Day 21-23 - Over Did It On Fruits!

Down 17 pounds in 23 Days! 

 23 Days Total!

18 Days of 100% Juicing - Down 17 Pounds

Had a rough couple days from to much Fruit Juicing!

Saturday morning I got up and juiced Grape Orange and Strawberry, along with my green juice. When I came home later in the day and early evening - I decided to make a Grape, Strawberry Banana smoothie (I had frozen the the bananas). So I juiced the Grapes and Strawberries, then poured the juice in the blender and added the bananas. All is well.

I woke up Sunday ( the 26th) with some pretty hefty lower abominable pains. Not thinking, I went ahead and made another juice of Grapes and Cantaloupe - I pretty much laid low all day, but my abominable pains (cramps) kept getting worse. Bruce made me some Smooth Move Tea.

Nothing really helped and I was seriously considering breaking the fast - but I talked to a few VEGAN friends, and almost everyone concurred. I had injested to many acid fruits in my stomach and as one person said I was having a gastrointestinal crisis - and that I should eat some Soy Yogurt. Of course I went over to the Health Food store and bought some - it's funny, it was Blueberry and because I haven't had solid food in awhile, I didn't eat the blueberries (AT FIRST) then I figured, for crying out loud Debbie Mae, it's not going to kill you so I ate the few that were there! Bruce also bought some Acidophilus which is suppose to be good bacteria.  As of 6:28 2/28 things are much, much better than Sunday or even Monday!

So this morning I made a Cauliflower Cocktail

(3 Tomatoes, 3 Carrots, 1/2 Cauliflower, 2-3 spears of Brocolli, 2 Apples, 2 Celery Stalks -

Yum Yum and even tasted EXCELLENT for breakfast! and The Mean Green For Lunch.

 

I'm actually cooking dinner tonight for Bruce I'm roasted vegetables in a dish called "Escalivada", and Pea Soup! I have to tell you it's driving me crazy and I have licked the spoon!

In my video blog above I talked about the ingredients for the Field of Greens,  which you can add to your juices (or water). You can buy this in large containers (about $30.00). But I just bought some small packets to give it a try.  I'm going to use it with my Green Juice ingredients (Spinach, Cucumber, Celery, Ginger Root, 2 Apples, 1/2 lemon and if I don't have Kale I'll use this).   I am curious to know how much of juiced Kale I get using 6 leaves, vs one of these?) - But this sounds like a good alternative if you are somewhere where you cannot juice and you want to be good!

Still Loving It! Ya Hoo!

Day 19 & 20 - It's been 20 DAYS Today!

    20 Days!   Still Juicing 100% of the time, Still working out,  Not Smoking, No Caffeine, No WINE, No Solid food.  And I'm feeling Great.  I do find myself thinking about food every once in awhile, but I get over it pretty quickly.   I'm Going to extend my fast and try for 25 Days -  and we'll see how I feel at that point.    Bruce is still doing the modified fast (juicing and eating fruits & veggies). 

I'm actually going through my closet now looking for different pants to wear and the ones I've been wearing are getting pretty loose.  This is fun! 

This morning I made my First Grape Juice - 2 Cups Red Grapes, 2 Oranges (even though 4 are shown) 2 cups of Strawberries.   Enough for 2 8oz glasses.  Bruce said it was his favorite so far.  Great way to start a Saturday morning.  I got it from the Juicing Bible, a worthwhile purchase . 

This is becoming contagious.  It appears that if I spend anytime talking to someone about what I've been doing this last month they end up going out and buying a Juicer!  I think that is awesome!  Even if you juice once a day - the goodness that you get from it is felt immediately -  My niece Rochelle sent me this great photo today - She could be the Poster Child for Juicing.  But it's a little funny she's drinking what she calls Mutant Ninja- (carrots, lemons, apple,red grapes,celery,spinach ) in a Cola Glass. Hey what ever works!

Bruce Makes Portuguese Soup

Without Linquica Sausage. (No I didn't eat any)

 

Here is his receipe

2 Tbls olive oil

1/2 white onion

2 Carrots thinly slices

2 Celery Sticks

2 Tomatoes chopped or diced

4 Coves of garlic, smashed and diced

1 Red pepper diced

1 large potato diced (I would have used a sweet potato)

2 no salt beef bouillon cubs with 1 quart water (he forgot I made Vegetable Broth)

1 Bunch Kale

Tyme and Rosemary (he just eyeballed it)

Not using the Linquica, he spiced it up a bit by using Red Pepper flakes (your choice)

I tasted the broth- it was yummy!  Something to look forward to when I finish my fast!

