Local Bakery Debuting "Surprise" Doughnuts to Honor National Doughnut Day 2017

Alfonso's Pastry Shoppe - Cranford, NJ -

Ever since Adolph Levitt's first fried doughnut was sold out of his bakery in New York City in 1920 - America fell in love and the doughnut industry boomed.  Tomorrow, June 2, just happens to be National Doughnut Day and why not head to your local bakery and indulge in one of those scrumptious baked treats?!  You might see headlines from the large doughnut chains offering deals for free doughnuts if you buy their coffee.  However, we suggest visiting a local favorite - Alfonso's Pastry Shoppe located at 200 South Avenue East, Suite 103 in Cranford, NJ.  This bakery, which opened it's doors over 45 years ago in Staten Island, recently opened a second store in Cranford and they are celebrating the "big day" in style.  The shoppe will have an "abundance" of doughnuts tomorrow - the tried and true customer favorites are the jelly-filled with cinnamon or powered sugar topping, Bavarian cream, and milk chocolate with sprinkles.  The most recent debut is the "Rainbow Cookie Doughnut" (featured above) - which is 3 layers of almond cake doughnut, raspberry jam filling and milk chocolate covering.
If that isn't enough to bring you inside this dazzling bakery - you may also want to line up early to grab their "surprise" doughnuts made just for this "National Day".  After seeing the amazing assortment of desserts lining the shelves - you may want to treat your family to one of each! Happy indulging everyone!

My weekly meal plan Week of 2.3.15

Another long winter week.  The Advocare challenge is over - but not the clean eating!!!!! Here's what I absolutely HAD to try this week because I have heard so many great things about these recipes!!!!
 Crock Pot Barbacoa (paired with a salad with lemon/olive oil dressing)
 http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/barbacoa-recipe/

 

Pork Chops and Brussel Sprouts
 http://damndelicious.net/2015/01/31/easy-pork-chops-with-sweet-and-sour-glaze/

 


http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/tuscan-bean-soup-recipe.html

Minus the large piece of bread!

 Thai Turkey Zucchini Meatballs
http://ifoodreal.com/30-minute-clean-thai-turkey-zucchini-meatballs

My Meal Plan Advocare Week #4

Whoo hoo!!!!  Down to the wire and I've picked the newest recipes that I just HAVE to try!  Of course I am going to continue making a weekly plan and sharing with my FB group - but I have to end the challenge with gusto ;)


Monday: Curried Coconut Quinoa Greens and Roasted Cauliflower


http://cookieandkate.com/2014/curried-coconut-quinoa-greens-roasted-cauliflower/ 

Tuesday: Salsa Verde Soup with Pork
 Had this on the slopes - trying to find the right recipe!!!!
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/slow_cooker_braised_pork_with_salsa.html 

Wednesday: LEFTOVERS!!!

Thursday:  LAST DAY OF CHALLENGE!!!! Taco Lettuce Wraps



http://www.mountainmamacooks.com/2014/01/cilantro-lime-turkey-taco-lettuce-wraps/ 

Friday - Sunday:  Going to Philadelphia for my Aunt's retirement party.  Will definitely enjoy some much needed alcohol - but still 80/20 on the clean!  Don't want to go from feeling great to not-so-great in a few days!!!!  All in moderation my friend ;)

So What Do I Do Now that the Challenge is Almost Over?

Now that you are about to finish the Advocare 24-Day Challenge - I hope that you are hooked as much as I got hooked last year.  I'll admit - I was very skeptical that this whole thing would work.  I tried a lot of different things to lose the baby weight and doubted that this would be the ONE thing that worked.  But it did and it was SO EASY doing it!!!!  I literally saw the slow transformation of my body over the course of the challenge and I felt so GOOD eating clean!  And I have the type of personality where I NEED a schedule to follow or I get wayyyyy off course.  So the rigid schedule of when to eat and what to eat was perfect for me.

They say it takes 21 days to form a new habit or break an old one.  Do you think that clean eating is your new habit?  After I did the challenge last year and learned what I needed to put in my body - I couldn't eat the junk food anymore - no matter how good it tasted.  I couldn't carb-load or gorge myself on dinner rolls.  I knew that I would feel yucky later and that it wasn't providing me anything but instant gratification and I would later regret that decision.  Throughout the course of grocery shopping in that once skipped over "Gluten Free/Health Foods" section  - I found that there are truly yummy alternatives to my salty and sweet cravings.  In fact, TONS of options.  I really learned that eating clean is so easy and I rarely crave the "bad" stuff anymore.  Gluten-free/healthy pasta tastes just as good as the old stuff when you add a yummy tomato sauce and other healthy toppings.  Slow Cooker clean eating meals are a cinch when you make ahead.  Quinoa is pretty amazing and the whole family likes the dishes if you use the right ingredients.  BBQ and vinegar-based cole slaw is very OK!!!

