The 21-Day Sugar Detox- Day 10

Only a half hour left of day 10 of The 21-Day Sugar Detox. This morning was a rough one. I awoke around 5 AM, sopping wet. I was sweating profusely! I was also nauseous. I got out of bed to cool myself down. I walked to the kitchen to drink a glass of water. I, then, walked back to bed and got under the covers. Luckily, I was able to drift back to sleep.

When I awoke at 8:30, it was as if nothing had occurred. I felt fine. Weird! I figured it could be "die off" symptoms from my Candida treatments. Or, maybe, it is part of the detox. I just hope it doesn't happen again.

Today, I had a few errands to run, including dropping off my donation at The Home of the Sparrow. I unloaded six big bags of stuff as donations. Then, I did a little shopping. I picked up some really cute scarves and a maroon crochet shawl.

I finished up my errands at 1 PM. After putting away my purchases and starting a load of laundry, I made a quick lunch. Pig in a lettuce blanket is what I called it. Two slices of ham, one slice of bacon and a little mustard on two lettuce leaves. So good!

 Pig in a Lettuce Blanket

After lunch, I answered some emails, finished laundry, and starting preparing for dinner. We were eating early because my husband had a meeting to attend at 6:30 PM. I prepped everything; so, I could just pop it in the oven when I was ready.

I did have a headache for awhile this afternoon. I know this is definitely a symptom of Candida "die off". I can only believe that combined with my natural treatments, this detox is working to kill my Candida.  That is wonderful news!

At 4:30, I tossed my Chicken with Artichokes and Olives into the oven. The recipe is from The 21-Day Sugar Detox. I chopped the cucumbers and avocado for our salad. At 5:30, all was cooked, plated, and ready to eat. The Chicken was really good. You have to really like olives in order to enjoy it. It's very briny.

After dinner, I actually took time to watch a couple of TV shows I really like. Usually, I'm working while they play in the background. Tonight, I sat back and enjoyed them. Of course, that could be why I'm blogging at midnight!

Tomorrow, I will be halfway done with the detox. I'm kind of excited about making this far. It's been up and down over the last ten days. But, I feel as though things are happening inside me. I feel like I'm in the process of healing!

As always, if you have questions, email me or leave in the comments below. I'd be happy to help.

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 5

 Double Grass-fed Bacon Burger! Yummers!

The end of day 5 is upon me.  Finally, I have a rough day! I was pretty much hungry from the moment I awoke. Problem being, I was too busy to do anything about it. So, I didn't eat or drink breakfast.

I trudged along until about 1:30, when I finally made it to my kitchen to make lunch. I went to the pantry to grab a can of tuna. That's when I saw it.......my dark chocolate candy bar with almonds, dried cranberries and candied ginger! I lingered a little too long, staring at it. The inner dialog began, "One small square won't hurt you. Touch that chocolate and I'll smack you! It's just one tiny piece!". I quickly shut the pantry door!

Thinking it was best if I stayed away from the pantry, I dove into the fridge to see what I could find. Thankfully, I had leftovers from last night's dinner. I pulled out a chicken thigh, the avocado cream sauce, two celery stalks, and three lettuce leaves. I shredded the chicken into a bowl, chopped the celery, and mixed in the avocado cream sauce. Walla....chicken salad! I scooped the salad into the lettuce cups, grabbed my Rose Hip Tea, and sat down at the kitchen table to eat.

Needless to say, it was amazingly good. I gobbled all three lettuce wraps!  Sated, it was time to go back to work.  I'm not sure if it's caused by the detox or not; but, my eyes are extremely dry today. I also have a couple of breakouts on my forehead. It may simply be part of the detox process.

It's Friday; so, I designated 4 PM as quitting time. Since I usually only take Sunday off, I figured I could give myself a break today. I made a nice, hot cup of Pau D'Arco Herbal Tea and nestled into the couch with Boho.  While watching tv, the dark chocolate candy bar kept creeping back into my head. Every time, I shook the thought out of my mind. Boy, would it sure taste good with this tea! Out! Out! You evil candy!

