Preparations

January 2012 is upon us and it is traditionally a time for resolutions. I generally don't make resolutions for the new year; if there is something I should be doing, I try to do it right away, adding mini-resolutions to my daily life: eat vegetarian one day a week, drop everything to read to my kids at least every other time (ok, every third time) that they ask, exercise enough throughout the week so I can participate in an occasional 5K, take the kids to yoga on Friday afternoons.

But this year, I am trying something I have never done before, I am doing a 21 day cleanse. The cleanse that I have chosen doesn't include any type of fast (all water or all juice) and it doesn't have supplements that I need to take. It is clean, vegan, gluten-free eating for three weeks. It is real food in its purest form.

I am doing this for several reasons. First, so I can counter act all of the party food I have consumed. Don't get me wrong, I love it - the cheesy things, the gooey treats, the sugary sweets, but it is too much in too short period of a time and my digestive system needs a little vacation. Second, the cleanse promises to increase my energy and with three busy kids, I always need more energy. And third, I want to challenge myself to eat a vegan diet, rich in fruit and vegetables, in a time when Michigan is typically under snow. I am getting as many greens and herbs from Wildwood Family Farms CSA (www.wildwoodfamilyfarms.com) as I can and then shopping at Harvest Health foods and Meijer for the rest. I know not everything will be local or sustainable - Michigan will never produce mangoes - but I am cutting out processed foods, meat, and dairy (all things that take alot of energy to produce and transport). And I admit, the promise of dropping a few pounds while cleansing is alluring as well.

I am eager to see if I feel better and have more energy (after the expected first few days of adjustment). I am nervous to cut out extra sugar (chocolate!), caffeine, and alcohol. And I hope I am able to see it to the end.

If you wish to check out the cleanse that I have chosen, go to
www.wholeliving.com/challenge-plan
(I am not in any way affiliated with Whole Living magazine, I just liked their plan.)

Happy eating!
Kara