Hitting the Reset Button for the New Year January 4, 2013 12:37

I run.  I am active. I go to this awesome gym called Amenzone and get my butt kicked every week.  I also make a conscious effort to eat clean.  But the holidays, visiting family, eating Christmas foods and spending the afternoons watching movies on the couch just because I am on vacation, have my routine all in a funk.  It can be hard to bounce back from these two full weeks of “off the wagon” as Ashley likes to say.  Don’t fret.  I have the cure.

A few months ago my friend and I decided to do a cleanse.  I am not a believer in diets, but this cleanse was a commitment to eat PERFECT whole foods for 10 days with the goal of resetting our eating habits and changing how we thought about food.  And it worked.  It makes you very aware of what you are eating and what you should be eating.  The actual program that we followed calls for a 30-day commitment, but as one who eats very limited meat, it was hard to get enough protein and I started adding in other foods after 10 days.   

The cleanse makes sense.  It’s a no mercy, no excuse, no cheating, you can do this mentality, and if you can muster up the will power to eat strict for the 30 days (or 10 as I like to do it), you’ll be able to tell the difference. 

So, the rules.  First, and most importantly, NO PROCESSED FOODS. No processed foods of any sort.  All fresh, whole, real foods, no added ingredients.  Eat lots of veggies, fruits, eggs, organic and sustainable meats (for the carnivores), and almonds.  You cook with only Extra Virgin Olive Oil or coconut oil.  No dairy, no sugar, no sweetener of any kind (yes that means no honey or maple sugar).  No legumes (sooo hard for me) and no grains.  It’s hard, but it’s not that hard and it’s totally worth it. 

Ashley and I believe in everything in moderation.  You have to find eating habits that align with your beliefs, goals and personal preferences.  But, if you need something to jump start you and get you in the right mindset, this cleanse could be just what you need. 

Here is the link to the site with all of the information.  Highly encourage everyone to at least check out the site and read about the nutrition behind the theories.  Good luck and Happy New Year!!! 

http://whole9life.com/category/whole-30/ 

-Alyssa