⋅GRAND DESIGNS In my last BULLET POINTS I recommended Escape to the Country and several of you told me to watch Grand Designs. Wow, that show did not disappoint. From a home that floats to one made of clay and straw, I was completely mesmerized by the vision, process, and final product of every single construction. This show made me want to build a modern home of my own!
⋅WHOLE30 We started today, and I’m feeling ok so far. It’s interesting how all of a sudden I want carbs and dairy just because I “can’t” have them. I hear day 4-5 is where things start to get hairy, so I’m trying to pace myself. The biggest recommendation for cravings has been Larabars, anything else help get you through that slump during the day?
⋅FIONA LEAHY DESIGN I follow a lot of interior accounts on Instagram, but often the ones outside of that are my favorite. I started following Fiona a while ago. As a creative event designer for celebrities, fashion houses, and royalty, Fiona is sharing loads of inspiring images. But probably my favorite was a trip she documented a few weeks ago. Along with her good friend, Dita Von Teese, she took the Orient Express from Paris to Venice, and her stories were pure magic. Adding that to the bucket list…
⋅PENDANTS Good lighting is rarely cheap, and I’m amazed at what I think is reasonable for some metal and wire these days. I stumbled across these faux marble paper pendants the other day, and I have to say, I am impressed. They would be really great in an office or fun in a teen space. You can’t beat the price!
⋅BEDROOM PROGRESS We’re so close to calling it “good for now” on our master. This beautiful, blush linen just showed up in the mail, and I’ve been trying to make new curtains for my closet doors in between prepping food and feeding Domino. She’s loving solids! Styling tabletops is something I’m best at with lots of time and patience, and I’m really happy with how our nightstands are shaping up. I hope to share the whole refresh as soon as I get these curtains sewn. Back to it!
Michelle | Birds of Berwick says
Whole 30 – day 11 was my low point…such a bad day I remember it very clearly. Getting past that was a huge milestone. My advise, don’t fall into all the propaganda and semi-cult following that the forums can suck you into. They can really mess with your head and I just needed to back away and remember that “I am a grown up and if I fall off the wagon or even accidentally have something with soy I don’t need to start over at Day 1. I’ve done great, am doing great, and will keep on trucking”. It’s your experience and being able to control it helps just as much as doing it. Being “told” you need to start over doesn’t help anyone. Journaling helped, and I’m not one to journal. Also – blood oranges, apples dusted with cinnamon and raw cashews. YUM. I didn’t eat one Larabar while I was on it, so can’t speak to that. Good luck! I am doing it again this May or may just go Paleo for the month – haven’t decided yet. I did lose weight, yes, but I FELT SO GOOD and was sleeping so good that it makes it tempting to do again. I don’t think I’ll put so much pressure on what “day” I’m on next time though. That really burned the whole experience for me.
Leslie says
I did Whole 30 with my husband back in January and agree with this. The forums were good for me when I needed encouragement, but they can get a bit crazy just like anything. For us, if we realized that something had soy or trace amounts of sugar in it, like bacon, after the fact, we just decided to not eat that for the rest of the month and move on. We didn’t start over. It’s hard enough as it is, and the goal is to recognize where your food traps might be and work at breaking those, and they tend to be more emotional than physical. I chose not to snack much at all period, because I can eat mindlessly or out of boredom. When I did have an afternoon slump instead of choosing something sweet, even fruit, I typically opted for something with protein like a couple hardboiled eggs and a handful of veggies. I was amazed at how quickly I felt satisfied, how fast my energy came back and that I didn’t want more. Having a big breakfast with healthy fats and protein is a key thing for me too. Reading It Starts With Food was helpful for both my husband and I because we better understood what certain types of foods were causing our bodies to do. Also, the reintroduction phase is really worth it to do well so you can see where your trigger foods are, reactions, etc. When you’re feeling done, just remember it gets better! We used the month to try out some new recipes and found some great ones that we still have on rotation now, and discovered we liked foods we didn’t know we liked, so bonus.
themakerista@gmail.com says
I do think if it’s an accident you should move on. Yes, I’m trying to remember how important it will be to go slow with reintroduction and not just dive into a cinnamon roll. 😉
themakerista@gmail.com says
Good for you for no Lara bars! They’re good but expensive! And I think they kind of feel like a treat, where as dates and nuts on their own change your brain about eating. Thanks for your thoughts, Michelle!
Sarah says
The best way to get rid of cravings is to not feed them. If you eat a Larabar every time you crave sugar, you’ll never retrain your brain. Think of your cravings as your brain throwing a temper tantrum…if you give in and give it what it wants, you will continue having to deal with them. Don’t give it what it wants, and it will eventually give up. That is where the freedom begins, and it’s so worth it! That said, I’m not the boss of you, and I don’t know your goals, so do what’s best for you:-)
themakerista@gmail.com says
Very smart. I think Lara bars also delicious, but I can see where the act of eating them feels like a treat to your brain. I recently cut out all sugar, even fruit, and while I feel like I might die 😉 I’m hoping it will help some issues!
Stephanie Russo says
I’ve found with Whole 30 the need to eat something crunchy!My Whole 30 standbys:
Celery and Carrots -almost everyday
Boulder Chips (any potato chip that is just potato avocado oil and salt) try not to over indulge! Or roast your own quartered seasoned potato’s in avocado oil and dip in approved mustard, yum!
Favorite Breakfast: smashed potato avocado chive and soft boiled eggs.
Load smoothies with market fresh fruits and veggies and make 32+ ounces to sip on throughout the day!
“Nice Cream” for dessert or breakfast!
Good Luck!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks for this list, Stephanie!
Mary says
I love watching Grand Dsigns. But sometimes I like the new home itself better than the furnishings
Your bedroom is so lovely. Very elegant!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Agreed! Thank you, Mary!
jody marie says
My biggest tip for whole 30 is to save a photo of the page telling what you can eat (I think it’s called the grocery list) to your phone. It’s so empowering to focus on what you can eat in those moments of need. Also, I was shocked with how much I craved a good salad full of dark greens–and a potato hash. If you “need” something try those. They turned the day around for me anytime. Its the best science experiment to really get to know how your body is best fueled. Have fun! I’m sure you’ve found a million ideas online but here is my whole30 pinterest board–in case you need some meal ideas!! https://www.pinterest.com/jodyf/30-plans/
themakerista@gmail.com says
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!