Awesome Cleansing Diet Experiment

I have just started week two of my cleansing diet, and while it is moderately challenging, I would recommend it to everyone! I have been inspired to re-create my diet, and was luck enough to find this book at Powell's in Portland. (Powell's deserves its own blog posting. Wow!)

If the Buddha Came to Dinner: How to Nourish Your Body to Awaken Your Spirit by Hale Sofia Schatz is a lovely book about nutrition, and nourishing yourself spiritually with your food. Plus, it is also a cleansing diet and recipe book. It is really inspiring and has changed the way I cook.

So, this last week was all veggies and fruit. This week I add grains, seeds, and nuts. Next week proteins: fish, tofu, beans, etc. After the cleanse I will, of course, add poultry and sweeteners back into my diet, but probably not as much sugar as I used to use. Right now, I am still addicted to honey and agave syrup, but not for two more weeks *sigh*...

I thought it would be totally limiting, but it has been really versatile and I have enjoyed it. I have lost a little weight, and have found that I really don't crave sugar or wheat as much as I thought. I miss wine a little...

Here are some of the names of the recipes: Braised Cabbage, Fennel, and Leeks (I used brussels sprouts. Delish!); Kale and Sweet Potato Soup; Silky Asparagus and Celery Soup (tonight's experiment).

Honestly I have been constantly been feeding myself, though, as veggies burn up in your system faster.

I am really looking forward to the Ceviche and the Soul-Satisfying Fish Stew! Oh, and the Baked Pears with Ginger and Cardamom!