Green Acres - Day 53

My Dad has been reading my blog (no telling what this dear ol' ex-Marine thinks as he reads of my juice feasting tales), so he knows that I've been composting all of my pulp from juicing. He also knows that I have a serious imbalance in my current pile of scraps. I had to call him last night to report that I have a tasmanian devil tornado of fruit flies that have taken over my backyard compost and kitchen in great numbers. Being the old time organic gardener that he is, he came riding up on his white horse this afternoon (aka in his white chevy pickup) to save the day! First of all, he brought a new composter that is really impressive. This one is an extra that he had and he swears he is never going to use it, so now it's mine. It is built up on a metal frame and it is one that can be turned easily every few days. He also brought books for me to read (having all that information registered into his long term memory banks by now) on all aspects of organic gardening, canning and correct composting. He says my ratios have been off and that's why the fruit fly population is increasing by the day. I have way too much wet pulp and not enough dry yard clippings and leaves. Also everything has just been sitting in that round composter stagnating. The acid/alkaline balance is off. (Is all of this starting to sound strangely like something that can happen in our digestive systems from time to time?) Anyway, I'll have to get out there with a pitch fork and stir that nasty pot, adding leaves and even some newspaper to dry it out. I have to tell you I am starting to feel a little "Green Acres" right now. You should see my finger nails :-( I am totally a big city girl at heart but my love of working in the soil gets me rolling up my girly girl sleeves every time! Three cheers for the world's greatest dad! Hip Hip Hooray!

Another exciting tidbit.....looks like I will be going to Raw Spirit Fest this September! I've made a reservation at a nearby hotel in Sedona. Oh and heads up, the Radisson, where the event is taking place, is already sold out. There is no doubt that this annual event is going to be substantially bigger and more impressive than last year. I wasn't able to make the pilgrimage last year, but my friend Angela and I are planning on making the trek this year. I also think it would be cool if I could find a big house to rent in Sedona and have a bunch of my raw friends join up and we could take it over for a few days! Who knows what might end up happening before September arrives?!

I also had a chance to talk to my friend, Paula, tonight. I recently met with her to discuss her health and how she might start incorporating more raw foods into her diet. She called to report that she is doing great! She bought a Breville juicer this weekend and has been making some green drinks, specifically, Natalia Rose's Green Lemonade. This is the first time she has had freshly extracted, organic juice in her life! I was so excited to hear that Paula has been feeling a real increase in energy in just a short amount of time. She is the friend who I mentioned ordered "the box" from Matt Amsden's RAWvolution and she gave the food rave reviews. Man, am I'm going to be ready for some fabulous raw meals in about a month and a half!! So, Paula....I am so proud of your dedication and inspired by your passion and great results so far! Keep up the fantastic work!

Tuesday's Daily Juice:
1 qt. grapefruit & Crystal Manna
1 qt. strawberry, goji berry, blood orange and spirulina
2 qt. carrots, celery, romaine, asparagus, red bell pepper, dandelion greens, heirloom tomatoes, garlic, jalapeño, lime
I have also started taking a B12 sublingual supplement today.

Trust Your Gut - Day 52

Today's inspiration comes from health advocate, Jordan Rubin, author of the Maker's Diet. In a recent newsletter he discusses the digestive tract and what's really going on with your gut. Have you ever experienced butterflies before a major presentation or had a stomachache after making a big decision? Jordan shares that this is your body's way of responding to stressful situations. Notice that the feelings aren't happening between your ears. There's scientific evidence that the body has two emotional centers — in the brain and also in the gut. Next time your body talks, pay careful attention to what it's saying.

We are all taught from childhood to believe that our brain is essentially the "boss" of our body. While it is true that our brain is the centerpiece of our mental capacity and nervous system, it is also a fact that there are nearly one hundred million nerve cells in our digestive system alone — about the same number found in our spinal cord!

Because of the multitude of nerve cells that are located in the gut, your capacity for feeling and for emotional expression is in large part dependent upon the condition of this sensitive area. By the time you add together the number of nerve cells in the esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines, there are more nerve cells in the overall digestive system than there are in the peripheral nervous system. Pretty staggering, huh?

