Raw Food Lifestyle Change

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 CONSCIOUS.WIKI

There is a reason most information floating around refers to the raw food interest as a lifestyle change rather than a diet. I'm guessing the first time people try juicing, preparing their meals fresh, taking trips to the grocery store every 2-3 days their first impression is, "This is a LOT of work!".


It is. 


In order to eat a "raw" only diet, you have to do a lot of homework about where your food came from, the freshness and quality, organics, storage and shelf life, sprouting beans, soaking nuts, etc.. etc.. I can tell you, this process of education will be an extremely eye opening adventure. It will bring you very close to your relationship with food. 


I believe the new bond between ourselves and nourishment is created when we are actually forced to think about what your eating, therefore entering an awareness about food. When grabbing something preserved or processed off the grocery shelf isn't an option it forces you to think a food differently. Fresh, living food has a half life and once it is either killed or removed from its life giving source, it enters a state of gradual decay. By attempting to find out how old your food is (determining freshness), searching for and preparing foods that are as close to "living" as possible, your old paradigm of "what food is" will shift and bring the food relationship much closer! 

“Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes.” - Buddha (Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.) - thinkexist.com

After completing the juice fast, I better understand what the Buddha meant. Watching my body change day by day during the fast, all for the better, has given me a renewed sense of will power to press on and observe the change. This is in spite of the fact that in present day, this lifestyle is not widely accepted and a difficult transition to stick with considering the convenience factor of modern food. However,  each time I cheat, break the "rules" or eat something cooked the reward seems to be less than I imagined and thus far has resulted in long digestion periods, all which makes it easier to fall back into this lifestyle. 


Everyone who is trying this for themselves, keep on!! I just hope my experiences inspire you to adventure out and discover for yourself :) 


Peace Up, A-Town Down


Weight: 199 
Goal 185

Juice Fast Day 21 - Transition to Raw Food!!!

Thank you to the thousands of people who have happened upon this collection of writing and spent their time listening to my story. I am forever grateful :)

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OK team...(it seems like we are a team at this point ha!) TODAY IS THE DAY! Well, it was unplanned however I've decided to end the juice fast today and migrate into a combination of juicing and raw food for the next few weeks. I chose to do this for a couple of reasons, detailed below. 

First, I felt that 3 weeks was an amazing kick start for a first timer. 21 days sounds great and it fulfilled my original interest in the book "21 lbs 21 days" except, I lost 23! But, it doesn't stop here people. Writing this blog, being involved in the strict regimen of the juice fast and seeing flat out awesome results has inspired me to continue and to chronicle my progress. 

The transition to raw food is especially exciting as I am READY to get in the gym and last more than 30 minutes. I plan to continue juicing permanently but in more of a supplemental fashion. Most importantly green juices and any vegetable that I don't want to eat raw. 

While eating raw food, I am going to make a concerted effort to stick to the juicing principles. Clean, fresh, organic, unprocessed and devoid of extras that may be unnecessary (additional salt, processed seasoning of flavoring).

Very excited about the next few weeks and can't wait for the 60 day before and after pictures. Until then, check these out. 21 days? Not bad. 

Juice Fast - Day 20 Superbowl & Juice Overload

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Today is the Super Bowl!!! Hands down my favorite day of the year! To help curb my temptations for junk food, wings, lil smokies, chips & salsa, cheese dip.....UGGHHH! Anyway, to help curb these nostalgic desires we decided to get high on juice today instead! I figure I've had some very lacking days lately.. so, we are juicing in turns all day long today. Many people call drinking heavy amounts of juice "juice feasting" vs "juice fasting". As my boss would say, "Man you CORNY!". Juice feasting just sounds goofy, so I have named today JUICE OVERLOAD!


I'll be sure to follow up on any fun effects I encounter. So far, I have had two combinations:


Beet + Green Beet Tops
Bok Choy
Lemon


2nd Drink


Squash
Bok Choy
Zucchini
Parsley
Apple


I'm torn on who to root for but one thing is for sure, after today I am going to be so proud of the self control I have had to give up partying during my absolute favorite time of the year. Won't get it back for another 365 days, but it's OK. The small tests seem to have big rewards, so I'm gonna sit back and enjoy the game, less the nachos.


Go Steelers! (with an underlying itch for the Packers to win)


Addendum 2/7/2011 - We got too full on juice and didn't really want any after 2 glasses. So much for the "feast".

Juice Fast - Day 19 Superbowl & Scripture

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Not much to mention today, played around with this video footage that was mostly uninteresting and chopped it up in Windows Movie Maker for some total amateur enjoyment! It is really terrible and doesn't make much sense. In fact, I would just read this post instead.

I opted to fast through the Superbowl. Yes, blasphemous. The main reason for continuing through is to allow myself the chance to establish really good eating habits going forward. After all this work there's just no way I can sacrifice it all for one day of cheating. It would establish a craving and desire for those same bad foods I'm trying to get away from.

