21 Day Sugar Detox - Day 9

Here's my quick day 9 update on our 21 Day Sugar Detox journey.

It's going so much better than I had expected. I think I had built it up in my mind as completely unattainable for me and that's really not the case at all. I mean, I am only doing the least restrictive level, so maybe that's why.

Here are a few answers to questions that I'm sure you are all wondering about:

How easy is it? It does take prep time, I'm not going to lie. The first week took a LOT of prep, but this week I'm more comfortable with it, so I can wing it a little more. However, lunches still need to be planned out because there are no "convenience" stops for food unless you just pick up veggies at a 7-Eleven. Dinners are home cooked, if we eat out, its based on what we can eat. Ruby Tuesday and their "garden bar" has been fantastic so far.

What do I miss the most? In short... coffee creamer... That has been the hardest to give up, but I'm starting to get used to the taste of coffee with half and half. I mean, sure, a donut would be nice, but really, there's nothing I'm dying to have. Believe it or not, I don't feel like I'm depriving myself. I'll let you know if that changes.

Do I notice any changes? Yes, first off, I have so much more energy. It's crazy. I can actually work a full day and still come home an get stuff done around the house, cook dinner and play with the kids without feeling like I need a nap. There have been days lately that I can't function without a nap of some sort, but now I don't feel like it. I actually feel like getting off the couch and doing something. That reason alone makes it worth it for me.

I haven't weighed myself, so not sure about that. I'm going to wait until the end.

I will say, the end of day 2 until about day 6 or so, I didn't feel well, but it came in waves.

What's the cost? It's slightly more expensive than normal groceries if you buy the food to make their recipes, however, you could totally make your own food (basic proteins and veggies and approved grains) and probably not spend anything additional to your grocery budget. I like it because the whole family eats it. I'm not making a bunch of different meals for everyone. Or purchasing premade food for my self and then still buying normal groceries for everyone else. Or buying shakes and supplements and then still purchasing food.

What did you eat today?

• Breakfast-Ham Egg & Cheese Sandwich (on the drop biscuits), coffee with half and half
• Snacks-green apple, trail mix (homemade), hard boiled eggs, babybel cheese
• Lunch-Ham & cheese roll ups, avocado with lime & sunflower seeds, mixed raw veggies
• Dinner-Pork & pinto bean tacos with lettuce shells (onions, tomatoes, sour cream, avocado)

Have a question that I didn't answer here? Ask it in the comments and I'll answer it next time!

to the moon and back,

And so it begins

My dinner was better than yours.

Let the days of no sugar commence.

Today my hubby and I began our sugar detox. So far so good. I figured that I would write a little something every day about it because I'm sure it will be fascinating. But really, I'm doing this for two reasons; 1. To keep me accountable. If I have to report to my millions of fans, then surely I can't cheat. 2. So maybe I can inspire someone or assuage someones fears of trying.

I'm going to be honest about it all. No "sugar" coating, this is a sugar detox after all. (bu dum ching)

Now, not every blog I write for the next 21 days is going to be be detox centric, some may just have a blurb if theres not much to report. I still plan on being my hilariously, sarcastic self, for the most part.

Here's what my food looked like today (this is riveting stuff here, folks):

• Breakfast
• Coffee with half & half (missed my flavored creamer)
• 2 Mini egg quiches (pretty good, but I made it a tad too salty and hubby didn't like the "squish" of the tomatoes)
• Babybell cheese (I'm doing the version that allows full fat dairy)
• Snack
• Homemade trail mix (walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, pepitas, almonds)
• Lunch
• Tuna salad made with homemade mayo in lettuce cups
• Snack
• Green apple
• More trail mix (my go-to, cause its convenient)
• Dinner
• Shephard's Pie (pictured above) with cauliflower mash (recipe from detox book) DELISH!
• Brussel sprouts, asparagus, onions, mushrooms sauteed in bacon fat & coconut oil with balsamic vinegar (pictured below) So good!
• Coffee with half & half (still miss my flavored creamer, but it's better than nothing)

I did drink a few seltzer waters today, but water is clearly where I am lacking. Why can't I hydrate with coffee?? I swear, I am probably perpetually dehydrated. It's sad really, but honestly, I don't drink a lot in general. It's not just water, it's anything really. I may drink a coke zero or two and obviously coffee, but that's really it. Definitely need to work on that.

