Day 10 - Double digits double yay!

Yay! Made it to 10 days. Seems like this has been much easier than I expected. I really did not have one terrible day of die off or extreme hunger or even cravings. Weird.

Today my kitchen was filled with cooking smells which in all honesty did annoy me. I did feel somewhat hungry when I was smelling everything being roasted, toasted, baked and gobbled up. I sort of just took it for what it was worth. It is just food and in fact the food that bothers me tremendously so why even tempt myself or upset myself - instead I sat outside in the cold under the sun.

I think that changing environments when thoughts and cravings come is the easiest way to fend them off and also to dissect what it is that I am missing. Today I do not think it was really the food but the fact that people were enjoying it together. When you cut food out it is almost like you cut out a social time. Food has become so much of a focus in our society that it is insane. Maybe I am noticing it even more because I am avoiding it but I don't think people go a whole hour without somehow brining up food.

For example, the staff room someone brought in coffees and doughnuts. Then a teacher was talking about their trip to some fast food chain that she wanted a coffee and was given something instead, which was followed by "have you tried that new place on?" This opened up a whole new conversation about golfing and how the food at the golf course is great too.

Fast forward to the classroom "Miss U can I bring my recess snack into the classroom I did not finish." Not even an hour later "open your math book to page 176 the one with the popcorn at the top." Later on "after lunch we will be doing play practice" which turned into a discussion about how hungry the students were and "ugh my mom packed me carrots and I hate carrots."

One class after lunch a student asked "can I get a drink my lunch gave me a tummy ache" which resulted in puke stories from various kids and graphic details of the foods they ate to bring on the vomit. A lovely sharing time I might add. The end of the day wrapped up with "yes! my mom said we could go to dairy queen if I got all my spelling words right."

Then I walk in the door just after 4:30 p.m. to a homemade feast. I decide to escape to the great outdoors and flip open my laptop and facebook for just a few seconds when an add on the side is for a "gluten free pizza" company. Which reminded me to check my good friend's blog and website; http://www.glutenfreeontario.ca/. After rummaging through some posts to make sure I have kept up to date I click on the chat box and chat with another good friend who leaves to grab supper. Just as I say goodbye my phone goes off "hey after I am done eating want to go for a walk?"

I could go on but you get the point. It is not even 8:00 p.m. and I think food has been discussed, brought up, shown, displayed, purchased, etc etc more than 100 times today alone. Perhaps when the fast ends it will not be so "in your face" or maybe it will be. Maybe we have come to a point where food is the center of everything. Which is not a bad thing if done right. Food is my medicine right now. It is my center. It is my hope and my change. It just happens to be blended and drank through a straw and not glamourized or gawked at. But it is my everything!

Enjoy your food - count your day by food topics see what happens!

Day 9 - feeling fine

One day away from double digits. This makes me happy and feel so empowered.

Today I watched the movie about Temple Grandin. Such an inspirational movie and moreover person.

What I loved most was the idea of every obstacle in your life just being like a new door to go through. I feel that way about this fast. This was a new door I opened and I am waiting to get through to the other side. I also loved the quote "different but not less." This is so applicable to many things we all face in life. I certainly feel a bit "different" given my health issues and even this fast makes me feel different than everyone else eating. But it is not any less than anyone else. In fact maybe it is more. More nutrients, more health benefits and definitely more energy.

Although my sleeping is not any better and I am tired at the end of the day I do feel like I have more clear energy and less fog. I am feeling pretty good. I have to say I think I could keep going for quite a long time and may even try to push it to 60 days. I will see how it goes.

I am still not sure if I am drinking too many smoothies or not. I am not seeing the scale move as much as it did in the beginning but then again due to medications that make me retain I am not sure I should judge by the scale. I do not feel hungry which is good but I do crave my smoothies and drink when I want one. I have not figured out if the wanting one is needing one or just simply a craving. I am not too worried about it yet it has only been 9 days and it's not like they are loaded with process junk.

I only have 12 more working days which is exciting. I am mostly anxious for being able to make fresh smoothies all day. I hate making them in the am and drinking them at lunch - just not the same. It will be so nice to have the option to drink when I want and always make it fresh.

