DAY 2 -- 4

I don't know if the detoxing has anything to do with how I've been feeling, but ...
Day 2: I wasn't feeling well emotionally or physically.
Day 3: A pretty normal day
Day 4: I feel good. Balanced.

Day One of the Herbal Detox

I took a total of 10 supplements, 5 in the AM and 5 in the PM and of course it's too early to notice a change, 'cept my bowels did move a little more than ususal.

"Basic" Detox begins

April 26 thru May 9
Domenick and I went to Whole Foods today to look for a detox kit. There was a lot to choose from and it was a little overwhelming ... I picked this cleanse because it had most of the ingredients I was looking for, specifically organic herbs.

The cool thing about this detox program is that you can still go about eating. Of course you want to eat healthier if you can, but it's not a typical detox fast.
There are three tables to take 3 times a day with lots of water. I can do this with ease!! ... and no one will know I am detoxing. I love it.

I have a lot of expectations when it comes to detoxing because of everything I read. So far I've experienced an amazing soar of energy only once when I was doing a 3 day water fast. I'll never forget that feeling and want it back so bad.

I have no idea what the outcome will be, so I'm going to record the things I notice about my current situation, that I hope will change or disappear once the detox is completed.
Current Ailments:

1. Low energy. (i really hope to feel a huge difference)
2. Ache in my chest, for 2 years now (was rushed to the hospital once, thinking it might be a heart attack, but turns out to be some sort of virus. The Doctor called it the "Devil's grip"). it's time to send the devil packing.
3. 25 pounds over weight
4. Sluggish bowel movements
5. 3 pre-cancerous spots on my legs.
6. Breakouts on my forehead (I have more breakouts now than I did as a Teenager!)
7. Dry hair
8. Aches and slight pains in my hands, feet and some joints. (I am determined not to buy into, "it's just old age")
9. Dry chapped lips. (for as long as i can remember I've been using chapstick)
10. Mental fog and forgetfulness

I'll keep you posted!

What can you do with Pulp?

It just seems like such a waste after juicing to toss the pulp. How can I use this in a recipe ...

What's that smell?!

I put Emergen-C in my breakfast shake each morning and usually pick up the "original" or "cherry" flavors, but when I saw "acai berry" and being such a big fan of MonaVie, I thought this was perfect. I tore open the packet and just about gagged ... the smell was so bad that I almost tossed my drink down the drain and started over. Do yourself a favor, skip this flavor. It stinks to high heavens.














I forced myself to get use to the smell, just because the box is so expensive, but never again. It's back to the original or cherry for me.

LENTIL HUMMUS

Made a tasty hummus using lentils instead of chick peas. It was so easy, I don't know what took me so long to discover it ...

Instead of dipping with pita bread or chips, use carrot sticks and celery, makes the perfect lunch or snack.

Here's the recipe ...
1 cup of dried green lentils
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons unsalted Tahini
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 handful fresh parsley leaves
1/2 cup of olive oil
salt and freshly ground pepper

Cook the lentils in a quart of salted boiling water until soft not falling apart, no more than 20 minutes. Strain the lentils and add them to a food processor along with the garlic, Tahini, lemon juice, cumin, paprika, parsley and olive oil. Process until completely smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Delish!

It's Personal ...

For 2 years I had pretty severe pain in my right arm. Don't know why, but I couldn't move it without having sharp pain running down my arm and after months of immobility it stiffened where I couldn't move it.

I went for acupucture which helped a little, but if I moved it the wrong way, ouch! So I protected my arm and tried to use it as little as possible. 2 years I learned to live with the pain.

This is the amazing part ... 2 weeks ago I stopped drinking MonaVie because I just forgot or got too busy. I swear folks, in the two weeks "without" MonaVie, I was quicky reminded I had a bad arm. I totally forgot!

It had been that long since I felt any pain ... the 2 months I have been drinking MonaVie for ENERGY has actually helped with the healing of my arm too.

It was at that moment that I realized just how amazing this health drink really is.

Back in the Saddle again ...

I finally got my butt off the sofa this morning ...

I planned to just test out the bike Domenick bought me 4 years ago and ride around the neighborhood. My first Hybrid ... I was pleasantly surprised at how good it felt, so I kept peddling and found myself in Hobe Sound (another town away) and feeling really psyched.

5 miles Out: I was pumped and excited about riding again.
5 miles Back: OMG! I forgot just how uncomfortable bicycle seats can be. I wanted to cry.

It took me approx 2 hours to finish 10 miles which is crazy slow, but I'm very proud that I got on my bike again. I think tho, I'll stay closer to home until I can upgrade on some bicycle parts and build a little more tush endurance in the saddle.

