Day 30!

It's my last day of being on the Whole30 and that means I'll have to come up with real blog titles now. Hah!

I thought I would have blogged more during this month but it's never too late to reflect on the past few weeks. It's actually a perfect time to sit and look back at some of the challenges I faced and also to prepare for what's to come.

Staying strict and compliant really helped with my discipline and I'm so ready to move forward and take what I've learned and incorporate it into my everyday routine. I've come to the realization that the reason why I even decided to take on this challenge is because I really do care for myself. It used to be hard to believe that I could ever love myself but once you see that that's all you have, is love, then its easy to want to give that back. Whether that's give it back to myself in the form of self-care and self-love or share with everyone around me. It feels so good to know that I took the time this month to really be conscious of what was going into my body and being aware of my mind during this whole process of "detoxing" and adjusting to changes. It's exactly what I needed after a holiday season that lacked discipline, awareness, and relaxation of the monkey mind.

It's awesome to know that my team and I persevered through the tough times this January. We gained further strength that will aid us in continuing this lifestyle, because in reality, that's what this is. This is something we will want to carry with us for the rest of our lives. Teaching our families that it's important to love yourself, take care of yourself, in order to live a long, healthy and happy life that you can enjoy with your loved ones. Life is too short to continue to suppress our true selves. There's no point.

I'm eternally grateful for the live I have. We only get one this time around and I'm done with not living it. I want to be able to feel all the goodness and love, to experience all the blessings it has to give, and I want to share that with the rest of the world. No one deserves anything less.

I send my love and hope for the best for anyone facing any challenges, are starting something new, or just need a little comfort.


Best wishes,


xoxo
LB

Day 16

It's Day 16 and this is basically the homestretch of my Whole30 adventure. Overall, I'd say it's been totally positive. Yes, I've struggled with cravings for chocolate (mostly) and dairy, but I've come to learn that's really just all in my head. I won't deny that I will indulge when it's over but I feel that this Whole30 thing has definitely helped in setting up some discipline when it comes to my food choices. Hopefully next holiday season, I'll be more cautious near the Christmas cookies.

My next focus during the Whole30 needs to be getting some sort of exercise in my routine. I don't know about you but working a desk job and it being cold and gloomy during the winter really brings me down. It's hard for me to motivate myself in times like these. I know that it's just something in my mind preventing me from taking the first step...and I'm letting it. Just gotta push myself. I know I will...eventually.  I suppose I don't have to continue to put myself down for it either. Nonetheless, I am proud of myself for getting this far into the program.

Staying positive is what's most important. Even in the rough times, you can't let little things get you down. It's great when you have the support of your family and friends. I don't know where I'd be without them. They have helped push me forward and motivated me to do good. For them. For myself. For everyone. Anytime I'm down, I try to remember all the good things I have and feel grateful for the love and happiness that surrounds me.

It's inevitable that there's sadness out there in the world...over something...anything. I pray for strength to anyone that struggles. Struggling through any hardship because no one deserves to be lonely in troubling times.

To those out there feeling low, I offer my love and friendship.

We are all in this together.



Peace and Love,

LB

Day Three

Today started out really crappy. I'm not going to beat around the bush on that one. It's just the truth. I was beginning to doubt this Whole30 thing but now the day is almost over and I'm obsessing over my new Smart Stick Blender. Scrolling through recipes to see what I can drum up next.  

I ate the same breakfast I had yesterday. I made some for my fiancée and he was complaining about not having a bigger bowl of it. He's really starting to enjoy the foods I'm making. I can tell.

For dinner I made some homemade spaghetti sauce and poured over some baked spaghetti squash. Topped with black olives and jalapeños. My fiancée, at first, said he didn't want olives but again, he gave in and loved it! Now if only they were my own tomatoes from the yard. Can't wait to build our greenhouse!

I also made some homemade mayo using our own chicken eggs and boy, that was best mayonnaise I've ever had. No joke. I love the Smart Stick and how versatile it is. 

Back to how I was feeling this morning...I was weak, lethargic, tense, emotional, and felt just super crappy, which made today's Whole30 Daily email ironic. It was titled "Day Three: One of the Toughest Days." I'm not sure if they're referring to the entire 30 days. If so, it wasn't so bad...though, it really did suck in the beginning. I took a short nap on the way to the local farm (fiancée still drinking raw milk) and that helped. Feeling even better now that I was able to enjoy a nice dinner and some time spent with my love. 

