Week 5 Review

Hi everyone, it is good to be back. I feel like I was gone for an eternity! How is everyone doing with the beginning of the Global Juice Feast? It is so great that you have all begun this wonderful process and I can't wait to get some time to catch up on all the blogs that are out there. Way to go everyone!

My weekend was...well interesting. It was about a 4 1/2 hour drive that my mom and I shared and that went well. When we got there I immediately went to Malek Al Kabob to see what kind of juice they had. I ordered their special juice that was made with celery, carrot, parsley, orange and apple. I asked for extra celery and parsley and hardly any carrot. It was still pretty heavy on the carrot.

I headed over to the hotel, checked in and went straight to my meeting. It was good to see my old friends that I hadn't seen since July. They are all such lovely people and they came in from all over, Florida, California, Texas and Colorado. It was a wonderful reunion.

We had to be ready to go at 7:30 am on Saturday so I got up and made myself a quart of water with my green powder and some lemon. Eeeeeew, it was disgusting. I chugged as much of it as I could but ended up dumping it and drinking the master cleanse.

At lunch I took off to get more juice and I was in quite a hurry. I ended up getting pulled over and given a ticket. It was so interesting. Normally I would have turned this into the biggest drama in the world. Instead I just sat there and decided to stay present. I noticed for the first time in 15 minutes that it was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and there were birds flying around. I ended up sitting there waiting for my ticket smiling like a goof.

Later my mom said something like, "I would have been so mad." I said I didn't know why, getting mad wasn't going to change it. I was still speeding and I still got the ticket and getting mad wasn't going to change anything so why bother. My mom looked at me like I was crazy. It's funny because at one point she got a little mad at me when we were talking about these things and she said, "I don't want to be a damn yogi here, I just want a little healing." I guess we just aren't on the same page.

I ended up buying 2 quarts of the juice a day and each time I asked for more and more celery. The poor man just couldn't seem to get it. It was fine though. I ended up hanging out with my friends Saturday night while they ate pizza. It looked really good but it didn't drive me crazy.

Sunday morning I woke myself up because I was having a horrendous dream. It was really awful and it brought up some stuff that was gurgling around under the surface. I tried to shake it off because I knew they were counting on me to work that day. I just couldn't keep it together. When I went to the meeting at 7:30 they had me scheduled to work with someone and I had to tell everyone that I couldn't do it. I felt terrible about it.

I ended up losing it so bad that I had to be taken into another room to have a process. I was a wreck. 3 hours later I finished one of the deepest processes I have had. It was huge and I cleared so much stuff. I hadn't had anything to "eat" yet so I was feeling a bit woozy. I ended up going up to my friends' room (I had checked out already) and slept for 3 hours. I woke up and still felt lousy so I headed off for my trip to juicy town. I felt so much better once I drank my orange concoction and finally went back to work.

I arrived home at midnight on Sunday night and crawled into bed. I wish I could have stayed in bed all day today. I am not feeling my normal happy and uplifted self after such a deep process. I don't really understand why, this has never happened to me before. I wonder if there is something more going on. I am going to see if I can do a process on myself and clear some things up. If not, I will have to call a friend and get some help.

I am also feeling quite finished with juice feasting. I am going to wait and see what happens when I get myself sorted out. I have never committed to an amount of time for this feast however I don't feel like my healing has been as full as it could be so I think I should keep going. I also have about 20 more pounds to lose. I really don't feel like continuing though. I can't stand the thought of drinking juice and I can't stand the thought of making it. I decided to just get through today and see what tomorrow brings. There is definitely something going on with me.

You may have noticed that I did not take a picture today. Since I didn't shower or get out of my pajamas I figured it wasn't the best day for picture taking. I will just skip this week and we'll see how I look next week ;o)

I am excited about the start of the Oprah, Eckhart class that starts tonight. I am all ready and have the final countdown counting down on my computer. I can't wait for it!!!! I hope that many of you will be joining me as well. I think it is going to be life changing.

I apologize for my lack of enthusiasm and dull post today. I am looking forward to my improvement as much as you. Hopefully it will be quick. Have a great night!

Day 32

Photo by Lizsmith on Flickr

Triumph often is nearest when defeat seems inescapable.-- B.C. Forbes

Juices, Supplements etc. in order of consumption
1/2 quart celery, pear, spinach, sprouts

1 cup licorice tea

1/2 quart watermelon juice
This is divine!!!!!

