I Really Like to Eat!!!

Food!  I love food!  I fell in love with food so many years ago.  The problem was my obsession with food.  I wanted to see a friend, we went to dinner.  If we wanted to celebrate something, we ate.  I was bored, I ate.  I remember at a young age, maybe 8 or 9, waking up in the middle of the night to go get something to eat so no one else would see me.   I still struggle with food.  But I have learned (and am still learning) that I do not have to base my life around food.

Whether you are doing the 24 day challenge, just the cleanse, or just on here for some support and meal suggestions we need to look at the food we eat.  Listed below are foods that we can and should not eat. 

Good Foods to Eat:

We have toxins in our body.  Our job this week is to starve those toxins.  

• Fresh/Raw Fruits and Veggies-think of an SOS scrubbing pad.  fresh/raw fruits and vegetables scrub the toxins out of our body.  
• 100% Whole Grain Rice (Brown rice, Wild rice), Quinoa
• Oatmeal
• Chicken, Fish, Turkey Breast, Ground Turkey
• Almond Milk, Rice Milk
• Healthy Fats: Avocado, Olives/Olive Oil, Raw Nuts/Seeds-the key here is unsalted and without any coating.  
• Peanut or Almond Butter (no sugar or oil added)
• Beans, Lentils
• Chicken or Vegetable Broths
• Hummus (without the oil)
• Fresh Diluted Juices, Herbal Teas
• Garlic, Spices, Herbs, Fresh Salsa, Taco Seasoning (low sodium)
• For cooking, use water, broth, lemon juice, or the non-stick spray with no calories/fat.  Oil is NOT your friend.  

Foods to Avoid:

Remember those toxins that we talked about that live in our body?  These foods keep the toxins alive.  Close your eyes.  Wait open them, you can't read with your eyes closed.   Imagine a fire.  Now, throw fuel on a fire.  That is what these foods do to the toxins in our body.
• Alcohol-If you are a teacher I know it will be hard, but you can do it.  Give me 10 days!
• Coffee, Sodas, Energy Drinks-If you need energy drink Spark or Slam.
• White foods/Starches (e.g. white pasta, bagels, white bread, white rice, processed foods, crackers, chips)
• Sauces
• Cooking with Oils It is best to cook with Water or Broth.  Remember oil is NOT your friend. 
• Sugar, Honey, Desserts – except for fresh fruits – these are good sugars on the 10-day Cleanse)
• Cheese & Mushrooms-Both are considered molds and will help keep toxins alive.
• If at all possible, avoid Dairy Products-cow’s milk, yogurt, butter, etc. Dairy products contain lots of sugars and will feed the toxins in our body.
• Fatty Foods, Fried Foods, Fast Foods, Meat with skin or breading
• Ground beef or fatty meats. Turkey meat is much better and you can season it to taste!
• Salad dressings-Dressings have fat and oil.  And what have we learned?  Oil is NOT our friend.  You can use salsa or fresh squeezed lemon juice and spices instead.
• Canned fruit or vegetables
• Dried fruit coated with sugar
• Instant rice or oatmeal

The following items are optional because they are not a low glycemic carb. For best results, hold off for 10 days:

• Sprouted Grain Bread or Tortillas (Ezekiel is a great brand)
• 100% Whole Grain Pasta
• 100% Whole Wheat Bread-Make sure it says 100% or else it’s just white bread in brown clothing.