If you come to my house and enter the kitchen, on the counter you’ll see a huge (and I mean huge) container labeled “VIRGIN DIET.” Usually people do a double take and wonder what exactly I’m doing and (usually the men) make a joke asking if I know that ship sailed for me a long time ago. Ha ha ha. I reassure them that I’m not becoming a nun but in fact trying to follow a diet created by JJ Virgin. The Virgin Diet calls for eliminating 7 things: Soy, corn, gluten, dairy, sugar and artificial sweeteners, eggs and peanuts.
Sounds cray cray, I know. But since I’m on the wedding warpath, (and have tried just about every fad known to the diet world), I was really interested and intrigued by a diet that focuses on clean eating and anti-inflammation… and that I could stick to without feeling completely deprived. At age 37, weight loss takes A LOT of effort and since I’m not up for starving myself or completely living without carbs, this felt more like a lifestyle change than a radical diet. Plus, at a certain point, Tequila and Vodka are totally fine in moderation (or a few times a week if you’re me), so there’s that.
Anyway, as luck would have it, Kiki Heinzer, Founder and CEO of KLEAN LA, found her way to my blog and reached about trying their food delivery service- gluten, soy and preservative free meals delivered to my doorstep. Um, hello. YES, please!
Delivery occurs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning before 6 am and they suggest you eat Meals 1- 4 (labeled. LOVE the efficiency) every 3 hours. While average daily delivery calorie count for women is approx. 1300 (men is approx 1900 with extra meals added to accommodate for a higher caloric need, ie. Breastfeeding moms), KLEAN focuses on macronutrient ratios (ratio of protein, carbs (complex carbs and vegetables) & healthy fat vs. cutting calories.
“We focus on efficient nutrition that is productive and efficient for your body. Our smaller portioned, balanced meals help to boost your metabolism, maintain blood-sugar levels, give you proper nutrition and reduce inflammation in the gut (this is why we are gluten/soy/preservative/GMO free!) Our clients report clearer skin, better sleep, a relief from bloat and inflammation and increased energy after just one week on our program,” Kiki told me.
Gluten is the glue-like substance formed when wheat or dough is kneaded. We know that sensitivity levels to gluten vary and while I don’t think I have a true allergy to it, if I go even a day or two now without it, I feel so much better and my bloating goes down immediately.
All I have to say is, my wedding dress will not allow for Spanx. So if I gotta say goodbye to my gluten-laden guilty pleasures for a short amount of time, so be it.
Today marks the end of week one of delivery. (I had food delivered Monday through Friday). It is definitely challenging to make sure you stay on the wagon during the weekend… And 9 hours a day of football watching (aka chips and dip party central), doesn’t make it easy. But I threw in a workout and did my best to make sure 90% of my meals this weekend were “locked down.” To me, and maybe some people would disagree but committing to 5 days a week of working out, resistance training, and eating “klean” is a pretty good go at it and spanx or not, I can know that I did my best.
So 5 days down, 20 to go. I can’t wait to share this process with you and if I get the courage up, I will share with you my starting weight and even measurements. I will also share some of their recipes as the food as been crazy delicious– again, even when you add as little as a 1/4 cup of brown rice, squash, legumes, or lentils to a meal, you don’t feel deprived and nothing tastes bland.
For more information on KLEAN and the benefits of eating gluten and soy free, click here!
I found KleanLA via an Instagram you posted. I knew Kiki's husband and am now on day 1. Enjoying reading about your experience with it. Food has been delicious. I'm a bit hungry on day one but that's OK and drinking water. Glad you posted about it. I'm sure you'll look amazing at your wedding!
Lindsay
carrot/celery sticks with 1 tbsp almond butter or make a Klean Super Shake
with:
1 cup of almond milk
1/3 cup of berries or 1/3 banana
Tsp of coconut oil
Bunch of spinach or kale
1 scoop of all natural vegan or whey protein powder
Good luck!