Not Just a Reboot - Working With Stones Too!

I've taken a little break from juicing this week.  I've still had juice everyday...but, have added in meats & bread, and eating produce as well.  I needed something, as I was fatiguing too easily.  Now, from everything I've read, you are supposed to gain energy while juicing full time....that wasn't happening for me....so changed it up.  I intend to start back on my juice reboot today....but, going forward slightly differently.  I decided to re-read my juicing book, just for inspiration, and to remind myself of some knowledge I've gained along the way.  One little quip about lemons caught my eye!  Lemon rinds contain citral, which can interfere with Vitamin A absorption.  I wondered if this could have anything to do with my extreme muscle fatigue.....especially since almost every juice I make has at least 1 lemon in it, rind & all!  So, from now on, I will be peeling all of my lemons, and I will report back on how I feel this time around.  Hoping its something as simple as this!

Now, for something completely different (thank you Monty Python!):

I've finally started working with the beach stones that I brought back from our vacation on the shores of Lake Michigan. 

 They are so simple, yet simply beautiful in their simplicity!

I haven't done anything extravagant with them yet, tho I have a few other ideas rummaging around in my head.  Actually, I have set tiny gem stones inside a few of them....though, I'm not entirely sure I like that concept at all.  I had thought it might be complimentary.....adding a little sparkle to something so innately primitive......but, I'm not quite dazzled by it at all....in fact, I haven't even taken any pictures of them yet, so that speaks a lot!

Just to be clear, those little dots on the stone in the 2nd pic are natural inclusions, and not the gem stones I just spoke of.

Another project I have been working on is copper band rings.......I haven't' figured out what I'd like to top them with yet.....so they sit downstairs unadorned....perhaps I'll have another go at that today....see how I get inspired......

I'm off....

Reboot - Day 23:

The last couple of days I have incorporated eating a peach, along with the juice.  Yesterday, I totally broke my fast by eating a piece of bread &  butter & a hamburger for dinner, along with my tomato soup.  I had been feeling extremely tired the last few days......my legs would just burn after walking upstairs.....my bike ride would wear me out completely, to where it was all I could do to get back to my car.  Juicing is supposed to give you tons of energy...from everything I've read.....and at the beginning I did feel as if that were so.  But as time has gone on, I feel no energy at all.  I have to admit, that I did stop using the spirulina in my juice, as the taste was too overwhelming.....so perhaps the lack of protein is the culprit.  The last couple of days I have begun adding chia & sometimes flax into my juices.....these are to up the protein content....but, no improvement in the way I feel as of yet.  So, I decided to have a lean, grass fed beef burger yesterday (the bread & butter I just wanted).....and although it went down well.....I literally still feel as if I have a brick in my gut......so I don't think its moving thru me correctly yet.  I should have heeded the advice of those who juiced before me....and eased into other foods more slowly.  I should have switched back to eating fresh produce along with my juicing for a time before adding in other items.  So, now....what to do?  I had planned on returning to eating this weekend, while still incorporating juicing in for a couple of meals.  My CSA starts Saturday, so I figured I would juice each week until I run out of produce....so each week wold be a mini fast......but then, of course, that would mean no easing into or out of the fast.....doesn't sound ideal. SO, then I thought I could juice during the day & add in a supper of eating lean meats & perhaps a smoothie of veggies & fruits......I think that is the route I will go, and see how long the produce from my CSA will last.
Good news, I did lose another 2lbs, so total lost = 19lbs.

Reboot - Day 20: Juice Only - day 7

Boy, that last post was not indicative of my juicing journey!
I have done a complete 180 (mentally), and am still juicing.......with results every day!
#1 - I've lost another 2.5lbs, total weight lost = 17lbs (in 19 days)
#2 - My total cholesterol = 171 (was 250 last 2 times I donated blood)
#3 - My blood pressure has normalized to anywhere from 96/65 to 117/78 (was 140/90)
Those are some pretty astounding results after such a short period of time, (3 weeks)!
Just think about all of those people on medications to lower their cholesterol and/or blood pressure.....this is ALL they need to do!  (I guess this is just my experience, and may not be universal, but, certainly  worth a try!  Better than taking prescription meds)

I wonder how these numbers will change when I add back in other foods.  I have a freezer full of grass fed beef, which is comparable to chicken in fat content, and highly nutritious, so I don't anticipate that being a factor.  I do love bread & butter tho.....and I am thinking that could be an issue.....so I will aim to limit my consumption of breads....perhaps only make my own.  Loads to think about and plan....I don't want to negate all the good I have done for myself, so need to have a definite plan.

