Fasting into 2011... come fast with the fellowship of fasters here at RFT!

[Aleesha Sattva]

Here's are the 'rules' of this thread:

Please do not discuss specific food. Feel free to share "My hubby was eating and it was hard for me." Please don't share "My hubby was eating X, Y and Z..."

The reason we do this is so no one ends up getting a craving from a fasting thread. As a faster we can choose to click on a thread which discusses food but we need the safety within this thread to know food is not discussed. Juices are shared, M/C is shared, green smoothie recipes are shared... but not 'chewable' food.

Please join us... by listening to our theme song (http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741). We all come together... from around the world to fast together and support each other. Please join us!

There is a great deal of info in this stickie (http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=62026). Please take a moment to read it.

And here is a thread (http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=61603) where we share our favourite recipes. If you haven't contributed yours, please do!

Here's my commitment:

I'm here to fast. I'm not here to eat. I will fast until I choose to stop but I will NOT stop my fast on a bad day, at night or today. I can choose to break my fast next week in the morning but not today.

I'm here to gain health.
I'm here to gift my body the time and energy to bring my body to a state of health.
I'm here to release - whatever needs to be released. Physical, emotional, conscious or unconscious out-moded things... I'm here to release them all.
I'm here to bring a greater depth to my spirituality.
I'm here to support myself and others.
I am here to continue to be mindful - focusing on this moment and not anticipating the next one.
I am here to share my experience and gain knowledge from what others share.

Today I'm on Day 196 and even though I've been having a hard time making a decision as to whether I'll continue fasting... I think I'm going to continue.

This is the "Fellowship of the Fasters" - unlike the LOTRs fellowship of nine, we are a fellowship of many. We welcome newcomers daily and embrace everyone no matter what they are fasting on or their personal beliefs.

Yes you can prefer green juices to fruit. Yes you can use agave instead of maple syrup or raw honey. Yes you can juice in your Vita-Mix and use a nut mylk bag to extract your juices.

We don't care how you fast... we want to support you... and in turn, we ourselves get supported... so please... join us!!!

Come on everyone.. join in the fun and grab your Elf, Dwarf, Hobbit or Human names for our "Fellowship of the Fasters"... you just make them up, it isn't from the book/movie. (if you want to participate) and put it in your signature line!

[Aleesha Sattva]

Okay so here we go folks... let's get our fasting shoes on!

Christmas day is here... and many new friends will be joining us - fasting into the new year. So let's all post and support each other.

I've been struggling with whether or not to continue my fast. I listed the reasons for and against and found that fear was the number one reason I didn't want to continue. So in an effort to release that out-moded reason... (cause what is there really to be afraid of???)... I'm going to push past the two hundred day mark... and move forward into the new year with a renewed zest for fasting.

(((hugs)))

[Aleesha Sattva]

Here's my blog post from today:

It's Christmas Day and in this house... it's just Saturday. We had our celebration earlier in the week. Hubby and son are both working today... at time and a half (yeah!!!) so my DD and I played a few games and I'm making the boys some homemade turkey soup for when they get home tonight. It's a huge pot so they'll be eating turkey soup for many many days!

As you all know I've really been struggling with whether or not to continue fasting. I did a reading for myself this morning... and it pretty much said, "It's all mental... ". So in other words... there's no physical reason why I should or shouldn't continue fasting. It's purely a mental struggle that I'm facing.

I posted my confusion on facebook and a dear friend (who brings me so much clarity) asked me for the reasons for and against continuing my fast. I found that fear was my number one reason as to why I should not continue. Day two hundred scares the crap outta me. I'm really wondering why it's scaring me so much? I think it's cause... HOLY CRAP BATMAN... TWO HUNDRED DAYS OF FASTING??? SERIOUSLY??? - I think that's it. LOL It just seems soooooooooooooooooooo long to fast. There seems to be this blockage for me... this wall. So... in my usual way - I figure I need to push through this wall and see what's on the other side! Cause really folks... fear? Like that's a good reason to stop doing anything!

When I fear something... I do what I can to get over it (except heights... I have no desire to get over that fear - ever!). I was afraid of spiders and snakes... so I got pet tarantulas and pet snakes... now I'm no longer afraid of them. That's who I am. Put an obstacle in front of me, show me a blockage and I find a way to overcome it. It's ingrained in my DNA somewhere I'm sure... cause I just have to move forward. Stagnation is totally not my thing!

So I'm thinking that I need to just take this fast minute by minute... literally. Assisting my Self to move gently past the two hundred day mark and into the days that follow. Gently escorting my Self into this unchartered territory and embracing whatever comes with it.

I may change it up a bit... I may do a blended fast for a few days... I may water fast... we'll see what I do when I do it. Perhaps easing up a bit (with blended smoothies) or going deeper (with water) may assist me to transition into this new set of numbers. Cause really... it's just numbers. It's nothing more, nothing less. Just a number. This entire fast has been one number after another. Day one came before two and day four came after day three. It's just how it's done. Why this particular number scares me is really beyond me... I'm not sure what it is about it... but I am ready, willing and able to gently walk my Self past it and stand tall... looking out towards the horizon and seeing what these new days bring me.

I'm here... holding out my hand... hoping someone takes it and is willing to walk beside me. Cause I am afraid. I do feel a lot of fear... and I don't really want to be alone.

I know I am alone... cause I don't know of anyone who has fasted this long and written about it... but at the same time... you don't have to be fasting to support me. So please... gift me some support. (((hugs))) I am in need. I am I am I am.

in light,
Aleesha

[missyc]

You know I'll support you, Aleesha! And tomorrow I am starting another fast that will hopefully go at least 3 days. I'm not going to push myself if I can't do it, but I got thru 2 days just fine this past week and I think I need to keep adding on.

I am so over the food today! DH and I both feel hungover from food! I am soooo looking forward to juice again tomorrow.

We have some snow on the ground here. Not much so far, but we may have a few inches by morning.

We had a good Christmas and now we are sitting here watching movies with our earthing mats and DH has his new air ionizer going in the living room. Yes, we are a little bit on the healthy side! lol... I'm glad I got what I needed for juice in case it snowed so now I don't have to worry if we can't go anywhere tomorrow.

[Aleesha Sattva]

i love the way you two live!!! (((hugs)))

i'm off to make some tom juice for myself... taking this step by step... moment by moment... feeling the fear and doing it anyway! thanks for walking beside me miss... i love having your support!

[missyc]

We do have quite the healthy toys around here! lol... I also got DH a Lafuma Evolution zero gravity recliner that is quite amazing for relaxing in. I got just the right color so it looks good in the living room. He'll be able to take it out on the deck in the summer to relax in the sun. We use to have an inversion table, which I sometimes wish we still had, but 2 years ago I spent Christmas Day in the emergency room with a severe case of vertigo so I couldn't use it after that and DH got to where he didn't use it much so he sold it to a UPS driver. :D It was pretty neat though.

No need to be afraid, Aleesha. I am holding your hand as you walk into and beyond the 200th day! When you feel afraid, just hold my hand tighter. As my late DH use to say about things like this "It ain't nothin' but a thang!" That's all it is... :);)

[GoodCat]

I'm here precious... You can do this. Its just a number...right?? You will be so happy once you are on the other side of 200.. Keep going.. one day at a time.....one day....

I haven't been around much. I'm very sleep deprived and my adrenals are shot. My two little girls have whooping cough. After trying for over a week of natural means and them waking up every hour at night not being able to catch their breath, I finally got them on anti-biotics. We are still waking up every hour, but I'm hopeful (at least trying to be) that it will get better soon.
It can be very fearful to see your little ones like that.

Anyway, I would love to do a fast. I really feel my body needs it. But I'm going to wait a few more days until I see an improvement in my kiddos and I can get into some kind of normal routine again.

But I'm here precious... you aren't alone :cool:

Cathy :D

[missyc]

Cathy- I am so sad your kids are sick. I hope they are better soon and that you will be able to get the rest you need.

[RawHealthyBeauty]

Aleesha, I am here for you too!! I gift you support and love for you to pass this wall and see what's on the other side.

Have you made a list of why you might fear of passing 200 just because just to get to the bottom of this. You are nearing your goal that you set at some point awhile back which is 222 and is it fear of being sucessful? or something else? I do read Louise L. Hay, and pretty much the bottom line for fear or any other problem comes down to is not feeling good enough for........fill in the blank.

You are more than good enough to pass the 200 mark on this fast if that is what your heart truly desire to do!!!

And this quote always helps me, perfect love has no fear. Love yourself for doing so well on this fast and love yourself for wanting to continue if you do.

I'm here for ya for sure my friend to past the 200 mark!!!

[ReneeH]

(((((HUGS)))))) What an inspiration you are!!! I feel so comforted knowing that you'll be holding my hand in a week when I start my fast!!!! Thank you for your support! I'm SO here for you!!!

So, You just pull up those Big Girl Bloomers and keep fighting your fears! It's funny, we are alike in that, for some reason, turning the Big "40" next scares the smoothie outta me!!!! But, it's JUST a number, right.... (gulp...)

:note to self...come back and visit this thread next year when I'm "trippin'":

[GoodCat]

Thank you missy.... thank you!!

:D

[Aleesha Sattva]

Lady Aredhel, allopathic medicine has it's place... and it sounds like your children are in a place where it is needed. I'm sending loving healing vibes their way. (and resting vibes your way)...

Menelwen, "It ain't nothin' but a thang!" - I love that!!! And it ain't nothing but a thang... nothing at all.

Lady Winday, it's not a fear of success or failure as I don't view this fast as being either of those... (and my goal is actually longer than 222 days so that's not part of this at all). I really think it's just the enormity of this... I am humbled by the number and in fear of it at the same time. I am going to just walk beside all you beautiful ladies (and of course my brother bear)... hold your hands and do this. Cause I can do it. I can. (pep talking myself here).

Perfect love has no fear. Love yourself for doing so well on this fast and love yourself for wanting to continue if you do.

I love that. Thank you!!!

Renee, I've got on my polka dot big girl panties... hiked up to my navel... and I'm doing this. So glad to have you here with me!

I want you all to know... I so appreciate the fact that I can be real here. I can be honest when I'm struggling, I can share my thoughts. I don't have to be strong... I can just be me. Thank you for accepting me with all my faults, all my weaknesses and all my shortcomings. (((hugs))) It's nice to have a safe place to rest...

[Aleesha Sattva]

Now that we've had a love-fest... let's all state our commitments! :)

[nadien alexandra]

My MY My, what have we here? a bunch of juice drinking, water guzzling warriors.

aleesha, you inspire me so goddamn much.

I can't NOT support you.

I am so inspired that I am JOINING you, starting tomorrow.

I am so sick of all this food business. I am so sick of watching people in my life be such a victim to all this food business.

Fear is the only thing that has stopped me in the past. fear and, giving in to my own weak desires.
Me thinking "oh, it'll be hard to fast over the holidays." when really, I was thinking "man, i'd sure like some grub over the christmas holidays. and, geez what a shame it'd be to go without"

but what a beautiful time for growth (and rowth comes from moving away from the "norm". challenging the SELF)!


I AM IN!


I am here to gain strength
I am here to see how strong I can really be.
I am here to become more enlightened and more beautiful.
I am here to become purer, and cleaner.
I am here to support everyone who strives for something more than what we are USED to.
I am here to find Peace of Mind.

[nadien alexandra]

I was just doing a lot of thinking, and i realized that I have really not given myself enough.

I deserve better.

I deserve a real long fast that I KNOW I am capable of. I am capable of so much, but how will I know unless I REACH for it?

Thank you, everyone, who has shown me what one is capable of, whether it is, a ten day juice fast, a 50 day water fast, or a 200 day all encompassing fast!

I am SOOOOOO in.

[Aleesha Sattva]

now that's what i'm talking about!!! YOU are rawkin' it nadien. you are rawkin' it!!!

i think it's about time you picked your fellowship name/identity... come on, you know you wanna... *smiling*

i'm sitting here thinking... i am totally going to treat myself tomorrow. i am driving to the juice bar and ordering myself a litre of OJ... freshly squeezed. that's what i'm going to do!!! cause i deserve a nice treat!!!

[nadien alexandra]

awww, yes. gift yourself.

okay. i am going to think about this name tonight.

i hope it will coem to me in my sleeeep.

speaking of which. Goodnight!

[Aleesha Sattva]

mmmm fresh oj... i'm so excited about this!

sleep well nadien! :)

[1skinnygal]

Hi Everyone. I joined this site many months ago, but had stopped eating raw. I guess you could say I kinda fell off the wagon....big-time. But one of my favorite lines from The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho is "the secret of life is to fall down seven times and to get up eight."

So I'm getting up. And I'm committing myself to a fast. I want to reconnect with my body, my mind and my spirit. I have 40 days in mind and would ideally like to see myself go the entire 40 days, but I'm going to commit to being present enough to listen to my body and its needs. I'm going to take things one day at a time, and just put one foot in front of the other until I get there.

I want to lose weight. But that's not all. I also want to move deeper into my spirituality, to release some things and people from my life and welcome some other things and people into my life. But most of all, I want to change my relationship with food, how and why I (over)eat. This is an extremely internal and private process for me--with the exception of my daughter, who is home from college for the holidays, I'm not sharing it with any immediate friends or relatives. I only live with my daughter so that part of it simple enough. I'm grateful to have this community of people who are on the same journey as a support network. Thank all of you for your posts and for sharing your successes and your struggles. They have inspired me. I'm not sure I would have made it to the decision to begin and Day 1 without this site.

I look forward to sharing the details of this fasting journey with you guys.

Namaste.

p.s. I have a couple of questions about the M/C:
1. What are the best types of laxative teas to use?
2. Is the SWF really necessary?

[Aleesha Sattva]

welcome! i can't advise you on the M/C as i don't do them.

i'm here... ready, willing and able to walk another day of this journey with a smile on my face and my hands joined with you all. (((support)))

*smiling*

[beckyh]

Hello All!

I am ready to start doing a fast. I am not sure which one I want to do. I am a little nervous, and scared! So Alessha, I will hold your hand if you will hold my hand?! :)

I need to do this cleanse because even though I have been eating raw for almost 3 mnths, I feel this addiction to food. Everytime I go in the kitchen I want to eat.

I also know that I have a Candida problem, I thought I had gotten rid of it, but I think that it is back. I also have a HUGE addiction to banans, and I know that I really shouldn't be eating them because of my yeast problem. My stomach is very bloated, and on a lot of days I am tired. I do have a thyroid problem but I am on natural meds for that. I want to become a stronger person, I want to connect with my body, my spirit, and my soul. I want to release some inner things that are going on with me. Especially my thinking that I have to be perfect and everything I do has to be perfect. I also want to get closer to God.

Thank you so much for this website! I am so excited to be able to go to some place that is safe and non judgemental!

I am not sure how many days I am going to do this cleanse. I do have one question, I want someone to hold me accountable to doing this. I know for myself I need someone to be accountable to in the beginning. I will admit I am a little needy, and I am hoping after this cleanse I won't be anymore. I do know that I want to do the cleanse for at least 10 days.

Again thank you for all the love and support on this site! You all ROCK!:)

Becky!(((HUGS)))

[nadien alexandra]

tryingtogoraw...
I think you came to the right place! a fast would be so good for you.

