Getting My Juice On

This morning I met with Matt Gleason of The Tulsa World. We hung out and chatted in the deli at Whole Foods and then we went produce shopping! Matt was really cool and seemed genuinely interested in this whole global juice feasting concept. He shared that he has even made some changes in his own diet and I think....I hope...he will chose to put a positive spin on the story. I spent a good deal of time preparing and I had my facts as ready as I was going to. I communicated that I feel as though I'm making an educated and dynamic choice for the betterment of my own health. My intention with this feast was never meant for any kind of publicity, as it feels like a completely personal thing to me, however, I am open to sharing what I've learned if it can help another. In the end, I made him promise not to make me into sounding like a far-out-new-age-hippie juice freak...he laughed. So did I, and we'll see how it all turns out when it hits the newsstand next week.

So, now that I've shopped and have this interview basically behind me, my personal enthusiasm has climaxed and I'm ready to get this show on the road. My kitchen and refrigerator are brimming with beautiful colors and overflowing with vibrant life. I have ended up only juicing today and haven't eaten anything yet, but Gordon and I will probably have "our last supper" this evening, just for fun. I'll most likely have a fabulous salad with an avocado....that sounds so good to me right now.

I just learned that my friend, Heidi Ohlander, has made the choice to end her juice feast today on day 35. She has done so well and she's been a huge source of encouragement to me. I applaud her for listening to her body and resisting the urge to prove a point, to try to hang in there for others or to push through for some sort of level achievement when that is so not what all of this is about. She is going to continue on with a modified juice feast and she will keep us posted on what that is going to look like in the days ahead.

Before I part with you, I'll post a list of what I purchased today for my first few days:

2 bundles spinach
2 heads romaine
2 heads rainbow swiss chard
2 bunches cilantro
2 bunches Italian parsley
2 bunches fresh mint
1 pkg. jerusalem artichokes
1 5 lb. bag carrots
3 heads celery
1 bunch red beets
6 cucumbers
3 red bell peppers
bag of lemons
bag of limes
4 young coconuts
1 ugly wad ginger
2 bags gala apples
Box of Rooiboos tea
Hemp Oil

And as Katrina Rainoshek says....only one more sleep and it will be time to let the feast begin!

Creating Space

Each day that goes by, I am getting more and more geared towards the impending feast. I have been using up ingredients in my kitchen and making meals with what we have instead of going out and collecting more to add into the cabinets. I suppose I have been unintentionally purging and cleaning out in preparation for the flow of organic life that will be filling the counter tops and refrigerator over the upcoming months. So instead of all kinds of raw ingredients, like raw macadamia nut butter, Cacao Bliss, agave nectar and a smörgasbord of lovingly prepared raw treats, my shelves are starting to hold supplements like bee pollen, Rich's MSM, Vita-Mineral Green, etc. The shift in my thinking has already taken place and now tangible things are starting to fall in line.

One interesting thing that happened last week was that a reporter from our local paper, The Tulsa World, somehow stumbled across my blog as he was looking for inspirational stories. Matt Gleason contacted me last Friday and would like to do a story about my juice feast and is particularly interested in the whole global aspect of what is taking place. Matt and a staff photographer will meet me at Whole Foods this Friday morning as I shop for the first couple of days of my feast. We'll do part of the interview at the store and then they'll follow me home for a tour of the raw and juicy kitchen and a lesson in JUICING 101. Won't that be fun? The story will run the following week and then there will be a follow up(s) as the feast progresses. A final story will run at the close of my feast to report statistics. I am delighted to be able to share this gift of life with people who may have never heard of the concept of healing and regeneration through juicing.

As I have been preparing for the upcoming changes, I have been voraciously reading other feasters blogs. I am learning something from all of them but one stood out. JuiceFeastingAtFifty writes, "The juice feast is a solitary journey. I did not foresee, before starting the juice feast, that it would take a toll on others besides myself, but in truth it does....... My family can’t eat dinner with my me; my friends from work can’t eat lunch with me....My focus is on me: how I am feeling? how well I am detoxing today? And frankly, that does get tiresome, both for those whom I love and for me too.....Although a solitary journey, it prepares one to rejoin the world from a higher, deeper perspective. I am more patient, kinder, and more considerate because of the juice feast. I have embraced my spirituality fully and without fear of disapproval, and have committed myself to undertaking the work that I now realize I came here to do....the clarity has enabled me to focus on realizing my dreams. What I want to achieve with this gift called life is no longer vague and unattainable — it is as clear and sharp as the spark in my daughter’s eye when she is laughing from the gut. The juice feast is, in essence, a vision quest.....During the juice feast you do retreat into yourself, but you do so to transform into the person you know you can be. And from there you can be of much greater service to the world, whatever your path."

