What I Got Out of the Detox

There was no black toxin leaving my pores :) ... Not that I expected it.
I did not lose a significant amount of weight. (About 2 lbs). It was not my intention to - and I ate far too well for that. I needed to maintain my energy level.

I learned that my body can tolerate basically everything. However, I need to have some things in moderation.
Dairy, bread, grains  in general, fall into this category. Coffee is fine but I do better with tea.  However, one or two cups of coffee don't cause a problem.
My system is working well and I just need to remind myself from time to time to stay on track.

And I'm Done!!!

This past week I could not stop thinking about coffee.
Tomorrow morning I'm celebrating the end of Detox with a run to Starbucks:)

A Year Ago

A year ago at this time, I was running.  That was not to be this year owing to my ongoing problems with my ITB/knee...
However, walking is fine :)  and I am managing full sessions of Spinning at the gym. Sculpting, for the most part is OK. Yin Yoga has been good and I even took some Restorative Yoga classes.

However, there is a point to this comparison:
a year ago, as the photos show here, the temperature was -3C in the morning. We have not seen negative numbers for a while... in fact, a couple of days ago we had 20 C in the afternoon...

We took advantage of the mild weather and did our first walk in the park with my dog, Dutchie:

Not too colourful - but that will come:)

Almost done!

I added a link for the African Sweet Potato and Peanut Stew. A wonderful recipe:) I'll be making this frequently.

The wonderful thing about these detoxes is that one learns many alternatives for meals, snacks. We also find out a great deal about our own system. Not a thing to which we'd normally pay attention. As long as we aren't sick we just keep going with the flow. We are ALL too busy, in a great deal of hurry...

So tomorrow I will get to the end of our 3 weeks. There is a bonus week -
I decided to move slowly in order to figure out how much of an issue dairy really is. I also had my reservations about breads and cakes - so I'll just observe what each addition means.

Off Topic

I am posting this link because it's important information for women (and men) :

http://toddlerplanet.wordpress.com/2007/07/23/inflammatory-breast-cancer/

Apparently, a lump is not necessary... one may have breast cancer  without a lump. Pay close attention.

COFFEE CRAVING

Source: d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net via Laura on Pinterest

SURPRISE

As I made a batch of  wonderful Mushroom Crepes out of Gluten Free flour mix, I certainly did not expect any problems. But, surprisingly enough the crepes proved to be an issue. (a bit of bloating/gas)
I tested my theory two days in a row - same result.  I looked up the individual flours :
Sorghum, Tapioca and Potato Starch.
Sorghum and Tapioca are (apparently) known to cause problems in some people...

Oatmeal Once More:)

If I missed something badly: it was Oatmeal.
It took me YEARS to establish a good breakfast habit - then, with the detox, it was out the window...
Smoothies kind of  replaced it, but did not give the same satisfaction or fullness.

Oatmeal is back on the menu:) I'm going enjoy myself once more.

Still Here

It's a bit of a challenge, not necessarily to stick with the plan,  but to have food ready when it's needed.
Since the rest of the family is not on board for the detox, often, I find myself searching for food when I'm hungry. I've eaten so much fruit and nuts for quick energy...:)

Mung Bean Pasta I need to keep in mind for the future. It's very pleasant and a good alternative to regular pasta....

I'll be quite ready for grains by Friday... Smoothies are great but they are not the oatmeal I enjoy usually in the mornings.:)

Weekend

I  am still sticking with the plan.
The weekend continued pretty well on the same note but with the added benefit of Black Eyed Peas,
Crispy Tofu Slices, Soy Yogurt  and the like.
I made a lovely dish with Sauteed Oyster Mushrooms and Wild Rice.  I must not forget to make it again.
The greens:
many baby greens: baby spinach, baby romaine, baby arugula.

My weight is pretty steady. Energy level is pretty good. This is pretty close to my normal diet - minus the grains (:() and the dairy.
I've got used to the absence of coffee - it's quite alright.  Tea is keeping me pretty even and happy. Yoga is the right exercise (or at least it feels right) during detox.

PROTEIN!

 I needed it:)
I was so happy with my Black Eyed Pea soup- I did not even miss my usual Pita...
Tonight, I added Tofu to the mix.
I fully anticipated some bloatedness and ummm.... how to put this delicately, more activity in the intestines - but there was minimal change.
My hope with this detox, is to find what exactly is the cause of it.

I don't think I lost any weight - or maybe a minimal amount. I'm eating too well for that:). It was not my objective in the first place.

My friend asked me what I missed the most. My answer: oatmeal. Seriously.
Today was the first day that I missed having chocolate and that passed very quickly... Odd.

DAY 7

I'M MOVING ON  TO WEEK 2 - YAY!

Black eyed peas are on my menu tomorrow:) - ummm, today...