What is the Three Quarters 30?   It’s the version of Whole 30 that I am making up for myself because I am a vegetarian.  Whole 30 actually recommends (last I checked, which admittedly was awhile ago) that you eat meat during your 30 days, which isn’t going to happen.  This is part of the reason I gave up on my previous Whole 30 attempt.  Well that and I just wasn’t that into it.  I hated my job and thus needed wine at night.   

Well, I still hate my job, but I’m really in it for the 30 day haul this time because I found The Whole 30 Shopping List for Vegetarians and Vegans.  What the what?   Have they changed their tune or what?  The big difference appears to be the allowance of lentils, tofu, tempeh and some beans.  That is all I was asking for.  We all need our protein.  Now if they could start to look past chickpeas as well, we’d be in business, but hey, it’s only 30 days.  

So what are my goals for Three Quarters 30?   I know Whole 30 is about eliminating food that causes inflammation.  Honestly, if all the foods you can’t have on Whole 30 cause inflammation, my body has been on fire it’s entire life.  I do want to be healthier and detox from some excesses over the holiday.  Removing grains and sugar for awhile seems like a good approach.  The lack of alcohol will be the hardest part, but (sigh) is probably good for me, as well.  So my goals are to see how I feel after, maybe have better skin and if I lose weight, well I’d love that, too.  

So how was my first day?   Keep in mind, I hadn’t really planned out the menu.  It’s been 0 degrees here and I wasn’t going shopping.  For the first week at least, I have to make due with what I have at home.  

I made a smoothy with banana, blueberries, spinach and almond milk (no carrageenan!) .   Later I discovered banana wasn’t on the list.  Whoops.  Since I make them for the week and freeze them, there will be a banana every day this week.  Oh well.

Lunch was a vegetarian chili I made with diced tomatos, bell peppers, black beans (not sure if they are among the beans allowed, but I’m going with it), onion, cumin and then i threw a little bit of corn in because it was here.  Whoops corn isn’t on the list, either.   

Dinner was stir fry broccoli, red peppers, onion, celery, snap peas, watercress and tempeh.   

Snacks were almonds and an apple.   

I drank tea with dinner rather than wine.   I turned down chocolates that were passed around at work.  

And I’m still here to tell the tale!   Also, I was bizarrely not hungry all the time.  Weird.   Yes, it wasn’t perfect according to the list, but much healthier than I have been eating, especially over the holidays, so a win.