I was so intimidated when we started our first Whole30 challenge three years ago. I had never spent that much time cooking, grocery shopping, or eating consciously… ever. This year, it almost seems like we’re on auto-pilot. Our grocery list is saved in my Amazon Prime Now past orders, nearly all of my most-cooked recipes are memorized, and I can sort of sit back and enjoy the good Whole30 vibes. If the refrigerator ever runs low, there’s always Snap Kitchen or Chipotle to the rescue!
I’ve been wanting to share this post in case there are readers who are apprehensive about doing Whole30 because of the workload. Looking at the #JanuaryWhole30 hashtag on Instagram is overwhelming. Everyone’s beautiful culinary creations seem like so much work to fit into an already busy lifestyle. But meanwhile offline, it’s quite possible to have a successful Whole30 without the bells and whistles!
Buffalo Chicken Dip and Homemade Mayo
These are my tried and true, go-to Whole30-friendly recipes that have helped us survive three #JanuaryWhole30 challenges. Our typical weekly meal plan might sound boring to some, but we don’t mind. Sometimes convenience wins over creativity.
- Chocolate Chili (Mel Joulwan)
- Buffalo Chicken Dip (The Defined Dish)
- Dump Ranch (Whole Sisters)
- Balsamic Beef Roast with Veggies (The Magical Slow Cooker)
- Crockpot Salsa Chicken
- Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili (The Real Food Dieticians)
Don’t forget to check out my list of Whole30 essential tools and products, which I use to make the recipes listed above. I definitely encourage everyone to have fun with their January Whole30 Challenge and use the month to experiment and develop your kitchen skills, but don’t let it affect your peace of mind.