CLEANSE DAY 5

Hey folks,

As promised, I am here to give you the skinny on the final day of this portion of the cleanse. I'm happy to report that all is well. The ease of doing the cleanse has come in waves, but I did endure until the end. I feel SO much better and lighter and some jeans that have been fitting way too tight here lately are actually loose on me today! Again, not the purpose of the cleanse but a great benefit!

This is just what I needed to snap myself back into shape. Hopefully once and for all! I don't think indulgences are bad, but for me they need to be moderate so that I can live as healthful as possible. Doing this helped me get my mind back in order so I'm ready to do this thing right!

Look forward to posting some yummy healthy vegan goodness again soon!

Much love,

C

CLEANSE- DAY 3

Hey there folks,

Well, it's day 3 and I feel extremely lighter. Last night I ended up not having to work at the restaurant. I'll admit I was feeling a little more hungry for more than just fruit when I first got to JJ's house last night. I kept craving Pad see ew (my favorite Thai dish). Anyway, I was just going to relax for the evening and do my workout this morning. JJ convinced me to work out last night instead. JJ is still holding strong on his cleanse as well. I was under the impression that doing so would only make me more hungry. He convinced me the opposite would happen, so I took his word for it and joined him downstairs in his building's workout room to walk on the treadmill while he hit up the elliptical. We went for forty minutes and I must admit he was dead on! I didn't feel hungry even for fruit when we finished. We ended up having to go to Trader Joe's and I went in there, got two oranges and had no desire to have them last night. I drank water and went to bed!

In my research I discovered that they say doing a fruit cleanse can be even more difficult than a liquid cleanse because your body is still in eating mode. I think I have to agree with that finding. I'm holding on though. However, I did make a decision this morning. My whole reason for doing a cleanse was to get back to eating more of my whole foods instead of so much processed foods to make sure I'm getting my nutrients. To give my system a much needed break, not for weight loss though that happens regardless, I can already tell the difference there. So, I have decided to continue on with what I'm doing through Friday. The main reason I was doing ten days initially was due to the directions of The Master Cleanse. So, I believe I will stop after Friday. Allow myself some nutritous cooked food over the weekend and then go back to doing raw food only during the week starting Monday. I think I will do this for the next month or so and see how it works for me. Again, that is my goal, but it is subject to change just as everything else has since Monday, so we'll see. I do however believe I have benefitted tremendously so far by doing a cleanse and will even more so feel that way come Friday.

The main thing is that I don't want to be an unhealthy vegan as I mentioned in an earlier post. I don't want the majority of my diet to consist of processed vegan food and that has been what's been happening lately, so I had to stop and get some things in check.

So, I will keep you updated periodically on how everything goes. I will definitely blog again on Friday as I wrap up this first week and embark upon my new project.

Until next time!

C

MASTER CLEANSE-DAY 2: HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM!

Hey folks,

Okay, last night and this morning were pretty brutal. I woke up around 3:00 a.m. and was up and down from that point. The tea (The Master Cleanse says you should drink some sort of laxative tea at night while you're on the cleanse, I drank Smooth Move) kicked in with a vengeance. My stomach was in cramps and knots like you wouldn't believe. It definitely worked, but I don't think that's something I should do during the week since I have to go to work. I got up this morning and was SO weak and nauseous. The thought of drinking the concoction wasn't as welcome in my mind as it was yesterday. One day of enduring that taste is one thing, but I needed to REALLY evaluate my stamina for the next eight days. I came in to work to make the drink and tasted it without the cayenne pepper at first to see if that was the true culprit of the taste and determine how much I would add. It was still pretty gruesome tasting and the one swig I took only made me more nauseous. I think it really depends on people's taste buds that can endure that taste for however long they decide to embark on this cleanse. I'm not at all trying to deter you if you are interested in this particular cleanse, you have to test it out for yourself. As I said yesterday, I've talked to people that have successfully completed this fast with great results.

So, I've decided in order for me to be successful on a fast, I was gonna have to switch it up and create my own program similar to the ones I've done in the past. I'm sorry to have to report my defeat to you on this particular cleanse so early in the game but I gotta be real with myself as well as with you.

So, still as determined as I was yesterday to cleanse my body, I have decided to embark on a fruit fast. I will be drinking water, tea (once a day), eating whole fruit and occasionally fruit juice. If you are going to drink fruit juice it is always recommended to juice or blend up organic whole fruit or you can buy those types of juices already made up at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and other natural food stores. They do tend to be pricier than the other options and they don't have a long shelf life. So, whatever works for you, but it needs to be that type of juice. As I know from the past and reading up again on it today; the variation I've chosen provides the same cleansing benefits for my body so I feel confident in my choice. Make the best decision for yourself as I mentioned yesterday.

