half-way through doing the Whole 30 Diet. I'm proud of me! One of my sweet friends decided to join in the "fun" and started the program yesterday. I wish her much luck much success and patience! I think a few people who know me well (and my eating and drinking habits) decided "If Jane can do it, anybody can..."

"Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You are not your own." 1Corinthians 6:19 NLT

I was surprised that even as I walked the aisles of our healthy "Main and Vine" store the other night and Trader Joe's yesterday with list in hand, HOW MUCH STUFF THAT I CAN'T EAT! 

BUT...I am doing OK. I am not cheating, haven't really been craving anything in particular and when I look down at my tummy, it doesn't look like I'm 7 months pregnant anymore! I've got a whole new food vocabulary and over the weekend we made some delicious dinners including shrimp and vegetables with avocado pesto sauce over zucchini "zoodles."

Here's a look at the stash I brought home from TJ's. The Garlic Herb Chicken Sausages were very tasty, and the flowers were a "just because we need to enjoy simple pleasures."  $1.99 for Orange Gladiolus was a steal! They go great with the pink ones I cut that are growing out in our front yard.

I promised I would talk about my unhealthy eating habits sometime, so here you go! I'm a child of the 60's and 70's, and both my parents worked full-time from the time I was in second grade. That said, meal preparation was a combination of a tight budget, and not a lot of time! Keep in mind, I was raised in the Midwest...we ate differently than families do here in the PNW. I apologize in advance for the length of this post.

My Growing-Up Years: 
Typical Breakfasts: Poptarts, cereal, Instant Breakfast shakes, Hawaiian Punch, Eggs, Pancakes or Waffles on the weekends.
Typical lunches: school lunches, peanut butter or bologna and cheese sandwiches, Pringles, snack puddings and fruit, Hostess treats for field trips.
Dinnertime: LOTS of casseroles, cube steaks, iceberg lettuce with homemade thousand island dressing (mayonnaise and ketchup) and canned vegetables. We didn't eat out much but when we did it was a Friday night at Pizza Hut!

College:
Whoa. I gained more than the "freshman ten." I really took advantage of the Dorm cafeteria buffet line. If I didn't like the main course I could always make a P and J sandwich followed by the ice cream machine for dessert. My besties and I ordered LOTS of Dominos pizzas and helped the Frat boys drink their kegs. Self-control towards food and drink just hasn't been in my "make-up." 

I need to give a shout-out to my freshman college roommate and Chi Omega sister, (Cathy Marx) Catherine Ebeling RN BSN. She wrote the book The Flat-Belly Kitchen: Superfoods For A Flat Stomach: Lose 2-3 Inches From Your Belly in Less Than A Month. Many of her recipes are Whole 30 Compliant, and I will definitely be incorporating her meals into my life in the future.

Raising my Family:
I did get a grip on my weight after college/before my wedding and went a bit up and down with four pregnancies. Fresh food DOES cost more, and while we were raising our four kids we were pinching pennies and just trying to fill their tummies. I bought LOTS OF BOXES; macaroni and cheese, Stovetop stuffing, frozen pizza, etc. I love that despite their childhood lack of great nutrition they've learned to be healthy eaters as young adults. Menopause has not been my friend. Enough said.

Before I began this Whole 30 Program:
Wine. Lots of wine. Crackers and cheese, Greek Yogurts, English muffins and peanut butter, Blue Cheese dressing, BIG portions, burgers and fries, Teriyaki chicken and fried rice, pasta, French Bread and butter, desserts, ice cream, Margaritas with lots of chips and salsa. You get the idea...not a lot of self-control.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22

Some reflections after 15 days: 

• It does gets easier to be around friends who are enjoying wine while I'm sipping a La Croix. It's sometimes entertaining!
• My energy has improved and I haven't had a headache in two weeks.
• I haven't weighed myself (following the rules) but my pants are looser and my husband has lost 11 pounds (he cheated and weighed himself.)
• Lots of people have "Whole 30" stories~it's a community. 
• I don't yawn as much. (My friends noticed.)
• I wish the restaurant "Flower Child" wasn't only in California, Texas and Arizona! 
• Fresh, clean, Paleo-type food really is better for us and does NOT come in "boxes."
• Even though it can be frustrating to discover all the things I CAN'T have, there are lots of interesting options.

