So I didn’t cleanse this week as I had planned.
Not because I didn’t want to, mostly because hubs and I just don’t have the money to spend on a ton of ingredients since well, we’re really starting to feel the implications of him not having a job these days. We’re skidding by financially and trying to use what we have in our cupboards to save money – meaning, lots of peanut butter and jelly for the most part (which I don’t mind because it’s quite tasty!)
But I did “detox” last week in a non-traditional sense, aside from (ah-hem) really cutting the booze out, which I failed miserably at, everything else I did pretty well!
My thoughts are:
1. I ate more fruits and vegetables in general.
2. I had a lot more energy
3. I don’t really miss meat
4. I enjoyed finding new recipes and trying new things (I tried falafel for the first time Thursday night up in New Haven! Delish!)
5. I put carbs back in my diet, but only whole grain ones. I enjoy not eating processed carbs.
6. I did miss cheese.
7. My food processor proved a worthy investment! (That bia can chop like no one’s business!)
8. Do not so much miss m&m’s and ginger ale. Go me!
All in all, I definitely felt a bit healthier. I do still want to try a juice cleanse though I may wait til I can afford one that’s offered at my yoga studio or Blueprint which I’ve heard good things about. Also, I want to start it on a day off so I can afford to risk being cranky.
Habits I want to maintain?
I really enjoy eating vegetarian. I’m not willing to entirely give up meat per se but I am willing to cut back on it and have chicken/fish maybe once or twice a week at most.
I enjoyed switching my snacks from chocolates and candies to veggies and fruits! I’ve never been much of a fruit eater but I gotta say, I enjoyed packing a mini fruit salad to nosh on throughout the day. I love peanut butter m&m’s as much as the next person but handfuls of grapes are way better for me than handfuls of m&m’s. Not to say I’m giving up chocolate, I’m not.
I’m still exploring dairy options. I’m curious to try things like almond/soy milk mostly. I could never give up my love of ice cream but I did feel healthier cutting back on cheese and dairy so ice cream is going to also become a once/week treat!
Cutting back on pasta also allowed me to be more creative in what I cooked/ate. I love pasta, I really do, but cutting back on it (like once/twice per week as opposed to three-four times per week) is a good thing and will require me to not only be creative, but also eat healthier. Sure pasta is easy, and I don’t have to entirely cut it out but mixing it up instead of pasta, vodka sauce and sausage all the time will certainly be a lot healthier than a meal I could cook with my eyes closed no?
All in all, diets don’t work. Eating healthier, smaller portions and balanced meals does, but the hardest part is always changing habits. I recommend “pre-detoxing” to anyone who wants to change their habits and eating healthier.
