Two Down, One to Go

Ultimate Reset - Phase 2, Day 14

Last day for phase 2 - hard to believe. Will weigh and check measurements in the morning.

Phase 3 consists of fruits and vegetables only (if any whole grain, it is during snack, and I am not willing to give up my ShakeO for that). So my week will be truly just fruits and vegetables.

More on phase 3 tomorrow as well as phase two results.

Went to the park with Scrappy today. Not much other exercise. May need to mow tomorrow. :) Also planning to begin Tai Chen. Did take a LONG nap. It is interesting how the energy comes and goes.

Dinner tonight was Edamame and Roasted Corn (Ultimate Reset)

Ingredients
½ cup fresh corn kernels
1 cup water
¾ cup shelled edamame
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
½ medium shallot, diced
½ medium red bell pepper, diced
¼ medium red onion, diced
1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
Himalayan salt (to taste; optional)
Herbal seasoning blend (to taste; optional)

Directions
Preheat oven to 400° F.
Arrange corn kernels in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, or until they caramelize and begin to brown, but before they harden. Remove from oven and set aside.
While corn roasts, bring water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat; Add edamame; cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Drain. Set aside.
Heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add shallot, bell pepper, and onion; cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes, or until soft.
Add corn and edamame; cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add vinegar, lime juice, and cilantro, plus salt and seasoning blend (if desired). Mix well.

Looking forward to next week. Have to work two of the five days, so I will need to incorporate the eating into my day. Sure going to miss this summer vacation!

It's All About Perspective

What do you see?

Ultimate Reset, Phase 2, Day 13

My perspective continues to change when it comes to food and clean eating. The recipes allow me to enjoy foods I once declined without a thought. These 21 days are steadily changing my relationship with food. And I love it. Though I was a bit tired today (slept a little longer after breakfast), I did not nap. I am beginning to see and feel physical changes, realizing it is about so much more than just the weight loss. It's the perspective gained as well as the stronger, lighter, more able body and mind.
Hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of Phase 2. Only a week to go, and I am not struggling with hunger or the need to eat the foods I once craved (or at least thought I did).

I find I am looking forward to exercising and eating cleanly even after (or especially after) the 21 days have elapsed. BB just came out with a new supplement group, and I have ordered the Energize to assist with my morning workouts. I usually hate getting up in the morning; however, once school
starts, morning exercise is the best way to ensure daily exercise. Evenings often have other obligations to fill.


I promised the recipe for Nori Gomasio to go along with yesterday's recipe. Adding it below.


NORI GOMASIO
(makes 4 servings - 1 TBSP each)

1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/2 tsp Himalayan salt
1 sheet toasted nori seaweed

1. Heat sesame seeds in medium skillet over low heat, stirring frequently, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and begin to pop.
2. Remove from heat. Cool for 10 minutes.
3. Place sesame seeds, salt, and nori in a small food processor or blender; cover with lid. Pulse until most seeds are cracked open. Be careful not to grind to a smooth consistency; you want some of the texture of the seeds to remain.
4. Store in airtight container.


As I move in a positive direction, my goal is to make the best of every day, one day at a time.

Until tomorrow -

Adjusting As Able

This photo of TEXAS Outdoor Musical is courtesy of TripAdvisor.

Wonderful few days with friends sometimes equates to missing blog posts :) . Just spent the last two days with my two best friends. We decided a few years ago to get together every summer (since we moved to different cities about 7 years ago). When I decided to do the Reset, we had already made plans (but it was really the only time I could Reset before school begins in August), so I decided I would just have to do my very best those three days, and I hung tight for the most part. Avoided meat and bread even though we had already bought chuck wagon dinner tickets to eat before attending the musical TEXAS in Palo Duro Canyon.

 It may have seemed a little strange to the server, but I did not partake of the meat (3 different possibilities). Had beans and a little cole slaw as I did not know what the ingredients were. A couple of squirts of BB sauce on the beans (this is NOT on the Reset). For dinner the first night, I asked my husband to still cook the brisket, ribs, and roast (lots of meat, but he's a good cook, and we share the food with my parents and daughter as well) we had originally planned along with roasted garlic broccoli, quinoa salad (reset recipe), and beans. I ate the quinoa salad and broccoli and a few beans. While hanging out with the girls, I stuck to salads (though I did put a little 1000 Island on one). Ate out with my husband and daughter and had soup and salad (french onion soup without the cheese and a house salad with balsamic vinegar dressing - forgot to tell the waitress to take off the cheese, tried to eat around it, but finally just ate it as it was very LITTLE cheese). Though I feel like I managed well overall (with support and encouragement from my buddies and family), I would advise anyone tackling the Reset to try avoid having "plans" during that time. I was really thankful when I got home and had complete control over all of my meals. Keeping up the water intake also proved difficult. And I could feel the difference. However, I am thankful for the wonderful visit and thankful for the changes the Reset is making in my life.

Hard to believe that I am only two days away from completing Phase II. This phase has definitely been different as the detoxing has truly begun. Throughout the week, I have found myself to be bloated or gassy. Understanding this is an indication that the Reset is working its magic, I am able to hang tight. However, this Reset is gentle in that it does not have one running back and forth to the bathroom afraid to leave the house! Moving through daily regular activities does not prove to be a problem at all. Just have to remember not to consider the weight at this point until the end of the cleanse as the bloating has the tendency to create a sense of extra weight.

Nori Rolls with Tempeh & veggies

RESET RECIPE

NORI ROLLS WITH TEMPEH AND VEGGIES
(Makes 2 servings)

1/2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 strip smoky tempeh strips (or baked tempeh)
1 sheet Nori seaweed
1/3 cup cooked brown rice
1/4 medium avocado, sliced
1/4 medium carrot, cut into matchstick-sized pieces
1/4 cucumber, but into thin strips
1 1/2 tsp. Nori Gomasio (recipe tomorrow), to taste

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add tempeh; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until crisp. Place nori on cutting board, Top with rice , covering half the nori lengthwise.