Finally, at 5 PM, I sauntered into the kitchen to cook dinner. On the menu for tonight....grass-fed beef double burger with bacon, avocado, and mustard...and, zucchini herb fries. I cooked the burgers in Cast Iron Cookware Toaster Oven

. I made sure to make enough for breakfast or lunch tomorrow. I baked the zucchini fries in the oven at 400 degrees.

Once everything was done, I placed the burger patties on top of two butter lettuce leaves and half an avocado. I like the way the hot patties melt into the avocado slices! Then, I topped the patties with two slices bacon, squirted a little mustard, and two lettuce leaves. When I make a big burger like this, I use extra lettuce leaves to make them sturdier.

Wow! Did that dinner hit the spot? You bet it did! I believe the extra fat in the burger patties helped overcome my candy craving. I certainly know what to do next time....have a little fat!

So, other than the sugar craving, breakouts, and dry eyes, all seems okay. I did sleep better last night; so, that's a plus. Until tomorrow, I bid you goodnight and healthy dreams.

Are you also on a detox or elimination regimen? I would love to hear what you're doing and how you're feeling! Please leave a comment below; or email me at tmoperillo@gmail.com . Thanks!

Intermittent Fasting- Works For Me

After turning the big 40, I noticed the pounds slowly creeping up on me. Before I knew what was happening, I had gained 30 pounds in three years. Yes, I did the math. That was 10 pounds a year. Now, it's not like I had let myself go or anything. I am still one of the healthiest people I know. I was still working out 3 to 5 days a week.  I was still eating healthy foods, save for a treat once in a while.  Plus I noticed belly fat increasing.  We all know that belly fat is the most dangerous fat because it settles around our organs, especially our hearts. I had to do something, and fast.

That's when I discovered fasting. I mean, it's got fast right in the name.  Actually, it's intermittent fasting.  I discovered intermittent fasting while reading one of my health based emags.  The science behind it seemed compelling.  Study after study proved improvements to participants' risk of heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. Count me in.

I decided to try The Fast Diet by Michael Mosley first.  This is based on the 5:2 system. Basically, you eat normally 5 days a week, then fast 2 days a week.  Now, by fasting, I mean you cut your calorie intake to 500 for women or 600 for men. You can choose the two days you fast.  I chose Mondays 

( because I'm miserable anyway) and Wednesdays ( because that's my busiest day).  My first fasting day was not bad. I really didn't feel too hungry.  I decided to eat most of my calories at dinner since that's what I was used to.  Easy as pie!

I breezed through my first two weeks and lost 5 pounds.  The next week, I lost 0 pounds.  Fasting days started to become tiresome.  I was feeling hungry.  The following week, I lost 0 pounds.  I knew I needed a change.

I liked the science behind fasting.  I wanted to find an alternative.  I realize that each person is different.  It's a journey to find what's going to work for you.  That brought me to The 8 Hour Diet by David Zinczenko and Peter Moore.

The 8 Hour Diet requires you eat all meals within an 8 hour time frame, 3 days a week.  Again, I chose Monday, added Tuesday, and kept Wednesday.  I made it through my first week easily and lost 3 pounds.  After my second week, I'd lost 2 more pounds.  I also enjoyed this system more.  It mimicked the way I ate before I fell into the trap of eating 6 small meals a day.  I always felt like I was shoving food in my mouth.  I mean, people work for a living. We can't always be eating, eating, eating!

By the end of my fourth week, I'd met my goal of 15 pounds down.  I decided to continue this method of intermittent fasting for its health benefits. I feel so much healthier and have energy to burn.  I now practice 8 hour eating every day instead of just three days a week.  It works for me.

My advice is, if you have any interest in intermittent fasting, try these methods out.  I know many people who have found success with both. It's all about finding what's going to work for you.

I feel the need to mention that I have not received any compensation for reviewing these methods. My review is solely a reflection of my personal experiences.

Me- 15 pounds down!