Day 24

Well we are almost at the end of this Detox journey. I have to say that I am kind of glad about that. The last week has been particularly hard. Reasons - I need a little more variety in what I eat - like some red meat and being able to eat Oatmeal (the Steel Cut variety) in the morning along with my fruit. I also miss eggs which has surprised me a little.

I have to say that this has been a long and winding journey in which I think each of us Yummy Mummy's has truly learned the value that we place on food. For me, I have realized how I do love food - the taste, the smell, the family time, the conversations with great friends. Food brings us together - always has, always will. I have also realized how much I hate being limited in what I can eat. I have had to learn new inventive techniques for making, chicken and turkey exciting again, and again, and again. Thank goodness for being allowed fish because if I hadn't been able to mix things up with that, I would have caved week two.

I know I have learned healthier eating habits that will be of huge benefit to me and my family. From here on in it will be a case of making sure I incorporate this knowledge into our daily routine, instead of falling back on the old and easy ways. Now don't get me wrong, I am looking forward to bringing back some of my old favourites - bread, being one. But I will look for healthier alternatives like Ezekial bread or start making my own at home with the bread maker that has been in my basement for two years unused. Juicing will also continue to have a place in our house. I love fresh juice. My morning would not be complete without it and my Chia seeds! (Ch-ch-ch-chia - I know you are singing it too.)

Still, I have to admit that I am a little scared about what next week brings. My true fear lies in how I will deal with the first day off program - will I gorge on potato chips and steak (isn't that a picture) to the point of making myself sick or will I continue to take a step back and carefully watch what I consume - think about each thing I put on my plate, and ultimately how it will make me feel at the end of the meal.

I have been reading two really interesting books - Eating Clean Recharged by Tosca Reno and EAT THIS! NOT THAT! I know that Eating Clean will continue to be a big part of what happens going forward. I get what Tosca is trying to teach us. EAT THIS! NOT THAT! is truly eye opening for what happens in our restaurants, but beyond that, provides very interesting insight into the world of food in general. Both will be good resources in my kitchen.

When all is said and done, I know next week I will need to recommit to making myself the healthiest person I can be. That may have to happen for the next 52 weeks. If so, that is just the way it will have to be. I know I will have slip ups, I am only human after all. But instead of beating myself up, I will look at what I have done and move forward - maybe it will be another couple of weeks before I have that food again, maybe a couple of months. Either way, I am going to try to be the healthiest person I can be.