Crap Free Week

on February 5, 2009

Oh, I randomly selected Rose and Lara for the Blogger Interview — check out their blogs for the Q&A!

I have been insanely tired lately. In the morning, I wake up feel groggy, sick, and grumpy, despite my 8 hours of sleep. So, I’ve been inspired by Chandra to do my version of her Crap Free Week.

Basically, Crap Free Week (for me) is going back to basics — clean eating. I’m doing this on a Thursday because I don’t like to start things on a Monday — Monday already gives me the grumps.

So, here are my guidelines for Crap Free Week (which will last through next Friday). I’ve made some executive decisions regarding what is "crap" AKA "overly processed" or not. This is just my opinion of what Crap Free Week should be for me. Also, I’m not cutting out dairy or lean meat.

Enjoy! Chicken, Fish, Eggs, Dairy Oatmeal, Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts, Canned Beans, PB, Quinoa, Rice, Lentils, EVOO, dried fruit, and similar
Avoid! Protein powder, bread, artificial sweeteners, deli meat, bars, cereals, maple syrup, ALCOHOL, butter, packaged pancake batter, granola, extra salt, canned soups, anything else processed, salted, or caffeinated.
Exceptions… I can’t cut out caffeine right away. I will switch to tea for the first 3 days and then go cold turkey. Also, I have my dad’s birthday and Meghann’s birthday on Sunday and I’ll be eating both meals out. I’ll just have to choose meals that I think are in line with the guidelines.

Let’s hope I don’t go ballistic without extra sugar, coffee, and booze. 🙂

Breakfast #1 of Crap Free Week

I was pleasantly surprised that it was very easy for me to make a Crap Free Breakfast.

I had banana oatmeal with pecans.

My oatmeal contained:

1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1 sliced banana
Toppings: 10 raw pecans

And instead of coffee, I had Twining’s English Breakfast Tea.

Time for work! I’ve got a LOT TO DO today!

Kaneil from Balance is Best is going to join me on her own version of Crap Free Week, so check out her blog for another way to do it!

{ 39 comments }

Erin February 5, 2009, 6:07 am
Good luck with your challenge! Sounds like a great idea!
Olga February 5, 2009, 6:09 am
I’m definitely going to need to do this after my 21st bday celebration this weekend…Can’t wait to see your progress!
Mica February 5, 2009, 6:18 am
Crap-free week sounds totally challenging, awesome, and beneficial. I might just have to do my own version. 🙂

Good luck!
bb February 5, 2009, 6:21 am
Good luck with living crap-free! As I read through the “avoid” list I thought to myself, “Mmmmm…all of those things are delicious.” My self-control is not yet ready for a crap-free week 🙂
VeggieGirl February 5, 2009, 6:21 am
Good luck with work today AND with your challenge!!! 🙂
livelaughlyss February 5, 2009, 6:24 am
No bread?! GAH! Good luck!
dailygoods February 5, 2009, 6:28 am
can’t wait to hear how your week goes! i definitely think im due for a CFW when i get back from NC! thanks for more inspiration 🙂 i’ll definitely take lots of pics of the botanical gardens, hope you enjoy them! 🙂
jenngirl February 5, 2009, 6:31 am
Good luck this week!! I’m sure you’ll do great, you eat so healthfully anyways 🙂
ksgoodeats February 5, 2009, 6:32 am
Good luck!! You can do it 🙂
Erica February 5, 2009, 6:48 am
Nice! Good luck with crap free week! I’m sure you will do awesome. Cutting out caffine is sooo tough. Breakfast looks very yum
Running Through Life February 5, 2009, 6:58 am
Good luck with challenge, it sounds tough. I can’t wait to read about the results and see if you think it helps.
imadedinner February 5, 2009, 7:20 am
Good luck with your challenge!!! Sounds like a great one!
jane February 5, 2009, 7:31 am
i LOVE raw pecans- they are one of nature’s desserts 🙂 Try them with raisins for a really delicious treat!

Just out of curiosity, why are you avoiding bread and maple syrup?
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point February 5, 2009, 7:34 am
jane – not that i would avoid maple syrup or bread normally, but for CPW, i’m avoiding them because maple syrup is unnecessary sugar in my diet and bread (store-bought) contains a lot of preservatives and chemicals. if i made it from scratch, i would eat it. i’m just going to try to avoid processed foods.
Sarah (lovINmytummy) February 5, 2009, 7:43 am
Good luck with the crap free week. I think I need a “crap TV free week.” This reality TV garbage is keeping me up too late with my boyfriend, “DVR.”
balanceisbest February 5, 2009, 7:47 am
Yay for CFW! I will have to use the whole, “I’m a food critic” excuse when whipping out my camera in public to take pics of my food. Sounds good to me! 🙂

I need to think about my CFW and will start tomorrow. Yay for the buddy system!

Good luck without coffee today – you can do it! 🙂

Kaneil, balanceisbest
brandi February 5, 2009, 7:58 am
good luck this week!

