Whole30/Sugar Detox/AIP Journey - Day 19

Ah another early morning Saturday where I get to sleep in but the animals won't really let me....

I woke but didn't move and then Jack stirred and headed downstairs.  I followed and let him and Stryker out.  I tried to go back to bed but Jack laid right on top of me letting me know he wanted me up.  All of almost 70 lbs of him and then he likes to kick me in the head.  Needless to say I got up and fed everyone.  My day was going to be relaxed yet productive.  I did a little cardio before coffee.  BOD 80 Day Obsession Cardio Flow (I think that's what it was called).  I didn't sweat but got my heart rate up a bit.  After I got my cardio flow on it was time for a decaf coffee.  I headed to Dunkin and picked up D his coffee and me a decaf and I typically have a free donut coupon for the pups.  I always get them a sour cream donut since the cat like that one too.

Time for breakfast.  Still I wasn't very hungry.  I was sipping on my collagen coffee and I figured I needed to eat since I was going to be lifting at the gym later in this morning.

Ignore the price tag! LOL  I got Bilinski's sausage since it sounded pretty good, has zero sugar and something different!

About 5 minutes later I had this breakfast hash.  I used 1 1/2 pieces of sausage along with broccoli, brussels and spaghetti squash.  This was good and I have more of it for tomorrow and Monday.  I finished just as D was getting up.  I sat for a while with him and then decided it was gym time and shopping after for next weeks meals.

My Saturday gym routine is 20 minutes incline on the treadmill between 10% and 14%.  After that it's free weights.  Walking lunges with 30# db, curtsey squats with 30# db.  Lots of ab work in between.  Sumo squats with 30# db, db curl and press with 15#, lateral raise with 15#.  I also did 20# kb step ups and kb swings with squats in between reps.  I typically do a circuit of 3 to 4 exercises with ab work in between each move.  I do 6 to 8 reps and 3 to 4 rounds.

Grocery store time!  Trader Joe's was busy (doesn't help that there is construction) and I got just about everything I needed, which I figured.  Brussels, green onion, onions, spices, salmon, ground pork.  What they don't typically have, quality ghee, plantains and collagen (Vital Proteins).  I also stopped at Pet People for cat food.  I didn't feel like going south since everything else I needed was all on the same road, just miles apart.

I got to Whole Foods and got a few more things than I planned.  At the hot bar I got some Nom Nom Paleo brussels and cauliflower rice for brunch at work tomorrow.  I also picked up ghee, Bilinski's sausage, white sweet potato, spinach mix, Vital Protein's, GT's Kombucha, Tessemae's Ranch Dressing, and cat food.  The lines where long and I didn't think I had as many items as I did.  I jumped in the 10 item line.  The cashier promptly told me I had too many items for that line but she would take me this time.  I always bag my own groceries anyway to keep things moving.  She repeatedly told me over and over how not to do it again and next time only 10 or under.  I apologized to her several times and said that it was a completely inappropriate thing for me to do and I didn't realize how many items I had as I was trying to hurry.  I would never do it again.  She told me again one more time.... 😳😲

I also grabbed a coffee before I left and headed home.  I had a little bit of banana as a snack and brussels, go figure!!

D called me while he was out on his ride and said he wanted to try to get 7Greens again.  It was 4:45pm, it was a gamble.  I called them this time and they took my order and said they closed at 5pm.  Not a problem since I am 3 minutes away.  I got up there and they hadn't finished our bowls.  Though it would have been nice if they mixed it, so I had to do that when I got home.  No biggie.  D got the Popeye bowl and added an egg, green beans, sunflower seeds and cucumber.  I got my beloved Blake bowl and added roasted brussels (I seriously have an issue, so addicting).

I was talking to my bestie today about how I only eat 2 real meals everyday.  I know I should be eating more than that.  I'm thinking it's the amount of vegetables that I have been eating.  Maybe it's more protein?  More fat (doubtful).  I'm not really sure but I wasn't hungry when I ate my bowl but knew I needed to eat.  I've been working on eating intuitively and maybe that is the real reason for only 2 meals.

