Half way there (almost)

Wow, I can't believe I've completed an entire fortnight! Well, I still have tonight to go, but I'm feeling pretty confident. I've also got really good at turning down unhealthier food choices. I never thought I'd be able to pass up certain brands of icecream, be able to play nintendo while my opponent is happily drinking beer and eating queso y bocadillo without joining in, or watch a film without popcorn. Have I finally turned a corner?

Kind of... I feel stronger (physically, yes, but mostly mentally) but I know that it's a lot of hard work to refuse certain 'treats.' I know that when my whole 30 is over I will add certain things back into fairly regular rotation as long as they don't screw with me too much - corn (in the form of arepas), and I'm really hoping cheese is ok for me too. I have a feeling that icecream will be worth the sugar/dairy once a month too, although I hope I'll be able to limit it to that. The arepas will probably be once a week, they're just so convenient as street food, and so yummy as breakfast. Maybe once a fortnight though - I've stepped up my breakfast efforts, and I'm really proud of what I'm able to cook now. Even better - when I cook for other people they enjoy what I give them!

I'm really happy that I've been able to survive thrive for a fortnight without any dairy. Wheat was comparatively easy to give up, but in so many foods it's the melted cheese on top that makes it so moreish, or the butter it's cooked in that gives it that specific taste. I was very surprised to learn that scrambled eggs without butter (using olive oil, or my new toy - high oleic sunflower oil instead) taste just as good! And that I can drink coffee or chai tea black!! (Although I have to admit, coconut milk is delicious and I think will never be improved upon.)

Just for being able to stick with this for fourteen (14!) days makes me feel like a superhero. I'm so happy I'm finally doing this! I've been wanting to eat 'perfectly clean' for so long, but have always made excuses/exceptions. I feel proud of myself, and even if that's the only positive result I get (although the skin on my face is noticeably clearer, and I have lost a little weight already) then it will still all be worth it. Although... have you seen the photos of my food? You can hardly say I'm depriving myself! I'm experimenting in the kitchen, cooking and eating new ingredients and recipes, savouring every mouthful (in front of my computer... still need to work on that)... This 'diet' is great! :D

Well, that's enough rambling. I really hope that the next 16 days pass as painlessly as the previous 14. I hope that I don't have to eat healthy food instead of unhealthy food (instead just not having the cravings for snacks). I hope at the end I can see a difference in my body. I hope that my facial skin stays clear and gets clearer under my jaw. I hope that the people I care about can see a difference in me and are inspired to try this too.

Buen provecho!