Continuing to Cleanse

If you didn't see my previous post, Eliminating Excess... you might want to check it out along with Gwyneth's inspiring journey and cookbook centered on healthy eating. Now into my second week of following her elimination diet, I'm starting to really get the hang of it. While mostly following the recipes and shopping advice to the letter, I am starting to experiment with ingredients to shake things up a bit on some items.  In my opinion, one of the best recipes in the book is 'Bernardo's Pumpkin Pie Shake' (after the trainer that created it), as it seriously tastes unlike anything I've ever tasted that's low fat or healthy. The spice mixture makes an impact on flavor and boosts powerful antioxidants. 

My favorite mornings are outside with this shake. The green color comes from
the handful of spinach I added just to increase my greens and calcium. Otherwise,
it's a lovely pale orange reflecting fall's bounty.

BERNARDO'S PUMKIN PIE SHAKE

1/2 of an organic, roasted sweet potato cut into large chunks
  (bake several in advance and store in fridge for all kinds of uses on the diet)
1 & 1/2 cups of unsweetened vanilla flavored almond milk
1 serving whey protein powder (vegan versions available)
1/4 tsp each ground ginger, ground cloves and ground nutmeg
1 pitted date
1/2 cup of ice cubes.

I give it a whirl in a Vitamix (my new best friend) per blending instructions for a creamy treat for breakfast or lunch.  This week, I started trying adding some things in. I found that a handful of organic spinach doesn't alter the flavor. A a spoonful of flaxseed also adds more texture and fiber, so I threw in both. All of the smoothies from the plan I'm following via Eliminating Excess are surprisingly delicious and super filling. Get the book to find your favorite.

These concoctions are providing a much higher energy level than I've experienced in years, with clear skin as a bonus! Keep following for more details about this adventure in clean eating and good health!