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Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, and whether we’re Catholic or not, many of us give up something for Lent – and that “something” is often alcohol.  So here’s the #AlcoholFreeFor40 Challenge:  Use this time for a self-experiment to see what’s really happening inside of your body during this detox.  And make it easier than ever to stick with your #AlcoholFreeFor40 resolution with Seed’s Avocado Cilantro Mockgarita!

 

The Challenge

Give up all alcohol from Ash Wednesday until Easter.  Establish the following pre-Challenge metrics, and repeat again at the end of the Challenge to see the impact that going alcohol-free has on your body:

  1. Weight
  2. Close-up photo of face; details of eyes and skin in particular
  3. Labs
    • CBC (Complete Blood Count)
    • Liver panel including enzymes AST & ALT
    • Lipid Panel (includes triglycerides, which can be affected by alcohol),
    • GGT (Gamma glutamyl transferase, a specific liver test that’s most affected by alcohol)
    • Vitamin B12 and Folate Panel
    • hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; a marker of inflammation)
    • ESR (sedimentation rate; a marker of inflammation

POTENTIAL BENEFITS:  Less inflammation, better sleep, less anxiety, improved mood, energy, potential weight loss

 

NOTES:

  • Join the #AlcoholFreeFor40 Facebook Group for inspiration, to follow the journey of others, and to share your own experiences, successes, mocktail recipes, and photos.
  • Molly will be offering weekly reminders, tips & recipes via social media (@mollykimballRD) on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, using the hashtag #AlcoholFreeFor40.
  • Share your own experiences on social media using the hashtag #AlcoholFreeFor40.
  • You can also email Molly (molly@mollykimball.com) to accept the challenge and keep in touch throughout to let her know how you’re doing. All personal information will be kept confidential.

 

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Eat Fit Avocado-Cilantro Mockgarita by Seed | 1330 Prytania St, NOLA | (504) 302-2599

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 avocado
  • 5 cilantro leaves
  • 1/4 lime
  • 1/4 lemon
  • 1 ounce fresh orange juice
  • 1 ounce apple juice

Instructions:

Muddle avocado and cilantro in the bottom of a glass. Squeeze in lemon and lime. Add ice, orange juice, and apple juice. Mix well and serve.

Per serving: 105 calories, 7.5 grams fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 13 mg sodium, 10 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber, 5 grams sugar (0 added sugar), 1 gram protein

 

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Want more from Molly?  Click here to sign up for Nutrition Bites, her weekly e-newsletter with links to her Get the Skinny TV segments here on WGNO, and her weekly column in NOLA.com|The Times-Picayune!   And you can follow Molly on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram:  @MollyKimballRD