I’m nearing the home stretch! During my 4th (and final!) week of the Whole Living Challenge I get to add animal proteins like chicken and beef, and gluten back into my diet. Oh how I’ve missed pasta!
As of this Monday here is list of things I can eat:
Vegetables
Fruits
Nuts & Seeds
Plant-Based Oils
Seafood
Beans & Lentils
Tofu
Gluten-Free Grains
Eggs
Chicken
Beef
Gluten (like pasta)
Still on the list of things I cannot eat are all processed foods, sugar, dairy, caffeine, and alcohol.
Le sigh.
One more week and then it’s welcome back chardonnay and Starbucks!
This week is actually a much closer representation of how I eat on a regular basis, so I don’t anticipate it to be a major struggle. I hope to finish this week, and this Challenge, by continuing to push myself to try new recipes that I’ll incorporate into my diet from here on out.
Here’s what I’ll be eating during Week 4:
My Breakfast Options
Scrambled Eggs (no dairy added)
Green Smoothie*
Green Machine Smoothie*
Avocado, Apple, Celery Green Smoothie**
Mixed Green Smoothie (for Vibrant Skin)
Ginger Orange Smoothie*
Mango Coconut Water Smoothie*
Beet & Carrot Smoothie
My Lunch Options
Leftovers from dinner
Lettuce Salad loaded with veggies, hard-boiled egg, seeds, etc, topped with avocado dressing***
Quinoa Salad with Toasted Almonds
Almond Chicken Soup with Sweet Potatoes*
Chickpeas/Brown Rice Veggie Burger
Black Bean & Millet Bowl*
Sweet Potato, Apple, Celery Salad*
Kale Slaw with Red Cabbage & Carrots
Spicy Black Bean Salad*
My Dinner Options
Grilled chicken breast*
Roast beef and veggies*
Shrimp Scampi over Angelhair pasta*
Rice Noodles with Broccoli-Almond Pesto*
Halibut with Sweet Potato Fries & Lime
Broiled Shrimp* (without the breadcrumbs)
Garlicky Baked Butternut Squash* (without the Parmesan)
Carrot Ginger Soup* (sans garnish)
Spiced Butternut Squash & Apple Soup
Baked Sweet Potatoes with Citrus
Roasted Winter Vegetables with Cannellini Beans
Grilled Salmon with Orange Avocado Salsa*
Salt & Pepper Tofu*
Roasted mixed veggies in olive oil (broccoli, cauliflower, etc.)*
My Snack Options
Smoothies from my breakfast list
Scrambled Eggs*
Sesame Kale Chips
Roasted Spiced Chickpeas*
Any Bean Dip
Hummus*
Almonds*
Sunflower Seeds*
Oranges/Clementines*
Apple slices*
Sliced veggie sticks*
Almond Butter*
*Things I’ve already tried that I know I’ll like.
**1/2 an avocado, 1/2 a Granny Smith apple, 1 celery stalk (makes 1 smoothie)
***1 avocado, juice from 1 lemon, 1/4 t. lemon zest, 4 basil leaves. Blend or process until smooth and creamy. Add salt & pepper to taste.
Join me, Jenna, Frances, Karyn, Jennifer, Sara, Marlena, Andrea, Christy, Melissa, Katie, Kerri, and others on All Things G&D on Facebook as we discuss our ups and downs of the Challenge and share our favorite recipes! I’m also posting my meals and snacks each day for reference. We’d love to hear from you, too!
Hi there…as you are going into your 4th week I’m on nearing day 4. It’s going well…I’m dreading my MOMS group meeting on Thurs, there’s always yummy baked goodies. I’ll stick to the fruit and my tea.
OK time to get super personal…today I had my first bowel movement since saturday (my start day). It was totally different. Did you notice anything different.
Overall all i don’t have that full filling…a good salad can fill me up but I dont feel like I need a nap.
(Okay, that wasn’t me commenting anonymously above, but now I’m curious to know if your “output” has changed because of your dietary changes. ((What is wrong with me??)) )
What I really want to say, though, is that the avocado dressing sounds amazing. I’m going to have to try that…this week!
jbhat
Hi…I posted the question about bowel movements while cleansing…today I made the ginger carrot soup, it was yummy. It did not turn out like the picture, it was a little watery. Did I do something wrong or should I blame it on food presentation photo shoot.
@Anonymous–No, I didn’t notice anything different with my BMs when I started the Challenge this year. I’m trying to remember if I had any significant changes last year when I did the Challenge for the first time (which was a MUCH more drastic change for my body’s digestive system) but I can’t remember. I’m sorry I’m not more help! I do remember from reading articles and message boards on WholeLiving.com that a lot of people experience changes in their BMs when starting the Challenge, so I think it’s totally normal. Good luck to you this week–especially on Thursday! Take it from my most recent experience–cheating is NOT worth it. I still feel like crap from Sunday.
@jbhat–It’s pretty good! It’s very thick and creamy so I don’t “pour” it over my salad; I just dip my fork in it and then scoop up a bite of salad.
@Anonymous–I just checked out the picture and you’re right–it’s very deceiving! Mine also turns out pretty watery, so I think you are doing it right. In fact, my MIL likes to drink hers out of a coffee mug (it’s her favorite soup so I always make extra and give her some). I think it’s normal to be that watery. Glad you liked it!