1/2 quart watermelon juice

1 quart spinach pear, kiwi, celery

Weight
Starting 173.5
Today ???

I am so tired of weighing myself. I just don't seem to care what I weigh anymore and I keep forgetting. I will try to do it every few days.

Sleep
7.5 hours

Supplements
Probiotic
Chanca Piedra
B12
B5 morning and evening
Enzymes with each juice
Colon Cleanse - It wasn't working so I increased my dose. IT'S WORKING NOW!!!!

Exercise
None - I just couldn't do it. The energy I had in the morning was spent packing and shopping to get ready for my departure tomorrow and then later on I wasn't feeling good (I just typed food there instead of good. Hmmmm, interesting typo :o)

Physically
I am tired. I am tired. I have a headache, I am crabby and I just want to sleep for 100 years. I woke up feeling very strange indeed. I had a headache, sore throat and sore eyes. After hydrating myself I felt better and it all went away. I seemed to do OK until around 4 or 5 and then I just felt like a big pile of yuck. It should be interesting to see how I fare when I am working from 7am to 10pm for the weekend.

Positive changes
losing weight (I fit into a smaller size pants today!)
skin smooth

Detox
Coated tongue
Geographic tongue
Face looks old and tired today
Headache
Tired
Dry hands
Dizzy when standing up too quickly

Emotionally
I am crabby today. I keep trying to be in the moment and look for joy and it is a lot harder when I don't feel good. I tell myself, if this is the only moment I have for the rest of my life... and I think, oh no! There was one point that I was cuddled up in my bed and I decided to give it a shot. I was so warm and toasty and cuddly. I could hear all the kids running around downstairs and I got that moment of peace. It was nice.

I imagine that the more I do this the easier it will become. This is a challenging time so it is more difficult. I am not beating myself up for it. There is a learning curve and I am being gentle with myself.

Cravings
Meat- I have a question about this and I am wondering if anyone has any insights. I have always eaten meat. When I was a child I didn't really like meat that much. I was always eating fruit and pasta. Those were my favorite things. As I got older I started eating meat more. I preferred chicken and fish over beef. Now that I am detoxing and clearing out I obviously won't be eating meat and I assume that the cravings are the same as if I were craving chocolate (which strangely enough I haven't craved and it was one of my favorites) or pasta.

The question I am asking is if any of you think there is any validity to the Blood Type Diet. I am O and they are supposed to be the meat eaters. I haven't read the book but I looked through the list of food for my blood type. I have heard mixed things about it and I was just wanting to get a little feedback.

Trash Bag Tango
Cleaned out my wallet

Meditation
None

Ramblings
Dan left me a comment about detox footpads. He told me I should use a certain brand. I don't know anything about them because I have never used them but I looked around the site he suggested and I found this fantastic reflexology chart. So I am going to show it to my hubby and have him rub my feet all around my digestion points. I wonder if he will do it?

I went shopping to pick up some things for this weekend today. I haven't gone shopping for anything besides food in a long time. Because I am going to be a trainer, I want to look good. If I were just taking the workshop I would wear a sweatshirt and jeans so I would be comfy. I started trying on clothes this morning to see what I had. This is when I realized that I could squeeze into a brown pair of pants I haven't worn in ages because they were too small. As I said they are a bit tight but not too bad.

The two outfits I picked out were both heavily brown so I had to go out and get some brown shoes. I like both of the outfits and I think I will feel good in them. I picked up a few other things and I am all ready to go.

I called a health food store that is near the hotel that I will be staying at to ask about juices. She directed me to a Mediterranean restaurant that they order from all the time. It is called Malek Al Kabob. I called over there and the man said he could accommodate me with my juicing needs while I am there. He charges $7.50 for a quart of juice. He can't put a lot of greens in there but he has celery, parsley, carrot and beet. I will just ask him to go heavy on the celery and parsley and throw a little carrot in to zip it up. I will add my green powder into it and viola!, I will be all set.

I would have never found this place without the help of the kind woman at the health food store. Just goes to show you that you never know what is going to happen.

