Bone Broth and Whatnot...

I have read many that many people go in to a slight 'panic' as they near the end of their Whole 30. For the last 30 days, they have been following a strict regimen with very black and white rules. There are many reasons I love Whole30, but this was one of the MAIN reasons.  I like rules and need rules especially in this area of my life.  I've mentioned this before, but it's true.  

So as I read these comments of fear and worry from people nearing their completion of the program, I wondered what in the world they were worried about.  I thought they should be happy and excited - and they were, don't get me wrong - but they were a little apprehensive about what was ahead for them.

On Day 28 it hit me.  Oh no.  What will I do on Day 31?  Do I follow the Reintroduction program?  Do I go in order?  Do I go hog wild? Reward myself for my hard work?  Oh no.  It was happening to me.  Stress and anxiety over what I was going to do next.  I was not supposed to feel this way!  This was supposed to help me.  It was supposed to be a lifestyle change - RIGHT??

Well, welcome to gray area.  Day 31 came and I had a breakfast that was still compliant, lunch rolled around at work and I had a compliant lunch.  You see, my husband and I decided we would celebrate the end of Whole30 by having some Vietnamese Pho noodle soup from one of our favorite local spots. That should have been a red flag right there.  I don't need to CELEBRATE something with food.  Duh.  But hey, a special meal out is not crazy and I thought this was a safe start and might have been if things went right.  I thought I could start with gluten-free grains instead of legumes.  Pho is usually made of rice noodles.  

I was really looking forward to this meal and knew that it really wasn't going to be too bad, because although it's high in carbs, I knew that it was relatively healthy.  Well, the one thing that I can not have in my Pho or anything else is raw white onion.  I developed an allergy to onion about 7 years ago and get really bad headaches and general crud feeling when I consume them or am exposed to a lot of them (in the cut form of course).  

I was half way through my soup and it was SO good.  But then - I felt it.  A stiffness in the lower back part of my neck.  Ugh.  What is happening?  I had not really had any kind of a headache or feeling like this the entire Whole 30. I started looking closer at my soup and sure enough, there was onion in it!  Good thing my allergy isn't super serious like peanut or seafood allergy.  This could have been so much worse.  Normally I can see or taste them, but the taste blended in with the flavor and they were cut so thin that they were hidden among the noodles.  Now that I look at the picture, I can actually see some! Long story short, I was miserable. The headache grew worse as the night wore on. I did not sleep well and woke up feeling plain icky.  I even wondered if perhaps the noodles contained gluten - but maybe it really was all from the onion. 

I guess what I learned from that experience was that I need to always be aware of what I am eating.  I know that for some, it would take away from the eating out experience if you had to scrutinize every little thing, but for something like an allergy - it is so important.  On Whole30 you question every single thing going into your mouth.  Even things like what type of oil the chef used will come into play.

Well, Day 32 had me drinking this stuff for breakfast.  Bone Broth.  I made some chicken bone broth and knew this was the time to put it into action.  I dumped some of the gelatinous goodness in a small mason jar, put my lunch together and headed off to work.  Once I got settled in at the office, I warmed it up in the microwave and then I dumped it into my awesome mug from Crossfit Center City.  It was so soothing to drink this and it's like my mind knew before my stomach knew that it was about to receive something special.  

It was definitely like drinking a healing tonic.  There are so many benefits to bone broth and I'm glad I had already made this and put it away for a day like this.  I am not quite ready to start my next Whole 30, but I do know that I will make the best choices I possibly can until then.
Once again, I am working on changing my eating habits from a SAD (Standard American Diet) to a healthy and nutritious diet.  I am undoing a lifetime of emotional eating and I know I've come so far in breaking those habits already.

Most of all, I have received so many words of encouragement from you all.  It encourages me to hear your story or to know that you struggle with the same issues.  I finally feel like there is hope for me to have a healthier future.
I am reminded of the familiar verse in Jeremiah 29:11 that says,  For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." and also these verses shared with me by someone special, 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 "Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said,“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Everything I share here comes from my heart.  It may not be eloquently put together, it may sometimes be my thoughts that tend to be scattered here, there and everywhere, but it will always be an honest account of my experience as I work on getting myself to a happier and healthier place and developing the best version of ME that I possibly can.  

My next post will be about MOVING.  No, not going anywhere - I'm talking about training, exercising - working out!! Yes, this goes hand in hand with my nutrition changes and I am thinking I need to get a challenge set up with some black and white rules for this too!  More to come later! =)