The End of a Detox
Hiiiii ๐ Happy Sunday!! Howโs your day been?
Thank you so much for the fun comments on my detox is over celebration ๐ I got to re-live some of the delicious eats again for breakfast this morning.
Leftover pescado and green beans on top of an egg + egg white with a slice of goat cheese
Leftover salad
I <3 salad for breakfast
So, here are some more deets on last nightโs glorious meal of justice:
-We wined at dined at Cafe Poca Cosa, which is hands down, my favorite place to feast. They change the menu daily, according to whatโs fresh at the market. Two produce shipments arrive each day, so if they run out of something, or the chef changes her mind, theyโll change the menu right then and there.
–The servers carry around a large chalkboard with the entree selections written on it. There are usually about 8 total items- a mix of chicken, beef, fish, veg or pork and a โPlato Poca Cosaโ which is a surprise- the chef makes you whatever sheโs feeling and usually itโs a taster plate of a few different things. They WILL NOT let you alter your entree in any way. Every ingredient is there for a reason and if you try to alter it, they say that it compromises the integrity of the dish. Theyโre hardcore over there ๐
-Every entree is accompanied with a HUGE fresh salad- a mix of greens, veg and fruit. Usually youโll find a random artichoke, hunk of pineapple or slices of cantaloupe in your salad ๐ They also serve the meals with fresh rice, beans, tortillas, chips and salsa.
-Cafe Poca Cosa is the epitome of foodgasm. If you visit Tucson, make reservations WAY in advance (they book out every night) and buckle up for the most legendary meal of your life.
After breakfast, I cleaned up around the casa,
gave Bella a bath:
rocked out *this* Bodyrock workout
made a smoothie
(x3- I just felt like drinking out of a mug)
got a hefty bit of work done
and took Bella to meet Michele and her puppies for a walk around the mall. We went to La Encantada, which is an outdoor mall, so itโs totally cool to bring your pupper to shop ๐
I packed up an amazeball each for Michele and I, and Bella and I shared the carrots in the car ๐
Some final words on the detox:
Since I finished the 30 day detox, youโll pretty much never have to hear about it again after today. Wahoo!! ๐ Honestly, I was a little afraid about doing to the detox thang when my doc told me I needed to. I didnโt know if Iโd get flak from others thinking I was doing it for weight loss purposes, and was worried that my eats would be super boring. Thank you for always being amazing and sticking around with me, even though it wasnโt the most fun thing.. hopefully I added in enough *other stuff* to make up for the lack of exciting eats. ๐
How I feel:
I feel like doing the detox helped me to assess my fuel choices and also get back on the way I like to eat. When I first got to Tucson in December, right before Christmas, I was a little bit of a mess. Moving everything across the country was no joke (packing 13 HUGE FedEx boxes, carrying them downstairs, shipping them, packing the car, wrangling pups, the situation as a whole), but I was so thankful to have my mom drive with me from Orlando to Tucson. When I got here, I jumped into work, bought a business, and kept myself busy so I wouldnโt dwell on the fact that my husband is doing the war thang and I had to start from scratchโฆagain. When this was all going on, I was just making sure to get enough fuel, without paying attention to balance. I was eating a lot of carbs, a lot of sugar, and felt pretty tired and icky. Slowly, I was starting to get back into the swing of things, but feel like the detox was beneficial in helping me get back on the proverbial horse.
By following the eating plan (for the most part, heh heh), it helped me to crave REAL whole foods again, like I used to. The only bummer was missing out on some of my favorite things (oats, goat cheese, salmon, NUT BUTTER), but as soon as I could have them back, I was a happy kid ๐ My homeopathic doc has been pretty much amazing and Iโm excited to get tested again to see if my hormone levels have evened out.
So whatโs my opinion on detoxes:
I think, if done very occasionally and for the right reasons, detoxes can be a bueno thing. The help your body rid itself of excess toxins, since itโs not using energy to break down difficult-to-digest food. Detoxes *should* be done for health reasons, not for weight loss or โquick fixโ purposes- any weight you lose on a weight loss detox or cleanse will be gained back, I promise. If done for weight loss, a detox can be extremely scary and harmful for your body. The BEST and only way to achieve a healthy weight is through clean eating and moderate exercise. Please be smart and talk to a doc or RD if your considering a detox plan. The entire 30 days, I was taking a boatload of prescribed supplements to make sure I was getting all of the nutrients I needed.
Some detox plans that I think are legit:
-Raw Food Detox Diet
-Crazy Sexy Diet
Will I do one again?
For right now, Iโm going to say no. I like to eat what I like to eat, not what someone else tells me to ๐
Other re-caps:
Well, Iโm off to work on some schtuff and then make dinner.