Most people would say the brain alone determines whether you are happy or sad, but they have their facts skewed. It seems the gut is more responsible than we ever imagined for how we feel. So doesn't it make sense that we should treat this part of our bodies with utmost care and attention? When people come to me asking for advise or for direction with their health, I very often tell them to first begin educating themselves, but along the way, go with their own gut instinct. Although I have always believed in following these instincts, I now have a better understanding of why following your gut really is sound advise. What steps are you taking to nourish, cleanse and purify your digestive tract? What is one thing that you can do today that will move you one step closer to better health and a stronger, more efficient digestive system?

Before signing out, I have to give a shot out to my sweet friend, Angela, from Bartlesville, Oklahoma. I wrote about my visit with Angela last week and she and I were able to get together again this morning and spend some time, sharing thoughts, ideas and just enjoying one another's company. Angela brought a gift of the most gorgeous flowers and they are gracing our living room in such splendor. Thank you, Angela, for the flowers, but even more so for your friendship. You're awesome!

Monday's Daily Juice:
1 qt. strawberry, goji berry, blood orange, young coconut, spirulina
1 qt. master cleanse
1.5 qt. pineapple, parsley, VitaMineral Green
1.5 qt. celery, asparagus, cucumber, kale, jalapeño, cilantro, orange bell pepper, radish, tomatoes, garlic, lime

Embracing Our Glory - Day 51

I am snatching today's blog message from the lesson my husband delivered at church this morning. Yes, my hubby is now a Sunday school teacher (awwwww!). He and I are living proof that God is the master recycler......having taken our lives, which were at one point doomed for a trip to the dump, and turned us into something new and much better.

The heart of Gordon message was from this quote from Marianne Williamson....."Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Actually, who are you not be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us....And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

This quote really spoke to me this morning and it has stayed with me throughout the day as I happily worked in my yard and tended my sweet little potted garden, which is growing larger by the day! When I first heard this quote, I wondered if what she was saying was true. I am receiving letters from people all over the world daily now and in many of these notes, I am hearing something different. It seems that many don't appear to be fearing their glory, but in fact, are fearful that they are not glorious at all. Many openly state their fear of being a disappointment or a failure, mainly to themselves. Many have told me that they are fearful to start a raw foods diet or try a juicing regime because they think they won't succeed. How fascinating yet sad this is to me. People who are willing to stay stuck because of the fear that they will fail. The more I pondered this quote the more it began to resonate within me. I believe that we are created in the image of God and it seems that we run the risk of being displeasing to our Creator if we don't embrace the truth that we are made in His likeness. So, perhaps it is that we fear our glory. Do we fear heading in this direction because it seems prideful? My thought is that to be truly pleasing to God and to be at peace within our lives we must open ourselves to the reality that we are made to reflect that Divine glory. We are made to Shine. On this Sunday, I hope you too will allow this truth to settle into your heart and mind. Let us not stand in the way of the miracle that is just waiting to take place in our own little corner of the world when we radiate the light that is longing to shine out from within us. My prayer and hope for each of us is that we can let go of the fears that so easily entangle us and truly live lives that are full of glory and that are fully alive with the same creative energy that fuels our entire universe. Now get out there and start shining!

Sunday's Daily Juice:
1.5 qt young coconut water, strawberries, blood oranges, spirulina
1 qt. lemons, raw honey, cayenne pepper, pure water (master cleanse)
2 qt. celery, asparagus, carrots, green onions, orange bell pepper, garlic, jalapeño, cucumber, lime, sea salt

Celebration Earth - Day 50

In most cities of our nation, there was a celebration taking place honoring next week's official holiday, Earth Day. Where I live was no exception. Tulsa had multiple events taking place, but I chose to attend my old favorite, the Sand Springs Herbal Affair & Festival, which is always held on or around Earth Day. It couldn't have been a more perfect day, as Spring was in the air and thousands of visitors were on hand for the occasion. More than 90 vendors bring herbs, native plants and heirlooms, along with their herbal and locally produced products, gardening supplies and folk art to the heart of Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Only a short 10 minute drive west of Tulsa, Sand Springs wets the appetite of those with spring fever with a celebration that began nearly 20 years ago. Each year this festival attracts some 30,000 people. Many surrounding communities now host similar events because of this festival's ongoing popularity. What once began as a small downtown street sale, now remains the "queen" of all Earth Day festivals, as it is the largest and most respected in my state.

