January Detox Summary

I feel great, I look great (down 5 lbs!) and really just missed a little chocolate and wine by the end. I want to try to stick with it (as I feel gross after breaking the detox last night), so I'm going to continue to record the things that AREN'T detox worthy to ensure moderation!

Day 30 ~ Monday, January 31st LAST DAY!!!

Breakfast (6AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk

Inhale a coffee before running out the door!

Snack (1030AM):
apple

Super busy this morning!

Lunch (1PM):
salad w/ chicken & beans

Very filling!!

Snack (3PM):
pineapple

Getting hungry... not sure I can make it. I only have a clementine until dinner and I really don't want a clementine!

Dinner (8PM):
1 1/2 glass of wine
2oz cheese w/ couple of crackers
prosciutto
salami
1/2 cheeseburger
fries
polenta sticks
bean dip
1/2 lindt truffle
2 weight watchers mini bars

Feel like crap.

Day 29 ~ Sunday, January 30th

TWO MORE DAYS!!!!!!

Breakfast (8AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk
kiwi
eggs w/ scallions & green peppers

Yummy breakfast, but I'd like a piece of wheat toast. TK wanted a crumpet. We have some in the freezer...

Snack 1 (10AM):
Terra chips
dried mangos

Hungry while doing nothing on a lazy Sunday.

Snack 2 (11AM):
popcorn

Still hungry.

Lunch (230PM):
chicken w/ sauteed onions & pine nuts & bread (only a bite!)
hummus
baba ghannooj
tabbouleh
salad w/ tomato, cucumber & parsley, fresh garlic-sesame dressing
salad w/ cucumber, tomato, scallion, crisped pita, pomegranate vinaigrette
lamb & vegetable kabob

LOTS of food!!! Soooo full. I don't think I should eat for the rest of the day!

...And I didn't!

Day 28 ~ Saturday, January 29th

THREE MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Breakfast (730AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk
couple nuts
pineapple / orange / almond milk smoothie

Lunch (11AM):
chicken salad
bite of baked sweet potato

I know it's early, but I was hungry after a long walk with Baci.

Snack (1PM):
baked sweet potato
Terra chips
nuts

I couldn't go to the gym hungry...

Dinner (630PM):
french onion soup - only a bite of cheese
trout w/ string beans

Went out to dinner and a movie. It's ironic how French food is usually my least fave because it's so heavy, but on this diet. French food is the easiest to eat (sans butter, though!) I actually ALMOST ordered a glass of wine. It's close enough to the end of the detox, it was cold, we were eating French food... How perfect would a nice glass of red wine be? But, it's only 2 more days. I can do it!

Day 27 ~ Friday, January 28th

Breakfast (6AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk
blueberry / banana / almond milk smoothie

Something in the tummy before the gym!

Snack (9AM):
2 clementines
2 kiwis

No idea how I'm going to make it to lunch!

Lunch (12PM):
chicken lettuce wraps
tom yum soup (spicy mushroom in tomato broth)

I was BLINDINGLY hungry by the time I got to lunch. There wasn't a ton on the menu I could get, but I really love this soup. I usually get dumplings to go with it, but the sorry looking lettuce wraps had to do. I'm still thinking about food and only have 2 jellos left in my weekly stash. No applesauce! :(

Snack (3PM)
2 jellos

Hungry!

Dinner (7PM)
sparkling water
lemonade
veggie basket w/ dipping sauce
eggplant w/ tofu & marinara sauce
seitan w/ peanut sauce
piece of gluten free, whole grain bread!!!
pineapple

We went to a vegan restaurant for dinner. Lots of bread products on the menu that we had to avoid, though. I liked the eggplant, but everything else was meh. That's why I went for the bread - but it was healthy bread! At least it wasn't a cookie or a burger!

Day 26 ~ Thursday, January 27th

Breakfast (7AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk
omelet w/ green peppers

Nice breakfast at home with TK!

Snack 1 (9AM):
banana

I'm dying. Listening to Wendy's/Arby's analyst day. Want burger. NOW! At least I didn't physically go to the meeting! Worried about lunch today. I didn't bring anything, so I'll have to get a salad. But I don't want a salad! Maybe a soup from Au Bon Pain...

Snack 2 (1030AM):
tea

Still listening to that darn call. I hate being a restaurant analyst sometimes.