2.23.12

Day 18 Plumbings Frixed

SMOOTH MOVE - Senna Tea!  Works in 6-12 Hours - Drink before you go to bed.

        Evening Juice (Bruce Hated this) - 1/4 Green Cabbage, 1/2 head Cauliflower, 6 Carrots, handful little tomatoes, handful broccoli crowns, 1 celery stalk - I love this taste!

Day 17 - Trying Senna Tea

Everything is great- except for the plumbing! Think I need roto-rooter! I bought some Organic Smooth Move Senna Stimulant Laxative Tea today when I did my veggy shopping. It's suppose to work in 6-12 hours so I'm going to be drinking a cup of it in another half hour or so!

 So for the next day or so the breakfast drink is going to to include Licensed Plumbers (Beets, Pears, Apples) along with some carrot (which I really like the taste of in all kinds of juices).

I know I've lost the weight but I don't see it other than my clothes are fitting better (I look in the mirror and honestly don't see any changes).  So. my belt is my measurement guide, Bruce put a marker of where I started. That really puts it into perspective from my point of view.

Smoking is non-existent in my life now! Don't even think about it unless someone asks. Great Stuff.

When I got home from shopping I was sooooo hungry - I made a Green Juice with  Kale, 1/2 head Green Cabbage, 4 Carrots and an Apple.  It was GREAT!

Bruce is also doing great, while he's eating (vegetables), he's still very much Juicing and drinking tons of water. 

Well That's all for day 18!

Day 16 - Hmmm Bought Some Prunes Today

Moving into new territory extending my Juice Reboot - 100 % Juice as many times a day as I want, with lots of water.  Felt pretty good, but I'm just a little bound up. With just juice going into my body, I understand that it can create this kind of hold up on the pipe cleaning. So this morning I made a Beet Juice (Have I mentioned I HATE Beets!), with Honeydew, Carrots, and Pears.   I wouldn't say it helped but it sure tasted good!

Had Green Juice all day with TONS of water -

On the way home I stopped and bought some dried prunes and made a concoction of  1 Yam, 1 tomato, 2 oranges, juiced it up then poured it into a blender and added about half dozen prunes and strawberries and ice.  Made a hell of a smoothie!  Will it work?  don't know. 

Bruce made a Portebella burger  (dam I didn't take a photo of it ) for his dinner with a salad.  It was a big huge Portebella with roasted red peppers, jalapenos, spinach and pickles stuff in a whole wheat Pita (with spicy mustard and ketchup?) God it looked delicious and apparently was.  He woofed it down with his salad.  We'll see how he feels in an hour.

With the exception of this constipation, I'm feeling good. Bruce is all over the Internet looking for plant based recipes!   This is really becoming a comfortable routine each day. 
Oh, several people asked how will I break the fast when I'm done.  According to Join The Reboot, you ease your way back, by going back to week 1 (juicing and eating fruites and veggies) and eating that way for one week. The next week you'd add nuts, beans...., then the 3rd week ease into your regular diet (hopefully you've learned new habbits and will be eating healthier foods )....  That's what I plan to do.  Well, that's all for today.

DAY 15 OF 15 - The Results

Day 15 of 15

Well we have completed 15 days on the Join the Reboot Fruit and Vegetable "Reboot"

In 15 Days -

I quit smoking - and quit using the "gum" and feel great

I quit Caffeine and feel great

I'm working out 3 times a week (to start)

Our sleeping has improved

Our energy levels are incredible

Our Stress levels are WAY lowwwww

We are more focused in what we do

Our clothes fit MUCH better

Our skin is smoother

We've developed a new appreciation for fruits and vegetables

We've had our eyes opened to new ways of getting our nutrients from sources

other than Dairy (which was a big one for both of us - eggs, cheese, milk, butter) which we will incorporate into our way of eating. When we eat Meat, Poultry, Fish it will be fewer days a week, and smaller portions - I don't think I'm 100% ready to give that up just yet, but may feel different by the time this journey is over.

The 15 days were broken out as follows

We ate and juiced nothing but fruits and vegetables for the first 5 days

Then I Juiced 100% of the time for the remaining 10 days

Bruce juiced 100% day 6-10 and the remaining 5 days he juiced for Breakfast, Lunch and then ate Vegetables for Dinner

Our Juices were for the most part Super C & Mean Green (but now I have the Juice Bible with tons of receipes)

In 15 Days

We both lost 14 pounds each

(yes that's my weight on the scales below, have 25 more to go)

So you might think we are anxious to get back to a regular diet  again. 

