This photo was taken when I started my FIRST real whole3o back in January of this year.. Time flies for real.
So, I need to begin with a huge thank you for the big response I’ve received about this Group Whole30! I think I’m probably the most excited person right now, to know that all of you, whether you’ve been eating Paleo already, are vegetarians, vegans, carboholics, or have been dying to try and never really got that push you needed, are going to join this journey with me, if only for 30 days. This is what I’m talking about, reaching people, sharing in an experience, that’s the good stuff. And I’m not being corny, I’m being real.
I have told you a million times, but growing up, my family did not grocery shop. Here and there, sure. Prepared foods, boxed and canned goods, yes. Some meat, definitely. But fresh vegetables and fruit and nuts, no.
So beginning your whole30 can be really hard, or it can be kind of easy. I’m not going to say it’s ever easy to give up things that we, as a culture, are physically addicted to. But I will say that if you prepare yourself with the right tools, knowledge and resources, this whole30 can be pretty amazing.
We are eliminating things you’ve been buying probably for your whole life. Pasta. Bagels. Loaves of bread. Peanutbutter. Bags of flour. Bags of sugar. Skim milk (gag). Vegetable oil. Anything soy. Mac and cheese by the box (miss that). English muffins. Boxes of cereal. Granola bars. Pounds of cheese at the deli. Yogurt. Oatmeal.
And we are entering into a place that is whole and fresh and prepared only by nature.
If you look at this whole30 in the way that I try to, it might help.
I think of all those foods that we are giving up as cigarettes.
And I’m quitting cold turkey.
In 30 days, I will struggle. I will want to light a cigarette. I will see people smoking and want to steal one off of them.
But I know that just one tiny cigarette will not be the end of it.
One cigarette will just remind me how much I love them. My body will remember the addiction so well, and I will be off to the store buying a pack of cigarettes in no time.
Now, replace the word cigarette with “sugar” or “grains” or your favorite food that you’re giving up like “bagels with cream cheese”.
It’s going to be difficult, but it’s going to be so much fun.
You can’t see it, but you have a ridiculous amount of support right now.
And it starts here.
The following list is based off of how James and I used to shop every 7-10 days. We would buy our meat and fish from WholeFoods or Trader Joe’s. We’d leave something out for the night in the fridge and put the rest in the freezer. Each night we’d move meat from freezer to fridge for the next nights dinner, and so on.
Grocery Shopping List for 1-2 Weeks*
Meat
2-4 Grassfed steaks
2 lbs Grassfed Beef
4-5 Chicken breasts
Fresh or Frozen salmon
Fresh or Frozen Dover Sole
Fresh or Frozen Tilapia
Frozen Seafood Medley
Bacon. Lots and lots of Bacon.
Vegetables
Asparagus
Tomatoes
Broccoli
Carrots (whole and baby)
Golden Beets
Kale
Avocados
Bag of Red Onions
Bag of Yellow Onions
Celery
Zucchini
Butternut Squash
Summer Squash
Green Pepper
Red Pepper
Orange Pepper
Portabella Mushroom Caps
Sweet Potatoes
Fruits
Bananas
Blueberries
Cherries
Bag of Lemons
Bag of Limes
Nuts
Almonds
Cashews
Macademia Nuts
Oils
Expeller Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil with Coconut Flavor
Expeller Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil for Cooking
Olive Oil for some cooking
Dairy
Eggs
4 Cans of Coconut Milk
2 Cartons of Coconut Milk Unsweetened Beverage (refrigerate one)
Condiments
Balsamic Viniagrette
Organicville Sugar Free Mustard
Organicville Sugar Free BBQ Sauce
Coconut Butter
Almond Butter
Organic Sugar Free Tomato Sauce
Vegan Substitutes
Brown Rice Protein*
Tofu*
Tempeh*
*As mentioned in Robb Wolf’s The Paleo Solution for vegetarians attempting Paleo while remaining meatless.
Any questions please email me at paleoblog@gmail.com or comment here! Myself and CupcakesOMG (you like that girl, I threw you right in) who is attached to the email chain, are extremely helpful and can’t wait to do this with every single one of you. Remember, it’s not too late to join, just email me and you’re in. That simple.
Tomorrow I’ll post some recipes to get you started on Monday!
Okay, now everyone high-five!
23 comments :
Are apples okay? I eat about 2 a day..haha.
