Monday, April 30, 2012

Cleanse Day 2: Oh Green Smoothie how I love thee...

Seriously, thank you Allyson for the smoothie demo on Sunday...so helpful!  This morning my smoothie was delicious, and my husband and son loved it as well.  It was a huge bunch of chopped kale, one avacado, several scoops of the pea protein powder, chopped apple & pear, and some frozen mango and pinapple, plus the coconut milk beverage.  YUM!!  I felt full for quite awhile after that.  Then I had a nice warm green tea which was delicious.  About mid-morning I took out the pistachios and snacked out for a few minutes- felt good and held me over until lunch. 

For lunch I made a huge batch of quinoa with sauteed veggies and grilled chicken.  I made enough that this will be my lunch for tomorrow as well.  Dinner....well, it was that lentil soup I mentioned yesterday.  So, I spruced it up by putting in some cooked carrots and celery and blending.  It really did taste very good, but the color, oh that color looked somewhere between green and brown- I think puce might be an accurate description.  It looked very much like vomit- oh man- but I ate it anyway- and it did taste good with my eyes closed!  I think red lentils are much better for soups than the french ones...oh well:)

As far as how I felt today, to be honest, not that great.  I felt tired, a little headachy and nauseas all day.  It is very challenging caring for my three children and adjusting to the new ways of cooking and preparing foods.  It is a little time consuming to get used to all of the extra food prep, but I am sure I will adjust.  

Oh, I have had a few requests for the Cream of Asparagus and White Bean Soup, so here it is...enjoy:

12 stalks of trimmed asparagus (4-6 more if they are thin stalks)
1/4 onion cut into wedges or slices
1/2 cup chopped fennel
2 cloves garlic
1 cup rice milk, plus more to thin soup
2/3 can white beans such as cannelini (Eden Organic cans are BPA free)
olive oil
1/4 lemon
black pepper, sea salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper

  • preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • place asparagus, onion, fennel and garlic on cookie sheet and drizzle with oil, salt and pepper
  • bake for 15-20 minutes
  • put all above ingredients in blender (or use immersion blender) with rice milk and white beans and blend until desired thickness
  • add juice from lemon, sea salt, pepper and cayenne to taste.
  • warm on stove if necessary

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Day 1: Soup Making or Potions Class?


First of all, it was so great meeting all of you fellow cleansers today!  Besides our initial glitches with technology, I thought that today was amazing.  As one of you told me today, Dr. Junger is the 'real deal'.  I totally agree.  He is so honest, funny and intelligent, without being even the slightest bit salesman or higher than thou.  So glad that you all enjoyed the yoga and amazing food too!

So, I got home from the event all inspired to make soups!  Within 10 minutes of being home, I had two different green bubbling cauldrens on my stovetop.  My husband was looking on at my work with a supportive yet wary look.  I could just see his thoughts, "So I am trading in a nice big dinner for a thick green soup?!?"  One of the soups was the asparagus and white bean.  I did not have the fennel or the rice milk, but substituted celery and some coconut milk and it came out really good.  That is the one we had tonight for dinner.  The second soup was one I was just making up and it does taste that way!  Not bad, but not awesome.  I'll eat that one tomorrow:)  It was french lentils, sauteed onions and garlic, kale, chicken stock, salt, pepper and cumin, all blended together.  The reason it was only ok, was that the soup was a bit thin.  I usually add some potato to lentil soup, so I am at a bit of a loss as to a good substitution.  Any suggestions?  That being said, it is pretty tasty and I will happily have it tomorrow! 

So, one other thing was to get a base line weight check.  I am 144 pounds.  I have never dieted before and have never needed to.  As you know, I had twins 6 months ago, and I am very happy with my body.  That being said, I was 127 pounds when I first got pregnant and it will be nice to be back there eventually.  So, this is just part of the experiment- will I lose some weight on the cleanse.  It is not my goal, but would be a nice side-effect.  I don't own a scale and will only weigh myself again after the three weeks are over...nuf said!

A couple of things that I have noticed in my body.  I am feeling much more thirsty than usual....(take break for sip from water bottle)...ok I am back.  It was also very obvious this afternoon, that I did not have an energy crash like I usually do.  It was very noticable and actually even now at 8pm, I am feeling pretty good.  Sleepy, but not totally wiped out....this is very exciting.  We packed up the coffee maker and put it away, and the blender has taken its place on the counter.  I am really excited....day one is done and I am feeling really good!



Friday, April 27, 2012

Elimination Diet- Day 3- Oy Headaches!



Woke up this morning hungry and with a headache!  Had a great smoothie, plus apples with almond butter and so the hunger was gone, but man the headache just won't go.  I was told this would happen around day three, and so here it is!  On a good note, the stars aligned so that I could go to a yoga class today and it was so great.  It was the first moment I had to finally realize that I was doing this cleanse and that is was something I was doing for ME!!  I spend all day, everyday, 24/7 taking care of my three year old son, my twin 6 month old girls, my dog, my husband, my home, my patients...so to close my eyes in yoga, focus on my breath, stretch my body and also acknowledge that this cleanse is a gift that I am giving myself, was a profound shift in focus.  I think until today, the cleanse was just a goal that I wanted to achieve, a science experiment of sorts...will I have those experiences that Alejandro talks about in the book?!?  Now, it feels more internal, quieter. 