Okay that is enough for my rant tonight. All in all a good day! Let's see what 10 brings!

Day 8 - Sandals and Cucumber

As I write this I have just kicked off my three inch strappy sandals and am sipping a cucumber and pear smoothie. I like to add a lot of ice to my mixes especially on these super hot days. The one problem I have ran into is that I do feel cold all the time and even more so after drinking. I think it has to do with the amount of ice I use and given the current weather temperatures I am sure feeling cold is something I should not complain about. But it is an interesting point to ponder.... or not.

Today I woke up feeling really nauseated. I am not sure if this was because I had a stomach ache yesterday due to too much fruit or something else. Both today and yesterday I was able to make a smoothie and drink one in the am but did not have time to make enough to have lunch too. When I came home I devoured or chugged (?) huge glasses full of mixes. Maybe it was just too much at once. Not sure but I did have an upset stomach well into most of the night and then horrible nausea when I first woke up. It did go away but was not pleasant.

I know there are detox symptoms that people typically end up fighting so I guess I am left to figure out if this is all just part of the detox or something with my digestive issues. I will keep juicing and see what happens over the next couple of days.

Happy Tuesday everyone! Juice on!

Day 7 - Hooray

Well I have officially made it to one week living solely on blended vegetables and fruits. Feels like a small victory but still a victory. Today I made some pretty delicious smoothies including kale, spinach, pineapple and even added some banana at the end. Now banana is a weird one because it usually causes me leg cramps but I have been low in potassium before so probably a good idea to add them  with the spinach on a occassion. I did notice I had a tummy ache for the first time in a week. Maybe too much fruit? (And yes I still say tummy even at 26!) I will cute back on the fruit and try just one piece of fruit in my concoctions and see if that makes a difference. I have been tummy ache free for 6 full days so to have one was a bit chocking and I also realized how annoying it was and even debilitating. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

I have decided to embark on this journey mostly due to the fact that I have a very poor digestive system. After Kidney Failure and numerous diagnosis along with 4 and a half years of medications and doctors visits my stomach has completely turned against me and all food. I do not absorb any nutrients and tend to hold onto everything I eat. The water weight I carry has become a literal pain. I am hoping by taking one of the digestive stages out by juicing that my body can start to absorb what it needs and let go of what it doesnt. The hope is to someday be able to reintroduce solid foods without pains and ugly side effects. I have a long road ahead of me but I am sure a happy ending awaits.

The final word for tonight just seems so fitting as I am stroke off week one and hardly any negative side effects - hooray!

Day 6 - Kayla meets kale

Today is day 6 and once again I can report that my sleeping habits have not been the best. I am craving a good nights sleep but am failing to get it. I do have energy during the day though which is nice and somewhat interesting considering my lack of sleep. The juice must be working.

Today I went out and bought lots of greens to start making more green smoothies as the past few days I think I have added more fruits and carrot juice to my mixes than a whole lot of greens. I really enjoy the benefits I feel as soon as I drink a green smoothie. I feel lighter and a surge of energy hits me.

Today was a bit weird for me as we had company in all day and food out everywhere. I am still not tempted or craving foods but I was craving more juices than I had been having previously. I gave in and made an extra juice tonight. I think that this is a good thing to notice. I do have cravings and even though it may be for healthy foods you should be able to have will power. But then again maybe it is my body telling me I need to be juicing more.

Tomorrow I am going to try and research and find out how many juices/mixes people drink in a day. Maybe I am limiting myself for no reason.

Either way all in all day 6 was a good day.

I am pleased to say as of tomorrow week one is done! YAY!

Day 5 - You fancy huh

Going to make this pretty short as I am exhausted. I have not decided if that is due to the fast or just because I had a late night and a busy day getting my nails did.

I made it out for my first dinner party followed by birthday cake and I did not cave or even think about. I also didn't feel sorry for myself or sad I could not take part. The food did not really appeal to me nor did the smells. Luckily Star Bucks across from the restaurant sold "Naked Juice" so I picked up two of those for my dinner. Maybe not the best thing but a much better choice than either starving or quitting. Nice to know that even Starbucks can help us juicers out.

I think the weight gain already is slowing down but my skin seems to be glowing and I am losing some of my 'bloated belly' look that I have been sporting for months.

