DetoxMay!

DetoxMay*

Black Bean Hummus w/ GF "Chips"

GF "Chips" w/ Guac & Salsa

So, it's been 11 days now of DetoxMay! I've been free of gluten and dairy since May 2nd and completely vegetarian since March 14, 2013, that's two months! I have to admit I definitely see this as a life-change rather than a "hip and trendy" fad. I think the main deciding factor is that I recognize the consequences I have to deal with when I make bad decisions.

Eggplant "Parmigiana" w/ GF Pasta

GF Pasta w/ Veggies & Herbs

Surprisingly, I've also recently (just today in fact) realized some positive effects of being gluten-free, dairy-free, and meat-free! (I should add that I'm also egg-free, soy-free, and corn-free for a while now.)

Here's what I've noticed throughout the past few weeks/months/year since I've changed my eating habits:

•Obvious large amounts of weight-loss (exercise included).

•*Huge* loss of bloating (face and stomach) This is a dairy thing. I have hip bones!? ...and a waist! Also, ribs/breast chest bone things?

Massive Veggie Stir-fry/Curry

•For some odd reason I've been waking up early. I'm attributing this to the lack of gluten. If you're gluten intolerant or have wheat allergies (or allergies of any sort), they physically wear your body down. Maybe now that my body is rid of gluten, dairy and meat it doesn't need as much sleep? Who knows. (I am, however, still chronically fatigued with everything else medically and physically going on, but I've been working on that as well!)

•I mentioned before that my mood directly correlates to what I eat. This continues to be proven by DetoxMay!!!

Green Smoothie

You might be wondering why I only write recipes for juices and smoothies, and if that's all I consume...Well, I'm here to tell you: I eat. A lot.

Here are a few staples in my diet as of recent.

Hummus
Black bean hummus homemade chips
Curry
Stir fries
Green smoothies
Eggplant pasta
Salsa
Guac
Big Salads
Teas
Lemon honey water
Horchata
Etc.,
Etc.,

*My "Detox" from a wide variety of foods. I'm on the Road to Recovery!

Detox May

Detox May

1 Carrot Peeled

1 Gala Apple Peeled

1 Celery Stalk

4 Mint Leaves

2 Kale Leaves

2 Handfuls of Spinach

Handful Fro Pineapple

Handful Parsley

Ice

It's that time again. I've learned the hard way (by eating out yesterday), that I need to be gluten and dairy free. So here I am, beginning Detox May! I'm aiming for at least one über-green smoothie/juice per day and healthy meals with no dairy, no gluten, and, of course no meat!

I know that the most difficult part will ultimately be the cravings, while also attempting to maintain a high enough blood pressure due to the POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). Peer pressure has all ready shown to be somewhat difficult. I get feelings of guilt when someone offers "delicious food that I must try". They can't seem to understand that I'm not just being picky, or fussy, or rude, I am simply trying to heal myself by eating what I can tolerate, and avoiding what I makes me ill. UGH!

Life is all about choices. Every choice that we make, either consciously, or subconsciously, or even unconsciously, impacts our lives in numerous ways. That's the beauty of life. These choices, all of them, are up to you to choose what to do. Whether small or large, (putting an apple in my mouth, or eating pizza; climbing a mountain, or going skydiving) we can choose to do what we feel is right for  us. Sometimes when we're overwhelmed or stressed, it seems we tend to shift toward the extremes, which can possibly lead to a dangerous downward spiral. Other times, we can choose to do nothing at all, which is often worse than doing something. YEAH CHOICES! 

 My choices are my own, and I shouldn't have to justify them to anyone else or feel guilty of hurting feelings by saying "No, thank you." Right?

Tropically Refreshing Juice

...and beautiful! I was so thirsty/hungry I didn't even have a chance to snap a pic before I ran out the door this morning. I will admit it was a little odd for me to leave out the greens. But, I am getting my fair share of GREENS via delicious stir frys and curries. I pack 'em in there, babyy! I've been trying to eat/snack more often and enjoy smaller meals; I'm running out of ideas!

Welp, have a go at this delectable Tropically Refreshing Juice.

1/2 Golden Beet peeled
1 Carrot peeled
1/4 Cucumber peeled
1 Handful of frozen Pineapple
1 Handful of frozen Honeydew
Ice
1-2c water (I just eyeball it, like all of my recipes.) =$

Blend until liquefied.

Top with gelled Chia.

Best served over ice with a straw on a hot day! =)

#
Vitamix beet juice

Carrot Juice with a twist

Since I didn't want to 'drink' my chutney, I needed to make something else. Pretty much the only other thing I had in my fridge is a big ol' bag o' carrots! I began peeling away. It's quite therapeutic peeling five carrots. I thought about which would work better, a vegetable peeler or a razor - both, on my legs, and on a carrot. (No, I did not test my hypothesis.)


I recently bought a set of two peelers, one regular, one serrated. I am still quite fascinated with how well the serrated one works on beets! (It was a very cheap set too, maybe only three USD!) Well worth it to have two extra peelers available. (I peel almost as much as I use cutting boards.)

4-5 Carrots Peeled
Handful Parsley
4 Mint Leaves
6 Ice Cubes
Variable 1-10 then high, until juice
Serve over ice.

Anyway, here it is: Carrot Juice with a twist.

I'm taking mine out to the pool to do a few exercises. Hopefully it's not too hot out! =)

Carrot Juice +

4 Carrots Peeled

Handful of Parsley

1/4 -1/2 Cucumber Peeled

5 Chunks Honeydew

1tsp Lemon Juice (Optional)

1 Cup Water 

4 Ice cubes (I like my juice cold!)

Variable 1-10 then High until juice

Serve over ice =)

Broccoli & Kale Juice

This one is right off the vm website. I can't take credit for it. =^" It was pretty tasty, but I do prefer to experiment and see what pretty colors I can produce.

2 broccoli florettes
1/2 kale leaf
1/2 (20 g) celery stalk
2 (100 g) small carrots
1/4 (34 g) apple
1/4 cup (60 mL) cold water
1/2 cup (120 mL) ice cubes

Blend on Variable 1-10 then High until juice!

Here we go at Juicing!

Kale, Pear, Grape, Pineapple, a few icecubes

Not so bad! =)