Whole30 - Update

Hi all!

As I mentioned in my prior post, I recently did another round of Whole30 to celebrate my one-year anniversary.  (This was my third round, actually.)  I finished this round on October 4th, and these are my honest thoughts. :)

When I did my first two rounds, I was still in the "my body is changing and losing weight" phase, so it was pretty exciting and "easy" to keep going.  This time, I was bored and not really motivated to keep going.  BUT, I did keep going.  I think this was mentally harder than the first two.  However, the food restrictions were pretty easy, since that is how I eat 99% of the time anyway.  I was tempted a couple of times to cheat, but I didn't cave!  I really wanted potato chips! :)

My one-year Whole30 anniversary was on September 27, so even though this round was not finished yet, I weighed myself.  I had lost three more pounds (down to 136)!  I was pretty surprised by that. But, when I weighed myself on October 4, I was back to 139, so I am going to chalk it up to hormones and "that time of the month."  As I posted last time, I was not really expecting to lose any more weight.

I am not doing the reintroduction phase this time, either.  I did it the first two times, and over the past year I have occasionally eaten things that bother me, too, so I am pretty sure I know positively what bothers me and what doesn't.

So, am I going to make any changes for this next year?  Am I going to start eating sugar again?  NO! I am not going to eat sugar just for the sake of eating sugar.  For example, no donuts or Coke, etc.  I am super happy to not be a sugar junkie, and I want to keep it that way.  That being said, I will occasionally have a treat on a special occasion.  I won't be using food as a reward, which is something I used to do pre-Whole30.

I had a piece of homemade birthday cake on October 7, and frankly it was gross to me.  The frosting was disgustingly sweet.  I have NO desire to eat another piece anytime soon.

So, in a nutshell, Whole30 for me is not a diet, it is a lifestyle, and I am going to eat healthy from now on.  And I am at peace with that. ;)

I hope this frank update helps you in some way!

God bless you!
Kimberly

Paprika's Simple Pi Shawl

I am revising the blog, and I had accidentally deleted this page, so I am re-publishing it here. ;)  It was originally posted on September 11, 2012.

Paprika Spice Simple Pi Shawl

by Kimberly Pacini (a.k.a. SockBunny)

SockBunnyStudios.etsy.com

Abbreviations:

K = Knit

P = Purl

yo = Yarn over

Materials Needed:

Paton’s Lace Yarn – 1-2 balls (498-996 yards) or lace/fingering yarn of your choice

Beads size 6/0 (approximately 4 tubes or 96 grams) or beads that will fit onto the yarn of your choice

Size 12 steel crochet hook (or a hook that corresponds to the beads and yarn of your choice)

Size 6 DPNs

Size 6 circular needle 24”

Longer size 6 circular needle, if desired

Cast On:

Using double-pointed needles (DPNs), cast on 9 stitches and join in the round.  Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of a row.  Be sure that your stitches are not twisted.

Pattern Rows (Brief [1]):

1:  Knit across.  (9 stitches)

2:  *K1, yo* across.  (18 stitches)

3-5:  Knit across.

6:  *K1, yo* across.  (36 stitches)

7-11:  *K2, P2* across.

12:  *K1, yo* across.  (72 stitches)

13-23:  Knit across.

24:  Switch to using a circular needle.  *K1, yo* across.  (144 stitches)

25-47:  *K2, P2*across.

48:  *K1, yo* across.  (288 stitches)

49-59:  Knit across.

60-65:  Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 40 stitches.[2]

66-72:  Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 35 stitches.

73-80:  Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 20 stitches.

81-89:  Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 15 stitches.

90-92:  Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 10 stitches.

93:  Knit across.

94:  Knit across, placing beads on every third stitch.

95:  Knit across.

96:  *K1, yo* across.  (576 stitches)

97-191 (or until shawl is desired size[3]):  *K2, P2* across.

Bind off rows:

1:  Knit across.

