Well it has been exactly 31 days since I started my January Kick Start Plan. I haven’t drank coffee or caffeinated tea (except green tea), I haven’t ate heavily processed foods, refined sugars, soy milk, dairy, eggs, or any other animal products and I have ate a shed load of fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds and lovely fresh juices.

And I’m feeling awesome! I also apologise in advance for the long winded post but I feel I have loads to talk about!

I know some people would have been pretty put off by the ‘detox’ word, and I guess you could describe what I have done as a kind of detox, but it hasn’t really felt that restrictive. The focus for me has been on filling up on amazing healthy foods which have left me feeling vibrant, allowed me to sleep better than I have in a long time and improved my skin.

Some of the delicious foods I have been eating include:

Green smoothies and fruit smoothies

  Blended quinoa porridge

Cashew cream with fruit and granola

Nori wraps with cashew ginger pate

Cabbage wraps with home made broccoli, courgette and olive hummus

Salad beasts

Moroccan butternut squash and chickpea tagine

Soya bean and veggie thai green curry

Raw chocolate!

Even though I hadn’t drank a lot of coffee or ate buckets of sugar I still experienced a ‘detox’ headache in the first few days. In the middle of the month my energy levels dipped – although I think this was mostly due to improper fueling than the plan itself, but now I’m feeling really good and brimming with energy.

The plan I have followed has also meant that for the last month I have been vegan.

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I went vegetarian last year after doing some reading and coming to the conclusion that it was the right path for me. I really wasn’t sure how I would deal with the vegan element of the plan, especially as I wasn’t eating processed foods or lots of soy products. I was actually amazed at how well I did. I can honestly say I have not missed animal products one bit. This leaves me in a difficult position. Do I continue to remain vegan or do I go back to being a veggie?

At the moment I feel more comfortable being a vegetarian that eats vegan most of the time. I think that allowing myself the flexibility to occasionally eat free range eggs and dairy (organic as often as possible) is right for me at the moment, plus I have a fridge full of feta and veggie parmesan cheese that needs using up! However, I really do think I’ll end up eating a mostly vegan diet overall, and I’m really happy with that.

What I have missed is coffee!

I love my flavoured coffees a couple of times a week, I feel like I’m having myself a little treat and I have really missed that. Detox tea just doesn’t cut it! I’ve also missed being able to eat more tofu and my spiru-tein protein powder (I’ve left these out as they are heavily processed and contain processed soy). 

So, at the beginning of the month I was carrying 4lbs ‘Christmas’ weight which came off pretty easily and on top of that I have lost an additional 5lbs, which I did not need or want to lose. I know I have some issues around fueling properly and eating enough when working late to figure out, but that’s for another post, and believe me I have a few thoughts I need to get out of my head on that! My new training plan has also gone very well – I wanted to focus on improving my plank hold time, work towards doing a full press up and work on my abs and general muscle tone. I’m really happy with the tone I have in my arms, especially my shoulders and my back. My stomach is definitely looking more defined too!

I last took my measurements at the end of November and since then I have lost an inch from my waist and hips and 5lbs. Current stats: height 5’6, weight 8st 11lbs, bust 35.5 inches, waist 26.5 inches, hips 33 inches.

All in all I feel I’ve had very successful January, but I still need to suss out how I can eat better to maintain my weight and not lose anymore. In fact I’d feel more comfortable gaining a few pounds but as I said, I could write a full post on this so will save my thoughts for then.

There’s also a few things I’ve done during the plan that I will continue to do:

• Make my own hummus rather than shop bought
• Drink freshly made juices
• Make my own almond milk
• Eat more raw foods
• Enjoy home made salad dressings full of good fats
• Eat lots of yummy raw chocolate!
• Take a vegan multi vit every day
• Add spirulina to my smoothies (gotta love that green!)

How has January gone for you? Have you started any new habits that you will continue on with into the rest of the year?

Before I go here’s a few pics of yesterday’s eats including a yummy new recipe! Before going to the gym I had a slice of sprouted wheat bread with apple pear spread and a detox tea:

I ran 5 miles in 45 minutes doing speed intervals on the tread mill and was chuffed to stick it out longer than my usual 30 minutes! I then did 15 minutes on the step machine, bike and cross trainer at a steady state for a total 1hr 30 minute cardio workout.

