Another round of DETOX

After all of the holiday goodies and treats my body was basically begging me for a detox. I started having frequent stomach aches (gluten for sure) and even gained a few pounds (gasp!). I wanted to reverse the harmful effects of carbs and sweets and get back on track, so water and veggies galore!

I uesd all of my past detox recipes and even added in a few new ones:

Can't live without a little berry salad dressing-- Fresh Raspberry Dressing

OR SOUP! -- Detox Vegetable Soup

You can find my other detox recipes here.

This time around I added in some tomato soup, roasted spaghetti squash with homemade tomato sauce, and a delicious sauteed veggie medley that I could eat every day. And I did. I even adding in a sweet treat - frozen mango smoothies. YUM.

Summer Spinach Salad with Fresh Raspberry Dressing

Another TLS Detox friendly recipe! I found some super fresh raspberries at the market this morning and I knew immediately I wanted to make a detox friendly dressing with them. Since all you can eat on detox is fruits and veggies it is hard to eat plain old salads without any dressing on them. Raspberry dressing to the rescue! It is so simple and I'm quite amazed myself at how good it tastes.

Ingredients:
2 cups Baby Spinach
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup diced fresh strawberries
1/4 cup chopped fresh broccoli


Dressing:
6 oz fresh raspberries
1/2 Tbsp dijon mustard
1-1/2 Tbsp red wine vinegar


For the dressing, combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. If you are not detoxing feel free to add 1 Tbsp EVOO

Detox Vegetable Soup

I just got back from an awesome family vacation on Lake Winnisquam in New Hampshire - a family tradition for 13 years now! Most nights, dinner is a community event, so we have steak night, spaghetti and meatball night...you get the idea. After all the delicious home cooked food I decided I need to put my body through detox again. I might just be crazy.

For my second detox I decided I needed to make some veggie soup! Last time I didn't have something quick and easy like this to go to, so this time it was a must.

I'm already starving. It's only day 2 of 7. Detox is hard, but sooo worth it.

TLS Detox Week 1: Stuffed Mushrooms

Have you ever heard of Transitions Lifestyle System? I hadn't until this past fall when two of my sisters and my cousin all joined this breakthrough weight loss program. My cousin lost 31 lbs in the 12 week program that cuts out carbs and sugars, and has since lost an additional 25 lbs. That is 56 pounds!! She went from a size 12 to a size 2 and has now decided to become a coach for the program along with one of my sisters who also lost 30 lbs.

Who can say no to a "family discount" on weight loss coaching that is going to do nothing but better my health? NOT ME :) I signed up for the 12 week program that consists of weekly group meetings for support (with the coaches), 4 week weigh ins, online support, and a "starter kit" with vitamins, supplements and a journal. I am going to document my progress over the next 12 weeks on this blog which will also include recipe ideas!

The TLS weight loss system focuses on the glycemic index, which is a system for measuring how quickly different foods allow the sugar they contain to spread into the blood. I'll get into more detail of that once I learn it at the weekly classes.

To start off this journey we must put our bodies through detox. It may sound scary and an impossible feat, but it really has not been that bad so far. For 7 days you are to cleanse your system by eating only fruits and vegetables, so that means no fats, carbs, artificial sugars...you get the idea. And it is best to not eat fruit in the morning because of the natural sugars they contain. It can be quite tricky figuring out what to have for breakfast! I have found a good combo that is working for me: 1 can low sodium V8 juice with a handful of grape tomatoes and a handful of chopped cucumbers. Warm lemon water first thing in the morning is a great way to start off the day! Spices are your best friend during detox to keep your food from being bland/boring, which could lead to cheating if you don't feel satisfied. A few people in the group have mentioned feeling weak or shaky from the lack of protein, so it is ok to add a 3oz portion to dinner, but only if you think you might die. And I'm pretty sure no one is going to drop dead from eating all natural foods.

Oh and I should mention.....NO ALCOHOL FOR 30 DAYS. Yikes. I do like my wine - *sad face*

Next week we will be receiving our "starter kits" and will be able to introduce protein back into our diets.

Now for a detox recipe!

Detox Stuffed Mushrooms