I stuck with the program and continued losing the weight and inches - it worked!!

Once I started feeling more energized and the weight was coming off -  I found it EASIER to exercise and be motivated to exercise. For the first time ever I saw some "tone" and not flabbiness.  I wanted to continue feeling like this.  Do you feel the same???

I mentioned in a post that this is more a "Forever Thing" - and that's why I recommend Advocare to everyone.  Instead of other programs that provide you food and shakes for a period of time and then you are on your own - we have made a support and learning situation.  We have learned how to shop at the store and pick healthy and clean options for meals.  We have learned how to choose healthy snacks.  We have learned what the body needs to feel energized - and how we felt before when we weren't making those choices.

So aren't you ready to CONTINUE with the program?  I knew that I was - I knew I didn't want to go back to old habits and I liked the Advocare schedule.  So I recommend to you to keep up with a modified Max Phase.   I continued to purchase Spark, Catalyst, and the Meal Replacement Shakes (only to use when I knew it would be a hurried morning or crazy lunch hour).  I continued with the eating schedule of 3 healthy meals and 2 clean snacks.  Spark two times a day with catalyst. I went back to my old multi-vitamin - but this time around I think I will give the CORE supplements a chance.  I stuck to the 80/20 rule.  Eating clean during the week and allowing myself some cheats on the weekend.  It was sooo easy to do this and know I would be back on track for Monday. I do a 10-day cleanse during the summer and the 24-Day Challenge in January.  But you can do any of these every 90 days.

So I am not trying to sell you anything at all - just to lead you in the direction that I took if you truly fell in love with Advocare and what they have to offer:

1. Why not become a distributor? If you think you will keep using the products - then why not get a discount?  That is what I did.  I was first motivated by the discount and the fact I was constantly telling people about Advocare and the great things it did for me - but wasn't getting any personal benefit by doing this.  So you can stop right here.  Pay a small fee and get your distributor kit and website.  Get an automatic discount on products.  And whenever someone asks you what you did to look so wonderful - send them to your site and then onto our Facebook Group!!!!  Or....you can go further!  I really found that I like coaching about clean eating and wanted to take people through the 24-Day Challenge.  In less than a month - thanks to you - I became an advisor and now I have a 40% discount for life and can earn an income in FIVE DIFFERENT WAYS!!  So now I can justify my Target spending ;)  So really, it's as much or as little as you want.  NO ONE will pressure you to do more.  I am always here as a reference and now you can bring more people into our group for support and guidance through the challenge.  Having gone through it - you are the PERFECT coach!
For more information on being a distributor - go here https://www.advocare.com/141040723/BecomeMember.aspx

Or stay a customer!  You don't have to be a distributor at all - continue with Advocare products as you choose, do a cleanse here and there - and just order through my website!  I am selling some variety packs of Spark and meal replacements soon! 

So that's it!!!!  As you finish this challenge I hope that you:

1.  Continue eating clean
2.  Stay in touch via our Facebook group
3.  Continue with your favorite Advocare products (they even have a skincare line I hear is fantastic!)
4.  Refer friends and family that you think could benefit from this company
5.  Think about becoming a Distributor and a coach!

Thank you so much for letting me be part of your journey - it's been a lot of fun and I have gotten to know each of you in different ways!  Thank you for trusting in me and my coaching of a product that you were not familiar with in the the beginning! I am so proud of all of you and your commitment.  I can't wait to hear the results and the continued success!  I look forward to you being a part of the team in the future.

My Meal Plan Advocare Week #3

Whoo Hoo!!!  Week 3 and feeling great.  Advocare products keeping me energized on the slopes and I am finding it easy to make clean eating choices ;). halfway now to the end!!!!!