I scored big on some heirloom tomato varieties when I ran into Lisa Merrell, the tomato lady. Lisa is my favorite vendor from which to do business because her dad has been growing heirlooms in this area for many years and I trust anything that comes from their farm. Lisa also co-owns, The Living Kitchen, which is a sustainable farm, in progress, with Lisa (bibi) Becklund, formerly a gourmet chef from Seattle. They raise chickens, milk goats, hair sheep, and a variety of vegetables and heirloom garlic and tomatoes. They sell their fresh goat's milk, cheese, yogurt and eggs from their farm. Now, that's the kind of lifestyle I can get excited about. I met Lisa Merrell when she managed the Wednesday market, back in the day when I used to sell my raw food creations at the Tulsa Farmer's Market.

Besides today being a day to celebrate and honor our precious earth, it is also Day 50 of my juice feast! I'd love to tell you that I drank a marvelous, spectacular concoction as a tribute to this day, but I actually drank the master cleanse up until dinner time due to my busy schedule. I did stay focused on hydration today because it was about 80 degrees and I felt like I was loosing fluids rapidly. This evening I had a beautiful green lemonade, heavy on the green, which made it me feel completely alive once again. Happy Earth Day to All!

Feeling Synergy - Day 48

Although it was a dreary day outside with lots of clouds, rain and thunderstorms, it's been bright and sunny here on the inside. It was just one of those days everyone enjoys so much....the kind where you don't take a shower until about 6 pm. That's right, I stayed in my lounge wear all day and worked on the computer, did laundry, dishes, ran the vacuum, dusted, listened to music and basically puttered. No place to go at any certain time.....don't you love days like that? And especially with the weather being as such, I just hibernated and got my groove on. Awesomeness!

I just got a message from my friend Peter Cervoni and he's in Oklahoma this week! He lives in Hollywood, Florida and he's the amazing raw chef that collaborates/works with Chad Sarno and Mandy Canistelle. When he was here in February, I took this fabulous raw Italian cuisine class from he and Mandy that you can read about here. Since then we have stayed in contact and I think he is so cool, both personally and professionally. He is the raw community's best kept secret. I'm not kidding. I am going to work on him and see if he'll allow me to pimp him a bit. I could totally see him hanging with the boys from WLIR and being the guest chef at some of the upcoming GI2MR events. Today's picture is one I snatched from Peter's online photo album, in it is the beautiful Mandy, woolly Paul Nison and the Italian stallion, Peter.

I also had a bit of dialog with Matt Monarch today. He has to be the hardest working guy in raw food, I swear. Well, maybe he and Paul Nison are running neck in neck for that award! Matt and Angela Stokes are the sweetest couple and what a match made in heaven they are. They have some really cool things in the works and I can't wait to follow along as their plans unfold. If you haven't visited Raw Food World, their online store (see the link on the left side of this page), you should check totally it out. I bought some of my juice feasting supplements from them and my new Anastasia book, which I can't wait to read!

Thursday's Daily Juice (back by popular demand)....
1.5 qt. blackberry, strawberry and romaine w/ raw honey and spirulina
1.5 qt. honeydew and romaine w/ Crystal Manna Flakes
1 qt. mixed greens, cucumber, carrots, basil, onion sprouts, garlic, yellow bell pepper, tomatoes, lime juice, sea salt.

I Like It Raw - Day 47

Earlier this week I was asked to write an article for Women's Week, this week's feature segment on We Like It Raw. It was a real honor to be included in such a grouping of contributors, women who are truly amazing personalities within the health and raw food world. I've been a follower of Dhrumil, the creator of WLIR, for several years now and he never ceases to amaze me. I had the pleasure of finally meeting Dhru at the end of last month in New York. The above photograph was taken of he and I at Sarma Melngalis' Pure Food & Wine in Manhattan. Meeting him in person was everything I knew it would be. He has this presence that is unlike anyone I've ever been around. That's saying a lot because I've lived awhile and I'm a people person. I study people, their mannerisms, their body language and I look at the their aura and into their spirit. I'll can tell you that spending time with Dhrumil is like being with a great spiritual teacher and he leaves you with a feeling like....butter. I have every confidence that he is going to do big things. And I mean really big.

