This past weekend was the most challenging since I decided to go gluten-free. I went to the Hamptons with a big group of friends and was surrounded in delicious, gluten-laden food all weekend- from lobster rolls to pizza for dinner and bagels and sandwiches for breakfast. I was put to the test the entire trip and am happy / proud to say that I didn’t cave!! I ate the cheese off of the top of the pizza and got salads instead of sandwiches. While everyone snacked on chips, I pulled out some almonds and dried fruit. Not only am I happy (mentally) to have not given in but my body feels good- today doesn’t have that guilty undertow that many Mondays following weekends away usually do! Another exciting little detail- I actually see a difference in my waist- my stomach looks flatter!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

Even after having a few cocktails last night I did not crave carbs this morning! Usually I wake up after a night out, I immediately think about eating anything that is heavy and full of carbs to ‘soak up the damage I did the night before’. Today I woke up, made two soft-boiled eggs and some strawberries and didn’t miss the English muffin or bagle sandwich.  After my lunch of a veggie stir-fry and quinoa, I got crampy and was a bit uncomfortable but it passed- I’m guessing it was just my body adjusting. Basically the entire day I felt great- full of energy, lighter than I did a week ago and without any desire to eat gluten-loaded products. I noticed that these last two days I've been craving protein so for dinner I made myself pork tenderloin and a strawberry coconut milk smoothie for dessert.

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!

I felt great all day today- really, really great. I got on the scale after work and was 4 pounds lighter than 3 days ago!! I am having much more regular bowel movements (which has never happened for me). Though I don’t think I LOOK 4 pounds lighter, I feel better inside- like I had a weight lifted off of my stomach. I am surprised to not have any carb cravings. Dinner was a bit challenging as it was my first time going out to eat; some friends and I met for drinks and appetizers at a Mexican food restaurant. I didn’t touch the quesadillas or crostini, I ate the meat off of the top and had some shrimp cocktail instead. I left feeling perfectly satisfied rather than bogged down by greasy, heavy appetizers, which was nice for a change!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

Well, it didn't take as long as I expected to get the urge to eat a big bowl of pasta or grab a granola bar. I didn’t feel completely satisfied after lunch- not that I felt hungry, I just wanted to pick. I had a veggie stir fry and avocado for lunch with some rice crackers for a snack. Though I was sluggish towards the end of the workday, I ran 5 miles when I got home and felt great again. I stocked up on fruits, veggies, and gluten free snacks such as seaweed, edamame crackers and almonds and gave away all of my gluten-full food! Feeling good and ready to get going on day number three!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

And the journey begins...
Making such a drastic lifestyle change has me learning a lot these days. I am busy reading all about what foods contain gluten and how to identify it on packaging and ingredient lists. I didn’t realize that even things like spices, soy sauce, lunch meat and salad dressing are gluten-ridden. I have decided to cut out all ‘heavy’ gluten – i.e. bread, chips, beer, flour tortillas, wheat pasta, and so forth. I am not going to worry about the bits of gluten in my spices or soy sauce though many people do; I am focusing on the big stuff. I felt really good this first day. I cook a lot and have always made fresh veggies the center of my meals so it’s not too tough for me to eat vegetable based meals. I ate a big salad for lunch at work and for dinner I made a big shrimp and kale stir fry that was delicious and completely satisfying. Every time I decide to make some change in my habits, I find that the first three days aren't as tough as I am excited to get going on my 'new lifestyle' so I'm expecting this to get harder after the first few days without a crunchy baguette!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!