I did this with coffee a few months ago, but having tea instead wasn’t much different!
just me February 5, 2009, 8:00 am
i totally need to do crap free week…but those damn snail kites make it sooooo hard. bah.
HangryPants February 5, 2009, 8:18 am
Good luck! It’s definitely something I try to do when I reset my body!
Sara February 5, 2009, 8:37 am
Great guidlines for a crap free week!
Meg February 5, 2009, 8:40 am
Good luck with your FREE week! I will join you on a smaller scale…I am giving up sugar free gum!
Lara February 5, 2009, 9:02 am
Thanks again, Caitlin! I’ll have my answers up for today’s post 🙂
Your challenge is very admirable, I know you can do it. Best of luck!
Bec February 5, 2009, 9:12 am
Good luck on your challenge! Its such a good idea though I don’t know if I could go with out the bars but I should try it!
Hallie February 5, 2009, 9:16 am
I’m on day three of my Crap Free Week. It’s not as hard as I thought it would be, but I don’t know if I feel “clensed” yet. I’ve also been drinking “peach detox” tea (Yogi Tea brand) but that’s probably just hype. I guess I’ll figure it all out over the next few days!

I’m looking forward to reading about your meals/snacks for inspiration to finish this thing strong.
chandra February 5, 2009, 9:28 am
Nice plan! It sounds pretty much like how I’ve been eating since my CFW ended! 🙂

Just a small note after reading Hallie’s comment – I never really felt “cleansed” after my crap free week, but I did feel healthier and more energetic – AND my “crap” cravings are pretty much gone, which was my main goal. 🙂

Good luck!!
Carolina John February 5, 2009, 9:37 am
Cool idea! i love it. But i’m sure you can find breads that are whole grain without bleached flour. plus there’s nothing processed about black coffee. it’s just roasted beans in water.
Fast Food Detox February 5, 2009, 9:59 am
I quit drinking back on January 1, and I love it. Think about doing it long term — cuts out calories and you never have a hang over.
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point February 5, 2009, 10:02 am
FFD – as a huge wino, i must say i will never stop drinking a glass or two of wine 🙂 but you’re right, i wont be missing the hangovers!!
Leading Lady Lis February 5, 2009, 10:09 am
Getting back to basics= great! Sometimes that’s the best way to really figure out where you are in your eating, I think.
I just found your blog through KathEats comments and I really like it! Beautiful profile picture!

My husband and I have made a goal not to eat anything that comes in a Styrofoam container anymore. Those things are brutal for the environment and they are invariably filled with crap it seems. Good luck with your crap-free week!

Love,
Lis
Kimberly February 5, 2009, 10:24 am
Before you write off coffee just yet, did you see that article in the NYT? In a 21-year study, “after controlling for numerous socioeconomic and health factors, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure, the scientists found that the subjects who had reported drinking three to five cups of coffee daily were 65 percent less likely to have developed dementia, compared with those who drank two cups or less.”

Woohoo! Justification for continuing to down my morning pot 😉
Balance, Joy and Delicias! February 5, 2009, 10:44 am
love the idea of Crap free weak!!!
Rose February 5, 2009, 10:49 am
SO excited to be chosen. These “viral interviews” are a great idea 🙂
elise February 5, 2009, 11:05 am
good luck with crap free week. i neeeed coffee, but otherwise that sounds like a great challenge 🙂
Leila February 5, 2009, 12:01 pm
Hey, just wondering why you’re avoiding bread and maple syrup as your crap free week. If the bread is not processed and the maple syrup real, it would follow the back to basics right? Just interested how you decided those two in particular. thanks!
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point February 5, 2009, 12:03 pm
leila: not that i would avoid maple syrup or bread normally, but for CPW, i’m avoiding them because maple syrup is unnecessary sugar in my diet and bread (store-bought) contains a lot of preservatives and chemicals. if i made it from scratch, i would eat it. i’m just going to try to avoid processed foods.
RhodeyGirl/Sabrina February 5, 2009, 12:43 pm
I’m kind of doing crap free QUARTER ha. I feel the need to majorly detox my body but also wanted to push past the plateau so I feel great for the honeymoon. I have been focusing on eating the South beach diet way and after 6 days I already feel renewed. It is amazing.

But- I am going to try and do it their way and ease into each phase until I have made new habits! So exciting!

Oh, and I am making a treat day once a week since it seems I have random things I want to do.. i.e. valentine’s day froyo, drinks and snacks when we go skiing in 2 weeks, and cake tasting in march MMMMmm
BOBBI McCORMICK February 5, 2009, 3:27 pm
love the idea, I usually do this after vacation! lol
chasedaylight.com February 5, 2009, 6:28 pm
what a great idea! you’re going to feel so awesome when the week is over!
Lesley @ Alive and Thrive February 5, 2009, 8:36 pm
I love this idea! Can I join in? I just had knee surgery last week and since i can’t workout right now, I definitely need to some motivation to clean up my eating!

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