Kicking off 2012 with Whole30

I am not a fan of New Year's Resolutions. I think that making these grand, elaborate plans about how I'm going  to change my life sets it up for failure.

I like to make a plan. Have measurable goals and benchmarks. I like to build in the opportunity to reassess how things are going and re-calibrate.

It just so happens that this year, New Year's comes at a time when things are changing for my family. My classes are going to full time, Monkey will be starting a 5-day-a-week pre-school program, and my photography business is picking up.

I know that to keep up with my new busier schedule I need to feel better. My plans to run a half marathon in 2012 are progressing steadily. I started running again this fall and little's preschool program will give me the child free time to increase my mileage. But I've known for a while that I needed to make some foundational challenges- mainly, the way we eat.

Don't get me wrong, we eat pretty healthy.  We've cut WAY down on the amount of grain we eat and we've always limited how much processed food we eat. But it could be better. I tend to let myself get busy, then take the shortcuts offered by prepared foods and eating out. So beginning Jan 1, 2012, ArmyMan and I are doing a Whole30. From their website:

Think of it as a short-term nutritional reset, designed to help you restore a healthy metabolism, heal your digestive tract, calm systemic inflammation and put an end to unhealthy cravings, habits, and relationships with food.

It's not really that different than the way we normally eat (except that we normally include dairy and white potatoes- which we won't be eating for the next 30 days).  But Whole 30 offers a structure, plus a huge support system online and in the blogosphere. And we all know the power of community.

In the name of community, I've set up a linky each Sunday for the next 30 days. It will be open from Sunday- Saturday. Only rules are that links must be to Whole30 compliant meals. Pictures and reviews of the recipe are fabulous. If you got the idea for the recipe (or are using a recipe you found somewhere) mention that. :) I know that my menu could sure use some more ideas!