Good Morning!
Been a busy last couple days cooking up recipes for The Plan. It takes me a long time to peel and chop veggies when I have to do it a little at a time. I worked at it Sunday until my back couldn't take any more and my sciatic right leg was icky numb--quit, and continued on yesterday. I made sure I had everything done on Sunday for Monday up till dinner. (Accidentally blended a recipe that didn't need to be blended, but it might go down easier that way, I guess--ROFL!) Now I am pretty much set for a good week with not too much more cooking.
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My frig has never been this packed full! Mostly veggies and nuts!
I've already used up about 7 lbs. of carrots and 14 small zucchinis and 10 heads of broccoli so you can tell what I am mostly eating for the three days of detox...and beyond. I peeled and shredded beets. OMG! My kitchen looked like a scene from Dexter!! This has been quite the experience for me already.
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Yup--started on the program Monday morning. I can tell you right now that this has not been easy for me. The only recipe I really liked was the steamed broccoli (love broccoli, thank goodness). I was very cautious with the alien-to-me spices (like turmeric, cumin and ginger) and I am not used to putting cinnamon in soup, either. This is not bland, comfort-food fare for my Swedish taste buds, that's for sure.
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Well, except for the flax granola--LOL! I'm supposed to eat a cup of that with a half a cup of blueberries and coconut milk in the morning. Yesterday I made 3/4 of a cup with maybe a generous 1/4 cup of blueberries and it took me half an hour to get it down! Never fear, it did not get soggy because flax seed doesn't apparently absorb anything--ROFL! Half a cup and a sprinkling of blueberries went down faster this morning. ;) (I hope it doesn't take me an hour and a half to finish lunch again today.)
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One of the aspects I have found out that is really difficult for me is the not drinking anything with meals--or for 45 minutes before and after meals. So you can't even have water to wash some of this down--LOL! Like romaine, pears, and pumpkin seeds--dry salad is something I have never eaten. Shredded raw beets & carrots and pumpkin seeds--that's it. I really realized how much I am used to having something to drink when I eat AND having something on my food to hold it together and make it go down easier...like salad dressing, butter, sauces. And when a soup is called "creamed" my mouth expects it to be creamy and not just watery-pulverized-spicy veggies. This may be nothing new to many of you, but it is a whole new world for me. A healthier one--true...true. But I will be more than ready to test breads, potatoes, pasta, sauces, dressings. etc...and will be praying mightily they will test okay for me.
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At least she said you can have lemon water--no sweeteners. I remembered these True Lemon packets I bought several years ago that have no sweetener in them. Found them on Amazon and got a big box of them!
Keep a bunch handy in a little bowl.
Makes drinking all that water a lot easier for me.
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I have alarms going off on my cell phone all day long...for meals, when to start drinking water and when to stop. But that part was easier than I thought. (Well, one can be really thirsty after eating a dry dinner and having to wait 45 minutes to drink water--ROFL!) I have to remove my water thermos--keep it away from me--or I will automatically sip. I am reaching over all day long out of habit. I confess--I am a sipper. It's also hard not to drink anything after 8pm. But last night I was so exhausted, sore, and stiff from being on my feet for two days that I was in bed at 9:30pm--LOL!
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Well, the alien foods won't be as alien now today (but there's no looking forward to meals, either). I am surprised I don't have a worse headache from lack of caffeine. Maybe all the water I have to drink during the day is helping with that--who knows? And I did have some tea after dinner last night. So--how did this all go in the end? Well, this morning I was down 1.4 pounds. So the first day was apparently a success. I didn't react badly to anything I ate yesterday, I guess.
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Karma? Well, she was not crazy about the loud Cuisinart shredding and blending for two days or the alarm going off all day or every time she's all comfy-dozing on my lap I boot her off because I have to pee...but she has been really happy that I took the time to cut and tape her up a cat fort from the Amazon box. I haven't done that for a long time. She's in there right now watching me type.
Many of you wanted to know how The Plan is going. There you have it. Harder to eat this food than I thought...for me, anyways. Maybe it will get easier as I go along. If you have any questions just ask. I'm excited for day four when I can have an ounce of dark chocolate for dessert! ;) I'd better test okay for chocolate!
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Caroline comes today. I'd best get moving here. Happy T-Day to all the folks over at Elizabeth's. Lots of lemon water for me right now. ;)
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Wish me luck! I'll keep you posted. :):)
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"Real life isn't always going to be perfect or go our way, but the recurring acknowledgement of what is working in our lives can help us not only to survive but surmount our difficulties."
Sarah Ban Breathnach
31 comments:
i'm hoping this will all be worth it!
I admire your courage to try such a radical diet change and excited to see how it goes for you.
The Plan sounds interesting. I like my veggies but I like them cooked - or at least lightly steamed. I'm wondering if you could use the romain leaf as a wrap, you know put the other veg and seeds inside and roll it up. Might be easier to eat. I will be following along to see how this works for you.
I wish you luck with this extreme diet. I simply could NOT live without my coffee, so I applaud you. I like all those veggies, but like you, I am a sauce junky. I dislike anything dry. My friend Sally made a waldorf salad for a dinner one time, and it was so dry, no one could eat it.
Again, I wish you luck. And, like you, I put lemon in my water. Thanks for sharing this extreme diet for T today.
Best of luck! Thanks for the update. Love Karma's fort. You're going to be a fun grandma :)
You are a brave woman. I love the cat fort.