 TUESDAY:  African Peanut Soup

http://ohmyveggies.com/african-peanut-soup/

WEDNESDAY:  Broccoli-Quinoa Casserole

http://potluck.ohmyveggies.com/broccoli-quinoa-casserole/

THURSDAY:  Leftovers ;)

FRIDAY: Hummus Crusted Chicken - (a personal fav)
 
http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/hummus-crusted-chicken/

SATURDAY:
 
http://www.glowkitchen.com/2014/04/mung-bean-pasta-garlic-avocado-cream-sauce/

Mung bean pasta and black bean pasta (as well as any gluten free pasta) is a great substitute for regular pasta.  I find these at our local Kings, Whole Foods, and I think maybe Target??? Goes great with a sauce made from Smart Balance butter, pesto, and sauteed shrimp ;)


SUNDAY:

http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/buffalo-chicken-quinoa-salad/

Advocare Challenge MAX PHASE Days 11-24

 

 Congratulations!!!  You are finished with the Cleanse Phase of Advocare.  Hopefully you are seeing the changes in your body and in your energy levels.  You are now entering the Max Phase of the Challenge.  Please read your manual as the amount of supplementation goes up and please let me know if you have any questions at all about how this new schedule works with your work day.  This is the SET schedule for the next 2 weeks - nothing changes.  So once you get used to it - it should become quite routine!!!! In fact, other than the pills that you take - you might find that you adopt this schedule from here on out!  The information below is right out of a manual - so read up!!! It can be a little tricky...

Advocare 24 Day Challenge Max Phase

The next step in the 24 day challenge is a 14 day MAX phase. The 14 day MAX phase is designed to help fuel your body with core nutrition, increase your energy level, control appetite, and shed unwanted pounds and inches. These 14 days helps to put your metabolism back on the right track and pushes your body into an intense “fat burning” mode.

Instructions:

Ideally you want to continue eating similarly to how you ate for the first 10 days. This may have been difficult for some people but you only have two weeks left so you need to stay strong with your conviction to make yourself a healthier person. Technically you can ease some restriction if you want. If not having coffee is killing you then you can slowly re-introduce small amounts of coffee to your body. If you really want to have an alcoholic drink on the weekend then you can have a little bit. Just be smart about what you ingest. If you drink beer, make it a light or low carb beer. If you drink liquor, don’t mix it with a sugary substance. And make sure you drink your alcoholic beverages in moderation.

Additionally, you can have a small amount of dairy now also if you prefer. The meal replacement has some dairy and you will be having one of those per day now. We do recommend that you slowly reintroduce dairy into your diet. For example, on the first day just have the meal replacement shake. If you get gas or an upset stomach then you might be part of a large group of people who have small allergies to dairy without even knowing it. If this is the case then research it further and talk to your physician.

Supplementation:

 

During the max phase you will change your supplementation up. Each day you will be taking a strip of supplements which will look similar to the image shown to the right. Each packet is clearly labeled about when to take them but you do have the choice on taking some of them at lunch or at breakfast. What doesn’t change is that everyday when you wake up in the morning you should take the packet that says to take 30 minutes before breakfast. Wait the 30 minutes and then eat your breakfast. There are two packets which you can take with breakfast or with lunch. I always take both at breakfast just so I do not forget later. You should probably just split them up the first day and see how you feel. Then take them together the second and see if you notice a difference. The last thing you need to remember is to take the 4th packet 30 minutes before lunch.

To Recap:

1 packet 30 minutes before breakfast
1 packet 30 minutes before lunch
The other two (2) packets with lunch or breakfast.

Meal Replacement Shakes:

In addition to these supplement packs, you will also continue to take your Omega Plex at dinner. The only other difference in the max phase is that you have a meal replacement shake that you can take now also. You can take this as your breakfast - however it is meant to replace ONE meal.  So if you are a breakfast person - then you can have it for lunch.  Just make sure that each day it replaces one meal.  Pretty simple!  And to spice things up - you can now blend it with almond or coconut milk and fresh berries or bananas!!!

For the last 14 days make sure you continue to exercise and eat as clean as possible. By the end of the challenge you should have increased energy levels, a smaller waist line and better athletic performance.

And finally - My FAVORITE FIND FOR THE MAX PHASE!!!  At TARGET in the new year health section/super-sized packaging of items - atthebackofthestore- stuff....$12.99!! It can hold 2 powers and all your pills for the day!

Advocare Cleanse Days 8-10

I really hope that you are starting to see the effects of doing this cleanse.  Hopefully your pants are a little looser, you feel less bloated, you have more energy, sleeping better, and just having an overall sense of being lighter and healthier.  Congratulations!  You are at the end of the Cleanse Phase and soon to embark to the Max Phase!!!!

