Regular readers and Twitter followers (shout-out to my tweeple!) know I strive to live a healthy life with my eating, supplements and exercise habits (though, I do succumb to cupcake failures fairly routinely). Twice a year, I do an extra super duper effort to eat perfectly clean (last year, I did the full Fat Flush program. That was hard!) For this bi-yearly Healthy Living Week, my accountability partner is Jody Bergsma (who posted about our Healthy Week on her FB page here. There was some good discussion, including sharing of smoothie recipes).
We’re doing a modified Fat Flush + Isagenix program. It’s pretty simple: no caffeine, no alcohol, very very limited oil, no sugar, no salt, 2 protein shakes per day and one ‘regular’ lean protein/veggie meal, 5 servings of low-glycemic fruits and veggies, ground flaxseed and copious amounts of unfiltered, unsweetened cranberry juice. In addition to the food choices, we’re doing a bunch of liver support herbs (like Milk Thistle, Dandelion Root) and cleansing tea infusions.
This is my go-to protein shake for the next week. It uses Jay Robb Whey Protein. I like Jay Robb protein because it has no artificial sweeteners or sugar, uses hormone free whey, and has a full 25 grams of protein (almost 50% of my recommended protein for the day).
1 scoop Jay Robb Whey Protein
6 oz. Strawberries or Raspberries
2 Tbs of Almond Butter
12 oz. cold water
Blend it all up – drink up. There’s 353 calories in the shake, 32 grams of protein and 2 grams of sugars.The Almond Butter adds 190 calories to the 110 calories in the protein powder so if you are trying to keep the calories light, skip the Almond Butter. Either way, it’s insanely healthy and filling. That plus a mid-day fruit or almond snack will keep you going until lunch.
Have a great week! If you want to join me and Jody on our Healthy Week, we’d love company.
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I’m having my morning shake as I write this! Whey protein + berries + flax seed + flax seed oil this morning. It’s delicious and filling. Clean Weeks are basically how we should be eating, what our bodies optimally perform on, but none of us really do with all the processed and yummy foods at our disposal. I just like to reset a few times a year as a reminder (and to give my liver a break!)
You know, I haven’t. Thanks for the reminder. I keep seeing the ads but have not done any research on it. I like the ‘no sugar high’ because boy, I don’t like the crash afterwards.
I love ripe bananas. I just got a bunch of organic ones and have been eating them this week for sweetness (and yesterday, also a mango which was messy but delicious!)
Have you looked into Xylitol? It’s a plant based sugar, no aspartame (nothing “fake”) and is supposed to be quite good for us too (believe it or not). I do not like Stevia, but Xylitol I like, also I notice there’s no sugar high after I eat something made with Xylitol instead of sugar not for me anyway… (even that Toblerone Pie, Anne-Marie!). Though I have to say that with a perfectly ripe banana I usually don’t feel the need for sugar.
When Whey Protein and Berries are not part of my breakfast, I fade big-time by 11am! Otherwise I’m good to go until lunch around 12:30! I’ll check out “clean week”, sounds like what I need!!
PS – I hate the flavor of any synthetic sugars too. They just taste blech to me. I’d rather that real sugar any day over the synthetic ones.
Hi Johnny,
Thanks for the long note. I love that you shared your wisdom with everyone so other people can read what you like. I’ll check out that protein that you like. I have been crushin’ on Almond Butter this week in my smoothies – and this morning, put some ground flaxseed in. I haven’t tried Lecithin though – I have some here so I’ll do some more research on that and add it tomorrow. =)
I saw my Dad last night and though he was impressed by my willpower, he was less impressed by the cleanse. He remains passionate in his defense of healthy eating as a lifestyle (we can agree on that) and claims that the body does not need to detox because it is designed to digest food. I don’t think it was designed to digest the food that we so easily can put in it though … So, I cleanse. Twice a year. I’m on Day Four right now and I’m a bit tired but definitely excited about coming through on the other side feeling energetic and strong.