We have both decided that we are going to continue the Reboot

 (I will continue with 100% Juicing, Bruce will do both)

 so tomorrow will be day 16 of ? (We will extend it 5 days at a time,and see how we are doing)

I cannot recommend this enough!

Video Receipes

I discovered some recipes in video format from a website called www.wholefoodmarket.com  - And when I finish my Fast, I'm going to be using some of them.  I've embedded a few of the video recipes  I liked below.  I like them especially for their marinades and ingredients which I can't wait to make.
 (here is the link to their video page with more recipes  click here)

The first one is a smoothie made in the blender - I haven't used the blender much during my reboot - but I liked this one and I'll try it with (non dairy milk - that will be a first for me! ) - I think the longer I stay on this fast the more enticed I am going to be about a "Plant Based" diet. 



Kale Salad - Since I'm still Fasting - this had my mouth watering!
Quinoa with Balsamic Roasted Mushrooms - I'm in heaven

Day 14 - The Journey Continues

Day 14 of 15 Day Reboot - Just Getting Started!

Cabbage Patch Juice - Yummy

Today was the first day I felt hungry and I know why -   I left the house without any water, or my Green Juice and ended up doing a bunch of running around all day.   So by the time I hooked up with Bruce in town, I was feeling hungry. But what do you order when your Fasting!  We weren't planning on staying in town so we ordered some herbal tea and because I was hungry, sitting in the restaurant and smelling the food was starting to get to me (had I had my juice I would have been fine).

So it was time to get out of town, I picked up some more veggies, stopped by the office to check the mail and the two books I ordered were in.   I bought the Juicing Bible and Skinny Bitch (both recommended by someone else doing the Reboot).  After getting home and having the Green Juice I forgot to take with me earlier,  I was skimming through the Juicing Bible and liked how the book is laid out. There are all kinds of recipes for this condition, or that emotion or ailment...  so I took a couple and mixed them together to come up with a dinner juice.   I named it Cabbage Patch - I didn't really measure anything, just cut a big slice of green cabbage, about a 1/4 head of  Cauliflower, a zucchini, red bell pepper, 5 carrots, and a tomato - I just kept adding until I had enough for the 2 of us.  The flavors were very different from the Green Juice (which is the primary juice we are drinking).  It tasted crisp like a big salad, the cauliflower really popped and with the cabbage it had a spicy "salty"  taste to it.   It was what I needed. Bruce didn't like it as much as the Mean Green Juice.  Oh Well,  but  I guess what I'm saying, is you can pretty much juice any kind a veggy's and it (so far) tastes good.

Just thought I'd share that!

Oh my god, the book Skinny Bitch is hysterical! I just started reading it and can't help laughing. I love the way these women write - they are in your face.  For example, Chapter 1, page 1, first paragraph  "...You need to get healthy if you want to get skinny. The first thing you need to do is give up your gross vices. Don't act surprised! You cannot keep eating the same shit and expect to get skinny".     And it goes on like this as they try to help the reader understand that it is about changing what you are putting into your body if you want to loose weight and keep it off.  I understand they have a cook book as well, I can't wait to see how they describe their recipes.

Time for some type of night-cap juice!  Ya hoo!

Day 11, 12 13 Whew!

I can't beleive it's already been 13 Days!

Been busy, havent' posted in a few days.  I feel Great!  Going to keep juicing 100% of the time for another 5 days beyond what the program calls for.  Will play it by ear!  I recorded my post for today - Ya Hoo!

Day 10 - Decision Time

(sorry about the quality of audio, the treadmill picked up the sound  Oh Well!)

Decision Time! 10 days down 5 to go - We've been juicing 100% of the time for the last 5 days - Should we continue on for another 5 days of 100% Juicing or go for what the Reboot calls for and finish up the program with 5 days of Juicing and Eating Fruits and Veggies?   The decision is in - I am going to go for another 5 days of 100% juicing and Bruce will do the next 5 days Juicing and eating (fruits and vegetables).  I'm sure he is going to be preparing some amazing Vegetable dishes and by the time I'm ready to eat solid food again, he'll have some great dishes for me to try.  This is good!

This afternoon when I left the office I was getting whiffs of the food being cooked at the Blue Mermaid and it smelled sooooo good and I thought, we'll maybe I will go back to the juice/eat - but then I thought, this has been so easy, and I really want to completely change my eating habits, so what do I have to loose other than more weight!   I'm thinking 30 pounds is a good start and I'm already down 10! 