The only change for the next 3 days is adding back that Fiber Drink AND taking the ProBiotic pills all in the morning schedule.  So get up and have your Spark, ProBiotic and Catalyst (if taking).

Then 30 minutes later do your Fiber Drink followed by Breakfast or MRS

Make sure you are drinking tons and tons of water!!!  Can't wait to get feedback on your results on day #10.  You may share or not share - it's up to you.  Remember that EVERYONE's results are going to be completely different because we are individuals with different makeups and eating habits.  I just hope that you are getting the results that you want.  Some may not see the big picture till further into week #2/#3. 

It's okay!!!  You have made a choice to live a healthier life and eat "clean" and that's a big step!

My Meal Plan Advocare Challenge Week #2

This is going to be a REALLY hard week to stick to the challenge - but I am bound and determined!  We leave Wednesday night for Vermont for our first skiing trip ever with the kiddos.  So starting Thursday I am beholden to the menu items in Killington, VT.  I am bringing the Carb-Ease and hoping for the best ;) I will also be bringing my new found oatmeal and healthy snacks!!!

So here is my meal plan while I am in town:



 


Monday: Balsamic Slow Cooker Chicken (too much food this past week and never made it!)
http://skinnyms.com/slow-cooker-balsamic-chicken/

 

Tuesday: Curry & Coconut Turkey Chili
1 1/2 lb lean ground turkey
1 tbsp olive oil
2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 lb green peas, OR 1 cup shredded carrot
1 large, red onion, chopped
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp curry powder
1 (15 ounce) can light coconut milk

Brown turkey then throw everything into the crockpot all day on low!


 

Wednesday lunch: Healthy Mexican Bowl

http://jennycollier.com/mexican-bowls/#more-14473

Clean Eating Turkey Chili

http://jennycollier.com/clean-crockpot-turkey-chili/

What a great, savory meal that satisfies the spicy cravings!!!

http://jennycollier.com/mexican-bowls/#more-14473

Advocare Cleanse Days 4-7

WHEW - there is a slight change up in your early morning routine - but guess what?!!! - NO FIBER DRINK FOR four days!  Yay!!!!  Replacing the Fiber Drink will be your ProBiotic Restore Ultra pills found in the Cleanse Box.  You will take these with your Spark upon waking.  Then breakfast as usual 30 minutes later and the rest of the day is the same!

How is everything going so far?  Listen to your body and how you are feeling.  Is the challenge schedule working well with your work/lifestyle?  Do you feel good throughout the day?  You should never feel famished, or lightheaded, or anything other than great.  So if you feel like things need to be changed at all - let me know and we can work on it together!!!  EAT - that is the best thing I can tell you.  If you are starving and just couldn't make it to that snack - then eat - even if it's 30 minutes before dinner.  No big deal.  It's more important WHAT you are putting into your body than making sure you are sticking strictly to a schedule.  We can work with that!  Headaches from caffeine or sugar withdrawal?  Drink more water and yes - add another Spark to your day!!

The first few days are the most difficult.  When you get used to the schedule of eating like this - and for only 24 days - it's so much easier.  And YOU GOT HERE and I am so proud of everyone for taking this step!  I hope as the cleanse comes to an end and the next phase starts - that you can really see some differences in how you look and how you feel - and that all of this was WORTH IT and you can't wait to see what you look like on Day 24!!!!

My meal plan week #1 Advocare Challenge

Gotta start out strong and have a plan!  Click on Titles to view recipes!  Would love to know your plans!

Monday:  This is a crazy, busy day with a lot scheduled - slow cooker time!
Slow cooker sweet potato, chili & quinoa soup

Tuesday: More time today to prepare a dinner
Garlic Shrimp with White Beans and Tomatoes

Wednesday: Late dinner so slow cooker again - I can use this for a lot of leftovers and salad this week! Will add some roasted veggies to the mix
Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken

Thursday:  No cooking!  Leftover Rotisserie chicken and maybe some sweet potato soup leftover

Friday: I love this recipe from last challenge - again a slow cooker! Add a little microwavable brown rice to serve
Slow Cooker Balsalmic Chicken

Saturday:  We have a - yikes - party to go to Saturday night - so planning on eating a big salad late afternoon with chicken, black beans, advocado ;)

Sunday:  Time to cook after a run to the store for Week #2!
Crunch Coconut Broccoli Brown Rice Bowls

Are you ALL IN??!!!!!