So, I've been feeling MUCH better since this morning. I've been drinking water, orange juice and for lunch I had some yummy organic grapes. I also decided that some light walking on the treadmill and my pilates should be just fine while I'm on this cleanse. I read today that sweating and massage are also good while on a cleanse. I intend to continue updating you between now and next Wednesday and beyond should I decide to go longer. I think this is the proper jumpstart to get my body right back on track!

Until tomorrow!

C

THE MASTER CLEANSE- DAY 1

Hey folks,

Hope all is well with you out in blogland! Well, I've decided to invite you into my fold for a little bit of a journey that I have embarked upon. It started today and will continue through next Wednesday or beyond if I see fit. JJ has also embarked on a cleanse (water, fresh fruit juices and tea) that he will be doing as well. I will post tidbits from his journey here as well.

I've decided to finally do the "Master Cleanse", I will leave it up to you to find and dissect the multitude of information surrounding this particular cleanse. I have done my research and prepared my mind, body and spirit to partake in this cleanse. I am NOT taking part in this cleanse to lose weight, as you will find through research that many do. I am doing this to give my body a much needed break from solid foods of which have been very processed as of late. I am doing this to bring my body back into balance and go back to incorporating more whole foods in my diet.

I have not been nearly as diligent as I have in the past nor what like to be in the past few months and I can feel the affects. I am fully aware that although I am vegan, I am not immune to having bad health if I don't properly feed myself the proper balance of nutrients as well as have an ongoing exercise regimen. My schedule since I've been working two jobs has taken it's toll on both, so it's time for me to slow down and take account for my body and listen to it's demands. So, last week it was clearly apparent to me in my spirit, that it was finally time to do this particular cleanse. I bought the pamphlet about the cleanse and the directions back when I was still living in NYC but I was never in the right position (mind, body, spirit) to start it with confidence that I would see it all the way through. This time, I believe I am ready. One of the strongest indicators of this was what I have eaten over the last few days. I had small meals along with drinking my usual juices and water. I usually ALWAYS have something to satisfy my sweet tooth following a meal and I didn't do that at all. I had my one and only meal yesterday early (1:30) and just drank juice into the evening. These were all preparations for me to go into this full speed ahead this morning.

So, I got up this morning and prepared the juice (water, fresh lemon juice, cayenne pepper and pure organic maple syrup), be sure to read up on this thoroughly before embarking and follow the directions carefully. I must say, that I may have put too much cayenne pepper in my mixture because I warn you, it's hot going down and doesn't leave the best after taste. Tomorrow I will probably switch that up a bit, since the book does say the cayenne pepper amount can be "to taste" and that's what I'll do tomorrow.

I've been taking it like a soldier today though I must say. I'm determined to do this, so that is part of the reason I've decided to blog about it to make myself even more accountable! If my friend Hil can do it with ease for 21 days, I can sure do it for at least ten, and I know my body will thank me for it and that's what is most important to me in this quest. It's mind over matter. So, I will share with you here on the blog from now until next Wednesday what happens with my body on this cleanse. I've done variations of different fasts/cleanses in the past so this isn't new territory for me. It's just been too long since I've done one.

If you are considering a fast or cleanse of any type, I suggest that you research, research, research. Make sure you are at a point of time in your life when you can be successful and endure until the end and continue on in a new way of eating beyond the cleanse. If in your mind, you begin the fast with the end in sight of you chomping down on Hostess cakes or greasy fries then maybe you aren't quite ready. Also, if you do start and are unable to finish, DON'T beat yourself up about it and try again when or if you see fit. DO NOT do it as a means of losing weight because I'm sure you know, chances are you will gain it back and then some when you are through.

Also be careful to not put yourself in situations that will prove tempting. At times this will be inevitable, but do your best to use this time for inner reflection as well. Based up countless research and my own experiences, when you strip you're body of solid food, you become so open in your mind and spirit which can lead to many other positive experiences and benefits while you are cleansing. Please note, this is information based on research and my own personal experiences. The only way to know is through yourself, these are merely suggestions and information that I have obtained by reading and doing.

CWRITES THOUGHTS ON DAY 1:

Today has been pretty easy. I don't feel hungry at all. I have had a few food thought cravings, but I know that's natural. The first and second day are usually not so bad. The third day tends to be the most difficult and then once you get through that it's usually smooth sailing. We'll see if that holds true for me this time. I have decided to not workout during my cleanse. Although it's not specified that you can't, I decided to lay low and resume with a workout regimen upon its completion. I'll be keeping you posted!


