The Luxi Look | LA based fashion and lifestyle blog

By Amy Zhang March 4, 2021 in Digital 3 Comments

Social Media Apps to Watch in 2021

Whether you’re a casual or avid social media user, you’ve probably noticed some new apps everyone is talking about lately. As someone who works in digital marketing and is always trying to be up on the latest trends in social media, it feels like 2021 has brought with it the rise of several previously new to me platforms. From a user perspective, it’s scary to make the leap to a new platform and tough to learn a new format for creating and sharing content. (Remember when you were convinced to sign up for Facebook?) As a creator, there’s a lot of pressure to be omnipresent on social media. For small business owners, it’s all of the above and more. Time and money are limited resources. And I feel like I’m having weekly conversations with creator/small business owner friends on where they should be focusing their efforts and ad budgets.

My general rule of thumb is, I will give anything a shot once. I also think from a content creator or business perspective. It is 100% in your favor to jump on new platforms and test them out. The reason for this is, established players such as Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube are SO saturated at this point. It can be really hard to cut through the “noise” and it oftentimes feels like the algorithm is working against you. New platforms are generally more focused on customer acquisition (vs. continued engagement/retention/optimizing for ad dollars). So it can be much easier for your content to break through and go viral. Below are my favorite new social media apps to watch in 2021 – whether you’re a casual user, content creator, or small business.

Social Media Apps to Watch in 2021

Clubhouse

A cool concept – audio only (hello, Zoom fatigue) social media that elevates raw, in the moment, and authentic conversations. I’ve heard people get really vulnerable and transparent on Clubhouse in a way they don’t on any other medium. Maybe it’s because it’s still growing. Maybe because there’s no recording or monetization mechanism (yet). I’ve also heard that some of the rooms are full of… a lot of words and not a lot of substance. Anyway, your experience and mileage may vary. I feel like Clubhouse is all anyone talks about right now. But I haven’t been able to get into it personally.

I think if I spend a little more time looking for rooms that interest me and put them on in the background while cooking, cleaning, or taking a walk, I might get more sucked in. Give me a few weeks on this one… and in the meantime, does anyone need an invite?

TikTok

Technically not new, but hear me out. I feel like millennials and older have flooded the app over the past year. And the content is becoming more information and tutorial oriented. But in a very fun way – TikTok feels a lot more organic and authentic than Instagram, which can feel highly curated at times. TikTok feels a little chaotic and messy, but in a good way. The algorithm is on point (somehow mine figured out my age, relationship status, dog mom status, profession, and interests within a week), which is probably a little more creepy than it feels in execution. So far I’ve been mostly a lurker on TikTok. But I’m really interested in pushing my creativity and learning more about content distribution and virality in a new (and scary) to me medium: video. Luckily, your iPhone makes it insanely easy to be a creator now.

Dispo

My personal new favorite, Dispo is social media that doesn’t feel anything like social media. The premise of the app is based on a disposable camera. You take photos through the lens, and the next day they are “developed” at 9am. You can then add them to albums and even create shared albums with your friends. By taking away the instant gratification of posting, the anxiety over having a perfectly curated feed, and the immediate response of getting likes and comments, it feels casual and unedited (in a good way). I can’t wait for a post-COVID world where I can use this on a group trip with friends.

Instagram Reels

Instagram is pushing reels, hard. Right now, one of the easiest ways to grow on Instagram is to post reels consistently (they recommend 3-4x a week, however I have seen a lot of success stories from creators who post daily). It’s meant to compete directly with TikTok, but I’m sure any avid TikTok user will tell you, the experiences feel completely different. Reels still feels more edited and polished, but that may just be because of my personal demographics and interests. Either way, it will be interesting to see how this surface evolves over the year.

What are your favorite social platforms at the moment?

By Amy Zhang March 2, 2021 in Lifestyle 1 Comment

My Favorite Books from the Past Year

A bright side of the past year? More time spent reading than ever. I’ve always loved reading, but last year gave me more free time than ever to actually sit down with a book and read. It’s one of my favorite things to do in the morning when I wake up, or right before I fall asleep. My goal is to read at those times instead of reach for my phone right away. It’s definitely a work in progress. I’m not the best book reviewer, but I can say that I read over 50 books last year, and these were my favorites.

