Let me start by saying that I am grateful for the incredible privilege I have to choose my food, to choose the most vibrant, fresh and healthful food.
And, I think it’s a good idea to do a cleanse for the body and spirit every year.
For two weeks I relinquished:
- dairy
- caffeine
- alcohol
- sugar
- processed foods (including wheat).
What’s left!? I opted for a diet of vegetables, fruits, grains, beans and cleansing herbal teas.
I know you’re thinking, I could never give up my…. That’s why I’m writing this article, to share some surprising insights that may help you reevaluate your own choices.
First, my approach
- I set the dates months in advance in my calendar.
- I got a cleanse buddy, who is also an herbalist.
- I got clear on what I wanted from this: to feel lighter, to lose a few pounds of winter weight, and mostly to see what my body is like without all these stimulants.
With this preparation, I was able to develop a mindset that helped me commit. I didn’t focus on what I was going to miss or on how hard it was going to be. Instead, I focused on how curious I was about what would happen.
My values of curiosity and health trumped my fears of lack or deprivation.
Treats!
I see how I experience food as a ‘treat’. It’s something I eagerly look forward to. It’s a very creative endeavor for me, this eating, so the week is peppered with food treats:
- Daily cappuccino right away upon arising
- Oo! Let’s make pizza tonight!
- Friday night happy hour with friends – wine! cheese plate, fried treats!
Even though vegetables, grains and salads are delicious, there’s not a lot of ‘treat’.
Bottom line: I am doing that thing I’ve heard of but didn’t think applied to me: emotional eating. But that’s okay. I’m more aware of food’s role in my life, and that’s a start.
Food is life’s best art – one you take into your body – and I plan to relish it for as long as I can.
Easier than you think
This elimination plan may seem daunting.
How will you ever get through the day without caffeine! You probably want to kill me for merely suggesting it. But it’s actually not as difficult as you think. If you find a positive perspective, you can overcome some of the more difficult moments.
I know that sounds very coachy and Pollyanna-ish – ‘Think bright thoughts!!’ but so much of our experience really does happen in our minds, and we truly can change how we think.
I also didn’t go out much. This helped a lot to avoid temptation and also made this time a more sacred, an inner process.
Bottom line: you can do more than you think. You are capable of more than you think. Your will is strong.
Remember my crazy yoga stunt this time last year?
Even keel I’ve often suspected that what and how I eat and drink may contribute to my mood swings.
The first few days of the cleanse, I felt pretty flat. Not HIGH not low, just flat. By day five, I felt more energized but still on an even keel.
Bottom line: if I am feeling overly emotional, I know I can back off on some of these stimulants to enjoy life on the plains instead of the peaks and valleys.
Insights
I need things to look forward to in order to feel joy in life. I’ve been planning my autumn trip to Europe and how I will celebrate completion of my novel. (Peek: It involves Amsterdam!)
I can’t say I will stay on the straight and narrow with caffeine, alcohol and sugar. I do hope to be more mindful. The cleanse wasn’t about eliminating these treats forever, just clarifying their role in my life.
My cappuccino will be decaffeinated and I’ll use less milk. I’m trying for as little caffeine as possible.
For over three weeks I have not reading while eating. It’s hard, and I tend to eat more quickly to be done with it and go back to work. I’ll make an effort to slow down and savor.
I’ve lost four pounds, and I feel great without it. This lightness and feeling good in my clothes is the motivation I need to stay moderate in my eating. I’m gearing up to escape the cocoon, and I want to feel and look great out there!
I’m dying for pizza, for tortilla chips, and for yogurt. I’m celebrating the end of the cleanse by feasting with friends. I’ll take it easy, don’t worry!
What about you? I hope this inspires you to think differently about your choices. I encourage small changes. It’s not just radical adjustments that make a difference. It’s the little things that add up. What does this spark you to change? Share it in a comment below.
It’s been a while since I’ve done this, you’ve inspired me to schedule something later this summer. White flour, sugar are what I eliminate.
Being a non-caffeine and (mostly a) non-alcohol drinker already my list is shorter. Resisting coffee is easy – it’s yucky :):)
Thanks for the inspiration.
What struck me the most is the “non-caffeine” part! I adore cafe cubano, but it is perhaps a weekly treat. However, I drink green tea daily, and that has caffeine, too.
Do you drink green tea? Do you ban it during these two weeks?
I don’t really eliminate anything…but instead limit intake of red meat, processed foods, etc. I admire your cleanse…it is not something I do…LOL.
I too admire what you did. It’s not easy. Food and social situations are so connected.
And most food is so yummy that it’s a shame to have to watch so closely what we eat.
I hope to some day try it again. I did something similar about 5 years ago. I took cooking lessons from a vegan chef and stuck with it for a while. The food was awesome…I ate all kinds of veggies & fruits, vegan cheese, soy milk, seitan, grains, beans….and other vegan foods.
I did miss dairy the most! I had no problem with alcohol, meat, caffeine, and sugar after a while.
I went back to dairy and I do drink coffee in the morning. I could probably drink decaff and I could not tell the difference. I grew up drinking coffee and milk since I was a young child…caffein doesn’t do anything to me.
Sugar is another story…I think I’m addicted to it. I’m ok after I don’t have it for around 21 days. But as soon as I try it again…I’m back to wanting it constantly. I crave it. I need to give it up again. I have to try to just stick to 86% cocoa chocolate.
I do think that I mostly eat a healthy diet. I fall of the wagon when I eat out. I try to only do that once a week now.
At home I eat LOTS of veggies and fruits and only whole grains. I never eat white flour stuff. I eat fish and chicken sometimes. I eat red meat maybe once a month if that.
Thank you for this post. It opens up my eyes to thinking about this again.