I'm combining yesterday's blog with today because we had a late night....but for a good reason. We had the honor of being part of a super special event as our friends got engaged. It's pretty cool to see our friend so in LOVE. Seriously.... I wonder if this is what folks thought of me when I got engaged? It's cute.
But then we got a flat tire on the way home which delayed us a good bit.... and I kept thinking how years ago being out late would not have phased me in the least. And golly, doing Whole 30 sure did not in any way make being up past my bed time any easier! Again - where is that tiger blood???!? I digress..... (but can you tell I could REALLY use that tiger blood?).
And recently I have been dealing with a handful of injuries....separated ab muscles, hernia, back problems, injured achilles tendons, etc... It seems like quite the season of brokenness. This is all a bit humbling because a few years ago, pre-momminess, I was maxing APFTs, did the most sit ups in my unit at one point and could do more pull ups than some guys in my small group. I'm not bragging - honestly - trying to convey just how far I feel from where I used to be.
This is all ties in with what our pastor has been preaching on in Ecclesiastes. Seasons. There are seasons for everything and everyone. Mine seems to be one of physical aches and pains, but hands full with everything one could really ask for - loving family, friends...rich relationships.
This experiment with Whole 30 is a season.... of trying to figure out just exactly how I can be the best steward of my body (diet and exercise) in order to enjoy this season, and the next, and the ones after that, to the fullest. Here is the realization: Whole 30 should serve me, not the other way around. In other words, if Whole 30 is helping me maximize every season of life that God grants me, then great. But if not -if instead it is distracting me from the very things I should be enjoying, then it is not for me.
As for physical observations thus far: 1) OVER HALFWAY THERE! 2) I do feel lighter/thinner in my thighs (surprise, surprise....all that ice cream melting away!) and my pants are a wee bit looser/aka a little less junk in the trunk (or is that because I've worn them so many times without washing...because I don't have time...because I'm cooking!) 3) not much else seems different - I still have what I call my 'baby buddha' ... it needs to go. hello summer!
Speaking of summer...today is the last day of February, which makes tomorrow the first day of March, which in my book is the beginning of SPRING.... and that is a season I'm looking forward to!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Day 14 - Not Always What You Think
I have a dilemma.
Conventional wisdom says that if you have a reaction to a certain type of food, then it must mean that it's somehow bad for you and you should cut it out. i.e. cutting out dairy due to side effects like bloating, lactose intolerance, etc. And Whole 30 cuts out a lot of foods due to their negative health effects.
But here is my dilemma: and this is WAY more than I would normally ever share...because again, I'm WAY more private than I let most people know. Here goes: kimchee gives me gas. Yikes - I'm embarrassed just writing that....so tempted to delete, delete, delete... Some facts though: I've eaten it pretty much my entire life (every form of it under the sun!), I really like it, and in countless food discussions it is listed as a REALLY good-for-you-so-you-should-learn-to-like-it type food. It has so many health benefits.... yet, if I were to base it just on the symptoms presented, it could easily be considered 'negative'. So why does a super healthy food have such ill effects? Maybe it's just what cabbage does...and pickled/fermented cabbage is like regular cabbage times 10. It's like broccoli..... so good for you, yet it can also cause gas (so I've heard).
Here's my point....in case you got lost in all the above. Just because you have negative side effects from a food it doesn't necessarily mean it is bad for you. Sometimes it is what it is. This just makes me think twice about some of the foods that have been restricted by Whole 30.
Today's observations: I do feel like I had a little bit more energy - but I did sleep in later than normal, didn't work out this morning and I had an appointment canceled this morning so that meant one less thing in our routine, Téa got her morning nap so she wasn't grouchy for the rest of the morning and I had a second cup of coffee. Just not sure exactly what gets the credit for my extra energy. But I certainly did have a little extra pep in my step come 2:00! :)
Conventional wisdom says that if you have a reaction to a certain type of food, then it must mean that it's somehow bad for you and you should cut it out. i.e. cutting out dairy due to side effects like bloating, lactose intolerance, etc. And Whole 30 cuts out a lot of foods due to their negative health effects.
