Detox Day 5 – juiced!
January 15, 2011 Since I’m not eating wheat, that means no Ezekiel English muffins. Sad! However, that does mean I can make 2 banana scrambles instead of 1. Score!
One mixed with bananas and one with applesauce. They work either way!
Topped with coconut butter and unsweetened/unsalted, but still drippy + delicious, peanut butter! This breakfast hit the spot and was a nice change from a bowl of oats.
I couldn’t wait for lunch, because it involved leftovers. This salad had all my favorite things…packed with protein, healthy fats, crunch, cream, chew, delicious!
- a lot of spinach
- 1/4 avocado
- scoop of Quick Cashew Nacho Cheeze sauce [so good!]
- salsa [very low sodium content]
- leftover black beans + Mexican spiced wild rice
- organic corn tortilla, crisped in a pan for crunch
I love eating salads because it takes SO long to eat them!
The friendly staff at Larabar, contacted me to see if I would be interested in sampling their new bar, Blueberry Muffin. Ummm, yes!! They sounded awesome. I couldn’t wait! Since Larabar is a Denver company, they were delivered in literally 1 day and in perfect time. I really wanted something sweet [without added sugar] to have after lunch.
I love the blue wrapper and the cute bag they came in.
I was expecting to be hit with a waft of blueberry as I opened the wrapper. However, this didn’t happen. It barely smelled like blueberries, which had me worried. I’m really hit or miss with Larabars. They tend to sort of all taste the same to me and be pretty bland in flavor or too sweet. My favorites are: lemon, key lime, + gingersnap
The bar was pretty disappointing. :( I really thought it would have a lot more flavor. The dried blueberries also gave it a little grainier/tougher texture than normal. The nuts they used for this bar were cashews, which may have been part of the problem. I think walnuts or pecans would have given the bar more flavor and made it more muffin-like in taste. Chris felt the same. Very bland. I was so hopeful for this one!
Don’t be fooled by the below photo. These are not brownies!! This is my latest socca creation [chickpea bake]. It’s more savory than sweet. Like an unsweetened chocolate bread. Sound weird? Well, it kind of is.
But for some reason I like it!! The texture is awesome. Dense, chewy, moist.
Topped with coconut butter + peanut butter and it makes the perfect detox treat!
Chocolate Socca
- 1 1/4c chickpea flour
- 1/4c unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1c almond milk [unsweetened in my case, but any will do]
- 1/2c water
- 1t vanilla
- 2T + 1T unrefined coconut oil [melted peanut butter might work too]
- 1/2t salt
- Preheat oven to 375*
- Melt 1T coconut and spread it around the bottom and sides of an 8-9” round cake pan.
- Mix chickpea flour, milk, vanilla, water + salt in a bowl.
- Melt coconut oil and whisk in. [will be a bit lumpy because the coconut oil will harden]
- Pour into pan and bake about 40min. It should be cracked on the top and pulling away from the edges when done.
- Let cool, then cut.
Yum! But I could still go for a chocolate bar…
I ran a few errands this afternoon and made sure to swing by my favorite coffee shop. However, not for coffee. I’ve been easily passing on the coffee this week. It hasn't’ been an issue at all! I will always be a coffee lover, but at least now I know I don’t need it in the morning. I’m planning to still drink it after the detox, but not everyday.
Instead of coffee, it was time for a fruit + veggie juice! There are a few places in Ft. Collins that have fresh juice and this is one of them. I’ve only had a few veggie juices in the past, and I wasn’t a fan.
This however, was delicious!!
orange + carrot + apple + ginger It was creamy and frothy, with a nice sweetness and spicy kick from the ginger. I’m going to be ordering a compact Breville juicer, and I can’t wait!
I also managed to drink the offensive tasting detox tea, which again made me feel great, but made my taste buds cringe. hehe
Detox Day 5 – overview
- I was really tired today, but am not sure exactly why. Maybe toxins are flushing out and making me feel sluggish, maybe I haven’t slept enough?? Not sure!
- Lemon water was slightly more tolerable. This is something I definitely want to continue!
- Today I managed to swim for 1.25 miles, with some aqua jogging mixed in.
- I’ve been dry brushing for just over 1 full week now and swear my skin feels tighter already.
- Sweets/chocolate cravings were definitely intense again today. I didn’t give in, even with chocolate in the house!!
- Next week I’ll start incorporating small amounts of maple syrup + raw honey back into my diet.
