Sneak Peak

Wow. Today is day 12 of a detox plan I wasn't so sure I could do. I didn't start this plan with my whole heart into it... I was at more of a "we'll see" kind of commitment level. And now I have made it through 12 days of no bread, barely any grains, no dairy, and no sugar.

It is funny, I used to watch The Biggest Loser because it really is inspiring at times. And the trainers would always show the contestants that they CAN do ANYTHING...that they are the only ones standing in the way of themselves. I have found that to be true.

So far, I have shown myself that I can get full on veggies and fruit. That I can eat fruit for dessert and be completely satisfied (especially if I have one of my new loves... Persimmons), that I can drink 64 oz or more of water a day without having to pee every five minutes, that I can have fun at a party without a glass of wine, that I can make it through parties without feasting on sweets and cheese... and that I don't always have to wait until tomorrow to take steps towards fulfilling my goals.

So this morning I hopped on the scale to take a sneak peak of where I was at... I was curious since I changed to the Green Food capsules and am now able to have fish an chicken. And I had a smile on my face. I don't want to reveal until my official weekly weigh in, but so far I think I am going to be a happy camper!

Do you ever have one of those days?

I think I cheated. I convinced myself that popcorn popped on the stove was ok... Because I can have corn and oil. And because I am feeling a little blegh.

Do you ever have one of those days where even though you try, it still isn't enough? Those days where you run errands on your lunch, stay at work a little late to get things done, care for the dogs, make dinner while holding your baby, feed your daughter, eat standing up, unload the dishwasher, attend to your baby, give her a bath, play silly games, answer "what's that", wrestle her to get jammies and a diaper on, care for her raw rashy heiny, read books, pick up the cabinet contents that were emptied on the floor... And it still isn't enough?

Because you still haven't finished cleaning the kitchen, you made too big a mess making dinner, when you were sautéing it splattered on the stove, you still haven't gotten to the rest of the toys strewn about the floor... and despite all you have tried to do, you still end up disappointing.

And now you feel a little down. And so you make excuses... And instead of feeling better...you end up disappointing yourself too.

Veggie Tale

This is the story of someone who really abhors most cooked vegetables.  I prefer to eat mine raw and crunchy... usually with a little ranch dressing.  For the past 10 days, however, I have not been able to eat vegetables with ranch dressing... and let me tell you, sitting down to a big plate of plain raw broccoli is just plain unsatisfying.  (Especially when you are constantly cooking pasta or bread for your daughter).

Photo courtesy of The Amateur Gourmet.

But today my life was changed forever.  Tonight, after seeing a The Amateur Gourmet's recipe for The Best Broccoli of Your Life, I went ahead and tried it.

Oh. My. Gosh.

It was absolutely amazing!  My mouth is watering, just thinking of it right now... and I am totally regretting sharing with my husband.  Just kidding.  Maybe.

Apparently, the recipe was a variation of one found in one of The Barefoot Contessa's cookbooks (see the link above for how Ina Garten makes it). And I varied it a little more.

Here is what you do:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Take a bunch of fresh broccoli (I used three small bunches- make sure it is completely dry)
A few tablespoons garlic infused olive oil (or regular olive oil, and toss in sliced garlic)
Salt
Lemon Pepper
Lemons
Parmesan Cheese (only on my husband's portion)

Toss broccoli in olive oil, add salt and pepper.  Lay in one layer on a cookie sheet, and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes.  Your broccoli should have bits of brown crust on it when it is done.  Lightly sprinkle with lemon juice and parmesan cheese.  Place in mouth, and welcome yourself to vegetable heaven.

I am buying more broccoli tomorrow.

Oh... and one more thing!  Today is detox day 10!  That means, that tomorrow I can add organic hormone free chicken, or wild caught fish to my diet.  AND I am halfway there!

A Surprise From Santa... Ideas that will make your kids freak!

Eyes wide open, a sharp intake of breath, a gigantic grin, and the light behind their eyes that indicates the recognition that what they are seeing... is truly awesome!  These are the reactions we love to see in our kids... well that, and when we manage to scare the heck out of them!  Last year, my husband stumbled upon a website that sends a personalized message from Santa to your child.  It is an extremely well done video, and the look on my nephew's face was absolutely priceless!  He was frozen in shock, and then so excited that Santa knew all about him.