When I got home I made a fabulous big green smoothie containing spring greens, two nectarines, small frozen banana, pineapple coconut water, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, spirulina, matcha and maca. I topped it with half a pack of Bear Coco Cherry Pie Granola and goji berries:

So good! A little later I had a fresh green juice made with two apples, a pear, cos lettuce, celery, cucumber, ginger and lemon:

For a late lunch / early dinner I had a Beetroot, lentil and sunflower seed pattie on top of a huge super salad:

The salad contained lettuce, carrot, red onion, red pepper, cucumber, sprouts, herbamare seasoning, braggs and some cool oil. As I had lots of beetroot to use up I thought I’d try making up a new recipe based on the roast veggie and sunflower seed patties I made a while ago.

Beetroot, Lentil and Sunflower Seed Patties (makes 4 large patties)

• 3 medium beetroots, roasted until tender
• 1 tin of green lentils, drained and rinsed
• 3 tablespoons of sunflower seeds
• 1 tablespoon of ground flax
• 1 tablespoon of water

Add the roasted beets and lentils to a food processor and blend until the mixture starts to come together but still has a little texture. Add the ground flax and water and lightly blend again. Put the mixture into a bowl and add the sunflower seeds, mixing well. Form into 4 large patties. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for at least on hour before cooking (can also be frozen). I coated mine in a little spelt flour and fried on a medium high heat in coconut oil for 10 minutes a side. The flour coating just makes them a little crisper. These don’t hold together amazingly well so you have to take care when flipping them!  These are so good, love the nutty little sunflower seeds!

I followed this with some blueberries and pomegranate seeds:

Then I was up and out for James work leaving do. It wasn’t a big  night out, just a few drinks after work. I always drink soda water with ice and lemon when I’m driving. When we got home I had a cocoa orange nakd bar, 4 chopped apples (two shown here) and a cup of sleepytime tea:

As I’m off work this week we are having today as a bit of a chill day. I’ve been trying to re organise the kitchen a bit and have made my first attempt at Socca which is a pancake / flatbread type dish made with chickpea flour, I know its going to be a big favourite of mine from now on! I’m also going to make some cookie dough balls! I’ll share pics and recipes tomorrow. Hope all your weeks have got off to a great start!

Tuesday morning started with my strength workout where I managed to increase all my reps. As next week will see us moving in to March (thank god!) I’ll be changing up my routine again so that I keep challenging my body in new ways – tonight I signed up for Body Pump at my gym, finally I’m getting on the Body Pump wagon!

Breakfast was a fab smoothie in a bowl containing kale, frozen cherries, soy milk, chocolate sun warrior protein powder, maca powder, spirulina, ground flax, matcha green tea powder, xanthan gum and some water. I topped it with cacao nibs, coconut and pistachios:

As I had my check up at the docs at lunch time I worked from home in the afternoon. I had leftover Italian Leek and Bean Stew with rocket:

followed by three plums:

A little later I did an hour of Yogalates followed by one of the new Total Greek yoghurt split pots as a snack:

This was the tropical fruit variety. It was lovely, although I found the fruity bit rather too sweet for me. Still pretty tasty though!

Dinner was 2 baked mushrooms stuffed with one of my Beetroot and Lentil burgers, swede chips, steamed spring greens and red cabbage with shoyu and tomato ketchup:

I truly love swede chips more than regular chips!

Dessert was two chopped apples with raw brazil cacao bliss for dipping:

This morning I had a bowl of 10 grain hot cereal made with chia seeds, water and coconut milk with cranberries, apple and almond butter plus an additional drizzle of coconut milk on top. I also made myself a carrot, beet, cucumber and ginger juice:

Such a pretty bowl of yumminess!

Lunch was some of my veggie chilli with wild rocket and blue corn chips:

I’m in love with those blue corn chips, they are perfect with the chilli! I also had an orange and a kiwi:

Mid afternoon I snacked on an almond and raisin cookie before the gym:

I did my usual 30 minute speed work run on the treadmill followed by 30 minutes of HIITs on the cross trainer, step machine and bike. I also did my abs and core exercises. My workout was a total sweat fest tonight, recently the gym has been really cold and I’ve had to work out wearing my long sleeve top. Tonight it was actually warm for a change so I enjoyed getting my sweat on!

Dinner was some teriyaki baked tofu with stir fried carrot, courgette, red cabbage and spring greens plus some mung bean noodles, ginger, shoyu and gomasio:

This tofu was super tasty. Yesterday I pressed then marinated some plain tofu in a teriyaki sauce and baked in a hot oven then left to cool. Today I just sliced it up and added to the stir fry. I think this would work really well in salads too.

Dessert was a pear and some dark cherry RAW chocolate and some plain dark chocolate from The Raw Chocolate Company:

Honestly, that chocolate from The Raw Chocolate Company is utterly divine!

I was so glad that I was able to have a good sweaty workout earlier, I often don’t feel like I’ve had a good workout unless I work up a good sweat. I know that some women don’t like to get sweaty, my gym has several giant fans to keep people cool – but they just leave me freezing cold! Do you like to get your sweat on?

