The Whole30 Book: 10 Awesome Things To Know

It’s always a challenge for me to write about the Whole30 without gushing because when I adopted the Whole30 principles in 2009, my life in so many meaningful, positive ways.

As I explained in my write-up of my personal Whole30 story:

“I spent the first 30 years of my life at war with my body — with my short legs and stocky frame, with junk food cravings and emotional eating. Banishing grains and dairy, in comparison to three decades of negative self-talk and shame, has been easy. And in return for giving up grains, dairy, and sugar, I’ve gained a partnership with my body that uses good food as fuel.”

Thanks to the Whole30 — and lots of patience with myself and my body — I’ve found a way to eat that’s peaceful, effortless, fun, delicious, and good for me. I wish I could somehow tell my 13-year-old self that eventually, it would all be OK, and we wouldn’t be hoovering our way through bags of Doritos (while still feeling hungry and unsatisfied) forever.

But I’m here now, with lots of experience and knowledge in my back pocket.

And that’s why I’m so thrilled that Melissa and Dallas Hartwig have released their new book The Whole30: The 30-Day Guide To Total Health and Food Freedom. The helpfully detailed, engagingly written information in this book takes the info from the Whole30 program on their web site and expands it into a mind-blowing, life-changing, energy-generating extravaganza of awesome.

It’s impossible for me to review this book. How could I? I’m an advocate for the Whole30. I believe with my whole heart and brain that everyone can benefit from giving the Whole30 guidelines a try for a month. So I’m not going to pretend that this is a review; instead, I’m going to tell you why I love this book and why I think you’ll like it, too.

In a nutshell: The photography is gorgeous. The structure of the book gently guides you through what you need to know. The text answers your queries just as they emerge, like it knows just what objections and questions you’ll have and when. If you’re a Whole30 veteran, you’ll find new advice and inspiration in its pages, and if you — or someone you love — are just starting out, it’s a complete how-to to ensure your success.

And now…

10 Awesome Things To Know About The Whole30 Book:

1. Getting started: more tips to make day 1 (and 2 and 3 and…) easier.
Complete info to help you get physically and mentally prepared for the best — and potentially, very challenging — month of your life.

2. Going solo: what to do when you’re Whole30 but your household isn’t.
You can be successful, and enjoy your Whole30, even if your roommates, spouse, and/or kids aren’t on board. And you might just win them over in the end!

3. The Whole30 timeline: what to Expect When You’re Whole30-ing.
Everyone’s experience is different, but there are some key milestone experiences in a Whole30 that just about everyone will feel. This section gives you fair warning so you’re prepared and can face it all with a smile (or at least determination).

4. Meet your new life: a full reintroduction protocol.
Day 31 can fill some people with panic — and others “celebrate” with a pizza-and-beer binge. This new reintroduction protocol and schedule helps you map out your life, post-Whole30.

5. Baby on board: tips for pregnant and breastfeeding moms — plus how to raise Whole30 kids.
I love the idea of women making superbabies, and the Whole30 might just be the way to do it.

6. The Whole30 Kitchen: setting up the most important room in the house.
A full explanation of the tools, tips, and ingredients that will make your Whole30 easier and more fun.

7. We’re all special snowflakes: guidance for people with autoimmune conditions, chronic disease, disordered eating, and vegetarians.
The Whole30 is adaptable and appropriate for all kinds of situations and challenges, and the guidance in these sections of the book ensures that everyone is covered.

8. Forget paleo-ification: the complete guide to avoiding “Sex With Your Pants On” (SWYPO)
Helpful tips and the full rationale behind the psychological components of the Whole30. To me, this is the most important gift of Whole30-ing: finding peace in eating and freeing oneself from cravings, the scale, and food shame.

9. Out in the world: advice for how to maintain good Whole30 habits while traveling and eating in restaurants
Take your Whole30 life everywhere you go, stress-free, with these guidelines.

10. Recipes! Recipes! Recipes!: more than 100 new Whole30 compliant recipes.
Take a bite of tasty dishes like Bangers and Mash, Stuffed Peppers, Thai Cucumber Cups, Poached Salmon With Cucumber Dill Sauce, Ratatouille, and more — plus a whole section of one-pot meals, Fancypants Meal menus, and a 7-day meal plan.

The Whole30 is officially released April 21 (tomorrow!), but you can pre-order now and receive awesome pre-order bonus materials.

Get your hands on  The Whole30: The 30-Day Guide To Total Health and Food Freedom now…