#gradschoolproblems

I have a 40 minute group presentation on Tuesday. Meeting with my group & professor tomorrow to discuss it. I've barely had time to work on it so we'll see how that goes!

I'm moving back in w/ my parents for 2 weeks tomorrow (David's townhouse isn't available to move in until mid-Sept). I have gotten some stuff moved but still have quite a bit to do tomorrow. Also, my power might be off as early as 7AM. That is gonna BLOW if it happens. 

Labor Day is the biggest holiday in my family. The main reason is 4 birthdays are in the beginning of the month (including my daddy on the 6th!) 

So Friday = moving, meeting, run, & catching up w/ Ash & Seale! 

Saturday = STUDYING. I have a paper due on Wednesday that also needs to get done. I sold my dresser & nightstand on Craigslist yesterday so I need new furniture! Hello Furniture Row! Oh & a run of course!

Sunday = Family day =) Oh & studying/writing/reading. I need to get by the store at some point... fuck.

Monday? = Group meeting probably for hours. & run. I refuse to let myself gain 5 lbs this semester like I did during undergrad.

Day 10 Post-Whole30

Well, I've been too busy to shop for anything legume-y, which is what I'm reintroducing today. SO I'm gonna put some peanut butter on a pancake for lunch dessert. Hah.

Grad school sucks.

Breakfast: 3 banana muffins, half an avo, kiwi

Lunch: Salmon, half an avo, coconut flour pancake w/ peanut butter

Dinner: Who fucking knows..

I obviously got busy & lost track of my day. Hah. But peanut butter was really the only thing I "added" back in. It was good, but not as good as I remember. 

Day 7 Post-Whole30

Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs, spoonful of almond butter, banana

Lunch: Burger on gluten-free english muffin w/ dijon mustard, half a sweet potato

Snack: Apple, 3 corn tortilla chips

Dinner: Almond crusted chicken, asparagus, half a sweet potato, 2 pieces of sushi, dates

BINGE: Dates, coconut flour pancake w/ almond butter

UGH So mad at myself for that binge. Woke up the next morning bloated as fuck & up 2 pounds. Prior to that, I noticed my tummy felt tight (ALMOST bloated) after eating all the gluten-free foods I had. They kept me full but almost uncomfortably so. Also, even with that huge lunch, I was hungry about 3 hours later. The sushi gave me a headache, too; probably from sodium & apparently there was carageenan in the imitation crab =(

Day 4 Post Whole30

Bring on the wheat!!

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs, 2 sausage patties, 1 piece Ezekiel bread w/ almond butter, kiwi, strawberries

Lunch: Chicken stir-fry, side of whole wheat pasta, cucumber w/ paleo ranch, dates

Dinner: Pork chops w/ applesauce, asparagus, half a sweet potato, dinner roll

Well, I bloated. I felt pretty uncomfortable, mainly after the pasta. Also, 1/2 dry (about 1 cup cooked) is 210 calories & even after a 700 cal lunch, I was hungry 2 hours later. I usually would have eaten that much but of good fats & been full for at least 5 hours. Pasta is a no-go for me; waste of calories for hardly any nutrition. The toast was good with breakfast, kept me full & was DELICIOUS. Dinner roll... meh. Didn't really miss em but it was good.

Day 1 Post-Whole30

Well I get to try dairy! If you haven't read the book, you try dairy (while otherwise staying Whole30 compliant) then wait a couple of days to see how your body reacts. For example, if I break out, feel sick, or become bloated by tomorrow or the next day, I'll know my body can't handle dairy.

Breakfast: 2 sausage patties, one scrambled egg, Fage Total 0% Greek yogurt w/ walnuts, strawberries, kiwi

Lunch: Grilled chicken salad w/ shredded cheddar, cup of fruit, dates

Snack: Almonds, apple

Dinner: Burger w/ dijon mustard, half an avo, half a sweet potato, Skinny Cow ice cream

I don't know if it was the dairy or I ate something bad throughout the day because I was severely sick for about an hour after work.. I'll spare you the details. I ate dinner (including the ice cream) after this attack & nothing happened. I do know that I was more bloated throughout the day so dairy & I are going to be long distance friends. I think it was the cheddar cheese that I can't handle. But oh well!

