My Ultimate Reset Experience! Week ONE and Week TWO recaps!

Hey guys!

So the Ultimate Reset is in FULL effect in this house.

My husband came home from his training trip & dove straight into the Vegetarian Phase with me (week 2).  Before I tell you about that - let me give a total RECAP of Week One.

In WEEK ONE: 

My body was super tired
I was not moody
I was trying to get the HANG of supplement timing + recipes
I made some mistakes but quickly corrected them (I'll tell you about those)
I rested a lot & my body was thankful for that

My favorite foods from Week One were:

Miso Soup
Roasted Root Medley + Zucchini Cashew Soup :: Recipe HERE
Nori Rolls
Fruit plate for breakfast (which tastes like straight up CANDY now)

This was the MISO PASTE I bought from Whole Foods & it was delicious. I am not an Ultimate Reset expert - but it looked good to me! Its in the section with tempeh, tofu, and vegan cheeses.

I'll share my favorite Miso recipe when I recap Week Two! ;)

INSERT: WEEK TWO ---> The phase where you completely eliminate animal products. No dairy. No meat. No eggs. The focus is on veggies, fruits & whole grains. This phase introduces the supplement DETOX.

DETOX: helps remove toxins & waste in the colon. It isn't harsh on your system & doesn't make you RUN to the bathroom. They do you a little favor and add some lemon flavor - but trust me - it's not good ;) Just get it down!

Every day for breakfast you eat a BEAUTIFUL plate of seasonal fresh fruit. Some of my favorites to include are kiwis, pears, berries, and peaches.  Seriously.... so good.

____________________________________________

I really enjoyed this HEALTHY LITTLE FAUX MEXICAN MEAL!

Pinto Beans & Rice with Steamed Veggies:

(Makes 1 serving)

1/2 cup canned pinto beans, with liquid

1 cup cooked brown rice

1 tsp EVOO

1 tsp ground smoked paprika

1 dash ground cumin

1/4 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp Bragg Liquid Aminos

Himalayan slat (to taste; optional)

Heat beans in medium saucepan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, or until hot. Drain. Add oil, paprika, cumin, coriander, Bragg Liquid Aminos, and salt if desired; mix well. Gently fold beans into warm cooked rice.

I still don't have a real STEAMER for my veggies. So I've been using this trick.

READ ABOUT IT HERE

_______________________________________

One night I was in a SOUP mood - and was happy to find Sweet Potato & Roasted Red Pepper Bisque on the menu for Day 9!

I made this soup in NO time at all... used my Vitamix for most of it. SUPER EASY!

You see my cooler in the picture below because on Day 9 I travelled to Richmond with a friend to have some head shots done. I was a little nervous about the traveling aspect - but I planned ahead the night before - packed a cooler & stayed COMPLETELY on track. 

We had a lot of fun with the TALENTED Mrs. Virginia - incredibly talented Photographer & Makeup Artist. Go follow her HERE.

Back to the soup....

Sweet Potato & Roasted Red Pepper Bisque + Veggies:

(Makes 1 serving)

1 cup water (don't forget to use DISTILLED)

1 medium sweet potato, peeled, cubed

1/4 medium red bell pepper

1 tsp finely grated ginger root

1.5 tsp EVOO

2 tsp miso paste, mixed with 2 Tbsp hot water

1 cup vegetable broth (or water)

Bragg Liquid Aminos (or Himalayan Salt to taste; optional)

Herbal seasoning blend (to taste; optional)

Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat; add sweet potato; cook for 5-7 min. Drain. Set aside. Roast red bell pepper on grill or gas stovetop. Turn frequently until skin is evenly charred. Place in medium bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel for 10 minutes. Peel skin under running water. Remove seeds. Chop into 1/2 inch cubes.

Place sweet potato, bell pepper, ginger, oil, miso, & broth in a blender or food processor, in 2 or more batches if necessary; cover with lid & kitchen towel. Blend until smooth. If consistency is too thick, add water. Heat soup in a medium saucepan over medium heat (not needed with Vitamix); cook, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes, or until hot. Add Bragg Liquid Aminos & seasoning blend if desired.

**Be careful adding Liquid Aminos - mine turned out a TAD too salty!

___________________________________

My next favorite was basically to DIE for.

