Juice Fast Part Deux: Day 3 & 4

Last week I did a combined Day 6 & 7. Today I'm doing a combined Day 3 & 4...

There must be something about my creative juices and the end of the week.

So, technically - I've been doing the juice fast for 11 days. Technically I've dropped 14.2 pounds.

One of the girls' friends was at the house last night and said "You look different"... I hadn't seen him in a couple weeks - so, I guess my face is showing the weight loss. Plus, I don't have any bags under my eyes. I've been very mindful during this juice fast to listen to my body and go to bed early (which is also resulting in 5am wake ups!).

I'm happy to say I am diligently getting my water consumption completed. That is huge for me. Just a few years ago, I argued with Aboy that coffee was made from water which equated to my daily H20 intake! Also, when the ice melted in my soda - I would get water that way, too!

Speaking of... I've given up soda. Back when the kids were kids, I could drink a 2 liter Coke a day. My addiction was BAD! For me to sit here and type that I don't drink soda anymore would be the equivalent of someone giving up smoking or drugs... I was that addicted. For a few years, Aboy and I switched to diet but when we found out that diet soda is actually worse for you than real soda - we switched back to the authentic sugary stuff. What really flipped a switch in my mind that I really didn't need it anymore... High Fructose Corn Syrup. That shit is liquid poison. Read your labels. If it doesn't have HFCS, it has Monosodium Glutamate. The food manufacturers are killing us and we are eating "food-like" products. Food is found in the meat, dairy and produce sections of your supermarket... not in a box.

OK, I've stepped off my soap box.

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I've been getting some riding in on my cycle. Today I did 23.71 miles. My legs will be tone - the rest of my body will look like mashed potatoes. LMAO! I am going to get back on the treadmill. I'd like to lose another 6 pounds (at least), but I do need to start firming. My eventual goal for myself will be the Couch to 5K. I don't know that I'll ever run a 5K... but knowing that I'm in good enough shape to do it - is my goal. The last time I did it, I popped not 1 but both calf muscles! I pulled them so bad, I couldn't barely walk for over a month! And you can just imagine the lecture I got from Aboy (the ex-Jock Bodybuilder)!! Fuhgetaboutit!

That's all the news I have to report for today. Excuse me while I enjoy my Iced Lemon Water.

Juice Fast Part Deux: Day 2

Part of detoxing is keeping the body moving (if you get my drift)...

Dandelion Tea, Dandelion Greens and Chia Seeds are all a part of my juicing now.

I have to be honest - Dandelion Greens are extremely bitter! Nothing a little Pineapple or Mango can't mask though!

For the Dandelion Tea - I drop in a little honey.

My Chia Seeds - I add them to anything "thick" because nothing goes down worse then chunky thick seeds in a nice clear juice!

All this - plus some dieter's tea are helping me remain a happy juicer.

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Today is Part II - Day 2 of my Juice Fast. I dropped another pound...

What is really interesting (as I do this self science experiment)... your mind has so much control over what you put in your mouth. On Monday, when I did my day of prep - the hunger and mind games my brain was trying to coerce me to believe were unbelievable! Yesterday was easier. Today was a breeze. No more hunger. Even more intriguing was the lack of temptation!

I'm thinking - and this is a stretch - but, because of all the micro-nutrients, my body sends signals to my brain that it's full. Which also got me thinking... how I'm going to have to be more disciplined after the fasting to make sure I keep my natural nutrient levels up to avoid unnecessary hunger and over-eating.

I'm not for taking pills every day. This is why I've started juicing. I'm not getting any younger. I want to see my grandkids grandkids. That is not a stretch either. My Great-Grandmother lived until she was 109 years old. My Grandfather just passed away earlier this year at 94...there is some longevity in my family.

 

Ganny didn't eat Taco Bell and McDonalds... Food Matters!

 

 

 

 

Random: Souper Sunday

So, you already know I'll try (almost) anything once...

I was reading through a magazine and one of the featured writers was asked if she does anything special... her response was "during the fall and winter my husband and I do Souper Sundays". She said she makes a big pot of soup with homemade bread and salads to go with it. The homemade bread may be a stretch for me, but I can get with the concept. I immediately texted Aboy and told him that I think we should do that too. Even on the weekends that he may not be here - I can make a huge pot of soup (stew, chili), freeze the leftovers and he can take it with him and I can have it for during the week when I don't feel like cooking.

The internet is loaded with vegetarian / flexatarian soup recipes. I wouldn't have to have the same soup twice!

The first weekend after I end my fast will begin Souper Sunday for us!

I can't wait!

Juice Fast Part Deux: Day 1

Yesterday I started a partial fast. Why I say "partial" is because I was incredibly hungry so, I ate some of my fruits and vegetables - just to make my mind think I was eating.

Today was definitely better. So, I'll say today was my first day back for Part II of my juice fast.

I had a nice weekend with Aboy home but, definitely could have did without that milkshake and new pretzel roll hot dog from Sonic!

It's a journey...

I actually didn't do so bad though.

Saturday, I had a juice for breakfast and the Zucchini Casserole over pasta for lunch / dinner - then Aboy and I went to Dairy Queen and got ice cream.

It was Sunday that wasn't all that great.

