Day 31 - Past the terrible 2's

The title is a bit deceiving as the 2's or twenties rather were not all that terrible at all. If anything more frustrating since the past two weeks I have pretty much been at the same spot weight wise and emotional wise and even energy wise. 

I am pretty much sticking to juicing. I have not used the vitamix but I have bought some store bought green juices that I think are actually smoothies. I have not had them everyday and at this point you can only do so much! 

Today I went and had my hips worked on. I seem to have hips that are rolled forward and slightly dislocated. This has been something I have known for a year now and seem to have sort of let it get worse. The massage therapist did a great job digging into my hips and pushing on pelvic muscles to stimulate movement where there seems to be all kinds of ashesions. That being said I am really sore tonight. In excruciating pain. I have quite the pain tolerance, hence why she could push so hard. But this is almost agony. Makes me appreciate mixing and juicing as I suddenly realize I have sort of been without CONSTANT PAIN for a few weeks now. I still have pains but not like before. 

The pros always seem to outweigh the cons - in this case! 

Day 29 - I'm Back!

So I have been crazy busy with school closing and report cards and paper writing for my course and just living that I have neglected to blog for the past few days. I feel slightly guilty that I have not written anything but then again who is really reading this?

(insert no one)

Yesterday I took the plunge and I moved away from using my favourite kitchen gadget to my second favourite tool. Although unlike the vitamix, the juicer and I have a rather large love hate relationship. I love what it produces. In fact I have come to the conclusion juicing is so much better for the taste buds! However the clean up is not my favourite thing. With mixing I would make my drinks and drink them almost immediately after. With juicing I have decided to preserve my time and make one batch a day of various recipes and flavours and store them in air tight jars and drink when I want. I know it is best to drink them right away but then again no one is perfect!

I have loaded my fridge with every green leafy vegetable I felt I was willing to try along with already pressed carrot juice, green juice, and pineapple juice. The pineapple juice was a new find and for drinking on these super hot days that everyone around me seems to be flaunting ice cream and cold drinks. Again I want to move way from buying juices but the cost is down with the help of pre juiced and I have them for when I am in a pinch.

All my store bought juices are the next best thing from making them myself. No preservatives, sulphites, added sugars and most of all they have a short shelf life which means they are pretty much the earths goodness! Yay.

Juice aside, I have not really had any progress the past week. Maybe why I was not blogging nothing new and exciting to announce. I do feel like my energy level is up again which is good. I also feel my dedication and desire to continue to do this is really strong. I almost had a massive slip up over the weekend. I was home alone in a house that was packed with junk food and had just been to an event where people were devouring everything from gluten free cupcakes to homemade sugar lemonade. I am not one to indulge in these eating habits but it did make my cravings and mind go into overdrive and I actually pulled a bowl out of the cupboard and started to sort through the fridge and figure out which solid food I was going to cut up and enjoy when I took control of the situation. I realized I am not doing this to deprive myself but revive myself. I certainly do not feel deprived so why was I all of a sudden reaching for the things that sent me on this journey to begin with? Maybe not feeling normal? Maybe rebellion? Maybe annoyed I am not seeing the progress I want? Either way I decided I am not taking that road. I will continue on the path of wellness!

Today I enjoyed Kale, Celery, Apple, and Mint. YUM!

Day 24 - I want more

A little rhyme to remember day...

Well today was graduation for my kiddies. Marks the end of my journey for now as a teacher. Time to get down to business and focus on health and wellness. I was so elated when I came home tonight after the ceremony I turned up maroon five and danced around with green juice in one hand and nothing in the other. Was an amazing feel. In all honesty I feel remarkably proud of myself. For having stuck out the past four years and the past 24 days. 24 days of mixing may not seem like much I do feel like it has put me on the right path. A path I think I had strayed from for far too long.

I must start juicing and up the detox next week. The weight needs to go along with the negativity I once had.

I am thinking a colonic mid week. Over share? Nah that is the beauty of detoxing - the details we get to uncover!

Good night!

Day 23 - Went on a reading spree

I am sort of feeling so overwhelmed with all the information there is on health and juicing and mixing and food combining. A friend of mine put it very simply for me which seemed to help.

• Mixing for feeding.
• Juicing for cleansing.

