But first... Joy To The World! This is my first instagram photo!

I wasn't able to use the app on my outdated phone, which, thanks to a little Christmas bonus at work, is now my OLD phone! I didn't even upgrade to the brand newest shiny model, but it's enough. And, YAY, new pone!

So, my social calendar is never what you'd call overbooked, but there are a few invitations and parties on the horizon -- the first being tonight! The other day, Ann left a comment asking: Can you give up another post on the Whole30? Wondering if you added any foods back? I thought this would be a good time to talk about that.

In a nutshell, No. I haven't added any foods back. I have *had* some of those foods on rare and choice occasion, but I haven't yet regularly added anything back into my diet.

When asked, I always think that I've probably been more successful in avoiding grains... but then I weigh/measure/compare, and I've actually been equally successful across the board in avoiding grains, sugar, and dairy.

Now that Rusty's home, there's milk in the 'fridge again, but it's by the quart instead of the gallon, and I haven't had a drop. I had a little bit of ice cream or fresh whipped cream with pie around Thanksgiving -- and most of the pies were "paleo" -friendly; the pieces were neither large nor small but they were satisfying to me. I continue to dribble a bit of half & half in my coffee every morning. Surprisingly, there's been NO cheese! And no craving for cheese, either. (Some cheesehead, huh?)

I've sampled a few cookies -- fewer than a half-dozen, I'd say. And I nibbled a bit of chocolate the other day... it wasn't the very best chocolate, though, so meh. I've become very particular! I think that's how we all should be. I'm just not willing to consume sub-par food on a regular basis; it's not satisfying, leaves me wanting more, and that's a recipe for massive overeating.

I did have a share of Twizzlers and Junior Mints at the movies; the thing is, I don't go to the movies very often! It's a treat.

I haven't had bread, cereal or chips, no potatoes, no pasta, very little rice... and I can honestly say that I'm just not missing it.

I'm just not missing any of it! I don't think about it much... I may have successfully reprogrammed myself! Part of it is that I continue to think of all of these things as choices that I have made and continue to make; none of these things is forbidden, I am accountable to no one but myself, and I'm not a failure if/when I do decide to partake. It's a choice.

Quite simply, these choices are working for me right now! I feel great, I eat great, I continue to lose weight, and my clothes fit wonderfully -- until they're too big and then I hunt around in my closet for more. My unofficial goal is to lose another 10-15 -- I'd be at my "comfortable" pre-quit smoking weight. I was at that weight for a lot of years and, at this point, I'd be thrilled to hang there again; I really didn't think I'd ever see even those numbers again.

I am perfectly satisfied with -- and by -- the way I've been eating. The cooking can sometimes be a drag but, for the most part, the foods I've been preparing are SO EASY! Good food doesn't have to be complicated. It's chopping, seasoning, baking, sauteeing, maybe first wrapping some chicken in bacon... I've made very few complicated sauces or assemblages. I'm not finished yet! Between the books, cookbooks, websites, Facebook pages and Pinterest boards, I haven't even come close to trying all the recipes that I want to try -- it's some of those chapters on mayos & sauces that I'm wanting to explore.

So, tonight's party is in a bar. I am looking forward to one or two pieces of pizza. There's going to be a lot of deep-fried stuff that I'll mostly avoid... I will indulge if any of it looks good/appetizing. That's a crap shoot... and by indulge, I don't mean gorge. If I'm lucky, there'll be some fresh veggies on the Happy Hour appetizer table. I'll maybe have a beer, but more likely a cocktail. And LOTS of ice-cold water.

I appreciate your coming along on this ride with me, offering your support and encouragement, and asking questions! Keep it all coming. Thank you!!