Lunch (1130AM):
salad w/ chicken, hummus, baba ganoush, eggplant, veggies
crystal lite

Went to Roti for lunch. I gave away the warm pita that came with the salad. It broke my heart. Still wish I had a Wendy's premium cheeseburger w/ fries. Nicely full now, though.

Snack 3 (4PM):
applesauce

I was really hungry, but amazingly this filled me up!

Snack 4 (5PM):
pineapple

Not that hungry, but I had it at my desk and it looked good!

Snack 5 (630PM):
nuts
Terra chips
prunes
dried cherries

Went a little crazy while I was cooking...

Dinner (730PM):
chicken
sweet potatoes
asparagus
sparkling water w/ cherry juice

Yummy dinner that I just threw together!

Day 25 ~ Wednesday, January 26th

Breakfast 1 (630AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk

Quick coffee before leaving for work!

Breakfast 2 (9AM):
banana
clementine

Getting hungry, not sure how long this will last me. Lunch will be big (Smith & Wollensky's!), but that's 2 1/2 hrs away!

Snack 1 (930AM):
tea

Still hungry, so trying to do tea. If I'm still hungry at 1030, I'll go grab my applesauce from the kitchen.

Lunch (12PM):
tuna
sauteed spinach
butternut squash
mushrooms
seltzer

I made it through from the tea til lunch. I really didn't love the tuna I had. I just wasn't feeling it. Bummer. The butternuts squash was great and soooo filling!

Dinner (630PM):
Terra chips
tea
pineapple
prune

I was STARVING whan I got home after running around all afternoon. Bad news. I thought there was some chicken leftover, but apparently TK ate more than a half of a chicken last night. I inhaled a ton of terra chips, and felt gross. The ones I ate were different from last night, so I liked them.

Day 24 ~ Tuesday, January 25th

Breakfast 1 (630AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk

Coffee before gym!

Breakfast 2 (9AM):
banana

I'm so predictable...

Snack 1 (1030AM):
kiwi

Not very filling but it held me over til lunch.

Lunch (12PM):
quinoa salad

This won't hold me for very long...

Snack 2 (4PM):
Naked juice

I almost broke down. I had a very stressful day, was hungry from my light lunch. I found my car turning into a McDonald's parking lot. Oh no. I don't even LIKE McDonald's very much. But I did see an ad for new chicken nuggets w/ spicy chili sauce... They're not as bad as a burger... But no, luckily, there was a mini-mart attached to the McDonald's and I got a juice instead.

Snack 3 (530PM):
sweet potato Terra chips

Still reeling from my day, I wanted something "bad", but within the detox. I decided on getting a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket, but on the way, I saw these chips. All within the detox - and chips! Why hadn't I found these before? Actually, I don't really like chips, and I really don't like these. What am I going to do with the 3 bags I just bought?

Dinner (630PM):
rotisserie chicken
dried cherries
seltzer

Yummy. Poor Baci was dying for some. I feel satisfied. Pizza? What pizza? Wine and chocolate would go well about now.

Day 23 ~ Monday, January 24th

Breakfast 1 (6AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk

No time for food before the gym!

Breakfast 2 (930AM):
pineapple

Switching it up from the usual banana.

Snack 1 (1230):
banana

Running around today, so late lunch.

Lunch (2PM):
quinoa salad
pineapple

Leftovers from last night - I really need to add more veggies, but quinoa is sooo filling!

Dinner (8PM):
stir-fry veggies & tofu noodles
sparkling water / apple cider

TK made a great dinner. We tried these tofu noodles that were great! I mixed seltzer and cider for a yummy drink, too!

Day 22 ~ Sunday, January 23rd

Breakfast (8AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk
banana / blueberry / almond milk smoothie

Quick breakfast before taking Baci out for a long walk.

Lunch (1PM)
spinach / apple / cucumber / lemon / parsley juice
dried fruit
nuts
pineapple
clementine

Hungry and snacking on lotsa stuff.

Snack (530PM):
prunes

Need something while cooking dinner!

Dinner (7PM):
elderflower sparkling water
salad
quinoa
tilapia w/ corn & chili powder sauce (Ecuadorian recipe)
pineapple

Very full now. I needed that. Dinner was great! Again, miss chocolate, though!

Day 21 ~ Saturday, January 22nd

Breakfast (8AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk
smoothie w/ banana, strawberries, blueberries & almond milk

Cold, snowy morning, loving my smoothie and coffee, watching TV if front of the fire, cuddled up between my husband and puppy!