I think that is very accurately put. Although both are great for the body and better than lots of other things you could be feasting on the point is one may be slightly better with detoxing. Ultimately I have made my mind up that I want to detox. So counting down the days until the juicer is working in full force.

Tomorrow I want to read more and more about food combining and hopefully get into the pool. The scale has stayed the same and my energy level is quite low from lack of sleep.

SIGH

• Mixing for feeding.
• Juicing for cleansing.
  
  
  
  

Day 22 - let's pretend we're in Antarctica

Whew I was freezing the last half of the day and think that is a sign of detox. I am still sort of at the same spot I have been the last couple of days which makes me feel a bit defeated and in all honestly almost like giving up. I wont give up but it has crossed my mind. If I am essentially just drinking vegetables why am I not getting quick results when other people shovel in doughnuts and see progress. Then again comparing yourself to others will always end up in a negative war. It is never a good idea to play that game. So instead I have embraced the fact that this is my last week with the vitamix (for now) and the juicer will be my kitchen staple as of Monday. I need to step up my game to see the results I want. I really want the detox to happen. I want to know my body is healing from inside out. I think then I can stop worrying about the outside... I think...

Blueberries, spinach, watermelon, and figs = yum yum!

A question I have been wondering is all about food combing... fruit and veg? No or go?

I guess I have some homework*

Day 21 - HERBAG

Well this is the side of the gluten free shopping spree you get to hear about. Today I felt both elated, annoyed, upset, doubtful, and off all in one. Not really much to do with the fast. Or maybe it does have to do with the fast. Perhaps the fast makes emotions much stronger since the fog is gone. Much more aware of emotions and the reasons behind them. I was annoyed at a post on facebook and the fact that others seem to have it so much easier. Silly more of a pity me position. But I soon realized I was not annoyed at those things - I was annoyed at the fact that I was nauseated all day. Maybe mad at myself. Mad that I cannot fix the one thing that is most valuable... me... my health... and I. So I took to the computer and ebay and within a few clicks I bought a Hermes Herbag. eeeek. Impulse shop at its finest. I have however been admiring this particular bag for sometime and was waiting for the exact moment to purchase it. I think buying it the way I did and when I did was sort of a way to realize you can either chose to carry your baggage or let it go and start fresh. That is exactly what I choose to do. Let go of my baggage and instead of carrying emotional petty crap and worry and fear and projection I have decided to carry a HERBAG instead. One to which I can empty and fill as much as I desire without harming my health. Perhaps it will harm my ego and my nurture the materialistic side of me that desperately needs to vanish. But then again no one is perfect!

So today I sip green juice and admire my brown HERBAG from afar... ohhh the day it comes in the mail will be a day to remember! Yay!

Goodnight - sweetdreams!

Day 20 - 20/20

Made it to 20 days and feel pretty good about that.

Not much change has come about this week. Mostly stuck to the same weight down a little bit but not a whole lot. Swam lots today and could feel my muscles working hard. I actually have the 'workout' sore muscle pain currently. It's always nice to feel like you made an impact in a good way on your body.

It was gorgeous outside today so I spent most of my day outside working on course work and report cards as well as sipping some new mean green.

Although I have played around with spinach, kale and pineapple, today I went for bunches of spinach and pineapple and some cucumber. It was delicious. Each day I keep telling myself to cut back on my fruit consumption but when the juices taste better it is easier to do and then I enjoy doing it.

I did make some popsicles out of carrot juice and peaches. I know that it is best to consume juices right after making it so the enzymes and everything are at their best but on a hot summer day a popsicle is always welcomed in my books. I felt great munching on such a healthy snack and also quite normal. Everyone makes popsicles so why not make them out of good nutritious and delicious juices.

I am still very much game for switching to pure juice and not just blending very soon. I am eager to try that and see if the shifts and progress continue. I am almost at the half way mark and not even half way to my weight goal... again weight is not and should not be the focus but it is something on my mind.

Happy sunday night everyone. I am lifting my glass of watermelon and blueberry juice to you all and saying goodnight see you for day 21!

Day 19 - To juice or not to juice?

