A Whole Week of Fresh

This past week, I was on a whole foods adventure, avoiding all sugar, flour and processed ingredients.

Why? I was on a mission to discover if the impact, if any, of avoiding such things could be realized within just one week's time. Can one's body realize its optimal performance by eating as close to the source as possible?

A self-professed chocoholic, my sweet tooth was a tough opponent the first day or two, but by day three, my cravings had ceased. I didn't need bread or sugary foods. By day four, the sliced red pepper in my salad tasted like the sweetest treat. I was fuller, faster, from these meals without any bloating. I kept hydrated, of course, drinking 60 to 80 ounces of water during the working day. My workouts were awesome too. I achieved my first prescribed Crossfit Revenge workout during this week of whole foods.

I felt energetic, vibrant and never hungry. I slept better, too. The first chance I got when my week was done, I opened a new bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips from Trader Joes and snacked on a handful as my late night snack. Moments later I felt a heaviness in my stomach that I hadn't been familiar with all week long. It was sugar. It felt heavy and unnecessary. I closed the bag and poured myself some water. I couldn't believe how immediately I realized the negative impact of a processed food item. Treating myself to bread this weekend with my veggie burger was not the treat I expected. The heaviness returned and I felt sluggish and tired after the meal.

My mission was a success, in my book. I don't think we comprehend, on a consistent basis, the power of our bodies. The inner workings, which are so foreign to most of us, know better than we do. Our body is a machine and is built to work in a homeopathic state, which is consistently bringing about balance. With sugars, caffeine, processed boxed goods, we are slowing down the efficiency of the work our bodies are built to do.

This week was a real eye-opener – igniting in me a responsibility to treat the body better every chance I get.

Here is a run down on my favorite meal options throughout the week:
Breakfasts:

Green tea, black, no sugar, steeped three to five minutes with choice of below
-Date, banana and nut energy bars (homemade)
-Fresh fruit
-Fresh veggie juice (great way to start- carrot, granny smith apple and ginger)
-Oatmeal with touch of agave syrup

Lunches:

-Spinach, sprouts and romaine salad with sun dried tomatoes, sliced peppers and avocado topped with homemade black bean burger and a light balsamic vinegar as dressing.
-Homemade veggie broth soup and a side of quinoa
-Steamed broccoli with garlic and a baked sweet potato

Afternoon Snacks:

-Green tea, black, no sugar, steeped three to five minutes with choice of the below:
-Apple or pear
-Handful of raw almonds
-Fresh popped popcorn

Dinners:

-Stir-fry veggies (using a little bit of water, no olive oil) and cubed tofu, sautéed with onions and garlic.
-Mustard basted tempeh strips with grilled zucchini and yellow squash, sliced portobello caps and sautéed onions with a side of baked kale leaves with touch of sea salt.
-Black bean burgers, no bread, with sliced avocado and sautéed greens (spinach or kale) and an endive salad with light balsamic vinegar drizzled on top
(link to Vegan Living black bean burger recipe ).
-Red quinoa and sweet corn with a side of steamed broccoli with toasted sesame seeds and touch of Tamari (gluten free, like soy sauce)

Best leftover:
Black bean burgers, they can be added to anything or be the star of the meal, and are a quick defrost away from becoming a meal the whole family will devour.