wow. Last night I really crashed. Seriously. I don't know if I didn't get enough juice or what but I felt horrible, sick, shaky, cranky as all get out. I got home from my meeting and looked up some solutions to deox crashing. The best 'solution' according to most fasting websites is to give yourself an enema to 'flush the toxins from our body as quickly as possible'. Apparently this provides nearly instant relief. ew.
The other option was to eat a raw avocado or banana. These fruits slow down the detox, elavate your blood sugar and are a long burn in your system.
I chose the avocado. I cut into small pieces and ate it slowly. And then I took a hot shower. I felt enormous relief.
One thing I have discoverd about myself is that my body 'fasts' very naturally at night (as all our bodies do) It's how I break that fast during the day tha makes the biggest impact. Having tea for breakfast is fine - but I really need to get some juice in my system soon after to avoid those crashing sensations.
btw, I am not lovely when I am sick. I am gross and cranky and not fun to be around. I am hopeful that I start feeling less sick and more like myself soon! Goes to show how much junk we let ourselves ingest in our culture!!
So here is to day four - more juices, lots of hydration and a better outlook!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
DAY THREE
Today I woke up without a headache. And without hunger pangs. Whoo-hooo!
Don't misunderstand me the desire to eat is still there - but no longer the actual hunger. Since I am taking in plenty of nutrients on the juice and veggie front I have to believe this must be a taste/ texture sort of craving.
For example, last night Eric brought home hoggie buns from the bakery, veggies, cheese and deli meat so he and the kids could make themselves subs. Oh my goodness - that bread. I swear I could smell it across the room! lol. I went upstairs and distracted myself on my computer till they were done eating and the food was all put away. Crisis averted - whew!
Today I have a really busy day so I am going to be extra careful to juice a lot so I have the energy to get through. Also I have a meeting tonight at a place and with people where I normally associate food and wine. I am planning to bring a Thermos of tea with me so I can keep myself on track.
Oh yes, and my tongue is still kinda grey - but not as bad as yesterday. I really hope that goes away soon! YUCK! :)
Don't misunderstand me the desire to eat is still there - but no longer the actual hunger. Since I am taking in plenty of nutrients on the juice and veggie front I have to believe this must be a taste/ texture sort of craving.
For example, last night Eric brought home hoggie buns from the bakery, veggies, cheese and deli meat so he and the kids could make themselves subs. Oh my goodness - that bread. I swear I could smell it across the room! lol. I went upstairs and distracted myself on my computer till they were done eating and the food was all put away. Crisis averted - whew!
Today I have a really busy day so I am going to be extra careful to juice a lot so I have the energy to get through. Also I have a meeting tonight at a place and with people where I normally associate food and wine. I am planning to bring a Thermos of tea with me so I can keep myself on track.
Oh yes, and my tongue is still kinda grey - but not as bad as yesterday. I really hope that goes away soon! YUCK! :)
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
DAY TWO
Day two has been interesting. I dreamt of food all last night. particularly the making and tasting of it. For reasons unknown to me, spaghetti and icing (frosting) were the two big contenders. No idea why and not sure I can analyse it without making myself hungry.
Speaking of hunger. I don't really seem to be hungry today. So far I have only had tea and I was expecting to feel much hungrier. I did juice a bunch of veggies but instead of drinking the juice I placed it, all the pulp from the juicing and some clear organic veggie broth in a pot on the stove. After doing lots of research it seams that broth is okay in this stage of the fast so in another hour or so I will strain off the pulp and have myself some freshly made veggie broth.
ridiculous how good that sounds :)
And now to the gross and most interesting part of fasting - the detox. Being prepared for these helps tremendously in not freaking out and giving up, by the way.
My headache of yesterday has definitely worsened. It could be the breaking of a caffeine habit (or it could be any number of other things) but at any rate it is very real and it sucks. I considered for a brief moment taking Tylenol but then decided that would probably effect the whole 'getting rid of toxins and cleansing the body' idea.
My tongue is covered in a greyish white film. Really it is disgusting. I have already brushed my teeth and tongue several times today but it keeps coming back. Sorry to be so blunt but it must again be part of the detox. Tea seems to help.
My energy is very low. I wouldn't say that I am tired necessarily just a general feeling of weakness and really low energy. I've read this feeling is at its worst on day two so I'm hopeful I will feel somewhat back to normal on Wednesday.
My lower back has been aching a lot since early last night. Muscle pain can be normal during fasting - particularly in those areas of weakness or previous injury. One theory for this is that during the detox the body begins to regenerate new cells including in areas that previously didn't heal well. Not sure what the medical data is that backs this up but it is interesting to consider.
