September Whole30 Update + Favorite Things

We’ve almost reached the halfway point in our September Whole30 reset…woohoo!  We’ve had some ups and downs, but we’re beginning to feel better, sleep better, and have more energy throughout the day.  I’m still missing gum, but I will survive!  I wanted to share 10 things that (in my opinion!) save time and make the Whole30 life easier.  There are several that are staples in our house, and a few items I’ve discovered this time around… 

Our schedules have been pretty full, so I’m sticking to things I know how to make and don’t take a lot of time to prepare.  The key is to make it work for you, whatever that looks like!  As long as you stick to the meal template, you’re good to go!  If you have lots of time to experiment, by all means, go for it!  Next week I’m hoping to add a little variety to our meals by trying at least one new recipe.

My Whole30 Top 10…ok, 11 Favorite Things

 1. Paderno Spiralizer:  Love this for making a batch of zucchini noodles (noodles) in a flash!  Hoping to experiment with it a little more using other vegetables…It’s available in a 2, 3, or 4 blade set.  

2. Tessemae’s Whole30 Approved Dressings + Sauces:  Great to have on hand for days you’re short on time, an easy way to dress up simple every day meals.  The Balsamic Vinaigrette, Southwest Ranch, Lemon Garlic, and Hot Sauce are among our favorites.    

3. Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayo:  Again, nice to have in the fridge when there’s no time for homemade.  Making your own mayo is really easy, but we all get busy and its nice to have an alternative!  I use it as a base for other sauces, and in chicken or tuna salads.    

4. Food Freedom Forever:  With a release date of October 4th, I’m looking forward to reading this at the end of the September Whole30.  Why?  Well, its all about life after your Whole30, keeping the healthy habits you picked up during the Whole30 and discovering what Food Freedom looks like for you.  This program has taught me so much about enjoying a healthy relationship with food, and I can’t wait to learn more.  I pre-ordered a copy, so I don’t have it yet, but I’m guessing it will become a favorite!    

5. RXBAR:  Love these for emergency food on the Whole30, or anytime!  The Pumpkin Spice and Chocolate Mint have been my favorite flavors lately…my favorite thing about them is that they have very minimal ingredients and no junk added, only fruit, nuts, and egg whites in most cases.  (The peanut butter ones are not acceptable for Whole30.)    

6. The Whole30: The 30 Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom:  Another absolute essential for the Whole30.  While most of the program information can be found free at whole30.com, its nice to have it all in one place.  I love this book because it explains the ideas behind the program, how to do it, and includes plenty of recipes and tips.  Basically everything you need to know!  

7. Epic Bars:  I’ll admit that these took some time to warm up to, but now they’re a favorite.  They’re a convenient source of protein on the go, and are super tasty.  I like the Chicken Sriracha and Sesame Chicken BBQ flavors best.  Similar to a jerky bar is the best way to describe them.  

8. Vital Protein Collagen Peptides:  This is a new-to-me product that I finally took the plunge to try!  Its a natural, anti-aging protein that supports healthy skin, nails, hair, joints, and more.  I like a scoop or two mixed into my coffee, sometimes with a spoonful of Nutpods creamer (below).  Be sure to check out Melissa Hartwig’s video explaining the reasons to consider adding collagen peptides to your regimen…

9. Nutpods Unsweetened Dairy Free Creamer:  I’ve mentioned here plenty of times that I drink my coffee black, but its awesome to have an approved creamer to enjoy once in a while and to recommend to friends who are transitioning away from dairy creamers!  These creamers are a delicious alternative to their sugar filled counterparts.  I like the French Vanilla and Hazelnut flavors best.  Check out this post for drink ideas…

10. OXO Salad Bowl and Chopper:  Ordered this last week, and I’m obsessed!  I love chopped salad, but sometimes making one at home just doesn’t sound appealing at all.  It never comes out as good as the ones at my favorite salad places.  This makes it easy to throw all my ingredients and dressing in the bowl and chop it up very easily.  The bowl is bigger than it looks in the photo, which is a good thing because you can make a single salad in it, or one for a bigger group.  The kids love using it too!  And a great value at under $25…  

Ok…11 things!  I can’t believe I left this one off the list initially, but my immersion blender is an absolute essential in my kitchen.  It takes up very little space, but is so handy for whipping up mayo, dressings, sauces very quickly with little mess.  I use mine at least twice a week!  

Do you have any on the go favorites or products that simplify the process of preparing healthy meals?  Please share in the comments!  Thanks for stopping by!  xx-Andrea