whole30 meals and more!

Well, we are now on Day 23 of Whole30!  It has been a lot easier than I anticipated.  The first few days were hard, but now we don't have to think about it so much.  Additionally, I've noticed that I have more energy.  Some people talk about having "tiger blood" which means having boundless energy.  For me, I've noticed that I crash less often.  I used to go CRAZY waiting for Caleb to come home...I was so tired and could never have him get home soon enough to help with the baby.  Half of the time I had a migraine so I just needed to lay down.  My migraines have been so, so much better (I've only been having them if I haven't eaten or slept enough.  Totally a change from having them day after day).  I've spent more time outside being active with Hadden and haven't been on edge waiting for Caleb to get home.  Additionally, a pair of shorts that 23 days ago were tight can now (literally) fall off me.  I really need to find my belt!

This week I was preparing a meal for a friend, but since I couldn't taste what I was making (it wasn't Whole30), I asked another friend to come over and taste test some apple muffins for me.  Thankfully, she didn't mind that job. ;)  We got around to talking about Whole30 and what we ate so I thought I'd give a brief description.

Here is our official shopping list.  The first week or two I took this with me the store to make sure I was buying Whole30 approved foods.  Now that I have it in my head, I don't usually carry it because I already know what to buy.

This is what WE have been eating.  Sometimes on the different forums, I see people who have different opinions about what is allowed on Whole30 (e.g. one person says to drink only water, but most people agree that other drinks like tea are fine).  To the best of my knowledge, everything I've eaten has been compliant with Whole30, but if someone who is more advanced with Whole30 recognizes that I did something wrong, please don't rake me over the coals! ;)

Breakfast:

Eggs

  Egg casserole with compliant chicken sausage and spinach

  Omelets with peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes

  Fried or Scrambled Eggs

Cowboy Breakfast Skillet

Fruit

Main Dishes:

Grilled Chicken

Grilled Steak

Tilapia

Salads (including a modified version of this one)

Homemade Meatballs and Spaghetti Squash

Turkey or Chicken Burgers

Shrimp and Avocado Salad

Tuna Salad (with homemade mayo)

Sides/Snacks:

LARA bars (we've found about 5 flavors that are compliant)

Kale chips

Fruit (sometimes with a side of almond butter)

Vegetables (LOTS!)

Almonds

Guacamole (we like it served over grilled chicken or tilapia)

Baked Apple Chips

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Homemade beef jerky

Eating Out*:

(*It's especially important if you're doing Whole30 that you are a compete pain in the butt for the restaurant staff double check how that location cooks their food...it might be different from place to place.)

Panera Bread: "Power" Mediterranean Turkey Salad (no pepperocini, add avocado)

                       "Power" Steak Wraps Salad (no pesto, add avocado)

5 Guys:           Burger (no cheese, no bun, lots of vegetables!)

Texas Roadhouse: Steak (no seasoning - just grilled), broccoli (no seasoning), house salad (no cheese, no croutons, oil and lemon as dressing)

Chipotle:           Bowl with carnitas, mild salsa, guac and lettuce)

Are you up for it??  Ready to start Whole30? (I'm hoping at least ONE person decides to do it after me...I have a few people considering it)