Yesterday, I decided to make my hot & spice tomato soup.......so technically, that broke my fast.....and boy did I know it!  I had only just finished it when I needed to use the bathroom immediately, and repeatedly!  Not to be disgusting.....but, just the facts.  And the info I've read about breaking a fast tells you just this sort of stuff.  One thing it says, is to break the fast by eating fruits & veggies only for a time.  Well, my soup is only veggies.....but it still went thru me like a freight train!  Oh well......my evening soup fared better.......no bathroom rushes......I still have some soup left for today (which I am going to have as soon as I finish this post).....but, once it is gone, I am going to return to juice only.
Its funny......way back on June 23rd, when I saw the posting regarding the Group Reboot .......5 days seemed intimidating.  I wondered if I could really do it!  I am not sure I could've or would've if I hadn't had the support of everyone else participating in the Reboot.  It was (and still is) wonderful sharing ideas, concerns, recipes, etc, as well as hearing how everyone was coping with the inevitable temptations.  Way back then, all I could think about was just getting thru those 5 days, and looking forward to eating steak!  Well, I must admit, I still think about steak almost everyday......and the aromas of bar-b-que, that you just can't escape on a summer day when you're out & about, are so tempting!  But, at the same time.....I know I can keep going with juicing for as long as I want.  I am in control!  I still want that steak, but, I know it will be there when I am ready to return to it.  As I was telling a friend the other day....it is your mind-set!  You know when you are capable of something, and you just do it!  If the mind-set isn't there, you are doomed to failure.....or at least feel miserable while you are doing it.  If its worth doing, its worth doing right & happily!  I can honestly say that I am happy just juicing....even when my stomach is grumbling, and I imagine chewing on a piece of steak.....I am still happy to go and grab my juice and know that I am making such a positive impact on my health!

Reboot - Day 17 Juice Only Day 4

I got nuthin for ya........no answers, no theories.....  All I know is my body does not like to lose weight!  I have only lost another .5lb since starting Juice Only. 4.5 juices on Monday, 5 juices yesterday..... Plus I've gone for hikes both days....even tho I've been extremely tired (I could've taken a nap! I never nap!)...and pretty hungry most of the day.  I'll try to at least finish my 5 days tomorrow......
I suppose I shouldn't be so obsessed with the scale.  My blood pressure is normal!!!!  Better than normal!!!!  That is an enormous health improvement, even if I hadn't lost a pound!  So, obviously....there is something to be said for this lifestyle.  But, at the same time, I should be able to lose weight. I am donating blood tomorrow, so am anxious to see if my cholesterol has improved as well.
 I am all out of green veggies, except for 1 pepper, and a couple of jalapenos.  I've still got a bunch of carrots and celery.....apples & lemons.....so we'll see how far that goes......but costs are getting a bit prohibitive too.  I've been debating joining the CSA, as I think the share may be reduced due  to the extreme hot & dry summer we are having.  I don't have the luxury of wasting money.
I'll reevaluate tomorrow.....but, I think I will resume eating food this weekend, and just add in a juice or 2 each day.
Tired of thinking and re-thinking this so, just gonna get on with it.....later....

Reboot - Day 15: Juice Only

To heck with all of my theories!  I got stuck in a rut, and strict adherence didn't seem to help.  Although, the heat did keep from exercising several days....so......
Anyhow....Yesterday I started my complete juice fast (although I did finish up the last of my tomato soup....not juice)....went for a leisurely bike ride....and posted a 2.5lb loss this morn!  Yeah....that's what I like to see!  I am also going to change up my exercise a bit.  Instead of biking every single day.....I am going to start hiking again......and alternating.  Your body can get used to one type of exercise, so changing it up, giving it something different to do, can kick it back into gear.
Day 2 - here I come!

