Juice Feasting PDX

Day 84 of juice feasting in PDX!

Well I have some bittersweet news today. Tomorrow, Marcus & I will end our juice feast on Day 85…7 days early. Tonight the soaking of the prunes will begin. This experience has been emotionally, physically, and spiritually rewarding! I feel nothing but joy, happiness, gratitude and damn proud of us both!!

Unfortunately, both of our hearts are not in this anymore! I went into some heavy detox after my colonics on Thursday. It was so nice to be able to shake some old stuff up and release it out. The past week and a half the juices have not been tasting good to me and the thought of some of them seriously make me gag. Though I wanted to sit on it and meditate some more before I made the final decision to move out of the juice feast early. I wanted to wait it out to make sure it wasn’t the detox doing it to me. I’m trying my best to get my nutrition but at this point don’t feel that I am. My heart is not in this anymore and my body is not into this anymore. My detox symptoms have subsided but I still can’t see doing another 7 days of juice. I’ve had some signs and feel that they are all pointing towards the exit sign. So this will be a big step tomorrow as a part of me hates to leave the juicing behind. I know this is just fears coming up and I’m spending today processing those fears and also acknowledging all the wonderful things I have learned about myself on this feast. I also know that juicing will always be here for me when I need a break. That may sounds strange if you haven’t been feasting but it will become clear to you when you do your own feast. =) Juice feasting is very powerful. It takes a lot of discipline and self-control that, I for one, have never given to myself. On the other end of the spectrum I really am excited to get back into the world of solid foods so I can take all I’ve learned and apply it to my new health and well-being outlook. I just moved up 5 notches on my ladder for my life purpose. For once in my life I will OWN and take RESPONSIBILITY of my health. Choosing what is right for me, having self-control, self-discipline and realizing that being present is truly possible as humanity and Mother Earth go through all these crazy energies and changes! I’ve also dropped 38 lbs and feel super great…Super Mary! Where’s my cape?? =)

Tomorrow we plan to post a video of us breaking our feast AND before/after pictures will follow! If you haven’t started a feast yet I truly hope you do decide at some point to do so…just feel it out in your whole being honestly and make sure the time is right for you. The journey is not always easy and not always fun but the power you gain for your self will be life changing…I can promise you that!

To better health…cheers!

Day 79 of juice feasting in PDX!
Only 13 days to go! I’m just so full of joy and gratitude today for this whole experience!

At day 79 I’m STILL having some detoxing symptoms! Woah! I decided to get a colonic on Monday (and will follow up with another one on Thursday) since we have been doing the ParaRid. So after the colonics I noticed some detox symptoms coming up. It amazes me that even though I’m so clean already my body or shall I say my colon still has some cleaning out to do. Amazing the junk we can hold onto! No wonder people can be so sick and toxic..and not know how to take better care of themselves! I’ve been transformed into a believer of regular enemas and colonics. With this feast I’ve really been able to see the importance of flushing our systems and our colons on a regular basis.

I’m also having a hard time with my juices. They are starting to taste gross and I feel I have to force the green juices down my throat. So right now mild fruits like oranges and tomatoes are palatable. Coconut water is also treating me kind. This just started the past few days so could be related to the colonic and detoxing. I’m just winging it right now trying to get orange juice, tomato juice, coconut water and spirulina caps down me right now. I will test the water the next few days since I have another colonic tomorrow which may bring on even more detoxing. I just want to make sure I get enough calories and nutrition. I’m thinking about picking up a green superfood tonight to mix in with the orange juice. I could just be burned out on kale and apples…it literally burned my tongue yesterday while drinking my juice…it was so strange!! I don’t want to stop now though and would be bummed to end my feast before the 92 days is up since I’m SO CLOSE! So I will continue to listen to my body and give it what it is wanting or needing. If that means breaking earlier than 92 days then be it. Though I want to be on juice if I’m detoxing…so I will ride this baby out for now!

Did I mention I’m so exicted that DAY 92 has almost arrived! I really just can’t believe this journey I’ve been on. It’s almost hard to explain and describe unless you’ve been on this ride too. There is so much clarity about my health I’ve never experienced before. I’m definitely doing this feast at the perfect timing I need. Don’t know why but I’m always amazed at the “perfect timing” phrase when it applies to me. =)

Alright, until my next blog…cheers to juice feasting in PDX!!

Day 74 of juice feasting in PDX…and I’m cold!!

