Daniel Plan Approved Grocery Haul

As the previous post explained, I am starting the Daniel Plan this week. So after evaluating my current "status" and goal setting, what comes next? Well, obviously, filling the kitchen with healthful options. So, I woke up early this morning, took inventory of what I already had that was healthy and Daniel Plan approved, got my shopping list ready and went to Wal-Mart.

Now, Wal-Mart wouldn't be my first option. If there was a Kroger or Aldi anywhere within 20 minutes of my house, that would be my first option. There is an Aldi about 25 minutes from home, but they weren't open yet and I really needed a lot of staple items I didn't think they would have. (You might be asking yourself why I didn't have some staple items, such as corn starch or olive oil. Dude, I just moved into my house two weeks ago and I can count on two fingers how many times I've cooked. Bear with me.)

I knew that shopping all organic and buying so much produce and meat would add up rather quickly. I was prepared for my total to be upwards of $200. It was $164. While I was somewhat relieved it wasn't $200, $164 is a lot for groceries for a single person for one week. But like I said, a few of these items were staples.

Here's what I got:
Disclaimer: The cat was not included in today's purchase. He was here before that. 

Doing the Daniel Plan

It's gonna get real today, guys. Why? Because I'm talking honestly and candidly about weight.

Weight has never been a struggle for me. Around age 12, I was "chubby",  had my share of baby fat but shortly after I got braces, I lost a lot of weight. Since then, I've always been healthy-appearing. I've never had remarkable physical strength or cardiovascular strength when it comes to working out. I've always tired easily and been one to give up when it got too hard. Last year, my doctor started me on anxiety medication for my severe social anxiety. (I'm talking vomiting every morning before work.) As I took this medication, my weight rapidly increased. I noticed I felt hungry all the time. I started eating junk food multiple times a day. I gained around 40 pounds in just a few short months. It's been about 6 months since I quit taking the medication, yet the weight is hanging on. And I'm miserable.

I'm so distant from God. I never talk to Him, never take my concerns to Him. I don't go to church regularly, and rarely read my Bible.

I'm so distant from myself and others. I have a very negative self perception because I'm very unhappy with how I look and how I feel. This translates into me staying home almost every night, rarely going out, and rarely having a desire to go out.

I eat horribly and have no energy to exercise. These probably go hand in hand. But I rarely eat healthily and I have been walking this week, but before this week, I've been fairly sedentary.

All of these are points addressed in the Daniel Plan. 

So, starting today, I'm participating. If you wanna know more about it, check out the website by clicking here.

So what is the Daniel Plan? Well, I'm not a good paraphraser, so here's an excerpt from the official website for ya:

The Daniel Plan is a groundbreaking healthy lifestyle program founded on biblical principles and focused on The Essentials: Faith, Food, Fitness, Focus and Friends. The program offers an innovative approach to achieving a healthy lifestyle where people get better together by optimizing their health in each of these life areas. Each essential supports and influences the others, offering a practical step-by-step approach for anyone to follow. 

I bought the book about a year ago, read it, but put no action to it. Thought, Wow, those verses ARE in the Bible and they are totally relevant! Nobody ever teaches this in the church. Yet, nothing changed for me. 

New 101 List, oh, and btw. I'm not dead.

It's been a minute since I've posted. Life has been a little hectic lately. SPOILER ALERT, I'm moving. To my OWN house. Sooo crazy. I'm so behind and I want to do a real "life update", maybe I'll do one later in the week. But I wanted to share my new 101 in 1,001 days list. I completed the other (timewise, not listwise. There were a few things I didn't complete, such as make white bean hummus. REALLY? I thought that was so easy...hah. Oops.) Anyway, the link is in the navi bar, if you want to check it out. Happy November!

Currently | July 2016

Anticipating...A visit to see my sister, her husband, and their fur child.

Cooking...I haven't really been trying any new recipes, but that's about to change. I signed up for GatheredTable, so I'm ready. I've gotta get serious about a health change.

Enjoying...Just not being at work.

Feeling...So tired of dealing with people. I just need a month long get away.

Learning...You guys. This month has been a hard one. People have caused me so much stress. I think the most important lesson I've learned is that most people don't care. They will always run their mouths. Most people just talk to hear themselves talk. I'm still learning to not care what others think. Why do we have to be wired to want to please others?!

Listening...Needtobreathe's and Switchfoot's new jams.

Reading...Nothing, at the moment. I need to get back in the reading groove.
Wanting...August 1st to arrive! GMM, I've missed you beyond belief. 

Watching...I started the free trial of the Starz add-on for Prime, so I've got Inside Out, Big Hero 6, and many other movies lined up to watch!

Currently | June 2016

Anticipating...Less than a month away until Disney World! Woohoo!

Cooking...I haven't been cooking much at all lately, but I need to get back in the kitchen. Any easy recipes I need to try?

Enjoying...My new puppy, Charley! <3

Feeling...Pretty good. Goal setting and stuff; feeling a bit more motivated.

Learning...How awesome the library is. I forgot since I had been buying ebooks so often, but wow. Having fun isn't hard, when you've got a library card. Free books?! Yes, please.

Listening...Switchfoot! Their new music is awesome. Can't wait for their new CD!

Reading...Animal Farm by George Orwell.

Wanting...The humidity level to decrease.

Watching...Nothing. I've finished Law and Order:SVU and I can't find anything to keep my interest since. Can I get some recommendations?

Currently | May 2016

Anticipating...My friend, Krystle, and I are planning a trip to Disney in July! I'm soo excited to walk the streets of Magic Kingdom again. I've missed it so much.

Enjoying...Having time off again. I forgot how nice it is to have weeks off at a time. 

Feeling...Disappointed at how many snacks I eat when I'm at home. I need a detox.

Learning...If I'm planning to workout, I better do it first thing in the morning. Or it ain't gonna happen.

Listening...Mostly just Needtobreathe's few new songs. Loving them.

Reading...The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Wanting...Relief for my headaches. The doctor diagnosed me with migraines earlier this week and I've had a constant headache since Thursday. I'm miserable.

Watching...Law and Order: SVU. Still.

Tuna Pasta Salad | Recipe

This recipe is everything I enjoy: easy, quick, filling, AND fresh! It can be served warm or cold. It's perfect for this time of year.

Tuna Pasta Salad

this recipe makes about 2 hearty servings

Ingredients:

2 cups of farfelle pasta

1 can of albacore white tuna, drained

1/3 red onion, diced

1/4 of green pepper, diced

1/2 cup of mayo

1 tbsp lemon juice

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Boil pasta and cook as directed.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine all other ingredients.

3. Drain pasta. If desired cold, rinse with cold water. Otherwise, move on to step 4.

4. Add the pasta to the mixing bowl until well mixed, then it's ready to serve!

optional: I added dried dill to make it even more flavorful.