Some Tips:

• Do not drink a Kombucha at night. I won't be having it again for the next two weeks. Sources say it has sugar (the devil!) Apparently it has natural caffeine and I was awake half the night!
• Spicy V8 and cashews and almonds or an apple really tide me over at work.
• There are TONS of resources online (especially Pinterest recipes.)
• Give away all your Dairy and Bread to friends.
• Clean out your refrigerator and freezer of non-compliant foods and put them in a garage freezer if you have one.
• Hide all your wine and spirits in the closet. (Out of sight, out of mind.)

There are a few places around my Harbor Town I really miss going to, just to enjoy the gorgeous view while sipping a glass of Vino. (Hang in there Jane, just two more weeks!) Plus...Napa Valley is only fourteen days away!!

Photo source:http://evewine101.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Napa_Valley_welcome_sign.jpg

"God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when tempting food troubles come, but you will be patient." Colossians 1:11-20

In His Grip,

xo jane

The Journey So Far: My Whole 30 Adventure

"How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion!"

Psalm 84:5

One week down, three to go... Hi Friends and family! In my last post, I might have vented mentioned that I am doing the Whole 30 Diet. I sort of jumped on the train with my husband and youngest daughter without asking "where are we going?"

So...except for the first day when I may or may not have had wine while in Portland (no, I did NOT start over like the rules say,) I have been following the program. I am NOT doing this by myself or by my own strength. I have amazing friends who are encouraging me, holding me accountable and giving me menu suggestions. My husband and daughter are good teammates. I also have received help from God when I'm feeling weak.

"People need more than Bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God."

Matthew 4:4

(Jesus was tempted for 40 days in the wilderness.)

Here are some reflections after eight days:

• I had some really unhealthy eating and drinking habits. (I'll write more about that later.)
• Just like a computer occasionally needs to be restarted, my body needed a re-set.
• I adjusted to black coffee!! 
• Day 5 was UGLY. My husband and I were CRANKY!
• Sugar is in SO MANY THINGS! It is scary to find out how many food items have sugar added. No wonder I've been an "addict." 
• Little things are exciting; when I realized my mouthwash was Alcohol free.
• Sweet Potatoes are my new best friend.
• I am surprised that I really don't have cravings for desserts! 

Here are some tips:

• Have plans/things to look forward to or reward yourself with that DON'T include food. I got some new flowers to plant in the front yard. Perhaps in the next week or two I can book a massage! 

Melanie Bolen wrote a good article that includes ways to reward yourself that don't include food.

• Use a fun water bottle. I got a new cap for my Hydro Flask and it makes me happy. I take it everywhere.
• An easy way to give up cream in your coffee is just pour some expired half and half in your cup and watch it curdle-that will help "turn you off."
• Shop at Walmart a couple days before you start and watch lots of overweight, unhealthy people fill their shopping carts with fattening snacks and processed foods. (Sorry if that sounds judgmental, but it was true...)
• If you discover something you thought was compliant isn't on the "can have" list, don't quit. Just don't eat it again!
• Tell your girlfriends what you're doing so they'll support you! My sweet friends have cheered me on at two gatherings this week. We all like to hear "good job!" It was a tad sad to watch delicious wine being enjoyed and not being able to partake, BUT... I learned I can still have a very fun time SOBER. (I also learned I'm just as random and spacey as I am when I'm tipsy.)
• If you hear that someone is doing the program, tell them they look slimmer and more healthy-whether it's true or not! Those words were balm to my soul.

Even though I'm on a "train" I never intended to board~I plan to finish this journey!

In His Grip, 

jane

photo sources: National Railway Museum, wikiHow