Sarah Too

For weeks I pondered what I would write as my year-end review on here. I still wonder how this post will capture all the events, emotions, and lessons of 2011. Perhaps the lessons are not clear yet as I experienced nearly every emotion in the spectrum of human experience this year. Great joy, heaps of doubt, anger, sadness, and hope -- I experienced them all deeply. I continue cycling through all of those emotions. I sometimes wonder how my husband, family, and friends deal with me because I have a tendency to focus on the negative versus the positive. I am often too cynical for my own good and mental health.

When I entered 2011, I felt great relief because I was at the tail-end of wedding planning. All that was left were smaller details, so I didn't feel like a "To Do List" hung over my head every day. At the start of the year, Jacob and I also knew we would open a CrossFit gym (a.k.a., box) once our lease at the apartment ended, so we both felt excited, anxious, and hopeful for the next phase of our lives -- together.

Now that the end of 2011 is eminent, I look back and see this year was full of overwhelming abundance. Abundance is defined as: 

1. an extremely plentiful or oversufficient quantity or supply: an abundance of grain.
2. overflowing fullness: abundance of the heart.
3. affluence; wealth: the enjoyment of abundance. 

I experienced every aspect of this definition this year -- positively and negatively. 2011 was a flood of emotions and experiences. As the waters of change recede, I feel myself emerging renewed, richer, and more inspired, just as the shores of the river emerge more fertile after a flood. While at times -- especially during the past four months (and even now), I felt as if I was drowning under worry, doubt, and frustration -- I felt buoyed up by the hope and support emanating from all those I love and who love me. Thank you for celebrating the highs, crying through the lows, and especially for laughing through it all. This year challenged me in so many new, foreign, and exciting ways. I prayed for grace numerous times, seeking wisdom, peace, and calm to weather the many changes, missteps, mistakes, and unfounded worries. Grace came in the form of every hopeful comment and every bit of congratulations mouthed or written by all of you.

I am blessed with an abundance of loving family members, dynamic and adventurous friends (new and old), happy circumstances, and stubborn resolve. Heading into 2012, Jacob and I have a thriving and growing CrossFit box filled with supportive and enthusiastic athletes. We are surrounded by family in a beautiful place on the shores of the mighty Mississippi. The beauty of the fall, and a thusfar mild and uneventful winter eased this Florida girl back into the pace and seasons of the Midwest. I had more for which to be thankful this year than for which to be fretful and I am excited for where the new year will take us all.

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As the year winds down and we reflect on our own lives and on the collective lives of the world, may you find hope and inspiration for a new year in the following, which was written by my amazing and creative Mom. Thank you for your beautiful mind and unending spirit, Mom! I love this!

A Poem for the New Year By M.A. Heberling

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My most favorite time of year - the holidays! Punctuated by visits with friends and family, special events, festive decorations, Advent reflections, and vibrant anticipation. Everything seems cloaked in wonder and sparkle. It might just be the snow ;)

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Sunday hikes, cold mornings, lounging on the couch, and beautiful fall colors. Life is good

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Well, we're 9 months into the year and man, has 2011 been the ride of my life! The wedding in March was one hell of a party that I wish I could relive every weekend. The honeymoon was a trip I wish I could go on every 6 months. And now, Jacob and I switched careers, moved 1500 miles, and started our own business. What you see above is our first baby as a couple - the main workout space for Warrior Crossfit Muscatine.

On my birthday, Jacob and I had a cookout and "See Ya Later" bash with all of our Florida friends and loved ones at beautiful Ft. De Soto Park in St. Petersburg. We could not have asked for a better day. There was a steady breeze, plenty of food, and actual surf out on the Gulf. The kids had fun, the adults had fun, and we closed the park down. My friend almost got my waterworks flowing at the end of the day, but both of us locked it up before blubbering.

The day following the cookout, Jacob, the kitties, and I hit the open road for Atlanta, where we visited with friends. The kitties had run of the car with their litter in my Corolla's trunk, the back seat flipped down for access, and their food and water on the back seat. They freaked out for the first hour or so, were slightly more active for the rest of the drive to Atlanta (e.g., Delilah actually left the litter box, where I think she literally peed herself in fright), and by the end of our 4-day road-trip, they seemed loathe to leave the car.