I hope you all enjoyed your first Saturday into 2015 and continue to receive life's gifts throughout the rest of the year. 

Much love,

LB

Day Two

The second day into the New Year and my Whole30 is coming to a close and it's been a great one. 

My meals were the tastiest meals I've ever had. Honestly. I put work into making a tasty and nutritious breakfast. 

My breakfast included my chicken eggs again, cooked with onions and ghee. Topped off with Whole30 compliaint chicken sausage, avocado chunks, sweet potato and turmeric hash and drizzled with Frank's Red Hot Sauce. All spices were organic too. Seriously, the best breakfast EVER. 

 

As for my dinner, I decided on chicken curry. I used Thai Kitchen brand canned coconut milk and red curry paste. Vegetables included onions, broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes and more turmeric. Left out the sugar, which the recipe called for but I used Red Boat brand fish sauce and added chicken. I really didn't think it would turn out the way it did since I had to improvise without the sugar, but man, it was FULL of flavor! My fiancée wasn't too excited while I was making it, thinking it would've been bland, but no. It turned out absolutely amazing! He actually said he wants me to make it more often!

It's been nice having off work for a few days to cook more. I'll have to strategize before I go back on meal planning. A part of me is trying to make me believe it's not possible to stay on track but it is! I've got all the support in the world with my sister and best friend staying in touch with their progress and my fiancée being supportive and understanding of the small adjustments being made with dinner and whatnot. 

I'm feeling positive about this whole thing. I had higher than normal energy levels today. My mind felt a tad bit clearer and I was in a great mood all day. Reading articles about the effects of the next few days seem a bit intimidating, but I'm ready. I've been through worse. 

So here's to another day in the books towards better health and happiness!

God Bless,

LB

Day One

It is now 2015, day one of a new year. A fresh start to do good and be grateful. 

My focus has been the Whole30 program and I'd say today was pretty successful. I do feel some of the repercussions already; I've had a headache ALL day. However I'm excited to be cooking more and making delicious new foods!

My breakfast this morning:

My chicken eggs were cooked in coconut oil on my cast iron skillet. The avocado and eggs have been sprinkled with sea salt and Frank's Red Hot Sauce.

This is my favorite breakfast! Now, I just gotta find Whole30 compliaint bacon...

I also got to spent time with my nephews and I am so glad that I did. I'm grateful to be able to experience those meaningful moments. The innocence and pure bliss in their eyes helps me to see the beauty of life and the blessings we receive. Sharing the love just feels so good. 

New Years with Cristobal and Aron. These kids are FUN! 

I plan to stay strong on my resolution towards better health and to be a more giving person. 

I wish everyone well on their journey through life this year. 

Do good. Love more. Want less and give.

Blessings,

LB 

The Big Year

First off, cheers to the New Year!

I anticipate this year being a big one. Big one meaning busy, stressful, fun, full of surprises, scary and just overall...BIG!

2015 is starting out with my sister, best friend and I diving into the Whole30 with full force. We are all pretty excited. Reading success stories is getting me pumped to see the changes within myself, and my friends of course. It's a great way to start the year. I'm mostly doing it to get back into the groove of being conscious of what I'm eating and also to detox after a few months of not. Once the holidays come around, I lose myself in Halloween candy, Thanksgiving amazing-ness and Christmas cookies. This Whole30 program will be a good start and a reminder for me of what health really means to me.

It'll also be a prep for my...wedding! I was just recently engaged on Christmas to my true best friend and soul mate. We are both so excited and ready to spend the rest of our lives together. Tending to our small farm, which includes chickens, bunnies, and soon to have bees! I'm pretty sure I've never been more ecstatic to work, work, work but this type of work is my dream. Working to keep our family healthy by tending to our small one acre land that provides us with so many gifts.

More things to come in the New Year include getting LASIK eye surgery, an OBX trip, previously mentioned wedding and Whole30 program, and probably surprises and don't even know of yet.

Until then, I'm gonna enjoy my time here on Earth with my family and friends.

Peace and Love,
LB

and Happy New Year!