This year, with the help of Pinterest, I found a couple of other awesome ideas that I wanted to share... take a peek:

• Portable North Pole- website that will send personalized video message to your child, you even upload a photo of their face to be included in the message.

Picture via Portable North Pole's website

• Capture The Magic- website that allows you to upload a picture of your room with your Christmas tree in it, and add a Santa to the picture.

Picture via Capture the Magic's website.

• Santa Stationery from Design Editor- Awesome blog that has tons of craft ideas, free downloads (including this Santa letterhead), as well as free fonts, etc.

Photo from Design Editor, free download here too.

Hope you and your kids enjoy these!

I got this! Detox Week 1 Recap

I made it through my first week!  And... drumroll please... my weigh in reveals -5 lbs.   Hooray!  One week of watching what I eat, has gotten better results than 6 weeks of an intense exercise regimen.  Let's see what happens this week when I combine the two.

For the past week, according to the Standard Process kit directions, I have been taking 2 SP Complete shakes per day, 7 SP Cleanse capsules 3 times per day, and 3 Gastro Fiber capsules 3 times per day.  I also added a parasite cleanser that I got from my Aunt, which is called WRM, and I take 2 dropperfuls of this 3 times per day.  Hey, go big or go home, right?

The hardest part of the capsule regimen is that you have to take them on an empty stomach.  Which means I can take the pills, wait an hour, and then eat, OR I can eat, wait 2 hours, and then take the pills.  I am allowed to take the shake with the pills... but it is unclear if I can still take the shake if I am mixing the powder with fruit so I still try to stagger it.

Starting today, I take 5 capsules of SP Green Food, two times per day (this replaces the SP Cleanse capsules).

I am not going to sugar coat it, this is probably too regimented for some people... and it is hard to do unless you feel pretty committed.  I am proud of myself for making it through both parties yesterday without slipping.  My only "cheat" from my list of foods I am able to eat, is that I have used canned organic tomatoes and organic tomato juice in the Gazpacho and in the Poblano soup... along with organic Vegetable Stock.  I checked the ingredient lists for hidden sugar, oil, or other ingredients besides vegetables, and did not see any so I am ok with this little change (the diet calls for fresh or frozen only).

Thanks for the support!

It's Party Season! Hostess Gift Idea

Before heading to my second party of the day, I stopped to put together a quick hostess gift, something different from the dozens of bottles of wine my friend will be receiving tonight.  I thought a jar of Vanilla Chocolate Chipper Cookie Mix would be just the ticket!  I tried to dress the mason jar up a bit by tying a ribbon around it, and adding some scrapbook stickers to the label.  Unfortunately my printer is out of ink, or I would have printed out a nicer label.

Day 6 ~ New Goal

Since I started the Detox on Sunday, my official week one weigh in will be in two days.  I am excited (if not apprehensive) about my weigh in, because I am really hoping this diet will help me jump start my weight loss journey more than the month and a half of intense exercising did.

Once again, let me tell you that starting this Detox right now is SO hard!  The temptation is all around me, and it is pretty time consuming to try to process veggies every night for my meals.  It makes it double-difficult to try to process veggies while making dinner for my daughter, while she is hanging on my legs wanting attention.  It makes it triple hard because my dear husband is addicted to both the Food Network and baking sweets, and so I have mouth watering food all around me, constantly.

On the positive note, I think my energy level has been higher lately, and I feel better about myself.  I like to imagine my meals as healthy fuel and vitamins for my body, which is a refreshing change from it being an obsession.  My Goal for Week 2 of this Detox: Get Moving!  Exercise at least 4 days next week.

So for dinner tonight, I made Gazpacho using organic produce.  Not as satisfying as it would be on a hot summer night, but tasty still.

Gazpacho 
1 English Cucumber, halved and de-seeded
4 Roma Tomatoes, cut into 1 inch cubes
Bag of Baby Bell Peppers (you can also use a couple of Red Peppers), cut into pieces
1 Onion (I used a sweet onion, you can also use Red Onion)
3 Cloves garlic, chopped
3 cups of Tomato juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
Salt, to taste
Fresh Ground Black pepper, to taste

Using a food processor, process each vegetable separately, and place into a large mixing bowl.  It is important to not overdo it while processing, as you want the veggies to be chopped, not pulverized.  Stir in the tomato juice, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.