Lunch (11AM):
egg salad
snapple diet iced tea

Early lunch because I don't want to be hungry at the gym.

Snack 1 (430PM):
smart pop kettle corn

Too early for dinner and I needed a snack.

Dinner (630PM):
sparkling cider w/ a splash of cherry juice
mustard glazed salmon
spicy scallops
grilled veggies

I'm getting creative with the drinks! Dinner was yummy and filling. Bread - what bread? I would loooovvveee a little piece of chocolate. I feel like I've written that before...

Day 20 ~ Friday, January 21st

Breakfast 1 (730AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk

Not really hungry yet.

Breakfast 2 (930AM):
banana

Now I'm hungry!

Snack 1 (1130AM):
apple

I really want to make something for lunch, but Baci is begging for a walk, so my furry best friend takes priority. I would typically grab some crackers, a granola bar or a handful of cereal now, but I get an apple instead. It's not as convenient, takes longer to eat, but is just as satisfying - perhaps even more so - and it's healthier!

Lunch (1PM):
chicken & lentils
snapple diet iced tea

Still yummy, but getting sick of it. Now I remember why I only make this once a year or so - I always make too much!

Snack 2 (4PM):
jello

I should really eat more before dinner so I'm not starving, but I'm not that hungry.

Dinner (8PM):
non-alcoholic beer
zucchini fritter
greek salad (w/o the feta)
chicken
pork tenderloin
lamb sausage

Out at a set menu dinner - the zucchini fritter was kind of a no-no. I think it had potato in it and was probably fried. I split it w/ TK, though. I ventured out for non-alcoholic beer. Tastes exactly like the real thing! Wonder what non-alcoholic wine is like...

With only 10 days left, I can honestly say that I don't miss bread and flour products at all! The only things I long for is a TINY piece of chocolate and a couple sips of good vino.

Day 19 ~ Thursday, January 20th

Snack 1 (1230PM):
saltines
ritz
graham crackers
apple juice

All off the detox, but the hospital made me. I also couldn't eat all day until I had my dr appt, so there.

Snack 2 (430PM)
nuts
diet snapple
apple
applesauce

Finally hungry, snacks to tide me over til dinner.

Dinner (630PM)
chicken
spaghetti squash
cauliflower

TK made dinner. He's usually a great cook, but I didn't love the tomato sauce he made for the squash. I'll have to cook that again and do something different with it.

Snack 3 (8PM)
mango smoothie w/ honey & almond milk

I really needed something after that less than satisfying dinner, and wanted it to be sweet! This smoothie really hit the spot. The mango wasn't quite ripe yet, but the almond milk and honey made it yummy!

Day 18 ~ Wednesday, January 19th

Breakfast 1 (6AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk

Quick coffee before the gym!

Breakfast 2 (9AM):
banana

Love bananas for breakfast, but this one was starting to go bad. Boo!

Snack 1 (11AM):
apple

Little snack before lunch - this apple has a bad spot! What's up with me and fruit today?

Lunch (12PM):
egg salad
jello

Yummy and filling, but I only have applesauce and a tangerine to last me til the end of the day - yikes!

Snack 2 (1PM):
applesauce - no sugar added

Uh oh... It's going to be a long afternoon!

Snack 3 (2PM):
tangerine

I hate messy food that's hard to eat! Looks like I'll be running out for a banana later. Maybe nuts... Or a coffee? But it's so cold!

Dinner (630PM):
chicken & lentils
nuts
almond milk

Dinner was yummy, but tonight was one of those nights that I needed comfort food like a burgie, cupcake and some wine. Nuts and the kinda sweet almond milk were my way of treating myself. Boo no sugar diet!

Day 17 ~ Tuesday, January 18th

Breakfast (630AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk

Quick coffee before the gym

Snack 1 (930AM):
banana

Snack, late breakfast... whatever. Got caught up with work and forgot.

Lunch (12PM):
egg salad (same as yesterday)
applesauce - no sugar added

This egg salad did not fill me up as much as yesterday's. Probably because I had more to eat before lunch yesterday. Hopefully the addition of the applesauce will do the trick so I don't have to dig into my grapes until the late afternoon.

Snack 2 (3PM):
grapes

Just got out of a meeting and am STARVING!

