The Magic of the Whole 30

Last night, after a fun and exhilarating workout at the gym I had several hours of euphoria before I crashed into my pillow falling immediately dead asleep. I have not achieved either of these welcomed conditions for many months now, and I cannot help but think it is in large part due to the way I’ve been eating. I just finished Day 15 of my second go with the Whole 30. (See my report on last fall’s nutty effort here.)

The Whole 30 is an eating program which requires the removal of processed foods, sugar, dairy, and grains – all thought to be responsible for crazy cravings for empty calories and a myriad of often elusive ailments related to inflammation – from one’s diet, and the inclusion of good fats, good meats, nutrient-dense vegetables and some fruit, seeds, and nuts for thirty days.  It does require effort to make sure what you’re eating doesn’t have hidden crap in it, but if you stick with food still in nature’s packaging (or recently out of it – hello gorgeous grass-fed beef), you can’t go wrong. 

This is from the The Whole30 v.5.0, part of the The Whole 9, website where there is nothing to buy, nothing to sign up for, but a lot to learn and earn for yourself:

At some point, we promise you… the magic will happen. You’ll go to sleep easier, and sleep more soundly through the night. Your energy levels will increase and stabilize, and you’ll feel just as good first thing in the morning as you do at the peak of your day. Your body composition will start to change – your clothes will fit differently, and you’ll feel less bloated at the end of your day. Your performance, whether it be in the gym, while playing sports or during a hike, will improve. Your recovery after exercise, a game or a hard day’s work will feel easier and more complete. Conditions, ailments, aches and pains will miraculously start to improve. And through all of it, you’ll be eating delicious, fresh, natural, real food… food that tastes good, and is physically satiating and mentally satisfying.

After our workout last night, I convinced Stephen to cook shredded sweet potato in coconut oil until caramelized and add cinnamon.  (Yes, I could have done it, but I was otherwise engaged, and he’s the cook,  okay?) Anyway, when I began to eat it I could not believe that he added plain cinnamon and not the cinnamon/sugar mix we have for my favorite treat: cinnamon toast.  I questioned him repeatedly, varying the question only slightly as if he did not understand English or his spices (because, let’s face it, he is in charge of the kitchen and the entire spice cabinet which he often likes to rearrange for his convenience but to the frustration of the rest of us plain folk who might like to add a little spice from time to time). But enough about that.  

In short, I cannot adequately express how delicious, how delicately crunchy, how very satisfying that nutritious post-workout treat was!

This is how I know the magic is happening!

Sweet Potato Hash Brown

Ingredients: 1 med. sweet potato, 2 tbsp coconut oil, 1 tbsp cinnamon.

Good eats!

Nutrition Facts from Recipe Calculator