Raw, Green, and Feeling Fab: My Detox Story!

I did it. I took the plunge. I have been reading and perusing information on detoxing for awhile...a long while. I always resisted. Most seemed to require no eating or just drinking a funny concoction. As I mentioned on Tickled Pink on Friday, I saw Adrienne at The Skinny Fight doing a 7 day raw detox. I was hooked. On this detox you actually get to eat...real food!

 

I headed on over to The Raw Divas to check out the 7 Day Raw Food Detox for Women. I signed up right away...I had the basics to get started asap. I was so ready!

The basic program is free and The Raw Divas begin you with a few days of preparing for the detox with emails and tips. I was anxiously anticipating the first day...or more accurately the prep for the first day...a 24 hour fast! I thought I cannot do this...I have kids...someone is going to get hurt if I cannot eat.

I started my fast around 9 pm {I am a night owl, ya know}. Had a nice meal...no last real meal...just more typical salad. I was hungry when I woke up...I drank water...I was still hungry, but not awful hungry...I actually was not too unpleasant either...and this coming from a women who drinks about 8+ cups of coffee a day. OK, I did break down..I had one coffee around 2 pm...and 2 chips from my daughter. BUT Ultimately I made it until 9pm the next night by drinking a lot of water. I won't lie...this is not easy with kids and having to prepare meals for them while you cannot have any...that is my biggest complaint and it is not the programs fault.

After the fast, you get to enjoy salads, soups, and green smoothies {my new love}. The main thing is that the food is raw and natural...good food that is good for you. I had little trouble adjusting to the food. I am guessing that is because I used to be almost a strict vegetarian and have been trying to get back on board in that department. You can read more about the programs specifics by visiting The Raw Divas web site.

So, What Was My Purpose?

I want to feel better. I want to look better...and I won't lie a little weight loss would be great too.  I am also an extremist...I cannot do programs where I can have one cookie for x amount of calories...I eat the whole bag and say "I'll make up for it tomorrow." I need to go for it and go big when I do something like this. Again, the food choices also appealed to me, so this was the right choice for me.

How'd I do?

I lost about 4 pounds...I did have at least one coffee a day, I heated up the tomato gazpacho one night - give me a break, it was 50 degrees here and I was cold. Toward the end of the detox we were invited to a party...I did my best to stick with the program...I volunteered to bring salad so I would have what I needed, but there was a slip.

All that said, I mean admitted, within one day people were commenting on how good my skin looked. I did not have a bloated feeling at all - my stomach flattened out {as much as it flattens}. My body really did feel energized and I had a lot of energy overall. I LOVED the food and the recipes...I eat salad at least once a day anyway, but had fallen into the boredom trap - I was not mixing things up enough - so I got some great ideas for new combos. I have a new found love as well...green smoothies. I cannot even begin to tell you how sold I am on green smoothies.

The Scoop on the Green Smoothies 

Two things I must clear up...I believe in the healing power of food. Secondly, I admit that I was probably not as adverse to green smoothies because my Mother in Law has been making "crazy" smoothies for the last year or so. She literally brings an ice chest of organic fresh veggies and her mega-horsepower blender {3.5 horsepower, I believe} when she comes to visit. I have drank her smoothies and loved them. I made numerous copies of the smoothie recipes in her book. They are really great...and cover health topics from autism to fighting cancer {based on the authors opinions}.

I had not attempted to make any smoothies yet, thinking my 13-year-old $40 blender could not do the job. Well, it may not be able to pulverize the avocado pit or the apple seeds {like the mega blender} but it does a fine job blending the ingredients. I am not complaining and neither are my kids...both of whom will now drink green smoothies.

So what is in a green smoothie, you may ask?...A sample combination includes: banana {1 or 2}, mango, 1/2 pint raspberries, 1 cup water, and 3 handfuls of greens {spinach, kale, lettuce, parsley, etc.}. There are many more recipes!

Biggest Lesson Learned

Most importantly, this detox taught me to think about my food. When I felt hungry, I considered if I really was or if it was habit, or a craving. And if I decided I was hungry I opted for a green smoothie or carrot sticks and drank some more water. This program made me be more conscious as an eater. It also got me back on my vegetarian track...I have continued on with this eating, but am planning on adding other items {beans, brown rice, whole wheat pasta on occasion} in as per my other favorite program, The McDougall Program. My cravings for sugar have also greatly decreased to almost nothing - Yeah!

As I said, I have continued to eat like this, and one way I have made it easier is by planning ahead. The night before I get my blender out, and set the banana by it...as well as what ever other fruits that I will need. In the frig or freezer I also pull together the right quantities for the smoothie. I have tried to use fresh whenever possible, but have also found frozen pineapple, mango, and spinach have come in quite useful. I will also do the same prep for my salads.

I found this experience to be amazing and eye opening. Thanks to Adrienne at The Skinny Fight {click HERE to see Adrienne's wrap up...she goes into much more day be day detail} for introducing me to this program and to The Raw Divas for their emails and program.

So, what do you think...

sound crazy, gross...

what's you opinion?

Have you ever tried a detox before?

What about a green smoothie?

DISCLAIMER/DISCLOSURE: These are my opinions and views. I was not compensated in anyway to write this post. I am not a medical professional or nutritionist either...this post is based on my own experience and results. Always consult a doctor before embarking on any new diet or exercise program.