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1st loss.

7/20/2017

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Yesterday morning our guinea pig, Winnie Lucille ZumMallen, passed away after eating a hearty breakfast of hay and red peppers. The night before I had snuggled her at midnight and that morning Claire had talked to her as she usually does, had given her snack sand said goodbye when she headed off to school. They were best buddies.
Ryan returned from taking Claire to school to find Winnie. He called and told me, we sobbed because these little creatures mean a whole lot to us. Then we realized we needed to tell Claire and that this could be a big moment for her and we wanted to do it right.
I read the story about the rainbow bridge, I read a lot of personal accounts but Claire isn't someone that usually fits into what works for everyone so we decided to play it by ear.
After swim and MyGym the three of us sat down on the floor because we had told her we had something important we needed to  talk about. Ryan and I locked eyes over her head and i mouthed, "how do we start" and because he is the best, he started.
He let Claire know that we all loved Winnie a lot and that Winnie got sick. She then stood up and asked where she was, "is she in the office". That's when I held her on my lap and let her know that Winnie had died and that we were sorry but she wasn't in the office. Claire literally fell to her knees, said "SHE DIED?!" and laid her head on Ryan's lap and cried for awhile, she said she loved Winnie and that she didn't want her to be sick. We all cried and talked about  how its ok to be sad and we will be sad for awhile. We let Claire know what a good job she did and how great she always was with Winnie. How much love she showed and how Winnie knew they were best friends.
Claire stood back up and asked where Winnie was, I was shocked by how she was taking this. She seemed so adult. She said she wanted to see Winnie to be able to say goodbye. We told Claire that Winnie couldn't move anymore and if it was hard to look at her we could come back inside and that was ok.
We had Winnie in her cage out on the patio in case she wanted to do that so we all went out there and sat around the cage. Claire cried in our arms again and then said she wanted to pet her goodbye. She opened the little door reached in and lovingly caressed her and said "goodbye Winnie, I love you". She cried and said she didn't want Winnie to not be able to move and that she wanted a new Winnie.
-sobbing as I type this so if this seems odd that's why I just want to remember everything-
She then hugged us and said she had a surprise for me, so I thought maybe we were moving on for the night but as we held hands and walked to her room, she fell to the floor again and cried that she didnt want Winnie to bed dead. We rocked for awhile and then she was ready to s how me her surprise [she had filled her rewards chart with stickers].
She then asked if we could just eat snacks for dinner and watch a show, of course we could. But first she wanted to go see Winnie again and sit outside. So we sat by the cage and talked. I asked her her favorite thing about having Winnie and she said that it was how they would always say good morning to each other and she was sad  because Winnie couldn't say good morning anymore. This is when we both cried together for a pretty long time. I told her we could still say good morning to her and to each other and we can talk about her all the time and remember all the nice things. As we talked a boy walked by with his dogs and I barely noticed but Claire cried out, "his pets didn't die but mine died. But mine died" I couldn't believe that she had put that all together. My baby is almost 4 and she is stronger and more developed emotionally  than I had expected. We hugged and talked about how all pets die and that it happens at different times but that we love them as much as we can while they're with us.
She asked for a bunny.
We said good  by to Winnie again and then sat inside on the couch, we ate animal crackers and shared an ice cream sandwich for dinner Half way  through our snacks she cried again and told us how much she loved Winnie. 
I had no idea how this would go, but as heat wrenching as it was watching Claire grieve and process and speak out about all her emotions was something that left us in awe. 
The night then went on as usual with the coloring and bed time routine. She is still sleeping now and we'll see how today goes. I reached out to her school and let them know that she might be processing this loss out loud with other students and that they can call us if she is upset.

Ryan loved Winnie so much and I know we are all very sad but this moment felt really big for our family and I am so glad that we were all able to be there together.

If you actually read this, thanks for following along - I havent opened  this url in over a year

RIP Winnie Lucille ZumMallen, we all love you. You squeaky silly lady.
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My Claire.

7/7/2016

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We have a little over a month until we have a three year old Claire lady on our hands and I haven't been keeping track of all her funny quips or new likes so I wanted to update the list :)