After reading these words, how can I not move forward? What is three months in the great scheme of life? I will tell you the difference three months makes....Look at Terilynn from Denver who is nearing the end of her 92 days. This raw mama has got it going on! I read today that although her feast is scheduled to end this Saturday, she is considering taking it forward another week. Talk about inspiration!

I am so eager to join the others who are blazing the trail before me...just a few more days before my pantry is bare and my Omega Juicer is going at full tilt!

Eckhart Is My Homeboy

In my last post, I made a statement that I sensed my decision to commit to the upcoming juice feast wasn't something that I'm choosing, but that IT is actually choosing ME. After rereading those words and now having several comments from others who also appear to understand these feelings, I happened upon a writing from Eckhart Tolle that I wanted to share with you all here. This is from Oprah's website where he is discussing the reasoning behind why he wrote another book after his life-changing, The Power of Now......

"The process (of writing A New Earth) began in the same way as it had with The Power of Now—a strong sense that there was a book that wanted to be written. It felt almost as if the book already existed in the unmanifested realm and wanted me to bring it into this world. Many times in my life, it has been my experience that the most powerful starting point for any endeavor is not the question, What do I want?, but What does Life (God, Consciousness) want from me? How do I serve the whole? "

There it was again, simply said with different words, but the exact same thing I had been feeling. Eckhart articulated beautifully my own impression of my current internal feelings. I love when synchronicity brings it all together sometimes.

If you haven't read A New Earth: Awakening To Your Life's Purpose, I do hope you'll consider adding it to your list of must reads. I find it pretty amazing that Oprah has chosen this book for her Book Club list. The number of lives that may be touched through the reading of this is beautiful and humbling. I would also encourage you to go and sign up to be part of the online study of A New Earth that will be taking place every Monday evening, beginning March 3rd for 10 weeks. I don't suspect it is a consequence that this study parallels during the time of the global juice feast.

Today I am going out to get a blood sugar monitor. We are strongly encouraged to get a more clear picture of what our resting blood sugar levels are before beginning the juicing process. Knowing where we fall - whether in the normal, pre-diabetic or diabetic range - is important for planning what will actually be juiced during this time. I have a sense that I will be more into the pre-diabetic range, but we'll see. It is hard for me to imagine not being able to have fruit during this time. Alas, I'll cross that bridge if and when I get there.

Have a great weekend Everybody!

Real Juice Daily

For days I have had a desire to update my blog, yet it seems that I just couldn't find the clarity or focus to do so. Aside from the usual business of daily activities, I have also been spending much time in research and prayerful reflection and meditation. I have had a gnawing feeling, a swelling on the inside, an indescribable urgency and leading towards making the commitment to join with David and Katrina Rainoshek, Angela Stokes, Philip McCluskey, Heidi Ohlander and many other health pioneers and take the juice plunge. Perhaps you have heard of Juice Feasting. March 1st kicks off the First Annual 92-Day Global Juice Feast. People from all over the globe are joining together to make a difference in their own personal reality with this amazing health technology. Below is an awesome interview with the facilitator of JuiceFeasting.com, David Rainoshek:




In just 10 days, I will embark on this very cool adventure . I am looking forward to not only the cleansing, healing, revitalizing and rebuilding effects of the program but I'm most eager about the spiritual aspect of taking three months to live a more fasted life and learn to listen more intently to what's going on inside. Having spent some time fasting in the past, I am aware of the emotional and spiritual shift that generally occurs. In my recent studies, I ran across this statement from Friar Thomas Ryan, a catholic priest and certified Kripalu yoga teacher who coordinates ecumenical and inter-religious relations for the Paulist community in the U.S. and Canada. He says, "Fasting as a religious act increases our sensitivity to that Mystery that is always and everywhere present to us. . . .It is an invitation to awareness, a call to compassion for the needy, a cry of distress, and a song of joy. It is a discipline of self-restraint, a ritual of purification, and a sanctuary for offerings of atonement. It is a wellspring for the spiritually dry, a compass for the spiritually lost, and inner nourishment for the spiritually hungry."