Driving just 6 hours north, you could already feel a hint of fall. In Atlanta, we ate a supremo meal made by our hosts - grilled pizzas made with farmer's market fresh ingredients. I am excited to try that here in Iowa, once our grill is assembled!

After sleeping in the next morning, Jacob and I checked on the kitties (they were totally fine, and curled up under the brake pedal), then took off for my cousin's house in Tennessee. We ended up taking the scenic route, which appalled Matt because the interstate would have been faster. Plus, it looked suspicious that Florida license plates were headed up the backroads to the house of an oxycodone sales representative.

Once we arrived at Matt's house, Jacob and I had a fantastic time catching up with Matt, Keith, and their two boys. Matt and Keith have a beautiful spot of property overlooking the hills of Tennessee with amazing sunsets to close down happy hour on the back porch. It was a shame Jacob and I could not stay more than a night because we truly enjoyed the company and the location. After my two trips to TN - one while moving my friend north to Chicago 3 years ago and this road trip en route to IA - I believe I am in love. It is one beautiful state.

After another slow and lazy morning waking up, we all headed northwest to Batesville, IN, Jacob's hometown. We visited with old friends and I had my first authentic plate of Skyline chili. Of course I had the three-way, which is chili, noodles, and cheese. I cleaned my plate. I know, not exactly the stuff of which health food is made, but absolutely the stuff that satisfies a weary and hungry road traveler.

On our last leg, which would land us in our new hometown of Muscatine, Jacob and I stopped in Champaign, IL for lunch with one of Jacob's old friends. This was a great break in the 6-hour drive and I loved meeting Kristina. Hopefully, that won't be my first and last time hanging out with her, although she is quite the world traveler.

When we finally arrived in our new home, the Garvin Clan was out in force to welcome us with temporary bedding, appliances, hugs, warm wishes, and dinner. It felt great to be starting our adventure in earnest.

Above is home sweet home where Jacob and I barely rest our heads, and the kitties have run of the place. The cats love all the space - there is a basement - and I think they love chasing around the crickets. I stepped on one of their kills, and ick, those things are surprisingly gooey and slick. GROSS.

We spent our first 8 days in Muscatine getting the space for Warrior CrossFit Muscatine in order. The place used to be a nasty-looking bar called One More Round. The interior was red and black - the two most difficult colors over which to paint. We used 10 gallons of primer and 10 gallons of paint to cover it all. Carpets (in a BAR??) were ripped out, a pull-up system was installed, wipe boards were hung, fleas were exterminated, bathrooms were cleaned, floors were vacuumed and mopped, the front walk was powerwashed, the storefront was cleaned, a new sign put up on the window, and new flooring was put down. Now, the place is respectable enough to host paying clients, of which we have four after yesterday's open house.

Jacob and I are feeling exhausted, but happy, excited, and proud of our progress. It hit me a couple of times that this is REALLY happening, that this is my life, and that so far we are succeeding. Let's hope the feeling keeps up. In the meantime, we continue unpacking all the damn boxes that hold our life possessions, and both of us wonder why we have so many possessions in the first place. We certainly did not miss them in the week between our arrival and their delivery. Well, maybe the couch and the kitchen supplies, but other than that there was not much I craved from all our "stuff". Food for thought for the future...

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Now that the boss-man knows my plans, Jacob and I can finally go public with our news. Some folks already know what I'm going to say, and others may not. I definitely used hushed tones around the office to prevent early knowledge from spreading like wildfire. So here is the news...

August 19 will be my last day working for the federal government and my last day working as an endangered species biologist. Jacob quit his job last Friday. We are going into business for ourselves by opening our own CrossFit gym. Family is extremely important to both of us, so we're opening our gym in the Garvin hotbed -- Muscatine, IA -- on the western bank of the mighty Mississippi!