A few things about Claire
• she still sucks on her two fingers and really enjoys a finger in her nose, soon I'll be working on ending these habits.
• favorite foods: pasta, pizza, ice cream and she'll eat almost all vegetables if there in a sauce. last night she gobbled up a tomato and onion salad it was amazing to watch
• has an imaginary sister, cat and a dog -- makes up new names all the time
• she is amped for her third birthday and so am I. This is the year where she wants to be involved, she picked the theme, has given me a guest list and talks to me daily about celebrating. It's going to be a fun day
• the other morning she woke up and the first thing she said to me was, "today, are we going to Disneyland or preschool" she was fine with the latter but we're surprising her with Disney on her actual day.
• sleep has been disrupted due to a "bad man" and something else scary that I haven't caught on too yet, I miss sleep and I feel terrible she's having an issue. Trying to get her white noise or music machine going again to help but she is fighting us.
• fave movies: inside out, maya the bee, and zootopia - can't wait to take her to see finding dory, maybe this weekend - she loves movies like her mama.
• has implemented a good bye tradition at her school, they all give each other hugs and walk each other to their mamas. It has been adorable to watch.
• she is a leader. she can get everyone playing a game, signing a song or anything she is into.
• A little sad but pretty much ok about weaning, I can see it in the distance. I'm so proud of us and our breastfeeding journey, my first goal: we blew through it. My second goal: was a struggle but we killed it. Then I stopped making goals and we just enjoyed the time, the cuddles, the sweet moments just for us. Now we nurse for a song or two then sing a song or two and its so lovely.
• she cannot stop talking , she has so much to say I wonder if that's why she can't sleep, who will tell us all the stories if she closes her eyes.
• she has been so so cuddly and loving lately - she wakes up and runs to me and says "you're my mama" and hugs and kisses me. I cant get enough I repeat, "you're my Claire,  you're my Claire" all day - I feel so lucky to have her.

​
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Big Girl Thangs

4/3/2016

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​So my blog was taken over by Whole30 and I missed taking a little time to sit down and write down a few things about Claire. I can slowly feel the days slipping away from me and if I don't remind myself of all the awesome stuff my babe is up to then I could forget them.

Here is whats going on with Claire
* She is NOT ok with you referring to her as "baby" she is not a baby damnit, she is Claire or she is a big girl. Sweetie is still ok, but no matter how we try and explain to her that she isn't an actual newborn but that she is just our baby she will not accept it. So we are working on kicking that habit.
* She does like pretending she is a baby, when we do that she likes to be rocked, pretend to cry, roll around in the sheets and have us pet her hair. It is pretty adorable  but she likes to pull out this game right before bath time or heading out the door. I think I know what she is doing.
* She has a baby in her tummy. Lately, I guess like always, she has been surrounded by my friends who are expecting or have just had babies. For a little bit there she was OVER it, did not feel like meeting any babies, having my hold any babies or even talking about babies but she has turned a corner. The other evening she asked me if I had a baby in my tummy, when I let her know that I didn't she then told me about hers. Right now she has a two week old in there and his name is Bark, his  name changes but so far its for sure a boy. She also has been playing mama a lot more with her dolls. Feeding them, sucking out their boogers with a nose frida, taking them on walks and just being an overall doting mother. Its adorable to watch.
* We are still nursing, usually just before bed time but occasionally if she is having a rough day or has fallen she will ask to breast feed more often. The sessions are getting shorter and shorter and I know its just her way of connecting with me and taking a moment. I am happy to still be producing milk and that I am able to comfort her in that way. She loves to 'just relax' [her way of letting me know I should stop talking and just rest] and to get cozy with me. 
* Learning how to use the potty has been in full swing since Easter, for a few weeks before that she was going once at night and once or twice at pre school but since the bunny brought her Frozen panties she has been very gung ho, once we pick her up today from preschool we'll find out how her first day at school with big girl undies went. *** it did not go well haha being surrounded by friends and games did not let her concentrate on it. But at home she is doing awesome and since we are in no rush it is ok with us.
* She didn't fall into a 'terrible 2' category and for some reason that makes parents want to tell me about the 'threenager' stage which I guess is just another awful time in parenting haha but so far Claire is stubborn and independent but there hasn't be anything terrible about it.
* Silly voices are super entertaining right now, she does this really cool deep voice when she is asking for more candy or more of anything we said no too, I think she is trying to be convincing, it works sometimes.
* Claire is one of the gang, she likes to hang out with our friends and do all the things we do. This past weekend we took a boat ride and saw movies. I love having her around and how well shit fits into any situation.

There is so much more to our little firecracker but this gives you an idea for now and will help me look back in a few months when this is all blurry.

Hope you had a great weekend
xo
NIkol
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Whole 30 Results

3/29/2016

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​Before whole 30
Weight - 130 pounds
Chest circumference - 32 1/2 
Waist - 26 1/2
Hips - 38 1/2
Right thigh - 22 1/2

After whole 30
Weight - 124 pounds

Chest circumference - 30 1/2 
Waist - 25 1/2
Hips - 38 1/4
Right thigh - 21 3/4

I started this a few weeks ago after I finished whole 30 but then totally forgot about it haha

I miss whole30 and will be starting again on April 18th if you wanna join

my non scale victories were amazing - more energy, less headaches, less irritability, no more stomach  bloat and overall I felt good. Period. It was amazing.

