Thursday, July 28, 2011

DETOXING


Hi Friends,
While I enjoy the wonderful benefits of juicing, The symptoms of detoxing is not my favorite. I know this must happen in order to heal the body. The symptoms can go anywhere from mild to intense. Here is a list of what to expect while the body is going through detox.

Headache
Fatigue
depression
anxiety
Food cravings
Chills
Restlessness
Insomnia
Edema
Dry skin
Dizziness
Rashes
Coated tongue
Bad breath
Nausea
Stomach cramps
Loose stools
Body odor
Mild body aches

Day 7: Today I had lots of energy and felt fantastic. I guess it's because I was experiencing any
noticeable detox symptoms today. As for last night, I couldn't wait to go to bed. After having only mild detox, during the early part of the day, The evening changed rapidly. I had stomach cramps, fatigue and an awful taste in my mouth. I wanted to go to sleep but felt so restless. I knew what was happening to me and in knowing that I made myself relax by deep breathing. Finally I went to sleep. Today was awesome! My only concern is that yucky taste I have. I brush my teeth and I use a tongue scraper, yet it's still there. I try not to get too close to people when I talk because I'm concerned the will notice it too. One of the things I found that helped was frequent sips of water. I ran out of organic coffee today so my daily morning enema was water only. I still got good results, however, coffee really does the job. Tomorrow I will discuss a little more about enemas.

Until next time,
Peace

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Weight Release

Me before my raw food lifestyle and the 2008, 92 Day Global Juice Feast at 175lbs.


















Me, just a few days after completing 92 days of the 2008, 92 Day Global Juice Feast at 125lbs.









Hi Everyone,
Today I would like to share more about my experience with weight gain and weight loss. I have a history of being a compulsive overeater as well as a compulsive undereater. Although I was never considered obese, I did become overweight. Being overweight would trigger me to undereat to point of anorexia. It was a never ending battle. It wasn't until I discovered the raw vegan way of eating, that made the cycle end for me. I am not going to say I didn't have to work at it. When I started out, I was 175lbs, more than I wanted to be and more than what was healthy for me. I had a lot health problems in addition to the weight. My emotional health suffered too. I was often depressed and my self esteem very low. Embarking on the raw food lifestyle not only gave me a healthy way of eating, it lifted my spirit. I felt good about myself for the first time in many many years. I was not afraid of food any more. I reached a weight goal that I was very happy with. I maintained my weight goal for 3 years and then for some odd reason I started to slowly creep back up. What I didn't realize, was that I wasn't paying attention to my eating anymore. While I was still eating raw food, I wasn't eating consciously. I was eating healthy but I let the sometimes stress in life get in the way of my eating. Eating raw nuts and seeds became overeating raw nuts and seeds as well as avocados and the overuse of oils. Part of my disease of 0vereating is eating away my emotions and I found a way to do it with raw food. The good news is I never gained back the weight I started with. Most individuals on a standard american diet who go on a weight loss plan will do well if they stick to the plan. As soon as they come of the plan and resume old eating habits, they gain all of the weight back and then some. That didn't happen to me on raw food and that's a blessing. The increase in weight that I experienced was minimal and easy to manage. All I need to do is to adjust the type of raw foods that fit my personal health needs. Everyone is different metabolically. I've always had a sluggish digestive system and to many dense raw food slow me up even more. Juice feasting is my remedy and I have already released weight in just 6 days. My plan of action, when I resume eating, is to eat like I juice to maintain my new weight.

Day 6: I slept well last night, even though I had to get up around 3am to got to the bathroom. Lot's of liquid flowing through my system. My kidney's are getting an awesome flushing. Didn't do an enema this morning, however, I plan to do one early in the evening before my dinner juice. I noticed that my body is shedding old dead skin...awesome! I've been helping it along with a dry skin brush before my shower. My skin feels so smooth. I'm not sure if I'm going to do a full 92 days of juicing. It will depend on my weight. I may end up releasing to much weight by day 92.