Today’s post is going to be about being cold!! This entire feast I have been nothing but cold, seriously. It doesn’t help that Portland has not seen much sunshine the past 74 days! =) So for those who are planning to feast be aware you may feel constantly cold on this cleanse. I really can’t get warm, grrrr. I’m looking forward to warming up after this cleanse…and really can’t wait to get our sun back here in Ptown! I would highly advise you drink lots of herbal teas if you can. I unfortunately do not like tea. I’ve tried time and time again. I’m just not a fan of tea..I find tea very boring…sigh. So I just bundle up, layer my clothes, and turn on the heat. One of my favorite things to do is get in my car for the drive to work and crank the heat and put on my heater seat- sad, I know. =) So yes, cold is where it is at for me! If you live somewhere naturally warm then you should be fine. I’ve enjoyed our moments of sun here and being able to sit outside as it pours over me while I drink a juice. As I write this blog, I’m under blankets, with my sack of heated corn and drinking one of my juices. =) Word in portland is sun is on it’s way the next few days so I will have a most delightful time!

Cheers to juice feasting in PDX!!

Day 71 of juice feasting in PDX!

Last few days have been pretty good mentally, emotionally and spiritually! I seriously am ready to get back to the real world and incorporate all I’ve learned from this and put it into practice. I’ve lost so much weight, yahoo!, but really want to take this break from eating and bring it about into a new lifestyle change for myself. It will complete my goals that I had for this juice feasting. Balance, portion control and moving my butt will be key. Eating a mostly raw, living foods diet will be another. I have some BIG ideas of foods I really want to eat because I’ve missed them but I believe I will have some huge wake-up calls as to what I won’t be able to eat or won’t be willing to eat because they will make me feel like crap. So I will just have to listen to my body and be mindful of what I feed it. If anything, just actually getting to chew on something and swallow sounds delightful! =)

We’ve really moved away from sweet juices. Pineapple juice was a big favorite through this feast but I find it way too sweet to drink now. Watermelon juice is another one that is way too sweet to drink now, makes me gag thinking about it. We get by with our trusty kale and apples still. Plus tomatoes and oranges have been tasting really good to me . Not a ton of stuff in season right now so it’s good to be bringing this to a close as I’m a little bored with the kale and apples. =)

Marcus has been reading that agave nectar is not good for our bodies. It raises our insulin. I will be researching that myself and must say “wow!” to that. Coconut Bliss ice cream was a savior to me kicking my sugar addiction a year ago. Looks like honey might become more stylish.  =) Speaking of honey. We have a local raw honey source here in our little city. It is amazing honey! They have several varieties of honey: meadowfoam, mixed flowers, carrot, blackberry, raspberry, pumpkin. I think we’ve tried most of them and meadowfoam is my winner! So divine! Has a hint of vanilla flavor after a bite.

Well that is all for now…cheers to juice feasting in PDX!

Day 66 of juice feasting in PDX!

It’s hard to believe that I’ve gone 66 days with no solid foods and no alcohol (or coffee) =). A big part of me is looking forward to seeing this to the end and moving back into “reality”. Another part of me is a little apprehensive. This juice feast has been an amazing experience and the deep cleansing I have received I only have pure joy and gratitude for. However, the idea of taking what I’ve learned from this feast and putting it to practice is a little scary. Will I overeat? Will I go back to bad habits..cheese, coffee, heavy carbs, lots of naughty alcohol? Will I gain all my weight back or more? I would like to say no to all of that and can say so pretty confidently. However, there is a little voice of fear that talks in my head and I’m going to have to make sure she keeps it zipped. I can’t believe that on the 29th of this month I can actually put something solid in my mouth to chew and SWALLOW! I’m so proud of myself and Marcus for pushing ourselves to complete this and working as a team! We both are transforming the way we view and place our health for both of our lifetimes. We will walk away from this changed people. We both grew up on very starchy, fatty, fill-your-plate, eat-everything-on-the-plate, sedentary life styles. Our new outlook will be one of health being a priority in our lives and to get our booty moving each day. These last days of feasting we will be planning our attack back into the real world of solid foods. We will be making meal plans, buying some raw recipe books, coming together and deciding what it is we want to eat daily. We have also started our weight workout program that includes cardio. Yesterday we committed to 6 months at the local gym! I’m so excited that we are also purchasing a Excalibur dehydrator so we can have even more variety and options for healthy raw living food creations!

