DETOX

Ok, here's the skinny,(LOL)on the Fast Track Detox Diet.

I got this diet from Women's World 1/9/07 Pg. 20 & 21. I was desperate to get weight off after Maggie was born. The Fast Track detox Diet is a book by Ann Louise Gittleman, PH.D. I read about the basic format for the diet and Marc and I took a plunge. Marc lost 18 lb., while I lost 12. I was nursing and did have some Cheerios with milk a few times because I think I needed more with nursing (not that Cheerios was the best choice). My mom also tried it and noticed an increase in energy. Some of my professors and friends got great results as well. The following is the breakdown:

Day 1-7 follow the menu
Day 8 use "Jumpstart Juice day"
-24 hour "Juice fast" to accelerate fat burning and the detox process. Sip one cup of fluids per hour, alternating water and Jumpstart Juice. You should aim for a total of 9 cups of water total.
Day 9-11 use menu but add 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt daily.

Daily water- Divide your body weight in 1/2 and drink that many ounces each day (up to a max. of 12 cups a day).

Breakfast - Choose one
-1 Fast Track Smoothie
-2 eggs, 2 cups of steamed spinach, juice of 1/2 a lemon, 1 cup of berries, 1 Tbs. of ground flax seed.

Snack- Choose 2 daily
-2 hard-boiled eggs and one cup of fresh cut veggies
-1 orange, apple or pear
-2 stalks of celery, 1 small raw carrot

Lunch - Choose one
-4 oz. of Salmon or turkey breast, 2 cups mixed salad with 1/4 cup each onions, radish, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, olives and 1 Tbs. each olive oil and vinegar.
-4 oz. lean burger, one cup sauteed veggies, cups mixed salad with tomatoes, cucumber, celery, olives and 1 Tbs. each olive oil and vinegar

Dinner- Choose one
-4 oz. chicken breast with sauteed onions, garlic, lemon and parsley to taste, 1/2 cup steamed cauliflower, 4 artichoke hearts.
-4 oz. lean beef, 2 tsp. spice rub, 1 small baked potato 1/2 cup of steamed broccoli and asparagus, 1 tsp. each olive oil and lemon juice

Recipes

Fast track Smoothie
Blend together 1 cup of water, 1 cup of frozen berries, 1 scoop vanilla whey powder, 1 Tbs. flaxseed oil, 1 Tbs. ground flaxseed, 2 tsp. lemon juice, 1 tsp. unsweetened cranberry juice, 1 packet of stevia and 8 ice cubs.

Jumpstart Juice
8 oz. of unsweetened cranberry juice
7 cups filtered water and bring to a light boil
Reduce heat and add 1/ tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
Simmer 15 - 20 min.
Strain through a coffee filter.
Cool to room temperature.
Stir in 3/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup of lemon juice, preferably fresh.
Add stevia to taste if desired.

I found that if I put the spices in a filter and loosely tied it up and place it in the drink, it was far easier that straining it through.

So, Tomorrow I start. I am excited to see how we do. Marc, Jayden and I are all taking the plunge. I forgot protein powder and pears but I will need to get them tomorrow. Marc's parents are Standard Processing suppliers and they sent me some supplements that I hope to incorporate to aid in the detoxing process. I also will be taking some supplement for inflammation. I have had soreness in my joints for a few months now. It seems to be getting a little better with exercise. I am curious if it could also be do to all the toxins. I pray that this will be successful, not for weight-loss but for health (although I don't mind the weight-loss). I hope to also go to the gym this week to aid in sweating out all the yuck, while toning some places that have dimples where they shouldn't.

So, to a better me, a better you, God grant us strength and endurance for this challenge. Love you Lord, Amen.