You’ll notice many of them are fiction, and they are a mixture of light hearted (because, well, 2020), and more serious or darker subject matter. I used to read a lot of non fiction, but lately I have shifted to listening to the audiobook versions instead. Now, I like to save my reading time for “fun” books.

My Favorite Books from the Past Year

If you’re looking for a light hearted read, I recommend The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Anxious People, and Rabbit.

Verity and The Vanishing Half were page turners I literally could not put down.

The Girl with the Louding Voice and A Knock at Midnight were powerful books in their own right.

Interior Chinatown and Know My Name were some of the most important reading I’ve done in the past year.

I’d love to know what you’re reading, and what your favorite books of the past year are. I’m always looking for new recommendations!

By Amy Zhang February 23, 2021 in Lifestyle 1 Comment

The Most Important Money Lessons I Learned in My 20s

Now that I’m officially no longer in my 20s, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on what is often called “the defining decade.” I have a much younger sister, so sharing life experiences and lessons happens frequently (whether she wants the unsolicited opinions or not…). But one thing I really wish I focused on more in my early 20s is my finances. I started taking things really seriously a few years ago, but I honestly wish I started sooner. In your 20s, time is the most powerful tool you have (more on that later), so building good habits ASAP will pay off in spades in the future. Literally. I wanted to share some of the key lessons I learned around money in my 20s.

Some of this I figured out on my own, some of it I learned from my parents, and some I really wish I knew sooner. A quick disclaimer – I am NOT a licensed professional by any means, and I am still very much learning a lot myself! However, these are lessons that I think can apply to anyone in any life stage, especially in your 20s.

The Most Important Money Lessons I Learned in My 20s

+ Build a budget

Do this ideally as soon as you start making your own money. The single most important money lesson in your 20s is to spend less than you earn. Everything else you can pick up and learn over time, but the first thing to master is living below your means. If you’ve never made a budget before, start with the basics. There are a ton of easy budgeting frameworks available – I like something straightforward, like the 50/30/20 framework. This says to aim to spend 50% of your income on essentials (housing and groceries), 30% on discretionary (aka fun) things, and 20% savings.

If you don’t know where to begin, it helps to collect all of your expenses over the past three months to get an idea of roughly how much you spend every month. From there, you can divide your expenses in “bills” (rent, utilities, car payment, car insurance, etc.) and “flexible/fun spending” (everything else). It helps to use software like Mint if you need a little help visualizing your spending. From there, you can create set amounts to target for each monthly category, and monitor your spending to make sure you are following your budget. It’s okay if this takes time to figure out, or you go over a few categories in a month. The key is to find a budget that is sustainable and works for you!

+ Set goals

I’m a firm believer in setting goals. Not abstract ones like “the future” or “all the things,” but very concrete goals. (However, if abstract goals get you to save, they’re still a good thing!). I try to set SMART goals.

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound. Essentially, be as specific and detailed as possible with your goals. It’s easy to dismiss this in your early 20s because it feels like you have all the time in the world before having to worry about things like buying a house, saving for a wedding, or having a baby. But trust me, all of them will happen sooner than you think, and you will probably have some level of sticker shock. Even if your goals are more near-term and “fun” (like buying a new handbag, or saving for a vacation to Europe), it still helps to set a specific amount you want to save by a certain time. It’s incredibly motivating to visualize what you are saving for (your “why”) and will help you keep your eyes on the prize.

+ Invest early and often

The magic word in personal finance is compounding. A dollar invested in your 20s is worth substantially more than a dollar invested in your 30s. Here’s an example from Investopedia: Let’s say you start investing in the market at $100 a month, and you average a positive return of 1% a month or 12% a year, compounded monthly over 40 years. Your friend, who is the same age, doesn’t begin investing until 30 years later, and invests $1,000 a month for 10 years, also averaging 1% a month or 12% a year, compounded monthly.

Who will have more money saved up in the end?

Your friend will have saved up around $230,000. Your retirement account will be a little over $1.17 million. Even though your friend was investing over 10 times as much as you toward the end, the power of compound interest makes your portfolio significantly bigger.