Overall Whole30 Experience

Well, well, well. The past 30 days, I did not consume any sugar, grains, legumes, dairy, soy, alcohol... & I feel great!

However, I did not TRULY follow the Whole30. If you read the book, you should not weigh yourself, "paleo-fy" desserts, and work through your sweets cravings. I weighed myself almost everyday, made fudge bombs, and ate dates & banana ice cream like they were going out of existence. I'm sure I ate too much fruit too, but you know what, I still feel amazing. How many times can I say that before I annoy you?

My skin is glowing, although I do pick at my skin so it is not completely clear. I tend to eat sugar (fruit) at night, so I know I could have slept better, although I really did sleep very well this past month.

Would I do it again? 

You're damn right I would!

I am currently reintroducing food groups to see how they affect me & whether I should continue eating them regularly, limit them, or avoid them. In order of reintroduction it's dairy, gluten, non-gluten grains, & lastly legumes.

I've decided to keep closely to a paleo lifestyle for the future. Cutting out all those nasty preservatives & additives has really improved my health. That's not to say I won't indulge on very special occasions, but I love cooking my own food; seasoning it myself & cooking it to my liking.

Whole30 DAY 30!

I've made it! Can't believe it's been 30 days already. I feel so amazing, too. 

Pre-fun: Cherries, half a frozen banana

Breakfast: 2 sausage patties, 3 scrambled eggs w/ salsa, spoonful of almond butter, kiwi, strawberries, coffee

Lunch: Plum, half a cucumber, handful of roasted almonds, burger w/ Dijon mustard, half a sweet potato, dates

Snack: Apple

Dinner: Lemon chicken, asparagus, deviled eggs, onions

Snack: Grapes, dates

Whole 30 Day 29

SO CLOSE! Off to HEB this morning to get some dairy, which is the first food group to be reintroduced!

Breakfast: 2 sausage patties, spoonful of almond butter, blueberries, kiwi, coffee

Lunch: Apple, 3 scrambled eggs, half a sweet potato, half an avo

Dinner: Cherries, burger w/ dijon mustard, half a sweet potato, half an avo

Snack: Cherries, frozen banana

Whole 30 Day 28

Beach day with my family! Got up, went for the most miserable run I've had in a long time (felt like 99º at 8 in the morning, 76% humidity, hardly any wind) so that really kicked my ass. Rinsed off & got ready for the beach!

Pre-run: Cherries, half a frozen banana

Breakfast: 3 egg cupcakes w/ half an avo, cherries, kiwi

Snack: Cashews

Lunch: Apple, chicken stir-fry w/ broccoli, sugar snap peas, & pineapple, half a sweet potato, coconut-date-almond roll

Dinner: Cherries, more chicken stir-fry, half an avo, plum

Whole30 Day 27

School is approaching way too fast. I KNOW I want it to be over with, but where in the HELL did summer go?! My mom & I decided to take tomorrow off & we're going to have a beach day w/ our family =) This weekend I'm planning on organizing the papers around my house as well as start packing! Better to start early (& before school starts) than late! I still need to get my MKTG book, parking pass, & a new bag. Deep breath....

Breakfast: 3 egg cupcakes w/ salsa, half an avo, kiwi, blueberries

Lunch: Apple, taco beef salad w/ half an avo, coconut-almond-date roll

Snack: Banana

Dinner: Tilapia, half a sweet potato w/ ghee, plum

This afternoon, my stomach got extremely upset. At the same time, my lower back hurt. If you know me, these 2 things together typically equal a kidney stone!! That's not ALWAYS the case; I could have eaten some bad fruit/meat within the last 24 hours but needless to say, I got caught by one of my co-worker's taking shots of Pepto in the hall =/ I wonder what all those chemicals do when you've been so healthy? Not regretting it by any means. My stomach feels great now & I think eating the banana helped.

One of my best friends, Lindsey, is having a pinning ceremony tonight. I am so proud of her! She completed the dental assistant program at Del Mar with a 4.0 & already has accepted a job offer & starts Monday. They get their occupational pin & recite their code of ethics then are on their way! Congrats again, Lindsey! & Chelsea, Sarah, & Katheryn!

Whole30 Day 26

My last semester starts in one week... AH! I'm going to Office Depot during lunch to get my school supplies for the last time! I also need some folders because I am so disorganized at my apartment, it's ridiculous. Anything I think is important & needs to be kept is thrown on top of the refrigerator. That's been my "filing" system for almost a year. I suck.

