Day 8 & 9 - I'm Done!

Day 8 - Today was a bit difficult - I was ill prepared. I had an expo event at work and brought breakfast drink with me, the minty fresh berry which I am a big fan of. I thought I'd wake up earlier, since I went to sleep at 8pm last night; I didn't. I woke up with my alarm at 6am, but oh wait, I needed to leave the house an hour earlier to get where I needed to go, so I only had one hour to get ready which meant I didn't have enough time to make 2 more juices. The whole process takes a of time, to wash your produce, juice and clean up. Although you lose some of the health benefits, juicing the night before is better for me. I'm going to look into getting some mason jars that will be smaller and able to keep air out, which then lessens the oxidation process.

So, after 1pm when I was done I stopped at a gas station and got a Naked juice, pineapple, banana, mango I think - ugh it was horrible. It tasted grainy. Fresh is so much better. I went grocery shopping for the next 2 days and got everything I need and I'm ready tonight be back on track tomorrow. Tonight I made a great dinner juice that I foresee making more for sure, Lemon Lime but I left out the ginger. I've been adding the ginger where indicated but I think I'm just not a ginger fan and I'm willing to try out the nasty green juices again with less ginger and maybe some crushed ice. I also bought The Juice Bible today, so I'm eager to get reading on that. I was less hungry today, but I've had a pretty good headache since about 4pm and I don't think I am dehydrated - I've had a good amount of water.

Day 9 - I watched Forks Over Knives last night. I had a late night last night and went to bed at 11:30pm or so. I wasn't tired at all, but I woke this morning tired.

I had minty fresh berry again today because I didn't want my blueberries to go bad that I'd bought. Lunch is Lemon Lime and I brought a new juice from The Juice Bible because I had 2 zucchini that I didn't want to go bad that I needed to use. I forget the name of the recipe, but it is a little bland and tasty. Today is an easy juice day. I'm down 11 lbs as of this morning from I started this wild ride. Very cool! I think I'm entering phase 2 of detox - the best part being that I wasn't very hungry yesterday at all. After watching the documentary last night I'm prepared to go full vegetarian after the juice fast phase is complete. That along with my blood type is sort of a slap in the face that I should be eating a whole foods plant based diet for my best health.

8:30 - I've had another headache since about 5pm again despite drinking a lot of water. I broke and had a salad for dinner - I'm done. I'm glad for the detox that I did and the small weight loss to kick me into the next phase, which will be eating a vegetarian diet. Lets see if my headache comes back tomorrow with my planned salad for lunch.

Day 6 & 7 - HUNGRY!!!!

Day 6 - Juice Only first day

I woke up ready to start my day - morning groggyness is becoming less and less. I drank 4 juices today, the morning fruit one the best tasting of course and gave me enough energy until oh about noon when hunger kicked in - and never really went away. My best tactic has been distraction. Oh man, this is gonna be hard! Just 5 days....just 5 days....

Day 7
I went to sleep last night at 8:30pm just so I could end the misery. This morning I strangely didn't wake up with the hunger rolling in my belly. Again, I was pretty alert and energized - I'm thinking this will stick and is a great quick, easy benefit of the healthier lifestyle. I'm still hungry though - and what makes it worse is then because I'm hungry and I can't eat, rather than just take my mind off it, I'm obsessed with the thought of food. I actually can't concentrate very well on anything else. Arg!

I tried the purple power punch this morning and didn't care for it. Too much ginger and the grapes were a bit much. Lunch is the Mexican Style Jugo again - this one I can put down easily. I'm thinking maybe of mixing morning fruit drink with afternoon to have a less foul tasting drink throughout the day. I'm not sure if that is allowed or okay, but I might try it out tomorrow. The late afternoon is the worst for hunger. I stay busy in the morning but then can't concentrate and start thinking about food until its time to go home from work. When I leave the whirlwind of my evening starts and I'm fine again. I fell asleep at 8pm, exhausted. I thought well maybe I'll just get up earlier and then I'll have the energy to do things I'm neglecting to do - nope, woke up when my alarm went off at 6am.