So even though it’s difficult to resist the urge to spend money on all the things in your early 20s, every dollar you set aside will compound. Your future self will thank you. Roth IRAs are your best friend – maxing out your Roth IRA every year, if you can, is one of the best things you can do for your financial future. If you don’t know what a Roth IRA is, it’s a type of retirement account that allows you to withdraw money tax-free upon retirement. As of 2021, you can save a maximum of $6,000 a year in a Roth IRA. This averages out to saving $500 per month. Even if you can’t manage this now, it’s a great goal to set for yourself.

+ Credit cards and debt don’t have to be scary

I grew up in a household where debt was basically a dirty word. On the one hand, this instilled in me from a very young age to live below my means, save a percentage of my income from every paycheck, and always pay my credit card in full. Thanks, mom and dad! On the other hand, I didn’t realize the benefits that can be unlocked by choosing the right credit cards and maximizing their rewards and points (more on this another day). I’ve seen some financial advice that recommends only paying for items in cash or with a debit card – but that means you’re leaving a lot of money on the table by not leveraging a rewards-based credit card.

Thanks to some of my travel credit cards, I’ve been able to travel for years for free essentially. It’s definitely not “basic” financial advice, but if you have the basics down and your spending under control, there’s no reason not to take advantage of credit card benefits.

+ Maximize your earnings

Living below your means and saving money is the most important thing when it comes to building a solid financial foundation, but maximizing your earnings can help you reach your goals even faster. If you work a corporate job, you can do this by taking on a side hustle (I started my blog as a side hustle and it’s paid off massively personally and professionally) or always shopping around. One of the best pieces of professional advice I ever received is to always be interviewing. This keeps your resume updated and your interviewing skills sharp. It also helps you to understand what your skills are worth in the market, and can guide you in making decisions around career moves. There’s nothing more rewarding than securing the bag yourself, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it.

+ Talk about money!

Yes, talking about money may feel a little taboo at first, but it shouldn’t be. I’ve learned so much from friends and colleagues around budgeting systems, investment options, retirement accounts, and more. One thing I love about Gen Z and Tik Tok is how open they are to talking about money. It’s honestly insane to me that a lot of the financial basics are not taught in schools, and it takes most people years if not decades to get their finances in order. I really believe in normalizing financial literacy, and am so appreciative of the people in my life that have given advice and been open to having conversations.

What are the best pieces of money advice you’ve ever received?

By Amy Zhang February 3, 2021 in Lifestyle, Wellness 1 Comment

Everything You Need to Know Before Doing Whole30

Lots of questions on Whole30 after my lessons from my first round of Whole30 that I wanted to provide a more comprehensive post on everything you need to know before doing Whole30. As I discussed previously, I don’t think Whole30 is for everyone. If you’re considering Whole30 or have already made the decision to do so, keep reading for all the relevant info to make sure you’re prepared for the next 30 days! You’re in for an exciting journey.

Everything You Need to Know Before Doing Whole30

First things first, what is Whole30?

Whole30 is an elimination style diet founded by husband and wife duo Dallas and Melissa Hartwig. The diet emphasizes eliminating certain foods that commonly lead to certain reactions in your body, and focusing more on whole foods in their natural state. The purpose of an elimination style diet is to understand which particular foods may be leading to irritation.

While on the diet, the following foods are not allowed: sugar, alcohol, grains, legumes, soy, and dairy. For those familiar with a paleo diet, Whole30 is often described as a stricter version of paleo (although it is temporary, whereas paleo is a long term lifestyle).

The founders describe Whole30 as the following:

“You can think of the Whole30 like pushing the reset button with your health, habits, and relationship with food. For 30 days, you’ll eliminate the foods that scientific literature and our clinical experience have shown to be commonly problematic in one of four areas — cravings and habits, blood sugar regulation and hormones, digestion, and immune system, and inflammation. Over the course of 30 days, you’ll see what improves when you remove potentially problematic foods.”

The founders advocate that Whole30 can improve your energy, sleep, mood, focus, digestion, and more. Although I did personally experience many positive symptoms while on the Whole30 diet, I did also have trouble with others (which is normal).

Why do Whole30?

The reasons for doing Whole30 are, as with any diet, highly personal. Our reasons for doing the diet were to reset our bodies after a chaotic 2020, and see if any particular food groups caused reactions in our bodies. It’s pretty crazy how you don’t realize how different your body will feel after 30 days of no sugar, dairy, gluten, grains, legumes, additives, and alcohol.

