In less than 24 hours, I begin my first Whole30 challenge. I’ll be eating SQUEEKY clean for 30 days – even more strictly than Paleo. The Whole30 challenge is a nutritional reset. By eliminating any nutrient-void foods, you cleanse your system and reset the mind-body connections to fueling your body, not just feeding it. So no sugar (even natural honey is off-limits), alcohol, grains, legumes, or dairy. Also, there’s no liquid meals (i.e. smoothies) or Paleo “treats” made from approved ingredients (bye-bye Paleo brownies). Of course, you can read the full story in the Hartwigs’ book It Starts with Food, which outlines the how and why of good food standards and the rules of the Whole30 challenge and what to do on day 31. It’s a great resource for your Paleo library and has some nice recipes in the Appendix as well to help you stay on program and successfully complete your challenge.
For me, it’s all about planning. I’m a creature of EXTREME habit and obviously the intent of this program is to break my habits. So I’m working on a 30 day Whole30 Meal Plan. Right now, it’s a 7 day plan but it’s a work in progress. I’m logging breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes. The lunch and dinner recipes are based on my cookbook and I’ve linked to breakfast recipes from a few of my favorite Paleo blogger pals: Civilized Caveman, Food Lovers Kitchen, PaleOMG, ThePaleoMom, and others. As a super organized, detailed-oriented gal, I think this is key to me sticking with the Whole30 challenge. I plan to use my make ahead methodologies to eliminate excuses like “I don’t have time” or “this is too hard” and hope that with a little help from this community I can see this Whole30 challenge through the end!
So are you doing a Whole30 on Jan 1? Have you done one in the past? What are your tips and tricks for sticking to it?
Best wishes for an awesome first Whole30! I’m tackling another one, too, after a holiday season sprinkled with plenty of sugar! In case you missed it, here are 30 Reasons to do a Whole30, with lots of links to helpful resources. Have fun with it, superstar!
http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/2012/12/30/30-reasons-whole30/
Thanks Mel! Nice to know there’s someone out there cheering me on! Best!
Doing the Whole 30 with you- love your planning idea, I am the same way. Saved a ton of Whole 30 compliat recipes to Pintrest, so I can pull them up at dinner time, and keep it simple. Looking forward to feeling better in a week or so, once I get past my craving for a glass of wine in the eveings!!
Couldn’t agree more Becky! A glass of wine with dinner is really nice. But we can do it! Stay strong and remember it’s for better health that we make this sacrifice!
Love your pinterest idea. Pin me!
I started following you… not really sure how to use pintrest aside from adding my own stuff
my handle is bheemeryck if that did not work.
I started Whole30 today and am on day one. I am just planning day by day but I should probably keep a better log like you are doing. Where can I see this Whole30 board on pinterest?