Last week I spoke with a reporter for the Daily Beast about the growing popularity of gluten-free diets due to the number of celebrities who are booting gluten out of their lives. It seems like the whole world is now questioning whether following this diet is going to deflate their muffin tops and get their beach bodies back. Naturally, the quote that was pulled for the article had to do with me dropping 7 pounds when I gave up gluten which implied that following a gluten-free diet was a magic bullet to lose weight. But there were a few important details left out that had a lot to do with it.
When I removed gluten from my diet, I also stopped eating the common irritants: dairy, soy, eggs, caffeine, sugar, artificial sweeteners and preservatives--much like Dr. Junger's Clean Detox Program. I ate simple and natural--the way I always imagined hippies ate. Food was now carefully chosen but abundant. Fruit, avocado, walnuts, organic greens, brown rice and flax and olive oil. I drank yerba mate instead of coffee. There was no dessert (which is why I created BabyCakes--hello!). It was a hellish transition. I missed my boca burgers and had major chemical-withdrawal headaches from not eating my daily sugar-free frozen yogurt. No one prepared me for this! Luckily the symptoms departed after a week and I began to feel better than I ever had in my life. Eating didn't mean reserving time to curl up on the couch and recover, it actually gave me more energy. Yes, there was some weight loss but it had nothing to do with calorie counting and everything to do with feeding my body food it knew what to do with. This completely changed my attitude about eating and gave me a distinct respect for every organ in my body. I felt newly responsible for helping my body get the nourishment it needed.
Over the years, I'll admit it has been tough to maintain this lifestyle. I've lazed out and caved to a preservative-packed protein bar here and something fried there when I'm too busy to care and it had taken a toll. Thankfully, I recently picked up Dr. Junger's book, Clean which gives a fascinating insight on what goes on with your liver and gut and how important it is to care for your body. I decided to follow his Clean Detox Program to reset and start fresh and I can say I now feel back to my old self (the first week was pretty brutal though!).
So the point, right? Not sure. I was moved to write this simply because I don't think people should go gluten-free as a tool to lose weight. The key to better weight balance is to chose your food carefully and consider the opportunity each meal presents to be good to your body. Try to tap into your inner-hippy. Eat whole foods and remove pre-packaged and processed junk out of your diet and see how you feel in a week. I swear, you'll be testifyin' too!
so do the bakery treats fall under the category of "inner hippy" cuisine? i surely hope so!
Yes Jenna! I like to say it's hippie food dressed in Marc Jacobs if that makes any sense at all.
Yes they are! I like to call them hippy food dressed in Marc Jacobs. Does that make any sense?
BabyCakes can be anything you want it to be: Hippy food, Hip food, Hip-hop food, hic-up food, hippo food, etc...
I like this post. The article makes gluten-free eating seem like the new hip, quick, and easy way to losing weight. I agree with choosing the right types of food...and of course, exercise is also important.
Now...today for exercise, I might just walk to the LA bakery and get me some hippo/hic-ups/hippy doughnuts...and biscuits. I'll do backflips on the way out too.
About two weeks ago, I started the Elimination Diet from the Clean Program by Dr. Junger...and have been on the actual Clean detox for 6 days. I wrote the blog post last week because I fell in love with the design of the book and overall brand when I went searching for dairy-free, gluten-free baked goods (something for me to eat and make my sister for her wedding, perhaps). I had no idea you were also participating in the program. I have never felt better. But I sure have a sweet tooth and since I'm only in NY a couple times a year, your book is going to be my lifesaver. It just arrived today and I am going to go up to bed now and read it! Hopefully experimenting this weekend! Okay that's all. And you're fantastic. Thanks a ton!
Hello Baby Cake management
Just checking your prices and I believe you made a
mistake on the corn bread ,you stated that you charge $3.50 per bread and $30.00 PER LOAF ???
are you sure is not $30.00 per dozen ?
Just wondering ,love your concept but your prices are a little bit high !
I remember the first time that I read a celebrity was "eating clean" and I laughed out loud. I thought "isn't this the way we're supposed to eat???" If we all ate "clean-er" we'd be a much healthier country. While the first few weeks really stink, I agree, it's all worth it. But it's also about removing more than just the gluten -- I found it was removing refined sugar. While it can be difficult to follow, I agree that I feel far better and healthier!
I really can't wait to visit your store when I get to NYC in September! I'm on a similar eating plan (not a diet) to the clean detox program and I love it. I do this because I have gotten very ill from most foods with sugar, dairy or gluten in them so I can't wait to bring a box of goodies from your store with me back to Miami! Until next month!
Would you ever use an alternative to sugar such as "Good & Sweet" all natural, zero calories, made from the Stevia plant?
That is exactly what I tell people when they are inquiring about my diet change! I have discovered the same thing, people assume that all I did was rid myself of gluten. Not at all! I, too, went through a massive life transition; much like the one you described. I have a pretty clean diet now, something that people don't always choose to remember.
Erin! Love this. . . and of course love your goodies. . . I was just thinking today in this bright last day of August heat, how much I'd love some of your delicious treats. . . maybe some summery cornbread or a decadent (but not) cupcake. . . and now my mouth is watering.
As a holistic wellness coach for Dr. Junger, I recommend Babycakes to our cleansers all the time. . . and I know many New Yorkers were pretty ecstatic to hear there was a "clean" spot for them to satisfy a sweet tooth or two.
Love what you're doing. . . and I might be heading downtown in a bit since now I can't stop thinking about your gingerbread loaf and gingersnap sandwich cookies. . .
x Jenny
Erin! Love this. . . and of course love your goodies. . . I was just thinking today in this bright last day of August heat, how much I'd love some of your delicious treats. . . maybe some summery cornbread or a decadent (but not) cupcake. . . and now my mouth is watering.
As a holistic wellness coach for Dr. Junger, I recommend Babycakes to our cleansers all the time. . . and I know many New Yorkers were pretty ecstatic to hear there was a "clean" spot for them to satisfy a sweet tooth or two.
Love what you're doing. . . and I might be heading downtown in a bit since now I can't stop thinking about your gingerbread loaf and gingersnap sandwich cookies. . .
x Jenny
Just saw this Jenny! Would love to join forces with Dr. Junger if you guys ever need anything!
I too read Dr. Junger's book, what a cool commonality!!!
I too have read DR. Junger's book, what a cool commonality!
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