Tight Pants

My birthday was yesterday.  I turned 39 years old + 4.  I love celebrating my birthday. I love to tell anyone and everyone that will listen that it is indeed my birthday (wait staff, referees at my kids games', strangers). I am certain that I will be the old lady at the retirement home that throws a kegger on my birthday.  Everyone is invited.

Is there a point to my birthday babble?  Yes, there is a point to all of this.  The point is, that I strategically timed the start of the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge for after my birthday.  I wanted to celebrate and enjoy things like cake, frosting and frosting and some more frosting, etc.  So, today is my prep day.  I just went to the store to prepare for Day 1 (tomorrow).  I do really well eating healthy...when I am prepared.  To help me at the grocery store, Liz Blom (registered dietician, Advocare Indpendent Distributor and one of my very good friends) sent me a blog that she wrote a few years ago about some of her favorite things to have on hand during a cleanse.  She also sent me the official AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge grocery list.  I have provided the links to both below.

Grocery List -  http://advocarecorporate.s3.amazonaws.com/corporate/24daychallenge/24DayChallenge-Grocery-Guide.pdf
Liz Blom's Blog -  http://dietitianatlarge.blogspot.com/2012/02/i-eat-real-food.html

Over the past few weeks (knowing that I am going to do this AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge), I have been indulging a little more than usual.  It has been fun and delicious, but quite honestly, my pants are tight. I am ready.

If you are going to join in the fun, here are some things that I have learned in the past.  Don't starve yourself.  Don't skip meals.  Make sure to eat healthy snacks throughout the day.  Also, here are a few ideas for meals to mix things up a bit.

Meal ideas for breakfast - 
Egg whites with tons of veggies.
Greek yogurt, fruit and almonds. 
Oatmeal with fruit and almonds.
Whole wheat toast with almond butter and a side of fruit
Ezekial raisin cinamon bread with almond butter
Whole wheat bread with almond butter and a side of fruit

Meal ideas for lunch - 
Salad with lots of veggies and a lean protein and low fat dressing or olive oil and balsamic
Steamed veggies with a lean protein
Chopped up veggies (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots) with a dash of shredded Parmesan, olive oil and sea salt, wrapped in a whole wheat pita
Egg Salad (diced hard boiled eggs, onion, celery, Greek yogurt, curry powder) on whole wheat with a side of fruit or veggies
Roasted veggies (broccoli and mushrooms) - tossed in olive oil, broiled and add sea salt and a dash of shredded Parmesan

Meal ideas for dinner - 
A lean protein with veggies or a salad.
Turkey Meatballs dipped in marinara sauce with a side of brown rice and a salad
Grilled chicken or fish with mango salsa, side of brown rice
Greek Chicken Gyro - Grilled chicken, diced tomato, diced cucumber, lettuce in a whole wheat pita (topped with Taziki sauce)
White chicken chili
Grilled veggies and chicken with a dash of stir fry sauce over brown rice. I like to add a cilantro in the stir fry. I serve it with a side of mango or pineapple. I also serve with lettuce, as my kids love lettuce wraps.

Snack Ideas - 
Almonds
Fruit
Fruit smoothies
Veggies
Edamame - I get mine in the frozen section in microwavable bags and add a little sea salt.  My kids love it too.  I think because it is fun to eat.
Greek yogurt with fruit and almonds
Apple slice sandwiches with almond butter in the middle
Ezekial raisin cinamon bread toasted with almond butter and sliced strawberries
Veggies dipped in hummus
Chopped veggies on rice cakes with hummus
Cut up fruit in a bowl with a little bit of vanilla almond milk

Drinks
Instead of coffee, I drink tea. I also drink tea after each meal.  It seems to reduce my desire to find chocolate.
Instead of pop ( I love Diet Coke), I drink a bottled water called H20 and I add limes and lemons.  It is so crisp and refreshing. 
I also enjoy an AdvoCare product called Spark.  This is an energy drink and I enjoy drinking this in the morning and early afternoon.

So, there you go...and here we go.  If you are interested in joining us, let Liz Blom know.  Liz has a few cleanses on hand to get you started for tomorrow (https://www.facebook.com/lizblom.nutritionandwellness?ref=br_tf ) Onward and Upward!