Yep. It’s that time. January. It used to be that the new year motivated people to start a new diet, still does in fact, it’s just that now we call them cleanses.
After all of that holiday excess, our bodies are crying out for a change. Of course everybody wants to lose a few (or many) pounds, get in shape, be calm, happy and live to 100. A cleanse promises to kick-start us on the path to all of that and more.
A few years ago I spent several months cleansing off and on with a program that I bought on-line and included shakes and juice made from a powdered mix. Other than the days when you had no solid food, just this nutritional proprietary juice, and the fact that it was about $250 a month for all the components, it wasn’t too bad. I did lose the pounds I wanted to and I felt terrific – when I wasn’t on “cleanse” days. But I was increasingly frustrated by my dependence on processed foods. It was in exact opposition to my philosophy about food. There were beautiful local vegetables languishing in my fridge, and I was mixing up a powdered shake for lunch! Plus, I missed cooking and all the many kinds of goodness that comes with it.
Ultimately I abandoned that program, but over the last three years those lost pounds have been found and all of this good living is taking its toll.
A couple of weeks ago a friend sent me a link to a program she planned to take part in after the holidays. I dug around and it looked good. We’re not calling it a cleanse, though that is essentially what it is. I’m calling it a “regime”. They’re calling it “New Year/New Rules“. It’s been developed by two nutritionists and it’s a 15 day program where you chuck dairy, gluten, sugar, beef and alcohol. But you get to eat real food, and that includes lots of good stuff. All the vegetables you could want of course, plus eggs, legumes, quinoa, seafood and other lean proteins – even lamb! Okay, I’m in!
After registering, I got an email with links to a bevy of information and lots of great recipes to use as a jumping off point. I’m eager to try Brown Rice, Kale & Caper Salad and Beet Hash with Eggs. Or how about Moroccan Spiced Lamb Burgers with Beet, Red Onion & Orange Salsa? Yum!
It all starts tomorrow. Two weeks without cheese (yikes!) or wine (double yikes!). There’s a weekend to get through, and our first Winter Supper at the Wine Bar. I have no doubt it will be a challenge, but that’s not such a bad thing. I’m looking forward to any insights I might gain, and any pounds I might lose, along the way.
As I write this I’m laughing at myself with all my cheery optimism, easily found the day before the new regime. Talk to me in a few days….
Ha. Love the enthusiasm. I’m seriously in denial about the entire thing. Wish me luck!
You can do it! How’s it going today?