Update!! Doing a Whole30

I have not blogged for a while. My job moved to downtown Seattle in January, and the extra two hours a day that I had to blog are now eaten up by my commute. On the upside, I easily walk 3-4 miles a day, on the downside, I have very little time to do anything other than cook and clean in my time off...but I thought it was time to update this blog since I want to make more of an effort in the coming few weeks.

Starting Sept. 1st I will be doing a Whole30. I think it is a good idea to challenge yourself once in a while, and while I have been eating a mostly Paleo (with dairy) diet for quite a while now, I do have moments of cheating. Also I have been working with a doctor who had me consuming dairy-based protein shakes every day. I have since cut them out, but am still following a strict low-carb paleo diet. I allow myself pastured cream in my one cup of coffee per day, and I cook with a combination of coconut oil, olive oil, and pastured butter. I fast two days a week eating about 600 calories on my fast days, and on my non-fast days, I have one big meal in the early evening. I have been doing really well on this regimen. I feel good, and am also losing weight. The challenge for me will be doing this without the dairy for 30 days. I'm not wild about coconut oil, so I may invest in some macadamia nut oil, but in general I think I will be cooking with duck fat, and olive oil. The Whole30 allows ghee as well, but I'm not going to have time to make my own, so unless I can find some that fits the particular needs of the challenge that will be out. I may also look for some bacon to cook with--I do love bacon with certain veggies!I plan to blog about my experiences and share my food pics as well. My first challenge will be Sept. 1st when I am in Portland for a weekend with my husband's family. Then again on Sept 11-13 when I am in Portland again for a conference. I will persevere!