Three Day Reset

Day One

It can be easy to jump onto the latest “fad diet” when you start to feel sluggish or fluffy. It seems like an easy quick fix that will get you the results you need in a short time span. You follow the plan that’s outlined, disregard your body and it's signaling and push through with sheer determination and motivation. Wash, Rinse, Repeat.

This is how so many of us have come to ride the rollercoaster that is fad dieting. One of the worst by-products of fad dieting is you start to fall out of tune with your body. You question your hunger, lack of energy and mood swings. You find excuses or solutions (hello Coffee) to try to navigate these “inconveniences” but disregard what your body is actually trying to tell you. It’s not totally your fault, you were told that your hunger or cravings were probably something else and to just ignore it. Or if you’re tired put on your big girl panties, have a large coffee and figure it out. With all the ignoring and denying, you no longer get the messages your body is trying to send you.

I want to start by saying you are not alone and I am guilty of this too. I spent many years fad dieting and struggling to understand what the heck my body was trying to tell me. Instead of finding a way to get more sleep, I was finding a way to get the most out of my coffee. Instead of cutting back on foods that visibly caused me discomfort, I learned how to “manage” and push through the pain. It’s actually kinda crazy when you look back and see all the ways you’ve blatantly denied what your body was asking for. Over the years I have tried to be better at honouring my body and it’s needs. Yes, it’s tough to push back on the thoughts that have been ingrained in my brain but doesn’t mean I stop trying.

For the month of March I gave up coffee. I was noticing a little bit of a dependency (disclaimer I really love coffee, like the whole experience from grinding the beans to pouring that fresh cup) and some warning signs. Heart palpitations, digestive discomfort, and restless sleeps to name a few. This was not the first time I took a break from coffee, I typically like to do this a couple times a year if I feel like I am going overboard on the caffeination. The first few days were not fun, caffeine withdrawal can be a pain in the ass but once I got past it I felt great. No jitters, better bowel movements, more energy throughout that day and best of all restful sleep. Those three uncomfortable days of withdrawal were well worth it.

As a plant-focused nutritionist, I eat pretty well. I try to focus on filling my plate with vegetables and then everything else. I don’t have foods that are “off limits” but foods that I limit how much I consume. What’s the difference? I know how much my system can tolerate. For example, Gluten. I am not gluten-intolerant but If I go overboard I know I won’t be feeling too great and digestively things may not run as smoothly for me. Same with cheese. I love cheese but too much and there will be problems. So I focus on eating incredible cheeses when I do choose to indulge - a little will then go a long way. I had to learn to find a balance between the foodie in me that wants to eat it all no matter the consequences and the nutritionist that knows better. It’s that balance that brought me to my current obstacle - a three day reset.

I like to refer to my current plan as a reset and not a cleanse because the focus is on resetting my digestion not cleansing anything out of me, although the later naturally happens. I go into the three days with a plan but it is not something that is set in stone. There’s a lot of listening to your body that needs to go on. I have seen people attempt juice cleanses where they are barely consuming enough and wonder why they feel they’re going to fall over or seriously hurt somebody. That’s not realistic. Soups, juices and easily digestible foods give your body a chance to slow down and not work as hard. Even though the majority of my day is spent drinking green juice, I won’t deny myself something to eat, but am more selective with what I do choose to chop. Fruits, vegetables, water, herbal teas, soup and rice are things that I allow myself to enjoy and for the three days I particularly stay away from gluten, dairy and processed foods. I rest when I need to, go to bed early and focus on myself. Allowing the body to rest & digest without loads of food for it to breakdown allows for a “cleaning house” to happen. I typically find three days is enough to get me feeling back to normal with an increase in energy and improved digestion. I don’t recommend a longer reset unless you are working alongside a practitioner who can help you navigate and customize a plan. Stress plays a vital role in our health, so make sure you are able to make time for yourself during the reset. High pressure work deadlines or high intensity workouts are a no-no - weekends or days off are ideal.

And don't forget to move! But more gentle stuff like yoga or going for a walk.

RESET DAY ONE

SUPER GREEN JUICE

Romaine Lettuce- 1 head, washed & chopped

Kale - 1 bunch, washed & destemmed

Celery - 1 bunch, washed & chopped

Cucumber - 1 English, washed & chopped

Parsley - ½ bunch, washed & trimmed

Green Apples - 2-3, cored & chopped

Lemon - 2, peeled & chopped

Ginger 1-2 inch piece, peeled & chopped

Juice all ingredients together and store in a large container in the fridge.

Drink throughout the day, add ice if desired.

Or

Place all items in a high-speed blender, pass the liquid through a fine strainer or nut milk bag.

MISO VEGGIE + KIMCHI RICE BOWL

serves 2

Wild Rice - 1 cup, cooked

Spring Mix - 2 cups

Carrot - 2 medium, peeled & cubes

Parsnip - 2 medium, peeled & cubes

Cauliflower - 2 cups, broken into florets

Radish - 2, thinly sliced

Cucumber - 2 small, thinly sliced

Kimchi - ½ cup, chopped

Green Onion - 2, thinly sliced

Hemp Seeds - 2 tbsp

White Miso - 1 tbsp

Extra Virgin Olive oil - 1 tbsp

Hot Water - 1 tbsp

Sea salt & Black Pepper

TAHINI DRESSING

Tahini - 2 tbsp

Lemon - juice of half

Garlic - 1 Clove, minced

Hot Water - 2 tbsp

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 425F

In a medium sized bowl mix together the miso, olive oil and hot water until smooth. Add the chopped vegetables and toss to coat.

Place on a parchment lined baking tray and season with black pepper.

Bake for 15 - 20 minutes, until vegetables are tender.

In the miso bowl add the tahini, garlic, lemon juice and hot water.

Mix until smooth and season with salt and pepper.

Assemble bowl: mixed greens in half the bowl, rice on the other half.

Add chopped kimchi on top of the hot rice, followed by the roasted vegetables, thinly sliced radish, cucumber and green onions.

Drizzle the tahini dressing on top and garnish with hemp seeds.