Spring Cleanse - Day 1

My Spring Cleanse has begun! I am doing a one week detox along with clients. It's a pretty simple detox for those who are already eating a relatively clean diet. The day begins with a tonic made from water, lemon juice, ginger, maple syrup and hawthorn berry. The diet is a whole foods, plant-based diet, which includes fruit, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds. The diet for days 5 and 6 excludes grains, beans, nuts and seeds. Each day is devoted to detoxing a different organ with simple exercises and supplements.


Day 1 is devoted to getting adjusted to the modified diet. It wasn't difficult and I pretty much ate what I usually do. My day started out with oatmeal loaded with fruits, seeds and nuts. I had a big fruit salad for a snack and then a large garden salad for lunch. I found myself having some cravings in the afternoon - hummus and crackers, chickpeas and chocolate! I'm sure it's because I didn't include any grains or beans in salad.


For dinner, I made quinoa with a veggie-stir fry consisted of onion, garlic, asparagus, mushrooms, red pepper and kale. I used a little olive oil (up to three tablespoons a day is allowed but I'm trying to stay under) and lemon juice to flavor it.


I recommended that my clients make a small side salad with dinner each night, but I ignored my own advice. Instead I made collard green wraps, which were inspired by my friend Donna's delicious creations in the raw class we taught on Saturday. I mashed up an avocado with lime juice and and some seaweed flakes, spread it over collard leaves, then topped it with some pea shoots and chopped bell peppers. I rolled the whole thing up into a little spring roll-like bundle. It was delicious, and I've already made more to take to work tomorrow! I also used the leftover cooked quinoa to make a big quinoa salad for tomorrow's lunch. I'm hoping the quinoa, along with some chick peas, will keep the afternoon cravings away!


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