Three days post fast and I believe more compliments have been tossed my direction regarding my glow and general energy than have come my way this year together. It is a pleasure to receive the compliments for certain but more of a pleasure to feel this way. I truly do feel amazing!
On the morning after, I made a two egg omelet with avocado and tomato with a side of arugula with olive oil and lemon juice. It tasted so delicious and provided a ton of energy for the day. For lunch I bought sashimi at Whole Foods and took it to work. Super delicious with more energy giving benefits.
I had a half a cup of coffee with oatmeal yesterday morning and had my suspicions confirmed . . . coffee and me should not mix. I have had issues with a cyst on my left breast for about fifteen years. Caffeine exacerbates breast cysts, causing them to grow and become painful. While on my fast, I experienced no breast pain. Yesterday, I had a few sips of coffee and the shooting pains returned. And how I LOVE coffee!!! I don't drink much of it - just a few sips from a half a cup with almond milk in the morning and that's it.
So, I am going to have to break up with coffee. Perhaps we will see each other once in a while but it will always be a painful goodbye. Sorry coffee. Hello Yerba Mate tea . . .
So, I did something stupid. The day after I went off of the fast, I had dinner with a friend in the Los Angeles Farmer's Market at Monsieur Marcel. They have une Salade Avec Poulet that is so divine I just had to have one. Well, you can't have dinner there without wine . . . I had two glasses of Marcel's Bordeaux and I know that was just plain dumb after clearing out my system but I did it anyway. The next morning I had a raging hangover. I mean it was epic. It lasted all day long. Lesson learned.
So, wine, I am not breaking up with you all together but we are going to have to see a whole lot less of each other. I mean it has been a lot of fun and all. You have really shown me a good time over the years but this abusive attitude the morning after when all the fun is over has got to stop. Also, you make me gain weight because I have to eat lots of food when I hang out with you. You just do. You make me hungry for more tortilla chips and charcuterie and I have absolutely no will power when brie is on the table. Wine, well, I hope you understand. I love you but I love me more ;)
So now, I am still eating lots of salads and loving them. I have had some chicken, fish and eggs but no red meat as of yet. I have a lot more energy and feel like I could work out again. I did not feel like working out at all during the fast.
Many people report tons of energy during a juice fast but not me. I talked to my doctor today. He suggested I get tested for a vitamin D deficiency. I told him I make sure to get at least twenty minutes of sun a day for that. He says as you age it is not usually enough. He told me about a website where I could become a part of a study call Grass Roots Health.net. I will be checking into that and getting on another omega 3 supplement. I am also taking B complex with Macro Greens. They have definitely helped with energy. Additionally, I think it's time to get tested for diabetes. Though I am super careful about sugar, it does run like wildfire through my father's side of the family so we will see.
Health and healing is a never ending journey for me. I am ok with that. I have dedicated my life to forward this movement since I was fifteen years old when I took my first psychology class. I have been fascinated ever since. I always say that if you're here to be a healer, you're going to be given things to heal. My deepest wish is that my path helps you do the same.
For more on living a Delicious and Healthy Life, see my website www.DeliciousAndHealthy.com
Friday, July 20, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Day Ten of The Juice and Veggie Fast!!!
I realize I did not post for day nine and it was THE BEST day! I felt so much energy and clarity and was super happy and excited. I started a new chef job that day that went very well so that had something to do with it but I largely attribute it to something, well, personal.
A dear friend reminded me of something I knew from my days in naturopathy school a dozen years ago but had conveniently forgotten - when you cleanse, you need to cleanse the whole system. Juicing is not enough and that bowel cleansing was also called for. I know this is a tricky subject but I have to share what happened. So, here goes . . .
Natural medicine teaches that all diseases start in the bowels. The cleaner you keep your system and the more you keep it moving regularly, the better. When I was in naturopathy school, we had to try the natural treatments that we were learning about so we could see how they worked in our own bodies. I loves this approach as we know how well experience teaches us! I read that bowel wash enemas of two cups of warm water in an enema bag helps to dramatically relieve sinus headaches. When I was in school, I used to get those headaches a lot so I tried this treatment and it worked!!! It worked so well that I used that for years until I no longer got those headaches.
For this fast, my friend suggested a colonic to help move out the old waste. I did not have any time in my schedule for that so instead, I did an enema of warm water at home. I immediately felt GREAT! I was lighter and had more energy and by the next morning, the muscle fatigue I got climbing the stairs and the headaches were gone! I felt amazing! That was day nine.
