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Coffee Talk 08.07.16

COFFEE TALK

Hello, friends! Happy Sunday! I hope you’re enjoying your weekend. Ours has been fairly productive.

Friday was my 21st wedding anniversary, and we got a last minute phone call from our favorite restaurant saying that they had a cancellation and were able to fit us in for dinner. We had back-up plans for Saturday night, but I was so glad that we were able to celebrate our anniversary on our actual anniversary. I’m funny like that. I like to celebrate special occasions on the exact date if possible. Since our anniversary fell on a Friday this year, and we had no other plans, I really wanted it to work out. I have no idea why we didn’t think ahead and make reservations in advance, but we tend to fly by the seat of our pants.

We had a great time, dinner was absolutely divine. I had Paella for the first time ever, and it was magnificent. No, I’m not being dramatic. There is just no other way to describe it. I also had a lobster bisque with a mini crabcake, and I swear to you, it took every ounce of restraint not to lick the bowl. Even my salad was spectacular. I also splurged on dessert — something creme brulee-esque with bananas and chocolate. It was all very rich, and I pretty much had to be rolled out to our car afterwards, but it was worth it.

If you’re local, be sure to try the Birchrunville Cafe Store at least once. You won’t regret it. It’s hard to get a reservation, but we almost always get in if we call the week we want to go and get on their wait list. (In fact, we had told them to put us on the wait list for Friday AND Saturday, just to cover our bases, and they called last night to tell us they had a table if we wanted it. We were tempted to go back… ha!)

Here’s a picture my daughter took of us as we were heading out. (Yes, I kept that Joie top!)

Paul and JL anniversary dinner

Yesterday, we got a few photo shoots in and worked around the house. I might have snuck in a couple episodes of Gilmore Girls. And last night we totally gorged on Chinese takeout with friends. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but with that on top of our rich and filling dinner on Friday night, I’m feeling pretty gross this morning.

Ironically, or perhaps it is fitting, we are planning to start the Whole 30 on Monday. At least, I’m going to try to use their recipes as much as I can. I’m not trying to do the exact plan for 30 days with no cheating. I’ve done those types of things before, and while it was a good experience, and it definitely changed my tastebuds for the better, I ended up right back where I started eventually. I mean, obviously, because here I am talking about doing Whole 30. Ha!

But I need some inspiration for getting back to healthier eating habits, and I need to do the menu planning and food prep so I don’t fall back on eating crap because it’s all I have in the house. So my goal is to eat the Whole 30 way as much as possible without giving up a few of my dearly beloved indulgences — like cream in my coffee and a glass of wine with dinner. I’m looking for lifestyle change here, not a cleanse or a diet. Which is also why I’m not setting out to do this for 30 days. I am setting out to do this. Period.

I used to eat super healthy, mostly real, whole foods, and all that jazz. But I’ve gotten busy and lazy and distracted, and it’s taking its toll. I feel bloated and sluggish, and I want to feel good again. If I can drop 5 pounds, all the better, but this is more about losing the bloat and feeling good.

This is the same time of year I did that 21 Day Sugar Detox two years ago, so I guess there’s something about the end of summer that makes me want to get back on track.

I’ve already printed out some recipes and started a grocery list, and this afternoon I’ll go to the store and get stocked up. I hope to have time to do some food prep. Paul wants to do it with me, so we’ll need to get him some lunches prepared ahead. I really should prep mine ahead too. Lunch is the hardest meal for me too. If I don’t have something ready to go, I tend to grab a granola bar so I don’t have to stop working, and then inevitably I’m starving by 4PM, so I snack while I make dinner, and my whole days is shot. I know food prep is key to making this successful, so I’m just going to have to commit to do it.

Have you ever done Whole 30? Please share any good recipes — the simpler, the better. I have been looking some up online but they often have ingredients I don’t like or am not used to, and that is always daunting to me. I’m more likely to do this and stick with it if I can find some easy recipes with familiar ingredients that aren’t time consuming to prepare.

