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So…. this post should totally go under “huge, life-altering changes” rather than small changes, but since I’m in the middle of a series on small changes, it’s just going to get wedged in here. We completed our first Whole30 yesterday, and I couldn’t wait until November to share this post! (Click  for Week 1 Eating plan and Week 2 Eating plan)

(see how we eat out for free here)

Starting – and surviving Whole 30- (which in a nutshell is comprised of eating unprocessed meats, nuts, LOTS of veggies, fruit and eggs, click here to read all about it) was truly something I didn’t put a huge amount of thought into. A friend was doing it, I decided to join her then read all about it. (Recommended reading: It Starts with Food; cookbook: Well Fed —> this cookbook offers exceptionally deliciously Whole 30 recipes)

{Be sure to check out my Whole30 Recipes;

also click on any food picture in this post to be taken to its recipe!}

Ahem. I should have done my reading first, BUT I’m so glad I did it anyway. I’ll write another post detailing all of the great results we gleaned from this eating plan, but today I wanted to share tips to get through a Whole 30 without (completely) using your sanity. It can be done, I promise!

1.) The #1 tip I can give is to be prepared.

As I already mentioned, I wasn’t so much prepared but got that way quickly! Before you start Day 1, take a trip to the grocery store and stock up on fruits, veggies, meats, nuts, and eggs. Then, go home and chop up veggies for the week if you can. This makes it much easier to grab a snack when you’re hungry, without being tempted to cheat.

Also, my friend and I spent one day a week for a few weeks making recipes that we could use that week, including things we could put in the freezer. This helped tremendously.

1a.) (an addition)- Get a good food processor

I’m adding this (4/2/2015) because it was a huge help for me. You will be eating A LOT of veggies and fruit and anything to make the prep process easier is highly recommended. I seriously used it about 28 days out of 30. Click here to see the one I have. It’s a Kitchen Aid and I highly recommend it. (and don’t worry, it’s much, much cheaper than a Kitchen Aid stand mixer!) The best selling food processor on Amazon is only $24, get it here!

2.) Find your “go to” favorites.

Apples with almond butter have been my fall-back this month. When nothing else sounded good, that’s what I would have. I even made my own almond butter, it’s SO good and SO easy if you have a food processor!

I’ve also eating lots of baked sweet potatoes with cinnamon- a delicious treat that pretty much felt like dessert. I’ve also enjoyed an occasional glass of sparkling grape juice- just make sure it has no preservatives if you have this.

 

3.) Go into the Whole 30 with the mindset that you’ll succeed.

If you begin the 30 days whining that there’s no way you’ll make it through, you probably won’t. I decided at the beginning that I was just going to do this.

(Full disclosure: I did have 2 slices of pizza on 2 occasions- once while traveling and once for a friend’s birthday celebration. I also had one Diet Dr. Pepper that tasted AWFUL after 2 weeks with no sodas!) Other than that, all 30 days were spent eating lots of different varieties of the food I mentioned- and rarely did I get bored. That brings me to my next point:

4.) Look for a variety of recipes.

With the lovely WWW, there’s no reason you can’t find TONS of amazing recipes that fit in the Whole 30 plan. Seriously, just google it. Get on Pinterest. If you try to eat scrambled eggs with no-preservative sausage every single morning for 30 days, you will get bored and you’ll probably not finish.

5.) Begin planning your next Whole30 before you finish your first one

A Whole30 is awesome- but a lifestyle change is even better! Enjoy a few days “off” the plan when you’re done- then pick a date (and stick to it!) that you’ll begin eating healthfully again.

Here are a few Whole30 recipes on this site: Paleo Turkey Meatballs, Curried Indian Chicken Soup, Coconut Thai Shrimp Soup, Faux Fried Rice (modified)

I’d love to hear if you’ve done a Whole 30? What are your tips? Favorite recipes?

Also, want some accountability? Join me and others in a Whole 30 Challenge group- we’ll share recipes and tips and conquer this thing together! Click here to join the group.