This change is bittersweet. I LOVE St. Petersburg and leaving the safe haven of dear friends is a melancholy thought for me. On the other hand, Jacob and I are SO FREAKING EXCITED about this adventure. We've been planning this since we both became Level 1 CrossFit certified this past February. Right now, we are in the process of setting up our Limited Liability Company, known as "Garberling LLC" (which will operate under the name "Warrior CrossFit Muscatine"), securing a gym space in downtown Muscatine, ordering equipment, and completing the final stages of becoming fully-affiliated with CrossFit Headquarters. In the next month, as we prepare for our move, we're going to ramp up our marketing efforts. Stay tuned for updates and let your friends know that CrossFit is coming to Muscatine!

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This is a symbol of important changes coming Jacob's and my way.

I'm so excited that I want to share it all RIGHT now, but some important steps need to happen before I can lay it all out in public. Just know that it's *BIG* and exciting. I hope you will all follow us along as we make a huge leap of faith that involves A LOT of changes. I'll have more details at the end of next week.

Until then, enjoy your weekend. Hopefully it's less soggy than rainy Florida. At least on the East Coast of Florida the weather held long enough to get Atlantis into space one last time. Over here on the West Coast, we're getting pummeled with rain. It's a great excuse for me to cuddle up with my latest piece of young adult fiction.

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All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.

~Anatole France

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"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing."

-- Muhammad Ali

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Summer is DEFINITELY here in Florida. The humidity ratcheted up considerably once June hit. Evenings are almost too stuffy to be refreshing, but that fact just makes me want a rocking chair and a gin and tonic. Several fun things on the web and in life have been capturing my interest lately, so skim through the following tidbits to see if they capture yours.

I love this guy's aesthetic in his design and I love the links he provides in his daily posts. Always interesting, visually and mentally!

More graphic design love here with the folks over at Public School. Visual feasts and thought-provocation on a daily basis.

These guys are solving all my neck and shoulder mobility/flexibility issues, which makes daily living so much more comfortable. Do you have something crunchy and tight that you need loosened up?? I bet you doooooo!

Ever since the Royal wedding, I am obsessed with Wils and Kate. They make me want to be well-dressed for every event, and they make me wish I was a woman of leisure. A girl can dream...

My beautiful Pink Warrior completed her breast cancer treatment on June 7 and I'm spreading the word that you need to check your boobies regularly!! While my friend made battling cancer look graceful, it took its toll on her and changed her forever. Support the cause by choosing hope and helping others catch it early.

You know how Laurel Thatcher Ulrich said that "Well-behaved women seldom make history"? Well, I think strong women always make a style statement. And this site supports my belief.

I'll just wrap this up with more pictures from the best day of 2011. Our albums are ordered and on their way!

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"In 2000, I told graduates to not be afraid to fail, and I still believe that. But today I tell you that whether you fear it or not, disappointment will come. The beauty is that through disappointment you can gain clarity, and with clarity comes conviction and true originality."

-- Conan O'Brien

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Well folks, I kicked off the Memorial Day weekend right by launching myself out of a plane with a man strapped to my back (a.k.a. tandem skydiving). My friend Michaela wanted to skydive for her 27th birthday and I cheerfully volunteered to accompany her.

Jacob and I got on the road at about 6:30 AM so that Michaela and I could be the first jump of the day at Skydive City in Zephyrhills, FL.

The experience was AWESOME. Packed into our lil' Cessna like sardines with several other solo jumpers, we told dirty jokes to cut the tension. I was less nervous than I expected for something like this, and to be honest, I thought bungee jumping was scarier. So, word of advice: bungee jump before skydiving -- it will make things more fun! :) At about 13,000 feet, Quinn, my tandem diving professional, and I scooted our way over to the bay door opening in the side of the plane. I lifted my chin, crossed my arms over my chest, and kept my legs tucked behind me. Then, we were air born -- hurtling toward the Earth -- and it was BEAUTIFUL. You could see all the way to St. Pete -- it was a beautifully clear day and the air was fresh and cool. At about 5500 feet, Quinn pulled the chute and we drifted slowly toward home base. Quinn pulled some spirals, had us feeling zero gravity for a few moments, and then we landed by sliding on our butts.

I would have done it again that day -- several times over. That's what flying feels like! I almost wish I paid the extra $100 for the photos and video...ALMOST.