Don't let the title alarm you. I am not giving up my fast. But I am wondering if maybe I should be juicing and not just mixing. I have read lots on both and seems that not one is better than the other... or is it? Juicing has been known to push toxins out and help with the detox process. I think that although my goal has been to help with my digestive problems and lose the swelling and water weight packed on from pounds and pounds of medications, the ultimate goal is health. There are people out there who already think I am complete 'quack' and that the body does not need to go to these extremes. However I think it does. I think detoxing is something your body needs help doing and should be done at least once a year. Which brings me to the idea of juicing. I am happy with the results of my mixing fast so far but I am ready to push myself and take it to the next level. After talking to a friend who is going to begin something similar himself I think I will follow in the footsteps and see what other changes I can notice. 

My plan is as follows. Continue mixing for this week. 1 because I am still at work and juicing requires a little bit more effort and a lot more cleanup. 2. I am worried or excited there may be some sort of healing reaction by moving to the next step and I need to have no commitments so I can push through it and stay on track. 

After this week is over I will try juicing for the day and allow myself one smoothie at the end of the day if I am feeling I need something of more substance. After that week I will move to one solid week of juice and then back to mixing the following week and try and do 1 week juice followed by 1 week mixing. The goal will be to work myself up to one or more solid weeks of juice juices and mostly green juices. 

Those are my future plans but I am trying to remember to live in the moment. A fast is a great tool to make you slow down and think about the now... and right now I am tired. I did some swimming and feel like I have increased my energy in the pool already. Such a great feeling when your body pushes past a threshold. This fast may be one of the best things I have ever done, in more ways than slurping! 

Day 18 - Blueberries and Blue Water

Today I went a bit overboard with blueberries. I put them in every smoothie. They were delicious but I think I will pay for it tomorrow. I think  over mixed today. I did however swim for about a half hour which was such a great release. I am hoping after working out a little bit more than I did the past 2 days I will sleep well. I am still struggling with a good nights sleep and it is almost torture. I am simply exhausted and the concept of the fast is to give more energy and I feel the opposite.

Nothing new today other than the scale was down a bit which always makes me happy. Hopefully tomorrow the good news will be a feel of energy and good sleep.

Hard to believe I am almost on week 3. Time has just flown by. I am starting to really enjoy the mixes. There is so much variety. I still have so many ideas and vegetable and fruits I have not tried yet. The possibilities are almost endless and for that I think I will keep going and aim for 60 days... or more!

Empowered by the thought of healing myself and pushing myself all in one! There is nothing more satisfying then thinking that your body was not capable of something a few weeks ago and now is. I think I am on that path now.

CHEERS!

Day 17 - Coldplay

Sitting here listening to paradise by Coldplay thinking about the progress made this week. So after my random day of weight fluctuations in the wrong direction I am back down but not down past where I was. Feels sort of deflating to be honest. I read all these other blogs about people who had such progress on their juice fast that I wonder if I am doing something wrong or maybe it will happen in the end or most importantly perhaps I just need to be patient. I need to remind myself the medications and health problems did not pile on over night so this takes time. Forgive me if I sound like a broken record. I guess that is part of the point of this blog. To get this all out and hopefully see progress in the form of the physical and mental state of my body.

I did do a small workout yesterday so at least I am making my goals that I can control a possibility. I will start my second workout very soon. I think I will do the same thing as yesterday since I am lacking motivation to go beyond that - at this point.

I did have a successful day in other areas. I was able to cross off course work from my imaginary to do list. It is such a nice feeling to be able to check things off a list. Like a pat on the back or simply a feeling os paradise... yeah paradise*

Goodnight and remember to not just eat your veggies - sip them!

Sweet 16*

Tired but a productive day.

No real change since yesterday.

Sort of have nothing much to say but felt like I should do even a short post.

I discovered two things today.

1. I quite like carrot juice and peach. Yup.
2. I have almost enough areoplan miles to go to NYC for free. Sort of made my day.

Come on juice diet work your magic so I can roam the city and feel good while doing it. Besides it would not be a summer if I did not take a bite of the apple... would it?

Goodnight!

Day 15 - Headphones and nail polish

I have literally been sitting on my bed listening to music and picking shellac off my nails for hours. I am in a complete state of blah. It's not that I do not have energy but I feel my motivation is gone. Not with regards to this fast but just in general. I feel like doing nothing. I am happy doing nothing. Sort of in my own little musical world. Currently listening to Maroon 5 Pay Phone - explicit version. I feel zen despite the angry lyrics. Interesting moment of realization. This song is quite angry.

