I know! You've missed me. I got so caught up in the Reset, the cooking, the cleaning and focusing on my personal life that I decided to save it all for one really Awesome post. I always say how great the food tastes and I can't stop now either! Week 2 was wonderful! I felt in control and really one step ahead of it all. YAY ME! I threw away the remained of my Birthday Cookie and took the rest of the week full on. I reached my goal weight and have maintained it which was very important to me.
Week 2 was honestly pretty uneventful. Every day was very much the same for my mood and energy. I was more tired through the day, but that probably had to do with a cut back in the calories from week 1. I got lots of sleep and GOOD sleep! My body was working extra hard this week with the Detox, I really felt my tummy getting flatter, which is super hard for me to do after some very invasive C-sections and scar tissue build up.
In week 2 you are no longer having any dairy, meet, or animal products. You are a "vegetarian". I don't like labeling the way you eat into categories like that. I'd rather say I'm on a Healthy/Clean Eating plan. I also wanted to share with you what all the supplements are that I've been taking every day. Also what each Phase is meant to do for you.
The part I love the best about this Ultimate Reset so far is that I've been able to help my family and friends realize how easy it is to eat and choose wisely in the Busiest life setting. After Phase 3 I'll tell you more about all the events I've survived and brought my own food to. I'll also be sharing my "Day 1 and After photos". My confidence is up, my house is CLEAN, and my Body is Clean! Even my skin is evening out and smoothing!!!
I had lots of favorite dishes this week. So here are some of those recipes. Be Warned! They Are Kid Tasted AND APPROVED!! :o)
Kabocha Squash with Garlic-Tahini Filling
Ingredients
- ¼ kabocha squash, seeds removed
- 2 Tbsp. sesame tahini
- 1 tsp. miso paste
- ¼ tsp. finely chopped garlic
- 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
Preheat oven to 400° F. Place squash on baking sheet lined with foil. Mix together tahini, miso, garlic, and oil and pour over squash; bake for 30 minutes or until squash is fork-tender. Serves 1.
Hearty Vegetable-Miso Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil or safflower oil
- 2 Tbsp. finely chopped yellow onion
- 1 tsp. finely chopped garlic
- 1 small carrot, cut in thin diagonal slices
- 1 small celery stalk, cut in thin diagonal slices
- ½ tsp. peeled and finely grated ginger
- 2 cups water
- ¼ cup broccoli florets
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh green beans
- ¼ cup shredded Napa cabbage or bok choy
- 1 Tbsp. wakame seaweed
- ½ tsp. toasted sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp. sliced green onion
- 1 Tbsp. miso mixed with 2 Tbsp. hot water (add more miso, to taste)
Directions
Heat oil in soup pot on medium heat. Add onion, garlic, ginger, carrot, and celery and sauté for 5 minutes until fragrant. Add water and simmer on low for 20 minutes until veggies are tender. Add broccoli, beans, cabbage, and seaweed. Stir and simmer until tender but not overcooked; broccoli and beans should remain crisp. Remove from heat and add sesame oil, green onion, and miso mixture. Serves 1.
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Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera). Ashwagandha in Sanskrit means “horse’s smell” likely because the root smells like a sweaty horse. (Thankfully, it tastes like strawberries in this shake!) Practitioners of the traditional Indian practice of Ayurvedic medicine use ashwagandha root to keep the central nervous system healthy. This can help with disorders in the CNS like epilepsy, stress, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Practitioners also prescribe ashwagandha root to reduce stress and as a sleep aid. So if you want a healthy central nervous system, or want to stay relaxed and sleep sound, this adoptogen is for you.
Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa). In Chinese and Japanese herbal medicine, the maitake mushroom is coined the “medicinal mushroom.” This mushroom is rich in potassium; calcium; magnesium; vitamins B2, D2, and niacine; fiber; and amino acids. In a 2009 study, researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found maitake mushrooms to posses anti-cancer qualities! Several studies conducted at Japan’s Hokkaido University have shown that this mushroom has the power to regulate blood pressure, insulin, glucose, and liver lipids like cholesterol, triglyceriedes, and phospholipids. Forget “medicinal mushroom.” Sounds more like “miracle mushroom.”
Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis, fungi). In his 15th century medical text, Tibetian doctor Zurkhar Nyamnyi Dorje sites cordyceps fungi as helping with sexual dysfunction, but that’s just one of its many benefits. Over the years, animal studies have shown cordyceps fungi can treat an array of conditions, including treatment of arrhythmia, gastric spasm, gastric atony, consumptive cough, excessive sweating, kidney and liver health, and autoimmune diseases. And recently, British research shows that cordyceps may be a valuable tool in fighting cancer. But wait, there’s more! When Chinese athletes broke world records in track in the 1992 Olympics, everyone accused the athletes of steroid use. But the athletes attributed their success to cordyceps, claiming the fungi promoted efficient use of oxygen and increased blood flow to organs.
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum). Also known as the “supernatural mushroom,” these fungi have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. They’re known in the East for their amazing benefits and lack of side effects. Reishi mushrooms contain a group of triterpene phytonutrients called ganoderic acids that have anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities. Researchers have found the reishi mushroom can be used to lower blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. It is also currently being studied for its anti-tumor qualities and ability to protect against liver disease. Talk about super natural.
Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum, leaf). Used for centuries by Ayurvedic practitioners, holy basil is worshiped in the Hindu religion as the avatar of Goddess Lakshmi. Although holy basil has been used for centuries therapeutically, over the last few decades many scientists and researchers from India have started to get very serious in their study of the plant and its benefits. Studies suggest that the leaves boost insulin secretion, thus acting as a pain killer (due to their ability to inhibit COX-2); lower cholesterol; and have antioxidant, immune-boosting, and stress-relieving properties. Practitioners prescribe the leaf of this plant to treat common colds, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, and many forms of poisoning. No doubt about it, holy basil is one holy stress reliever.
Schisandra (Schisandra spp., fruit). A native of East Asia used in traditional Chinese medicine, the name translates as “five flavor fruit” because it possesses all five flavors in Chinese herbal medicine: salty, sweet, sour, pungent (spicy), and bitter. In 2011, Chinese researchers conducted a study in which they stressed out mice for 18 hours to the point that they were not able to accomplish tasks properly. (Sorry Mickey and Minnie!) They then administered a dose of schisandra. Shortly thereafter, the mice were able to follow through with the tasks presented to them. Other animal studies suggest the use of schisandra can help resist infections; improve skin health; and fight off insomnia, coughing, and thirst. It has also been used in Chinese medicine to help protect the liver, stabilize blood sugar, lower cholesterol, and as a stimulant to increase energy levels. If it works for Mickey Mouse it can work for you.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba, leaf). Native of China, also known as the Maidenhair Tree, ginkgo biloba is unique, having no relatives similar to it. Current studies are beginning to uncover the amazing benefits that this herb has to offer the mind regarding clarity and attention span. In 2005, a study was conducted involving 52 healthy young adult volunteers. When compared to a placebo, they found that ginkgo takers had “significantly improved performance on the sustained-attention task and pattern-recognition memory task.” The effect was almost immediate and reached its peak 2.5 hours after intake. And if that’s not enough, in Chinese medicine it is often used for increasing blood flow to protect against blood clotting, and to ward off vertigo. A fast-acting mind-clearer? Goodbye coffee, hello Shakeology!
