My truths.

I've debated not writing this post.  I want and need to be honest though.  Our own worst critic is really ourselves, right?

[via hellolucky]

Last weekend was hard.  Really hard.  In light of the chaos going on in the world around me, you would think something monumental happened.  It didn't, but sometimes we just need time to wallow and feel a little sorry for ourselves.  To be honest, I don't get that feeling a lot; however with my injury and lack of running it's crept back all too often.  Between the injury, D's travel schedule, and Whole 30, I just haven't felt myself.  I think that's ok.  I've accepted that and need to change it.  

[via]

I need to talk about my Whole 30 truth.  This is my second round of Whole 30.  I did the first back in July 2012.  Back then I didn't complete the full 30 days, but the experience changed the way I eat forever.  I am still a huge advocate of Whole 30 and what it can do for you.  That said, 30 days is not realistic for me. I got to day 18 before I cheated with alcohol (which is actually an amazing feat).  I cheated because I got bad news about my injury and felt alcohol would help me feel a little better there isn't a good reason.  I was the strictest ever with this Whole 30.  I worked my ass off.  To break it down, this is why another Whole 30 is likely not realistic for me.

• I didn't/haven't lost any weight.  While Whole 30 is not and does not claim to be a weight loss method, cutting out bread, dairy, beans, & alcohol should lead you to some loss.  I have lost nothing even while continuing to work out.  
• 21 days in and I haven't felt a significant difference in myself like I did after the first W30.  I was sleeping better, but then I got sick (sinus gunk).  This had me not falling asleep quickly and waking up often throughout the night.  Clear skin?  Nada.  The only difference I've noticed it sleep.
• The money spent.  Last weekend, D calculated that we've spent approximately $500 in groceries during W30.  That is entirely too much considering D has been traveling much of the month, I don't buy a lot of meat, and nothing (with the exception of maybe a cucumber and some scallions) has gone bad.  This is an insane amount of money for 1 and a half people to eat for 19+ days.
• The energy spent made me unhappy.  In combination with the other seemingly negative things in my life right now, the time and energy spent shopping, cooking, and spending money has got me down.

My decision is that I will go through the remainder of food we have here.  When it's gone, W30 is done.  I'm going to keep alcohol kicked to the curb for the remainder of the 30 days.  I'm going to try my best to transition dairy in slowly and see how it affects my body.  Then transition bread.  I did think this Whole 9 article giving six reasons why W30 didn't work was informative.  Maybe my expectations were too high?  I found out that a full 30 days just isn't necessary for me.  I'm still interested to see how dairy & carbs effect my body.  If I get too comfortable with carbs, sugar, and cheese again, I just need to take a two-week sabbatical.  

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  I am still a huge advocate of Whole 30 and what it can do for you.  

Let's eat :: Homemade salsa.

While Whole 30 is really getting to me these days (I'm just so tired of cooking and shopping), one good thing to come from this round is this salsa.  I already bragged on this last week.  Since the first batch went so fast, it was time to make another.  My recipe is adapted from this one over on Whole in 30.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans whole tomatoes, drained really well
• 1/2 to 3/4 a can of jalapeños (depending on how spicy you like your salsa)
• Handful of cilantro
• 1/2 yellow onion, cut into chunks
• 1 carrot, cut into pieces & peeled if you prefer
• 1/2 lime (or if you forgot to buy it, teaspoon of lime juice)
• 1 garlic clove or teaspoon of garlic powder
• Teaspoon of sea salt
• Teaspoon of cumin

What to do:

Combine all ingredients in the food processor or blender.  Process to your liking (I prefer my salsa thin, not chunky).  I find I prefer the salsa to be refrigerated for the flavors to meld a bit, but I also have no problem eating it straight out of the food processor.

This recipe is Whole 30 approved.  I found that unsweetened banana chips are a great (albeit much smaller) alternative to tortilla chips.  As Whole 30 would prefer, crispy veggies like cucumbers and carrot slices are also great for dipping!  

Life Lately :: That time I couldn't stop obsessing over food.

My pictures from April are semi-pathetic.  I honestly haven't done much aside from prep and eat Whole 30-style, work out, and chill with D.  Thrilling I know, but if you know anything about Whole 30 then you're aware that eating out/socializing is next to impossible.  It's also a rarity to be able to get so much chill time with D too.  

Today will be day 13 of my Whole 30, and honestly I'm ready for it to be over.  I'm getting bored, and I'm really missing alcohol cheese alcohol.  I'm ready for a girls night with Justyn.  I know I can push through...and I'm even speculating a very special reward for myself when it's all said and done.

Oh and then there's The Walking Dead.  I've blasted through 3 seasons in about two weeks?  And that's my life lately.

 [Layered up, you know when it was in the 50s which suddenly turning into mf'ing 80s!]

 [Dear goodness this is Whole 30 candy!]

 [Homemade Larabar balls!  Crazy easy. I modified this recipe via Mandi]

[The best snail mail ever from Sarah]

 [The BEST homemade salsa!  Recipe to come soon...]

 [I really, really miss Mexican food, so cucumbers dipped in salsa will have to do for now]

 [Another delicious substitute for tortilla chips?  Unsweetened banana chips (I can only find them at Whole Foods so far).  They absolutely taste nothing like bananas and are crunchy and perfect for dipping]

 ["Date night" consisted of staining the deck...which ended up uneven.  Ugh...homeowning.]

Linking up with these lovelies!

Life lately :: hashtag crazy.

Aside from trying to stay focused on the Whole 30, I haven't had too much going on for Life Lately this  last two weeks!

