Day 4: Brussels Sprouts

Thanks to my neighbors at Green Acres Market, I got a little mid-week help in the greens department. I knew I had a long day ahead of me, the possibility of a mid-week slump in motivation, and poor sprout cooking skills. By talking with the head of the market's deli yesterday I was able to find out her menu for today and stay on course. On top of that, she let me know what she was cooking for the following two days. This further helps my planning so I know there's a backup in case it's needed. Utilizing your local, organic market to assist you a day or two can make all the difference.

A quick update on how I'm doing. The past two days at the office have been completely booked. What's more, is I've been running the front and back due to my secretary being ill. Despite all this I have actually had more energy than in previous weeks. Hunger has yet to be an issue and my cravings have turned to foods not normally associated with cravings: almond butter, lara bar, eggs. I attribute this success so far to the fact that this is a detox and not just your average cleanse. The difference between these will be outlined tomorrow.

Day 3: Peppers

Sauteed Peppers

• Green and red peppers
• Chiles from my garden
• Butter

Nothing special here, just simplicity at its best. If you don't know how to sautee, this isn't the blog where you find out how.

Yesterday's post ended with the question "why". Why go through these 7 days? My answer to this is another question, "why not?". Why not do everything I can to improve my health. For myself, for my wife, for my girls. When it comes to my health, I believe I can't be selfish. I neither want to leave my wife and kids any sooner than I have to nor do I want to burden them hospital visits, unnecessary surgeries, putting me in a home or difficult decisions.

Knowing your family history is crucial, but your genes are not your destiny. Your genes only account for 25% of your health, the rest is up to your environment. So do you bathe your genes in bliss or do you bathe them in blizzards, beer and buffalo wings?

My family tree is gnarled with cancer on one side and cardiovascular issues on both (number 1 and number 2 on the leading causes of death in the US). The leading 4 actual causes of death are tobacco, physical laziness/poor diet, alcohol and microbial agents. All of which relate directly to lifestyle. So the solution became quite clear: eat clean, live clean. Or as my mentor puts it: eat right, sleep right, drink right, think right, move right, talk right, poop right.

Day 2: Zucchini

Zucchini Ribbons

• 3 zucchini
• 2 tbsp organic butter
• 1-2 cloves garlic
• 1-2 tbsp chopped parsley
  
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• sea salt to taste

Cut zucchini into ribbons (a mandoline helps). In large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Toss in zucchini, salt, pepper, parsley and lime juice and cook for 6-10 minutes.

Today's review is not as sunny as yesterday. Today my energy kept on the straight and narrow but it was my cravings that took the scenic route. Steak, no explanation needed. Oklahoma Joe's BBQ, because a patient asked if barbeque sauce was allowed on her diet plan. Pop tarts!? I can't remember the last time I had a pop tart.

Lack of energy is the main reason I decided it was time to detox again. I tried diet and lifestyle changes with no lasting effect. Repeated attempts at exercise only left me more fatigued than when I started. So it was time to go back to basics: all toxins inhibit mitochondria, and all mitochondria produce energy. This is why I chose UltraClear Renew for half of my medical food protocol.

It doesn't matter who you see today, there's a distinct probability that they are estrogen dominant. Whether it's from environmental toxins or self-produced, we all have way too much estrogen. This is where Estrium comes in. For the guys, it's great for leaning up or that B-cup that's sneaking up on you. For women, it's great for everything!

So those are the goals. Get rid of toxins and improve hormone balance. Goals are great, but what is driving me through the process? Why put myself through these 7 days? I'll go into this tomorrow.

Day 1: Cauliflower

Baked Curry Cauliflower

• 4 cups cauliflower florets
• 3 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp tumeric
• Sea salt to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-sized bowl toss the cauliflower with the coconut oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the cauliflower and toss until well coated. Spread cauliflower even in a baking dish and bake 40-45 minutes, stirring half way through.


True cauliflower is not green in color, but it is green in its chemical nature. After 2 and a half heads of organic cauliflower and 5 servings of medical food I couldn't feel better! My energy has been fantastic with no cravings (minus a mistaken glance towards my wife's birthday cake) and no short-fused outbursts. Cravings and hunger were curbed by keeping the palate interested, as with the dish pictured above. Spacing the medical food evenly throughout the day was also a big help.

The two medical foods I am using are:

• UltraClear Renew- Formulated to improve the body's pH levels and clear heavy metals through supporting detox pathways of the kidney and liver.
• Estrium- Designed to improve estrogen clearance.

Why I'm using these two medical foods will be explained tomorrow.

Of Life's Certainties...

...Toxins are one of them. It doesn't matter who you see today, we are all inundated with toxins. Environmental and metabolic, internal and external, male and female. Whether it's the old water bottle you refuse to throw out, the computer you're using to read this blog or the apple you had with lunch, toxins accumulate within us on a daily basis. So the question is not "are you toxic?" but "how toxic are you?".

One could go crazy thinking about all the factors contributing to their toxicity. The mindset that helps me is whether you make them or intake them, get rid of them. The best way I know how to rid the body of toxins is a detox supported by medical food. This week I'll be keeping a journal as I go through the 7 day detox that I recommend to many of my patients.

The plan is simple:

• Eat unlimited amounts of one green, organic veggie per day and change the veggie each day.
• My veggie choices are: green beans, asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts,
  cauliflower, green and red cabbage, kale, lettuce (romaine, red leaf, green leaf, and mustard greens), peppers (red, green, yellow, and hot), spinach, zucchini.
• Take unlimited amounts of medical food. I'll be using UltraClear Renew and Estrium (I'll explain why these products and what they do tomorrow).

My last 7 day detox was back in January and it put me on a great path towards wellness. After being sidetracked by a few of life's stresses, I am ready to get back on track.

If this blog educates you, great. If it inspires you, even better!