Finally my skin is very oily. I have to say this could actually be a good thing for me because my skin is usually very dry and acne prone. I have recently switched to a natural cleanser for my face and I hope that in a few days it will straighten itself out again.
Well that's the full and disgusting update. Come on back tomorrow for day three of this fasting saga . . . I am sure it gets better. No really. It needs to get better! :)
Speaking of hunger. I don't really seem to be hungry today. So far I have only had tea and I was expecting to feel much hungrier. I did juice a bunch of veggies but instead of drinking the juice I placed it, all the pulp from the juicing and some clear organic veggie broth in a pot on the stove. After doing lots of research it seams that broth is okay in this stage of the fast so in another hour or so I will strain off the pulp and have myself some freshly made veggie broth.
ridiculous how good that sounds :)
And now to the gross and most interesting part of fasting - the detox. Being prepared for these helps tremendously in not freaking out and giving up, by the way.
My headache of yesterday has definitely worsened. It could be the breaking of a caffeine habit (or it could be any number of other things) but at any rate it is very real and it sucks. I considered for a brief moment taking Tylenol but then decided that would probably effect the whole 'getting rid of toxins and cleansing the body' idea.
My tongue is covered in a greyish white film. Really it is disgusting. I have already brushed my teeth and tongue several times today but it keeps coming back. Sorry to be so blunt but it must again be part of the detox. Tea seems to help.
My energy is very low. I wouldn't say that I am tired necessarily just a general feeling of weakness and really low energy. I've read this feeling is at its worst on day two so I'm hopeful I will feel somewhat back to normal on Wednesday.
My lower back has been aching a lot since early last night. Muscle pain can be normal during fasting - particularly in those areas of weakness or previous injury. One theory for this is that during the detox the body begins to regenerate new cells including in areas that previously didn't heal well. Not sure what the medical data is that backs this up but it is interesting to consider.
Finally my skin is very oily. I have to say this could actually be a good thing for me because my skin is usually very dry and acne prone. I have recently switched to a natural cleanser for my face and I hope that in a few days it will straighten itself out again.
Well that's the full and disgusting update. Come on back tomorrow for day three of this fasting saga . . . I am sure it gets better. No really. It needs to get better! :)
Monday, January 18, 2010
DAY ONE Update
I have to give a little update that I did eventually juice half of my honeydew melon - it wasn't as sweet as I would have liked it so I added an apple and that seemed to do the trick.
Around three pm, I was feeling a bit hungry. Not peckish as I usually am (since most days I am eating something every couple of hours) but actually grumbly belly hunger. I decided to try my hand at a veggie concoction and see if that may be a bit more filling.
Here is what I juiced:
3 very ripe small tomatoes
1 carrot
2 leaves (stem removed) green Kale
1 stalk celery
1 2inch chunk english cucumber
1 quarter small green cabbage
This made a very large glass of veggie juice. The color of the Kale juice was incredible - it was so bright green I felt a small thrill at how healthy that must actually be. The overall drink was kindof an unappealing brownish color but I must say the taste was really lovely! I resisted the urge to add salt but did allow myself a couple drops of Tabasco. YUM. Filling, healthful and fresh.
Now how can juicing ever be considered weird when we can eat things like: Edible oil product, Edible wax, Perfume, Animal by-product, Minced fish parts, MSG, Refined white flours and sugars, Trans fat,Spray vitamins and added colors? Hmmmmmm . . . something to think about!
Around three pm, I was feeling a bit hungry. Not peckish as I usually am (since most days I am eating something every couple of hours) but actually grumbly belly hunger. I decided to try my hand at a veggie concoction and see if that may be a bit more filling.
Here is what I juiced:
3 very ripe small tomatoes
1 carrot
2 leaves (stem removed) green Kale
1 stalk celery
1 2inch chunk english cucumber
1 quarter small green cabbage
This made a very large glass of veggie juice. The color of the Kale juice was incredible - it was so bright green I felt a small thrill at how healthy that must actually be. The overall drink was kindof an unappealing brownish color but I must say the taste was really lovely! I resisted the urge to add salt but did allow myself a couple drops of Tabasco. YUM. Filling, healthful and fresh.
Now how can juicing ever be considered weird when we can eat things like: Edible oil product, Edible wax, Perfume, Animal by-product, Minced fish parts, MSG, Refined white flours and sugars, Trans fat,Spray vitamins and added colors? Hmmmmmm . . . something to think about!
