Whole30 Weekly Menus

With one Whole30 behind us, we are looking forward to the new cycle beginning January 19th. The reason for starting mid-January is because my birthday is the 17th and I want to make some coconut ice cream. Why start Whole30 earlier if you know you will break it, right? So, with the ice cream out of the way, we will start fresh on January 19th. In preparation, I typed out my weekly menus from our cycle in October in the hopes it might help some people out. All the recipes can be found on our Community Whole30 Pinterest board. Jessica and I work hard to keep it Whole30 appropriate. So without further ado....

Whole 30 Weekly Menus

Week 1

Breakfast – scrambled eggs w/ onion and kale, bacon, fruit

Stovetop Pork Carnitas w/ sliced pineapple and sautéed veg

Taco Kale Salad with avocado and salsa

Spaghetti Squash with beef and tomato sauce with sautéed veg

Pork Pumpkin Chili w/ avocado *crockpot

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders w/ sautéed veg

Week 2

Breakfast – scrambled eggs w/ onion and kale, bacon, sweet potato hash browns

Broccoli Frittata

Sweet Potato Sliders w/ bacon, avocado, and caramelized onions w/ sautéed veg

Coconut Shrimp w/ mango pineapple sauce and sautéed veg

Sausage w/ sautéed veg

Cracklin’ Chicken w/ sautéed veg

Chipotle Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Week 3

Breakfast – Kale and sausage quiche / scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit

Chicken Satay w/ Sunshine Sauce and sautéed veg

Spaghetti Squash w/ meatballs and sauce

Chicken Broccoli Divan (curry)

Sausage and Sweet Potato Soup *crock pot

Asian Beef Stir Fry

Stovetop Pork Carnitas w/ pineapple and sautéed veg

Week 4

Breakfast – Breakfast casserole / scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit

Chicken Divan (from last week, never got made)

Barbacoa Beef w/ guacamole and sautéed veg or zucchini fries *Crockpot

Meyer Lemon Prosciutto Chicken w/ sautéed veg

Autumn Chicken Salad

Week 5

Breakfast – scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit

Chipotle Meatballs, Caramelized Onions, Strawberry Compote w/ arugula and sweet potatoes

Apple Sausage Acorn Squash

Fall Harvest Chicken Soup

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders w/ Sunshine Sauce and sautéed veg

Pulled Pork Sliders w/ sweet potato buns and sautéed veg

Paleo Pizza – because you’re done and it’s delicious!

Extras

Beef pot pie

Pomegranate Ginger Pork Chops

Balsamic Roast Beef *Crockpot

Thai Butternut Squash Curry

Roast Chicken *Crockpot

Paleo Chicken Fingers

Chicken Pot Pie w/ Sweet Potato Crust

Dairy Free “Cheesy” Potato Soup

Whole30 - Review

So, we've been off the Whole30 program officially for a few weeks now.

Here are some definite highlights of our experience:

-We feel awesome.
-We are sleeping better, falling asleep more quickly and waking up happier.
-I have had significantly less 'tummy issues,' as I like to call it.
-We've lost weight. Nothing major, but we weren't trying to lose weight. It just happens.
-We have forged some really good friends and strengthened friendships through this process.
-We tried new things! I cooked things I never thought I would and Ethan tried foods he never thought he would like. And we liked everything!
-We've tried new combinations of foods and vegetables that we love.
-Sugar and soy are in EVERYTHING! It was shocking when we started reading labels more closely. I'm so sad that we ate so much junk before, when we thought we ate healthy.
-I don't miss dairy. At all. And if you know me, you know this is a big deal.
-Ethan and I have spent a lot more time in the kitchen, however, we've had a lot more time to chat while we cook and clean the kitchen.
-I got a lot better at meal planning.
-We broke our habit with eating out and eating sugar.

A few downsides:
-I had to cook all. the. time. Seriously, I felt like I was in the kitchen the whole 30 days. However, Ethan was in there with me, so it wasn't too bad. Although I view this as a bit of a downside, I felt quite proud of all the work put in and all the meals I made. **This is from the standpoint of working a full time job outside the home. It was quite a long day to get up early to cook, then cook for an hour or so after I got home from work. At first I felt like all I ever did was cook, chop veggies, make meal plans, etc. It was totally worth it, though.
-It was slightly more expensive. We were buying organic as much as possible and lot of really high quality meat. Although we were spending about $20-30 more per week, we cannot remember not eating every single thing we bought. So, at least it wasn't getting wasted.

I read the book that accompanies the program (It Starts With Food). If you decide to do Whole30, I highly recommend reading the book. The writers and creators of the program give you all the science behind the program and it was fascinating. I felt encouraged and challenged.