Ummmm - I love this quote!!! Congratulations to all of my awesome 2015 January 24-Day Challengers - this is my first challenge as a leader and I am ready!!!  Are you ready? Are you ALL IN?

Here's what I told myself last year this time - before I really knew anything about what I was doing with the challenge - "I can do ANYTHING for 24 days!"  And once I started the challenge - I became addicted - I loved it - and I was sad when it was over because I felt so great and I loved the routine and guidance the program gave me.  So I continued with Advocare products - and here I am!

So it's true - 24 days is over so quickly and the most important thing is to FULLY COMMIT to this challenge.  The virtual coach on Advocare and the Daily Guide will be so helpful - you know exactly WHAT to eat WHEN.  It's a no-brainer and that's why I loved this program.  Eat only what you are supposed to, eliminate what is a no-no, exercise if you can - and YOU WILL SEE THE RESULTS!!!!  Don't only do this program 80% of the time - commit yourself 100% to do the program for all of the 24 days. 

So right about now I'd like you to think about your meal plans for next week.  Go to the grocery store this weekend and stock up.  And do the same thing each weekend.  PLAN AHEAD.  Think about what you have coming up that week.  Busy day at work with lots of activities in the evening?  Then make some dinners in the slow cooker, make something ahead and freeze, use those Meal Replacement shakes for breakfast/lunch, and pre-package those snacks so you grab and go in the morning.  I put my berries in little containers, cut up broccoli/cauliflower/snap peas/carrots in to-go cups, etc.

Remember you will be waking up a little earlier to do Spark 30 minutes before your Fiber Drink/breakfast or meal replacement shake

Remember to try to squeeze in a little exercise. That CATALYST that you purchased - it works even more WONDERS if you are exercising.  I mean it - I even got muscles I hadn't seen since high school!

If you weren't a water drinker before - be one NOW.  Body weight in pounds divided by 2 = ounces of water you should be consuming.  Get a fun water cup - I like the Camelbaks I found at Target.  I even put a little Vitamin Water drops in to get a little flavor.

Let SPARK take over your coffee obsession.  I know it's going to be hard to give up that cup of coffee.  But give it 3 days and you will be FINE.  Spark is so good for you and will give you that same energy that you crave in the morning and late afternoon.  Heck - I had 3 a day!!!!  Add an extra if needed (I say it's okay)

TAKE YOUR MEASUREMENTS!!!!  And your picture.  I don't care how silly it seems - but put on a sports bra/tank top and exercise pants - stand in front of that mirror - and take a selfie!!!  Same spot, same outfit on Day #11 and Day #25.  You will be amazed at how different you look throughout the process.  Record the measurement on your Advocare App.

YOU CAN get everything at a regular grocery store! I get that you don't have time to go to Whole Foods, then Trader Joes, then get the rest of the family food at another one.....  Just take some time to get to know those isles that you have never been to before - like the health food/gluten food section.  Everything you need is right in your home-town g-store ;)  The pictures I posted earlier in the blog were just suggestions/ideas.  And I lot of that stuff I found at Target!!!!!

WHEN DO WE START? Depending on when your package was ordered - most will start on Monday the 5th - but it's okay if you don't have your package by Monday.  Wednesday the 7th is the National Challenge and everyone is guaranteed delivery by then.  I will help you either way!

CLEANSE PHASE HERE WE COME!!!!!

DAYS 1-3:  

1) Get up and Spark - seriously use that blender bottle.  Put a little warm water at first to help melt the powder - then add cold water.  Shake and drink!!

2) 30 minutes later - FIBER DRINK (it's in your herbal cleanse pack)(again blender bottle).  AND....CHUG!!!  Seriously chug it.  Don't take time to taste (it's not that bad, just gritty).  I actually kinda like it.  Add 8 more oz of water and drink.  This won't make you run to the bathroom at all.  But it will sustain you throughout the morning and you won't be hungry!
THEN BREAKFAST or MEAL REPLACEMENT SHAKE.  Decide what you want to do.  Not a lot of time in the mornings before you rush out?  Then don't stress about making some healthy breakfast.  Do the meal replacement shake!  Again - blender bottle and go!  (make sure you are ONLY mixing with water)
FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO MAKE BREAKFAST:  Avoid even the good carbs for the first 10 days.  And yes, that means the oatmeal, too.  I would do make-ahead egg muffins (cut up vegetables, pour in egg liquid or 3 eggs and a bowl of fruit. Here is a good article on breakfast during the cleanse.  http://lifeisarun.wordpress.com/2013/09/17/advocare-breakfast/

3) Mid-morning snack!  Score!  I like a hard boiled egg (don't even try to make yourself if you aren't good at it.  After a dozen bad attempts - I just buy in a package.)  and a snack pack of raw almonds.  Or a rice cake and natural peanut butter (get the no-stir kind!!!!!).  Or fruit and some raw almonds....
TAKE THAT CATALYST!!!!