Snack 3 (7PM):
carrots and celery
banana
mango juice

We had tickets to a dinner theater with a set menu and I was concerned we wouldn't be able to eat anything, so TK brought snacks.

Dinner (8PM):
salad
chicken
mashed potatoes

As expected, dinner was tough. I was hungry and HAD to eat the mashed potatoes. I know, I know, but it's not like it was a roll or a cookie. Besides, I give myself credit for not ordering a drink. This dinner show was TERRIBLE! It might have been good after a bottle of wine!

Day 16 ~ Monday, January 17th

Breakfast (730AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk
smoothie w/ banana, strawberries, blueberries & almond milk

Quick pre-workout snack!

Snack 1 (10AM):
banana

Really want more, but maybe I'm dehydrated from the long run, so I'll grab water. Lunch is close, anyway!

Snack 2 (1130AM):
apple
nuts

Little snack as my eggs are boiling for egg salad!

Lunch (1230PM):
egg salad

Really yummy! Mixed in some scallions & cole slaw mix! Very full now.

Snack 3 (2PM):
applesauce

Would love a granola bar...

Snack 4 (430PM)
nuts

More nuts... my nemesis!

Dinner (7PM):
chicken & lentil salad

So hungry, not waiting for TK! The dressing on this salad is addictive - thank goodness it's filling!

Day 15 ~ Sunday, January 16th

Breakfast (730PM):
soy latte
blueberry smoothie
omelet w/ broccoli, red pepper & mushroom
bacon
fruit

Loove room service!

Lunch (1230PM):
stone crab claws w/ mustard
lobster & shrimp cocktail
king crab claw
shrimp & scallop ceviche

mmm! Lunch at Joe's stone crab! LOVE IT! Crab claws are suuupppper yummy!

Snack (5PM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk
banana

Need a pre-dinner snack so I don't go crazy. Headed to a steak house w/ a friend and her parents!

Dinner (730):
seltzer w/ pineapple juice
tuna tartare
grilled calamari
sea bass w/ veggies
bites of TK's pork chop

This was hard. Dinner was yummy and all, but red wine was flowing and I bitterly drank my soda water. Plus, at the end, a brownie sundae was passed around. *sigh*

Day 14 ~ Saturday, January 15th

Breakfast (8AM):
grande soy latte
banana
omelet w/ spinach, mushroom, tomato & onions w/ a TINY bit of ketchup
cantaloupe

Not a great breakfast at a diner. I cheated and had a little ketchup - the omelet wasn't very good. I also would have loved some wheat toast.

Lunch (12PM):
coconut water
chicken salad
butternut squash

Nice and filling lunch, probably lotsa calories, but oh well! I ran 4 miles today!

Snack (5PM):
clementine

Pre-dinner snack

Dinner (7PM)
oysters
tuna sashimi
grilled calamari salad
duck confit

Dinner at the hotel - all small plates. We were pretty limited by the menu. Lotsa red meat. I missed wine, too. The food we had was very good, but it wasn't enough - I was HUNGRY!

Day 13 ~ Friday, January 14th

Breakfast (730AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk
spinach blueberry juice w/ almond milk

Quick breakfast before I head out for the day!

Lunch (12PM):
tomato soup
roasted chicken
bites of TK's fish
IZZE blueberry soda

Not a very good lunch. I would have preferred a sandwich. TK and I got the only 2 things on the menu we could eat that wasn't salad.

Snack (2PM):
diet snapple

I gotta drink more of this since I'm not drinking!

Snack (3PM):
tall soy latte

Dinner (6PM):
seltzer w/ lime
wok seared monkfish
tuna tartare
chili shrimp
eggplant

Dinner at one of my fave restaurants, Le Colonial - super vegan friendly. Not that I'm doing a vegan diet, but the no dairy thing is best explained that way sometimes... It's also a good way to know you're not eating any hidden butter when you go out. I really missed not having wine, but the food was great. I also would have liked dessert.

Day 12 ~ Thursday, January 13th

Breakfast 1 (630AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk

Need coffee before the gym!

Breakfast 2 (830AM):
"refrigerator" juice

(See yesterday's post)

Snack 1 (1030AM):
clementine

Hungry...

Snack 2 (1130AM):
kiwi
clementine

I'm going out to dinner tonight, so I'll just be eating little things all day...

Lunch (1PM):
"refrigerator" juice

(See yesterday's post) I like juicing. Such an easy way to eat and get fruits & veggies!