Some people do it to lose weight, but that is not actually the primary intention of Whole30, as the founders advocate for 30 days of eliminating the scale as well. Many people do lose weight on Whole30, however.

How to prepare for Whole30

In an ideal world, you would not go from smashing pizzas and processed food and alcohol to Whole30 overnight. In reality, this may be the case for many. Whatever your diet and lifestyle is like prior to Whole30, in my opinion, preparation is key! If you are used to consuming a lot of junk, my number one piece of advice is to clear out your pantry and cabinets. If something is out of sight, it will be out of mind. You want to set yourself up for success! And that means no temptation, if any. On December 31st before my Whole30, I threw away all the remnants of Christmas baking, desserts, candy, carbs, and alcohol. Into the trash it went.

Instead, I filled my house with lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, and Whole30 approved snacks and condiments.

Planning my meals a week in advance, grocery shopping with a specific list (trips will be quick because you really only shop the perimeter on Whole30), and keeping my eyes on the prize (no to chocolate and my favorite snacks while shopping) made all the difference in the world. You’re not supposed to cheat – technically, if you do, you’re supposed to start over on Day 1 – eek!

You’re also not supposed to create versions of your favorite non compliant foods.

So “healthy” versions of pancakes, cookies, chips (looking at you, plantain chips), etc. are all not technically allowed on Whole30. A lot of people will have them – the rules have changed quite a bit in recent years – but I suggest doing some research and deciding what rules are most important to you to abide by.

Also, knowing my weaknesses (dessert), I tried to ease into Whole30 by having some Larabars and dried mango on hand, which I would eat sparingly. I really tried my best to limit sugar, even natural, on Whole30, so I could do the diet properly. However, I know super hardcore advocates of Whole30 say you shouldn’t have any dried fruit, so to that I say you really can’t win them all. Technically, GT’s Kombucha is Whole30 compliant, so that’s another way I would treat myself when I was really craving sweets.

I guess I didn’t technically slay my “sugar dragon,” but I did go 30+ days without added sugar, so I am very proud of myself regardless! In my post Whole30 life though, you can bet dessert will still be a part of it. BUT, I do now look at labels very closely, and try to avoid sugar as much as possible when I can, only saving it for something very special and worth it.

My favorite resources and recipes for Whole30

When it came to Whole30, I really tried to be as proactive with planning as possible. Thankfully, there are so many helpful Whole30 resources and blogs on the internet now. You never have to wonder if an ingredient or recipe is compliant. My favorite Whole30 blogs and recipes:

Nom Nom Paleo

My absolute favorite blog. Her recipes are simple, all paleo, and many have hints of Asian flavor. We loved every single recipe we tried from this blog. Our personal favorites that we make again and again: grilled green chicken, fish en papillote, Korean short ribs, egg roll in a bowl, wonton meatballs, and sheet pan sweet and spicy pork.

The Defined Dish

This hibachi style chicken with mustard sauce was AMAZING. You don’t even miss the rice. We make this recipe all the time now. We also really loved a Sunday pot roast.

40 Aprons

So many great Whole30 recipes on the blog, one of our favorite meals was this bang bang shrimp.

So Let’s Hang Out

One of our new favorite recipes from Whole30 is this crispy chicken skillet recipe with artichokes and beets. The sauce is so decadent and literally tastes like a white wine sauce. I have no idea how or why, but it’s so simple and delicious.

Some other meals we loved – steak frites, shepherd’s pie, turkey green bean basil stir fry, and easy egg frittatas with leftover veggies at the end of the week. (Warning: you might get really sick of eggs).