I have read that people who do fasts feel the fog leave their head and feel mentally clear. I think part of me is there and part of me is stuck in the drifting fog. Or maybe there isn't any fog and I am just lazy. Hard to say at this point.

I cut back my smoothie intake today. No real reason just sort of did. See what happens tomorrow.

I am excited I have made it to 15 days. Feel a sense of accomplishment that I have not felt in a while. I am still not into the idea of working out but have decided to push myself before next week begins. Tomorrow marks 1 month until my surgery so seems like a fitting day to try something more active than putting in and taking out earbuds out.

;) Cheers!

Day 14 - Two Weeks

Today I am feeling sort of annoyed. I do not really feel like blogging or doing anything really. I am hoping this is a detox phase. Being unmotivated and swamped with work is not a good combination. Terrible combination actually.

I find it really frustrating that the scale is still up and down. I sort of figured there would be no ups at all. I have not consumed more juice than before so it is puzzling to see it go up. Maybe this is why I am annoyed today. I guess this is all part of the process and the journey. Nothing worth while is ever easy. Or so I am told. I will not admit defeat though.

I think my body has been through a number of crazy things and things that have taken their toll in the past few years. These things did not happen all over night so the recovery won't either. I am realizing on this fast more and more I need to learn and accept patience. I have gotten out of the habit of doing yoga other than my morning routine. I think that will be my challenge for next week. Ease back into at least 10 mins of yoga every day. Meditation and moving your body is so powerful. I sort of want this fast to lead me to new patterns to include in my daily life afterwards.

Today I opened the fridge to find my cucumber and saw some hummus dip. Although hummus is relatively healthy - I seem to have problems digesting it and even more problematic is the fact that I gorge on it if I decide to even consume a spoonful. I realized when I saw this that my immediate thought was to open a bag of carrots and devour. Clearly I still have work to do. Although I am not craving solid foods and I never ate unhealthy I seem to use food even the healthy stuff to deal with stress. This is something that must change. 14 days may seem like a long time but not long enough to change.

Here comes another day tomorrow and hopefully a happier more relaxed day. Namiste.

Day 12 & 13 - A blend

A blend of the weekend days.

Yesterday was the Stag and Doe for my friend and all went well. I did go and buy some organic naked juice so I had something to sip on throughout the day and night.

Today I feel very drained and exhausted. Mostly because the long day yesterday and late night. I don't think my feeling of drained and even weak is food related. I feel like I am absorbing nutrients and starting to see changes on the outside. Which makes me happy!

Progress in any shape or form is always welcomed!

I do see a connection of when I am drinking store bought juice that I crave more fruits and things that are sweet. Once school ends I will try and avoid store bought juice all together. Right now with busy schedules it seems to be something that is needed and for the most part is almost as good as juicing my own.

Short post for a blended two days!

Day 11 - Weekender

Well technically today is day 12 but since I have not slept off day 11 it does not count.

Today was another good day. I found it easier to be around food. I do think that the sight of food makes me feel some nauseated but it could be more of a side effect of cutting back on my anti nauseants I have now been on for close to 5 years. So this is progress.

I have noticed my mouth is filled with canker sores. I am not sure if this is from fruit and acid, detoxing, hormones or something else. I will monitor it and see what happens. I have not been keeping a journal of my mixes which maybe I should be doing to track anything I notice. For the most part as long as the fruit and veg are in liquid form they do not seem to bother me like they do in solid form.

Here are some examples;

Bananas when eaten solid cause leg cramps (for me). I have had a few bananas in the past 11 days and not noticed anything.

Fruit such as pineapple can cause my hypoglycaemia to kick in. I know people say if you eat fruit alone then this won't happen but I have still found munching on pineapple in its full form to cause 'she shaky feeling' but have not had this.

Brocoli tends to make my stomach bloated and really distended. Again this has not been the case.

It will be interesting to see what happened when I start to add solid food back in - slowly - very slowly. How you break a fast can be more challenging than doing the fast. I will need to map out my exit plan very carefully. However I am still weeks away from this point.

Okay time to call it a night.

See you for day 12.

I have a Stag and Doe to go to tomorrow. Could be interesting to be around so many people and foods. Oh well bring it on ;)