2.  Knit across, placing a bead on every other stitch.

3:  Knit across.

Bind off loosely and weave in ends.  (See notes below on binding off.)

How to Generate Random Numbers:

There are many methods to generating random numbers.  Here are some ideas:

1.       Use a web site such as random.org and fill in your upper and lower values. 

2.       Find a random number generator for your smart phone.

3.       Write the numbers on slips of paper and draw them from a hat or bowl.

Example:  When the pattern says randomly place a bead between every 5 and 40 stitches, I would generate a random number between 5 and 40.  Let’s say 17 is the number generated; I would then knit 17 sticthes and place a bead.  I would then randomly generate another number, let’s say 33, and then I would knit 33 stitches and then place another bead, and so on.

How to Place a Bead:

There are many methods for placing beads on your knitting, but the method I used for this shawl is as follows:

1.        Slide the bead onto the crochet hook.

2.       Using the crochet hook, remove the stitch from the left needle and pull it through the bead.

3.       Place the stitch back on the left needle.

4.       Knit the stitch.

Cat Bordhi has a great YouTube video demonstrating this method, as well as a dental floss method, at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At2QJt73sLM

How to Bind Off Loosely:

My favorite method for binding off shawls is as follows:

Step 1:  Knit 1 stitch.  Move the knit stitch back from the right needle to the left needle.

Step 2:  Knit 2 stitches together through the back loop.  Move the knit sticth from the right neele to the left needle.

Repeat STEP 2 ONLY until the entire shawl has been bound off.

Pattern Cheat Sheet (for checking off rows)

1.       Knit.  (9 stitches)

2.       *K1, yo* across.  (18 stitches)

3.       Knit across.

4.       Knit across.

5.       Knit across.

6.       *K1, yo* across.  (36 stitches)

7.       *K2, P2* across.

8.       *K2, P2* across.

9.       *K2, P2* across.

10.   *K2, P2* across.

11.   *K2, P2* across.

12.   *K1, yo* across.  (72 stitches)

13.   Knit across.

14.   Knit across.

15.   Knit across.

16.   Knit across.

17.   Knit across.

18.   Knit across.

19.   Knit across.

20.   Knit across.

21.   Knit across.

22.   Knit across.

23.   Knit across.

24.    Switch to using a circular needle.  *K1, yo* across.  (144 stitches)

25.   *K2, P2*across.

26.   *K2, P2*across.

27.   *K2, P2*across.

28.   *K2, P2*across.

29.   *K2, P2*across.

30.   *K2, P2*across.

31.   *K2, P2*across.

32.   *K2, P2*across.

33.   *K2, P2*across.

34.   *K2, P2*across.

35.   *K2, P2*across.

36.   *K2, P2*across.

37.   *K2, P2*across.

38.   *K2, P2*across.

39.   *K2, P2*across.

40.   *K2, P2*across.

41.   *K2, P2*across.

42.   *K2, P2*across.

43.   *K2, P2*across.

44.   *K2, P2*across.

45.   *K2, P2*across

46.   *K2, P2*across.

47.   *K2, P2*across.

48.   *K1, yo* across.  (288 stitches)

49.   Knit across.

50.   Knit across.

51.   Knit across.

52.   Knit across.

53.   Knit across.

54.   Knit across.

55.   Knit across.

56.   Knit across.

57.   Knit across.

58.   Knit across.

59.   Knit across.

60.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 40 stitches.

61.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 40 stitches.

62.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 40 stitches.

63.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 40 stitches.

64.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 40 stitches.

65.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 40 stitches.

66.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 35 stitches.

67.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 35 stitches.

68.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 35 stitches.

69.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 35 stitches.

70.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 35 stitches.

71.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 35 stitches.

72.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 35 stitches.

73.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 20 stitches.

74.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 20 stitches.

75.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 20 stitches.

76.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 20 stitches.

77.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 20 stitches.