Who else has that issue?  Thoughts and comments?

Another week down - Easter and Boston Marathon

Another week down and this week was adding back in nuts and seeds.  I only added almond butter, low sugar of course.  I ate 1 tablespoon Monday, Tuesday and even Wednesday.  So, I noticed I had a low grade headache each day.  

I can't say when the headache on Monday started, whether it was before or after the nut butter, but it was pretty constant.  Tuesday I think I was even a little foggy too. I decided the rest of the week I wasn't going to have any more.  I should try another nut - macadamia or cashew.  I'm curious as to how I will react with peanut butter on Monday, I can't ever recall having an issue with that.

I did purchase some cashew butter yesterday (Saturday) from Trader joe's and no reaction!  Sqewee!  

It has only 1 gram of sugar and the taste is FABulous!  Not sure why I haven't tried it until now.  But if I can't have almond butter it's not that big of a deal as long as I can have something, right!

Here are some random pics from what I ate this week.  Nothing really changing except for the plantains.  These can either be brekkie or dinner.  Though when I have carbs/starch it's usually at night.

  

Yesterday I ran to the gym, which is about 1.25 miles from home.  I thought it was a good way to get my cardio in, why drive on a beautiful day?  It was windy on my way home so made it a little rough, but I plan on doing that every Sunday, as long as the weather allows.  I'm so slow now, it really makes me sad.  BUT, there was a time on 2014 I didn't think I would be able to run again.  I'm just happy to be able to get out there and do what I can.

My random gym pic just before I went to do some slam balls.  Not a tiring/sore workout that I wanted but still good.  I want to lift to fatigue, I get close but never really push it.  I don't like to be super sore afterwards anyway.  My back was already bothering me from the deadlifts and I dropped the weight significantly.  It was a hamstring focused day, so back was under stress.  I need suggestions on fixing it.  My core is pretty strong, but still working on that and I do some, not enough of accessory movements.  Will just keep moving forward with more work to stabilize my lower back.

Dinner last night was ribeye steak's from Trader Joe's.  I can't say how much I love these steaks from there enough!  I have never disappointed.  I have purchased ribeye's from other stores and never have liked them as much.  I did break out the grill yesterday too.  I accompanied it with homemade parsnip fries, cauliflower and mayo.  Yes, I do love to dip fries in mayo, so good.  I highly recommend it. 

My meals have been super consistent, but I wanted to track into the weekend.  Here was yesterdays snap shots from MyFitnessPal.

So, Here is where I have been ending up - between 1400 and 1600 calories.  Is that good, bad or indifferent.  I'm saying it's indifferent.  You've seen my meals, I'm certainly not restricting in any means.  So that's my week wrap up.  Been feeling fine otherwise, a few bumps.  I am determined to add more of a mindful yoga practice with meditation.  I think it would go a long way - mentally and physically.

Easter morning brekkie!  Guacamole with a ton of veggies and a pork/turkey patty (homemade).  So good and filling.  I know it will keep me full for quite awhile, maybe even past my workout.  Even though I don't always feel hungry after a workout I still fuel up, so my shake is a really good placement.  Today was 20 minutes on the elliptical to warm up, followed by a 4 mile easy run (kept heart rate in fat burn zone) then a 5 minute spin down.

The huge thing around social media right now is how someone eats their chocolate bunny, feet, tail or ears first.  

Tomorrow (Monday) is Patriot's Day and the Boston Marathon.  I ran it in 2014.  I took a pic of Quincy Marketplace while we were there.

Quincy Marketplace

We walked all over Boston the day before and even stopped by the finish line after going to the expo.

I was thinking about this yesterday as I watched a program about some of victims of the bombing and reflecting on me being able to run that year.  I still can't describe how this community is like a family and the outpouring of support for all.  I was so grateful that I could run and carry that spirit with me.

I think I will write more on this at another time.  But, it's Easter and we are getting ready to head out to an early dinner.

