Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Green Rescue

It's hard for me to believe that I ended my 92 day juice feast nearly 2 months ago. Although three months was a REALLY long time for this hard core foodie not to enjoy the pleasures of chewing and creating fabulous food, I am being beckoned back. Everyday for the past two weeks I've been feeling the alluring pull, the tugging, the call, back to that juicy world of high alkalinity, smooth sailing emotions, beautiful sleep and the feeling of a gloriously flat tummy. I set my intention early last week to do green smoothies for breakfast and green juice for lunch, but somehow that never happened. As I awoke this morning, I carefully looked at my face in the mirror, then stepped onto the scale......I realize it's time to get serious again about the direction I'm going. Moments later, not by mere coincidence, I sat down with my laptop to open my first email of the day, that happened to be from Jinjee of The Garden Diet, and it said:

"Whenever you are experiencing any troubles on the raw vegan diet, it's time to juice! If you feel you aren't getting enough nutrients, if you are feeling insatiably hungry, if you are craving standard American foods, if you have any physical or emotional complaints, drink vegetable juice twice daily for amazing results, daily for huge results, three times a week for noticeable results, or even just once a week for improvement. Some things can even be dealt with by drinking a veggie juice just one time only. Vegetable juice has all your minerals, nutrients, building blocks, proteins, and enzymes in a form that is easily absorbed and used by the body instantly! If you search around online you'll find literally tens of thousands of people have healed themselves of just about every condition by drinking vegetable juices! Green smoothies are also becoming popular in this regard. They have more fiber and are more palatable. They are not as strong as green juice but many people are reporting great results from drinking them on a daily basis!"
Word. Thanks, Jing.
I remember saying, as I was ending my juice feast, that one thing I learned during the three months was that juicing would always be there waiting for me if I ever felt as though I was struggling. I've fought the demon of compulsive overeating throughout my life. I recognize the patterns and behaviors that go along with that battle and I don't care to go in that direction again. Juicing empowered ME, not those behaviors that had so easily entangled me, messed with mind and had distorted my body into a person I didn't like nor recognize. So, that is my motivation. Everybody knows there is no magic bullet. But there is the lifestyle of managing this human condition and of taking care of this wonderful body that God has given me. So, if you drive by my house, you can expect to hear the familiar sounds once again of Queen Omega and Prince Vita Mix coming to my rescue.

16 comments:

RawBin said...

That's just what I've been thinking of. I liked the unending daily energy and deep sleeps of a juice feast. I've been doing a little less than usual, but I'm truly happier inside when I add some green juice to my day.

Linda Salas said...

you see now I want a couple of quarts of grapefruit juice.... mmmm

kellie said...

Thanks for this great post, Penni! I like how you said that green tools will be there for you whenever you need them. I know they will help you get into the place you want to be--and you've inspired me to go make some, too--for all the same reasons. Blessings.

Anonymous said...

Wow, this really spoke to me as well. Thanks for sharing!

Deika Elmi said...

Great post Penni,

I drink a green shake for breafast and a salad for lunch and a green juice for dinner, but cooked vegan has been creeping back into my life again, mostly because its so hard to be raw here in this area where no one understands and thinks oh yeah the "crazy american lady" so yes! I have been relying on green juice in the evening to keep me sane and atleast maintain my weight if not lose. Great message from Jinjee too and right on time :) love Dea

JuJu's Place said...

Right there with ya! Thanks for your honesty!! Had my green juice this morning too :)

Anonymous said...

I love you, Penni! It's so wonderful that you not only are in tune with what your body is asking for, but you are getting inspiration and direction from outside yourself, as well!

Wendi
XOXOXO

loulou said...

Hey Penni, don't you love the synchronicity? Today YummyHubby and I committed to doing a 30 day juicefeast in October. He wants to focus on optimising his running performance through cleansing and improving his diet (watch out Brendan Brazier!) and I feel I've wandered too far off the path since completing my juicefeast in May.

I've been having "watermelon days" where I eat/juice nothing but watermelon, to refocus on cleaner foods, as too much tasty but cooked food seems to creep onto my plate as time goes by. The instant benefit reminds me that despite the struggle to stay on track some days, juicing brings so much energy, clarity, vibrant health, that I am really looking forward to getting back into it.

Raising a glass (of watermelon juice) to your very good health!

Lisa (Pixywinks) said...

I hear ya there girlfriend. I don't have any juice cravings right now, but the yoga is really helping to keep me sane about what/when/how much I eat. I do so much better with the juicy fruits and greens, even tho I am having some cooked stuff here and there. I pay for it in class tho, and that's making me want to keep my diet pretty clean.

Anonymous said...

Rock on juice queen!

Kristen's Raw said...

Awesome post!!! You rock beauty :)

Anonymous said...

I have to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed your blog since I first stumbled across it. I applaud your life...its inspirational to me. I have been trying to go completely raw for about 9 months and just haven't been able to get there. Not sure if its laziness or what. Its hard when your family isn't and you live somewhere that there aren't many resources that you know of. (Little Rock, AR) I will continue trying and will at some point just take the plunge I hope. lol I feel much better when I stick with it. Thanks for the continued inspiration. Any more words of wisdom? Thanks again and keep it raw.

Wes

Lisa (Pixywinks) said...

You got an award! Stop by my blog and pick it up...
XO
Pixy Lisa

MARYYX said...

Hey Penni
I started juicing again yesterday! SO - we can do it together again. Yea!

Yesterday I got in 6 quarts: 2 of watermelon/spinach, 2 of celery/kiwi/grape and 2 of tangerine/spinach

It felt GOOD to be back on the juice. Sofar today I've had a quart of watermelon/parsley - and have another quart in the fridge ready to go.

See you in the Green Room!
Maryyx

Carrie Nicole said...

Yep, right there with ya sister. It's been calling my name and I had the EXACT SAME intention as you did and just never happened.

Heading to the juicer!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this encouragement! I too feel I have wandered off the path of vitality by compromising my healthy eating standards during hectic times. (when I need my fresh juices the most)
Thanks for re-inspiring me again!