ThoughtFITness

Sooo, I’m getting pumped and I’m going to try to accomplish all of my shopping at these 2 stores: 

1. Trader Joe’s 

2. Mother’s Market

Why not Whole Foods or Sprouts you ask? Because it’s just not convenient to get to on my way home from work today. And Like my “Paaah” (what we called my grandfather and how we pronounced it with a Michigan accent), always told me, “Bet-anee, work smart not hard.” His accent was southern. :)

THE LIST

• Rice cakes
• Flax crackers
• Gluten free bread (vegan)
• Sweet potatoes
• brown, wild rice, and quinoa
• Nuts: almonds, walnuts, cashews
• Seeds: sunflower or pumpkin
• peanut butter or almond butter (unsweetened)
• Vegan butter (I already buy earth balance. Yeah me, saving about 4 bucks!)
• Protein Powder- I’m kinda torn on this one. I already have whey protein at home. From research I know that our bodies process whey protein the BEST, but whey comes from animals. I have also heard of Pea Protein Powder (vegan), so if I find it, I’ll pick it up too. Yup, PEA protein, who knew?!
• Disclaimer: I love protein and more importantly, our bodies need it, so if I don’t find Pea protein, I’ll just stick with whey and get over it.  Soy protein is an option, but I choose to avoid it.
• Black beans, lentils, chickpeas, edamame, fava beans
• Tofu?? Again, not excited about soy.
• Tempeh
• Faux  burgers, sausage patties: Hopefully Pete won’t just live off of Boca Burgers!
• rice/quinoa pasta
• Pasta sauce (no sugar added)
• Vegetables: kale, broccoli, green beans, asparagus, brussel sprouts, zucchini, butternut and acorn squash
• Mushrooms: shitake, portabella (grilled, they make a great centerpiece for a meal)
• Salad “fixins”:  mixed greens, peppers, avocado, tomato, etc.
• Fruits: apples, cherries, peaches, blueberries, goji berries
• Lemons, limes for sparkling water cocktails. A splash of unsweetened pomegranate juice
• Coconut water
• Teecino (wanna try this coffee substitute)
• almond milk (unsweetened)
• agave nectar to sweeten smoothies, milks, cereals, etc.
• Garlic, ginger
• Flours to cook or bake with: tapioca or nut and seed
• Popcorn
• Corn chips
• Guacamole
• Hummus
• Soy cheese (no rennet or casein)
• Frozen spinach (to throw into smoothies… you won’t even taste it!)
• Flax seed oil, freshly ground flax seeds
• Vegetarian stock for cooking

This is a great list, but not THE List. Stay tuned for my grocery shopping list to start the cleanse. 

Spring is here and I’m ready to get cleaning….but I rent, so there’s no way you’ll catch me scrubbing the walls of my apartment or detailing baseboards with a teeny tiny tooth brush. Not gonna happen. Instead I’ll be cleaning my own pipes this time. Pun intended. This Saturday, both Pete and I will be starting a 15 day cleanse. And hopefully, you will too. For 2 weeks, and a day, we’ll cut out all of the following:

• Processed Sugars
• Alcohol
• Caffeine -“ouch”
• Gluten
• Meat -not just the red stuff, all of it.
• Dairy

Why a cleanse you ask? Well partly because I believe our bodies do need a good spring cleaning each year. Think of it as hitting the reset button and break up with some of your bad habits once and for all. And also because I read this book  in Argentina, while happily overindulging in too many cafe con leches, steaks the size of my bicep, and never-ending dulce de leche alfajores cookies. Thanks Argentina.

Check back daily to see recipes, tips, and how we’re progressing!

My Front Yard. No excuses.

Joseph Pilates