The 21-Day Sugar Detox- Day 9

I can't believe it's almost day 10 of The 21-Day Sugar Detox ! The days seem to be passing quickly, now. My cravings are now completely GONE! My skin is clearing. All in all, I'm improving each day that passes.

I think the biggest change is the energy I have when I wake. I pop out of bed each day, ready to take it on. I'm known to be quite the procrastinator. For the last two days, my motto has been, "Let's get it done!". Even my husband has noticed the change. And, you know men; they usually don't notice anything different!

Today, I tackeled cleaning up my workroom. During the holidays, things had gotten out of hand in there! I was busy filling orders, making gifts, and formulating new products. The room was a mess! Well, I flitted around that room like a little cleaning fairy. Finally, at 2 PM, I took a lunch break. I ate two leftover chicken legs from last night's dinner and an arugula, cucumber, and avocado salad. After lunch, it was back to cleaning.

When I was done, my room was organized and clean. Plus, my car was filled with bags for donation I will drop off tomorrow at Home of the Sparrow Resale Shop. They are a great local charity who help homeless families in the area. So, I get a clean workroom; and, I get to help my community! Love it!

On a side note, Boho was having a great time because I found the bag of toys I had bought for her Christmas gifts while cleaning. Before Christmas, I had torn that room apart looking for these darn toys, to no avail. Oh well, at least she had things to play with as I worked.

Surprisingly, I did not get tired all day, even with all the room organizing and regular chores. I sailed right into dinner time with no fatigue. Wow! Now, I'm impressed!

For dinner, I wanted something hardy. Since last week's hamburger was my favorite meal, I decided to cook a variation of the bacon burger. I made an Inside-out Burger!

To make this, I formed a half pound of grass-fed ground beef into two square, thick patties. I then placed them on a metal grill rack atop a Baking Sheet. That way the grease can run off the meat to make sturdier "buns". I put them in the oven at 400 degrees for about 40 minutes. Once cooked, I placed one on a plate, layered bacon, arugula, butter lettuce, and mustard, then, laid the second patty on top. In order to make it easier to eat, I wrapped it in Unbleached Parchment Paper. It was THE BOMB! I don't know if anyone says that anymore; but, the way the flavor burst in my mouth, I had to say it.

On the side, I made a small bowl of Cream of Cauliflower Soup. I basically took the leftover cauliflower rice from last night, warmed it with homemade turkey bone broth and 1 Tbsp Coconut Milk. Then, I used my Immersion blenderto froth it up a bit. And, of course, I crumbled bacon on top. So creamy and delicious!

I realized today that it isn't as difficult as I thought it would be to eat tasty meals with so many restrictions. I mean, seriously, I can't have any grains, fruits, nightshades (eggplant, peppers, tomatoes), nuts (this includes flours, butters, and milks), eggs, sugar, sweetener, and dairy. Basically, I can eat meat, seafood, chicken, and vegetables.  And yet, I've eaten some amazing tasting foods. I guess it's all about working within your limitations.

As each day passes, I feel stronger and healthier. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Need help getting started on your trek to better health? Please, email me or comment below. I would love to help you. Email: tmoperillo@gmail.com

The 21-Day Sugar Detox- Day 7

Ah, the brain fog has been lifted! I woke this morning with great clarity of mind. For the first time, in a long time, I did not wake up tired. I felt energetic and ready to take on my day. I walked to the kitchen with a spring in my step.

Coffee is much more enjoyable since I'm now accustomed to the new taste.  I felt so good, I decided to make breakfast for my husband and me. I cooked up some bacon in the Toaster Oven, eggs for my hubby, and ham slices. I laid my bacon and ham unto lettuce leaves, added avocado and a squeeze of mustard. I know it seems like I put everything on lettuce leaves! It's because i do! One of my favorite meals, before I went grain free, was sandwiches. I loves me some sandwiches! Using the lettuce leaves makes me feel as though I'm still able to have sandwiches. Changing your eating is all about adapting the way you eat, so you don't feel like you're giving up everything you love.