Our biggest road block with eating a paleo-style diet is that I am allergic to avocado and my son is allergic to tree nuts. Almost every paleo and/or Whole 30 recipe has nuts and/or avocado (or so it seems!) Fortunately we love eggs, meat, and most veggies, and I don’t mind cooking with coconut milk. I don’t really drink milk because it upsets my stomach, but I will miss cheese.

Anyway, I’m willing to give it a go and hope this jumpstarts us back into better eating habits.

Okay, I’ve rambled long enough. I better get myself ready for church.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Join The Conversation

22 Responses

  1. Great picture and congratulations!
    I know your main focus on your blog now is fashion, but I do wish you would share some of your new journey on the Whole30 and possibly some of the simpler recipes you find. Even tips on how to work food prep into a busy family life would also be super helpful. I joined you on your 21Day sugar detox two years ago (can’t believe it was that long ago) and reading your tips and also struggles was a huge encouragement. You have a gift for “keepin it real” with your audience and I appreciate that.

  2. Today is my 60 th birthday, so there will be chinese food and cake involved! Ha but tomorrow were. Starting round 2 of 21 day fix. I think it’s similar, I get recipes on Pinterest. Since I have a lot of weight to lose it’s more extreme but clean eating is what I want for life!

  3. Have you ever looked at Emeals.com? They have lots of meal plans to choose from and give you recipes and meal plans each week. It is affordable and has changed our eating habits for the better. We have been using it for a couple of years and it has taken the stress out of meal planning and made my life easier.

      1. Yes I was also going to comment we’ve been using their Paleo plan for MANY months and love it!! Of course there is almond meal from time to time, but not often, and very rarely do I see avocado (honestly can’t even think of the last time). I also love Emeals because I actually feel organized for weekly dinners instead of at 6pm wondering what in the world I’m going to feed my family! Has definitely gotten the kids out of the their comfort (picky!) zone too. Win/Win!

  4. I do the same thing. I need to make my reservations well in advance. If something does come up, I can always cancel. Better than being disappointed.
    Diets don’t work. They are all restrictive in some way and when you go off them ( and you will ) you gain the weight back.i know! I tried them all over the years since having my babies. It needs to be a life style change that you can live with forever. For instance, I gave up bread products but still have tortillas because I love fajitas. I gave up sugar and have never missed it. I make a big salad to accompany almost every dinner. I changed from a glass of wine or two with dinner to water. Not that I don’t ever have a glass. ????Lost the weight and have kept it off.

  5. Hi there, I make Sunday’s food and meal prep day! Cut veggies, clean all fruit, and meal plan having a designated day helps me stay on track. I also allow one cheat day, usually Saturdays. I get a flavored coffee, eat peanut MM’s or have. Fountain drink????

  6. I read the Eat to Live book by Dr Joel Fuhrman and it has changed my life. Literally. My health was going downhill and I was eating the wrong foods . I eat fruits ,veggies, whole grains, and nuts. No beef or pork but I do eat chicken,turkey, or seafood 2 or 3 times per week. My blood work has improved dramatically and I have lost 28 lbs. I do 30 squats and 30 upper arm exercises with 5 lbs weights every night. Also do some easy back exercises for strengthening my back. I look and feel better and look 10 yrs younger. I never eat bread before noon and I try not to eat past 7 pm. I eat a small amount of dark chocolate occasionally. I do use Smart Choice non dairy butter sometimes and I use Stevia and non dairy creamer in my coffee. I have now established a habit of eating healthy. I no longer desire a steak or Mac and cheese. I really think processed foods was affecting my health in a negative way. I just gave away all my processed foods. I am 65 and weigh 150 lbs and 5’4″ tall. Hope to lose another 10-15 lbs . I am happy with 5 lbs a month. This was ,as you said, a lifestyle change, not a diet!