So the plan is that I will bring lemons, honey, and cayenne to make the master cleanse if needed. I will probably use very little, if any honey. I will bring all my supplements and herbal teas. I also bought 2 large bottles of this organic vegetable juice. It isn't the best but I figured it would be OK in case of emergency. I combine that with the juice from my Mediterranean friend and I am good to go.

Saturday is the start of the Global Juice Feast and I am so excited about it. I will be thinking about all of you wonderful souls on Saturday beginning this life changing event together. Have a wonderful beginning. If things get a little tough just remember why you are doing this. Why you have decided to embark on this journey. Keep the goal in front of you at all times. Spend time imagining in detail what your life will be like when you complete this feast. What will you look like? What will you feel like? What will you be doing? How will your life change for the better? See it all and keep it close to you. This will keep you strong and focused.

In case you haven't seen them I have a couple of movie that I made for myself to inspire me during my feast. I have posted them here. Just scroll down and check them out. I hope they will be an inspiration to you.

You've heard the old saying, one day at a time. I have found that this works so well for me. I have been having a lot of physical issues on this juice feast, a lot more than most people. Sometimes I just feel like giving up. I think, "There is no way I can make it to 92 days!" and then I think, "Can I make it through today?" The answer is always yes and then I start over fresh the next day. The days have just flown by for me. Even with all the struggles it seems to have sped by. Don't worry about tomorrow or about day 30, day 60 or especially not day 92. Just enjoy your juice today. Enjoy the sun today. Enjoy your life today and tomorrow will take care of itself. Much love to all of you!

The hotel I am staying at has a computer for public use so I will probably be able to check my emails but I am not sure I will have time to update my blog. We will see how it goes. I wish you all a fantastic weekend!

PS I RAN to the bathroom 3 times while writing this. I told you the colon cleanse was working. Now how I am going to make it in a car for 4 1/2 hours?!

Day 31

Photo by Bitzcelt on Flickr

Juices in order of consumption
1 cup licorice tea

1 quart spinach, celery, cucumber, pear, kiwi
1/2 lb spinach, 6 celery, 1 cucumber, 1 pear, 2 kiwi
Tasted very nice.

1 quart celery, kale, cilantro, tomato, carrots, kelp
6 celery, 3 kale leaves, 1 bunch cilantro, 1 tomato, 1 c. carrots
I am really sick of kale. I don't like the way it smells, I don't like the way it tastes anymore. I need a break from kale.

1 quart celery, tomato, romaine, cucumber
3 stalks celery, 3 sm tomatoes, 1 head romaine, 1/2 cucumber
Tasted good.

1 cup peppermint tea

Weight
Starting 173.5
Today 155.5

Sleep
7.5 hours

Supplements
Probiotic
B12
B5 morning and evening
Enzymes with each juice
Colon Cleanse

I am supposed to be starting the chanca piedra or stone breaker. I dropped the ball and didn't order it soon enough so it hasn't arrived yet. I suggest to anyone that it beginning the juice feast that they really plan ahead for supplements. If you can't afford to buy everything right now, write it on your calendar for the future so you don't forget. Make sure you allot enough time for shipping.

Note: It came later in the day. Yippeee! That Raw Vegan Books ships fast!

Exercise
None. I was planning on going to the 7:00 yoga class but I felt awful so I stayed home.

Physically
Woke up tired. About 10:30 or so I got a nasty headache and I just wanted to go to sleep. My 7 year was home sick from school today so that wasn't an option. The headache stayed with me the entire day and as my stomach started acting up in the evening. The peppermint tea seemed to help that.

Positive changes
Weight loss
Skin smooth

Detox
Coated tongue
Geographic tongue
Mucus in nose and throat
Face looks old and tired today
Headache
Tired
Dry hands

Emotionally
I was pretty crabby today. My friend flo didn't visit. I feel like I am winding up a bit with the PMS. I am trying to stay centered and focus on the present moment. It was a bit challenging today, especially since I don't feel good.

Cravings
Tacos, meat, sausages, meat, meat, meat.

Trash Bag Tango
None

Meditation
None

Ramblings
Hanlie and I were discussing the possibility of extending our juice feast so that we could retrace all the way back to our beginning. I asked the question to David and Katrina and I thought I would post their response here so you could all read it.

