Fasting for Appreciation

[lunabear]

I haven't really ever fasted to my knowledge. More than three years ago when I was just learning about whole foods and organic foods I tried the Master Cleanse and got very hungry and was overcome by nasty cravings. I do remember that when I finished it (it didn't seem to really help me detox, to my knowledge, although some stomach bloat disappeared) I remember appreciating food.

Appreciation is a powerful thing. I want to appreciate the little things in life (things that are really "the big things" for others elsewhere), to more fully love and empathize with other people, value having clean water to drink and a safe place to live -- things that we in America certainly take for granted.

I am not doing raw food just for the health benefits. Vanity initially motivated me to it (pimples, pimples! Poor me!) but both eliminating the fear of cancer hanging over my near future and empowering myself through eating have been an incredible lesson in my own power to HEAL MYSELF, not just physically, but also emotionally and spiritually.

So I want to fast to regain my sense appreciation. A water fast seems like it would be ideal, but I am not ready for that because, among other things, I have to work right now and I'm afraid I do not yet possess the self control to abstain from the food at work while on a water fast.... and you know, if you worry you "don't have the self control", then you probably don't, because the power of your own mind is very influential in transitioning to raw foods.

On another note, I also want to revitalize my senses. Today I made myself a tall glass of dandelion juice and tried to drink it straight. It was more bitter to me than a glass of crushed aspirin. I managed to get it down only with considerable whining and holding my nose (and swishing it around in the front part of my mouth, to help re-mineralize my teeth and numb my gag reflex). I had a strong feeling of accomplishment afterward, but at the same time it made me very sad to experience my tastebuds revolting against something as natural and beneficial as a glass of green juice. Our ancient green-eating ancestors would be so embarrassed!

But back to the spirit, it's important to recognize that eating a raw vegan diet is a privilege. There are approximately 1 billion people on this planet going hungry at any given time, it seems a trivial thing to complain about the taste of greens. At the same time, I didn't ask to be raised on a diet of junk food and meat, and I'm doing my best to make up for lost time.

Here's where you come in; I need some advice. I can't decide between a juice "feast" OR a green smoothie fast with mostly greens and little fruit (the fiber supposedly helps more than it does in juice form). I am not really sure which one to choose from, but my goal is to change the way by body thinks about greens -- and all food, for that matter. They say that there are spiritual side effects to eating raw food, but I haven't felt them yet, because I'm not sure I've been doing it properly. This seems like a good way to start over and get off on the right foot, and hopefully gain some perspective at the same time.

Merci,
Luna

[Aleesha Sattva]

only you can make this decision. which would you prefer to fast on? neither is 'better' for your body... what do you resonate with stronger in this moment?

[lunabear]

If I balance out greens with fruit then I can get the greens down. I made a spinach green smoothie today (with oranges and kiwi) that was very palatable. I drank the entire blender's worth throughout the day.

Green JUICES, however, are really hard for me. I need to dilute them well with a lot of fruit. I also hate looking at the pulp afterward -- fresh, raw, organic pulp, filled with its share of nutrients and fiber -- and feel really wasteful throwing it all out. I can't have a compost, unfortunately, because I live in a small apartment complex that forbids such things.

So green smoothies seem easier, in many ways. Is juicing more of a challenge, in a good way? Or is it an "unnecessary" challenge? It seems to me there are two sides to the debate: pro-juice and pro-smoothie. I want to commit, because I'll be doing it for two weeks this upcoming Monday.

[misslinda]

In a classsical physiological definition, water is fasting. Anything other than that, becomes a "modified" diet b/c the salivary glands are still being activated. For example, "juice fasting" is a juice diet. It's true that we must build up to what is tolerable and if it means doing a "juice fasting," that is great!

Smoothies, is still food therefore not definition of true fasting but I understand the modernized term it has become.

One thing to consider is what you really want to accomplish. I read your post about the emotional,mental and spiritual....and in my personal experience only, I have reached that in fasting. It is a beautiful place of self introspection and in classical fasting, the brain heals...thoughts,feeling,dreams,convictions,inner core values,memories, all are refined with more precision and clarity. Even at the cellular level.

In my personal opinion, because the body is adapting to being void of solids and shutting down the digestive system, would be wise to dillute any concentrated form of nutrient. In other words, juices ought to be dilluted. Myself, I always dilluted very limited type of juices and veer into water. Your own body and taste buds will signal you when it doesn't want a certain flavor and less of it as you get deeper into the cleansing process.

Dandelion is one of my favorite bitters. It definately should used sparingly b/c it stimulates bile and enhances appetite.

I had the pleasure and honor of doing a lenghty fast during 2007 and I started with 8-12 oz of dilluted juice spread out the day and by days 7-10 I was already craving more water. The dilluted juices were becoming to heavy and the body wanted more and more water.....Celery is one base I always use in the early stages of fasting for longevity. The dilluted juices were becoming to heavy and the body wanted more

It wouldn't hurt to modify your fasting program and include solids like smoothies. As the body becomes more cleaner and purer, you will naturally gravitate towards less concentrated taste.

Again, the beauty of fasting is in the language of the body without any logic. Start with what is right for you and progress into your path of fasting.