Day Twenty-Six: END OF MY OFFICIAL CLEANSE

7:00:    Naked smoothie
9:00:    walnuts, dried cranberries, water
12:30:  red peppers, snap peas, carrots, walnuts, water
3:30:    walnuts, dates,water


7:30:    roast beef on wheat, orange, water
Now that I'm back in Storm Lake for a few days, I'm not going to stick to all of my rules. It will be too hard both for my willpower and annoying my family. I plan to be decent with portion control this weekend, but none of the other rules apply. Bring on a cup of coffee, some black jelly beans, and whatever great things come into my life this weekend!

Day Twenty-Five

7:00:    Naked smoothie
9:00:    walnuts, dried cranberries, water


12:30:  refried beans, chicken, rice, salsa, jalapeno, water
At a conference with a bunch of my students today, so I made do. I didn't want to set a precedent that I wasn't eating, but I also didn't want to be eating things that went against my plan. I'm sure the chicken was heavily processed and the beans were cooked with a fatty oil, but the meal was good. I skipped the brownies with no problems.


2:30:    red peppers, snap peas, carrots, walnuts, water


7:30:    honey-barbecue wings
My loving husband picked up some wings for me. While not completely cleanse friendly, I didn't get the french fries so I call it a win!

Day Twenty-Four

7:00:    Naked smoothie
8:00:    orange tea
9:00:    walnuts, water
12:30:  garden-vegetable soup, water
2:30:    avocado with tomato and walnuts, water
6:00:    scrambled eggs, roasted vegetables, water
7:00:    dates, water


8:00:    popcorn with olive oil, water
Yep. Again!

Day Twenty-Three

7:00:    banana-berry smoothie
8:00:    orange tea
9:00:    walnuts, water
11:30:  chicken breast, brown rice, avocado, tomato, water
3:30:    roasted vegetables, sunflower seeds, water
5:30:    baked sweet potato with dates, water


7:30:    popcorn with olive oil, water
I am addicted!!! I cannot get enough of this right now. I'm lucky Nevin continues to make it for me every single night.

Day Twenty-One

I knew there was a reason I shouldn't cheat on this cleanse. This is the whole living god's way of punishing me, I think.


Continuous consumption of water from the hours of 7:30AM and 10:30AM made being awake bearable. After my two and a half hour nap I felt like a new person though.


2:00    quinoa, scrambled eggs, salsa, avocado, water
Not as satisfying as the cheese toast I really wanted to help with my hangover, but it did the trick. 


4:00    dried blueberries, almonds, water
Just a few in and I decided maybe I'd wait until later to eat anymore.


5:30:    tuna steak, quinoa, water
I got full about half way through and gave the rest to Nevin.


8:00:    popcorn popped in olive oil, water

Day Twenty

7:00 :   almond milk, frozen berries, banana smoothie

8:30:    cinnamon-cardamom tea
I love this herbal tea from Cup of Joe. I loved it even more this morning because I drank it while I looked at books at the Cedar Falls library ALONE! While I love that Louis loves books, he isn't very patient when I want to look at big people books.

10:30:  Rice Noodles with Broccoli-Almond Pesto, water
1:00:    roasted vegetables, water


4:00:     spicy tuna roll, cucumber-avocado roll, miso soup, water
DELICIOUS! Nevin and I went out for an afternoon date while Jo babysat. We drove down to Cedar Rapids to go to our favorite sushi place, Oyama. I know the spicy tuna roll contained a little mayonnaise but otherwise the date was cleanse friendly (I cannon say the same for my endeavors later in the night). It was a fun afternoon with the hubs. I love having the time with the three of us, but sometimes it's nice to get away for a bit. 


Between the hours of 7 and midnight I consumed more vodka than is healthy for ANYONE, yet alone someone who is supposed to not be drinking alcohol. We went for dinner with my friends at Zins, luckily I was still full from my sushi. From there we moved down the block to the Downtown Wrigley Bar and Grill and finally settled at The Vault for dueling pianos. I had a lot of fun, but am paying for it today. I'm lucky that Jo got up and did the early morning shift with her nephew this morning, perhaps we should pay her better!

Day Nineteen

7:00 :   antioxidant smoothie

8:30:    detox tea

10:30:  clementines, walnuts , water
12:30:  salad (yellow, pepper, cucumber, celery, tomato), water
3:30:    dates, water
6:00:     popcorn popped in olive oil, water

Day Eighteen

7:00 :   antioxidant smoothie

8:30:    detox tea

10:30:  salt and pepper tofu , water
12:30:  salad (yellow, pepper, cucumber, celery, tomato), water
1:00:    cup of Kale, White Bean, and Potato Stew, water


4:00:     a few bites of Rice Noodles with Broccoli-Almond Pesto while I cooked it for dinner
This tasted great, but I had a huge hankering for popcorn so I changed my mind at the last minute. I think it'll be good leftover, so maybe tomorrow.


