Behind The Butter

Whole30, Here We Come!

We are doing a Whole30 this month!

This was kind of a spontaneous thing. A friend of ours was already doing it so we were chatting about it while having coffee…and then my other friend and I said, “well, let’s give it a go, too! Can’t hurt”. Then we convinced our husbands to do it with us…and now there are six of us doing it and we have a big daily text stream that goes pretty much like this all day:

“I want chocolate.”
“Me too”
“Chili without beans is sort of weird but I kind of like it” 
“I want chocolate.”
“I miss wine”
“Roasted beets are yummy!”

…and so it goes. We have been taking pictures of our meals and sending it to each other and it’s really been quite fun. Misery loves company, right? 😉

First, let me say to all the diet police out there that I’m not doing a Whole30 to lose weight and, yes, I am still nursing. I’m making sure I’m eating tons of healthy fats, don’t you worry. I don’t see a reason you can’t do a Whole30 while nursing if you’re eating enough food and not restricting calories. If my supply starts to tank, I’ll either add even more fat and starches in my diet or I’ll just stop the program altogether if it’s not working for us right now. You do you and I’ll do me.

Moving on.

Day one and four were a little rough for me, as I’m used to having chocolate in the afternoon to get through, but I pushed through. Day one just felt like a shock to the system and on day four (yesterday), I just felt incredibly sleepy all day…like my brain was in a fog. I’m trying to drink lots of water and that helps.  Mid-afternoon and evenings are the hardest times because that’s when I’m used to boredom snacking, wine and chocolate. No wine is TOUGH, because toddlers. Tea is not a fun substitute. Just saying. 

Breakfasts have looked the most different for us because, typically, we eat toast with butter and honey every morning. It’s delicious and I miss it very much. 

Here’s a look at my breakfasts from Week 1! 

Lots of sweet potatoes and eggs fried in ghee. Bacon, too. And greens sauteed in bacon grease were welcomed and delicious. I got a bunch of sausage from Costco and it’s sugar-free and really tasty. I didn’t realize that some bacon and sausage contains sugar, which is a Whole30 no-no.  Thrive Market has come in handy for Whole30 “supplies”, if you’re interested in checking it out. I want to figure out some new breakfasts for next week that don’t involve sweet potatoes and/or eggs because I am already feeling a little burned out. Homemade sriracha has been liberally drizzled on e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. I am ADDICTED to this and so glad I have more in the freezer.

It was a little more stressful in the mornings to make such “big” breakfasts while packing school lunch, getting everyone ready and getting out the door (versus slathering butter on bread and calling it a day), but I felt really good after breakfast each morning. I think my body was craving some extra protein! Yay bacon. And lots of coffee! Thank goodness we already drank our coffee black, so that was not an adjustment for us. 

And here’s some lunches from week 1!

Typically, we all do leftovers for lunch. Adam has been able to find paleo options at the office and has been consuming lots of guacamole. He’s a happy guy. 😉 My biggest issue was not finishing my lunch with something sweet. I always have a piece of dark chocolate after lunch. This week I tried substituting that for dried mango. I mean, it’s not chocolate but it’s sweet so it sort of works…right? 

I definitely felt a mid-afternoon slump all week. I think it’s my body detoxing from all the sugar. There have been lots of dips into the almond butter jar! I usually don’t snack during the day but have felt the need for smaller, more frequent meals. I just get hungry! Other snacks included apples with almond butter, dates with almond butter,  homemade coconut milk cappuccinos, pistachios and bananas. 

Dinners from week 1 I need to be better about taking photos of. We don’t eat until late and the light was already gone for the day. But…I did make some yummy things including NomNom Paleo’s Beef Chili and Cracklin’ Chicken. I was shocked that chili without beans was actually delicious. Even better over a sweet potato the next day for lunch! I also made some italian beef that involved me just throwing a big chuck roast into the Instant Pot with some italian seasoning, peppers, onions, garlic and broth. I served it with carrot “noodles” one night and cauliflower rice the next. 

So, that pretty sums up the first week of our Whole30. Overall, I feel pretty good and it’s fun to do this alongside a group of friends. Our favorite bakery in town is closed for the next week for vacation so at least that temptation is gone. 😉 I’m sorry for the lackluster iphone shots but this is just a quick glimpse into our first week of the Whole30!

 

 

 

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  • Jennifer Annibale
    August 10, 2017 at 9:13 pm

    What sausage do you buy at Costco?

    • jenna
      August 11, 2017 at 6:41 am

      just the pork breakfast sausage – no sugar!

  • Demilade
    August 11, 2017 at 12:32 am

    Good luck with the Whole 30! I think it’s great that you’re doing it with friends, that way you can help each other if anyone feels like slacking 🙂
    Coco Bella Blog

  • Lisa Valinsky
    August 11, 2017 at 5:35 am

    I’m curious about the boys. Are you making them carbs to eat along with the Whole30 foods for you and Adam?