This morning was a different story. I didn't have the muscle fatigue but had a headache that I have had all day. Darnit! I do think the headache is more stress related from being very worried about my sick and elderly cat. But that's another story . . .
So, in the next couple of days, I will figure out how much this whole thing cost me and share the comparison to how much I was spending on food to see if my thoughts about juicing being more expensive than what I was already doing is a big myth or not. I am interested to see that!
I am so glad I did this fast. It taught me so much. Going forward, I will be juicing more often and sharing it with others more. I am looking forward to a full meal but am truly amazed that I was not dieing for one the whole time I was doing this. In fact, I didn't want other things to eat (except tortilla chips the fourth day- oddly). Joe said that what you crave during the fast is the worst thing for you. Darn! I eat those a whole lot. Moderation . . .
Stay tuned! There's more - like how I do when I return to animal proteins, nuts, seeds and sweet potatoes.
For more on living a Delicious and Healthy Life see www.deliciousandhealthy.com
A dear friend reminded me of something I knew from my days in naturopathy school a dozen years ago but had conveniently forgotten - when you cleanse, you need to cleanse the whole system. Juicing is not enough and that bowel cleansing was also called for. I know this is a tricky subject but I have to share what happened. So, here goes . . .
Natural medicine teaches that all diseases start in the bowels. The cleaner you keep your system and the more you keep it moving regularly, the better. When I was in naturopathy school, we had to try the natural treatments that we were learning about so we could see how they worked in our own bodies. I loves this approach as we know how well experience teaches us! I read that bowel wash enemas of two cups of warm water in an enema bag helps to dramatically relieve sinus headaches. When I was in school, I used to get those headaches a lot so I tried this treatment and it worked!!! It worked so well that I used that for years until I no longer got those headaches.
For this fast, my friend suggested a colonic to help move out the old waste. I did not have any time in my schedule for that so instead, I did an enema of warm water at home. I immediately felt GREAT! I was lighter and had more energy and by the next morning, the muscle fatigue I got climbing the stairs and the headaches were gone! I felt amazing! That was day nine.
This morning was a different story. I didn't have the muscle fatigue but had a headache that I have had all day. Darnit! I do think the headache is more stress related from being very worried about my sick and elderly cat. But that's another story . . .
So, in the next couple of days, I will figure out how much this whole thing cost me and share the comparison to how much I was spending on food to see if my thoughts about juicing being more expensive than what I was already doing is a big myth or not. I am interested to see that!
I am so glad I did this fast. It taught me so much. Going forward, I will be juicing more often and sharing it with others more. I am looking forward to a full meal but am truly amazed that I was not dieing for one the whole time I was doing this. In fact, I didn't want other things to eat (except tortilla chips the fourth day- oddly). Joe said that what you crave during the fast is the worst thing for you. Darn! I eat those a whole lot. Moderation . . .
Stay tuned! There's more - like how I do when I return to animal proteins, nuts, seeds and sweet potatoes.
For more on living a Delicious and Healthy Life see www.deliciousandhealthy.com
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Day Seven Juice and Veggie Fast
Day seven and I have to say I'm feeling great. It gets better each day. I was a bit concerned yesterday since I had such a very low dip in energy that I suspected I may have a bigger issue going on. I had experienced this feeling over the last five years from time to time that I only know to call exhaustion. I noticed that not enough sleep and poorly eating would induce it. By poor eating, I mean times where I would try gluten to see if it just might be ok. It never was.
Yesterday I thought that I may just have issues with sugar - I mean an actual condition - I have always had issues with sugar. Diabetes runs like wildfire on my Father's side of the family. That could be a possibility. I also wondered if I may have hypo or hyper glycemic issues. Yesterday, I took a B Complex vitamin as I mentioned and I ate a salad and an apple. I felt much better after the salad.
I know you may be thinking, "Of course you felt better! You actually ate something!" I mean, I would think that if I were reading about someone's juice fast. The thing is, most people report that they feel better than they ever have in their life by the fifth day. Joe Cross told me about a friend of his who juiced before, during and after the LA Marathon and made her best time ever. So, I know it can be incredibly empowering.
