Whole 30 - week three

It was the week we were all dreading, Thanksgiving week. To cheat or not to cheat? That was the question. And well, let's just say it! We all cheated in some way. But, mostly by accident by attempting to be Whole30 approved and later finding out something was made with wine, or honey or some kind of sweetener after the fact. But you know what? Afterwards, we kept calm and carried on. The rest of the week went well, and we made it to week four somehow! It's true that the rules say if you cheat you have to start over, but we're not taking this THAT religiously. Because the real change has already begun in our minds and bodies when it comes to food, and that's what really matters.

Right now, I'm just thinking about day 31, when I can make my coffee with milk and (less) sugar. And be happy inside. Oh, and having Mexican with the tortillas & chips! Or going out to eat without looking at websites for what's approved. Let me not get too ahead of myself because my mouth is literally watering at the thought of this. Staying focused now!

Week Three

Biggest success: saying no to all the pie and dessert on Thanksgiving day!

Biggest struggle: saying no to the stuffing and gravy and cheesy potatoes on Thanksgiving too. lol

We're on to week 4! Bring on the veggies and the meats!!

Thankful

On Thanksgiving Day, I was scheduled to work. But by a miracle of God was allowed to have the day off and on to Tia's house we went! The family was so happy and surprised, and we felt so blessed to be together that day. :)

Being on Whole 30, I had to bring my snacks! lol

random life snippets!

FROM DATE NIGHTS

TO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING + "DIY"ING

SUPER DELICIOUS + CLEAN EATING

AND MORE...

SO THANKFUL FOR IT ALL.

Whole 30 - week two

Whoaaaaa. It's been 14 days of Whole30, and there have been a lot of changes happening over here so far. Let's put like this:

I've probably saved about $15 from not going to Starbucks

My clothes fit looser

My belt needs to be taken in one more notch in order for my pants to stay up

I feel stronger at the gym

I sleep better, and wake up before 9 a.m. without an alarm 

AND feel awake

I feel happier!

Now that's a whole lot of changes in 14 days. Honestly, a part of me can't even believe it. All this is happening because of the way I'm eating? No not totally, but my lifestyle is definitely changing and that's impressive and telling to say the least. I feel good because I'm actively taking care of myself in the fullest sense; something I haven't done in a long time. I believe that as people we need to take care of ourselves emotionally, physically, mentally, relationally and spiritually. Clearly, I have not been able care for any of these facets well the past few month and it left me feeling gross and "not me." Emotionally, my job is a roller coaster. Physically, going from walking to driving everywhere quickly put 10 lbs. on my body I had no energy to get off. Mentally, I was tired. Relationally, I was burned out. Spiritually, I was lazy. 

In late October to the beginning of November, God started shifting something inside of me. Now it was my turn to wake up, receive and stop whining. So I started talking to people I've been wanting to talk to, doing things I liked to do, going to the gym... And believe it or not, Whole 30 was the final push I needed to say, stop being sad about the things you don't like in your life and do something about it! Now, almost one year after moving to California, I'm starting to feel like myself again. It's no secret our move to Cali. has been harder on me than I ever thought it could be, but things are changing for the better, and I'm just saying, "Finally Tiffany! No more letting life pass you by." I don't credit Whole 30 for all the good stuff, but it's definitely part of the bigger shift that's happening in my life, and for that I'm so grateful. To Jesus, that is!

Week 2

Biggest success: ordering a Whole30 approved meal when dining out with G, when all I really wanted was the bread and pasta he was eating in front of me lol

Biggest struggle: not having enough variety of things to eat and letting myself get hungry too many times.

Let's go week three!

Whole30 - week one

It's happening! Currently Julie, Jojo, Tish, Monique and I are all eating our way through Whole30 to reset our bodies and help maintain a healthier lifestyle. Sounds good right? Well... we all have our core reasons for eating pretty restrictively during the month of NOVEMBER. I mean it's November, and this takes sacrifice. Trust me, we sure did talk about Thanksgiving! It went a little something like this: "Ok, I'll do it, but I'm cheating on Thanksgiving!" "Me too! I mean those desserts!! *heart eyes*" "Ladies...we can't cheat!!" *Cue all the whining....... LOL Some of us may or may not cheat that day, but I'm keeping that situation within the group. :)

Seriously though, the conversations that have come out of the debate to do this have been laugh out loud hilarious! But whether it's a vacation, birthday, the weight that just won't come off, or simply health - we're all doing this together and that's been the best part about it so far. So yes, I will keep calling Julie every time I'm at the grocery store juuuuust to make sure I'm not buying the wrong thing. And keep looking for recipes everyone pinning on Pinterest. And keep chatting away about #thestruggle, but also the successes and great dishes we've tried and loved.

Week one has been SO good. My body doesn't feel bloated or hungry, but lighter and lean. The food we've been making (many for the first time) have come out pretty good. And I feel happier knowing only whole foods are going in my body. I'm so excited for week two!

Week 1

Biggest success: not eating the tacos that I made for my kids at work! Not one. I miss Mexican!!

Biggest struggle: not drinking coffee. (I don't do black, especially sugar free) All you people carrying around those red cups at the mall, grocery store, literally everywhere I go it seems.... I really don't like you right now. But we'll be friends again soon enough. I'll just be wayyyy healthier. :)

Here's a photo from my favorite food combination from week one. Simple and delicious!! 

What is it? Ground beef (cooked in sauteed onions, red bell peppers, and a tomato in olive oil + salt and pepper) cauliflower rice (from TJ's) and one avocado sprinkled with salt. That's it! It does not get any easier than that. Adding sweet potato to this combo tastes amazing too. The girls have definitely been way more creative than me in the meal planning department, so this week I hope to step up my game!

Let's do this week 2! We're ready for you.

that sunset at carlsbad

I clearly remember the mood of this day: irritated, annoyed, depressed. I know, after looking through these photos you'd never tell, but on this day I just felt down. It was a Sunday in October, during a very hard few weeks for me overall. Maybe it was the crazy heat when I so craved changing colors and a chill in the air. Maybe the fact that I just felt SO unmotivated to do anything at all. There were days I'd wake up in the morning for about an hour and go right back to bed until I had to get ready for work, just because I would rather sleep than do anything else. Many days felt like a struggle as I tried to motivate myself to do more, get into a routine, just do something. 

This day was no different. It was another Sunday we slept in and missed church. I felt guilty and low. G was busy doing his school things, and I was left unsure of what to do at home; I didn't want to go out. The day lingered on when at about 4 p.m. G said, "lets go to the beach." Honestly, my first instinct was to say no, even to my favorite beach, the one we discovered spontaneously during our first few weeks in SD. But then I thought, why not go? It was in the 80's on the coast and the day was gorgeous. I didn't do my hair or put on makeup, just changed clothes. So off we went.

When we arrived, G sat still and I ran toward the ocean.

There's something healing about looking at something so much grander than you. So wild, dangerous, huge, so vast...and knowing who holds it together. I watched the water move; on this day it looked like the most beautiful dance. The way each wave would swirl into each other and crash. I had crashed, and I needed my Savior to catch me again. I needed to dance with Him again. To rest in His perfect peace. All I know is as the sun set, we healed. God was looking at our storm, and calming our ocean as we watched the sun disappear. By the end, we smiled, cuddled and felt alive again.

As I write this I realize how significant that night really was. This is grace, this is amazing Love.