Juice Fast Day Two

Fast Juice

My daughter, Marisa, and I are doing the fast together and it is interesting to see the differences in how our bodies are responding to it.

The first day she was very tired and I had plenty of energy.  On day two though, the tables were turned--and worse!

I woke up with a headache, but nothing I couldn't handle.  We had planned to go the the farmer's market close to home, and run a few more errands.  I never made it out of the house--well not until about 9:30 pm to get toilet paper and movies.  She braved the real world and went to lunch at Chili's with a friend and took green juice as her lunch!  Not only did she chance going to a restaurant on day two, she also walked there.

My headache got progressively worse throughout the morning.  I tried to nap through it, put ice bags on my head, made it dark in the house, and then around 1pm I finally broke down and took some Excedrin because it was excruciating!  It didn't get rid of it completely, but it was tolerable and I could function again.

I read that sugar could make headaches worse, and the wonderful breakfast juice I made very possibly could have been the culprit.

Heavenly Pineapple Orange Strawberry Apple Juice
1/3 Pineapple
1 Sweet Apple (I used an Oh My Gosh Apple)
3 strawberries
1 Orange
1/2 inch ginger.

It was frothy and made about 18 ounces of juice. The rest of the day I drank 30oz of green juice and for dinner an 11oz salad in a glass that Marisa made.  I'll have to get the recipe from her.  It had beet, tomato, garlic, onion...and I'm not sure what else.

Juice Art by Marisa Zocco

I made another broth last night with yesterday's pulp.  I added a lot more spices this time.  My neighbor came over for a visit and she said, "if you guys are on a juice fast, why does it smell like hamburger helper in here." I don't eat Hamburger Helper much anymore (it's probably been at least a year if not two) but right now, the lasagna flavor sounds delicious.

It did smell lovely in the house all day yesterday. Marisa made a tea with the pulp from the morning juice and it smelled like we were baking apple pie.  The tea was nice too.  More flavorful than the herbal teas we bought at the store.

I was hungrier than I was on the first day of the fast.....but I also sipped on my juices rather than sucking them down quickly which may have been a part of it, but it also may just be the nature of the fast.

I am a little concerned about day three, since the headache from day two was so severe and day three is when you are supposed to feel most miserable.  I did increase my water intake--hopefully this will help flush out toxins an make me feel less bad.

We ended the day by giving each other head and shoulder massages which got rid of the lingering headache I had.  Thank you Marisa!

Onto day three!

Juice Fast: Day One

The first day went pretty good. Felt fine overall.  I need to drink more water, and learned that taking a juice with me to run errands is a good idea.  So I bought some to-go drink cups for the juice.  Also bought some herbal teas for some warmth.

Started the first day with some pure fresh squeezed orange juice.

Then I made 2 more juices for the day; Mean Green juice and Dracula's Dream Juice.  For the Dracula juice, I only used a half a beet instead of two (and glad I did-very earthy--but the beet was very large), added an extra carrot, some ginger and a kiwi.

12 oz of the Dracula Dream and 20 oz of Mean green. I drank the green juice in two sittings and the second glass was a little tart--so I may adjust the amount of green apple I put in it.

The Kale (one of the most expensive and most used ingredients) is going fast and so is the spinach (but that is cheap).

For the evening I made a gazpacho juice--tomatoes, green onion, garlic and cilantro.  The recipe called for basil, but I had cilantro.

Stats:  Kind of scary, but kind of not.  It is what it is.  In the flesh it is obvious I am overweight, but on paper it is very revealing.

Weight:  172.5 (ugh that was my full term pregnancy weight)
Chest: 45.5
Waist:  43
Hips:  45
Arms:  12
Thigh:  21
Calf:  15

Can't get any more honest than that, huh.

Onto day 2!

Juice Fast. Ready, Set, Go!

I am sooooo excited!  Today is Day One of my 10 day juice fast. I may extend it beyond the 10, but I am committed to10 first.  I may get brave and post my stats and a revealing photo.  Here is a photo of the fridge filled with fruits and veggies.

I decided to do the juice fast after watching Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.  I'm nearly 50, sick of being fat and worrying about early death.  Although I am now also looking forward to the weight loss benefits, the main reason for me wanting to do the juice fast is for my health and for the possibility of retraining my taste buds.

I crave fried foods...and the potato chips...MMM mmm--especially after quitting smoking!  I could eat an entire large bag in a day with some green onion dip.  That is where a lot of the 20 lbs I gained came from after I quit.

With this 10 Day Juice Cleanse I am looking forward to:

• Retraining my taste buds so they crave fruits and veggies instead of fried chicken wings and french fries. 
• Detoxing from processed foods. 
• Changing my eating habits.
• Improved overall health (skin, rashes, arthritis type symptoms, cholesterol, and heart health)
• Weight loss (I feel so much better about myself when I am thinner).

I, like Joe and Phil from the documentary, have had a chronic rash for about a year now.  It comes and goes, and moves from place to place, but when it is flaring it lasts for months.  Yikes!  TMI?!  I m just trying to real here in the hopes that my honesty can help someone else.  

I just think that the rash and other symptoms, (arthritis like) are signs of an overloaded system and I am hoping to reset my system--a DO-OVER! 

It makes sense to me.  I could give details about why juice fasting is good for you, but Joe Cross already did that so well in his documentary, which I already mentioned above.  I highly recommend watching it!

I'll do my best to keep you updated on my juice cleanse progress.

Juicing sure makes for some pretty photos!  This is the cup that captured the beet juice I made this morning.

Photo by Marisa Zocco

Backpacking. Check!

I completed another item on my 101 Things to do in 1001 Days--Backpacking!

Well, it was on the list as take a backpacking course, but turns out I didn't need the course.  Saved some cash there. Cha Ching!

