So I just finished my third Whole 30, I say that because I decided it was over at exactly 9:30 PM this evening. I celebrated with a bowl of cereal. Because I love cereal. Love, love, love it. And I missed it for a long time when I wasn't eating milk and also couldn't locate a carrageenan free milk alternative (three cheers for Silk PureAlmond Original No Sugar Added!). So I celebrated with a bowl of cocoa puffs because it's all we had.

This Whole 30 was by far my most difficult- for two reasons: 1, I had a lot of events and times where I had to plan and pack. 2, The more Whole 30s I do the more I find out I cannot tolerate and the more obsessed/needy I get over the few non-compliant foods I CAN tolerate (bread and non-sugary cereal).

During this Whole 30- between March 17 and April 14 I remained compliant during:

• My cousins sweet sixteen at my Italian family's favorite Italian restaurant. While everyone else was eating delicious pasta and chicken parmesan I had a salad and calamari cooked in tomato sauce (could be worse! Also, most of the normal food options were drenched in delicious looking cheese which I can never eat anyway). 
• 2 days of a television shoot where they had tons of soda, pasta, Chinese food and every snack you could ever imagine. I pre-packed tostones with chicken and avocado and tomato on top and ended up meeting my dad at a steak house for one of the meals. What I ate was delicious and compliant- but it's so hard to see snacks you love FOR FREE and unable to participate.
• Dinner and drinks out with friends. I ate olives and was happy to be the designated driver. But really did wish I could have a sip of Andrey's hard cider.
• Multiple weddings scheduled right around meal times. I had to pack food for the train in order to get my compliant meal in. 
• Buying Andrey a white chocolate matcha matsu bar from David's tea. And then Andrey insisting he not eat it until we can both try it. So it's been staring at me for weeks. 
• Spent all day on day 29 at a wedding expo, Toasted BK. Pre packed steak, zucchini and plantains. Ate that while Andrey had cakes, burgers, pulled pork, etc. None of that bothered me until the wonderful women who ran the show brought around Cava AND hard Cider. And I couldn't have either. And I have literally never, ever wanted a drink more in my life. But I resisted. Because, Whole 30. 

This Whole 30, while not hard, was certainly challenging. Olivia and I had big plans of planning. We had whole weeks planned, with shopping lists! But when it came down to it- we couldn't quite make our plans our realities. Maybe it's us, we're not big menu planners, maybe it's the Whole 30- but we found that breakfasts were often very similar day to day and we both got into food obsessions which were unique and strange in their own ways. Hard to plan or batch cook when you just want to roll with the food punches. Add into this a baby who doesn't always let you eat/cook/shop when and how you want and a significant other who did a great Whole 30 but also has opinions on what he wants to eat and wasn't there for menu planning. That was our biggest challenge.

My personal struggle was the need to shut my life down a bit for the Whole 30. See when I was doing a Whole 30 by myself in my couple (i.e. Andrey wasn't) I felt it wasn't so hard to order something somewhat "meh" at Panera. I'm used to heavily editing menu items- when you can't eat butter, cheese, milk- it happens a lot and you learn to live with it and accept a bland meal here and there. But with Andrey on Team Lovely Whole 30, I felt bad forcing him to have a flavorless salad at some cafe. Plus, why should TWO people go out to eat if neither can really eat? Exactly. So we had to sort of hover near home. Couldn't go to the outlets at 10 AM on a Saturday because.. lunch?! Anyway, small complication- but something to notice.

On the positive side- I did truly adore the feeling of knowing everyday I was eating good, whole food that was making my body run cleaner and more efficiently. This sort of outweighs everything else. I PR-ed my 5K during a Whole 30 with no inhaler. If that doesn't say it all, what does?

How'd your Whole 30s go, lovelies? If they're still going- how are they? Tips? Complaints? Let's hear it all!

So, Jenny and I talk a lot about doing Whole30s, and how they've changed our life...and so forth...but a lot of times people look at us blankly and ask, "Yeah, but what is it?!"

So, here it is: the Whole30 is a reset, a re-charge, and an evaluation. It is a time to look at yourself from the inside out and see what makes your body healthier, or not healthier...

In the words of Dallas and Melissa Hartwig, founders of the Whole30:

 Certain food groups (like sugar, grains, dairy and legumes) could be having a negative impact on your health and fitness without you even realizing it. Are your energy levels inconsistent or non-existent? Do you have aches and pains that can’t be explained by over-use or injury? Are you having a hard time losing weight no matter how hard you try? Do you have some sort of condition (like skin issues, digestive ailments, seasonal allergies or fertility issues) that medication hasn’t helped? These symptoms may be directly related to the foods you eat – even the “healthy” stuff. So how do you know if (and how) these foods are affecting you? 