 Bacon, ham, and avocado wraps!

The rest of my day was spent pretty much as usual. I did notice some joint pain in my hip and hands. I'm pretty sure it's because I ran out of my Glucosamine, Chondrotin, and MSM supplements. My new order hasn't come in yet. I know that there are many people who say natural supplements don't work. I say those people just haven't found the supplement that works for them. The secret, is to find supreme quality supplements with an effective delivery system. I take Melaleuca Vitality Total Packs. I have never, in all my years of taking supplements, found ones that work as well as these. That is the God's honest truth!

Since this is Sunday's post, I will keep it short. I felt much better today. At lunchtime, I really wasn't very hungry. I ate a raw carrot, nothing else.  Of course, because of this, I was starving at dinner time. I cooked myself a big, grass-fed New York strip steak in a Cast Iron Skillet. I love my steak very rare. So, I melted some Ghee in the Skillet, waited for it to get really hot, and placed the steak in it. I let it sit for two minutes, then flipped for another two minutes. I, then, put the entire Skillet in a preheated to 450 degree oven for another two minutes. Upon removing from the oven, I melted a bit of bacon grease onto the steak and let it sit for five minutes. It was perfection! On the side, I served mashed cauliflower made with coconut cream and chives, and a side salad of arugula, avocado, and a splash of Apple cider vinegar. Dinner was amazing!

While this detox is not easy, I am enjoying some pretty terrific food. It's all about making myself feel like I'm not missing too much. The quickest way to make me want something is to tell me I can't have it. I think there are a lot of us out there who feel this way. But, the key to sticking with the plan,is to replace the foods you can't have with yummy foods you can have. And, I believe it's important to make yourself accountable. Like with me blogging about my detox, I'm less likely to quit. I'm accountable not only to myself, but also to you.

Today has shown me that I am getting healthier. My body is working to fix itself. That's all I was looking for, a sign that I was improving. My spirit is renewed!

Questions? Email me tmoperillo@gmail.com or Comment below.

Sweet or Sour Pork- China's Shuanghui Purchases Smithfield Foods, Inc.

On Thursday, September 26, 2013, Chinese company, Shuanghui, purchased Smithfield Foods, Inc.,the largest pork producer and processor in the United States.

Big deal, you say. Okay, well, let me give you a little background on Shuanghui.  In 2008, 6 BABIES died and 300,000 were sickened after drinking infant formula and other dairy tainted with the industrial chemical melamine.  Then, in 2011, CCTV revealed Shuanghui PORK contained clenbuterol, a banned chemical that is harmful to humans. How's that grab ya?!

Now, I'm not saying you should ban this company's products. I don't do that. We're all adults; and, we should all be able to make our own decisions about what we and our families eat.  That being said, I do want you to be aware of the dangers.  You can choose to trust the government agencies in charge of imported foods. You know, because they've done such a great job so far. Or, you can do a little research yourself and then, make your decision. Simply doing a google search should do it.

Smithfield Foods, Inc. sells specialty brands, Paula Deen Collection, and international brands, Weight Watchers.  The company's CORE brands are Armour, Carando, Cook's Ham, Curly's foods, Eckrich, Farmland, Gwalty, Healthy Ones, John Morrell, Kretschmar, Margherita, and Smithfield.

Also, keep in mind that some medications are derived from pigs. Heparin, an anticoagulant used in dialysis to prevent and treat blood clots in veins, arteries, and lungs, is one of them. In 2008, people on heparin, suffered from breathing difficulties, nausea, sweating, and low blood pressure resulting in heart problems. This heparin was contaminated by a non-naturally occurring molecule linked directly to its manufacturer in China.

And, let's not forget about the antibiotic resistant viruses originating in China, the cross-contamination due to the proximity of hog and chicken farming, and the overuse of antibiotics in their farm animals.

Oh, right, and the poor dogs and cats who died after eating tainted treats and food from China.

So, there's the facts. Do with it what you will. You decide. Is it sweet or sour pork?