Snack 3 (3PM)
applesauce

mmm

Snack 4 (6PM)
salad w/ balsamic vinaigrette

I meant to have this for lunch, but got full from juicing!

Dinner (730PM)
spicy edamame
quinoa salad
spinach salad
cauliflower
tamale
sweet potato pancake
apple/spinach/cucumber juice
seltzer
diet coke

Out to dinner at my fave vegetarian place. Super yummy, but my 2 fave things on the menu are a brown rice and mushroom slider and mushroom saute over cheesy polenta. *sigh* Would have loved a TINY sip of wine...

Day 11 ~ Wednesday, January 12th

Breakfast (730AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk
smoothie w/ banana, blueberries, almond milk & ice

I was lying in bed this morning dreaming of a bowl of cereal w/ milk - how pathetic is that? TK said he dreamed about bagels. The smoothie was really good - even TK who claims he hates almond milk liked it! Take that, yogurt!

Snack 1 (10AM):
quinoa salad from last night

I always get hungry when I have a deadline! I would have liked a banana, but TK took the last one to work.

Snack 2 (1130AM):
nuts
tea

Really want a granola bar or sandwich

Snack 3 (1PM):
hard-boiled egg

I should really have made a proper lunch, but I'm past my deadline for work!!

Snack 4 (3PM):
smart pop popcorn

Corn is a grain, I guess, huh...

Dinner (730PM):
"refrigerator juice"

I really didn't feel like cooking anything and I'm going to be away this weekend, so I threw every fruit and veggie in the house in my juicer! It was pretty good! A piece of chocolate would be nice about now, though...

Day 10 ~ Tuesday, January 11th

Breakfast (8AM):
Starbucks grande soy latte
banana

Late start today...

Lunch (12PM):
chicken salad

Busy morning so no snacks. I had sort of a rich lunch, but I really didn't want salad or soup.

Snack 1 (430PM):
clementine
strawberry applesauce - no sugar added

Pre-gym snack!

Snack 2 (730PM):
banana

Need something while cooking dinner!

Dinner (830PM):
Trinidadian chicken stew w/ tomatoes
citrus quinoa salad w/ honey vinaigrette
pomegranate sparkling water

I was sooo hungry after the gym. I was very cranky. Poor TK couldn't even talk to me after my food digested. I think I was a little dehydrated, too.

Day 9 ~ Monday, January 10th

Breakfast (730AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk
watermelon lemonade
cantaloupe
zero calorie vitamin water
hard boiled egg

Monday, Monday. Took today off the gym (1st day in 2 weeks!) so I slept in a bit. Random mix of stuff TK laid out for breakfast, hoping this coffee kicks in soon!

Lunch (1PM):
salad: lettuce, cabbage, green pepper, carrot, chicken & toasted almonds & sesame seeds w/ an oil / soy sauce / rice wine vinegar dressing
strawberry applesauce (no sugar added)
crystal light

Same salad I made Saturday. I was STARVING! I was too lazy earlier to go downstairs to the kitchen where I stored all my snacks, so no morning snack, plus I had a meeting around lunchtime, so lunch was a bit later. But, I wasn't so hungry that I wanted to go off the diet.

At this point, it's more annoyance that my food choices are limited. Also, I'm annoyed at all the conflicting research on dairy. On the one hand, I know you can get all your nutrients from other foods (ie spinach for calcium) and all the other many vegan arguments out there. But on the other (more compelling) hand are the tons of nutritionists, doctors, etc from Weight Watchers to Runners World who tout dairy being a critical factor of both weight loss and weight maintenance. Hmmm... Why hasn't this study been done on bread or wine? Dairy isn't the food I've cut out that I miss, but it is the one I'm most looking forward to adding back in my diet, for only health reasons.

Snack 1 (230PM):
banana
jell-o (sugar free)

Hungry again, and I question how long this snack will keep me full.

Snack 2 (430PM):
grapes

Yay for my fave snack! This should keep me happy til dinner.

Snack 3 (6PM):
2 clementines

Going home hungry is never a good idea!

Snack 4 (7PM):
3 eggs
1 pc turkey
1 pc chicken
banana

TK was going to be later tonight and I was really hungry. I was hungry and it wasn't pretty!

Dinner (8PM)
shrimp w/ scallions & broccoli in chili sesame oil
lime seltzer

Pretty good, but it would be better over brown rice. With a beer.