Strip them from your diet completely. Cut out all the inflammatory, gut-disrupting, calorie-dense but nutritionally sparse food groups for a full 30 days. Let your body heal and recover from whatever effects those foods may be causing. Push the “reset” button with your metabolism, systemic inflammation, and the downstream effects of the food choices you’ve been making. Learn once and for all how the foods you’ve been eating are actually affecting your day to day life, and your long term health. The most important reason to keep reading? This will change your life. 


And, like we've said, it has changed our life in many ways. I've never felt healthier in my life. I was in the middle of a Whole30 when I became preggo and I didn't have one ounce of morning sickness; that's not a fluke. There's something to be said for eating foods which...make you healthier!

So, here's the outline of the Whole30 program. It's not a diet. There are no cheat days. There are no "I'm at a party so what the heck" days. There are no "I'm feeling sad so I will eat ALL THE FOOD" days. The Whole30 isn't about your physical body alone, it's about you as a person, as a human. It's mental and physical (for me, for example, it's extremely mental!)

Olivia and I are clearly, very excited for our Team Whole 30 (#LovelyW30). I am completing two big races followed by a massage, 2 days of eating whatever and then heading into my Whole 30. The Whole 30 has always been special to me, it exposed me to my milk allergy- the discovery of which has changed my life. I don't have to nap every day due to sinus issues, I am no longer grumpy because I just-don't-feel-good-ugh! My neck hurts a whole lot less, I've saved approximately $1,500 not going to physical therapy because my neck pain was relieved. So, no joke, the Whole 30 program changed my life.

The Whole 9 website is a great resource for you. Camaraderie and solidarity will get you through the harder days. Do not forget there are so many others in this with you! Facing the challenging days (like Days 3 and 4 are traditionally the "kill all the things" days, but remember- this too shall pass!). That all being said here are some resources you should bookmark from the Whole 9 website.

• The Official "Can I have?" post. 
• And the "Can I have?" forum, people have the same queries you do!
• Traveling or have to go out to dinner while you're Whole 30-ing? Check out the Travel and Dining Out Forum. Also, our best advice- check out the menu ahead of time, don't feel silly making lots of requests/changes, just be nice and tip! Feel free to eat a yummy W30 compliant meal ahead of time, or have something ready to eat when you get home. This is only 30 days, if you need to be a little "high maintenance" that's okay! But remember this- high maintenance is a terrible term- I'm sure I seem it whenever I go out. Waiters probably think I'm very dramatic ordering dairy free everything, but I'm super, super allergic (like I carry an epipen), this is my life, they can manage to put up with me for one meal (I have to put up with myself for every meal!).
• Hey you vegetarians! This forum is JUST for you. Check it. 
• We all can get into a little trouble, we all are a little trouble (the good kind!)- the Troubleshooting Forum is wonderful place to peruse when you're confused and check in with people who know what they're talking about. Don't ever be afraid to ask a question! Look around and see if someone else did, but never be nervous to participate- it's a really lovely community!

We're so excited for you to start our new Whole 30 journey with us! Feel free to shoot us any questions (we are by no means experts, just enthusiasts!), complaints or concerns!

When I first embarked on my Whole30, I had thoroughly read It Starts With Food front to back (truth: the night before my first Whole30, I was so excited to start that I didn't sleep!)...but it was also all the amazing Paleo bloggers out there who got me through my first (and successive) Whole30s. I'm sharing with you some of my favorite blog posts which got me through my Whole30s, as well as some of my own tips.

• 10 Tips for Making Your Whole 30 a Success by Holly; I love this list because it addresses mind and body issues! 
• Over at Bartley's Run, they give a ton of simple tips for conquering the Whole30, including ideas on what to carry in the car or traveling. 
• 30 Reasons to do the Whole30 by the awesome Melissa at The Clothes Make the Girl! 
• Holly's roundup of clean eating blogs...wonderful list for anyone who wants to eat healthy and whole foods! 
• Jessica Quirk's Whole30 Review and Tips

Meal 1: leftover chicken and sweet potato curry, two eggs and spinach fried in CO. Meal 2: more curry with a red pepper and a plum. Meal 3: salad with avocado, carrots, tomato, evoo, lemon juice, two trader joes chili lime chicken burgers (w30 compliant) and an apple.

Breakfast: sautéed sweet potato with green pepper, carrots in CO and two fried eggs in CO. Lunch: chicken and sweet potato curry with cucumbers. An apple later on. Dinner: chicken sausage, green peppers, onion, mushroom and avocado. An apple and a little almond butter.

Breakfast: broccoli and cauliflower from health food store (both made without canola oil), two eggs fried in CO and some almonds. Lunch: didn’t have time to make a real protein…crying baby! Almond butter and an apple, salad with grapes, carrots, cucumber, evoo, almonds and lemon juice. Dinner: meatballs and zoodles. Pear.