I wish I had more to say but I don't haha it was worth it, do it with me 
​xo

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22 - 30

3/17/2016

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Day 22

Wow, only 9 days left... Feeling amped but also deciding when to do this again. I feel a little short changed with how this could be for me emotionally due to just, well, life. The first week or so I was very ill. I had the flu, I had terrible withdrawals and just felt super shitty. And now I am feeling stressed out, overwhelmed and tired which I know has nothing really to do with these 30 days but I know I can't have my comfort food [toast and/or chocolate with wine] which does make it harder. Of course, thats the point haha to break any emotional ties to food and understand how food works with my body and make better choices instead of turning to food for support. I get it, I learned it. I still want it when I feel sad. I have been having a warm cup of coffee or tea instead, its just ok ha.

Anyway today was great, woke up at 5 to go on a run and passed right back out until 615 so I just went to work and it was a pretty normal day there. Home life was a little crazy because Claire is deciding on learning how to use the potty which causes some mishaps but all in all we are going to bed healthy and happy and thankful.

Meal 1: Hard boiled egg and black coffee
Snack 1: Half a bag of  baby carrots
Meal 2: Paleo nachos
Snack 2: Apple & a cutie
Snack 3: Larabar
Meal 3: 2 eggs, spinach, and chicken sausage
Snack 4: Almonds and olives

​I could use some toast and wine, but tea will do.

Day 23

Oh hello day 23, woke up feeling energetic and thank goodness the headache that was keeping me up last night was gone. I narrowed it down to the almonds I ate that gave it to me [I bought salted and I never do that] so I actually ate an extra lara bar before going to sleep last night and took some tylenol too.
​Anywho, wok up and worked out then worked a 12 hour day. I had a little energy slump around 5:30 but otherwise the day flew by, I felt productive and it was a good day. Hope the rest of this is smooth sailing.

Meal 1: Hard boiled egg then my workout and then a lara bar

Snack 1: hard boiled egg
Meal 2: tilapia with spinach, small leftovers of paleo nachos
Snack 2: turkey fritters with sweet potatos
Meal 3: chicken apple sausage, sparkling water and a banana with almond butter

Day 24

Hm so this is why I need to keep track because one day later I have no memory of my food haha
​Guys this hasn't strengthened my memory 
​
Meal 1: 2 eggs cups, my workout and then an egg cup and hash browns 

Snack 1: 
Meal 2:
Snack 2:
Meal 3: Blackened halibut, raw oysters with horseradish, coleslaw, sweet potato and sparkling water
Snack 3:

Day 25

Oh Saturdays, the weekends really are the hardest especially when you plan on being surrounded by friends. We all headed to the park for a nice afternoon, thankfully I had packed dates and hard boiled eggs so I was able to forgo all the chips and pop corn that looked just delicious. I felt strong and didnt really feel like I missed out on anything which was nice.
I can't say the same for dinner at Restauration because EVERYTHING looked amazing. The pizzas and the sandwiches, so I will for sure be going back there but my burger was pretty tasty so all was ok.

Meal 1: Paleo bacon, almonds, coffee and a cutie

Meal 2: Shrimp carbonara 
Snack 2: Dates, carrots, a piece of smoked salmon and celery all at the park
Meal 3: Burger lettuce wrapped with pickles, pickled onions, a few potato wedges and a piece of asparagus 

Day 26

Another day where I did not plan well at all. I had a baby shower, a marketing meeting and then a night at home but the shower was filled with amazing looking tea sandwiches and pasta salads. I ate lots of veggies and picked out tomatoes and olives from the pasta salad haha I am sure I looked like a weirdo.
Then just was starving, it was poor planning and I did have a Lara Bar in the car but that still wasn't satisfying so I had two dinners when I got home.

Prep prep prep is needed

Meal 1: Nectarine and eggs with spinach and hot sauce

Snack 1: lara bar
Meal 2: Cucumbers, kalamata olives, celery, salad with balsamic and baby tomatos
Meal 3: Turkey fritters, spinach, potatoes and asparagus 
Snack 3: Egg drop soup

Day 27

Great day, productive day at work. Prepped good food and I was happy.

Meal 1: Black coffee and a hard boiled egg

Snack 1: Lara bar
Meal 2: Homemade chicken curry with veggies and roasted cauliflower rice
Snack 2: Shrimp and spaghetti squash
Meal 3: 2 eggs, avocado, bacon, kale and hot sauce with iced tea
Snack 3: 2 dates

Day 28

The week days are so so much easier haha I had a great day, still feel like I am half assing my work outs but I am trying and as long as I am going I feel pretty good about it. Went from 3 - 4 workouts a week to just 2 but I plan on getting back up there again. Sleep has been really needed though.