78.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 20 stitches.

79.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 20 stitches.

80.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 20 stitches.

81.    Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 15 stitches.

82.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 15 stitches.

83.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 15 stitches.

84.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 15 stitches.

85.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 15 stitches.

86.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 15 stitches.

87.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 15 stitches.

88.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 15 stitches.

89.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 15 stitches.

90.    Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 10 stitches.

91.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 10 stitches.

92.   Knit across, randomly placing beads between every 5 and 10 stitches.

93.    Knit across.

94.   Knit across, placing beads on every third stitch.

95.    Knit across.

96.   *K1, yo* across.  (576 stitches)

97.    *K2, P2* across.

Continue until shawl is desired size (see footnote #3) and then follow instructions for bind off rows.

[1] See the end of this pattern for a detailed version, which includes rows you can mark off as you go, if desired.

[2] See notes on how to place beads and how to generate random numbers.

[3] If you reach row 192, you will need to do an increase row again, which will double the number of stitches you have on the needle.

Starting Another Round of Whole30!

Last year, on September 27, 2015, I started my very first Whole30.  I had NO idea how much it would affect my life - and for the better.  So, to celebrate, I am starting another round of Whole30 on Monday, September 5, 2016.  (If you want to join in the fun, you can sign up at their web site, which of course is optional.)

What is Whole30?

Well, first of all, let me tell you what it is not.  It is not something I am trying to sell you.  ;)  There is a book you can buy, but honestly you can do the challenge with just the FREE PDF information on their web site.  (I will talk more about the book, and why I bought it, later.)

With that out of the way, let me tell you what it is.  Whole30 is a challenge where you only eat things that are healthy for you for 30 days, so you can see how unhealthy foods might be affecting your health in adverse ways.

When I started my Whole30, I was not sure if I would be able to do it.  I was drinking Coke every day, and I was definitely addicted to sugar.  I had actually been wanting to give up sugar for a few years but had NO idea how to do it.  I had a strong suspicion that I was lactose intolerant, but I honestly didn't think I had any other food allergies.  I had been tested for allergies in 2014, and they said I was allergic to dairy and soy, but I was in serious denial.  I honestly did not believe I could possibly be allergic to soy.

I am not going to lie - the first 10 days of the challenge were hard.  BUT not as hard as I expected!  Before I started, I thought I would DIE from not eating sugar.  Turns out that is not true.  Haha!  I didn't even FEEL like I was going to die.  I had a headache for a few days, but that was it!  (I also was not as crabby as I expected to be.)

After the 30 days, I weighed myself, and I had lost 12 pounds just from eating only healthy foods!  I didn't even work out at all during the 30 days, because I really wanted a true test of how the challenge would affect me.

When I reintroduced foods according to plan, I found out I am allergic to:

Soy (digestive issues)
Dairy (digestive issues and chronic headaches)
Corn (makes me feel funny)
Beans of any kind (digestive issues)
Peanuts

I decided not to reintroduce sugar or any artificial sweeteners.  I never want to go through sugar withdrawals again!  The best part about that is, even now, almost a year later, I have consistent, steady energy all day.  I don't have the tiger blood like they talk about, but I also don't EVER crash in the afternoon.  That is worth it, right there!

It's been almost a year, and I have lost, and most importantly kept off, 35 pounds!  I started at 174, and I currently weigh 139.  I used to wear a size large, and now I wear mostly medium with some small items fitting me.  That is crazy!  My stomach is almost completely flat, too, which I love.  I donated almost all of my old clothes, because they were too big, and I have been buying clothes again (mostly at Goodwill).

So, I am doing another round of Whole30 starting on Monday, September 5, 2016.  Why?  I mean, I rarely eat anything that is not healthy for me anymore.  I haven't eaten sweets (other than fruit) in all this time.  I don't drink sodas ever.  Why do this again?