JJ'S THOUGHTS ON DAY 1: Feeling fine today. No complaints. Will still workout later.


This is it for today!

See you back here tomorrow!

C

B-DAY FOR JJ, CHICAGO TRIPPIN'

Blog in pictures- Details below....

Hey Folks,

I hope all is well with you out there in the blog world! It seems like so much has been going on, my head is spinning. Well, let me just get right down to it. First, let me say I'm a little blue as my counterpart left for NYC today for six days to do a movie. Great about the movie, sucks about him being out of town. Anyway, I have a ton of things lined up to keep me occupied and then some this weekend!

So, let me get you all caught up! It was JJ's birthday on the 26th and we took in a play at the Alliance Theater. We saw the Amen Corner and it was really good. After the show they had a little roundtable discussion about the play as well as life balance. It was all very nice way to spend the afternoon. After we left the play we headed back to my crib for me to get started on dinner. I made some grilled portabello mushrooms, sauteed garlic green beans with onions, and mashed potatoes. This meal was a throwback to one of the first meals I made for JJ that got he really enjoyed. I was able to set the atmosphere with some candles and dim lighting.

Earlier in the day, before leaving for the play, I made my first vegan cake with vegan icinig. IT WAS THE BOMB.COM!!!! I was SO pleasantly surprised. I mean, it was REALLY, REALLY good! I took a few slivers to work to my non-vegan co-workers and they raved just the same. Recipe will be forthcoming because you MUST try this recipe! You'll have to forgive the picture above. I still don't have my arsenal of fancy baking tools and such but it's the thought and taste that counts right?!

He was very pleased and said he had a very nice birthday. I am VERY big on birthdays, I think all should always be celebrated to the best of your ability. Growing up, my mom made sure that all birthdays were uniquely special and I'm happy to carry on that tradition with those that I love also. Happy B-day again JJ, you're a wonderful man and you are going to have a terrific year!

This past weekend we had to take an unexpected road trip up to Chi-town to see JJ's family. His grandfather passed, so we went up to pay our respects. We left Saturday morning and returned Tuesday night. The trip is about 11 hours, so needless to say we were exhausted by the time we returned. I don't mind road trips that much, but this one was a little trying because it was SO hot outside and we rolled with the windows down vs burning more gas so it was a little crucial with the heat at times. It's always nice to drive through new states though. Tennesse is absolutely breathtaking with it's rolling green hills and mountains. It didn't even seem real at times. The wonder of God and His creation is something mighty to behold. On the way back it was extra trying because I got sick to my stomach the night before so I was ill for the first part of the trip, it subsided thank God so the latter part wasn't so bad. This is the second time I've come back from Chi-town sick to my stomach from something I've eatin, what's up with that?! This time I'll chalk it up to possibly too much of a good thing. We went to this Vegan restaurant JJ's sister (who is also vegan) goes to called Veggie Bite. We pretty much ate there every day we were there and I think I took in too many chix-free nuggets. I'll know better next time. They had very tasty food and even tastier vegan ice cream. Yum! One night we were there we did stray from Veggie Bite to across the street to get a Vegan pizza from this place that was advertising it.


Let me tell you, I had my mouth set for this pizza. I mean Chi-town plus any kind of pizza should equal the bomb.com right? WRONG!!! It was HORRIBLE! I was SO mad. I am a woman that takes her food VERY seriously. I don't play around, so when I get something that is less than the best AND I spent a good deal of money $25 to be exact for an extra large!!! then I expect to be brought into culinary pleasures that take me into the next few days. Well, that ain't what happened. I ate two pieces and was just through. I didn't even eat anymore and I was hot, hot, hot about it. JJ tried to help by offering to get me something else from somewhere else and I decided to just boycott food altogether for the night. My evening was already ruined from this travesty of a vegan pizza. The crust was like a cracker. We asked them to go just light on the vegan cheese since JJ doesn't jibe too well with soy and just a tiny, tiny bit of garlic. Well, they translated this to mean a heaping of garlic and a few splatters of cheese in some arbitrary places on the pizza. It was PATHETIC. We got JJ's parents a vegan pizza (veg lovers also) as well and they didn't ask for light soy cheese and JJ and I tasted a bit of theirs and it was slightly, just slightly better. So, as you can tell that was not a nice experience por moi. I'm over it now, but boy was I beside myself that night.


I made some cupcakes from the cake recipe I made for JJ's b-day to take along for the trip and got some rave reviews from JJ's parents as well. I could go into more detail about the entire trip but I covered most points. Although we were in town for a sad occassion it was nice to have a change of atmosphere from the ATL and spend time with JJ's family.

I'll holla at ya next time!!


C