Overall, it was an amazing experience! We don't feel like we were missed out on anything. If you do it, have the attitude of this is a challenge that YOU CAN DO, not a 30 day deprivation of all the things you love. If you are considering, I HIGHLY recommend it. Also, I would love to chat with you and encourage you in your Whole30 journey!

Day 30 - Whole30

Day 30 - November 11, 2014

Breakfast - scrambled eggs with onion, spinach, and breakfast sausage, blueberries, coffee
Snack - cashews
Lunch - leftover sausage and veggies
Snack -
Dinner - Chipotle Meatballs with caramelized onions and strawberry compote  (i didn't make meatballs, but just cooked the meatball ingredients all together in a pan. we prefer it that way) Make this ASAP! :)

I feel a little weird that we're off Whole30. I've made a list of things I want to share about our experience, but I'm still working on that post. I can tell you, it's incredible and if you are on the fence about doing it, just jump on over!

Day 29 - Whole30

Day 29 - November 10, 2014

Breakfast - scrambled eggs with onion, spinach, and breakfast sausage crumbled in, blueberries, coffee
Snack - cashews and a piping hot cup of mint tea
Lunch - leftover stove-top carnitas
Snack -
Dinner - I forgot to defrost meat for dinner, so we had some sausage browned in a skillet with baked sweet potato chunks and sauteed onion, zucchini, brussel sprouts and garlic. It turned out to be delicious!

I can't believe we are almost done! I am still working on a post about the perks and downsides of Whole30. I think I'll put it up on day 31. :)

Day 28 - Whole30

Day 28 - November 9, 2014

Breakfast - the usual
Snack - cashews
Lunch - leftover Autumn Grilled Chicken Salad
Snack - nothing
Dinner - Stovetop Pork Carnitas (Ethan's favorite and our first repeated meal)

Day 27 - Whole30

Day 27 - November 8, 2014

Breakfast - the usual :)
Snack - cashews
Lunch - Autumn Grilled Chicken Salad
Snack - cashews
Dinner - Chicken Cobb Salad from Panera, with no cheese, Balsamic vinaigrette on the side, and no roll

For snacks, we are barely eating anything. Usually it's because our tummies give a little rumble so we eat a small handful to satisfy it. But we aren't usually starving between meals anymore.

And that Autumn Grilled Chicken Salad. Oh. My. It was the best thing we've eaten so far!

Day 26 - Whole30

Day 26 - November 7, 2014

Breakfast - 3 scrambled eggs with onion and spinach, sweet potato hash browns and coffee. Ethan had leftover breakfast casserole from yesterday.
Snack - cashews
Lunch - Meyer Lemon Prosciutto Chicken
Snack -
Dinner - left overs

Day 25 - Whole30

Day 25 - November 6, 2015

Breakfast - casserole (i made it with bacon instead of sausage because that's what i had on hand. it was delicious, but a bit soggy and greasy. probably is MUCH better with sausage. tasted great though!)
Snack - cashews
Lunch - Fridge cleanout! (Stir fry or barbacoa)
Snack - cashews again
Dinner - Fridge cleanout! (Stir fry or barbacoa)

I've been reflecting on my Whole30 experience the past few days and creating a list of things I'd like to share and some encouragement for those who want to try it. it's really not as daunting as you think!

Day 24 - Whole30

Day 24 - November 5, 2014

Breakfast - The Usual
Snack - almonds
Lunch - leftover stir fry
Snack - cashews
Dinner - beef barbacoa left over

I can't believe we are almost done. It's crazy! We have really enjoyed this process and feel so good!

Day 23 - Whole30

Day 23 - November 4, 2014

Breakfast - the usual
Snack - banana
Lunch - leftovers
Snack - cashews
Dinner - beef barbacoa with sauteed veggies <---whoa .="" delicious.="" p="" this="" was="">

Day 22 - Whole30

Day 22 - November 3, 2014

Breakfast - the usual
Snack - almonds
Lunch - Asian broccoli stir fry (soooooo goooooood)
Snack - pistachios
Dinner - Chicken Divan, which tasted like a delicious yellow curry...yum!

Still going strong!

Day 21 - Whole30

Day 21 - November 2, 2014

Breakfast - the usual
Snack - almonds
Lunch - leftovers (carne asada, chicken satay, veggies)
Snack - larabar
Dinner - salads from Panera with no cheese, balsamic vinegar dressing, no rolls. Amazing!

Today was tough because I was the cake cutter at a wedding. I don't even usually like cake, but there was something about standing there with it smelling so good that made me want a piece so badly. So I had a bit of a lara bar and that really was nice. We didn't want to cook after getting home from the wedding, so we picked up salads at Panera and it was absolutely delicious! It was our first time to eat out on Whole30. We are happy we made it!

