In all of the "diets" I have done, this is the first challenge that I haven't gone off plan, and cheated. Not once. This is huge for me, ya'll.
In one of the first few pages of It Starts With Food, the authors, Dallas & Melissa Hartwig, point out how the Whole 30 Challenge is only thirty days. And they are right -- it is ONLY a month. I don't know why this clicked for me so strongly, but it did. Whatever works, right?
I may have thought I was a pro meal planner before, but after starting this challenge, I clearly was not. A weekly meal prep takes approximately 4 hours. Almost every.single.thing. I prepare is homemade, and extremely "clean", and sadly a load of dishes. So usually, I prep my first few meals, wash dishes, rinse, and repeat. In some ways, it feels like a royal pain in the ass, but at the same time, when then I am done for the rest of the week! And bonus: I know exactly what I am putting into my body.
As I near the end of this challenge, I'll share how I am feeling, but since it is Wednesday, I thought I would link up with Jenn of Peas & Crayons and share some of the dishes we are eating at Casa de Crews.
meal prep is no joke! it's a pain in the ass but once it's part of your routine, it's hard to shake off. while i hate meal prep, when sunday rolls around and the weekend has been so busy i didn't have time, i panic and then frantically try and figure out what i can prep. it's weird!! definitely a love/hate thing with meal prep.
Okay so this doesn't look nearly as bad as I thought it would be, honestly. I am super intrigued bu the zucchini as noodles - how was it? I would love to eat better again and asked my husband if he wanted to go veggie for a month. He said hell no. Oh well... Are you guys going to keep it up past the month?
Yay! Keep trucking on! I find that meal planning and prepping everything over the weekend saves me a lot of time and energy during the week. I could always have the baby in a seat while I cook but her attention span is not reliable. If you have the space in your freezer, try freezing some meals. So if there are times where you feel lazy or have not enough time, you always have back up.
Wow excellent job with this challenge! You are rocking it! Can't wait to see your progress after it is all said and done! I wish I could do better meal planning. I call it a success in my book if I can at least get written on my calendar of what I'm planning each week! LOL
I'm impressed with your well thought out eats. I read It Starts with Food, but never tried the Whole 30. I think they provided a lot of really solid scientific evidence for their claims, but I just felt it was too restrictive for my life at that time. However, looking at all your eats and the variety is sure making it look more doable.
The first week was incredibly rough for me, but once I started to think outside of my meal planning box, I got creative and haven't had a hard of a time as I thought I would. Now, if someone would just come clean up, after ;)
The sweet potato hash looks so good! I think I'll try making that tomorrow! I eat oatmeal or peanut butter toast almost everyday so I am always looking for new breakfast recipes!
My opinion is that if someone would do all the prep for me, I'd eat that way. Left to my own devices, I definitely won't. I'm excited to see your post at the end of all this! We do the eggs and sweet potato (shredded) hash sometimes. It's good!
Not stepping out of the plan is HUGE. I remember looking at the Whole 30 plan and thinking I don't know if I could do without the cheese/milky stuff even though I don't like milk. I think it's something I'll have to revisit. Way to go!
We have started eating a LOT better since I started cooking on the weekend. Like you said, it's a pain to clean the kitchen multiple times, but we don't have a freezer full of processed food for "easy, quick" meals anymore because food is already ready.
I love all your food!!! Most people on Whole 30 look like they're living the most boring life ever (making a totally broad assumption here off stalking a few blogs, lol), but your meals are so colorful and delicious looking!!!
I love keeping avocados & guac in my fridge. Its the perfect filling side kick to a meal!
meal prep is no joke! it's a pain in the ass but once it's part of your routine, it's hard to shake off. while i hate meal prep, when sunday rolls around and the weekend has been so busy i didn't have time, i panic and then frantically try and figure out what i can prep. it's weird!! definitely a love/hate thing with meal prep.
ReplyDeletekathy
Vodka and Soda
Okay so this doesn't look nearly as bad as I thought it would be, honestly. I am super intrigued bu the zucchini as noodles - how was it? I would love to eat better again and asked my husband if he wanted to go veggie for a month. He said hell no. Oh well... Are you guys going to keep it up past the month?
