All good things must come to an end.
Until I figure out a way to live in Europe.
I’m a firm believer in balance and enjoying life. Enjoying is just what we did in Greece. There were tons of good eats, alllll the drinks, and a nice break from the gym (though we walked a LOT). Vegas and I had a blast and soaked up every moment. Coming off of that I have no regrets, but feel ready to get back to a healthier diet.
Some of you may remember my No Shit Diet. I still 100% believe that eating right doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated. Don’t eat shit. Don’t beat yourself up if you treat yourself. It’s that simple.
That said, we’re going a little more extreme to detox after vacation. Not only is it about losing that vacation bloat (ok, maybe its a little more than bloating), but it’s also about resetting habits. I’m dragging Vegas down with me. #marriedit
This WIAW is part one of our reset – all vegan and eliminating common allergens. It’s been fun to get creative in the kitchen!
Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!
Breakfast:
I had the usual morning cocktail and morning sludge.
For breakfast I made green-ish protein shakes. When I handed Vegas hers, I just said “don’t be scared by the color.” It really was good (Vegas agreed). I added avocado to make it extra creamy – you can’t taste it at all – I swear!
Creamy Green-ish Shake
- Growing Naturals Vanilla Pea Protein Powder
- Handful of spinach
- 1/2 C strawberries
- 1/4 C blueberries
- 1/4 Avocado
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- Ice + Water, to desired thickness
I blended this in my Vitamix until it was nice a creamy. Topped with hemp seeds for some extra texture.
Lunch:
Not enough veggies in the world on this reset! Lunch consisted of roasted beets, Japanese sweet potato, red bell peppers, cucumbers with pico de gallo and avocado, and grapes. I also made a quick tahini-based dip… because dipping food in stuff is more fun.
Pre-workout Snack:
Quick Mexican bowl. I prepped some wild rice for the week, so I just tossed it with zucchini noodles, carrots, and pico de gallo before heated it in the microwave for a minute. Topped with avocado. Super easy!
Post-Workout Snack:
Another smoothie, but this one was eaten in a bowl… and I used a Japanese sweet potato to thicken it. Totally normal. Vegas didn’t even notice.
Dinner:
Vegan pesto tossed with lightly sautéed zucchini and carrot noodles, asparagus, mushrooms, spinach, and beluga lentils.
I looked at Vegas while eating this and said “I’d actually eat this even if we weren’t detoxing!” She agreed… noting that she’d have added steak. Le sigh.
This recipe will be one the blog Friday for #strangebutgood!
***
I’m using us as guinea pigs right now. I’ve done resets before, but this time I recording the specifics to share with you all!
Have you ever done a reset or detox?
Would you ever put an avocado in a shake? Sweet potato?
You rock Laura, love all the recipes! Thank you for sharing your love for good clean food. You are turning into a vegan, by accident. … just kidding.
Thank you for recording all the specifics, cant wait for the details and the vegan pesto recipe.
Avocado in a shake – yes please! Sweet potato – errr …. i guess… I will try now that you mention. 😉
I would love to see a post on your kitchen tools someday.
Thank you Anu! NO worries about me turning vegan… I did that once and it was painful for me. LOL!
Let me know if you try that avocado. It really is good!
Kitchen tools… I was laughing talking to Vegas about this. I’m so basic – I pretty much use one knife and my hands. Oh, and the Vitamix.
What an awesome page of vegan food inspiration! It all looks delicious.
I’m game with avocado in smoothies but have always been sceptical of adding sweet potato.. I tried it once and it was just so…potatoey.
Thanks! This may sound stupid… but you did roast the potato first, right? I only ask because I did try it raw too. If you do it again, I fin the trick to use the reallllly sweet ones, roast the hell out of it, and don’t add more than 1/2 C.
Hahaha #marriedit. I wish I had a wife who would make me shakes in the morning. Le sigh.
If only we were Mormon… LOL!
(((clicks away to google JAPANESE SWEET TATER!!! how do I now know what that is?!))))
