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

Comments

Debbie said…
I need this recipe, Fast.
Lynne said…
It's at the bottom of the post: one med sweet potato, two tbsp coconut oil, 1 tbsp cinnamon (although that seems like a lot to me). Shred s.p., toss in coconut oil, cook on low heat with cinnamon, until caramelized.

Again, I say yum.
Stephen Bourque said…
The one comment I would add is that you're probably better off using medium heat than low heat. The sweet potato itself brings a lot of moisture to the pan, so it takes a while even at medium heat to get some crispiness.

Oh, and maybe it goes without saying, but you'll want to add a pinch of kosher salt--or maybe some celtic sea salt for an extra boost of good minerals.
Lynne said…
Yeah, I was just guessing at that "low heat" part because it seemed to take For-Ever! I mean, thanks, honey.
The DO said…
Wait, wait, wait... Whole 30? Secular? Support homeschooling? Then there is Rational Jenn... Cross fit. Paleo. Secular. Homeschooler. It's official, I'm not crazy!! I'm a homeschooling secular mom running a paleo house, currently on my second whole 30 and looking for a cross fit box for after we move. I thought I was all alone in the world!! And all I had to do to find you all is google Any Rand and take my research from there. You have no idea how fantastic it feels to suddenly not feel so alone in the world. My family is Evangelical or Mormon, and most think this whole paleo thing is nuts. Sniff. I know I'm rambling, but I can't help it! I've felt so weird and so alone for so long.
Lynne said…
You're not alone! We're here and we're not going anywhere. Hello, welcome, and best of luck on the rest of your searching.
Jenn Casey said…
Heh, I was just looking up this recipe for tomorrow when I saw your comment, The DO. Hello from Rational Jenn! :D

Stephen/Lynne: How long does it take for the crispness to happen? I'm trying to figure out when to cook these tomorrow. If you don't see this, no worries, I'm sure I'll figure something out!
Lynne said…
About 30 minutes. You've got to get a lot of the moisture out in order for them to get crispy. Had it again this morning, post workout. Yum.

Popular posts from this blog

The Contest

Objectivist Round Up #153

There's No Place Like Home