Meal 1: Banana before my work out

Snack 1: Olives and baby carrot
Meal 2: Homemade chicken curry with veggies and roasted cauliflower rice
Snack 2: Cutie and a cucumber
Meal 3: Half a pork chop , spinach, roasted sweet potato and grilled veggies
Snack 3: hard boiled egg

                                      Final 2 Days.

Day 29

Well, today [writing this on day 30] I had 5 eggs!! 5. haha They are so good. Anyway it was another good day, slept through my alarm and didn't do a 'workout' but whatever I moved a lot and It was a nice day, the weather is warming up and I am excited to maybe put a bathing suit on soon :)
Can't believe I am almost done!

Meal 1: 2 egg cups

Snack 1: hard boiled egg
Meal 2: Chicken curry, homemade with lots of veggies
Snack 2: Cutie and an iced tea
Meal 3: Half a skirt steak with spinach and roasted sweet potatoes
Snack 3: 2 eggs, 2 pieces of bacon, spinach and grilled veggies - this was a meal haha

Day 30 - the end!

I made it! Well almost, but I know by tonight I will have completed thirty days and feel so so good because of it. Pretty pumped on myself and everyone who did this with us and has done it before.
Didn't think I could do it that's why it took me forever to start but thanks to Kristen for soooo much support, my mom for the daily texts and everyone on the Facebook support group for cheering us along and all the fun recipes even though I mostly ate eggs and still love them haha
​
Did I win an Oscar or just eat better for a month, I can't tell

Meal 1: 1 slice of bacon, 2 hard boiled eggs mashed with avocado and coffee with complaint coconut milk
Snack 1: Mini lara bar
Meal 2: skirt steak with spinach and roasted sweet potatoes
Snack 2: Cutie
Meal 3: Pork chop with spinach, grilled veg and more sweet potatos. Also used paleo southwest ranch on it
Snack 3: Hot tea
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I am going to bed with pretty terrible stomach cramps which just makes me a little bit more nervous for reintroduction and wondering what the hell is bugging me ahah
I think it's that I am not drinking enough water so here I go to chug some water, drink some tea and watch tv until I pass out.
I am so excited that I did this, that I did it as perfectly as I could. Not every single day had the exact amount of veggies or protein but I did follow all the set rules and I know now a lot of things that I should steer clear of. 
Tomorrow I will weigh in and all that jazz and update you on my results.

​sleep tight!
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15 - 21

3/8/2016

3 Comments

 
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Half way!! woo hoo
Feels so good to know that I can for sure do this, before I started I was freaking out haha
I wasn't sure I could manage but here we are :)

Day 15.

Lately two workouts a week have been all that is happening, so yeah I slept in a little bit and skipped run club BUT when I woke up early enough for a shower I thought "hell, I bet I can even dye my hair" so I had a pretty damn productive morning that made tonight much much easier
 A cake was delivered to me at work today, Nothing Bundt Cakes opened near one of my salons. Not devouring that marble cake was tough but my husband and daughter really enjoyed it for dessert tonight.

Meal 1: Larabar & a hard boiled egg
Snack 1: Apple
Meal 2: Angus burger, a few baby potatoes, a lot of squash and broccoli with some buffalo sauce
Snack 2: olives & half an orange
Meal 3: Lamb chops spinach and roasted brussel sprouts with bacon
Snack 3: One piece of dried pineapple

Going to bed in a good mood and planning on getting up at 5am for a run around downtown
​Have a good night!

Day 16.

Either an earlier bed time, more carbs or protein need  to happen. I went to be at 9:45 [pretty early] but struggled when my 5am alarm went off. Finally rolled myself out of bed around 5:30 for a walk around downtown to get the day started. Lazy morning with Claire before heading into work, all day at work I was kind of tired, felt a little anxious and easily annoyed. Unsure if that's just my awesome personality today or if it had something to do with the food.

Meal 1: Hash browns, two eggs, avocado, green peppers, onions, 2 pieces of bacon and hot sauce
Snack 1: coffee
Meal 2: Salmon with spinach, mayo and dill
Meal 3: Chicken leg with buffalo sauce with roasted broccoli and cauliflower
Snack 2: 1 dried pineapple, artichoke and some olives

​Went to bed around 10:30 but slept really well.

Day 17.

Thankfully I woke up at 5am pretty peppy for boot camp, it was a good thing because there was a lot of running so I was pooped after.

Meal 1: Hard boiled egg after my work out
Snack 1: 3 egg cups about an hour later
Meal 1: Zoodles with homemade meat and veggie sauce
Snack 2: Lara bar
Meal 3: Fish ceviche, shrimp fajita fillings and lots of roma tomatoes
​Snack 3: sparkling water 

​It was a great Friday, it was a little bit tough because I did not plan on not being home for dinner. We went over to a friends house and I really wanted some Girl Scout cookies but I made it haha thankfully Hole Mole has amazing ceviche and they helped me make their shrimp fajitas complaint. so yummy I will def go back.
​

Day 18.