Your second question is very interesting...here is what we can say with out actually knowing you and your situation. Juice Feasting may not be the bus that takes you all the way back on your journey to the womb with emotional work...it completely depends on your physiology, your emotional history, and many other things. There are many other vehicles to carry us through our stages of transformation, Juice Feasting is just one of many! It is a very powerful one to be sure.

So in short we can not tell you what will be appropriate for you, you may need to break out after 52 Days, or 92!! One easy way to gauge this is by your weight. When you have reached or moved below your ideal weight, break the Feast. Your ideal weight is calculated thus:

100 lbs for the first five feet of height, and 5lbs for each additional inch. So, someone who is 5'7" has a target range of around 135lbs, give or take 3-5 lbs either way.

If I could have stayed in bed today I would have. I am going to go there now.

Day 30

Photo by Bicameral on Flickr

Juices, Supplements etc. in order of consumption
1 quart leaf lettuce, asparagus, lemon, onion, tomato, red pepper, radish, celery, kelp, turmeric

1 head leaf lettuce, 3 asparagus, 1/2 lemon, 1 green onion, 2 sm. tomatoes, 1/2 red pepper, 1 sm. white radish, 4 stalks celery.

This had that earthy taste again but I didn't mind it. I think the lemon really helps to balance that. It was surprisingly sweet and enjoyable.

3/4 quart spinach, lime, cilantro, celery, tomato, onion, garlic, flax oil
1/2 lb spinach, 2 limes, 1 bunch cilantro, 4 stalks celery, 1 tomato, 1 green onion, 2 garlic
Oooh baby, I liked this juice. It had a good taste. I tasted it before I added the flax and it was even better. It tasted salty. I can't imagine why because it didn't have any more celery then I normally put in and I didn't even add the kelp.

3/4 quart kale, cilantro, tomato, carrot, celery, lemon
4 leaves kale, handful cilantro, 1 tomato, handful carrot, 4 stalks celery, 1/2 lemon
I had to let this sit for about 2 hours and it still tasted good.

3/4 quart spinach, pear, cucumber, celery
1/2 lb spinach, 1 pear, 1 cucumber, 4 stalks celery
This one sat for over 4 hours and still tasted delish.

I didn't mean to make 3/4 quarts all day but that was all the juice I got out. I guess I just can't get more then 3 quarts in me. I will do better.

Weight
Starting 173.5
Today Didn't weigh in.

Sleep
7 hours

Supplements
Probiotic
B12 (I took this yesterday too, I just forgot to write it)
B5 morning and evening
Enzymes with each juice
Colon cleanse- The hydrotherapist gave this to me today. It is cascara sagrada, turkey rhubarb root, sage leaf, aloe ferrox leaf, barberry root, ginger root, black walnut hulls, dandelion leaf, sippery elm bark

Exercise
I went to the health club tonight. I did 20 minutes walking on the treadmill and a 1 hour Tai Chi class.

The Tai chi class was very interesting. It is so slow and seems so simple but it is hard to get your breath right and all the subtle moves right. The instructor is this big 6'4" guy and he taught us the Tai Chi, some QiGong and some self defense. It was pretty cool. After the QiGong I could feel energy on the top of my head. It felt like something was in my hair. Cool. I am going to go again next Tuesday.

Physically
I felt good today. My stomach has calmed down a bit. It is under the surface again so hopefully it will keep getting better and better. I had a decent amount of energy. More so then the last few days so that was nice.

Positive changes
Weight loss
Skin smooth
Face is changing

Detox
Coated tongue
Geographic tongue
Mucus in nose and throat
Breaking out on the right side of my face
Dry hands

Emotionally
Today was a great day emotionally. I felt so happy and content today. I feel strong and placid. The anger that used to control me and create havoc in my life seems to have dissipated and I am not reacting to every little thing.

I made a shopping list for my husband and he forgot something on it. He said I didn't write it on the list but I had the list and I did. Now normally I would have gotten pissed about it. I know it isn't that big of a deal but that is what would have happened nonetheless. Instead I didn't even care. I just said, "No problem honey." Now if you knew me before this juice feast and the work I have been doing you would know what a big deal this is.

Cravings
None

Trash Bag Tango
None

Meditation
I signed up for Oprah and Eckhart's online class for the book A New Earth. I was on the website reading and checking things out. They have the first chapter workbook up and ready to go so I was there filling it out. I found these awakening exercises that they suggest you do. It is like an awake mediation. They basically want you to take moments out of you life to become fully aware of that moment.