If you would like to read my article, you can do so here. I hope you'll tune in to We Like It Raw each day this week, as new essays and podcasts will continue to be posted. I would also like to invite you to join our online community at Give It To Me Raw. Think Myspace or Facebook, but it's all health conscious, like-minded individuals that are caring, sharing and supporting one another along this journey. I am blown away by the people I've encountered through this website. Do check it out!

This morning I had a really tasty juice....I blended raspberries, strawberries, coconut water, orange juice and spirulina. I strained any pulp and the seeds out and then re-blended with a bit of ice to make it almost like a smoothie. What a delicious treat! Midday I had to mix up a quick quart of master cleanse (lemon juice, raw honey, pure water and cayenne pepper) because I was rushed for time. This evening I had my usual spicy salsa juice and I drank about 2 quarts. I had another episode with bathroom drama :-( I guess I am going to have to give up the jalapeños at some point. The burn factor is hot on the way down, but it's almost too much on the way out. YOWZA!

Half Way There - Day 46

April 15th can often have a negative vibe for many of us tax paying Americans, but this year the day took on a whole new feeling for me. Day 46 of juice feasting is the half way point for those of us who are planning to go the distance and complete the entire Global Juice Feasting program that began on March 1st, as designed by David Rainoshek. When I began this adventure a month and a half ago, I couldn't have foreseen the transformations that have already taken place in such a short amount of time. Issues with my skin have cleared up. A case of chronic bronchitis that had lingered for over six months after a bout with pneumonia last June...today-lungs totally clear. Fatigue and mood swings, gone. Paper thin and peeling finger nails are now strong, healthy and growing like a weed. My hair is regaining a lustre and softness after several years of feeling dull and lifeless, not to mention new growth and fullness where I was beginning to see thinning. No bloating, gas or bathroom drama (except when I juice jalapeños, which I do anyway, because I love it hot!) And a weight loss of nearly 25 pounds. I am sure there are other improvements that I am forgetting at the moment, but with results such as these, how could I not move forward and complete my goal?

Today is good time to say a thing or two about gratitude. First of all, I am so grateful for my family, especially my dear husband, Gordon. Gordon has put no demands on me during this time. He has allowed me the space I need to accomplish my goals on a daily basis. I spend much more time on the computer now, between studying, communicating with others who are either juicing or who are in the raw food community, or my own writing...such as maintaining this blog. Never a cross word or a moment of negativity. I realize how blessed I am to have a partner who gives such support...Gordon, I love you and and I love my flowers! As seen in my photo of the day, he surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers this morning to congratulate me on the accomplishment of making it to the half way mark. And to the girls, Gabby and Taylor, I want to thank you for loving me and for being so understanding about my wild decision to drink juice for three months. You are both so special to me and we'll always remember this time when I always had a big jug of juice with me everywhere we went!

I also want to thank all of you who read my blog everyday. Knowing that I have family & friends, both old and new, who are following my adventure, gives me a great deal of encouragement and motivation. Your comments and personal emails have been a source of delight and inspiration to me. And a big thank you to Matt Gleason of the Tulsa World for thinking enough of my story to cover it in our local paper. There have been so many people who have contacted me or who I have ran into that saw the article and who speak kind words of encouragement. A genuine thank you to David & Katrina Rainoshek, my juice feasting mentors. And finally to Philip McCluskey and Heidi Ohlander, these two were blazing the trail and are who really got me to see the vision and jump on the band wagon to make that final commitment to go for it. All of these people and factors play a role in my own personal success thus far and and I know that this support structure is a big part of what will keep me going strong in the next month and a half. So everyone join me in lifting your juice glass (or quart jar) and toast with me to another epic and exciting 46 days!