Oprah’s 21 Day Cleanse, A Recap
Welcome back to OprahBits.com. It appears she finished her cleanse. Things were looking a little bleak last week, she seemed to be having a little difficulty and wasn't blogging as much, so there was speculation that she might drop the program. Kudos to her and her staff for sticking it out.
I've been writing about Oprah's 21-day cleanse from a vegan perspective. In reality, I should have described the cleanse more. It wasn't just animal products that Oprah removed from her diet. She also abstained from alcohol, gluten, caffeine, and sugar. Interestingly, what seemed to be most challenging thing for Oprah was the alcohol, she mentions it often.
Day 21…yes, I want some wine. Bordeaux 82. Just one glass at sunset, almost broke down and had a glass. I didn't, mostly because of my commitment to fellow VCTers. Tomorrow, Scarlet…tomorrow is another day. That's my mantra for now.
Overall, it seems Oprah and her group didn't have much difficulty with the vegan aspect of the cleanse. There were one or two posts where she complained about lentils, and she did miss the 2-week-loaner vegan chef they had at the beginning of the cleanse. One day she blogged about missing chips and soda, as a coping strategy. Good news Oprah, you can still have those if you're a vegan! You won't necessarily be healthy, but you can eat them if you want them!
By day four, she wrote:
I just cleaned my dinner plate, down to the last grain of brown rice left under my oh-so-deliciously seasoned soy chicken. I can not believe how tasty, spicy and wonderful it all was. I'm ever more surprised at how I don't miss anything and feel so satisfied at every meal. Bravo to Tal! By Day 4, I'm usually climbing the walls or craving sweets—or ready to throw in the towel on any other diet plan.
Unfortunately, she unwittingly slipped up. One day she blogged about Morningstar Veggie Sausages. There are no sausages on the Morningstar Farms Vegan Product list. (Thanks to Eric, for pointing that out in comments #5.)
So, how did her 21 days turn out?
What I know for sure is I've reached a new level of awareness about food, eating and the whole process of how it gets to my table. I used to say thanks before a meal out of perfunctory habit. Now I consider it true grace to be able to eat anything in a world of increasing food shortages and starving people.
This has been exactly what we intended: enlightening. I will forever be a more cautious and conscious eater. That's my commitment for now. To stay awakened.
Doesn't mean I'm committed to veganism…but I am thinking about what I eat and why. And from that I can never turn back.
You know, I'm happy with that. It would have been nice if she had awakened to veganism as a way of life, but Jane commented that she'd probably never give up her shoes! Seriously though, she has exposed many people to the possibility of eating meatless, and proven that it doesn't have to be an imposition. That may be the best we could have hoped for.
Related Information:
The important thing is that she has learned something for sure!
Hi Alice,
And hopefully she’ll share more about it with her audience…
“I am thinking about what I eat and why. And from that I can never turn back.”
I think Oprah’s right, she can’t turn back now. And I think she’s like most people, once they really start thinking and stop acting out of pure habit, they might not go totally vegan, but they aren’t going to continue to consume recklessly. That’s a good start.
I understand that it is tough on people at first. But they have to start somewhere. I still have friends that call me the 6 day vegan since I use so little cheese.
Great Post!
Hi Uncle Ray,
It is definitely tough to change your eating habits for most people.
& Thanks!
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