Day #31...What Happened to Day #30?!?!

Holy crap! We made it! I cannot believe that on January 5, 2015 my family (the family who was living on pizza, Doritos, chocolate chip blonde brownies, Diet Coke and chips/salsa) ventured out to change our lives, and we succeeded! It was not always easy, and there were some painful moments, but I have said it before and I will say it again...You either "do" Whole30...or you don't...you cannot manipulate it! Wes, the kids and I committed to "doing" it and we did! Day #30 was pretty uneventful...aside from the fact that it was a super busy evening! I get to chalk up another "W" as I did not fall prey to an "easy" drive-thru meal (dinner). I got home from activities around 8:30 and whipped up some sun-dried tomato natural chicken sausage with wilted spinach and homemade marinara. That, folks, is the new "normal." I also really realized yesterday what I have learned during the last 30 days when I took a trip to BJ's. I did not buy packaged products. No crackers, cookies, "quick" meals...nope...it was almonds, pistachios, dried fruit (no added sugar), salsa (no added sugar), coconut oil, avocado oil and produce...produce...produce...apples, oranges, spring mix, spinach, bananas, broccoli, tomatoes, avocados, blueberries. I have learned over the last 30 days that food is fuel and that natural, nutritious food can be just as satisfying as the junk that I was feeding myself and my family for the last 15 years. Don't get me wrong...there is room in our new "normal" for ice cream! There is room for birthday cake! There is room for pizza! But...there is more room for healthy salads, hearty stews, zesty shredded pork, eggs with avocado and fruit in all of it's variety. I can't wait for summer when we are experimenting with kabobs and marinades and grilled fruit! I was tickled pink today when everyone was "on board" with sticking with the program. The entire family did miss dairy during our 30 days, so I added it back in today in a few ways. First, I made the kids smoothies this morning with frozen strawberries, blueberries, cherries and kale. I added in some plain Greek yogurt (high in protein) and a splash of 100% (no sugar added) orange/mango juice. They LOVED them! I also made them each a fried egg and they were off to school! I snuck in some dairy at lunch for myself when I added a touch of feta cheese to my noon salad...and man was it tasty! I missed cheese!

Once the kids were home from school the "old" ways wanted to sneak back in. The kids asked for the Organic Kids Cliff Bars that I bought at BJ's yesterday. I bought them as a "safe" backup when we are in a bind...you know...those times when you are going to be on the road...or when you have back to back games. I meant to hide them (out of sight...out of mind). It is not as though the Cliff bars are a terrible snack choice, but we did not do all this work to come home from school and fill up on processed carbs! I sat down with the kids and explained the purpose of the Cliff bars and offered fruits, veggies, nuts and dried fruit and everyone found something to "suit their fancy" and they were content! The clock ticked this afternoon and I was not motivated to make dinner. We were going to have the Pioneer Woman's Hamburg Soup (it is so good...and Whole30 compliant!). The kids continued to ask about a post Whole30 "treat" so waffles it was for dinner. Chocolate Paleo Waffles (we may or may not have snuck in a few dark chocolate chips!) with real maple syrup, bacon and fruit salad. Dinner was awesome, fun, nutritious and a celebration! It was so cool to be eating "naughty"...but in a fake way! We ate a completely balanced dinner tonight. Our dinner table was filled with joy, ooohhhhs and aaaawwws as people bit into a tiny melted chocolate pocket and smiles!

So, Day #30...success! Day #31...success! There are many more days ahead of us, and Monday we tackle regular exercise!