Day 8 ~ Sunday, January 9th

Breakfast (9AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk
sweet potato hash w/ turkey, mushrooms & onion
clementine

TK was sick of eggs, so he made some hash browns. I made him not overload them w/ oil and they weren't that good. I'm not that hungry before the gym anyway - I'm going to the new juice bar on Damen after!

Lunch (12PM):
1/2 of the following 3 juices (shared w/ a friend)
Winter Cure: carrot, orange, apple, ginger
Limelight: kale, cucumber, parsley, lime, green apple
Wolverine: spinach, blueberry, fat free plain YOGURT

So, that last word... Yes, it's a dairy product. I did "cheat" - but by accident! The menu said it was made with almond milk, but the board said yogurt (which I didn't see til later). The place just opened and is obviously still working out the kinks. I guess if I'm going to cheat, cheating by having fat free plain yogurt isn't that bad!

Snack (3PM):
nuts (only a couple!)

Hungry while out shopping. I saw a pepperoni pretzel at an Aunt Annie's that looked so wrong, but so right.

Dinner (7PM):
hummus w/ veggies
tilapia w/ veggies
bites of TK's BBQ salmon

Dinner w/ friends. I was kind of feeling cranky and would have loved a glass of wine, but oh well!

Day 7 ~ Saturday, January 8th

Breakfast (10AM):
tea
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk
2 eggs w/ broccoli & spinach
couple of nuts

Slept in (unusual), so late breakfast. Had only a COUPLE nuts while the eggs were cooking. I really liked it, but would have loved a piece of toast. Headed to gym in a bit!

Snack 1 (12PM)
freshly made watermelon lemonade

I blended the juice from a lemon and 1/4 watermelon for a pre-gym snack - yum!!

"Lunch" (3PM):
salad: lettuce, cabbage, green pepper, carrot, chicken & toasted almonds & sesame seeds w/ an oil / soy sauce / rice wine vinegar dressing

Such a late start means a late lunch after the gym. This was yummy and I don't really love salads that much! This would be great to bring to work. Hopefully it will keep me full so I'm not tempted at the bday dinner at a Cuban restaurant tonight!

Snack 2 (5PM):
banana
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk

Dinner was moved back a half hour, need more food!

Dinner (930PM):
shrimp
black beans
plantains
plantain chips
tea (at home before bed(

The biggest challenge yet: dinner for a friend’s bday at a BYO Cuban restaurant. The menu wasn’t hard to navigate – just no ropa vieja (yum) and no rice. I wanted to try the empanadas so badly, though! But, the no booze wasn't so bad, it's just that you don't usually want to stay out late unless you're drinking.

Day 6 ~ Friday, January 7th

Breakfast 1 (7AM):
grande sugar-free vanilla soy latte (SBUX)
banana

Early morning gym, so no time for coffee at home.

Snack 1 (11AM):
applesauce
jello

Grabbing lunch with a friend (a salad place) close to noon and I don't want to be starving when I get there!

Lunch (12PM):
quinoa w/ chicken, cucumber, tomato, cilantro, edamame, celery w/ a little lemon juice and olive oil

I THOUGHT I was going to get a salad, but then saw that this place does "bowls" w/ quinoa! So much more filling than a salad! I would have loved a piece of the free pita, but felt ok!

Snack 2 (5PM):
tea

I left work early - amazing how I'm not hungry when I'm not at work!

Dinner (8PM):
balsamic & strawberry salad
tuna w/ chipotle sauce
quinoa salad
sauteed spinach
elderflower sparking water
baked apple w/ cinnamon
tea

Had friends over for dinner that are on the no drinking / no unhealthy food, too - soo good! There was alot of food!

Day 5 ~ Thursday, January 6th

Breakfast 1 (6AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar and almond milk

Yoga time!

Breakfast 2 (730AM):
banana

I'm not going to lie - I really wish I could magically transform this banana into an egg sandwich. I should have had an egg at home.

Snack 1 (830AM):
V8

"Keeping my diet straight" (or so says the ads)

Snack 2 (930AM)
2 clementines

This could be a long morning...

Lunch (1130PM):
chicken tortilla soup (no tortilla)
jell-o
strawberry applesauce - no sugar added

YAY for lunchtime! Yummy, spicy soup! I figured I'd eat all my snacks now to try to fill myself up! And I am DEFINITELY full! Very happy now! Who needs bread??? I still have an apple and another clementine for later - plus I have more soup if I want...

