I'm Still Surviving... and Doing Quite Alright!

I'm well in to the second week of this liver cleanse and I'd say I'm doing pretty well! Actually.... VERY well! Considering last week I was suffering migraines, crabbiness and really low energy, I'm feeling great now!

I've been enjoying creating meals on the spot and watching the changing preferences of my palette. It's been fun to throw things together to see what they taste like!

1. (top left)
I've always been a fan of salads! Lots of dried fruit, nuts, yummy veggies and a bit of grilled chicken make for a very satisfying lunch!

2. (middle left)
Applesauce has been my 'go to' when I've had sugar cravings!!

3. (bottom left)
Banana/blueberry smoothie with almond milk!

4. (top right)
Mulberries! What a delicious treat! They are called Turkey's superfruit!!

5. (bottom right)
Indian Butter Chicken with rye berries.

I'm normally a bread-a-holic and a cereal addict! I have an active lifestyle and my habit has been to fuel my days with sugar and carbs. It's been a challenge to go with very little. I've succombed to thin, brown rice cakes in emergencies, which are actually pretty good!

Pictured here, tiny tuna sandwiches with whole grain pumpernickel loaf and exotic greens!!

I've been mastering the art of stir-frying. My skillets have never been used so much!!

Tonight was this amazing masterpiece, served over a new-to-me grain... Millet!! Followed by my Ol' Faithful sugar craving hero, unsweetened applesauce!!

I've been keeping up with my daily supplements, drinking lots of water and every morning, before eating any food, I sip a hot lemon water.

**HONESTY ALERT** I must come forward and admit that I cheated a few days ago. I was out for a friend's birthday and there were 2 homemade and super scrumptious-looking cakes. It didn't seem right to avoid such beauty!! I did my very best to keep my taste-testing to a minimal, and I ate around the icing. It could have been much, much worse of a cheat, I tell you! Those cakes were outstanding!

I feel great and I think that I can continue with this cleanse for the entire month, however there is one small problem. EASTER! I can't promise that I will not partake in some chocolate bunny action.... just sayin'.

Spring (Liver) Cleaning!!

Ha. So it's been months and months since I've shared, and the topic that's inspiring me to write a new post is:

Liver Cleansing!

Oh boy.... "What is that?" you may be asking yourself. And really, to be honest, I don't know all the in's and out's (I've got a friend that's been guiding me through it), I just know that it's gonna be an interesting (and challenging!) project.

Reasons why this will be good for me:
1. After 17 YEARS I have decided it's time to go off the birth control pill. Don't go getting all excited!!! I'm not planning to have a baby..... it's definitely time though to clear out all the sediment that's been calling my body home for almost 2 decades!!

2. It's SPRING.... there's no better time than the first signs of good weather, flowers blossoming and people smiling to get into action about one's health!

3. I've been rather laaaazy lately at creating a healthy eating lifestyle for myself. And as a result, my energy has been low and I'm not feeling as fit as I like to be. I'm inspired to try new recipes and new flavours!! No more DQ Blizzards!!

4. My sleeping pattern has been horrendous! I fall asleep at the drop of a hat (in a movie theatre, on the bus, during a phone conversation, while I'm meditating, reading my book....) and then I have troubles staying asleep for long periods of time. Hopefully this cleanse will help me get on a regular schedule and kick the lack of zzzzz's!!

5. I've been searching for a new challenge! Well, be careful what you ask for!!

The downsides:
Headaches, fatigue, sugar lows. A lot more food prep than I'm used to. MILK THISTLE. That stuff is gross. Plus, a plentitude of other supplements. I've promised to go strong for at least 2 weeks.... with a goal of riding even stronger towards a month. Think I can do it??



I find myself planning my meals.... and I think about food constantly.... the good thing is, I'm not craving junk, and I'm not feeling sorry for myself that I can have it. I'm dreaming about interesting concoctions!! (At least this is the story as of now!!!)

Last night I roasted some lovely veggies.... and served them over sprouted, whole grain toast with salsa. I sprinkled it with the teeniest bit of mozza (shhh..... I'm supposed to avoid cheese) and then added a zip of yummy hummus.

My bedtime snack was oatmeal. I mixed in some muesli with dried fruit and nuts and drizzled real maple syrup. Mmmm!

This morning I made the yummiest of smoothies..... perhaps I was so starved for sugar that it tasted that much more delicious!?

Today I snacked on sliced apples with almond butter and I also had a little bit of All Bran with blueberries and almond milk. Gotta stay regular!!

If you've had Almond butter before, you'll know that the photo isn't upside down, it's the jar!!



For dinner I was in creation mode. I sauteed veggies, cooked up a little ground turkey and wrapped it all up in some large lettuce leaves. A bit of Hoisin sauce for dipping. Voila! Mouth magic!!





I was adventurous and bought some coconut yogurt today. It's surprisingly good! I got Vanilla flavoured. It's tart and creamy, and it's been calling my name every half hour or so, and I've been appeasing it's little voice with small spoonfuls!! I also bought almond yogurt. NOT so good. Actually, the taste isn't so bad..... the texture is not very appetizing. That stuff will be going into my smoothie mixtures!!



Tomorrow...... who knows where my tastebuds will take me??

Perhaps I'll keep you in the loop with this liver cleanse.......