Another thought is . . . perhaps I am not built for juicing alone and it's just not the best course of action for my health. I mean I don't know what vitamins or minerals I may be deficient in and that just may be a factor here. One thing is good, I have decided to get my blood sugar tested out to see if I do have any issues.
The long and short of it is, I feel better today as I flow into tomorrow . . . day eight! Wow! I can't believe how fast this is going and how much I am really enjoying this and how strange it is that I don't want to eat anything other than fruits and vegetables. That's a surprise!
For more information of living a Delicious And Healthy life, see my website at www.DeliciousAndHealthy.com
Yesterday I thought that I may just have issues with sugar - I mean an actual condition - I have always had issues with sugar. Diabetes runs like wildfire on my Father's side of the family. That could be a possibility. I also wondered if I may have hypo or hyper glycemic issues. Yesterday, I took a B Complex vitamin as I mentioned and I ate a salad and an apple. I felt much better after the salad.
I know you may be thinking, "Of course you felt better! You actually ate something!" I mean, I would think that if I were reading about someone's juice fast. The thing is, most people report that they feel better than they ever have in their life by the fifth day. Joe Cross told me about a friend of his who juiced before, during and after the LA Marathon and made her best time ever. So, I know it can be incredibly empowering.
Another thought is . . . perhaps I am not built for juicing alone and it's just not the best course of action for my health. I mean I don't know what vitamins or minerals I may be deficient in and that just may be a factor here. One thing is good, I have decided to get my blood sugar tested out to see if I do have any issues.
The long and short of it is, I feel better today as I flow into tomorrow . . . day eight! Wow! I can't believe how fast this is going and how much I am really enjoying this and how strange it is that I don't want to eat anything other than fruits and vegetables. That's a surprise!
For more information of living a Delicious And Healthy life, see my website at www.DeliciousAndHealthy.com
Friday, July 13, 2012
Days 5 and 6 of The Juice and Veggie Fast in Summary
I am hyper aware of every little thing going on in my body. I am checking for aches and pains and energy drains more than usual while juicing and vegging it up. I have been very aware of my body for many years now - I mean since I took my health into my hands nearly eighteen years ago. Your body will tell you so much. Learning to listen to it, then to follow it, is an ongoing lesson.
The last two days are better than certainly the first three were. I write this on day six. Now, to be clear, I am not just juicing these ten days. I decided to do a combination of fruit and veggie smoothies (made with water) and juices with a little help from a small salad or piece of fruit when energy dips low. I did this for two reasons, one is economic. As a small business owner and solo-preneur, business is up and down all the time. Right before our planned fast, I lost all three steady private chef clients for different reasons and thus my income. We know vegetables are more expensive than say, MacDonalds (and I can't tell you how sad and frustrated that makes me but that's another blog.) So, I wanted to cut down on costs and see how I do stacked up against my sisters and their experiences. I also wanted to show others how you can do a veggie fast on a shoestring budget. I want this to be accessible to as many people as possible (numbers provided at the end of the ten days). If I can do it, having lost my income, so can you!
The other reason I did the juice and veggie fast this way is I know my digestive system and crash diets and fasts. This is not my first one. It is my first one in a couple of years so I knew that I do best if I give my digestive tract something to break down. I am extremely sensitive and I know I have certain constraints. When ever I have done something radical like this, I have had lots of detox reactions. This time was no different. But, it is better than any other fast/diet I have ever tried (next to blood type dieting by Dr. Peter D'Adamo but that's a daily diet for life kind of thing).
So, as I listen to my body these last couple of days, I have been getting a little light headed and feel some exhaustion in my muscles especially as I climb stairs. Today, I decided to take a B Complex supplement to see if that helped and it did. I feel more energetic this afternoon. My memory is better. I am remembering to do things I am supposed to do and remembering things I memorize like numbers. I used to be near savant level with remembering numbers. Remembering my parents credit card number in college was especially dangerous! For them anyway . . .
My hips, neck and knees are creaky and a bit stiff. I notice them more in the morning as I get out of bed. The night sweats have diminished over the last six days and so have the hot flashes. One noticeable thing is I am more quick to tire out and have not felt like hiking. That's unlike me as I love to do it and Griffith Park is my back yard.