As far as condiments and sauces go, you can really rack up a hefty grocery bill by swapping out your existing condiments for Whole30 approved ones. The ones we used most frequently were:

Avocado oil (we used this in cooking everyday)
Olive oil (in most recipes, and we used for homemade salad dressings)
Ghee is a must
All the spices and seasonings (just make sure they don’t have additives)
Whole30 approved mustard and ketchup
Whole30 approved mayo – in my opinion, the regular Primal Mayo is overpriced and not that great. If you don’t plan on using mayo in any of your recipes, this is a skip
Dressings – I actually prefer to make my own, I found the Whole30 approved ones to be overpriced and flavorless. If you want a quick and dirty option, I really like Trader Joe’s Green Goddess dressing, which can be found in the refrigerated produce section
All vinegars (even red and white wine) are allowed on Whole30
Coconut milk & cream – this is the most common substitute for dairy/cream in recipes. It’s a bit of an acquired taste and can overpower certain recipes, so it’s worth experimenting with it a bit before committing to putting it in every recipe

Don’t forget the reintroduction phase

A final note on Whole30 – the reintroduction phase is as important as the diet itself, especially if it’s your first round of Whole30. If you can make time for it, definitely fit it into your schedule. Yes, it’s another 10-12 days or more of Whole30 essentially (you can add sugar and alcohol back, if that helps), but this part is key to understanding if you have any food sensitivities. I will admit, it was really hard to continue doing Whole30 after the 30 days (the name is misleading and honestly should be Whole40 so mentally you’re prepared). But if you’re committed to seeing Whole30 all the way through, you will need to make time for the reintroduction phase.

After 30 days of eating Whole30 and honestly feeling really great, I was so nervous about reintroducing foods that were previously not allowed. I think Whole30 is truthfully too restrictive, and can be very triggering for those who have experienced disordered eating. However, once you are able to move past eating Whole30 all the time and understand that you can find “food freedom” (knowing when and how to incorporate certain foods into your diet), it really is liberating and will improve your relationship with food.

Any other questions on Whole30?

By Amy Zhang January 31, 2021 in Lifestyle, Wellness 2 Comments

30 Lessons From Whole30 – My Whole30 Experience

We are officially one month into 2021, and I just finished my first round of Whole30! If you asked me a few years ago about Whole30, I would have told you it’s crazy and I’d never do it. I think I actually said something along the lines of, never in a million years. A life without gluten, grains, dairy, sugar, alcohol, legumes didn’t sound like a life worth living. No thank you. Since then, A LOT has changed (duh!). I don’t know if it was a strong desire to cleanse 2020 from my system or what, but for some reason doing Whole30 this year sounded right.

Towards the end of 2020 I started saying yes to anything and everything food and drink related. It was fun and liberating to eat literally anything I wanted. Ice cream after dinner every night? Yes, please. Wine on a weekday? Why not. Between trying all the local restaurants with a habit of over-ordering for the sake of supporting small businesses, and baking up a storm with all of the time spent at home, I felt like my taste buds and hunger cues were completely numb. All of a sudden, a major reset sounded really, really good.

If you’re not familiar with Whole30, it’s an elimination diet for 30 days (hence the name) where you eliminate all added sugar, alcohol, dairy, gluten, grains, legumes, junk food (that includes “healthier” versions of your favorite snacks and treats), and common additives (such as carrageenan, which is common in non dairy milks, MSG, soy, sulfites, and all forms of added sugar and sweetener) . If you’re doing the math in your head and thinking it sounds pretty restrictive, that’s because it is.

My Whole30 Experience

What you CAN eat: all vegetables, fruit (in moderation), seafood, unprocessed meats, nuts and seeds, eggs. Think of it as a more hardcore version of Paleo. If you’re not sure if something is compliant or not, you can quickly find the answer on Google (I did this everyday for the first few weeks).

Soo… why would anyone want to do Whole30?!

Contrary to popular belief, Whole30 is not meant to be a diet. It’s also not a lifestyle – no gluten, dairy, grains, legumes, alcohol, added sugar forever? That’s just crazy restrictive and honestly disordered eating. It’s also no fun – not advocating for drinking alcohol or eating every single meal out, but when you’re on Whole30 it’s practically impossible to have a social life.

After my first round of Whole30, I honestly feel great, and am looking forward to taking a lot of my learnings (and many new favorite recipes!) into my non Whole30 life.

Here are 30 lessons I learned from my first round of Whole30.

1. Sugar is in… literally everything.

You realize this very quickly. Most condiments, sauces, packaged foods contain sugar in some pesky form or another. Reading nutrition labels isn’t enough – sometimes if the amount of sugar is low enough, food companies can get away with saying 0g of sugar on the label. But if you look in the INGREDIENT LIST, you will find it is hiding there. SO SNEAKY. Aside from the usual suspects, look for another ending in “-ose” – a dead giveaway that SUGAR is in the product.