I did not get any exercise in today other then 2 sun salutations that I do every morning. I have been trying to swim every day and work with some water weights, which by the way are legit. Hopefully tomorrow I will get into the pool and maybe even push it a little harder to make up for today.

Happy Saturday Happy Juicing!

Day 4 - Toxic

I can't say that I slept very well last night. I have been battling insomnia for over a year now. I was fortunate enough to rid myself of this awful torture for a few months but then it returned like a bad fashion trend that just wont go away. Seriously horrible. I was sort of hoping that even just a few days of juicing would correct this. Does not seem to be the case... yet. I do have faith that my sleep will return. Until then I may just rant about it. 

Other things I have noticed now that I have made it to 4 full days (insert applause) are: 

1. My breath and taste in my mouth seems to have changed and at this point not in the best way possible. Since I do read books and use "the googles" I have read that this is common and all part of the detoxing that takes place by consuming juices. 

2. My face does seem slimmer already and I have lost some weight. 

3. I am not reaching for water all the time which I was before. 

4. I am not craving solid food at all. 

5. I think I can make the full 45 days. I feel even more empowered and sort of on a roll. 

Tomorrow may turn out to be an interesting day or rather tempting. I have dinner plans for a bride to be that include dining out with "real" food, although I do wonder what is so real about processed junk? Either way I will be brining my own juice while I watch friends gorge on crunchy munchy foods. I think if I can get through that dinner I will be capable of getting through anything. I am not doubting my ability at this point. But I will admit I have made promises not to buy things and then bam a sale appears and I leave like I want to be featured on TLC hoarders. I tend to have an impulse shopping problem and I am truly hoping I do not impulsively give up tomorrow. I suppose the biggest difference is I am doing this to become HEALTHY. Without health you have nothing else. #fact. 

Wish me luck... or at least raise a glass of your own green juice/smoothie and think of me! 

Cheers! 

Day 3 - The Hunger Games*

Today has been another decent day on my juicing diet. Although I did have hunger pains for a while. I juiced more which fixed the problem. Maybe I am not mixing enough? Or maybe this is just my body adjusting. I do not feel starved nor do I feel faint or woozy or lack of energy. I can say that I do feel like I have more energy than I was having for a while. I think that my digestive issues will improve on this diet. I have noticed that my taste buds have started to increase and I am truly craving some of my blends I have made. I am really liking carrot and apple tonight. The orange colour reminds me of a great Birkin bag I once set my eyes on and tastes as sweet as I would imagine a bag like that would.  

I suppose I never said why I am doing this and will get to that this weekend.

Time to sign off for the night and hopefully sleep well. Juice on!

Day 2 - Teeth Banging*

Yesterday was relatively easy. Not sure if this is because I have attempted juice fasts before and have made it to about 10 days so I am use to what day 1 brings. I did find myself dreaming of eating solid food last night. I woke up with a sore jaw so I am almost positive I was banging my teeth in my sleep. I have been well informed I do not grind my teeth but instead smash them together maybe to some beat stuck in my head like Pitbull Ai Se Eu Te Pego or some other random song.  Nothing like a good teeth smacking beat. I am a bit puzzled to why my dreams were consumed by and with chewing. I am thinking it has more to do with my fear of failure than actually missing food. I have set this goal of 45 days and want to reach it but I fear one misstep will set me back. I guess I have some things to sort out about my own will power and fears. It appears this juice fast thing may be more of a powerful thing than I anticipated, body, mind and spirit. 

I try to incorporate little fruit and more greens however this afternoon sitting outside in the sun after a long day of work made me want something sweeter. The above is an assortment of ingredients I happened to have in my fully stocked fridge. Raspberries, strawberries, spinach, and ice! Time to sip away. 

45 Day Juice/Mixing Fast/Detox

Today marks day one of my 45 days of juicing and mixing exclusively. This means no chewing and crunching for the upcoming weeks. No plates and no forks. No processed food and no junk. Instead slurping and sipping!

I am feeling both eager and empowered by the thought of giving up all solid foods for over a month.

I suppose as some of my students say, "it's on like Donkey Kong."

And by on I mean juicing - Juice on!

K