It tastes like a HEALTHY vegetable FRIED RICE!!

Quinoa-Lentil Pilaf:

(Makes 1 serving)

1.5 tsp EVOO

1/2 medium carrot, diced

1/2 medium stalk celery, diced

1/4 medium onion, diced

1/4 medium red bell pepper, diced

1/4 ground smoked paprika

1 dash cumin

1/4 tsp ground turmeric

3/4 cup cooked quinoa

1/4 cup cooked lentils

1.5 tsp grated lemon peel

1.5 tsp fresh lemon juice

2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley

Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add carrot, celery, onion, bell pepper, paprika, cumin, and turmeric; cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, or until tender. Add quinoa, lentils, lemon peel, lemon juice, and parsley to cooked vegetables; heat over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. Fluff with a fork & serve!

You can pair it with steamed veggies for dinner or Cucumber Tomato for lunch.

Cucumber Tomato Salad:

(Makes 1 serving)

2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

1 tsp balsamic vinegar

1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

2 tsp EVOO

1 medium cucumber, partially peeled, cut lengthwise, sliced

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 Tbsp chopped red onion

1 Tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley

1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves

Himalayan salt (to taste; optional)

Herbal Seasoning (to taste; optional)

Combine red wine vinegar & balsamic vinegars, lemon juice, and oil in small bowl; mix well. Set aside. Combine cucumber, tomatoes, onion, parsley, basil, salt (if desired) in a large bowl; mix well. Drizzle dressing over cucumber mixtures; toss gently to blend.

____________________________________

Next Up!

One of my FAVORITE Lunches from Week 2!

Hearty Vegetable Miso Soup + Microgreen Salad:

(Makes 1 serving)

1 tsp EVOO

2 Tbsp finely chopped onion

1 clove garlic, chopped

1 medium carrot, cut into thin diagonal slices

1 medium stalk celery, cut into thin diagonal slices

1/2 tsp finely grated peeled ginger

2 cups water (distilled!!)

1/4 cup broccoli florets

2 Tbsp chopped fresh green beans

1/4 cup shredded Napa cabbage (or bok choy)

1 Tbsp wakame seaweed 

1/2 tsp sesame oil

1 Tbsp green onion, sliced

1 Tbsp miso paster (iced with 2 Tbsp hot water)

Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, ginger, carrot, and celery; cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Add water; cook at a gentle boil on low for 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add broccoli, green beans, cabbage, and seaweed' cook, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes or until tender-crisp. Remove from heat. Add sesame oil, green onion, and miso; mix well. 

_________________________

My LAST meal to share with you is Kabocha Squash with Garlic-Tahini Filling + Grilled Zucchini.

(I used acorn squash and I burned the top of the tahini a little bit ; oops!)

Kabocha Squash with Garlic-Tahini Filling:

(Makes 2 (TWO) servings - 1/4 squash each)

1/2 medium kabocha or acorn squash, seeds removed

4 Tbsp sesame tahini

2 tsp miso paste

1 tsp clove garlic, chopped

2 tsp EVOO

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut squash in half. Place squash halves on baking sheet lightly coated with spray. Combine tahini, miso, garlic, & oil in a small bowl; mix well. Cover squash pieces evenly with tahini mixture. Bake for 30 minutes, or until squash is fork tender.

(Would have been 25 min for my oven).

The Zucchini I cut lengthwise, placed in large ziplock, squeeze one whole lemon into bag + dash of Himalayan salt. Let it sit in there for 10 minutes. Then grilled each side of zucchini on medium-high heat for 10 minutes each side. DELISH!

_________________________________________

Something that really helps me is having a LARGE BOWL set inside the fridge for my fruit. The drawers are packed FULL of veggies and I don't like to waste food -- so if I have my fruit OUT in a bowl - it's easier for me to GRAB it and make sure I USE it!

As of today, Day 14 - I am down 9lbs! I'm happy with my progress for sure! I no longer feel like a busted can of biscuits ;)

Week TWO -- I have been a little moody. No headache and not as tired. Not hungry in between meals. For snacks, I have been having Vegan Chocolate Shakeology + 2 tsp almond butter OR 1 green apple + 1 cup blueberries.

Here's a quick VIDEO on some of my HEADS UP's!

