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I’ll really go see anything with Merryl Streep in it these days. She’s her own indomitable iron lady on the silver screen, taking on characters and roles that, once she touches them, I couldn’t imagine anyone else even trying. Her latest film, Iron Lady, has her portraying British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
I read mixed reviews of the film and wasn’t sure what I was in for with this 105 minute movie, but I was not disappointed. The film is set in the supposed present, with a Thatcher that totters, is still speaking to her dead husband and who is flashing back on a lifetime of intense politics juxtaposed, unfortunately, with her current life indoors under close supervision of family, caretakers and doctors.
In Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Oskar Shell is a precocious boy who lost his father in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. But to find the lock to a discovered key his father left behind, Oskar must overcome his anxieties about trains, planes, buses, bridges, loud noises, tall buildings and strangers.
Thomas Horn stars as Oskar, the boy compelled to travel all over New York City to salvage some connection to his dead father, played by Tom Hanks, while growing distant from his mother, played by Sandra Bullock, and sometimes in the company of an odd, silent older man, played wonderfully by Max von Sydow.
My 21-day Quantum Wellness Cleanse ended on Friday. For three weeks, I abstained from sugar, caffeine, alcohol, meat, dairy and gluten. I developed a surprisingly delicious diet of vegetables, rice, beans, tofu, tea, water and assorted gluten-free products.
On Saturday morning, I weighed 6 lbs lighter than I did 21 days ago and lost 1.5 inches from around my stomach. The most dramatic effects were in the first week, although finally being able to get back to the gym this third week nudged along further weight loss.
You can read more about the journey in these blog entries:
This past, final week, I actually had to give up my watered-down decaf coffee. I could even feel the effects of that minimal amount of caffeine on my heart. I switched to decaf tea and the jittery feeling went away.
I also came to terms with the fact that when I’m upset, I want to eat junk food. A lot of it. I didn’t crave anything so much as I craved the idea of lots of it. I abstained and rediscovered that going to the gym, working up a sweat and spending some time in the sauna provided not only the exertion my stress needed, but also an excellent and spacious transition from work to home.
I feel relieved that a lot of my unhealthy food habits seem broken. I enjoy making and eating breakfast at home now, instead of grabbing something on the go. I’ve stopped snacking at work, even when I’m working on an exciting project, which is an odd habit I discovered in Week 1. I haven’t craved Diet. Mt. Dew or too much coffee or sugar in the 21 days. The fact that this is an all-or-nothing type of cleanse really worked for me.
I ended the Quantum Wellness Cleanse yesterday, by having lunch with a friend at August First in Burlington. I ordered a Tofu Salad sandwich and nibbled on the bread. Surprisingly, the bread held little charm for me after this cleanse, although I could taste that it was good bread. The tofu was much more to my liking. Later that evening, I had a beer from The Alchemist (a Heady Topper) and about 6 oz. of Nutty Steph’s chocolate at home.
And while The Alchemist never ceases to amaze me, it was all rather anti-climatic. My taste buds have come to appreciate much more subtle flavors, textures and, especially, spices as opposed to the overwhelming nature of caffeine, sugar, alcohol, animal products and gluten. I wouldn’t have been able to learn that had I just cut back on sugar or breads. A whole-system reset was in order for my body to actually taste and feel the negative affects of, say, caffeine (heart-stopping!).
So it looks like much of this Cleanse has become a lifestyle! For my own health, I’m excited, but it’s also exciting because of the environmental and other positive effects a mostly vegan, gluten-free lifestyle can have. Here are some fun resources I’ve found on my journey:
My next indulgence will be a (decaf) Maple Latte and some toffee from Espresso Bueno, but I’m not in a rush. I actually need to make breakfast now: a tofu scramble with lots of veggies and spices!
Sixteen days down on the Quantum Wellness Cleanse! I’ve lost a total of 4 lbs and about 1 inch around the waist, 1.5 inches around my thighs and 1 inch around my upper arms.
Week 2 was more difficult than Week 1. Returning to work after vacation, I found that we have new chefs – actually, new bakers – at the College cafeteria! I’ve resisted the cinnamon rolls and homemade bread, but it was an epic battle.
Many of us are returning to work today or tomorrow after some vacation time. We’re probably also facing a horrendous number of e-mails, voicemails and a stack of work to start right away, despite still having “vacation brain.”
Simultaneously, you may ask if the vacation was really worth it. But not me. The vacation is always worth it. Let me tell you why and it might help your Monday go a bit smoother.
Week One of this Quantum Wellness Cleanse is behind me. I spent about the same amount of money on groceries that I would have for junk food or restaurant dinners, so the fact that I’m 3 pounds lighter and feeling pretty darn good is rewarding.
To recap:
I’m working off of Kathy Freston’s 21-Day Quantum Wellness Cleanse.
I’ve eliminated the Big Five from my diet: sugar, caffeine, alcohol, animal products (meat & dairy) and gluten.
On Days 1-3, I had a growing headache and was very, very tired from the caffeine and sugar withdrawal.