Maybe do a green juice fast?? that way, no excess fruit sugars, but still some nice healing greens that will boost your energy levels. ...
also, I will be here, and hold you accountable. I don't have all the answers, but I have a big heart full of empathy! Feel free to even send me personal messages on my blog. I understand a lot of the issues one might have surrounding food. Everyone around me is fighting similar battles (or not fighting). I have fought similar battles, and fight them still. But here's the wonderful thing; the more I cleanse myself of old thought patterns, through fasting, through awareness and acceptance, the stronger and purer I become.
The easier it becomes. You WILL be lighter soon. All it takes is you exercising your will to power.



I am really excited about this current path! today i have had lemon water. water. water. water. water. warm water. blueberry juice.

i am going to watch Harry Potter.

and... STILL thinking about that name. ;)

[Aleesha Sattva]

becky, a fast sounds like a good idea for ya. i wouldn't start a fast without doing some research though... knowledge is power and you want/need to be empowered when fasting. it's an important aspect of it. that way... you will find your own personal power as well and it sounds to me like you need to find some of that as well. (((hugs)))

so read the stickie in this section and do some research on juice fasting, juice feasting, M/C and water fasting - even green smoothie feasting although i doubt that would be a good choice for you considering you want to move away from bananas and that's a big part of GS.

i just got home. most of the stores were closed today. how weird... boxing day and nothing open. ??? so i didn't get any candles as none were on sale... but i did get my freshly squeezed OJ... i'm very pleased about that!

:D

[beckyh]

Nadine, Thank you for your words of encouragement! I will be talking to you soon!

Aleesha, Thank you for your advice. I will read the sticky's and do some research before I begin in January. I have a whole week to figure out which one I want to do. I definitely think a smoothies are out because of the bananas. How do I know that I am getting good information about fasting online? I know that the information on here is good and honest, but I want to make sure that what I am reading on line is good also. Thank you again! This place is the best!!:)

[soaringeagle925]

Aleesha, I have so much respect for you. I know I don't post all the time, but every time I do you're here, with incredible advice, and being amazing.... and if I can in any way support you, please know I'm here. :)

I'm also going to feast... not sure for how long, but today was day #1. I'll do at least 3 days, maybe 10, maybe 30, maybe 92.

It was funny... I was playing with my oracle cards and asked for some information on if the fast was a good idea. I pulled 3 cards - manifestation, signs, and body care.

As I picked up the "signs" card to look at the picture, I realized the "healing" card was stuck underneath it.

Can't get much more of a sign than that, right? ;)

I have the house to myself for a week as my boyfriend is out of town. If I decide to go on longer than a week I'll already be super-in-flow, which'll be great, and there'll be no pressure to get off once I see food.

I've done a 5 day and a 7 day fast before, but never anything longer. Right now I just want to concentrate on getting past the first 3 days, then I'll think about long term strategy. :)

[mysticshore]

I'm not fasting at the moment but just wanted to pop in and congradulate you Aleesha. 200 days will be a amazing achievment. Good luck if you decide to keep going. I love coming on here and reading everyone's threads. More fasting power to you all.

[Aleesha Sattva]

hey mystic (((hugs))) thanks for your congratulations. *smiling*

bette, here's some good links for ya:

http://www.freedomyou.com/fasting_book/juice%20fasting.htm

and here:

http://www.soilandhealth.org/02/0201hyglibcat/020127shelton.III/020127.toc.htm

and then the stickie (http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=62026) at the top of this section... that'll get you started.

rachel, if that's not a sign... i don't know what is! LOL

had a great day today... looking forward to tomorrow!!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

fasting fasting fasting... we are happy fasters... fasting fasting fasting faaaaaaaasting!

*just singing while i sit here... waiting for others to chime in...*


fasting fasting fasting... we are happy fasters... fasting fasting fasting faaaaaaaasting!

[nadien alexandra]

ah good energy!

I've had a nice day of sitting in the sun and sewing things.

I have had a lot of cravings come up.

that makes this fast even MORE important.

I am having conflicting feelings right now.. I want to be with people I care about, close friends, family, boyfriend, but I also just want to be alone for a while, spend time walking and listening and being silent.
I know it'll affect my relationships if I avoid everyone, but i also know that I am not strong enough to properly detox in the presence of social activity.

what to do..... ?

EITHER WAY, and most importantly, I am HERE, FASTING and I'm a really HAPPY FASTER too! :P

[Aleesha Sattva]

i find that when i need space... it's best to gift me that space.

if the people in my life don't understand... then it's time for them to step away. during this fast... my best friend decided she didn't want to be my friend anymore... cause i was being hermetic. i see it as a blessing. if i can't take ME time... then how can i give myself to others in a healthy way?

so i always take me time... whenever i'm in need of some. i find though that the Universe usually gifts it to me. for example: when this friend left my life... my hubby was out of town helping my mom's hubby for two weeks... so i was without a car... fasting... at home. lots of long walks in the sunshine was just what i needed. time alone... time with the kids... it was such a gift. (((hugs))) such a gift.

[nadien alexandra]

ah, you are right. :)

and you know, I re-affirm this thought in others all the time, that they must make time to be with themselves, to turn inwards for frequent re-tunings. or, we are NOT our best brightest selves, and we can NOT help others with up to date, calm, clarity.

I am taking this in. I am gifting myself time.

I am sorry to hear about your friend. perhaps this means that she herself, has not been gifting herself enough alone time.
if one understands the necessity and benefits of such a thing, one can accept and make room for others who wish to take this time

[Aleesha Sattva]

i'm not sad over the friendship ending anymore. i was... but then i realized it was for the best... as i believe everything happens for the best. always a silver lining in everything if you look for it!

my silver lining was freedom. *smiling*

i love growing, changing... i thrive on it. i embrace it. i welcome it!!!

[EternityRider]

So in an effort to release that out-moded reason... (cause what is there really to be afraid of???)... I'm going to push past the two hundred day mark... and move forward into the new year with a renewed zest for fasting.

(((hugs)))

Aleesha - I have an account of a long juice fast. I have the book somewhere in the house, (How to Keep Slim, Healthy and Young With Juice Fasting - Airola), I'll have to check.

ER/BB/FG

[beckyh]

Aleesha, you are such an inspiration to me! I love how you embrace change, and love it. I have a hard time with change.

I wanted to ask if those links you posted were for me? They said bette, but I think it was a typo, so I just wanted to make sure it was for me.

Thanks Aleesha
Becky

[Aleesha Sattva]

yes they were for you :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

thanks brother bear... let me know if you find it please!!!

i'm off... later folks

[beckyh]

So I was wondering how much produce I should buy for doing a juice fast? Right now my goal is to do a week, even though I really want to do more. But I know that some produce doesn't have a long shelf life, so I was just wondering what would be a good amount to buy for. Thanks!

[lizbar]

I am embarking on my 4th master cleanse. I have done 10and 7 day's in the past, but I am setting my goal for 21 or longer. :eek:.
I want to do a juice feast, but must wait till my bday in March for my new GREENSTAR ELITE :D.
I can't use my breville for that because it is way too wasteful and I also wanted to start sprouting wheatgrass to add to my juices.
I want to do the mc for January, mostly raw for Feb and the juice feast in march.
would love to have some master cleanse friends or juicing friends!!
I am going to start Sunday, January 2, 2011!!!!!!!!!
New Year, New Me!!
Liz

[NYbutterfly]

Aloha, fellowship of the fasters! I am ready to join! I was going to wait until new years day, but why wait when I can gift myself a juice fast right now?! I am currently ill equipped... nothing but holiday leftovers in the fridge, and I'm devastated to say there isn't any produce :eek: So after work tonight I'll go to the store, stock up, and begin the journey re-store my health and happiness. Don't know how long... ideally I want to go for the entire month of January, but really it's just one day at a time, I've learned. Oh I can't wait to get started, I can taste the juice on my lips just thinking about it!

I've missed this fellowship dearly and am so glad to be back!

[soaringeagle925]

Yay NYButterfly!!

Day 2 is going great here. I've got to say, I really made it inevitable that I succeed. I work from home so I can go relax whenever I want, and our normal raw food chef is just making me juices this week... so I don't have to worry about making anything myself.

Even yesterday, I just went to the co-op and got 128 ounces worth of juice.

I am so thankful for my environment making it this easy for me!

I'm going to try my hand at rebounding in a bit... shake up that lymph system! I've been reading JuiceFeasting.com with my iPad in bed... yet another awesome tool that makes this way way way easy for me. WOoooHoo! :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

Lady Laka... (((hugs))) it's so nice to be fasting with you again. I've missed your beautiful spirit.

trying... it depends on what you are fasting on as to what you are going to buy. we can't really help you when we don't know what you are doing LOL

rachel, isn't it beautiful when you state your intention and providence begins to move in ways it never would have... to support you. i loooove that.

well i've had a very busy morning. sorry i was so short this morning in my posting... had to run out with hubby to get some parts for some equipment he's working on (doesn't that sound lovely... he's working!!!) and he's off to do an overtime shift to get the machine fixed. turns out... no one at the mountain knows anything about hydraulics and my hubby is like a PHD in hydraulics. you can imagine how thrilled they are to have him on board! it's all he's done since he started last week... fixing all the hydraulic systems on everything... and it's all hydraulics!!! i wonder why they never bothered to hire/look for a specialist before this??? anyway, his bosses are thrilled to have him on board.

i'm finishing up my tomatoes today and then... i'm water fasting. i want to bring in day two hundred in a deep way... i've done some blended juices for the last couple of days... and my body is saying "get that outta me!" so i'm back to just straight strained juices today and then to water tomorrow. YIPPPEEEE. i am taking care of the two little ones that i used to babysit on monday next week, so i'll break it for the day so i can keep up with them LOL and then i'm hoping to go back to water for a bit.

i'll go till i have zero energy, then i'll switch it up... unless zero energy is working for me at the time. just taking this moment by moment. you know me... i'm not into suffering so if it gets to be too much... i'll go back to juice.

i'm so excited. really wanted to start water today but i should use these super expensive toms up first. they cost me $24 for a flat... i usually pay $9.50! so i don't wanna waste them.

i'm soooooooooo hyped up for this... soooooooo excited... having you all beside me... walking with me is HUGE for me... thank you all for joining me. i love ya! (((hugs)))

where's my sister aredhel??? i need her hand... *reaches out for her*

[GoodCat]

Awww... I'm here **takes her sisters hand**..... I'm still taking care of these little ones. They're still getting up almost every hour with breathing issues, but I know it will pass.

I am wanting to do a fast. So is my hubby. We're thinking of starting on the 3rd when he gets paid and we can buy a ton of produce :) I think it will be good timing.
I would love to be fasting with all of you wonderful fasters in this wonderful fellowship!!

~The Lady Aredhel~ :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

(((hugs her sister)))

(((hugs her again)))

*smiles and holds her hand as she cares for her little ones... *

sending love and light to you all...

[beckyh]

I have been reading on here that when you ladies go out and by your produce you buy a lot of it. So I want to do a juice feast, and I am know that I want to do a lot of green juices....so I am just trying to gage about how much I should buy. I am not sure if I should just buy a bunch of different produce, but I also have limited fridge space, so I don't want things to go to waste. Also is it ok to buy baby spinch that comes in the tubes, or should I buy the big leaves of spinach. I am not sure what kind of juices I am going to do, or how many since this is my first time doing a juice fast.

I also am wondering if some of you go to the store two and three times a week to get the produce that you need. Thanks!

[Aleesha Sattva]

i go whenever i need more LOL

baby spinach in the plastic bins - the organic stuff is GREAT. definitely buy that. to make it last longer... open it and put a tea towel in the bin. it'll absorb the excess moisture.

be sure to get about 10 pounds of apples... and/or carrots.
get ginger and/or garlic too.

parsley is great in juices. so one bunch will suffice.

cucumber/celery... get some of those. two of each perhaps?

when you run out... go get more. that's all i can tell you. i don't know how much space if "limited space"... so you'll have to judge how much you can get. i have three fridges in my kitchen one is only for juicing items so i have heaps of space! i can always take over another fridge (which i've done with my grapefruits and oranges)...

[Aleesha Sattva]

I am embarking on my 4th master cleanse. I have done 10and 7 day's in the past, but I am setting my goal for 21 or longer. :eek:.
I want to do a juice feast, but must wait till my bday in March for my new GREENSTAR ELITE :D.
I can't use my breville for that because it is way too wasteful and I also wanted to start sprouting wheatgrass to add to my juices.
I want to do the mc for January, mostly raw for Feb and the juice feast in march.
would love to have some master cleanse friends or juicing friends!!
I am going to start Sunday, January 2, 2011!!!!!!!!!
New Year, New Me!!
Liz

i moved your post into this thread like you requested!!! welcome!!! (((hugs)))

[EternityRider]

thanks brother bear... let me know if you find it please!!!

i'm off... later folks

Page 14: 249 days on a juice fast.

"At the Stobhill General Hospital in Glasgow, Scotland, fasting was clinically tested with marvelous results. One 54-year-old woman with a painful arthritic condition and grossly overweight, was put on a liquid fast for 249 days and lost 74 of her 262 pounds. As a pleasant "side-effect", her arthritis cleared up completely, too!"

[Aleesha Sattva]

ya i've found stuff like that ... on many places on the internet. it's a journal of the experience (like i'm doing here and in more detail in my private blog) that i'm looking for.

[EternityRider]

p.s. I have a couple of questions about the M/C:
1. What are the best types of laxative teas to use?
2. Is the SWF really necessary?

Hi SG,

Here's a quote I just got from one website:

Herbal laxative tea can be prepared using numerous ingredients. These ingredients are actually laxative herbs, the herbs that are very easy on the digestive system and will boost the metabolism. Most common herbal laxative teas are made of laxative herbs like senna, barley, licorice roots, buckthorn bark and such laxative herbal medicines.

Cascara is not recommended as it is well-known to be an irritant to the digestive tract. And during fasting, we are more sensitive to such things.

Also, senna.. you want to be careful with that, as it is very powerful. Once I took Ehret's herbal laxative tablets, which had won me no small torture-time on the toilet. The extreme stinging in the derriere is not a memory soon to be forgotten.

I've never done the MC, personally, but I've known others who have. And I do have the book. At the MC website, they insist the SWF is really necessary. That's because the SWF is considered an integral component of the MC.

In my view, the main case for the SWF is the exceptionally strong detergent action of lemon juice. But, other than that, the MC isn't hugely different from other forms of fasting. And as with many things, you can try it both ways and see if you notice any difference.

[soaringeagle925]

Day 2 is just about done... I'm going to go meditate, read, and play Scrabble upstairs. :)

How do we know when we're releasing toxins? I had one bowel movement today and yesterday, and will be getting colonics Tues-Sat (I know how you feel about them Aleesha, just thinking it can help speed things up... and my body's definitely resonating with that)...

I had a little bit of a bloody nose today, too...

Not really a lot of light-headedness though (not like I used to have) and I'm drinking at least 50% greens on all of my drinks.

Thank you very very much for any answers you may have!

[Aleesha Sattva]

oh i don't care if you have colonics, enemas etc. doesn't bother me at all... LOL not my body... it's yours. your decision... your choice...

i support you in whatever you choose to do. i just simply share my knowledge (or lackthereof) and leave it up to you to choose. :)

i am sooooooooo looking forward to water fasting tomorrow - i can't wait!!! well i guess i'm kinda there now right? cause i'm done having anything today... so it's water from now on baby... water water lovely lovely water!