By the way - CATALYST - if you are going to be working out in the mornings and afternoons- let me know and I have a different schedule for that Catalyst for you..... 

4) Lunchtime!!!  Combine a protein, a veggie, and a complex carb.....sooo...that means try to put together a creative salad - kale/spinach/dark leafy greens, some grilled chicken (I get the packaged but fresh kind in the deli that you just heat), add some garbonzo or black beans, some veggies, and a balsalmic vinegar dressing.  But you can still do a meal replacement shake here
Other ideas....
http://lifeisarun.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/advocare-ten-day-cleanse-lunch/

5) 30 minutes before that afternoon snack - ANOTHER SPARK!!!!  And you know you need it!

6) Afternoon snack - again a handful of nuts and fruit, boiled egg, 1 cup whole grain popcorn and apple slices, rice cake and natural PB

7) Dinner - Try to make this homemade and one that the whole family will like.  On my blog, Pinterest page, and our own group FB page, I tried to leave a bunch of Advocare friendly recipes.  Get creative, have fun - clean eating is delicious!!!!! Advocare has a cookbook and this is their Tumblr page http://webuildchampions.tumblr.com/tagged/recipe

8)Bedtime snack + herbal cleanse caplets + Catalyst   (I was always in the mood for a little bit of salt this time of day - so I did 1 cup of the Chicka Boom Popcorn - the yellow bag - plus 1 apple.  If you don't feel like you need a snack - then by all means skip it!!!!

So day 4 starts a slightly different schedule so I will post later this week.

ASK ME QUESTIONS NOW!!! Whatever you are wondering is okay, not okay, - what will work with your own schedule, etc.  Please ask!  Use our Facebook page or private message me!

I can't wait to do this with you - Andrea

My favorite "Go-to" for great "Advocare challenge" friendly recipes

http://jennycollier.com/100-advocare-recipes/#more-12237

A huge thank you to Jenny Collier and her amazing blog.  It is always my favorite source for great recipes that the whole family will like. When mama is on a challenge - so is the whole family!  And it's a win-win all around!

Preparing for the 24-Day Challenge

So let's get started now.  Since the challenge begins right after the holidays - I wanted you to have this to look over when you get a chance - so you can have everything ready to go on January 5th!

Planning is EVERYTHING with this challenge.  Work, kids, life - it gets in the way.  And if you aren't prepared with healthy snacks and meal plans - then you may not have time to make that healthy choice.  On January 1 - go through your fridge and cabinets - get rid of all the Holiday junk food and anything that might be a temptation.  On days 2-3 before the challenge - go to the grocery store and stock up.  Get familiar with the Advocare 24-Day Challenge cookbook, Pinterest Clean-eating recipes/snacks, and the Advo Challengers Facebook pages.  Become familiar with what is Clean Eating, what healthy combinations you will need with each snack/meal, and what your schedule will be throughout the Cleanse Days 1-10. 

Tools:

From www.chooseyourchallenge.com

• 24-Day Challenge Cookbook - a great starting point to get recipes and learn what ingredients to use and foods to eat.  
• Grocery List - this is a great listing of safe foods to eat during the challenge
• Trim Timeline, Tips & Measurements - This is a good sheet to use to guide you through the challenge as well as a place to jot down your starting measurements and weight. 

 From Advocare's Challenge Site

• Advocare Assessment Form - This is similar to the form mentioned above as it allows you to log your measurements and weight and it is from Advocare's official site. 

I started by sitting down with the challenge cookbook and other clean eating recipes and marking all the recipes that sounded like something we would actually enjoy.  Once that was done, I began writing out the week's foods for breakfast, snacks, lunch and dinner. 

Next, I went through my meal plan and the recipes to create my grocery list and went shopping.  Now we have all the food for the week (I did have to go back halfway through the week to get more fruit).