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Brittany

Join me on Facebook in my next Online Challenge Group!! Or if you LOVE getting healthy & want to help others do the same join my team as a COACH!

PS: WISH ME LUCK!! Tomorrow I enter into the ALL VEGAN phase! I will keep you posted on my experience!

Day TWO of the Ultimate Reset!

Alright!!

Offically made it through DAY TWO of the Ultimate Reset!

If you need a CRASH COURSE for what the UR is... go HERE.

I woke up feeling RESTED, feeling lighter, and feeling GOOD!

I did my routine of Mineralized Distilled Water + Lemon & 2 capsules of Optimize. Spent time with my pup and then moved on to making breakfast.

I switched it up today and had:

Oatmeal & Blueberries + Yogurt

1 cup water

1 pinch Himalayan Salt

1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

Bring water & salt to boil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add oats; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Place oatmeal in small bowl & top with blueberries.

You can sweeten the PLAIN yogurt with a dash of stevia.

THAT was good!! I felt full.

I checked in with my challengers, encouraged them, helped them with their questions & told them how PROUD I was of them ... they are an incredible group of women getting HEALTHIER from home! If you want more info on being a challenger: watch this. If you want more info on what I do as a Beachbody coach: watch this.

Then... every girls DREAM... it was time for my hair appointment!! YAY!! So... I packed up my supplements in my cute little travel bag, got my water all ready & headed out.

I set the timer on my phone so that I stayed on track... and I did!

Here I am in the car (PARKED) showing you I took my supplements while they blow dried my hair ;) and I ate my lunch on the road!

Lentil-Lime Salad (again)

This is what it looks like:

1 cup cooked lentils

1 medium carrot shredded

1/4 cup cilantro (oops forgot that at the store)

1.5 tsp Sesame Oil

2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

Bragg Liquid Amino

Himalayan Salt

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

So.... turns out, I am still REALLY tired in the afternoon. I took a quick power nap again today. I guess my body is doing SOMETHING on the inside?!

When I woke up, I had my microgreen salad as my SNACK & talked with one of my coaches to help her goal-set.

I don't really love salad, but this was fine. Same as yesterday.

Microgreen Salad. 

3 cups baby spinach

1/4 medium carrot shredded

1/2 medium cucumber

1/2 medium red bell pepper, sliced

1/4 cup sprouts

1/2 medium tomato, chopped

1/4 cup chopped jicama (Whole Foods was out!)

1 Tbsp. chopped cilantro (remember I forgot it)

Then the homemade dressing I chose was Creamy Garlic Dressing:

1/2 cup EVOO

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

3 cloves crushed garlic

3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp. Himalayan Salt (the pink stuff!)

1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 Tbsp. raw honey

 I guess I am a creature of habit, what can I say? :)

Now, DINNER was a different story. I busted out of the NORM and decided to make something that sounded a little scary.... but looked pretty good!

Zucchini Cashew Soup & Roasted Root Vegetables

Zucchini Cashew Soup:

1 oz. raw cashews (17 cashews)

1/5 cups water

1.5 medium zucchinis, cut into chunks

Himalayan Salt (or Bragg Liquid Aminos- to taste)

Herbal seasoning blend (or fresh herbs - I used basil)

Roasted Root Vegetables:

1/4 medium yam, cut into 1-inch chunks

1/2 medium carrot cut into 1-inch chunks

1/2 medium beet, cut into 1-inch chunks

1/4 medium onion, peeled, cut into large wedges

2 tsp. EVOO

Himalayan salt to taste.

I ate this while I hosted my TEAM Call with my coaches & MY GOODNESS!!! It was delicious!! It was especially fun for me because I got to see what my Vita-Mix was capable of!

Overall, it was a great day. I'm still tried, and I know my body is really detoxing from sugar & caffeine.

I'm looking forward to the rest of this journey!!

Thanks for reading!

xo,

Brittany

My Ultimate Reset : Day One.

Alright you guys!!

My last post shared WHY I am doing the Ultimate Reset. 

This post is all about my first day!

So far... I am LOVING the Ultimate Reset!

I woke up at 7am so I could drink my Mineralized Distilled water & take my 2 Optimize capsules.

(I'll have a post later this weekend specifically on all the supplements and WHY I am taking them.)

I waited the 30 minutes, cooked while I waited & and then chowed down on this beauty!