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Hi All! Let's forget about what kind of food I eat and get back to something more fun -- travel talk!

Some on you may know that the Mister's job has him on the road in South Carolina every week. Instead of him coming home to me in FL for the weekend, I flew up to see him in Charleston -- that beautiful Southern Belle of a city. The last time I was in Charleston I was 11 years old. April is a GREAT time to be in the Southeastern U.S. because the weather, generally, is PERFECT. The high temperatures are in the mid 70s or low 80s, the lows are in the 60s or 50s, and the humidity is low.

I flew into town on a Thursday night, and when Jacob finished up work on Friday morning, we took off to see the H.L. Hunley, one of the first submarines ever built and which saw battle in The Civil War. It was pretty incredible seeing how men fit into such a small craft, and even more amazing thinking about how crazy these men must have been to VOLUNTEER to get in this thing. I barely want to enter a present-day submarine, much (MUCH) less think about getting into some wood and iron contraption that leaks every time you surface and open the air vent. The men volunteering to crew this thing definitely were desperate men on the fringe of society, in my mind.

Afterward, we headed to downtown Charleston, which is just so dang CHARMING!! Horse-drawn carriages, cobblestone and brick-lined streets, wrought-iron gates leading to beautiful brick southern colonial homes and brownstones. Plus, it's spring, so all the gardens were blooming and lush with green. We headed toward the waterfront where white sailboats with colorful spinnakers were bobbing downwind on the breezy waves of the harbor.

Jacob did his homework with his co-workers, so he had the scoop on where to go in town. We stopped up at The Rooftop for a drink and a snack. This place has a beautiful view of downtown from on high and the bar staff was really nice. From there we headed back toward our hotel for a mid-day rest, which we followed up with dinner at Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant and a movie. We saw "Hanna", which is filmed in a way that I think The Hunger Games should be filmed.

The next morning, we blissfully slept in before deciding what to do with our day. We decided to start with brunch at Poogan's Porch, a Charleston institution and landmark. I couldn't resist the french toast, and neither of us could resist the bloody Marys or fresh-made biscuits. YUM!

After brunch we walked around some more and we found the oldest house in Charleston, which is now The Pink House Gallery. By what other means could a structure have such longevity than by serving as a brothel and an ale house over the CENTURIES?

We closed out our day with dinner at the Charleston River Dogs minor league baseball game.

Sunday marked the end of my time in Charleston, and I was so sad to go. The Mister and I had SUCH a great time together and there was so much more we could have done around town. Hopefully I will have another opportunity to fly North and so some more touring around before Jacob is assigned to another job site. Summer is coming, so we'll probably have to hit the beach on Sullivan's Island as well as the Firefly Distillery!

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Ever since my experiment with eating like a caveman, many people have questions about where I get good recipes for paleo eating. If you don't feel like slogging through my previous posts for great places for paleo recipes, here is a quick round-up of links, which are tried and true.

The Clothes Make the Girl: This woman knows how to make food packed with flavor! While these recipes tend to take a little longer in the prep department, they almost always pay off for my taste buds.

The Food Lovers' Primal Palate: Not only is this site so, so pretty, the recipes are so, so yummy. Plus, these guys go heavy on the desserts ;)

Mark's Daily Apple: A veritable cornucopia of paleo recipes.

Everyday Paleo: Because this woman has a family, she knows how to make quick, easy dishes. This is also where I get a lot of my snack and lunch ideas because of what she packs for her kids!

That's what makes the short list, folks. Enjoy!

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Farmer's Market en route to Monterey

Jacob and I flew off to San Francisco early Monday morning after our fantastically fun wedding weekend. When we landed, we hopped in our rented Chevy Equinox and hit the road south to the Monterey Peninsula. The rental car agency was the first instance where dropping the "We're on Our Honeymoon" card paid off with an upgrade. As I type this, I think it is the ONLY instance where this paid off.

Like many after the surge of excitement and emotion associated with a life-changing event, I succumbed to illness. A head cold slowed me down during our first week while we toured Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, and world-famous Aquarium; drove 17-mile-drive through Pebble Beach; walked our way around San Francisco; and toured the infamous Rock, otherwise known as Alcatraz.

