"Mellow-do-what-you-can-plant-the-seeds-of-change" detox!! Woo-hoo!! Let's give both our contestants a hand!! "All-out-take-no-prisoners-balls-to-the-wall-crazy" detox put up a good fight, but ultimately the thought of an obsessively strict detox made me want to crawl back under the covers. Besides it's spring!! This a time of exploration and growth. It is a time to plant new ideas and see which ones bear fruit. I've always said that detoxes aren't about chaste perfection, but rather they are about challenging habits and exploring a new way of living. Let's approach this detox from a place of curiosity and adventure; a place of infinite possibility for unlimited growth.
I have three favorite detoxes. I couldn't decide which one to base this month's plan on..so I decided not to decide. Instead, I will feature a different detox every week. They have a lot of main principles in common, so switching it up shouldn't be too jarring. Here's the plan:
Week 1: Wean Week Ummm...When I say "Week 1", I mean right now. So, put down that donut and let's get started! This is the time to cut back on or eliminate the foods that can be major allergens. Giving yourself a week to ease into things can prevent such annoying detox symptoms as headaches, skin irritations, fatigue, etc. This week say your goodbyes to:
Gluten
Soy
Dairy
Sugar
Alcohol
Meat
Eggs
Caffeine
Week 2: The Clean Program For Week 2, I will follow a plan based on Dr. Alejandro Junger's book Clean. I've talked about this plan on the blog before. For this week, I will see if all the great things I've heard about Clean are true.
Week 3: Detox for Women I've done Natalia Rose's plan before with great results. Based mostly on juicing, this week will be a terrific follow up to Dr. Junger's elimination diet in Week 2.
Week 4: Crazy Sexy Diet Kris Carr's program is more like a permanent way of eating than a detox. Her book will be the perfect transition back to "real life."
Also as part of the detox, I will aim to (gulp) meditate 20 minutes a day and do some form of exercise 30 minutes a day. So, there you have it. Spring 2012 Detox is underway!! Be sure to like the Happy Healthy Belly Facebook page to stay up to date with all the latest detox info.
-♥ J :)
P.S. We all know that I am a blogger not a doctor, so ALWAYS check with a qualified healthcare professional before undertaking any new nutrition program.
It should be noted that I love Kris Carr. I think she is a sparkly beacon of goodness and light and I would pretty much buy anything she sells. If she came out with a line of snow tires I would hesitate for a minute (since I live in southern California) but ultimately would probably wind up having to explain to my husband why there are four ginormous tires sitting in our living room. So, you can imagine my delight last week when (instead of snow tires) Kris came out with an 80 page e-book dedicated entirely to the art of making smoothies and juice. Does this girl know the way to my heart or what?? Not only does the book have over 60 different recipes, but Kris also walks you through all the info you would ever need when looking to incorporate juicing into your life. From fasting to picking out the right juicer to the difference between juicing and blending, this e-book leaves no veg un-juiced…metaphorically and literally. Three cheers, Kris Carr!! I raise my glass of Green Goddess Smoothie to you!!
-♥ J :)
Green Goddess Smoothie by Kris Carr Makes 16 oz.
1 avocado*
1 - 2 pieces of low-glycemic fruit: green apple, pear, berries and cantaloupe
1 cucumber
A fistful of kale or romaine or spinach
Coconut water (or purified water)
Stevia to taste, and or a sprinkle of cinnamon or some cacao (optional)
* Use coconut meat or raw almond butter or nut milk in place of avocado. Prep and wash all produce. Blend and serve. P.S. Get your own copy of Kris's book by clicking on the heart to the above. P.P.S. Remember when we were going to do this detox?? Well, that didn't happen, but I'm beginning to feel that urge again, Veggies. I see Spring peeking it's head around the corner and it is whispering: "deee-tooxx." Stay tuned.
Over white wine and vegan dip at Amelia's Wednesday night, Grasie mentioned that she was halfway through Kris Carr's 21-Day Adventure Cleanse: Crazy, Sexy Diet. "Wow, so you gave up coffee, too??" I marveled. Grasie said it wasn't that bad. "When I get up, first I'll have hot water with lemon...maybe with a dash of cayenne." Hot water and lemon. I've always wanted to be the type of person who wakes up with hot water and lemon. It seems so serene and civilized. That type of person wouldn't stumble out of bed in ill-fitting pajamas, unable to muster so much as a "good morning" without half a cup of coffee in their system. That type of person probably does this:
"And then I'll have Yerba Mate," Grasie continued. "Maybe I could do that. Maybe I could do Yerba Mate," I rationalized. "But you already said that you are not giving up coffee this year," Amelia shouted from the kitchen. "You already wrote it on the blog." Amelia also reminded me that I had promised to eat smaller portions as I reached for seconds of the delicious, crack-like dip she had made.** Apparently, Amelia is a very comprehensive reader.
