For the next 30+ days, I will be eating meat, vegetables, healthy fats, fruits and nuts. I will not be eating processed food, sugar, dairy, grains or legumes, and I won’t be consuming any alcohol.

I’ve done a few Whole30 challenges before, but this time I’m looking for something a little different. I lost touch with my Paleo choices last year and I would like to reconnect with what it means to feel healthy, vibrant, and in tune with my whole self.

If you’re doing a Whole30 or other challenge, if you are living/exploring the Paleo lifestyle, or if you are simply looking for some tasty recipes to add to your repertoire, be sure to leave a comment to let me know you’re out there! I am so glad you stopped by!

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Day 7 is done!

Quote of the Day: “Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” – Maya Angelou

I think this quote is really special. I’m not sure this Whole30 post is where I want to go into all the different layers, though, so I will just let it stand as it is. Let me know in the comments if and how it resonates for you.

It’s hard to believe that the first week is finished already! Who is still out there working on their own healthy eating goals? How are you doing?

I can’t say enough how this journey and process isn’t about being perfect. If you stumble or get surprised by something or make a choice to eat or drink something that isn’t Whole30-approved, please don’t beat yourself up! Just recognize what it was or why you did it and move on. The important thing is to keep working towards your health. You truly won’t regret it.

We are all unique individuals who handle change and challenge in different ways. Most of the time, we are a lot stronger than we think we are and we can always, always pick ourselves up and start again.

Day 7 – The Details

4:30am – Black coffee

6:15am – 2 eggs, zucchini, 1/2 tsp. coconut oil, sauerkraut

11:00am – 2 chicken thighs, arugula/celery/grape salad, lemony vinaigrette

2:30pm – Orange, 1 meatball

4:30pm – 1 date and a cup of tea (with Stevia – oops!)

5:30pm – Langoustine tails in mushroom cream sauce over zoodles (Recipe next week!)

Food: I didn’t wake up famished today so I’m probably getting closer to what I need to eat. However, in the afternoon I was definitely hungry and ended up snacking a little bit. My lunch wasn’t that big today and I could feel the difference. And then, I was having a cup of tea (which I normally don’t include in the details, but this was different) and my husband took a sip. He isn’t a tea drinker but he said this one wasn’t too bad. So I grabbed the box and started saying, “…and it just has this herb and that root and … oh. Stevia.” I generally prefer to avoid artificial sweeteners, even stevia. I recognize that it’s natural , but it’s a leaf that has been distilled into a considerably more potent end product that I think alters my appreciation for sweet. So while it is a sweetener that I might be inclined to use, during a Whole30, it’s a no-go. It kind of bummed me out, but I’m just going to keep going with my Whole30. Sometimes it’s about intention and I still feel really good with my journey so far.

Mood: Felt super steady today. Good energy, no crashes.

Sleep: 7 1/2 hours. Yay! The alarm woke me up so I know that I could have slept longer, but that extra half hour did me a world of good.

Activity: Gym time and yoga

Focus – Drink tea or water: It was snowy today so lots and lots of tea! (Most of it without Stevia.)