Breakfast: 3 egg cupcakes w/ salsa, half an avo, kiwi, blueberries

Lunch: Apple, taco beef salad w/ half an avo, coconut-almond-date roll

Snack: Banana, decaf iced tea, cashews

Dinner: Sweet potato w/ ghee, spoonful of almond butter, dates

C25K; Week 6, Day 3

Post-run: Half a frozen banana, spoonful of almond butter, cherries

Whole30 Day 25

I can't believe it's day 25 already!

Breakfast: 3 egg cupcakes, half an avo, kiwi, orange, coffee

Lunch: Moroccan mint tea, apple, olive oil & garlic marinated chicken breast, half an avo, sweet potato, dates

Dinner: Taco beef, 2 egg cupcakes, frozen fruit, half a frozen banana, dates

Well, it's been decided; I can't buy dates anymore. It was a sign because they were out at Sprouts. I binge on them like candy which is not what I should be doing. Don't have a headache this morning but yeah.. I need to stop :/

Whole30 Day 24

I've had a headache for well over a day now... not sure what's going on!! I thought it was because I ate a lot of sugar on Saturday (too many dates & a big bowl of banana ice cream :/) but I'm starting to think it's Astepro. I told my mom I was having sinus issues at night; having a hard time breathing and waking up with a sore throat from breathing through my mouth so she gave me an extra bottle of the nasal spray. I tried it Friday night before bed & my headache started the next night after dinner. I'm gonna try just one spray in one nostril tonight & see if the headache clears. It's gettin' pretty obnoxious!


Breakfast: 3 egg cupcakes w/ salsa, walnuts, orange, kiwi, coffee

Lunch: Apple, chicken stir-fry w/ broccoli, sugar snap peas & pineapple, sweet potato, dates

Snack: Moroccan mint tea

Dinner: Half a banana, olive oil & garlic marinated chicken breast, blueberries


Post-run: Frozen banana, spoonful of almond butter, blueberries

Whole30 Day 23

Got a headache last night & it's still there this morning.. too much sugar yesterday OR because I didn't have coffee? I'm sure it's the sugar! 

Had a great day otherwise; laid out with Holly in the pool, hung around my parents w/ Da Boo, & got meals ready for the week! Great weekend overall =)

Breakfast: 3 egg cupcakes w/ salsa, half an avo, orange, kiwi, coffee

Lunch: Pork chop w/ apple sauce, sugar snap peas, half an avo, half a sweet potato

Snack: Juiciest plum of my LIFE

Dinner: Chicken stir-fry w/ broccoli, pineapple, & sugar snap peas, half a sweet potato

Whole30 Day 22

3 of my closest friends forgot my birthday & still haven't said anything. Not gonna lie, it freakin hurts! Anyway, I stayed in town this weekend to catch up on cleaning & get ahead on cooking. Made egg cupcakes & pork chops & applesauce in the crockpot. YUM. Had my sister over for dinner & she definitely enjoyed everything! I think my parents would love this whole meal.

Pre-run: Apple

Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs w/ salsa, cherries, banana

Lunch: 2 breakfast sausage patties, sweet potato w/ ghee, kale chips

Snack: Cashews, blueberries, dates

Dinner: Pork chops & applesauce, sugar snap peas, banana ice cream

Whole30 Day 21

My birthday yesterday was so chill & that's how I wanted it, really. Lunch w/ ladies at the office, dinner at my parents, first 20 minute non-stop run... It is kind of sad though who doesn't remember your birthday just because you're not on Facebook anymore. Oh well. My dad bought me the most random present... an Angry Birds blanket.. ? Softest blanket ever but I'm 24, dad! Bless his heart 

I think the most fun part of the Whole30 process is learning how to cook! I'm getting pretty good. Last night I made sausage patties (link posted below) & they are soo good! I used smoked paprika instead of regular & added 1/2 tsp of onion powder.

Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs w/ salsa, 3 mini sausage patties, kiwi, orange, coffee

Lunch: Apple, piece of beef jerky, almond-crusted chicken, sweet potato w/ ghee, cantaloupe & strawberries

Snack: Cashews

Dinner: Dates, kale chips, sweet potato w/ ghee, almond-crusted chicken, frozen fruit

Whole30 Day 20 & my birthday!!!

