Days Six and Seven: I see the Light!

Day Six:
I woke up today knowing that I only had two more days to work through, which made it way easier. I also decided to experiment with a couple of new food ideas to shake up what has become a pretty boring food routine.

First, I decided to try making some "high fiber banana pancakes." As I made them, my husband referred to my mixture as gruel. They weren't that bad, but they were awfully grainy and mighty strong in the bran flavor. If I make them again I'll use more banana than they call for (1/2 of a banana just didn't cut it) and I'll drizzle honey all over them. I just might be able to get over the texture with those little changes.

Next, I had one of my best buds over for lunch. Since we usually have a little dessert of sorts (or a lot of dessert), I decided to attempt to make some frozen yogurt. It was interesting to say the least. I found a recipe for it on the Body by Glamour recipes page that basically looked like a smoothie that is then frozen. So, I hunted around a little and found a coconut smoothie recipe that sounded delish. I just adapted it a bit:

1 cup of coconut juice (I had coconut milk, so I used that)
1/2 cup of ice
1/2 cup of coconut meat (I only had shredded coconut so I used that. Don't!)
1/2 cup of ice cream (I used fat free Greek yogurt and added a couple of packets of sweetener)
1/2 banana (I threw in strawberries instead)

Glamour's recipe said to freeze it for 5 to 10 minutes, but I didn't take into account that I had all that coconut milk and they had no liquid in their recipe. We ended up having a chilled coconut-strawberry soup (with lots of shredded coconut chunks to get stuck in our teeth... this is why I don't cook!). The flavor was good at least--and we had fun! That's what counts, right?

Breakfast: banana pancakes
Snack: guacamole and veggies
Lunch: salad
Snack: an attempt at homemade frozen yogurt, nuts
Dinner: black bean burger (without bun), assorted veggies

Day Seven:
I breezed through the last day knowing there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Though there were Peppermint Patties shoved in my face (courtesy of my daughter, who couldn't understand why I wouldn't eat one) and delicious baked goods staring at me at the coffeehouse (I just got a decaf iced sugar free caramel), I was ok with saying no. Surprisingly ok with it, actually. Hopefully this trend will continue now that I know the cleanse is over.

So what (if anything) did I learn from this little experiment?

1. I have way more willpower than I thought
2. I can survive without chocolate (and packaged foods too!)
3. Eating fresh makes me feel good

I guess the real test will be in the next couple of days. Will I use this new-found willpower to eat less chocolate? Will I fall back into my old patterns? Will I eat less packaged foods and more fresh? I guess time will tell...

Breakfast: coconut-strawberry smoothie
Lunch: salad (same as yesterday's)
Snack: guac and veggies, strawberries, cashews
Dinner: brown rice with black beans, corn and ground chicken

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Day Five: Phew

Today was a breeze. I'm not sure if it's because I know I'm almost there or if I'm just getting used to it. My biggest problem was a craving for Peppermint Patties. My mom always keeps some on hand because my daughter is obsessed with them, so between knowing they were there and smelling them on my daughter's breath when we stopped in for a visit, I was seriously aching for one. I managed to get out unscathed though and I was fine for the rest of the day.

Another issue I've been having is the lack of foods I'm able to eat. I'm sick of just about everything I've been eating this week. I'm mostly sick of knowing there's not much I can eat. When the week is over I plan on eating a lot more whole foods, like the fruits and veggies I've been living on. But I'll be glad to have the option of carbs like bread and English muffins. I could really go for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

On to Day Six!

Breakfast: berry smoothie, nuts
Lunch: apple with natural peanut butter
Snacks: nuts, guac, veggies
Diner: grilled chicken, brown rice, broccoli and sugar snap peas

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Day Four: AHA!

So I realized why this has been such a difficult couple of days for me (TMI warning!). My monthly friend paid me a visit. It's no wonder why 1) I needed chocolate so badly, 2) I was so cranky about it, and 3) I felt like a bloated whale. If I can go chocolate free this week, I can do anything.

Today wasn't so bad. Maybe it was the realization that there was a physical reason for my out-of-control cravings. Maybe it was because my body's getting used to existing without constant chocolate boosts. I think it was a bit of each of these things, plus the fact that I was really busy all day. My daughter and I did a lot of gardening in the morning/early afternoon. Afterwards, I moved some furniture around in our office. We then picked up a desk (for all my crafting supplies, yay!) found on Freecycle with the help of one of my best buds and her big car. By the time we got home and got the desk put back together and situated I was exhausted. There really wasn't much time in the day to think about my old friend cocoa.

Here's hoping that Day Five goes just as smoothly!

Breakfast: 3 egg whites with onions, decaf coffee, strawberries
Lunch: salad (spinach, onions, red peppers, cucumbers, carrots, red wine vinaigrette)
Snacks: guac and veggies, more strawberries, peanuts
Dinner: black bean burger (sans bun) and assorted veggies

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Day Three: Ugh.

Today started out great. I was feeling good. Really proud that the first two days went off without a hitch. I cruised through the morning and didn't even have any post-lunch cravings. I actually wondered what I would have to say about today.

Then I went home.

I'm not sure what it was, but the second I walked in the door I had a fist-clenching craving for some chocolatey deliciousness. Still proud of myself for coming this far (yes, two chocolate-free days in a row is a HUGE accomplishment for me), I knew I couldn't give in. But that didn't stop me from wanting to stomp and pout like my nearly four year old. Why am I doing this again?