Nothing like yummy Himalayan Salt sprinkled on some steamed aspargus with olive oil.
Remember, your body NEEDS sodium, but in moderation. At least in Himalayan Salt you get minerals you need as well as sodium and great flavor =P
That’s awesome for you! I used to manage a health snack place in TriBeCa here in NYC. Also I go on health binges a lot. Finding a good protein supplement is hard, most, especially Whey make you feel bloated and can pass right through you, but you can use Isolated Whey, it is designed so your body can absorb it easier. Also, For Ladies, I’d recommend Soy proteins as they’re less bulky, great for your skin and estrogen production.
I would sometimes make a PB&J smoothie. Recipe is as follows:
-Soy/Rice Milke [whichever you prefer, it’s light and nearly fatfree]
-frozen 1 1/2 banana [natural cooler, adds natural sweetness, and potassium helps out prevent muscle cramping]
-Almond Butter [Healthy fats]
-Blueberries[high in antioxidants]
-Iso-Whey Protein
-Lecithin [I ALWAYS add Lecithin, it helps purge fats within your arteries, and lowers your LDL’s naturally]
Add as much of any ingredient as you like. I like sweet, jelly favoring flavor, so i go heavy banana and blueberry. My friend likes sweet peanut butter so he goes heavy banana almond butter.
Protein i always use is: Natures Best ISOPURE
http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/s…
I dislike the flavor of Aspartme or other sugars substitutes, this is only 5mg of Sugar and 50mg Protein. At night I use Casein protein for when I really work myself hard.
I like almond butter more than peanut butter any day =)
You can’t even taste it. It’s mostly there for the healthy fats addition and that extra protein boost. Try it sometime! =)
I looooove cheese (adore it!) but this week, it’s off limits. I am chowing down on eggs and nuts though. I made a great egg white/almond/sunflower seed/cinnamon/paprika baked mix this week to help me through my snack munchies. It’s delish.
Cindy, I’ve been reading that too – the new Jillian Michaels book is HUGE on limiting tofu because of estrogen mimicking and my naturopath said it can exacerbate breast tumors? I need to research a bunch more though before coming to any serious conclusions.
I totally need to go to sleep so more tomorrow but my Dad already emailed me his sarcastic comments. He is SOOOOO funny. Hopefully he’ll post something here for your reading amusement too.
Salt. I am craving salt … =)
*eats chips*
I deserve them, I clean out an entire horse barn yesterday! 🙂
i can’t wait to see if your dad makes any more “comments” this year, LOL!
He gave you a run for your money last year!
That is SO weird; this morning I was laying in bed, and not feeling too Optimus Prime if you know what i mean. My mind wandered back to your “liver flush” and I mused about the undertaking. That took about 7 seconds. Then I remembered your Dad…he is so hilarious! I also mused about going toe to toe in defending cleanses altogether. Don’t you always feel so good afterwards?
Two years ago my doc told me to do a gall bladder and then a liver cleanse. She rocks. But I haven’t done it yet……
Still, you have got to get “geared up” for such an undertaking, because it is not easy!
HAHAHA funny that, that you wrote this message not long after the cupcakes recipes one, hahaha!! Good luck for your week!! It looks great!! I try to add some greens in mine, like baby spinach!!
I really have enjoyed reading your blog. Thank you for letting me visit.
Susan
http://amazingcouponanddiscoun…
http://joininandgogreen.blogsp…
From what I’ve read recently, you should really limit the tofu for a lot of reasons.
So, it’s only the natural sugars from the berries, then? I think it might make me pucker just a bit! LOL! I’ve been drinking kangen water for about a week now. One ounce per pound of body weight = more water than I’m used to drinking, but it’s been good for me!
I think there is other way to get protein and more natural! Tofu, cheese, fish, nuts… but the pink color you got there looks wonderful!
You sure know how to make healthy look good! I looove almond butter! I love almond anything. LOL!
It’s very pretty!
Oh My!! I think that looks wonderful! I dont know about adding the almond butter though LOL…..