Well, here we are, 20 days into the Whole 30 and I'm still going strong!

HOORAY!

In fact, I feel amazing. I'm eating whole, delicious meals, I don't feel bloated, and I have more energy. I survived a road trip and a weekend away and was only tempted once by some homemade chocolate chip brownies. I wasn't really even sad that I couldn't have any wine or drinks.

A few things that I've taken notice to that are helping me along with this food reset:

1. Planning ahead and mapping out a menu. I usually do this anyways.. but I've been more diligent about it on the whole 30. I don't stick to it exactly, but it at least gives me a guideline. 

2. Meal prep the next meal while I’m making the current meal. While I'm making breakfast for us, I'm usually, chopping, browning meat, or getting the crock pot going for our lunch or supper. Having some of the prep done ahead for each meal saves so much time, and doesn't make it feel so overwhelming. 

3. I mentioned that I survived a road trip and a weekend away.  Fortunately, I haven't had too many social things planned during the 30 days that I chose, so I haven't had too many temptations. I do think sticking to the plan while traveling for a length of time could get tricky, but I made sure to plan ahead and have things with me that I could eat.  

4.  Having lots of options in the fridge also helps. I pretty much buy the grocery store out of fruits and vegetables each week. I do think I am spending a bit more on groceries (trying to track so I can maybe do a blog post about it) but I am not spending money on eating out or convenience foods, so I'm thinking it will even itself out. I buy most of my meat from my friend Laura, so I have some in my freezer, but my grocery bills have been between $100-$150/week depending on whether I buy nuts and meat. 

5. I am feeling a little less inspired in the kitchen, but am still finding delicious things to eat. I'm a terrible recipe follower, and most times, I just find some veggies to throw in a pan and add some meat, sometimes put an egg on top, and that's my meal. I am also finding that I'm eating the same thing for several meals in a row. I don't mind this, and it actually makes the preparation and clean up more manageable. 

I'm excited for myself and everyone else who is doing this alongside me. It's a great eye opener and I've learned a lot of things so far. It has been SO helpful that Dave is doing it with me and has been supportive. 

Cheers to the last 10 days! I got this!