Halfway!

The kids and I are now halfway through our 100 day challenge!!  It is all of a sudden going very fast...maybe because now I don't really think about it. I am even trying new recipes!

As I have been reflecting on how I have been feeling, I have been thinking about other benefits from doing this since I last posted about it.  For one, my skin is a lot healthier.  I have struggled with acne for almost my whole life, but it is waaaaay better now than it has been for as long as I can even remember.  I knew for years that sugar can be a factor, but I think the processed foods and other junk that is in almost all our food also contributes.

One of the other benefits from doing this - which probably sounds silly - is meal planning.  I have never done meal planning before, but it makes mealtime SO much easier.  I can't go back.  I took the 5 weeks of meal plans that 100daysofrealfood.com had for free and took out our favorite recipes (I loved them all, but the kids are pickier) and added in some new ones that I wanted to try.  Then I made up meal plans for the week and also grocery lists from that plan - just like the website!  It took a bit of time, but it really makes meals so much less stressful.

My thyroid is still a mess - which is the main reason I wanted to try this.  The heart medicine the doctor put me on is not lowering my heart rate enough, but she can't go any lower because my blood pressure is too low.  I follow up in a few more weeks, but it looks like I may have to go to the thyroid pill option.  I can only go on it for a year, and it either works or doesn't.  If it doesn't, then the only other option is the radioactive iodine, which kills the thyroid, which is what I am avoiding.  The natural route has made such a difference, but I don't think it can keep up - so I am hoping that if I have to go on the thyroid pill and continue to go the natural route, I can do double duty!!  Well, triple duty, since the whole/real food is helping, too!

Still, I am very happy with this 100 day challenge and I plan to continue to follow the "diet" for good.  It just will be nice to have some treats every now and again (there is no cheating at all during the 100 days).  Like peanut butter M&M's, garlic Parmesan breadsticks from Papa John's, Honey BBQ Twists, warm chocolate chip cookies (and dough!), double fudge brownie ice cream, chili cheese Fritos, Oreos...I could keep going.  These are some of my favorite things...and yes, I have a box of thin mint Girl Scout cookies and peanut butter M&M's that I just couldn't throw out.  They will be eaten when this is over!! :) :)