Happy Labor Day!!!

As many of you know, I have decided to take on the #SeptemberWhole30 Challenge, starting today.   For those who don't know me that well, I have anxiety, heartburn, allergies, and psoriasis (an autoimmune disease), and a few other things..  Sometimes I think maybe I don't have to feel this way. I want to wake up in the morning and feel great.  I did plenty of research on Whole30, including reading Melissa and Dallas Hartwigs's first book, "It Starts with food." This is a 30 day lifestyle change that is supposed to make you feel like your best self. So, what can I eat? I can have meat, fish, eggs, veggies, fruit, olive oil...you know, all the good stuff. Now, what do I have to give up for 30 days that will make my body feel better? Sugar, Dairy (yes, cheese :( ), Grains, Legumes, and sadly, alcohol. Hence, my title being "No Wining". 

I will not whine (or wine) these next 30 days. I will suck it up, and do it, because it's good for me, and I said so. Do you think it sounds hard? The most often quoted line in the entire Whole30 program is this one: "It is not hard. Don't you dare tell us this is hard. Quitting heroin is hard. Beating cancer is hard. Drinking your coffee black. Is. Not. Hard." True...and thank goodness I already drink my iced coffee with a splash of unsweetened almond milk.

Making chicken stock.  Such good soup weather!!

This most important part of the Whole30 is planning.  That being said, I was in Maine all last week and went to a family Labor Day party yesterday.  I had known this was coming, so I'm good for today and need to hit the grocery store after work tomorrow to stock up.

Beef and Broccoli marinating for dinner.
Coconut Aminos are a soy-free substitute for soy sauce.

My plan for the next 30 days, is to post my three meals per day, and maybe some interesting factoids about Whole30 as I go.  I'm also excited to share new recipes and how I feel throughout this journey.  Truly, I just want people to know I'm doing this so I can't quit.  

 That will just be embarrassing.

Thanks for reading,

Jamie