Mr. Hubs and I do something called Whole30 usually once a year around September or October. We skipped it this year ( not by my choice * cough cough * ) and have decided to start a Whole30 on January 1st.
Whole30 recipes + Printables here we come!
We all know that January 1st brings lots of “resolutions”, and that’s okay! There is something about a new year and a new start that makes us all motivated to do better in some area of our life.
One of my goals for this new upcoming year is to become more organized. Organized with everything I do, whether it be housework, cooking, homeschool, my work… ORGANIZED EVERYTHING!
Whatever your goals may be this new year, at least one goal ALL of us should consider is to eat better for the health of ourselves and our families.
Scary recent realization: The older I get ( it pains me to say “older I get” ), the more I’m noticing more and more of these issues around me:
- I’m noticing that… many friends of mine, or their spouses have either diabetes or are pre-diabetic. It’s very unsettling how common diabetes are today.
- I’m noticing that… WAY too many, I repeat, TOO many of my friends struggle with unbearable migraines. Listen to me, A MIGRAINE IS YOUR BODIES WAY OF TELLING YOU IT DOESN’T LIKE SOMETHING! It could be environmental, diet, dehydration, etc. But you would be surprised how many migraines get better or cured with a simple diet change.
If you’re one of these people who struggle with these or maybe even your weight, your energy, other health issues, I strongly encourage you to try a Whole30 with me! Don’t worry, I have your back and I’ll help you along the way. I wouldn’t leave ya hangin.
Whole30 Recipes near the end of the blog post
Why would someone want to do a Whole30?
Excerpt and credit taken from HERE.
- More than 95% of participants lose weight and improve their body composition, without counting or restricting calories.
- Also commonly reported: consistently high energy levels, improved athletic performance, better sleep, improved focus and mental clarity, and a sunnier disposition. (Yes, more than a few Whole30 graduates said they felt “strangely happy” during and after their program.)
Whole30 participants document the improvement or “cure” of any number of lifestyle-related diseases and conditions listed below:
high blood pressure • high cholesterol • type 1 diabetes • type 2 diabetes • asthma • allergies • sinus infections • hives • skin conditions • endometriosis • PCOS • infertility • migraines • depression • bipolar disorder • heartburn • GERD • arthritis • joint pain • ADD • thyroid dysfunction • Lyme disease • fibromyalgia • chronic fatigue • lupus • leaky gut syndrome • Crohn’s • IBS • Celiac disease • diverticulitis • ulcerative colitis
Even better, there’s..
no counting calories
no counting carbs
no measuring out your food
no restricted food intake
or any other stressful things like that.
You are simply fueling your body with real, whole foods your body actually needs to thrive and feel great.
Here’s the low-down on Whole30 (excerpt and information credit comes from the Whole30 website which you can read (HERE)
- Do not consume added sugar, real or artificial.
- Do not consume alcohol, in any form, not even for cooking. (And ideally, no tobacco products of any sort, either.)
- Do not eat grains.
- Do not eat legumes. . No peanut butter, either. This also includes all forms of soy – soy sauce, miso, tofu, tempeh, edamame, and all the ways we sneak soy into foods (like lecithin).
- Do not eat dairy.
- Do not consume carrageenan, MSG, or sulfites. If these ingredients appear in any form on the label of your processed food or beverage, it’s out for the Whole30.
- Do not consume baked goods, junk foods, or treats with “approved” ingredients.
Fine Print Exceptions:
- Ghee or clarified butter. These are the only source of dairy allowed during your Whole30.
- Fruit juice. Some products or recipes will include fruit juice as a stand-alone ingredient or natural sweetener, which is fine for the purposes of the Whole30.
- Certain legumes. Green beans, sugar snap peas, and snow peas are allowed. T
- Nearly all forms of vinegar, including white, red wine, balsamic, apple cider, and rice, are allowed during your Whole30 program. (The only exception is malt vinegar, which generally contains gluten.)
- Coconut aminos. All brands of coconut aminos (a brewed and naturally fermented soy sauce substitute) are acceptable, even if you see the word “coconut nectar” in the ingredient list.