Day 4 & 5 - Last Solids

I started this morning with my own fruity blend that had strawberries, blueberries, mint, a banana - fabulous. The fruit isn't hard at all. Lunch was a nice big reboot salad with romaine, rainbow chard, red peppers, tomato, avocado and the ginger soy dressing I love. I tried the Mexican-Style Jugo and it isn't bad at all - in fact, I could do that one. Lots of water, and dinner was leftover zucchini from last night and a small handful of cherries for dessert.

If any boys aren't interested in lady issues, skip this paragraph - you have been warned. I started my cycle Friday morning without any cramps. This is unusual for me. I generally have cramps the first day, not terrible but definitely in need of Midol or 2 Tylenol. This time, nothing. This is the first very real effect of a healthful diet I am experiencing 100% without question.

I'm still having occasional headaches, and I'm tired. I was at my moms house today and I broke - a little. I found my nemesis and couldn't resist. Anyone that knows me knows full well my weakness for ice cream. There was mint chocolate chip staring at me and I had 2 spoonfuls. I'm willing to forgive myself this indiscretion as normally I might have finished the container. I still felt guilty though. Its my weaning week though so I'm letting it go. Next week, Monday - no nonsense all juice!

Sunday I had the Sunset Blend and oh my - it was fabulous. I used rhubarb stalks instead of the beets though - red for red, right?! I had a Tastefully Simple event at a farmers market and while I was there in the morning drinking my juice I got very nauseous. I wasn't sure if it was the juice, if I was dehydrated, if it was the sun, everything catching up with me or what. I wasn't sure if drinking anything would make it better or worse - I sipped water for a while until it subsided. My stomach was gurgly all day but no major issues that sent me running to the Starbucks bathroom across the street from the market. Today had potential to be extremely embarrassing and horrible; it was just around the corner and somehow I managed to avoid it. I had some cucumber salad when I got back to my mom's house and a spoonful of egg salad. I couldn't resist - I don't even know why. I think I was really hungry, weak and not thinking clearly. For dinner I had another reboot salad with chard, red pepper, tomato, avocado and soy dressing and I made the roasted sweet potato and carrots again.

Note to anyone thinking of doing the Classic Reboot - check the recipe servings and if you only want one serving with no leftovers you might reduce the ingredients.

Two observations about today; I had to wake up at 5:20AM to get to Mt. Prospect and normally after some coffee I'd be good to go within half an hour to hour. This week has been a struggle to 'wake up' without coffee, as I've mentioned before. Today after stretching and getting up from bed I was less groggy and after washing my face I was actually pretty energized. Now, I was dead tired by 1PM, but that is another story. Also, my back has started hurting pretty bad. Either I strained it lifting boxes, etc. or the body rebuilding thing might be happening, although it seems to early in the detox process for that. I'm honestly guessing that I strained my back because of my generalized weakness. So, at the moment...it is really hurting and I'm hoping a hot shower and a good nights sleep does me some good.

Okay folks, tomorrow is the day...all juice...I'm pretty darn excited! By the way, as of this morning, I am down 7 lbs - nice!

Day 3 - Temptations Aplenty!

I forgot to take a picture of my morning juice, which was Minty-Fresh Berry. It was tasty and redish. My juicer puts a lot of air in the juice, it makes it a bit too frothy. I think the juices would be better if it was actually all just juice. - or I'd be able to suck it up in the case of a not so great juice. I wonder if all juicers work that way.

Mid morning juice is Refreshing Fennel-Pear which I added 2 limes to and try to cut down the fennel taste. It looks nasty, but the lime did it's job and it isn't bad. It is actually even a bit refreshing!

Drinking out of the tumblers with straws is easier than without a straw - I notice this today and I don't have a straw. Also, adding ice seems to help as well. I think flavors aren't as potent when they are colder. Watering down is helping too.

Lunch is Arugula and Spinach Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette. I like the other dressing way better and I wouldn't make this one again. Arugula is a little bit of a spicy lettuce and takes some getting used to, especially paired with the red onion, jicama and dressing. I wouldn't make this one again, but folks at work enjoyed it. So, just not my slice of pie.

