Day 32

My wife and I talked about the juice feast this morning. I asked her if she would object if I were to complete at least 60 days. She agreed; so, my plan now is to complete the juice feast on Friday, February 29. That would give me 61 days. If I can push ahead and complete the 92 days without causing dissension, I will. However, I want to keep peace at home.

And, honestly, by Day 61 I should be about 10 pounds under my ideal weight. I could then easily transition to a high quality diet and put on 10 pounds of healthy weight (I like Natalia Rose’s approach quite well, combined with ”Four Means to Get Your Greens” and Joel Fuhrman’s Eat To Live.) .

The juice feast is a solitary journey. I did not foresee, before starting the juice feast, that it would take a toll on others besides myself, but in truth it does. My family can’t eat dinner with my me; my friends from work can’t eat lunch with me; my kids can’t have popcorn with me while they watch a movie; my beautiful and faithful dogs can’t hike with me because I am detoxing and need to rest. My focus is on me: how I am feeling? how well I am detoxing today? do I need to get more veggies for tomorrow? am I having enough bowel movements? And frankly, that does get tiresome, both for those whom I love and for me too.

Yes, this is a solitary journey. But it prepares one to rejoin the world from a higher, deeper perspective. I am more patient, kinder, and more considerate because of the juice feast. I have embraced my spirituality fully and without fear of disapproval, and have committed myself to undertaking the work that I now realize I came here to do (finally!).

The juice feast has cleared my vision, and this clarity has enabled me to focus on realizing my dreams. What I want to achieve with this gift called life is no longer vague and unattainable — it is as clear and sharp as the spark in my daughter’s eye when she is laughing from the gut. (And it has given me the opportunity to read some outstanding and beautiful blogs.) The juice feast is, in essence, a vision quest.

During the juice feast you do retreat into yourself, but you do so to transform into the person you know you can be. And from there you can be of much greater service to the world, whatever your path.

Blessings to you.

Today I drank:

32 Oz  Water with lemon and MSM

32 Oz  Green Lemonade (romaine lettuce, kale, apple, lemon, celery)

16 Oz  Orange Juice

1 Teaspoon of Hemp Oil

1 Teaspoon of Bee Pollen

32 Oz  Spinach, Tomato, Celery, Bok Choy

1 Cup Cherry Tea with Honey

64 Oz of Water throughout the day

Intestinal Drawing Formula with Water 3x

Intestinal Movement Formulas 3x

Day 31

“I think,” Tehanu said in her soft, strange voice, “that when I die, I can breathe back the breath that made me live. I can give back to the world all that I didn’t do. All that I might have been and couldn’t be. All the choices I didn’t make. All the things I lost and spent and wasted. I can give them back to the world. To the lives that haven’t lived yet. That will be my gift back to to the world that gave me the life I did live, the love I loved, the breath I breathed.” Ursula K. LeGuin The Other Wind

My wife has asked me to stop the juice feast. She says that 30 days is long enough. Perhaps she’s right, I don’t know. I’m trying to be as economical as I can with the groceries, but it does get expensive for just one person when there is a family to feed (about $100 per week). I started on the Intestinal Drawing Formula and Intestinal  Movement Formula today — they are already working wonders.

 I need to think things over tonight and decide.

Day 30

Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it.    Chinese proverb 

I’m taking a few moments to write this post earlier than usual. We have to be out tonight. All is well today; took a long walk with my dogs and that helped. My body is still undergoing a deep cleansing, that is clear. I’m going to focus on drinking more water each day to help the cleansing.

Hard to believe I have been drinking only liquids for 3o days. Most people I know would think I have lost my mind. But I haven’t (at least not that I can tell :)).

Today I drank:

32 Oz  Water with lemon and MSM

32 Oz  Green Lemonade

32 Oz  Orange, Grapefruit

1 Cup Meditative Tea with Honey

1 Teaspoon of Hemp Oil

1 Teaspoon of Bee Pollen

32 Oz  Carrot, Green Pepper, Cucumber, Bok Choy, Celery, Tomato 32 Oz  Spinach, Tomato, Celery

32 Oz  Spinach, Green Pepper, Cucumber, Bok Choy, Celery, Tomato  Tomato, Celery

1 Cup Cherry Tea with Honey

60 Oz of Water throughout the day

Day 29

Because I had been struggling the last few days with detox symptoms, I decided to not make all the juices today and keep it simple — tea and water and orange juice. I was hoping the extra water would flush my system and move the toxins out. I know it is a deviation from what the juice feast calls for (a gallon of juice per day), but something compelled me to try it.

I went to the Y with my family tonight and spent a long time in the steam room and whirlpool. The only problem I had was when I stepped up out of the whirlpool I felt so lightheaded I almost fell over. But luckily I had read on juicefeasting.com that if this should happen, bend over very quickly and let the blood flow to your head.  This worked right away, and I was able to walk to the showers without a problem. I had never felt that before, but it didn’t scare me because I was prepared and immediately recognized what was going on. 