Dinner was another big bowl of leftovers, similar to lunch. Instead of a spinach salad though, I made a huge tasty batch of kale chips with smoked paprika. YUM.
Hopefully I’m feeling more awake in the morning. We have a busy day ahead!
Ashley
Reader Comments (84)
The chocolate socca looks amazing! Great brownie substitute (which I'm ALWAYS on the lookout for). I applaud your detox- I'm in the process of weaning myself off caffeine, so I know how it goes, taking the good days with the bad. Keep on truckin :)
oo socca looks great! and very intriguing.. i have heard so many bad reviews on the new larabar- oh well.. good thing there are TONs more flavors!
Thanks for the honest review about the blueberry larabars. I got the breville compact juicer a month ago and I love it!
Ok these soccas look so freaking good. I'm putting chickpea flour on my grocery list now. Killer salad! :-)
Bummer on the Blueberry Muffin Larabar :(
My favorites are the Cherry Pie, PB Chocolate Chip and PB & Jelly.
Have a great weekend :)
Jen
I've heard these blueberry larabars aren't very good. Sad! :( But at least they are still making new flavors. Have a great day today Ashely!
Just have to let you know...I just made your chcolate-banana oats again...Love.In. A. Bowl. Thanks for the inspiration you bring!
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes
I wish the blueberry larabars came out better! I haven't tried the gingersnap flavor - does it taste more like ground ginger and gingersnap cookies or fresh ginger?
I loved the Blueberry Larabars!
I also have a great recipe for GF english muffins that's I've made at home if you're interested: http://cleaneatingchelsey.com/2010/12/28/incessant-english-muffins/
I'm intrigued by your Socca, wondering what it tastes like!
The banana scrambles look heavenly for breakfast!
Bummer that the larabar wasn't great. I only like some of the flavors too, mostly the ones with coconut in them.
I was at the grocery yesterday and saw Bob's Red Mill garbanzo flour. I had to buy it! I really want to try all the recipes you've used it for. I can't wait to try it out!
I love all your detox recaps and recipes you have posted. I am taking the plunge and giving it a try starting tomorrow morning. Your guidelines and meal and recipe ideas have made it so much easier to prepare for it! Keep the updates coming :)
SO many interesting recipes. The chocolate socca does look like a brownie!
That's it; next time I go to the store I'm getting a bag of chickpea flour. I've been convinced it's good stuff.
Can I make chickpea flour in my BlendTec with the dried chickpeas? If so would I just rinse and blot, then blend? Or would I have to cook them, set them to dry and then blend? I make oat flour in my BlendTec because it's cheaper that way and was hoping this would work too. Also, what do you think about making flour at home with brown rice?
I once made a chocolate pane francese once that I couldn't stop eating. I have been thinking about making it again.. I am in love with that idea of chocolate bread that isn't sweet. It tastes wonderful all warm and toasted up, too.
That socca looks pretty tasty - I love anything with chickpeas in it!
i havent heard amazing things about that flavor of larabar :( to be honest they never really did much for me! I prefer eating real food not in bar form :)
the chickpea 'brownies' look fabulous! and even better with some melted coconut oil or peanut butter on top! ENJOY YOUR DAY!
just catching up on your old posts and I have to say, I'm so intrigued by your detox! I've always deemed "detoxes" to be slightly restrictive and rigid, but done the edible perspective way they're completely wholesome, nourishing, and definitely allow for a wide variety of foods! Glad to hear you're enjoying the dietary changes :)
The chocolate socca looks good to me too! I have been trying to find recipes for my bag of garbanzo bean flour, what have been your favorites so far? If you're looking for a really good blueberry flavored bar, try Pure bar in wild blueberry. It has real blueberries right in it, is made with pure/natural/organic ingredients, and tastes really good! It actually reminds me of a blueberry poptart...weird, but still good :)
Awesome. I am loving your detox :D And yes, the lemon water does get better after a while. If I go out and have an especially gross greasy meal or anything like that I have a glass and it makes me feel so much better. I don't know if it actually does anything, but it just feels clean :) And I'm going to look for a dry brushing brush(or is it just a dry brush O.o) today actually. I reeeeaaaally want to try one. I've had 2 kids so anytime someone says tighter skin, I'm there! XD
It's really good to hear that you're doing well on the detox; so happy for you! :) I actually have the Jack Lalanne Juicer myself and that baby works like a dream, but the only problem that it might have is that it's a monster! In any case, fresh veggie and fruit juices are definitely good for the body in the mornings; some books suggest to dilute it half and half, so half juice/half water concoction, especially when you're detoxing. Don't know if that helps? :-D
Aw, I was really looking forward to the blueberry Larabars. Oh well, lemon still rocks my world.
