January 8, 2014

Change Your Life With The Foods You Eat

Every year in January, for the past 4 years, I've gone completely yeast-free for 30 days straight.

No bread.
No sugar.
Nothing that converts to sugar. (Simple carbs: white rice, white potatoes, etc...)
No dairy.
No alcohol.
And for the first two weeks, no fruit.

Well, my friends, it's that time again and I wanted to reach out to you all and see if any of you might be interested in joining me!?

I've talked about yeast-free quite a bit on this blog for the past 4 or so years because when I did it for the first time in 2010, it really did change my life forever. Actually, this post , this post and this post has the absolute most pageviews in the history of my blog so if you have questions, I hope you find it helpful! I talk about it so much so, I even made a specific "Healthy Living" page right there underneath my header that is solely contributed to my yeast-free journey.

It changed the way I ate, the way I thought about eating and most of all, it changed my entire perception of the life I wanted to lead. I also dropped 20 pounds, which was definitely a bonus.
Left: 2007 @ 144 pounds. Right: 2010 @ 124 pounds.

I was sick of being "fluffy" and having love handles hanging over the sides of my jeans. I was tired of having to wear "flowy" tops because I knew a night of eating and/or drinking was ahead of me and I didn't want to be caught dead in a fitted top. I was over feeling "bloated" all the time. And to be quite honest, I wanted my frickin' jaw and collar bones back!

So it was January 2010 that I began my yeast-free journey and I'm so happy to say I've never been the same since. Rather than processed and packaged foods in my pantry, there's now hardly anything in in my pantry because majority of it is all fresh meat and produce in my refrigerator. No really...my pantry is empty 80% of the time. I've also learned to bake and cook things I never in a million years thought I would be making. I've come across ingredients I used to never be able to pronounce or never know what they were used for, but now they've become household staples.

Here's an example of foods you can typically find me eating when I do the yeast-free diet.

Yeast-free has become a lifestyle for me about 75% of the time, (not include the holidays...) and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Is it easy? No.
Is it worth it? Heck. Yes.
Is it maintainable? Once you've hit your goal weight, yes. For the most part, I follow an 80/20 rule... 80% yeast-free, 20% non yeast-free but still healthy.

Anyways...enough jibber jabber. Let me bring it on home...

Starting next Monday, January 13, my company is hosting our 4th annual Yeast-Free With Me challenge, where we encourage everyone from around the city, state, country and globe to join us in going 30 days of following a yeast-free diet. Literally...thousands of people every year participate so you are not alone!

If you've ever considered a yeast-free die, or even just wanted to learn more about what a yeast-free diet/lifestyle looks like, I encourage you to join me! If shedding a few pounds or getting back down to your goal weight is one of your New Year's resolutions, I definitely encourage you to join me because it WILL happen. If you need to fit into that bikini by March...hello? Yeast-free. Or, if you're just looking for a maintainable healthy eating program that fuels your body with the nutrition it needs, rather than the processed crap you find in the stores these days, join us!

And when I say "join", all I mean is you're signing up for a month-long email series providing you with yeast-free hints, tips, tricks, recipes and exclusive content that is not available to the general public.

Come on...you're not going to make me go this alone...are you?! I didn't think so. ;)

Sign up here and if you have any questions whatsoever, email me!

Like I've said before, I'm not a nutritionist or a dietitian but I've worked with several in the past who have taught me everything I could possibly need/want to know about the yeast-free diet. I've worked for an alternative healthcare company for a little over 4 years now, have read a ton of books, worked face to face with our doctors, and have even written a ton of blog posts (personally and professionally) on this topic so while I wouldn't call myself a "yeast-free expert" by any means, I definitely like to think I know the diet like the back of my hand. I also know from first hand experience that you can change your life if you simply change the way you think about food.

Once you join Yeast-Free With Me, you'll receive everything you need to get started: guidelines, food lists, grocery lists, recipes, meal plans, etc...literally...everything you need. Oh-and don't forget to hashtag it up once you register >> #YFWM <<!


35 comments:

  1. I've been yeast free since January 1, one whole week! WHOOP! It's hard but I'm loving it so far. I love your 80/20 rule and know it will keep me sane. Since I'm going to Vegas the first week of Feb I will definitely not be able to complete 30 days, but I'm signing up anyways so I can learn more & hopefully make this stick! Any tips you feel like sending my way would be much appreciated! Thanks girl!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have been thinking about trying yeast free and see if it helps with my allergies and such. Is the program that you mention in this post free to join?

    ReplyDelete
  4. My husband and I are doing the Whole30 this month. And while the Whole30 regimen is nowhere near sustainable long-term, we'll definitely be staying yeast-free after this month is up. And I'll definitely be following some of your recipes!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh girl, I don't know if I can do completely yeast free....but I want to try!! Looking forward to the information in the emails.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very cool! I'm going to try it. I've been working out with a trainer for the last few months and I'm down 25 pounds and I loveeee how I'm looking/feeling and this new lifestyle. I think trying yeast free is a great next step from where I'm coming from. Thanks for this post, its great!