Have a lovely night and Iโll see ya in the morning! <3
xoxo
Gina
I like the idea of cleaning up my diet, but I don’t think I could ever stick to a detox diet.
I love Bella’s post bath frenzy…my dog does the same thing!
Great job on finishing your detox!! yeah! i’m the same way, i don’t like it when i’m told what to eat…but as a future doctor, i’m gonna be doing just that to my patients and they better follow! lol
I sometimes do that with mugs and smoothies….because mugs are WAY more fun than smoothie containers ๐ Glad you’re detox went so well–and I agree on being told what to eat….blech! Glad YOU get to choose now, haha ๐
Glad it went so well for you!!! ๐
Congrats on finishing it! I used to be tempted to do a juice fast, but it never interested me enough to actually do it. I’d rather just make good choices day by day, not necessarily perfect ones, to keep me at a place I enjoy most! Why screw up what’s workin’?
exactly! if it aint broke…
Congrats on finishing the detox!
And look at Bella – ha! ๐
Hooray to the end of a successful detox! Great job sticking to it and not being too hard on yourself when you wanted some nut butter! We were all cheering you on and glad you finished. I enjoyed reading your final comments and look forward to seeing some of your rocking food again soon! ๐ Chow! <Literally ๐
Our boxer does that too after a bath, cracks us up!
Wow that restaurant is now on my bucket list, how amazing!
I don’t think I could have stuck with the detox as well as you did! When I cut out foods that I love I tend to go overboard on them eventually. Moderation is key for me.
Bella is so cute!
So what do you think of the Bodyrock workouts? Obviously you have a high level of fitness, but are they “enough” for you?
Haha! Love the video of Bella – too cute ๐ She’s just so excited to be sparkly clean ๐ And I agree – the ONLY way to lose weight safely is through clean eating and moderate exercise. I’ve lost 108 pounds since last January doing just that. When people ask me how I lost the weight, they almost look disappointed when I tell them how I eat very healthy and work out often. People want a “quick fix” and it just isn’t appropriate if you want to lose weight safely and for long-term. So thanks for emphasizing that ๐
That restaurant sounds amazing!!!
“I like to eat what I like to eat!” That’s me exactly! If someone tells me I can’t eat something, that would just make me want it even more! ๐
Congrats on getting through the detox in one piece! Did you ever tell us about the business you bought? If you did, I must have missed a post – what kind of business are you getting into??
Kristin
not yet- but will this week ๐
So funny watching Bella run around after a bath! My mom’s dog Jax does this too! He is a Bichon! She has had to start to hold onto him and dry him because he has cataracts and can’t see well and runs into things in his panic to get dry!
Love your blog! I was wondering who your natural Dr. is? I have been looking for someone myself. ๐
after i’m done with my treatment, i plan on giving him a major shout out ๐
Bella is hilarous! I have really enjoyed your detox re-caps. I’ve never done one, but like you, I think the best approach for sustainability is clean eating. Your post-detox feast sounds delicious!
HA Bella. For a second when I was reading that I thought you were sharing amazeballs with Bella, not carrots ๐ Lil slow. Yay for the detox being over!
I’m glad you don’t have to detox anymore! I really really have messed up hormones – its not good. But I’m also significantly underweight and need to gain, so I’m intentionally eating which seems wrong. I feel it should be a “natural” thing; but I worry about how low the scale number is and know I have to raise it. Maybe I’m wrong to force it; I’m just doing what I think I should. The hardest part is gaining weight while not exercising. All I do is a short walk and maybe some gentle yoga occasionally. I feel so guilty for this; but I’m also dead tired. Then I wonder if that is more just depression or if it is true and valid body fatigue. The thing is that if I gain this weight slowly; its gonna be at least a year for me to be at a “normal” weight; meaning its another year or two of no real exercise.
What are your thoughts on “mechanical eating” for something like this? And my fear is over carbs; I feel guilty for eating carb sources when all I do is sit and intentionally gain. But I already eat a crazy big amount of protein and fat, and I guess I can’t stretch that more.
That WH detox plan is not even “so bad” (except for the crazy low cals)…just as a foundation point for people who might be obese or something; at least it includes all the food groups I guess.