ReplyDeleteYay! Keep trucking on! I find that meal planning and prepping everything over the weekend saves me a lot of time and energy during the week. I could always have the baby in a seat while I cook but her attention span is not reliable. If you have the space in your freezer, try freezing some meals. So if there are times where you feel lazy or have not enough time, you always have back up.
ReplyDeletewe have a teeny tiny sad lil' freezer, but I try and freeze what I can!
DeleteUs too! I told David if we need a new fridge, it doesn't have to be the super fancy kind. Just have a bigger freezer.
Deletecauliflower rice sounds VERY interesting! is it good?!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on keeping up with your meal planning goals. It can be tough, but the reward is great!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on making it halfway! I'll take allllll that guac please :)
ReplyDeleteWow excellent job with this challenge! You are rocking it! Can't wait to see your progress after it is all said and done! I wish I could do better meal planning. I call it a success in my book if I can at least get written on my calendar of what I'm planning each week! LOL
ReplyDeleteCongrats my dear and yes ma'am to the guacamole.
ReplyDeleteYour egg looks so perfect and almost fake! Haha. I always do extra guac!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on staying on target!! And, oh my! Those are some delicious looking meals!
ReplyDeleteThank You, Christy!
DeleteI make a lot of my own sauces and dressings, and while it does take longer, I think it's worth it!
ReplyDeleteHomemade sausage though is not my bag. Good for you! It looks like you're doing great!
Great work friend! You are killing it! How are you feeling?
ReplyDeleteI need to figure out a better way to make zucchini noodles. Mine always turn out really soggy.
ReplyDeleteAll of this looks great!! I don't eat meat but you manage to make it look appetizing! ;)
I'm impressed with your well thought out eats. I read It Starts with Food, but never tried the Whole 30. I think they provided a lot of really solid scientific evidence for their claims, but I just felt it was too restrictive for my life at that time. However, looking at all your eats and the variety is sure making it look more doable.
ReplyDeleteThe first week was incredibly rough for me, but once I started to think outside of my meal planning box, I got creative and haven't had a hard of a time as I thought I would. Now, if someone would just come clean up, after ;)
DeleteNice job! All of this looks soooo good! Love guacamole!
ReplyDeleteThe sweet potato hash looks so good! I think I'll try making that tomorrow! I eat oatmeal or peanut butter toast almost everyday so I am always looking for new breakfast recipes!
ReplyDeleteIn all honesty, I am not the biggest fan of sweet potatoes, but I cannot get enough of this hash! The recipe is coming, Friday.
DeleteThat Sweet potato hash looks amazing! Where do you get your Sugar free bacon?
ReplyDeleteMy opinion is that if someone would do all the prep for me, I'd eat that way. Left to my own devices, I definitely won't.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to see your post at the end of all this! We do the eggs and sweet potato (shredded) hash sometimes. It's good!
Not stepping out of the plan is HUGE. I remember looking at the Whole 30 plan and thinking I don't know if I could do without the cheese/milky stuff even though I don't like milk. I think it's something I'll have to revisit. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteWe have started eating a LOT better since I started cooking on the weekend. Like you said, it's a pain to clean the kitchen multiple times, but we don't have a freezer full of processed food for "easy, quick" meals anymore because food is already ready.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Skye! I hate the clean up part, but love how well I am feeding us at home.
DeleteI love all your food!!! Most people on Whole 30 look like they're living the most boring life ever (making a totally broad assumption here off stalking a few blogs, lol), but your meals are so colorful and delicious looking!!!
ReplyDeleteI love keeping avocados & guac in my fridge. Its the perfect filling side kick to a meal!
Yay! Great job! I'm so glad you've liked the chinese chicken! It's delish! :)
ReplyDeleteThis food really isn't that bad!! Easy peasy (kind of...)
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and I love that you are doing the Whole30! I am on my 2nd round, Day 24. Your meals look so yummy!
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