The longer I fast, I see the quick and powerful benefits of several different juices. (I.E. Anti-inflammatory are most easily noticeable) I can also appreciate that to continue to feel good, I will have to continue to eat like this. It is very elegant and simple and almost seems too easy. I think the real challenge is with the rest of the commercial world and a test of self to move past it. Honestly, it brought memory of a bible reference I heard a lot as a kid. "For the grace of God has appeared (CLARITY), bringing salvation to all men (HEALING), instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires (PROCESSED JUNK FOOD!) and to live sensibly (LIVING SUSTAINABLE FOOD)". Now, I really.. REALLY hate to quote scripture like a preaching evangelist. I was raised visiting Christian churches throughout my early years, however in my adult life I explore many religions and ancient mythologies and appreciate all of them in their own respect. This connection to biblical wisdom stuck with me and I had to bring it up. There just might be some hidden wisdom in there after all!

Juice Fast - Day 17 Rest & Relaxation

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After the last two days of physical exertion, I am ready to have a day to myself! Today is all about rest and relaxation which brings up an perfect opportunity to discuss that role in a juice fast. 

In my opinion, R&R is vital for two reasons. 

To summarize simplistically; Rest will allow the body to recuperate and rebuild. While juicing, you are going through an overhaul of your entire cellular structure. Diseased cells are being consumed and eliminated. Fat and adipose tissue are being broken down to be used as an energy fuel source. Elimination organs such as the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system and sweat glands are working overtime to rid years upon years of poor diet and environmental toxicity. It is only logical that some extra rest will be necessary.  I have had many periods of energetic ups and downs and it is often hard to tell when they are coming. 

Secondly, during this period of fasting I have encountered mental struggles & emotions in a way I did not expect. Rest has provided me personal time to reflect, notice the changes in my body and be thankful that healing like this is possible. I am lucky in the sense that I have ample time to rest, reflect and get in touch with myself spiritually right now, whereas others may not have so much time available, limiting the therapeutic benefits of R&R.

These things considered, the next juice fast I complete will place a priority on energy conservation, strictly light exercise and timing of the juice fast planned carefully so that I am able to relax. 

The couch calls me...

Juice Fast - Day 16 Exercise, Working Out & Fasting

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VISIT MY NEW & UPDATED SITE! CONSCIOUS.WIKI

Exercise that is OK while you are on this juice fast: 

Light Cardio Elliptical Machine 30-45 min

Walking (treadmill or outside) 30-45 min

Light swimming

Stretching or stretch machine

Exercise that is NOT OK while juice fasting: 

Weight Training (all lifting should be avoided)

Working outdoors especially in long periods of heat


You can however sustain longer more intense workouts or periods of work by being prepared and juicing in advance, keeping extra in the mason jars. Steady supply of the juice will help counteract the intense detoxification that follows demanding physical labor.

As for the outdoor/heat advice.. juice up and hydrate much more than you think you need to. It seems to catch you all of the sudden and once the detox has set in you cannot stop it, only ride it out. Once the toxic elements being eliminated are rushed into the bloodstream (due to increased activity) the blood must be cleaned with the bodies natural organ function and elimination. To keep these uncomfortable episodes from happening, increase your juice intake and water intake so that you are eliminating a good portion of the toxic elements in your urine. You will also benefit from the extra vitamins, minerals or enzymes you ingest. When juice is absorbed into the blood stream all the nutrients "unclog" your circulatory system allowing red blood cells to move freely throughout the circulatory system and simultaneously deliver fresh energy and healing to your cells while moving lymph and discarding of that toxic waste that makes you feel like crap. 

In truth, use common sense. If the activity feels like it is going to be too much, or drain you quickly.. avoid it! When you feel the onset of detox symptoms make a big fresh glass of green juice. The  I have had more than sufficient energy otherwise. 

In the video I show you the Ninja Master Food Processor. It's an excellent broth making helper and looks great on the kitchen counter! 

¡hasta mañana!


Weight: 204!

Juice Fast - Day 14 Clarity, Freedom & Strawberries

Thank you to the thousands of people who have happened upon this collection of writing and spent their time listening to my story. I am forever grateful :)

VISIT MY NEW & UPDATED SITE! 

 CONSCIOUS.WIKI

Today was a really great day! I immediately noticed how happy I felt and it more or less remained throughout the day. It was a great surprise. Also, I didn't put two and two together until just now.. but perhaps completing the enema last night had influence on that? Either way, pleased with day 13!

Also, today is a marked celebration! 20lbs down! I entered this juice fast for completely different reasons (health and healing) and I am witnessing crazy fast weight loss. This is such a great bonus! People keep asking me "20lbs that fast? That CANT be good for you." or "oh my god, that can't be good.. do you feel ok?". I just have to laugh, because what I can't seem to convince people about is that I feel awesome. Plain and simple! To be rid of the junk of life is totally freeing and awesome. I just can't explain it any other way. Freedom.

Made great strawberry juice today, as follows (100% organic):

2 Oranges
Big handful of strawberries
Handful of blueberries
1 lime

Dilute 50% with purified water a tad bit of crushed ice and enjoy!

Weight: 205!!!!