Boxing and Burning Man

Husband has been working lots of weekends lately and since he works out of town I've been going to see him on the weekend.  The apartment he stays in during the week has a big, nice gym.  Indoor Olympic pool, cardio machines, weight training machines, free weights, tennis court, and my most favorite, a boxing ring!  I found out they also have a trainer on staff.  I can go to the gym for free because he lives there all week and the trainer was pretty inexpensive.  I had one lesson so far and I hope to do a lesson each weekend I go stay with him.  I really hope he gets to come home more soon, but if he's got to be away, I might as well take advantage of the situation, right?  I learned a lot of things I can take home with me and use on my heavy bag.  I worked out with the trainer on Saturday afternoon and I'm really sore this Monday afternoon.  It's amazing! 

This weekend I also went to an Okie Burner's Decompression event.  Basically a bunch of burners and future burners got together to exchange stories and burn a ten-foot tall dreamcatcher.  Someday I will go to Burning Man.  This feeling was fueled even more after meeting Burners and other future Burners.  We got a glimpse of some of the costume pieces worn at the festival and got to talk to a girl with a hoola hoop.  I got a tiny picture of the things to expect from the actual festival.  Maybe someday we'll have such a festival in every state.  I know this isn't a religious event and I know there are many things that will make me shake my head, but I think Jesus would approve of some of the basic values of the Burner.  Do no harm, leave this place better than you found it, love everyone and take care of each other.  Such a wonderful experience.

P.S.  I got some video of the dreamcatcher burning, but I'm having trouble getting it to load.  I'll keep working on this.

Do you know about Burning Man?  Google it!  Watch the videos on YouTube!  Let me know what you think in the comments below.

The Real Food Detox

I've decided to make this a three day, clean-eating detox.  All vegan, no junk for three days.  No pills to 'flush' your system.  Don't spend a ton of money on a 'cleansing kit'.  And you don't need to eat a ton of cabbage soup.

This menu is for my experimental use.  This is not medical advice and I don't promise to heal what ails you.  If you do follow this plan, I'd love to hear how it goes for you.  I will be updating my progress along the way and since SIL started me on this, I'll probably use her experience, too.

BREAKFAST

Smoothies!  Fast, simple, ton o' nutrients.

1 - 1 1/2 cups frozen fruit (berries, mixed fruit, mango, peaches, whatev)

1T chia seeds

1 banana

small handful spinach

Put all ingredients in blender.  Add enough water to make it smoothie consistency. Start with about a cup of water and add more if needed.

SNACKS

Talked about this some in the last post, but I'll say it again.  Fresh fruit, frozen fruit without sugar, carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, any other fruit or veg you can think of, but skip the ranch.  If you MUST have something to dip your veg in, make (or buy if you must) some humus.  Nutritious and delicious! 

DINNER

Spaghetti Squash with diced tomatoes:  Cut a spaghetti squash in half , scoop the seeds into the trash or compost or whatever, pour a can of diced tomatoes with garlic and oregano.  I know a can of tomatoes doesn't exactly count as 'clean-eating' but it's better than filling the squash with a stick of butter like we did when I was a kid!  Cover with foil, bake for about 45 minutes, poke it with a fork to see if it's tender, if not bake it longer, check at 10 minute intervals.

Vegetable soup:  Fresh or frozen veg including, but not limited too green beans, broccoli, carrots, celery, tomatoes, etc.  Limit corn and potatoes as these aren't as easily digestible and the goal is easy to digest, nutrient rich foods.  Add a hearty grain like brown rice or barley, something minimally processed.  Put veg, grain and enough vegetable broth to cover in a pot and simmer until everything comes together.  Season with salt and pepper, garlic, whatever you like.  I like cumin and chili powder, I'll be using some of those spices.

Roasted butternut squash over quinoa:  Just like it sounds, cut a butternut squash into quarters, scoop out the seeds.  Roast at 425 for about 45 minutes.  Salt, pepper, curry spice.  Remove when fork tender.  Let it cool for a few minutes so you can handle it, peel the skin off, dice the meat.  Meanwhile prepare quinoa (or barley not used in the soup) as directed.  Season with s&p and curry seasoning.  Top grain with squash and enjoy.

LUNCH

Lunch for me will be leftover dinner or a smoothie like breakfast.  Easy to prepare, easy to take to work.  

Remember to keep this simple.  Just eat real food, no meat or dairy, no processed crap.  Should cause your waist to shrink and your energy level to rise.  But also keep in mind that if you go right back to eating crap all the time, the effects will be short lived.  Use this as a kick-start to a healthy lifestyle, not as a quick fix.  

If you have concerns, comments or questions, leave them in the comment section below!