- Salt. Did you know that all iodized table salt contains sugar? Sugar (often in the form of dextrose) is chemically essential to keep the potassium iodide from oxidizing and being lost. Because all restaurants and pre-packaged foods contain salt, we’re making salt an exception to our “no added sugar” rule.
What do you think, it sounds great right? Well if I haven’t encouraged you for a 30 day lifestyle change yet, how about this:
To make your life easier, I created Whole30 Printable cheat sheets for you to print out and use over and over. ( Download at the end of the blog post). And I’m going to link to some great Whole30 recipes for you to print out and add to your Whole30 menu plan.
Here’s what the Whole30 Printables will include:
- Meal Plan printable where you can write down your weekly Whole30 meal plan.
- A helpful DO NOT list
- YES List
- NO List
- Whole30 Grocery List for you to write down what you need.
- And most importantly, I’ll be here to help encourage you along your way and answer any questions you might have.
Here are a few Whole30 Tips I wanted to share before we get to the recipes:
Tip #1- Plan ahead and prep! Cut your veggies and frutis, precook your meats for easy breakfasts and lunches. Make breakfast casseroles on a Saturday or Sunday, slice up and prepackage them for an easy on the go breakfast. Hard boil eggs for the week.Tip # 1
Tip #2- Whole30 approved salad dressings! There is a brand of Whole30 approved salad dressings that we love called, Tessemaes. You can find their dressings and sauces at most grocery stores (in the refrigerated salad dressing area). They also have a Store Locator HERE so you can find a store near you.
Tip #3- Do not buy ghee (clarified butter) because it’s too expensive. Just make your own! Here’s a recipe for you (HERE).
Tip #4- Buy in bulk! Costco has really stepped up their game and now carries a wide variety of natural and organic foods. They have an avocado oil mayonnaise that is Whole3 approved. They also sell a huge bottle of coconut aminos ( healthier soy sauce alternative ).
Tip #5- Stay away from prepackaged foods, make everything homemade and you should be fine!
Now for the Whole30 recipe roundup!
Here are some great Whole30 recipes I gathered for your convenience. These do not even scratch the surface of Whole30 recipes out there, so do your own research and find recipes you and your family will enjoy and love.
Breakfast
Tropical Green Smoothie by The Inspired Prairie
Morrocan Breakfast Skillet by Autoimmune Wellness
Whole30 Breakfast Sandwiches by 40 Aprons
Cinnamon Sweet Potato Apple Bake by The Real Food Rds
Turkey Apple Sausage Patties by The Real Food Rds
Whole30 Breakfast Bowls by Recipes Just 4 U
Paleo Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes by Plaid and Paleo
Breakfast Burritos by Life Made Full ( eliminate cheese )
Italian Breakfast Casserole by Paleo Running Momma
Lunch
3 Ingredient bacon fat hashbrown by Anya Eats
Avocado Chicken Waldorf Salad by The Real Food Rds
Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad by The Pinning Mama
Paleo Chicken Salad with Bacon and Scallions by Paleo Running Momma
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Shredded Chicken by The Real Food Rds
Paleo Chicken Cobb Salad by Paleo Running Momma
Dinner
Egg Roll in a Bowl by The Inspired Prairie
Easy Crockpot BBQ Ribs by The Inspired Prairie omit sugar and use a Whole30 compliant BBQ sauce
Lazy Girl Bone Broth by The Inspired PrairieTo make a nourishing broth for any soup recipe
Delicious Whole Chicken by The Inspired Prairie sub ghee for the butter
Latin Spiced Juicy Pork Roast by The Inspired Prairie
Thai Meatball and Egg Drop Soup by A Saucy Kitchen
Sheet Pan Fajitas by Laughing Spatula
Roasted Chicken with Sausage and Potatoes by Laughing Spatula
Roasted Lemon Chicken with Potatoes and Rosemary by Laughing Spatula
Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy by Nom Nom Paleo
Want the FREE Whole30 Printables?
