Whole 30 Day 3

What I Ate

Fried Cauliflower "Rice" with Pork and Eggs
Trader Joe's Plantain Chips
Banana, Cherry, Cranberry + Coconut Milk Smoothie
Fried Chicken + Potatoes
Iced Tea + Almond Milk
1/4 a Baked Potato with Pork

Today was easier mentally than yesterday, but I did call in to work and took a nap again in the afternoon. Greg watched the game at his dad's house and made another Whole 30 dinner over there. He brought me chicken and potatoes.

It might be a psychological cheat, but we bought almond milk to put in our tea. I've missed the creaminess of half and half even more than sugar or sweeteners. I think there's a strong emotional connection for me with creamy drinks and comfort. I usually put half and half in my tea even when it's iced. I went crazy over the milk tea they had in vending machines when I was in Japan. Sweeteners are out when on the Whole 30, but I think when we're done I'm going to have one glass a day of coconut sugar sweetened milk tea.

(Check out the Tokyo airport sushi. It was stamped by the hour and incredibly delicious.)

Whole 30 Day 2

What I ate

LOTS...

Italian Roast Pork + Fried Eggs
Coconut Cream Pie Lara Bar
Banana Bread Lara Bar
Baked Potato + Mayo, Nutritional Yeast
Banana, Cranberry, Cherry, Grapefruit + Coconut Milk Smoothie
Turkey + Roasted Veggies

Very stressful day, went to work for a hour before calling Greg to come get me. I ate TWO Lara bars while waiting, both were okay ingredient-wise, but kinda a cheat psychologically.  Took a four hour nap in the afternoon while Greg had dinner (Whole 30 compliant) at his mother's house. He brought home some turkey and veggies for me, they were delicious.

What Depression Does To Me

I love to do lots of things. I love reading, and hiking, exploring new places, trying new recipes and crafts. I love playing video games, especially the kinds where you put time and thought into creating a character or building something. I love to write stories and characters for my tabletop gaming group, creating new areas for them to explore, cool weird people for them to meet.

But when I'm depressed? I like sleeping, maybe reading, and watching TV shows and movies that don't ask much from me. Cartoons like Bob's Burgers, movies like Anne Of Green Gables. Comforting and easy. I'm capable of seeing the enjoyment I WOULD have in things. Games still look interesting, I just don't have the energy to play them. Food still tastes good, but I'd rather nap than cook.  Of course I also fight a virus everyday that saps most of my energy before I can think about spending it productively, but I can't ignore the depression is a factor too.

What helps? Sleep, getting enough rest, allowing myself to enjoy laying still, doing nothing, without feeling guilty. Eating right, good food, without a ton of sugar. And Greg, making food for me, cuddling with me, gently suggesting things we can do, without making me feel bad for not having the energy, physically or mentally if I say no. Greg most of all. He's awesome.

Whole 30 Day 1

What we learned today: Plantains are NOT like bananas, they are much more difficult to peel.

Our food processor does not have a "continuous" setting. You have to stand there like a dork and hold the "chop" button for ten minutes if you want to make coconut butter.

Reading the labels on EVERYTHING is important during a food challenge. "Better Than Bullion" is delicious when mixed with chicken drippings and poured over acorn squash... but not Whole 30 compliant.

"Well, we can always officially start tomorrow, and have hot cocoa tonight..."
Leads to mini migraines.

"Try again tomorrow" is a valid response to failure today.

What We Ate Today

Fried Plantains
Baked Yam + Coconut Butter
Baked Chicken Thighs and Baked Acorn Squash

Lots of water, a little bit of tea,

And the very delicious, but almost instantly regretted, hot cocoa made with fudge.

New Years Eve 2015

I planned on posting something everyday in December. But as often happens, I got sick. And then I got better! And then I got sick again. A few more times around that cycle and I'm mostly better now.  The last few weeks haven't been boring though. I've been on medical leave from work, so most of my days have been waking up late in the morning, doing something fun during the day with Greg, taking a long nap in the afternoon, supper and a movie, and then an early bedtime. I'm averaging eleven to thirteen hours of sleep out of every day.

We ate lots of good, if not terribly healthy, food. Spent time with our families...

Played with Greg's dad's new kitties

Made home-brew beer

More cookies

Tomorrow we start our Whole 30 challenge, and I'll be trying to post everyday again.  

All I Want For Christmas - In Minor Key

My Favourite Christmas Commercial

I think it's the comparative simplicity that makes me like it so much. It's one person whistling, like they don't have anyone to celebrate with, but they're still happy.

And the behind the scenes video