apple cider vinegar | Power Peanut Life

Ok, it’s happening. I have to go on some sort of detox. No, not some psychotic and limiting juice cleanse – a detox….for the month of April!

Why? Well lately, I’ve been feeling sluggish, I’m getting more breakouts, and I find myself constantly craving carbs/sugars. I feel like I need a reset to stabilize my blood sugar.

In addition, I’ll be MAKING A SERIOUS EFFORT to get 8 hours of sleep, eating carbs (sweet potato and quinoa) only on lifting days, adding in 2 green juices/day instead of my usual one, and ensuring I get in a 12 hour “fast” after my last meal (meaning if my last meal is at 8pm my first meal won’t be until 8am).

So here is my version of a “detox” (a combination of other “detox” diets I’ve researched). Basically I’m eliminating dairy, red meat, processed carbs, and sugars for the month.

Foods to Enjoy

Vegetables – emphasis on leafy greens and BEETS
Non-gluten grains – I’ll be using quinoa since I still intend on lifting during my detox. Gotta have my carbs for energy…and of course some sweet potato.
Protein – fish, chicken, turkey, and eggs
Fruits – emphasis on berries
Nuts & Seeds
Good Fats – avocado, coconut oil, olives, etc
Whey protein – still ok but stick with grass fed and limit to 1x/day. Dr. Oz eliminates this in his version. Not this girl.
Apple cider vinegar
Honey and Agave – in very limited doses. I’ll be using a bit in my coffee.

Foods to Avoid

Dairy
Gluten, Wheat
Processed Sugars
Beef, Pork

Dare I say it? It’s basically PALEO – GASP!!!!

Considering how clean I already eat how does this actually apply to me?

MORE FAT, LESS CARBS
I’ll have to eliminate my 1 cottage cheese parfait/day – sad.
No protein bars – sometimes I’m so busy I have to grab an Isalean bar for the road
No beef or pork. – this will be hard for me as I do love my meat.
No reward meals – I’m a little more lax on the weekends, which is when the processed carbs/sugars come in. That will stop for the month of April.
No 1 pump sugar free vanilla with half & half in my weekend Starbucks coffee. Instead I’ll be using a bit of honey and coconut milk or oil if it’s around.
No boozin’ for the month of April.

In addition, I’ll be emphasizing some detoxifying foods.

BEETS – good thing I ADORE beets.
Leafy greens – kale
Cabbage
Broccoli sprouts
Avocado
Flaxseed
Blueberries
Lemons
Ginger
Apples – one of my green juices contains ½ a golden delicious apple

Side note: I still have a container of cottage cheese in the fridge that I refuse to go to waste. So let’s ignore the fact that I’m not completely cutting out dairy until that’s gone. We’ll call the first official start date on Saturday. I will still avoid other dairy products – like half & half in my coffee and any cheese. I’m not a complete cheater.

Sample Menu (and what I ate yesterday):

Meal 1 (7:00am)

Water with 1T apple cider vinegar and a squeeze of lemon
Coffee with 1tsp coconut oil, ½ tsp of honey, and a splash of coconut milk
1^st green juice – ¼ cup pineapple, 2 mini cukes, handful of mint, 1T flax seed, and several handfuls of spinach.

Meal 2 (9:30am)