I understand that juice feasting isn't truly considered to be fasting. I hardly consider 1,500 calories per day in fresh, raw, organic vegetable and fruit juices to be depriving, yet it is an absence of food, chewing and other obvious rituals that include meals and eating. It is, in fact, a fasted existence in that respect and has very similar results to any other style of fasting. For the purpose of journaling bits and pieces of my personal journey on juice, I am going to rename my blog for this time period to - Real Juice Daily.

Over the next 10 days, I am simply planning to enjoy life. There is some preparation involved, like picking up a few supplements and mapping out what my trips to Whole Foods will start looking like, I will be going about life as normal. It is difficult to explain my emotional state right now, but I am aware of this sense of excitement surrounding this event both personally and corporately. It is like I didn't chose to commit to the feast, but that "it" actually chose me. I wonder if that makes sense to any one else? I invite you to stay connected and check in from time to time to hear tales from the adventure. I also encourage you to consider some form of juicing for yourself during this time. Even if you were to join in for a few days, a week or more, it would make a positive impact on your health. I hope you'll let me know if you are considering joining in on any level. If it is not the right time for you or if juicing isn't part of your personal interest, I ask you to consider supporting me (and hundreds of others) with your positive thoughts, wonderful energy and happy intentions during this time. Either way, do stay tuned, because it's going to be getting REAL JUICY around here!

Fresh Inspirations

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of taking the short road trip to Edmond, Oklahoma to be part of two raw food classes offered in the home of Chef Mandy Canistelle. Mandy is a raw food chef/instructor and is a graduate of the Living Light Culinary Arts Institute in California. She is also the host of The Perfect Snack, which airs as a segment on Jordan Rubin's (the Maker's Diet) television series, Extraordinary Health. Recently learning that Mandy lives just an hour and a half from me, I was delighted to find that she offers certification courses, children classes, hands-on workshops, individual classes, and community gatherings for raw food preparation and dining. Lucky me and lucky Oklahoma!

The two classes I attended were a raw hands on workshop and a seated demonstration class. Mandy was joined by Peter Cervoni, professional chef and restaurant consultant. Peter is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and has worked in New York vegan restaurants such as Angelica Kitchen and Quintessence. He has also been a chef at Hippocrates Health Institute. Peter currently works as a private chef and raw foods lecturer. Peter and Mandy both represents Chef Chad Sarno in his project, Vital Creations, Inc.

I was blown away by both Mandy and Peter. The taste and quality level of what they were preparing was easily some of the best raw food I've had anywhere in the country. Their passion, presence and positive energy flowed into the food and into those of us who were fortunate to be part of these amazing classes. If you ever have the opportunity to study with Mandy or Peter please do so. I learned new ideas and techniques, not to mention some really incredible new recipes. Without sharing too many of their secrets, I have to post one of the delicious and simple recipes here....and with Valentine's Day tomorrow, it is a perfect and easy way to seduce the palate of your lover!

Hazelnut Mocha Chip Truffles

2 cups hazelnuts, soaked and dried

3 cups Medjool dates

1/4 cup Mesquite powder, plus extra for coating

1 T almond flavor/extract

Pinch of Himalayan or Celtic sea salt

1/4 cup cacao nibs

Place all ingredients, except nibs, into a food processor with an S blade. Process until finely ground. Remove mixture and fold in cacao nibs. Kneed dough until a smooth ball forms. Portion and roll into small ball truffles. Dredge in Mesquite powder and refrigerate until firm.

31 Days

That's how long it's been since I made my significant lifestyle choices and changes, (aka...New Year's Resolutions). I heard statistics on The Today Show that well over 50% of people who made these resolutions have already given up on them and gone back to their old ways. Admittedly, I was feeling rather accomplished as I heard this report while huffing and puffing along on the the treadmill in the middle of mile 3 this morning. But not to get too smug, for this is the first time that I have kept my stamina and commitment to a life change process for this length of time. I believe the statistics are true. Making lasting changes is no easy thing.

