So here’s the deal. My husband has decided to do the21 Day Standard Process Cleanse, and I’ve actually had to create a spreadsheet to figure out how to feed him. Since I’ve already done the work, I thought I’dcreate a page to share our recipe wins and fails – that way, if you ever decide to try this cleanse you’ll be all set! No hours of planning and recipe research, it will all be here ready for you ; – )
I decided to interview himon the eve before his cleanse just in case he gets cranky and refuses to talk to me for the rest of the week. I am not worried about this possibility because this was all my idea Daniel came up with this himself and would never hold me responsible for any side-effects that may occur.
Some of the recipes in the meal plan I created look really good so I have decided that the whole family will cleanse together. Okay, it’s really because I don’t want to cook two different dishes at every meal. But, the point is we are all doing this together, except my daughter and I will be adding in some protein and extra healthy fats because I’m breastfeeding and she’s, well, three.
The Interview ^
What do you hope to get out of doing this cleanse?
Hoping to improve my health and trim down so I can fit into some of these clothes I’ve been staring at for the past year or two.
What are you going to get me for my birthday?
Do what? This is May. What kind of lame question is that? I guess it depends on how nice you are to me. If you tick me off, I might fill the kitchen table with as much fast food as possible just to defy your sensibilities.
You’ll probably be nice to me, though, so expect something better.
What are you looking forward to in this cleanse?
I have no idea what to expect. I did a cleanse once where I didn’t eat meat or eggs for a week and I was pretty darn weak by then. Honestly, I can’t think of one thing I’m looking forward to. Somethings you do because you know you need to. That doesn’t mean you want to.
I’m looking forward to feeling better long-term, having less pain in my feet and knees because I’m actually only holding up the weight I’m supposed to hold up.
Well, there you have it. I will be posting the meals I prepared today so check them out and place your bets on how happy or grumpy he’s going to be when he gets home!
Table of Contents
- The Interview
- Standard Process Cleanse: Day 1 Recipes
- Standard Process Cleanse: Day 2 Update and Recipes
- Standard Process Cleanse: Day 3 Recipes
- Standard Process Cleanse: Day 6 Recipes
- Standard Process Cleanse: Day 7 Recipes
- Standard Process Cleanse: Day 8 Recipes
- Standard Process Cleanse: Day 9 Recipes
- Standard Process Cleanse: Day 10 Recipes
- Breakfast: Piña Colada Smoothie
- Lunch: Pasta
- Dinner: Asian Explosion (Epic Fail)
- Standard Process Cleanse: Day 11 Recipes
- Standard Process Cleanse: Day 13 Recipes
- Standard Process Cleanse: Day 14 Recipes
- Standard Process Cleanse: Day 15 Recipes
- Standard Process Cleanse: Day 16 Recipes
- Standard Process Cleanse: Day 17 Recipes
- Standard Process Cleanse: Day 18 Recipes
- Standard Process Cleanse: Day 19 Recipes
- Standard Process Cleanse: Day 20 Recipes
- Day 22: Post Cleanse Interview
Standard Process Cleanse: Day 1 Recipes ^
Breakfast: Strawberry Twist Shake
Original recipefrom Standard Process:
- 1 cup strawberries
- 1 cup freshly juiced carrots
- 1 Tbs. flaxseed oil
- 2 rounded Tbs. of SP Complete
- Ice cubes or cold water
We added:
- 2 Tbs . Whey Pro Complete
- Handful fresh spinach
- Egg yolks forme and my daughter
Lunch: Mexican-Style Chopped Salad
Cleansing or not, this recipe is worth savoring.
Snacks
- Bubbies pickles (they are fermented and therefore ok)
- Baby carrots
- Apples
- Sliced cucumber
Dinner:
Green salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Half a sweet potato with a smidge of butter (The chiropractors that are overseeing his cleanse said that high-quality grass-fed butter is a healthy fat and can be used)
For my daughter and I: Whole baked chicken
Daniel is definitely detoxing and didn’t feel great today, but he did like the food!!!
