Let's Catch Up

     So I had a friend ask me how the clean eating is going. Clean eating is great! Blogging, not so much. I'm only a little bit ashamed to say I haven't been doing much researching for my blog. Give me a break, it's Summer, and I have more important things to do...like tan and be lazy.

     Honestly though, I feel really good! I have never felt so normal in my life! We've been eating clean for almost 2 1/2 months now. As long as I can remember, I've had frequent headaches and constant stomach trouble, and all that has gone away. I wouldn't say I wake up every morning and feel like running a marathon, but I don't constantly feel bad or sluggish anymore. The weight loss is a little bit slow, but that's no surprise considering I've discovered how to make amazing cookies, muffins, and cake...and make something almost every night. Yes, I use wholesome ingredients, and stick to our paleo diet. It was supposed to be a once a week thing, but that didn't last long. But still, even with eating all that, we're consistently losing weight. Eating this way required a little more effort in cooking, only because you don't have the prepared convenience meals, but I don't feel like I missing out on anything. And I don't think Cory does either, and that's saying something.

     I'm still learning as I go. Even after being gluten-free for a year, I'm discovering that I wasn't completely gluten-free. It's hidden in everything! I think the thing that got me the most was vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is okay, but a lot of products have white grain vinegar, which is made from wheat and other grains. But on the label it just says vinegar. So now I just avoid it unless it specifically says apple cider, or gluten-free. Check your salsa, ketchup, mustard, and other condiment labels.

     The first month we did this, our grocery bill was $1000. The second month, it was probably about $800-900. This month I've budgeted $500 for groceries, and I think I can make it happen. First of all, I'm learning where I can get the same products I use at cheaper places. Unfortunately, coupons aren't much help to me because most of them are for things we don't buy. But I found that BJ's has a decent selection of organic produce. Oh, and Spices. They have a good deal on organic spices. Like $4 for these gargantuan bottles.

I'm pretty sure we're set on spices for the rest of our lives. As a matter of fact, when I was purchasing them, an elderly gentleman asked if I had kids. When I told him yes, he said, "Good, cause when you die, you'll be passing those spices on to them."

    Every month or two, Earth Fare has a good sale on organic, grass-fed ground beef. It's $4/LB, and there's a 5 lb limit. So you better believe I'm in there every day buying 5 lbs of beef. Cory and I went in there after church on Sunday, acted like we didn't know each other, and each got 5 lbs. Now my freezer is stocked up! We also got chicken breasts for $3/lb.

     I promise to do some more research for you guys. I just wanted to give you an update, so you wouldn't think I died on this diet since you hadn't heard from me in forever.