Physical: I feel great. I am sleeping better, and I have a lot of energy. Not having caffeine has been a real struggle. Especially since Andy's sleeping has been inconsistent over the entire month. Normally I would just load up on Diet Dr. pepper in the morning and make it through. However, Instead I have been compensating by going to bed earlier. This is likely a much healthier choice. My skin looks better. I have never really had issues with my skin so it took me by surprise when I noticed my skin looking brighter and younger. I have also found that I have only had one head ache since we started eating clean. Not that I have a lot regularly, but I would say one in a month is a little on the low end. From a weight loss stand point, it has not done much for me, but my husband has reaped the benefits there. Now if you want to skip to the next paragraph feel free because I am going to say a word on poop. I see a difference here. It is solid and healthy and very regular. Makes me feel like the system is cleaning out well!
Finical: Last month, I spent double what I normally spend on groceries. It is more expensive. I think I may see that start to even out a bit as I adjust. I think I need to eat less meat for one thing. There were also a number of ingredients I had to buy up front, but make many recipes. I feel really good about buying my groceries though. So many fresh healthy ingredients. Hoping I can get this cut down over the next couple of weeks.
Psychological: This is a two sided struggle. One side is the internal struggle with food cravings and the desire to just grab a quick bite. On the other side is the external struggle of what everyone else thinks and expects from you. With the food cravings, I have found that most things have a clean counter part I can make to satisfy the craving. For example, we were craving soda with dinner so we started making lemonade sweetened with honey. I wanted pancakes so I found a wheat buttermilk pancake recipe, and it is AMAZING! John was struggling with ice cream cravings, and I got an ice cream maker and made ice cream sweetened with maple syrup. Pretty much everything you could want is available. It just takes some figuring out and some extra effort.
I can say I have a new found sympathy for people with major food allergies. While I have always tried to make sure I remember allergies my friends have, and then try to prepare food accordingly, I have never truly understood the uncomfortable and awkward issues arise. Feeding my sons pizza, cake and other yummy treats while not eating them myself has reinforced to me that I have a great deal of will power. I have not eaten at parties. I have had it announced loudly and multiple times to everyone in the room "She gave up EVERYTHING for Lent." I have tried unsuccessfully to explain that "Eating Clean" is not the same as a fad diet or a cleanse. I have been stuck at things which I thought would only last until lunch, and then, when they go much longer, I have starved because I did not pack anything and there is is not anything for me to eat. Those experiences have been frustrating. I have also found support from friends and family who have made adjustments to our meals together to accommodate me. I have been given advise on places to shop and how to save some money on what I need to buy. Those moments have been really special, and I appreciate those people.
Overall, the external struggle has been the most difficult. It keeps it constantly in my mind, which makes it the perfect lenten sacrifice. It makes me truly consider everything I put in my body, and it has been a rewarding experience so far. I know we will not follow a clean diet as strictly as we have been the last month, but I do believe we are picking up some concepts and recipes we will continue using forever.
This is post is sort of in lieu of my meal plan this week. I picked up some things at the store and have some ideas for the week, but nothing is structured. I am going to wing it for a week. Next week the plan will be back on the blog.
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