*my precious... it's what i needs... you knows it... you feels it too... i wants it... *

[NYbutterfly]

Hi soaring eagle - I think everyone feels the toxins release in different ways. Speaking from my own experiences, it is always the days that I feel completely exhausted, wiped out, literally dragging my feet, and super thirsty. I feel so pooped that even my speech slurs in a lazy kind of way. Then the next day, I feel fantastic and energetic and usually weigh in a few lbs lighter. This tends to be a pattern, happening every 4 days or so. Sometimes I get headaches (withdrawal?) and nausea. I get so excited when I release toxins... just knowing that my body is reacting well to the juice fast!

Good luck, and congrats on day 2!

[Aleesha Sattva]

rachel, when you release toxins you feel it... you'll know it when it comes. it can manifest as a headache, body ache, organ ache... listless, exhausted, grumpy, cranky, downright obnoxious LOL ... you can cry...

detox is an amazing thing. you don't just detox your physical body... you detox your emotions, your house, your life... your relationships... sometimes even your "look"... it's a very cool journey. be open and willing and who knows what the Universe will bring you!

[EternityRider]

Been out much of the day, missing this fun fasting fellowship. I look forward to getting to know you all.

[Aleesha Sattva]

you know meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeee http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x87/recyclinggoddess/10_15_10.gif

[soaringeagle925]

@NYButterfly and Aleesha -

Hmm, that makes sense, though I wonder, how is a headache releasing anything? It's still in my body, isn't it? I'm not getting it out with a "cough" or an elimination or anything... you know?

I just don't understand. :)

I definitely am excited and embrace any toxin release... I'm just not sure if it's happening yet.

Also... my main reason for doing this is because I've started uncovering things I had been blocking out for 20+ years. I know the next step in my evolution is to start releasing all these repressed emotions about some severe traumas in my life.

That being said, weight loss is a nice side benefit. I'm not weighing myself or anything because I don't want to make it a big thing, BUT by eyesight, I don't seem to have lost anything (on day 3 now). If my body isn't changing, does that mean that my toxins haven't left yet? Could this be my subconscious working hard to "help" me not come to terms with all the stuff I've blocked out? (The last two things I remembered could be extremely traumatizing to most people. I haven't even repeated what the last one was to anyone... I can't even write it.)

Thank you guys very much!

[Aleesha Sattva]

your headache is your body reacting to the toxins being released.

here's my advice to you. do lots of research and trust. trust your body that it knows what it's doing. your job is this... provide it with clean water, freshly made juices (or M/C if that's what you are doing)... try to remain as calm and stress-free as possible. get plenty of rest... and just allow your body to do what it knows how to do.

after all... your body knows how to make another human being! it knows what it's doing. just get out of it's way and let it do it's thing!

i'm awake and soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited. not ONLY is it day one hundred and ninety-nine! but... i'm water fasting. i'm so thrilled. so thrilled.

i'm ready, willing and able to do whatever needs doing to get out of my body's way so it can heal, cleanse, release and grow.
i'm here... lovin' my Self. lovin' my life. lovin' this journey.
***smiling***

[GoodCat]

200 is right around the corner precious... you knows you wants it.... you knows you needs it..... you knows you can't wait :cool:

My girlies did better last night. They only got up 2-3 times with the breathing issues. So I'm hopeful we are finally going in the right direction.

I'm giving them (and all the family) lots of fresh juices through out the day. Trying to build up their immune systems.

So I'm sitting here drinking some carrot/celery juice as I type, and looking forward to this day.

in Light,
~The Lady Aredhel~ :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

mmmmm carrot celery! Are you giving them lots of greens in their juices? berries are good for fighting the flu (so I've read...)

*i knows i wants it... i knows i wants it NOW... i KNOWS i wants it NOW NOW NOW*

[GoodCat]

I don't have alot of greens on hand, but I do add in what I can. I do have berries :rolleyes: They are getting lots of raw foods and so that is good.

Yes...yes... precious... I knows you to well.....

:D

[Aleesha Sattva]

*i needs it now... patience is not a virtue i want to experience rights nows... cause i wants it... i needs it... NOW!!!*

[soaringeagle925]

Congratulations on Day 199!! That's AWESOME!!!

You have a great point, I'll try not to be so on top of everything.

And I'm doing a juice feast... drinking yummy celery, grapefruit, and apple as we speak. :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

here's my advice to you. do lots of research and trust. trust your body that it knows what it's doing. your job is this... provide it with clean water, freshly made juices (or M/C if that's what you are doing)... try to remain as calm and stress-free as possible. get plenty of rest... and just allow your body to do what it knows how to do.

after all... your body knows how to make another human being! it knows what it's doing. just get out of it's way and let it do it's thing!



knowledge is empowering! so don't stop seeking knowledge... i'm simply suggesting you also choose to trust at the same time. :)

as for your memories... it's probably best you don't share them here - you don't want to trigger anyone else. a blog is a great way to share and get things out (cause writing is so healing)... (((hugs)))

[EternityRider]

Aleesha - you make me want to fast 200 days. Amazing, after all these years, sooner or later, it always comes back to fasting.

Has your body weight held steady, or did you continue to lose? I know that in the past you've said that the weight has not always dropped with juice fasts.. at least not continually. And, of course, we know about those bmr plateaus. My thought is that cutting the sugars down and upping the exercise, like brisk morning walks, would certainly break the barrier. And for instance, lemon juice with less sweetener, or diluting juices, would be a good way to go. Thoughts?

[Aleesha Sattva]

I never suggest diluting juices... I'd just up your water ;) I have found that for me, (you are right) juice fasting only releases weight for the first 21 days approx. Then I plateau. Water fasting brings my weight down though. I've released 50 pounds on this fast... and I'm hoping to release another 20ish... I can certainly release that much without getting too thin... cause I still have tummy and thigh fat to let go of.

Here's what I'd suggest (depending on what medications you are on Brother Bear)... Add in a day of water once to three times max a week. Just one day then back to juices. On the water days... nothing but water, water and more water. Nothing else. You can do less water if your body doesn't want much... but it's just water. This tends to get your body into the cycle of changing up your metabolism (cause it's truly amazing how quick our bodies know to change it)... and you'll release more weight this way.

I just had a lovely bath. Shaved my legs! I feel all silky smooth now. It's the only time soap ever touches my body... and my skin dislikes it a lot but nothing else seems to work for me. I dislike shaving with coconut oil... anyone have any other ideas? I'm open to trying something natural and new (to me).

I've had a few litres of water today. I can feel my body already slowing down on the desire for it. This usually happens around day three for me but honestly... my body knew it was water fasting when I woke up. I took my triphela first thing and got heartburn because of it. I never get heartburn from them... but I knew my body was saying "Um... we are water fasting, what the heck was THAT???"

*giggling*... so I'm in the zone folks... I'm just floating along on my back staring at the beautiful bountiful sky!

[EternityRider]

Aleesha - Thanks for the great response. I am a big believer in water fasting. I'm just not there yet. Too many old toxins are lodged in my members. This would require lots of bedrest, which isn't an option for me presently. So it's the slow train for me.

Eventually I'll get there. One med will completely vanish from my life (for high blood pressure) which is a complete aberration of a human body. I never had this problem before the bear bloat started in. (Too many bee hives & hibernation, I guess.:-)

[Aleesha Sattva]

that's why i suggested one day... cause one day doesn't knock you on your butt... it's the days beyond that that do.

day one... you are happily living off the 'stuff' from the day before... ;)

but you know your body way better than i do. how about water fasting till 2pm? just one to three times per week max.

[EternityRider]

how about water fasting till 2pm? just one to three times per week max.

I like it. :p

[soaringeagle925]

If I were to juice "feast" until 2pm every day, then eat normal food after... would I theoretically get half the affect of the feasting?

Or no, since my digestion would start back up and down, up and down?

Probably not, eh.

Had a few not stellar thoughts today, but overall I'm trucking along. I'll obviously make it to the end of today, which was my first goal (3 days) and then I'm trying to decide if I want to continue past that!

[beckyh]

Hey Aleesha, I don't know how to quote just certain things in a post...so you were saying about shaving your legs, have you tried aloe vera gel? It works great! :D

[green jeanie]

I started with some MC action yesterday

quick question!

What do you guys thinking about mixing fasts. I find that MC is better for me when i have long work days but i am thinking about a juice after hot yoga tonight..............

[EternityRider]

If I were to juice "feast" until 2pm every day, then eat normal food after... would I theoretically get half the affect of the feasting? Or no, since my digestion would start back up and down, up and down?

Eagle - I used to call this "day fasting", though in this case, maybe "day feasting", if you like. I think it's a wonderful idea. I used to go til 5pm or so. It may not be easy to maintain, depending on the person. The on-off approach could take more discipline, or compartmentalizing, so to speak.

"Unity of moral action" is a very old term for being united within, in purpose, attitude, effort, motive - basically your whole being on board in one direction, with little or no compromise. But.. again, not everyone is the same in terms of the discipline. If you can maintain this, by all means do so, if full time fasting or feasting is not practical right now.

As for the effect, in my view, any benefit will be retained, as long as it's not a feast-binge-feast-binge scenario. And, any feasting/fasting at all, is still building history -- useful for practice, acclimating the body, and milestones to look back upon for encouragement.

[EternityRider]

I started with some MC action yesterday

quick question!

What do you guys thinking about mixing fasts. I find that MC is better for me when i have long work days but i am thinking about a juice after hot yoga tonight..............

GJ - Your body will thank you for any fasting at all. Personally, I think your idea is great. I know some naysayers out there like to split hears, major on minors and say that by mixing programs they lose their effectiveness. But that's rigid thinking, a bit like saying that some exercise is good, but other kinds are no good, or not beneficial in combination. There's no real conflict here. The MC essentially IS juice, but with maple or agave, and cayenne. It's all good. Enjoy!

[soaringeagle925]

Eagle - I used to call this "day fasting", though in this case, maybe "day feasting", if you like. I think it's a wonderful idea. I used to go til 5pm or so. It may not be easy to maintain, depending on the person. The on-off approach could take more discipline, or compartmentalizing, so to speak.

"Unity of moral action" is a very old term for being united within, in purpose, attitude, effort, motive - basically your whole being on board in one direction, with little or no compromise. But.. again, not everyone is the same in terms of the discipline. If you can maintain this, by all means do so, if full time fasting or feasting is not practical right now.

As for the effect, in my view, any benefit will be retained, as long as it's not a feast-binge-feast-binge scenario. And, any feasting/fasting at all, is still building history -- useful for practice, acclimating the body, and milestones to look back upon for encouragement.

Interesting! I would think it would be so much easier because there'd be a light at the end of the tunnel for food. :)

I am trying to decide if I want to continue on past today... I just keep thinking it's cold outside, I'm craving things, etc. etc... (more the latter than the former, to be honest). I could definitely do that "till 5" every day deal though, for sure :) I used to do till 3 and liked it! I just didn't know how healthy it was. :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

What do you guys thinking about mixing fasts. I find that MC is better for me when i have long work days but i am thinking about a juice after hot yoga tonight..............

Nothing wrong with mixing it as long as it's all liquid and no fibre. Your body will gain great health and a nice rest from digestion!


you were saying about shaving your legs, have you tried aloe vera gel? It works great!

No I haven't... I'll have to get some! Thanks!!! (You shave with the gel right?)


If I were to juice "feast" until 2pm every day, then eat normal food after... would I theoretically get half the affect of the feasting?

You won't get fasting benefits from it at all. Fasting benefits don't really begin to happen until day four. Your body needs to use up all the fuel from the days before... and THEN it begins it's rest and getting healing done.

You do give your body a rest... which is very valuable in itself... on days one, two and three... so don't think a three day fast is useless. Cause it most certainly is not!

Would it be healthy to fast until 2pm daily? Ya, just like eating raw is healthy. But you won't get any fasting benefits from it. In all honesty... what it'll probably do is mess with your metabolism (if you do it long term) and you'll find weight coming onto your body. (That's what my guess is anyways, from what I've read.)

If you want to fast... then fast. If you want to eat, then eat. I would suggest you do green smoothies and juice before 2pm (or whatever time you choose) and then eat raw live foods afterwards. It'll keep your metabolism more stable IMO.

Of course if you want to do juice for breakfast and a raw lunch - perhaps juice in the afternoon and a raw supper. That's very healthy indeed... but it's not fasting.


Interesting! I would think it would be so much easier because there'd be a light at the end of the tunnel for food.

I am trying to decide if I want to continue on past today... I just keep thinking it's cold outside, I'm craving things, etc. etc... (more the latter than the former, to be honest). I could definitely do that "till 5" every day deal though, for sure I used to do till 3 and liked it! I just didn't know how healthy it was.

Sounds more like what you need to do is commit to a fast... or not. Your body is just entering the beneficial time of fasting... so if you can push another day... just think of the gift you will be giving your body!

If you can't though... then break it gently and with conscious choices. *smiling*... after all, it's your body, your life and your choice.

And if you want to do juice until dinner... follow your heart. Do some research and find what resonates with you. But be sure the knowledge is resonating with you and not just the "I wanna eat" is resonating... ;)


I like it. :p

Brother Bear, well let's see how it works for ya! (water fasting during the morning and juice fasting/feasting the rest of the day)

[Aleesha Sattva]

I've had a lovely afternoon with my hubby. He's off work today and so we watched the extended version of "Avatar"... I love the stuff they added in! Definitely worth seeing if you love the movie as much as we do!

Still sipping on water. My body soooooooooooooo wants a juice... but it's not getting any! Nope... this mama is committed to pushing through this and finding that jewel on the other side. My body, my health, my life is worth it. I can gift my body this lovely water fasting break... cause look at all it does for me every second of every day! It never gets a break... it's always working. So the least I can do is give it the deepest rest possible (short of going into a coma)... and I'm not interested in a entering a coma.

*big breath* ahhhhhhhhhh I love fasting. I love how empowered I feel when I achieve something that I thought I couldn't. I love how it feels to move through stuff and get to the other side... there's always such a gift in it.

So here's to moving through and finding the gift! *raises her glass of water*

Day 200... I'm totally ready for ya!

[OneBite@aTime]

I'm here, after a long absence. It’s day one of fasting for me and I’m looking forward to a living life on live food when I’m done. It’s nice to see familiar and new faces!

[Aleesha Sattva]

welcome welcome... pull up a chair and get comfy. here's a blanket... :)

[RawHealthyBeauty]

Cheers for moving through and finding the gift!!! :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhh yeah!!!

[soaringeagle925]

I always refresh to see if you answered, Aleesha. Thank you once again.

I'll keep going with the fast, it was mostly cravings and scarcity thinking ("I have the house to myself! Our chef can make all the foods *I* want this week!")....

Oy oy oy.

Trucking on, trucking on. :)

CONGRATULATIONS on another successful day!

[Aleesha Sattva]

Ah I'm so glad you found the answer that was residing within your Self. (((hugs)))

You know you can subscribe to the thread and get instant email notifications... that's what I do!

[Aleesha Sattva]

and... fasting gets easier after the first three days...

[GoodCat]

Its so active on here.

Well... I went to the store and bought some romain and cucumbers and so tomorrow I'll be making some green lemonade for my kiddos. I'll probably make some pineapple, cucumber juice too (with coconut water of coarse :)

I'm hoping for a better night tonight for them. One day at a time... one day...

~The Lady Aredhel~ :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

do you add ginger to your pineapple/cucumber combo? i loooove ginger in mine!

green lemonaide...... ewwwwwww and double EWWWWWWWWWWWW

giggling... runs from the room laughing...

