A few weeks ago, I attended my first Weston A Price Wise Traditions conference. I should probably write up an in depth post about it, considering the massive amount of knowledge that was shared there. But for now: The Cliff’s Notes.
- Eat less sugar.
- Eat more fat.
It’s high time that the low fat, high refined carb diet is called out for what it is: No bueno.
After hearing a version of the above from just about every brilliant speaker at the conference, I decided it was time for another sugar detox. I did the 21 Day Sugar Detox earlier this year, and it was great. I only hated life every so often, and I slept like a dog (I never got the “slept like a baby” expression- babies sleep for a few hours and wake up screaming bloody murder with poop in their pants. I never aspire to sleep like that. My dog, however, now she knows how to sleep).
We already eat pretty clean in this house, but we have some issues; namely: I want ice cream and tequila way too often, and my boyfriend puts too much sugar in his coffee and wants beer way too often.
I don’t know how it happend, but he agreed to do this thing with me. And because misery, er sugar detoxing loves company, I’ve invited you all to join us too! To try and make it more doable, I will be posting daily eats and recipes here as often as I can… Hopefully daily.
So here we go!
Day 1
Breakfast
Simon (yes, we are indeed Simon and Simone. I know.) had a leisurely morning and enjoyed some bacon and eggs. I however, had to get to my Monday omelette bar and only had time to slather grassfed butter on a coconut muffin and run out the door with my coffee in hand. But don’t feel bad, I had second breakfast later on:
a super tasty scramble: onions, peppers, bacon, jalapeños and heirloom tomatoes
Lunch
Simon reheated some leftover lamb leg steaks and cut up some bell peppers. Cut up veggies is his classic side dish. I’ll take it! I threw some olives on the plate.
Dinner
I’m excited to make a quick bolognese sauce with zucchini noodles. One of my faves.
I saute an onion in bacon fat, add in a few cloves of garlic, reach for the wine… Gah! Can I cook with wine? I think maybe, but probably not really if I’m going to be legit about this thing. I tweet Diane at Balanced Bites and she says I technically can since the alcohol cooks off, but it’s not a resounding “YES!” #chefscanthelpit, is what she really says. It’s sort of permission, but I still don’t feel great about it. So I pass on the wine. No sense opening up a bottle just to have it sitting around, staring at me for the next 3 weeks. Even if the alcohol cooks off, it still seems really sugary to me. Plus she suggests adding some balsamic instead, which is a fabulously delicious idea. Bonus: I get to add another recipe to the 21 DSD category.
And that’s it for today! I’m whooped, and hoping for the first of many dog-like slumbers.
If you’re doing a post-Thanksgiving clean eating challenge of some sort, how is it going for you?
zenbelly 
Hello! Imagine my surprise when opening this up this morning after deciding yesterday I’m going to try and kick sugar and alcohol for a while. Thanks for sharing your ideas – I think it will help to know someone is doing this at the same time. MY significant other wouldn’t be interested,,, he, too, puts too much sugar in his coffee!! AND I’m sure you’ll give me some great meal ideas. I’ll be winging it a bit as I don’t have that book, but here’s to trying!
Jessica: I’m sure you can swing it by just cutting out sugar and things that turn into sugar, but if you feel like you need more guidance, the book is available online as a download HERE
Good luck to you, and I hope the information posted here is helpful!
Breakfast is easy for us! It’s lunch and dinner that is a struggle. Lunch…. I dread lunch!! I’m running around town or just getting home. Pre planning is key but it NEVER sounds good when start getting it ready! Dinner… Well the kids are not too bad. At 9, 6, and 3 they prefer eating healthier. But the husband!?!?! Not much support there. A work in progress. Love the pictures of the food- I’m a visual person. And if I can sleep like my dogs…. Ill think I’m in heaven!!
Interesting, I just started the 21 day detox this week also, after getting back from a 3 week trip to Israel and Turkey. Today I’m making Diane’s coconut flour muffins and your incredible “Grain Free Everything Crackers.” They are great with anything.
I’m so glad you like them! I’m going to post another recipe for crackers soon, rosemary olive oil ones.
Like the first commenter, I also started the 21 day detox yesterday, so I was so excited to find a blog that started on the same day! I already stick to a primarily paleo diet, but without the agave in my coffee daily and my fruit throughout the day, I’m starting to get killer headaches. That just seems crazy to be getting sugar withdrawal headaches after a day and a half!! Is anyone else experiencing this?
Becca: I feel a bit fuzzy in general, but I’m not sure if it’s the sugar withdrawal or being woken up by a jackhammer this morning! I think it is normal- sugar is a seriously addictive substance (4 times more than cocaine, according to Julia Ross!) so it makes sense that your body would be feeling it so soon. Drink LOTS of water!
My suggestion to get rid of the cravings: Juicing veggies, greens, carrots (they’re sweet) green apples, a bit of orange, ginger, cucumber, bok choi… I think it’s the minerals…but that, along with some meat and a good bit of different kinds of fat, more cooked veggies and some dense carbs is the ONLY thing that keeps the sugar cravings away..until PMS sets in and then NOTHING stops the chocolate…
Thanks for the suggestions Isa! I’m actually doing a very low-carb type of sugar detox. The idea being that the only way to stop the cravings is to stop eating the things you’re craving. So juice is definitely out, as are dense carbs like yams and squash. If you keep eating sweet things, your body doesn’t ever stop craving them. Minerals definitely help, you’re absolutely right, and I’m getting lots of them from bone broth.