2+ weeks post detox update!

Hello to my faithful followers!!  I'm so excited to see that spring is finally showing up heyah in Maine!  The past week has seen some temps nearing 80, and I'm just loving it!  It's been a long, cold, dreary winter!!  We've received our semi-annual flock of baby chicks and they are in the brooding house peeping like crazy.  By the fall, we will be moving our (much older) hens out and will have new layers.  A big perk to eating healthy!  Cannot beat the nutritional difference in a FREE RANGE EGG!  (NOTE:  Not cage free here--our birds forage on acres of pasture daily!!  BIG DIFFERENCE when it comes to the egg!)--Now that the ground is soft, they are already digging up creatures to devour!  We've been told our eggs are rich & the taste cannot be compared to a store bought (sweatshop) egg!  We are currently trying to move onto completely organic feed (or at least GMO free) in the near future!

It's been a little over 2 weeks since stopping my detox plan and I will say that I have been doing a really great job implementing some of the eating habits that I learned on the way.  As you know, I've been enjoying my morning cup of coffee everyday and that just boosted my mood instantly.  Not sure how some people can say that coffee is no good, etc...I find it to be the most favorite part of my daily routine!  The smell, the warmth, the taste....it's all good!

As far as food goes:  I've been making healthy choices and still making my own meals (unless it's something my daughter will eat)--mostly stews and soups that I can enjoy for a couple days at a time.  Keeping it mostly grain/carb free with lots of flavor.  Eating out, I've been enjoying salads with lots of salsa/guacamole or pre making a new salad dressing that I've been wanting to try.  Being prepared is (again) the biggest advice I can give.  Been keeping alcohol to a minimum while I"m still trying to reach my goal weight --my choices have been dark red wine, silver tequila with lime and soda.  Beer I'm just saving for "on tap"...meaning restaurant only (like fountain Coke vs. a bottle--yuk!).  No beer at home (which used to be a regular thing on weekends or special dinners with friends).  The alcohol will quickly kill your diet, and fast!

My weight since detoxing has plateaued a bit.  1.4 pound gain last week :-(  Hopeing to get out more in between my dance classes to burn some extra calories!!

For my gardening friends!  Now is the time to start some seeds indoors if you like.  If you have a sunny window, get those herbs going!!  It's a fun and easy project, especially if you want strictly organic herbs!!

Well, I'm onto my DD's parent teacher conferences!!

Enjoy the sun!

Be well,

Callily

Tappin' Out...Detox Day 14 :-(

Yes...This is a photo of my much missed coffee with some of the homemade Maine maple syrup that my son made over the weekend.  I can't even begin to tell you how much this was needed and missed.  I made it through two weeks of the Detox program and after an extremely stressful weekend, I decided that I've had enough.

I'm a bit bummed and feel a bit like a failure that I couldn't make the 21 days, but I just have to forgive myself, understand that 2 weeks detoxing is better than nothing, and move on.  The commitment, deprivation, and missing out on a social lunch/dinner date was really starting to impact my life (and happiness).  I found myself snapping at my family members, having no energy, no motivation and no patience!!  It's a very, very difficult routine to stick to.  The amount of prep was the biggest drawback.  Tons and tons of planning, (cutting, slicing, dicing, pre cooking, etc.) just for ME.  Then having to do it all over again for my family's meals was taking a toll on my day and my budget!!

So, what I've decided to do is eliminate the dairy, keep my sugar consumption to natural (honey or maple) only, minimal grains and drink all the coffee I want!  LOL  I'm hoping that continuing to eat healthier by using the guidelines I've learned will be easier for me to incorporate back into eating with my family again.  I really miss that.  I felt really "segregated", at times eating by myself because I had to cook my own meals after theirs.

This has been a very interesting ride, one that I would (maybe) do again but not to the extreme as this one.

I thank anyone who followed along with me to see if it's something you'd like to try.  You can plainly see it's a big dedication and struggle, but it's all worth it to help your body become healthier.  I do firmly believe that any detox (whether it be a month, a week or a few days) is better than none at all.  All of our bodies need a break from inflammation and chemicals.  I will continue my favorite part of the detox (the smoothies) for breakfast and keep in touch on how my numbers are doing too!!

Thanks for following!!

Callily (while sipping my amazing organic coffee!!) :-)

Coffee cravings...Detox Day 3

Woke up today to over 14 inches of snow!  My daughter actually had school, but I had to call her out because I could not get out of my driveway!  Completely snowed in!  Luckily, hubby came back mid day from his all night plowing gig and he and my son got us all plowed, shoveled and snowblowed!  This crazy March weather is insane!  Less than a week until Spring!  I cannot wait for sunny days and flowers!

Today's cravings are just COFFEE.  What I wouldn't give for just a nice, piping hot cup of coffee right now........sigh.

Breakfast was a typical smoothie, just changed up the ingredients a bit.  I made it quite late (10:00) due to my daughter and I sleeping in, and here it is 2:30 and I'm not at all hungry :-)  I have chicken salad for lunch but I'm really not hungry right now so I'm going to hold off.  Dinner is a crockpot stew recipe that is jammed with veggies and kale.

I'm surprised my energy level is pretty good considering I'm running on zero caffeine....that's surprising.  I do not feel as "puffy" and "bloated"--I'm guessing this is from not eating any dairy.  My body hates dairy.  I've always had issues with cheese, eggs and milk.  Kills my asthma and my gut.  But, I'm always trying to sneak dairy in someplace because I just love the flavors.....Hopefully this detox will help me keep it out of my diet for good.  Hopefully.

Well, that's about all there is to report today.  Did I mention I really would love a coffee?? ;-)

Until tomorrow,

Callily