[GoodCat]

**chasing after my precious with a big glass of GREEN LEMONADE...giggle**

Sometimes I put in ginger. I probably will for the girls tomorrow. Its sooooo healthy.

:D

[Aleesha Sattva]

*flips the GL on the floor and runs away giggling...*

i'm soooooooo done with this day. i so dislike day one of water fasting. it's never a fun day. my body is quieter after day one but on day one... it's wants some juice! so... i'm going to bed. that's it, i'm done.

of course, i did get up about 2.5 hours early this morning to take my son to work... so i'm a little justified (not that i need to be) in wanting to get into bed and close my eyes!

tomorrow... a day of meditation, love, smiling... perhaps a gentle not-too-hot sauna to celebrate this very momentous occasion!

[EternityRider]

Brother Bear, well let's see how it works for ya! (water fasting during the morning and juice fasting/feasting the rest of the day)

Well, I love the thought of juice feasting, but I am unable to do it. It has been something of a mystery, because I can juice fast. Go figure.

Smoothies don't work for me. What happens is that my energy takes a total nosedive, and my body feels heavily laden like barbells are hanging all over me. My best guess is that the fibers move more slowly thru the system and as such, are more aggressive in cleansing, wheres the juice alone passes thru quickly.

Ever heard of this kind of thing?

[soaringeagle925]

@Aleesha - Thank you again. I had subscribed but realized my main email address wasn't associated with this account!

And I had missed your mention about not writing about emotional issues. I had no intention of that, so no worries there... was just trying to see what the correlation was :)

@GoodCat - Holy moley, pineapple + cucumber sounds DIVINE!!! I wish pineapple was in season here!!!

@Eternity - I have a bit of a similar reaction with smoothies sometimes, especially if there's bananas and/or dates. Although I have been drinking Adya Clarity which is supposed to help with candida. Some friends have gotten superb results from it :)

[kjduf]

Aleesha congratulations on your 200 days! I find that so amazing. Your body has healed so much! Wouldn't it be so cool to know exactly what it healed?

I cant wait till Jan 3rd to start my fast. I kinda made some bad choices over the Christmas weekend and I am finding myself giving myself permission to make more bad choices because I will be starting a fast. So I started today!

So far I have had 24 oz of water and now I am sipping on 20 oz of pineapple, cucumber and ginger. Yum what a great combo.

I am doing this fast for the following reasons:
-get closer to God, read my bible more
-loose weight (have 20# more to go)
-help my digestion
-to see if I can do this!

So happy day to everyone!!!

[GoodCat]

Ohhhhh Lady Awen...... Congrats on 200 days!!!

Party on the boards.. I brought the balloons and water shots. I have to clean up the green lemonade first though **giggile**

My kiddos did a little better last night. This is a slllllllllow moving illness, but it is moving, so thats good.

~The Lady Aredhel~ :D

[beckyh]

Way to go Aleesha!! And yes you use the gel to shave your legs! Hope you like it!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

Well, I love the thought of juice feasting, but I am unable to do it. It has been something of a mystery, because I can juice fast. Go figure.

Smoothies don't work for me. What happens is that my energy takes a total nosedive, and my body feels heavily laden like barbells are hanging all over me. My best guess is that the fibers move more slowly thru the system and as such, are more aggressive in cleansing, wheres the juice alone passes thru quickly.

Ever heard of this kind of thing?

Well first off... juice feasting is drinking 4 litres or more of juice. Juice fasting is drinking less than 4 litres of juice. So... I'm thinking you are talking about Green Smoothie Feasting vs Juice Fasting/Feasting. Cause not being able to consume more juice doesn't make sense to me LOL

But yes... my body can't handle green smoothies anymore. I think (for me) it's because it gets all it's fluids in a non-pulp form and so when I have a drink with pulp in it... my body doesn't appreciate the work it has to do to get the fluids out!

Smoothies move WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY slower than juices do. Of course, they move faster than a meal... since the cell walls are already broken so the body can absorb the nutrients... but still with all that fibre, it moves very slow indeed. Hence why many people use them to feel full!


Aleesha congratulations on your 200 days! I find that so amazing. Your body has healed so much! Wouldn't it be so cool to know exactly what it healed?

I cant wait till Jan 3rd to start my fast. I kinda made some bad choices over the Christmas weekend and I am finding myself giving myself permission to make more bad choices because I will be starting a fast. So I started today!


Thank you so much *smiling*

I so agree with your choice to fast right now. That's exactly why I often do it as well. If I find myself not making great choices... I use a fast (even a short 3 day one) to just give my body a little break and my mind a tune-up to say "Okay come on now... no more of this behaviour!" I find it works for me. ;)


Ohhhhh Lady Awen...... Congrats on 200 days!!!

Party on the boards.. I brought the balloons and water shots. I have to clean up the green lemonade first though **giggile**

My kiddos did a little better last night. This is a slllllllllow moving illness, but it is moving, so thats good.

~The Lady Aredhel~ :D

First, I'm so glad to hear your babies are on the mend. Soooo glad to hear that. (((hugs them and you)))

Second, oh ya mama... let's do us some water shots! *grabs one and downs it*... "Can I have a second please?"

*i wants it... i needs it... i craves it so much... gives it to us... gives it to us now!*

My daughter is doing a congo line dance around the room in celebration of my 200th day. I just got a hug and a kiss and a congratulations from her.

Ahhhhhh I slept in, which I really wanted to. I seem to be detoxing through the muscles in my back a little... and my breath is beyond gross and disgusting LOL So you may want to keep your distance from me today.

*dancing, spinning, tosses pom poms in the air*

[Stina]

A warm, sincere congratulations to you Aleesha! Can I use swear words to describe how amazing that is? Ha ha ha thanks for being part of our Raw family here!

[OneBite@aTime]

Aleesha-Wow!

Today is day 2 for me and I'm doing well. On days 2 & 3 my head is normally busy with doubt, but today this is not yet the case. It helps that I'm not working and have nothing on my "to do" list for another week.

[Aleesha Sattva]

michelle, we are sharing day two together! this is day two of my water fast... how nice to be on the same day (((hugs)))

stina... i so appreciate your words.

i have to be honest. i wouldn't be here without all of you. i am finding that today isn't about me... it's about YOU. all of you. this is YOUR day... this is a day where i sit and appreciate everything you've all done on this journey i've been on. i can't possibly begin to thank you all enough for what you gifted me. i would NOT be here... fasting on day two hundred without you all. (((hugs)))

[Aleesha Sattva]

My blog posting for today:

Here I am... sitting at day two-hundred of my fast. The sun is shining, my home is quiet and warm. It's a truly magnificent day.

How did I get here? How did the last two-hundred days go by and get me to this spot... this point of my journey? I got here because of you. You have been an integral part of this journey. Without you, I wouldn't be here. It would still be December, 29th, 2010... but I wouldn't be on day two-hundred of my fast. I would probably be fasting - since that's what I do at this time of year - but it wouldn't be the same. This journey, all the gifts, all the lessons... the struggles, the highs the lows the in-betweens... they all happened because YOU took the time, energy and love that is so preciously yours and shared it with me.

You stood beside me, sat with me, held my hand, rubbed my back... poured me water, made me juice, opened coconuts, smiled with me, celebrated with me.... Blessed me with suggestions, shared your knowledge, gifted me with your ideas and imparted on me your wisdom and beliefs.

When I was down - you chose to raise me up. When I was up you lifted me higher.

I am in awe of you. Total love and awe of you. (((hugs)))

So I dedicate this day to you. This is your day. This is your celebration. This is your achievement. You can live this day knowing that you made an enormous impact in the life of someone else. Someone you may not even know in person... but the impact is equally appreciated.

Each and every day beyond this point on my journey is dedicated to you as well. This is your time, my friend. This is your time. *bows my head in deepest respect and love*

in light,
Aleesha

[EternityRider]

Well first off... juice feasting is drinking 4 litres or more of juice. Juice fasting is drinking less than 4 litres of juice. So... I'm thinking you are talking about Green Smoothie Feasting vs Juice Fasting/Feasting.

Yeah, my bad. "Smoothies" and "Juice-feasting" are sometimes used interchangeably on the web. Any kind of smoothie - veg or fruit - does this to me after a day or so. But one day this will change...

So..

A-fasting we shall go
A-fasting we shall go
Hi ho a dario
A-fasting we shall go

http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/austin/bws/upload/2010/07/because_its_friday/bear.jpg

[Stina]

Hey Aleesha, I'm curious if you have a game plan or goals from here on or if you're following your intuition about when to wrap up? A few years ago I did a 24 day long juice feast and permanently cured my annoying tinnitus. Very gratifying to get tangible results

[Stina]

A bear drinking a beer?

[Aleesha Sattva]

Well since you asked... and no one really has up to now...

I'm hoping to do a 365 day juice fast, with watery days mingled within it. This has been my focus from the start. I've just been giving it to people online in tiny bits cause I didn't want a lot of negative feedback from naysayers.

So... that's why my doctor is monitoring me... cause I didn't want to harm myself AND I wanted the science for the book I'm writing on this experience.

Hence why my friends had a celebration for me at the six-month mark of my fast. My half-way mark. ;)

So now you all know... it's out there. The readers of my private blog have known and respectfully kept my secret. The people in my life know, cause I'm not quiet about it with all of them. It was only the public net that didn't know.

Ah... feels good to share that with you folks cause you've been my main support all this time!

Lady Aredhel, (((thanks for everything))) - she's been here... supporting me on this year long journey from day one. And I soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo appreciate her love, light and guidance.

And that goes for the rest of you as well. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

A bear drinking a beer?

na, that's freshly made raw live apple juice! with a splash of honey!

[EternityRider]

A bear drinking a beer?

The site saith juice, not meade.. so methinks I am on safe ground.

(But I had the same thought. Must be apple juice.)

[green jeanie]

thanks!! on it and feeling fab ;)

[EternityRider]

Well since you asked... and no one really has up to now...

I'm hoping to do a 365 day juice fast, with watery days mingled within it. This has been my focus from the start. I've just been giving it to people online in tiny bits cause I didn't want a lot of negative feedback from naysayers.

And, I have found that far too many offer their strong assertions, (well-meaning, but oft incorrect) when it is you who has done all the many years of research, not them.



So... that's why my doctor is monitoring me... cause I didn't want to harm myself AND I wanted the science for the book I'm writing on this experience.

Lady 'Leesh, We trust you'll careful not to embarrass the poor doctor when you are found to be more knowledgeable than him/her. ;)

Has this been 200 days of no eating at all? (not a loaded question. :-)

[GoodCat]

So glad that secrets out of the bag **giggle**

I have learned so much walking along side you these last 200 days Aleesha. I can't wait for the book :cool: We really do need the experience of those that have "been there and done that". Thank you!!

I'm off to make some juices.... Yeah...

~The Lady Aredhel~ :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

no doubt Lady Aredhel, but you kept it well. what the rest of you don't know is she'd email or FB me about stuff that she felt may assist my fast so she didn't break confidence here. she is a good and kind soul... one that can be trusted with secrets! (((hugs))) and that is a good quality to have!

brother bear, i have had a few 'situations'. i was very sick and needed to change my fast to miso and soup broth because my hubby and i were too sick to prepare anything for me to drink. i had been on water and was vomiting and could not continue...

after that, i was having problems shutting down my digestion and tried adding in some tomato slices... that obviously didn't help and made it worse so back to fasting i went.

at yule/christmas i had some nibble times which i'm not all that pleased about but it was a choice - one that i made consciously and paid for body-wise as my body didn't appreciate it at all.

i've tried adding in some blended drinks (made in a vita-mix) and my body didn't like that either.

so yes, there has been times during this 200 days that i've not be stellar... but i've done my very best to do my best... and that's all i can really ask of myself. i hope to have clear sailing from here on with my fast. i'm hoping to stay healthy and aware... avoid my impulses - which obviously i do since i'm on day 200 but i'd like to shift that even deeper. (buying impulses, verbal impulses etc)... so taking that concept deeper is one of my focuses during the next 165 days.

and my doctor is amazing. he's 100% supportive of my journey - so i don't really have much nutritional conversations with him that aren't positive. my protein levels dropped when i did my 9 or 10 day water fast (can't remember which it was) and he wasn't concerned other than to ask me to not do water until after my next monthly blood test to make sure they were going up. they did and he gave me the green light to water fast again.

and as for naysayers... what i've learned is this. the people who know - have knowledge about fasting aren't the slightest bit against what i'm doing. it's those who know nothing at all. so i don't take a lot of stock in their words. but they are annoying (cause i'm human) so keeping it under my hat all this time felt like the right thing to do.

i was off meditating and then had a bath... and i was going to come and remove it from the thread, cause i didn't want any negative responses. it's not that i'm closed off to hearing the 'truth'... it's that i'm not interested in hearing people assume they know me or know why i'm doing this.

cause i'm not doing it for weight control (as has been suggested by some members on this forum), i'm not doing it because i have an eating disorder (as i don't have one)... i'm doing this because i want to experience the journey. i want to see if i can step up to the challenge of not taking short breaks here and there and fasting for 262 days in a year otherwise. i wanted to see if i could fast without breaks. if i could push myself through the impulses of wanting to stop simply because something looked or smelled good.

i wanted to see how much i could grow.

and i'm so honoured to have so many more gifts coming into my life because of this fast. i love everything i've experienced. even the really hard times... cause it's made me stronger.

and to top it all off... think of the health my body is experiencing! think of the years of abuse that are melting away, leaving my cellular memory... ahhhhhhh i love this. i love love love this.

so here i stand... before you all. trying to share as honestly as i can. i'm not hiding anything, i'm not pretending... cause honestly, this is MY journey and my life and i'm not here to gain followers or stand on a pedestal... i'm just here to share with you so that, perhaps, it can assist you.

and the best part is... by me sharing with you... i get sooooooooooooo much in return. so many little silver linings and gifts. that really is the best part (((hugs)))

[Rawlala]

Hello everyone:) I will be joining in on the fun starting Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. I am doing a Juice Feast, aiming for 60-92 days or wherever my body leads me. I have done 40 days Master Cleanse, Several 21 day MCs and some week long Juice fasts. I am ready for the abundance of lots of juices because the MC has begun to feel much too stressful and draining for me right now. I would like to allow my body to heal from the following:
-Low Thyroid
-Adrenal Exhaustion
-PCOS
-A skin disorder
-Tiredness, faded memory
ETC
I would also like to get to my ideal weight.

I am 24 and I will be blogging my juice feast on my blog daily. I am so excited to see the transformation, physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. I really want to get closer to God and more in tune with my life purpose.

I have been reading thread after thread on here from old fasting months, as well as having been a lurker here for about 5 yrs. LOL thats a lot of lurking.

Oh and I have a few questions for anyone who might know:
Is surgery a non-option while fasting? I know juices can be blood thinners especially fruit juices, but greens are coagulants. Any one know anything about this?

Cheapest juice?

Thanks guys I am excited to get into this journey with each of you:)

Callie:)

[Aleesha Sattva]

Oh and I have a few questions for anyone who might know:
Is surgery a non-option while fasting? I know juices can be blood thinners especially fruit juices, but greens are coagulants. Any one know anything about this?

Cheapest juice?

Thanks guys I am excited to get into this journey with each of you:)

Callie:)

i have no idea about your first question.

second question... whatever is on sale at your market!

welcome!!! i look forward to fasting with you!

