Just a Few Notes on My Whole30

I can't believe it. It seems like these days have gone by so fast! This Whole30 journey has been an awesome experience! It has definitely changed my relationship with food for the better! Today is Day 29 and here are just a few things I'd like to note about my journey.

1. The Sugar Dragon and I are making our peace.
2. I no longer want to eat my emotions. I now prefer to exercise them or if I can't, then I will take a nap or a bath.
3. I want the food I eat to help fuel my body and help me function to the best of my ability.
4. Food does not have to be deep fried or served with dipping sauce for me to enjoy it. In fact one of the best tasting meals I ate out during this journey, was a piece of salmon seared with salt and pepper, a side of broccoli no butter and spinach with roasted tomatoes and garlic.
5. I feel so awesome when I eat balanced, drink lots of water, and get 7-8 hours of sleep.
6. My favorite main courses, if you will, are Grass Fed Beef and Wild Caught fish.
7. In love with Sweet Potatoes. They are not just for Turkey Day.
8. I can live without Gin and French Bread with butter.
9. My name is Helmschick and I have a Coconut Oil addiction. It's okay it is good for you.
10. I am a happier me, a more confident me, a leaner me, and I am actually excited to start my day!

My Sugar Dragon Is A Hobbit Named Smeagol aka Gollum

OR.. SUGAR is My PRECIOUS

The Whole 30 talks about a Sugar Dragon. To be honest, I thought it was a little silly, maybe a bit dramatic. Now, I know. (I've discovered that sugar played more of a role in my diet than originally thought.)

Let me just say, I never thought of myself as a sugar addict. When that time of the month rolls around or what we call... Aunt Irma visiting (anybody seen the IT Crowd?) sure, I have some sugary cravings. Other then that I thought I could pretty much take it or leave it. Guess I was wrong, because it turns out sugar is in so many things we never would have guessed or at least I never gave enough thought about. Before I started the Whole 30, while I was researching it, I became a label reader. If you want to avoid added sugar, you really have to.

This week, my hardest battle has been my Sugar Dragon. After dinner, almost every night I have had to convince myself that Sugar is not My Precious. I was shocked how badly I craved something sweet. I couldn't tell you any one dessert in particular, I just thought that I really really could use something toothsome.

How did I resolve said problem? How did I calm the Smeagol/Gollum great debate? I waited an hour and then if I still felt like I needed something to eat, I had a snack. Most of the time if I waited that long the feeling subsided. The times where it didn't, I ate a no added sugar applesauce.

I have survived Week 2 of my Whole 30! It was more difficult then I suspected but, that is okay. I really like this whole breaking cravings and learning to enjoy the healthier fuel I deposit into my system.

Whole 30: Week One

Week one of Whole 30, complete! It has been a success. I am enjoying my journey and the food is pretty tasty. I've even tried a few different things. This is what my week looked like:

Day One

Breakfast: 2 fried eggs, half an avocado, 1 piece of prosciutto 

Lunch: Tuna, Dill pickle, Kalamata Olives, 1/4 of an apple

Dinner: Sweet potato (with ghee and cinnamon) and Smoked Salmon Scrambled eggs

Exercise: 30 mins Upper Fix(21DayFix), 15 mins Holy Yoga, and 50 Squats

70 oz of water

Day Two

Breakfast: 1 fried egg, Two Potato Spicy Hash browns, Smoked Salmon and greens

Lunch: Turkey Burger Patty(onions and mustard) and Broccoli

Dinner: Baked potato with salsa and guacamole, 1 fried egg, 2 pieces prosciutto 

Exercise: Cardio Fix and Pilates Fix (21DayFix) total 60 mins

75 oz of water

Day Three

Breakfast: Banana Pineapple and greens smoothie

Lunch: Beef and Veggie Goulash 

Dinner: Veggie Omelet and Two Taters Spicy Hashbrowns

Exercise: Yoga Fix (21DayFix) 30 mins

80 oz of water

Day Four

Breakfast: Banana 2TBS Almond Butter

Snack: Fried egg

Lunch: In and Out Hamburger, protein style, mustard no spread

Dinner: Salmon with Coconut Aminos, Veggie Saute and Baked potato(ghee)

Exercise: Total Body Cardio (30 min) Pilates Fix (10 min) 40 Squats (21DayFix)

70 oz of water

Day Five

Breakfast: 1/4 Larabar

Lunch: Two Tater Spicy Hash browns, 1 Fried egg

Snack: half banana 1TBS Almond Butter

Dinner: Beef and Veggie Goulash (small bowl)

Snack: In and Out Hamburger, protein style, mustard no spread

Exercise: 40 Squats, Upper Fix (21DayFix) 30 mins and Holy Yoga 20 mins

60 oz of water

Day Six

Breakfast: half a scrambled egg

Lunch: Wild caught Tuna, Paleo Mayo, Dill Pickle, Hard boiled egg, Cucumber slices

Dinner: Beef Taco Salad

Snack: Coconut milk, Banana, and Almond Butter Smoothie

Exercise: Holy Yoga 30 mins 

60 oz of water

Day Seven

Breakfast: I skipped it. I felt nauseated 

Lunch: Chipotle Carnitas Salad NO dressing

Snack: Coconut milk, Banana, and Almond Butter Smoothie

Dinner: Ground Turkey Zucchini Boats and Mashed Taters (coconut milk, ghee)

Exercise: Lower Fix (21DayFix) 30 mins.