7:30:     dried fruit, popcorn popped in olive oil, water

Day Seventeen

7:00 :   antioxidant smoothie

8:30:    peppermint tea

10:30:  walnuts, water
12:30:  salad (carrot, cucumber, tomato), hard boiled egg, water
2:30:    trail mix, water
6:30:    quinoa, avocado, tomato, onion, eggs, water
7:00:    dates

Day Sixteen

7:00 :   antioxidant smoothie

8:30:    detox tea

10:30:  clementines, walnuts, water
12:30:  salad (carrot, green pepper, cucumber, tomato), hard boiled egg, water
1:00:     dates, water
3:30:     walnuts, water


5:30:     Kale, White Bean, and Potato Stew, water
I loved this, as did Louis. My leftovers were sacrificed to my son! I can see making huge pots of this in the fall just as the weather starts to get cold. It seemed a little out of place as I've been wishing for spring, but it still tasted delicious! While this was cooking I also mixed up some Chickpea-Brown Rice Veggie Burgers. Sadly, one of the four ended up smooshed all over the kitchen floor. While I keep my kitchen clean, it is not clean enough to eat off of. I made some substitutions in order to keep some things in my fridge from going to waste. Black beans for chick peas and quinoa for brown rice. We'll see how they are tomorrow!


6:30:      dates, red chai tea with a splash of unsweetened almond milk
STILL NOT COFFEE :(

Day Fifteen

7:00 :   antioxidant smoothie

9:30:    peppermint tea

12:00   grapefruit, hard boiled egg, water
2:00     salad (carrot, green pepper, cucumber, tomato), water
3:00     trail mix, water


6:15     cod, quinoa, brussels sprouts, dates, water
I was starving for dinner and had quite the headache. It immediately went away when I ate though. I think my slight overeating this weekend caught up to me today. I feel like a new person after eating.


Frozen vegetables just aren't as good as fresh. I had fresh roasted brussels sprouts yesterday and frozen steamed ones today. No contest.


Things I'm thinking today:

• I'm down another two pounds this week and while logically I know that's much more typical and safe weight loss, it seems disappointing after last week. I'm now smaller than I was when I got pregnant and only 10 pounds from my wedding weight. I will most likely never get down that low again. Looking back at pictures from that time in my life I realize I was really thin. I don't remember even dieting or working out very much before my wedding. I think it was just the combined stress of graduating with my M.A., moving towns, getting ready for a wedding in a town no one lived in, preparing for Christmas, planning for our honeymoon, and getting ready to start my first full-time teaching job. No pressure there.
• As for how I'm feeling, I feel less tired during the day. I wake up refreshed and I don't feel the early afternoon drag I used to. Being naturally awake beats artificially awake any day. I have been going to bed early (even for me) though. I still need to be in bed by 9:30PM and last night it was 8:30PM. This means sacrificing alone time and time with just Nev and I once Louis is in bed. It means busting my butt when I'm at work so I can bring home as little reading, grading, and researching as possible. It's not a perfect system, but I don't know what the alternative answer is. Not sleeping doesn't work for me. My brain doesn't work as well and it puts me in a crap mood. I used to not sleep during the week, but then catch up on the weekend. That is no longer an option with Lou. This is my new normal.

Day Fourteen (HALFWAY if I go through 4 weeks)

7:00 :   antioxidant smoothie

9:30:    red chai tea

11:00   butternut squash and apple soup, water
2:00     dates, water

5:30     roasted winter vegetables, water
7:30     apple and almond butter


Things I'm thinking today:

• I'm bored. I found myself fantasizing about all of the "forbidden" foods I want to consume when this is over. I don't want this cleanse to become about what I can't have, but it's hard not to do that when you're bored. I have a couple of new recipes to try out this week so I hope that mixes it up a bit. The way today felt, there is NO WAY I'll make it four weeks. I will make it thorough three because I'm determined, but that additional seven days sounds horrible.
• To combat the boredom, I have a few new recipes to try this week.
• Toasted Coconut Museli
• Chickpea-Brown Rice Veggie Burger
• Rice Noodles with Broccoli-Almond Pesto
• Kale, White Bean, and Potato Stew
• Quinoa with Poached Egg, Spinach, and Cucumber
• I get eggs this week and I CANNOT wait!

