Hey all!  Karen called me the other night and I shared with her that Stephen and I are starting Whole 30 and she said she wanted to do it too!  So since we'll be doing this together and sharing with each other, it just dawned on me to write about it on here and share with everybody.  So I'm resurrecting the old blog.  I like to do things on my own and keep stuff to myself, so this is different for me to share.  But, I need the accountability.

Our goals (Stephen and mine) are weigh loss for sure, but other things as well.  We need to get Stephen off his 2 medications and I have several things that need help.  Some of you know my motto for the year is "Lighten UP!"  This is not only a physical goal, but an emotional, environmental (clutter), and spiritual one as well.  I want to lighten up my entire life!

I have found that sugar makes me CRANKY!  I just recently put this together.  It makes me short tempered and stressed and I bark at my kids.  So sugar is kinda harshin' my vibe, man.  I'm not going to be able to "lighten up" until the sugar is gone.

Also...... my face.  What is going on with my face?  I can't even look in the mirror anymore guys.  It's painful.  This isn't just zits, this is like full blown, all over, inflammation acne.  I'm so sick of it!

So that's the why.

Whole 30 here we come.  The kids will be doing a modified version just because they are not accustomed to eating salad.  I'm hoping that will change by the end.  They will be Dairy, Gluten and Sugar free.

As we all know Whole 30 success is about planning and preparing ahead.  So here's my weekly plan:

Breakfasts
Green smoothies - with chia, collagen, avocado, hemp protein, mct oil, maca, ya know, all the stuff on my counter.
Sweet potato hash and eggs
Eggs, spinach, veggie scramble with avocado
Monkey salad - might add blueberries and have this be a dessert or snack

Lunches
Salad for me!

for kids - they will pick a fruit and veggie + one of the following:
Chicken tenders - seasoned, cooked and frozen
hot dogs - all beef, gluten and preservative free!
guacamole and gluten free Costco crackers
lettuce wraps

Dinner
W - Spaghetti squash with red sauce
Th - Slow Cooker Butter chicken over cauliflower
F - Lettuce wrapped burgers
Sat - Baked chicken and steamed veggies
Sun - Fish and steamed veggies

Snacks
Mama bars
chopped veggie bags

for kids:
Chex mix (gluten free and homemade)
Fruit gummies (sugar free and homemade)
fruit

Dressings
Dump Ranch
Oil and Balsamic

So today was my prep day.  I've cooked and frozen chicken tenders, formed and frozen hamburger patties, made gummies and chex mix and mamabars.  I still need to make veggie bags and dump ranch and slice/freeze lemons for morning lemon juice and boil some eggs for salad.

I followed Karen's advice and bought a box of Excedrin.  Last time we started Whole 30 I got the worst headache of my life and it wouldn't go away.  So this time I'm not gonna to be a hero.  I'm taking painkillers and I'm okay with it.

I will try to update each night.  I'm sure I'll miss some days, but that's my plan.  I've never finished a Whole 30.  Wish me luck!!