Standard Process Cleanse: Day 2 Update and Recipes ^
Daniel is really feeling the lack of coffee today, so I am providing him with lotsof lemon water and CoQ10 for his headache. From what I hear he should begin feeling better by day three.
I’ve planned some yummy treats for him to keep his morale up through what most consider the toughest part (the first 2-3 days).
Breakfast: Citrus Berry Splash Shake
Original recipe from Standard Process:
- ½ cup blackberries
- ¼ cup blueberries
- ½ cup strawberries
- ½ banana (optional)
- The juice from 2 freshly squeezed oranges
- 2 rounded Tbs. of SP Complete
- Ice cubes or cold water
We added:
- 2 Tbs Whey Pro Complete
- 1 Tbs flaxseed oil
- Scrambled eggs on side for Mommypotamus and Katie
Lunch: Tex-Mex Twist
Who doesn’t love Mexican food? This is my cleanse-friendly take on a family fave. Guacamole on a bed of lettuce, homemade salsa and sweet potato chips for dipping.
For the guacamole, I pulse chop some red onions, tomatoes, lemon or lime juice and a dash of cumin in a food processor. Then I add sliced avocado and some homemade salsa for some extra punch. Add salt and blend!
Sweet Potato Chips
This is my first time to use this recipe (minus the agave nectar) from Inspired by Everything. They turned out great! If you like spicy chips make them exactly according to recipe. If not, cut back on the cayenne. A little goes a long way.
Dinner: Lentils with Citrus Salad
Dr. Cindy’s Red Curried Lentils and Brown Rice(Recipe site no longer available, sorry!)
Beet and Orange Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette – Standard Process Recipe
Standard Process Cleanse: Day 3 Recipes ^
Crossing my fingers that the hardest part is behind us!
Lunch: Little Italy
This recipe is so simple. A Saladacco Spiral Slicer quickly transforms raw zucchini into delicate angel hair pasta.
Pour over some marinara sauce and you’re done! I used an organic store bought jar of marinara to simplify things. Just make sure it is nothing more than tomatoes, olive oil, spices and salt, etc. No extra sugar orweird preservatives.
Snacks
- Avocados
- Raw green beans for munching
- Leftover lentils
Dinner: Vegetable Stew
Dr. Cindy’s Vegetable Stew and Brown Rice(We’re using wild rice prepared Nourishing Traditions style)
Diced sweet potatoes drizzled with grass-fed butter and cinnamon
Green salad
According to my husband, these recipes are making this cleanse bearable. I guess I’ll take that as a compliment.
Breakfast: Lazy Mommypotamus Especiàl
Recipe
- 2 tbs SP Complete
- 2 tbs Whey Pro
- 1 c banana
- 1/4 c strawberry
- 1/4 c avocado
- 1 tbs flax oil
- add water until desired consistency is reached
Lunch: Carrot Burgers (ALERT! RECIPE FAIL! DON’T MAKE!)
I adapted this recipe from Alissa Cohen’s Carrot Pecan Burger’s. I thought it would be good, but I just got my first bad review from Daniel. I’ll tweak it and repost.
Ingredients
- 4 medium carrots
- 1 c leftover curried lentils
- 1 c mushrooms
- 1 c onion
- 3 Tbs. cilantro
- 2 Tbs. olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. dried fennel
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- Place carrots in food processor and blend until diced
- Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth
- Form into 6-8 burgers and place on dehydrator Teflex sheet
- Dehydrate at 105 degrees for 10-12 hours
Sides:
- Bubbies pickes
- Leftover beets with apple cider vinaigrette
- Apple
Dinner: Pasta & Pesto
Dr. Cindy’s brown rice pasta with homemade pesto (Recipe site no longer available, sorry!)
Brad Slavin’s Bachelor Portobello Mushrooms
Steamed green beans and butter
As I mentioned yesterday, we shanked our first shot into the sand trap with the carrot burgers (thanks for the metaphor, hubby). However, dinner last night was amazing so I redeemed myself. Daniel loved the bachelor portabello mushrooms and pesto pasta. So go me!