I ordered 2 books today as I had some credits left on an Amazon gift card I was given. These books  have been recommended by various people I've met through this process. The first one is  "Skinny Bitch". Here is the link to some testimonials Skinny Bitch Testimonials  from those inspired by it.  And the second one is the Juicing Bible.  "The Juicing Bible" is made up of easy-to-follow sections. Section 1 lists the properties and healing qualities of almost 100 herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Section 2 lists 60 common ailments and the recipes specifically created to alleviate those conditions. The last section contains over 150 delicious recipes and even suggests which types of juices work best during specific times of the year. Figure I'll look at these while I'm on the Treadmill!

For dinner Juice today I  made a delicious drink - Cauliflower, Broccoli, Carrots, onion (maybe a little bit less of that next time), Red Pepper, tomato, apple, strawberries!  I even gave some to the cats mixed with their food and they liked it (they liked the green juice better). 

Well that's all for now.  I'm still inspired, feeling great, (I swear, when I woke up this morning and looked at the clock, I didn't have to use my glasses - could this be?)  and still NOT smoking.

Day 9 - Where is the time going?

Day 9 of the 15 Day Reboot.   Day 4 of 100% Juicing - and Day13 of Not Smoking!  We enjoyed a variety of fruits in a breakfast juice this morning that seemed appropriate for Valentine Day - Strawberry, blueberry, honeydew, orange and apple,  Very refreshing way to start the day.  Since it was time to restock the greens, I made a green juice with a few additions:   Kale, Cucumber, Celery, Ginger, Broccoli, Carrot, Red Bell Pepper, and some Romaine ( I needed the liquid and was doing what I could to get 64 ounces for the two of us )   It tasted wonderful - We had to make another run to the vegetable store. Am sipping on a concoction of Papaya, Kiwi, Pear, Orange and Lemon Rather yummy!  

According to the Reboot program, tomorrow would be the last day of 100% juicing and we go back to juicing and eating fruits and vegetables for the last 5 days of the 15 day reboot.  I'm inclined to continue the 100% juicing a little longer - Hey I'm just getting started!  Bruce on the other hand would really like to be able to at least eat the fruits and vegetables - We'll see how it goes.

Did I mention we are sleeping like babies at night, and the juices are wonderful, and we feel great!

Oh yeah, last Tuesday I bought a scale  and when I stood on it I was at 170- this morning 160. 

And now that I've started the treadmill -  Yeah I want to keep this up - whoo-hoo! 

Well, I've got an early day tomorrow so it's time to go enjoy what's left Valentines Day with My Sweetheart!

Day 8 - Finding A Groove

8 Days of Juicing & Fruits &Vegetables only

   now Day 3 of Juicing Only

It's amazing to me that we have not had solid food since Friday.  I for one am feeling VERY Calm (Bruce as well feels calm), and I have had no desire to eat something or smoke cigarettes today.  In a million years I wouldn't have thought I'd feel this way (based on what I've been reading).

We are both waking up very early (without an alarm clock), feeling very good, and have the energy to do all the juicing that is required for the amount that we are suppose to drink during the day, and clean up afterwards before we do what we normally do in the morning. This does take a little getting use to.

I do have to say, however, that the amount pulp that is left over from juicing is amazing. If I had a compost pile, it would be working serious overtime! I hate to see it go to waste, but I just don't have the time to make broth out of it all (Nor do I have the room in my freezer).  If anyone wants it...! Bruce wants to make Pulp Chips (doesn't sound very appetizing).  Being a very good cook himself, he is thinking about solid food more than me, but is a real partner in this journey we are on. 

Bruce would also like to have some of his juice meals hot!  But the heat destroys the nutritional value of the vegetables, so whats the point there?  We are dealing with that by drinking lots of herbal tea in between, at least it's hot!.   Finding a groove... it is a learning experience no doubt! 

I'm all set up and ready to start using my treadmill again. Bruce put up a stand for my laptop so I can use it while walking (talk about multi-tasking)  Walked for 30 minutes today (taking it slow to start).

I'm loving the way I/we feel- Ya-hoo!

Here's our easy juicing for the day.

Breakfast
16 oz each Super C juice





Lunch
32 oz each Green Juice





Evening Juice - 
16 oz each - Cauliflower/Broccoli Pop (I made this up) - 2 handfuls of broccoli florets, 1/4 head of cauliflower - 1 carrot - 1/2 red bell pepper - 1 tomato - 1 celery stalk - a chunk of jicama 1/2 apple.
(pretty Yummy)

Water throughout the day
Bruce had an additional 4 bottles (16 oz each) of water
Deb had 3 additional bottles of water  (16 oz each)
Plus lots of herbal tea.