I am craving your pre-workout snack like crazy right now. This looks so so good!
I had a fair share of detox experiments behind me. Some super strict (never again) some medium strict (not to keen to do again) and some managable like Whole30. At the moment I can’t see me doing this. But if detoxing can be this way I might be even consider to try it again. Not now but I am not so sure how I’ll feel about it after my 4 weeks in the US 😛
I didn’t know Japanese sweet potatoes existed until a few months ago. I usually only see two types at Sprouts. Never done a detox diet but I think it’s a good idea after being away from your normal routine!
I agree with Vegas. I’d add a steak too. Did she lose or forget anything in Greece? I hope so otherwise I feel lonely.
I love sweet potato or avocado im smoothies! The thicker and creamier the better. #twss
We discussed it and we didn’t lose anything! It’s a small miracle.
I’m a smoothie beginner but sweet potato would be good in anything I think! I did a Whole30 back in the beginning of paleo as an elimination diet but haven’t done any sort of reset since then.
Did you steal my theme of balance today? Or are we just that cool? I too, am all about balance in life, liberty (cough) I mean food. I’m not about detoxes, in my mind, detoxes mean that you did something bad and must atone for it. But I wouldn’t give you back the incredible meal that we had on my honeymoon, or the late night chip parties with friends. I will just get back to my regular way of life!
Great minds! 😉
Agreed that a detox can have that connotation. I like to think of this as more of a way to get myself back into habits that make me feel the best. It’s been a bit of a free-for-all ever since we moved here. I have to realize this isn’t a permanent vacation. 🙂
Damn. Your “reset” looks incredible! I would hit up that kitchen any day. Smoothies out of bowls are always fun, it feels like dessert when you eat them from a bowl. I’ve never tried a Japanese sweet potato and now I think I have to!
I did the Whole 30 twice and while I didn’t see a lot of changes I did feel really good and it helped me reset a lot of habits.
Thank you! I think that’s why I always eat them out of a bowl – like ice cream! 🙂
I love the look of that plate of veggies! So colorful it would make even the most committed carnivore think twice 🙂 Summer is such a great time for crisp, colorful, refreshing food.
Looks like a tasty day of eats to me!! I’d eat all that any time! Especially that snack-y, dipping plate for lunch! Finger food is more fun.
Finger food is there it’s at! Vegas laughs at me because I primarily eat with my hands.
It’s always hard to come back to reality after a vacation but I have no doubt you will!
But it was a Mediterranean diet while you were there right??? 😉 I think the key point is that you enjoyed every minute and didn’t stress out about working out or eating out of character. Life’s too short for that. And yes, I have to remind myself often to not freak out about enjoying pizza (or cheese dip).
Please don’t say the “p” word right now… LOL! Kidding… sort of…
These eats look amazing – I can’t wait to try that hemp smoothie!
Thank you! I’d know to know what you think if you try it out! 🙂
It always feels super satisfying to “reset” after a vacation, the holidays, or a period of indulgence 🙂 I feel like a week or two is all it takes to get me feeling better already! I’m with ya =)
It’s crazy how fast it helps – at the onset it feels like it’ll never happen.
I’ve never done a detox or reset officially – but now i’m intrigued. AND Yes, i’d put avocado and sweet potato in anything! Love them both!
Thanks for sharing your WIAW! Love seeing everyone’s eats and sharing mine:)
Love this, I am all for balance and enjoying life! Besides calories don’t count on vacation! 😉
I recently did a reset when I got a book in the mail it was the Suja Juice book and it had a lot of good juice recipes. I was craving juices as I haven’t had as many as I use to since my juice broke years ago but my husband got it fixed for me and even though there were smoothie options I could make with the Vitamix I wanted the juices. It is 1 week to 28 days and there are lots of veggies (so many delicious veggies, and healthy fats) as well as lean protein so it really caught my attention and I really felt like I could use a good reset after being injured so long and my healthy eating habits slipping. I only did 1 full week and then just did my own thing after that but it was a good reset.
