This morning I woke up having lost a little more weight. After my 15 day juice cleanse I am down 13.4 pounds.
So, what do you eat after a juice cleanse? My goal was to ease into eating again so I made myself a warm, nappa cabbage infused with garlic, ginger and lemon grass soup. It was delicious. Then in the afternoon I ate a piece of cake that I had been saving from a friend's birthday party. Boy was that a mistake.
After the cake I did not feel normal the rest of the day. I knew better and didn't listen to my body. I went the rest of the day without eating. I've been mainly drinking water and coconut juice. I think I'll juice twice tomorrow and stick to simple foods.
I do have to pat myself on the back though. Tonight was the Hmong Women Leadership Institute reception. There was delicous papaya salad, pad thai, chicken wings, and a tofu veggie stir fry and I didn't have any of it. In fact, I don't think I thought twice about the food. Yay me.
Taking it one day at a time. Will see what happens this weekend at my cousin's wedding.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Day 15 (Tuesday, May 21)
Today is my last day of juicing. Though it has been a wonderful experience, I am looking forward eating my food versus drinking it. As of this morning I am down 12.8 pounds.
Reflection on Day 15
Changes I have observed since I started doing coffee enemas
General reflections about being vegan/juicing
Reflection on Day 15
Changes I have observed since I started doing coffee enemas
- I sleep better
- I wake up refreshed and ready to go in the morning
- I need less sleep to feel energized
- I am no longer gassy (those who know me know that this has been an issue all my life - excessive gas)
- My over all energy and mood is so much more positive (I know, how can that be right?)
General reflections about being vegan/juicing
- I have noticed that since I have been vegan I no longer have issues with my breath. Meaning, no more bad breath.
- I also noticed that body odors (feet, gas, under arm, sweat, etc...) either have no odor at all or the odor is minimal.
- My skin has gotten tighter and my wrinkles have been reduced greatly. (Someone told me the other day they thought I was 28...I had to laugh).
- I have greater clarity in my thinking.
- Most importantly, I have a better connection with my body and how it is suppose to work.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Day 11, Day 12, Day 13 & Day 14
Holy man! Hard to post everyday. So, lots to reflect on but now that the moment has passed I guess I'll just do a quick report.
Reflection on Day 14
I am down exactly 12 pounds. I am still feeling great. No cravings. I have been tested over and over again with yummy tempting foods. Each time I am faced with the option to eat delicious but less than healthy foods I have been able to turn way and not give the food a second thought. I feel more confident everyday that once I am off my juicing cleanse I will have broken my addiction to food.
I did also try coffee enemas. Why coffee enemas? It's probably better explained by practitioners of Dr. Gerson.
"The coffee enema is capable of removing circulating toxins and partial metabolites for one specific reason, and that is that the coffee enema not only dilates bile ducts - which Gerson knew - we now know, from the work of Wattenberg, Sparnins, and Lam at the University of Minnesota, Department of Pathology, Minneapolis, that coffee stimulates an enzyme system in the liver, glutathione-S-transferase, that is capable of removing a vast variety of electrophiles from the bloodstream. Electrophiles are referred to in popular literature as free radicals."
Here's a link if you want to know more: http://www.gersonhawaii.us/gersonarticle5.html
Just one more day left and I will be eating solids. Feeling a little bit torn about it but also looking forward to it.
Reflection on Day 14
I am down exactly 12 pounds. I am still feeling great. No cravings. I have been tested over and over again with yummy tempting foods. Each time I am faced with the option to eat delicious but less than healthy foods I have been able to turn way and not give the food a second thought. I feel more confident everyday that once I am off my juicing cleanse I will have broken my addiction to food.
I did also try coffee enemas. Why coffee enemas? It's probably better explained by practitioners of Dr. Gerson.
"The coffee enema is capable of removing circulating toxins and partial metabolites for one specific reason, and that is that the coffee enema not only dilates bile ducts - which Gerson knew - we now know, from the work of Wattenberg, Sparnins, and Lam at the University of Minnesota, Department of Pathology, Minneapolis, that coffee stimulates an enzyme system in the liver, glutathione-S-transferase, that is capable of removing a vast variety of electrophiles from the bloodstream. Electrophiles are referred to in popular literature as free radicals."
Here's a link if you want to know more: http://www.gersonhawaii.us/gersonarticle5.html
Just one more day left and I will be eating solids. Feeling a little bit torn about it but also looking forward to it.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Day 10
Down 10 pounds. I don't think I have ever lost 10 pounds in one month so to do it in 10 days is unbelievable.