I joined a meetup group for LA Backpackers and lo and behold they did a trip that was targeted at beginners--even said to go rent the equipment if you didn't have any.

So, I rented a backpack for $12.00 (member price) at REI, used my own camping equipment, and the ultralight alcohol stove I made--which turned out to be a bust by the way, and away I went.  Well, away we went--my daughter did the trip too!

My pack weight was 25 pounds (but then I added a couple things, but no more than 28 pounds.

The hike was listed as moderate--but for out of shape me--it was strenuous!  Longest 2.5 miles of my life.  I bet the next time I do the hike, it won't seem as bad.  I have never sweat so much in my life--and it wasn't even hot--thank God!

The trail report said the first 1/4 mile was the hardest, so I expected it to be easy after that--nope--it was still up, up, up.  I intended to go with the rest of the group on the 5 mile day hike, but my body needed some rest before going any further. That kind of bummed me out, but I took it as a win that I did the hard part with the pack.

It was a great group of people, got lots of info and encouragement.  I will definitely be doing more backpacking.

Carrots, Apples and Broccoli, Oh My!

I made my first juice tonight with my donated juicer!

When I did my 101 List, one of the goals on that list was to "Make it a habit to eat at least five servings of fruits or veggies per day 5 days per week,"  and for someone who grew up on canned vegetables that task was turning out to be tougher than I thought it would.  It's funny how naming goals actually helps the universe put things in your path that can help you achieve them. 


I watched the documentary Fat Sick and Nearly Dead this weekend and I really related to it.  It is about a man who decided to do a juice fast to reboot his body and heal it from the inside out.  I don't want to tell  you all the details here, but just know that it inspired me and I recommend watching it.  I was so inspired that I wanted to do the juice fast too!

Juicers are expensive and I am on a budget so I put out a request for one on a freecycle site that I belong to and I got one the same day--today!

Here is the plate of vegetables (and a fruit) that went into my carrot, broccoli, and apple juice. 4 carrots, 1 apple and 3-4 broccoli florets.

That is a lot of veggies to eat in one sitting isn't it?! Well for a meat and potatoes gal like me it is.  Easy when it is in a juice. And since I love fruit juices, I think I can totally get into this juicing thing.  Naked juice makes a "green machine" juice that I love and I am going to try to get as close to the flavor as possible, but adding more vegetables. Green veggies have the most nutrients and I'm hoping that I can find a way to make kale taste amazing in a juice because kale is super duper good for you.

It was a little messy at first.  My first glass didn't fit under the lip where the juice came out and the second one I tried didn't fit against the side well enough and it was spilling.  A coffee cup worked fine.  I ended up adding a couple ice cubes to make it colder and it was better that way.

I am going to spend some time over the next couple of weeks practicing with some recipes, and then I think I am going to do the juice fast.  I'll start with a 10 day and extend it to 30 days if the 10 days is bearable.  In the documentary, people talk about the fast resetting your taste buds so you are craving the veggies and fruits rather than the bad for you foods.  Here's hoping that is the case with me!

Homemade Backpacking Stove

I am so stoked!   I made a Penny Stove yesterday.  It is an ultralight alcohol stove made from 2 soda (or beer if you prefer) cans. Get the directions here.

Okay, I actually made 2...and I am working on another--it's a little addictive.  I still have to make up the pot stand, but that will be easy.  I'll be using Everclear as the fuel because it has multiple uses (including the ability sterilize wounds and to drink it--not that I want to be wasted in the backcountry with a bunch of wild critters--gotta keep your wits about you--learned that in Yosemite with a bear and I wasn't even in the backcountry).

My first backpacking trip is scheduled for this weekend (unless the weather is bad).  The forecast says rain and snow -- yeah, snow in mountains above LA--who knew?!  And it is supposed to be cold--duh, huh--snow would need cooler temps.

Backpacking is on my 101 list and I have been researching the subject so I am excited to see if I like it.  I think I will.

It's interesting to see how things change in our lives.  I try not to say "never" to things because that is almost always an indicator that I will at some point.  I said "never" to mini skirts, bell bottoms and hipster pants and ended up wearing all of those.  I also believe I said that backpacking wasn't for me twenty years ago when I lived in Colorado and had a boyfriend who was super outdoorsy (crazy stuff like snow caves and snow camping). Now I want to backpack, kayak, and climb mountains.  Well, at least in theory.

Even if I don't end up liking backpacking (which I highly doubt), my ultralite stove will come in handy for car camping, day hikes, and will be a great addition to the earthquake kit.

A Morning Routine

In my quest to make changes in my life, (or mid-life crisis) I have been reading a number of books and blogs about getting more out of life, finding your authentic self, etc, etc, etc.

A common theme is to establish routines--especially morning and evening routines.  I feign routine! Or at least I think I do. Many of the items on my 101 list are about making a habit of something.  My reading of Simple Abundance is a daily routine--well, it is supposed to be.  So maybe my inner self desires routine--but where is the adventure in that?

This morning when I woke up, I wandered around my house wondering what to do with myself--no routine!  I finally made some coffee after snacking on some chocolate cake (Bill Cosby says it is fine for mornings) and having some milk.  Then it hit me!  I used to have a morning routine, but abandoned it when I gave up cigarettes and cable TV.

I used to light a cigarette pretty much before my body left the bed, and into the living room I would go.  I'd turn on the TV to make sure the world didn't blow up while I was sleeping, pop open a diet coke, make a pot of coffee and sit for about an hour with my first three cigs of the day.

That was a pretty stable morning routine for about 28 years. So, I guess maybe I don't feign routine as much as I thought.  Now it is just time to figure out something new and fulfilling for my mornings.

Do you have a morning routine and if you do, what is it?