Food Freedom: A Whole Life Beginning

I'm so thankful for fresh starts and new beginnings. It seems as though the one I'm about to share has been about 15 years in the making. I'm not really sure I ever thought it was possible: the challenge of getting healthy and being happy SIMULTANEOUSLY. I have always thought I had to drudge through the horrendous task of loosing weight, exercising in ways my body was not yet capable of and THEN and only then would I be happy. Well, all the way happy.

On January 1, 2016, I decided to throw away the check lists and goals and try something that when presented to me the previous year, I laughed at: The Whole30. I thought since I had tried it all (literally, there was no style of "diet" I hadn't tried), I could at least give this seemingly, radical, restrictive plan a try. Because anyone can do anything for 30 days, right? So, I buckled down for deprivation and a will power struggle. I'd done that before. I could do it again.

But that's not what I got and that's not what I experienced. So what did I experience? FREEDOM. Just a few short days into my first Whole30 and I knew this was different. A few weeks in and I knew it would be a lifestyle and not just a 30 day experiment. It was like falling in love. You date all these duds and then THE ONE! It doesn't mean it doesn't take work, but you know this is for life and it's worth the commitment. I never knew I could be happy on the journey itself. I am.

Everybody has talents and gifts. I'm no different. Over the years I've honed my culinary skills and party planning ability. But I've always been frustrated with the gift. Why couldn't I be an athlete or musician? Why did I have to be the gourmet cook making foods that I knew where making me and maybe my guests too, less healthy? Until, Whole30. If you think cutting grains, dairy, added sugar, and legumes would be awful, let me tell you as a self proclaimed "foodie" I've been eating some of the best food of my life. That's right, no cheese and I'm here to write about it!

I've read a ton of books and articles about health over the years; always trying to translate these words into my life and concrete practice. They have never stuck. With all the programs and books, I always wanted to be the success story, the poster child for why this was finally the thing that worked. I was enticed to spend my money so that I could get to the goal on their advertisements and then be that person. But that isn't freedom- it's slavery. Now, I just want to be healthy and whole. No gimmicks or sales pitches. Whole30 has shown me that I am the success story and I didn't have to buy anything except clean, whole food. I am a success story because of the dozens of non scale victories I've had over the last 4 months (they will happen for you too... several months in and I'm still discovering new ones every week). Not to mention the incredible scale victory as well- 25 pounds of weight gone in about 100 days. Whole30 has shown me that the only sales pitch necessary is my story- one filled with hope and joy on this journey.

Really, I'm still a bit of a bleeding heart with all of this, but Whole30 is helping heal that too.

And so here I am, writing about my whole fiat or "yes." I'm pumped to be here and I hope you're excited for what's to come here on the blog and in your life. From me at least you can expect recipes of delicious, clean food. Book reviews. Tips. Encouragement. Thanks for joining!