The Whole 28 and a Half: Grocery Grouchies
Keeping our Cool on Days 10 & 11
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| I have no idea what this is, but I love it. |
Now, according to the Whole30 Timeline, by Days Ten and Eleven, we're over the hump and getting into our groove! Energy levels should be evening back out, if not soaring to new heights. We are hopefully starting to feel and appreciate some of the unexpected physical effects of our new dietary habits -- besides the energy boost, maybe you're sleeping more solidly; noticing that you're bloat-free and feeling lean; even all that water-consumption is easily making it in to your day!
But along with this new bounce in your step, you may be experiencing some secret, romantic feelings for the forbidden foods....even treats you never craved before! Naughty dreams about Cool Ranch Doritos and Swiss Miss Rolls drizzled in a Velveeta Cheese swirl. I know in my own experience, this can cause overwhelming feelings of guilt or worry, "what if this drives me to sleep walk my way back to junk food madness?" But please, calm your nerves! This is totally legit and does not mean you are a crazy person. Our minds are tricksters, clever and ready to play games. This ISN'T just about swapping "the bad" for "the good," this is about completely reshaping our relationships with food. I am well aware I did not have the greatest relationship with food before this, so it's only natural that my brain would dress-up some junk food like a saucy minx and dance it in from of my mind's eye.
Just remember: We are Stronger than This.
We're getting over the hump.
So, it's time to shop AGAIN?
If you made it through the first week on that initial grocery shopping trip: CONGRATULATIONS! I know we thought it was going to be way too much food, but we were totally wrong. When you're not adding in sugar-laden-carbohydrate-nonsense that you usually buy during your sneaky moments: on the way to and from work or the gym or school or daycare, etc. When you're eating appropriately for your activity and energy levels, it turns out those gallon bags of cut veggies disappear rather quickly. You may have even stepped out for a interim trip to tide you over (we've have a mini-trip in between for more protein and a handful of veggies). So I just want to talk to you about keeping to the plan without breaking the bank.Filling Up with Frugal Funds
I heart alliterations.I don't intend to steal anyone's thunder here: there are many blogs and resources on how to buy for the Whole30/Paleo/Whole foods kind of plan on a normal person's budget. Here I'm just going to pop in some of the KEY POINTS to keep in mind while you're riding your cart around the store, and I'll provide some links to these other knowledgeable folks.
In a perfect world: "Organic," "Free-Range," "Wild-Caught" proteins wouldn't break the bank. However, we all currently live in a world where buying meats from the happiest cows and carefree fish costs a pretty penny. So what's our next best option?
- Try and stick with your "ruminants" (beef, lamb, elk, bison/buffalo, goat or venison) because they are more likely to have some access to their natural diets. Then when you're looking at those lumps of meaty goodness, find yourself the LEANEST CUTS AVAILABLE. Minimal fat ratio, and when preparing you'll remove the rest yourself. *Note: particularly when cooking red meat, I know we all have out fat content preferences...this suggestion is just for our Whole28.5 Challenge! You are smart folks and can control your quality and taste preferences otherwise!
#2. When it comes to Fruits and Veggies, Keep your Local Seasons Straight
It's true, we can find a ripe kiwi in the store most days...but is it really the best kiwi--at least here in Philadelphia--in October? Thus, since we're dropping a lot of dimes to fill up our carts with fresh fruits and veggies, why not keep to the ones that really shine this time of year! Let's do our best to shop locally and seasonally. I know that we are lucky to have a CSA down the street, but there are farmer's markets all over the place and even a trip to Produce Junction can have us set for the week.
Okay, I didn't really have a better title for this one. Fats are where I would suggest letting yourself be a little extravagant. If Avocados are in season: they are worth the purchase. A high quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil is where it's at. Cans of Coconut Milk are usually nice and cheap, so throw in a few of those. But if you're looking for buttery goodness, you're going to throw down the cash for Ghee or make your own clarified butter (churn, baby, churn!). LUCKILY, when it comes to fats: a little goes a long way.
These are the big three that I like to always have in mind as I'm making my way around the store. And I do mean AROUND the store: it's a lot easier to avoid the temptations of food stuffs that just don't fall into our dietary needs if you primarily shop the perimeter of the store. Things that we would consider to be "products" instead of "ingredients" are always found in those middle aisles. Meats, Fruits, and Veggies will always hug the outside walls.
Want to learn more shopping tricks? LINKS!
Challenge Shout Out: My Girl, Trish
So, after the first full week of The Whole28.5, I was definitely proud that we stuck to the plan--didn't cave or stumble--but as I previously mentioned, I wasn't full of my usual bubbles and unicorns. I spent some time rather grumpy, hungry, and feeling drained as my body slowly rid itself of the nonsense and battled the mental-games of sugar withdraw. I am a VERY lucky girl that I have the beau working side by side with me on this challenge (Scott shout out, too!), as talking through the grumps this weekend was much needed. But yesterday, it was incredibly freeing to talk with another friend who had her own magical experience with a Whole30 style challenge.
Trish the NP, Legit Beauty Queen and CrossFit Cutie, rebooted her diet a few months ago. I personally remember her still smiling and laughing and going out with friends while staying completely in control. When I hit my weak spots last week I could only think, "How was Trish so happy?!?" Well, yesterday prior to some Bootcamp-Badass-ness, we commiserated over saucy junk food dreams, bowel movements, and energy boosts. I was so relieved to know that this magical being went through the same ups and downs that I am currently traversing. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY: we also shared the good stuff. The fact that we immediately rid ourselves of that elusive everyday bloat. That even on our rest days, we're feeling lean and strong. Sleep is deeper and waking up is easier. And both of us agreed: THIS IS TOTALLY WORTH IT.
Thank you, Trish, my Challenge Hero!
Guys, we are doing awesome.
Share any questions, concerns, or stories to tell here as a comment here on the blog; or send me a message on Facebook, or email me at Rachel@RachelPinkstone.com
- Be cool, Soda Pop -
Oh, and what have I been eating? - Day Eight & Nine Review
MONDAY -
Breakfast:
Attempted Scotch Eggs with 2 Full eggs and the Turkey Sausage...wasn't pretty.
Coffee and Almond Milk
Clementine
Snack Attack:
1/2 cup of Greek Yogurt (here's my allowance!)
*Yoga class: The Nooner*
Lunch:
8 oz Turkey Burger Patties
Mixed Salad with Balsamic
Clementine
Snack Attack:
Chai Tea with Almond Milk
2oz Jennie-O Turkey Sausage
*4:30 CrossFit WOD*
Dinner:
(2) 4 oz homemade Turkey Burger Patties
Cucumber Salad
*7:45pm Yoga Class: The Basics*
Snack Attack:
Came home from teaching FAMISHED: ate a chicken thigh
TUESDAY -
Breakfast:
1 Full Egg, 2 Egg Whites
2oz of Jennie-O Turkey Breakfast Sausage
Coffee with Almond Milk
Clementine
Snack Attack:
Small apple
Lunch:
2 Baked Chicken Thighs
Cup of Sweet Potato Mash
1/2 cup Brussels Sprouts
Clementine
Snack Attack:
Whoops, more coffee. Should drink less coffee.
**Coached 2 Bootcamps**
Dinner:
Breakfast for Dinner with Scott!
2 Full eggs
Sautéed Broccoli
2oz of Jennie-O Turkey Breakfast Sausage
Club Soda with Lemon
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