Today’s recipes are all tried and true, so don’t be afraid to give them a shot.
Breakfast: Dr. Cindy’s Smoothie
- 2 tbs SP Complete
- 2 tbs Whey Pro
- 1/4 c banana
- 1/4 c mango
- 1/4 c cherries
- 1 c coconut milk
- fresh spinach
- dash cinammon
- dash nutritional yeast
For Katie and Me:
- add egg yolks
- add Katie’s supplements
Lunch: Avocado Cups and Green Salad
Alissa Cohen’s Avocado Cups (from “Living on Live Food”)
Ingredients:
- 2 avocados, diced
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 cucumber, diced
- 1 bunch chives, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 4 Tbs. olive oil
- 1 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp. Bragg Liquid Aminos (I use fermented tamari or soy sauce)
- Dash of cayenne
Instructions:
- Halve the avocados and pit. Remove the avocados from their shell leaving the shell intact
- Combine the diced avocados, tomatoes, cucumber and chives in a bowl.
- Place mixture into avocado shells.
- Combine the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, garlic, tamari sauce, and cayenne and pour over the avocado halves
Dinner: Primavera Vegetables Over Brown Rice Pasta
Standard Process’ Primavera recipe
Suburban Euphoria’s sweet potato fries
Green salad
Leftover chicken and rice soup for Gigi, Katie and me.
Standard Process Cleanse: Day 6 Recipes ^
It’s Saturday! We’re going to keep it simple today.
Breakfast: Peach & Mango Smoothie
- 1/2 cup peaches
- 1/2 cup mango
- 2 Tbs. SP Complete
- 2 Tbs. Whey Pro
- 1Tbs. flaxseed oil
- Water
Lunch
We’re heading to Bliss Raw Cafe in Dallas to meet some friends.
Dinner: Primavera Vegetables
Leftovers from last night ; – )
Standard Process Cleanse: Day 7 Recipes ^
You might have noticed that my recipes got a little redundant over the weekend. In truth, my prenatal visit did not go very well last Friday. My blood pressure was elevated and my midwife firmly “recommended” rest. Although this is an exciting season for our family with lots of possibilities, the fact remains that this baby is coming in just a few months and I have no idea where we are going to live.
Being the homebody that I am this has been very emotionally difficult for me, especially when I think about giving birth in a temporary place. Seriously, I did not just go there when I am about to talk about food. Yup, I guess I did. Sorry.
After talking things over with my family, praying, and readjusting some of my schedule I am feeling muuuuuch better. So good in fact that I sat down and planned tons of yummy meals for this week. I think they’re going to be even better than last weeks, actually!
I will be dominating the smoothie scene with fresh new blends. As we cross the 11 day mark I’ll be adding in lots of savory chicken and salmon recipes, too!
Breakfast: Citrus Berry Splash Smoothie
Original recipe from Standard Process:
- 1/2 cup blackberries
- 1/4 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup strawberries
- 1/2 banana (optional)
- The juice from 2 freshly squeezed oranges
- 2 rounded Tbs. of SP Complete
- Ice cubes or cold water
We added:
- 2 Tbs Whey Pro Complete
- 1 Tbs flaxseed oil
- Scrambled eggs on side forKatie and me.
Lunch: Sweet Potato and Salad Greens
Dinner: Almost Mashed Taters & Kale-Avocado Salad
We got home late from looking at a house and I didn’t have much time for dinner, so I threw 2 cups of red lentils in a pot with 6 cups of water and some chopped kelp (for added minerals and flavor). I guess I used a higher heat than is ideal because the lentils turned to much. No problem! I grabbed my electric mixer and tossed in some butter, salt and pepper. Voila! They may not look like mashed potatoes, but they sure did taste a lot like them. My mashed tater man was quite please, I must say!
Daniel, who is not a fan of kale, actually liked this! Recipe here.
