Good Friday - Day Twenty One

Today was a curious day for me. I had shared that I had a very low energy day yesterday, and it was interesting because I awoke at some point in the night with this feeling that my body was engaging in some really serious matters of housekeeping. I didn't feel bad, just an awareness that things were happening, shifting and cleansing. When I awoke, I was happy and my energy level was back to normal. I still had the feeling something had shifted inside during the night. As the morning progressed, I kept looking at the clock and thinking....I should really be having my first juice now....but my first juice never came.

My body simply went on juice strike today. No matter what, every time I thought of juicing, the body said, "Nope, no juice. Not right now." That internal dialog went on all day and here I sit at 9:30 pm and nothing but lemon water has gone into the tank. Do I feel hunger? Not a bit. Do I feel weak or tired? I feel completely normal and chilled out. I know that the "rules" say to drink the 4 quarts of juice everyday, and overall I have been following the rules very well, until today.

I have tried to ask myself, what's the deal? Believe me, I am not the water fasting type. I mean in the past, when I've been sick with a flu or something, I can still eat like a man. I don't lose my appetite unless something major is going on, and nothing appears to be major today. One thought I have is that today is Good Friday, the day Christ was crucified. I wonder if on a spiritual level I am very somber about the work He did on this day over 2,000 years ago. It could be. My conscious mind doesn't have an answer, but I'm trusting my gut right now and it says, put nothing in today, please. So instead of drinking juice, I have just tried to commit myself to a prayerful, contemplative day of going deeper.

So.....that said, I have no daily juice for you today on this Good Friday, just blessings and love to all!

Howling at the Moon - Day Twenty

I am convinced that the moon's cycle has an effect on me. Not only is today the first official day of Spring, but tonight is full moon eve and it is also the first full day of my monthly cycle. I was blessed to not have any PMS this month and I am quite sure it has to do with the balance coming into my body through juice feasting. My symptoms today have been different than any other day since I started juicing, so I am guessing they have to do with my cycle and that of the moon. My mood has been perfectly stable but my energy levels have been very low all day. I had intended to get out into this absolutely gorgeous day and go for a long walk and unfortunately, that never happened. My hunger/thirst was surprisingly low all day and it was a fight to get 3 quarts of juice down. I am not an afternoon napper....never have been.....but today a siesta would have really hit the spot. I also had a dull headache off and on through out the afternoon and even now it lingers ever so slightly in my forehead and behind my eyes. I also have a feeling that an enema would help to alleviate my symptoms, but I honestly don't have the energy to do one tonight.

I did spend some time in my yard and I was able to get a nice dose of Vitamin D, as the weather was simply perfect. I also took a little time to play with my new digital camera and I think I've just about figured out all of the cool features it has. I gave my digital to my husband a couple of years ago for his real estate work and he's bought two new ones since then. I have also bought my daughter a couple of digitals in the last few years, so it was time that mother finally got a camera! Since I'm headed to the Big Apple by myself next Friday, I felt it was important to have a great camera to capture all the excitement. I looked at the extended forecast for NYC and next weekend looks like rain the whole time. I can handle that-at least it shouldn't be freezing. I am stoked because I'm flying into New Jersey (Newark) and I'm going to take the train from the airport to Penn Station. I refuse to pay around a $150 for a cab ride into Manhattan when I can ride the train for $14 (more $ to spend in Chinatown, right?!) The train experience will make the trip even more fun and unique for me anyway. I'll have the majority of the day Friday to shop and then I'll spend Saturday at the Successfully Raw seminar. And who knows what I'll do Saturday night.....maybe shake my booty with the raw entourage til 4 am??!! Sorry, but right now I can't imagine that. For tonight, I'll just go howl at the moon.

Thursday's Daily Juice:
water-lemon (out of MSM, it's on it's way!)
vanilla creme herbal tea
passion berry herbal tea
1 qt. Parsley, celery, kiwi, green grapes, coconut water, crystal manna flakes
rooibos tea
1 qt. collard greens, celery, fennel, yellow bell pepper, carrots, radish, lemon w/ 1 heaping Tbsp. Vita-Mineral Green (this just arrived today - Yippee!)
1 qt. pure watermelon juice - this last juice of the day made this howling wolf very happy.

Swiss Miss - Day Nineteen

What?? Were you expecting a picture of that saucy little instant pudding lassie? Well, as cute as she is, I have to say my favorite swiss Miss is Rainbow Swiss Chard! Isn't she lovely? And don't let her pretty face fool you. If this vegetable could get grades for traditional nutrients alone, Swiss Chard would be one vegetable valedictorian. The vitamin and mineral profile of this leafy green vegetable contains enough "excellents" to ensure its place at the head of the vegetable Dean's List. Swiss chard receives excellent marks for its concentrations of vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, manganese, potassium, iron, vitamin E, and dietary fiber. Swiss chard also emerges as a very good or good source of copper, calcium, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, protein, phosphorous, vitamin B1, zinc, folate, biotin, niacin and pantothenic acid. Another impressive stat is that Swiss chard promotes lung health. If you or someone you love is a smoker, or if you are frequently exposed to secondhand smoke, then making vitamin A-rich foods, such as Swiss Chard, part of your healthy way of eating may save your life, suggests research conducted at Kansas State University.