2. Eating out is almost impossible on Whole30.

Yes, there are some Whole30 compliant meals you can get at popular fast food restaurants (technicallyyyy you can go to Chipotle and get the cauliflower rice, and technically you can have In-n-Out protein style burgers, etc.) but you’re really encouraged to eat WHOLE FOODS and cook at home as much as possible. Part of this is because you don’t always know every single ingredient in restaurant cooked food, and most dishes tend to sneak in added sugar, salt, and butter. You’re better off cooking if you can, but life happens sometimes and you need to grab food on the go! Just be prepared to be very annoying towards your waiter if you do eat out. A lot of side salads with no dressing, and proteins grilled without any oil or butter. FUN!

3. Food and alcohol play such an integral role in our social lives.

So much of our lives, professionally and personally, revolve around dining out and drinking. I feel really conflicted on this topic. And after reading Quit Like a Woman this month, I feel like it’s a whole other conversation to have another day. I love going out to eat, trying new restaurants, and having one of my famous spicy skinny margaritas with a girlfriend (I’m very proud of them, if I do say so myself!). I don’t think that will change, but there is something to say about how our society treats people who abstain from alcohol or how your relationships seem to change when you’re not drinking (we’ve done Dry January every year the past few years, and our social calendar always feels very light).

4. You will really re-evaluate your relationship with food.

Whole30 really forced me to rethink my hunger cues and relationship with food. Was I really hungry, or was I just bored? I realized how frequently I was reaching for food over the pandemic for comfort or to cheer me up when I was having a bad day. Not saying there’s anything wrong with that – I’m all for the mindset of “if you want a cookie, have the damn cookie!” But at what point was I not even enjoying the treats, and rather just using them as a soothing mechanism to make up for a bad day?

5. It’s easier to avoid temptation than it is to resist it.

This might seem obvious, but it’s especially true when it comes to food and drink. When something is out of sight, it’s out of mind. If I had cravings at home, they quickly went away when I realized there was nothing in the pantry to satisfy them. No chocolate, baked goods, chips, etc. If I was craving something, chances were I couldn’t have it. Usually I’d have a glass of water and within 20 minutes I’d get distracted with something else. This was not the case when I went to the grocery store. Going to Trader Joe’s was an insane test of willpower. All of my favorite snacks just staring at me. I learned to get in and out of the grocery store as quickly as possible. Run the perimeters where the produce and meats/seafood are, and then GTFO!

6. Grocery shopping for Whole30 can get expensive quickly.

If you’re used to a paleo or low carb style diet, you probably already know this. A lot of my favorite affordable ingredients – oats, quinoa, rice, beans – were off the table for the month. Pretty much every meal had meat and seafood – which adds up quickly. Eggs and canned tuna are probably your cheapest sources of protein if you’re trying to save. On the other hand, if you’re used to eating out a lot and going for drinks with friends, you’ll probably actually save a lot of money over the course of the month.

7. Preparation is EVERYTHING.

Meal planning and grocery shopping for the week ahead made all the difference in the world. Because we knew we’d be cooking every meal at home for a month, we made sure to spend time over the weekend mapping out meals and buying all the ingredients we’d need for the week ahead.

8. Doing Whole30 with someone helps tremendously.

I did it with my fiancé, and I honestly don’t know if I could have done it alone. Or if I attempted it and he decided not to do it. I’d be so tempted with all of the normal food laying around. It also brought us closer together and was a fun project for the two of us : ). We had a lot of fun cooking new recipes together and running to the farmer’s market for local produce. It honestly was really sweet and special going through this experience together.

9. You might feel awful the first week.

I really didn’t expect this, but it’s pretty well documented online that the first week (or even first 10/11 days) of Whole30 sucks. You might feel groggy, have a headache, extremely cranky, moody, etc. You’d think eating whole foods in their natural state for several days, you’d feel amazing. That comes later. But the first week or two are tough. I definitely think my body was trying to tell me something about all the sugar I consumed in the month of December…

10. You might want to quit in the middle.

A lot of people lose steam. Life happens. They accidentally slip up. Finding support is so important, but if it’s not the right time, it’s okay!!! You can always try again, or you might even decide it’s not for you. Either way, it’s so important to listen to YOUR own body and recognize that everyone’s experience with Whole30 will be so different.

