Getting started on a whole food lifestyle isn’t easy. Just ask K-Hubs. We were absolutely nutso the first two weeks as our bodies adjusted. Afterward, we started noticing differences. The sluggishness and low energy that had dogged K-Hubs for years was gone. I noticed the headaches I assumed were part of my Type-A personality and the bursitis that had been my constant companion since college were gone. Now, for the most part, we can’t imagine eating any other way. But, true confession, word on the street said it would take our bodies about 30 days to fully adjust to the new food plan…or 270 days in my case. What? I don’t let go easily. I’m nothing if not loyal.
Here are a few starter tips to make eating whole foods an easier transition.
High speed blender. We have a Vitamix and LOVE it. Our Vitamix has been worth every penny we paid. It has become a pillar of our kitchen. Essentially, it’s just another member of the family.
Glass jars with lids. We use these to store pre-cut veggies, courtesy of K-Hubs, our resident slicer dicer, leftovers, smoothies, and homemade bone broth to name a few. We bit the bullet and bought tall and squatty, wide mouth and regular, and freezer and fridge-friendly. But, you can also reuse glass jars from foods you already buy, like olives. For example, we use our leftover olive jars that we bought at the big box warehouse to store diced onions.
Crock pot. What can I say? We have the same one we got as a wedding present over a decade ago, and it’s still going strong. If you plan to make your own bone broth like we do, make sure it can hold multiple quarts.
Stainless steel cookware. We use stainless steel based on the autoimmune protocol we follow. To make it affordable, we used our old cookware until we found a killer deal at a big box warehouse. Bought a set and never looked back.
Must-have ingredients. Over time it has become painfully clear that our family moves to crazytown whenever we run out of: coconut oil, olive oil, avocados (Dear God, it’s me, Morgan – please let the avocados be ripe. Amen.), a source of meat (because of our family’s health considerations and restrictions, we are not vegetarian or vegan, although many of our recipes are meat-free/animal product-free), at least 1-2 sources of fruit, and at least 1-2 sources of vegetables.
Go-to recipes. The first few weeks we started eating whole foods, I went to the grocery store more than I had in the previous three months, and sometimes I went more than once in a single day. It. Was. Insane. Now we have a few go-to recipes that leave us full, energized, and happy. They aren’t hard to make either.
- First, there is creamy paleo fudge. Cannot even with this one. How did we live before it? No one knows for sure. Love it for a sweet treat. It’s also perfect to take to parties.
- Ooh, the next one is also perfect for parties and leaves you feeling satisfied. Lemon avocado dip. Mm hmm, it is food just because, except that it also happens to be healthy and perfect for hiding vegetables. Also, spellcheck tried to autocorrect “perfect for parties” to “perfect for partiers.” Well, you’ll feel like a partier with this one.
- Last, but never least, is this comfort food in a bowl. A sweet and savory soup that will leave you feeling balanced. Cinnamon, sweet potato and carrot soup for sure. The combination of vegetables and coconut oil makes this a filling treat. And the spices make it feel like dessert for dinner. That. Is. Winning.