But here is my dilemma: and this is WAY more than I would normally ever share...because again, I'm WAY more private than I let most people know. Here goes: kimchee gives me gas. Yikes - I'm embarrassed just writing that....so tempted to delete, delete, delete... Some facts though: I've eaten it pretty much my entire life (every form of it under the sun!), I really like it, and in countless food discussions it is listed as a REALLY good-for-you-so-you-should-learn-to-like-it type food. It has so many health benefits.... yet, if I were to base it just on the symptoms presented, it could easily be considered 'negative'. So why does a super healthy food have such ill effects? Maybe it's just what cabbage does...and pickled/fermented cabbage is like regular cabbage times 10. It's like broccoli..... so good for you, yet it can also cause gas (so I've heard).
Here's my point....in case you got lost in all the above. Just because you have negative side effects from a food it doesn't necessarily mean it is bad for you. Sometimes it is what it is. This just makes me think twice about some of the foods that have been restricted by Whole 30.
Today's observations: I do feel like I had a little bit more energy - but I did sleep in later than normal, didn't work out this morning and I had an appointment canceled this morning so that meant one less thing in our routine, Téa got her morning nap so she wasn't grouchy for the rest of the morning and I had a second cup of coffee. Just not sure exactly what gets the credit for my extra energy. But I certainly did have a little extra pep in my step come 2:00! :)
Monday, February 25, 2013
Day 13 - Repeats
I'm surprised to say that it's Day 13 and I'm only now really beginning to repeat major meals. Today was only the second time I've made curry during Whole 30....I thought I'd be repeating the same exact meal plan every week, hence cooking each main meal about four times, but with leftovers, eating at a friend's house and some random combinations I haven't been bored of meals...yet. I'm quite pleasantly surprised!
Again, I don't have this 'tiger-blood'/surge in energy that has been mentioned by so many folks.... actually, my days still feel like this: up early, tired around 2 (when kids are having some quiet time), but push through because there is no possibility of catching a nap due to our lovely jack hammer across the street, fall asleep while nursing Téa around 7 and then stay up til 10 ish. Yep, that's how I felt before Whole 30 and still the same. Maybe there should be a Whole 30 version when you're chasing down little ones....
Something that was VERY different today, though, is that I had a very vivid dream last night. It's the most memorable/vivid dream I've had in a while....long story short, we were being held hostage and I had one last chance to grab some items in our house for our family and friends and I immediately started grabbing the SUGAR and COOKIES! While grabbing said sweets, I was totally caught and busted by the hostage-r. hhmm.....subconscious anyone??? I don't know if it's because Téa was up at 4:20 (been a while since she has done that) or a side effect of Whole 30? Either way. It was notable.
Throughout this experience, something that I keep coming back to is just how much the Bible mentions food...seriously, it's mentioned everywhere - Old Testament, New Testament... eat and be merry (Ecclesiastes), miracles of food (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), etc. So, maybe food was an issue back then as it is today? I particularly noticed Luke 10: 7, 8... It's Jesus' instructions as he sends out the 72, two by two... "and remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide....eat what is set before you." It seems to me that Jesus places the importance of relationships over what the actual food is. It's not about what was served...just that fact that it was served and they were told to eat it. Just makes me wonder if we spend too much time worrying about food (which the bible says also not to do! in a slightly different manner...referring to not worrying about what you will eat) - between the Atkins, Whole 30, Paleo, Feast and Famine, Forks over Knives, vegetarians, organic, GMO, local, alkaline, etc, there is no shortage of food belief systems. And most of the time it serves to separate us from one another - i.e. one is better than the other... 'good' foods vs 'evil foods', etc.. in essence, it places food above relationships. And sometimes it causes relationships to be based on foods/food belief systems. I'm all about advocating for being healthy, but I just think there has to be more to this life.
Again, I don't have this 'tiger-blood'/surge in energy that has been mentioned by so many folks.... actually, my days still feel like this: up early, tired around 2 (when kids are having some quiet time), but push through because there is no possibility of catching a nap due to our lovely jack hammer across the street, fall asleep while nursing Téa around 7 and then stay up til 10 ish. Yep, that's how I felt before Whole 30 and still the same. Maybe there should be a Whole 30 version when you're chasing down little ones....
Something that was VERY different today, though, is that I had a very vivid dream last night. It's the most memorable/vivid dream I've had in a while....long story short, we were being held hostage and I had one last chance to grab some items in our house for our family and friends and I immediately started grabbing the SUGAR and COOKIES! While grabbing said sweets, I was totally caught and busted by the hostage-r. hhmm.....subconscious anyone??? I don't know if it's because Téa was up at 4:20 (been a while since she has done that) or a side effect of Whole 30? Either way. It was notable.