Tonight I honestly feel better, as opposed to the last few days during which I would get chilled constantly and feel listless. Next week I’m going to start back with more exercise (at least that’s the plan today, but I’ll have to pay attention to my body). I would like to do Pilates and Yoga each morning, walk at lunch, and swim twice per week. During February I want to study one of my Yoga books, and perhaps get back to taking a class. Then, in March, kick in with more exercise.

Last night I had one of the most vivid dreams I have ever had. It was so clear and real, and when I awoke I remembered it all. A man was chasing me up a desolate hillside; as I turned to look at him he shot me in the throat, but I kept moving (which surprised me).  I think what I was being told is this: As I move into this very important phase of my life, I have to stop being afraid to speak the truth.

Actually, that is why I undertook this Juice Feast: it was the necessary beginning to this new journey. My spirit guide clued me in to that.

Namaste.

Today I drank:

32 Oz  Water with lemon and MSM

1 Cup Raspberry Tea with Honey

1 Cup Cinnamon/Apple Tea with Honey

16 Oz Orange Juice

32 Oz  Water with lemon and MSM

1 Cup Detox Tea

1 Cup Cherry Tea with Honey

1 Cup Blueberry Tea with Honey

 56 Oz of Water throughout the day

Day 28

I felt much better today, though I can tell I am still detoxing. My wife asked me to stop after day 30, but I’m not ready yet. I don’t want to make this a macho contest, but I do want to listen carefully to spirit and then make the right move.

I took my daughter to her swim meet today. “Did you win that last heat?” I asked her.

“No.”

“Are you sure? It looked close.”

“Yes, because they give the winner candy.”

We addict our children to sugar, and then wonder why there is an ADHD epidemic in our schools. I should know; I seriously love sugar. But I just can’t drink cokes or eat candy bars anymore. I read a book called Sugar Blues by William Duffy. Did you know that a great part of the slave labor in the Caribbean was used for sugar plantations? Or that refined sugar was at one time considered a recreational drug? I remember many years ago I used to put white sugar in my coffee. As soon as I started to drink the cup, I could feel a surge through my body, and then I would crash. There would be a sharp pain in my head, and I swear my eyes would start to blur. I had to quit that a long time ago.

My challenge when I do return to eating food will be to leave sugar alone completely. However, I have discovered honey, and put it into my tea every day. I never realized it tasted so good!

Today I drank:

32 Oz  Water with lemon and MSM

32 Oz  Green Lemonade (romaine lettuce, kale, apple, lemon, celery)

32 Oz  Orange, Grapefruit, Pineapple

1 Teaspoon of Hemp Oil

1 Teaspoon of Bee Pollen

32 Oz  Carrot, GreenPepper, Cucumber

32 Oz  Spinach, Tomato, Celery, Garlic

1 Cup Cherry Tea with Honey

56 Oz of Water throughout the day

Day 27

Thank you Raw B, Carrie, and Neeta for the kind comments! Your words meant so much to me, and helped after a rough few days. David and Katrina of juicefeasting.com are changing the world for the better, person by person. And I thank them for bringing us all together.

Today I took it very easy and spent the day at home with my youngest daughter while my wife took my older daughter to a swim meet. She drew and played on the computer, and I napped lightly in a chair. Later she sat in the chair with me and we napped together.

This morning I took extra care with the juice recipes, and man did they taste good today! The enema helped greatly. My body is going through a much deeper detox right now. I can’t explain how I know, but I can sense it. Right now I need to rest a great deal, which is not easy to do.

Blessings to you all.

Today I drank:

32 Oz  Water with lemon and MSM

32 Oz  Green Lemonade (romaine lettuce, kale, bok choy, apple, lemon, celery)

32 Oz  Orange, Blueberry, Pineapple

32 Oz  Carrot, Tomato, GreenPepper, Cucumber

32 Oz  Spinach, Tomato, Celery

1 Cup Detox Tea with Honey

1 Cup Cherry Tea with Honey

1 Teaspoon Hemp Oil

1 Teaspoon Bee Pollen

40 Oz of Water throughout the day

Day 26

 Both today and yesterday my body has slowed down, as if it were going back into the heavier detoxing. I felt chilled all afternoon (yes, it is cold here — down to zero degrees F last night). My left eye is a little bloodshot, and I want to sleep a great deal. I’ll take an enema in the morning, and by next week the Intestinal Drawing Formula and Intestinal Movement Formula will have arrived. They should help eliminate toxins. 

My youngest daughter tries every day to get me to eat. “Daddy,” she said this morning, “you can have some of my oatmeal.”

“No thanks, sweetie, but I’m sure it’s good.”

“Are you sure?” she smiled.

I very much want to exercise like I used to. In the morning I plan to go with my family to the Y and at least try some pushups and pullups. After that the steam room to eliminate the toxins.

