Whole30, day 10: Feeling better by the day

I seriously have been sleeping like a baby for the past three nights. It can't be my imagination anymore, and if it is...I don't mind, I love it. When I go to bed, it takes me no more than fifteen minutes to fall asleep. I sleep for seven to eight straight hours and wake up without hitting the snooze butten a gazillion times. Love it!

Also, I started logging my foods on Fitday, to see what my carb/protein/fat ratios are and how many calories I consume. I averaged at 60% fat, 25% protein and 15% carbs, and between 1400 and 1800 calories. That seems pretty decent to me. I never really worried about ratios before, but I thought I'd see how I'm doing lately. Quite well I think.

Whole30, day 7: Haddock & roasted vegetables

Yay! I finished my first week. That alone makes me feel good. The only thing that bugs me, is that I'm not allowed to weigh myself. I am really curious. But...I won't do it. I took this challenge, and I will complete this, including every single rule.

Is it my imagination or am I sleeping better? I went to bed last night at 12 and woke up, fully rested at 7:30. Normally, I wouldn't be rested with less than 8 hours of sleep, especially not in march. I'm better with less sleep in the summer. The early morning sun usually gives me more energy. But in this time of year, I always feel I have to hibernate, sleep for hours and hours...so I was a little confused when I woke this early. Oh well, more time to do stuff!

Whole30, day 6: Bone marrow, beef & vegetable soup

I woke up today at 06:30, refreshed, awake and feeling just fine. I slept like a baby for 8 hours straight. Last night I was really tired, so I had planned on sleeping in today, but I guess my body had other plans. Could this be the diet, or is it just coincidence?

For breakfast I had a big mug of peppermint tea, tomato and avocado salad and two scrambled eggs. After that I took a quick shower and went to the market. I bought a bunch of fresh vegetables, smoked mackerel and a few pounds of haddock that was on sale. After that I went to a plain old supermarket to buy meat (that's hardly ever sold on Dutch markets). I whipped up a salad for lunch with daikon, a bit of fennel, kohlrabi, a bit of paleo mayonnaise and smoked mackerel.

Whole30, day 5: Feeling sunny

Today, my work shift started late, so I woke up a little later than usual. The sun was shining, and as the rays of sun fell into my kitchen, I suddenly felt all cheerful. Soon, the leaves on the trees will start growing again, it will get sunnier and warmer. I kind of felt like I was coming out of hibernation and felt a sudden longing for dinners in the garden, fresh salads and fruits, barbecues in the sunshine and warm summer nights with friends and a bottle of prosecco. I know, I know...it's only early march, but spring is getting closer and I really love spring. I think it's my favorite season, the way friday night is my favorite night of the week. It's that satisfying feeling that you're done with the work week and the promise of two whole days off ahead of you. Spring, to me, is just like that. The dark days of winter are over, and the warm days of summer are just lurking around the corner.

All of a sudden, I didn't want my usual breakfast of fried or scrambled eggs and bacon, but something more "summery". I whipped up some tomato-avocado salad, with a sprinkle of himalaya salt and some good olive oil. With it I ate a simple boiled egg and some smoked salmon. Now, how's that for decadence? I have to tell you, a year ago, I would have never thought I would eat fish and salad for breakfast, but I love it! It made me feel refreshed all morning. After I finished breakfast, I had a mug of peppermint tea and I was ready for the day. And a bright day it was.

Whole30, day 4: Jamaican inspired pork curry

This is probably not the most photogenic food, but....dang, it's só good! I am a sucker for curries, and thank goodness, there are loads of them: from India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Jamaica...to name a few. An Indian chef told me once that the word "curry" means "sauce", and that if you had more people for dinner than planned, you just water the sauce down, and there's enough for everyone.

Today, is day 4 of my Whole30 experience. I can't say I was feeling on top of the world today, but all in all I'm still doing fine. The hardest part for me is to think before I put something in my mouth. I was already used to not eating sweets and cakes mindlessly, but now I even have to think about a piece of sugar free gum! I almost had one and realised that it had of course artificial sweetener in it, so I put it away again. And I have to admit that I miss cheese and cream. This diet is not hard, I still can eat loads of things I love, but I'm sorry...I do miss cheese and cream.