Snack 3 (4PM):
clementine
tea

STAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRVVVVVIIIIIIINGGGGGG! Tea usually does do the trick, though.

Dinner (7PM):
chicken jalfrezzi
cauliflower
chick peas

I had a groupon for India House that expires this Sat. I really liked what we ordered - I'm sure there was some butter in it or something, but I stayed away from cream sauces, bread, rice, beer and potatoes, so I feel like I did well. I REALLY missed the naan and beer, though - especially with the spicy food.

Day 4 ~ Wednesday, January 5th

Breakfast (630AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar and almond milk
banana

Headed to the gym!

Snack 1 (930AM):
grapes

Love, love, love grapes!

Tougher workout this morning. I've been easing into it, but I'm back to running 5k at a clip. It was difficult, though! Tummy is growling, but I don't feel cranky. I though for sure the pictures of bagels on my company's plasma screens would set me off (it's Bagel Wednesday at work), but they didn't! I didn't even want to punch the girl in the elevator carrying a bagel w/ cream cheese!

Lunch (1230PM):
Salad w/ grilled chicken, 1/4 avocado, an egg, tomatoes & cucumber w/ balsamic vinegar

My first restaurant challenge! Lunch w/ coworkers... mostly guys, so the table was filled with burgers and fries. While I could have gone for a 2nd salad, I wasn't craving their food. It was definitely more mental - you always want what you can't have!

Snack (330PM):
quinoa salad

Leftovers from Monday! Yummy! There was alot, but at least I don't feel gross after my nut binge yesterday.


Dinner (730PM):
chipotle glazed chicken w/ sweet potatoes
tea

Yummy leftovers! I'd really like a little piece of chocolate. I'll have some tea instead!

Day 3 ~ Tuesday, January 4th

Breakfast 1 (6AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar and almond milk

Wasn't hungry before the gym - probably thanks to the quinoa last night.

Breakfast 2 (8AM):
banana
clementine

Sometimes just a banana cuts it. Wonder how long it will be before I go for the nuts...

Snack 1 (9AM):
Nuts (2 oz)

Fire drill at work! My model blew up! Stress!! ARGH! More than half the can gone now! 5 or 6 servings of nuts in 3 days (and the day isn’t even over yet!) I guess nuts are better than cookies, but I had to look it up – here’s 3 oreos versus 1 oz (18) nuts:

Oreo / Nuts / Analysis
Calories 160 / 170 / Same
Fat 7g / 15g / Whoa! I’ll take those oreos, thanks
Sodium 190mg / 50mg / Surprising – the nuts are lightly salted
Carbs 25g / 7g / OK, nuts win here
Fiber 1g / 2g / And here
Sugars 14g / 1g / DEFINITELY here
Protein 2g / 5g / Nuts again

Winner: Nuts – I guess. They are more healthy and will probably keep you full longer, but I find oreos pretty darn satisfying.

Lunch (1PM):
chicken tortilla soup (no tortilla)
blueberry applesauce – no sugar added

MMM! Definitely made me forget about the guy in the elevator with Chinese food

Snack 2 (315PM)
2 clementines

There's an oatmeal packet in my desk drawer calling my name! Must not answer!

Snack 3 (530PM)
NUT ABUSE

No more nuts for the rest of the week. This is getting out of hand. Working a bit later, so dinner wont be til almost 8PM. I will bring an egg - maybe make a little egg salad - and eat extra protein at lunch. I'm going out w/ work people for lunch so a nice chicken salad should fill me up. And I'll have more fruit. My 2 cups of grapes saved me yesterday. Screw my co-worker who says they're high on the glycemic index! No one ever gained weight from eating too many grapes!

Dinner (8PM):
chipotle glazed chicken w/ sweet potatoes
elderflower sparkling water

Super yummy, but I didn't eat much because I was full from those darn nuts!

Day 2 ~ Monday, January 3rd

Breakfast (6AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar and almond milk
hard-boiled egg w/ salt & pepper & siracha
strawberry

Again, breakfast is easy. I'm armed with fruit, so I should be ok until lunch. But I'm worried about the late afternoon when I'm sick of fruit!

Snack 1 (830AM):
banana

After the gym, I realized I was hungry as I settled into work. Fruit can do the trick here.