I realize this sounds like I am suffering but the truth is I am not. I am really enjoying the benefits of mental clarity, less hot flashes, weight loss (five pounds),no bloating, limited gas, and feeling great about what I am putting into my body. Unlike Joe Cross, I don't have any serious illnesses. I am not on any prescription medications, I am not obese and I have been eating intentionally for my health for the last two decades. I feel like, all in all, I am doing great for a sensitive girl who just wants natural hormone balancing. I press on. Day seven, here I come!
For more on living a Delicious And Healthy Life, see www.DeliciousAndHealthy.com
The last two days are better than certainly the first three were. I write this on day six. Now, to be clear, I am not just juicing these ten days. I decided to do a combination of fruit and veggie smoothies (made with water) and juices with a little help from a small salad or piece of fruit when energy dips low. I did this for two reasons, one is economic. As a small business owner and solo-preneur, business is up and down all the time. Right before our planned fast, I lost all three steady private chef clients for different reasons and thus my income. We know vegetables are more expensive than say, MacDonalds (and I can't tell you how sad and frustrated that makes me but that's another blog.) So, I wanted to cut down on costs and see how I do stacked up against my sisters and their experiences. I also wanted to show others how you can do a veggie fast on a shoestring budget. I want this to be accessible to as many people as possible (numbers provided at the end of the ten days). If I can do it, having lost my income, so can you!
The other reason I did the juice and veggie fast this way is I know my digestive system and crash diets and fasts. This is not my first one. It is my first one in a couple of years so I knew that I do best if I give my digestive tract something to break down. I am extremely sensitive and I know I have certain constraints. When ever I have done something radical like this, I have had lots of detox reactions. This time was no different. But, it is better than any other fast/diet I have ever tried (next to blood type dieting by Dr. Peter D'Adamo but that's a daily diet for life kind of thing).
So, as I listen to my body these last couple of days, I have been getting a little light headed and feel some exhaustion in my muscles especially as I climb stairs. Today, I decided to take a B Complex supplement to see if that helped and it did. I feel more energetic this afternoon. My memory is better. I am remembering to do things I am supposed to do and remembering things I memorize like numbers. I used to be near savant level with remembering numbers. Remembering my parents credit card number in college was especially dangerous! For them anyway . . .
My hips, neck and knees are creaky and a bit stiff. I notice them more in the morning as I get out of bed. The night sweats have diminished over the last six days and so have the hot flashes. One noticeable thing is I am more quick to tire out and have not felt like hiking. That's unlike me as I love to do it and Griffith Park is my back yard.
I realize this sounds like I am suffering but the truth is I am not. I am really enjoying the benefits of mental clarity, less hot flashes, weight loss (five pounds),no bloating, limited gas, and feeling great about what I am putting into my body. Unlike Joe Cross, I don't have any serious illnesses. I am not on any prescription medications, I am not obese and I have been eating intentionally for my health for the last two decades. I feel like, all in all, I am doing great for a sensitive girl who just wants natural hormone balancing. I press on. Day seven, here I come!
For more on living a Delicious And Healthy Life, see www.DeliciousAndHealthy.com
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Day Four Juice Fast with A Recipe
Day four of this juice fast and I am feeling great! I felt a little sleepy this morning but that was the only complaint of the day. Now, its about 10:00pm and I have tons of energy. I'm surprised, quite pleasantly. Also, I just feel super happy. I mean if I'm going to have a mood swing, let it be on the happy end of things.
So, to honor my happy mood, I give you my favorite juice recipe of the week. When I make up a juice, I don't think it through. Instead, I just intuit the juice and write it down so I don't forget it just in case its worth sharing. So far, all of them are worth it!
This one tastes sweet and a little tangy and is so refreshing. So far, it is my favorite. So, here goes.
1 handful of cilantro
5 broccoli florets
3 kale leaves
2 celery stalks
1 gala apple
2 handsful of spinach
1 wedge of lemon
6 carrots
Put all those yummy things in the juicer and drink up!
Stay tuned for the next blog ... I know I can't wait to see how I do tomorrow.
Day Three And Things are Getting Better ...
Juice fast day three. Last night was just awful. I couldn't sleep, I ached in my knees, my hips and my head, I was restless and woke up every two hours. It was tough but by morning, I felt I had turned a corner. As the day progressed, I felt a little better and as I took a nap right before the conference call, my headache left completely.