    • jenna
      August 11, 2017 at 6:41 am

      they are pretty much eating whatever we eat (they haven’t complained yet)

  • Kate
    August 11, 2017 at 6:15 am

    You’re in a fog because our brains run on glucose which is found in carbohydrates. Giving up fiber packed whole grains and beans for a crap ton of meat that’s loaded with dioxins is madness. Whole30 is the dumbest trend ever.

    • jenna
      August 11, 2017 at 6:40 am

      thanks for your input!

    • allison
      August 11, 2017 at 7:20 am

      Wow, this comment makes me mad. Whole30 is about eating whole foods, nothing processed. It doesn’t mean just meat. You can get all the nutrients you need from vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, healthy fats, and protein. The first few days can feel like you’re in a fog, as the body detoxes from processed sugars, even if you are only used to having a small amount.

      • Sharon
        August 11, 2017 at 3:59 pm

        Again as Jenna stated…You Do You! No one asked for your negative opinion. Good for you Jenna! Glad that you are blogging again. I’ve been a reader from Day 1.

    • Kelli H
      August 12, 2017 at 7:25 am

      Vegetables & fruits contain fiber. They are also both carbs. So, Whole30 isn’t all about giving up carbs or eating tons of meat. If you actually read the book you’d understand that. Also a ton of people in the US have food sensitivities to grains and beans and are still completely healthy without eating them.

  • Nicole
    August 11, 2017 at 6:40 am

    your meals looks great. i also love your grey plates. where are they from?

    • jenna
      August 11, 2017 at 6:40 am

      Heath ceramics.

      • Nicole
        August 11, 2017 at 6:44 am

        omg yes! i thought so!

  • Nicole
    August 11, 2017 at 6:44 am

    *look not looks woops

  • Marcia
    August 11, 2017 at 6:59 am

    Ughhh for the tablet that ate my response twice.

    I don’t think I could ever really try Whole 30. At my age, however, I have learned that I cannot maintain my weight unless I restrict carbs (grains/ potatoes/ beans) to generally 2 – 3 servings a day (I can tolerate a bit more now, because I am training for a half marathon. 3 servings.)

    Through prior experimentation when losing the baby weight (21 day fix!) I learned that I need a carb for breakfast, preferably a grain. Otherwise, I get brain fog. I had a 2 year old at the time, and a crappy job situation, but when I added a piece of toast to my smoothie, I perked up. Who knew.

    In any event, your meals don’t look too far off from many of my typical meals. I have recently given up wheat. That is very hard (trying to figure out some health issues, one item at a time). Breakfast is typically a smoothie or oatmeal or eggs. Lunch is always a salad. Sometimes with meat, but usually vegetarian (with cheese/ nuts/ olives). Snacks are generally fruit and veg and nuts. Dinner is where I get my second carb.

    Jules at Stone Soup does a “paleo lite” that appeals to me, which doesn’t include grain but does include beans and dairy.

    I’m going to have to argue with the person who said that Whole 30 is stupid. A lot of people use it to figure out health and digestive issues. (Food intolerances, etc.) It’s surprising how different people are, and how your body changes as you age. I have a number of friends who can no longer have dairy and/ or wheat, and these issues seem to crop up anywhere from the mid-40s to the early 70s. I’m *REALLY* hoping my issue isn’t with dairy, which is why I’m testing wheat first.

    Finally, carrot noodles! I tried the ones from Trader Joe’s this week for the first time (rest of the family had spaghetti with meatballs), and they were delish!

    Also, carb loading without bread and pasta is a challenge! Oatmeal with banana and peanut butter is my breakfast of choice on long runs. One of the women in my running group is keto, so I know it can be done. I just can’t imagine it.

  • Kelly
    August 11, 2017 at 6:59 am

    I love the idea of having sweet potatoes for breakfast! I’ve never thought of that before and I LOVE sweet potatoes!…but I could see how having them every day might make you feel burned out from them. P.S. – I just finished your book a little while ago and I really enjoyed reading it, definitely one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing your story and continuing to blog about all these amazing recipes! I really liked how you incorporated recipes in the book – I want to make them all!

  • Nicole
    August 11, 2017 at 7:04 am

    Great post! I appreciate your honesty. ‘You do you and I’ll do me.’ … should be the motto we all live by 🙂
    I’ve been curious to try this for a long time, but think maybe waiting for the kids to be back in school will be a little easier with avoiding the tempting snacks.

  • Pam
    August 11, 2017 at 7:14 am

    Great job! It’s inspiring to see someone try something new to them and just do something different! Good for you! Your meals look delish!

  • Lindsey
    August 11, 2017 at 7:19 am

    I have never followed Whole30 but I make this taco salad every few weeks (using a dairy free ranch dressing instead). As simple as it sounds, it’s amazing. I can’t get enough. And there are always leftovers for lunch.
    http://www.worthcooking.net/taco-salad-creamy-cilantro-dressing/

    • Lindsey
      August 11, 2017 at 7:20 am

      PS I love your diet police comment!