Breakfast: sweet potato medallions (I call them this to be fancy!) with cinnamon, fried in CO; bok choy and 2 eggs fried in CO. Lunch: Salad with red pepper, almonds, carrots, chicken, pear, EVOO, lemon juice, and grapes afterwards. Dinner: Two burger patties; salad with avocado, carrots, almonds, apple, EVOO, lemon juice.

Ever since Olivia could no longer eat what she wanted to, but had to eat what Weston wanted her to she dreamed (out loud, a lot) of the day she could do another Whole 30. The more we talked about it the more excited about it I got. So, now I'm in. And here's our question- you in too? The Whole 30 is challenging, sure. But it's just food. It will take a little planning, but the results are awesome. You might feel better than you ever have before. You might discover a food that is causing you great issue (like I did). Need more convincing? Go read Jessica of What I Wore's post on her Whole 30 review (spoiler: she LOVED it).

Breakfast: two eggs fried in coconut oil, salad of tomato, cucumber, almonds, avocado and apple.
Lunch: salad of lettuce, carrots, avocado, almonds, chicken burger
Dinner: red pepper, avocado, peach, chicken
And I jumped on the treadmill for 17 minutes!

The bambino was up all night so we ended up waking up super late…didn’t get three full meals in, but it’s all still within W30 guidelines!

Meal 1: leftover meat sauce, two eggs fried in coconut oil, two cucumbers, avocado, almonds and a peach and much much coffee!

Meal 2: salad with ground beef, carrots, tomato, avocado, almonds, apple, evoo and lemon juice.
Mini meal 3: an apple and almond butter.

Ah, finally at a computer to type, opposed to my phone with baby boy in hand!
Breakfast: half an avocado, 2 eggs, and half a sweet potato sprinkled with cinnamon and fried in coconut oil. So delicious!
Lunch: giant salad with almonds, apple, carrots, tomato, avocado, evoo, and lemon juice; leftover chicken and marinara sauce from last night. A plum.
Dinner: Zucchini noodles and ground beef with tomato sauce; a peach.
I'm obviously not getting the sleep that is required for the Whole30, nor am I still drinking enough water (and way too much coffee!), but my eating is going well...I'm feeling strong and good. 5 days seemed to go fast! I'm hoping my body does start feeling it more soon..I'm ready to have my body back!

Happy Friday, lovelies! Did this week seem long or is it just me? Perhaps it's because I've been up every two hours every night feeding Mr. Tiny Man? We're getting by over here, and enjoying the little cooler weather! I'm still in shock summer is over since I sort of missed the last two weeks of it!

Before you embark on your garage sale-ing/gardening/brunch with friends tomorrow morning, cuddle up with a cup of coffee and check out these links we've loved this week...and have a gorgeous Saturday and Sunday!

• I started my Post Baby Whole30 this Monday and it's going well so far! It is truly amazing how much eating clean can fix your mind, body, and spirit. Here's what I've been eating on day one, day two, day three, and day four. 
• We love these ten pieces of simple wisdom from Holly! 
• Even though summer is almost (?) over...these watermelon-avocado bites from Meatified look truly mouth watering (and Whole30 approved!). 
• This adorable faux-leather baby boy's Joe Fresh jacket came this week and I love it! It's on a great sale, too. 
• When my Whole30 is over, and I still continue to eat paleo, I'm totally going to make these paleo pecan and chocolate chip cookies from Delighted Momma! 
• I'm sort of obsessed with this list of new mom challenges from Rookie Moms...I've got to start in on this list! 

Ah, day four never ceases to amaze me. Kill all the things day! Even though the little one fussed a bit, I didn’t let the stress affect my eating and I continued on!
Breakfast: ground beef sautéed in CO with two eggs and sweet potato. Almonds too. This was yummy.
Lunch: salad with sunflower seeds, red pepper, avocado, cucumber, two eggs, evoo and lemon juice. A peach.
Dinner: salad with sunflower seeds, avocado, cucumber, evoo and lemon juice. Chicken sautéed in CO with mushrooms and marinara sauce. Very delicious!

Breakfast: shredded cabbage fried in CO with two eggs and an apple cut up and sautéed.

Lunch: giant salad with lettuce, avocado, tomato, sunflower seeds, walnuts, onion, two egg whites and one egg, evoo, lemon juice.

Snack: almonds and a peach

Dinner: zucchini noodles, tomato sauce with ground beef, sweet potato mash with avocado.

Need to: drink way more water, eat bigger meals so I don’t need afternoon snack (I think I do it for mental reasons anyway!)

Song of the day: All Cause of You by The 88.