...And the cleanse becomes a way of living.

Our 4-week plan for a nutritional cleanse turned into a 2.5 week nutritional cleanse. This is due to both a vacation (and all that comes with trying to eat purely while on the road) and a discipline that is not fully mature. Rather than be discouraged with this change of plans, we are embracing it in this way: The nutritional cleanse served a benefit through starting the cleansing process within our bodies, BUT really by cultivating our discipline and jump-starting us both into a more pure way of eating. I'd like to take credit and say that I already ate this way, but honestly, I have not been faithful in this since my pregnancy, so I needed it as much as Michael. We now eat with conscious thought :)

Here is yet another HEALTHY BUT YUMMY RECIPE that you must try!:

Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips

-Heat oven & place triangle tortilla pieces basted with canola oil OR olive oil mixed with a bit of butter and then drizzled with cinnamon into oven and bake
-Chop into small pieces: mango, strawberries, kiwi, cantalope, or any fruit!
-Add a pinch of sugar in the raw, liquid stevia, or juice from dates, etc if you want
-Allow juices from fruits to provide the moisture for the salsa effect
-Add cilantro and/or parsley
-Serve salsa over chips or dip chips into yummy salsa!
(Thanks to Julia Schaap and Brittney Yandell for this recipe!)

....And the Cleanse Goes on....

We are once week into the 'nutritional cleanse,' and it is going well. We are definitely disciplined. Michael has lost 6 pounds and we both are feeling good and energized, however, we have the cravings that accompany this weaning process of fats and sugars and processed foods. Now, if you're thinking that we are just a couple of extreme hippies or health freaks, think again; we are real enough to enjoy 1 bar-b-que meal and 1 Como Steakhouse (the best meal of your life) visit while in Memphis this weekend!!! Our cleansing foods will get us back on track again.....

THIS WEEK'S HEALTHY YET YUMMY RECIPE: ROASTED RED PEPPER & GOAT CHEESE PUREE

Roast a red pepper (whole) in the oven, turning occasionally
Cut and puree in food processor with goat cheese (I used peppered cheese)
*Adds a flavorful sauce to turkey burgers, chicken, rice, over vegetables, etc.