[Rawlala]

Thanks Aleesha:)

[EternityRider]

brother bear, i have had a few 'situations'. i was very sick and needed to change my fast to miso and soup broth because my hubby and i were too sick to prepare anything for me to drink. i had been on water and was vomiting and could not continue...

after that, i was having problems shutting down my digestion and tried adding in some tomato slices... that obviously didn't help and made it worse so back to fasting i went.

at yule/christmas i had some nibble times which i'm not all that pleased about but it was a choice - one that i made consciously and paid for body-wise as my body didn't appreciate it at all.

i've tried adding in some blended drinks (made in a vita-mix) and my body didn't like that either.

I count this as a 200 day fast.
A small leak, plugged quickly,
never sank a ship
on its journey.

[EternityRider]

Ancient Fasting Bandits..

[Aleesha Sattva]

that's exactly how i feel as well brother bear. but you know... it's always nice to have someone else feel the same way.

i figure there will be people who don't consider it to be true... they'll consider those moments as a break and feel i have to restart. to them i say this, "go ahead and do it for a year and then chime in!" LOL

*giggling* cause each of those situations made me understand myself and this journey deeper. i cherish them.

[EternityRider]

Oh and I have a few questions for anyone who might know:
Is surgery a non-option while fasting? I know juices can be blood thinners especially fruit juices, but greens are coagulants. Any one know anything about this?

Cheapest juice?
Callie:)

Callie - On your first question, it would be best to consult a medical professional. (There's too many variations for one answer.)

Some greens have coagulant properties - some more, some less. Again, because of the critical nature of most surgery, it would be best to consult an actual doctor (biochemist.) But, if you did, many of them would likely laugh it off as a myth.

Cheapest juice? Got any fruit trees growing there?
In Southern Calif, it's a veritable treasure trove right now. :p

[Aleesha Sattva]

oh bear... you and your foraging!!! are going to share pics again this year?

[EternityRider]

oh bear... you and your foraging!!! are going to share pics again this year?

Oh! We did finally get a digital camera...

[Aleesha Sattva]

goooooodie!!!

[beckyh]

What an amazing journey you have been on and will continue to be on!:)

I can't wait until your book is done. It will be nice to read about your journey. This thread has inspired me so much to doing a fast. i can't wait to start mine. I wish I could start tomorrow, however I have nothing in the fridge to juice, and no car! So I will be waiting to do my grocery shoppin on New's Year Eve, and at midnight I will be making my first juice of the new year, or drinking my lemonade from the Master Cleanse. Still not sure which one I want to do!! But whichever one I chose, I know that I am able to come onto this website and there will be support for me!

I love reading your post, and I love your knowledge! Thank you! :)

[GoodCat]

((hugs)) to you too my precious. You make me feel so special.. Really...

bear... I would love to be able to do more foraging. We so want to buy land some day so that we can truely live off the land.

rawlala.. I just wanted to encourage you... When I did my first long fast (28days).. I was hyper-thyroid (I would bounce back and forth between hyper and hypo), and I was low cortisol (adrenal issues), my immune system was shot, I was dealing with candida issues as well, and my hormones were out of wack. All of this was confirmed with medical tests.
I was not only able to do the juice feast, but that is when my health started turning around for the better. I'm not completely well yet, since I struggle with over eating cooked food, but I am not giving up and I always strive to eat high raw and do juice fasts as often as I choose ;).

One of the many things I've been encouraged by Aleesha with is this... not to give up. I be true to myself.
I've learned to take each day as it comes (not to worry about tomorrow).

I know that one day I will be high raw and healthy!!! I strive for that each day.

~The Lady Aredhel~ :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

ah thanks. but today is dedicated to all of YOU. cause you are the reason i've been able to get to this day... so go hug yourself from me please!!!

and i will happily and joy-fully fast with you in the new year!!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

((hugs)) to you too my precious. You make me feel so special.. Really...

One of the many things I've been encouraged by Aleesha with is this... not to give up. I be true to myself.
I've learned to take each day as it comes (not to worry about tomorrow).

I know that one day I will be high raw and healthy!!! I strive for that each day.

~The Lady Aredhel~ :D

you are special and i'm so glad you've learned to be kind and loving to yourself.

who cares how long we fast... as long as we keep on trying it'll get easier.

we have certainly learned that one together!

[GoodCat]

((hugs...hugs.... and more HUGS))

[Aleesha Sattva]

huggle fest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[EternityRider]

bear... I would love to be able to do more foraging. We so want to buy land some day so that we can truely live off the land.

I hope you do. There are several good reasons to do so. Learning your wild edibles may be a wise move too. If things go really south, this is something no one can take from you. Folks don't even know what they are. :cool:

[nadien alexandra]

wow.

so many friends on the fasting thread right now!

so much positive energy. so good to see a large collective of people all reaching in the same direction.

Aleesha, congratulations. You have been a very big inspiration to me as well as everyone else who you've enlightened of your journey, whether they have let you know this or not.

I am still fasting with all of you. Just spent a few days with a friend at her cabin in the snowy woods. she has electricity, but no internet.

There, she juice fasted with me. She is who began the raw journey with me three years ago. We are close friends who truly see eye to eye.

Tomorrow, I am excited for a pineapple and cucumber residing on my counter. They won't be combined however. I have really been enjoying the wonderful simplicity of mono juicing.

YOU ARE ALL SO AMAZING for even CONSIDERING the pursuit to better health, and for exercising the will to self-empowerment!

Everyone should feel blessed to be who they are; YOU are HERE after all. :)

EDIT:
EternityRider: I entirely agree with you!! I was really fortunate to receive a colorful picture-full book on wild edibles of North America (mostly the western parts, as that is where I usually find myself) for Christmas and I have been soaking up bits of it daily. what a great tool. There are so many things just in YOUR own backyard, that can be used medicinally. :)

GOODCAT: It's all about the journey, not the goal. You WILL get there one day, and it is because you have this goal that you are on this journey, BUT this moment to moment-ness of the quest to "perfect" health IS EVERYTHING, which means that today, you are THERE.

[RawHealthyBeauty]

Hugging Me for Aleesha and Hugging Aleesha for pushing through to 200!! :)

Thanks for writing a really nice gratitude post for all of us!! And thank you for daring to go on this wonderful fasting journey. It's been really cool and looking forward to reading about the rest of your journey!! You're a blessing!!

Next time when I do fast I may do it for three days!!!! Yay!!! :cool:

[Aleesha Sattva]

thank you both! (((hugs)))

[soaringeagle925]

Aleesha, again, you're such an inspiration. I wish you the absolute best for your next 165 days and beyond. :)

I took a bath a few hours ago and came to the realization I was called to do a fast to give me a bigger message. It seems that every time I get caught up in work, things happen - my internet stops working, things don't go the way they're supposed to, or I'm called to do a fast. ;)

The message I got was that I don't need this fast right now - especially in cold weather (I'm used to living in places like L.A., San Diego, Buenos Aires, Rio De Janeiro, Arizona, etc).

I just needed to quiet myself enough to listen to messages and make sure I meditate/journal/get back to me enough.

I'm in a totally fine state of mind right now. It's just what feels right. :)

So, I wish you guys all the best, and I'll see you next time - cause I'm sure there will be a next time!! <3 <3 <3

[GoodCat]

I'm fasting tomorrow and maybe for the next 5 days (at least). I feel with all the stress of my sick kiddos that my body is needing this break/healing time.

So.... I'm with you all :cool:

Cathy :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

I'm so glad you are following your heart Rachel!

Lady Aredhel... I can't begin to say how happy this makes me!

*i loves you... i needs you... i wants you beside me... you knows i does... you feels it... you wants it too*

There is a part of me that wants something... tea, juice... not water. But nope... I'm not listening to that part. That part that tries to undermine me when I'm fasting. I can do this. I can easily push through this moment... after all, it's almost bedtime and I'll be fresh and ready to continue in the morning.

So how hard can it be to simply "be" for a couple of hours? pppfffftttt it's nothin'!

[GoodCat]

Thats right precious... take another shot of water :cool: You can do this.

I'm off to bed... at least until one of my little ones need me.

See you tomorrow.. :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

*takes a shot of water with my precious*

(((hugs)))

[EternityRider]

EternityRider: I entirely agree with you!! I was really fortunate to receive a colorful picture-full book on wild edibles of North America (mostly the western parts, as that is where I usually find myself) for Christmas and I have been soaking up bits of it daily. what a great tool. There are so many things just in YOUR own backyard, that can be used medicinally. :)

This is true. And I promise not to get too heavy here, but times are coming when we may need it for basic consumption. And any kind of fasting will be good training. The masses don't know about these means of subsistence.

[kjduf]

Good Morning Everyone!!!

Aleesha I just had a feeling you were going for the big year. YOU GO GIRL!

As for people being judgmental its sad. We are all going to be judged one day and I try to live my life not judging people.

EternityRider I am going to show my ignorance here, I never thought to forage... how cool is that! Do you have any books, websites that you would recommend us checking out?

Well 3rd times a charm! I DID IT!!!!!!!! Tried twice before but couldn't fast past 5pm. Last night I almost gave in but then gave myself a stern talking to and changed my thoughts and did it! I made Aleesha tomato blend last night and put it in bowl and ate with a spoon and thought I can do this. It is yummy!!!

Want to know what I noticed last night?? All the TV commercials have food on them! lol I hate commercials and love my DVR but had to watch live TV. It was wrecking havoc on me, so I just closed my eyes and it worked! :) After my show was done I turned that baby off!

[Rawlala]

Thank you for the welcome GoodCat. And the encouragement! It is exciting for me to see someone who is making progress with the same things I am dealing with. Do your temps fluctuate with hypo/hyper? I have had chronically low temps since dealing with an eating disorder in high school. I am hoping they will go up .

Aleesha congratulations on 200! That is so amazing, and it helps me feel like 60-92 days is no biggie.

It is strange how many people are willing to tell others what they should be doing with their health and bodies, or assume they know one's motivations just from looking on. There is nothing about your year long fast that alarms me, but maybe that's because I grew up in a pretty open minded family when it comes to health. Do what you feel is right for your body!

Eternity Rider thanks for the advice on the surgery question. You are probably right, I should as a professional. Although I do expect to have them look at me like Im nuts. LOL.

So excited to be starting in a few days.

[GoodCat]

Good Morning Fellow Fasters.....

My little ones still are stuggling some, but we really don't want to give them the steroids the doctors ordered. So we are continueing to boost their immune systems.

I am having my carrot/celery juice right now and then I'll be making some pinepple/cucumber with coconut water.

bear.... I totally agree with you. I think the more self sufficiant we are and better we will be if/when things go south ;) I too would be interested in any resources you have for foraging.

rawlala... I do notice a difference in my temps. But for the most part.... if I do what I should be doing... my body stays pretty healthy.

Off to take a shower....

~The Lady Aredhel~ :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

i know the boutenko children have videos and books on foraging... check out their website! i took a wild foraging class at a local herb/organic restaurant in our little town. it was lovely. 3 hours of foraging on their land... really learned what is right around me and where is the best places to pick and not pick your food. for example, near a drainage 'stream' from a cow farm is not somewhere you want to forage!

today feels great. the sun is shining and i'm smiling... i did it... i made it past day 200 and i'm feeling like i can do anything! so let's see if i can.

my sleep is already broken again. waking often... this seems to happen whenever i water fast. no heartburn!!!!!!!!!! and so far i'm feeling good but honestly i've done nothing but sit. i'm not on the go like i was on the last water fast... running around every day doing things. so this is nice. just taking it easy and letting life move along gently around me.

i don't know how long i'll water fast for. i may go back to juice tomorrow... i have no expectations...

in my dreams... i'd love to do 40 days on water (as you all know cause i talk about it often) but i don't know if that'll ever be a reality for me. i'd sure love it to manifest itself though. that would be BEYOND lovely...

my plans for the day... meditation, a nice warm bath and listening to little girls giggling... as my daughter has a friend coming over. ahhhhhh i love my life!

[fastfreedom]

WOW Aleesha. I did a 28 day fast back in june I think it was. And you had already been going a month at that time. And I keep checking back to see what's going on I just don't post. But you are STILL fasting. That's amazing.

I actually tell all the people that question my choice to fast for 4 weeks about you. It used to be,.... "well I know of a person that has been fasting for three months." Then it turned into, "...been fasting for, 4 months.....5 months....6 months." :D

You are definately going deep on this cleanse. Good for you and congratulations on making it past the 200 day mark. :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

thank you so much ff... your post makes me smile!

[GoodCat]

I made some lovely juices today... I want to share them with my kiddos, so I'm not sure how long I'll be fasting, but I know that each day I give myself is a blessing.

I'm going to go grab me some pineapple/cucumber now and watch this amazing snow storm that is just hitting us. :cool:

[EternityRider]

Dear Ladies of the Fellowship of the Fasters,

There are several good foraging guides. Books by Samuel Thayer, such as Nature’s Garden and Edible Wild Plants should be good. The old Euell Gibbons books from the 70s are nice, but expensive. But many such books can be had used from Amazon for very low cost. I've done it.

Also, places like Amazon have reviews from folks that bought them. They'll tell you if a book is not worth having. For instance, The Illustrated Guide to Edible Wild Plants [Paperback] - Department of the Army (Author)

Of this, one reviewer said, "Absolutely horrible book. If anyone were to rely on ANY of the information in this book to survive, they would be dead within a week. The pictures are all black and white, and so fuzzy, you can barely tell one plant from another. The written descriptions are very vague, and don't provide very much reliable information either. Definitely go with a different guide".

Another said, "If you want to eat and use wild plants, I recommend you buy a book specifically about the area you want to use this knowledge, and then add to that book by printing off info from the web. Personalize your book to the climate you want to use it in! If you're going to Vietnam, or the amazon, then this book is a great OVERVIEW. Nothing will stack up against specific knowledge you should find out yourself. Mod your guide books".

In foraging, in can be a tricky business because there are so many lookalikes, some being poisonous. Shrooms in particular, but many others too. So, knowing your plants is really important.

I read somewhere that if you are in doubt, and the situation desperate, you could first sample a very tiny part of a plant to see how it affects you. You should know in 20 minutes or so. Generally, I would not recommend this method to folks. Also, the different parts of a plant can have different effects (root, stem, leaf, flower..) and one part could be toxic, another not.

And, as touched on earlier, some plants are common, but many are native to given regions. So, getting a guide that is "region-specific" would be a good way to go, if available.

Blessed day to you all. :)

[kjduf]

I have say I am so proud of myself.....day 2 over! I am feeling tired so going to bed early.

I had some funky concoctions today but they were yummy. I am trying to get rid of all the produce in my frig and then I am go shopping Sat for the big haul cause my boys are going to be joining me. I mono juiced it all then taste tested.

I had grapefruit and orange, apples and lemon juice, tomato and yellow squash (I was scared to do it but I have a lot and don't want to waste) with garlic and cumin and cayenne and little salt and pepper (it was good), apple and orange and parsley. I drank more today than yesterday because I keep trying to talk myself out of doing this so I thought just drink more and tell my mind to "HUSH"!!! :)

I do have to say I want to CHUG my juice because it is soooo good. I wasn't much of a juice drinker because your always told "don't drink your calories" if your trying to loose weight and then later because of type 2 diabetes (cured through RAW!!!)

