We are exactly a week away from completing our first round of the Whole 30. Good thing, we’re leaving to go to Mexico the day after we finish to celebrate with tacos and tequila! I wanted to check in to tell you about our experience so far and give you 10 recipes to get through Whole 30, if you’re doing it or thinking about doing it.
My Whole 30 Journey
Let’s talk about the Whole 30. It’s a a 30-day clean eating program, where you cut out foods that could be “trigger foods for you.” Those are things like gluten, grains, dairy, sugar, alcohol, etc. More info here.
I was diagnosed with Celiac disease about 2.5 years ago, and many things can cross react with gluten. So for me, trying to establish just exactly what those “trigger foods” are, has become a big project.
So when Jake and I decided to do it, it wasn’t necessarily to lose weight (although that would be nice!).
Instead, we wanted to kickstart the year with clean eating. There’s something really powerful about learning to create all of your favorite things without the bad stuff. It really isn’t as challenging as you would think.
That’s not to say the Whole 30 hasn’t been difficult. Luckily, I had Jake and my best friend who were also doing it. Support and sharing recipes is key!
Let’s talk about those “recommendations/rules.” I personally am not a fan of all the random rules of the Whole 30, such as: you can’t have an apple for a snack, just because it’s technically a snack, but I can have a Whole 30 approved bowl at Chipotle. Same goes for blending up a banana and an egg to make “a pancake.”
So, I do it in my own way. As long as the ingredients are Whole 30 approved, I eat them in whatever form, fashion or meal that I want. See banana nut muffins below!
I wanted to share the quality recipes that have gotten us through the Whole 30 and ones, that honestly, we will make in the future for dinner.
My goal going forward is to eat pretty closely to Whole 30 during the week, and then allow myself flexibility on the weekends to eat and drink as I please.
40 Aprons seriously KILLS it with the Whole 30 recipes. I’ve found her website to have some of the most reliably delicious and healthy meals out there.
10 Recipes to Get Through Whole 30
Chimichurri Whole 30 Meatballs via 40 Aprons
In and Out Burger via 40 Aprons – these are just magical…pair with roasted veggies for dinner.
Classic Chicken Salad via The Real Food Dieticians – this is a great lunch option in a lettuce wrap or alone. I use Primal Kitchen Paleo Mayo and sub pecans for walnuts.
Paleo Chick-fil-A via Steph Gaudreau- this is just a delicious recipe in general. We discovered while doing AIP last year, and we continued to make it throughout the year. Great in a salad or with roasted veggies.
Whole 30 Banana Muffins via The Fit Housewife – I swapped cassava flour for almond flour, because almonds bother me. Try adding a little more cinnamon and top with some ghee to make up for the sugar free part.
Turkey Apple Breakfast Hash via Fed and Fulfilled – this is our GO TO breakfast. We also discovered this one on AIP and have made it throughout the year when we need a clean eating boost. We also add a sweet potato in there. 
P.F. Changs Inspired Lettuce Wraps via 40 Aprons – really tasty.
Fried Cashews with Salt, Chiles and Green Onions via Taste Cooking – recipe of one of my favorite Portland dishes straight from Andy Ricker himself…the spicy cashews at Whiskey Soda Lounge. 
Whole 30 Snack Ideas Chart via Shutterbean
Potato Avocado Toast with Perfectly Poached Eggs via The Organic Kitchen – we tried this over the weekend and it was pretty tasty. I think it would be even better with a mix of regular potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Have any of you done Whole 30 or are interested in doing it? Let me know what questions you have below.
P.S. I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to Whole 30 recipes. Check it out for some inspiration.