I would say, Yes. I mean I’d much rather you eat something healthy that you enjoy with natural sugars than the alternative. An apple is a great snack in my eyes. Just try to limit your sugar in every other area and you’ll be all set
Virtual high-five!!! (and yes, totally dig that shout out!!)
it’s probably not a good thing I just posted a sugar-laden preserves recipe, is it? oh well, i’ve got a great crab-avocado thing coming up!!!
p.s. i told kyle all about this group whole30 and he’s so excited about me doing it. he’s such a girl.
xoxo
mmm crab avocado, give it to me! kyle’s cute. James asked if he could “be part of it too” Do you want to set them up?
i think we should. i mean, clearly they have things in common (paleo, excellent taste in girlfriends, etc.). it’s a wonder they don’t already know each other.
I am in! as long as we start monday because I uhhhh just housed a latte and oatmeal jam-packed with paleo no-no’s bahahhaa *cough saturday ‘free day’
yes Monday is the key word here. That’s why I’m digesting pie at the moment. And dying might I add.
bahahaha. pie is deeeeeeeeeelicious!
Excited! Avoid soy? No problem!
Jenna, you say golden beets… any reason? I assume red beets are ok too?
Also, I’m thinking of incorporating chia seeds and flax seeds/flax meal since they are highly nutritional for me and I eat them every day… thoughts? Now, gotta go cook and consume all of my grain and legume foods in my kitchen before Monday!
Oh, hmm.. I just like golden beets and the recipe I make with them is better with Golden, but if you have a good red beet recipe, go for it. Definitely chia and flax seeds. I was trying to think of some other not-really-paleo-but-not-the-worst-thing ideas for you and those two are great. Let’s brainstorm some recipes and I’ll post them on the blog for you and our other vegetarian whole30 member! Maybe you could send me pictures and I can post them??
I’m so excited too! Good thing I bought a lot of fruits and veggies at the farmer’s market yesterday. I have to go get some more things on the list though, especially the meats. I’m really looking forward to doing this.
Me too! Tomorrow I’m going to talk about money saving tips when buying so much meat and fish.. but definitely remember when it comes to grassfed beef, the more fat content, the better for you and it’s always cheaper.
Oh goodie! This is really my first foray into buying grass-fed beef, so thanks for the tip on fat content. Looking forward to the money-saving tips as well.
I can’t tell you how excited I am to see how the paleo lifestyle benefits me.
awesome post! perfect timing, too. i’ve been eating paleo for a couple weeks now, and was thinking to of getting ice cream tonight since its a nice summer night & i spent all day at the beach. but then i read your post about it being like quitting smoking, and i know that if i allow myself ice cream, its gonna be one heck of a snowball effect!
so glad it came up just in time for you… and good job, how have you been feeling so far??
awesome! my biggest regret is not eating this way sooner! love it!
What kind of bacon do you suggest?
I love how the whole list of what you are eliminating looks like my grocery list from last night at the store.
It’s hard living with a boy who thinks that “eating healthy” means frozen chicken and vegetable dinners… so sad. Maybe I can join you some day!
I’m thinking of doing my first whole30 starting January 9. That’s when the holidays and my company sales meeting are over so I think it will have the best chance of success. I’m in the process of gathering resources, recipes, etc. In the meantime, I am “practicing” by eliminating sugar substitutes, grains, and sugar, and getting creative with all kinds of new (for me) leafy greens. I’m still drinking kefir, red wine on the weekends, and I love smoothies for a sweet fix – frozen bananas, mango, berries. I usually make with kefir but have tried with unsweetened almond milk and coconut milk. Is there a smoothie recipe that is Whole30 compliant? I also love roasted sweet potatoes and butternut squash. How much of these things will be too much on Whole30? And I have bookmarked your site
I’d like to get a group of friends together to do it with me, but otherwise, any blogs you can recommend that can act as a substitute would be most welcome.
Hi Renee, that’s a great time to start your first whole30. I also started my first whole30 last year in January. My birthday is the 11th, so I gave myself about two weeks to celebrate, then hopped on the whole30 wagon. I would recommend the website http://www.whole9life.com for a whole30 resource, I would also recommend http://www.balancedbites.com, she is a certified nutritionist specializing in Paleo/primal eating! Definitely start with those two and you’ll get more than enough answers for your first whole30!!!
Hey there, joining this whole30 thing starting monday! Im excited but scared. Im a carboholic! What balsamic vingegar do you recommend and what are your cooking methods and ingredients? Can you name names? thanks so much! Looking forward to feeling better!
I don’t see oranges listed as a fruit on your list. Can you have them?
Yes! You can have most fruit, but in moderation.