Think about it....what is more seductive than a fresh start? A clean slate, a brand spanking new calendar, or even a newly budding leaf in spring? Stoked and hopeful, one becomes enthralled in the beginnings of potential weight loss, a new and inspiring exercise routine, and the glorious prospects of a new and improved healthier diet. When we feel this way, we ALWAYS think, this is the start of something really big. And it's all going to be fabulous! When we are in this euphoric state, nothing can or will stop us from reaching our goals, right? Ever been there? Are you there now?

I think most of us can relate to a time when we had a passionate start. Whether it was the rush of a new romance, an exciting new career move or a fantastic personal health/fitness program....those early days can feel vibrant and it seems like the adrenaline supply is endless! Alas, most of us can also recall a time when once well plugged into into our "new life," something happens and the flame dies. This something either happens to us or inside of us, but whatever it is we lose our enthusiasm and this is the point where things get derailed. Sometimes it's slow and gradual and other times it seems like everything gets blown entirely. Believe me, I speak from personal experience and regardless how it happens, one's whole life can suddenly seem like a disappointment. These situations have a way of wrecking havoc on our self-esteem and they blow the confidence in our ability to ever really make a difference in our own reality.

So, here we are at 31 days into 2008 and somehow I'm still going strong. I am just as happy as a newly wed with my lifestyle and all of the changes that go along with it. You may be laughing at me and thinking, "For God's sake, woman, it's ONLY been 4 weeks!" Well, I don't mean to be cocky, but this is the longest I've been able to stay with a change like this with no real screw ups. So, it's a pretty big deal to me and I'm proud that I've been focused and now I'm really starting to see the results I have been hoping for. This morning, as I was listening to the report on TV, I asked myself, "What has been different about this time? How have I kept my vision, my enthusiasm and my commitment level consistent for 31 days?" I think there are a couple of things that have made the difference and they are important. I feel that they are significant enough to share and maybe they can help you too.

First.....actually writing down my personal plan in its entirety. Not just what I wanted to happen and how I plan to get there, but I wrote down what I DON'T want as well. That may seem negative, but knowing what I don't want anymore has helped me to do things differently. People who don't want to be an alcoholic don't hang out in bars, do they? People who want to be thin and fit don't lay around on the couch eating greasy potato chips, do they? You following me?

Second.....I started getting the right resources to help me meet my goals. Resources like a folder with a collection of easy to make, delicious raw recipes that I can fall back on when my days get busy. Resources like arranging my schedule for success. I actually write in my workouts and trips to the grocery store on my daily planner, just like I would if I were seeing a client or going to a business meeting. This way I don't make other plans. I also keep a daily journal of what I eat, what exercise I am getting, how my emotions are and any other information I feel might be of interest to me later. Keeping a documentation of progress is turning out to be so helpful as I weekly record my weight and twice a month, my measurements. One week I lost nothing on the scale, but saw three inches somehow melt away.

And lastly.....having a list of websites or blogs that you can go to when you need inspiration or a fresh shot of enthusiasm when yours feels like it's all dried up. You already know that we aren't just what we eat, but also what we feed our eyes, ears and spirits. Making the choice to fill our mind with positive sources of information that work with us to help reach our goals is key. If what you are surrounding yourself with is in conflict with what you want to become, the journey will not flow easily and you most likely won't reach your goal. Also, along this same vein, build a network of support with others who have already been successful at what you are wanting to achieve or those who are walking a similar path with kindred goals. That's what as been so fantastic about GiveItToMeRaw.com, Twitter and a number of blog sites that I frequent. I have my very own support group without ever leaving my own home. These sites can be valuable tools that can work for you in a tremendous way if you'll access and let them. I get a heaping dose of daily motivation when I see what others are whipping up in their raw kitchens or when I view a YouTube by someone motivational like Philip at LovingRaw.com or Neens from ThePowerOfRaw.com Inspiration and fresh enthusiasm is just a click away everyday.

In closing, I think it is deeply important to listen to your own intuition and trust your gut instincts. I believe success happens when you consider more than yourself, your dreams and your own ego in the equation. If you can genuinely find a way to include other people in your journey, it can make it all the more meaningful and long lasting. Within all of us, there is an agent for change. Are you allowing yours to come forth? If not, now is a perfect time to
get back in touch with your own personal desires for your life. It is never too late to become the person you were created to be.

