Today I added wine back into my diet - specifically blueberry wine from Sorrenti (Cherry Valley Vineyard). I purchased a case of the wine prior to my Myrtle Beach vacation, so I'm very excited about being able to drink it. The wine is VERY good; however, it is sweet, so one glass is my limit.

Additionally, I have purchased another paleo cookbook - Nom Nom Paleo. I used the author's blog throughout my Whole30 journey, and the reviews for the cookbook are positive. I also looked at the inside of the book, and there are some simple recipes as well as more difficult ones. That will make it easier to sustain the cleaning eating throughout the school year.

I'm going to continue to follow the paleo plan, but I'm still not going to add sugar back into our diets. I did make pancakes with coconut flour. While the flavor was a bit different than conventional white flour pancakes, they were good. We had red raspberries (picked at Schmidt's Berry Farm) on top instead of syrup.

Remember, that all of these changes take a while to get used to. However, starting with the strict Whole30 helped carve the way in thinking about whole foods.

I made it through 24 hours. But what is yet to come?

I will be frank about how I feel right now--like crap. I'm lethargic, and my arms and legs feel like Jello Jigglers. Even though I had plenty of sleep and I ate well yesterday, today I feel horrible. Almost like I have the flu--the aches, pains, and tiredness.

Well, this is normal states the Whole30 book. "Since you've removed many of the dense carbohydrates from your diet (like sugars, grains, and legumes), your body can no longer rely on those sugars as a primary energy source. That often leads to 'withdrawal' symptoms like headaches, lethargy, and crankiness--the 'carb flu'--as your body adjusts to its new fuel source" (Hartwig 213).

Therefore, today I did basically nothing. I did take a 20 minute nap in the middle of the day because I didn't think I would be able to make it to dinner time.

My 3 meals consisted of:
1. 2 Egg McNothin', a spinach & fruit smoothie (no dairy), and my God awful coffee;
2. Slow Cooker Pork Shank - but modified - I did this with pork chops instead of the shank; and
3. Blueberry & Strawberry Arugula Salad with oil & balsamic vinegar - Originally a Blackberry Arugula Salad, but have you seen the price on blackberries lately? I think not.

I did have a snack in the evening which consisted of a stalk of celery, 5 baby carrots, and 1 tablespoon of Almond Butter, which is fast becoming my friend at this beginning of this trek. I need something that seems bad, right?

I made some of my Tevana Tea to put in the frig, so I'm not constantly drinking just water. I know it is good for a body, but please...when I'm craving sugar, water ain't gonna cut it!

At 6:30 p.m., Don and I took a ride down to Whole Foods in North Wales, which is under an hour drive from Bethlehem. For those of you who are local, take 378 to 309S--straight drive down and back. BUT before you make the trip, here are some tips:
1. Remember that 'Organic' does not always fit the Whole30 program. Many organic items contain sugar, grains, and carageenan (which must be a relative to crack because it is STRICTLY taboo in the Whole30 plan, as is MSG and sulfites).
2. There are a COUPLE of meats at Whole Foods, hot dogs and sausage that fit in the Whole30 plan. Read the labels carefully--don't be like me--make sure you have your reading glassses with you!
3. Canola, Sunflower, and other nut oils are permitted in the Whole30 program, but they should be limited. We found Sweet Potato Chips and Carrot Chips that are just sweet potato or carrot, but were processed with one of the nut oils. We bough them (at a staggering $4 a bag) because my husband is having "snack food withdrawal."
4. We found Whole30 compliant salsa and blueberry salad dressing in the produce refrigerated section, as well as organic mayo (so I don't have to make my own right away).
5. They also had frozen seafood (not that we purchased any), such as wild-caught scallops (2 lb - $20) and wild-caught large shrimp (2 lb - $20).

Here is a Google document that I have started for a guide (for locals) to purchase Whole30 compliant foods. If you find something elsewhere at a better price, please feel free to comment on the blog post.

Signing out for now....

Like the BIG BAD BOOK companies, I guess I look at my bottom line when considering getting rid of textbooks and novels. My husband works for a printing company, so his job (and our livelihood) depends upon people purchasing books.

However, I am a techno-nerd, and I love my electronics. I have a Nook (first generation) and a Xoom tablet in addition to my desktop computer, which is the new HP touchsmart. I enjoy reading an ebook, and there are some real benefits. I don't have to worry about the page turning while I'm eating my breakfast and reading a book. When I go outside, the pages don't blow in the wind. However, when I go to the beach, I take a book. Why? I don't want sand in my eReader, nor do I want it to get wet. Remember, water is BAAAAD for electronics.

But there are some considerations to be seriously pondered when talking about going to a 1:1 electronic ratio in school. As one of the comments from the article mentioned, how are charging capabilities handled? Will it enlarge the great divide of the haves and have nots? Will students use them appropriately? (These comments were related to the blogger's comments about allowing students to bring in their own devices - BYOD.)

Also, teaching students appropriate usage takes time. I have laptops in my room, and if I'm not on the students every minute, they waste valuable class time "surfing the net." They are watching videos and searching pictures--which have NOTHING to do with what they have been assigned to do. I can see it definitely happening with an iPad and the game applications. Students will be playing Angry Birds instead of reading a book.

Switching to an electronic device does not mean that the skills don't have to be taught. A book is still a book, is still a book. On an iPad, the book still opens to pages, and OMG, yes, you still have to read it.

Article for further reading: Saucon Valley