A Caramel Apple Green Smoothie a Day Keeps Dr. Junger away!

Tonight, as my dear, sweet, open-minded and supportive husband was drinking a cleanse smoothie from Dr. Junger's Clean Program, he told me to pause what I was saying because...and I quote:

 "Hang on, I can't hear what you are saying. This is way too good." 

I never thought I'd see the day!!!  hahah

                                             
                                                          Pin me!  Clean Smoothie
CARAMEL APPLE GREEN SHAKE 
Adapted from Healthful Pursuit by Clean Program
• 1 cup homemade organic almond milk
• 1 frozen organic apple
• 2 tablespoon unsweetened organic SunButter
• 2 cups organic spinach
• ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• pinch salt
• 2 ice cubes
Clean additions:
• 1 packet Cleanse Shakes Vanilla or Chocolate (or other protein powder)
• optional: 1 tablespoon ground flax seed
Directions: Place in your blender in the order of the ingredients listed, then blend for 30 seconds or until smooth.

I can tell you that this is definitely one of the best I've made so far.  We've been cleansing since January 3rd by following Dr. Junger's Clean Program.  We've been around the block and then some with a few of the recipes included in the manual, some are better than others--that's for sure.  But this was pretty stinkin' delicious :)

I am amazed at how these smoothies actually fill me up, and how long I stay satisfied afterward.  I was not expecting to feel so UN-hungry.  It's a nice change.

We've done pretty well so far.  We had a bit of a derailing on my birthday (I just couldn't pass up free Surf 'n Turf from American Grille on Seneca) that lasted 3 days (a few bad decisions each of those three days...) but we are back on track and focused once again.

Everyone in the group forum is reporting back on how they feel so amazing, their skin is glowing, they have loads of energy, etc etc.  I haven't necessarily noticed any dramatic changes, but like I said, I'm definitely satisfied--which has sort of spurred a change in my thinking, at least.  Standing up to all the temptations (soooo many during this month!)  has empowered me.  I feel full, but not disgusting.  I've spent a lot of time picking out recipes, finding ingredients, and crafting small masterpieces that inspire more mindful eating both in myself and my husband.  I am so glad I stumbled upon the Clean Program and the online support community.  It is exactly what we've been looking for--fate, almost :)

No kickback from the program...just a satisfied participant :)
BUT:
If you'd like more info:  www.cleanprogram.com
If you'd like to check out an overview and recipes: www.cleanprogram.com/media/files/meal-plan.pdf
Even more recipes and info:  www.blog.cleanprogram.com

I'm in love. DIY Coconut Milk and Flour!

                                                       Pin me! DIY Coconut Milk and Flour

It's official. I'm addicted to coconut milk. Like, legit/homemade, unsweetened, unadulterated coconut milk--just coconut 'n water all blended into frothy perfection. It's so creamy...and WHITE! In fact, I can't believe how grey cow's milk actually is now that my eyes have been opened lol So simple and cheap...and the pulp can be strained out, baked, and used as flour!

MILK:

2 cups unsweetened, shaved coconut

4 cups HOT water
--soak for an hour--
Blend on high for two or three mins
Pour through a small mesh strainer
Save pulp
Store in airtight, glass container (I've heard coconut milk lasts longer than other milks because of its composition; however, it never lasts longer than a day at my house  )

FLOUR:
Spread pulp in a thin layer onto a baking sheet
Bake on 200 for a few hours (until all moisture has evaporated)
Transfer from baking sheet to a high powered blender (like a Vitamix)
Blend on high until the pulp reaches a flour like consistency

I have a few ideas of what I'd like to use the coconut flour for, but for now it's in a glass canister on the counter waiting for me :)

CLEAN Lunch: total time, 45 mins

                                                              Pin me!  Clean Lunch

Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Raw Cherries and Almonds

-Shaved Brussels Sprouts (found them pre-shaved at Wegman's)
-a handful or two of chopped raw almonds (tossed them in the vitamix for a second)
-a handful or two of fresh cherries, pitted and sliced
-a few shakes of organic herbed sea salt that I purchased at a local fair...these are awesome because you end up using less salt than normal because it is parted out throughout the dried herbs
( www.kissedbythesunspiceco.com )
-drizzled with a little EVOO, tossed around in a bowl, and roasted on a pan til they turned a little brown'ish

Made enough for me and the hubs as part of our lunch for today AND tomorrow.

