Not that I’m counting or anything but this is the third day with no wine and no afternoon cappuccino. Yes, I understand there are bigger issues in the world, but right now we’re talking about MY world and this is big breaking news – for me.
I will enter the Fresh Start detox on November 4th but I’ve now started the recommended PRE-detox plan. I shan’t be drinking at all and by next week I will have eliminated coffee. They want me to be eating about 80% raw and 20% cooked food by the time I get there and they recommend a green smoothie as the breakfast ticket.
I’ve played around with the suggestion of adding spinach or beet tops or carrot tops or whatever to a fruit smoothie and came up with a really tasty drink this morning..so if anyone’s interested in adding more fresh veg into their life, try this:
Pour any juice to cover the blades of the blender (I used Ceres Mango) Add one frozen banana (freeze in skins) one finely chopped piece of dried mango, a heaping tablespoon of freshly grated ginger, one chopped apple, about 1/4 cup of yogurt and a huge squashed handful of fresh spinach. Frappe it to death, adding a little water if necessary. Now add a big scoop of ground flax seed and whirl again. (I add that at the very end because otherwise it thickens up too much).
Voila. You are ready to conquer the world. Just don’t look at it. We are definitely not talking about visual appeal here. It kind of looks like green hurl.
The other recommendation is 2 litres of filtered water to be sipped throughout the day. I think of myself as a big water drinker. Well, hello…I’ve filled a jug with the requisite amount and have been working my way through it every day. Good thing I work at home.
I really thought this was a nutty idea at first. I don’t believe we’re toxic (most of us) and think the societal preoccupation with detoxing is a little over the top. But, I do like the notion of starting fresh. It’s kind of like a fresh notebook and a new pen, things just seem more ‘possible’.
And quite frankly between the Caribbean trip and this recent Florida trip, the jeans have either shrunk and the scale is broken, or I’ve gotten kind of thick. It’s time. Time to shake it up and shift the thinking. And maybe it is good to give the whole system a rest if nothing else.
And that’s the other thing. We pride ourselves on being very healthy eaters. Huge salads, at least 3 veggies with dinner and all that stuff. But when I really start adding up the fruit and vegetables that are truly recommended in the Canada Food Guide or even what I remember from Weight Watchers so long ago…we’re getting a failing grade. So I love this reminder to load up the cart with produce.
The Fresh Start people recommend a handful of raw pumpkin seeds to start every day…I have my limits. I bought the toasted ones. I took their advice and at least got the unsalted variety but I’m not quite ready for the raw version. Maybe I’ll work up to it. I like food and it has to taste good. I can’t give that up.
Isn’t it bad enough that my bookcase with the hidden stash of chocolate bars is calling to me as I write?
Smoothie virginity? What a concept, who knew?
Colleen, you are becoming a Smoothie Guru, another hat you might have
to don, along with the black one you sport while on assignment.
This is a great thread! Thanks for making Fresh Start light and fun. Proof -it can be all things to all people!
I like that. Miz Smoothie Guru or perhaps we could just shorten it to Oh-Esteemed-One? That’s even better dontchya think?
Love this! I know you won’t believe this (or maybe you will, since I went horseback riding and canoeing for the FIRST time just last month), but I’ve never had a smoothy. I’ve never been to a Spa, remember…so lay off, will ya…I know, I know…Anyway, I am going to try your healthy version above this weekend. Am trying to get rid of a little “thickness” myself…
As far as the bookcase chocolate bars? I found 1/3 of a Hershey’s bar (without almonds…) in the drawer of my desk this morning! I feared the bar was likely closing in on its expiry date so I had to consume it on the spot. You get that..right?
Will try the smoothie and send you full report.
Way cool that you’re breaking your smoothie virginity this weekend. Good to plan these things in advance I think…
Any frozen fruit would be good or fresh fruit and some ice cubes or whatever combo appeals. The cool thing is, you really don’t end up tasting the spinach at all, but you could never eat that much as a salad. That’s gotta be good for you. The grated ginger is a great anti-inflammatory so you’ll feel good knowing you’re doing some internal fixing whether you needed it or not.
OMG. Hershey? You are being so cruel, it’s bad enough that the ones in my bookcase keep whispering and teasing me. But I am resisting with my mantra…I will be strong. I will be strong 🙂
Quite liked your Article on giving a fresh start to your body as well as life. I find it real and as you yourself following the tips so it wasnt like a lecture. Well then to flick upon my curiosity I wanted to ask you some more things, will make it point wise that would help you to answer easily;
1. Is it required to follow the recommended PRE-detox plan, as in no problem with it but how would you clearly know the rules?
2. Any other green smoothie as the breakfast ticket( ha ha haJ nothing like the color does not appeal me but somehow banana does not suit me)
3. About the “water plan”: I don’t work at home so is it possible any other substitute?
Lastly, would like to quote the best line “But, I do like the notion of starting fresh”- worth reading your piece…………….would wait for your reply…!!! Thank you!
Hi Cameroon,
Thanks for taking the time to comment and your great questions. 1. The pre-detox plan was emailed to me as soon as I registered for the Fresh Start retreat. I will write more about it in the next day or two but the general idea is to focus on more and more raw food and to be caffeine and alcohol free. I think the pre-detox plan is in place so that it’s not such a shock to the body to be on the five-day juice fast. 2. You can play around with that drink and you could just put any fresh or frozen fruit you like so you don’t have to deal with the bananas 🙂 3. I think the water idea is to just drink as much as you can throughout the day. For most of us, anything is an improvement.
Good luck and drop by again…Cheers, Colleen
Preparation is the key to success in any health oriented program. It begins with the mindset of one taking responsibility for one’s health, instead of leaving it up to the medical society or any other professionals out there.
I know that the guests who prepared in advance had very smooth sessions. Enjoy the preparation and anticipation.
Colleen, you have me running to the blender! This sounds scrummy and yet soooo healthy. You are getting a Fresh Start already, I can tell-but one good thing about it is you are still funny! Green hurl, girl? Okay, will promise not to look, just mix and swallow. Even though I haven’t been to the Caribbean and Florida, my jeans seem to be shrinking too, do you think this is a trend in jean manufacturing? 😉
I think you’re onto something…maybe it’s a Jean Conspiracy? And my guess is that my skirts joined the same group…Hmmmm.
Vasili,
Thank you for the comment and reassurance. I am feeling like I’m in control of my preparation for the fast. I’m looking forward to my stay at Fresh Start.