Alcatraz

Monterey Bay Aquarium

For our second week, we drove from San Francisco up CA-1 and US-101 to the Central Coast of Oregon where we couched out at my in-law's beach house. The scenery of CA-1 and US-101 is breathtaking at every twist and turn! Cliffs, rocky outcrops, waves, windblown brush and trees. It was a spectacular visual feast. Maybe the curvy roads made for slower going, but the views more than made up that (and the motion sickness). And don't worry, we didn't miss a beat of March Madness during our travels, as we caught the games on TV along the way up the coast.

The beach house was a stroke of genius. Planning for a week at the house with no agenda made for the most relaxing time away from home. Even though it drizzled and rained 85% of our time on the West Coast, my cold cleared up by the time we made it to Oregon and we had a great time. We filled our time with sleeping, reading, napping, eating, and hiking and climbing. Yes, even in the cold, rain, and mud, we did a 5-mile hike along the coast. And we did an AMRAP (as-many-rounds-as-possible) workout climbing the Pacific City dune just north of the Pelican Brewery. Both physical efforts resulted in rewards - the hike with lunch at Tillamook Cheese and the dune climb with lunch at the Brewery. I loved the beer cheese soup at the brewery. Order it. Love it. :)

Coastal hike in Oregon...in the rain.

The Dune at Pacific City

Our last outing before heading home was the amazing Rogue Ales Brewery in Newport, OR. The atmosphere and food at this place are amazing. Jacob and I sampled several delicious brews, with the Oatmeal Stout and Honey Orange Wheat being our favorites. I chowed the macaroni and cheese made with a beer cheese sauce. Do you sense a theme with my tastebuds??

Rogue Ales sampler

Our time on the West Coast was fantastic and way too brief. I cried when I woke up the morning after our return home. Seriously. I didn't want the vacation to end. And that is how you know it was a GREAT vacation. Now, if only I could get hundreds of microbrews, cheap produce (especially avocados - 5 for $1!!), and a ban on plastic bags wherever I go, I could be happy wherever I go.

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TRIP STATS:

Number of wrong turns: at least 2 dozen (even WITH a GPS and iPhones)

Number of times I didn't know I had the hotel reservations in my name: 1 (Whoopsie!)

Number of disagreements: 0 (of course - we're newlyweds! HA!)

Number of free things received for being newlyweds: ZERO (WTF, people?)

Number of times my raincoat kept me from getting soaked: A gabillion, except for the time it didn't because the coat dripped onto my legs or because I didn't time my run past the beach waves correctly. Regardless, USER ERROR.

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Spring has sprung, Easter is finally here, and the Earth is still hanging on. Since returning from my West Coast Honeymoon life is busy, but great. Here are some links, musings, and other sundries that have been piquing my interest lately. Plus, a pledge honoring this double whammy day.

• I am astounded by the unique creativity and passion of the young woman featured in this New York Times article.

• This letter written by a 10-year-old girl rocks my heart and pink-hating sensibilities.

• We adults need to play more often, and how fun would it be to go and play here?!?!

• I'm still holding strong on some of the healthy habits I cultivated during The Whole30 Challenge back in February after a brief break for all the celebratory festivities. I have some REALLY ripe bananas in the freezer and some unused almond flour waiting for a good recipe. I think I found it here.

• Thanks to a good friend that mailed me a mixed CD of songs inspired by my wedding reception's dance party, I have this song stuck in my head (and it makes me happy)!

• After reading The Hunger Games recently, I am obsessed with finding more quality young adult fiction. I'm not ashamed to admit I loved the entire Harry Potter series, the Twilight series, and I am currently re-reading that age-old beloved classic, Little Women. [Side note: Amy March is seriously the pits. I would hate having her as a little sister.] This is my new favorite place for book recommendations and literary geek-a-tude.

• To my brother and sister-in-law living in The Big Apple, I want to go here the next time I am in town. I will have the Pumpkin Spice cupcake paired with the Mandra Rossa Pinot Grigio, please! I just might make it a double.

