Finishing the Whole30 challenge with a Bang... and thinking about the next steps

So here we are in the final days of the January 2013 Whole30 challenge - how ya feeling?  Has it been as good for you as it has for me?  Or have you spent the last almost 30 days pining away for some food favorite?  For myself, I've felt eating super clean paleo has been a good experience and while I don't notice any difference in the fit of my clothes, I am experiencing better overall health, more restful sleep and more energy.  I just feel better than I did at the end of December.  Now if I could just shed those five pounds gained while on antibiotics I'd be in full-on nirvana-like bliss.

As far as personal food pining, richly delicious dark chocolate rests at the top of my list ~ actually the whole lists consists primarily of dark chocolate in all its various glorious forms.  That and the creamy goodness of raw milk cheese.  (Excuse me while I wipe the drool from my chin.)  Even so, I won't be making any major changes to how I'm currently eating.  For the past year and a half, I've eaten a primal diet, and as I come off this Whole30 I will be returning to that eating style.  Which is basically the same as what I'm doing now.  Minus the dairy.  And the chocolate.  You see the pattern.

As you're looking ahead to the potential consumption of some presently forbidden food, keep in mind finishing off with gusto.  You've been in disciplined food marathon so end with style!  Now is also the time to start planning ahead about how you're going to handle your eating choices post-Whole30.  Here are a few thoughts to contemplate:

1. Don't go overboard.  You've been eating clean for 30 days and are probably experiencing some of the health benefits of those choices, so don't just chuck it out the window in an all-out food orgy.   Take it slow, add foods back in gradually and monitor how your body responds.  You may find there are some foods that you should just avoid as a matter of course.
2. In all things moderation.  This goes hand in hand with #1.  Keep in mind if you felt this good without consuming something for 30 days, it might not be wise to make said food your number one dietary choice.  
3. Plan ahead.  Just like getting ready for the Whole30, wisdom suggests planning ahead for post-Whole30.  How do you envision your eating style to change (or not)?  What can you do to prepare?  Should you really load your cupboard with beer, fake cheese-in-a-can and chips?
4. Honor thyself.  You've taken good care of your body these past 30 days as you've made healthy, whole foods choices and added more movement to your life.  And I'm sure your body has said a great big thank-you.  So how can you continue to honor your body by making good food choices and continuing to move?  What aspects of the Whole30 are you going to take away?
5. Staying the course.  Maybe this has been such an amazing and life-changing experience that you're not going to change anything.  If you've decided you're a paleo/primal convert, then congratulations!  The Internet contains a whole host of excellent resources including discussion forums, recipes and information to help you along the way.  Make the most of your new lifestyle and get the support you need.

Regardless of how you decide to handle post-Whole30 life, take a moment to savor the accomplishment.  Well done!

Well-Fed Survey

Hey, all!

Mel at the clothes make the girl is looking for some feedback for her upcoming Well Fed 2 cookbook.  As you may have noticed, I'm a big fan of her first Well Fed cookbook (and her awesome-sauce blog) and am eagerly awaiting the new tome of tasty eats.  The survey takes like a minute and you can enter to win a prize pack of Well Fed goodies.  I know Mel would appreciate the help.

The Most Important Meal of the Day

Or is it?

Hard to say, I'm mostly a big fan of any meal regardless of time of day but will admit to breakfast holding a special place in my heart (or stomach).  In this country there is something comforting about breakfast and breakfast foods, at least if the plethora of pancake houses serving breakfast 24-7 are anything to go by.  But if you're a Whole30/paleo/primal kind of person what can you to do for your morning repast?  American breakfasts are notoriously carbohydrate-centric, enough to induce a glucose-overload coma.  Eggs represent a natural fall-back and, of course, bacon - seriously, folks, you really can't go wrong with a nice plate of scrambled eggs with a side of bacon or a lovely veggie omelet with a side of bacon or a mushroom and ham frittata with a side of bacon (see the pattern here?).  But after a week of exploring all the possible reincarnations of the egg (with a side of bacon), you might be looking for something to liven up the ol' breakfast routine.  Of course, a little searching on the Interwebs will produce a bevy of paleo knock-offs of the old stand-bys like paleo pancakes, paleo waffles and even paleo sticky sweet pastries.  And while these foods are all fine and technically paleo/primal legal, they also may represent the beginning of a slippery slope back into carb consumption.  Or if you're eating strict Whole30, they're just not an option because of the addition of sweeteners (sometimes lots and LOTS of sweeteners).  And honestly, most (not all) fall short of the mark when compared to the original.

So here are a few of my fav go-to suggestions for the opening meal of the day.



Sweet Potato Carrot Cakes.  I love these little morsels from Multiply Delicious, especially when sandwiched around a sausage patty and tomato with schmear of mayo.  Make a big batch and use throughout the week for breakfast sandwiches or on their own.  Seriously good stuff. 




Paleo Granola.  Full of nutty goodness, especially tasty with a generous splash of coconut or almond milk.  Two recipes I prefer:  Pumpkin Granola from PaleOMG and Apple Pie Paleo Granola from Multiply Delicious.  Both contain maple sweetener, so technically not Whole30 legal, but something to look forward to when you're done.



Banana Nut Porridge.  Oh. My. Goodness.  This stuff is so yummy and satisfying and filling, especially on a cold day.  I'm a bit of an oatmeal fan, as evidenced by the fact I CRAVED oatmeal and tuna (not together, ew!) when pregnant with oldest, and this recipe from Against All Grain is way better than standard fare oatmeal. In my humble opinion.




Bacon Cups.  So how about those eggs baked in your bacon?  Oh yeah!  Easy, delicious recipe from Fat Girl Trapped in a Skinny Body.




Green Monster Spinach Smoothie.  I slurped one of these down for breakfast this morning.  Easy to make, surprisingly satisfying and an awesome way to get a big dose of vegetables vegetables vegetables.  A few mods need to be made to this recipe from Iowa Girl Eats to make it Whole30 legal - I used full fat coconut milk instead of greek yogurt, almond butter instead of the pb and added a generous shake of cinnamon and a splash of vanilla (for fun).  Looking for more smoothie recipes?  Amy at Simply Sugar & Gluten Free put together a list of Five Fantastic Smoothies to liven up your blender.  Or just throw some berries, coconut milk and a banana in, give it a whirl and enjoy!





Other excellent idea lists for paleo/primal breakfasts can be found at Mark's Daily Apple and Eat Drink Paleo.

Bon Appetit!

Chuck E. Cheese GF Offerings Go Live!

As I mentioned in a previous blog post last spring, Chuck E. Cheese has been test marketing two gluten-free offerings in select midwest locations.  Well, it seems that the test is over and Chuck E. Cheese has announced their gluten-free cheese personal pizza and chocolate fudge cupcake will now be available nationwide.  See their information page for all the details.  Good news for those with kids wanting in on the whole Chuck E. Cheese experience.

High Value Enjoy Life Coupon

Mambo Sprouts currently has a $1.50 off any 2 Enjoy Life (gluten-free) products (click the coupon link at the top of the page).  We like Mambo Sprouts for their more natural and often gluten-free coupons and the wealth of information they provide.  They also preview new products and producers on a regular basis.