Luckily, today is my daughter's ballet day so I wasn't home for long before we had to run out. My husband and chef has a night shoot tonight so I knew I wouldn't be well fed. I decided to call my mom and see if she was interested in going to a local restaurant that has a killer shrimp Caesar salad. She was.

My next huge, unrelenting craving came while eating my yummy salad. I'm one of those people who needs something sweet after a meal. Knowing I wouldn't get that, I wanted it even more.

All I have to say about today is UGH.

Breakfast: 3 egg whites with pepper and onions, decaf coffee, strawberries
Snack: more strawberries
Lunch: salad (spinach, grilled chicken, almond slices, red wine vinaigrette... noticing a trend? when I like something I tend to obsess...)
Snack: 1 tbs hummus, 1 tbs guac and plenty o' veggies (see previous note)
Dinner: grilled shrimp Caesar salad

photo source: brownie

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Day Two: You've GOT to Be Kidding Me

Feeling proud of myself after my successful first day, I marched into work on Day 2 focused and ready to avoid chocolate. I even made sure my wallet was empty of singles or enough coins to purchase a candy bar in case of a moment of weakness in front of the vending machine. So what is the first thing I see? Girl Scout cookies! And not just any Girl Scout cookies (I can avoid the shortbread ones). But THIN MINTS!!! Arguably the BEST Girl Scout cookies (ok, Samoas and Tagalongs are pretty delicious also). A little later, I realized there were two mini Peppermint Patties in my purse. I knew that it was going to be a rough day. The universe was out to get me.

I made it through the morning strong and unwilling to bend. But the morning is never my problem area (ok, I shouldn't say never). It's the mid-afternoon slump that absolutely kills me. Somehow though, I made it. Even with those Thin Mints in my face all day. After lunch, I decided to go to the vending machine with the little bit of change I could collect from what was left in my purse and buy some peppermint Lifesavers (wee bit of a downgrade, no?). Somehow this got me through the rest of work.

When I got home, I decided to take my daughter to the mall for some retail therapy. The problem? The Great American Cookie place. Smack in the middle of the mall (and therefore, our travels) it is a shiny beacon of deliciousness. Of course my daughter wanted one. And of course (the sucker that I am) I couldn't say no. Thankfully, she decided on a sugar cookie (the easiest to turn down) and I was ok with catching a fleeting whiff of it as she devoured half. Day two was a success.

Breakfast: Strawberry Smoothie (same as yesterday) and peanuts
Snack: Strawberries
Lunch: Salad (spinach with the leftover chicken/dressing from day one plus almond slivers)
Snack: 1 TBS each of guacamole and hummus with veggies (carrots, red peppers, cucumbers)
Dinner: Barbeque chicken, 1/2 cup of brown rice, broccoli and green beans

photo sources: Thin Mint, Lifesavers, Cookie

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Day One: A Delicious Dilemma

I have a problem. It's a problem that takes over my life. I hide. I sneak. I destroy evidence. I act a little bit like a raccoon in the garbage.

My name is Jen and I'm a chocoholic.

While this might not sound like a serious issue, I promise you it is. I can't just eat the recommended sliver of dark chocolate per day. I will stuff my face with all of the chocolate in sight until there is nothing left--and believe me I search high and low to make sure there is nothing left. Afterwards, I feel disgusted and a teensy bit ashamed. Oh chocolate. It is delicious and it is my dilemma.

For this reason (and possibly because my four-year-old told me the other day that my "belly is getting weally big"), I decided to start this "healthy detox" I've been talking about for months (after reading it in Glamour magazine.... It's ok to laugh. My husband does too). Nothing too crazy. Just a little week-long cleanse of sorts: no sugar, caffeine, alcohol, added salts or packaged foods. Doesn't sound too bad, right? But you don't understand my addiction!

Chocolate is not something I have once in awhile. Lately, it has become something I eat several times a day. I'll put chocolate soy milk in my coffee in the morning. I'll drink hot chocolate at work. I'll hit up the vending machine after lunch. When I get home, I'll either pick at whatever chocolate might be in the house or I'll take my daughter out and just happen to stumble upon some chocolate in our travels. I have no self control.

I decided that the best way to tackle my little "issue" is to force myself to avoid it. Once I get past the withdrawal and feelings of loss and desperation (oh the horrors! no chocolate covered strawberry dessert?!), I'll have an easier time controlling myself. But to get to that point, I need a) a distraction. Doing a detox provides me with just that. It's not just chocolate that I can't eat this week. There are other things too--like pretzels and sangria! And b) accountability. By broadcasting my little experiment here, I am much more likely to stick to it (mostly so I don't look like a big jerk).

So, I've decided to keep a little food diary here and to relate my trials and tribulations to whoever might be listening...

Day One:
Breakfast: smoothie (greek yogurt, frozen strawberries, light V8 Splash) and a hard-boiled egg
Lunch: salad (spinach, grilled chicken, almonds, red wine and vinegar dressing)
Snack: guacamole with veggies
Dinner: Greek chicken, salad with an oil and lemon dressing, hummus and veggies

Believe it or not, I didn't feel very deprived. I had my regular mid-afternoon super craving, but I soldiered through. Most of my afternoon was spent wrangling my daughter and nephew and preparing food (dinner, hummus, guac, cutting veggies for the rest of the week), so my mind wasn't occupied on finding and devouring chocolate. We'll see about tomorrow....

photo sources: box of chocolates, chocolate covered strawberry

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