Day 7 - Juicing Day - Day 11 No Smoking

After 7 Days total, today is Day 2 of 100% Juicing only - I'm actually surprised that I'm not going completely crazy wanting solid food.  I think starting the 100% juicing on the weekend helped as we've stayed in, laid low, made a fire, watched some movies and tried some different juices.  Just taking it easy. 

Other than that I feel fine- haven't even used the gum today! Bruce is doing well also - He'd really like to have some "chewable" food but I keep bugging him to drink more water . WATER IS GOOD!

Did some walking today on the Treadmill for about 35 minutes. Nice and Easy!

However, feeling a tad bound up if you know what I mean- Apple cider Vinegar in a glass of water (hasn't helped), broke down and had a cup of black coffee (didn't help)...  Not going to worry about it today.   

I have to admit we did go to BJ's yesterday as Bruce wanted to try some of the 100% juice already made (processed) - so we bought a couple quarts one Green one Carrot.  I like the fresh juice better, but in a pinch I suppose that would work.

Morning - we both had
Sunset Blend Juice (from reboot recipes) (1 sweet potato, 1 carrot, 1 red bell pepper, 1 beet (it called for 2) 2 Apples, and  1/4 lemon (it called for 1 orange optional).

Mid Morning
Carrot Juice (We bought some from BJ's to try it out - In a pinch this would be ok)

Lunch / Dinner
Green Juice- 1/2 cucumber, 6 leaves Kale, 2 cups spinach, 4 stalks Celery, 2 Apples, 1" ginger - Today I added some additional ingredients - I added about 1/4 butternut squash (with peel), 1 golden Beet. (I made a very big batch of this so we'd have it for the day).

Drank lots of herb tea

Will probably finish up the evening with some Berry Drink! But I'm all done with the computer today so ---- Tomorrow is another day - Ya Hoo!

Day 6 - Moving on to 100% Juicing

After 5 Days of Juicing/Eating F&V
Today BEGINS 5 DAYS of

100% Juicing

Fruits and Vegetables 

80% Vegetables to 20% Fruits.

We will Drink All of our meals and snacks for the next 5 Days! 

  

I found a great website called www.RawFoodsExplained.com  and the following is from lesson 21 and  says
 "...The person who starts a better diet... During the initial phase (lasting about ten days on the average to several weeks in some), the vital energies which are usually in the periphery or external part of the body much as the muscles and skin begin to move to the vital internal organs and start reconstruction. This shunting of much of the power to the internal region produces a "feeling of less energy in the muscles which the mind interprets as some weakness. Actually, the power is increased, but most of it is being used for rebuilding the more important organs and less of it is available for muscular work. Any weakness which is felt here is not true weakness, but merely a re-deploying of forces to the more important internal parts. Here it is important for the person to stop wasting energy, and to rest and sleep more. This is a crucial phase and if the person resorts to stimulants of any kind, he will abort and defeat the regenerative efforts of the body. It is important that he have patience and faith here and just wait it out, and after a while he will get increasing strength which will exceed by far what he felt before he began the new program. Success in recovery or improvement of health hinges upon the correct understanding of this point—realizing that the body is using its main energies in more important internal work and not wasting it in external work involving muscle movements. Be wise—take it easy here and relax. Just coast in your work and social obligations until you're out of the woods."   read more

Well it's off to do something interesting today - going to make it up as we go along!  Maybe explore the Health Food Store! Heard they make fresh juices!    Another Day of Not Smoking!  Ya-hoo!

Foods Juiced for Day 6 - 100%
Morning - we both had
8 oz Super C Juice  - (1/2 Red Bell Pepper, 1/2 Grapefruit, 1/2 orange, 1/4 lemon)

Mid Morning - we both had
8 oz Green Juice ( Kale, Spinach, apples, cucumber, ginger, celery)

Lunch
I had the Gardner 10 oz (from Portsmouth Health Food Store)
Bruce had The Beetnick 10 oz (from Portsmouth Health Food Store)

Mid afternoon - both had
8 oz Green Juice (see above)

Dinner:
8 oz The Invention (Bruce had 16 oz) (this was a mistake and I'm not sure it's okay to use. I steamed, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Onion, Mushrooms and butternut squash) then I took some humus and put it all in the blender with some mustard, apple cider vinegar, celery, apple and some vegetable stock I made and blended it for a long time.  Cold is was mustardy - Bruce  put his in the microwave and added some Siracha to it.   I think everything but the humus was ok - I'll just stick to juicing! Ha!