80 oz of water

Whole 30

On my quest to figure out why I have chronic hives, I have made a few discoveries. One, doctors do not always have all the answers. Two, I might not ever find the answer. Three, you might try just about anything to get rid of them. I was pinteresting one night about autoimmune and hives and came across a hashtag with Whole 30. So, I looked it up. The gist is, it is a lifestyle change. It is about putting whole foods into your body and cutting out high inflammatory foods and processed foods. You eliminate a great number of these inflammatory foods and for thirty days only eat organic or grass fed meats, fish, eggs, fruits, veggies, and some nuts. (not peanuts) When I first saw the long list of things you cannot eat for thirty days, I think my eyes about jumped out of my head. As I read on and learned more about the whys, I decided that this is something I would like to try. I mean I've done food allergy testing on somethings, but maybe it is the chemicals they are putting in our food that are causing my reactions too.?! I don't know, but I figure this is another step in the process of seeing what helps. If nothing else it gives my body a reset and I learn to eat healthier! (I'm also learning to read my food labels, they put sugar and soy in almost everything!)

In preparation for my Whole 30, I gave up wheat, rice, and alcohol for two weeks. At the end of the two weeks, I fit back into a pair of jeans I haven't worn since last December. Then I gave up everything I was suppose to except my Shakeology for two weeks and started a fitness challenge. At the end of those two weeks, I fit back into a pair of jean capris. I think giving up a few things a head of time for a shorter time, has made it not as overwhelming. I've also had a few glimpses of how much better I feel when I eat more whole foods and less junk.

Yesterday was Day One of my first official Whole 30. 

This is what I ate:

 Breakfast - 2 fried eggs (cooked in coconut oil) 1/2 Avacado and 1 piece of prosciutto                          Lunch - half a can of tuna, dill pickle, 2 cherry tomatoes, 4 Kalamata olives.

              1/4 of an apple

 Dinner - 2 scrambled eggs (cooked in coconut oil) with Smoked Salmon, a sweet potato

               with cinnamon and ghee

                                 

How I feel

Some days I feel like Oscar the Grouch.
Some days I feel like Eeyore.
Some days I am just plain anxious.
Some days I wish to feel more,
Or perhaps less.


I always feel less than fabulous. I've forgotten what fabulous feels like. But, with perseverance and an attitude adjustment, I might just get there. More issues than Vogue, a few fries short of a happy meal, and this is my circus and unfortunately these feelings ARE my monkeys. The past two months have been difficult. Maybe I should change the name of this blog to, How I Feel. I have not lost my hope, but at times I may have set her to the side. I still trust God. My Faith is my anchor. The obedience part, well... I am always working on that.

1Peter5:7  Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.

Lord, help calm the storms that are raging. Help heal this auto immune. Help me to have a better attitude. Help me to surrender this all to you. Every day. 

-helmschick 

Strength and Inspiration from Scripture

Grandma lived with me for about two months give or take, after her stroke in 2012. We made a lot of good memories. Mostly I just enjoyed her company. I tried to read with her just about every day from a Max Lucado book. Sometimes Grandma would get discouraged in her recovery process. It was completely reasonable. Who wouldn't? On one particular evening, she became very down, my husband and I prayed with her. We tried to encourage her as she had always been an encourager. I figured this time it was my turn. A verse that came to mind that night was, Romans 8:28.

"And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

We talked about that verse and how God was going to bring something good out of this difficult time. He already was. We were so lucky to have that time together. My kids got to know her a little better. They have some pretty funny memories from that time. The next day when Grandma and I sat down to read from our Max Lucado book, that was the verse for the message of that chapter.

I told you yesterday I would share verses from her index card spiral with you.Here are a few verses that Grandma and I chose for it. The purpose of the spiral was to help encourage her and strengthen her, when she felt down. Yes, we also included Romans 8:28.

The Lord said..."Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; Do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:1,9

"They cried out to the LORD in their troubles, and He save them out of their distress."  Psalm 107:9

"You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with Songs of deliverance."  Psalm 32:7

"I know whom I have believed, and am convinced, He is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day."  2Timothy 1:12

"You are the apple of His eye." Zechariah 2:8

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5-6

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like Eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:31

Things That Are Difficult

Getting a phone call that not just one, but two of your loved ones have died, is shocking. It is a difficult thing to hear and soak in. Honestly it is traumatizing. I think it was one of the hardest things to bare, the initial moment of they are gone.