• I learned how to do this Olympic lift with an actual barbell (and not a PVC or metal pipe). Three days later, I can still feel this effects of this explosive and technical maneuver.

• One year ago, the Gulf States region was changed forever. Here's what we were looking at in the news. Today is not only Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified, it is also Earth Day. Deepwater Horizon taught me that we all have a role in caring for our neighbors and our natural resources. Take a moment today to celebrate how far we have come in protecting our water supply, in improving our air quality, and in our awareness of the human impact on the environment. Take a moment also to recognize how far we have yet to go - individually and collectively; locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

In the spirit of Easter and Earth Day, I pledge to share more and waste less of the wealth of resources (running water, electricity, food, good health, time, income) with which I have been blessed. This means I pledge not to take more than I need, and I pledge to share with others the excesses.

Easter tells us that life is to be interpreted 
not simply in terms of things but in terms of ideals.
~Charles M. Crowe

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March was a busy month of basketball, family, and fun. Obviously, it included not only busted NCAA Basketball Championship Brackets (oh, UNC, I used to like you), but mawwiage, that blessed event, which made me a Mrs. I'll post more in the coming weeks with the skinny on all the fun, but after the jump you'll see the best wedding photo. EVER. Yes, yes, the one above is very elegant, but dang it, the next one is just so GOOOOOOD :)

FOR THE RECORD: HE started it!

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Well, I'm a week post-Whole30 Challenge and a smidgen more than a week out from my wedding day. Holy canoli. I feel like I have some lessons learned here, especially after last night's visit to the Florida Strawberry Festival. First, the foodie lessons.

1) You can have too sour watermelon candies, too many candied bacon chocolate chip cookies, too many cupcakes, and too much ice cream; however, they are still incredibly delicious. Because I was denied sweet treats for 30 days, I think I rebounded with a binge. I'm hoping I balance out as my brains rewires itself to understand that sweet treats are not forbidden, nor will they ever be forbidden again.

2) Pizza makes me feel yucky, and it doesn't let me sleep. I totally loved every bite of my deep dish pizza from Giordano's, but I think that's one food that needs to go into the special occasion bin.

3) Oatmeal...I love you. You bring variety and fullness into my morning routine.

4) Paleo pancakes made with butternut squash I love YOU, too.

5) Sometimes a square of dark chocolate or a glass of wine (or both) really is the ticket to sanity for the day.

6) The following blog posts pretty much reflect my feelings on how diets (or "food challenges" or "lifestyles") can 1) make a normal person crazy, 2) have beneficial side effects, which consist of more frequent "whole food" choices, and 3) lead to a more balanced perspective on health and wellness. I accomplished 1) and 2), and I'm working toward 3). Below are some good points from each blog. Score 1 for common sense.

Are Carbohydrates The #1 Health Menace? [Good Calories Bad Calories]

"Based on all my years of experience, I'm a great believer in moderation when it comes to diet...That's the major difficulty with laying down rigid guidelines - they don't work for everybody and can actually do major harm." [e.g., the feelings of guilt over inanimate sugary objects and the crazy voices in my head]

"There's a fine line here between learning enough to interpret your body's signals and going so far as to substitute everyone else's judgment for your own." [Solid advice. Find what works for you - what makes you feel sane, healthy, and happy - and stick with it.]

Girl Heroes 101: Food

"So I focus on consistency not perfection. I aim to make 90% of the food I eat real food. By real food I mean fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, beans (preferably soaked), nuts, some whole grains (brown not whites and preferably sprouted), and some dairy. If I couldn’t t grow it, raise it, pick it, or make it (with some effort) then I limit it."

Here's what my Healthy/Eff Off Scale looks like:

The things on the top left are those that are healthy, necessary, and non-negotiable. The things in the middle? Obviously less healthy than kale, but more healthy than Cinnabon. And the bottom right? These are foods without which I would be a cranky SOB unless I ate them every once and a while!

--
Now for the wedding lessons.

1) Planning a wedding is a considerable suck on one's emotional, financial, and time-management reserves. Be prepared for the rollercoaster because it is *quite* a production.