Happy 24th birthday to me! What a great age, said no one ever =) Pat (our office mom) was so accommodating to the Whole30. She always asks the birthday person what type of cake they'd like & she makes it from scratch; I'm talking chocolate sheet cake w/ peanut butter whipped frosting, tres leches cakes, whatever. She asked what I could & couldn't have so she brought mini angel food cakes & then put together a huge fruit bowl so people could make their own cakes & I could indulge in fruit; she is an absolutely amazing woman (NOT just because of the cakes haha)!

Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs w/ salsa, kiwi, orange, spoonful of almond butter

Cake-time: Fresh cantaloupe, blueberries, blackberries & strawberries

Lunch: Grilled chicken salad w/ almond slivers & mandarin oranges, more fruit for dessert

Snack: More fruit (MUST.STOP) & cashews

Dinner: Grilled tilapia w/ mango salsa, cherries, dates

Birthday run!! C25K Week 5, Day 3!

Post-run: Half a frozen banana, cherries, half a sausage patty

Whole30 Day 19

Oh my gosh, last nights dreams.. One of my best friends was pregnant with some Asian football player's baby and was having an abortion; then another best friend's mom was asking why I didn't have kids yet because I was missing out. I don't want a baby yet & I'm hopelessly single, what's with the dreams!!!

Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs w/ salsa, spoonful of almond butter, kiwi, orange, coffee

Lunch: Almond-crusted chicken, sweet potato w/ ghee, dates

Snack: Almonds, green grapes, half a frozen banana

Dinner: Went to Dos Comales for a pre-bday dinner; had beef fajitas w/ carmelized onions, guacamole, and pico. Made pineapple-banana ice cream for my dessert =)

Whole30 Day 18

Feeling awesome these days! Still having weird, off-the-wall dreams; nothing scary but they are intense & so real! I never remember them for long either.

Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs w/ salsa, spoonful of almond butter, orange, kiwi, coffee w/ coconut milk =)

Lunch: Met up w/ boo boo (Lindsey S) at the Tango Tea Room. They grill their chicken in foil w/ salt & pepper so no oil or butter!! Had the Tango Garden Salad (green leaf lettuce, tomatoes, shredded carrots, cucumbers) w/ chicken, salsa for dressing

Snack: Apple, cashews

Pre-tennis: Dates

Dinner: Almond crusted chicken (I'll post the link later), sweet potato w/ ghee, pineapple chunks

Too much on my mind

Nothing incredibly pressing or scary, of course, but I have a LOT coming up!

Last semester of grad school starts August 22... which feels like it's rapidly approaching! Already ordered 2 of my textbooks but apparently the other is a "custom" book that must be bought on campus (which also means it cannot be resold & will be a waste of money). I'm taking 9 hours; Marketing, Management, & Capstone... please pray for me every hour of every day until December 15 (Graduation day!!!)

I'm going to try to stick very closely to the Whole30 lifestyle during this last semester. It has increased my energy, cut cravings, and increased concentration & that will really help me. 

My lease is up August 31 & I still don't know where I'm going to be for sure.. David is planning on buying a house & letting me live with him & pay rent, which will be nice (if it works out as planned!) I won't have to sign a contract, pay a deposit, pay a pet deposit, etc. I hope he picks a house on this side of town & not on the island. He said he was looking at a couple out there.

Working out is going to be my biggest issue this fall. I am signed up for Tough Mudder (Oct 6), The Color Run (Nov 11), and the American Bank Half Marathon (Dec 8; haven't officially signed up, but I do really want to do this). My classes are Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday from 7-9:30PM and I work 8-5; BLAH.