While I'm reporting on what I am eating/drinking I am forgetting a very important part of my day; reporting on what I'm NOT eating. The following has been available for free at work just in the past 3 days: Panera bagels with cream cheese on Monday (my favorite, the apple crisp was sitting on top, just calling and begging me, complete with it's partner in crime, hazelnut cream cheese), freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, carrot cake and red velvet cake. It was almost too much for me - I licked the frosting so as not to offend the gracious employee who baked my birthday cake. This morning someone brought Dunkin Donuts; I have been avoiding the box. I fear that if there is a chocolate iced chocolate cake I may throw the towel in. My stomach is growling and I really want one of those stupid donuts. Oh wait, I have my refreshing fennel-pear juice - I'm sure that will be just as good! Ugh.

Tonight is a feast! Baked Zucchini with Tomatoes and Herbs and Sweet Potato and Carrot "Fries". I forgot to take my camera home from work, or it is missing - so no pictures, but this was delicious.

I'm anticipating a busy weekend and fresh eating will even more so make it a busy weekend. I'm eager and excited about my upcoming week of just juice. I am still getting hiccups throughout the day - and trying to figure out why, although it looks like it might common. I feel tired today.

I had forgotten all about Eating for your Blood Type, which was just pointed out as a solution to some of the irritable bowel issues many of us juicers face. I re-read my blood type workup and I'm eager to to get started juicing in a healthful way particular to my chemistry - what a find! And for any other Type A bloods out there, here is some interesting info about you and me:

"Type As flourish on a vegetarian diet - if you are accustomed to eating meat, you will lose weight and have more energy once you eliminate the toxic foods from your diet. Many people find it difficult to move away from the typical meat and potato fare to soy proteins, grains and vegetables. But it is particularly important for sensitive Type As to eat their foods in as natural a state as possible: pure, fresh and organic. "I can't emphasize enough how this critical dietary adjustment can be to the sensitive immune system of Type A. With this diet you can supercharge your immune system and potentially short circuit the development of life threatening diseases."

My blood type is perfect for what I'm doing! I read through all of the other parts and it all fits in nicely too. Last time I'd read this book, I thought I was AB and now that I'm an 'A' it all fits more into the way I feel. Anywho, if you don't know your blood type so sorry for you - call your doctor and see if they know and check this out - you will be surprised how accurate it is.

Day 2

I know you aren't supposed to weigh yourself every day - I've never been able to stop myself when I'm trying to pay attention to my weight though. 2 lbs down from yesterday morning weigh in. I'll only report this once a week, but just know...I'm a daily checker - I can't help it.

I solved my coconut conundrum last night. My soup tasted like it had small hairs in it; because it did - I had a small thai young coconut on my hands and one youtube video later and I'm back on track.

I started my day off with Mandarin Orange Spice tea. All the teas that I have/bought are all herbal caffeine free. I'm a big fan of Celestial Seasons due to cost. I use a Stevia packet for now because I'm not used to non-sweetened tea. Stevia (I had never used it before now) is a mild natural sweetener that has no after taste - I will switch to this permanently also. I am normally an Equal girl, but now I'll have the added bonus of no cancer causing chemicals - Weee!

Breakfast was the very awesome Blackberry Kiwi Blend. I forgot to put the Flax seed oil in and then before leaving for work, I went to grab my tumbler cup, which I hadn't screwed the lid on completely...oh yeah, I was ten minutes late to work due to cleaning up the counter, cabinets and floor! The worst part to me though was this was so tasty I really wanted to have the whole thing - what a tragedy!



Good news to report - I only have a very slight headache today. I'm going to go have a 1/2 of a small cup of coffee and I think we will shoot for none tomorrow. It's my birthday, damnit - I'm having my last coffee. I could push through it, I'm sure...but isn't that point of the 5 day weaning? Okay okay, I'm making excuses just a little - last one, I swear!

Mid-day juice was V28 - it wasn't as bad as the nasty green juice yesterday, but it isn't great. Raw beets taste like dirt as Bluto pointed out and although I do like beets, generally cooked and cut up on a salad; he is right - raw beets taste like dirt.

I had my 6 dried apple rings today around noon - I couldn't grab lunch yet but I was getting hungry and needed something to chew very desperately. Between the apple rings and guzzling juice, I was satisfied although that was truly the first solid I had today.

Lunch was my leftover acorn squash from dinner last night - so yummy! :)

Dinner was crap - Green Vegtable Soup that was for sure watered down veggies that were tasteless, filling but not at all exciting. I pushed through. I have had hiccups throughout the day and my last poop had red from the beet juice. I was warned about this so I didn't freak out.