Weekends with friends will be the hardest part of this 30 days. But I got through it even though I was surrounded by so many of my favorite things. I missed out on a yummy brunch with amazing mimosas, delicious red wine and pizza. But I am going to bed feeling full and my stomach doesn't hurt which I know it would if I had indulged in it all. Today would not be considered a perfect whole 30 day I didn't eat enough protein or a few other things but I made it happen.

Meal 1: Black coffee and three egg cups with hot sauce at home
Snack 1: Green juice and a bowl of fruit at brunch
Meal 2: Two chicken legs, roasted broccoli, artichoke and a lara bar
Snack 2: Celery sticks with Frank's red hot sauce
Meal 3: salad with some nuts of it, more celery, lots of tomatoes and raw broccoli and sparkling water

Day 19.

I don't usually have to work Sundays but this one was an exception, thankfully I had food prepped and it was a short shift. Energy has been good but I did have a pretty bloated belly which I then read is pretty normal for this time during the 30 days. Still not feeling my regular strength which has been a bummer but otherwise I am feeling good. Food has been easy if I prep, its still damn hard when out and about.

Meal 1: Watermelon slice, an apple, two hard boiled eggs with half an avocado and black coffee
Meal 2: Lamb chop and Brussel sprouts roasted with bacon
Snack 1: Strip of bacon and bite of chicken apple sausage
Meal 3: Langostino zucchini noodles with lemon juice

Day 20.

Today felt great, bloating went down and I had a very very productive day. I got everything done with work, helped a lady at IKEA carry her heavy boxes and prepped tons of food. I feel tired but really was a great day.
I do feel a little bored keeping this journal now though haha nothing new is happening.
​
Meal 1: eggs, spinach and hot sauce for breakfast

Snack 1: Black coffee and a Cliff Kit bar
Meal 2: Homemade meat sauce with veggies on zoodles
Meal 3: Tilapia with spinach and artichoke, sweet potato fries and some olives
Snack 2: 4 Dates and sparkling water/iced tea

Day 21.

5am wasn't too hard this morning which was a nice change, workout was good and hard but still, not feeling as strong as I was. Unsure if I need tubule up my meals or if my body just wants some toast back to fuel me haha
Ive started to think about what happens in 9 days, I do not want the bloat feeling to come back or to not feel good and just waste these past 30 days... The first weekend after this ends I am in SB for my girlfriends baby shower and its the s <3 girls so I know there will be lots of wine and laughs so I am trying to workout how this is going to go. Has anyone ever done a reintroduction and not felt like crap?

Meal 1: 2 Egg cups with chicken apple sausage, spinach, mushrooms and green peppers [1 before my workout and 1 after]

Snack 1: Black coffee and a cutie
Meal 2: Paleo sweet potato nachos
Snack 2: Apple
Meal 3: Egg drop soup and turkey fritters with spinach and buffalo sauce
Snack 3: 1 date

No recipes to share this week, I recreated some from before and also just made random stuff in my fridge. The paleo nachos are still my favorite. This upcoming weekend I have two birthday celebrations and a baby shower, I will plan ahead so its not as difficult as last weekend was.

How is it going for you?

​xo Nikol
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8 - 14

3/2/2016

4 Comments

 
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Day 8.

Woah, what a difference a day makes! I woke up tired still so I stayed in bed a little bit longer/skipped my run which I think really helped my mood. I felt like a new woman haha more energy and less anxiety. I am happy that I think I turned a corner and I am trying to just eat larger meals so I never feel hungry or get weak.

Meal 1: Bacon egg breakfast cups & raw kombucha once I got to work
Snack 1: 2 cuties
Meal 2: shrimp curry with spaghetti squash
Snack 2: marcona almonds
Meal 3: Angus burger, grilled egg, romaine hearts, smashed potatoes with buffalo sauce with sparkling lemon water. 
​
Now I am relaxing with the fam before tidying up the house, hope you had a good one.

Day 9.

Crazy busy day at work and it was nice to have food packed and ready to go and never felt weak or hungry I just ate when I needed it and did not have to spend any time worrying about it! Felt like a win of a day. My emotions are now in check, I still do not think I am running as fast as I was and I can't work out as hard as I was but thats ok. I am moving and eating and overall feeling great.

Meal 1: apple before my long walk and then two eggs, hashbrowns and spinach with hot sauce
Snack 1: 1 cutie
Meal 2: cauliflower rice with stir fry veggies and then paleo nachos minus the sweet potato
Meal 3: I didnt want actual food haha so lara bar, almond, blue berries and tea

It is amazing what a larger breakfast does for my day.

Day 10.