I have increased my castor oil treatments to once a day. I feel like it is making a big difference in how things move in my body.
Juicing Reflection on Day 10
Tonight I attended a surprise birthday party for a good friend of mine. Of all places, the party was held at the Nook in St. Paul (featured on Diners, Drivers and Dives). I was surrounded by food and cake and I was not consumed with the thought of eating them. I was able to enjoy the company of wonderful friends without being distracted by my addiction.
That said, after much thought and consideration on what my natural path doctor said to me, I am reducing my cleanse from 30 days to 15 days. My goal was never to lose weight but to reset my body and heal myself on the inside. I think I am nearly there. My addiction has been severely broken (dare I say gone?). I guess that means just 5 days left to report on.
I have increased my castor oil treatments to once a day. I feel like it is making a big difference in how things move in my body.
Juicing Reflection on Day 10
Tonight I attended a surprise birthday party for a good friend of mine. Of all places, the party was held at the Nook in St. Paul (featured on Diners, Drivers and Dives). I was surrounded by food and cake and I was not consumed with the thought of eating them. I was able to enjoy the company of wonderful friends without being distracted by my addiction.
That said, after much thought and consideration on what my natural path doctor said to me, I am reducing my cleanse from 30 days to 15 days. My goal was never to lose weight but to reset my body and heal myself on the inside. I think I am nearly there. My addiction has been severely broken (dare I say gone?). I guess that means just 5 days left to report on.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Day 8 & Day 9
Juicing Reflection on Day 8
The reflection of day 8 will touch on my womanly function so if you don't want to know this much about me, please skip to my day 9 reflection.
For the first time that I can recall, during my monthly cycle, things that normally occur which I have been told are all natural and expected, did not happen. I did not have cravings the days before hand, my cycle was extremely light, it was also very short (three days from beginning to end), I did not retain water, nor did I have the normal tenderness in my chest. I wonder, is this how it is suppose to be? For women who have extreme PMS, could all of it be eliminated through diet?
Juicing Reflection on Day 9
I am now down 9.5 pounds. I have lost nearly a pound a day. I noticed today that my body is not asking for as much nutrition. Maybe the week building up to my monthly cycle required more nutrition because my body was trying to store "energy" in case of pregnancy? I don't know. What I do know is today I have only had lemon water, one juice and coconut water and I seem to be just fine.
On another note, I did want to report that I did not consult with my primary care, kidney or natural path doctors before staring my 30 day juice cleanse. I finally checked in with my natural path doctor the other day. Based on her advice, I think I will need to shorten my fast from 30 days to 15 or 20 days. I guess I've never been one to move slowly on anything. I go all in or I don't go at all. Maybe where my health is concerned I should take a more cautious approach. I'll think on it and decide.
The reflection of day 8 will touch on my womanly function so if you don't want to know this much about me, please skip to my day 9 reflection.
For the first time that I can recall, during my monthly cycle, things that normally occur which I have been told are all natural and expected, did not happen. I did not have cravings the days before hand, my cycle was extremely light, it was also very short (three days from beginning to end), I did not retain water, nor did I have the normal tenderness in my chest. I wonder, is this how it is suppose to be? For women who have extreme PMS, could all of it be eliminated through diet?
Juicing Reflection on Day 9
I am now down 9.5 pounds. I have lost nearly a pound a day. I noticed today that my body is not asking for as much nutrition. Maybe the week building up to my monthly cycle required more nutrition because my body was trying to store "energy" in case of pregnancy? I don't know. What I do know is today I have only had lemon water, one juice and coconut water and I seem to be just fine.
On another note, I did want to report that I did not consult with my primary care, kidney or natural path doctors before staring my 30 day juice cleanse. I finally checked in with my natural path doctor the other day. Based on her advice, I think I will need to shorten my fast from 30 days to 15 or 20 days. I guess I've never been one to move slowly on anything. I go all in or I don't go at all. Maybe where my health is concerned I should take a more cautious approach. I'll think on it and decide.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Day 6 & Day 7
Okay, didn't report on day 6. That's because I was a crazy mess.
Juicing Observation on Day 6
I felt great. Had a ton on energy. No joint pains. No muscle pains. No cravings. Felt awesome so what the heck? Why did I have a crazy, yelling, emotional breakdown on Mother's Day? I went into a crazy rant and emotionally abused my poor husband and two kids. Then, out of no where, my body told me I needed a nap. I didn't feel tired. After napping for two hours I thought all would be fine but it wasn't. I was still crazy. All I could do was apologize.