I had a juice for breakfast. I went to pick Raquel up from DFW and it was all downhill from there (HAHA!)... we stopped at Cheddars because Ben was working and I had my favorite ("Chicken, French Fries, YES!!") and then for dinner we had that pretzel hot dog thingy.

Sunday morning before the grits hit the pan.. I went to Dollar General to pick up a couple of small pitchers. I hit the clearance jackpot! All the summer pitchers and containers were on sale plus, they had plastic measuring cups on sale too.



What I don't have pictured is the (5) half gallon covered juice containers (they have screw-on flip-top lids) that Aboy can use for his water and juices that he makes and freezes when he comes home. This is better than buying the juices from the stores (Naked, Boathouse, etc)... anything you can make from scratch is always better for you.

I'm holding steady at 10 pounds dropped. I'm sure over the next day or so, I'll see some movement, again; once I wash the weekend out of my system. Thankfully getting back on the wagon is not hard. Since Aboy generally stays out for about 14 days - this will give me some time to really reboot my system. I figure when he comes back in - I'll come off for a few days and go back on again when he goes back out. The detox is already happening - I feel great, but I'd like to drop about 30 pounds before the holidays. That's the (tentative) plan, anyway.

Once I'm ready to stop, there will be an actual adjustment period. I told you early on - I'll share the plan as that time draws near.






**For my couponing friends: I spent 37¢ each on the measuring cups (I got 8), 67¢ each on the purple and green pitchers (I got 2) and $1 each on the half gallon containers (5 of them - not pictured).

Meatless Meal: Zucchini Casserole

This is so good, I have to share!

How many ways can you cook zucchini? Seriously, there is not much to do with it except stir fry, roast it, make bread and add it to sauce. So, I'm always looking for different ways to get it into my meals because (1) it's cheap, (2) it's plentiful, (3) it's very good for you (it is, after all - a vegetable).

I found a recipe in my Forks over Knives cookbook. It's a casserole of sorts. I added some of my own ideas and I have a zucchini recipe to die for! If you'd like to incorporate a meatless night, but don't want to miss out on that "comfort" feeling - this is your recipe! We love cheese - so, this makes a great main dish, side dish or even topping over some pasta (or rice). The recipe below fits into a square baking dish. It makes enough for me & Aboy with leftovers that freeze well - for nights that I don't feel like cooking.

Zucchini Casserole

4 Zucchini (I used 2 green & 2 yellow squash)
2 Large Tomatoes
1 Medium Onion (although, I used 1 purple and 1 yellow - we like onions)
1 Jar of Alfredo Sauce
Basil Pesto (I usually buy this pre-made from the cooler section in the grocery store)
Shredded Cheese (Italian Blend or Mozzarella) - Optional

I start off by slicing the onion(s) into slivers. I sauté them on medium heat with some Olive Oil and let them get soft.



While the onion(s) are sautéing, I dice the zucchini into bite-size chunks.



Do a layer of pesto... smeared over the zucchini.



Pour the jar of alfredo sauce over the pesto.



Put the sautéed onions as the next layer. Dice the tomatoes and put them over the onions. We like cheese, so I usually top the whole thing off with the shredded cheese.




I cook it for about 30 minutes on 350. Don't over cook... mushy zucchini is nasty!
(I put the baking dish on a cookie sheet - in case the cheese bubbles over)



We put it over pasta. Serve with garlic bread and salad.

Juice Fast: Day 6 & 7

I missed my blog yesterday. I had to take care of some work stuff and when I got done, Aboy was here - and you know... priorities.

So, this is a combined Day 6 and Day 7. I'm down 9.2 pounds total. Not bad for 7 days worth of healthy living. I'm not hungry. It's almost as if my body is "satisfied" and I'm good.

Aboy said he can see the difference. I know my shirts are hanging nicer. When I took Raquel to the airport yesterday - I had to check the zipper on my shorts because it felt like it was open. Turns out - they're baggy now. I guess I'm doing this right on time for the change from "Hot" to "Cold". Makes for a good excuse to clean out my closet and go clothes shopping.

I am going to take a couple days off from fasting while Aboy's home. I will still juice for breakfast and lunch. I have a couple Vegan recipes I want to try with him. I'll go back to fasting when he goes back out.

By the way... Aboy has been doing his own thing on the truck. He juices most of the day and has a sensible dinner at night. He's down about 10 pounds too.

Of all the years of dieting and crazy things we've done to lose weight - I think the lesson we've learned is... it has to be a lifestyle change. Consciously we have made the decision to eat more fruits and vegetables and less meat and processed food. If you open my fridge now, compared to 5 years ago.. the contents have changed drastically. Most of my shopping is now done around the perimeter of the store. Most everything in the middle aisles is canned or boxed and honestly, the shit they're putting in those cans and boxes is mostly "food-like" products. They're not food.

To better understand why I say that - you should watch the movie Hungry For Change. We're being poisoned. It's all about money. True story.

So, I hope everyone has a great weekend. I'll probably be back fasting on Monday. I'm going to enjoy some time (alone) with my husband!

Juice Fast: Day 5

Not much for typing today.

I lost another pound - makes 7.4 pounds total.

I would like to say that if you're going to do a juice fast, consult your physician first and don't get locked into just 1 or 2 juices. Variety is the spice of life and it's very important to include all types of fruits and vegetables into your juice selection so you reap the benefits of all the good stuff that each 1 provides.