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I'm loving all the things cooked in the Instant Pot.  What would normally take 45 minutes to an hour takes 20 minutes.  When I get home from work I am starving (of course I'm always hungry) and it's so nice to get things done quickly!

This is my own version of AIP so if you're not in a reintroduction phase please use caution with spices.  This is the Instant Pot Curried Lemon Coconut Chicken from Kitchen Stewardship.

Funny enough I made roasted broccoli with this too and cauliflower rice.  Very similar to the butter chicken I made last week, just without the ghee!

I should have taken additional pictures but this just doesn't look pretty enough to photograph!  I snacked on a few pieces the day after I made this too.

Thursday night is usually reserved for breakfast but D wasn't feeling good.  BUT, I should back track my day so you come to my present state of mind.  Yesterday I worked from 8:30 am to 9:30 pm.  My work has bi-yearly trade shows and everyone works all day.  I didn't get dinner until after I got home and already exhausted.  

Thursday I would typically run at the gym but since I knew I would be exhausted I made it my rest day.Jack got me up around 4 to go outside and luckily I fell back to sleep until D's alarm went off.  Up and out of bed I fed the furry beasties and made D his weekday breakfast.  I so wanted to go back to bed!  D said why don't you?!  Seriously I have to be to work I can't do that.  I showered and made my breakfast and that's when his throat clearing began and said he thought he was getting sick.  SO he stayed home and I went to work.  Jack tore down the curtains and kicked D in the face within the hour I was gone.  UGH!  I carried on with my day.  At lunch I ran to Trader Joe's and got a few items and D's favorite chocolates and a soft pretzel.  Home and was able  to wolf down my shake and some veggies.  The rest of the day was uneventful until I was asked to go to get chicken noodle soup and phish food ice cream.

After the store I got home, fed the beasties again, gave D his soup and roll followed by his ice cream and made my dinner.  I was starving so grabbed things that were already done.  Sugar snap peas to snack.  I warmed up some hash browns in a skillet then added my leftover chicken on the side and I topped the hash browns with a fried egg.  Still I was hungry and ate 2 tbs of coconut butter.  It only has 2 grams of sugar so I believe I am ok there.  I feel I need more protein so I may grab some chorizo Applegate Organic Turkey Breast.  Bed will certainly happen early as well!

Though this will be me....

But, I will go to the gym for 5 am!

Now what?

 Apparently I set my alarm for doing a home cardio workout this morning.  I still woke up at my "usual" time and just got up and headed for the gym.  Today is cardio only according to my plan.

Workout of the Day:  20 minutes elliptical - always variety in intensity.  That was followed by 30 minutes of treadmill jogging.  Nice and steady at 5.6.  Felt really great

I got home and took care of a few things, showered and ate some coconut butter.  I somehow forgot about this in my cupboard that I open daily.

I again as every morning battling for my breakfast with Kaat!  

She is just so cute.  

She lays on the table and annoyingly reaches her leg across the table and tries to put her paw in the bowl.  Who can blame her?!  All the bacon and pork!  YUM is all I have to say.  An herbal tea latte was on the side.  She has no problem steering clear of that.

I got the dishes cleaned up and got ready for work.  I even had time to vacuum the floors before I left.  They needed it.  Work wasn't bad today, I kept busy with all the calls I made but around noon my stomach began to grumble and I wanted to head home for a few reasons:  We had horrible wind gusts all day so I wanted to make sure the Big Dawg was ok.  He HATES noise.  I had to put him on his leash to get him out the door.  Wanted to make sure we had power.  Yes we do.  Then I wanted lunch!  As I prepared it I tried some jicama sticks I got at Trader Joe's.  I forgot how much I liked these.  Kind of sweet and crunchy.  I've been missing crunchy!  

Todays bowl was avocado, ground turkey, swiss chard, cauliflower and shredded brussel sprouts cooked in avocado oil.  I haven't had swiss chard in a long time and it wasn't too bad.