Also, the breathing, meditation and stretching felt like a key component in cleansing the body.  All of these 'toxins' that we release through this cleanse are held in the muscles, joints, breath, blood, etc... While I was stretching, twisting, breathing, I could feel that this was deepening the detox experience.  I am so looking forward to doing yoga with all of you who are coming to the Clean event this Sunday!  It will be so exciting to begin this intense journey together!

At one point today, I was doing dishes at my sink, and daydreaming about different ways that I can prepare lentils...oh boy...I am already losing it!!!  Had a great dinner tonight though- grilled lamb, sauteed asparagus and a brown rice and lentil pilaf....oh lentils how I love thee:)


See you Sunday!
-Melissa

P.S.  I highly encourage all of you to post your comments and experiences here.  We are in this together!!  Has anyone else had any headaches??  I will also post recipes that I have really liked, and would love for you all to share as well!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Food Panic and the Elimination Diet



I have a self diagnosed case of 'food panic' which my husband will attest to...(we can't share popcorn during a movie because I think he eats it too fast...which he does!) So doing a cleanse where my diet is dramatically changed is a little uncomfortable for me.  I am clinging to my food lists and buying as many approved snacks as I can find to keep by my side so that I have them in case I am hungry!  But actually it has been a really good practice in changing the way I snack.  Fresh veggies, apples with almond butter, rice crackers and hummus or black bean dip....all such awesome snacks!  Also there is a really great bar called Lara Bar and they have a cashew cookie flavor which is delicious- just dates and cashews...


Today is day two of my elimination diet (posted below for those who are interested) which also means my second day without coffee...and the STRONG cup of green tea with lemon has actually been great so far.  Not surprisingly, after all of my travels and unhealthy eating over the past week, I caught a bad cold yesterday.  I really felt awful and thought, "oh no, this one could last awhile!"  But, I am actually feeling a million times better today.  Maybe it's the diet or the fact that I went to bed at 7:30 last night, but I'm feeling much healthier today!  


I went to Trader Joe's today with my food list, and I got my nuts and rice cakes etc...but I left there starving after looking at all of the GOOD stuff that I wasn't allowed to buy!!  It is actually amazing how much sugar there is in everything.  Most of the dried fruits had added sugar as well as most of the frozen stir fried veggies which I found surprising.  


I then went to Whole Foods and bought a ridiculous amount of supplements.  Here is a list of what I bought:

  1. Probiotic- Ultimate Flora- 15 billion per capsule!!  holy crap...(pun intended?)
  2. Flax Oil- 365 Brand
  3. Cleansing Fiber Blend- 365 Brand
  4. Oregano Oil- Herb Pharm Tincture
  5. Milk Thistle Liver Cleanse- 365 Brand
  6. Chia Seed- to put in smoothies- good fiber

ok, bye for now!  happy cleansing:)


 ELIMINATION DIET

                                                                 INCLUDE 
Fruits & Vegetables
Unsweetened fresh or frozen whole fruits,
fresh squeezed fruit juices,
 sea vegetables (seaweeds), avocados, olives, and raw, steamed, sauteed, juiced, or roasted vegetables

Dairy Substitutes
Hemp, rice, and nut milks (such as almond, hazelnut, walnut, etc.) and coconut milk, coconut oil/butter

Non-Gluten Grains & Starch
Brown, red, black and wild rice, millet, amaranth, teff, tapioca, buckwheat, quinoa

Animal Protein
Fresh or water packed cold water fish, (trout, salmon, halibut, tuna, mackerel, sardines, pike, kippers), wild game (rabbit, pheasant, bison, venison, elk, etc.), lamb, duck, organic chicken and turkey

Vegetable Protein
Split peas, lentils, legumes, bee pollen, spirulina, and blue-green algae

Nuts and Seeds
Hemp, sesame, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, pecans, almonds, walnuts, cashews, macadamia, pistachios, brazil, nut and seed butters such as almond or tahini

Oils
Cold-pressed olive, flax, safflower, sesame, almond, sunflower, walnut, pumpkin and coconut

Drinks 
Filtered water, green, white or herbal tea, seltzer or mineral water, yerba mate, coconut water, green juice

Sweeteners
Stevia, coconut nectar, yacon, lucuma, whole/fresh fruit, dried fruit (in moderation)

Condiments
Vinegar, all spices, all herbs, sea salt, black pepper, carob, raw chocolate (dairy and sugar free), stone-ground mustard, miso, coconut liquid aminos, wheat-free tamari and nama shoyu, unsweetened whole fruit jam


                                                            EXCLUDE
Fruits & Vegetables
Oranges, orange juice, grapefruit, bananas, strawberries, grapes, corn, creamed vegetables, nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes)

Dairy Substitutes
Dairy and eggs: including milk, cheese, cottage cheese, cream, yogurt, butter, ice cream, non-dairy creamers, ghee

Non-Gluten Grains & Starch
White rice, wheat, corn, barley, spelt, kamut, rye, triticale, oats (even gluten free)