That is a silly question… who doesn’t put avocado or sweet potato in their shakes? I lpve both, especially sweet potato in the fall and avocado anything is always good!
That sounds like a really interesting one! And isn’t the Vitamix the best thing ever? I’m eating a smoothie bowl right now, actually. With sweet potato. 🙂
YES to all the questions! Love the pics today especially!
I would eat all of that, detox or not! I have never tried a sweet potato in a smoothie before, but I love sweet potatoes. Ergo, it must be good!
No shit diet- Haha! Love it!
You have to try it! I do a sweet potato pie smoothie too – soooo good and creamy!
I need to get my hands on the Japanese sweet potatoes.. I haven’t seen any at the stores I shop at.
I have never added sweet potato to smoothies but I’m all for avocado!!
I get them at Whole Foods, if that helps. 🙂
I have definitely done a detox before but it was kind of like yours. Eat all the veggies & fruit too & toward the end we added back some carbs & meat. It was great… Hard but great! Need to do it again lol. I’ve added avocado & sweet potato in shakes & love it. So yummy!!
Oh yeah, I have to chew. I did a 5 day juice thing once and almost killed everyone around me.
I am in LOVE with that birdie cartoon. LOL. But I’m with ya, girl. There are times to indulge, but there’s nothing like the feeling of the hard reset. 🙂 Good luck!
never tried sweet potato, but avo goes in my smoothies on the regular.
I need this exact thing, perhaps I’ll just follow you a day behind – we are flying home right now!
I think you should. Vegas is bailing on me… I had to tell her where I hid the M&Ms this morning. LOL!
Avocados in shakes are SO good, but I’ve never thought of trying sweet potato! I’m definitely curious now.
Sweet potato really is good! Let me know what you think if you try it!
You have to have vegas post about how she liked the detox!! i bet she will feel greaT!
Errrr… Vegas is drinking a beer right now. She stuck to it for a week like a champ though!
Oh my – how is Vegas handling vegan after not being a fan of tofu?! I bet this is quite the experience. 🙂
Oh, we weren’t even having tofu… she’s not amused but if I give her enough carbs she doesn’t complain too much.
I love your No Shit Diet. That’s hilarious, but so true! Eating healthy doesn’t have to be all complicated. Your meals here are so creative, extremely healthy but look incredibly delicious! Love me some green smoothies! 🙂
+1 for all the vegan eats! I look forward to your upcoming recipe 🙂
Thanks Janet! It really does make me think more creatively.
I am all about balance too, but lately I have been way off balance. I too need to get back on the band wagon.
Haha I love that first graphic!
I think it’s such an important thing for people to realize that yes you eat healthy, but it doesn’t mean you can’t relax on vacation and then come back and get right back to it!
Your “reset eats” are so bright and delicious-looking. I love that you aren’t detoxing with juices exclusively or any of that. I need to chew!! Even when I’m resetting my eats 🙂 Have a great weekend!
I’m the same way! I’ve done the juice thing a couple of times and it just makes me miserable. Thinking about it more from a “what GOOD things can I focus my diet on” works better for me.
You know me. I refuse to commit to a detox because the idea of restriction pisses my competitive nature off. Instead, I just try to update my intake of fruits and veggies which usually does the trick.
I still need to try adding avocado to smoothies. I’m so behind on this one, and tell Vegas not to fear the green smoothies. The Hubby even willingly consumes beet juice now. In fact, he even likes it, goes back for seconds and all.
That’s why I like the way I’m doing it though – I’m never hungry or feeling deprived. And it makes me think outside the box more.
I think Vegas legit likes the smoothies… even though she’s now aware I’ve been loading them with sweet potatoes. The only think she refuses to eat is cilantro. The soap thing.
Im loving all of the vegan and raw recipe ideas! this is how i eat on the daily and i always feel amazing and light with energy! keep the info coming! can’t wait to hear how u feel at the end 🙂
Thanks Cel! It’s been a lot of fun!