Woke up feeling good at around 5am for my boot camp class, it was a great workout and then work was also pretty good. Went by quickly and then we had friend over for dinner. It has been awhile since we hosted people and I miss it. Being Ryan's last day at his job it was nice to have people over, they all drank good beers and I made the dinner. It ended up in a sleep over and I didn't mind making toast at 3am for everyone and I couldn't believe I had energy to stay up that late haha.

Meal 1: 1 egg cup then 2 more after my boot camp
Snack 1: Orange
Meal 2: Paleo nachos on sweet potatoes
Snack 2: plum
Meal 3: Paleo spaghetti squash shrimp carbonara

Day 11.

Meal 1: Hash browns, eggs, spinach and green peppers with black coffee
Meal 2: Tuna fish with paleo may and mustard in romaine lettuce cups
Meal 3: Burger with extra pickles in a lettuce wrap with a green juice

I can't believe I didn't need any snacks!! We all went to a basketball game and I had brought Lara bars but I was fine and we all went out for pizza after but I had my burger and kale juice. It was a great Saturday.

around midnight [why was I awake] I had a lara bar before bed

Day 12.

Man, this was only 1 day ago and I have totally forgot what happened haha
I think I felt fine just pretty hungry

Meal 1 - 2 eggs, hash browns and veggies with black coffee
Snack 1 - Lara bar
Meal 2 - Roasted brussels no cheese or butter, shrimp salad no cheese and ceviche no tortilla chip [restaurant]
Meal 3 - Chicken cobb salad, no cheese [picnic]

Oh yeah, Claire and I went on a lady date to a museum with some girlfriends of mine, it was a really fun day. I felt super hungry but after lunch my energy spiked and even though it was kind of hard to order I was thankful Shannon was with me - she is also doing Whole 30 so we were able to order a few things and share.

That evening, we had a picnic on the  beach with Ryan's family as we scattered their family dogs ashes into the ocean, it was a lovely day and I am happy we were able to join them.

Day 13.

Well, I woke up feeling kind of achey and weird. I think there may have been something that bothered me in one of the salads or something. Maybe garlic or something had some sugar when I was told it didn't? I don't know. I also have been feeling stuffed up. Ryan is so amazed how much changing stuff up has an effect on me, I guess I am too. I love being able to almost totally pin point what is bothering my body or my energy levels. 

Today was Ryan's first day not working with the city at the airport, I also took a day off and we spend the day together. It was really nice and I am so  glad I did. We went on walks, had a nice lunch out [eating out can be really hard, even with the internet haha once you are sitting there staring at that sourdough loaf the craving is real] and it was a great start to the week

Meal 1 - 2 eggs scrambled with spinach and black tea
Snack 1 - Lara bar and cold brewed coffee
Meal 2 - King crab and steamed veggies 
Meal 3 - Baked salmon on a bed of spinach with home made tarter sauce
Snack 2 - Dried pineapple and 2 dates

I stayed up a little later than I would like to but we were just hanging out and had some friends over, everyone like my compliant snacks.

​Thankfully I slept really well.

Day 14.

Almost half way!! Woke up at 5 with no energy but once I got to boot camp at 5:30 I was feeling pretty good. 

Meal 1 - Half a banana, then the other half after my work out
Snack 1 - Plum, coffee and some baby carrots
Meal 2 - Shrimp curry on spaghetti squash was the plan BUT it went bad, thats the only issue when you cook too much upfront haha had to order a burger, not cooked in butter, no ketchup, no bun extra lettuce and pickles and mustard
Snack 2 - Larabar
Meal 3 - Langostino on zoodles cooked in lemon juice and coconut oil
Snack 3 - Dried pineapple and sparkling water

Emotionally this second week was so much better. I have a lot more energy but the cravings are still there, bread sounds wonderful and I would love a cocktail but day 14 isn't day 30 so I am gonna push through because I feel way better and I know it's worth it. I am so glad I am doing this with a few friends and we have our facebook group, the recipes everyone shares are helpful and everything has been delicious. Did some shopping yesterday and am hoping to make a few big batches for the next week or so.

Are you doing this with us? How are you feeling? Have you had any slip ups?
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RECIPES:
​Egg bacon breakfast cups I added mushrooms and spinach
Shrimp carbonara I cannot believe how much I loved this recipe, I skipped the powder and milk
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4 Comments

1 - 7

2/23/2016

9 Comments

 
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day 1.