2) If one has the means, one should hire a wedding planner/coordinator immediately upon engagement. I would even go so far as recommending that all communications about "the happy day" be routed through the planner/coordinator. Unfortunately, this bride did not have the means - just a really great spreadsheet.

3) I have REALLY great friends and a VERY generous family. Thank you guys and gals.

4) I have an AWESOME fiance, soon-to-be husband. I aspire to have your optimism, patience, fortitude, and zip-locked lips in the face of stress.

5) If there was a Healthy/Eff Off Scale equivalent for weddings, mine would look like this:

The graph still kind of reads the same in that the things on the top left are totally necessary and non-negotiable, and the things on the bottom-left are things that are completely unnecessary and negotiable. In this case, the completely unnecessary things are those that I would not use much, if any, of my valuable time to make a decision. Guest list? Yes, take the considerable time needed to evaluate who needs to be included. Having a monogrammed light display at the reception? No. The sky could fall on the big day, but I still need my friends and family there. And thank God the buffet is not ruled by The Whole30.

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Yesterday was my last full day complying with the rigorous rules of The Whole30 food challenge. right now, I am enjoying my usual breakfast of berries, almonds, and coconut milk, but I added in some oatmeal. No, no. NOT the instant kind - the 100% no-sugar-added kind in the cardboard cylinder.

So where does this leave me? How was the experience? Well, if you read any of the previous posts, you know it was an up and down experience. I am definitely feeling better about the food I put into my body. I do sleep more soundly even though I go to bed later. I don't know that I see improvement in my performance of physical challenges; however, I don't know that I can blame it all on the food.

My recent outing at Tampa's Gasparilla Half-Marathon resulted in my worst finish time ever for a half, but I didn't put in the work. I half-assed my training, and it showed the day of the race. It also didn't help that I had an urgent bathroom stop at Mile 3, and the Port-o-Potty line was a 7-10 minute wait.

But I digress. I will weigh myself today, but based on the fit of my wardrobe, I haven't lost too much weight. Maybe just bloating and water weight from processed foods. Weight loss definitely was not my goal for this challenge.

My kitchen is a mess right now, and I am kind of proud of that. It means I am cooking, and eating leftovers out of Tupperware.

Jacob and I plan on continuing the healthy eating habits we learned while on this challenge; however, we will start incorporating some things we a) just can't love without (e.g., dark chocolate) and b) don't make us feel yucky (e.g., give us a tummy ache). Additionally, if we have a craving for nachos, or a cupcake, or some other bad-for-you food, we'll fulfill it, then return to eating healthily. We just know what the better choices are now. Plus, we'll be able to attend dinner parties, BBQs, and other events without feeling "special" or denied the enjoyment of a non-Paleo treat.

As I experiment with different food groups (e.g., grains, dairy), I'll be able to post my own version of the Healthy/Eff Off Scale. Stay tuned. And in case you didn't catch it last night (like me), the Paleo Diet was a segment on Nightline last night. Check it out here.

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I'm tired of all the rules, Whole30 meanies!! I want to be able to make almond butter pancakes, or add a smidgen of feta cheese to a salad, or even just use BUTTER in a recipe. AND I don't understand what is SO bad about dessert, even desserts with natural sweeteners (e.g., honey, maple syrup). I LIKE ending my meals on a sweet note, even if it is just a square of really dark chocolate. Thus, in a moment of frustration, I broke down and made fudge babies out of dates, cocoa, and vanilla. I generously sent Jacob off to Charleston with the other half of the batch.

This wasn't a true cheat on the rules of The Whole30, but it certainly toed the line. Too bad. They were DELICIOUS, they satisfied my craving, and I totally ate too many. I am SO ready to be done with this challenge so I can have more flexibility in my cooking. Red wine vinegar would be nice. Or even just a glass of RED WINE while I make dinner. The ability to eat soup. Or sushi. Or non-homemade mayonnaise. Or a spoonful out of the 2-gallon tub of delicious custom ice cream we received as a gift at my bridal shower.

