Day 5 of the whole 30 diet. Everything annoys me, I have a headache, and I don’t want to eat another egg.
I woke up promptly at 8 when the painters started clang-clang-clanging the scaffolding outside my window. I decided I should get up and make breakfast. I made some turkey sausage and and bell peppers and then finished off most of the grapes.
After an hour or so of studying, I got bored so I rode my moped up to Manoa Falls. It is a beautiful hike through a thick jungle canopy. It’s about one mile through dense bamboo forests and past ancient looking banyan trees. At the end of the trail, there is a 70 foot waterfall that cascades down the sheer cliff into a waist deep pool of refreshing cool water. I usually hike with my head down looking to where I’m going to step next, today I took my time and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. It took me 25 minutes to get to the top, and even longer to go back. It is a very easy hike, but I was doing it more to be lost in nature.
I rode home and made some pineapple salsa. I have yet to completely work out the recipe, but I’m enjoying the attempts. While my salsa was simmering, I peeled and juiced about 20 mandarins and made a marinade. I put the juice in a Pyrex cooking dish, added chili powder, jalapeños, and a little sea salt and then added 3 chicken breasts and let it sit for about 3 hours. Later on I grilled the chicken. I tired using lime juice yesterday. I liked the lime juice more, but Rebecca doesn’t care for limes so I wanted to try something new.
I didn’t go job hunting today because it’s Friday. Most restaurants are gearing up for the busy weekend and they won’t remember that you came in, or worse, loose your application. I figure I’ll go at it again Monday.
I didn’t have lunch, but I did drink a cup of black coffee for the first and last time. It tasted like roofing tar. When I was in Costa Rica, I had 3 cups of local, fresh brewed coffee. I am not a coffee drinker and I was telling someone how the coffee was giving me the jitters. I coyly said “I don’t know if this coffee is really strong, or if I’m not used to coffee, but I’ve only had 3 cups and I’m feeling it.” My companion pointed out that I had added 6 packs of sugar to each cup, and that was the reason my hands were shaking and I could feel my heart thumping.
Back when I lived in California, I worked as an EMT. I worked a lot of night shifts so I would occasionally bring a 12 pack of Mountain Dew with me. Midway through one shift, I had slurped down all 12 of the sugar and caffeine packed treats when the paramedic I was working with decided to test my blood sugar. Just to see. My blood sugar was normal to both of our amazement.
Or there is the time I ate nothing but giant pixi stix (flavored sugar) for an entire day. My body has gotten used to being a garbage disposal, and I am paying for it now. As my insides violently struggle to flush out 32 years of awful eating habits, I realize this 30 day whole foods diet is a good idea. I still loathe it, but I know it’s good for me.
After dinner I studied for school and then applied for jobs on the online while Rebecca relaxed after a stressful week at school.