 [Trying so hard to mix up my Whole 30 breakfast options #hard]

 [Crazy in love with the farmer's market these days!]

 [Okra #obsession]

 [Honoring bfw's memory #love]

[Dying over smoothies as my a.m. post-workout breakfasts.  I literally look forward to them #runningwin]

 [Back to Athens for my first baby shower #scary]

[Awesome new slap watch (remember those slap bracelets??) I found in Athens for just $12 #score]

I didn't want to bore you with a million boring food pictures, and I was the worst and took NO pictures of my quickie Athens trip.  While the drive was long and the rain was crazy, it was so worth it to be back with two besties.  A three hour dinner and picking up right back where we left off was the best!  While CAP(M) still owes me for losing our "baby bet," I'll let it slide this time around.

I need to be a bit more productive over the next month.  I'm getting ready to head to Austin, TX next weekend.  

What am I loving most (aside from seeing the besties and getting ready to travel again)?  Enjoying summer fruits, new routine, and my new job!  #summerwin

What are you loving most?

Linking with some amazing ladies!

       

I'm going for it.

At the beginning of this month, I mentioned that D and I wanted to kickstart some better health after our California road trip.  We went for it, and started the Whole 30 on July 5.  Basically, we cut out all the fun stuff...alcohol, sugar, grains, dairy, and legumes.  We're on day 12 as of today.  Here is a lot of what we've been eating:

 [Our last pack of venison with homemade spaghetti sauce, zucchini, over spaghetti squash with steamed broccoli]

 [Breakfast finger foods :: farmers market cucumber, tomatoes, & peach + boiled eggs + homemade creamy avocado dressing]

[Kale, radish, cucumber, tomato, & avocado salad topped with homemade tuna salad made with homemade mayo]

Did you read all those "homemades?"  Yeah, the Whole 30 has required more prep, cooking, and dishes than I feel like I've ever done in even an entire month.  Luckily, my new job is located less than a mile from Whole Foods, and I pass it every day.  Not so luckily, I've stopped there all but one day after work last week.  It seems like we're flying through food (or not buying enough...but it's certainly costing enough?).  I was worried that the heavy focus on meat would be difficult for me.  Truth?  I am eating tons and tons of eggs, but I definitely need to get fish in a bit more.  D did make some kick ass talapia tacos with lettuce "shells!"

What I do like?  I've visited the farmers market two weekends in a row (and am hoping to make that a tradition).  I'm also loving fresh summer fruits: watermelon, cantaloupe, and peaches.  I feel like I am getting more of a "taste" for vegetables that I normally would not eat.

In combination with Whole 30 and starting my new job (which I had such a great first week!), I've also rededicated myself to fitness.  With my new hours, I've gotten back into the gym routine by going in the mornings three days a week.  I've been loving it!  Two days I run; one day I yoga.  I like to save my Mondays and Fridays for enjoying my coffee, making breakfast at home, and reading blogs before work.

Gymming in the am has added an additional complication to Whole 30.  My nights involve cooking dinner as well as a pre-work out meal, post-work out breakfast, and lunch for the following day.  While Whole 30 does not recommend smoothies, I do not feel I have much of an option.  

[May favorite combination :: mango, carrot, pumpkin, spinach & coconut milk]

Instead of loading smoothies with fruit (too much sugar at once), I try to include only about 1 cup worth of fruit and load the rest with veggies.  "Carby" veggies are recommended post work out, so I included pumpkin last week (I had a can in our pantry).  This week I boiled up some sweet potatoes to include this week.  

So how do I feel?  Honestly not too different.  I feel like I've been sleeping really hard.  I'm not dreaming of bread and cheese either.  I'm actually enjoying this new way of eating (even though I am eating a lot of the same...but I've never much minded that).  When I really think about it, I do miss black beans and rice.  I'm still looking forward to seeing what other changes the next 18 days will bring.

Oh and, I do really want a beer though.

Life Lately :: Traveling fools.

I've shared about the San Francisco leg of our California trip, but I'm still working on slowly getting the other portions done.  It's time to take a break from CA and mention that craziness that's been going on in the here and now!

Two weeks ago, we were enjoying this at Stone Brewery getting ready to meet some fav blogger ladies in San Diego.

Today, my dessert looks more like this.  Kale chips.  D and I decided to go ahead and try Whole 30 (which is sort of a take on Paleo with a few more restrictions).  We're cutting out alcohol, sugar, grains, and dairy for 30 days.  We're on day 5.  I've done more cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping in those days than I have done the entire time we've been married.  Believe it or not, I'm feeling good too!

 [Amazing black bean nachos + a Terrapin Golden Ale]

[4th of July bloody at Beer Run]

Both of these happened within a matter of a day and a half...after our CA trip.  A detox was much needed.  We did get to spend time in Charlottesville, VA last week which was fun.  Charlottesville reminds me so much of Athens.

Being off the alcohol train has made me surprisingly productive!  I've been cooking nightly and getting plenty of errands done before I start my new job tomorrow.  Don't be fooled; we've been doing plenty of fun stuff too!

 [Chickens are free ranging!]

 [Pool and currently reading :: The Hound of Baskerville]

[Farmers market run on Saturday got us an amazingly delicious watermelon!]

[Weekend trip to Austin, TX scheduled to meet up with Kayla and go to an epic concert! Debating how this weekend will effect my Whole30.]

I'm off to start my new job and get adjusted to a whole new schedule.  Looking forward to being back in a routine!

How have you been enjoying your summer so far?

Linking up with Alli and Haley today!