PCC Fall 2010 Detoxification Program
"Survival Tips"

If this is your first time doing a detox, you may expect some of the minor physical discomfort usually associated with one.  Most people, however, don't realize the disruption to their daily routine is often the most-difficult aspect of such a program.  Below are some hints and recipe guidelines to assist you in completing the fast and staying on track until the end.


HINT # 1:  Keep your routines intact!
People expect to completely change their lives during a detox.  It is this behavioral disruption that makes the program more difficult than it needs to be.  If you eat three-four meals per day, don't stop!  Eat exactly when you used to.  If you are used to having a drink around 9:30 p.m. every evening, make it a club soda and cranberry juice with lime but don't stop having your 9:30 drink!  If you NEED your morning coffee, have it!  Just make it a tea or even a decaf coffee.

HINT # 2:  Have plenty of food on hand!
Order groceries in advance.  Do not be caught without food in your abode!  The idea is NOT to stay hungry, but to replace bad calories with healthy ones.  Here is a list of crucial items to have on hand when the snack-attack comes:

• ANTIPASTI!  When in doubt, have a ton of small apps on hand instead of a large-meal mentality!
• Hard-boiled eggs - these take more calories to digest than you gain by eating them!
• Grillen chicken - excellent for stir-frys and salads!
• Green pepper, onions, asparagus, mushrooms, spinach and green beans - throw them together in a saucepan with olive oil and onion powder... kill your cravings!
• NUTS!  Great protein and great snack with your "cocktail hour" soda!
• Olives - wonderful legal snack.  Pickles work as well.
• Tomatoes, avocado and cucumber - wonderful salad fixins.  Try pouring some Braggs on top of a plate of these three with onion powder, salt and pepper... you'll be surprised how fulfilling this snack is!
• Gluten-free pasta!  You can have an Italian dinner that's perfectly legal!
• Wild/long-grain rice - add to your chicken creations.
• Hit up gluten-free websites!  You'll find breads, rice and pastas here!
• Rice crackers with mustard and chicken/turkey lunch meats... good snack.
• Soy milk in the decaf coffee.
• Gormet Garage/Citarella/Fresh Market/Whole Foods - they have great legal antipasti on sale by the pound in their salad bars.  Stock up for a week!
• Quinoa!!!  This gluten-free grain has more protein than any other!  You can get it pre-made at the above stores!
• Sparkling Water - mix juices in this to replace alcohol cravings or cocktails on your nights out!  (Lime juice, natural cranberry or white cranberry juice, orange slices, lemon juice, pear juice, pineapple juice, Pom, etc.)
  
  HINT # 3:  Get rid of the junk.
  Before you start the fast, either consume or toss everything in your pantry, fridge and cabinets that you aren't allowed to eat.
  
  HINT #4:  Don't go cold turkey!
  This is a "phase detox."  That means we slowly get rid of certain foods that hinder detoxification in phases.  Do not try and rid yourself of sugar, alcohol, potatoes, gluten, caffeine, processed foods, white rice, corn and dairy on the same day!  One item per day in ANY order over seven days... that's elimantion week.
   
  HINT #5:  No Soy Sauce
  Soy Sauce has gluten!  That means buy Braggs!  Braggs liquid aminos is better than soy sauce and gluten-free!  Buy this potion of excellence at any Whole Foods, Citarella, Gormet Garage and/or Fresh Market!