Tips:

• Get up early enough to not only make breakfast, but to have your Spark and fiber drink without feeling rushed.  Make this an excuse to create a new morning routine for yourself that you can enjoy- to read the paper, do your devotionals, etc.   

What is clean eating?  Read this http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/what-is-clean-eating/ 
I feel like this is the more thorough website explaining the concept of clean eating.  Basically, it is eating food in it's natural state and trying to eliminate processed foods in your diet.  The web has a lot of other articles if you should decide to google search.

Gluten-free and Dairy-free: I personally decided to take the challenge a step further and eliminated gluten and dairy products (except for 0% greek yogurt and low fat sour cream that I added into some recipes).  There are so many great choices out there for gluten free snacks that I had no problem doing this.  I also switched to Almond Milk and soy cheese and found them quite tasty.

Clean Eating Recipes on the Web -

• My Pinterest Board (most of these are challenge-friendly) https://www.pinterest.com/acyurcisin/clean-eatingcleanse/
• My other Pinterest Board: https://www.pinterest.com/acyurcisin/clean-eatingcleansing-diets/
• Oh My Veggies blog
• Eat Yourself Skinny Clean Recipes: http://www.eat-yourself-skinny.com/category/recipe-box/clean-recipes
• My Clean Kitchen: http://www.mycleankitchen.com/
• Gimme Some Oven (you can look at recipes by Gluten Free, Vegetarian, etc.: http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/recipe-index/
• Facebook Following:  I LOVE "Oh My Veggies", "Jenny Collier Blog", and "2014 Advo 24 Day Challenger" - awesome, awesome support and recipes
• Pinterest**** Search Advocare Cleanse Recipes and you will get a ton of ideas!!!!!!

What to Buy?
Again, go to www.chooseyourchallenge.com  for the grocery list.  My favorite items to have on hand:

• Tuna
• Fresh chicken or even Trader Joes cooked chicken strips to throw in dishes
• Ground turkey
• Salmon
• Raw Almonds (no added salt or spices)
• Trail mix (nuts and berries only)
• Eggs - egg whites, hard boiled are great for a go-to morning or afternoon snack
• Spinach, kale
• Advocados
• Quinoa!!!!!  (such a great staple - can make anything from this)
• Sweet potatoes
• Carrots
• Hummus
• Salsa
• Natural no-stir peanut butter/almond butter
• Steel-cut Oatmeal
• Lots of fresh berries
• Brown rice cakes (a yummy snack with natural peanut butter and apple slices)
• Apples!!!!
• Beans
• Mung bean noodles (get at Kings or Whole Foods), Black Bean noodles
• Brown Rice
• Salad Dressings... any homemade dressing with lemon/balsalmic/olive oil is great.  I also bought the Hummus dressing at Trader Joes and used that sparingly
• Earth Balance buttery spread
• Vegetable broth/chicken broth

My personal favorites

One cup plus apple slices is a great snack

the ONLY bread allowed on the challenge for the 2nd phase - great with advocado or natural PB/AB

My absolute Go-To for sauce during the challenge.  Natural and delicious

I will also be posting recipes through the challenge and please share yours as well!!!!

Alcohol?????  So - you are really supposed to eliminate all Alcohol during the challenge.  And we are doing the challenge after the New Years - so hopefully we can go 24 days without needing it.....but with that being said....sometimes you just NEED IT!!!!  So I recommend a nice white wine, prosecco, a hard cider (naturally GF), or a Gluten-Free Beer

Caffeine?  Yes - you CAN do without the morning coffee because SPARK is awesome and it really does the job with the mental focus and alertness.  I found I had a slight headache the first 2 days of the challenge last year - but remedied quickly by an Advil.  Then I was fine without my coffee the whole 24 days and beyond! 

Going Out to Eat:  It is totally do-able.  Just remember the goal is food in it's natural state and eliminating processed foods, heavy sauces/dressings, etc. And watch out for the carbs.  I tried to find fresh fish and vegetable dishes (asked them to hold the butter).  Dressings on the side.  Believe it or not - any BBQ chicken is Gluten Free and completely ok on top of a bed of greens.  Any roasted chicken dish.  Even bars now have Gluten Free (GF) options.  My best tip is asking the chef to prepare a vegetarian meal when going to a nice restaurant. 

Ok - I think that is all I can think of for now.... Next post is Step-By-Step Instructions for the Advocare Cleanse Days 1-10