I had a post in mind for this evening. Something about my “detox” plan? But, then I got sidetracked by all the fabulous responses to Tuesday’s Oprah show, which inevitably led me to MORE information that my already-vegan-sensibilities just CANNOT HANDLE. So, I’m just going to say a few things today….

FIRST THING’S FIRST: LEGS CROSSED….

He ALWAYS crosses his li’l ankles when he eats. OY!

Next, let us address the whole detox thing. Let me start by saying DETOX IS A NASTY FOUR-LETTER WORD. I know, it’s five, but it may as well be these four letters: D-I-E-T. It’s become a fancy way of going on a diet for a short period of time, when WHAT I REALLY NEED right now (because I’m a severely overtired MOM OF TWO cheaty little monkeys) is a lifestyle adjustment. So, here’s what I’ve come up with — a plan for the next 20 pounds (to be relaxed a bit after that):

1. FRUIT FOR BREAKFAST. I am now eating a breakfast, WHEN HUNGRY, of fruit, fruit, and more fruit. I started today out with a pear (which was, amazingly, the best pear I’ve ever tasted, if you catch my drift), then I had an apple when I got hungry again about an hour later. Would you believe I had NO cravings for THE DEVIL my Starbucks Soy No-Water Chai Tea Latte.

2. I AM trying to buy as much organic, WHOLE produce as possible. This means that I have to buy things WHOLE — because they are less expensive, and SOMETIMES less expensive than their conventional, chopped alternatives. So, today, instead of buying a bag of frozen chopped broccoli, I bought a head of organic broccoli and chopped it when I got home. I also hulled and washed organic strawberries (they’re GONZO now). I stayed away from the blueberries because their price was OBSCENE. I actually enjoyed doing all this. We all say we don’t have time for these things, but it really doesn’t take long, and it’s time well spent — time dedicated to your health, the health of your family, and ultimately the environment. Gorgeouses, I also, erm, got REALLY AMBITIOUS and bought a BIG BUTTERNUT SQUASH. I REALLY hope it doesn’t REMAIN a centerpiece on our dining-room table….

…Josh-O CRACKED ME RIGHT UP when he called it a GOURD! Ha! I think that’s my new favourite word. GOURD! GOURD GOURD GOURD GOURD GOURD. Did you know there’s actually a SOCIETY for GOURDS in Canada???

3. I’m definitely trying to eat clean, and eat whole. Lunch was vegetarian brown-rice sushi. Not an every-day thing, but definitely a vegan option that ANYONE can enjoy. And, dinner was BIG SALAD, and a brown-rice-pasta and tofu dish, which I’ll share at the kitch sometime this weekend. The monkeys and I snacked on fruit while preparing dinner, by the way (fruit should be eaten at least 20 before and 2 hours after other foods; melons should be eaten alone — it’s a food combining thing).

4. I skipped dessert tonight. There’s no dessert on this plan. Instead, I enjoyed a tazo chai tea (my fave chai brand) with rice milk, and sweetened with agave nectar. Not bad, not bad….

That’s basically the diet plan, in a nutshell. Ooo! Almost forgot….

5. A handful of nuts mid afternoon. Us vegans gots to get our good fats in there, and nuts are a great source for that. I also make sure to have flax oil in my salad dressing at dinner for it’s wonderful omega 3s. I’ll give you the recipe for that, as well, at the kitch this weekend.

6. Of course, there’s a multivitamin involved to ensure I’m getting enough calcium, B12 and vitamin D.

It all sounds a bit extreme, I think. But, it’s a way of life. And, I felt GREAT today. I can’t tell you how much better I feel having FINALLY given up dairy and eggs. After all, I’M not here to EAT. I’m here to LIVE. And, I need to feel good about what I’m eating. I’m also a very spiritual person. Eating clean like this feels right, feels authentic…. It’s my yoga. Just living my yoga.

FINALLY, I TOTALLY need more sleep. This has to be a HUGE part of my new lifestyle because it’s an integral part of being healthy. DREAMS are so important, and REM sleep, for the brain’s production of that coveted pleasure hormone serotonin. It’s the next piece of my wellness puzzle: first — diet (and at least thirty minutes of walking every day); second — sleep; third — meditation every day…. We’ll start with these goals and go from there.

It’s all a process. Nothing is set in stone. I’m just finally realizing that simplicity is where it’s at for me. Simplicity, less-is-more, and the beauty of life SANS ALL THE STIMULANTS. To think?!?

I am who I am…. Peace. Love.

xo Haley-O