Surviving the Two Week Detox: Week 2

I made it out alive!  I currently write to you from the other side of 14 days of clean eating, and damn it feels good.  Not going to lie, it got pretty tough towards the end.  It wasn't so much the type of food that got to me, it was more the lack of freedom of choice in the plan.  I mean sometimes, the menu for the day just didn't suit my mood, or more accurately my stomach's mood.  Nevertheless, I stayed strong and powered through every last day.  So 14 days later, these are my final thoughts and learnings.

Dinner Tastes Better When Your Husband Prepares It

My husband bakes a mean chickpea.  I mean just look at that!  I am one lucky girl.  Honestly these chickpeas were incredible.  Mixed with veggies, the next day on a salad,  just delicious.  Definitely planning on making these again this week, or rather asking my husband the make them again (the man has a true talent).



Veggie Chili is the Best Chili

I can't say that this was a new revelation.  But I can say that I have a new go to chili recipe.  Actually I guess I can't say that, considering I didn't have an old go to chili recipe and in fact had never once made chili before this two week detox.  I guess what I can say is that I definitely plan on consuming this chili again in the near future.



Buzzfeed Can't Add
 
Day 10: Use 1/4 of an avocado
Day 11: Use 1/2 of an avocado
Day 12: Use 1/4 of an avocado
Day 13: Use your remaining 1/4 of an avocado

.....??  Why Buzzfeed? Why?



Do Not Fear the Sweet and Savory Omelette

(Also do not fear the above image.  Flipping an apple omelette is damn hard.)
Apples in an omelette.  An unconventional combination indeed.  But surprisingly good. And filling.  Now that is what I like to call a win-win.


Breakfast is Better When It's Purple

Or maybe it's just prettier to look at.  Either way, a smoothie for breakfast is just a great thing.  And those extra 5 minutes I get to spend sipping my morning coffee while scrolling through my Instagram feed are priceless.



It's OK to Have a Small Piece of Ice Cream Cake on your Grandfather's 80th Birthday

That is right Buzzfeed.  I simply could not resist.  Let's just get one thing straight, I will never be the type of girl who turns down a piece of ice cream cake.  Especially on such a momentous occasion.  And no two week detox is ever going to change that.

Surviving the Two Week Detox: Week 1

I have recently found myself on a bit of a fitness/health kick.  However, after 3 months of personal training appointments, spin classes, and gym sessions, I was disappointed to find myself, how should I put it--less ripped than I had anticipated.  I was looking to add something else into my routine, to hopefully start seeing some changes.  Naturally, I turned to everyone's favorite and most reliable health and fitness guru, Buzzfeed.

The plan seemed simple enough: two weeks of clean eating, recipes and shopping lists provided.  What really drew me to the plan was how it incorporated leftovers from each meal into the meals planned for the next day.  Because let's be honest, the last thing I was looking to do at 6AM before work was make a batch of quinoa for lunch.  Buzzfeed really put everything out there, what to prepare the night before, how to modify lunches to take on the go, basically making this thing as user friendly as possible.  I was sold.  (That and the fact that my friend tried it and lost 7 lbs. Not going to lie, that may have been the final push I needed to give this a go.)  

I think ultimately, I was sick of getting home at 7:30PM and having cereal for dinner.  I mean there is only so much Special K Chocolately Delight that one person should have to endure.

So armed with my week one shopping list, my reusable shopping bags (I can't face the judgement of going into Whole Foods without them. Also I love the environment, obviously), and my able bodied husband to help with the heavy lifting, I embarked on my first week of clean eating.  Here is what happened and what I learned (spoiler: I  survived it!)

I Consumed My First Green Smoothie

There is something about consuming kale in the form of a smoothie that has always seemed unappealing to me.  However day one of the detox hits you with the good stuff: liquid kale, the breakfast of champions.  I have to say--it was not what I expected.  I don't know if it was the frozen banana or the almond butter that did it, but I can now safely say that I enjoy drinking kale for breakfast. That is some serious growth right there people.

Shaved Asparagus is the New Lettuce

If you haven't tried shaved asparagus yet you aren't living life.  Maybe that's a bit extreme--I think I just mean that I really liked this salad.  Like a lot.  I can't say that I was exactly the most skilled shaver of asparagus (which is totally a thing).  But the end result was pretty amazing.  If you try nothing else from week one, try this.  You won't regret it.

Who Needs Tortillas When You Can Have Ridiculously Large Leaves of Cabbage?

Mango, chicken, and avocado tucked away in a big ass cabbage leaf.  And it was pretty great.  I must admit, me and cooked meats (I mean I guess also me and raw meats) do not always get along. However, this chicken really took me by surprise.  It did not taste too bird-like (I am the only one who hates when that happens?  Am I the only one who knows what I am talking about?  Most likely yes).  A healthy alternative for when that taco craving kicks in.  I would definitely make this one again.

Scallions Make the Best Omelette Ingredient

I love omelettes.  I could eat them for every meal of the day.  Scallions were an omelette filling that had never really been on my radar in the past.  I was not sure exactly how this combination was going to turn out.  To my surprise, it was delicious.  There was also some feta cheese thrown in there, which is always a good idea.

Fried Eggs & Lentils are a Match Made in Heaven

These lentils were out of this world.  Even my husband liked them--who lists skittles and beer among his favorite foods (what can I say, the guy has good taste).  The lentils were used in three different meals this week, and were fantastic in all of them.  This recipe initially called for salmon instead of fried eggs.  I personally am not the biggest seafood fan.  So I decided to substitute the fish with a protein used in a different meal.  So glad that I did. 

Overnight Oats are My New Best Friend

Easy, effortless, deliciousness in a mason jar. What more could a girl ask for in a breakfast food?

Chia Seeds are Only Intended for the Outrageously Wealthy

$10.99 for a bag?  Is that a joke? (spoiler: no it's not a joke.) 

Week two commences tomorrow.  And I am actually really looking forward to it.