To with tempeh, avocado, carrot, and cucumber. Sprinkle wit nori gomasio if desired. Roll up from bottom, being careful not to tear nori. Wet end of nori to seal; cut into six slices.

Until tomorrow -

New Discoveries

Bisque

Ultimate Reset Phase 2, Day 9

So many new and delicious recipes. Amazing. So many foods that I never thought I would like. Such a wonderful feeling to leave a meal feeling satisfied - not stuffed. To feel energetic and motivated, not tired and dragging.

The Bisque tonight was wonderful and it included red peppers, one of those foods I never would have tried before. The recipe follows:

SWEET POTATO AND ROASTED RED PEPPER BISQUE
(makes one serving)

1 cup water
1 medium sweet potato (or yam), pealed, cubed
1/4 medium red bell pepper
1 tsp. finely grated ginger root
1 1/2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp. miso paste, mixed with 2 Tbsp. hot water
1 cup vegetable broth (or water)
Bragg Liquid Aminos (or Himalayan salt, to taste, optional)
Herbal seasoning blend (to taste, optional)

Bring water to a boil in small saucepan over medium heat, add sweet potatoes, cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Drain. Set aside. roast bell pepper on grill or gas stovetop. Turn frequently until skin is evenly charred. Place in medium bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel for 10 minutes. Peel skin under running water. Remove seeds. Chop into 1/2 inch cubes.

Place sweet potato, bell pepper, oil, miso, and broth in a blender or food processor, in 2 or more batches if necessary; cover with lid and kitchen towel. Blend until smooth, if consistency is too thick, add water. Heat soup in a medium saucepan over medium heat, cool, stirring frequently for 4 to 5 minutes, or until hot. Add Bragg Liquid Aminos and seasoning blend if desired.

We adjusted the recipe a bit. First doubling it, and then baking the sweet potatoes in the oven. We also broiled red pepper to char skin. 

As for phase 2, day 9, still not hungry or needing to snack throughout the day. I will admit that I look forward to my vegan ShakeO for snack time! I love the stuff, even when I can only mix it with distilled, mineralized water!

Feeling strong, ready to exercise, but I know that my body is working out on the inside right now, and I need to give it a chance to detox. Friends coming in tomorrow. I am sure we will take several walks over the next few days! And I will continue eating only vegetables and fruit throughout the meals. Interestingly, though dinner tomorrow night will include smoked ribs and sausage (and I DO love my husband's cooking, especially smoked), I will be able to enjoy the company and dinner without eating any of the meat.

Did take a nap this afternoon; I seem to be sleeping so much better than I used to. Find myself staying up later (11 or 12) but still waking up by 7 or so each day. I DO NOT miss that nagging tired feeling of never having enough sleep and always feeling sluggish.

Enjoying time outside each day, especially with the last few days of cool, crisp mornings!

Until tomorrow.

The Second Shelf

Moving toward bottom shelf!

The amount of weight I lost this week is about the same as the picture on the second shelf (9.5 pounds and a total of 5.5 inches on waist and hips). Sublime! And in a regular week, even with clean eating, this is not the norm. This Reset works in a healthy manner because of the science behind the supplements and the chosen foods. It is amazing what can happen when the toxins are removed from the body.

SEE PICTURES OF AND INFO ABOUT SUPPLEMENTS BELOW.

But even more important than the weight loss is the way I feel - lighter in general (inside and out). And a fog is lifting.

 My only regret is that I didn't listen and do this sooner! First, I didn't want to spend the money. What a joke. How much money did I waste on processed, fast food? How much wasted on sugary products? On lost time and energy? This is the only body I will ever have. Why do I find it so easy to spend money on some many other "things" when they are unnecessary and definitely not going to affect my health - at least not in a positive manner.

Second, I did not wish to give up the foods I "love," and I definitely didn't want to sustain myself on mostly fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. I don't even like a lot of fruits and vegetables.

So what changed? I wish to be healthy; I'm tired of being tired! I want to feel good!

The kicker? The meals are enjoyable; I am learning that there are many foods out there (especially cooked in just the right manner) that I actually enjoy eating! And those foods I love? I can still have them once in a while - just don't think I am going to miss them that much! Please know it amazes me that I can even say this. But this IS one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself and my health. And I will NOT go back.

On to PHASE 2 - RELEASE
       The guide notes, "you begin to release the toxic compounds that are stored within your tissues, clogging your cells and blocking proper nutrient absorption. This phase includes a gentle colon cleanse. You'll now be eating a fully vegetarian diet."

  The surprise? I don't mind! Day 1 of phase 2 is done, and I did not miss meat at all. Who knew? OK, so several people have told me this (including my hubby).

For the first day, I still woke up about 7, but after breakfast, I found myself needing to sleep a bit more. However, the rest of the day has been great - even mowed the back yard. I am beginning to physically feel the changes, and they are lovely!

A recipe from the Reset -
      I use the following dressing on all my salads (though there are several other recipes):

                  CREAMY GARLIC DRESSING
(makes 10 servings, about 2 Tbsp each)

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3 cloves garlic, crushed
3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp Himalayan salt
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp raw honey (or pure maple syrup)

Place oil, vinegar, garlic, lemon juice, parsley, salt, mustard, and honey in a blender or food processor, cover with lid. Blend until smooth. Refrigerate dressing if not using immediately. If dressing solidifies when cold, hold at room temperature for 30 minutes. Stir before serving.

Enjoy!

Until tomorrow