I started with my juice preparation. I stayed in the present moment while I washed my vegetables. I noticed the feel of them, the color, and the texture. I listened to the water flow as I washed them and to the sound of the knife as I cut them. I was surprised at how the sound of tearing the leaf lettuce put a smile on my face.

While straining the juice I noticed the texture of the bag, the coolness of the juices as it trickled over my hands. I enjoyed the fascinating feeling of the pressure that built up in the bag as I squeezed and was released when I released. I could smell the juice as I was squeezing it out and I listened intently to the trickle of the juice hitting the bowl.

When I was cleaning up afterward I filled my sink with bubbles. I had forgotten how much I love bubbles. I began looking at them and I took complete joy in the steam rising from the sink and fogging up my glasses. I felt this child-like wonder as I began to play with the bubbles, rolling them around, listening to the sounds they made, feeling the warmth of them on my hands as if they were a blanket.

Normally I drink my juice in front of the computer or while reading. Today I decided to stay in the moment while I drank my juice. I looked closely at the color of the juice, smelled it and was able to detect the subtleties of it. While swirling it around in my mouth and chewing it I was able to pick out each vegetable that was in there by the subtle flavors. I felt the smooth stem of my wine glass and listened as the glass touched the table.

I have to say that this became a bit more difficult because it took some time and my mind kept wanting to wander. I kept bringing myself back by saying, "This is the only moment. If this was all I ever had, how happy would I be?" It was simply amazing that by saying this, I was able to find joy in the simplest thing.

At one moment I looked down at my kitchen table and I noticed all of the dents and scratches that were on the table. I started feeling bad about it and then I said to myself, "This table isn't good or bad, it just is." As soon as I finished I was overcome with this realization that the table was life. Each scratch and each dent was filled with the life of my children and my husband. It brought complete gratitude and overwhelming love and joy and I began to cry.

I have a deeper understanding of how we can choose at each and every moment whether we choose to be happy or we choose to struggle. This was a very powerful exercise and I suggest everyone give it a try at some point in their day.

Ramblings

I had another colonic today. I felt so sick during it is was crazy. When she was pressing on my colon and rubbing it it hurt in some places. She said it could be gas or some type of impaction. Whatever, just get it out! I felt better when it was over and I scheduled another one for next week.

Ever since I had my 5th son I have had some brutal PMS. I am telling you, it is rough. I remember when I was a kid and my mom would get terrible PMS and not realize she was being a lunatic. Mine got so bad that I couldn't help but know.

Well, I am happy to report that I am due to begin tomorrow. Now I am not always regular so I don't know when it will begin but the point is, I am not a lunatic. Yippee! I have been a bit crabby yesterday and today but nothing, I mean nothing even close to the past. I am so excited about it.

I am leaving to go to Detroit, Michigan for the weekend on Friday. My mom and I are driving there together (a little over 4 hours) and we are staying in a room together. My mom is going to re-sit the Journey Intensive and I am going to be a trainer. I am going to meetup with my old roomate Vickie from Practitioners week so it should be a lot of fun. It will be great to be back in the energy of the Journey again. I always feel so good when I leave.

I am a bit concerned about the juicing situation however. I am not going to have a kitchen or refrigerator. It is simply a small room that I am sharing with my mom. I have to be ready for meditation really early in the morning and I work until really late at night. I just don't see how I am going to be able to make the juice. I posted a question on the forum asking if I could cut the honey down on the Master Cleanse for the 3 days even though I have candida. That would just be so much easier. I haven't heard back yet but in their defense I have posted a bunch of questions in the last couple of days and this is the only one that hasn't been answered.

Things are definitely looking up.

Day 29

Juices, Supplements etc. in order of consumption
1 quart Leaf lettuce, radish, radish leaves, celery, lemon, cilantro, onion, garlic, kelp
1/2 head leaf lettuce, 1 very small radish with a handful of leaves, 4 stalks celery, 1/2 lemon, 1/2 bunch of cilantro, 1 green onion, 2 garlic
This was pretty good. I was surprised at how nice it tasted.

