Day #13 and according to my trusty WHOLE30 (official) Timeline, I should be experiencing boundless energy and bizarre cravings right about now. I am not, repeat NOT, experiencing anything remotely close to boundless energy. My “energy” ain’t even in the same vicinity as boundless. It’s in a whole other country from boundless, on a separate continent, in a different hemisphere really. My energy currently resides somewhere in the realm of utterly absent, near the neighborhood of completely devoid. It feels like I’m putting in extra effort to scrape myself off the couch in order to attend to my daughter, who is by the way teething and trying to crawl right now. So, you know, I need that boundless energy I was expecting. I’m literally too tired to have any bizarre food cravings. Just trying to conjure up images of delectable, forbidden foods like pizza or doughnuts takes more effort than I have available. I’m using everything I’ve got to sit here and keep myself upright after a day of childcare. I don’t really care what we eat for dinner or how it tastes. I’m just barely holding on ’till bedtime.
There’s no denying it. I’m definitely lagging behind the expected milestones. I’m just now experiencing the misery and bloating predicted for days 8-9. At this rate, I probably won’t reach “Tiger’s Blood” (AKA feeling great) phase for another 10-12 days, at least. I’m bummed! And I’m uncomfortable. Did I mention I’m tired?
It is possible that I’m running behind the curve, so to speak, because I’ve been intentionally imperfect in my adherence to the program. Could my beloved powdered coffee creamer at last be causing me problems, delaying my WHOLE30 progress?
At this point, I figure I have 2 choices. I can continue to purposefully, if selectively, break with protocol and take my chances in terms of achieving the positive results I’d initially wanted when we committed to this program. Or I could throw comfort and caution to the wind and really dive into this thing by – horror of horrors – forgoing my franken creamer. I’m not sure I can face the morning with nothing but straight black coffee to greet me. But I have a 6-month old, so forgoing coffee altogether is not an option! So I’ve decided to try the concoction we worked out for Hubs.
1. Start with freshly brewed coffee, then stir in 1 Tbsp. pure (unsweetened) cocoa powder. I find that the cocoa dissolves best if you stir it in to hot coffee. You should have something that looks more or less like this:
2. Once combined, refrigerate the mixture at least 4 hours or overnight.
3. In the morning, add unsweetened coconut or almond milk or drink it straight if you prefer.
I like mine over ice.
The end result tastes a bit like a protein shake without the sweetener. But it sure beats the bitter hatred that is straight black coffee. I’m ready to give this a try for my AM drink and see if I don’t begin to experience the predicted WHOLE30 benefits in a more timely manner. I’ll keep you posted. In the mean time, I hope you enjoy this healthier chilled coffee drink in good health, joy and peace. Cheers!
Wisdom for the Day:
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
~Proverbs 3:7-8 (ESV)
Read more here.
Stay away from store bought almond milk…you have to make your own and be extremely strict with your whole30 diet. Also, I’m not sure. You just had a baby, so you should check with your physician. Your body is still in a very very sensitive stage right now. You have to make sure you are getting all of the vitamins and nutrients you just expelled giving birth to a child. Good luck!
Hi Susie! Thanks for stopping by Daily Beauty Wisdom and for the reminder. You’re spot on re post-partum nutrition. It’s super important! I’m grateful for the Healthy Mamas WHOLE30 program (https://mamas.whole30.com) and other resources available at whole30.com. And obviously we waited until after our daughter was weaned to do our first #WHOLE30. Personally, I don’t tolerate store-bought almond or coconut milks very well and prefer the Bullet-proof coconut oil coffee recipe (http://dailybeautywisdom.com/?p=563). As with most things, it’s always preferable to make your own nut milks vs. buying processed products in grocery stores. I’d add that I think it’s important for women of all ages to always check with their medical providers before beginning a diet or exercise program and to consider taking supplemental calcium. I love NaturalVitality’s Balanced CalMag (http://www.vitacost.com/natural-vitality-balanced-calmag-original-unflavored-16-oz). Take care and good luck to you as well! ~Karen