21 Day Detox & Purification Day 1

After talking with my wife this evening about the devastation in her home state of Missouri, it almost seems trivial to blog about my little 21 day detox. That and learning about a 23 year old girl here in South Hill who had a bicycle accident last Friday and whose life now hangs in the balance. Her name is Bethany. Please pray for her and her family. Also pray for those not only in this country but those elsewhere who've lost everything and loved ones.

I should do a better job with mentioning the need for prayer and support with the 21 day program. This is not easy. Meaningful health change often requires divine intervention and that we not shoulder all the burden. Willpower is a muscle that we can exercise, but it helps to know:

¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13, New International Version)

Today's meals went well considering the lack of prep that I recommend so highly. Breakfast was rushed having slept in because for some reason my alarm clocks (my girls) decided to play downstairs rather than wake me up as is their usual forte. Thankfully, just knowing I had to throw a smoothie together required less time than our usual breakfasts. My girls had to have some of course, along with their leftover oatmeal. The smoothie was a tad of frozen banana, pineapple, berries, apple, carrot, celery, parsley, a little fish oil, stevia, and supplements. I had a few bites of pineapple and was out the door. I brought an apple to work with me and thankfully my good wife dropped off some cut up bell pepper. I had a moment of temptation for the Standard Bars at the front counter but managed to make it home without passing out. Dinner was lentils, sweet brown rice, salsa, with red leaf lettuce, EV olive oil and balsamic vinegar, guacamole, and yam fries. Quite satisfactory. My sweet craving was fixed with an after dinner cup of shredded coconut, ground flax, inositol powder, cinnamon, a half of banana mashed with Vanilla Vegan Protein powder and a little water to blend it all with.

I wanted to make some suggestions. Those who seem to do best with this diet, pick a few key recipes to alternate with. Trying to follow a gourmet menu plan with new dishes every night will lead to burn out. Maybe spaghetti squash with butter and marinara one night, lentils and rice with salad or steamed veggies another, yam chips with guacamole and salsa and asparagus with mayo on yet another. Make enough for leftovers. "Rinse and repeat."

I should also mention that in addition to regular lentils, try the orange type, pea soup, and maybe even black-eyed peas. There are many varieties of brown rice so don't limit it to just plain old long grain. Try sweet brown, basmati, etc. Protein powder is a must. I am using Whey protein in my smoothies and then supplementing with a rice, pea, hemp protein blend that is sweetened with stevia and Lo Han and flavored.

If you don't have it yet, pick up some coconut oil. That is such good stuff. Cook with it, melt it into your curries, blend it in your smoothies. If in doubt, feeling like you are going to die or fall off the wagon... make a fruit smoothie with extra protein powder. Blessings.

Dr. G