"Do you have any interest in doing the Kris Carr cleanse with me?" I asked John when I got home. "And what would that entail exactly?" "Basically no coffee, alcohol, meat, dairy, gluten or sugar for 21 days. And we'd have to meditate everyday for, like, 15 to 20 minutes…among other things. And in the morning we drink hot water with lemon." John just stared at me. "Well, we could just do our best," I prodded. "It will be fun!!" John didn't look like he thought it would be fun.
But it will be fun!!! Come on, Veggies!!! We can start on Monday!! Anyone up for a little cleansing??? Anyone???
All the funk, bunk and junk in my trunk is going to be chipped, stripped and shipped to the land of "not gonna be needing this no more." I am getting down to the nitty-gritty. For the next 21 days my mission is this:
Simplify. Everything.
Because… We make so many things in life more complicated than they need to be. And it's exhausting. Buy this. Wear that. Eat this. Do this. Don't do that. The din of the never-ending stream of chatter in this world has reached such epic proportions that people no longer know what they want or who they are or why they do things. We just march along, shuffled from one task to the next, completely out of tune with our own natural instincts and vulnerable to any snake oil salesman who demands our attention.
And beyond all that…. It's summer for the love of Buddha! We need to chill-ax!
So, let's start here. Or not.
That is how low key this detox is going to be. I'm not even going to do my usual grovel and beg routine to get you to do this with me. I'm just going to tell you what I'm doing. And then the choice is yours…
Do it. Don't do it. I'll love you anyway.
And, as always, please remember that, because we are all unique snowflakes with unique bodies, hearts and minds that have very unique needs, one should always consult with a medical professional before undertaking any new nutrition program.
Alright, Veggies. Let us begin with my favorite topic…FOOD.
Poor misunderstood Food. Talk about a subject that has been overcomplicated. Everyday there is a new study, press release, talk show chat devoted to what we should or shouldn't be eating. And yet most of this "helpful" discourse only leaves us mired in confusion and angst. Many an ice cream binge is born from the frustration of trying to do the right thing only to be met time and time again with failure.
Let's stop all that. Let's just eat food.
You remember food. It doesn't have an ingredient list or a fancy package. It doesn't have a PR agent to convince you of it's "health" claims. It looks the same on your grocer's shelf as when it was pulled from the ground or picked from a tree. It can save your life.
Yeah, let's eat that. A typical day of eating on the detox will look like this:
Breakfast: 20-40 oz.green juice or several low sugar fruits (berries, apples, pears) Lunch: BIG salad with avocado and all the veggie toppings my little heart desires Dinner: 1/2 a plate of vegetables, 1/4 plate vegan protein (beans, lentils, tofu, chickpeas), 1/4 plate gluten free starch (brown rice, quinoa, potatoes)
This food map is simple, cheap and even easy to follow while eating in restaurants.
"But what about snacks?!? Dessert?!?! Jen, I eat meat!!!!"
If you want a snack, try a handful of nuts or some raw veggies with hummus. If you have to have dessert, try a small piece of dark chocolate or 1/4 cup coconut ice cream. If you eat meat, have your dinner meal be 3/4 of a plate of vegetables and 1/4 meat.
But aren't we all just a tad obsessed with those things. We act as if we can't live without snacks and dessert and meat. Like we have to have those things everyday. Maybe we don't. Maybe if we simplify our palate and actually nourish our bodies, when we have those things once in a while they will become even more pleasurable. It's worth a try....
Ok, I've yabbered enough for one day. I'll leave you with this recipe (a.k.a. my dinner tonight) from Kris Carr'sCrazy Sexy Diet. And don't forget to LIKE theHappy Healthy Belly Facebook page so that we can chat, swap recipes and share ideas. Happy Veggin'!!!
-♥ J :)
Kris Carr's Buddha Bowl -1 cup cooked quinoa -chickpeas -broccoli -chopped garlic -braggs liquid -black pepper -cayenne -a touch of flax oil Mix ingredients together and enjoy with a side salad.
*For a detox shopping list click HERE. **Mark Bittmanlost 35 pound just by eating vegan until 6pm. Now that is simple. Read more about that HERE.
