BACK TO NORMAL

Well, it's been a few days and I tell you, I think I have had my share of jelly beans and poptarts.
Never really realized how sluggish sugar can make you feel.  I much prefer my granola or whole grain muffins to poptarts for breakfast.  I still am using coconut milk for my coffee instead of coffeemate, I really do like the flavor, sprinkled with a little cinnamon....DELICIOUS!  It may be time for another cup pretty soon ;)
I believe there was a reason I chose to do this challenge.  I thought I was pretty healthy before but I now realize I wasn't as healthy as I could have been and feel sooo much better for it now!
I have more energy, my skin feels good and smooth and less dry, and I feel good about putting better things in my body. 
I am continuing to go to health food/farmers market stores and buying healthier products for our household which everyone, including the kids, really likes!

EASTER BRUNCH....A LOT OF "WHOLE" FOODS HERE ACTUALLY

MY BOWL OF EASTER CANDY

GARDEN DIP

EASTER BASKET CUPCAKES

Here's to a healthIER and newer lifestyle!

DAY 46 CHALLENGE

Well, the time has come.....less than 1 day to go and you know, I'm not even that excited about it......don't get me wrong, I will definitely be having my jelly beans and other yummy Easter treats but I looking back, I really didn't miss them all THAT much

I have been baking and food prepping all day for our Easter Brunch tomorrow and the temptation was definitely there but I can wait until tomorrow....I've hung in this far!

This has been an interesting journey and I never thought that I would want to continue this lifestyle but I think I do.  I love the good feeling I get when I put healthy fuel into my body and the healthier and stronger I feel in doing so! 

MY LAST "WHOLE" LUNCH

MY LUNCH TOMORROW  :)

Here's to a successful challenge and a stronger and healthier Me!

DAY 44 CHALLENGE

I am running out of a lot of my "whole" foods again.  I think it's because the challenge is almost over and I haven't replenished my supplies because my brain is already thinking "I don't have to do this anymore" however I am missing my "whole" foods and am going to need to stock up for even when the challenge is over.  I feel so good about myself that I am going to continue a lot of what I am doing now.

Sometimes, there is nothing better than the taste of a very ripe banana or an almost black cherry that is so juicy and sweet, that I crave nothing else.  Fresh produce is so delicious I don't know why I didn't notice it as much before.

A SMALL GLASS OF RED WINE TO ROUND OUT MY DINNER!

For dinner, my whole family "enjoyed" a whole grain pasta dinner with salad and whole wheat sourdough bread spread with real butter.  The pasta was baked in the oven with a homemade white sauce with herbs, cheese, and topped with toasted nuts and olive oil....almost everyone had seconds...there are no leftovers tonight!  Love it when that happens.......last Friday and Saturday coming up.....until then....

DAY 43 CHALLENGE

Why did I buy Easter candy already?  It's just staring me in the face and I still have 4 more days to go!

I never knew how good radishes are and how low in calories.....1- calories per radish depending on size.  I tried it sliced atop buttered whole wheat sourdough bread sprinkled with salt and pepper....DELICIOUS....another successful "whole" food!

For dinner, I had portabello burgers....so yummy!  Even if you are not a vegetarian, you will love this "meat" alternative.....portabellos are so meaty and hearty that you won't miss the beef at all! 
I baked mine in the oven drizzled with olive oil, salt, and pepper and topped with shredded cheese and then put them on multigrain sandwich thin bread (100 calories per bun).  Add lettuce, red onions, and tomatoes for add ons.....one of the BEST "whole" dinners I have made so far........

RADISH SANDWICH

PORTABELLO BURGERS

What else can I come up with before this challenge ends.....hmmm.....until tomorrow

DAY 42 CHALLENGE

Less than 1 week to go.....I can't believe it's almost here....don't know what I'll do...I guess I will just have to wait and see!

I am feeling better than I have felt since before I started this challenge and am hoping I will continue to feel this good after the challenge.  I plan on sticking to "whole" foods as much as possible but on a less strict scale so I hope to still feel good inside and out!

I roasted some chickpeas today....they almost taste like nuts....such a yummy, healthy, inexpensive snack!

Winco carries my "Jumbo" raisin medley that I love for a fraction of the price at Sprouts....I am SO happy!

ROASTED CHICKPEAS WITH OLIVE OIL, SALT, AND PEPPER

JUMBO RAISIN MEDLEY

Today was a good day.....hopefully tomorrow will be too....until then....

DAY 40 CHALLENGE

I made it to 40 days...yeah.....but the challenge is actually 47 days.....Lent is 40 days and then Holy Week which is another 7 days.....didn't really realize this but that's ok....what's one more week now!

My willpower was heavily tested this weekend:

Saturday, we celebrated my husband's birthday and his mom and sister got him a cake from Safeway topped with a THICK layering of buttercream frosting (my FAVORITE). 
Sunday, we went to John's Incredible Pizza for dinner and I was tempted with the BEST mini sugar donuts and mini iced cinnamon rolls I have tasted.  I am proud to say that I passed up on ALL of these temptations and stayed "true" to my challenge  :)   Yeah me  ;)   The devil cannot break me!

MY DINNER PLATE AT JOHN'S INCREDIBLE PIZZA

"NOT" MY DESSERT PLATE BUT WAS WISHING IT WAS!

1 more week to go and I am really feeling the challenge now.....Saturday cooking for Easter will be hard but I will reap the rewards and benefits on Easter Sunday......probably with a big bowl of Jumbo Jelly Beans and a tub of buttercream frosting....haha!