This month’s major chalkboard item was a purification program. Otherwise known as a 21-day detox diet…. What were we thinking? Jim and I have both done this before, and the three weeks prior to Thanksgiving, (American Thanksgiving) seemed like the perfect time to do it again.
We went to Bernie Rosen (Rosen Wellness LLC) for the stuff. We both know Bernie through our yoga teacher training programs. Among other things, Bernie lectures on healthy eating and holds a PhD in holistic nutrition. He has really made me rethink the way I eat. I’m a real bread, granola and low fat yogurt type of person. I don’t eat much in the way of protein, and I can eat cereal until the cows come home. Bernie’s lectures have helped me turn that around. I’m eating more protein and a whole lot more vegetables. I feel better, and I’ve even knocked off a few pounds.
Bernie, located in Thiensville, lead us to the Standard Process Purification Program. During the 21 days, you give up all caffeine and alcohol. You eat vegetables, fruit and protein shakes. You also drink a lot of water. On day 11 you start adding lean protein in the form of chicken and fish. Throughout the three weeks you take Gastro-fiber to clean you out and Green-food to boost you up.
Well, I wish I could tell you that Jim and I sailed through this diet with ease. That first morning, without a cup of coffee to start the day, was tough. But week one went okay. I did tend to ‘need’ a handful of trail mix mid-afternoon. Plus we buy the trail mix from Outpost Foods, the kind with the chocolate covered coffee beans, and if I positioned my hand just right…. well you get the picture. The second week, with the addition of the protein also went well. I made amazing fish stew and Jim made an equally amazing turkey chili. Yum! And then came week three.
It was a bit of a disaster. I graduated from mid-afternoon trail mix, to mid-afternoon chai lattes. And really Jim, two McDonald cheeseburgers were your ONLY option for lunch that day? Next time we might ask Bernie if he has a two-week plan!
Anyway, we finished the 21 days knowing how to make our own salad dressing, with a few delicious recipes up our sleeves and generally looking and feeling better. We weren’t perfect but hopefully we will maintain some of our newly formed habits. I have a huge pot of root vegetables simmering on the stove, almost ready to blend into potage soup, and boy am I ever looking forward to the fresh buns I bought to go with it.