  7. I did a Whole 30. Well, almost a Whole 30. I made it to day 20, then my husband planned a carne asada night. Chips, salsa, carne asada, fresh tortillas…. There was no way I could not eat all of that yummy food. Anyway, I found it helpful to have a list of emergency snacks and quick meals ideas. That way, if I was having a craving or didn’t have a meal planned, I could refer to the list and choose something. It helped me not give in to the craving or order the pizza for dinner because I didn’t have anything planned.

  8. FYI…I have done three sessions on whole30. Once by myself, once to support my sisters, and once again to support my 20 year old college daughter. You will find your body functions exceptionally well by the last week making reintroduction a bit scary (crazy I know). I’m not much of a foodie and prefer the clear head, crazy energy and happy gut much more than most foods. (I was suffering from daily headaches, allergies, and Gerd) I now prefer black coffee over creamed/sweetened. I would never have believed it if you told me that would happen back when I started. Anyway, good luck, its only 30 days, and you CAN do it !

  9. I also would like you to keep us updated about the Whole30 plan and how it is working with a family. You might also check out SparkPeople.com. I love that my fitbit syncs with their site (several other fitness tracker brands also work). They will also let you exclude foods from you food plan and give you a weekly grocery list and recipes based on your preferences. Also, SparkPeople is free. If you do not like it, you haven’t lost anything except a little time. Have a great week!

  10. I am on day seven of whole thirty. Each day conquered feels good. It is a challenge; I’m praying for strength and reading an excellent book, Made to Crave by Lysa Terquerst. Accountability, encouragement, and tips from others is always welcome.

  11. Happy 21st! I love the fact that you were able to celebrate on your anniversary. This past year hubs was on a business trip. Next year though, we are celebrating our 20th in Jamaica where we spent our first honeymoon and are renewing our vows.

    I love the color of that top on you. Such a great look for Summer, too! Enjoy your week!

  12. Happy Anniversary! Great post and I need to look into that diet. I’m like you, I enjoy having cream in my coffee and wine with dinner! Have a great week! Lisa

  13. I’m at the same place as you. I’m in my final week of 21 day fix and looking to transition to whole food eating (always end of summer!). I look forward to you squeezing in recipes, experiences, etc!

  14. End of summer always has me ready to detox a little and thankfully after a couple of weeks eating more protein and less carbs and drinking the mess out of water I’m feeling much less bloated. I always think it’s crazy because I’m wearing less clothes and should be so much more conscious about over indulging but I always seem to add a few pound over the summer. I definitely blame cold beer and margaritas. 🙂 Eggs always seem to be my best friend….I always know if all else fails a few eggs and some meat is going to get me through!

    Shelly||The Queen in Between

  15. I have done 7 rounds of the whole 30 and ate Paleo for 2 years. I now eat Paleoish because I do weightlifting and Crossfit and felt I needed more carbs and I also use protein powder. I eat oatmeal and rice but still avoid bread, dairy and most other non-whole 30 foods. The biggest key to being successful with a whole 30 or any healthy eating is food prep. You have to have food ready to go or you will fail. I precook ground turkey and grilled chicken breast and freeze it in small amounts so it’s easy to pull out and defrost or throw in the refrigerator to defrost at night. I also roast lots of vegetables and have those ready to go for the week or cut up raw veggies to eat on the go. I love sweet potatoes. When I was on a whole 30 I would shred up a bunch of sweet potatoes in the food processor at the beginning of the week and then cook them as a hash for breakfast with eggs. Just put a little oil in a pan and brown them really well on one side and then flip. I love avocado oil but that obviously won’t work for you. (I would die if I was allergic to avocados. They are my favorite!) I really love the cookbooks by Against All Grain and her website. The Well Fed cookbooks are favorites as well. Try the Meatza recipe in Well Fed 1. Good luck and thanks for your great blog. I love all of the inspiration you give me!

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