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It’s still going!

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Dear gentle reader… Just a quick post to let you know I’m still continuing on with this new way of eating. I sometime stop in amazement at some of things I’m going.  A couple days ago it was the realization that I really like a particular spice. Normally I just bought mixes and never gave a thought to what was in there. Now I can say with certainty: I really like cumin! Last night, it was the amazement that thanks to my many recent spice purchases (thank you, Aldi), I was able to make multiple recipes without wondering if I had the right things on hand and whether or not one green spice would be an appropriate substitution for another green spice (parsley, oregano, thyme, others).  My new typical grocery haul  Yesterday alone, I prepared the following for this week ahead: 3 servings of whole grain spaghetti 1 serving of oatmeal for today (they are quick oats so I only do them the day before) 1 large apricot/thyme glazed chicken breast Pinto beans Black beans Roasted red and orange pepp
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How it’s going

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 So I’m for sure many of you who KNOW me, the million dollar question is: Are you going to be able to keep this up and stick to it? The good news is habits take anywhere from 4-6h to really stick and I’m past the 4 week mark for eating health so I am feeling determined to find a way to make it stick, even though there’s a steep learning curve ahead for me when it comes to cooking/cutting/storing/meal-prepping.  Food takes a lot of thought and even creativity that I just usually don’t have the patience for. I’d rather daydream about travel. The Quick Oats are working beautifully and I’ve had those plus fruit, nuts, and plain yogurt for a few breakfasts now.  They taste just like the ones from the trial. Yesterday I made my first batch of pinto beans using my Zavor (like an Instant Pot), washed and “dosed” all my grapes, and ate only good things. I will update the label on the bin Today I made a batch of Lentil Chili, batch prepped 4 side salads, and did a pile of chopping. I’m just abou
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CleanMED - final day

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 Oh boy…this is it!  It just hit me today around 5:30 PM that I actually have to think about what I’m going to cook tomorrow!  It has been SO NICE not needing to think about cooking/preparing food for this past month. I had my moment of panic but I do have one mini reprieve: I never needed use the emergency meals they send you home with on Day 1. They do that in case something happens and you can’t make it in to pick up food. I never needed them so … vegetarian chili is what is for lunch tomorrow! Tomorrow morning I’ll be trying to remember how to scramble eggs and where I put all my stuff for doing that!  🤪 Tomorrow morning are my final measurements and my final labs. I’m really excited to see the results and hope they continue to be going in the right direction.  Fingers crossed! 🤞 Instant gratification has been pretty nice, seeing changes after just 2-3 weeks, but I understand with more time they will continue to improve if I stick with it. Here is my photo of the food I’ve preppe
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CleanMED Day 26

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 Today was a little tricky because I went and dropped off my car for what I thought would be a quick service appointment. I ate breakfast before going down there, but then realized the car wouldn’t be ready until after 3, so I made the 1h journey home (walking + subway) so I could eat my lunch and take a guilt free nap.  I got my car, did a quick Costco run, and then came home to start very preliminary meal prepping! I’m hoping that I don’t have to return the “emergency” meals I have in the freezer that the study sends me home with in case I am unable to come in and get food one day. If I can keep them, I will eat them Thursday. Here are my containers, ready to go.   I’ve been figuring out how many servings of each category I need each week so I can be fairly systematic about it. Yes, I’m going to be dosing my food!  Tonight I measured out the almonds and walnuts. I still need to pick up oats and sunflower seeds and then I’ll have everything to get started. I probably should do somethi
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CleanMED day 25

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1/28/24: Day 25 already! I’m saying farewell to some favorite meals, like the spaghetti with pinto beans and tomatoes tonight and the oatmeal with strawberries for breakfast, plus being glad to be done with the ones I won’t miss (the salmon, green pepper, onion, and spinach salad this afternoon). The BIG thing is continuing this on my own. Yesterday and today were my first shopping outings. It is going to take a lot of thinking, planning, and discipline but having the menu template really helps me feel confident. I bought quinoa, non-fat yogurt, and beans other than green beans for the first time ever!!  I almost expected to be carded or need to show proof of identity.  Groceries I have picked up these past two days Pinto beans, dry Black beans, dry Chickpeas/garbanzo beans, dry Lentils, dry. These aren’t on my recent menu but I really like lentil chili Quinoa, dry Whole grain penne Non-fat plain Greek yogurt Fat free Lactaid milk Oranges (2) Fuji apples (3 pound bag) Tilapia chicken f
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CleanMED Day 19

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 1/22 Today I started to think ahead and even worry a little bit about how I will continue to make good choices when I am not eating at home, when I don’t have as much control. I went to the DC Auto Show today and realized if I needed a little something extra to eat, I would have had to break the diet. There was no shortage of pop, potato chips, candy, etc.  I also got to thinking about restaurants. My go-to is usually chicken strips 😏. I will have to start looking at menus.  I also haven’t figured out where exactly cheese fits into those four food groups, and of course by groups I mean levels of processing.  I don’t have any answers yet but I’m starting to think ahead so I can have a plan for that part of life.  I will be sure to ask for all the educational materials they give the participants in the long-term, 12 month arm of the study!  Honestly one of my favorite things from the car show today was getting to try out an e-bike. I couldn’t stop giggling as I flew around the course!
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CleanMED Day 18

 Today was my favorite breakfast: oatmeal with strawberries. I chopped up some of the walnuts and tossed them in as well.  I’m never 100% sure what I’m supposed to do with everything, because they give me apples, walnuts, and milk plus the oatmeal with strawberries already in it.  I like how the oatmeal is almost a baked consistency. It’s not runny, something you can scoop up with a ladle. I’ll have to ask before the study is over. Lunch: not my favorite, something I already know I won’t continue eating: salmon salad. It is spinach, green peppers, raw onions, sunflower seeds, olive oil/vinegar dressing, and canned salmon. It always comes with oranges so I cut up some of those and throw them in to make it feel life flavor roulette with each fork full.  Dinner: Whole wheat spaghetti, pinto beans, tomatoes, and spices.  I did a good job and ate a lot of that. I also had my daily side salad.  Snack: grapes and Greek yogurt. Weight loss has been a nice perk, but the lab values are what are
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