Evening We both had
8 oz - Us - Berry Cantaloupe Shake- 1 Cantaloupe (with skin & seeds) - 10 Strawberries - makes 2 servings -

Numerous cups of herbal tea throughout the say as well as water

Day 5 - Juicing Reboot - So Far So Good.

Day 5 - Today was just another good day.  I don't have much to add to Day 4's post.    I was extremely busy and there were a couple times that had this been two weeks ago, I would have gone out for a smoke (due to the craziness of the day).  I actually realized "my calmness" and thought to myself "self, you are mighty calm right now, wow this is good."

 The first 5 days of Juicing and Eating only fruits and vegetables has been relatively easy.
Juicing in the Morning - Super C juice - 8 ounces for each of us and an herbal tea of some kind.
Making a Batch of Green Juice for the day - 48 ounces for each of us / supplementing during the say with a banana or apple or other fruit
Drinking as much water as possible
Then having a dinner of either roasted, steamed or baked vegetables and/or salad
Followed up with an Herbal tea before bed.

Biggest things so far  (and their not really that big):
- Cleaning the juicer after every juice - Gotta Do It! So getting up a little early is important.
- Keeping sufficient quantities of Fruits/Vegetables on hand - You go through them Quickly
- Making sufficient quantities of juice to last all day - Bruce had his done by 11 today!
- Remembering to drink plenty of water during the day -
 - Handling the cravings when I get home - if I have them now and can eat veggies, how will it be when we are juicing  100% of the time.
That's pretty much it.  

This weekend we begin Juicing fruits and vegetables 100% of the time for 5 days (then back to juicing & eating for 5 days...unless we want to extend the Juicing phase for additional time).  From everything I 've read on the Internet and the various forums, the first 3 days will be the biggest challenge (in terms of overcoming the urge to eat solid food). I just have to stay positive, drink lots of water in between juicing and know that there is a hump and we will be over it quickly.

Oh, I'm still not smoking Day 9, even using less of the gum.   Let's see how the weekend goes!

Day 4 - I feel the earth move under my feet

Day 4 - Slept like babies last night - Had there been an Earthquake I would have slept right through it!  Bruce even commented on how good he is feeling.

It was a great day overall - I didn't make enough juice for myself (yesterday I had to much )  We went to BJ's Wholesale and bought more greens.  I've purchased at Golden Harvest, Market Basket and now BJ's (going to do a comparison of their prices, will post it here when I get it done).  The Greens are really INEXPENSIVE, but I'm surprised how little juice, say Kale and Spinach create, and am wondering if I'm suppose to be getting more juice out of these greens than I am.  

After shopping, rather than going straight home, believe it or not we went to Olive Garden and had a quick Ceasers Salad (without any croutons, cheese or sardines and no dressing) with hot tea and water, then caught an early movie. (Saw Red Tail - Highly recommend it).  Well, now I understand why they recommend laying low when you are doing this "Reboot" - Bruce and I are sitting in the dark theater, it's quiet, and our stomachs were rumbling and while I usually stay put in the theater and can wait until the movie is over to use the bathroom. ... Need I say more.. And the Olive Garden part of the evening was actually funny - to be sitting there basically eating lettuce and not even being tempted by the smells that were all around us!  Had some excellent decaffeinated tea - It was Tetley Orange and Peach! Oh I could drink that all day!

Came home and got to preparing juice for tomorrow (back to the 48 ounces for each of us).  Now just relaxing with Bruce and doing my little log! 

Oh, I came across an article that someone posted on the fat, sick & nearly dead facebook page The Different Juice Fasting Stages of Detoxification.  You can go to the link or I've reposted it here - hopefully since I'm including the link I won't get in trouble! 

I'm going to sign off now, but it was another amazing day of feeling good - Day 8 Not Smoking and reconnecting with myself & Bruce through this process.  I'm Loving It!