I got back to work and emailed my doctor to clarify that during this elimination phase I could have herbal teas, which happily I can and I have a few favorites.  I also wanted to see if I could eat Legit bread, it is seriously the best bread out there.  I sent him the link and even though it's paleo and clean it's still considered a "cheat".  So no go as a replacement for Thursday night pancake night.  I don't get any of it, no pancakes, no bread like product.  I considered eating eggs bacon, and maybe some parsnip fries, but since I had eggs yesterday I noticed today I have a couple breakouts! 

Could it be the eggs are offensive?!  I had broccoli too yesterday?  Is that possible?  A combination of two foods that are offensive?  I scored a 1 for both of these, so no more than 3 times per week.  It's questionable.  Another word on questionable I had the shake again, 4 scoops and by the end it just sit right.  I know I will get use to it, just like carob.  Once you are use to the odd taste you love it.

I did't eat a typical dinner since I wasn't really hungry when I got home.  I made D's dinner which was a quick orange chicken, sweet potato with peas and carrots.  I made a plain chicken breast cooked in some avocado oil for me and ate 3 small pieces, a few bites of roasted sweet potato.  Later I went back for the remainder of my roasted cauliflower and cabbage.  I topped it off with a few bites of coconut butter.

I'm not sure I'm getting at least 6 cups of vegetables?  Do you think it looks that way?

Thoughts on eggs - since I have a tendency for them to be offensive - acne causing?

What should I talk about in the upcoming days?

Meditation practice?  Workouts?  Meals on a protocol?  Something else?

Saturday, it's a Saturday!

Ah early morning!  Too bad the pups had me up at 3am to go outside and then continued to hog the beg for the next 3 hours!  But the good thing was getting to the farmers market right when they opened.  I love to beat the crowd.  In and out, no bumping into a bazillion people!

And it was cold out there too!  Not sure if you can make out that temp but it says 14. Brrrr!  I actually felt comfortable in my heavy coat.

The nice thing about this market is it's covered so no worries of the cold, rain or whatever!  I was able to get some meat, cabbage, onion, sweet potatoes and cauliflower.  I even bought the pups a donut.  There are gluten free vendors and even one paleo vendor too, squeee!  But, I can't eat it anyway! LOL.

While I was there D called me completely irritated because the bank had blocked his credit card while he was in China with no way to contact them while there.  Apparently, 800#s and China don't mix.  But, it's all straight now.  He got home and I made breakfast for us.  He had eggs with cheese and bacon and I had brussels, green beans, chicken and bacon.  A little while later I was hungry so I cooked up some Trader Joe's Grilled Cauliflower.  I'm definitely needing to up my veg and fat and decrease my protein.

 Before I headed to the gym I was bad and ate a couple tablespoons of peanut butter.  So, even though I will not be eating this for several weeks I noticed the other day when I had almond butter - headache and the next day I was exhausted and foggy.  Last night nothing from the peanut butter I ate.  This is not uncommon with someone with an autoimmune, but an interesting experiment on myself.  Wonder if I will be able to eat almond butter again one day without the reaction.

Don't bother looking for this one!  Pumpkin Spice was a seasonal flavor that obviously I got this past fall.  It's half full.  I like it but it's not my most favorite ever.  One day I will do a top 10 peanut butter list!

I waited to get to the gym long enough.  I was going to post more than this at the gym.... I forgot!  I was in it to win it today.  Today it was all about shoulders and arms.

Here's the breakdown in between sets I did bodyweight squats or ab tucks:

20 minute elliptical

5 sets shoulder press 27.5# dumbbells

4 sets lateral raises 12.5# dumbbells

4 sets chest supported reverse fly 10# dumbbells

4 sets skull crushers 30# barbell

4 sets bicep curls 12.5# dumbbells

20 minute treadmill walk at 4.2, 2% incline

We kinda went out for dinner, well take out.  D wanted pancakes and the only gluten free thing on the menu was bacon.  Not even their potatoes were gluten free and I'm allergic to eggs so no omelette for me.  I brought home the 3 pieces of bacon (which I should have just made here and saved the $5!) and sautéed asparagus, green beans and butternut squash in some duck fat.  It was really good but I was hoping to go out to eat.  As you had seen I didn't do that at all this week.  I didn't even go grocery shopping as I normally would.  I have Sunday to go out, which is doubtful then 12 weeks on being strict.  I doubt we will go out.  If we do I don't know how it will happen, probable struggle for me.