Juicing Observation on Day 7
I have now lost almost 9 pounds (8.8pounds to be exact). So after having a cruddy day 6 I looked into what could have caused my emotional meltdown. I have been slowly reading Healing the Gerson Way and this morning read a chapter on understanding the healing reaction. In this chapter it states, "The body produces a healing inflammation and releases toxins from the tissues, producing a massive toxic load that has to be eliminated from the liver. The process is sometimes accompanied by a healing fever and even spells of depression and panic." I guess I need to be more diligent about castor oil packs. I also dread saying that I need to start doing coffee enemas to help release the toxins from my liver. I will spare you the details of this process but will let you know the outcome.
Interestingly enough, I still don't know why my body tells me to sleep when I am not tired but what I can say is I have a new found respect for my body and for listening to it. Normally, if I nap during the day, it is difficult for me to fall asleep at bed time. This has not been the case lately. I guess my body needs the extra sleep for all the healing it is trying to do on the inside.
Hoping the crazies go away and stay away.
Juicing Observation on Day 6
I felt great. Had a ton on energy. No joint pains. No muscle pains. No cravings. Felt awesome so what the heck? Why did I have a crazy, yelling, emotional breakdown on Mother's Day? I went into a crazy rant and emotionally abused my poor husband and two kids. Then, out of no where, my body told me I needed a nap. I didn't feel tired. After napping for two hours I thought all would be fine but it wasn't. I was still crazy. All I could do was apologize.
Juicing Observation on Day 7
I have now lost almost 9 pounds (8.8pounds to be exact). So after having a cruddy day 6 I looked into what could have caused my emotional meltdown. I have been slowly reading Healing the Gerson Way and this morning read a chapter on understanding the healing reaction. In this chapter it states, "The body produces a healing inflammation and releases toxins from the tissues, producing a massive toxic load that has to be eliminated from the liver. The process is sometimes accompanied by a healing fever and even spells of depression and panic." I guess I need to be more diligent about castor oil packs. I also dread saying that I need to start doing coffee enemas to help release the toxins from my liver. I will spare you the details of this process but will let you know the outcome.
Interestingly enough, I still don't know why my body tells me to sleep when I am not tired but what I can say is I have a new found respect for my body and for listening to it. Normally, if I nap during the day, it is difficult for me to fall asleep at bed time. This has not been the case lately. I guess my body needs the extra sleep for all the healing it is trying to do on the inside.
Hoping the crazies go away and stay away.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Day 5
Down a 1/2 pound from yesterday. I did not work out on day 4. Down a total of 7 1/2 pounds.
Juicing Observation on Day 4:
I experienced for the first time in my life what it feels like to eat because my body needs nutrition versus to eat because I am hungry. Until yesterday I didn't even know there was a difference.
Friday evening our family left the house to run errands. I knew that while we were gone I would miss one juicing but thought I could hold out until we got home. As 7:45pm rolled around I could feel my body changing. It's hard to explain the feeling. I didn't feel hunger pains or the need to eat. I just knew that I needed some nutrition.
Within 15 minutes I felt my energy drop. Worse of all, a headache was setting in. Luckily, we were near a Cub Foods. I was able to get my hands on some pure coconut juice. Within minutes of drinking it my headache started to subside and I started to feel better.
Through out this process I never felt hunger pains nor did I have the need to eat food. My brain was sending me a signal for nutrition. So this is how my body is suppose to function? Who knew?
Juicing Observation on Day 4:
I experienced for the first time in my life what it feels like to eat because my body needs nutrition versus to eat because I am hungry. Until yesterday I didn't even know there was a difference.
Friday evening our family left the house to run errands. I knew that while we were gone I would miss one juicing but thought I could hold out until we got home. As 7:45pm rolled around I could feel my body changing. It's hard to explain the feeling. I didn't feel hunger pains or the need to eat. I just knew that I needed some nutrition.
Within 15 minutes I felt my energy drop. Worse of all, a headache was setting in. Luckily, we were near a Cub Foods. I was able to get my hands on some pure coconut juice. Within minutes of drinking it my headache started to subside and I started to feel better.
Through out this process I never felt hunger pains nor did I have the need to eat food. My brain was sending me a signal for nutrition. So this is how my body is suppose to function? Who knew?
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