Standard Process Cleanse: Day 8 Recipes ^
If you’re doing this cleanse along with Daniel (hi JB!) you’re only a couple of days away from real protein! A couple of days probably feels like a long time, but really you’re almost there. In the meantime I’ve put together some new and hopefully splendid recipes for you to enjoy!
Breakfast: Mommypotamus’ Mango Lassi
- 2 Tbs SP Complete
- 2 Tbs Whey Pro (optional)
- 1/2 cup peaches
- 3/4 cup mango
- 1/4 cup banana
- 1/4 full-fat coconut milk or 1/2 cup lowfat coconut milk
- 1 Tbs. flaxseed oil
- Water until desired consistency is reached.
For Mommy & Katie:
- add egg yolks
- add Katie’s supplements
Lunch: Raw Ravioli (RECIPE FAIL! DON’T MAKE!)
Ingredients/Equipment:
A mandoline is really a must for this recipe.
- 1 large beet
- 2-3 avocados
- 2-3 cloves minced garlic
- Italian spice mix
- Sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
Instructions:
- Slice beets using thinnest setting available on mandoline
- Combine avocados, garlic, spices and sun-dried tomatoes in a food processor and blend until smooth
- Spoon avocado mixture into beet “ravioli” and fold in half.
Dinner:
Whole Foods’ red lentil and sweet potato hummus*
Inspired by Everything’s sweet potato chips for dipping
Steamed asparagus with butter
Green salad
Standard Process Cleanse: Day 9 Recipes ^
Daddypotamus has made it through the tough part and looks like he feels pretty good. Only two more days until we carve up a whole roasted chicken to celebrate!
Breakfast: Orange Banana Smoothie
- 2 Tbs SP Complete
- 2 Tbs Whey Pro (optional)
- 1 orange
- 1 Tbs lime juice
- 1/4 c strawberries
- 1/4 c banana
- 1 tbs flax oil
- ice or water
For Mommy & Katie
- add Katie’s supplements
- scrambled eggs on side
Lunch: Eggplant Hummus & Sweet Potato Chips
Suburban Euphoria’s eggplant hummus. The texture is not very hummus-like and the reviews from Daniel were not stellar. Maybe if I’d used more eggplant?
Also, we made Inspired by Everything’s sweet potato chips for dipping.
Dinner: Indian Dal with Slaw and Asparagus
Whole Food’s Indian Dal recipe
Orange/Avocado Slaw
Ingredients:
- 8 oz cabbage
- 8 0z celery
- 8 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
- 4 oz avocado
Instructions:
- Place cabbage and celery in food processor and pulse until shredded, then place in mixing bowl
- Mash avocado and mix with juice (we put a whole orange in the blender for very pulpy juice) and pour over slaw
Steamed artichokes with lemon garlic butter
Standard Process Cleanse: Day 10 Recipes ^
My husbandsurvived an office party yesterday, where they served TWO custom cakes and other yummy stuff. I thought he deserved a special treat this morning so I came up with a new smoothie recipe.
Breakfast: Piña Colada Smoothie ^
- 2 tbs SP Complete
- 2 tbs Whey Pro (optional)
- 1/2 c coconut milk
- 3/4 c pineapple
- 1/2 c banana
- 1/2 c water or ice
Lunch: Pasta ^
Angel hair zucchini pasta topped with artichoke hearts (from last night’s dinner), tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic and italian herbs. I sauteed the sauce in a little grass-fed butter and olive oil but it could be served raw as well.
Baked sweet potato topped with grass-fed butter.
Dinner: Asian Explosion (Epic Fail) ^
Veggie stir-fry with brown rice noodles
Kale avocado salad
Standard Process Cleanse: Day 11 Recipes ^
If you are doing this cleanse with Daddypotamus you already know.
Today is meat day. Yes, meat. I don’t know if I’ve ever been this excited about preparing a whole roasted chicken for my husband. He deserves it. And it’s gonna be good. But first, breakfast and lunch!
