UltraSimple Diet Week Results

The week before this last week I was following Dr. Mark Hyman's UltraSimple Diet.  I wanted

Fresh Salsa with Corn, Black Beans and Jicama

something that was kind of a cleanse and this diet was not only allergy-free, but it spelled every step out for me!  It told me what to eat, when, even down to supplements to take and a special stress-relieving bath to take (with epsom salts, baking soda, and lavender).
The first day was fine, I adjusted to the food and wasn't hungry.  I was craving sugar though.
The second day was more difficult as I had a headache and sluggish digestion (detox symptoms).
The next few days I just kind of got into a groove, although my digestion never really did normalize despite his many recommendations to help that (he's very thorough).
By the sixth day, I found myself craving things like avocados and nuts, which were limited on the diet.  That night I decided to go ahead and have a couple spoonfuls of refried beans, which I was craving!  Instead of sugar!  I was amazed that I thought eating beans was a "binge."  Of course they have fat (and not the right kinds; vegetable oils are being linked to heart disease- not butter and lard like everyone thinks) but they still aren't the worst choice out there.
So, after the weeklong diet my results were great!  I lost 4 pounds and about 6 inches all over my body (I measured my waist, hips, bust, thigh, arm and neck).  I was pleased with the results and so far have kept them off.
We have been still avoiding sugar, but I can tell too many carbs is doing the same things to me as before (affecting my complexion, and bloating which I didn't notice before are two examples).  So I have a good guideline and goals for going onward! 

I made chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for a treat for doing the diet for a month.  I have had two in the past two days, and I am not even thrilled with them!  I think my palate has changed for the better.  I'm not missing the treats I used to crave non-stop.  I still want sweet things, but I can control those cravings with alternatives or even just fruit.  Before, I would have multiple cookies throughout the day, whenever the craving struck. So I'd say this is progress!
Healthy meals we enjoyed on the diet week:

Tofu Scramble

Lentil Soup

Almond Breaded Chicken, Roasted Parsnips and Carrots, Green Beans and Rice

Leftovers of above meal for lunch the next day with a small green salad added

A Vegetarian Lunch

 The above lunch included some of my favorite things:

Fresh Salsa with Corn, Black Beans, Jicama, Tomatoes, Green Pepper, Cilantro, S&P and lemon juice, olive oil optional

Marcona Almonds with Rosemary (Trader Joe's and Costco sell these almonds) with red grapes- YUM

Roasted Artichoke and Caramelized Onions

Another Fresh Salsa with Jicama, Onion, Cucumber, Corn and Cilantro (salt and pepper, lemon juice and a touch of olive oil)