Today is day 12 of my participation in the Whole30 Program. As I write this I am making a roast in the slow cooker (which I've never done before!), and I just finished making some roast squash in the oven (which I've never done before!). I also have to say that coconut milk, which should be used in moderation, is good!
I can easily say that 85% of me loves the Whole30 while the other 15%, well, doesn't. I'm not suffering or pining away for simple carbs and sugar, but I miss being able to have those things sometimes. I do have to say with time I have been less and less inclined to even desire anything not on the Whole30 approved list.
So for now I am ok and doing well. Besides food cravings, or the lack thereof, I have seen other benefits and drawbacks of doing this program.
Some of the drawbacks include spending more money than I would like to. It is expensive to maintain this kind of diet/lifestyle, but some would say spending the money now beats having to spend lots of money in later years battling health problems. To them I would say, "True." Others would argue, and they have, that it is unfair for us to participate in something like this when so many around the world could not afford it, thus eating the way that they do. While that is true, should that stop me from eating like this? I don't know.
Another drawback is just the amount of time it takes to prepare everything. But I must say that this is also a plus, because I really enjoy cooking! Perhaps it is a drawback for my roommate, especially on the nights she has to do the dishes. Oops!
Of course one of the major drawbacks is not being able to socialize over food. I feel like in Korea, at least in my little world, eating and visiting over a meal is a big deal. However, I have found other ways to visit and talk with people. One way is to talk over a cup of coffee or tea. When it gets warmer I may invite people to go for a walk. I've gone to the grocery store with a friend and we talked while shopping. I am also going to try something crazy and just talk to someone without doing anything else! Crazy, right?!
Now, I think that is all the drawbacks I can think of right now. So, on to the benefits!
One of the greatest benefits is that for half the time I've been doing this I have had way more energy and been way more focused. Now some people may think, "Half the time, what?" The beginning of this program means cutting out all the sugar and processed food your body loves. Well, most bodies don't like it when you take away the things they are addicted to. Mine didn't like it and I got tired sometimes. There was also adjusting to time change, coming to Korea and all, and adjusting to teaching again. But now, I've caught up and I feel pretty good.
Another added benefit is that I can see and feel myself losing weight. I haven't stepped on the scale because they advise against that and because I don't want to make this just about losing weight. I want it to be about killing addictions, respecting food and learning self-control.
I'm also enjoying the fact that I am stepping out of my comfort zone and cooking so many things that I would have never done before.
Before this post gets too long, I will end it but not before posting some pics for Luana : ) and adding one more thing.
I have to say that this came about from a prompting from God. He has been telling me for some time that I need to let go of the sugar idol. I have an addiction to carbs and sugar and He is helping to let go of it. It is only through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit that I have because of Jesus Christ that I can do any of this. I don't mean to post this at the end as a sidenote. It is very important to make that known. Because I have never been able to do anything like this. I always fail. I am only successful here because I yield to Him. Do I always succeed? No, because I don't always yield. But that just reveals to me that I still need my Savior, Jesus Christ.
Ok. Here are some pics of food in case you're interested, or whether you are interested or not.
The middle shelf is mine, all mine!
This one is so small because it is just a snack :)