Well, I woke up late for my run which was ok by me since I am still pretty sore for my workout yesterday and my feet were sore. I had to eat my breakfast in the car which I know the book is against but I just did not have the time to sit down this morning and enjoy every bite. And now its 6pm and today was not too bad. Thankful for so many prepped meals, I know that will be what saves me. I think making my portions larger will help me get over the 'no snack' idea. Also looking at breakfast, lunch and dinner as meal 1, meal 2 and meal 3 is interesting it opens up what I might eat in the morning so I have a lot more options. I have been feeling bloated and my stomach has hurt all day, I think I have to thank the teriyaki I had last night as my last meal before starting whole 30 and all the probiotics in the kombucha I have been drinking recently. I will hydrate with just water tomorrow and a coffee if I really need it.

I am going to drink some unsweetened iced tea and relax with my daughter, hope its always this easy haha.
​
Meal 1 - hard boiled egg, blackberries, and an apple.
Snack 1 - dried plums with no sugar
Meal 2 - Shrimp curry with vegetables on spaghetti squash [homemade]
Snack 2 - macadamia nuts
Meal 3 - 2 eggs, peppers, chicken apple sausage and avocado
Drinks - water, unsweetened iced tea and a citrus raw kombucha 

​Before bed got really mad for no reason.

day 2.

rWoke up feeling anxious, went on a run and felt much better.
Felt weird neck pains around dinner and started to feel like I have the flu, unsure if I am catching Claire's cold or if this with withdrawals.
The meals aren't hard due to prep
​
Meal 1 - organic hash browns, scrambled eggs, roast turkey, chopped onions
Snack 1 - apple bar & coffee with coconut milk
Meal 2 - roasted chicken and a small portion of the paleo nachos
Snack 2 - dried plums
Meal 3 - beef with lime juice and chili sauce on salad

​

day 3.

Today has been the worst day so far.
Woke up and went to my body back class but could only do about 30 minutes, feeling weak and sick. But I picked up donuts for a work meeting and really only smelled them once ahah But I didn't really crave one but I did miss that feeling of eating the sugar. Feel like I am coming down with a bad flu but still unsure what it actually is.

ugh ugh ugh I am so so moody. no patience. 

Meal 1 - organic hash browns, scrambled eggs, roast turkey, chopped onions

Snack 1 - coffee black
Meal 2 - olives and pickled peppers and a ground beef stuffed mushroom
Snack 2 - lara bar
Meal 3 - chicken salad with chopped peppers / mustard and compliant mayo

​

day 4.

Well, still very very emotional haha Cried over painted toe nails and Claire last night [she asked me to paint them then didn't like them and asked me to take it off haha]

 The fam is still sick but we are all recovering. We got rest, had a nice day and I got myself a long 90 minute  massage. It was awesome. Food has not been the hard part, the hard part has been feeling down and not trying to make myself feel better with toast or chocolate. Speaking of chocolate, I dreamt about eating it last night haha

Meal 1 - three over medium eggs, 4 slices compliant bacon, half an avocado with a hot tea
Snack 1 - dates, 2 I think
Snack 2 - apple
Meal 2 - Grilled cod with cracked pepper oil and grilled zucchini with coconut amino and iced tea
Snack 3 - Lara bar
Snack 4 - almonds and dried pineapple
Meal 3 - Homemade egg drop veggie soup and iced tea 
​

day 5.

I want chocolate. I want a cocktails.
Instead I am having tea & marcona almonds.. It isn't cutting it

Otherwise today was good. Still very sick, hurts to breathe and my whole face hurts. Sadly our entire house is still sick But Claire is on the mend so thats a win. I wish I wasn't doing this first week sick haha but if I can do this I can do anything.

Meal 1 - two eggs, 1/4 an avocado and 3 pieces of bacon
Snack 1 - dried pineapple
Snack 2 - at a kids bday party I had 3 cuties and some baby carrots
Meal 2 - three romaine leave stuffed with my homemade chicken salad
Meal 3 - Ribeye, cauliflower rice and stir fry veggies with coconut amino
Snack 3 - Almonds, tea and dried pineapple

Off to brush my teeth hoping to not crave comfort food anymore.

day 6.

Slept in until 7am, decided to skip my usual 530am walk/run downtown. My head has been hurting, feeling weak and like I have a cold still. Not sure whats up.

Felt productive even though I am moving in slo mo

Meal 1 - some blueberries and a lara bar
Snack 1 - lara bar and a plum
Meal 2 - shrimp curry on spaghetti squash with a cutie
Snack 2 - dried pineapple
Meal 3 - homemade egg drop soup, 2 chicken drumsticks with butternut squash and buffalo sauce

​Still very emotional, life plus whole30 makes for some tears I guess.

day 7.

mSlept just awful, I feel bad about these last few posts because other than no belly bloat I do not see any positives with Whole 30, I'm sure once these things pass I will see all the awesome stuff I kept hearing about and reading about but for now it sucks. It isn't even the food that sucks, my food has actually been really delicious. It has been just the timing of making a big change in my life while my family goes through other big changes. PLUS we are all sick haha oh well. I am gonna stick it out but right now - you suck whole30.

