I am into my second week of my 21-Day Cleanse with Moira Nordholt-the Feel Good Guru.
My first week went fairly well.
The first three days were really difficult as I battled a daily caffeine withdrawal headache. Then days four and five I was overcome with fatigue. But by day six I was feeling pretty good and by day seven I felt really good.
I usually start my day with a walk in the park with my husband. The park opens at 6am and it is nice way to start the day.
Then home for breakfast before I have to get ready for work. I usually have oatmeal for breakfast with dash of organic agave or maple syrup, potatoes with peppers and onions or scrambled tofu.
For a mid-morning snack I will have fresh fruit. For lunch homemade soup and/or a big, fresh salad. For salad dressing I use a little olive oil and apple cider vinegar with a dash or two of Braggs amino acids. This weeks soup were Garlic and Collard Greens and Vegan Bean.
For dinner I usually have steamed veggies, like asparagus, brussel sprouts or broccoli, maybe corn on the cob, a baked yam, or some brown rice.
During the day I try to drink lots of water. If I am craving a cup of coffee or English Breakfast tea, I’ll have a cup of peppermint or ginger tea instead.
As much as this is a ‘cleanse’, for me it is really about learning to take care of myself in the midst of a hectic lifestyle and working to change my relationship with food. As the old saying goes, I want to “eat to live, not live to eat”.
A little side note: My husband is doing the ‘cleanse’ with me and loving it. Loving it because he is enjoying all the great food in the house and all the new recipes I am trying. But, he cheats, too, eating pretzels and cereal and a fresh roll now and again. He still has his coffee every morning, but had tea with me on our Sunday morning ‘date’. He has been very supportive, and that makes it easier for me. He has lost ten pounds and I have lost five. Not bad. 
Basically this is what I am doing…
- Avoiding alcohol (easy)
- Avoiding caffeine (hard)
- Drinking lots of water
- Eating plenty of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables
- Enjoying a variety of beans, grains and rice
- Avoiding flour products, including bread and pasta(very hard)
- No processed foods of any kind-no snacks, soda, candy, canned or boxed foods
BIG congrats to you, Sandy!! We’re doing our version here as well…and getting over some kind of huge hump!! Guess what?? We’re finally finding that vegan raw can be absolutely *gourmet* and BETTER than scrumptious!!!!!!!! Will be sharing some amazing recipes in next issue of SuzNewz.
Hang in there, kiddo!! It’s a tough journey, but only at first. Not so bad on the other side. (hint: you CAN make really tasty, filling, healthy and satisfying foods that actually make the old stuff very UNappealing!! Who knew??)
– Suz
Thanks Moira!! You were the original inspiration! Thanks.
you two are so inspiring to me! participating fully, embracing the hows and the whys and keeping each other motivated. so good to hear about your experiences with this. we each have such unique relationships with food and our kitchen and our belly and body. a big part of this for me is the commitment to myself. it’s incredibly empowering to set aside 3 weeks all about priority #1 – feeling as good as i possibly can. i recognize very quickly the ease that comes through everything else… sounds like you’ve both found your groove. how wonderful we’re all in a position to make the conscious choices we make with every bite. thank you both for your efforts! xomoira
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Hi Sandi,
A few years ago I could not have done this. It has taken me years to change and refine my diet by taking one thing at a time. The easiest thing I ever did was give up meat. I just quit and never looked back.
I think it is so cool that you are doing this with me and learning si much. Hang in there. We are almost at the half way point.
hugs, sandy
YaY for you buddy…. you are doing so well. I struggled the last couple of days. Wanting the bread. I think I said it b4, if I dont respect that craving, I’ll eat a whole loaf so I had a slice of Ezekiel toasted w/ Earth Balance spread. I totally agree with the “why” we are doing this. I think Moira had pointed out that meal time was a hurried kind of thing for most busy people. I feel I have made it much more a conscious time for myself. Enjoying my food, learning to make friends w/ my kitchen. It will be a lifetime of learning, which keeps it exciting.
This is a bad week for chat for me- please let Moira know. I have after school activities almost every night this week.
xoxoxo