Day 6: Whole 30

A friend of mine recently started doing the Whole 30 program. I didn't know anything about the program, so I googled it. (what did we do before google?!) For those who were as clueless as I was, it is a challenge to cut out dairy, sugar, grains, legumes and processed/fast foods. Basically- all you eat is fruit, veggies and meat. For THIRTY days. Thirty!!! Do you guys know how hard it is to buy and create meals when 99% of packaged/processed foods have added sugars in them?!

We planned our meals last weekend, and made too many trips to different stores to get it all. (Next week, I'm sticking to the easy basics!). Who knew cutting out dairy and grains would make you eat way more veggies, and still feel hungry twenty minutes later. By the end of tomorrow, we will have finished one whole week. I am glad for all the new things I'm learning on different ways to prepare healthy meals. Even Emma will try it all.

The wonderful thing is... I don't know if I should say it... but I feel great. No bloating. No stomach cramps. No headaches. One of the main reasons I did this was because of my "addiction to sugar" (carbs: cupcakes, chocolate, gelato, breads, etc...). I could eat all of that all day, every day. I could never get "enough". Now, that doesn't mean I don't like the healthy stuff. I love veggies, fruits, meats, fish, nuts, etc. But all that healthy eating won't do a whole lot if I just fill in the blanks with crap. Luckily soda and other sugary drinks are just gross to me now. I cut out that junk about 6 years ago, and I mainly drink water. I'll have juice here and there, some ovaltine every once in a while. But water- can't. get. enough. I have never been a consistent healthy eater, and that is one thing I want to change.

So, here is where this whole healthy eating detox thing gets me... Today, my sister had her big birthday party at  my house. I worked last night, slept until 3, and woke up to finish cleaning up before the party started at 6. I have had not ONE ounce of sugar, dairy, grains, etc all week. I planned to whip up dinner while her guests were all out back hanging out. However, I didn't take into account the fact my kitchen would be occupied with all sorts of yumminess NOT allowed on our strict plan. I held strong... and ate my foods that didn't require cooking to eat... until I was just too hungry, too tired, and no desire to work around the mess. Kyle and I joked about "cheating" and just starting over again tomorrow... or counting a "cheat" meal into each week. That would totally defeat the purpose!

Next thing I know, the party is in full swing and 4 meatballs, 2 small slices of pizza, 2 handfuls of grapes, 3 scrambled eggs with turkey, half an orange, and a cupcake later... I failed. Seriously, after SIX days I couldn't stay strong?! Needless to say, I always hated diets. I always hated associating "sweet treats" with guilt. Why do I do that to myself?!

I'm here to testify- after allowing my body to work on ridding itself of all the junk I've filled it with, I know its not what my body needs. I felt sick to my stomach and super bloated. Lesson: LEARNED. I still can't decide if I will just start all over tomorrow, or just continue on and learn from my lesson. But the artist Aaliyah said it best:

"If at first you don't succeed,

You can dust yourself off and try again,

Dust yourself off and try again, try again."

I know my ultimate goal at this point is not to kick sweet treats to the curb forever. I want to take control of my appetite and cravings, and focus on being healthy to feel good and fuel my body with things that will help it to function at its full potential. Dairy, grains, and legumes aren't "bad" for you, but for many people they can be inflammatory foods for their body. Whole 30 focuses on cleaning and restoring your gut and overall health- like a detox. I know it works- and I can't wait to see the results after 30 days. Wanna know what makes me most happy about it? Even though I ate those crappy foods tonight, I didn't do it because I couldn't help myself. I did it because I planned poorly. I didn't prep my food ahead of time, and I was too lazy to clean and work around all the party stuff. And THAT is what it is about.

So, here's to pushing ahead once more. Never give up on your goals!

Have any of you done the Whole 30 challenge??
Did it change your life at all??
I would love to hear about it!

Hello, again.