I still needed to go to Trader Joe's for the rest of the groceries for the week.  I'm sure I will need to pick something this week.  I thought I forgot my list then when I left I found it.  Oh well!  The best thing on my way home was a coconut milk chai from Starbucks without the water.  So good.  I have had anything out all week.

I did mention I was making a meal plan this week.  So, here is my list from two bloggers I am following -Adventures in Partaking and Eat Heal Thrive.

From Adventures:

Orange Chicken (for D) I can't have fruits the first 4 weeks in my protocol

Lamb Bacon Spinach Burgers

Veggalicious Shepherds Pie

From Eat Heal Thrive:

Bubble & Squeak

Greek Meatballs

Breakfast Bison Skillet

So there it is, my Saturday!  As I'm typing this I am drinking water with ACV and had 2 carob coconut butter cups.  There may be Siete chips in the near future too.  We shall see, ugh they are SO ADDICTIVE!!

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A "cheat" night. It's just almond butter!

This morning I got early.  I planned on going to the gym and just jog for a while.  I got dressed and headed out only to find they were still closed!!  They had closed yesterday at 3pm for some unknown to me reason.  They didn't state they wouldn't be open the next morning at 5am!  Complete darkness and a lot of cars that were pulling away.  I think there were too many unhappy gym goers!  Lucky for me I have a home gym.  So, I grabbed my laptop and found a YouTube cardio video and off I went!  I got just sweaty enough and elevated my heart rate for 30 minutes.

I haven't been getting my 11,000 daily steps in lately and it's something I need to work on.  Since I took this new job it has been difficult.  Prior to that easy peasy!

I showered and was ready to fix breakfast.  I had potatoes that I roasted from the last two nights dinner, so I gave those to the pups after I took a couple bites.  I made my usual dandelion tea coconut milk latte.  I love it with unsweetened vanilla coconut milk.  I love almond milk too but since I am weening to more AIP by Monday I have been loving the coconut milk.  Then I fried up brussel, bacon and beef.  I left all the bacon fat in there to get absorbed into the brussels.  It's so yummy I can't stand it!  I made another latte before I left for work.

Lunch is just odd.  I grab whatever sounds good even if they are weird together!  Trader Joe's Grilled Cauliflower and Epic Pork Rinds.  I did top the cauliflower in avocado crema.  I mean why not!  I even did the pork rinds in there too.  It was tasty and hit the stop.  I also have been drinking a lot of water.  I should be getting in between 60 and 70 ounces per day.  It's a work in progress to say the least cause I would rather not drink water.

I was starving by the time I got home.  I mean really, lunch was not going to keep me full no matter how much water I drank!  Cassava Flour Pancakes! from Adventures in Partaking.  I'm sure I didn't cook them long enough.  I think they will make good wraps!  I only made half the batch.  Look at them cook!

I made bacon and topped with almond butter (opps! not AIP!) I also had 2 pieces of canadian bacon or ham.

I have 6 pancakes left, so I think I will use some tomorrow at lunch and wrap chicken and lettuce in them.  They are that versatile!  Dessert was 2 homemade carob coconut butter cups.  I made a second batch!  I figured on Monday I won't be eating them so get it all in now! No, it's not a good plan but that's what I'm going with!

This weekends plan is to do just that!  Plan all the things.  Mostly I need to plan my meals since D will be back home and he will want dinner after all.  He can be picky and easy at the same time.  As long as I have his staple ingredients all should be well!

I get all my supplements tomorrow and will be talking about those.  Granted I won't start them until Monday but getting prepped is the best possible action.  Pictures that won't be food! YAS!

One last thing!  I'm going to become a beachbody coach.  I figured I love fitness and I'm already a yoga and group fitness instructor, why not get in with a good company and grow my business!  Be on the look out for that one.