EternityRider thanks for the info, I will check out some books and do what Aleesha did find a place around me that does classes. I cant wait for SPRING!!!! I am about done with COLD, SNOW and ICE!!!

GoodCat I hope your little ones are feeling better.

Night everyone,

Kellie

[Aleesha Sattva]

i ditched my water fast for some tom juice. this water fast i've been super hungry and my blood sugars have been up and down. so weird. anyway... i decided that i would just go back to juice and do water another day.

cause heck... if i do this... i have 164 days left to do. i think i can find a few to do water LOL

every part of ME wants to end this fast... but when i ask my body it says it wants to continue. i guess we'll have to talk about this a bit more to make a decision. i won't be making a hasty decision one way or another. i'll just keep fasting till i stop i guess LOL i know i share my struggle with you (often) but i want to keep this real. this isn't a walk in the park for me. so those of you who perhaps think "oh it's easy for aleesha but man it's hard for me to fast." trust me... it's hard for me to. i just choose to continue is all. it's a choice... one we make in every moment of every day. to fast or eat. to run or walk. to sink or swim LOL

[kjduf]

Oh I do have a question.....how do you quote someone? You know have it show up in your post?

Thanks,

Kellie

[Aleesha Sattva]

see the little box under this post that says

"edit" "quote" then there's quotation marks and then an edit button.

well the second one "quote" quotes the entire text of the message. if you hit the quotation mark (with the little plus sign beside it) then you will quote that message plus any others you hit. once you have all the messages you want to quote you have to hit the "quote" button to go to the message screen.

then just edit out any text you don't need within the quotes and type your answer!

[kjduf]

Cool now I will look like a experienced blogger or what ever you call us!! LOL

[Aleesha Sattva]

we aren't bloggers, we are posters!

[RawHealthyBeauty]

Sometimes thinking about it too much really doesn't help. Maybe not thinking about it too much will do the trick. For example, I think about exercising too much when I get up in the morning usually makes me end up not doing it. So I changed it to where I don't have to think about it too much, because i tell myself that I'm an athletic type and it's just simply what I do......end of mental chatter.....I end up exercising. I find that changing the direction of self talk really helps. Anyways, thought I share even though it's not related to fasting, but related to overcoming obstacles and doing what is best for our well being.

Did you overcome your fear of passing the 200 day mark?

Did you find your gift yet for passing the 200 day mark?

What was on the other side of the wall?

[Aleesha Sattva]

i did!!! the gift was all of YOU. that was my gift. on day two hundred i sat here and all i could think about was everyone who assisted me to get to that day. it was the most beautiful experience... i was so touched by everyone's support and love.

i woke up to an email inbox FULL of messages from people. telling my how proud they are of me, how much i inspire them... etc etc and all i could think while reading it was "oh you were so instrumental in getting me here!"

so... that was my gift!!!

today was a really not good day. really not good. tomorrow i'm going shopping for pineapples, cucumbers, garlic, celery, and toms. so i'll be surrounded by my lovely favourite things and i think it'll help me tremendously. i'm not sure why this water fast was so hard on me, but it was. period. that's the bottom line. it just wasn't working for me, hence why i'm back on juices. my tummy though... i very unhappy which is weird. i had my tom juice... had some pineapple/cucumber/ginger juice... and it's very sad.

i only did water for 2.5 days... so breaking it should have been simple. my body is being weird.

oh well... tomorrow is a new day.

as for thinking things over. i don't want to end my fast on a whim. i really want to ponder it deeply before i do. hence, why i share that here... that i'm pondering. caue so far... no matter how much i've pondered i've ended up still fasting. had i not pondered... i would have broken it.

so for me, in this moment... pondering is goooood.

[RawHealthyBeauty]

Yeah, I thought that may have been your gift, just wasn't sure... You are so blessed to have so many people supporting you on this fast. I totally agree how amazing that is!!

Ponder deeply, Lady Awen!! :)

Water fasting is really powerful in many ways so I think your body is just trying to adjust to the idea of water fasting in general. I do know that one day you will achieve the 40 day fast, I so know you will. And the more you practice it, the more your body will embrace it. Maybe your tummy is like a child who wants to do so well on water fasting, but only can do what it can for the time being as in taking baby steps. Shower much love for the tummy, it will feel better from it...

I hope you feel better tomorrow.

[Aleesha Sattva]

well i pondered... i sat in meditation and this is what came:

be mindful on this fast. treat it as i do meditation. i allow my thoughts to come, i acknowledge them and then release them when i'm meditating. this is what i'll do while fasting. allow the thoughts to come, acknowledge that they are there but don't put energy into them... just allow them to float away into the distance while staying mindful - in the moment completely.

so mote it be.

and yes, i'm very very blessed to have so many people in my life who support me and trust me. they trust me to know what i'm doing. you wouldn't believe how many people have said that to me in the past few years regarding fasting. i love that. rather than asking me if i'm sure about what i'm undertaking they simply say, "i trust you to know what's right for you Aleesha. i know you don't do things on a whim, that you research and are careful. so whatever you choose to do, i support you." that is SUCH a gift...

[missyc]

I'm still hanging around. I am proud of everyone who is in here fasting now! And I am very very proud of Aleesha for passing the 200 day mark!

I haven't been posting but I do check in and read to see how everyone is doing. I am on day 5 of my New Year fast! I ended up having to go back to modifying it with avocado/banana slices for my blood sugar, but they have done wonders for me. My goal was 3 days, but by the second day, I knew I was on a roll and didn't want to stop at 3. Since I had really wanted to fast at the start of the new year, I just decided to keep going for a while longer.

I am sleeping pretty good and deeper than I think I have in years and I'm not as cold as before. I give credit to the earthing mat. I didn't sleep as good last night, but I was still able to get back to sleep again each time I woke up. I think my circulation is improving from using it.

This fast is a bit different than what they have been before and I just haven't felt like talking about it as much. It has been quite easy, though.

So, great job everyone! Here's to a wonderful New Year for all of us!

[Aleesha Sattva]

Menelwen, I was thinking about you last night while I was laying in bed unable to sleep. I wondered how you were doing. So happy to hear things are going well for you!!! (((hugs)))

[kjduf]

Good Morning...well maybe not so good. I have a bad headache, but on a good note I've dropped 6 lbs!!

I welcome day 3!

[Aleesha Sattva]

oh that is good news... nice to drop 6 in 2 days!!!

not so much on the headache though. are you drinking plenty of water?

i'm still not feeling well... weird. anyway i'm super excited to be going shopping for all my yummy goodness today!!! i loooooooooooove having a house full of raw live food!!!

[Miss Marie]

Good morning everyone :)

I'm joining you on this journey. This is my second day of my green juice fast. I'm shooting for at least 30 days. I went for 28 days on the first GJ fast. I loved it, though, I did have quite a bit of hair loss afterwards - looking back on it, I really think it had a whole lot to do with not taking any additional supplements. After it was over, I couldn't stop consuming certain items(non will be named in the fasting thread :) )

All of these items are common supplements that people usually take. This time, I'll be taking Chlorella, Spirulina, Flax oil, D3 and a little MSM. The algae's and the flax are really going to help me along - hopefully extend the fast too.

I think maybe I should be crushing the pressed algae tablets, since if they're solid - it causes the digestion to work harder, correct?

Congratulations to everyone on this journey! :D

~Charlotte

[RawHealthyBeauty]

:) That is so cool about your gift!!! :)

There's a book I checked out recently, but didn't have time to read it. I'll check it out again. It called something like being a mindful woman. It looks really good.

I really like what you've come with as far as how you gonna be mindful on this fast and the mediataion part too.

I totally trust you and support you. Wnen I see you struggle is when I want to reach out and try to help.

Have fun shopping!!!! :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

charlotte, i would crush them or get some powder. i add it in powder form to my tom juice. it's yummmmmers. i also add kelp and dulse powder (kelp more than dulse) and alternate my oils.

i use a vegetarian 3-6-9, hemp oil, flax oil and coconut oil.

welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lady winday, that's what i love about you. you offer me soooo much advice, esp the body parts and what they mean. i soooo love that! (((hugs)))

[Aleesha Sattva]

as a treat... i'm going to pick myself up some cantaloupe for tonight!!!!!!!

oh mama is excited... i sooooo love my cantaloupe juice especially when i make it with my greenstar!!!

[GoodCat]

Good Morning and welcome to those just starting.

We had a hard night with my little ones. They were up every hour again. Not as severe as before, but still. I know it will pass, it will pass.


I didn't get my tomato juice last night :( I will tonight. I love my tomato juice. You knows we do precious....

Aleesha... enjoy that cantaloupe. I was wonderding if the "nibbles" at yule were hard on your body and know its needing to clean out again?? Just a thought.

in Light,
Cathy :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

i figured it out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you are all going to laugh at me.

i needed to POOP!!!

i had a nice poop a few minutes ago and now... i'm pain-free LOL lots of mucus on the poop too... obviously from the water fasting i did. i always pass mucus when i water fast. shows how much i'm cleaning out!!!

i was researching the pain online and it said, "it could mean you have to poop" and yup... that's what it was *giggling*

*you knows i love to talk about it... you knows i needs to... my precious*

and my hubby still covers his ears and doesn't wanna hear about my poo BUT... my daughter is now telling me how her's are!!! i'm so pleased... cause what comes OUT of us is super important!

[Miss Marie]

Ooo, thank you for the oil tips Aleesha - much appreciated :)

I'm really excited about this fast. While I know that weight loss is only a side effect, I'm curious to see how much I lose. I didn't have a scale last time. I've recently bought my own wheelchair scale to use at home. Expensive, but worth it. Especially since our town hospital doesn't even have one(:eek: insane?!)
Hopefully my scale arrives soon. :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

so here's what i believe happened.

i needed to poop but i seldom (if ever) poop when i'm water fasting. that's why i think my body was calling so loudly for juice! so when i had the juice... the pain got intense... and i suffered all night long... as my body tried to get that poop out of me. i did have a bm in the middle of the night... which lessened the pain tremendously... but this last one eliminated it.

*giggling* i soooo love how our bodies know what it needs! mine needed assistance pooping and knew that juice would provide it the 'push' it needed!!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

Ooo, thank you for the oil tips Aleesha - much appreciated :)

I'm really excited about this fast. While I know that weight loss is only a side effect, I'm curious to see how much I lose. I didn't have a scale last time. I've recently bought my own wheelchair scale to use at home. Expensive, but worth it. Especially since our town hospital doesn't even have one(:eek: insane?!)
Hopefully my scale arrives soon. :)

charlotte, if you are sticking around for a month... you are gonna need a fellowship name!!! come on... i know you already know what you want... share it with us!!! :) (then put it in your sig so we can remember it please)

*giggling*

so glad you are able to weigh yourself... but measurements tell so much more of a story. can you do some on yourself? you'll be pleased you did!

[Aleesha Sattva]

I was wonderding if the "nibbles" at yule were hard on your body and know its needing to clean out again?? Just a thought.


it was... very hard on it. but... surprisingly (to me after all the neg research i've done on it)... it wasn't as bad as i expected it to be. i wouldn't suggest to anyone to do what i did... but honestly after the fact i thought, "wow, shouldn't i have ended up in the hospital?" cause i have read matt monarch's words and he's always saying if we get clean it can kill us if we eat X, Y or Z etc.

my body was uncomfy but managed to do what needed doing.

of course... there's a big part left out of this... and i don't have the answer for that...

what damage did i really do?

cause there's no real way to know the answer to that one. but... i figure a few more days of fasting should heal up any damage.

[beckyh]

Well I went to the store and I purchased everything I need to the Master Cleanse! :) My goal is to do 10 days, after that I will see what my body tells me! I will be starting tomorrow morning, so that means tonight I will drink my herbal laxative tea, and tomorrow I will do my Salt Water Flush, which I am very nervous about! At least tomorrow is Saturday and we have no plans, so my and my toilet will become best friends!:eek: *giggle*. I will be posting at least everyday to let everyone know how I am coming along with my first fast!

I have also started a journal of my progess which is new to me. So I am keeping the journal where I can see it so it reminds me to write everything down that is going on with my body, soul, and mind!

[Miss Marie]

I'll have to think of a name - I'll get back to you guys on it. :)
Great idea on the measurements. I'll start taking those too. :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

trying... so glad you got your stuff... enjoy your SWFs... ugh... i've done it once... never ever ever again for me. i had a friend who did it and NOTHING came out. she was so sick for days. neither of us ever did them again.

miss marie, can't wait to hear it!

[beckyh]

[QUOTE=Aleesha;639737]trying... so glad you got your stuff... enjoy your SWFs... ugh... i've done it once... never ever ever again for me. i had a friend who did it and NOTHING came out. she was so sick for days. neither of us ever did them again.

Well from reading the book he said that if it doesn't work then just go ahead and use the teas for the laxatives. So if it does't work then that is what I am going to do. I bought enough teas to get me through.

I think after the 10days I am going to do a GJ fast, because to come off of the master Cleanse it says to drink fresh squeezed OJ for the first day and then drink GJ for the next day, but i think I am going to just continue to do the GJ. But we will see what my body wants me to do!:)

[Miss Marie]

Taking 1/2 a teaspoon of MSM should be enough for health benefits, right?
It says 1/4tsp X2 a day - back when I would take more, it was disgusting and my body refused to get into the habit of taking that amount every day - even divided through the day.

Then again, I was taking a tablespoon or more at the time - it didn't last long. *Blech!*

[EternityRider]

Day Five and pressing on thru the spaciness. Not fun fasting around the family stresses that sometimes occur. So I have an escape route planned when needed. Nothing supplants this fast!

BLESSED NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!!!!

[beckyh]

Happy New Year Fellow Fasters!
Today is the first day of my master cleanse!! I did my laxative tea last night, and then when I woke up this morning I did my salt water flush. Ended up going right to the bathroom!:eek: Then at about 7:40 this morning I had my first drink of the lemonade mixture. It wasn't so bad, the only problem was my caynee pepper sunk to the bottom, so when I took the last gulp it was hot!! :eek: But we shall see how the day progresses! I will keep you all posted on how this fast is going for me!

I do have a question when I get a headache what should I do? Should I drink more water, because I know that it will happen. Thanks!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

Taking 1/2 a teaspoon of MSM should be enough for health benefits, right?

yes. here's what i do. i take one orange... use a citrus hand juicer and get all that lovely juice into a cup (strained of course) and then mix in the msm. down it and then fill the glass with water and down that. you shouldn't even taste it and if you do, then within a week you won't!

i like to increase my msm. once i don't taste it anymore for a week... then i add another 1/4-1/2 tsp and keep upping it till i get to a tablespoon+ (never more than 2 tablespoons). your body will let you know when you've gone too high in the dosage cause you'll get diareah. when this happens, go back down the dose you were taking before the diareah and stay there.


It wasn't so bad, the only problem was my caynee pepper sunk to the bottom, so when I took the last gulp it was hot!!

I do have a question when I get a headache what should I do? Should I drink more water, because I know that it will happen. Thanks!!

Stirring is a good thing!!!

IF you get a headache (let's not create something we don't have to. right?) then just rest and drink more water. It'll pass.

[Aleesha Sattva]

Goooood morning everyone!!!

I feel great this morning. Very well rested. I went to bed by 8pm last night... and yesterday I had the BEST day ever. So much laughter and fun... I spent the day with my son's g/f and my daughter. We went out shopping for groceries and what a blast we had. I'm still giggling and I think we'll all be sharing memories from this day for a lifetime! It was THAT much fun!!!