I know I overdo certain foods (hello dairy and eggs, etc)…
Have you read “The HOrmone Diet”? That might interest you. Sorry for the crazy lazy long comment ๐
hey girl,
don’t apologize- i love long comments ๐
have you talked to a doctor about setting up a plan for you to get up to a healthy weight? be patient with yourself, and your body will get used to eating a good, healthy amount of food (including carbs- they’re good for you and totally necessary to LIVE!). not being able to exercise must be a little frustrating, but remember that this amount of time in the grand scheme of things is not a big deal, and for your health, it’s totally worth it.
hang in there and let me know if you need anything!!
xoxo
Very cool. I have some strong feelings about the whole detox thing too, and, without getting into a deep discussion right here, I agree with your sentiments: for the right reasons and with the guidance of a experienced professional, awesome.
and Bella! So cute!
that restaurant sounds so cool.
I want some amazeballs made by you.
I am now assessing my eating habits, without a detox, and hearing what you have to say makes me feel better.
I am craving a smoothie so bad right now, its insane.
I love that video of Bella!!! My pup does the SAME thing after his baths, it’s hilarious! What kind of dog is she? She looks SO similar to Griffy (he’s a Lhasa Apso).
I was kind of curious about starting a detox. I follow a vegan diet but I’ve been eating a lot of sweets and indulging a lot more then I actually should. I think I’m going to do one for two weeks but I don’t really know where to begin. Thanks for the few links. I’m gonna check em out and go from there.
You mentioned issues with your skin prior to the detox. Just wondering how your skin is doing now?
it’s totally back to normal!
(thank goodness) ๐
I love the bodyrock videos! I was wondering though if 10 minutes is all I need to do. Some of here videos are very intense and short and although I’m tired after them I wonder if the time is an issue. Your thoughts?
Thanks for sharing your detox experience. It’s something I’ve thought about doing just to see if my body feels any changes. Not 30 days but maybe a shorter version.
Great recap on the detox. I have wanted to do one to clear the toxins out of my body, but I crave carbs so much and living in a sorority where it is hard to eat whole foods as it is… well, right now just isn’t the best time. Once I’m back into having my own kitchen, I will be a happy camper, and would love to try a safe one like the ones that you mentioned.
yay for the end! i like to eat what i want, too (to a certain degree, of course). can’t eat ice cream for breakfast lunch and dinner:)
i love that the restaurant wouldn’t let you alter things- i think that’s how it should be!
I love the Raw Food Detox Diet– it literally changed my life when I read it over 5 years ago! For the most part, I prefer to think of “detoxing” as part of my lifestyle (as the book suggests) making gradual, life-long changes, rather than short-term plans that make me feel restricted. But every now and then it’s nice to have a 30-day detox to “re-set” your body and cravings! (especially after the holidays or when the seasons change)
LOVED reading Crazy Sexy Diet, too!
P.S. My dog totally does the same post-bath frolic that Bella does! Too cute!!!!
gina, any tips on how to find a homeopathic doctor? i live in the atlanta area and would love to add one to my healthcare team.
i think word of mouth is the best way to do it- the one that i’m using was referred to me by a good friend. ask around- your local yoga studio may have a good recommendation too
Yea for finishing the detox! I am going to have to try it! I think I need to do one to “re-set” my body!
Thanks for sharing – it’s so interesting to hear about your journey!
Thanks for sharing your perspectives on the month and the detox process and your thoughts, Gina. As always, love your candor and keeping it real for all of us ๐
I like how you said that no, you don’t plan to do another one. The old “never say never” came to mind but I can totally see how you’d never want to be told what to eat again ๐ I don’t think anyone would! I know I wouldn’t really enjoy that so much.
I am glad that it helped you get on track, reduce your toxins, and helped you overall. And that it came at a time in your life where it was welcomed. Moving cross country, being alone, yes my dear, you have had sooo much going on!
Here’s to finding out where you’re living next ๐
Congrats on the completion of the detox diet! ๐
Your video of Bella brought both a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.
My dog, Chubby, used to do that every time she had a bath and every time she came back from the groomers. But, 8 years ago she was running around like that and had a freak accident. She slipped a disc in her back and has been handicapped ever since. She is paralyzed from the waist down. My family and I have taken good care of her and she is now 15 years old! ๐
Chubby is a bichon frise and she looks very much like Bella. So it touched me even more. Ok, not trying to bring down the mood! Sorry!
Thanks for the video. Bella is mucho adorable! ๐
Absolutely LOVE the amazeball recipe! These little snack balls are FABULOUS! I made my first batch a week ago and it was love at first bite! Your blog is always an inspiration! Congrats on the end of the detox!
That restaurant sounds incredible! So glad you got to celebrate in a fantastic way.
My dog does that exact same thing! We call it her “fast run”. It’s hilarious!!
Henry freaks out post bath, too. It’s so funny. Also, I’m really glad you linked to a workout. I love the workouts your recommend. I wish Winter Shape UP had lasted longer!
