Most folks in the paleo-world are familiar with a “Whole 30”. This is a 30 day food intervention created by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig of Whole 9 fame. I’m no stranger to the Whole 30 experience since I’ve embarked on a few throughout the past 6 years.

Due to my ravenous and unpredictably timed hunger as of late, I’ve found myself reaching for anything that’s easy, but not necessarily the best nutritional option. Nothing HORRIBLE, but I feel pretty certain that we are not meant to subsist on protein bars, toast, smoothies, and yogurt bowls alone. Add to that the fact that the return of my dairy intolerance was in direct conflict with my newfound love of butter, I felt it was time to reset my palate a little bit.

I tend to do a little better keeping myself away from things that don’t treat me well if I abstain from them for an extended period of time. Not forever, but long enough for me to re-acquaint myself with foods that require a little more effort while consequently containing more nutrients.

For those who don’t know, a Whole 30 is a 30 day elimination of grains, legumes, dairy, sugar, and alcohol. Additionally, paleo-fied treats like almond meal pancakes, nut butter cookies, and coconut flour brownies are forbidden. The goal of the Whole 30 is to encourage a love of simple whole food meals. Since I’m breastfeeding this is not an attempt to lose weight, cut calories, or go on a “diet”. Just a simple and effective strategy to help me choose foods that make me feel good vs. foods that I’m craving since the more “lenient” days of my pregnancy.

I just finished my first week and here is a wrap up of some of my favorite meals!

Breakfast

roasted yams topped with all kinds of yummy stuff like sliced fruit, coconut butter, and almond butter

Snacks

smoked salmon and medium-boiled eggs

bowl of sliced fruit, coconut milk, and Trader Joe’s new product, Grainless Granola

Meals

fruit, hempseed, collagen packed smoothie

mustard-balsamic burger salad with roasted brussels sprouts