InstaFriday/Friday's Letters

Dear Whole30, I only have FIVE more days of you. I'm so conflicted! I've spent the last 25 days thinking about what I'm going to splurge on on day 31, and now I'm not sure if I even want to stop. Not to get all cheesy and what not, but I'm actually feeling pretty dang proud of myself these days. I've been cooking almost three meals every day for the past 25 days and have, in turn, become a much better (and efficient) cook and I feel as though my palette has matured in the process. I'm trying all kinds of new things (I made spaghetti with spaghetti squash last night -- and it was awesome! Recipe to come soon. Forgot to snap it with my phone) and I'm appreciating old things much more. Like strawberries, for example. I used to put Splenda or Equal on my strawberries because I didn't think they were sweet enough. Turns out, they are just exactly as sweet as they're supposed to be, it was me who was off. I had bombarded my taste buds with unnaturally sweet things (i.e. anything with high fructose corn syrup, added sugar or artificial sugars -- like, everything I ate ever), unnaturally salty things (i.e. potato chips, pretzels, crackers, ramen noodles), unnaturally fatty things (again, think back to my obsession with potato chips and everything bagels from DD) that my tastebuds were all out of whack. I thought tea tasted disgusting if it didn't have a ton of sugar, honey or fake sugar in it; Now I look forward to drinking hot tea all by itself every day as a special treat and have no problem with gulping down some unsweet tea (which always has to be specified here, by the way. Some places do not approve of not sweetening your tea.) Remember my issue with coffee back at the beginning of this experiment? I'm fully enjoying a cup of coffee as I type this post and all that's in it is canned coconut milk. I think this has been an incredibly successful experiment so far.

Dear Fruity Pebble Cupcakes, I made you for Jessica's bridal shower (fruity pebbles are her fave) and I managed to not even take a single lick of your icing or colorful little sugar flakes. You smelled amazing, and I was definitely tempted. But let's consider my willpower officially tested. (Recipe can be found here except I didn't add the bananas, just the pudding -- I heard they were delicious.)

Dear Ziggy, You are looking slimmer and slimmer every day! Your energy has increased and it could just be me, but I feel like we've bonded through the whole running together every day thing. You have come a long way from almost dying from heat exhaustion after 2 miles that one day. You're adorable. Thanks for being the best friend a girl could ask for. I love the way you prance around in every puddle we come across, even if it is really weird that you then feel the need to pee in said puddles. Dear Barnes & Noble, Thank you for supplying me with the cutest planner EVER. And yes, friends, I may be the least organized person ever when it comes to messy rooms and living spaces, but there's just something so satisfying about writing down daily engagements in a planner. Especially one with gorgeous drawings and motivational quotes every couple of pages. Dear Hair, I'm so happy that you're long enough for me to braid now! I thought this day would never come when I chopped off 17 in back in January! Also, this is happening. Get excited. I am. Dear Whole30 Daily E-mails, Thanks for keeping me pumped every day. At the end of each day you click whether you ate clean that day or made some bad decisions -- if you click that one, it will start all the e-mails over again. BUT if you click the first option it sends you to hilarious videos, motivational images, etc. This bathroom mirror one really resonated with me, so I saved it. I think many people could use a reminder like this one. Dear Labor Day Weekend, I'm ready to do something exciting. Let's make this one count! Maybe I'll even cook on a grill for the first time to get my paleo-labor-day-burgers on! Dear iPhone Friends, Download the Songza app. It makes me happy.

Dear Readers, Happy Friday! Have a wonderful and safe long weekend!

Love,

Kensie

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