My Red Tutu

stir fried veggies with shrimp and rice

I’ve been focusing on the things I’ve had to give up while doing this Cleanse as well as on my pursuit.  This week, instead of focusing on those foods that I’ve been avoiding, I’m going to focus on new discoveries.

I forgot how much I like bok choy, stir fried with some broccoli and shrimp served over brown rice…yummy!

I don’t like broccoli cooked as much as I like it raw.

I can’t believe that I never had celery with peanut butter as a snack.  Well maybe its because I don’t like peanut butter BUT celery with Almond butter (yes, I know I’m weird) is one of my new favorite snacks.

I really enjoy cooking and this cleanse is making me cook more often and get creative.  Still working on the creativity though

I am adding Cayenne Pepper to almost everything.  That little zing makes everything taste better.

In Trader Joe’s the other day the cashier was talking about using avocado in lieu of mayonnaise when making tuna.  I stopped using mayo over a year ago so I thought I’d give it a try.  It was good but still needed a little something…so I added some cayenne pepper!

Medjool Dates are the BEST THING EVER!  How I never tried these before I don’t know but now I am in love!  Watch out avocados you have a new rival!

So those are some new discoveries this week.  What about you?  Anything new you want to share, any new recipes or ideas?

Don’t forget to visit with Karen over at Journey Back to Self to see what she has learned this week.

And if you want to try the 21 Day Cleanse, go visit Melissa at Wellness with Melissa.

When I hear the word CLEANSE, I immediately think of those all liquid cleanses where you only drink lemon water and don’t eat a thing.  Or remember the cabbage one?  Or the one where you only ate orange food?  You may have the same reaction when you hear the word cleanse.  Well this week I started a 21-day cleanse with my friend Melissa who is a Health & Wellness Coach.  There are two reasons I am doing this cleanse.  One, because Melissa asked me, and two, because I can still eat real food!  Oh and three, because I already cut most of these foods out of my diet already so I didn’t think it would be too difficult.

Here are a couple of things I have learned so far on this cleanse.

• For me, its been about being more mindful of how I eat than what I eat.  Savoring each bite and slowing down.
• I have had to plan ahead more.  Making a batch of quinoa and roasted veggies to have on hand.  Because several nights a week I get home after 8pm, this has been great to have at the ready.
• I can still go out to eat and make good choices and if I want to enjoy a beer or glass of wine with dinner, then I should go ahead and do that, as long as I’m not going to beat myself up about it afterward.

I still have 17 days to go on this cleanse, so it will be interesting what else comes up for me in the days to come.

Also on the health and wellness front, I had a great conversation with Karen over at Journey Back to Self yesterday and her recent health challenges.  Go over to her blog and see what she has been facing these past couple of weeks.

And don’t forget to check out my friend Melissa’s blog, Wellness with Melissa!

Guacamole made tableside - Rosa Mexicana, NYC

Last week I spent several days in NYC with some wonderful friends, including the lovely Karen over at Journey Back to Self.  We ate, we drank, we walked, we talked and we laughed…alot!  I then headed to PA, to spend time with more wonderful friends and continued to eat and drink…alot!

I love traveling and spending time with friends and when I get in social situations tend to throw my healthy eating habits out the door.  Its not like I ate donuts AND ice cream (that was someone else who shall remain nameless), but I did indulge in a bit of wine and cheese and chips and guacamole and margaritas, oh the margaritas!  I did not have toast with my morning eggs but did have diner coffee every day.

All of this to say that sometimes its hard to stick to your guns and its OK to indulge once in awhile.  I did put on a pound or two while on vacation and while I did try to order healthy meals off the menu (salad, egg white omelet, fish), I find it harder to stay on the healthy path while traveling.

I’m not sure where I’m going with this or what lesson to take away other than life is meant to be enjoyed!  And well I truly enjoyed my vacation to NYC and PA, spent with great friends, eating good food, drinking good wine and laughing…and laughing…and laughing some more.

I missed my post on Friday and now its Monday so that accounts for the 6.3.

This past week was a bit of a downslide for me.  I ate out more than usual including a hamburger and fries that tasted great but a few hours later made me feel sluggish.  I had chicken pot pie that was delicious and a brownie sundae with my sister.  I had beer and wine and more cheese than normal.

I am noticing more and more how various foods make me feel.  I am learning what gives me energy and what saps it, what makes me bloated and what fills the hunger without any side effects.  I feel like I have a long way to go but one step at a time.

Since I am heading out of town for the rest of the week I’m sure I will be tempted with all types of foods I’ve been avoiding…that’s what happens when you go on vacation.  I am sure that I’ll have a lot to share when I return next week.

Until then, check in with Karen at Journey Back to Self and please feel free to share your journey here.

Wheatless Waffles from Trader Joes

Its a new year and I see all kinds of people making resolutions to get healthy, eat better, lose weight.  At the Pilates studio, we are starting to see some new faces, people looking to turn over a new leaf.  My cousins are starting a Biggest Loser contest amongst the family.  Everyone on a pursuit to get healthy.

Karen over at Journey Back to Self and I started this pursuit to encourage each other but hope we can do that for you too.

The holidays were a bit of a challenge to eat healthy.  I did give in to temptation a time or two…hello cheesecake.  But I did learn a few things that I want to share.

• it wasn’t nearly as hard as I thought to not eat every single cookie that was put out.  one or two and I was good
• taking just a little bit of all the food that was put out was satisfying
• when eating out, I’m still learning what to eat.  I went to PF Changs and had some rice noodles with chicken and shrimp, I was so bloated afterward and the next day felt like I had a hangover without the booze…crazy!
• I am still learning what my trigger foods are, what makes me bloat up, what makes me dehydrated, etc.  Its a process and it takes time…learning patience.

The weight loss as remained pretty constant, around 8 pounds total to date, although I am feeling better physically so I’m not as concerned that the pounds aren’t melting away.

How about you?  Any revelations over the holidays?  Anything new you have learned on your pursuit?

Please feel free to link here.  And don’t forget to go visit Karen to check out what she has to say this week.