June 7, 2014 – Day 7

What Did I Eat?

Love my purple plates!!

Meal 1

Scrambled Eggs

Spinach

Avocado

Meal 2

Turkey Sausage Pieces

Cucumber

Meal 3

Turkey Sausage Appies

Veggies from a platter

The Day

Sean and I had hair appointments with my good friend Dora today. Can I just say how talented she is for a minute? I have been friends with this lady since she was a receptionist in a non-hair-related industry. She found her passion, went to school, and has been cutting and styling hair for a few years now. I won’t go to anyone else. 

Needless to say I woke up in a good mood, stoked to see my friend and of course to get pampered. Sean needed a haircut before the big day next week, and for the summer, and I just needed to add some layers. I made myself some scrambled eggs, about 4, with a side of spinach sautéed in ghee and half an avocado and we headed out to get our hair did. I was not disappointed and was so excited that, for once, I had plans after. I usually end up having great hair and no where to go. 

Then I had to head to the store to get some ingredients for a potluck/housewarming party at another friend’s new place. This potluck, I was determined to do better than the veggie bowl I brought to the last one. I didn’t have a plan really though so I wandered Whole Foods for inspiration, reading labels and thinking of ideas. There were some good looking wings but of course they were coated with bread crumbs and I did not see any plain ones available. I sort of had the idea of toothpick appies before I got there and I found some compliant turkey sausage in the deli. I grabbed two packs of 4 and wandered to produce. I looked for veggies that could be cut up and easily stuck on a toothpick and came up with cherry tomatoes of varying colours and cucumbers.

Whole30 Appies!

When I got home, I popped the sausages in the oven and applied my makeup. I cut up the cucumbers and cherry tomatoes and methodically put them on toothpicks. I ended up with about 45-50 little toothpick appies when I ran out of tomatoes. I ate the leftover cucumbers and sausage (about ½ of one and the ends of the others) as 2^nd meal. On top of me eating them, they were a hit! They were gone within an hour of me getting there. 

When I got to the potluck, the only other thing I could have was veggies from a platter so I made a plate of veggies and some of my appies and was completely happy with that. It was so nice to chat and catch up with friends. It was a beautiful almost summer evening. There was live music, kids running around the back yard. It could not have been more perfect. Of course all good things come to an end and we all headed home.

How Do I Feel Today?

Woke up in a good mood. Was satiated all day long. 

Day 4 - Office Potluck

Today there was a potluck at the office. 

I am actually the one who suggested it. I suggested it about a month ago, heard about Whole30 three weeks ago, committed to a W30 start date two weeks ago, and remembered about the potluck last week. I couldn't put off starting any later than I did though, in order to be done before my birthday. My birthday is kicking off the May long weekend this year, it's the last birthday of my twenties, and I want to enjoy it. 

Plus it's one thing to put off starting like I did last weekend, but now that I have started, I am not going to stop for anything.

I initially felt silly that I had planned a potluck that I likely wouldn't be able to participate in, but I wasn't going, postpone it, cancel it, or make special requests for my own benefit. I soon realized that all I could do was bring a W30 approved dish and hope something else might comply. I remembered that I could always ask what is in things and hope that someone would bring something with basic ingredients. 

So I brought a huge bowl of veggies from Whole Foods and some dips. I wanted to cook something Whole30 compliant, yet tasty, but I am still new at this and I didn't want to spread myself too thin. Last night I made dinner, breakfast for today, plus Sean's lunch, so by the time I was done all that, it was already late and I was very thankful for my earlier decision to buy the veggies. 

When I got to work, I looked at the list and summed up really quickly that I wouldn't be able to eat anything on it. Though it wasn't for a lack of trying; one of my co-worked brought butter chicken. I had a brief fantasy that it was made with coconut milk, but I asked (yes I did) and he passed me a link to the recipe - sure enough, it had milk, butter, and sugar in it, so it was out. Next I saw deviled eggs. "Deviled eggs are just boiled eggs," I thought to myself. "With Mayo!" the angel on shoulder piped up. "She could have made her own mayo with compliant foods" the shoulder devil chimes in. (See what I did there? Deviled eggs…) I perked up optimistically, then sighed... Nah! I am not going to even bother asking about that one. How many people make their own mayo if they don't have to? 

Soon enough the whole boardroom table was a buffet of amazing creations. Everything from spring rolls to sushi, chocolate covered strawberries to cassava cake, butter chicken to bacon popcorn and it looked great! Co-workers started coming in one by one to fill their plates. There was chatting and laughter, discussions of the food, work, and weekend plans. And then it hit me; I was truly enjoying this potluck. 