This is super simple: 

Just 1 slice of 100% Whole Wheat Ezekiel toast

2 scrambled organic eggs cooked in 1 tsp. EVOO

1.5 cups of steamed Kale

OK... not going to lie. The Kale made me gag. It was a mental challenge FOR SURE. I've had kale many times before, but not completely plain. So I have some ideas to try.... I will season it a little next time and I will steam it a little longer. 

Speaking of STEAMER... I stumbled across a GENIUS way to improvise in the kitchen. I don't have a steamer. I usually pop veggies in the microwave -- you know... 'STEAMABLES'. 

So anyway, I will probably buy a steamer some day soon... but until then... look what I found!

Put 3 SAME SIZE balls of aluminum in a pan. Place them in a triangle.

Bring to a boil (put plate on first - it's easier).

Add plate that can withstand high heat.

Add KALE.

Cover.

Steam it up!

-GENIUS-

So, after breakfast, I went TO BREAKFAST with two of my friends! I accidentally committed before I remembered it was my FIRST day of the UR.

Don't worry. I didn't cheat. I just drank more mineralized distilled water & enjoyed the company. 

Then I went on a HUNT for miso paste. NO LUCK. If you do this UR, get your miso paste in advance ;) I think I will just order it online. 

I waited 2 hours after breakfast time until I have more Mineralized Distilled water & 2 capsules of Optimize. RIGHT. ON. SCHEDULE.

30 minutes later -- LUNCH TIME. 

My original plan was to have some miso soup with my salad, but you know that was a big fat failure. So I went to plan B.

Lentil-Lime Salad

1 cup cooked lentils

1 medium carrot shredded

1/4 cup cilantro (oops forgot that at the store)

1.5 tsp Sesame Oil

2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

Bragg Liquid Amino

Himalayan Salt

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

I added TOO much liquid amino ;) It was a tad salty tasting, but overall - it was good. My husband will LOVE this one.

I was so full after that!! I was suppose to also have a salad and toasted pumpkin seeds but I was STUFFED... and to be brutally honest... I was EXHAUSTED! I'm not sure if it's the reset or if it is a coincidence. Either way... I turned on some ocean wave sound track & PASSED OUT for 2 hours!

I never do that.

It was awesome.

 I woke up from my nap (see the robe) and got busy with my Mineralized Distilled water & Alkalinize... the green stuff.

Here is the deal with Alkalinize. It looks scarier than it really is.

YES: it smells like a turnip garden. 

YES: it looks like paint.

But... its not too bad -- just with 2-4oz. of water. Chug that baby!

So you wait 30 minutes and then you have the option for a snack. I decided to have the SALAD that was suppose to be with my lunch for my snack.

Secret about me. I really don't like salad. Unless it has a TON of fruit in it. I am not a big fan of dressings. So... this meal is all out of my comfort zone. But I did it anyway.

I chopped all my veggies up and made it pretty... because that makes me happy.

This is called the Microgreen Salad. Such a pretty name even!

3 cups baby spinach

1/4 medium carrot shredded

1/2 medium cucumber

1/2 medium red bell pepper, sliced

1/4 cup sprouts

1/2 medium tomato, chopped

1/4 cup chopped jicama (Whole Foods was out!)

1 Tbsp. chopped cilantro (remember I forgot it)

Then the homemade dressing I chose was Creamy Garlic Dressing:

1/2 cup EVOO

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

3 cloves crushed garlic

3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp. Himalayan Salt (the pink stuff!)

1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 Tbsp. raw honey

It was tasty... but I couldn't finish it all! Whats wrong with me? This girl can EAT!

I also had 1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds. That was a nice CRUNCH!

For dinner, I am REALLY craving my Shakeology. So I think I will go with my Vegan Chocolate. Nothing crazy, just mixed in the blender with water, natural almond butter & ice.

I have a dull headache, but thats my own fault - I didn't stop drinking coffee earlier this week.

When I added in half a lemon to my mineralized distilled water - it tasted SO much better to me!

I'm looking forward to breakfast tomorrow!

I will be going to bed EARLY tonight.

I scheduled a massage.

I have BATH BOMBS from Lush to take a bath tomorrow night.

All is well!

Thanks for reading!

xo,

Brittany