Love,
Janie
I've not visited you two for a while, not felt like joining WOYWW, too much "stuff" going on.
I don't know what started you off on this, it sounds pretty tough going, and I gather you are paying someone to tell you to eat like this!
I will have to go backwards and find out more now lol.
Love the Kitty Mail box!
Cazzy x
Sorry, Karma stole the show. :-)
I too applaud your efforts, Rita, and I sure hope it all pays off for you. I don't think I could cope not having drinks for 45 minutes before and after meals. I drink my tea/coffee all day long. I LOVE my hot drinks, even in our dreaded summer heat. I've been seriously thinking of going vegan again. As it stands, I'm pretty much vegetarian, only eating a little fish once in a while, so I believe dairy is the culprit for me. Good luck and I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on it all as you progress. xo
Well done you for sticking with it Rita. Personally I think I would be fighting Karma for that box, only I would be eating it! Haa Haa!
Happy Lemon Water day.
Hugs
xx
Those recipes sound good to me, but I love most vegetables and dislike many sauces. I do love chocolate, though, so I would also be looking forward to the fourth day. Well, I guess I'll wish you Happy Lemon Water Day instead of T Day! :)
That sure is an interesting combination of foods. I'm sort of in between dry and a lot of sauce for my taste. I have been adding flax meal to my yogurt & cereal but I'm not sure it is doing anything.
Karma looks like she is content in her fort!
i'm impressed with your effort! i hope the results are worth your trauma. i ran and hid at the word "beets" so i wouldn't fare well with this food plan ;)
I hope it becomes easier for you and that it all works!
Wow Rita, that is some strict diet, I don't know if I cold hold it all together as long as you have. Like Elizabeth, I HAVE to have my coffee in the mornings, and at least a glass of water with a meal.
Good luck with this sweetie!
Happy T-day
Keep up the good work! And Miss Karma looks like she's tolerating it, as long as she has her fort...
Happy T-Day!
I like all those veggies but I do like most of my veggies cooked even if it's just lightly steamed or stir fried. I actually don't put salad dressing in my salad if I have fruits (especially sweet ripe pears) in it. I think in general it's a great idea but I don't think I would be able to stick with it. Good luck with the diet.
Hello! This is a strict diet, hope it gets easier each day for you. I don't drink much but would miss my tea at meal times. Having all those veggies would make me happy, except for the being tired from standing all day.
Good luck and enjoy your lemon water.
Happy T Day a day late!
I naturally eat my meals without water or drinks. It's interesting that this is required for this diet. And whatever do you mean by "testing" for chocolate? Of course it's good for you! Keep it up, Rita. Hope it makes you feel better, too. :-)
I am impressed, Rita. Really and truly impressed. If I had known it would have taken this much preparation, I would have said to hell with it and just not do it. But after seeing what you have done... if you can do it why can't I? You're an inspiration. Hmm. Somebody light a fire under my butt. Wait, not under YOUR butt because after all that broccoli, your butt will burst into flames. Man I am distracted. Oh look, a squirrel!!!!
HEY I miss you, you have been so busy and I am super excited for the baby coming and also these changes you have been making. I hope they really help you. Remember its all about 80/20, 80 percent better and 20 percent not so better, :D
Ginger is an alien spice to you? I use it a lot; works well for both sweet and savory dishes.
If you're struggling with your pears, try stewing them and adding some cinnamon... It helps, believe me. I don't really like pears, but I actually enjoy them stewed with cinnamon (or honey, but you won't be allowed to have that yet). Also, if you test OK for chocolate, adding chocolate to stewed pears makes them taste better too.
I really couldn't handle such a strict diet, nor such a strict routine. I hope it works out for you though, and I really am interested to read about how it goes, so keep us posted.
I hope all your hard work is worth it in the end.
I too, hope it works!!
I have to grind flax seed with a coffee grinder in order to make it digestible. Good stuff for you - but hard to eat!
Oh my goodness! Good luck! You sound very dedicated. :) And I don't think I've ever seen a fridge quite so organized!!!
-andi
I'd like the lemon water. I keep one of the little lemon shaped things with lemon juice in it and just put a squirt in my glass before filling it up.
Sounds like you really have to do a lot of thinking about what you are going to eat and a lot of time preparing. Hoping it works out well for you in the end.
Good luck with your new diet.
I am confused, are you doing the plan to find food allergies or find foods that aggravate your IBS or the inflamation..or all the above. Who recommended The Plan? Sounds like lots of work..beets..LOL:)
That's a lot of work to prep everything. And though it doesn't sound incredibly appetizing, it does sound rather healthy. I hope you find that it's all worthwhile. Best of luck to you, dear Rita.
I'm wondering how you feel now...after you've been on this diet for a few days. Sometimes food doesn't bother you for a few days, and I'm curious if you've had any reactions by now. Hoping all is well, but I'm curious. I could handle lemon water. Not sure about that other stuff. lol
Cats love boxes, and Karma sure loves hers. :)
Wow! I can't wait to hear how this all works out! I would love to do.something like this,but imagine ill have to wait.until it's just Richard and me--hard to imagine getting all five of us to do this!
Sounds like you are doing tons of reorganizing again! (Still?!?) I cant wait until I can start doing stuff around the house again! Well, not laundry or cleaning bathrooms, maybe! But all the rest!
Leah looks great! Ill bet you all are so excited!
Off to check other posts--
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