Today I have planned: meditation, time in the sauna, more meditation and I have a gorgeous pineapple/cucumber/ginger juice waiting for me in the kitchen!!!

My hubby... got ANOTHER promotion yesterday!!! Oh ya... this mama is one happy mama!!!

*smiling, dancing and doing pineapple shots today*

[beckyh]

Your right Aleesha! I should have never even said that. I did stir it the first time, however now I have been doing it where I put everything in first and then the water, and then I stir, now it is better. :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

ah good to hear. and since people often sip this concoction - remember to stir often! :)

[kjduf]

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!!!

I had a real scare last night. My headache got so bad that I ate something and it subsided a little, just enough to be functionable. What was scary was I got up at 5:45 am with really bad stomach pains and went to the bathroom. The pain was so bad that I broke out in a cold sweat and got a weird feeling. But it didn't feel like I was going to pass out, no black spots or anything. So I put my head down till it passed but when I stood up I instantly went down on one knee and then fell on the floor and was so disoriented that I didn't know where I was. Thank God my hubby heard my knee go down (big boom) and came to investigate. He helped me up and got me some water and cold compresses and helped me to bed and after a few minutes I felt normal. He is not as supportive as he was.

I am kinda scared to continue, is this a normal thing? Am I doing something wrong? All I have drank in the last 3 days is fruit, veggy and water, should I add something to them?

Thank you in advance for your help.

[Aleesha Sattva]

I think your body was having a hard time with the food you ate.

You have a few choices. You can continue fasting or you can break your fast and fast again another time.

Follow your heart. What do YOU want to do.

Fasting isn't something that is now or never... but it's also very good to stick with some deep healing if it's happening. So... only the faster can make this choice. No one can choose for them.

We support you in whatever you choose to do. Next time... how about having some homeopathic pain medication on hand? Or trying aromatherapy for your headache.

[missyc]

Congrats over and over again, Aleesha, on hubby's newest promotion! Simply fantastic!!! And I'm glad your day was so much fun yesterday. We all need days like that often!

kjduf- I hope you will be feeling better soon. Do what you need to do. It might take some short fasts before your body can handle a longer one without having such major symptoms.

We just had a fun afternoon shopping. DH got me a gift card for shoes so I ended up getting a new pr of Nikes and 2 pr of dress shoes and after the $50 gift card and all the sales and discounts, I only paid $43. We went to a health store and got a few things there that we needed and then we stopped at another store and I got a new pr of dress slacks and a new pr of jeans since my other pants are getting so baggy!

It's raining here but we need it. We were 7" below normal for 2010. Now I'm cleaning out a closet and organizing and getting rid of stuff we don't need.

[beckyh]

So I have almost completed my first day on the Master Cleanse and it has been tough! I find myself hungry a lot. It is 6pm here and I have already had 7 glasses. I have been making it up by the glass, and Renee told me that I should be drinking more, and I think she is right.

Any words of encouragement would be great! Tomorrow I think I am going to make up a gallon of the juice and see what happens and just drink the whole thing in one day! Also any suggestions for when I go to church? I am not sure what to do, because I can't take the drink in with me. Thanks everyone!:)

[missyc]

trying-- you can do this! the day is almost over and tomorrow you will be so proud of yourself that day 2 will be easy!

[Aleesha Sattva]

I got a new pr of dress slacks and a new pr of jeans since my other pants are getting so baggy!

ohhhhhh yeah!!! that's what we love to experience!!! i'm still wearing the pants i was wearing 1/2 way through this fast... they look hilarious on me. this mama needs new clothes.


Also any suggestions for when I go to church? I am not sure what to do, because I can't take the drink in with me. Thanks everyone!:)

Do you usually eat in church? Sorry but... why would you even take it to church with you? Have some in the car, go in and enjoy church and then on the way home you can have more or wait till you get home. ;)

You can do this... if you choose to. Don't limit the amount you drink (at least not on juice fast... I know NOTHING about the master cleanse though).

[Aleesha Sattva]

I had the most lovely tom juice a little while ago. HEAVY on the beet and mmmm it was good. I had to use regular chipolte since my smoked chipolte is all gone. I'm hoping my sister can hook me up soon. You placing an order soon mama?

*you knows i needs it... you knows i loves it... you knows i wants it... my precious*

[lizbar]

just took the laxative tea and ready for th Master cleanse tomorrow. Also just ordered Alissa's new book and so happy. I'll check in tomorrow!!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

i had some yogi tea just now... with some lemon honey mmmm sooooo good.

i made a really nice juice earlier.

apple, tangerine orange, ginger and cinnamon. sooooo good.

[GoodCat]

Its been a very relaxing day. Much needed.

I can totally hook you up precious. I'm placing an order on the 10th. You want me to get you a pound???

I've had lots of pineapple/cucumber juice and some carrot/celery juice, but I've also had some "not juice" stuff too. Taking one day at a time...one day :)

in Light,
Cathy :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

a pound of each. cajun and chipolte please *grin*

do you have any other spicy spices you think i'd love? cause i'll have money now!!!

:D:D:D

[GoodCat]

Let me look precious and I'll email you :cool:

I knows you wants it... I knows you needs it.... you knows I'll get it for you...

:D

[Aleesha Sattva]

*i loves my precious... i loves it... you knows it... you feeds it... you keeps it alive!*

a friend just told me about a juice she made. i'm making it in the morning.

a package of cranberies, one pineapple, a couple of apples. i'm going to add ginger cause i add ginger to everything. LOL

mmmm sounds good doesn't it!!!

[GoodCat]

That actually does sound very yummy. I'll have to try it the next time around (which hopefully won't be too long from now :)

:D

[Aleesha Sattva]

are you done fasting for now?

*i needs you... i misses you precious... don't leave... not now... come back... myyyy precious*

[fastfreedom]

Back when I was doing a juice fast in the summer and I was away from the internet I made a juice that tasted just like banana's. I wrote it down and I'm gonna see if I can find the recipe. I'll really have to do some digging to see if I can find it. But I wrote it down specifically so I could share it with ya all.

A few things I recall it having was that kale that is more flat than the standard kale, but still green. Yup just remembered the name. Lacinato kale. And cantaloupe. Those are the only two ingredients I can fully recall at the moment. Oh wait....parsley was in it for sure. And if I were to guess a couple other ingredients I could guess beet with greens, apple, lemon.

And it tasted like I was drinking banana's. :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

oh you HAVE to find the recipe for us... for me specifically. i soooooo miss bananas. i miss them. been over 6 months since i had one and it'll be another 6 at least before i will again.

oh pleeeeeeeeease.

*giggling*

*you knows i wants it... you knows i needs it... you knows i loves it... myyy precious... you wants to gets it for me... you knows you do... you knows you needs to... *

[lizbar]

Okay, here I go day 1 of master cleanse. I have been incrediy SAD lately that it is only 8:30 am and I already feel detox symptoms. Off to work and I'll check bak later.
liz

[Aleesha Sattva]

i'm up... early. i have to get ready, get my juice made and off to take care of two little ones i used to care for. i'm looking forward to spending the day with them.

so... later gators!!!

[fastfreedom]

I looked for the recipe last night. Couldn't find it. I'm quite sure it's at my old place which is like 2 hours away. But I should be going there sometime this month. I'll definately remember to grab it.;)

[Aleesha Sattva]

ah i'm looking forward to appearing some day! thanks for looking for it!!!

[Rawlala]

I usually have a small water bottle with me in my purse even when Im at church, I dont see why you couldnt carry a little one with MC mix in it if it was absolutely necessary. When I do the MC I take the stuff everywhere. That said drink a lot of the lemonade the first three days, dont limit yourself! Once you get past the hump you start to feel better. Honestly 7 servings is not much, 6 is the min so dont feel bad if you need more to start.

[beckyh]

Well today has been great so far! I took advice from Renee and I made up a whole gallon of the juice and I have been putting in my drink bottle and just drinking it. I also brought it with me in church! I might have to make another gallon, not sure if this gallon will last thru the day. But I am not hungry and I feel good. The only thing that is bothering me every now and then is my back. I get a little shooting pain every know and then.

lizbar, I wish you luck with the Master Cleanse. How long are you going to do it for? I am doing it for 10 days at least, and we will see what happens after that.

[GoodCat]

When I'm fasting I always take juice with me. I bought a water bottle just for that reason ;)

Precious... I'm here "mostly". I'll be buying some cases of produce on Tuesday and I should be good to go for a while then. I just didn't have the means to do a longer fast this time around. But soon ...... very soon.....

I hope you all have a wonderful day. :D

[beckyh]

I usually have a small water bottle with me in my purse even when Im at church, I dont see why you couldnt carry a little one with MC mix in it if it was absolutely necessary. When I do the MC I take the stuff everywhere. That said drink a lot of the lemonade the first three days, dont limit yourself! Once you get past the hump you start to feel better. Honestly 7 servings is not much, 6 is the min so dont feel bad if you need more to start.

Thank you! I ended up doing that, and I think I will be making up another gallon jug today. I feel pretyy good drinking it this way! I think I was limiting myself yesterday, so I am trying not to do that today, and I already am feeling better. Since you have already done this I have a question about the tea, I drink one at night and then in the morning I do the SWF, but today I did the SWF and I hardly went to the bathroom, and the tea in the middle of night made me crampy. Any suggestions with that, or should I just keep doing what I am doing?

[Miss Marie]

Morning everyone :)

Woke up this morning feeling really drained, like my blood sugar was too low. I checked and it was 84 - not low at all. It's probably from it being so high for so long.

The feeling was really bothering me, so I made up a batch of cucumber, carrot and grapefruit juice. It'll probably spike my b.s. a bit, but I'm ok with that. It's better than feeling like a zombie.

I'm going to check my b.s. level in an hour and then in 2 - just to see how well it's being handled.

[EternityRider]

We made a pretty good
haul last nite.
Foraging is
on!

Brother Bear & Bear Jr. at it again. Wish you were all nearby so we could give a quart of juice to you.

[GoodCat]

Thats so cool bear..... :D

[ReneeH]

Day 1 Master Cleanser off to a fabulous start!!! Becky, so glad your day 2 is going better!!!!! :) Keep making up your Gallon jug and it'll save you!!! You won't even have to think about it...when you're hungry, just drink! :)

I'm on another flight! I made up my jug on Lemonade and I have it with me, so I'm ready to go!!!!!! I started last night with my Detox Tea and I'll drink another cup this evening. I'm a little thrown off from flying nights, but I was so excited about starting today, so I have!

The flight attendants are not happy cuz I didn't bring any nibbles like I usually do, but I did offer to share my Lemonade!!!! LOL!!! ;)

Happy Fasting,
Lady Lemon-Nee

[lizbar]

Day one down.Not too bad today. A few moments of feeing sick to my stomach.
Felt pretty good and not very hungry,just cravings.
Trying, I am aiming for 21, but will see how it goes. I have alot of detoxing to do, so I feel this is very necessary for me at this time.
I plan to be mostly raw after the cleanse. and also complete a juice feast when I get my Greenstar!!
How long do you plan on going?
Hope your day went well.
liz

[nadien alexandra]

wow! look at all the fruit! that so great Brother Bear. :)

i feel sad that i cannot be active on this fasting thread more often. I have been a very busy girl. Just moved myself to Toronto in a cozy little home with two good friends.
My friend Damien is my raw food friend whom I traveled with all over the continent recently, and now he is fasting with me.

It is proving to me more of a challenge when in a big city full of so many teasing apparitions. so many food stores and restaurants and smells and so many other people doing the very opposite thing as you and freely indulging. it takes will power to resist acting in a similar fashion to everyone around you.

How did everyone fair over new years?

HAPPY NEW YEARS by the way!

tomorrow, I think i might delight in warm water, with lemon juice and honey and cayenne. i think this a small twist on the MC? but i do not like the idea of Maple Syrup.

I do however consider this drink to taste like a warm lemonade and enjoy it very much.

EDIT:

a friend of mine has either a parasite problem or a Candida problem. Either way, he is addicted to sweet things and looks and feels anemic. I was thinking he should do a juice fast. (he is also getting a blood test and other things because it is getting very serious. he is wasting away :( ).
I was wondering if anyone can provide some insight and tell me if this is a good idea. and for how long would one need to do it for, to reap the benefits and be relieved from these things? maybe he just needs to go all raw? (although i have read that juice fasting is the only way to REALLY fix candida).
lastly, perhaps one of you know, if candida is the case (and i think parasites might need similar treatment to candida?) should one avoid sweet juice like most fruit and sweet veggies like carrots?
does it matter? can he drink any juice?
THANKS! :)

[beckyh]

Day 1 Master Cleanser off to a fabulous start!!! Becky, so glad your day 2 is going better!!!!! :) Keep making up your Gallon jug and it'll save you!!! You won't even have to think about it...when you're hungry, just drink! :)

I'm on another flight! I made up my jug on Lemonade and I have it with me, so I'm ready to go!!!!!! I started last night with my Detox Tea and I'll drink another cup this evening. I'm a little thrown off from flying nights, but I was so excited about starting today, do I have!

The flight attendants are not happy cuz I didn't bring and nibbles like I usually do, but I did offer to share my Lemonade!!!! LOL!!! ;)

Happy Fasting,
Lady Lemon-Nee

Hey Nee,
sorry I missed your call, I was cooking for the family!! Today was so good! I am almost done my second gallon!!

After you get some sleep tomorrow give me a call! Have a great flight!!:)

[ReneeH]

Hey Becky....make sure your Tea is not too strong. Be gentle with yourself. You've got to let your body adjust and settle into the fast. Cno doubt you'll be going regular soon.

Marie, hope your sugar is ok!!!

[beckyh]

Hey Becky....make sure your Tea is not too strong. Be gentle with yourself. You've got to let your body adjust and settle into the fast. Cno doubt you'll be going regular soon.

Marie, hope your sugar is ok!!!

Hey Nee, i think i am making my tea too strong! I will not make it that strong tonight, because i havne't gone at all today, and i did the SWF too. So hopefully that will help tonight! Thanks! You are the best!:)

[Aleesha Sattva]

a friend of mine has either a parasite problem or a Candida problem. Either way, he is addicted to sweet things and looks and feels anemic. I was thinking he should do a juice fast. (he is also getting a blood test and other things because it is getting very serious. he is wasting away :( ).
I was wondering if anyone can provide some insight and tell me if this is a good idea. and for how long would one need to do it for, to reap the benefits and be relieved from these things? maybe he just needs to go all raw? (although i have read that juice fasting is the only way to REALLY fix candida).
lastly, perhaps one of you know, if candida is the case (and i think parasites might need similar treatment to candida?) should one avoid sweet juice like most fruit and sweet veggies like carrots?
does it matter? can he drink any juice?
THANKS! :)

for parasites... make sure he has garlic in his juice daily. as much as he's comfy with. i find that organic garlic is so much stronger than the usual kind in the stores. i use a nice sized organic clove in my juice daily.

as for candida... do some research but i believe green juices are better. don't take my word for it though... never had to deal with it myself.

i had a great day. made a yummy juice:

1 bag (12 oz) of fresh cranberries
8 apples
1 large pineapple (very large)
ginger
long english cucumber
5 stalks of celery

it was so nice. i made it first without the last two ingredients and it was waaaaaay too sweet for me. so i added the cuke and celery knowing it would tame it down and it... it was lovely.

then i made a really nice (heavy on the beet) tom juice blend tonight and it was sooooooooooooooooooo good. made my tummy very happy.

brother bear... i sooo wanna come foraging with you one day! (((hugs)))

[EternityRider]

Let me share my Joy with you!

