My New Saviour....the Crock-Pot!

I am now back at University, in my student house, with my friends, stressing about this final push before graduation. Unfortunately for me:

Work + Studying + Stress = I WANT TO STUFF MY FACE WITH CHOCOLATE

You can see why I said I was only around 80% Paleo compliant!
Though I haven't caved! Day 12 of Whole30 and still going strong. I thought that the move back to university might upset the balance. Temptation everywhere, plus the stress, and random hours in lectures will have me reaching for an easier option. So far, so good.
I have found it almost easier than before. For ages now I have been eating Paleo and counting calories. This adds so much more stress to my day! Having exact rules on the Whole30 means that it isn't a question of shuffling things around so you can have an extra something and fit it into your calorie count; it is either yes or no. This is exactly what I need!

One bad thing about being in a student house is that things go wrong. For example, our oven broke for the third time in 3 months on Monday, while I was roasting vegetables. Deep breathing was called upon here. But never fear because I got a crock-pot for Christmas! Now I am a crock-pot virgin. I have never cooked a meal in one. But here was my chance.
I took inspiration from Erika over at the Everyday Paleo site. She has some great recipes over there and this one immediately jumped out at me.
Creamy? I love cream. Chicken? I love chicken. Soup? Erm hello, it's winter! Click on the link and it will take you straight to the recipe I used:)

Putting my ingredients into the crock-pot was odd. It was just a mass of raw things and for hours it looked like nothing was happening. Had I done it wrong?

 9 hours later, this is what materialised....

I know it doesn't look the most appetising of things to eat but it was hearty, and warm, and creamy! Next time I will add some more seasoning as it was a little bland, but for a first attempt, not too shabby.

Another thing I am loving on the Whole30 is toasted coconut. So delicious. I could eat my weight in these. I think I need to cut back a little on this though. I am finding myself grabbing handfuls throughout the day when you aren't supposed to be snacking. It isn't even because I am hungry, i'm not. But they are just so crunchy! This is what I like most about them. That satisfying crunch that you only really get from crisps or crackers; toasted coconut replicates this. I'm such a child...all about the texture.

Here's The Whole Deal...

Ok, so Christmas has come and gone. How do I know this? The Christmas cake was finally finished this afternoon. I find it really hard to get back on track after a blip in routine. Well, this blip was more of a gaping month of off and on Paleo eating! Now the time has come to get back on it, and I am jumping in head first with my first Whole30. Terrified.

'What is the Whole30?' I hear you cry! Let me tell you. Basically, it is 100% Paleo for 30 days. No dairy, no legumes, no grains, no sugars, no alcohol, just pure food. It comes from Dallas and Melissa Hartwig's book 'It Starts With Food', and from their website. I have this book and I have read it cover to cover and it is so easy to follow, so obviously healthy! I have wanted to try a Whole30 for a while now but I am terrified. Not because I am scared of the food; i'm good at that! I am terrified of failing. As a perfectionist I know I am going to spend the next 30 days stressing over it. The problems I see myself having are with the social side of it. Diet coke can't be drunk as it contains the evil aspartame (artificial sweetener), so at the pub I will be limited to sparkling water! Also, my beloved latte's are out the window. I am actually going to try black coffee uh oh. I may add some coconut milk in and see how that works. Gross I bet!

I am starting the Whole30 on 30th December. I don't want to start on the 1st January because that is pressure in itself! Also, my best friend and I have promised each other a massage and spa day on the 28th January and it would be great to have completed it before then!

It will take a lot of will power but I am going to give it my best shot. I need to remember that I am doing it for myself; that I am in control of my own body. I can be easily swayed at times, especially at that fatal 9pm time slot where it is so easy to reach for the chocolate! But you really do get out of your body what you put in it. Wish me luck!

What are your New Years resolutions?

What is the one habit you want to break/want to incorporate this year?