Swiss Chard belongs to the same family as beets and spinach and shares a similar taste profile: it has the bitterness of beet greens and the slightly salty flavor of spinach leaves. Both the leaves and stalk of chard are edible, although the stems vary in texture with the white ones being the most tender. The stalk, which can measure almost two feet in length, comes in a variety of colors including white, red, yellow and orange. Sometimes, in the market, different colored varieties will be bunched together and labeled "rainbow chard." I especially enjoy using Chard as a base for my green juices. It has a milder flavor than some of the other more bitter greens. To continue reading more of the amazing benefits of this leafy green super food, rich in so many nutrients, including anti-oxidants, go here.

Wednesday's Daily Juice:
water-MSM-lemon
1 qt. grapefruits, clementines, crystal manna flakes
1 qt. pineapple, spinach, lime, apple
1.5 qt. kale, celery, carrot, asparagus, green beans, orange bell pepper, jalepeno, radish, garlic, clover sprouts, green onions, Celtic sea salt.

PS....For Girls Only.....I knew it was getting close to being "that time of the month," however, I have had ZERO premenstrual symptoms. I was taken by surprise just now as I went to the powder room to find that Aunt Flo had arrived late this evening with no warning. It will be interesting to see how this cycle differs from my norm....so far so good.

Herbally Yours - Day Eighteen

Yesterday afternoon I found some beautiful little herb starters during my daily trip to Whole Foods. To my delight, they also had bags of organic soil, compost and all natural cottonseed meal fertilizer. So today I mixed my soil and used last years pots to create my very own herb garden. Not only am I wanting herbs, but I am currently looking at my other options for growing vegetables and greens. I receive several seed catalogs and I really enjoy looking over all the varieties available. Since my current space is going to be limited to only having a container garden, I will have to chose my favorites and plant accordingly. I will no doubt try my green thumb with tomatoes and peppers and I plan to do a long container which will be perfect for my little bed of fresh salad greens. And did I mention that juice feasters create the best compost?

Later in the afternoon I decided to contact the very cool Mike and Emily of one of my favorite local, sustainable and organic farms, Three Springs Farms. Ever since I read Green For Life by Victoria Boutenko, I have wanted to get my hands on some Lamsquarters, Purslane, Stinging Nettle and other super nutritious greens and herbs. Many people haven't ever heard of these or if they have they consider them to be worthless weeds. Hopefully I will be able to have the respected folks at Three Springs Farms get me the hook up so I can have an abundance of these underrated garden gems this spring and summer.

So.....what's in my herb garden so far? Basil, thyme, rosemary, cilantro, Italian flat leaf parsley, sage, spearmint, peppermint, chives and oregano.

Tuesday's Daily Juice:
water-MSM-lemon
vanilla creme tea
2 qt. watermelon, orange, crystal manna flakes
1 qt. rainbow chard, celery, carrots, yellow bell peper, garlic, jalepeno, clover sprouts, watercress, lime
1 qt. spinach, cucumber, onion, basil, garlic, jalepeno, tomatoes, red bell pepper, Celtic sea salt

I almost forgot to mention....my husband got his juice on right along side me today for the first time since I've been on this extravaganza! He is committing to doing one day a week (Tuesdays) for the remainder of my time on the feast). When I just asked him what he thought about today, he said it was no big deal....well, good for him!

Just Dandy - Day Seventeen

Since the first week of my juice feast I've been enjoying dandelion greens in my juices. Until recent years, I had no idea that dandelion greens and their roots were edible. I always loved them as a child but I also remember them being a pesky addition to my parent's expertly manicured lawn. For those of you who may not realize, dandelion greens pack a powerful punch of nutrition. They are high in Vitamin A in the form of antioxidant carotenoid and vitamin C. They contain good amounts of calcium and potassium and they may be useful in treating jaundice, cirrhosis, edema due to high blood pressure, gout, eczema and acne. Dandelion is also used to treat and prevent breast and lung tumors as well as premenstrual bloating. Adding dandelion to ones diet is beneficial to digestion and is an antiviral that may be useful in the treatment of AIDS and herpes. And finally, dandelion root contains inulin, which lowers blood sugar in diabetics.

Personally, dandelions greens are somewhat tough to stomach alone due to their bitterness, but thrown into a mixture of other veggies or fruit-especially citrus, they are a welcome addition. If you are lucky enough to have dandelions coming up in your yard, don't become irritated this year, just go out and harvest them, then begin juicing them or mixing them into your salads. If you don't have luck finding any patches of this common weed around your area, most Whole Foods carry them in their produce section, which is where I've been getting mine.

So now before I drink my dandelion juice, I have started making a wish. Just like the good old days, only better!