11. Reading labels will become second nature when you’re on Whole30.

At first, this took a long time and I had to do my research before going to the store so I knew which products would be considered Whole30 compliant. We had to completely redo our condiments in the fridge and I changed the brand of almond milk I drink. Now, when I go grocery shopping, I always read ingredient lists to see what’s in a product. I try to choose items with the fewest ingredients possible, and as little sugar as possible.

12. Variety is the spice of life – cooking Whole30 meals for 30 days doesn’t have to be boring!!

We made a point to try new recipes every week and would “treat” ourselves on the weekend with a ~fancy~ meal, like a nice steak from the local butcher shop with potatoes (yes, potatoes are allowed!), or a fish en papillote from the farmer’s market with lots of roasted veggies. What can I say, we love to eat, and make meals that didn’t feel like we were depriving ourselves.

13. With that said, I quickly realized cooking takes a LOT of time.

I’m very lucky that AJ does most of the cooking usually, but during Whole30 I made a point to take a break from work and chip in most nights. It was great quality time as well, but between the prep, actual cooking, eating, and clean up, it was so time consuming. I missed lazy nights when we would order takeout and have nothing to clean up. But it was worth it!!

14. One way to help with the prep and cooking time… make extra!

Leftovers are your friend this month. We’d usually make extra protein for dinner and then throw it over greens for a salad the next day for lunch. Since I normally have meetings for most of the day, this was a lifesaver.

15. You will get creative in the kitchen and find new recipes and hacks that make the month easier.

I’ll share my favorite Whole30 recipes in another post, but we definitely had to find ways to whip up dinner quickly some days. One sheet pan meals are absolutely clutch when life gets crazy, which over the course of 30 days, it definitely will at least once or twice.

16. Keep staples in the fridge at all times.

This will make your life easier. For AJ, it was carrots, onions, and celery – the base of most recipes (he’s such a chef… ha!). Mine – avocados, sweet potatoes (this girl CANNOT live without carbs), salad greens, eggs, canned tuna, apples, and bananas.

17. Learn to love coconut milk.

A lot of recipes call for it. For Asian recipes it’s a no brainer, but in some of the recipes we tried the taste was overpowering. I’m not the biggest coconut milk fan, so after a while we quickly got tired of it.

18. You will eat a LOT OF MEAT.

I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much meat consistently. Hello, Asian here… we ate rice every single day of my childhood without fail. Pros – I felt great eating high protein. Cons – my digestion suffered. Also, Whole30 is basically the opposite of being vegetarian/vegan. Apparently there is a Whole30 “vegetarian” reset, but I need to research that more since it appears most of the protein sources available to vegetarians are off limits on Whole30. Halfway through the month, my body was really missing plant based meals.

19. You might feel the mythical “Tiger Blood” on Whole30.

Devout Whole30 fans talk about Tiger Blood, which usually hits halfway through around day 16 or so. The official Whole30 definition of Tiger Blood:

Days 16-27: Tiger Blood. Goodbye cravings, hello Tiger Blood! This must be what everyone is talking about. You’ve hit the downhill slope of your Whole30 and life is beautiful. Your energy is through the roof, you’ve kicked the cravings, you’re experimenting with new, delicious food, and you’ve finally got the time to notice that your clothes fit better, your workouts are stronger, and you are generally more awesome.

They’ve since adjusted this definition – personally, I did realize I had some increased energy, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say I was bouncing around like crazy. However, it was much easier to get out of bed at 6am most mornings : ).

20. You might lose weight, but you also might not.

A lot of people do lose significant amounts of weight on Whole30. Personally, I did not choose to do Whole30 for weight loss. I ate relatively clean prior to trying the diet (with the exception of the last month and a half of 2020… but I blame the pandemic ; )), and I also wasn’t really watching my portions during Whole30. I’d say overall my weight probably stayed the same, but I don’t weigh myself ever. Which is also a rule of Whole30 – no scales!