FIRED UP!

Domenick and I were turned on to MonaVie juice on August 22 thru a friend who lives above our boutqiue in Stuart.

If you've never heard of MonaVie this is a brief discription from their official website:

Supports your body’s antioxidant and nutritional needs.
MonaVie™ features a delicious blend of the Brazilian açai berry—one of nature's top superfoods—and 18 other body-beneficial fruits. This Balance-Variety-Moderation approach to nutrition delivers powerful antioxidants and phytonutrients to help fight free radicals and maintain your body's overall health.
The Premier Açai Blend™
MonaVie's delicious blend of body-beneficial fruits is designed to nourish your body with powerful antioxidants and nutrients.
Açai, white grape, apple, acerola, aronia, purple grape, cranberry, passion fruit, prune, kiwi, blueberry, wolfberry, camu camu, pomegranate, lychee fruit, pear, banana, cupuaçu, and bilberry.
Key Benefits
Offers potent antioxidant protection against free radicals.
Features a variety of key nutrients for optimal health.
Delivers the antioxidant capacity of approximately 13 servings of fruits and vegetables in just four ounces.
Provides nutritional benefits for all ages.
Contains antioxidant polyphenols, which studies suggest may play an important role in long-term health.
Essential Facts
In excess, free radicals produce harmful oxidation that can damage cell membranes and accelerate the aging process.
MonaVie's freeze-dried açai has a higher ORAC score than any other fruit or vegetable tested to date, boasting an antioxidant capacity more than 15 times higher than blueberries and more than 20 times higher than raspberries (J Agric Food Chem. 2006, 54(22):8604-10).
Health experts agree that a diet rich in a variety of antioxidants helps fight the signs of aging and is essential to maintaining good health.

After 3 weeks of drinking the juice we feel a difference and I'm excited to experience the full benefits as I continue to drink the juice.

Houston, We've Got a Problem ...

I've been eating lots of raw lately and I'm loving it.
Cabbage roll ups, salads, tofu fake steak, hummus and of course, garlic, garlic, garlic in everything! I love garlic!!!

What's the problem, you might be asking yourself ...

Domenick says I am oozing cabbage and garlic. He says it's coming out of my pores and he hates the smell ... I'm devastated.
I don't want to change the way I'm eating, but I don't want to stink either.

My plan is to start drinking lots of carrot juice to see if that will balance things out and cut down on the amount of garlic I am consuming.

Instead of chopping 3 cloves in one salad, I'll chop up one. :)

Cabbage Roll Ups

Served Raw with sauteed dressing drzzled over bed of veggies

The Wrap:
Large Red Cabbage leaf
2 tbsp Hummus
1 tbsp Tabouli
Raw Zucchini, chopped
Raw Yellow Squash, chopped
Raw Orange Bell Pepper, chopped
drizzled with dressing (see below)

The dressing:
saute all ingredients together
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
red or white onions, sauteed
garlic, sauteed
1 tsp raw honey
(drizzle over veggies warm or cool)

Roll up and ready to serve!

Smoothie "Pep" Drink

I like to start my morning with this drink. It fills me up and I feel I'm getting my share of fruit and it's refreshing. Domenick has a hard time getting past the green coloring, so I juice up some fresh orange juice for him instead of the Pep drink.

Prepare following in blender:

1 cup of distilled water

1 cup of ice

1/3 cup of soy yogurt

1/3 cup of blueberries

1 banana

1 date

1/2 Tsp Raw Wheat Germ

1/2 Tsp Lecithin Granules

1/2 Tsp Rice Bran

1/2 Tsp Psyllium Husk Powder

1/2 Tsp Nutritional Yeast flakes

1 Tsp Soy Protein

1 Tsp Raw Honey

1 Tsp Sunflower Seeds

2 Tsp Spirulina

1 Tbsp Flax oil

1 Packet of emer'gen-C powder

DELISH!

Day 8 of a 10 day detoxing flush

I just can't do it, man!
I decided to stop. I just couldn't bare the taste of lemon juice with maple syrup for one more day.

Do I feel any different today after 7 full days of detoxing ... not really. Well, maybe just a tiny bit ...in my hands and ankles ... they don't feel as stiff.
Next step ... a lifestyle as a vegan/raw.
Oooooh the challenges ahead.
Domenick and I are heading to Whole Foods to pick up a few things.

A NEW MONTH APPROACHES

Beginning anew with a new month ... Come September I will begin my Vegan Raw lifestyle.
Wish me luck!

An Added Bonus

I started the detoxing 5 days ago and weighed in at 162 lbs. My ideal should be between 140 and 135 lbs. This morning I weighed in at 155.8 lbs. Yipee!