Also, my tummy is feeling really good! Maybe I've healed my gut all the way! We will see...

Day 20 - Whole30

Day 20 - November 1, 2014

Breakfast - back to our usual - eggs with spinach and onion, bacon, and fruit, coffee
Snack - some kind of nut
Lunch - leftover chicken satay and veg
Snack - nuts and a date roll (a date rolled in unsweetened coconut flakes with an almond - yum!)
Dinner - ribeye steak, purple sweet potatoes, roasted veg (parsnips, carrots, and baby brussels), and zucchini fries with blooming onion sauce <--the best="" p="">
Today's food was amazing all around. People call this a diet and it makes me laugh...who eats this good on a diet!?!? It's really about discipline and it's been surprisingly easy as we go. 

Day 19 - Whole30

Day 19 - October 31, 2014

Breakfast - breakfast quiche
Snack - some kind of nut
Lunch - leftover carne asada, veggies, and guacamole
Snack - nuts
Dinner - chicken satay with sunshine sauce (basically the most delicious combo of sunbutter, coconut milk and spices **drool**), sauteed zucchini, baby brussel sprouts, onion, peppers and sweet potatoes

This dinner is one of our favorites so far. Seems simple, but it's so full of flavor that it's ridiculous. I've noticed my tummy is feeling more settled today than usual. Adjusting??

Day 18 - Whole30

Day 18 - October 30, 2014

Breakfast - breakfast quiche
Snack - some kind of nut
Lunch - leftover soup
Snack - nuts
Dinner - carne asada with sautéed zucchini, squash, onions, and peppers, guacamole

Mom is in town so we cooked lots of yummy food! Again, still feeling good! I've had a rumbly tummy pretty much since we began, but I'm getting used to it. It doesn't hurt or anything, I can just tell my body is still adjusting and healing.

Day 17 - Whole30

Day 17 - October 29, 2014

Breakfast - sausage and crispy kale quiche with sweet potato crust, coffee, pineapple
Snack - almonds
Lunch - leftovers
Snack - pecans
Dinner - leftover soup

Still feeling good. Everything feels normal!

Day 16 - Whole30

Day 16 - October 28, 2014

Breakfast - eggs with spinach and onions, bacon, blackberries, coffee
Snack - almonds
Lunch - tuna with sauteed brussel sprouts (Ethan had leftovers)
Snack - pistachios
Dinner - spicy Italian sausage and sweet potato soup (delicious!)

Things just feel normal now. We have a bit more energy and we definitely feel like we think clearer. We both feel like our clothes are fitting differently now, but we haven't weighed ourselves. We've really enjoyed this process and doing it with our friends has made it more fun!

Day 15 - Whole30

Day 15 - October 27, 2014

Breakfast - eggs with onion and spinach, bacon, blackberries, coffee
Snack - almonds
Lunch - leftover cracklin chicken and veggies
Snack -
Dinner - Spaghetti (squash) and meat sauce

Days 13 & 14 - Whole30

Day 13 - October 25, 2014

Breakfast - eggs, onion, kale, sweet potato hash browns, homemade ketchup, coffee
Snack - banana
Lunch - broccoli and onion frittata, decaf coffee
Snack - pistachios
Dinner - cracklin' chicken with sauteed veggies, water

Still feeling good and happy!

Day 14 - October 26, 2014

Breakfast - eggs, onion, spinach, bacon, blackberries, coffee
Snack - banana
Lunch - broccoli and onion frittata, decaf coffee
Snack - pistachios
Dinner - cracklin' chicken with sauteed veggies, water

The things I've noticed really isn't about how we feel, but about how much effort we are putting into preparing our meals. We are cooking more than usual, cleaning more dishes than usual, and I feel a lot more aware of constantly needing to be cooking or preparing or defrosting or chopping something. It's slightly exhausting for me, working full time and having many commitments in the evenings. However, Ethan has been super helpful. He always cleans up while I'm cooking so after meals, we don't have many dishes to wash. He helps me chop and he almost always makes breakfast by himself. If he weren't doing this with me, I probably wouldn't be motivated to continue at all. Thankful!

Day 12 - Whole30

Day 12 - October 24, 2014

Breakfast - eggs (3 since we didn't have bacon) with kale and onion, pineapple, coffee
Snack - banana (half)
Lunch - leftovers - fridge clean out!
Snack - cashews
Dinner - leftover bacon avocado sliders - Yay!

Froday was a good day again. Ewe have energy, we are feeling good, we feel encouraged and ready to keep going.