My January Detox: A Chef’s Food Cleanse, Week 4

By Carolina Santos-Neves

I did it! Four whole weeks living a life with almost no sugar, dairy or grains. Will I celebrate with my old favorite indulgence, a gooey hot fudge sundae? The surprising truth is I don’t actually want one.

Anyone who has read my weekly cleanse diary knows that I’ve been feeling better and better as January progressed.  My relationship with food has changed tremendously in this short time. I’m enjoying what I eat more, getting full sooner, and have been cooking a lot more at home, which was one of my New Year’s Resolutions. And besides eating and feeling better, I lost over 4 pounds.

Just because yesterday was my last official day on this cleanse doesn’t mean I’m going to go back to my old habits. I know that I didn’t feel as happy as I do now, nor have as much energy. My skin and stomach issues have cleared up, and I actually look forward to my daily exercise routine. Plus, I’ve become addicted to some new veggie-based recipes, including this super easy Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce on Zucchini Noodles (watch the video above or follow the recipe below). 

I hope my journey has motivated you to eat cleaner and more mindfully. It certainly inspired me to keep treating my body well. I’ll continue to post my healthy recipes on Instagram and tag Clean Plates and I would love to see your inspired creations! 

Friday: 1/19/17

Breakfast
 1 cup of Coffee With Almond Creamer; 2 8-ounce glasses of water
Lunch
Grilled Salmon; Sauteed Crimini Mushrooms; Roasted Artichokes
Dinner
Oven Roasted Brook Trout, Brussels Sprouts & Zucchini With Basil Cheese-less Pesto

Exercise: 55-minute total body conditioning and walked, totaling 4.96 miles

Saturday: 1/20/17

Breakfast
Coconut Chia Pudding; 1 cup of Coffee with Almond Creamer; 2 8-ounce glasses of water

Lunch
Curried Cauliflower; Grilled Chicken; Kale Salad; Hard-boiled Egg

Snack
Americano Coffee 

Dinner
Yellowtail Sashimi; Spinach with Sesame Seeds; Steamed Edamame; Seaweed Salad

Exercise: 55-minute cardio dance class, walked totaling 4.63 miles

Sunday: 1/21/17

Breakfast
Kale-Coconut Avocado Smoothie; 1 cup of Coffee with Almond Creamer; 2 8-ounce glasses of water

Lunch
Chopped Kale Salad with Pinenuts; Roasted Brussels Sprouts; Roasted Salmon Filet

Snack

Almond Butter

Dinner
Eggplant Caponata and Broccoli Puttanesca; Roasted Curried & Coconut Cauliflower; 3-Seed Quinoa Pilaf with Cauliflower-Alfredo Sauce

Exercise: 55-minute cardio dance class and walked, totaling 4.22 miles

Monday: 1/22/17

Breakfast
2 cups of Coffee; 2 8-ounce glasses of water

Lunch
Soft Scrambled Eggs; Roasted Broccoli; Caramelized-Onion Cauliflower Rice

Dinner
Oven Roasted Brook Trout; Arugula Salad; Roasted Green Beans with Saffron-Coconut Sauce

Exercise: 1 ½ hour yoga class and walked, totaling 2.79 miles

Tuesday: 1/23/17

Breakfast
Kale-Protein Smoothie; 1 cup of Coffee with Almond Creamer; 2 8-ounce glasses of water
Almond Cappuccino

Lunch
Grain Bowl with Pickled Beets, Sauteed Kale & Roasted Brussels Sprouts; Roasted Salmon With  Poblano-Pepper Sauce

Dinner
Coconut-Milk Veggie Curry with Crispy Sardines

Exercise: 55-minute body-pump class and walked, totaling 5.03 miles

Wednesday: 1/24/17

Breakfast
Avocado-Arugula Smoothie; 1 cup of Coffee with Almond Creamer; 2 8-ounce glasses of water
Americano 

Lunch
Cauliflower Rice with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Dried Cranberries & Cilantro Cheese-Less Pesto

Dinner
Green Salad; Cauliflower-Alfredo Sauce With Zucchini Noodles

Exercise: 55-minute cardio dance class and walked, totaling 3.60 miles

Thursday: 1/25/17

Breakfast
2 Poached Eggs with Sautéed Kale, Broccolini and Romesco Sauce; 1 Almond Milk Cappuccino; 2 8-ounce glasses of water

Lunch
Arugula Salad with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Avocado & Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Dinner
Braised Beef; Pan Seared Broccoli with Lemon; Sicilian Cauliflower

Exercise: 55-minute cardio dance class and walked, totaling miles 4.61