A local ice cream shop, Old Farmer's Creamery, has the ability to custom order 2-gallon tubs of ice cream. Jacob and I ordered ours last week in anticipation of this challenge ENDING. We decided on mint chip ice cream with french vanilla ice cream swirled in with chunks of Reese's peanut butter cups throughout. The staff wondered if we might want to taste that to be sure it was a good combo, but we held strong. We didn't cheat, and the staff served as our taste-bud proxies. We got a total thumbs up on our choice!

Dear Lord, I hope The Whole30 didn't spoil our innards for this amazing taste combination. I have no idea what will happen when dairy is re-introduced. Or if any refined sugar will send me into a nutritional death spiral. I guess I should probably start mapping out what my Healthy/F*!$-off scale is going to look like...Check out the example from TheWhole9 below.

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With all the "forbidden" foods on The Whole30 list, I thought I would round up all of the yummy I eat as well as some of my favorite recipe resources.

Breakfast:

• Berries with coconut milk and almond slivers 
• Black coffee (sometimes I drop in some coconut milk and cinnamon) 
• Figs with whole roasted almonds and banana

Lunch:

• Dinner leftovers
• Deli meat roll-ups with homemade mayonnaise and lettuce
• Hard-boiled eggs with baby carrots, whole roasted almonds, and fruit
• tuna salad over greens or stuffed in a pepper 
• egg salad on a bed of lettuce with grape tomatoes

Dinner:

• pan-seared steaks with spinach, avocado, and bacon salad and homemade dressing
• roasted whole chicken with spinach, pineapple, and bacon salad and homemade dressing
• ground beef with peppers, avocado, and tomatoes
• chicken with steamed frozen veggies or roasted green beans and no-sugar-added applesauce
• eggplant Parmesan, without the Parmesan or breading (with this recipe, I could have eaten the whole pan in one sitting -- phenomenal!)

Snacks:

• pecans, pistachios, or almonds
• avocado with salt and pepper
• Larabars or dried fruit
• baby carrots
• zucchini and yellow squash slices with homemade dressing or sugar-free dijon mustard
• apples with sugar-free almond butter
• post-workout: sweet potato with almond butter or topped with nutmeg, cinnamon, and coconut oil

Favorite Sites for Recipes:

• The Clothes Make the Girl - every recipe so far has been FULL of flavor and relatively easy
• Everyday Paleo - great ideas for snacks and lunch, which are the two "mealtimes" during which I struggle for satisfaction and quelling the sugar craving. Great podcasts, too!
• The Food Lover's Primal Palate - I cannot WAIT to try the desserts once sweeteners (like honey and maple syrup) can make their way off the forbidden list!

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Week 2 was 180 degrees different than the first. I got a handle on the ingredients I can use, and I found some saving graces - like homemade olive oil mayonnaise. And avocados. And Lara Bars. And cinnamon. It is a whole new world.

My energy level is more consistent, and I'm better at not feeling like I am starving all the time. I still have a long way to go, though. Over the weekend, Jacob and I were in Orlando and it was tough figuring out breakfast and lunch while on the road. I don't know how he does this every week. It definitely made me cranky.

Surprisingly, Chili's Restaurant had some great options for us. The grilled salmon and veggies used no butter and were super flavorful. I substituted an extra helping of veggies for the side of rice that usually comes with the dish. Jacob had the fajitas, without the tortillas. When you're not filling up on corn tortillas, you can eat all of the filling provided on the sizzling cast iron platter.

I am hoping that this week I stop fantasizing about cupcakes. I wasn't a cupcake fiend before The Whole30; however, because I absolutely cannot have one, that is ALL I want. Guess what I'm getting, Day 1, post-Whole30? You got it. A deliciously rich cupcake from The Cupcake Spot. I have two more weeks to decide just which one I want. Then, it is figuring out just what the balance is between a no-holds-barred approach to food and the strict regimen of The Whole30. At this point, I hope that at the end of this, I've learned enough to keep me closer to compliance with The Whole30, while allowing for the occasional treat (like cupcakes, wine, or dark chocolate) without falling down the rabbit hole of processed food.

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Yummy Eats of the Week:

Sliced Banana with coconut milk and cinnamon

Ground beef with green bell peppers, avocado, and tomato

Tuna salad-stuffed red bell pepper

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