Whole 30 Day 1

I started the Whole 30 plan on Monday, January 5th 2015.

Day 1
The hubs and I had recently eliminated a lot of processed food from our lives and we had made a lot of healthy changes to our diet and out lifestyle so the switch to Whole 30 isn't that crazy...however it is still a big change. I didn't realize how much of a snacker I was. I would have just a little of this or that to get me through the day. The book (here) talks about why you should avoid having snacks on the program it it me that I would usually go for a sugary snack (fruit or a fruit bar). I was sugar dependent and didn't even realize it. I thought I was being super healthy because I was going for a banana not realizing that it wasn't always because I was hungry it was because I was satisfying a craving. I had an unhealthy RELATIONSHIP with food - with sugar. Holy light bulb going off!

I have to say that I realize that a banana is not a terrible choice but I was mindlessly grabbing for something sugary and that isn't super healthy...if you are still confused I encourage you to read the book. A light bulb will go off for you too I think!

What I ate and how I felt:

Pre-Breakfast: Started the day with a big glass of water (I used to wake up and drink soda - don't shame me!!!)

Breakfast: Two runny eggs over a bed of arugula with sauteed onions and peppers with a spoonful of pico de gao and a little bit of avocado.


Lunch: Sauteed brussels sprouts with slivered almonds, roasted cranberries, left over roasted asparagus, roasted chicken (leftover) with a balsamic reduction (I literally just de-glazed the pan I was roasting my brussels in by adding some balsamic vinegar and letting it cook for a few minutes. I put everything on a bed of arugula.

Dinner: Roasted Chicken (leftover) with steamed broccoli and carrots with a few blueberries. Not exciting but it was getting late and it was easy.

Confession - I kinda cheated...on the first day....I'm terrible. I was late coming home from work because it was snowing and it took me almost and hour and a half to commutte, so I was starving. I stopped by my local Aldi to grab some milk and a few veggies and a pint of blackberries that were super cheap. Long story short I ate the blackberries (ALL OF THEM). I decided not to beat myself up - they are blackberries and I am breastfeeding but I still feel guilty).

I realized I should start taking photos of my food. I'm going to do that from now on. My posts will look way prettier - hang in there with me.

How I felt:
I didn't want to hurt someone if that's what you're wondering. It was fine...but I had a crazy headache. I had a small cup of coffee right at noon and that helped and drank lots of water and that pretty much took care of it. I have a sensative GI tract so now I have crazy heartburn from the coffee. I'll have to switch to tea I suppose.

Exercise: Two miles on the treadmill. It was late when I did it so I didn't want to go crazy or I wouldn't sleep.

New Year Resolutions

We are nearly halfway through January already - so I'm late to the resolution party...but I like to think I'm fashionably late. I'm not really a resolution person...I like the idea but I have a hard time deciding something to do or change and then sticking with it. Has anyone else struggled with that? Well this year I'm getting serious about it for a good reason. I have once child and another on the way and things are about to get really real all over again. My life is going to change in ways I can't anticipate but there is one thing that I can anticipate: I"m going to take a million photos of the precious child. I have a photography business and I am super organized about client photos but when it comes to my own photos I'm not that great at it. This year - 2014 - I am committing to changing my ways. To making the preservation of my family photos a priority. These are some of the ways I plan to do that:

1.) Download and backup every week
2.) Start creating a "year book" that I can add to throughout the year and print at the start of 2015
3.) Making special smaller photos books throughout the year
4.) Print more of the candid photos I take - & share with family and friends (not just online!!!)
5.) Create a space where I can display photos just from this year

I'll take you along my journey - hopefully you can learn from me and you can help keep me accountable.

My sweet niece (left) & my daughter (right) - they are almost 2 and only 3 weeks apart! How awesome & adorable

Also - a friend of mine has her own way of doing more with all those photos we take on our phones. It's called 52 pages...basically you take photos of regular things happening in your life with your phone - like you normally do, then you create a collage for that week and post. At the end of the year you'll have 52 weeks worth of photos that you can print into a little book. Brilliant right! Go here to get all the details.

Each of my 5 methods to better photo preservation will become their own blog post so be sure to stay tuned.

Peace and Love & Hooray for 2014!