Deputy food editor Shira Bocar and I recently appeared on the Martha Stewart Show to kick off the Whole Living Action Plan 28-Day Challenge--and it was so much fun. We talked about the foods we're not eating during the detox (including what Martha thought was a sad-looking hot dog), as well as the delicious foods we are eating. Plus, I shared some strategies for stacking the deck in your favor when it comes to taking on a plan like this. I'll share them with you here, right now.
Four Ways to Make Your Detox a Success
Organize your kitchen. I created one shelf where I have action-plan friendly foods. If you don’t want to toss foods you do plan on going back to, put them up high or out of sight so you’re not tempted. Focus on all the things you can eat and set up your kitchen to support that.
Talk to your family. This doesn’t have to be some secret thing you’re doing—nor do you have to be on a soapbox about it. If you live in a home with someone who cooks dinner and you won’t be eating those dinners, talk about it with him or her before you start—they might want to join you for all or part of the plan. But the better people in your life understand why you’re doing this, the less defensive you have to be.
Don’t go hungry. Stack the deck in your favor: Cook up rice, quinoa, or other grains so they’re ready to go (they keep for days in the fridge). Keep almond butter, hummus, fresh fruit and veggies, cut, clean and ready to eat. Many of these recipes you can make ahead and eat straight through the week. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.
Stay connected. We have a whole community of folks online who are doing this plan along with us—blogging, holding discussions, asking questions…and we have an action plan expert on each week for a few days to answer questions. So don’t go it alone. Sign up for your daily action plan so you know what to focus on for that day, and engage with the other members—chances are, you’ve got similar goals and similar questions.
Smoothie Central
Shira Bocar followed with a segment on easy, healthy smoothies (she helped create over 20 different recipes!) Remember, the idea here is that you can really mix together whatever you want to suit your taste. Our recipes are just suggestions, but certainly not set in stone. Shira also developed many of the recipes in the Action Plan--and she inspires me to do more of my own cooking.
Lastly, folks, don't split hairs. Applaud yourself for making healthy changes and go easy!
Terri Trespicio is senior features editor at Whole Living magazine and the host of "Whole Living" on Martha Stewart Living Radio, which airs every day at 10a East / 7a West on Sirius 112 / XM 157. Follow her on twitter @TerriT.
From: Feeding My Soul « mrsmccraw | 1/8/11 at 2:11 pm
[...] by the way. The action plan editors were on Martha’s show, and they put a clip on the action plan web site where the food editor, Shira, makes two smoothies, including the mango-cocounut water one, with [...]
From: Roberta Thatcher | 1/10/11 at 11:17 am
Today is my first day of the plan. I saw the plan featured on Martha, but wanted to start on a Monday. I feel like I'm behind, and kind of going at this blindly. I know the foods that I am not to eat, but I feel I will over indulge in the foods I can eat. Is there a section of the plan that helps keep calories in check? I want to detox, but also I would like to lose those five lbs that snuck up on me over the months of November and December.
Thanks
Roberta
From: Cindy Bresee | 1/16/11 at 1:41 pm
Where do I find the plan? All I see so far is suggestions not an actual plan. I am now two weeks behind but thought if I had the "plan" I could just start where I am.