  • shar y
    August 11, 2017 at 7:27 am

    I have been doing Whole 30 all summer, but now add a few things like dry wine and half and half in coffee. I have lost 20 pounds since Memorial Weekend and need to lose 20 more, this time I might make it. Try this for any meal: sauté a diced partially cooked sweet potato, a diced apple and ghee in a pan until you get a nice crusty look and soak up all of that yummy stuff. Sprinkle with cinnamon, give a stir and dig in. It is like dessert!! You could add some crumbled sausage or bacon to it and get another good flavor mix! Enjoy!

  • Cate
    August 11, 2017 at 7:47 am

    Love the Whole30! Started my first at the end of February and basically have been going strong since. What you’re feeling is totally normal. The first week was the worst for me, but the last week was the best I’ve ever felt in my life.

    It’s hard to be so strict, and it’s not meant to be long term, but I’ve tried to stick true to the basics since then. I’ve only added back corn, wine (obviously), and eased up on foods with some added natural sugar like honey. Found that me and dairy and gluten are not as good as friends as I thought, but I love that I know that now.

    My last piece of advice is to follow Meliss o no instagram. She’s a great motivator to stick with it. Have fun and good luck!

  • Kelly J. R.
    August 11, 2017 at 8:03 am

    Try butternut squash instead of sweet potatoes in your breakfast hash. Just dice it up and cook it in the same pan as your sausage and eggs.

  • Paige
    August 11, 2017 at 10:20 am

    My husband and I have been wanting to try whole30 to see if it clears some health issues he’s been having! Can’t wait to hear more on your experience with it!

    Paige
    http://thehappyflammily.com

  • Katherine
    August 11, 2017 at 10:46 am

    I did the Whole 30 about 1 1/2 years ago and have been contemplating giving it another go because I have second baby weight to lose and my eating these days is a bit of a roller coaster. However, she’s only 10 weeks so I’m nervous about screwing up my milk supply. Plus I’m just getting to drink alcohol again and I have a 3 year old! When I got sick of breakfast eggs I would make this chia pudding recipe. Technically it may be frowned up by strict Whole 30ers because it could be considered a SWYPO but it is compliant. I eat it with fruit and nut butter on top.
    http://meaningfuleats.com/banana-chia-seed-breakfast-custards-dairy-free-paleo/

  • Emily
    August 11, 2017 at 11:17 am

    Hi Jenna! Thanks for sharing your journey with Whole30. I’ve always been interested in trying something like this mostly due to these comments of “I feel the best Ive ever felt!”. I’m curious about meal planning since this is the part that stresses me out the most with starting a restrictive diet like this. I cook dinners all the time and I am used to meal planning and shopping etc… so I wouldn’t be starting from scratch. I’m curious about your strategies with this. Are you using the Whole30 cookbook for meal plans and recipe ideas or you’re just experienced in the kitchen enough to throw recipes together? Do you plan ahead? I’d love any resources you found or tips for this!

    Thanks again! Emily

  • Katie @ Live Half Full
    August 11, 2017 at 6:43 pm

    I wrote about our January Whole30 if you want more ideas! 🙂
    http://www.livehalffullblog.com/2017/03/08/whole30-dinner-ideas-for-busy-weeknights/

  • Kara
    August 11, 2017 at 7:45 pm

    I did whole 30 when my second was 3.5 months old. I was worried about my milk initially too but had the same mindset that if it didn’t work for baby I would just change course. During the first week my supply dipped a bit, but after that, my milk shot back up and became “fattier”. Good luck with everything!

  • Lauren K.
    August 14, 2017 at 2:00 pm

    Chili without the beans just means you’re eating Texas chili. 😉 I’ve been wanting to do Whole30 for a while now and think I’ve finally convinced myself! Good luck!!

    http://www.lonestarlauren.com
    IG: @lonestarlaurenblog

  • Talia
    August 15, 2017 at 1:58 pm

    Did my first Whole30 two years ago and while it was so tough giving up sweets after dinner, I had so much fun experimenting with new recipes! I highly recommend NomNomPaleo’s slow cooker korean short ribs with root veggie or cauliflower mash. One of the absolute best meals I’ve ever made! Mel Joulwan also has some really creative meatball recipes (cuban and her Bora Bora Fireballs are favorites of our’s) which we eat alongside some fried green plantains with aioli. Lastly, The Domestic Man recipes are really wonderful and mostly paleo. He has plenty of Whole30 compliant recipes on his site (pork adobo, boneless fried chicken made with PORK RINDS!) and great collard green dishes.

  • Jodea
    August 16, 2017 at 7:42 am

    Sorry I’m a bit late to the party but my go to quick and easy Whole 30 breakfast is a roasted vegetable frittata! I roast up a load of veggies a couple of times a week then just take a portion in the morning and cook with the eggs in a skillet then pop under the grill to finish. It tastes really good cold, too, almost like cold pizza, especially if it’s topped with smoked salmon 😛 and some homemade mayo!

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