Throughout this experience, something that I keep coming back to is just how much the Bible mentions food...seriously, it's mentioned everywhere - Old Testament, New Testament... eat and be merry (Ecclesiastes), miracles of food (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), etc. So, maybe food was an issue back then as it is today? I particularly noticed Luke 10: 7, 8... It's Jesus' instructions as he sends out the 72, two by two... "and remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide....eat what is set before you." It seems to me that Jesus places the importance of relationships over what the actual food is. It's not about what was served...just that fact that it was served and they were told to eat it. Just makes me wonder if we spend too much time worrying about food (which the bible says also not to do! in a slightly different manner...referring to not worrying about what you will eat) - between the Atkins, Whole 30, Paleo, Feast and Famine, Forks over Knives, vegetarians, organic, GMO, local, alkaline, etc, there is no shortage of food belief systems. And most of the time it serves to separate us from one another - i.e. one is better than the other... 'good' foods vs 'evil foods', etc.. in essence, it places food above relationships. And sometimes it causes relationships to be based on foods/food belief systems. I'm all about advocating for being healthy, but I just think there has to be more to this life.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Day 11 & 12: Comparison
Sorry I didn't post yesterday...we had company in town and we wanted to enjoy our time with them. And I'm beat.... somewhat on the verge of getting sick and I'm hoping some extra sleep (and garlic!) will help keep whatever this is at bay.
Day 11 Notes: I was excited when I realized that I'm a third of the way through Whole 30! For dinner on Day 11 we were treated to a yummy homemade Korean meal with some good friends and then we hopped on over to another friend's 3 year old's birthday party. You know what's a common theme through so many of the fun times we've shared with our friends? FOOD. Good. Yummy. Food. Of course the food wouldn't be fun without the folks, but you can't deny that food makes for a great excuse to gather and be merry. Of course there are some undeniable side effects of sugar: I went upstairs at some point in the evening to check on the kiddos after cupcakes and ice cream and they were like wild banchees!!! Seriously. I don't scare easily, but at one point I did wonder if I was safe as the only adult upstairs.....Here's the definition of a banchee: its a mythical creature that screams a high pitched scream that is suppose to paralyze or kill with its screams.
I'm feeling 'fine' as of Day 11 & 12... I keep waiting for this so called 'tiger blood' and awesome increase of energy to manifest itself, but so far, nothing of the sort. If anything, an odd thing is that it actually takes me LONGER than normal to fall asleep now. I think this is the opposite of what is supposed to happen? We'll see how things progress this week.
Day 12 Notes: Something I realized while we were eating dinner: my bowl of yumminess was awesome. and I was completely content. Until I saw my husband's same bowl of yumminess with rice. Then I was a wee bit jealous. And if you gave me any plate of Whole 30 food I would probably think it was just fine until I saw someone else's. See the theme? As quoted by Roosevelt: "Comparison is the thief of joy". When I mind my own business, I'm pretty content.... but get me a little distracted and all the sudden what I have doesn't seem so shiny anymore.
Today's discovery of yummy food...in random combination: twice baked sweet potato with cinnamon AND coconut milk (the rich, creamy part). The other random eat (my extra dose of garlic) was oven roasted garlic with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. My hubby had it with a grilled cheese and that looked REALLY good. There I go getting distracted again...
Final note of the day: I'm kind of sick of meat. Whole 30 requires that you eat a large amount of veggies and meat. A part of me just wonders, is this much meat even good for you? My friend sent me a link to a video called Forks over Knives, and from what I've briefly seen, it has contradictory guidelines to Whole 30, particularly the large amounts of meat. So, I'm not the only one who feels like Whole 30 might be too 'meat' heavy. We'll see.....
Day 11 Notes: I was excited when I realized that I'm a third of the way through Whole 30! For dinner on Day 11 we were treated to a yummy homemade Korean meal with some good friends and then we hopped on over to another friend's 3 year old's birthday party. You know what's a common theme through so many of the fun times we've shared with our friends? FOOD. Good. Yummy. Food. Of course the food wouldn't be fun without the folks, but you can't deny that food makes for a great excuse to gather and be merry. Of course there are some undeniable side effects of sugar: I went upstairs at some point in the evening to check on the kiddos after cupcakes and ice cream and they were like wild banchees!!! Seriously. I don't scare easily, but at one point I did wonder if I was safe as the only adult upstairs.....Here's the definition of a banchee: its a mythical creature that screams a high pitched scream that is suppose to paralyze or kill with its screams.
