24 Day Challenge: Day 2

Day 2 and so far we're feeling good. AdvoCare claims that when you start, "you'll feel the difference in 24 minutes, you'll see the difference in 24 hours and you'll know the difference in 24 days." I didn't really believe that at first, but so far it does hold true. After 24 minutes, Alice and I both found that SPARK, their vitamin & amino acid supplement drink, really does a great job at replacing your coffee and/or pre-workout energy powder drink. Plus it's sugar free and tastes surprisingly good! Alice even commented today that even though she likes coffee and doesn't want to give it up permanently, she does want to replace it with SPARK during the hot summer months when hot coffee just isn't that appealing.

Since we've now made it past the first 24 hours, we've also seen the difference. Well, more like felt, but there is a difference. Part of the cleanse phase is the Herbal Cleanse system. I won't go into too much gruesome detail, but it doesn't take long for those products to start doing their job. It is a very gentle cleanse, so it's definitely a satisfying feeling vs. one that leaves you miserable, and unable to leave the immediate vicinity of the bathroom. :)

Although, while we're on the bathroom, another part of the challenge that was a BIG change for me, was the water consumption. AdvoCare recommends dividing your weight by 2 and then drinking that many ounces in water each day. I've NEVER been one to drink much. I've even gone days where the only liquid I have is a cup of coffee in the morning. I've never liked feeling like my stomach is full of water, but SPOILER ALERT, if your stomach is full of water, you have less rumblies in your tumblies! HUH! I wish someone would have convinced me of this earlier, but it is true. I've been less hungry since I started drinking water, which has made staying on track so much easier. 

So for Day 2, we had a repeat of breakfast and lunch, which is fine by both of us and makes meal prep easier, but we tried something new for dinner. 

Baked Salmon w/ Cold Asian Style Green Beans

The cooking method I found for this Salmon will be your NEW BEST FRIEND. I found it on the Pioneer Woman's website, and it is literally no fail. If the green beans aren't my original recipe then I blame independent invention. The Asian dressing is from a recipe on my Pampered Chef Salad Dressing Dispenser with a few modifications. For the Salmon, you can't always decide how big your filet is going to be when you buy it, so I say cook the whole thing and then portion it out in 4-6oz portions cooked.

1 Large Salmon Filet
1/2 Cup of Asian Dressing*
1 lb. Fresh Green Beans, trimmed on the ends
3 cloves of Garlic
2 tbsp of Sesame Oil
1/4 Cup of Soy Sauce
1/2 tsp of Truvia/Splenda

*Asian Dressing
Mix the following in a blender bottle or glass jar.

6 Tbsp (1/4 Cup + 2 Tbsp) Rice Wine Vinegar
1/4 Cup Soy Sauce (light if you can stand it)
1 tsp of Truvia/Splenda
1/4 tsp of Ginger
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
3 Tbsp of Vegetable Oil
1 Tbsp of Sesame Oil

For the salmon, put the filet in a bag with the asian dressing and let marinade for 30 mins or so in the fridge, flipping it once. Then, put the filet on a baking sheet in a COLD oven. Thats right. Don't preheat it. Once it's in the oven, turn it on 400 degrees and set the timer for 25 mins. When the timer goes off, it will be perfect.

Boil enough water in a large pot to cover the green beans, but do not put them in the water until it is boiling. Blanche the beans by leaving them in the boiling water for 2-3 mins. Immediately remove them from the boiling water and place them in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Once they've cooled, place them in a container and add the garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce, and sweetner. Put them in the fridge and serve cold when ready.

This simple yet delicious meal will definitely be on repeat at our house. Alice said this is the BEST way she's ever had green beans. She flatters me sometimes, but this was genuine. We also saved the leftovers and paired them with some salad greens and 1/2 cup of wild rice, along with 3 TBSP of the dressing for Salads for Day 3's lunch. More about this tomorrow. GOOOOOOD Night!