Ahndea May: Meal Planning

January CleansePosted by Ahndea May | Monday, January 7

January has become one of my favorite months because for me, it is a month of new beginning! A chance to start over, reset, repurpose and challenge yourself to go beyond your current limitations. We all get comfortable and "busy" and well just lazy sometimes, and motivating ourselves to follow-through with our goals well sometimes just seems impossible. So here we are January... a new year, a new day, a new opportunity. How will you start your January? Do you have any annualresolutions? We all know gym memberships spike and after gorging ourselves from November to the New Year, most of us are ready to get on a health plan, or "eat clean" if you will.

Our tradition has been to start the Monday after new years. We have done many different types of cleanses and detox plans in the past and with friends like Jordan Rubin you are bound to get educated and learn the "Raw Truth" about healthy eating. I have gathered lots of info, from some of my favorite health experts, and have come up with a total mind. body. soul.reset that caters to my needs. I think it is important to be realistic and know your body well enough to not choose a low glycemic fast, when you have low blood sugar and will either faint or kill someone! As a busy mom, I need lots of energy and if you plan consists of exercise, keeping your body fueled is critical. So, this cleanse is 21 days, and it is broken out in phases by week. Each week I will post about the next phase and the components, recipes, tips and thoughts from research and leaders in this in the health industry. If you have a family, you can incorporate your kids on a elementary level by making it a fun family event. No candy, refined sugars or processed foods! You will be surprised how they will jump on board and get excited to try some new foods with you.

Phase 1 - Detox & Cleanse

- After several months of overeating and indulging in refined sugars, my body is ready for a purge! Ha, so to start this week, we will be doing AM juicing, All day cleanse drinks and PM Juicing.

AM Juice - If you have a juicer, you can make your own with Kale, Kiwi, Apple, and Spinach, or I really love the Bolthouse Farms juices, they are natural, non dairy and very yummy.

Cleansing Drink - I make a big pitcher in the am filled with water, 10 organic lemons, 4 tbs of organic maple syrup and 2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper. This is kind of to taste, so you may have to add more or less of something. You can drink this all day, as well as 100% pure coconut water.

Snacks - Raw Almonds are a great snack and almond butter. If your feeling really hungry have some almonds or a tbls of almond butter. You can have up to 20 almonds per day.

PM Juice - This juice is an all veggie, celery, tomato, spinach, red and yellow pepper, green onion. This is hearty and kind of tastes like bloody mary, minus the alcohol.

* During this first phase all veggies are free as well as grapefruit, kiwi, apples, carrots and blueberries. You can snack on those all day in addition to your juices.

I will do this until next Monday and then move into the next phase which will include replenishing, vitamins and exercising. I will do yoga and stretching in this first week only.

* Disclimer: I am not a licensed medical professional so make sure to check with your nutritionist or Dr before attempting any cleanses.

Cleanse by ahndeamay on Polyvore

Cleanse Week 2 - RevivePosted by Ahndea May | Monday, January 14

Week 2 Cleanse - Revive by ahndeamay on Poly

I made it through week one feeling great! I think the almonds kept me alive! Starting week 2, I am down 6 pounds and someone even noticed that my skin looked "fresh" this weekend which means we are right on track. Week 2 of the cleanse:

Revive:

re·vive

/riˈvīv/

Verb

Restore to life or consciousness: "both men collapsed, but were revived".
Regain life, consciousness, or strength.

Synonyms

resuscitate - resurrect - quicken

Restoring your body this week by adding some gluten free carbs will taste like heaven! I will still be doing the am/pm juice, which is detailed in week 1 but have switched over to pink grapefruit juice for the am and absolutely love it. Also adding, barley, oats, legumes, brown rice and non dairy subs for cheese and milk. So having 1/2 cup of granola with almond or coconut milk for breakfast is perfect.

My new fav dinner or lunch is pomegranate seed salsa... it is fantastic!

Here is how to make it:

- 1/2 cup pom seeds
- 1/2 of a lime squeezed
- 1 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 shakes of lime pepper ( Durkee's Brand)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Stir and serve with rice chips(lundbergs fiesta lime) or mix on a salad.

Vitamins - multi, cod liver oil, digestive enzyme or probiotic (you can get all of these at garden of life)

Work Out - This week I will start incorporating my cardio regiment. 3 days a week cardio and 1 day stretch or yoga.

Cleanse - Week 3 - StabilizePosted by Ahndea May | Wednesday, January 23

I am now in week three of the cleanse and feel really great. I did have a bit of a cheat this weekend and actually got sick! I found it really interesting that after removing dairy and gluten for a couple weeks and adding it back, even for 1 meal, can really give your stomach a shock! A few things... I am feeling lighter and more energized. I have really loved all the juicing and am now craving my juice over sweets or the starbucks I used to have regularly.

My skin...

I have to say, I can tell a difference in my skin, more dewey and fresh looking. The dark circles I would wake up with have seemed to diminish some. I will take that!

Here are a few recipes I am eating in week 3

Gluten Free Rolled Oats + 1 Tbs peanut butter + bananna