I actually can't wait for the 100% juicing to start - less prep, cooking and cleanup. All I'm doing when I get home is wash dishes, make dinner and prep next days food. I think the 15 day plan was for someone who likes to cook - it is too much for me...counting down the next 3 days until I can stick it all in the juicer and be done.

DAY 1

Overall, this is how I feel about Day 1:

So, since the next 5 days is about weaning onto the juice train, I am going to also let the next 5 days be a weaning off of the coffee train because I still need to function at work. When I was hiking I also experienced this and I forgot to really write about it. I am a big grump in the morning without my morning coffee. I never thought caffeine was really such a potent drug - but here I am - pouring a very small cup at 9AM because I might get fired if I don't. I have 5 days to have very small cups and hopefully pull it together. When hiking, this never got better really, but I wasn't eating fruits and vegtables so I'm hoping that things will improve as my body adjusts. I don't know, I could drawing my pain and misery out over a longer period of time maybe doing this, but at the moment my headache is subsiding and I think I can face my daily managers meeting without being too much of a B!

This is what I had:

Amy's Blend (Starbucks) herbal tea (Thanks Dad!) with 1 Stevia packet -
Cherry Cinnamon Apple Bake

**My first thought was that it is missing the good stuff, you know - the butter, sugar and rolled oats that make these bake things good. I could get used to it though - it makes its own natural sweet syrup for a nice tart treat!




Green Juice mid morning

I didn't like this one at all, although I'm sure others would. I am feeling a little weird today - I'm more tired than usual and feel 'off balance'; I've sort of stumbled (like I'm drunk) and nudged the walls taking a corner too quickly. I am maintaining a dull headache today even after drinking my one small coffee this morning. The green juice is gross; I had to push to get through it but hunger won out. I find that the longer I push off eating in the morning I don't get hungry. I run on coffee normally until about 10:30-11 when I'll have a granola bar. Yes, I know this is unhealthy. Then lunch normally at about 12-1pm and maybe a snack....mmm...I want a snack! Okay, anyway - having breakfast this morning got me hungry earlier and so I'm choking down this horrible juice out of hunger. It's the kale I think - ugh!

Reboot Green Salad - Lunch - 278 cal
Any greens you like (I did Romaine & Spinach to start) and add any veggies; I added tomato, red pepper and avocado. Dressed with 2 Tbsp of the Ginger Honey Soy Dressing. Have I mentioned how FANTASTIC this dressing is - I LOVE IT! I forgot to take a picture, but I'm sure you can imagine 'salad'.

Raw Carrot Ginger Soup

**This had an excellent creamy flavor, fun and filling! Unfortunately I did something wrong with the coconut and it tasted like there were small thick hairs in my soup - like small dog hair or something. Needless to say, it made eating the soup difficult at best to enjoy and I ended up throwing most of it away - and have another bowl in my fridge to do the same with since it made 2 servings.

By the way, here is the coconut I bought - and I need to research what the hell to do with it so I don't ruin anything else. Anyone else have any experience with this product? I simply chopped of a chunk and threw it in the blender - guess that was wrong!

And here was dinner, Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Mushroom and Sage not the cute boy holding the plate! He helped cook today so he was very into seeing the work of art.

This was Ah-May-Zing! I will absolutely be making this in the future. Yum Yum!

I feel like today was a cold start between my ruined carrot soup and my juice was nasty. Well, tomorrow looks more promising, so I'm looking forward to it.

Its 9 and I'm tired - hitting it early. Nighty night!

3-2-1...We have lift off!

My friend Jason who is also doing this found a calorie counter that tells you how many calories to take in to maintain your current weight. Wow - it is no surprise I'm a chubster. I plug in my current weight, age and height; it tells me that to maintain my weight, I need to take in 2,229 calories. That is not hard to do. In fact, to loose weight the idea is to take in 500 less calories per day. I have no intention of counting calories at this time though. If I'm not seeing or feeling results, we can revisit the idea.

I spent $97.47 on this:

And that isn't even all the lettuces!

Today I tried no caffiene and I felt like I was in a fog - I had a small cup at 9am and immediatly felt better! Oh shit - this is going to be bad!

Preston has joined the juice wagon - I wonder if he will also continue his blog? I'll link to his if he does too - for anyone that is interested.

Here we go!