DAY ONE
Well breakfast was a delicious (though not so filling) cup of herbal Detox tea. I had planned to juice a honeydew melon when I first got up this morning but in true me fashion instead of heeding all good advise and easing myself into this fast gently by eating good nutritious foods yesterday . . . I indulged in wine, cheese, tortilla chips and popcorn. And more wine. uggh. My head felt like a balloon this morning. And the last thing I wanted to do was listen to another grinding melon.
Usually this is an easy fix. A few cups of coffee restore me to my 'clear-headedness' and off I go for the day. But not today.
Today is day one of my fast. I expect that I will have this headache for the rest of the day. I don't really feel 'hungry' yet but I know that as soon as I am around the sights and smells of food that will kick in pretty quickly. Supposedly the first 2-3 days of any fast are the hardest and after that your body re-adjusts and hunger and pain are things of the past.
I am looking forward to that!!
Usually this is an easy fix. A few cups of coffee restore me to my 'clear-headedness' and off I go for the day. But not today.
Today is day one of my fast. I expect that I will have this headache for the rest of the day. I don't really feel 'hungry' yet but I know that as soon as I am around the sights and smells of food that will kick in pretty quickly. Supposedly the first 2-3 days of any fast are the hardest and after that your body re-adjusts and hunger and pain are things of the past.
I am looking forward to that!!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
A new start (again)
So I have been contemplating fasting for a while now. I have fasted before and remember it as a rewarding, challenging and enlightening experience.
The first time I fasted was for 36 hours. It was part of a fund-raiser to aid world hunger. The second time was a somewhat desperate attempt to lose weight and I only lasted a couple of days. This time I am entering it with low expectations but high hopes.
Fasting is a complex issue that brings up all kinds of questions. Will you become anorexic? Is it safe? Wont you get the runs and bad breath? Is this some kind of spiritual mumbo jumbo?
The practice of fasting is thousands of years old. In doing my research for this project I read innumerate websites - some crazy, some just silly and a few very informative and educational. One of my favorites that you can check out:
http://www.juicefasting.org/
For me, I have decided to do a modified 21 day fast.
For the first seven days - only fruit & veggie juices made with my own juicer, water and herbal teas.
For the next 7 days I will add raw veggies such as bananas and avocados and lettuces that can be easily digested. I will also be adding raw nuts and yogurt.
For the final seven days I will further add soy, fish, all dairy, legumes, and eggs.
My personal reasons for doing this are many but the things I especially wish to gain are:
- control over my eating
- reduced dependency on caffiene, sugar and alcohol
- a 'cleansed' digestive system capable of moving without 'outside aid'
- better sleep
- better skin
- reduced stress or rather an increase in my ability to deal with it
- weight loss (wouldn't that be nice?!?!)
- a fresh start to re-establishing healthy eating including a 'dislike/distaste' for junk foods
- a better appreciation for my body, its healing powers and the Creator who made it
So those are my high hopes. I know with any kind of fasting there will be tough times and detox symptoms. At worst I fail miserably and am right back where I am today. At best I have a 21 day journey that finds me on the other side stronger, healthier and happier.
The first time I fasted was for 36 hours. It was part of a fund-raiser to aid world hunger. The second time was a somewhat desperate attempt to lose weight and I only lasted a couple of days. This time I am entering it with low expectations but high hopes.
Fasting is a complex issue that brings up all kinds of questions. Will you become anorexic? Is it safe? Wont you get the runs and bad breath? Is this some kind of spiritual mumbo jumbo?
The practice of fasting is thousands of years old. In doing my research for this project I read innumerate websites - some crazy, some just silly and a few very informative and educational. One of my favorites that you can check out:
http://www.juicefasting.org/
For me, I have decided to do a modified 21 day fast.
For the first seven days - only fruit & veggie juices made with my own juicer, water and herbal teas.
For the next 7 days I will add raw veggies such as bananas and avocados and lettuces that can be easily digested. I will also be adding raw nuts and yogurt.
For the final seven days I will further add soy, fish, all dairy, legumes, and eggs.
My personal reasons for doing this are many but the things I especially wish to gain are:
- control over my eating
- reduced dependency on caffiene, sugar and alcohol
- a 'cleansed' digestive system capable of moving without 'outside aid'
- better sleep
- better skin
- reduced stress or rather an increase in my ability to deal with it
- weight loss (wouldn't that be nice?!?!)
- a fresh start to re-establishing healthy eating including a 'dislike/distaste' for junk foods
- a better appreciation for my body, its healing powers and the Creator who made it
So those are my high hopes. I know with any kind of fasting there will be tough times and detox symptoms. At worst I fail miserably and am right back where I am today. At best I have a 21 day journey that finds me on the other side stronger, healthier and happier.
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