28 day challenge

Ok so let me start with a little bit about myself. I'm currently 26. Ive been married for almost 2 years and I work at a local manufacturing plant. I don't like a lot of physical activity. I like to say that I'm allergic to the outdoors. I cant be outside in this Oklahoma heat too long or I get a migraine so I usually just spend my time on the couch catching up on my dvr and knitting, relaxing with my dog. I'm lazy. There I said it. I have high blood pressure. And my cholesterol is not great. I'm unhealthy. So when my mom mentioned this new plant strong diet called the Engine 2 diet and that the guy writing the book was coming to Duncan I figured what the heck. Might as well go with the rest of this small town.
A little over a month ago I went to this seminar by Rip Esselstyn the writer of the Engine 2 diet and the son of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, that wrote Forks Over Knives. We watched an hour long movie called Forks Over Knives (that you can rent at your local Hastings or on netflix) and then he did a little question and answer session. I figured I might as well try it. I mean how hard could it be to go without dairy, meat, oils and sugar? I should have started this blog May 1st when I started the 28 day challenge but I didn't so I'm going to catch you up and hope that my journey through this plant based lifestyle might help you out!

Week 1 NO DAIRY.I have to be honest, I love cheese. LOVE CHEESE. Take me to a Mexican restaurant and I will eat all of the queso. So when this was week one I thought I was done for. No sour cream? No ranch dressing? Are you kidding me? I survived and it was a lot easier than I thought it was! Since you can't have milk, I bought almond milk by silk, and eat cereal almost every morning. I will include recipes later. Lost 9 pounds the first week! Ok I'm liking these results.

Week 2 NO MEAT. Ok what's left to eat? If my husband wants to go out to eat what am I supposed to eat? We love Mexican food. I have found that Mexican food is the easiest place to eat. I always order veggie fajitas with corn tortillas or just rice and beans with corn tortillas and I can have all the salsa I want. Thank goodness! That is definitely a staple food in my diet. Its good on salad as dressing or on baked potatoes. So by this point I'm eating salad. Baked potatoes. Chips and salsa. Boca burger's by Morning star which are amazing. And lots of hummus. Lost 17 by the end of this week!I'm amazed!

Week 3 NO OILS. No olive oil, no vegetable oil, no canola oil. Now tortilla chips go out. Now what? I made a trip to whole foods and found some blue corn tortilla chips that have sunflower oil which is a touch healthier than other oils. Score! Plus you can make your own just by cutting corn tortillas in wedges and baking them in the oven. I also just bought this new kitchen gadget tonight that will make chips in the microwave in 5 minutes. More on that and other great gadgets later. Down 20 pounds in 20 days! Woohoo!

Week 4 NO SUGARS. No cokes! Omg! Ok I knew this was coming so I had already cut down from 2 or more 44 ounce pepsis a day to 1 44 ounce pepsi and drinking more water. Shockingly enough no headaches! And I really don't crave them anymore and now water actually tastes good!

After competing the 28 day challenge and losing 23 pounds, I feel great! Im down a notch in my belt. My tshirts fit better. I dont get out of breath walking to the car after work. I am going to continue this plant based lifestyle and cant wait to get down to my goal weight. I have a long way to go but with the support of my husband, family and friends I know I can do this and I hope you know you can do it too! I'm here to share amazing recipes, fun kitchen gadgets and great food that you can find at your local walmart or grocery store.
Lets all get fired up for Engine2!!!!