BluePrintCleanse: Day 2

Day 2 is undeniably the hardest day of the cleanse because it’s sandwiched in between the first and final day. On Day 1, all the juices were interesting - an experience, if you will - and by Day 3, I imagine I’ll be looking forward to winding down, but Day 2 feels endless.

I slept well (got up twice to use the bathroom but slept soundly from 9 pm – 6:30 am). And headed to the gym for a light workout (about 30 minutes on the elliptical followed by resistance work). I felt a little weak during cardio but powered through and drank plenty of water. When it was time for my oh-so-delicious breakfast (Green Juice) I poured it over ice and drank it as quickly as possible.

My stomach rumbled a bit throughout the morning but I don’t feel starving. I'm not 100% focused (I would not feel comfortable, say, giving a presentation at work right now) but I’m perfectly comfortable and not too cranky. Mostly, I just feel bored. I appreciate not having to think about food, but obviously, eating behaviors are so ingrained in our culture that I just feel anti-social with my juices. I think that’s the most difficult part about this cleanse. If my roommate or friends or coworkers were going through this with me, it would be a lot easier to stay focused on the goal and indifferent towards normal food routines. Without support, it's hard.

Around noon I feel like I’m crashing. Despite the P.A.M. Juice, I’m so tired, I can barely keep my eyes open. It helps to write about it if only to distract myself and give me something to do other than bite my nails or gnaw on the inside of my mouth. I daydream at my desk about going home, getting in bed, and sleeping my way through the next day and a half of this cleanse. Not realistic for those of us with desk jobs but maybe that’s how the celebrities get through it? On to Green Juice Part II now.

My temperature keeps fluctuating. Not sure if that’s typical of a detox but I’m hot then cold then freezing then fine. I keep taking my sweater on and off. Could just be the air in my office, but it seems worse than usual.

Bam. Made it through #4 – Spicy Lemonade. Poured it over ice again and it was actually tasty. My headache got worse though and the fact that there is no end in sight makes me pretty grouchy. Time for beet juice. Wahoo.

C.A.B. Juice is fine. Mostly my body just feels unhappy. My stomach is gurgling weirdly (is it hungry? Is it hurting? Is it confused?) and I have a splitting headache. Day two is every bit as hard as I envisioned. I’m not sure if all this is normal or if I have less willpower than the people who normally do cleanses. This is just a very strange way to go about life. Very isolating.

Sixth and final juice of the day and I’m officially 67% done with this cleanse.  I went for a walk with a friend after work which tired me out so despite how gross the Cashew Milk was on Day 1, I found myself looking forward to it today. Breast milk never tasted so good. My body was craving the thicker, sweeter consistency of Juice 6 and I found that I could almost pretend I was chewing if I let some of the grainier cashew pieces linger near my molars before gulping it down.

My body feels exhausted but sleep comes easily. Can't wait for Day 3. Let's wind this thing down!

How to Eat Healthy without Breaking the Bank

Eating well is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle, but for many, it can be a struggle. A nutritious diet lowers the risk of chronic disease, increases productivity, boosts energy, and helps build muscle when paired with an active daily routine. Though prep time and cost are the most often cited barriers to eating well, they don't have to be.

Healthy food is not always more expensive than junk food, despite what many think. In fact, the boxed, processed, preserved foods most often found in the middle aisles of the supermarket consistently rank as worse for your body and worse for your budget! (If not short term, then certainly in the long run due to the cost of poor health.) So, without further ado, here are 9 ways to eat well for cheap.

1. Eat eggs. Eggs are inexpensive, delicious, and chock full of healthy nutrients. Worried about cholesterol? Eggs are still an option! Dietary cholesterol is not bound to blood cholesterol, so you can get all the benefit of the protein and vitamins and none of the risks.

2. Drink water. No one needs soda, no one really needs iced coffee beverages, and no one will perish without smoothies or juice. We do, however, need water. Ditch soda for good and bring a water bottle with you wherever you go. Sip before you feel thirsty to stay hydrated all day long and keep your body functioning at peak levels. Drink water because it’s cheaper and better for you than any other beverage on the planet.

3. Opt for tap water. Bottled water companies don’t actually get their product from icy springs in the mountains. They bottle their water in factories using the same liquid that comes from your kitchen sink. If you don’t trust the quality of tap water or don’t like the taste that your pipes might leave behind, get a filter. Try a Brita. One $12 pitcher can provide up to 40 gallons of crisp, filtered water. Bottom line, tap water will always be cheaper than bottled water. And, it’s better for the environment!