It has been a long time. I have hopes to update this blog more regularly on the happenings of my little family. There has been a lot that has been happening in our lives, and I'll go ahead and give you the highlighted update:

-Emma is 15 months, what a fun age!!
-I got a new job: NICU RN!! (which I am currently on my last night of orientation... so not ready)
-Kyle has his shop almost finished, which means our home will be getting some attention and hopefully be finished within the next year. (fingers crossed!!!)
-My brother got his mission call to Colombia.
-My sister is a SENIOR.
-We took Emma on our own little family's first campout- as well as the McRae annual campout. She's a natural.
-Kyle and I are on day 6 of Whole30. All I want is a cupcake. And chocolate. And gelato. But I really have noticed a positive difference in how I feel. And I've lost almost 2 pounds (even though one of the rules is not stepping on the scale until the end, but I couldn't help it).
-I started selling custom/prints of my watercolor art. Pretty neat that someone else in this world besides my husband likes my stuff enough that they would pay for it. Definitely couldn't make a living off of it, but its a hobby I enjoy doing and sharing. You can see some of my work here.

That's pretty much all I can think about right now. I've been struggling getting used to this whole night shift thing. The work itself is so much better on nights. I am more rested due to the fact I get to sleep ALL BY MYSELF during the day. The hard thing is the home life. I feel sluggish a lot when I'm off. But, the whole night shift differential is something I can't complain about. :)

Emma is so much fun. I'll just have to write another post all about her. Every time I think she can't get any cuter, smarter, funnier, etc... she does!!

Kyle is a stellar dad. He is SO good with Emma, and takes his night shift with her like a champ. I couldn't have picked a better husband/father.

ONE YEAR

My baby girl turned ONE on June 8. We had her party on the 7th, and it was a blast! It was so fun to have friends and family over. She is a social butterfly, and loves when people are over. Since it was warm, we had it outside in the evening and the pool was open. We had yummy Mexican food- Chipotle style- and I had made her cake/cupcakes. It was a delicious gluten free, sugar free recipe... using black beans! Sounds gross right? Well, those cupcakes disappeared faster than I thought they would! If you want the recipe... you can pay me for it ;) Anyways, here are some pics we got from that glorious day. 

This little person has brought SO much joy to our family. She is always happy, easy going, and loves people. Being outside is her absolute favorite, and its always a fight when it is time to come inside. She loves books, babies, and snuggles. Strawberries, grapes, string cheese, blueberries/blueberry waffles, avocado, smoothies, and tomatoes from her grandpa's garden are her favorite foods. 

A few things I've learned

Being a mom to a newborn is... Wonderful. Exhausting. Trying. Amazing. To care for someone who needs you one hundred percent in order to thrive is a tremendous task, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. There are some things that I have learned in my short 10 weeks of motherhood. I'd like to share them with you.

1. I learned to be happy even when I'm exhausted. Waking up for early morning feedings when sleep is the only agenda can make anyone cranky. But that cute smiley face can make anyone's frown turn upside down!

2. I learned that I don't have to be perfect.

3. Snuggles and conversations with my daughter is more important than a spotless house. Although its important to try to pick-up something when baby sleeps. I am more content and can relax with her better when the house doesn't always look like a tornado hit.

4. It is important to make time for intimacy with my husband. Even if its a few minutes of snuggling and talking right before we both doze off for the night.

5. Poop, spit up, and boogers from your own child are not as bad as I thought. It all washes off. 

6. My baby's safety and well-being is more important to me than I ever thought possible. How can one little bundle make me feel so... vulnerable!? In the best sense of the word. 

7. No one can take care of baby like mom can. Ok fine- that's not true. Baby girl can live without her momma for some time. It makes me sad in a way, but its good for us to have time apart. It also makes time together THAT much sweeter. 

8. Co-sleeping is not as bad as people make it sound. Yes, accidents happen. Its important to do it safely. But it can be the most wonderful thing in the world.

9. I love to wear her. As in moby wrap and ergo carrier. Those are lifesavers! It can turn a fussy baby into an angelic sleeping bundle within minutes. And I can do more than sit on the couch all day. 

10. Baby weight doesn't fall off all on its own. I gained weight over 9 months, and it will take time to work off.

11. Stretch marks are ugly... and beautiful. They are a great reminder that I took part in creating a body for a special spirit. How cool is that?! Best accomplishment of mine so far. 

12. Being a mommy makes me love her daddy even more. He is so kind and gentle with her, and really takes his role importantly. 

I am so glad we made the choice to expand our family. Our life is so much sweeter with our baby girl in it!