Questions on fasting and meals

[Santana]

Hi all! Nice to meet (or say hi) to all of you!

I'm newly registered on this forum (like two minutes ago!), but I have been reading, reading and learning a lot off of this forum for a while now. ANYWAY, I have some questions!

I wanted to know what your experiences were and are with fasting? What was the end result (clear skin, more energy, etc.?) I know that "the diet people" tell you not to fast because then your body goes into starvation mode, but, I'm not sure I believe all the "diet" theories. What happened to your metabolism after fasting? I'm looking to clean out and detoxify my body, etc. So what are your expereinces with:

The Master cleanse (5 to 10 days)?

A fruit cleanse (5 to 10 days)?

A green juice fast (5 to 20 days)?

A water fast.....? And any other fasts/cleanses I didn't mention here...

I'm looking to clear and help my skin, and balance hormones, clean out, definitly clean out my liver! Stuff like that. Please tell me your personal experiences and opinions!

Also, just curious about meals, how many do you eat, or do you just eat when you are hungry, or do you try to eat 3 or 5-6 and what effect has this had on your health/digestion, etc.?

Thank you so much in advance!

Peace....

[Santana]

Just bumping this up...anybody there?

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[smoothiegirl]

I just eat when I get hungry-Sometimes it may be only 3-4 times a day and then sometimes it's 6-7 times a day. I've not had any experience w/fasting because my body isn't ready for that yet. I would consider what my diet consisted of. Lots of greens and raw foods have cleared my skin up tremendously. There are some ladies on here that love to fast-They are the fasting Queens! :)

[annavon]

I'm pretty new to raw (at least this time). I haven't tried fasting yet. As far as meals goes, I usually have 2-3 meals with about 2 snacks. I usually have either veggie juice or a fruit smoothie for breakfast, a big salad at lunch, at dinner its kind of hit and miss. I'm not always hungry enough (and too tired) to prepare something elaborate so sometimes I just eat an avocado or nuts. My goals is to start doing a green smoothie in the evening. Green smoothies are very healing.

[oceanee]

Check out the fasting threads if you haven't already.

I love doing the MC which I have done from 5-18 days so far. Someday I want to do for 3-4 weeks but I feel each time it is a learning experience as well as a healing process.

MC for me restarts my inner body clock. I like to do a liver and kidney cleanse and truly get back in touch with what my body feels and wants. The first few days can be tough yet I find that each time I go on a cleanse it gets easier. Perhaps because I know it is important to be sure I am mentally prepared. I read over all my notes, go online, plan when I don't have commitments that will interfere with how I might feel and throw me off course.

There are several very seasoned "fasters" and juicers here so please read their posts as they are a mountain of info! Morn,Raw Heaven, Aleesha to name a few !

Happy rawsome ~
Oceanee

[StarFire]

Aloha and Welcome Santana!! Great to have you jumping on the healthy 'YOU' wagon!!

well... as far as fasting... it truly is a very personal and unique experience to each individual person. What works for one person may not work for another --- so don't get discouraged, you simply keeping working towards the goal... and keep trying and experimenting until you find what works best for your body.... so in other words... it takes time... and you are worth it -- so give yourself the time you need to succeed and accomplish what your hearts desires are....

the one tried and true thing that works is RAW FOODs... 100% raw if possible... and the more raw you are -- the clearer your skin will become, the healthier your skin and your body over all will become... and the better you will feel, both mentally and physically.

but then again-- it's not an over night magic trick... it takes time to allow your body to detox the gunk you've been putting into your body... for me -- (for example).... I had been smoking since I was 11 years old... 1 pack of cigarettes a day.... and didn't quit until I was 50... that's a LOT of toxins... so - you can imagine... it took some time for me to notice my skin texture improving etc.... first -- i had to get rid of all the toxins.

I started out by simply following the 30 day plan in Alissa's book.... 100% raw for 30 days... it really helped me on my journey to start things out right.

During my journey this past year --- I have also discovered the Master Cleanse - which I love. (this is a personal view point).... there are those that disagree with the Master Cleanse for one reason or another -- so... learn what works for you and if you are comfortable with it -- then great!

The Master Cleanse can be done for 1 day, 1 meal - 3 days - 7 days and up to 40 days -- it all depends on you and what works with your schedule... there is a GREAT MASTER CLEANSE thread under the fasting section. With lots of information.

