I can’t adequately describe just how much I’d like to eat a Cuban sandwich right now. I simply don’t have the words. Nor can I explain the depth of yearning that I had last night for an ice cream cone. You see, I have a problem with food. I don’t just love it, I’m irrevocably obsessed with it. Though I do try very hard to eat a healthy diet, I am a weak, yellow bellied woman, and when someone hands me a cookie… well, what do you suppose I do? I eat the damn thing. And I like it.
Nevertheless, I am adult enough to realize when I’ve gone too far. Ever since Thanksgiving I feel like I’ve been eating my way out of a gingerbread fortress. After all of that sugar, those mountains of salty snacks, and rich meals I know that my body could use a break. It needs to reset, to wipe the slate, to cleanse.
So that’s what I’m doing, despite the better judgement of my cookie receptors. I’m (more or less) following the 21 Day Action Plan on Whole Living. It’s a 3 week plan (or 4, if you are some kind of masochist) that strips your diet down to a bare bones series of smoothies, juices, and vegetable based meals, and then adds a few things back every week. I’m on week one, and have been since January second. That means no grains, no meat, no dairy, no beans, no alcohol, no nothing. I’m pretty hungry, but I keep telling myself that the fearsome growls of my stomach are just the sounds of my body ripping apart intruders like a ferocious lady tiger. Take that, toxins!
During this cleanse I have become very grateful for knowing how to cook. I can’t imagine how awful this would be if I couldn’t. In fact, the meals I’ve been making really aren’t bad at all. I’m just a big baby, and I’m not used to eating such a restricted diet. I think the thing I really miss is grain. I would kill for a bowl of rice. But enough pining! On to the food. These are some “favorites” (using the term quite liberally) from the cleanse so far.
This is Kale Slaw, a mixture of shredded red cabbage, kale, carrots, and seeds in a mustard vinaigrette. It was crunchy, tangy, and pretty satisfying, really. I added a little bit of raw sauerkraut to the mixture, which gave it an extra zip that I felt it needed. Visit Whole Living for the recipe.
Here we have some Spiced Butternut Squash and Apple Soup. I used the Whole Living Recipe as inspiration for this soup, but instead of sauteing the fruit and vegetables, I roasted them. I also switched out their selection of spices for my own blend of yellow curry, fresh ginger, and red pepper flakes. I’ve been eating this for days, topping it with a different veggie each time. So far, my favorites were steamed broccoli and crispy roasted cauliflower.
There has also been a parade of smoothies and juices greeting me every morning. Most are not pretty enough to photograph, and the recipes are certainly healthful, but not all that delicious. I’ll let you know if I make any improvements on them. Happy January, everyone! Eat something yummy for me.
Recipes:
- Kale Slaw With Red Cabbage & Carrots
- Spiced Butternut Squash & Apple Soup
- Crispy Roasted Cauliflower