Here's the post on Different Juice Fasting Stages of Detoxification if you want to read it now.
Fasting Detoxification Stages
Here is an overview of the detoxification stages during a juice fast. The time periods are a general estimation.
Stage 1 (Day 1 To Day 2)
On the first day of fasting, the blood sugar level drops below 70 mg/dl. To restore the blood to the normal glucose level, liver glycogen is converted to glucose and released into the blood. This reserve is enough for half a day. The body then reduces the basal metabolic rate (BMR). The rate of internal chemical activity in resting tissue is lowered to conserve energy. The heart slows and blood pressure is reduced. Glycogen is pulled from the muscle causing some weakness. The first wave of cleansing is usually the worst.
Headaches, dizziness, nausea, bad breath, glazed eyes and a heavily coated tongue are signs of the first stage of cleansing. Hunger can be the most intense in this period unless the enema is used which quickly assists the body into the fasting state by ending digestion in the colon.

Day 3 - Hmm Too Much Acid?

Day 3 - Balloon belly! - This I found out "could" be the acid in the stomach from the "sweeter" juices in the morning.  It didn't last long, and I discovered that putting a little bitters on the way back of the tongue before juicing can help eliminate this. It was also suggested to use Apple Cider Vinegar, but taking that straight? No Thanks. Oh, maybe they meant mixed with water? Still others suggested the Reboot is doing it's thing!

 Breakfast was Super C (pictured above with Green Juice) - 4 carrots, 1/2 red bell pepper, 1/2 orange, 1/4 lemon, I left out the grapefruit and added 1/2 golden beet, and a slict of jicama.   DID I SAY I HATE BEETS! Still Do!  But it was good.  The "Green Juice" as I said last night was enough for 48 ounces for each of us for today.  It took me all day to drink the "Green Juice".  It's a little difficult (for me) to drink that much juice during the day. Perhaps because my day is spent in front of a computer, while Bruce, on the other hand is on the go (being a carpenter), moving around and hasn't had any problem with finishing his juice during the day. 

So, I took a break and took some pictures of a Portsmouth event, the lowering and removal the center span of the Memorial Bridge which is being dismantled in its entirety and a new bridge will be built by late 2013.  Got some fresh "cold" air, a brisk walk and witnessed a little bit of history making new history.  Wish I could have watched it float away (but I'm assuming that took place after I was home).  

Dinner was another Chef Bruce salad with spinach, radish, bell pepper, cauliflower, golden beet, jicama, celery, mushroom, raisins, avocado. with a Dressing  made of  balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, lemon wedge, small amount of vegetable oil (not sure if that is ok, he used just a couple tablespoons of that oil), jalapeno honey, dill, garlic, ginger and salt and pepper. 
It was delicious and satisfying! 

. An observation - while I say I'm fine and am not hungry (which I am not), I know that when we get home for the day, we will be eating some form of Vegetables for dinner. That's been a treat to be able to "chew".   Come next Saturday however, we will be juicing 100% of the time for a week.  Seeing how much we are into the eating part - I'm a little nervous about the 100%  juicing part.  Maybe by Sunday, it won't be an issue - Today is after all only Day 3!   And I'm Still Loving It!  

Day 7 No Smoking! Actually using less of the Gum as well! I did have a bit of a headache in the afternoon, but no big deal, just drank more water, and the "Green Juice". You know not being occupied with taking the cigarette break, I seem to be getting more accomplished! Duh!

And may I add without being to descriptive, juicing is "cleansing" the system!

Day 2 - End of Day - Reboot - Whoa!

End of Day 2 - I had a gift card from Amazon.com so I bought a Scale for $9.00. It cost almost as much to ship it! I better get my monies worth! I kinda figured I was up there! Whoa - Well lets see if it moves over the next 13 days!

Today was more of same, felt good all day,  didn't really have any cravings (for food or cigarettes or coffee).   Bruce stopped and bought some more vegetables on the way home as he had an idea for a vegetable dinner.
During Week 1 of the Reboot we can eat fruits and vegetables Week 2 will be 100% juicing!

So while I prepared tomorrow's Green Juice (this time I made 48 oz for each of us as Bruce felt he needed more - and you can drink as much of the Green Juice as you want)

Bruce prepared our dinner!

Stuffed Acorn Squash - Using only Apple Cider Vinegar, about 2 tbsp of cold pressed Olive Oil, he roasted, green onions, golden beets, red peppers, portabella and schatake mushrooms, tomatoes, white onion, raisins, mint, parsley, snow peas, and jalapeno honey - 1 Acorn Squash cut in half  baked then filled with all the veggies and baked a little longer.

Then he steamed an Artichoke and when he presented it, it looked like something you'd pay a premium for in a restaurant, and there wasn't anything else in it!  Usually, we'd have a glass of Wine with dinner, but water was just fine (can you beleive that!) -  Talk about training your senses to eat more vegetables! 

