nine day detox - day 7~9

day seven ~
i made crepes today for our 600 cal meal and they were really delicious... making things from scratch is the perfect way to know exactly what is going into your body.  if i take anything away from this experience it will be to be mindful of the food i eat. to eat clean. reduce the amount of processed, artificial and refined food that we as a family consume. we are pretty good at that as it is, but there is a part of our diet that could really do with a bit of a blitz - snacking!
i am loving the shakes as well, we will definitely keep this part of the c9 going... this and the gel.



day eight ~
today i made a big pot of dhal for our evening meal, with a few home made chapatis... these are just wholemeal flour and water {no salt or yeast} and then a small amount of oil to fry... i used coconut oil.
reaching for fruit or a glass of water instead of a chocolate biscuit or packet of crisps has been the most amazing thing for me ~ i am learning that i don't really need the quick sugar fix... that i am eating more out of boredom or habit rather than need. so by swapping the delicious treat for a healthier choice has really reduced my snacking so far...

day nine ~
i made it! i did the full nine days!
we get to have a small lunch today to wean us back into eating three meals! i made vegetable soup and for our evening meal we had lamb chops with spinach and mushrooms.

i, surprisingly, enjoyed the whole process and learning about the foods i eat and the effect it has on my body.
the lack of caffeine has had little or no effect on me at all, it just proves that i don't 'need' it. drinking tea and coffee was just a habit for me and i am sure that i will continue to keep my caffeine intake to a minimum from now on.
i have also noticed that my appetite is much smaller and i actually stop eating when i am full... instead of continuing to pick at food until it is all gone... from mine and my kids plates!

if i keep our portions small i am certain that this habit will continue as well!

and here are my results {apologies for the grumpy face ~ not a fan of showing my tummy far less in front of the camera!}
... a total of 6inches all over and a weight loss of 8lbs ~

all in all, c9 was a complete success for me and one that i highly recommend for anyone with a bit of weight to shift, or bad habits to change.

nine day detox - day 4~6

day four ~
definitely getting better! i don't feel as hungry all the time and i also don't even feel as though i miss tea and coffee... i thought about cheating and just having a wee sneaky decaf when at the soft play with the kids today. when i got to the counter to order, i just didn't feel like a coffee.
the c9 works!
i did a fair amount of walking today with the pram and with the toddler in the sling and i didn't feel too tired or lightheaded despite not eating much... i had my lunchtime shake with me and i just sipped it as i went along.
my 600 cal meal was a big bowl of home made vegetable and lentil soup with some seeded bread and a wee bit of butter... i felt full up really quickly and the soup warmed me up as the weather has been freezing the last few days.

day five ~
i really want to snack.
for my evening meal i had pitta parcels with lettuce, minced beef and mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic and onions... and a cheeky sprinkling of parmesan! it was really tasty!
this evening was tough again as i really felt like i wanted cake and crisps!
i have also noticed that although it is taking me a wee bit longer to fall asleep at night, i am sleeping deeper and better so feel more revitalised in the mornings and the school run is amazing with my shake in hand! i am loving it so far! but i am also really looking forward to eating whatever i want, whenever i want to!

day six ~
not long to go... over half way!
i had lasagna and a big salad for my evening meal and felt really full up even without my usual double helping of garlic bread! 
my stomach feels tighter and flatter, my chins are receding...
but i want to make it known...
i didn't need to loose any weight - i am a healthy 9ish stone so i was really looking for the cleanse aspect of the c9... i want to learn to eat clean... make better snacking choices... and just feel better about myself.
however, loosing the extra baby weight around my middle, that has snuck up on me over the last five years, has been a huge confidence boost.
the clean eating has removed the eternal sluggish feeling i used to have...
i feel energised and healthy and i love it!

ooh aloe

i have posted about living simply and using natural products where possible, i have posted about aloe vera before and about it's many uses but the more i read about it and the more i use it, the more it amazes me!
you don't even need any fancy products off the shelf... you just need the plant! slice the leaves length ways to remove the inner gel.

it has been used as part of beauty regimes for over 6,000 years... cleopatra used it on her skin, the native americans call it the 'wand of heaven' and egyptians, the 'plant of immortality'.

so, i decided to make a list of all it's amazing uses ~

topically for skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, pigmentation, sunburn, dry skin and frostbite.

use the inner sides of the leaf as a biodegradable body scrub in the shower.

aloe gel, when drunk, may serve as a treatment for heartburn, ulcers, digestive discomfort, osteoarthritis, diabetes and treating the effects of radiation therapy. i would recommend this be bought from the shop in the form of an aloe drink.

when drunk it can also reduce cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar levels

it can be warmed in a bowl of hot water, and inhaled as a vapor for treatment of asthma.

makeup remover.

reduces bruising

aloe can even replace your hair conditioner.

prevents itching from bug bites.

aloe is able to kill bacteria as well as speed wound healing.

the clear gel inside the leaf contains over 75 different key nutritional compounds such as mineral, vitamins and amino acids.

it is anti-inflamitory, antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic.

and i use it for almost all of those things in one way or another! i drink it and i use it as a toothpaste, a hand wash, a face cream and an antibacterial hand gel... lip balm, shampoo, conditioner...

visit my forever aloe fb page for more information on the products and where to buy them...