Walking Down the Red Carpet

Please imagine with me for a moment....Rubyvroom slides out from the back seat of a black stretch limo in a clingy little chartruese designer number from Richard Tyler, shoes from Christian Louboutin and glittering baubles from Harry Winston. Trying to make her way through the paparazzi, she slinks down the red carpet, being stopping only for a brief interview with Mary Hart and Ryan Seacrest before she make her way into the theater to receive the coveted.........

I couldn't resist the opportunity to savor the moment in my own little way. Yes, I have been given this exciting recognition by two of my favorite people; first I would like to thank Jenny Nelson of wlydeandraw.blogspot.com and then Bob Bush of legallyraw.blogspot.com. (and of course the Academy) for this award. I am truly grateful, and humbled to be chosen as an inspirational blogger by two people who have been such a big inspiration to me!

I would like to share a bit of history about this award before I pass the honor on to five other of my personal favorite inspirational bloggers. (Thank you to Keely Bush for the background). This award (and three others) is the brainchild of Christy Z of WritersReview.com. You can read the full rules, the meaning of the award and get your award badge at her post under blogger awards on her site. Basically, if you are tagged for the award, you go her site, get the badge for your site, then tag 5 others.

So without further hesitation..... the envelope please! My five winners of the Inspirational Blogger Award are...

My friend, Blaqberry, of Hi-Rawkus.com. and Twitter. Her quirky artistic charm, spunkiness and deliciously creative recipes have help to motivate me to stay raw at times when I thought I might shrink back into my old ways. She has helped me to stay the course and be the raw girl I have become today. (I bet you didn't even know that, did you, Blaqberry?) I want to send out big LOVE to my girl!

Then there is Chadd Biehler from Atlanta and Vegannosaurus.com. This fellow is not only terribly creative in the raw kitchen but he has a wicked sense of humor that I just love. He is a true talent and I am pretty sure he is a name we'll be hearing more from in raw circles in days and months to come. Thanks to Chadd for keeping it real and helping me along on my path. Check him out as Chaddb on Twitter.

Oh, and then there is my beautiful friend JulieK in Orlando! You can see what she has going on at juliesrawambition.wordpress.com, as well as on Twitter. Her blog site is beautifully done and she is the jet setting, gourmet raw food fashion stylist of my raw food friends! Following her on Twitter and on her blog is like taking a glamorous mini-vacation all the time. She certainly deserves this award because she is part of my daily inspiration.

Then there is a new kid on the block, Raw Allison, who I am just really getting to know through Twitter, but she has a great new blog you can find at blog.rawodyssey.com This Vegas girl has got it going on and I believe she deserves this award for all of her inspirational musings! Those of us who follow her are waiting with eager anticipation as she paces the floor for her new and glorious Vita-Mix! Congradulations, Allison.

And then last, but certainly not least is the beautiful and exotic Linda Salas of Twitter and her blog cocoymango.blogspot.com. Linda is from Mexico, thus her blog is in Espanol, but she is so filled with love, light and daily inspirations. Linda is currently expecting her first child and those of us who have been following her are so excited and eager as she is bringing forth a new member to the raw community. Linda is always there with cute and encouraging comments. Keep up the impressive work, Linda!

Before I exit the podium, I must recognize one more person....

Although this particular person doesn't have a blog (unless she has been hiding it from me), she is a true source of my daily raw inspiration, Dea - or DeaLivingLotus on Twitter, as she is known. Dea currently lives in Sicily, but it feels like she is just next door to me. Offering words of strength, love and encouragement....she keeps me motivated and inspired everyday. I feel blessed to have made such a true friend in Dea. So, she gets my Most Honorable Mention, even if she doesn't have a blog, yet.

In closing, I want to recognize that there are so many others who have helped to bring me to and continued to help keep me on this amazing journey for the past three years. The beautiful Carol Alt, Dhrumil of WeLikeItRaw.com and GiveItToMeRaw.com, Sarma of Pure Food & Wine and OneLuckyDuck.com, Heidi & JS Ohlander of RawFoodRealWorld, Philip McCluskey of Lovingraw.com, Cynthia Beavers of Pure Raw Cafe, Tanja Andrews & Oscar Grimm of Freshtopia.net. Goodness, there are so many others that I cherish, as well. A great big THANK YOU to all for reading my blog and commenting on my ramblings. It is a real pleasure to be all about REAL FOOD in TULSA!