1.  I am curious to see if I do a strict Whole 30 again if I will notice any changes.  I really don't expect to, but you never know.

2.  To celebrate being one year sugar free (and artificial sweetener free)!

If you are considering doing this challenge, here is my advice:

1.  If you know how to cook, you don't need to buy the book.  I bought it because I HATE cooking and really needed the guidance and recipes in the book.  But, if you already know how to cook, there are plenty of other resources for recipes for free.  I really recommend the Whole30Recipes Instagram account.  They post recipes almost every day, for free!

2.  Buy an egg cooker.  If you like eggs, you will be eating a lot of them.  I purchased a Dash Go egg cooker at WalMart, and I love it.  It makes poached eggs; soft, medium, and hard boiled eggs; and it makes omelettes, too!

3.  If you don't like eggs, don't make yourself eat them.  There is no sense in being miserable.  You can eat so many different things for breakfast.  You can eat soup for breakfast if you want to!

4.  If you are giving up soda, carbonated water is your friend.  LaCroix is Whole30 approved.  However, after a few months, I noticed that I felt "funny" after drinking it, so I stopped.  But it definitely helped me on days when I was missing the fun carbonation of Coke.  These days, I rarely drink carbonated water, but when I do, I like Zephyrhills water, and it doesn't make me feel funny.

5.  Pack your own snacks.  I go to a lot of theme parks, since I live in central Florida.  When I go, I take snacks with me, because finding sugar-free snacks at theme parks is pretty difficult.  I take things like hard boiled eggs, apples, almond butter, olives, sugar-free apple sauce, and sugar-free raisins.  Yes, the bag-o-snacks is a little heavy, but it gets lighter as the day goes on and I eat the snacks. ;)  Also, I take a Tervis tumbler so I can drink free water all day and not have to buy bottled water.  (Theme parks will give you free ice water at any kiosk where they have a soda fountain.)  Some people like Lara Bars for portable protein, but I find them disgustingly sweet.  (I tried many of the flavors.)

6.  Take "before and after" pictures.  I didn't, and I wish I had.

7.  Read the timeline that lets you know what to expect on which days of the challenge.  It's a good guideline for what to expect.

8.  You might get temporarily discouraged.  When you start getting crazy around day 10 and thinking you are going to give up, read this blog post about how your brain is a toddler throwing a tantrum.  It really helped me!

I hope you have enjoyed reading about my Whole 30 experience.  I will post again and let you know how things went with the challenge this time.

Freedom Sock KAL

Hi all!  I am hosting a knit-a-long for my recently published sock pattern, Freedom Socks, through September 30, 2016.  I hope you will join us! ;)

There will be two prizes given at random to finishers.  You MUST post your finished pair of socks in the correct Ravelry group thread in order to be eligible for prizes.

All of the details are in my Ravelry group, but here is a brief summary:

Even if you already started/finished a pair, you can post them here. The end of the KAL will be on September 30th.

I will draw for prizes some time in the first week of October.

Each pair of socks must be a true pair of socks from the same yarn. Two mismatched socks from different yarns will not qualify as a pair of socks for this KAL.

The socks must be socks for an adult.

The picture must clearly show that both socks are finished and have heels, ends have been woven in, etc.

If you use yarn dyed by me, you can post the picture twice for more chances to win. My Etsy shop is here: http://sockbunnystudios.etsy.com.

You can substitute any heel you love if you don’t want to do the heel flap that is included in the pattern.

The patterning must be on at least the full leg of the sock. You may chose to knit the foot in plain stockinette, if that is what you prefer to wear.

There will be two winners drawn at random, and each winner can choose either a skein of yarn from my shop or one of my published patterns, whichever you want. (No custom orders can be placed as your prize.)

Any questions, please message me directly or post it in the chatter thread.

If you are not a member of Ravelry.com, you can also purchase this pattern in my Etsy shop at http://sockbunnystudios.etsy.com. ;)