Whole30, Day 12: Valentine’s Day without Wine or Chocolate and My First Dinner Out
Valentine’s Day without wine or chocolate?! What kind of Valentine’s Day is that, right? Well, it’s the kind of Valentine’s Day you have if your on day 12 of a Whole30. “Can’t you cheat just for one day?” I’ve had a few people ask. “Valentine’s Day only comes once a year!” No, you can’t. That’s not how the Whole30 works. It’s thirty consecutive days with no “cheats” allowed. And here’s the thing: find me thirty consecutive days any time during the year where there’s not a holiday or special occasion that’s at least as tempting as Valentine’s Day. I’m pretty sure you won’t find one. Life is full of big and small special occasions. Do you really need cake every time a coworker has a birthday? No. And one Valentine’s Day without chocolate won’t kill me.
However, I felt a bit differently when we arrived to the restaurant, all the ladies dressed to the nine in their red dresses and ordering pretty cocktails. “Would it really kill me to split a bottle of wine with my husband?” I thought. “And maybe a small piece of dark chocolate? Just this one day?” Luckily my better senses prevailed. And I don’t think Courtney would have let me anyways, for the sole fact that he knows he would have to hear me gripe about it later!
Anyways, as I mentioned, we arrived to the restaurant. This was the first time eating out since starting the Whole30 twelve days ago (ChaCHING$$$!). And I’ll be honest, I was a bit nervous about it. Eating out on the Whole30 is not easy, and sometimes not fun. It’s hard to really know if you’re being compliant when eating out, and although my Dad will tell you I never order without at least one question or modification, I felt somewhat uncomfortable listing a long array of dietary restrictions, none of which I was actually allergic to.
But when I set out to do things, I set out to do them right, so I was determined to do my due diligence and more. Before even starting the Whole30, I made reservations at Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse with a completely meat heavy menu. Last week, I called ahead to find out what my options would be (and was pleased to find out I’d have a lot!), and when we arrived I immediately told my server my full list of my dietary restrictions. He was very knowledgable and immediately told me what I could have as is, what they could modify for me by cooking in only sea salt and what I should avoid all together. He made me feel completely comfortable asking, and even walked me through the salad bar to point out what I could and couldn’t have, which was really helpful because I wouldn’t have had any idea about a lot of the cooked and marinated veggies. In the end, I was really glad I did my due diligence. I didn’t feel I missed out, and despite eating about a pound of meat I didn’t feel disgusting like I would after a heavy carb binge and woke up with a flat belly!
According to the Whole30 Timeline I should be feeling: Boundless energy, now give me a Twinkie! Your energy levels are better than normal, but your craving and even dreaming about your old comfort foods.
How I’m feeling: Quite the opposite. The craving are almost gone entirely. I’m not saying I never need chocolate again, but I don’t need chocolate right now. The energy levels, however, are not better than usual.
Fun fact about the dream part though: since day one I have been having dreams not about food, but about accidentally breaking the Whole30 at least every other night. They are incredibly realistic and I am incredibly disappointed, and then so relieved when I wake up to find I haven’t. When I wake up, it’s always a realization that it’s not that easy to break the Whole30. It’s always a choice.
Pre-workout snack: Boiled egg and 1 T almond butter
Breakfast: Acorn squash with pumpkin pie spice, coconut milk, shredded coconut and almond butter with egg whites and chicken sausage.
Lunch: Pastelón (Puerto Rican lasagna with fried plantains as noodles!) with roasted Brussels sprouts
Snack: Boiled egg, leftover squash from breakfast and a few slices orange
Dinner: Fogo de Chao! Awesome plate of fresh veggies and smoked salmon from the salad bar and at least eight cuts of meat including awesome filet mignon and lamb legs cooked just for me!
