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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / FRESH START

FRESH START

January 17, 2019

Detox Carrot Ginger Turmeric Soup

It’s a new year and with it the chance for a clean slate after the overindulgence and willy-nilly eating over the holidays. Will my attempts at cleaner, more conscious eating mean I break up some bad patterns or will it all end up in a Fritos and Zinfandel blowout on the couch?

We’ll soon find out.

It’s such a cliche this New Year resolution thing (I don’t go for that) but too much of everything during the holidays (except sleep) does beg for a re-set, and this upcoming week I will be trying out a Detox plan set up by my friend, nutritionist/wellness guru/life coach Abby Bliss White  (you can check out her website blissholitstichealth.com here).

I’ve known Abby casually for years, and followed her on Instagram as she’s taken legions of her fans and followers on a detox/wellness reset, and the raves have been unanimous. This upcoming one was the first time that the timing worked well for me, so I signed up.

Here’s the deal: for one week you eat a diet devoid of most dairy, processed food, grains, gluten, soy and alcohol, and then in the second week you slowly and methodically introduce foods back in to see how your body reacts. Does bread make you bloat? Is soy giving you headaches? Could it be that dairy is not the bestie you thought it was?

(I’m praying that my delicious trinity of bread, cheese and red wine aren’t culprits because I love them truly, madly, deeply).

Artisan Bread and Portland Creamery

Abby is a wonderful motivator, and she provides lots of recipes and meal plan ideas if you want them. I’m not sure how closely I’m going to roll with the set plan but no worry. I know that there are loads of approved foods I like to enjoy and there really couldn’t be a better motivator than Abby — she is genuinely excited for her clients to find their best self and health.

(But no Toffifays? Or buttered toast? Bourbon cocktails? Sushiritos? Pray for me.)

Sushr-rito Wasabi Sushi PDX

Knowing what’s ahead for me starting in a few days, I’ve been sharing and enjoying all my favorite foods these past two weeks.

Oliver’s Constitution Team has been winning competitions so next up is the state championship. He’s also captain of his Mock Trial group. What that means for the rest of us is we are often hosting large groups at my house for meetings (between 8 and 25 at a time) and I’ve found that charcuterie boards are the perfect thing for them to nibble on during their hours-long meetings.

Cheese Board

These platters can sit out for hours and everyone finds something on it that satisfies a craving, be it for protein (multiple cheeses and meats), fruit (both fresh and dried, including apricots, tart cherries and figs) or for crunch/carbs (homemade focaccia, multiple crackers, baguette).

I’ve made seven of these cheese boards in the last two weeks (not just for Oliver’s groups but for a neighbor and teacher, too in portable boxes)

Cheese Plate to Go for Airplane

and I can say that the greater the variety, the more intriguing it will be. Why put one kind of cracker on your platter when you can put in four or five?

Cheese Board Platter

Also put like near like. See that hazelnut-topped bubbly Brie above? It’s perfect with those baguette croutons next to it and either the sliced Granny apples or jumbo Italian olives alongside would be a great palate cleanser afterwards.

I have to admit charcuterie boards with lots of fresh fruit are also great when you don’t feel like cooking (and the perfect meal when watching a movie).

Picnic Board

What else have I been snacking on?

Egg Avocado Toast

Bread– and lots of it.

Ken's Artisan Country Loaf

I picked up this Country Loaf at Ken’s Artisan Bread and I’ve been snacking on it all week.

Ken's Artisan Country Bread Loaf

This loaf is the closest I’ve found to a French levain in Portland and its tangy, yeasty fragrance and incredible crumb makes everything taste better, be it an egg tartine,

Avocado Egg Toast on Ken's

sliced thick and served warm alongside soup or just topped simply with some goat cheese and Marcona almonds.

toast with humboldt fog

What else will I miss in the weeks ahead (and hence can justify indulging in now)?

The occasional sweet treat, like a Burgerville Chocolate Hazelnut Milkshake.

Chocolate Hazelnut Milkshake Burgerville

For those not familiar, Burgerville is a local chain that does a lot of things well, but their seasonal milkshakes might be my favorite thing there.

This chocolate hazelnut shake takes freshly roasted Oregon nuts and blends them with vanilla ice cream and chocolate and then BV tops these concoctions with real whipped cream and grated nuts atop.

Chocolate Hazelnut Milkshake Burgerville

There’s also been a fair amount of baking around here.

Mmm, brown butter chocolate chip cookies.

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie

Do you know the kind of hero you are when you sneak this box of them into a three hour long Constitution Competition and share them roundly with everyone nearby?

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookis

And I’ve managed to share a last few treats out on the town before things get buttoned up here.

Poke Mon is one of my favorite places in town because they make Ahi tuna bowls that rock my world.

PDX Portland Ahi Tuna Bowl Poke Mon

I went there yesterday and I’ve been thinking of little else ever since.

Poke Mon Bowl Ahi Tuna

Okay, off to do another big grocery shop for the big week ahead. Spinach. Frozen berries. Kombucha. Salmon. Protein powder. Almond milk. Avocados. Cucumbers. Lemons. Tea. Blood oranges. Snickers. (gotcha!)

So for the next little bit here, expect less of foods like these Alfajores I made again recently

Alfajores Dulce de Leche Cookies

and more of foods like this Ginger Turmeric Carrot Soup I just made and froze for the weeks ahead.

Detox Carrot Ginger Turmeric Soup

(Advice? I love to hear from you!).

Cheerio, mes amis!

Filed Under: Soups, Uncategorized

« FOOD LOVER’S HOLIDAY
CLEAN EATING: 5 THINGS THAT’VE HELPED ME »

Comments

  1. Larry says

    January 17, 2019 at 9:13 pm

    For me, the “sea food” diet works best. It’s simple, I “see food” I like and I eat it.

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      January 18, 2019 at 4:49 pm

      Sounds like you and I cut from the same cloth, Larry. Bread and cheese and Fritos and red wine and crackers and rice… oh how I love you so! We’ll see how this all works out! Love to Sheila.

      Reply
  2. Lori says

    January 17, 2019 at 9:34 pm

    All I want is a poke bowl now! Can’t wait to hear how the detox works out. If she can modify by allowing wine and bread (and milk and sugar) please alert me!

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      January 18, 2019 at 4:47 pm

      Lori, I know! Red wine, cheese and bread are my three favorite food groups. I’ll keep you posted and I hope to see you next time I’m on the East Coast!

      Reply
  3. Elizabeth Hurlow-Hannah says

    January 17, 2019 at 11:57 pm

    Please please please send me thst Carrot Spup recipe. I bought a Bullit to start making soups!

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      January 18, 2019 at 4:46 pm

      Hey Elizabeth! I heard about your recent troubles. EGAD! I’ll be in touch soon and walk you through the recipe (I improvised that soup). XO

      Reply
  4. polly says

    January 18, 2019 at 3:39 am

    Yumba! Salivating over it all… the charcuterie platters, the cookies, the poke bowl, the soup… Good luck with the detox. I know it doesn’t sound very exciting but the riced cauliflower and broccoli from Trader Joes is a good base when you’re detoxing (and no carbs). You can add a homemade tomato sauce and riced cauliflower can take place of pasta. Just a thought. Good luck!

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      January 18, 2019 at 4:45 pm

      Hey Polly! Thanks for the kind words and the TJ tips. You’re the third person who’s talked to me about that riced cauliflower! Miss you.

      Reply

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