I Feel so Fresh and CLEAN 3

Our Clean cleanse has come to a close, and as I wrote earlier, I’ve been a bit concerned about our next steps.  During the last week of the cleanse I had two dinners out and wasn’t able,  nor did I make myself follow the rules of the cleanse to the “T”.  I felt immediate differences after ingesting the “contraband” foods – bloating, gas, indigestion, irritability, even a nightmare. So, I continued marinating on how great I’ve been feeling while eating the foods prescribed on the cleanse and while thinking these thoughts, I mindlessly start typing to check out some of my blog regulars and here’s what they had to offer me:

Zen Habits – “A Guide to Eating a Plant Based Diet”

Crazy Sexy Life – “Crazy Sexy Kitchen” book launch, a new book full of vegan, healthy recipes AND a reminder of her e-book offering, “Crazy Sexy Juices and Succulent Smoothies”

D Moms Blog- “Achieving Work Life Balance (Sort Of) with The Gem’s Kale and Quinoa Salad“, an article about how one lunch filled with green goodness made a marked beneficial change in this woman’s day.

I am not kidding, three seemingly unrelated blogs/websites ALL expounding on the benefits of eating a “clean diet”. Pffff.  I get it universe, I get it, I don’t need any more messages from the Internet telling me that this way of eating can be more than an experiment.

After much discussion, my husband and I have decided not to live by any rules or standards or labels other than our own.  Our daily meals may look vegan or raw but that doesn’t mean you’ll never see grilled fish on our table again.  We are leading with health first and foremost but there will certainly be sprinkles of alcohol, sugary sweets, potato chips, etc. during the long and healthy life we are setting ourselves up for!

The details on the cleanse results:

1.  Weight loss – I’m not a scale girl but going by my clothes, I dropped at least a dress size, possibly a dress size an a half.  And remember weight loss was NOT a goal, I was packing in the calories.

2.  Energy surge – The energy I experienced from day 3 through the end to day 21 was incredible!  No afternoon dips, no groggy mornings, a steady flow all day that thankfully released me in time for bed.  I did notice a decrease in the amount of sleep needed the last week (about 6-7 hours, vs. my typical 8-9)

3.  Glow-y soft skin and bright eyes – “Did you change your make-up?”, “Did you get a facial?”, “You look so shiny and happy”, these are actual comments directed my way from unpaid individuals.

4.  Clarity of mind and overall feeling of lightness – Life seemed easier, removing some of the distractions that I now know food causes in my life was a completely unexpected insight and benefit.

We will certainly be repeating this experience, maybe in 6 months, maybe a year….I’ll let you know!

P.S. Here’s the recipe for the “Beeting Beauty” pictured at top:

2 beets

5 carrots

1/2 cup mint leaves

1/2 lemon (peel removed)

1 apple

Feed everything through a juicer.

P.P.S.  I only name my FAVORITE drink creations….. just thought you should know.