4. Buy generic. When you’re shopping for groceries, opt for the generic version. The box might be less attractive, but you can use the money saved to purchase pricier fruits and veggies you might otherwise shy away from. Brand-name food will always be more expensive, and you’re paying for the name! Buy generic to cut costs and free your money for where it matters.

5. Don’t buy junk food. Food that comes in a box or plastic wrapper is almost guaranteed to be nutritionally lacking and more expensive than whole, natural foods. Surprised? A Snickers at our local market is $1.29, a banana is $0.69. Hungry? Grab a Sn…banana!

6. Invest in a big freezer. Buying in bulk might be more expensive at the cashier, but it’s cheaper in the long run. Shopping for food in bulk usually gets you a discount per item, saves time, and saves gas (fewer trips to the grocery store). Frozen vegetables are easy to find and can be stored in the freezer for months so you don’t waste money on rotten produce. Lots of freezer space allows you to have healthy, whole foods on hand year round without having to worry about scheduling meals around seasons and freshness.

7. Rotate your food. Sounds strange, but place fresh veggies towards the back of your fridge so you consume the older produce first and prevent waste. Rather than shoving produce and leftovers towards the back, rotate items around so the older veggies are consumed first and all leftovers are enjoyed. This will dramatically cut down on waste and help you get the most out of your grocery shopping.

8. Eat leftovers. Prepare healthy dishes at home and bring leftovers to work. Buying lunch on a regular basis is expensive and unhealthy. Double whammy. Make extra food for dinner, portion out a single serving in Tupperware and stick it in the fridge to heat up for lunch the following day.

9. Eat less. The less you eat, the lower your grocery bill. Think about the cost of your food as you consume it. Eat the appropriate portion to maintain a healthy weight – no more, no less.

Food Secrets of Skinny Women

My healthy coworkers

Working at a wellness company doesn’t automatically mean my coworkers are thin, but by and large they are a healthy, motivated, and relatively slender bunch. We believe it’s important to practice what we preach, so a healthy diet and regular exercise are the norm. Although new fad diets continue to attract followers, the true secrets are here, in plain sight, and completely doable. Read on to learn about the healthy habits of the women at the WCS office - who have the bodies you want!

Eat. Yes, that’s right. The key to keeping your waistline in check is to eat food. Even the thinnest employees at WCS have healthy relationships with food. They eat a lot, but they eat well, which is key. No one here skips meals, fasts, or tries extreme dieting techniques (read: grapefruit diet). Meals are balanced but not skimpy.

Eat often. My tiniest coworker noshes constantly. She starts most days off with fibrous oatmeal loaded with nuts and fresh fruit, followed by a  greek yogurt mid-morning, and whole wheat pita stuffed with hummus and veggies for lunch. Walking by her desk, I rarely see her without a carrot stick or bowl of unsalted nuts. She is constantly snacking, but it’s mindful, energy-efficient snacking and processed foods never seem to make an appearance.

Don’t overthink it. Are you hungry? Eat. If not, don’t. Sometimes we just need to listen to our bodies to see what’s going on. Office workers especially can fall into the habit of mindlessly munching in front of the computer (I’ve been there with a 3 pm chocolate pretzel addiction), but if you can occupy your mouth in other ways (chew gum, drink water, sip tea), you prevent pointless calorie consumption.

Moderation. No matter how good food looks, tell yourself, there will always be more. For the majority of us, food is plentiful and obesity rather than malnutrition is the nutritional distaster du jour. Always take home leftovers. Opt for small portions. Avoid the bread basket. Do whatever it takes to put down your fork before fullness sets in.

Avocados. Seriously. Since I started working at WCS I’ve never seen so many avocados in my life. Despite being high in fat, the thinnest WCS employees eat them on a daily basis. The fruit serves as a stand-alone snack, a condiment, a salad ingredient, and more!

Hydrate. We all drink buckets of water every day and everyone in the office has great skin, healthy hair, and a slim physique. This observation doesn’t mean drinking water makes you thin, but research shows that dehydration can sometimes be misinterpreted as hunger, whereas proper hydration can curb cravings and minimize overeating. Additionally, soda (both regular and diet) is understandably absent from our office. Water, green tea, and coffee are the only beverages these healthy folks consume regularly during the work day.