I'm going to miss seeing my friends, but I am diving head-first into this last semester. I know there will be presentations GALORE & I'm not a fan of public speaking, but the better prepared I am, the less nervous I am. Speaking of, I need to find some professional attire. I would LOVE to find a pencil skirt & some cute button-downs; already have a blazer =) Gotta wait until my scholarship comes in, then hello business-attire-shopping-spree

Whole30 Day 17

I deactivated my Facebook (for a couple of months, at least). I'm so sick of seeing everyone's opinions when NO one asked; even the ones I agree with; who cares? But who says I have to read them? I don't, which is why I'm OUTTA THERE! "Like in 3 seconds if you love Jesus"? Sorry, I spent more than 3 seconds praying to Jesus FOR YOU & missed the opportunity. Also, I know it's 104º outside; I'm dealing with it by staying busy inside. Rant over =)

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs w/ salsa, half a large avo, kiwi, orange, coffee

Lunch: Apple, taco beef salad w/ salsa & half an avo, sweet potato w/ cinnamon, dates

Snack: Cashews

Dinner: Taco beef, frozen fruit, almond butter

Ran; Week 5, Day 2 of C25K

After run: Cherries, apple, sweet potato w/ ghee

Whole30 Day 16

I slept like a LOG; granted my dad gave me a muscle relaxer but still :) Had a great night; no better star gazing than in the middle of the country / no city lights to drown em out! Plus, my mom has the app Night Sky on her iPad & it's really cool.


Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs w/ sausage & salsa, orange, kiwi, coffee


Snack: Grapes, banana


Lunch: Drum stick, almond butter, broccoli w/ salsa, strawberries


Snack: Cashews, banana

Dinner: Cherries, pulled pork w/ salsa, spinach, apple


My meals were a little all over the place! I did not plan well enough for this weekend. Going back to the farm this coming weekend to view the perseids so now I know what to pack.

Whole30 Day 15

Halfway there!! Got great sleep; got a morning run in; now off to the farm w/ my parents!

Pre-run: Half a frozen banana, 1 fudge bomb

Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs w/ salsa & sausage, kiwi, orange, coffee w/ coconut milk

Lunch: larabar, apple w/ almond butter, cashews (I was in the car & didn't prepare very well!)

Snack: cashews, apple, strawberries

Dinner: grilled drumstick, hamburger patty, sweet potato, salad w/ avo & salsa, fudge bomb

Whole30 Day 14

I have been dreaming VIVIDLY, but can't remember the dreams more than 5 minutes after I wake up. Oh well; I slept like a log last night & that's what I care about! Energy is still increasing by the day! Finding it easier to concentrate as well. Sticking as closely as I can to this diet for my last semester! I need all the energy I can get as well as a clear & focused mind!


After work, my mom & I stopped by the Art Walk to see a family friend's artwork. She is extremely talented; she paints & makes items (earrings, fan pulls, sculptures, key rings, etc) out of wire. The Art Walk shows off her paintings, which she has really dived into lately. Then off to my parents for dinner! Luckily, my sister got the urge to make the paleo pulled pork recipe I made =)


Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs w/ salsa, sausage, kiwi, orange, green tea w/ lemon, coffee


Lunch: Apple, small salad w/ avo & salsa, chicken stir-fry w/ broccoli, sugar snap peas, pineapple, dates


Snack: Larabar


Dinner: Apple, grapes, pulled pork, sweet potato


Then I made a HUGE mistake... Sweet & Salty Fudge Bombs. Not wise for a girl during a certain time of month...Ate almost half the batch =(

Whole30 Day 13

Had kind of a restless night but I still got plenty of sleep! Been busy keeping up with exercise & trying to plan & prepare what I'll be eating while I'm at the farm this weekend. Can't wait to get away & sit under a tree reading a book. Not like I'm stressed & REALLY need to get away, but it's always nice to be away from Corpus; stupid shit-hole city.


Breakfast: Sausage, 3 scrambled eggs w/ salsa, kiwi, orange, green tea w/ lemon, coffee


Lunch: Apple w/ almond butter, taco beef salad w/ half a GIANT avo & salsa, dates


Snack: Larabar


Tennis w/ Rachel & Lorena; so much fun! It feels good to get back out & hit again.


Dinner: Chicken stir-fry w/ broccoli, sugar snap peas, pineapple, banana ice cream 

Whole30 Day 12

I can't wait to be out of this apartment! Woke up at 550AM because some jackass was letting his dog bark non-stop in the courtyard. People are rude. Other than that, I felt good when I woke up!


Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs w/ salsa, half an avo, green tea w/ lemon, kiwi, orange, coffee


Lunch: Lettuce wraps w/ taco beef & half an avo, baby carrots, apple w/ almond butter, dates


Snack: Spoonful of almond butter, 1/3 Larabar


Ran my first whole mile non-stop since surgery!!


Dinner: Grapes, apple, large sweet potato, kale chips, banana ice cream