On another note, I had someone say to me the other day that they admired me for sticking to this “diet”. I had to giggle at that though gracious for the compliment. I had to  kindly tell them that this is a cleanse first and foremost. The levels of cleansing I’m reaching have been out of this world. My skin, all of it, looks so healthy and bright. I have lost weight but it’s not just that it is my body getting rid of what it does not need. My sinuses are so clear and I’ve had not one allergy issue on this cleanse. My colon feels scrubbed =). I know overall my body is thanking me for allowing it time to rest, heal, repair, rebuild, alkalize, etc.

So would you like to know what foods I can’t wait to eat? =) Here it is…avocados, dill pickles and OLIVES both green and black! Also, I can’t wait to eat a summer tomato nicely sliced up with some delicious sea salt sprinkled on top. We have a wonderful raw, vegan restaurant here in Portland called Blossoming Lotus where we plan to have one of our first big meals back!

Cheers to juice feasting in PDX!

Day 63 of juice feasting in PDX!!

Been a long time since I’ve blogged. What can I say? What excuse can I bring forth?I don’t have much to go on except to say the past month has been a tad brutal! =)

I won’t lie. Being in a city makes juice feasting a challenge. Our culture is most definitely centered around food and alcohol. Food and alcohol are everywhere. Every other shop I pass is food related, or a bar, or a coffee shop. Just taking a road trip to the coast can be eye exhausting. Events you get invited to are food or alcohol related. It’s been a real eye opener! I’ve stayed strong though and have much appreciated the lessons learned from this so when I do get back to eating solid foods again I hope to not fall into past pitfalls. Past habits. Past beliefs about food. I hope to manage more self-control because this juice feast has taken a lot of that! =)

On the up side of the feasting, I feel and will say it…look great! I’ve lost 30lbs so far, my skin is clear and has a healthy glow! I’ve started a weight workout program and will be moving my butt more in my life.  I’m not a big fan of the gym mentality, no offense to those who love the gym, but I did have a revelation that I have to move more in my life… everyday for the rest of my life. So I’m here to love it! =) That means weights in the gym, sometimes cardio in the gym but also taking my cardio outdoors into our beautiful Portland summers! Marcus & I are moving our lives towards health being a priority! Finding a healthy balance of foods we love, with a workout program and overall a more active, healthy lifestyle change! We have our awesome vita-mix in the kitchen now and are looking into getting a dehydrator and good food processor. Our kitchen will then be complete so we can start making some yummy raw, living goodness! I have no plans to be 100% eater of living foods but definitely will be consuming more than I have in the past 2-years. There are some foods I want to still enjoy like Thai food! =) So I will find a nice balance that my body can appreciate. Our focus though will be making more yummy foods in our own kitchen so they are enjoyable and healthy!

Only 29 more days to go! I won’t lie again…I look forward to having solid foods but it will be bittersweet because there are some things coming up when I think about putting solid foods in my mouth again. Though I will blog more about those things when we get closer. =)

Cheers to juice feasting in PDX!

Day 29 of juice feasting!

I feel like I’ve been on an emotional roller coaster! I believe I’m almost to the end of the ride but know I have a few more ups and downs to process through! It has been a crazy past few weeks. I look forward to the breaking point where I end up on the other side. However, I honor the steps and processes I’m treading through now as I know this will only make a stronger Mary  in the end. =)

Heading into Day 30 tomorrow and super stoked I’ve made it this far! Marking out the mini-celebrations! We start this week on the Stonebreaker Tea. I’m very curious about this. Sounds intriguing. =)

For those out there thinking about starting a juice feast I wanted to let you know that is totally doable if you work a regular job and/or living the city life! Marcus & I have each other to support and help out on making the juices which makes it a very nice balance. So if you are doing it solo be sure you prepare and give yourself extra time each day to prepare! It is definitely important you take enough juices with you to the office so you don’t get hungry. Also, getting up to give yourself time to do your enemas is as equally important. I learned some hard lessons on skipping a few enemas…just delays the detoxing…so get on them right out of the gate! Anyone can juice feast it is just putting your mind to it and giving yourself enough time each day to take care of yourself!

Cheers to juice feasting in PDX!

Day 25 of juice feasting and Happy Earth Day!

A few things on tap today: cranky irritated girl has reared her head! Normally I can stay pretty balanced throughout my days but today I had some anger issues creep up and was easily irritated by things I have let go of…or so I thought! HA, this juice feast just keeps bringing me more things to process. It is showing me my truths. I can appreciate this. I can only try to keep a smile on my face knowing that I need to work through these issues again and again until I have fully released them.

