Going clean

In my last post, I talked about being in perimenopause and how run down I'm feeling.  In an effort to restore my energy levels and re-balance my hormones, Dr. K wanted me to go to a clean diet.  She wants me to cut out processed foods.  So, I am going to give it a valiant effort.

I've still got two loaves of bread in the fridge, but I have a bestie/roommate person who is helping get rid of them.  Once they're gone, brown rice will be my grain of choice.

I'm a pasta lover, and I thought giving up pasta would be the hardest thing  I've ever done...until I discovered spaghetti squash.  Spaghetti squash is the best pasta replacement.  Fuck zoodles (zucchini noodles).  Seriously fuck 'em.  They're disgusting.  One of my favorite clean dishes is spaghetti squash spaghetti with meat sauce.  Try it. You won't be sorry.

I'm using Clean Eating for recipes.  This Buzzfeed article also has some delicious recipes.

It's actually been easier than I expected it would be.  I've stocked up on dried fruit and nuts for snacks, and fresh veggies and hummus for lunch.  I've found a few restaurants that also have menus I can work with when I'm running low on time.  All in all, it hasn't been awful.  It's just going to be a matter of sticking with it and staying away from the processed stuff.

Cutting out soda has been the real struggle.  I'm getting around that by drinking an awful lot of tea.  My favorites are Lavender Dreams and White Earl Grey from Teavana.  Seriously.  Lavender Dreams is the best tea you will ever put in your face.

I'm also drinking a lot of infused water.  My favorite is strawberry-lemon-basil.  Or just lemon-basil.  These two are great go-to infusions, because they're refreshing, and they help alkalize your digestive system.

Strawberry-Lemon-Basil Infused Water

3 - 5 strawberries
2 slices lemon
1 basil leaf

You can use filtered water (I use a Brita pitcher, because Oklahoma water is awful) or fizzy water (the fizziness helps me stave off soda cravings).

You'll probably also want an infusion bottle.  I use the Define Bottle, but you can find cheaper bottles on Amazon.