Too bad for the blueberry Larabars. I really want to make socca. It sounds great! Thanks for the recipe.
I might actually consider making the chocolate socca, it looks amazing with the coconut and peanut butter on top!!
that's so sad to hear about the lara bars. they looked yummy too. i have never had a lara bar.
that chocolate socca looks pretty good. so does everything else! i may try a pumpkin flavored socca. bread cravings like woh :)
I was looking forward to trying the blueberry muffin Larabar. The cherry pie flavor is my favorite right now, but lately I've been on a blueberry kick. Sad!
Every review I've heard on the new larabar have all been not good! It's too bad. I still would like to try it though.
The chocolate socca looks yumm :)
Mmm that chocolate socca looks scrumptious!! I'm craving something sweet now..
I also think larabars all tend to taste pretty similar! The blueberry muffin flavor sounds great, but I'm disappointed to hear that you weren't impressed by it :(
Wow that socca looks so yummt! Ive seen socca at pure2raw but never quite knew what to think of it haha.
I love green juices, and your chocolate socca looks totally delicious! I want to try it just the way you made.
Oh, and after reading about dry brushing and commenting here yesterday I dreamed I bought a dry brush and was totally happy, and in the dream I was telling my husband all the goodness of dry brushing that I read on your blog and that we needed to stop by the health food store so I could get a brush. Isn't it funny how we dream with things that happens on our daily routine?!
Ana
I meant "dream about things"...
Your food makes me drool. Disappointing about the Larabar. My daughter loves all things blueberry so she was hopeful that it was going to be great. I'll probably still buy one and let her try.
Carrot apple ginger juice is probably my favorite, and I bet the orange makes it even better. If my kitchen wasn't already completely filled with a appliances, I would totally love a juicer!
Your creativity and presentation never diminish, my friend! Everything looks great, and keep up the GREAT work you're doing!
Random question.... where did you get your salad bowl, as pictured in lunch? I'm looking to buy new, cute and large salad bowls as I'm a beast when it comes to eating salads :-) And what brand of salsa do you buy?
:-)
Love the chocolate socca!
I have been watching the Twins do their socca experiments for awhile now and yours looks great too!
I dont have chickpea flour but I have peanut flour and coconut flour. Do you think the chickpea flour is key to recipe success?
Juicer...I have a huge Breville...and I never use it anymore. Cleanup is a beast. Sigh. :(
Sorry to hear the bloob lara's weren't amazing. Darn. I really like the bloob Cliff bars. I know some people are anti Clif but I like them :)
I have now heard good and bad reviews on the new Larabar, I am really hopeful though, still! Blueberry I think would be a great flavor, and I love cashews so I think I'll like it, maybe! When I see them in stores I'll definitely pick one up!
those banana scrambles look amazing!!!
I love cashews too!!
Chickpea flour is the key ingredient :) If you subbed something else it might work but wouldn't be "socca" anymore. I like Pure bars a lot more than Lara...way more flavor and better texture.
Thanks love! We got them awhile back from Crate + Barrel on sale. That salsa was a brand called Frontera.
Try the Pure bars. I think they make a blueberry and they're much better in flavor!
Too funny! I can't wait to hear what people think of socca. It will be very hit or miss I'm guessing!
It's definitely not sweet!! I agree about the LB's tasting similar, but some of the stronger flavors are great...lemon..lime..coconut..and a few others
Love the lemon!
Thanks Sylvia! I'm excited to be able to juice in the morning soon! Thanks for the half/half tip. I'll look into that!
I've only made socca so far. You can actually make hummus with it too and I bet it's really creamy! I love Pure bars and will have to try the blueberry soon. SO much better than LB's!
Thanks Jenny!
Me either! I prefer whole foods too, but this is about the closest thing, in bar form, you'll find. Sometimes having something convenient, like when snowboarding, is so nice! :)
I'm not sure. I know it's just from ground chickpeas, but I have no idea if it would be able to grind them or not. I'm pretty sure it's just from the raw beans. I definitely think you can make brown rice flour at home, but the best thing to do is google for more info. :)