This isn't even all of it...

It doesn't hurt that I work with a fantastic group of individuals. We are all around the same age, which helps. Many of us share the same sense of humour. There is often laughter in the office every day. Bringing everyone together was my drive to do this in the first place. It worked and everyone had a good time, enjoyed the food, and got to step away from their desks, stretch, and socialize. I am satisfied with that. 

I eventually had to step out to get food that I could eat. Same as yesterday, chicken and steamed veggies from Urban Fare. When I got back to the office, I had an array of emails to say thank you, and what a successful event it was. This put me over the top with happiness. Those who know me, will know that when others are happy from my actions, I am happy. So, I am happy. 

(And if I am being honest, it didn't hurt that many of them also said we should do this more often, so I can always make sure that I don't miss out next time!)

What did I learn? How truly dedicated I can be to my body. How strong my willpower really is! (It was a close call with the deviled eggs). How gatherings are about more than just the food, even when they are about food (like a potluck). It was hard not to give into temptation, but it was worth it because I am writing today on day 4 and not day 0. 

Most of all, I learned that there will always be things in life that I will want to do, that I will consider postponing for, that I do not want to miss out on, but that if I post put off doing this for everything I want, then I will never follow through. I am reminded that I am doing this for me, and me alone.

Sean and I had a big dinner to celebrate. I made pan-seared steaks, with sautéed onions and mushrooms, and I sautéed slices of zucchini in the steak juice while the steaks rested. DELISH!!

What is the biggest temptation you have had to face so far? How did it turn out? What did you learn?

Day 3 – Trying New Things

I am not going to go through each meal in depth today…

For starters, breakfast was the same today as yesterday. Secondly, for lunch I just grabbed mixed steamed veggies and roasted chicken from Urban Fare, next to my work. And lastly, because dinner was the highlight of the day.

I will give props to Urban Fare though. A "higher end" store of the Overwaitea Food Group, which offers so many healthy choices. The staff are so knowledgeable and always willing to answer when you ask what is in things. It has a grocery store, deli, Starbucks, flame grilled flatbreads, fresh made sandwiches, a hot self-serve buffet, salad bar, hot food service, and is licenced. The Italian chicken I got, had no sugar and only herbs for flavour, and the mixed veggies were all compliant. I love that I can easily get fresh produce for lunch daily if I want, but today, Lunch was hot and delish, and right next store to my office!

I was delighted but not at all surprised to find Whole30 compliant sausages at Whole Foods. Another convenient, healthy market. Whole Foods is across from our apartment! I was looking for ground pork for the creation I am making for breakfasts for the next few days (more on that later), and I noticed all the pre-made, marinated, and packaged meats have every ingredient listed on a tag in the deli case. Many of them have stuff in them that is not suitable for Whole30 but then I saw the Garlic basil pork sausage. Everything in it was approved and each one was packed in its own all natural casing. I grabbed four along with the other items I went there for in the first place and headed home.

For the first time I used coconut oil for cooking. I was surprised to find out that it was pretty much flavourless and if you get some on you, just rub it in. It's great for your skin! 

One 'sploded!!

I pan seared the Sausages in the coconut oil and once I had a few browned sides, turned down the heat and cooked on low for about 15-20 mins. They smelled fantastic. On the side we had Kale chips or Krispy Kale as I call it.  Today the kale bordered on "not quite chips" – and that is when it becomes Krispy Kale. I almost prefer it this way but I think Sean likes it more like a chip, which is actually crispier. 



Today I felt somewhat blah. Worked dragged on and I was still feeling hungry between meals, though not as much. I am feeling a little tired too throughout the day, but this still early on, so that is to be expected. Sean mentioned feeling really tired by then end of the day. I suggested that he try the Pre and/or Post workout meal suggestions on the Meal Planning Guide since he does a lot of manual labour most days. I will update you if that helps or not. 

I also stuck a Larabar in his backpack and one in my purse in case we should ever find ourselves in a pinch as per the Whole30 "Official Can I Have…" list. They say it's not that good to eat these habitually because the point of this is to break those old habits. But since they are compliant for the program, they are a-ok to have here or there if you need an energy boost, or find yourself in a pinch.  You should also note that not ALL of them are Whole30 approved, so as always, read your labels!!

My breakfast food that I mentioned before, is almost done so I am signing off but I am really excited about it and I can't wait to share tomorrow….