It is only the second day the kids are home from school, and I'm already insane. Typically I'd take us all out for hamburgers so the house wouldn't continue to get messier, or I'd keep tackling my responsibilities but with a Long Island Iced Tea by my side to take the "edge" off.

But I don't want to undo the work that I'm accomplishing doing the Ripped in 30 challenge. Eating greasy fast-food burgers or continuing to drink alcohol on a daily basis isn't the pathway to being "ripped."

And so I chew gum, or bite ginger, or eat pistachios (just a handful!) when I'm tempted to grab a cookie or an ice-cold beer. (Unfortunately, I also bite my nails, which is a horrifically nasty habit.) I "save" my calories and alcohol. Like Saturday night, I went on a "date" with my husband and I happily had a few drinks. But the tacos that I thought would be delicious turned my stomach instead. The bagel-half I made myself this morning tasted too dry and doughy - not worth it! (And so I had an apple and a hard-boiled egg.)

Meanwhile, I'm crabby. Every little thing seems like A Big Deal even though it isn't. I'm a grouch, and I don't like it. I'm eating enough calories, and they come from "whole food" sources, but I'm still always hungry. But then I feel too guilty to eat more food, especially the "heavier" stuff like the plain grilled chicken breasts sitting in my fridge. Agrghaghghgh!

But I will press on, because after all it has been less than a week of this "detox," and sometimes things that are good for you can bite.