The Cleanse is Over!

I ended my cleanse last Friday, two days earlier than planned. I was on my way to Rivers, a bar along the Chicago River in the Loop, and as I rode in the taxi down LSD with the window rolled down and the sun shining, I knew it was time for a beer. The Blue Moon I drank as I sat outside with my friend went straight to my head, and it felt good. I ordered the chicken quesadillas with cheese and sour cream, wondering how my body was going to react to dairy. My stomach welcomed the toxin like a long lost friend.

I was a little disappointed that I didn’t feel any of the changes that others experienced during the same cleanse. No surge of energy. No glowing skin. My sinuses didn’t clear up. I believe it means my body wasn’t too out of balance pre-cleanse. I did lose seven pounds and some inches, though. This bod’s ready for Miami Beach.

On Easter I enjoyed a chocolate cupcake and a soy latte from Starbucks. I indulged in my mother’s homemade pasta with meat sauce, crusty French bread and fine wine. Today I ate blueberry pancakes and more homemade pasta and buttered toast.

But just because the cleanse is over doesn’t mean I’m going back to all my old eating habits. I’ve switched to almond milk for my decaf coffee and whole grain cereals, bought two pounds of brown rice instead of white pasta, and the juicer still sits on my counter ready to be used. I still have a drawer full of veggies and a freezer full of fish. I’m going to limit the amount of bread I eat and continue making homemade pesto and salad dressing.

That’ll make up for the pizza and alcohol I’m keeping in my diet.