This was delicious!  I also smashed half an avacado with the same herbed sea salt and some fresh cilantro and spread it on an Organic Sunshine Burger.  Sooo freakin' good.  We are currently on a strict Clean cleanse right now, but I haven't felt deprived or unsatisfied.  (except for when I see people eating CRAP in front of me...then I get "mentally" hungry--not "physically" hungry.  But so goes our processed-food-addicted-society.  sigh.  One day at a time, right?? )


I love these lil burgers, and I'm glad I found them.

Check out the whole food ingredients list: 

And the "Original" flavor has even less ingredients:

If you try anything listed above, leave some comments and let me know what you think?  Was your belly as happy as mine afterward?? :)

This is it...it starts today

It's 2014...actually, 6 days into 2014.  I have a long list of things I want to accomplish.  I always do.  But I've found myself in the strangest of places recently.  For always having a goal-oriented attitude, I'm feeling outrageously misguided and off track.  Everything I have worked hard for seems to be spiraling out of control--health, career, life in general.  I am smart enough to be able to identify the areas of my life that need attention.  I am smart enough to even identify ways to get those areas of my life back on track.  But am I smart enough (or centered enough) to actually make the moves I know I need to make?

I'll start this very first blog post with a list of things I want out of life--specifically what I want out of 2014, because after all, a successful 2014 will lead to a successful 2015 will lead to a successful 2016, and so on and so forth til I'm effortlessly leading the life I imagined I would (although as I type this I realize I have struggled to identify exactly what "the life I imagined" is.  Perhaps this blog will help define it as I go.)   Little by little, I'll chip away....and documentation and accountability will dictate my course.

On December 30th, 2013 I opened my notebook and on a two-page spread I began detailing a list of To-Do's for 2014.  While some people like to create blanket statement resolutions, I tried to narrow mine slightly (although still on the lofty side!)  I sectioned them into categories based on the areas of my life that I have come to realize need the most attention.  Health, Wealth, Heart, and Soul.

Today, I'll start with Health:

HEALTH:  Body function, shape, and concept.

1.  To detox and restart.  To participate in a scientifically-proven, healthy cleanse.  To juice. To "overdose on nutrition."   To motivate the hubs to do the same. To stop the cycle in its track.  To regain control.  To start from the ground up.  To, bit by bit, lose the toxins and switch to organic foods and products...To kick the complexities out of my diet (and life) because "Complexities cause fog, but simplicity clears it."

2.  To develop and refine my own Body Concept
Define Body Concept:  n. the conceptual image formed about one's own body. It is the sum of all thoughts, feelings, and opinions evoked when a person views his or her physique.  
Taken from: Psychology Dictionary: http://psychologydictionary.org/body-concept/#ixzz2peFx8aQ6 
I am Thick.  And Curvy.  And Sexy.  But it must be refined.  I am strong, inside and out.  And Strong is Beautiful.  I am Beautiful.  ....But it must be refined
Clean body...Clean mind...Clean life.  Live Simply.  When you look in the mirror, what do you stand for?

3.  To move.  Intentionally, but also unintentionally.  To create and follow a schedule, but add in Random Acts of Movement.  To hoop.  and Run.  and stick to The Plan.  To crave movement.

4.  To track all progress.  Photo-document.  Blog.  Chart.  Log. Announce.  Share.  To use the outlets available to me, that motivate me the most.  Facebook, Blogger, Pinterest, MyFitnessPal, G+.  Perhaps FitBit, someday?

5.  To place emphasis on Cancer remission and prevention.  Non-traditional medicine and technique.  Gather resources and information, put theory into practice.  Make it a way of life, not a magic pill.