April 5, 2019

Blackened Salmon Salad with Whole 30 Approved Ranch Dressing

I can’t remember why I decided to try the Whole 30 diet, but it was about two years ago that I did. I tend to be fairly obsessive when I decide to try something new. I read everything I can on the subject – articles, reviews, blogs. I’ll check out books from the library or purchase them on Amazon – you name it. That’s all part of the fun for me.

Whole 30, in a nutshell (no pun intended because you are going to eat a lot of nuts…but not peanuts), is what some call an elimination diet: no sugar, no dairy, no grains, no legumes, no alcohol…No problem?

Once I committed to it, preparing for the Whole 30 Diet was no different than anything else I’ve ever obsessed about. I read up on it. I printed out the online guides. I saved recipes and made lists (I love my lists). I checked out the Whole 30 book from the library and set aside a month when there were no big holidays or celebrations, because of the no drinking, but also so I wouldn’t feel the need to go out to eat, or to eat anything someone else had prepared, because it is nearly impossible to find Whole 30 friendly meals at restaurants or that someone else has made. And when you start asking a million questions about whether there is any dairy or the right kind of oil, you kinda sound like a jerk.

But what I could not prepare for were the bloody mood swings. There are literally four stages of this 30 day process they warn you about: The Hangover, Anger, Annoyance and Acceptance. It’s like the four stages of grief!

The result of putting myself (and by extension, my closest friends and loved ones) through this 30 day challenge? Yeah, I lost a few pounds, and I got to say I completed the Whole 30, but not one single person I interact with on a daily basis wants me to ever do it again. I thought about giving it another go in January since I usually do “Dry January” and give up alcohol for the month, but they all begged me not to. I don’t remember my mood changing so drastically, but I was informed by multiple people, in no uncertain terms, that it had and that they did not want to go through it again.

So, with all that said, the cons of the Whole 30, for me were, as follows:

First, Jillian Michaels does not approve. I know this because during my “Find Out Everything Jillian Michaels Thinks” obsessive stage, she said so.

Second, not drinking alcohol for 30 days really sucks, particularly when you can’t have sugar, or cheese, or bread, or anything else indulgent.

Finally, I really do believe that eliminating any natural food group from your diet is unnecessary and potentially bad for you. I mean, Jillian Michaels said so.

There were some pros to this diet, though.

For one thing, I love a challenge. There is nothing better than setting your mind to something and then accomplishing it. Actually, yes there is…it’s drinking wine on the daily, but accomplishing something comes in at a close second!

Also, I learned some new, healthy recipes I can now incorporate into my everyday diet and meal planning, including my all time favorite homemade ranch dressing. I discovered this recipe perusing Whole 30 friendly recipes. And no, it is not the classic “Dump Ranch” dressing recipe all over the place on those Whole 30 blogs.

Seriously, if you are one of those people who, like me, doesn’t understand why ranch dressing is soooo much better at a restaurant than when you make it at home, this is the recipe for you.

My favorite way to serve it is over a simple salad topped with Blackened Salmon.

So, without further adieu, I give you my…