Day Thirteen

7:00 :   antioxidant smoothie

9:30:    chocolate-peppermint tea

11:00   spinach salad with black beans, tomatoes, avocado, jalapenos, red onions and taco seasoning, water

11:45   dates, water
Still STARVING! I can't skip those morning snacks? When will I learn. I was out and about with Louis and while I remembered to pack him a plethora of snacks and drinks, I forgot about me.


3:00    roasted spiced chickpeas, dried apricots, red chai tea
I have been consistently snacking all afternoon


5:00    clementines, water

7:00     salmon, broccoli, water


8:00     dates, water


Things I am thinking today:

• I do not get enough water when I am hope on the weekends. When I'm teaching it's second nature to fill my glass up constantly, but I forget around the house. I don't feel as well when I'm not getting the hydration and I also am more hungry. Clearly by my afternoon of snacking, this is not a good thing!

Day Twelve

7:00 :   antioxidant smoothie

8:00:    detox tea
10:30:  apple, trail mix, water

12:30   salad (green peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots), water

3:30:     roasted winter vegetables, sunflower seeds, water

6:00     salt and pepper tofu , water
I was craving this ALL day. It's ALL I could think about at work. It was good tonight but I didn't cut the pieces small enough. I was juggling Louis while I cooked and I cut some corners I shouldn't have cut. It was still good but it was too mushy for my liking. Ah well, it was still good


7:00     dates, water

Day Eleven--HALFWAY!

Today is the exact middle day of my cleanse. I'm not sure I could do the last ten days again, HOWEVER in the next ten days this should only get easier. I'm loving the tofu, beans, and fish this week and next week I get to put back gluten-free grains (buckwheat, corn, millet, oats--if specifically labeled gluten free, quinoa, rice) and eggs.

7:00 :    antioxidant smoothie

8:00:     red chai tea


9:00:     salt and pepper tofu, dates, water
I am still super hungry from last night.  I never thought that my eating from yesterday may affect my eating the next day. 


3:30:     any bean dip and carrots, water
It wasn't as flavorful as I had hoped. I think I would add more seasoning, garlic, and onion next time.


6:00:     salmon and roasted winter vegetables, water 
I substituted some of the veggies for things I had on hand. I ended up with leeks, carrots, mushrooms, brussels sprouts, garlic, and cauliflower. They were wonderful! I have a container in the fridge for lunch tomorrow and I am excited for a tasty lunch. 


7:00:      apple with almond butter


Things I'm thinking today

• Happier day today as I now understand that Louis' daycare will not be closed even if they decide to close Price Lab. I still hurt at the thought of the decision and think it is the wrong choice for our University. It's easier to resist temptation when I'm in a better mood. This takes the immediate stress off of me, but does not solve the larger inequity at hand. 

Day Ten

7:00 :    antioxidant smoothie

8:00:     red chai tea
DELICIOUS! Would be even better with milk but I'm dealing.

10:30:   trail mix, water

12:30   salad (green peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, walnuts), water


2:30:    grapefruit, walnuts, water
While I really would have loved this covered in cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips, I really enjoyed it. 

8:45    Fish tacos--without the taco (cod, black beans with taco seasoning, avocado, tomato, red onions), water

SO HUNGRY!!!! We went to Ash Wednesday services after work and then to the meeting at Price Lab School to hear President Allen discuss his intentions to close down the school (and in conjunction our amazing daycare). My heart breaks for the students that will miss out on the amazing education the school offers, the university students who will not get the opportunity to work with teachers who are trained to help them become strong teachers, the great teachers who will be out of work, my child and his new friends who are comfortable in their current daycare situation and will need to start over someplace else, and the parents who want the best for their kids. I have not lost hope, but I feel to be a responsible parent I have to plan for the worst. Nevin and I will start researching other daycare centers this weekend.

Things I am thinking today:

• Most emotions makes me want to eat, but bummed out is the one that I find hardest to placate. Eating vegetables just don't make me feel better. I want cookies. Those probably won't make e feel better either, will they?

Day Nine

7:00 :    orange, berry, banana smoothie

8:00:     cardamom cinnamon herbal tea

10:30:   dates, sunflower seeds, water
I got too hungry for this snack. I had a hair appointment and then went to the grocery store. By the time I got home I was STARVING. I have a hard time when I get that hungry. I ate a much larger snack this morning than I typically would, I'll make up for it with my afternoon snack.

1:00:    spinach salad with black beans, tomatoes, avocado, jalapenos, red onions and taco seasoning, water
While I really would have loved this covered in cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips, I really enjoyed it. 