The other difficult moments for me, were being in their homes, knowing they never will be again. No one really plans to not come home. Walking through my Grandma’s house was tough, however what I was really nervous about, was walking into her room. I could still catch her scent. I surveyed the room and next to her bed were a couple of books she borrowed from me. On top of the books was a ring of index cards. The index cards we had sat down together with and wrote out Bible verses to help her through her days. On the end of her bed was the Christmas quilt I had made her for her last birthday. I picked it up and it really had caught her scent. That made the tears run down my cheeks.

Going to Uncle Brian’s house was equally as difficult. Seeing his dog Coco, made me sad for her, because her owner wasn’t coming home. Uncle B’s dogs were always like his children. Walking through his house was difficult, I thought of some of the memories our family has created there. Grandma’s last birthday was spent there. We made homemade pizzas and visited with one another. We went to the dollar store and brought home Elvis glasses. Walking into his bedroom was difficult, I looked at some of his cross necklaces with the rope or leather bands. I picked them up and smelled them. Uncle B’s scent. He always wore cologne. That’s when I couldn’t hold the tears back anymore. On his bedroom wall there was a picture of Jesus embracing someone as they entered Heaven.I thought that was really neat. Next to his bed was a book about people who had encountered Heaven or witnessed loved ones moving on. I have been reading it over the past year.  On his fridge were lots of pictures of family members. My brothers, My family, nieces and nephews, Brian loved us all and kept us where he could see us.

There are many difficult times in life. Some will entail saying goodbye to those we hold so very dear at heart. Jesus said that in the world we would have tribulation, but to know that He has overcome it. We will have difficult and heart breaking moments, but we too can overcome them. One day we will be in a place where there is no more pain. One day we will be at peace. One day we will truly be home. Until then, keep the faith, and persevere, even if it is baby steps.

Tomorrow I will post the verses, from the index cards, that were next to Grandmas bed.

Peace, love, and Jesus,

Helmschick-- out

Small Victories That Are Huge

I have officially made it through week one of my 30 minutes for 30 days. It feels awesome!! I've done some walking, yoga, and used my exercise bike. Most importantly I have been moving more.

This week I've been watching a lot less TV. I think Netflix might be missing me. I've been writing more, too.

I've also been exhausted, in a good way. I mean I've been exhausted before, but it was emotional that caused physical exhaustion. The tired I feel now is much better. This tired says, I have accomplished things. (Stuff and Things, haha ) It also says, I'm finding my happy, trying to rediscover my joys.

Baby steps, but big feelings. Small victories that are huge. I'm grateful and excited for this new chapter.

Helmschick

An Exercise in Discipline

The past year has been a tough one. Loosing a family member is never easy. Loosing two at the same time and on the same day is overwhelming. Grief is an interesting, annoying, vast, and necessary character builder. Lets just say, I hurt, I cried, I prayed, I watched Netflix, and I ate some of my feelings. Now it is time to exercise those feelings/pounds. The Bible says, there is a time for everything. I tell my kids the same. Now is the time to rediscover some joy and get up and move more.

I am determined to be more disciplined. I have challenged myself to 30 minutes for 30 days. I have to do some form of exercise for 30 minutes, each day, for 30 days. I started last Friday, April 3rd. Some days it is cardio and some it is yoga. You may think, that is no challenge. Well for me it is. I have TMJ and somedays is flares up. I can work too hard and do too much during the day, and make it mad. Other times I might just be stressed or have clenched my teeth  in my sleep, and that makes it mad. Days like these, I do not want to do anything. For 30 days I am going to push through it. On those days I will do a lighter 30 minutes, but I will still do it. Discipline, baby. Discipline!

-Helmschick

Good Friday

 Last year on Good Friday, I woke up with a complete absolute Peace. You see the Thursday night before, my Grandmother and Uncle were killed in a head on collision. Thursday night was a torpedo of chaotic emotions and shock. But, Friday morning was complete absolute Peace. I woke up knowing that no matter the circumstances or details surrounding their deaths, they were in God's hands. They always had been and it was no different now. Easter will always be associated with loosing them. However Easter has always been a time of thankfulness. Loosing them has not changed this. I am so thankful for Jesus sacrifice. I am so thankful for a personal relationship with him. I am so thankful that my Uncle and Grandma also know Jesus. I am thankful for the time I had with them, the beautiful, crazy, hilarious, joy filled, tear stained memories. I am So thankful that not only in life did they follow God, but also in death. God was with them through it all. He has been with me through it all. I am a thankful chick.