Breakfast: Gigi’s Granny Smoothie
- 2 tbs SP Complete
- 2 tbs Whey Pro (optional)
- 1 large granny smith apple
- 1/2 small avocado
- 1 & 1/2 banana
- 1 tbs flax oil
- ice or water
Lunch: Canyon Ranch Asparagus Guacamole and Chips
Thank you Christy Martin for sending me this recipe!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups (approximately 1 pound) chopped lightly steamed asparagus*
- 2 1/4 teaspoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons chopped onion
- 1 large tomato, chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon salt, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
- 1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
- Dash Tabasco sauce
- 1/3 cup light sour cream (we’re going to substitute avocado)
Instructions
*If you’re using frozen asparagus spears, it is not necessary to steam them (just thaw them to room temperature).
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.Transfer the guacamole to a bowl. Cover tightly and refrigerate several hours or overnight before serving.Makes 3 cups, or 12 (1/4-cup) servings
Inspired by Everything’s sweet potato chips
Leftover lentils
Dinner: Roasted CHICKEN with Carrot Salad
Roasted whole chicken
Spicy carrot salad. Recipe here.
Baked sweet potato with butter
Standard Process Cleanse: Day 13 Recipes ^
Here’s what we’re eating today . . .
Peach Pie Smoothie
- 2 tbs SP Complete
- 2 tbs Whey Pro (optional)
- 1 cup peaches
- 1/2 cup banana
- 1/8 tsp cinnammon
- pinch nutmeg
- 1 Tbs. flaxseed oil
Lunch: Chicken Salad
Dinner: Thai Lemongrass Chicken Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 Tbs butter or oil
- 3.5 cups thinly sliced leeks or coarsely chopped onions
- 7 cups chicken broth
- 3 pounds chicken
- 3 large ribs celery, cut into 1 inch slices
- 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1/2 cup cooked brown rice
- 2 large bay leaves
- 2 stalk fresh lemongrass (we didn’t have any so we substituted lemon zest)
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- salt to taste
- 1.5 lbs fresh spinach, trimmed, chopped, and thoroughly rinsed, or two 10 oz packages frozen chopped spinach
- 4 to 5 Tbs freshly squeezed lime juice
Instructions:
Over medium-high heat, heat the butter in a large pot and add leeks, celery and carrots. Saute for 5 minutes and then add chicken broth. Bring to a boil and then simmer on medium heat until veggies are slightly tender (about 5-7 minutes). Turn heat to low and add cilanto, lemongrass and spinach. Add cooked chicken and cooked rice. Salt to taste.
Standard Process Cleanse: Day 14 Recipes ^
My husbandis officially 2/3 through the cleanse today! He is doing great!
Breakfast: Mango, Strawberry and Pineapple Smoothie
- 2 tbs SP Complete
- 2 tbs Whey Pro (optional)
- 1/2 cup mango
- 1/2 cup strawberries
- 1/4 cup pineapple
Lunch: Leftover Thai Soup
Dinner: Italian Pasta
Brown rice pasta, chicken, capers, diced tomatoes and spiral sliced zucchini sauteed in butter and olive oil.
Swiss chard sauteed in olive oil with minced garlic.
Standard Process Cleanse: Day 15 Recipes ^
Breakfast: Orange Julius
- 2 tbs SP Complete
- 2 tbs Whey Pro
- 1 orange
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- water or ice
- *add 1 tsp vanilla if you are not cleansing
Lunch: Mexican Style Chopped Salad
Here’s the recipe
Dinner: Chicken and Veggie Kabobs
We used a cleanse-friendly marinade from Recipezaar
Standard Process Cleanse: Day 16 Recipes ^
Now that we are in the last week I am reusing some of Daniel’s favorite smoothie recipes for breakfast. If you’re hoping for new recipes don’t worry! Both lunch and dinner are full of surprises. Chicken and Veggie Kabobs with Carrot Saladand Blackened Salmon. . . mmmm!
