The Cleanse

Sweet, but unaffiliated, picture of uncle and nephew. 

The cleanse is going extremely well.  I find that I am one of those people who have do things all or none.  If I leave myself even a little bit of leeway, I'm opening the crack in the dam for poor lifestyle habits to come flooding back in.

There are only a couple of things I struggle with, which are not so much struggles as lack of vigilance on my part: getting 8 full glasses of water a day and balancing my diet to get enough nutrients (I might add a multi-vitamin, which I probably should be taking regularly anyway).

I make a nutritious homemade dressing and marinade that is a recipe of my adopted godmother's.

Miss Cathy's Angel Garden Salad Dressing

• 1 cup cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup Bragg's Liquid Aminos
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 tsp Italian herbs
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic

That's it!  So easy and addictively delicious.  Can be used as a marinade, as dip, on sandwiches, and of course on salad.  I like to make extra and give it away in mason jars for friends--a thoughtful and easy I-was-just-thinking-of-you gift.  Screw on the lid and shake up the dressing before serving because the ingredients separate naturally.  Store in the refrigerator to be safe.

Meanwhile, I already feel less sluggish, more energized, and mentally lighter.  The cleanse has found its way from my body into my space, and I've suddenly discovered motivation to clean my home from the inside out.  This is good.  Very, very good.