Animal Protein
Pork (bacon), beef, veal, sausage, cold cuts, canned meats, frankfurters (hot dogs),
shellfish, any raw meats and fish

Vegetable Protein
Soybean products (soy sauce, soybean oil in processed foods)

Nuts and Seeds
Peanuts and peanut butter

Oils
Butter, margarine, shortening, processed oils, canola oil, salad dressings, mayonnaise, spreads

Drinks
Alcohol, coffee, caffeinated beverages, soda pop, soft drinks, fruit juice (unless fresh pressed)

Sweeteners
maple syrup, high fructose corn syrup, evapo- rated cane juice, Splenda®, Equal®, Sweet’N Low®, juice concentrate, agave nectar, brown rice syrup

Condiments
Regular chocolate (with dairy and sugar), ketchup, relish, chutney, traditional soy sauce, barbecue sauce, teriyaki, breath mints

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

How to do a pre-Clean anti-cleanse....based on true events!



It just so worked out that a week before my big 3 week cleanse, we were packing up the family and doing a 5 day family road trip to my niece Sydney's bat mitzvah in New Jersey.  A great opportunity to eat and drink whatever crap you want in anticipation of the upcoming Clean diet!  And so based on my past 5 days, here's how to do an Anti-Cleanse should you be so inclined:)

1.  Go to Whole Foods and buy whatever cookies, chips and colorful drinks they have to offer.  I recommend buying drinks with the word vitamin on it, and organic 'oreo' cookies.  This will give you the illusion that you are still doing something healthy.

2.  Pack up your three kids, dog and husband's things.  Be sure to put things in the wrong bags and forget some important items at home....especially the directions to all of the places you are going....this will increase your stress & anxiety, adding to the effects of the anti-cleanse!

3.  Be sure to give your toddler way too much sugar so that he is on the brink of insanity, then drink way too much coffee so that you truly feel slightly insane.

4.  When arriving at each destination, when your host asks if you would like a drink, accept their offer.  Make sure it is either alcohol or soda.  Throughout all of this continue to eat lots of chips and other snack foods.  Keep water levels to a minimum, except when extremely dehydrated in the middle of the night because of the alcohol you drank.  Then take advil!

5.  While at the hotel, forget your bottled water so that you are forced to drink water from the tap.  The chlorine won't taste good, but it will enhance the anti-cleanse effects.

6.  Continue to eat take out, fried chicken, pasta, and enjoy some beer at each event.

7.  At the hotel, begin each day by ordering a pot of coffee and pastries....oh and also a double order of bacon with your eggs.

8.  Wear uncomfortable heels that you have to chase your toddler in.  This will be your only exercise while on the anti-cleanse.  Do not do any yoga, stretching or exercise of any kind!

9.  Enjoy laughing and partying with your extremely FUN and AWESOME family!!  This will make all of the above well worth the journey!!

10.  Drive 5 hours in the rain back to Boston, wash ALL of the clothes, clean your fridge and buy your 'Clean' foods.  Now you are ready for the real cleanse:)

Tomorrow morning I begin without a cup of coffee....gulp....mmmm....this green tea sure is delicious:)

Saturday, April 14, 2012

To Cleanse or not to Cleanse....that is the question!?!



I totally believe in cleansing the body....when other people do it, I think, good for you!!  But, when it comes to doing it myself I have a great deal of resistance.  I understand the benefits of periodically letting the digestive system & liver rest and rejuvenate, especially after the heavy diets and lack of exercise that winter can often bring.  Clearing toxins from the body, can be like washing your home's windows after a long winter, everything becomes clearer.  But until now, all of the cleanses that I knew about told me, "here drink lemon juice with cayenne and maple syrup for a week" or "drink only juice."  Ummmm, ok, I don't think so!!  I'm hungry just thinking about that.

But this year I am actually going to embark on a 21 day cleanse based on the book Clean by Alejandro Junger.  It is balanced, you drink delicious smoothies, eat healthy 'Clean' foods and can snack on those foods as much as needed when hungry throughout the day.  Now don't get me wrong, I'm terrified, and not sure that I can actually do it, but I am ready to test the waters of practicing spring cleansing and experience the benefits first hand.

It's funny because I really LOVE spring cleaning....my home, my pantry, my garden....anything I can get my hands on in the EXTERNAL world.  And when those things are clean and clear, I feel great; more clear minded and calmer.  But INTERNALLY I would squeeze some lemon in my water and that's about it!  So, this year I will take the plunge.  I am going to document my journey on this blog, day by day, and I welcome you to join me.  Either just by reading and laughing at me (with me?!), or actually participate in the cleanse and we can complain and celebrate together!

I am beginning on Sunday April 29th, and Good Chi Acupuncture will be having a kick off event with a Skype talk by Alejandro Junger, a 'Clean' meal, yoga taught by yours truly, acupuncture and chair massage.  So if you are local, please join us!  If you are curious about clean and want more info check out www.cleanprogram.com.  Or you can check out Gweneth Paltrow's health website www.goop.com.  If a celebrity does this cleanse, that must mean it's good right?!?