I'm feeling 'fine' as of Day 11 & 12... I keep waiting for this so called 'tiger blood' and awesome increase of energy to manifest itself, but so far, nothing of the sort. If anything, an odd thing is that it actually takes me LONGER than normal to fall asleep now. I think this is the opposite of what is supposed to happen? We'll see how things progress this week.
Day 12 Notes: Something I realized while we were eating dinner: my bowl of yumminess was awesome. and I was completely content. Until I saw my husband's same bowl of yumminess with rice. Then I was a wee bit jealous. And if you gave me any plate of Whole 30 food I would probably think it was just fine until I saw someone else's. See the theme? As quoted by Roosevelt: "Comparison is the thief of joy". When I mind my own business, I'm pretty content.... but get me a little distracted and all the sudden what I have doesn't seem so shiny anymore.
Today's discovery of yummy food...in random combination: twice baked sweet potato with cinnamon AND coconut milk (the rich, creamy part). The other random eat (my extra dose of garlic) was oven roasted garlic with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. My hubby had it with a grilled cheese and that looked REALLY good. There I go getting distracted again...
Final note of the day: I'm kind of sick of meat. Whole 30 requires that you eat a large amount of veggies and meat. A part of me just wonders, is this much meat even good for you? My friend sent me a link to a video called Forks over Knives, and from what I've briefly seen, it has contradictory guidelines to Whole 30, particularly the large amounts of meat. So, I'm not the only one who feels like Whole 30 might be too 'meat' heavy. We'll see.....
Friday, February 22, 2013
Day 10 - perseverance
It's late so I'll make some quick notes. My friend pointed out to me today's devotional entry from Oswald chamber's My Utmost for His Highest. It was about not just enduring but persevering and the difference between the two. Amongst a few other things I related it to whole 30.... How just recently I've gotten into this mentality that I am going to survive the next 20 days versus how I can thrive in the next 20 days. See, I started this with certain goals in mind and I kind of lost sight of them..... Lost my mojo, so to speak. Here's to an attitude change- discovering some new foods and trying to enjoy the rest of whole 30 as much as I can. I'm going to see this through trusting that I have much to learn from Him through even whole 30. It's not just going to annoy me for the next 20 days. I will embrace it!
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Day 9 - Annoyance
One of the reasons I wanted to do Whole 30 was because so many had mentioned that it helped improve their moods. Since I am guilty of often being 'annoyed' by surrounding circumstances (everything from countless requests made of me throughout the day to hours of listening to a jackhammer), I figured everyone who comes into direct contact with me could benefit from a less 'annoyed' Jen.
Today was a good test for this. I'm past what should be the initial withdrawal phase, the kids were rambunctious, my baby was grouchy, the jack hammer just kept going and going and going, I was tired, my husband and I had a miscommunication...the conditions were set for an 'annoyed Jen'. So, did being on Whole 30 improve my mood? Quite honestly, no. It just didn't work for me. Of course I definitely believe that eating well, exercising, and getting good rest are influential in my general attitude, but my decision on whether or not to be annoyed is a heart matter. Not a matter of how clean or unclean my diet has been.
Usually there is much more to me just being 'annoyed', though.... I use that as a general label when a more accurate description is usually that I'm just worn out, tired, my feelings were hurt, I'm insecure, etc. More often than not, I use 'annoyed' as a quick response.
And on a slightly different note, I realized today that I am privileged to even try Whole 30. I have enough access to food that I can actually 'turn down' food. Some others in this world would think this is absolutely ludicrous. Some will take every scrap they can get. And I have access to fresh produce! I remember how content I was with my shelf stable 'milk' we had in Iraq.....I think I remember the expiration date being somewhere in the 'months' range.
As I 'take' in so much fresh produce and 'clean' food, I'm trying to remember to be generous in other ways. "To he who has been given much, much is expected". Mark 14: 3-9 captured my attention in the area of generosity.... more to follow tomorrow....
Today was a good test for this. I'm past what should be the initial withdrawal phase, the kids were rambunctious, my baby was grouchy, the jack hammer just kept going and going and going, I was tired, my husband and I had a miscommunication...the conditions were set for an 'annoyed Jen'. So, did being on Whole 30 improve my mood? Quite honestly, no. It just didn't work for me. Of course I definitely believe that eating well, exercising, and getting good rest are influential in my general attitude, but my decision on whether or not to be annoyed is a heart matter. Not a matter of how clean or unclean my diet has been.