5:15:    salt and pepper tofu, water
HOLY CRAP! This stuff was amazing. I actually made it to eat for lunch tomorrow and then started snacking on it, offering some to Louis, and giving Nevin bites. Pretty soon I was full and it was half gone. I didn't put in the sugar because of the cleanse and I didn't miss it. I wish I could figure out how to get every single piece with that deliciously, perfect, crunchy outer layer. I might cook it an extra two minutes next time and serve it with rice and broccoli maybe. Delish! I'll keep that recipe for non-cleanse time too.

Things I am thinking today:

• I miss eating with my family. I have spent much of our meal time hiding in the other room for the last week because I don't exactly have strong will-power. The other times I try to eat before the guys do, then at least I'm not hungry as I watch them eat CHEESE. Man, I miss cheese. I may miss cheese more than eating with my family...
• I saw the Easter candy at HyVee today when I ran in for five spice powder (something I have never had but really enjoy) and I only had a twinge of sadness when I saw the black jelly beans. My cleanse will be over long before April 8th so maybe I can sneak in at least one handful of my favorite holiday treat. 
• Still missing coffee...will that desire ever go away? I don't miss the caffeine. I have been surprising more awake. I can't explain it but it's true. I still want to go to bed early, but my afternoon slump isn't as pronounced. 

Day Eight

WEEK 2! Yippie! I made it! I have had nothing but fruit, vegetables, nuts, and healthy oils and spices since February 12. I never stick to anything so this feels pretty great. I like that the diet changes each week as it gives me a new thing to focus on. I really don't think I could stick to week 1 at this point.

7:00 :    orange, berry, banana smoothie

Again, I mixed this up yesterday and drank it this morning. It could have been that Louis kept us up half the night but I just didn't love this today. I think the pulp of the orange juice did something weird over night. I don't like thick, fibrous smoothies apparently.

8:00:     detox tea

9:00:     chocolate peppermint tea

10:00:   grapefruit, water

12:30:   salad (orange peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, walnuts), water

2:30:     walnuts, water

6:15:     SALMON!!!!!!!, broccoli, dates (still hungry), water

8:00:     apple, almond butter

Things I am thinking today:

• As of this morning, I am down 8 pounds from one week ago. Now before you get too worried about me (or rush out and start your own cleanse), I ate and drank everything I wanted on the weekend prior to starting. This caused me to retain a BUNCH of water on Monday morning. Also I forgot to weigh before working out and downing a giant water bottle that first weigh in. I guarantee this upped my weight a bit and I lost four of these pounds in two days. I would estimate my true weight loss at just under four pounds for the week. This will slow down considerably as the next two weeks go on because I will be adding more caloric foods back into my diet. Like I said, I didn't do this for the weight loss but it's an okay side effect. 
• As I look ahead I wonder how this three week (21 day) cleanse will affect my eating in the long run. This entire cleanse is not sustainable, I feel deprived of too many things. On the other hand, if this has no long term effects, why did I do it? As the toxins leave my body and I feel the ache as they depart, I understand the need to cut the amount of processed foods as much out of my diet as possible. As I yearn for cheese and milk though, I know I will not/cannot cut that out. The vegan alternatives are processed to death and I cannot live a fulfilled life without pizza! The big change I hope to make is taking the time to bake/cook more. If I want a cookie--FINE--bake some cookies. A burger--FINE--make it! McDonalds and Oreos don't need to be in my life but cookies and burgers can be (in moderation). The biggest obstacle to this change though is what it always seems to be with me, time and energy. 
• The body aches are not as bad as they were, but I still am having them. The headaches have gotten a lot better though. Now I only get a hint of one when I'm getting hungry. I need to focus on the next couple of days on my energy level. I really think I'm less tired, but I'm not sure. I haven't been thinking too much about it.

Day Seven

7:00:    berry-banana smoothie

7:30:    chocolate peppermint tea

10:00:  walnuts, dates, water 

1:00:     roasted cauliflower, sweet potato, sunflower seeds, water 

6:00:     cinnamon poached apple, water
7:30:     chocolate peppermint tea, walnuts


Things I'm thinking today:

• Hot tea is not coffee. It just isn't very good. Maybe if I could add some milk in it or something...
• The reason people don't eat like this is because it's so much dang work. Seriously!
• I am SO PROUD to have reached the end of week one. Tomorrow I eat beans and fish. Probably not together, but we'll see!

Day Six

7:00:    berry-banana smoothie

7:30:    peppermint tea

10:00:  walnuts, dates, water 

1:00:     salad (yellow pepper, tomato), water 

5:30:     butternut squash soup, walnuts, water
8:00:     apple with almond butter

Things I'm thinking today:

• Being around people eating real food today wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it might be. I was jealous of the great smelling popcorn at the movie theatre, but I pushed through with grape tomatoes. 
• If I ever eat this many vegetables in a week again, I will do it in the summer. Finding great looking veggies