I've never done a fruit cleanse or green juice fast -- but there are many that have and again -- it will just take a little bit of research on your part to figure out what seems right for you -- and if in the middle of that fast -- if it's not working out - then that's fine to. Don't be concerned about quitting a fast that's just not working for you -- that is called WISDOM ..... (don't think of it as "quitting OR failure" - okay?)

A water fast -- is wonderful if you are able to rest. A water fast can detox you very quickly and be very hard on you physically. But if you have the time and the inclination and ability -- and you feel led to do so -- a water fast can be a wonderful experience.

Many of us have experienced so many wonderful changes having been raw.... It's not just about the weight loss... it's also about finding our true selves again... or even perhaps for the first time!

clear skin, stronger muscles, shinier hair, clean organs, healthy organs, balanced hormones, less mood swings and more restful sleep... it's all part of the journey when you decide to go Raw...

personally - I eat when I'm hungry - it might be a salad or crackers or something like Alissa's enchiladas... I don't really limit myself... that's why following the 30 day plan in Alissa's book helped me soo much... it really sets the pace for you when you are first getting started...
you don't have to 'figure everything out' ... just follow the plan... and as your first month progresses -- you'll see how you feel and what you like eating and what works with your schedule...
I'll tell ya what though -- most people have trouble eating everything on that menu ... it's an amazing amount of food!!! I was NEVER hungry on that plan - and all of the food was fabulous!

blessings on your journey.... and -- ummm.... sorry to write a novel here!
I'm kinda gabby!!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/smiley_huggrouphuggle.gif

[Aleesha Sattva]

What happened to your metabolism after fasting? I'm looking to clean out and detoxify my body, etc. So what are your expereinces with:

The Master cleanse (5 to 10 days)?

A fruit cleanse (5 to 10 days)?

A green juice fast (5 to 20 days)?

A water fast.....? And any other fasts/cleanses I didn't mention here...

I'm looking to clear and help my skin, and balance hormones, clean out, definitly clean out my liver! Stuff like that. Please tell me your personal experiences and opinions!

Also, just curious about meals, how many do you eat, or do you just eat when you are hungry, or do you try to eat 3 or 5-6 and what effect has this had on your health/digestion, etc.?

Thank you so much in advance!

Peace....

Cleaning and detoxing comes with eating raw. You don't have to f(e)ast to get those results but... if you wish to f(e)ast...

fruit cleanse... are you talking about only eating fruit? i hear this can be a great experience

m/c - don't have any idea. not my cup of tea *pun intended*

green juice feast... well i personally prefer to simply do a juice feast and have whatever juices i desire. i've had great experiences with this one. i fast often... and this is what i do most times. although i also do juice fast.

water fast... VERY detoxing and low energy... but effective.

Hope this assists you a little. I suggest though, that you read and research. Here's a few articles from my mag to get you started:

David Wolfe (http://www.timelessspirit.com/JULY08/davidwolfe.shtml)

Interview with the creators of Juice Feasting (http://www.timelessspirit.com/JULY08/interview.shtml)

Melissa Gilbert's interview (http://www.timelessspirit.com/MAR08/interview.shtml)

Ray Kent (http://www.timelessspirit.com/JAN08/ray.shtml)

Fasting 101 (http://www.timelessspirit.com/JAN08/tom.shtml)

oh and my blog... here (http://aleeshasrawlife.blogspot.com/)

[Santana]

Thank you all so much! Great information! I love it!

I just started (about a week or so ago) having at least 1 green smoothie a day. And if I miss a day, then its fine...but I would like to keep eating lots of greens and veggies.

Yes, a fruit cleanse...eating just fruit...I've never done it but it sounds a little better then some of the other fasts. I have never really been drawn to or wanted to fast, but I am either going to make peace with it and do it, or make myslef do it (which I probably won't do beacuse I think if I did that it wouldn't be a very pleasant experience), or not do one and just incorperate more greens, juices, and lemon drinks into my everyday living.

I used to (for about 2 to 3 years and just stopped a day ago) have meals plans; meaning; meal times like "5-6 small meals a day". But I decided that it's time to listen to my body and eat when and what my body wants to eat...oh what a RELIEF!

Hey, what are your experiences with raw coconut butter? The butter, not the oil. I have heard that the butter is hard on the liver...any experience or opinions on this?

Thank you! Peace, love, green smoothies, and great food to enjoy!

[Aleesha Sattva]

don't fast until you are drawn to fast...

fasting isn't just about not eating... it is sooooooooooooooooo much more than that.