I had little energy. I wasn’t sleeping well. My back hurt. My belly was bloated.
I didn’t feel good.
It was January. We had the post-holiday bulge going on. We began the new year saying that we needed to eat a little healthier.
Salami, cheese and crackers jumped in my shopping cart. Miranda kept baking cookies and I kept eating them.
It Started with a Book
Recently I read The Minimalists’ book, Minimalism: Live A Meaningful Life. The book lays out five main areas that make for a meaningful life:
- Health
- Relationships
- Passions
- Personal Growth
- Contribution
Physical health hit me hard. The chapter focused on what we put into our bodies and what we do with our bodies. The overall goal for changing the way we eat or move was to feel better.
That’s what I wanted. To feel better.
I wasn’t ready to dive into a mostly vegetarian diet like The Minimalists did. But I knew craving - and eating - a whole sleeve of Ritz crackers for a snack (don’t judge) had to come to a stop.
Another Book
About that time my Instagram feed was full of people talking about Whole30. Courtney Carver, the woman who inspired my Capsule Kitchen, invited her followers to join in a Whole30 challenge.
This past summer I read the book that introduced the Whole30 program, It Starts with Food.
Whole30 is a 30 day personal journey in eating nutritious food while cutting out the foods that may be wrecking havoc on your body.
It’s a detox from:
- sugar
- grain
- dairy
- alcohol
I agreed with the book but the Whole30 program looked overwhelming.
Now I wondered if “rebooting” my physical system by following Whole30 would help me to feel better.
Challenge Accepted
I accepted Courtney’s challenge and started a Whole30 experiment.
I put together a food plan and corresponding shopping list. The initial shopping trip was overwhelming—I was still learning the HEB store layout. We did eventually find everything on my list.
When I woke up on Day 1, I was ready:
- Breakfast was a breeze - scrambled eggs with the works served with roasted potatoes.
- For lunch, I tried two new recipes. The family approved of both.
- Dinner was a big salad with veggies, fruits and nuts.
Day 1 complete.
As the week went on I scoured Pinterest and tried new recipes. The recipes were a mixed success. We really liked the paleo scotch eggs and smoked sausage potato soup. Not so much the paleo shepherd’s pie.
Whole30 Meet Capsule Kitchen
I’m using the concepts I learned last summer with my Capsule Kitchen.
My list of ingredients (not counting oils and spices) is less than 33 items. I’m meal planning, trying several new meals each week. Grocery shopping is becoming easier. Meal preparation is definitely happening.
Whole30 in a Tiny Kitchen
The Whole30 program is a bit of a challenge when you have:
- a small RV fridge
- limited counterspace
- few short-cut appliances
I’m shopping twice a week - a bigger bounty following the week’s meal plan and a second visit to re-supply produce. I wash dishes constantly to clear space for more meal prep. I’m shredding sweet potatoes by hand on a tiny grater because I don’t have a food processor.
I’m making it work.
A Bad Day
I crashed on Day 10.
I was tired, irritable and teary. I was tired of the hours of standing in the kitchen area chopping, cooking, and washing dishes. All I wanted to do was sit with a glass of wine and chocolate. Maybe even a box of Ritz crackers.
I thought about chucking it all.
Luckily it was only a one day mental breakdown. The next day I was ready to get back at it.
The Halfway Mark
Today is Day 15 and we’re still following the Whole30 program.
Last night Mike and I talked about our Whole30 experiment so far. Are we sensing any changes?
Mike hasn’t noticed much difference. He did feel that the shirt he was wearing wasn’t as snug in the belly. He was making wiser food choices than I was before we started this experiment.
I felt a difference beginning the first week. It may be psychological, but I don’t care. I have more energy. I’m sleeping better. My lower back doesn’t hurt (probably from standing in the kitchen rather than sitting for hours). My belly is flatter.
I am feeling better.
What about the Kid?
Miranda is mostly eating the Whole30 meals I prepare. She’s not a big egg person, but likes the paleo scotch eggs. She is willing to try new recipes.
She does have a box of cereal for when she wants to eat like a teen. She’s also going to visit friends during the final week of the challenge and is looking forward to eating homemade muffins for breakfast.
Whole30 and You
Have you tried Whole30? Do you have any Whole30 recipes that you love?
Do you have a sleeve of Ritz crackers in your pantry?
Just curious.
Probably.
Awesome! I’ve been wondering how our meals will change once we move into an RV in a couple months. We eat 75% paleo so I’ve wondered how to make that work with limited space. Sounds like more frequent grocery trips are an option, and I will likely lean toward some canned vegetable options for crockpot soups and stews. Halfway there—you can do it!
Haley,
I just returned from the grocery store and I’ve had to be creative with storing our produce. I don’t get the second shop this week, so I had to plan ahead. Yes, canned goods or frozen vegetables are helpful in this tiny kitchen.
Thanks for your encouragement and comment.
Hey Crissa! That’s awesome that you’re tackling the Whole 30; it’s intimidating. Kirk and I have eaten paleo, more or less, for the last 6 years. Eventually it became a way of life for us, and we’ve gotten used to shopping and preparing food for it. But it was a tough transition! My favorite cookbook is Diane Sanfillipo’s “Practical Paleo,” lots of easy and tasty recipes.
And that’s awesome that you’re already noticing changes in your body and energy…..that first week or so is the hardest!
Kate
Kate,
We completed the Whole30 yesterday. WOOT! Yesterday I wrote out my meal plan for this next week and went grocery shopping. This list looks pretty much the same as it has the past 30 days. Mike and I are hoping to make this a lifestyle as well.
Thanks for the cookbook suggestion. I’m still looking for meals we all like that I can work into a rotating menu plan.