Monday's Daily Juice:
water-MSM-lemon
vanilla creme herbal tea
2 qt. celery, dandelion, alfalfa sprouts, cucumber, apple, lime, ginger
1 qt. blackberries, lemon, orange, coconut water
1 qt. romaine, carrot, asparagus, red bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, cilantro, jalepeno, lime, garlic, salt
1 tbsp. hemp oil
1 tbsp. bee pollen

Successfully Sunday - Day Sixteen

I awoke refreshed and clear this morning and earlier than usual for a Sunday morning. Because everyone else was still sleeping, I had the whole house to myself for about an hour, so I took that time to simply enjoy the silence, read and create a plan for my day. Later, we went to church and enjoyed the beautiful service they had prepared for Palm Sunday. The choir, waving palm branches, marched through the sanctuary and sang Hosanna. The young children sang too and their sweet, clear voices elevated my spirit to heaven. It was good to be there today and hear the inspirational message which was about service towards others. I prayed that God would continue to show me how I can reach out to help and serve those around me. It was a beautiful morning.

Once home, I excitedly made my reservations to travel to New York at the end of the month to join up with Dhrumil and the We Like It Raw team's big event, Successfully Raw! From the minute I heard about the event, I desired to go, but I've waited. When I finally spoke with Gordon, my husband, about it last night, he was quick to tell me to book it! I have such a dear supportive mate in him. So I am totally stoked about my upcoming trip.....in less than two weeks I'll be in my favorite city! So, this was another moment that made my heart sing today!

It should be an interesting experience to be traveling as a juice feaster. There are plenty of others who have done it before me, so I will study a bit about what worked well for them and what didn't. I know that NYC should be a breeze with all of it's organic juice bars and health food restaurants. My hotel is two blocks from Bonobo's and another 8 or so to Pure Juice & Takeaway, so I should be able to stay fully juiced up while there. I am fortunate enough to have been able to book non-stop flights both there and back. I will be sure to blog all about my experiences!

Sunday's Daily Juice:
water-MSM-lemon
rooibos tea
1 qt. grapefruit, orange, Crystal Manna
1.5 qt. celery, carrot, dandelion, beet root w/ tops, green onion, alfalfa sprouts, cayenne, lime
1.5 qt. honeydew melon
1 Tbsp. hemp oil
vanilla tea w/ bee pollen & spirulina

Apples of My Eye - Day Fifteen

My day started at 4 am today. It was the first day of Spring Break 2008 for us and that meant we were on our way to Tulsa International Airport to put Taylor, our eleven year old, on a plane with 30+ other fifth graders to fly to our nation's capital, Washington D.C.! It was all very exciting for the kids and this 4 day excursion will be action packed from start to finish. Many of you may not know this but Taylor is actually not my daughter. Taylor is my husband's granddaughter, but we are helping to co-raise her, as Gordon's ex-wife has legal custody of "The Tay." I love her as much as if she were my own and she has been such a gift in my life. Although we're a blended family, it works beautifully and we know that God brought us together because we all needed one another. Paraphrasing from Dr. Evil to Mini Me, "They complete me!"

Once Taylor was safety in the air, Gordon started working and I was off and running with the rest of my day. I went on a produce shopping extravaganza, visiting Whole Foods, Akin's-our local health food store, and Center One Market-a "she she" boutique market that showcases local growers and local chef's.....it's cool, maybe too cool for this town, and it is pricey. With those three stops, I scored big on beautiful organic greens and vibrant fruits that are now beautifying my kitchen island. When in my kitchen, sometimes I just stand and admire the bounty laid out before me in awe, almost as if it were a shrine. Does being with fresh, organic, ripe produce ever cause you to well up a bit? I've noticed I can get moved this way when I am at an open air farmer's market or at my dad's house, in his organic garden. It is just a passion for me. I have propped up my un-cook book from Cafe Gratitude to be displayed right next to the spread because I love the name and it says it all, I Am Grateful. True that.

Then in the late afternoon, I spent some time chauffeuring my daughter and her friends to and from the mall, movies and dinner. Gabrielle will be 15 in May. Hard to believe my baby is now a lovely young lady. She is a beautiful girl, inside and out, and I am very proud of her. However, her diet is polar opposite of mine. If it's raw or green, forget about it. I hold to the belief that her opinions and tastes will evolve and develop as she matures. I, too, despised healthy food when I was young, and over time, my body simply stopped allowing the dietary abuse and here I am today, working towards undoing all I can from the damage caused by years of poor choices. Anyway, coming back to the present...we have a house full of giggling and shrieking teen girls running around the house and I am enjoying this time of finally winding down to rest and count my many blessings. And since tomorrow is Palm Sunday, a spirit of thanksgiving seems to fit perfectly.

PS....Nub, the wisdom tooth, seems to have stopped hurting today. Thanks to everyone for your holistic dental suggestions....they appear to be working!!

Saturday's Daily Juice:
water-MSM-lemon
ginger tea w/ raw honey & lemon
1.5 qt. celery, kale, dandelion greens, apples, & lime.
1 qt. spinach, tangerine, blueberry
Tulsi vanilla tea
1 qt. cucumber, orange bell pepper, onion sprouts, yellow onion, asparagus, broccoli, cilantro, parsley, carrot, tomato, garlic, jalepeno, & Celtic sea salt. (sounds strong...it was and I loved it!)