We had a great last minute surprise on our conference call ... Joe Cross joined us to answer questions and offer advice. He had so much great information to share. He talked about how getting our veggies in juice form is the absolute best way for the cells to absorb nutrition. It is the nutrient density of power from the sun, water and soil that creates the tremendous health value in a juice fast. He says that if you're getting fiber in smoothies, you won't have the same effect as a juice fast - that's a low calorie diet that will make you hungry while juicing does not make one hungry ... After you get over the hump anyway.
One interesting thing he said is whatever you crave while on the juice fast is the worst thing for you. For me it's tortillas chips - meaning salt. I love salty and will take it over sweet any day. We all had an interesting discussion about our different cravings.
I am interested to see what tomorrow brings. I have a busy day and won't be able to rest like I did the last couple of days so we shall see about the crucial day four hump! I am just grateful things are getting better!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Day two of my juice and veggie reboot and I am as raw as the endless vegetables that I push through my juicer. I feel like all I do is prep veggies, juice, make green smoothies and put them in my mouth. I am irritable and everyone I know and don't know should be glad they don't have to live with me right now. I have a raging headache, my stomach hurts, my bowels are all in knots and the gas ... Well, it's not something anyone should ever have to smell. Joe Cross assures me that once I get through days three and four, I will feel like a new person. I just keep hanging on to that. Meanwhile, I will just have to live with being incredibly irritated by the tiny bits of kale in my sink and on my floor. And, oh man, there's some in my tea!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
I Join The Reboot Tomorrow - 10 Day Juice and Veggie Fast
Two of my sisters - Polly and Becky, my brother-in-law Doug and my dear friend for nearly two decades, Michelle and I are all doing a juice and veggie fast starting tomorrow (Becky starts today). We had a conference call Friday night to talk about how we plan to go about it and we shared our personal goals for it. We are each doing it a little differently. Each night, we will meet via conference call and share our experiences and support one another through the fast.
Personally, I am doing it to see if it will help with hormone balancing, brain fog/forgetfulness, moodiness, night sweats, and hot flashes due to my recent entrance into menopause. Just posting this for the world to see brings up a lot of emotion around turning this corner in my life. I have been without a menstrual cycle for one year and three months now. I turn 45 next month and while I believe this is way too early for me, it is what is happening and is really up for examination at the moment. I hope that this fast will help with lessening the symptoms as I feel my way through this time in my life.
I am in contact with Joe Cross, the film maker of the movie, Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead who is lending advice and support to us during our fast. If you have not seen the movie, it is a MUST SEE!!! If you want to do your own fast, check out his websites at www.jointhereboot.com and www.fatsickandnearlydead.com
If you're interested, keep reading my posts.I know I certainly am interested to see what happens for each of us with our different goals.
For more information on living a Delicious and Healthy life, see my website at www.DeliciousAndHealthy.com While you're on my website, check out my books too!
Personally, I am doing it to see if it will help with hormone balancing, brain fog/forgetfulness, moodiness, night sweats, and hot flashes due to my recent entrance into menopause. Just posting this for the world to see brings up a lot of emotion around turning this corner in my life. I have been without a menstrual cycle for one year and three months now. I turn 45 next month and while I believe this is way too early for me, it is what is happening and is really up for examination at the moment. I hope that this fast will help with lessening the symptoms as I feel my way through this time in my life.
I am in contact with Joe Cross, the film maker of the movie, Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead who is lending advice and support to us during our fast. If you have not seen the movie, it is a MUST SEE!!! If you want to do your own fast, check out his websites at www.jointhereboot.com and www.fatsickandnearlydead.com
If you're interested, keep reading my posts.I know I certainly am interested to see what happens for each of us with our different goals.
For more information on living a Delicious and Healthy life, see my website at www.DeliciousAndHealthy.com While you're on my website, check out my books too!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Turkey Burgers Recipe for The Fourth!
My clients rave about my turkey burgers! Some clients order them every single week. I rarely give out recipes from my cookbook but I decided to do so to celebrate this Fourth of July. This recipe is delicious and simple. Enjoy!
Turkey Burgers with Honey Mustard Sauce
1 pound ground turkey
1 egg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon dill
Honey Mustard Sauce
1/3 cup mayonnaise
4 Tablespoons honey
3 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
Serve on a bed of greens with potato chips (make sure there are no hydrogenated oils in the chips) and pour dressing over burger. Add tomatoes if you like. You can always use gluten free bread. Udi's makes great buns! More and more choices are available today. Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)