Snack 2 (10AM):
nuts

Hungry after my morning meeting. Already sick of fruit - so much for until after lunch! This is exactly when I'd go for a granola bar - or a cookie if one is around. I go for the nuts, but fear I'm abusing them. About a third of the can is already gone and I just opened them yesterday! YIKES!

Snack 3 (1030AM):
soy cappuccino w/ cinnamon and splenda

I know I said I don't drink that much coffee, but I was meeting someone at the coffee place and I HATE the tea there - always too hot! I almost ordered skim before I remembered no dairy!

Lunch (1PM):
chicken tortilla soup (no tortilla)
jell-o

Definitely feeling warm and fuzzy - not in a good way! Lunch was yummy, though. We'll see how long before I'm hungry again...

Snack 4 (3PM):
grapes
crystal light

Sleepy. Need a nap...

Snack 5 (530PM):
applesauce (no sugar added)

I don't want to kill anyone on my way home. Making tilapia and quinoa salad for dinner, but TK won't be home til at least 730... Let's see if I can wait for him!

Dinner (730PM):
tilapia w/ salt, pepper, cumin, coriander & cilantro
quinoa salad with olive oil, lemon juice, parsley & cilantro
sauteed spinach w/ garlic
water w/ lemon (in a wine glass)
tea

I distracted myself with US Weekly in bed (away from the kitchen) so I didn't eat before TK came home. Dinner was SUPER yummy. I can't believe I've never been into quinoa before! I'll add some lime or pineapple or mango to the tilapia next time I make this. I'd love a piece of chocolate right now. Or a glass of Bailey's. I'll try vanilla tea instead...

Day 1 ~ Sunday, January 2nd

Intro(The long version):

A few months ago, my acupuncturist handed me a sheet of paper with some detox cleanse on it. No special juices or herbs, just restricting your diet - big time. No booze, caffeine, dairy, red meat, sugar and carbs. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Maybe I could do ONE of those things, maybe even two, but ALL??? No way. I kept the papers but shuffled them away.

Later, my reflexologist (I realize these two paragraphs make me sound like a hippy, but I'm not) suggested to cut out dairy. I'm sort of lactose intolerant, so it wouldn't be TOO bad, but I really believe yogurt and cereal are part of a good diet. Plus, I love milk in my coffee.

The thing that tipped me over was a staffer in one of my health magazines saying she did this cleanse for a month. A month. Hmm... I could do that. The woman in the article seemed like me - she loved her wine and bread, but was relatively health conscious. She said it was hard, but do-able.

Supportive as ever, my husband agreed to do it with me. I made a promise to him to stick with it - and if you can't make a commitment to your spouse, who can you make one to? It probably would have been nearly impossible to do if he was drinking wine and eating pasta in front of me.

I also have a friend who did this last January - and actually continued it through February - and is doing it again. But, she has more discipline than anyone I've ever known. Still, it helps to know someone else doing it.

So, this morning, I woke up and filled TWO LARGE Bloomie's bags with everything on the "no" list from the cubbard - cereal, soup with sugar in it, breadcrumbs, crackers... Let's see how the month goes!

Breakfast (9AM):
coffee w/ agave nectar & almond milk
egg with broccoli & green pepper (plus hot sauce)
cantaloupe

The day started off great! But, then again, this breakfast isn't much different than a typical weekend breakfast for me. Maybe sometimes I have a piece of toast, but basically the same.

Lunch (12PM):
2 hard boiled eggs w/ yellow mustard, paprika & cayenne pepper

I got back from the gym, hadn't really planned for lunch and was stuck for something quick-ish. This is usually when I'd grab some crackers, hummus & pita, a bowl of cereal, or a peanut butter sandwich. I was full, but it wasn't long until I was hungry again...

Snack (2PM):
2 dried plums
handful of mixed nuts (almonds, cashews and macadamia)
small strawberry whirl (all fruit) Jamba Juice

Food shopping is stressful enough - but being hungry and struggling for what to snack on was tough! I'd usually go for a granola bar, or a little sandwich. I got full, but I was kinda cranky when TK got home. I blame lack of bread.

Dinner (730PM):
salmon with agave nectar and citrus salsa
broccoli side
mashed sweet potatoes
elderflower flavored sparking water (over ice in a wine glass - tastes like a St. Germain cocktail!)

Dinner isn't always carb-y, so I'm ok - better than the afternoon, but I'd still kill for a roll. I'd also like a glass of wine. *sigh*