Day 14 (Almost done with the 2nd week!)

Two weeks on this Cleanse, and I have to say it feels like it's been a lot longer! I'm so glad I am doing it, and I'm going to try and do it twice a year for years to come. My husband George and I are planning to do it together in the fall!

The first week was definitely the hardest. I love eating fruits and vegetables, but having really on other options besides a small amount of brown rice or lentils, and the SP Complete Shakes, it got old kind of fast. So I was very excited by Day 11 when I could add meat back into my diet. I made a simple chicken stir fry with organic chicken, peppers, onions and zucchini, and it was so tasty!

This past week has been so busy with exams at school, a phish concert, Bruins, etc, that it has gotten easier. Plus I finally got a battery for my scale and I've lost about 7 pounds. My clothes are fitting better and I feel much better about wearing a bathing suit. I still have more to go, but after having some results I feel like I can do it. It's amazing how much having the right foods and nutrients can help!

When you do a Cleanse, it helps to clean out and detoxify your organs (the Standard Process Cleanse helps detoxify your Liver, Kidneys, and Intestines). By doing that, the energy of your organs can focus on their jobs, instead of getting rid of toxins, which can lead to improved weight management. Other benefits include less bloating, clearer skin, more energy, and help with past conditions such as PMS or digestive problems.

There are many ways to do a Cleanse, some of them are harsher, more about fasting. What I like about the Standard Process Cleanse, is that it really helps you to think about making some life changes. Before I did this, I never wanted to diet. I thought since I work out a good amount, I should be able to enjoy the foods that I want. But being married, and comfortable, it's very easy to over do it with eating a drinking. I never wanted to make the commitment to go on a diet, because I thought it would be horrible. Although some of the days, I really, REALLY wanted to cheat and it other food, I made it through, and ended up enjoying lots of foods. I realized that when I'm craving something sweet, instead of looking for candy or a cookie, I can eat a delicious piece of fruit. I've been having fun with the shakes, and am going to keep having one a day, 3-6 days a week. I've learned new meals to make and have gotten into the habit (though forced) of having fruits and veggies for snacks, instead of junk food.

My last day is a week from today and I am planning a nice dinner for George and I. But I'm also really excited to figure out a new way to eat that I can stick with. Keeping some things I learned from the Cleanse, while adding in more foods, and seeing what works with my body.

Happy Eating!

Day 7

The Cleanse has been going well, and I have to say I am feeling sooo good! Not that I was a horrible eater before, but it's so easy to just snack when you want, or make what you want for dinner, without putting too much thought into it. I always feel generally healthy, without any major complaints, but I had been feeling a bit sluggish and bloated (one of the reasons I wanted to do this), in the months prior to taking on this cleanse. Being on Day 7, I feel like I have more energy, I feel happy and vibrant (though I got annoyed when George asked me to go pick up a sub for him for lunch...), and I feel stronger. I went to a Group Power class yesterday, and I thought it was going to be hard because I haven't been able to make it for a couple of weeks, but I found that it was actually easier than I remember, and I could lift more weight. All this good food is really helping!

Our scale doesn't needs a new battery, and I went to target today, and of course forgot to check what kind I needed...but that's ok. As I said before, I am feeling great, and I am also happy to say that my clothes that were getting tight, are not as tight. If you were to follow this Cleanse and wanted to lose a lot of weight, I think this could easily be done by limiting fruit intake. Everyday I tell myself I am going to eat less fruit, but it has just been so tasty, I've probably been eating more than I should. Maybe on Tuesday, when I can add in meat and fish, I will be able to stick to the fruit more for just the shakes and less for snacking.

For my meals I have mostly been eating salads. When I think about having salad for a meal, I can always think of plenty of other things I would choose before it. But once I make it and sit down with it, I realize how tasty and healthy it is, and wonder why I don't do this more often. Other than that, I have been trying to think other things I can cook, since I like to have something warm for dinner. Tomorrow I think I will try to make vegetable soup, that way I can easily heat it for lunch and dinner. My favorite thing I have made so far has been spaghetti squash. I have no idea why I have never used this amazing vegetable before. When comparing it to real pasta (yum!!), I probably wouldn't choose it. But if you are looking for a healthy alternative, this stuff is great! Here's how I made it

Spaghetti Squash with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Cut the squash lengthwise and put in a baking dish seed side down.
Fill the baking dish with enough water to come up about an inch and a half on the squash
Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes, or until it can be easily pierced with a knife
After that, bake for another 15 minutes
Scoop out the seeds and discard, and use a fork to pull out the "spaghetti"

Sauce
I didn't really measure this, as I was making it up as I made it.
Chop tomatoes, onion, basil, and mince garlic
Put it in the food processor fitted with the metal blade (I think it would work in a blender if you don't have a food processor)
Pulse until it is at desired consistency
Put it in a sauce pan and cook it while the squash is cooking

I have to say, it was delicious! I am going to make it again this coming week. It tastes so fresh and yummy, it's hard to believe it's healthy.

As for my ice cream addiction...I am actually using my 2nd shake of the day as dessert. I make it with all frozen fruit, so it's nice and thick. Last night I ate it with a spoon when George ate his ice cream.

I love the benefits I'm getting from this Cleanse. I love how I have proven to myself that I can be disciplined, and it's not as hard as I thought it was to eat healthy. I love that I am feeling strong and healthy....but...I really want to eat other food too! It's hard at the end of the day, when I want to relax and unwind with a cocktail. Especially now that the weather is nice enough to go to the beach and sit on the porch! And it's also really hard at dinner time. That is the time that George and I always spend together. I love cooking for us and enjoying or meal together. We still spend the time together and have dinner at the same time, but it's not quite the same. I'm excited to plan a special dinner for Saturday, June 18th, when I am done!! Complete with cheese and wine and bread :)

Unfortunately, I have to spend the rest of the afternoon studying. Homework due, and two tests coming up this week. I also just found out that I passed my First Year Comprehensive exam! I really wasn't sure of the results when I took the test, so I am feeling happy and relieved that I don't have to retake it. Though I really wish I could have a drink to celebrate!