Doing His Part

Domenick enjoying his Large Iced Coffee from Dunkin Donuts. Lots of cream, lots of sugar and ... lots of caffeine! Just my opinion. :)

Flushing the system

The herbal tea to help flush my bowles is not working ... tomorrow I might have to resort to the "Salt Water Bath." I'm gagging just thinking about it.

The Master Cleanser

Being a good student with The Master Cleanser.
Today is day 5 on my 10 day detox.















My distiller where I make my water pure.



















With one gallon of pure water you mix 1 cup of Lemon juice, 1 cup of Maple Syrup and 1 teaspoon of Cayenne pepper. This equals 8 glasses daily.

I'm back and bigger than ever!

161 lbs to be exact.
Ideally I should be 135lbs at 5'6".
Domenick and I have been grabbing fast food ('cept for the 3 weeks my in-laws were visiting) between running from the Boutique by day to the Factory by night. Our eating habits have been the worst in 5 years. My in-laws have come and gone, so it's time to crack down on what I put in my mouth.

I've tried so many ways to balance my diet from Weight Watchers, which worked, but I found myself always focused on my next meal, to the raw food diet which I love, but when you are always on the go it is very hard to maintain and forget about eating out.

I'm ready to try again ... Sunday I begin my flush ... wish me luck!

So Long Chocolate Chip Cookie

I feel good!
For the past week instead of reaching for my favorite over sized home-made chocolate chip cookie at Osceola Street Cafe, I've ordered a Salad for lunch. It hits the spot and I feel satisfied until dinner.

I've also started walking 2 miles daily.
Once in the morning and once after dinner.

The walking came about when I was watching the Dog Whisperer and a point was made ... the reason a dog is out of control is, he needs exercise. He needs to vent his frustration some how and if it's not thru exercise it will be thru barking and other aggressive behavior.
If anyone knows our Scottish terrier Rippy knows she is totally out of control!
So ... my dog and I are walking!

When I'm Bad: Grab and Go ...

Please! I don't even want to talk about it.

















I have no time to prepare so this is what I eat.
CRAP
(tasty tho)

When I'm Good: Juicing it

My favorite mixture for an afternoon drink:

Carrot Juice as the base for everything, followed by a handful of spinach, one whole beet, 1/4 head of red cabbage. Juice together and enjoy!

Cheese Doodles

Domo's favorite snack!

Cheese Doodles with extra Cheddar, of course. Finger licking good.

When I'm Good: Avocados

The perfect snack!

Slices of Avocado over a bed of Red Cabbage, sprinkled with cracked pepper makes the perfect snack. Add dressing for a healthy salad.

Dressing: 1 tbsp Olive oil, 1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar, 1/8 of Red Onion chopped, 1 tsp minced Garlic. Sautee a couple of minutes and pour directly over Avocados.

Delish.

When I'm Good: Apple & Pear Salad

This is one of my very favorite side dishes. It's easy to make and everyone seems to like it (except for Domenick) :-


















One Golden Delish Apple (Cut into bite size pieces)
One Pear (Cut into bite size pieces)
3 Stalks of Celery (Chopped fine)
4 Dates (Chopped fine)
1/2 cup of Pecans (Chopped fine)
Juice of 1 Orange
Juice of 1 Lemon

** Pour Orange and Lemon juices over chopped apple and pear to keep from turning brown. Leave for about 10 minutes. Then Drain (juice to be used later for dressing).

** Once fruit juice is drained add Celery, Dates and 1/2 the chopped Pecans together in bowl and mix well.Dressing:

Take the rest of the chopped Pecans and put in food processor along with drained juice.Makes a tangy delish salad.Serving size 2

My tee's too tight

I've been so busy lately, running back and forth from the boutique to the factory that my "healthy" eating habits are totally out the window ... I'm eating anything and everything just to fill the void in my stomach.

Just to give you a little back drop ...
I love to drink raw carrot juice, hate wheat grass juice but will drink it because it's supposed to be good for me. I eat raw salads with lemon dressing, love Avocados and Red Onions wrapped in Red Cabbage leaves and drink pure distilled water ... that's when I'm good.

When I'm bad, stressed out, and have no time to plan my meals, I turn to sugar. Lots of it.

Yesterday I had a glazed donut for breakfast, a large chocolate chip cookie for lunch, McDonald's salad for dinner and ice cream for a late night snack.

Today, I had a banana nut muffin for breakfast, and I hate to admit this, but I had 2 "huge" chocolate chip cookies for lunch. Tonight will be some sort of a pasta dish.

Must ... stop ... eating ... crap!