What A Way to Eat! 

I know I said I was going to follow the recommended menu from the Reboot, but this is just so much more appetizing and I think accomplishes the desired results. 

Absolutely love the Juicing and personally am looking forward to week 2  - just juicing.  Look at me getting ahead of myself, I haven't even done 3 days yet. 

I'm thinking that tomorrow I will begin walking (on my Free Treadmill that has been collecting dust).

I gave samples of my Green Juice to a few colleagues this morning after our sales meeting. While some had an issue with the color of the juice (green), those who tried it thought it tasted good! One even suggested that we have a Juice Tasting! 

I honestly do not feel like I'm being deprived of food Juicing All Day with vegetables at dinner.

Day 2 Morning - Reboot - So Much Energy

Morning Day 2 - Feb 7, 2012 - Woke up at 4:30 - Felt Great!

Made some interesting Tea-  I mixed 3/4 cup tap water and added 1/4 cup 100% Pure Coconut Water - put it in the microwave got it hot-hot.  The taste of the two was sweet but not overpowering, then I steeped a Cranberry & Ginseng Tea Bag in the Waters!  WOW! This is very good! and 100% Caffeine Free.  The Coconut water has 45 calories per serving (but a serving is 8 oz I had probably 2 oz. ) The tea great herbs plus B Complex - was a good wake up COFFEE (substitute), I have to admit, I've been a huge fan of coffee for many years.

Taking Caffeine out of my diet last week hasn't been to big of an issue - a bad headache the first day (drank lots of water), and now I'm fine with it.  BUT THIS TEA!  NOT ONLY IS IT GOOD FOR YOU IT TASTE GREAT! 
Do I notice anything different yet? - Well, since I started preparing for the "Reboot" a week prior yesterday, I do believe I'm already reaping some of the benefits - My skin (especially my face) feels smoother! My fingernails are growing and feel strong - My eyes feel amazingly clear (But that maybe due to the lack of  Wine! Ha Ha) -    

Today is also day 6 not smoking!  Dealing with urges by drinking water, and using the Equate Gum. I think quitting smoking in conjunction with the Fruits/Vegetable Reboot has made it easier, as when I get anxious I don't know which one is causing it Not Smoking or Not Eating what I usually eat!   It's Working and that is all that counts!

Well, I've got some things to do before the mornings Sales Meeting, so it's off to make Super C - I'll follow up at the end of the day!

Day 1 -15 Day Juice Reboot

Day 1 Complete -Of Our15 Day Juicing Reboot.

Update from this morning.

As I approached today (yesterday) I found myself feeling anxious. Knowing I would NOT be able to eat other foods (like meat/fish/chicken...) for 15 days...
Well just like quitting smoking, I have to push past it and think to myself, how very silly it is. That food has such a grip on me. But I can CHANGE THAT ! 

.Felt great today really, The pre-planning a week before I think made a big difference.  Had Super C in the morning and Green Juice in the afternoon and water in-between.  I went shopping after work and it was interesting how all the smells coming from the bakery were very intense!  Also, since I only go to the vegetable department, I was very aware of all the processed food on the corner isles as you walk to the cashier (I never noticed this before).  

Came home and made a salad with Spinach, Cucumbers, Celery, Cauliflower, Ginger, Mushrooms,Green Onion, Tomatoes and a few raisins on top.  For the Dressing used the Mustard Vinaigrette recipe from JoinTheReboot.com  which is: 1/3 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 1/2 Tbsp. Grain Mustard, 2/3 cup of Cold Pressed Olive Oil, Sea Sale & fresh ground Pepper.  The salad was great, actually I was stuffed!.

After Dinner, I cleaned all the Vegetables, then made a big batch of Green Juice for tomorrow-
In order to get 64 oz it took 1/2 bunch Kale (at $1.69/bunch so about $0.80 ), 1 head of celery $1.69, 1 Package of Spinach $1.69, 3 Cucumbers @.50/ea, 6 Apples at $0.99/Lb?, 1 Lemon at $0.45, 3" ginger (pennies) - I bought the juice containers at K-Mart for $1.69 (I couldn't find good glass containers)


I am spending more time in the kitchen - preparing and cleaning up,  I don't put the pieces of the juicer in the dishwasher, I wash them all so it's ready for the next use.  So good planning ahead seems to be a key element of this.

I hope tomorrow goes this well -   Hey folks at the Sales Meeting Tomorrow, I'm NOT Stopping To Buy Donuts!  Ha Ha  

Day #2 on it's way!