Honestly I’ve always been skeptical of things like juice fasts and liquid diets, I think they’re gimmicks (and I feel the same about all diets), but the detox you did, eating whole foods, sounds far less like a gimmick and more like a healthy experiment for the body. I do wonder though, in terms of hormone levels, would one month of eating differently really do much on a permanent level to change them considering you’ll be back to eating what you normally did before?
i totally agree- as far as detoxes go, the one i had to follow was very healthy and focused on whole foods. the detox itself wasn’t what helped my hormone levels- it was in conjunction with quite a few prescribed herbs and supplements i’ve been taking since last september
Right I forgot about the herbs, duh. Well I hope you get the results you’re looking for in any case! ๐
no worries! i hope so too ๐
My brother lives in Tucson and we’re coming to visit him in June. I really want to try Cafe Poca Cosa! We really liked el charro in the past because it has something for everyone, but I think if I took my mom or dad here without the rest of the family we could enjoy it. I also plan on trying dance trance!
I’m glad you walked away from the detox with a positive attitude. Way to stick to it!!
I love Bella, she’s so feisty!
I’ve been on a couple detox’s before (all natruopath perscribed), and nothing is better than the first meal after it’s over! Looks like you lived it up just right last night! ๐
Ha! I love how wild Bella gets after her bath. Our basset hound does the exact same thing. I just assumed it was part of his normal weirdness ๐ He runs laps like his brain is short circuiting.
Thanks for all the info on detoxing. I don’t think it is something that I plan on doing but it was interesting and informative.
Hi Gina! Could you share your thoughts on the Crazy Sexy Diet book? I’m a vegetarian and thought it might be a good book for me…I try to eat healthy and work out as much as my schedule allows right now, but was wondering if cleaning up my eats a little more would help me be a little leaner.
i really enjoyed it. it’s very informational, but is less recipe, “here’s a sample meal plan” focused than i thought it would be. check out the raw food detox diet or the eat clean diet for more recipe and eating ideas ๐
Cool, thanks! It’s been on my “wish list” since I read about it in one of your earlier posts. Btw, I LOVE your blog…it may be the only one I check daily, and more than once at that! Thank you for posting such great info!
thanks girl ๐
Congrats on finishing!! Sending good thoughts your way that your hormone levels are back to normal! I’m still trying to figure out what’s giving me tummy problems. So far, dairy seems to be fine and tempeh + sprouted tofu agreed with me too. Now I need to figure out if gluten is the culprit! Definitely been quite the process!
I love Cafe Poca Cosa. And I’m not lucky enough to live in Tucson. It’s ALWAYS amazing.
Glad you’re done w/ the detox and that you found some good stuff from it.
My dogs have similar post-bath crazy time! I love it ๐
I love how you look at difficult situations with a positive outlook even though I am sure that you didn’t feel positive in the moment.
Cafe Poca Cosa is the BEST!!! Another one of my Tucson faves. And I wish I had my puppy when I was in Tucson…I love shopping at La Encantada and going to the restaurants there to sit outside when it is nice out…margaritas and guac at Blanco, sushi ‘n’ sake at Ra, wine flights at Armitage, Frost gelatooo…. I always wanted to bring a pup there, and loooved seeing all of the doggies that people would bring.
I think I need to buy my plane tix by the end of this week…..ohhh, Tucson, how I miss youuuu!!
I love that all bichon’s are the same! My pup does the exact same thing after a bath. I try to keep her in one room (without carpet or furniture). Love it!!
that’s so cute! bella is a maltipoo, but she looks similar to bichons
I really love Clean Sexy Diet. The ‘detox’ implements a lot of ideas that everyone (including myself) should use every day – like daily lemon water, smoothies, dry brushing, and whole, unprocessed foods. I love it!
I’m with you on the detox. I think there are plenty of good things about detox for the clean eating it promotes. However, I don’t know if I could ever commit to a full detox plan. I, like you, HATE being told what I can’t have. haha. I do like to incorporate plant based food as much as possible, but if I tell myself no sugar, that is ALL i crave. Same with my workouts, Despite competing in triathlons and running races, I rarely follow a strict training plan. I usually just listen to my body and try to be active most days. When I’m feeling especially great and energetic, I try to make the most of it and do something more intense and for a longer time. I understand that some people thrive on a strict training plan and have a hard time motivating themselves to stick to exercise unless they are told what to do. For me, its all about keeping exercise a fun activity. That is why I enjoy your blog, because you aren’t “preachy” about food and exercise, you just give plenty of ideas an motivation so that anyone can benefit from reading.
Bahaha I love the video of Bella running around like a nut job — so cute!!!!