Anyway, like I said, so far so good. I do have a headache as I write this, but I'm also a mom, business owner, wife, homemaker... so really that could be a number of things.

to the moon and back,

Carrot Pumpkin Muffins or are they?

These are not the muffins, just a prep pic.

Today consisted of more prep. Now I don't want to scare you away from trying this detox because it seems like too much work. I'm putting this much time in so I have no excuses because I tend to be the queen of excuses when it comes to quitting. I prepared mini bacon (yes, bacon!) tomato spinach quiches, homemade mayonaise (second attempt), tuna salad and carrot pumpkin muffins.

Yes, you heard me right, carrot pumpkin muffins! I'm on a "diet" that allows carrot pumpkin muffins! I quickly envisioned this glorious carrot cake/pumpkin muffin hybrid, moist and decadent but probably "lightened up" with applesauce or something of the like. I mean, not only can I have bacon, I'm encouraged to have it on this diet, so a delicious muffin didn't seem far fetched. I thought "man, this will be a great pick-me-up when I'm craving something a little sweet after a few days. Ok, let's be honest, I'll be craving something about 8:45 tomorrow am.

I figure, I better make up some of these so as not to be tempted by the tasty treats I drive by on a daily basis. I quickly start gathering up the ingredients (I'm totally a gatherer, not a hunter). I make it about 4 ingredients in and low and behold, what do my wandering eyes come upon? 1 Banana mashed....

Ummm... excuse me? In what universe does a BANANA ever belong in either (pronounced eye-ther in this sentence) a scrumptious pumpkin muffin or a cinnamony carrot cake? A banana is the devils fruit. There are no two ways about it and anyone who likes them isn't right in the head. Mind you, I'm including my entire family in that sweeping generalization.

Blah... there go my dreams.

But I made them anyway. Blah.... Hubby and Moose liked them and Junior SCARFED them down. So, I guess it's a win.

I'm pretty sure I'll resort to trying to gag down one later this week.

It starts tomorrow...

to the moon and back,

21 Days...

Here we are, in the throws of 2017 and I don't think I have actually written anything since 2015. Loser, I know... I bet you're wondering why?? No? Well I'll tell ya anyway. Life. That's why. Something we have all succumbed to, so I know its not a good excuse. But, alas, here we are.

This year, I'm trying to focus on getting healthier "mind, body & spirit". After doing some yoga in January and some acupuncture, Chinese medicine and chiropractic, the next phase starts Monday.

The hubby and I are starting the 21 Day Sugar Detox. The thing is, I've felt really crappy for a while and I know it's because I've been eating like crap, or at least that's a good place to start. You are what you eat and the junk I have been "fueling" my body with, well, is just junk.... I've been tired, moody, sore, irritable, foggy headed. I don't sleep well and never feel rested. (I would like to insert here that I'm not looking for a quick fix or a magic pill or supplements, I won't stick to those and it's really not in the grocery budget since I also have to feed a family.) There's a laundry list of other symptoms but I'll stop there because I'm sure you're bored.

That's where the detox comes in. The hubby and I are ready to make a change for ourselves and the kiddos. They already eat way healthier than us, however, I see our bad habits creeping in and that scares me. Their health is in our hands and that's a heavy weight to bear.

Anyway, tonight I started prepping so we are ready to go on Monday. I made up some of the dressings from the cookbook.

Avo-goddess (pictured), Sesame Ginger Dressing and Balsamic Vinaigrette

I also attempted to make their homemade mayo. I say attempted, because I'm pretty sure I'll end up tossing it. The recipe called for "macadamia nut oil or any nut oil" so I thought, hmm.... cocoanut is a "nut" right? I'm pretty sure it is not. I also added sesame oil, because a seed is similar to a nut, right? Probably not, but, alas, here we are... Runny mayonnaise and all. Here's to hoping it sets up in the fridge.

I did cook the mustard glazed chicken thigh's tonight and they were delish, we will definitely do those again. All the boys, big and little, ate them up.

I'm going to try to keep you posted on our progress throughout, like how we are feeling, if we are losing weight, how the food tastes, if we have killed each other...

to the moon and back,