Breakfast: Piña Colada Smoothie
- 2 tbs SP Complete
- 2 tbs Whey Pro (optional)
- 1/2 c coconut milk
- 3/4 c pineapple
- 1/2 c banana
- 1/2 c water or ice
Lunch: Chicken/Veggie Kabobs & Carrot Salad
Leftover from last night ; – )
Shredded Carrot Salad Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups grated carrots
- 3 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1 Tbs minced fresh cilantro
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2 Tbs lemon juice
- pinch of cayenne
Instructions:
Place carrots in serving bowl. In a blender, blend the remaining ingredients until smooth. Pour dressing over the carrots and toss well.
Dinner: Blackened Salmon
Blackened wild Salmon
Brown rice
Cauliflower roasted in garlic and olive oil
Green salad
Standard Process Cleanse: Day 17 Recipes ^
Only four more days to go!!! If you think meal planning for the cleanse has been intense you have no idea what I have going on next week. Daniel has provided me with a long, handwritten list of meal requests. That man really wants a burger.
Still, he really enjoyed the spicy carrot salad I made him for lunch yesterday and declared last night’s salmon the best he’s ever eaten. All in all he doesn’t seem to be suffering too much. And he sure does look cute in the cargo shorts he can now fit into.
Peach Pie Smoothie
- 2 tbs SP Complete
- 2 tbs Whey Pro (optional)
- 1 cup peaches
- 1/2 cup banana
- 1/8 tsp cinnammon
- pinch nutmeg
- 1 Tbs. flaxseed oil
Lunch: Spicy Tomato and Lentil Soup
Ours turned out more like stew, but it’s good! Sorry for the out of focus pic . . . I was in a hurry.
Recipe found at AllRecipes
Dinner: Peruvian Roasted Chicken
Recipe here
Steamed broccoli
Green salad
Standard Process Cleanse: Day 18 Recipes ^
What we’re eating today . . .
Breakfast: Mommypotamus’ Mango Lassi
- 2 Tbs SP Complete
- 2 Tbs Whey Pro (optional)
- 1/2 cup peaches
- 3/4 cup mango
- 1/4 cup banana
- 1/4 full-fat coconut milk or 1/2 cup lowfat coconut milk
- 1 Tbs. flaxseed oil
- Water until desired consistency is reached.
Lunch: Zucchini and Fennel Soup
Recipe available at Food and Wine (we omitted the optional crème fraîche)
Dinner: Dominican Lentils and Rice
I’m using Suburban Euphoria’s recipe but substituting lentils for beans.
Steamed broccoli
Green salad
Standard Process Cleanse: Day 19 Recipes ^
Breakfast: Citrus Berry Splash Smoothie
Original recipe from Standard Process:
- ½ cup blackberries
- ¼ cup blueberries
- ½ cup strawberries
- ½ banana (optional)
- The juice from 2 freshly squeezed oranges
- 2 rounded Tbs. of SP Complete
- Ice cubes or cold water
We added:
- 2 Tbs Whey Pro Complete
- 1 Tbs flaxseed oil
- Scrambled eggs on side for Mommypotamus and Katie
Lunch: Dolmades Yialandzi
Recipe from The Epicurean. We soaked our rice Nourishing Traditions-style beforehand.
Dinner: Texicali Chicken
Ingredients:
- 2-3 pound boneless baked chicken
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 medium bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- 16 0z. stewed tomatoes (preferably in BPA-free packaging)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp fresh cilantro (optional)
- 2 Tbs coconut or olive oil
- 2 tsp arrowroot powder (or non-GMO cornstarch)
- 3 cups brown rice, cooked
Instructions:
Dice baked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Saute the onion and pepper in oil until soft. Add stewed tomatoes, salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin and oregano and stir thoroughly. Bring to a boil and add chicken stock. Turn heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Mix arrowroot with a little water until smooth. Add to tomato mixture and blend well, stirring as it thickens. Add the chicken and cilantro while stirring. When the mixture has thickened serve over rice.
Standard Process Cleanse: Day 20 Recipes ^
How exciting! We made it! Only one more day!