I’m also so excited for trying out Body Pump! I know a lot of you guys are big fans, got any tips for me ready for my first class? What should I expect?

Hope your all having a great weekend! Here’s a bit of a catch up of my last couple of days.

Friday morning I headed over to the gym for my strength and cardio workout. I did my January routine for the last time as next week I’ll be changing things up. I warmed up with a 5 minute treadmill run before doing the weights. I felt really strong throughout and definitely feel that I’m ready to take things up a notch. I finished up with 30 minutes of HIITs on the step machine, cross trainer and bike.

Breakfast was so so good! I made my tutti fruity smoothie with additional purple kale, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and rice milk. I topped it with some grape nuts cereal and goji berries:

Mid morning I made a green-ish juice with 2 apples, 4 small carrots, celery, cucumber, cos lettuce and ginger:

Lunch was leftover roasted veggies (red pepper, courgette, aubergine, red onion) mixed with some barley couscous to which I had added a little vegetable bouillon powder, garlic infused extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice. I served it on top of a big pile of spinach and lettuce and added some spicy roasted chickpeas on top for added protein and crunch. I also had a bowl of cherries:

This was delicious, I wouldn’t have usually gone for couscous but as I’m trying to get those wholegrain carbs in I’m glad I gave it ago. I was really stuffed but I know my body needs it.

Mid afternoon I snacked on a couple of my leftover cookies from the freezer:

Dinner was two small portobello mushrooms topped with half a Beetroot and Lentil Pattie which had been fried in coconut oil then topped with sweet chilli jam and cheezly mozzarella vegan cheese and grilled. I also had some parsnip chips, roast broccoli and steamed purple kale:

Fab meal,I just loved the loaded mushrooms! Dessert was a bowl of chocolate Freedom Frozen Dessert. I had bought this a while ago and it has been sitting in the freezer. Its free from dairy and soy and made brown rice flour, coconut oil and sweetened with sweet freedom fruit based sweetener:

It tasted really delicious, and even better I know that I’m not going to have a sugar crash afterwards! I also have a tub of vanilla to try, can’t wait!

This morning I was off to the gym for it opening. I ate an orange and 2 raspberry fruit yoyo for a little fuel:

I decided that I need to start increasing my running in preparation for getting back out on the streets when the weather gets warmer and for my Great North Run training. I did 6.6 miles in 1 hour on the treadmill, changing up the speed and incline every 5 minutes to try and combat boredom! I also did 10 minutes on each of the cross trainer, bike and step machine for a very sweaty 1hr30 minute workout. I have to say I was totally buzzing after this!

Breakfast was a bowl of carob oat and quinoa porridge with berries and peanut butter. I used half a cup of oats, 1/4 cup of quinoa flakes, 1 cup of rice milk and 1 cup of water, plus the carob powder and some sweet freedom for this fab bowl of deliciousness!

We were straight off out after this as we were meeting up with J’s family for his Sisters birthday. Here’s a quick OOTD:

Coat: Monsoon, vest top: Topshop, cardigan: Peacocks, treggings: Dorothy Perkins, boots: Peacocks, chain bag: Topshop, scarf: Next.

Yes I am a high street queen! In town I snacked on a Berry trek bar to keep me going:

Then we hit the Chinese Buffet! I had two big plates filled with crispy fried greens, fried noodles, stir fried veggies and chilli potato wedges:

I proper stuffed myself, my eyes are always to big for my belly at these places!

To be honest I’m feeling pretty yukky from that food, I currently have a big pot of organic green tea on the go to try and make me feel a bit better. I’ve also snacked on a couple of chopped apples with cinnamon and maca:

After everything that’s been discussed in my Finding Balance post hopefully you should be able to see from my eats that I’ve been increasing my wholegrain carbs and nut butter a bit and making my two ‘main’ meals more equal sized, rather than one being very light. I have had to eat sometimes when I haven’t felt hugely hungry but I know that I need to do that occasionally. I know its only been a few days, and that I’ve been out of my usual routines but I feel like I’m finding a good balance, at least for the moment!

Tomorrow I have a mega to do list before going back to work on Monday but I know that getting things done will make the rest of the week a lot less stressful in the long run.

Well I am off to drink more tea, still feeling yukky! Does anyone else end up overdoing it at those buffet style restaurants? To be honest since going veggie I’m not as bothered by them, but on the plus side they have all the vegetarian dishes well marked which I find really useful.

Hope your all having a fab weekend, I’ll catch you tomorrow - I have a fun fashion post planned! :-)