Last night my wife made a killer recipe from a cookbook I bought for her at the Cafe Sunflower in Atlanta (if you’re in town, don’t miss it). I went into the kitchen to smell the food about 10 times — oh, the spices filled my nose and then my head! The desire for that food started in my mouth, then rolled slowly down my throat and into my stomach. I had to leave the kitchen and go into my office to calm that desire.

Today I drank:

32 Oz  Water with lemon and MSM

32 Oz  Green Lemonade with Bok Choy

1 Cup Blueberry Tea with Honey

1 Teaspoon of Hemp Oil

32 Oz  Orange, Grapefruit, Blueberry, Apple

1 Teaspoon of Bee Pollen

12 Oz  Carrot, Green Pepper, Cucumber, Onion, Celery (I added too much onion today. It tasted too sharp, and I couldn’t finish it.)

32 Oz  Spinach, Tomato, Celery

1 Cup RaspberryTea with Honey

1 Cup Cherry Tea with Honey

40 Oz of Water throughout the day

Day 25

This morning I finished making my first juice of the day, held the mason jar over the sink to twist on the lid, and suddenly dropped the jar. All but a little of the freshly made juice poured down the drain. Already running behind this morning, I would have to make the remaining three juices during my lunch hour. It had been a very difficult week at work,  and the stress had worn on me. I picked up the jar, put it on the counter, and leaned forward, resting my head on my forearms.

What are you doing?” asked the voice in my head “Why don’t you stop now? You have so many other burdens with work and family? Your wife is asking when you will stop, isn’t it time?”  I lifted my head and looked through the kitchen window onto the fresh snow that fell last night. I picked up the mason jar, washed it, and cleaned up the sink. Taking in a deep breath, I exhaled to calm myself, and remembered the power of love and gratitude. Just for a moment, I said a prayer of thankfulness for my life, and the chance to see the beauty of the morning snow. Then I went upstairs to shower and start my day.

   Today I drank: 

32 Oz  Water with lemon and MSM

 1 Cup Peppermint Tea with Honey  

32 Oz  Orange, Grapefruit, Pineapple  

1 Teaspoon Hemp Oil  

1 Cup Blueberry Tea with Honey  

1 Teaspoon Bee Pollen  

32 Oz  Carrot, Green Pepper, Yellow Pepper, Cucumber, Cilantro, Onion, Tomato  

32 Oz  Celery, Spinach, Tomato, Bok Choy  

40 Oz of Water throughout the day

Day 24

It was cold this morning, 8 degrees F. But sunny, with no snow. I found this photo from last year and wanted to share it. These are my dogs. The large German Shepherd is Storm. I rescued him from New Orleans East almost 6 weeks after Katrina struck. Abandoned and left for dead by his owner, he couldn’t have held out much longer by the time I finally got to him. I brought him north with me, trained him for 14 months, and found him the perfect new home. I love this dog more than my own life.

All is well  with the juice feast physically.

Today I drank:

32 Oz  Water with lemon and MSM

32 Oz  Green Lemonade with Bok Choy

1 Cup Peppermint Tea with Honey

1 Teaspoon of Hemp Oil

32 Oz  Orange, Grapefruit, Blueberry, Apple

1 Teaspoon of Bee Pollen

32 Oz  Carrot, Green Pepper, Cucumber, Onion, Celery

32 Oz  Spinach, Tomato, Celery

1 Cup Cherry Tea with Honey

40 Oz of Water throughout the day

Day 23

 I had not done an enema for two days, so today I took the time this morning. I could really tell the difference. I felt much better afterwards. I’m not sure how frequently I’ll do the enemas now that I am on day 23.  I plan to order the Intestinal Movement Formula and Intestinal Drawing Forumla tomorrow. While I take them I may go back to an enema daily.

I notice my confidence is picking up with each day — not intimidated by the juice feast as I was before I started. And I am amazed that I can function and even perform very well  while drinking only liquids all day. It makes me think about what must be in those liquids that they can sustain life this way. Even so, I can’t imagine telling anyone what I am doing right now. I picture with a smile my brother’s reaction if I were to let him know about the juice feast: “What the hell are you doing?”

I’ve added Bok Choy to my green drinks and simply love it. From what I’ve read, it is a powerhouse vegetable. I can only say that I feel strong and well, but still not ready for all-out exercise. Life has assumed this natural rhythm now after three weeks; I listen quietly, and she whispers her next move to me. 

Today I drank:

32 Oz  Water with lemon and MSM

32 Oz  Green Lemonade with Bok Choy

1 Cup Peppermint Tea with Honey

32 Oz  Orange, Grapefruit, Blueberry, Apple

32 Oz  Carrot, Green Pepper, Cucumber, Onion, Celery

32 Oz  Spinach, Tomato, Celery

1 Cup Cherry Tea with Honey

40 Oz of Water throughout the day