3/4 quart spinach, celery, radish, cilantro carrot, garlic, kelp, hemp oil, turmeric
1/2 lb spinach, 4 stalks celery, 1 sm radish, 1/2 bunch cilantro, handful carrots, 2 garlic
I don't know why but this had an earthy taste and was spicy. The radish was a little bigger but not that much. Maybe it was because I left the lemon out.

1 quart kale, cilantro, cucumber, carrot, onion, garlic, coconut oil, Chinese 5 spice
4 leaves kale, 1 bunch cilantro, 1 cucumber, handful carrots, 1 onion, 2 garlic
I was looking for something different, something exciting. I was trying to get something that tasted Asian. I sort of succeeded. I think it would have been better with a lime or lemon. I will try it again. I am also out of romaine and I think that would have helped too.

You may or may not have noticed that I was leaving out the hemp oil for a few days to see if it had any effect on my stomach. I did notice I felt a bit more heartburn after that juice so I am thinking about leaving it out again for a while until I don't have this underlying pain. I will add flax oil instead and see how that goes.

Weight
Starting 173.5
Today 156

I lost 1 1/2 lbs.

Sleep
7.5 hours

Supplements
I have been struggling to remember to take my supplements so I thought if I was to add them to the blog it would help me remember.

Probiotic in morning
Enzymes with each juice
B5 in morning and evening

Exercise
None

Physically
I woke up tired and stayed tired the whole day. I felt so drained and I really would have loved to crawl in bed and sleep the whole day. I didn't feel sick or anything, just so tired.

Positive changes
Weight loss
Skin smooth
Face is changing

Detox
Coated tongue
Geographic tongue
Mucus in nose and throat
Breaking out on the right side of my face. I am due to get my period in 2 days so that could be helping although I don't usually get pimples at that time of the month.
Dry hands

Emotionally
I am feeling very positive today despite the complete lack of energy I have. I am feeling very centered and my physical lethargy isn't affecting me emotionally. I did get a little crabby and again I have to remind myself that I am about to start my cycle. This little crabbiness that I experienced today is nothing compared to the horrors of PMS that I have been suffering for the last 5 years though. In fact I just told my hubby what part of my cycle I am in and he confirmed the lack of anger, crabbiness and misery that is normally present at this time.

Cravings
I was craving something substantial, something warm and filling again today. I wouldn't call it a craving; I call it more like an underlying whisper.

Trash Bag Tango
None

Meditation
None

Ramblings
I have added a new feature to my blog. It is on the right side just below the Raw Food World Link. It is the Daily OM. I have been getting this for a very long time. I don't always take the time to read it but when I do it is usually pretty good.

Everyday the link will be updated with a new article for you to read. I want to share today's with you just in case you don't read this until tomorrow because I think it is a good one. Have a great night, I am going to bed early.

The Kaleidoscope Of Life
Living Together Differently

We tend to gravitate toward people who are most like us, at least in the ways that make us feel comfortable. But life has its way of bringing us into contact with people who challenge us with their differences. It may be an obvious difference reflected in their outward appearance or an invisible but powerful philosophical stance. Even in our closest circle of friends and family, though, there are those that confront us with their different ways of experiencing and expressing life. We can choose to resist, but we can also choose to learn from them and appreciate that they too have a place in the kaleidoscope of life.

As much as we may say that we want peace and quiet and a life without struggle, the truth is that human beings are currently thriving in a world of dualities and challenges. It is how we choose to approach these hurdles that determine if we sail over them, confirming our agility, or trip and end up face down in the dust. And each of us absolutely will and must stumble, and then get up, brush the dust off, and carry on. This is how we learn and grow, developing depth of character and shades of understanding. In a world of dualities, we have trouble defining ourselves without something opposite and can’t discover who we are. Without challenge, there is nothing to do and nothing to discover. That leaves us either in a state of nonbeing or in the state of pure spirit, but as humans, we are spiritual beings experiencing the physical world in all of its startling contrast and beauty.

No matter how spiritual we are, our lives will have challenges. We will always run into people that are different from us, but the true challenge may be in finding ways to be at peace with this process. Rather than give in to the fight-or-flight response that comes from our animal nature, we can find new ways to evolve together into higher, more beautiful expressions of ourselves, realizing, embracing, and celebrating the beauty of diversity and the strength it offers for the future.