Usually there is much more to me just being 'annoyed', though.... I use that as a general label when a more accurate description is usually that I'm just worn out, tired, my feelings were hurt, I'm insecure, etc. More often than not, I use 'annoyed' as a quick response.
And on a slightly different note, I realized today that I am privileged to even try Whole 30. I have enough access to food that I can actually 'turn down' food. Some others in this world would think this is absolutely ludicrous. Some will take every scrap they can get. And I have access to fresh produce! I remember how content I was with my shelf stable 'milk' we had in Iraq.....I think I remember the expiration date being somewhere in the 'months' range.
As I 'take' in so much fresh produce and 'clean' food, I'm trying to remember to be generous in other ways. "To he who has been given much, much is expected". Mark 14: 3-9 captured my attention in the area of generosity.... more to follow tomorrow....
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Day 8 - Delayed Gratification
When just about everything you eat is made from scratch, it takes TIME. I can slap together a pb & j in minutes....but a grilled chicken salad sure takes longer. And you have to be more deliberate about how/when you prepare your food. As much as I am not happy about the delayed gratification and need to be so deliberate, they are actually two characteristics that I could use more practice in. Also, they are two characteristics of Jesus revealed in scripture.
I recently read a passage from Mark when a man named Jairus comes to ask Jesus to heal his sick daughter. As Jesus is on his way to Jairus's daughter, surrounded by a crowd, we encounter the story of the woman who had been bleeding for years and knows that if only she touches just the hem of his robe, she could be healed. Now, just this story of the woman being healed is pretty cool, but I always wonder what Jairus was doing in the background. If it were me I would be thinking something along the lines of 'c'mon Jesus..my daughter is SICK..she's DYING...you can come back to this lady....' and then when Jesus stops to talk to her I would probably barely be holding it together saying 'C'MON, LET'S GO!!! My little girl is dying...PLLLEEAASE.' And then Jesus and Jairus finally arrive at his home only to find that his little girl died...or so they thought. At this point, I would have probably lost it...and would have blurt out something like, 'See!!! You took too long! It's too late!'. But the thing is, Jesus knew exactly what He was doing.
Sometimes, I think Jesus wants us to learn to wait. and be deliberate. I often fly through my days from one thing to another and find having to wait and be deliberate annoying. There's something in every situation for us to learn from...if we would only slow down and give it a chance. I love when my day runs efficiently and smoothly, but those aren't necessarily the days I learn the most.
As for more Whole30 specific things: today's confession is that I am tired of eating either like a rabbit or a carnivore. Sooo many veggies and meat in almost every meal. It's just not for me. So, on Day 8 I needed a break. I think I survived today on eggs, nuts, fruit and sweet potatoes. I'm not kidding. Oh, and coffee. Tomorrow I will be motivated to cook up some new things. Today was a good 'break'.
I recently read a passage from Mark when a man named Jairus comes to ask Jesus to heal his sick daughter. As Jesus is on his way to Jairus's daughter, surrounded by a crowd, we encounter the story of the woman who had been bleeding for years and knows that if only she touches just the hem of his robe, she could be healed. Now, just this story of the woman being healed is pretty cool, but I always wonder what Jairus was doing in the background. If it were me I would be thinking something along the lines of 'c'mon Jesus..my daughter is SICK..she's DYING...you can come back to this lady....' and then when Jesus stops to talk to her I would probably barely be holding it together saying 'C'MON, LET'S GO!!! My little girl is dying...PLLLEEAASE.' And then Jesus and Jairus finally arrive at his home only to find that his little girl died...or so they thought. At this point, I would have probably lost it...and would have blurt out something like, 'See!!! You took too long! It's too late!'. But the thing is, Jesus knew exactly what He was doing.
Sometimes, I think Jesus wants us to learn to wait. and be deliberate. I often fly through my days from one thing to another and find having to wait and be deliberate annoying. There's something in every situation for us to learn from...if we would only slow down and give it a chance. I love when my day runs efficiently and smoothly, but those aren't necessarily the days I learn the most.
As for more Whole30 specific things: today's confession is that I am tired of eating either like a rabbit or a carnivore. Sooo many veggies and meat in almost every meal. It's just not for me. So, on Day 8 I needed a break. I think I survived today on eggs, nuts, fruit and sweet potatoes. I'm not kidding. Oh, and coffee. Tomorrow I will be motivated to cook up some new things. Today was a good 'break'.
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