As I typed that I realized I am actually aiming for a Whole 33 because I might as well just start reintroduction once a weekend hits. 

Meal 1: Lara bar [then my boot camp workout] then hashbrown and hot tea
Snack 1: Smoothie made with coconut milk, blueberries and a few dates
Meal 2: Paleo nachos with hot sauce and black coffee
Meal 3: Boiled artichoke with paleo mayo and chicken apple sausage with grilled spinach and mushrooms

I felt better after eating my larger meals today so I will try to pack larger portions for work.

After 1 week I still feel committed and I am hoping week two brings more smiles and less of an emotional rollercoaster because this past week was a doozy.

So I am drinking my lemon sparkling water and catching up on my DVR after Claire goes to bed - how was your first week?

xo
​Nikol
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Recipes:

Shrimp curry
Chicken salad
Paleo nachos
Egg drop soup
9 Comments

Whole 30.

2/16/2016

2 Comments

 
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Wow, I haven't checked in on this blog in like 4 months! I guess time just got away from me but here I am because I know this is a little safe spot where I can talk and talk and talk about things I don't need to post on Facebook daily and that is that I am starting WHOLE 30 tomorrow!! For the next 30 days I will be following their rules [rules] which include no grains, no booze, no sugar and a few other things. I am pretty excited about it which I was NOT thinking would happen haha. Teresa and I have been  talking about doing this on and off for months and we finally picked a time to get started. 

The last 6 weeks I have been working out with Fit4Mom LB doing the Get Fit Challenge and it was awesome! It was about 20 women and we all supported each other in our own personal goals. Mine included having my pants fit more comfortably, losing a few pounds, holding my plank longer, giving up my daily bread,  stopped drinking and reducing dairy. I have to admit it went really well! I am so proud of myself, never before have I done so many challenges in one day haha we walked over 10,000 steps, did over 100 jumping jacks, 50 squats and a lot more every single day. I slept better, I had more energy and I got in at least 5 workouts a week. I am sad its over but I plan on keeping it up. & then entered my decision to do Whole 30, after changing all those things in my diet I can't lie about how much better I feel. I know dairy literally gives me cramps for a day or two, I know that too many refined carbs makes me bloat and ache, I know sugar [hidden sugars] make me wake up often at night and I  have no idea what causes these migraines but I am ready to get rid of them. I read the book so quickly - thank you so much Emily for the gift! You can  buy your book here if you want one - It Starts with Food and I got all my sugar  free sauces on Amazon too - Tessamae Dressings I did the starter pack but you can buy them one by one also.

So here we go, for the next 30 days I will be checking in on my blog with my pictures, my thoughts, my recipes and meal preps and at the end I will find out my results because I won't be weighing myself or anything like that during this. My goals for whole 30 do include a little weight loss but not much, mostly I want to feel good, for my face to be brighter and to sleep better so that I can have a great day with my husband, my daughter and at work!

My girlfriend, Kristen, just completed hers and she has been such an inspiration! We started a Facebook group if you wanna join and read recipes and maybe jump in with us. Tomorrow there are a few of us starting - Teresa, Sara, Shannon, Kristin and Emily. Our Facebook group - join here

Well, i fyou have done this in the past please feel free to send me any tips and tricks! Last night I did a week of meal prep and got a lot of compliant snack bars if I need them!

Have a great day
xo
Nikol



STARTING POINT
BODY:
(after our 6 week challenge I lost 6 pounds and inches all over, yay)
Weight - 130 pounds
Chest circumference - 32 1/2 
Waist - 26 1/2
Hips - 38 1/2
Right thigh - 22 1/2
FITNESS:
Mile time - 8:50
1 min bicep curls - 49
1 min push ups - 40
1 min full sit ups - 47
1 min squats - 64
Standing long jump - 66 inches
Plank - 6:33 
Side bridge - 2:02



2 Comments

My bun is 31! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

10/2/2015

0 Comments

 
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Today is Ryan's birthday!! I often look though old pictures when I am bored at work and when I came across this one it made my day and I knew it had to be the one I brought back up for his birthday <3
If you know Ryan then you know he is one of the good ones. So funny and smart and thoughtful that I know he will be very celebrated on his birthday but I hope he knows just how special he is to us. So special in fact that Claire and I are pledging to go to as many CSULB basketball games as we can :) we got him season tickets this year and getting more of his favorite thing into his life will be a priority. 

Ryan, I love you. I wish you the happiest birthday and I am so excited to celebrate with you this weekend. I am so glad we did donuts in the park this morning, it was the perfect way to start the day.

Friends, please send all your happy birthday vibes my husbands way and if you are in the LB neighborhood on Saturday give me a call and grab a drink with us.

xoxo
​Nikol
0 Comments
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