Day 8, The NOT Allowed List

Vermeyen, visipix.com

 Like me, you might lack sympathy for friends embarking on a cleansing diet because you have no idea what that means.  Thus in an effort to generate greater compassion, I'd like to offer the full list of "not allowed" foods on my 21 day liver cleanse:

• red meat (including pork and veal), cold cuts, hot dogs, sausage, eggs, egg substitutes;
• milk, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, ice cream, goat & sheep cheeses, non-dairy creamers, any products made with casein;
• all corn and corn-containing products;
• all breads and cereals made from wheat, oat, spelt, kamut, rye, barley & other glutenous grains;
• citrus, strawberries, dried fruit preserved with sulfites;
• coffee, tea, cocoa, postum, alcoholic beverages, soda, sweetened beverages, citrus drinks;
• margarine, shortening, butter, refined oils, salad dressings, spreads;
• peanuts pistachios, peanut butter, macadamia nuts;
• brown sugar, honey, molasses, maple syrup, corn syrup, fructose, vinegar;
• salt, soy sauce, mayo, ketchup

 And while I'm tapping your compassion, has it occurred to anyone else that THANKSGIVING falls within my 21 days of restriction?  I mean, what's the point of turkey without stuffing and pie?

Day 0, The Last Supper

da Vinci, visipix.com

 After hosting a dozen people at my table during an extended weekend of company, I was forced to squeeze in another trip to the grocery store before my doctor's appointment. I wish I hadn't. By the time I left the office, the sun had fallen behind the hills, and I walked toward my car in a daze.  I needed to go shopping all over again.

Most of what filled the burgeoning bags in the back of my trunk were on the "not allowed" side of the goldenrod paper trembling in my hand.  Right away, my mind drifted toward the soft sesame bagels that I had selected for an easy dinner.

Despite 12 days of stomach pain, I decided that I wouldn't begin the much needed liver cleanse until after I enjoyed my last supper.