Biggi Does Detox – Day 1

Today’s the first day of my 21-Day Detox, and this isn’t quite the post I expected to be writing! Keep reading and watch the video for the stories behind the Explosive Butternut Squash, Rock-Hard Beef, Battle Scars, and the Dirty Dozen.

Overall, I have been feeling just fine, and haven’t noticed any weird side effects. Yesterday morning I took my weight, measurements, “before picture”, and filled out the symptom spreadsheet. Then, last night I finished preparing by making hard-boiled eggs, putting all left-over “bad foods” (non-perishable) in a box, and getting little bags of carrot and sugar-snap peas ready as a to-go snack.

This morning, I realized that everything was taking longer, as I couldn’t go on auto-pilot as usual, and had to think about every step carefully, as well as review my meal plan. Everything went pretty well, though, until it was time for lunch…

Explosive Butternut Squash

Okay, what’s up with that butternut squash? The microwave instructions said 5 – 8 minutes. Have you ever seen that huge a range??? Anyway, I opted for 7 minutes, and this is what happened:

Rock-Hard Beef

Sigh. But, that was not the only thing trying to sabotage my lunch. I clearly remember, when I brought this great pre-cooked beef sirloin home, that I was trying to remember if I got it out of the freezer section at Trader Joe’s or not. I thought I did, so I put it in the freezer. Big mistake, and another example of being thrown out of my normal routine, like always buying the same items from the grocery store. So, the beef was rock-hard, and there was just no way I could have it ready for lunch in a couple of minutes. I was already running half an hour late now.

Well, it was a good thing I had already boiled those eggs last night, so that’s what replaced the meat in my meal. In the end, this bowl of butternut squash and Brussels sprouts (see below) ended up being delicious! You are looking at an almost 8-inch shallow bowl. I finished half of it, plus ate 2 eggs, and I was stuffed! Hopefully I will get to have the other half with some yummy beef tomorrow for lunch, which is now defrosting in the fridge.

Battle Scars

This new life is really tough, and I already have the battle scars to show for it. They stem from… drum-roll please… the canned coconut milk. Turns out this is quite an inconvenient item, as once you open the can, you are supposed to refrigerate it in a different container. So, in my attempt to transfer the milk, which was kind of difficult as part of it hardens just like the coconut oil you know, I got my right index finger (a little). On the bright side, adding just 60ml of it to my Yerba Mate tea in the morning made the drink almost better than my morning coffee! Yeah!

So, I did not want to leave you without a little lesson or two today.

Lesson 1 – The Dirty Dozen

When shopping for produce, your best bet is always on organic. When you can, buy local. This means farmed in a town nearby, or at least in the same state that you are in. Making these choices really doesn’t cost that much more, and your health will thank you for it!

Here is the EWG’s 2015 Dirty Dozen Plus™ guide to items that should always be purchased organic to avoid pesticide residue. (note: 2016 guide not yet available)

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Cherry tomatoes
4. Cucumbers
5. Grapes
6. Nectarines
7. Peaches
8. Potatoes
9. Snap peas
10. Spinach
11. Strawberries
12. Sweet bell peppers
+ Hot peppers
+ Kale/Collard greens

Source: Environmental Working Group – http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty_dozen_list.php

Lesson 2 – You Only Screw Up, When You Give Up

Today you’ve learned that not everything always goes as planned. Sometimes you make mistakes, sometimes life happens… However, this is not a reason to have your whole day ruined, much less to give up on your good intentions for your health. Keep that in mind going forward with this 21-Day Detox. If you fall off the horse, get up and get right back on!

I am looking forward to your comments below, and please remember to share with the people you care about!