Insights - Day 59

I thought I'd take the time tonight to answer a question that I received today from a friend on Give It To Me Raw, Sheryl. She has asked if I have any insight, challenges, inspirations to share at this point in my juice feasting experience. I thought tonight would be a great time to reflect on this since tomorrow is day 60 and the beginning of the third and final month of my feast.

The first insight struck me this evening while I was at Whole Foods. I ran into a friend who I haven't seen since I began the feast and she asked if was still juicing (obviously she saw the article in the Tulsa World). When I told her yes and that tomorrow would be day 60, she was flabbergasted. She really couldn't believe or fathom that a person could drink juice for 60 days (and still be alive, I guess). We exchanged a few more pleasantries and then we went on our way. My realization was this: although it sounds impressive, 60 days on juice, it suddenly doesn't feel that overwhelming or like such a big deal to me anymore. Just as one eats food several times a day and thinks little of it, I drink juice....that's just what I do. I have grown so used to my routine and my lifestyle that it doesn't feel odd or really like anything about which to boast. I think in the beginning it felt novel and perhaps, if I'm honest, I felt a little superior on occasion. Looking back, I understand where I was, but I totally don't feel any of that now. (Thank God.)

Taking this time away from food has been like a breath of fresh air to me. Of course I'll be ready to enjoy solids again, but I feel like food holds no emotional power over me as it once so strongly did. I have also learned how efficient and light my body can feel. I used to suffer daily from indigestion, gas, flatulence and chronic drainage and chest congestion/asthma, now I am totally clear of all of that. The fatigue I felt at the beginning of this feast has lifted and I have a renewed sense of wonder and enthusiasm towards things that once I took for granted. It feels good to want to go out in public, meet people and make social plans, when before I felt like I wanted to hide and not let anyone see how big I had gotten. Losing 25 pounds has brought me back to life.

One of my challenges has been what I spend on organic produce and supplements. I have learned to get resourceful with my finances and juggle my food budget. I am on first name basis with everyone at Whole Foods. I think they should give me a 10% courtesy discount because I have to be one of their best customers and I mention their store everyday on Twitter or on this blog. But we don't eat out at all anymore, so that seems to have balanced out our overall expenses, which leads me to my next challenge. My friends get together and go out to lunch, dinner or for cocktails and I feel like I just don't really fit into their groove right now. I have gone a few times but it feels awkward to just sit there while everyone is diving into platters of steaming fajitas and knocking back margaritas. Right now, during this feast, I feel more comfortable with my big ole' Mason jar, full of juice, at home. We don't have any health friendly restaurants to speak of that serve freshly pressed juice here in Tulsa. So, if I can do a juice feast in Oklahoma, anyone, anywhere, can too. I also am very fortunate that I work from home, so I am able to extract my juices fresh, right before I drink them. I think working full time outside of the home would make it much more challenging for me personally.

Now for my inspirations.....besides my overall sense of well being and simply being in love with the healing that I feel is taking place within my body.....my inspirations are all of you. Each person who has ever read my blog, offered comments or wishes me well on this journey, are inspirational to me. Those who have blazed this trail so successfully before me, The Rainoshek's, Angela Stokes, Philip McCluskey, Michelle, Terilynn, Lisa, Hanlie and Ben. There are many others who are my current juicing companions....Dea, LouLou, Linda and all my other friends at Global Juice Feasting. Matt Gleason of the Tulsa World has been an inspiration for publishing an article that has my whole city keeping tabs on my juicy progress (inspiration and real accountability). And then the people who have touched my life by finding me along this raw food/juice journey....Angela, Jolanthe, Michelle, Sarah, Paula, and Joey Mechelle, to name just a few. You all have created such beautiful inspiration to me. Thank you and I hope you'll all stick around with me as I move into month three on juice....I may need you more now than ever.

Monday's Daily Juice:
1 qt. grapefruit & spirulina
1.5 qt. spinach, apple, strawberry, celery, VitaMineral Green
2 qt. celery, dandelion, spinach, cucumber, red bell pepper, tomatoes, radish, asparagus, jalapeño, onion sprouts, lime, sea salt.
I also had 2 oz. wheat grass mid afternoon, a tbsp. hemp oil, and my B12. I still take MSM & a probiotic religiously every morning, but I always forget to mention that.