Cleansing

Earlier this year when we went camping we met some people who had recently done this Beachbody Ultimate reset. It was a 3 week cleanse that helped kill the inflammation in their joints, lose weight, and “reset” the bacteria in their gut. Brent and I were intrigued and ultimately decided to go ahead and order it as part of our anniversary gift. We anticipated the arrival of the package which took almost 2 weeks to get there. I was not sure what to expect. Even though I read the description, knew what I ordered I was, needless to say, a bit underwhelmed when this small box of pills and packets arrived. The couple had made it sound like everything was prepared for you. And for the price I don’t know why I though we’d have 3 weeks worth of meals at our disposal. Still, underwhelmed was the best way to describe it. 

I began to read and realize what we had gotten ourselves into...

For starters the book walks you through every ingredient they chose and why. The benefits and cost to food and your body. For instance, instead of soy sauce type flavoring we used liquid aminos (a lot). We only used Himalayan salt. We only used whole grain. We were supposed to use organic as much as possible, when ever possible. 

We could only drink distilled water which we added a special “mineralized” blend to. Which, coming from a well chalked full of minerals was a switch. And, we had to drink a TON of water. You essentially take supplements 4 times a day, and with each supplement you are to drink 12-24oz of water. In addition, you take your body weight, as ounces, and then drink half of that. So at 140lbs you are adding another 70oz of water to drink. Brent and I decided it was roughly a gallon (128oz) and so we just tried to drink a gallon a day. However, you could only drink up to five minutes before a meal. Then NO drinking while eating. Then you have to wait 30 mins AFTER you ate, before you could drink again. 

We learned that we need to breathe. A lot. And before we eat we need to be in a relaxed, stress free state. (Yea, these people don’t have kids...) 

We were supposed to mindfully eat.  Chewing each bite slowly, appreciating every flavor. We had to chew until each bite was practically liquid in our mouth. This aides with the digestion and is easier for our system. 

There was a ton of information and prep work that went into this. We had to buy some bento style meal prep containers, so that I could prep the meals ahead of time. I felt initially this would lend to the greatest success. 

We read through the menu and I realized it was something different literally every day for every meal. This was not ideal for shopping or meal prep. So we began the cleanse by following their “In a Crunch” section that wasn’t their ideal, but yields the same cleansing results. 

The first week of the cleanse they wean you off of animal products. Right away there feels like there NO dairy at all, except for a little quarter cup of plain yogurt in plain oatmeal. But, you do have eggs, fish, and chicken. By day 4, animal products are out and you are essentially vegan for the next couple weeks. 

The first week was great. I enjoyed mostly all of the meals. Although, we had to go to over 7 stores to find tempeh. That was frustrating. Plus the certain seaweeds the recipes call for took some research, and I ended up having to order those online. We never did find millet, in any stores. So again, didn’t get to follow the exact recipes we wanted, but we did work it out. 

By the second week you begin to phase out grains and legumes/beans. So we were basically eating fruit for breakfast. A lot of fruit, 3 cups. 

After the first week I was feeling sick of only having one certain meals seven days in a row. I grew tired of certain ingredients, items on the menu by the end of the week. So I decided the following weeks, I would try to follow more of the meals within the book. Change it up a little. 

In the middle of the cleanse we still went and did things like days at the river, and our anniversary staycation. Packing and preparing these exotic foods was a little tricky, but we managed. 

The second week brought forth a TON of miso soup and steamed veggies. I did a horrible job taking pictures of all these meals. 

By this point, in the second week, Brent and I were stuffed at every meal. We decided to just make one serving of things and split that. That was much more comfortable for both of us. 

There were a lot of salads, and making trips to the store for fresh items. We over bought a ton of stuff, such as kale...so the chickens had a lot of fresh veggies these three weeks too! 

There were several recipes for various salad dressings. So we played around and we really liked all of them. 

This whole experience was expensive though. So many veggies and ingredients that are not cheap, especially  when buying organic. The cost was beginning to frustrate me, mainly because I was really hoping this would be something that we could eventually sustain moving forward.  This was proving to not be the case, but there were several things I am taking from this and will apply to my meal planning in the future. 

The second week also brought forth the detox packet we had to take before each meal. It was an interesting flavor with semi chunkiness to it. I had to add ice cubes and drink it really cold. Otherwise, it wasn’t  happening for me. I just couldn’t drink it down without ice. 

