Jennifer Jeffrey, Writer & Editor

Tips for Staying on the Elimination Diet (Day 6 and beyond)

In retrospect, it was a stroke of genius to do this Elimination Diet with other people. There are four of us doing this together, and the group effect has been immeasurably helpful. We stay in touch via e-mail and text messaging, a mixture of hilarity and despair that has kept me on track despite the fat drumsticks of No Caffeine pounding out a deep, gritty rhythm against my temples.

Never underestimate the power of friendly competition to keep you honest. Here’s a random sample of comments from some of the E-Lim-to the-Nation Posse; names have been omitted to protect the innocent. Yo.

Day 2:

I’m really tired and I have the toots and a bad headache. I hope day 3 is better.

Day 4:

I thought about going out tonight. Then I remembered that I can’t drink or eat anything. Boo hoo!

Day 7:

Surviving today. Not sure how. Still on plan.

Day 8:

Holding firm. Potential collapse imminent.

Day 9:

I may have slipped last night…  5 glasses Silverado cab, 2 gorgonzola butter ravioli, 1 slice prime rib, plate of 6 different desserts…

(response) IF YOU GO OUT, GO BIG!

Day 11:

HELL NO I haven’t slipped! I’m an oak.

Day 12:

Two more days! Cakewalk.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As you can see, this has been non-stop fun.

My headaches didn’t end until Day 9. Oooh, yeaaaah.

I feel a little sheepish to admit that – wow, caffeine really had one over on me! – but it did. I started feeling more energetic on Day 10, and everything was so much easier and more enjoyable sans the searing pain.

Napa Cabbage, Green Apple & Fennel Salad with Raw Cashews

As the Elimination Diet continues, I'm steadily working my way through a small mountain of fresh produce. If you put a tape recorder next to my desk, all the munching and crunching might cause you to conclude that there was a rodent gnawing through the chair leg.

The counter is piled with apples and mangoes and avocados and pears. The refrigerator is stuffed with broccoli and cauliflower and lettuces. Prior to beginning this cleanse, I thought that I might long for stewed or braised things to eat during the cold, rainy weather, but this fresh, crunchy produce turns out to be a perfect foil for grey skies.

Since this program more or less forces you to eat mostly fruits and vegetables, I've realized that there has been a major discrepancy between how much fresh produce I thought I was eating regularly and how much I really was eating.  I want less prepared food in my diet and more of the straight stuff, and it turns out that I kind of have to force myself to do it.

Maybe I can make this a habit?   

Happily, I've rediscovered cabbage - green cabbage, red cabbage, Napa cabbage - and have been eating it all different ways. I loved this salad so much that I wanted to share it - bright and crisp, it makes a great lunch, or a wonderful side salad to serve with steamed fish or warm lentils.

Napa Cabbage, Green Apple & Fennel Salad with Raw Cashews

3 cups thinly sliced Napa cabbage
1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
1 green apple, cored, quartered and thinly sliced
3 green onions, whites only, thinly sliced
1/2 cup raw cashews, coarsely chopped

1/8 cup cold-pressed olive oil
1 large, juicy Meyer lemon
1 teaspoon agave nectar
1 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon
A few drops of sesame oil
Coarsely ground sea salt
Freshly cracked pepper

In a deep salad bowl, toss together the cabbage, fennel, apple slices, green onions and cashews.

In a small container, whisk together the remaining ingredients until thick and creamy; season to taste. Add more lemon juice, if desired.

Drizzle over the salad ingredients and toss. Eat immediately.