Breakfast: Dr. Cindy’s Smoothie
- 2 tbs SP Complete
- 2 tbs Whey Pro
- 1/4 c banana
- 1/4 c mango
- 1/4 c cherries
- 1 c coconut milk
- fresh spinach
- dash cinammon
- dash nutritional yeast
Lunch: Bachelor Portobello Mushroom
Brad Slavin’s Bachelor Portobello Mushrooms
Sliced avocado
Salad
Leftover lentils
Dinner: Basil Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced
- 1 Tbs fish sauce or fermented soy sauce
- 2 Tbs fresh basil, sliced
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
- 2 Tbs oil
- Brown rice, cooked (as much or as little as you want)
Instructions:
Puree 2 slices onion, 2 slices bell peppers, 2 cloves garlic, jalapeno, 1 Tbs oil in blender or food processor and set aside. Heat wok, add 1 Tbs oil and chicken. Stir-fry until chicken is almost done. Add pureed mixture to wok. Stir for one minute. Add remaining peppers and onions and stir-fry two more minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients (basil and fish sauce) and stir-fry one minute. Serve over brown rice.
Day 22: Post Cleanse Interview ^
We crossed the finish line!!! The 21 Day Standard Process Marathon is officially o-v-e-r.
It was a different race for each member of the family, but I think I speak for all of us when I say woohooo! Obviously it was hardest on Daniel, who actually had to restrict his diet. For me, the challenge was waking up before 6am to make breakfast and pack his lunch. Katie had to give up some of her favorite foods temporarily . . . homemade bread and beef mostly. Big sacrifice for a two year old.
Gigi’s sacrifices are not being counted because tomorrow she heads off for a week long vacation in Playa Del Carmen. At a place that has seven restaurants. And a service where you custom order your own pillow. And did I mention her sister is taking her for free? So yeah, her sacrifices are not being counted ; – )
I had a pretty good run until I fell flat on my face this last weekend. On Saturday I couldn’t tell if I was having extremely strong Braxton Hicks or some early labor signals. I’d been a lot more active than usual (and so had baby, for that matter), but since I’m only 27 weeks we put everything on hold and let my body cool down just in case.
Daniel had an incredible attitude for the full three weeks. Sad to say, I was expecting a backlash, but he never did anything but thank me for my efforts in meal prep. Can you believe this guy? Maybe he was cheating and running to Taco Bueno after I fell asleep. I don’t know, but I intend to find out during my post cleanse interview. So let’s go chat up Daddypotamus, shall we?
H: Hi there.
D: Hey, pretty lady.
H: First question, did you cheat?
D: No. I didn’t. I ALMOST ate a handful of Katie’s granola snack the last day of the cleanse, but I stopped just shy of my lips and let her eat out of my hand instead. To give the MOST honest answer, however, you were there when I cheated at Bliss Raw Cafe. I ate faux spaghetti and meatballs, and the “meatballs” had yummy nuts in it. But that was the only time I cheated.
Don’t think I didn’t think about it every day, though.
H: What was your favorite recipe?
D: You’re gonna hate me for this, but I honestly can’t remember eating anything before yesterday. So I’m gonna go look through the cleanse recipe posts real quick and gather my thoughts…
Not surprisingly, my favorite dishes came after Day 11, when chicken was allowed. Here are a couple of my fave recipes:
- Dolmas
- Grilled Portabello Mushrooms
- Roasted Chicken
- Italian Pasta
I think the two most satisfying meals were the Mushrooms and the Roasted Chicken. I gotta say, though, I have a whole new respect for lentils. Me and lentils, we’re like “this” now (fingers crossed).
I’m not a vegetable lover by any stretch. I love that which gives me energy. Lentils, meats, cheeses, eggs, starches, etc. I’m not saying this from an intellectual preference – just sharing an observation. I most enjoy the foods keep me going. I’ve had such severe issues with low energy levels that I tend to overeat foods that can be burned immediately. I’m sure you Heather or our doctor could explain this better than I could.
