Remember that post from a few days ago, the one where I mentioned that a smart person would have prepared their body for the raw challenge? Well, I was right. I am definitely not a smart person, and detox did indeed SUCK. There is really no other word to describe my experience the past few days.
Chills? Check
Headache? Intense
Fatigue? Absolutely
Aches and Pains? Yup
General Feeling of Crumminess? You Betcha!
Now, I wasn’t even sure I believed this business about detox, but let me tell you : It’s Real, and it means business. I may have even had some of those mood-swings I’ve read about, but I’m pretty tempermental already (just ask my husband…or anyone).
I was planning on daily postings about the raw-experience, but I’ve just been so darn tired. Like, 2-3 hour nap in the middle of the day, and in bed by 9pm tired. I would sit down at the computer and my eyes would start to droop. I figured I would have more energy later, but then when later came I was already asleep. Today is the first day I’ve gone without napping, and I feel much better all around. Fingers crossed this is the light at the end of the tunnel I’ve been waiting for. Along with the light at the end of the tunnel mentality, I’m also being strangely optimistic and looking at the silver-lining of the detox situation. The bad things I was warned about happened, so hopefully the good things I was promised will also happen (more energy, better skin, improved digestion, etc.).
Anyway, fast forward to today and I am still going strong at 100% raw. I’ve lost a few pounds, and best of all, Fletch lost the bet. One doubter down, 3 to go (my mom got in on the betting with 2 weeks). Here is a quick “cliff notes” version of the past few days.
Green Smoothie: 1 cup spinach, 1/2 cup pineapple, 1 kiwi, 1/2 cup water
Day 1 Dinner (for 2): 1 head red leaf lettuce, 1 carrot, 1 cup red cabbage, 1 cup broccoli, 1/2 a red onion. Dressing: cold-pressed olive oil, apple-cider vinegar, garlic, pepper.
Day 2 Smoothie: 1 frozen banana, 1 cup spinach, 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries, 1/2 cup water. This is like ice cream for breakfast. I would happily drink this every day.
Day 2 Salad: Romaine, Cabbage, Onion, Broccoli. Wrap: romaine, prosciutto, veggie falafel fail (was supposed to be in ball form, but I have no way of dehydrating, so was a spread instead) sunflower seed, purple carrot, cumin, coriander, cayenne garlic, onion. Hummus: raw peanut, cucumber, zucchini, garlic, olive oil (this was pretty good, if not as smooth as I would like, would make again). This meal was totally hit/miss. We loved the heat from the spices, it made it feel more like dinner, and also the lettuce wrap concept was a nice switch from eating salad with a fork. The wet consistency of everything was just a little hard to swallow (Fletch said is was like baby food). I think we needed some more substance in there, maybe a different green and some sprouts and only one sauce/spread like thing.
Day 3: Dragon Egg (aka Raw Coconut). New favorite kitchen utensils? Hammer and screwdriver to get the coconut water and then crack the shell off. Can you see how tired I was feeling??? I don't have a picture but this mornings smoothie was the same as yesterday, but with the yummy addition of coconut water and some coconut meat.
Day 3 Lunch: Leftover salad with an apple, a slice a prosciutto, and 2 slices of raw cheese. These two little treats (cheese and prosciutto) are so far my only hold-outs from complete veganism. I think they are keeping me sane.
Day 3: We've been to the grocery store every day so far. Today's big find, tomatoes on sale. I love me some orange and yellow tomatoes. Dinner featured a tri-colour tomato salad with avocado, mango, cucumber and a tangy lime-garlic dressing. Rave reviews all around.
May the 4th be with you. I put the smoothie in the Star Wars cup without knowing it was Star Wars Day. Fletch was beyond thrilled. Smoothie: 1 frozen banana, 1/2 cup frozen berries, 1 cup spinach, 1/2 water, 1/2 a mango.
I did a little experiment with the food processor (my new best friend). I think they turned out pretty good. Coconut Bars:coconut, dried apricot, carob powder, honey, almond. Molded into a log and then cut into bars. I wrapped them and put them in the fridge. They've been a great grab-and-go snack. I brought one to the movies with me and felt a tad less left out :) Also, Avengers was awesome!
Day 5: No food pictures today because we were busy hosting a garage sale (and by "busy" I mean lounging on the lawn, playing Monopoly, munching on almonds and apple slices, and waiting for customers to show up).
After 5 days I’m getting pretty into this raw food thing. It’s the first time an “eating experiment” of mine has had serious results, and even though they’ve been mostly unpleasant, they have been on track. Besides, results are results and I can’t help but be motivated by any sign of progress. I even
went so far as to purchase a raw food cookbook today (a big step for a 30-day trial, might this last longer?), and I’m very excited to try some of the recipes. Pancakes and maple syrup? Yes please!
As restrictive as this diet is, I’m finding it surprisingly easy to follow. I think the fact that you can essentially have any food, it just has to be raw, is very helpful. That may sound confusing, but what I mean is that there seems to be a solution or substitution for everything that you give up when you quit cooked food. Raw cheese, dehydrated breads and crackers, raw cacao, sprouted grains. It’s all there, just in a different form. I guess for me that is strangely comforting. Even the price of things isn’t throwing me off. It’s more like “this is expensive, so I should only eat what I need”. We’ll see how long this new mentality lasts, but for now it seems to be working.
Now if only I could get my hands on a dehydrator….anyone?