Today, my friends, marks day eight of my gluten-free, dairy-free journey. One WHOLE week of no gluten or dairy was filled with very mixed emotions. Thus, I thought a simple pro and con list would suffice in explaining my thoughts on this journey. I will start with the cons and end with the pros, as I try to always maintain a positive attitude. I’m being completely honest when I say that this journey has definitely tested my ability to stay positive.
Here we go:
CONS:
1. Shopping for groceries is NOT an easy process anymore. The food industry in the United States is swarmed with preservatives, natural flavors, and chemical words of which a large portion of the general population have no idea about. It AMAZED me how many products have gluten and dairy in them. Next time you go grocery shopping and have the time, I highly urge you to look closely at the labels of what you are buying and figure out if you know everything on the ingredient list. You might just surprise yourself!
2. It costs a lot. With a family budget that is already tight, I am going to have to take some more lessons in frugality. Maybe I should watch more “crazy coupon lady” tv shows? Feel free to intervene if I start coming home with caseloads of paper towels and such. Please do.
3. When you detox certain things out of your body and then don’t take the time to closely glance over a label when cooking dinner (or dessert in my case) you WILL become best friends with the toilet the next day. Learned that one the hard way on Day 7.
4. It takes “time” to prepare your food. I’m sure with more “time” this one will get easier.
PROS:
1. No more mindless eating. I will say that switching to gluten-free and dairy-free makes it pretty darn impossible to eat mindlessly. No more evening ice cream indulgences. Or last minute finds at the Costco concession stand. You have to put extra thought into what you are putting into your body. This is a GOOD thing.
2. Being more prepared at mealtime. I have to admit that this is probably the first whole week since Chad and I getting married that I have cooked dinner seven nights in a row. And they were healthy dinners!! Anyone that knows me would say this is a pretty big accomplishment. So, I’m patting myself on the back.
3. Connecting the mind/body experience. For the first time in my life, I am truly thinking about nurturing my body in a whole new way. I am beginning to see and feel how making healthier choices on a daily basis effects my body, my mood, my energy.
4. Challenging my comfort zone. This one is sort of a love/hate relationship and could also be a “con” for this experience. However, I have found (especially since becoming a Beachbody coach) that stepping outside my comfort zone and doing things that are difficult can be freeing. Eating fruits and veggies on a regular basis might not sound like a challenge to many people, but I have always been the most plain Jane eater. This past week has truly made me step outside my comfort zone, and I know that it will be good for me in the long run!
Follow me on this journey, as I’m sure there will continue to be struggles, along with successes. I will share recipes and tips, and would LOVE to hear from others that might be experiencing some of the same things!
Here are five of my favorite dinners from the first week:
• Sausage jambalaya
• Sirloin steak, corn, asparagus, and roasted fingerling potatoes
• Turkey and quinoa stuffed bell peppers
• Breakfast for dinner: steak, eggs, and hashbrowns
• Shredded pork tacos with Spanish rice on white corn tortillas
For daily tips and motivation, find me on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/rootstrengthfitness