H: How do you feel?
D:
- Tired
- Humbled
- Able to breathe
- Less self-conscious
- Quieter in my mind (fewer noises)
- Moody (more frequent depression)
- More Tired
Tired, mostly. Like I haven’t been at full capacity for a long time now. I feel kinda like I’ve been fasting; i.e. more humble than usual and aware of my flaws. When you live in a constant state of choosing to not meet your desires and cravings, all kinds of wonderful flaws and emotions start popping up like those whack-a-mole heads you pound with a hammer at Chucky Cheese.
I read something recently that my friend Gene wrote. I can’t prove this scientifically, but he says he’s learned that
“when you put on weight your fat stores memories. Or as brain pickers (psychiatrist) say that your fat remembers moods and as you lose the weight you can remember the depression that you were in that caused you to gain the weight in the first place.”
I don’t know if that’s actually true, but I will say that I’ve noticed a LOT of mood swings lately. And I’m not talking little mood swings. I’m talking big ‘ol grandaddy bi-polar, somebody-better-not-piss-me-off mood swings.
I hope Gene is right. I would like to think that these feelings are signs of flushing out both physical and emotional toxins. I’d like to overcome that which has come to the surface and come out of this a new and improved man. I’m not promising that, but I wouldn’t turn it down, for sure.
H: Where do you go from here?
D: Good question. I’ve been asking myself that for days. What now? How will I approach food now that I’ve experienced this cleanse?
There are several factors:
- It’s VERY hard for me to deny my cravings. Part of that is a blood sugar issue that always seems to be fluctuating too much. So I can’t really just hold out for the most healthy homemade food if I get caught in one of those weak, tired, and about-to-fall-down moments.
- I actually feel better about life when I eat healthy organic food. But it’s a weak sensation. How do I describe it? It’s like quiet time with God, only less mandatory (maybe). In order to quiet ourselves and listen for God, it’s like a little mini-torture session each time. The first 15 minutes are hell on earth. But I experience this slight pleasure that over time permeates my being. It’s VERY slow working, though. Eating organic is like that. I feel this slight pleasure that might grow if it weren’t always competing with the fructose-powered pumping surge of elation I feel when I eat at Taco Bell or the like. Life is about choice… Choosing between what feels quiet yet clean, wholesome, and good, and that which is loud, jarring, exciting, and a little violent.
- I have control issues, and when I hear Heather starting to plan my daily snacks for the foreseeable future, I get this itch in my craw. I like to think I have options, and not feel pressured. So the more freedom you offer, the more I can enjoy it when I make the best decisions.
So where do I go from here? Well, I talked it over with a doctor friend and it sounds like the next step is a liver cleanse. I’m going to give myself the rest of July off (I think), and then look at doing a special double liver cleanse and see if I can survive it. It’s my hope that once my liver has been focused on in a serious cleanse, my body will be able to handle food and moods and all sorts of things better. It’s pretty amazing what a congested liver will affect in your quality of life.
So that’s the next thing. Not sure what comes after that.
(2011 UPDATE: The amazing and effective GAPS Diet came next! Read about it here.)
Oh, and I’ll be paying attention this next week to my sinuses. I haven’t been able to breathe very well for years, because of some collection of something (sorry) stuck somewhere I can’t get to in my sinuses. That whatever-it-is has been removed (I had a snot fountain for several days and a phlegm coughing week as well during this) and I feel MUCH better in that regard. If it happens to be a food allergy, I want to know. The most likely possibilities in my mind are dairy, wheat / gluten, and corn. I’m going to experiment and see if one of those makes me feel significantly worse.
Food is VERY important to me. It’s perhaps the greatest pleasure in my life. Or it has been. It’s been that one thing I’ve used to comfort myself most often when I feel ignored, unloved, unappreciated, insignificant, or incapable. I know that it has had a power over me that is unhealthy. Or to be more precise, I know I’ve abused food in my life to substitute for other things God intended. And I am hopeful that this is a powerful step in a gradual lifestyle change.
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