The Green Life

Green juice and tulips.

If someone would have told me a year ago that I would have been drinking and (gasp!) enjoying green smoothies, juices and the green life, I would have told them: “shut the front door!”. That is a PG version of what I would have said! Having struggled almost my entire life with weight issues and emotional eating, the Almi of the past would have been extremely surprised (and proud!) by this Almi of the future. However, today I woke up feeling a bit low energy because my body is going through a regeneration process, so I decided to share this story with you, the world.

This week I started another chapter of my adventure into healthy eating and self-discovery. Months ago, in January, almost by serendipity I discovered a program called Lean+Green given by the awesome health coach Sherrie Castellano. The program consist of a 21 days of healthy, wholesome and clean eating. So, at the moment I was ready to take my newly found vegetarianism to the next level; I contacted her and immediately signed myself up for the program. Although I thought I was ready enough, it was still a challenge, specially with giving up my cheese for 21 DAYS. I went through the typical ups and downs that are normal when you go through a regeneration process, which in my case included: cravings for carb-filled sugary stuff and of course cheese. I found myself one day opening the fridge and discovering in its very back a pot of smeerkaas (a Dutch version of a cheez whiz but more natural and without the nasty stuff!). Up until that moment I was on track, feeling on top of the world with my process, then like a monster creeping from the dark the CHEESE…My mind was filled with confusing info: “EAT THE CHEESE WOMAN!”, “girlfriend, if you even taste that cheese your are doomed!.” So, I would love to tell you that what happened next was a story of triumph, the underdog winning, but alas that did not happen because we are all human and we can and will fail at times. I took the pot, and ate it (almost entirely!) like a maniac. Yep, there you go! My dirty little secret. Or is it? At the moment I felt a mix of defeat and acceptance, I moved on from the experience and instead of using that moment of weakness to sabotage the rest of my process I stuck with it. So, I finished the 21 days and I learned a lot about myself and my body in the process.

The second time around was different, I was even more ready to embrace clean living and learning that what fuels my body fuels my life. So, that is where I am today, feeling a bit tired (part of the process) but feeling incredibly grateful for giving myself the opportunity to take this chance and learn even more about myself, about nature and about food. As I write this I have tears in my eyes because I am closer to myself, closer to the source.

Today,  I can tell you that the key to success lies within you, so closer that you think. I can also tell you that I will most probably be enjoying my cheese and my eggs in moderation in the future. That from time to time (specially during my lady days!) I will want to have a decadent chocolate cupcake. And I can also tell you that probably during the remaining days of the 21 day program I will not follow the rule book entirely, and yes…I WILL FAIL. But you know what? I am OK with it. Because the little victories, the failure, the tears and the joy are part of the process towards a greener life. I. AM. READY. All is well in my life!

Now, let me enjoy the last sip of that lovely grasshopper color green juice…