Reboot - Day 10

My first day testing my theories was quite successful!  Tuesday, I adhered strictly to my rules, and so, yesterday I posted a 2lb loss!
So, yesterday I also decided to change it up a bit......I decided to add in one of my forbidden fruits - raisins.  Heck, I was starving in the afternoon, and it seemed like a good idea.  But, it would also help in testing one of my theories.  Of course, as far as theory testing goes, I rather negated the whole thing by going for another bike ride in the evening. I have to admit, I was really hungry all day yesterday.....which is why I found myself eating cherries after supper (another forbidden practice).  Considering that I incorporated 2 theories in the same test, the results will be meaningless.  However, I did post another 1lb loss this morn.  Oh, I almost forgot.......I also began incorporating spirulina  and chia in my juices.  Somehow, I had missed this area in my research, or actually had forgotten it.  Although, all vegetables & fruits contain some protein, albeit in mostly incomplete &/or limited quantities......Spirulina & Chia are both complete protein sources......and protein is obviously something we need, as well as being very helpful in keeping the body satiated.  I am hoping that my incorporation of these natural supplements will help with the hunger factor I have been experiencing, as well as increase my energy.
As I go forward, I am contemplating switching over to strictly juice for a period of time, probably 5 days.  I am thinking that when I run out of cherries & bananas, that would be a good time to start.  This may happen by the weekend.  I am excited to try juicing only as I should be able to experience all of the true detoxing effects!

Reboot - Day 8

I have discovered a few things in the past few days.....which I will now put to the test.

So after my last post I did go biking, and the next day I had lost a couple more pounds.  Awesome, right?  You betcha!  Then on Saturday I went berry picking with Heather in the Dells for most of the day.  I brought plenty of fruits, and bought a couple of Naked Juices to stay on track....however, when I bought her lunch at Culver's, I couldn't resist the temptation of the aroma of the buffalo tenders she'd ordered.  Bad me...I know!  I only took about 4 bites total.....so  not the end of the world....especially since I plan to go back to eating meat eventually.....   But, then on Sunday, I woke up having gained 1 pound!  I blamed it on the little bit of chicken....tho that seems pretty ridiculous....after all....how do 4 bites of chicken equate to 1 pound?  A friend suggested, perhaps it was simply water retention, as the chicken most likely was high in sodium, as most fast food is.  I agreed that this could in fact be the case.  So, Sunday came along......I went for my usual 10 mile bike ride.  Very good!  Here's what I ate or drank:

8am - banana

8:30 - juice

11:30 Naked Juice on the way to biking

12:30 apple after biking

2:30 raisins (just bought at the store, I don't think this was a good idea)

4:40 Hot & Spice roasted tomato & red pepper soup (recipe below!!)

6:30 apple sauce

8:30 cherries

10:30 cherries (my stomach was growling!)

Not horrible, right?

One thing you may notice, is an awful lot of fruit......and late at night as well.  This, I believe, is one prominent reason I woke up this morning having gained another 1.5 lbs!  Though, I certainly didn't eat 1.5lbs of fruit!  I don't have all of the answers....but, these next few days, I will test my theories.  My other theory, regarding my weight gain after Saturday's excursion:  no exercise=weight gain.

So going forward, I will do the following:

Limit fruit eaten during the day (perhaps 3 total servings)

No dried fruit

No fruit after 6pm

No fruit heavy juices in the evening (veggie heavy only)

Exercise every day (always push a little farther/faster)

So far today I have had:

7am Juice

9am Banana 1/2 way thru biking

10:30 juice after biking

11:30  1/2 green juice while making new batch

12:45 grapes while starting this post

The rest of the day:

3:00 juice

6:00 Tomato soup

Possibly small peach this afternoon

I rode an extra 4 miles on my bike trip, and pushed to the top of a hill I normally turn around on!

I will update with the results of my theory testing:

As promised, here is my recipe for :

Hot & Spicy Roasted Tomato & Red Pepper Soup + Jalapeno

4 organic tomatoes

1 organic red bell pepper

1 organic jalapeno

1 jar of sun-dried tomatoes-rinsed

1 carton of organic, low sodium vegetable broth

Roast the tomatoes & peppers in the broiler, rotating every 3 mins til browned on all sides

Place rinsed, sun-dried tomatoes in the blender and pulse & chop 

Add in roasted tomatoes & peppers, and grate & chop, occasionally stirring with a spoon to get all pieces down to the blades.  Combine until it reaches a somewhat smooth consistency.

Heat veggie broth over medium flame until hot.  Add in the tomato/pepper mixture and stir well, continuing to heat for several minutes.

Ladle into large bowls and enjoy!!!!