By the end of the second week (and much of the third week) I hit a wall. At this point we were in only veggies and fruit. I found the highlight of my day was when I got to have snack. It was 1/2 cup of brown rice with 2 tbs of fresh SALSA! I want supposed to have grain every day, but the days I did...ahh it was heaven. 

Also, I was feeling tired, and wether that was the cleanse or life I was not sure, but I was not happy that I couldn’t just eat or drink when I wanted to, what I wanted to. I was SICK of the foods. Even if this was “all in my head” as Brent tried to suggest. I like freedom. So it only makes sense I wanted to buck up against the restraint of this meal plan. 

Even with cutting the meals in half, there was still too much of one thing. Like the Moroccan carrot salad I have pictured there above. The taste was great and interesting, but not as an entire plateful! It would have been a great side dish...or on something else. And each meal started to feel that way. Although I rarely felt hungry (thank you water) I was tired of the meals and did some serious count down-ing. I was motivating myself by reminding myself it will soon be over and I will eat better and feel better moving forward. On my schedule. In my time. (Okay, maybe I have control issues)

Daily we also had to take a power greens packet. At first this was not bad. By the third week the smell made me want to vomit. (Sorry, but it’s the truth) It. Was. So. Hard. 

But there was light at the end of the tunnel. Brent was super strict with the meals. He wanted to follow everything exactly. He was enjoying most of his food, where I was giving the largest portion of my meals to the chickens...He was so good. Didn’t complain and ate all of his food. I felt bad feeling so turned off by these meals. I was happy to be experiencing new things and trying new recipes, but common...a girl needs a taco, or at very least chips and salsa!

However, towards the end I think he was beginning to feel a little like me. He let us order pizza one day. Granted it was on vegan crust, with no cheese or meat, but still PIZZA! 

We considered the crust the grain for the day, and calorically it fell in line with the other meals we were having. It was the best thing I had ever tasted. I swear.  And it didn’t feel like a cheat at all. 

Still, we finished strong! We did it. And the results were pretty impressive. We both felt better digestive-ly. Not bloated, not upset tummies. I had survived three weeks with no coffee. In fact we weren’t having a lot of cravings. I feel the days I was just not wanting the meals that were planned, psyching myself out about how gross they were, were the days I longed for tacos, or something other than water to drink. I understand food is merely supposed to be fuel for the body and we need not enjoy it, but seriously...I want to actually WANT to eat it at least. 

The cleanse plans out the next three weeks as well. It breaks down how to start rephrasing foods back IN to the diet. The first week after the cleanse is complete, you are supposed to stick with fruits and veggies, while slowly introducing grains. But one at a time and not everyday. Then you can move to multi grain, if there are no reactions. Then week 3 you can very slowly start introducing animal products back in. Again, one at a time looking for adverse reactions to your system. And they recommend no caffeine, alcohol, or sugar for a whole month. Because your system is cleansed and pure and these things wreak havoc on your system. 

Brent wants to follow this guidance...I do not. 

I don’t believe I have adverse reactions to food. I don’t find I am sensitive to certain things. I don’t get gassy, bloated, or constipated (again, sorry but it’s true). So I don’t feel the need to slowly wait to introduce stuff.

 I said for him I will, but by the fifth day, I’m having EGGS again. I need proteins that aren’t plant based!!! 

We decided our best bet moving forward was to start a version of the other beachbody program, insanity. Which we had done a smidge before. We usually had got into the third week and puttered out. So we will see. We may do the max30, so it’s quicker. Since Brent is back at work now. But I like the meal plan of 5 small 300 calorie or so meals. So that’s our next adventure. 

All in all it was worth it. We feel great and are happy with the results, and how we feel. Brent lost a total of 8 inches and  10.8 pounds. I lost 9.5 inches and 12.8 pounds. With NO exercise, cause you weren’t allowed to exercise. Just walk a little. Just changing our food and water intake, that was the main game changer. Would I do this again?! Probably not. But I am happy I did it. It was enlightening. 

So this week (first week off cleanse) we shall stay vegan, but by this weekend (when we are camping) I am going to have eggs. I’m pretty excited. Then we have it planned to start the next adventure right after. That way my body will be getting proteins while I start weight training and interval exercises. 

For this week, I am finding a lot of fun vegan recipes. The kids don’t mind them either. Although, I still add a little cheese and things to theirs. 

 

I made these chipotle black bean with seared corn bowls to celebrate the first day off of the cleanse. Woohoo. Now on to a more sustainable way of life.