Please feel free to comment and ask question. :)

Until next time,
Blessings

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

July! A perfect time to Juice Feast!


Hi My Friends,
Guess What? I'm Juice Feasting again and I'm on Day 5! I've done some short term juice feasts here and there for two to three days, but this will be an extended one this time. My last extended juice feast was in March 1st, 2008, where I completed 92 days. It was incredible. Now with the weather temps, here in Phoenix, AZ, anywhere from 105-110+ for the next few months, it's a perfect time to juice. It is so easy to get dehydrated here because of our low humidity. It is essential to keep yourself hydrated no matter what your weather conditions are. Our bodies need fluid to function properly. My body also needed a reboot. The wonderful thing about juicing is the raw, fresh, nutrients from fruit and vegetables gets quickly and easily absorbed. The water content cleanses and flushes the digestive system while easing up on it's digestive work load. Just like my 2008 Juice Feast, I will be sharing my experiences you, so, this is how my last five days have been.

Day 1: Is always the hardest because that's when I experience food cravings the most. I managed to get through the whole day without throwing in the towel. My best way of coping with my cravings, by the way is a symptom of detox, was to not expose myself to social situations that involved food. I also did not watch television of which you are bombarded with food commercials. I also made it a me day. I was important for me to be alone as my body embarked on it's new journey. Starting on the weekend is very important for success I happened to be off on Friday.


Day 2: The morning and well into the afternoon went very well. I think it's because I was never one to awaken with hunger in the morning. My appetite usually doesn't kick in until about lunchtime or later. It was later this day, around the dinner hour that the cravings started, however, they were not nearly as intense as Day 1. Breathing and drinking my daily amount of juice got me through. I even attended a drumming circle that provided a buffet table fill with vegetarian finger food. It was tempting but my desire to juice feast was stronger. The drumming filled my spirit and I even danced to the beat. There was no room within me for sabotage.

Day 3: Today was so much easier. My body has adjusted to the fact that there is no solid food being consumed and my cravings are just a whisper. My preoccupation with food has diminished and now I can focus on the healing benefits of my juicing. I feel more relaxed and I have a good routine with my juice preparation. It can only get better from here.

Day 4: My sleep last night was a little restless. I remembered this feeling from my last Juice Feast. It didn't keep me up all night but I didn't feel as energetic. I also notice my vision is slightly blurry. I may be a little edema as my body adjusts to the extra fluid. This was yet more detox symptoms along with it a yucky taste in my mouth. It looks like I am making progress with the detoxing. Later on, in the evening, I had a date night with my significant other. I brought my two 32 ounce bottles of juice with me so I could have them while he eat food in front of me. He is not a vegetarian, raw vegan, nor does he have the desire to juice. I am on my own with this one. Same as my last one and I did very well.

Day 5: Today was a by far the best day I've had. I feel great! No cravings! I had a little bit of a restless night, yet I don't feel tired at all today. It's the nutrient dense juice that sustains me. I know there will be more detox symptoms along the way, however, I'm armed with my juice. Bring it on! For those who have never Juice Feasted before, I would like to share with you my daily routine.

Upon Wake Up:
Drink 32 ounces of lemon water with MSM (a recommended supplement).

After Drinking All The Water: I do an enema with lukewarm water first and then organic coffee. (recommended and very important). I have to get those toxins out of my colon because my intestines are in a resting state. Not fun but very necessary.

After The Enema: I Juice. I have a Jack Lalane Juicer and I have been happy with it. I would like a more powerful juicer but it's not in my budget at this time. I prepare 3 quarts of fresh green juice and 1 quart of fresh fruit juice. This is my juice for the day. I always add Granny Smith apples to my green juices to make them taste better. Without them your green juice is not as enjoyable.

Now I'm ready for the day. I keep a cooler for my juices and I am able to go anywhere I choose. Have juice , will travel!

I will be posting more about my experiences so please comment if you wish. I will also answer any questions you might have.

Until next time,
Namaste