Spring Cleanse: Week 3

Blue Green Smoothie

Week three of the cleanse came and went 1.5 weeks ago.  You'd have heard about this sooner but I'm a few blog posts behind. Lots of post ideas are lined up in the waiting room of my brain.  There's the Spring Filoli photography class, the Gamble Garden Tour, all about organizing,....,.  But I've not yet worked out  a posting rhythm that works for me and allows time for all the other things (and rhythms) that demand time and attention in life.  Work/Coaching.  Family.  Home.  Health.  Cats.  Friends.  Garden.  I'll work this out though as its a "problem" my creative self wants solved.

Pesto Bruschetta with Sprouts

I wish the picture above was clearer but this one will have to do.  It was nothing short of divine to go back to eating "solid" foods after the two day juice fast at the end of  Week #2.  Even the blue green smoothie was a delight. By week three we were back into the clean eating habits that we'd been in before my back went out. So this week was a real "coming home to" in some aspects.  It's good to be home!

Warm Quinoa Breakfast Cereal

I cannot get enough of that warm quinoa breakfast.  Must be the carob nibs and splash of honey.  Nice to know that quinoa is a complete protein too.  Along with losing a few pounds, feeling  light and energetic, and getting new and tasty recipes to incorporate into our meal planning, I'm also delighted to share that during the cleanse, my back stopped hurting chronically on a daily basis.  It's more intermittent now.  The first day I experienced a no-to-low pain day - was bliss.  A dream coming true! 
 

(Delicious) Nori Wrapped Salmon

 I'm not sure if the back is better because I eased off of my "PT approved" weight training program during the cleanse - opting instead for a lot of walking, or, if this has something to do with going off of gluten.  Apparently 75% or so of people have some level of intolerance to gluten.  Could I have this too?  I've found some great non gluten breads and pastas, so I think I'll stay on this track and see where it leads, while easing slowly back into my weekly weight training routine.  Crossing fingers that the good news continues.

Herbed Quinoa Salad