The Cleanse That Isn't. Or, At Least Not to Me.

Lauren here.  I am the designated food writer on Amalgamated Me but today, we're going to talk not so much about a recipe, but more a series of them. What some would call a "menu" or "meal plan."

Cookies and Chex Mix made up the majority of my daily intake over the holidays and I decided it's time to ingest some actual nutrients.  Every year in their January issue, Bon Appetite publishes a Food-Lover's Cleanse.  I love food.  I would like to cleanse. Sold!  Well, I am a little fast and loose with the cleanse part.  Like no caffeine?  Yea, I'll pass.  No alcohol?  No thanks. Eat everything they call for?  Probably not. So, I'll call it my food-loving meal plan.

The beauty of it is that they construct an entire day's worth of nutrients, textures, flavors that work together to provide a satisfying, healthy experience...with snacks and dessert!  So, quick run down and the highs and lows of my consumption.

Day 1

• Cod.  Not worth the effort.
• Red Quinoa with Pistachios. Excellent, but would skip the mint.
• Salted Seedy Chocolate Bark. A must, if you have the self control to not devour all it in two minutes.  As a salt lover, I would sprinkle salt on top rather than mix it in with nuts.  . 

Day 2

• Muesli. Amazing breakfast I never would have made before.  Thought it was its own grain.  Turns out it's oatmeal, mixed with yogurt, frozen and fresh fruit mixed and let to sit overnight. I think this would be great for a group breakfast.  Break free from egg-pression!
• Pear with Goat Cheese.  I didn't eat it, but my partner-in-cleanse, Elizabeth, said it was fantastic.
• Bulgar.  Unanimously delicious. Complemented the butternut squash (which was okay but I wouldn't make again).

Day 3

• Yogurt Chicken.  Best thing I have made in this cleanse so far.  Five stars.  Two thumbs up. Elizabeth agrees. The chutney is amazing and the whole process is easy and quick.
• Black Rice. Something different I hadn't made before and it was good.
• Carrots. Pretty good (Elizabeth loved).  I used left over nuts from the salted nut bark.

Day 4

• Celery with Almond Butter and Paprika.  Holy paprika, Batman.  This is amazing.  The best simple thing you've never had.  I used peanut butter (again, not very cleansing of me) and I raved about this for a good ten minutes at happy hour Friday night.

Day 5

• Omelet.  Great.  I did a scramble since I don't know how to make an omelet.
• White Ban Chili. Terrible.  Just terrible.  I even tried using chicken stock over the water (who bases a soup with water?) and it was still just bad.

 And that's about where I am at.  Also, in doing this, you'll have plenty of food.  Five days' worth of these recipes has lasted me about two weeks in leftovers. After I play with this some more I'll write a second (and perhaps third entry, at the pace I am going).  I'll close out with this tip: if you are in Chicago, go to Stanley's for your produce.  It's cheap, varied and awesome.  Just cook with it quickly - the fruits and veggies tend to turn pretty quickly.

Until next time!