21. The forums are crazy.

I found myself Googling anything and everything the first two weeks of Whole30 see if certain foods and ingredients were allowed. I’d inadvertently stumble on Whole30 forums, and OMG… they are intense. To say the least. Read at your own peril – but in all seriousness, some people take this diet SO seriously. Even going so far as to say a minor accidental slip up on Day 20 means you have to start the diet all over again. Which I get is a rule of Whole30, but really? It just feels too strict and restrictive, and honestly unnecessary. I also learned about the term “SWYPO” – which is an acronym for sex with your pants on. Aka any food that imitates your favorite non Whole30 compliant foods. More on that below…

22. On that note, there are a lot of rules and competing views on how to do Whole30 properly.

Personally, I don’t believe in being so strict that you’re miserable. Obviously that doesn’t mean you should have a glass of wine or eat chocolate in the middle as that completely defeats the purpose. You should really follow the rules as much as possible. But I read a LOT of back and forth discussions on what was allowed or not on Whole30. A lot of debate around dried fruit, dates, homemade vegetable “chips,” plantain chips, smoothies, and even “banana ice cream.” I missed smoothies the most.

23. For my ladies – that time of the month will be really hard.

This was the hardest week for me. I was so emotional, cranky, constantly hungry, and craving everything. I did allow myself some Larabars, dried mango, and kombucha in moderation to tide me through. But all I wanted was chocolate and junk food.

24. You might accidentally cheat or break rules.

Apparently, you aren’t supposed to have anything that mimics junk food. So I guess based on these super strict rules, I did cheat by making banana ice cream, eating dates when I had crazy sugar cravings, and buying plantain chips once. I wasn’t perfect, but I made a concerted effort to do the best I could. Everything I ate for 30 days was compliant – even if die hard followers might say it was “cheating.”

25. Reintroduction might seem scary.

As the end of the 30 days approached, I felt really great. I felt like I was in a groove, and fueling my body with whole and healthy foods. The idea of reintroducing foods I had avoided for the past 3o days felt scary. I felt so good, I didn’t want to stop Whole30. But according to the founders, reintroduction is a very important part of the process!

26. Reintroduction is equally as important as the 30 days of elimination diet.

Only by reintroducing food groups do you get the full benefit of Whole30. By doing a scheduled and intentional reintroduction, you are able to understand which foods, if any, trigger a negative response in your body. After that, you can decide for yourself if you want to eliminate some groups of food entirely, or just limit them. It’s your definition of food freedom. For example, you may not feel the best after having dairy, but ice cream is one of your most favorite foods. So you might still have it from time to time, but only when it’s absolutely worth it.

27. Finishing was an accomplishment for me.

Again, I never thought I’d do Whole30, and was honestly proud that I was able to finish it. There were definitely times throughout the month I wanted to quit. I definitely had bad days when the last thing I wanted to do was cook dinner or eat some form of chicken with vegetables. But I did it, and personally, I am proud of myself!

28. Whole30 might not be for you… and that’s ok!!!

A lot of people don’t love Whole30. Vegetarians, vegans, and people who dislike overly restrictive diets may not do well with Whole30. It isn’t for everyone! But it was incredibly enlightening and helpful for me. It helped me rethink my relationship with food, get in touch with my hunger cues, learn how to fuel my body the right way, and identify how my body reacts to triggering foods.

29. You’ll take lessons from Whole30 back into your normal diet.

I’m excited to have more flexibility in my diet moving forward, but my goal is to eat “Whole30 style” as much as possible. Ideally 80/20 – I know it gives me energy and keeps me clear headed. I read labels immediately, reach for protein and vegetables first, and know which food groups to limit. However, I’m excited to make smoothies, have oat milk, and an occasional cookie again : ).

30. It will change your relationship with food for the better.

Food freedom for me isn’t about restriction. It isn’t about what foods are allowed and aren’t allowed. Rather, it’s about knowing which foods leave me feeling energized and fueled, and which to choose the majority of the time. Life’s too short to deprive yourself – but making choices where it really counts makes all the difference.

Overall, I had a very positive experience with Whole30. The 30 days were definitely filled with its up and downs, but I would honestly recommend the experience to anyone looking to reset their diet and get in touch with their body. My next post will be on all the details of doing Whole30… how to prepare, what to expect, my favorite recipes, and more! I’m curious, have you ever tried Whole30? If so, what was your experience like?

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