    ReplyDelete
  7. My husband and I have planned to go "carb free" for a week this month but I like this much better! Thanks for sharing.

    Jill
    Classy with a Kick

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm excited about this and think my husband and I are going to try this!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I got inspired by your posts on this and have been yeast free since Monday. Damn, this is hard. Actually the hardest part for me has been no fruit. I know it's only two weeks but I realize how much fruit I consume now that I can't have it. Meals feel a little boring but I feel pretty good. Here's hoping I can make it 30 days.

    PS- would love to hear any advice on eating out at restaurants. I have client meetings that take place a lot over lunch and ordering off menus yeast free seems very daunting.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am thinking Tony and I might join in!! :) You know I have talked to you about this a gazillion times, even got the recipe book from your company...which we love!! Tony is finding more and more that he is allergic to foods, specially breads and different spices. So...with all that being said I told him the other day we should do this, and now I am more motivated! :) But no alcohol for a month?!?!? IDK girlie!! ;) jk

    ReplyDelete
  11. My husband is gluten intolerant so we are trying to go Gluten free. This seems like a great healthy spin on it for me to try! I am trying to lose these last few pounds before Valentines Day so it seems like the perfect time! Can't wait to give it a go! May even start early and get the no fruit phase out of the way!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks to your blog I went Yeast Free last year and LOVED it!! I felt better, looked better and lost 35 lbs. The first 30 days I watched absolutely every single thing that even came near me. I was obsessed. But it paid off! After that I went 80/20 and that worked for about 5 months and then I fell off the wagon. :( So I've signed up for the challenge and I'm ready!! My body is crying for help after the holidays!! I'm excited!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I want to eat healthy so badly! That was a new years resolution type thing except all I do is find myself eating cookie dough in the morning. I need to get my ish together. How come blog posts are so inspiring but when it comes to quick eating vs healthy eating I obviously choose the devil!? Thanks for the added inspiration, though!

    ReplyDelete
  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm so happy you shared this! Definitely something I am going to consider!

    Champagne Toasts & Besos.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for all of this helpful information, Stephanie! I am really concerned about eating healthy and losing all of the extra weight I've gained over the years. I think I want to try incorporating yeast free into my diet as much as possible.

    I read some of your old blog posts you mentioned and I came across the mention of almond milk and coconut milk. I cannot do coffee without milk, it pains me, haha. I've heard some different things on almond milk and that coconut milk was a better alternative. I enjoy both. Do you agree? And coconut milk is an acceptable dairy substitute right?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Just signed up! I'm nervous, but I hope I can do it :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. I just signed myself up for this!!! I feel like I look the same way you do in that picture from 2007 and I am right around that same weight too. I have been considering doing a paleo diet or something this year and figured this would be a good first start. Cannot wait to join everyone else on this! Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Whoop! Whoop!! I started back YF this weekend & already feeling better! I got on the scale last night though & I know without a doubt that YF & working out again is what I should be doing for sure!! Signing up & can't wait to start YFWM with everyone else too!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. hmmm....I may just have to do this. I do have a trip to Texas i'd like to lose a couple pounds for!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Signed up and will see if this helps me! I have a horrible digestive tract and suffer from Crohns.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Signed up and ready to do this! Time to stop feeling bad and start feeling good :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Signing up!! I literally know nothing about yeast free so I want to learn more about this. Excited!

    ReplyDelete
  24. i signed up via your work!! I am very intrigued and want to try it out! I am nervous i wont be able to do it though!! hahah but i want to TRY TRY TRY!!

    and the no alcohol thing! oh man...not even vodka sodies?!? :) jk i think i could manage 30 days!

    you go girl!! i love all the recipes that came in the little packet thing with signing up!!

    xoxoox

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'm going to do it! signed up:))

    ReplyDelete
  26. signing up... I know nothing about it as well! I hope this will help

    ReplyDelete
  27. I think I may try! I like a good challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm confused because I thought *all* legumes were a no no on YF but the chili has kidney/red beans. And they also have several recipes with oat flour (grain). Help please, I want to do this right!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I started yeast free 1/2/14 and also signed up for YFWM! It's been difficult (hi, i miss my vodka) but so doable!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Maybe a silly question - Can you do it when pregnant?!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I signed up and got grocery shopping and meal planning done this weekend! I feel like woo! but I'm also thinking eek! :) During the first two weeks of no fruit - if you want something sweet would you recommend chewing gum, drinking a Stevia drink or something else?

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi there! I have just started eating yeast free - check out my blog http://theyeastfreebeast.wordpress.com/ for daily struggles and advice and tips!

    ReplyDelete
  33. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from my readers! I read each and every comment left on my blog. If you have a specific question, feel free to email me at snhoward16@gmail.com.

Also, please make sure your email address is set up with your profile so that I am able to respond to you. xoxo

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...