Winding down for the evening so will keep this posting short as bed is calling me!

Cheers to juice feasting in PDX!

Day 23 of juice feasting and I feel on top of the world!

Today was a great day! I had good energy throughout the day! Feeling motivated and that I’m on the cusp of something grand! =) Also got my hair cut and colored so feeling a little sassy! =)

This weekend was tough on food cravings. I was celebrating my birthday at the coast and food kept creeping into my head. I had cravings for all sorts of things but mostly I wanted some wine and cheese! Arrgh. So it felt really good to work through those cravings and not get what I wanted. We made some fake bloody mary’s and that made me a happy gal! =) Yesterday Marcus made me the most delicious berry-pineapple juice ever! I can’t wait to try that again.

I’ve lost 15 lbs. so far, yahoo! I hope to keep this weight rate per day going so I can reach my 40 lb. goal by day 92! I still have lots more weight I’d like to lose and it helps keep me motivated seeing the scale go down and my clothes feeling a little less tight. =)

I see a lot of juice feasting blogs posting what they are consuming each day. I know I don’t do that here. I probably won’t start either unless my readers do want to know? I think drinking the juices is the easiest part of the feast. I try to get down 3-5 quarts per day. I balance that with a lot of greens and some fruit juices. Right now kale and apples make me and my stomach the most happy.  I’m doing all of the supplements…MSM, enemas, digestive enzymes, E3Live, kelp granules. I don’t feel hungry either. So I like to focus my blogs more on the emotional aspect of the juice feasting. Jumping the hurdles of food is big for a foodaholic like me. I’m trying to break some emotional ties I have with food with this feast. I think these ties hold me and body captive and I’m ready to release them to the universe with love… never to see them return to me again. I’ve struggled with my weight all of my life…since I can remember weight has been an issue for me. I’m so tired of the up and down battle. I have an unhealthy relationship to food and I’m cutting the chain link by link with this feast…at least that is another one of my goals for this feast. This is such a huge step for me to disconnect from food like this. I’m excited to see where I land in 69 days. =)

Cheers to juice feasting in PDX!

Day 20 of juice feasting…and I’ve been a very bad blogger! =)

Wow, can’t believe this week has flown by and I didn’t blog this week. It was a crazy week on so many levels: work, play, feasting, emotional, spiritual and physical.

This weeks feasting theme has been all about emotional processing and energy drain. By the end of each day this week I would feel so blah and tired….processing some stuff out of me for sure and my body is wanting rest. On another note, I find that after I complete my enemas I feel super drained of energy but then find the next day I feel excellent through most of the day! I’m definitely feeling the health benefits of the enemas and they are keeping my system in order. They are indeed a very important part of the feasting process. So be sure you are doing one every day for the first 7 days and then one every 2-3 days after that. If the thought grosses you, it did me, you’ll be amazed at how easy it becomes and how much better you feel…..release and cleanse. =) The emotional processing has been amazing, not fun, but interesting to see what is coming back up for me in these first 20 days. Things I thought I had truly let go of come up and I have to wrestle with them again. It can be frustrating but I hold truth that I know this is for my betterment on the back end when this feast is done.

I will stop here to interject something. I beg my readers to always listen to their bodies, their truths. If you are eating something that does or does not make you feel good then seriously listen to your body and try doing what it is telling you. Make adjustments if needed. You will probably find you will feel so much better just doing what your body tells you to do! I haven’t had bee pollen in over a week and have not had those striking stomach pains. I may try a little bee pollen sometime soon but right now it doesn’t sound good to me and my body does not want it or need it at this time. I don’t understand why people get so caught up on ideas about food that was taught to them by someone else’s truth. When not feasting, I feel best eating a mostly raw, living foods diet. I like about a 80/20 ratio. My body enjoys fresh, raw veggies. I feel lighter, simpler, and healthier. I have so many people ask me “how do you get your protein?” Like if I’m not consuming a whole cow each week I will fall down. Do I look sickly? =) Who taught us this crap? The system taught us our food choices…at least for me growing up. I can tell you right now the system does NOT have it right. I have lots more to say on that subject but will probably save it for a later blog posting. =)

I’m spending the weekend at the coast which is a nice escape from an otherwise crazy week! I do look forward to my energy coming back to me soon but know that right now my body is wanting to rest as it processes, purges, releases and cleanses. Ahhhh. So I’ll take it easy on her! =)

Cheers to juice feasting in PDX!