Tangerines, Grapefruit and Oranges, Oh my!

(They may not look like much, but the price was right.:-)

[NYbutterfly]

Just checking in... I have so much fun reading this thread, although I don't post often.

Well, I was all set to begin my new years fast until my doctor requested that I hold off :( I have always fasted in order to improve my health, so to hear that one could hurt me instead of help me is beyond my comprehension. In a nut shell, some old health issues that I've had with my kidney and liver function might have returned... once I get results from my blood work we will know for sure. My doctor is wonderful and very supportive of alternative medicine and nutritional therapy, so I trust her when she says to not detox too quickly right now, but I've always been a stubborn patient and taken my health into my own hands when I so choose. I'm just sticking to raw foods for now but been doing a ton of juices. Fingers crossed, I'll get those test results back and I'll be cleared for fasting! If anything, I know that juicing will help my body heal the damage that's on the inside... it's why I got into fasting in the first place three years ago! If anyone has any experience of fasting to heal organs or injuries, anything like that, I'd love to hear about it.

Keep up the good work, friends!

[NYbutterfly]

Brother bear... I am drooling of your abundant supply of citrus!!!! I was at the health store today where grapefruit and oranges were $3 per pound! Please drink a quart for me!

[GoodCat]

Good Moring fasters...

I am placing my produce order today and will have it shortly. My husband and I are going to fast together again. We'll be starting on Thursday. I have no goals for how long this fast will go. I'm going to take each day as it comes. Every day I do is a blessing to me and my body.

Cathy :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

good morning everyone. the house is so cold this morning... brrrrr. i slept with my wool socks on, long underwear and a shirt - under a huge stack of warm blankets... i was so toasty and warm!

nice to see so many beautiful faces here this morning... and gorgeous fruit as well!

happy fasting to all of you!!!

[nadien alexandra]

Aleesha, thank you for the response. i will make sure he gets lots of garlic. good thing he loves and and eats it on its own for flavor fun. and green drinks sounds better anyway since it is his first big extended juice fast and more fruit might mean more intense detoxing. but grapefruit and pineapple and things will still be involved.

your drink sounds lovely.

NYbutterfly: i think it is good to take your health into your own hands, as your heart knows best, what will feed it. however, good that you're waiting for your bloodwork to come in before making any big moves. staying raw cannot harm though.

found grapefruits on sale yesterday. 6 for 2$. so this is a big drink for today! little chilly in Toronto right now. am going to make spicy tomato juice this afternoon for dinner.

homemade sleepy tea has been calming my palpitating heart a bit (cham, lavender, st. john's, passionflower) but if anyone knows of some other calming drinks PLEASE let me know.
this has been a problem popping up for me for a long time now, however not as often now that i have been on raw food so long and doing fasts.however, being in the city lately, has got it going again.

[Aleesha Sattva]

drink drink drink... having a huge glass of water helps as well.

(((hugs)))

[beckyh]

Good afternoon! My day started well, but it isn't ending so well! I had my lemonade drink with me this morning when I was dropping of my son at preschool, and I was going to run a few errands and be home for lunch, well that never happen. My car had a problem, so i had to go to the dealers and I drank all of my drink, and we were there fro 2hrs! So needless to say when I got home I was so hungry, that I took 2 water bottles full of the drink to pick my son up from preschool! so know my daughter is napping and my son is playing, I am still hungry, but I am going to drink away, and hopefully fill up! I also have a dull headache, so I think the detox is starting, this is day 3 of the MC for me!

[EternityRider]

Brother bear... I am drooling of your abundant supply of citrus!!!! I was at the health store today where grapefruit and oranges were $3 per pound! Please drink a quart for me!

Now wouldn't Maui have some good foraging? Or did the locals already get it all? :-)

[GoodCat]

tryingtogoraw....Always take a few qts. of juice/liquid with you when leaving the house. You just never know.
I'm glad to hear your sticking with it even though you had a loop of a day ;)

I just finished ordering all my produce. I spent more then I wanted to, but everything sounded so good :p

Blessings,
Cathy :D

[beckyh]

tryingtogoraw....Always take a few qts. of juice/liquid with you when leaving the house. You just never know.
I'm glad to hear your sticking with it even though you had a loop of a day ;)

I just finished ordering all my produce. I spent more then I wanted to, but everything sounded so good :p

Blessings,
Cathy :D

I will ALWAYS remember that! I am never leaving the house without at least 2 of my waterbottles full of whatever I am drinkin!! That is so cool that you order your produce...I wish I could find a service like that in my area! I haven't been having any luck with the produce at our grocery store. I don't need it right now, but when I do Ihope it will be better!

My husband and I just started (indoors) our garden! I am so excited for spring and summer!!

[GoodCat]

Ohhh..... gardening... I love gardening... we won't be starting anything a few months still because of the cold, but I can't wait!!!

:D

[beckyh]

What is funny is I never used to like to garden and my husband did all the work! Well this year I asked him if we could make the garden bigger and I would do all the work! He almost fell off his chair when i said that! I am not sure if we will make it bigger, but we may have a lot of produce in pots on our deck and patio! :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

drink drink drink... having a huge glass of water helps as well.

(((hugs)))


Good afternoon! My day started well, but it isn't ending so well! I had my lemonade drink with me this morning when I was dropping of my son at preschool, and I was going to run a few errands and be home for lunch, well that never happen. My car had a problem, so i had to go to the dealers and I drank all of my drink, and we were there fro 2hrs! So needless to say when I got home I was so hungry, that I took 2 water bottles full of the drink to pick my son up from preschool! so know my daughter is napping and my son is playing, I am still hungry, but I am going to drink away, and hopefully fill up! I also have a dull headache, so I think the detox is starting, this is day 3 of the MC for me!

my post was in response to your original post which you then decided to delete rather than just simply edit and fix your font size LOL but i just wanted to clarity for others.... cause my post makes NO sense otherwise LOL

i just made a lovely:

12oz fresh cranberries
8 apples - gala
ginger
1/2 huge long english cucumber

mmmmm mmmm good. got me on toilet right away... my own non-enema. *smiling*

[beckyh]

my post was in response to your original post which you then decided to delete rather than just simply edit and fix your font size LOL but i just wanted to clarity for others.... cause my post makes NO sense otherwise LOL

i just made a lovely:

12oz fresh cranberries
8 apples - gala
ginger
1/2 huge long english cucumber

mmmmm mmmm good. got me on toilet right away... my own non-enema. *smiling*

I was trying to fix the font size and I couldn't figure out to do it! I thought maybe that post was for me, and I got ALOT of water and I am drinking! Thanks Aleesha!!! I can't wait to taste some of your juices that you have been making! I have been writing them done, so that I can try them after I am done with this cleanse!:)

[Aleesha Sattva]

just so you know for future... if you hit the edit button you would have seen code around your text. you could just delete the code inside the [ and ]...

have a GREAT day everyone!!!

[beckyh]

just so you know for future... if you hit the edit button you would have seen code around your text. you could just delete the code inside the [ and ]...

have a GREAT day everyone!!!

Thanks Aleesha, I will remember that for next time!

[Aleesha Sattva]

Forgot to say I juiced three small oranges in that juice

[Aleesha Sattva]

Mmmm just sipped and swooshed a double shot of wheatgrass

[nadien alexandra]

you're brave. wheatgrass does not go down so well for me unless i mix it with some lemon or orange

just made a delicious spinach/apple/lime/cayenne pepper drink. THE BEST.

found some Kava Kava for my sleep troubles. we'll see if this helps.

EDIT:

at the health food store today, received a sample shot of Purple Maca. It tasted quite unkind but felt quite otherwise, increased energy immediately and felt like my eyes opened up more. :)

[EternityRider]

HOW NOT TO WRECK A PERFECTLY GOOD FAST:

http://www.cotrquitman.com/old/images/Wave%202.jpg

1) Try to avoid events where food will be a prominent factor. Your faves are bound to be there.

I know that at this juncture, Wonder Woman & Hercules may come along and say, "It doesn't phase me". We appreciate your fortitude of steel, but for us mortals here, we have to keep our guard up. :D

2) When you're feelin' really good and flying along, and feel that you could forgo some sleep.. don't push it! High toxin-release in blood + weakened immune system, do not make a jovial combination. You could get sick and that could throw you off the wagon for sure. :eek:

3) Try very hard not to spread your focus across too many things. Fasting requires focus for motivation. The more focus - the more motivation. :p

4) Have a place of escape. Try to avoid excessive drama & trauma at home, and elsewhere. As much as possible, stay away from adverse or vexatious spirits, as this could be an undermining factor in a fast.

5) Keep your tummy full of good juice or other fluid. If you're wavering, never make a decision on an empty stomach.

6) Don't overbook. And don't let another overbook you. Establish boundaries. Too many activities, including long drives, excessive socializing, excessive work or projects, are not conducive for fasting.

7) Do a lot of reading on the subject. Read testimonies, articles, books on fasting. Keep up your enthusiasm by staying focused on your goals.

These are only a few suggestions. Others could probably add more to this list. And, I realize that some -- especially experienced fasters -- may not have a problem with some of these potential obstacles. But, hopefully this will be helpful to any who are new, or relatively new, to fasting.

[Aleesha Sattva]

i agree 100% with everything you said brother bear. i can honestly say... i use them all and they are totally essential for fasting IMO as well.

although... i do number one often and it seems that if i either take an abundance of juice or... make sure i'm water fasting (past day three if possible) that the event is not difficult for me. it's a challenge, but not difficult.

i made a lovely tom juice tonight.

and... i made 7 litres of cantaloupe and 5 litres of grapefruit juice. my fridge is stocked!!! now i just need to drink drink drink over the next couple of days to get this all into my body LOL so i'll be feasting alright!!!

the 'free bin' at my market was kind to me today. it was overflowing... i've never seen it so full. i got cantaloupe (all 7 litres of it) for free... i had to use up all the grapefruits we had here so we cut the peels off and put it through the champion juicer. worked like a DREAM. i'll never use our citrus juicer again!!!

i got sooooooo much other stuff. brother bear, i forage, it's just at our market instead of off the trees of neighbours LOL

i'll be feasting on yummy FREE juice for many days... ahhhh i'm in bliss!!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

mmmm i'm burping up garlic!

i'm off to the hospital with my hubby tomorrow for his diabetes class. yes can you believe it... i'm going to a diabetes class! but hey i have no idea what cooked food he can eat and since that's his choice (rather than healing it with raw)... then i need to know how to support him. soooo that's where i'll be. i may not have time to come on in the morning before we go...

till then...

be juicy!

[monkapotapus]

mmmm i'm burping up garlic!

i'm off to the hospital with my hubby tomorrow for his diabetes class. yes can you believe it... i'm going to a diabetes class! but hey i have no idea what cooked food he can eat and since that's his choice (rather than healing it with raw)... then i need to know how to support him. soooo that's where i'll be. i may not have time to come on in the morning before we go...

till then...

be juicy!

Ewwwww.....I can smell your garlic all the way over here!! lol....you know how I am with that.....:p

Good luck with the diabetes class! :cool:

[Aleesha Sattva]

thanks Lady Allora Galen!!! Nice to see your monkalicious face here!!!

I couldn't sleep last night. I've been awake most of the night so I got up early. I have a litre of gorgeous grapefruit juice beside me and I'm taking 500ml of my cranberry/apple etc blend to the class today.

It'll be weird to sit there and not shout out "Ummmm you can heal this with raw live foods folks!!!" I'll have to bite my tongue...

[kjduf]

Hi All!

I am not fasting but am lurking :)

Oh Aleesha you will be shocked at all that they will teach you at that class. You will have to bite your tongue and put duct tape over it because of the stuff they say you can eat. Raw does heal diabetes, I can testify to that!!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

oh i've been to the class just as i went raw... and disagreed with most of what they taught... but my hubby doesn't wanna be raw so we have to learn (again) what he can and can't eat.

and ya... i'll be sipping on my juice and not saying much. OR i'll be standing up and taking over the class LOL we'll see how much restraint i have today. LOL

[beckyh]

Well today I think I am actually going thru the detox. It started last night. i was in bed by 9, with a headache, body aches, and just plain tired. This morning when I woke up I was still feeling the same way. So I think this is the beginning of the detox. I would have to say the only thing that I don't like about the detox is that I am ALWAYS cold! It doesn't help that it is 39 out with a wind chill of 20! But I will do this for another 6 days!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

detox isn't cold... fasting is cold LOL

at least... in my experience detox has never been cold

i'm off to the class... later folks!

[GoodCat]

I'm always cold when I fast... even in the summer when everyone is hot, I'm cool :cool:

headache... detox...

Aleesha... enjoy that juice and you never know....maybe your hubby will come along with raw at some point.

We will be starting our fast in two more days. I'm excited and a little scared. I haven't been able to do a longer fast in a while. I always start and then I give in to food. But... one day at a time is all I can do..

Blessings,
Cathy :D

[RawHealthyBeauty]

Hmmmm, I really want to let your hubby know that he's gotta try raw food!!

Learning what to not eat and eat is so frustrating because no matter what I ate then always spikes my b.s. level up and makes it linger high for a long time with or without insulin medication.

That's why I love raw food so much, because my b.s. level is always normal a couple hours after eating and when I get up in the morning!!!! Plus it heals the body at the same time!!!! Plus it really saves me money not having to be on medication and no frequent visit to the doctor!!!

So a shout out to your hubby, "Try Raw Food for Thirty Days" to see the difference over all health wise and money wise!!!!!!

It just doesn't make sense to me why stay as a diabetic when you can be diabetic free on raw food!!!!

Anyways, lots of love!!!! :)

[Rawlala]

Hi Trying, I am happy to help, glad that you are still at it. With the tea I would do it really late at night but dont let it soak too long and dont drink the whole cup. Or if you need to just do it once a day. I usually didnt drink it twice on my fast. it's up to you if you feel like things arent moving enough

I am on DAY 1 of my JUICE FEAST. YUMMY!! I am so excited. Sadly I am a bit low on produce but it will be here in a few minutes. I have had one juice carrot/apple/clementine. Tasted good with an initial impression of banana. But I gotta say I am used to eating less sweetness and I am really wanting to get into my green juices or some green/tomato mix. YUM. Oh and I did my first official juice feast blog post so feel free to check it out in my sig line.


YAY. Sounds like everyone is making good progress, im glad to see so many ppl going at it together!

[GoodCat]

I just got back from the store... I purchased some pineapples to go along with the rest of the produce I bought.

I'm starting to get a little more excited about the fast, but still a little nervous.

One day at a time... one day ;)

trying...and rawlalal... congrats. and your fasts/feasts so far.

~The Lady Aredhel~

[EternityRider]

The Local Store.. :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

hey everyone!!!!! i'm baaaaaaaaack. i was such a good girl... i only added stuff twice. first time was suggesting meditation, going for a walk, read a book etc when you want to "boredom eat" as i call it. and the other was the nutritionist told one woman that she HAD to drink milk or she wouldn't get any calcium in her diet. i strongly spoke up and said, "kale is high in calcium and so are chia seeds". i went on to enlighten the group. :) i was pleased with myself cause i didn't say much else and i soooooooooo could have.

i was starving afterwards so i made an early tom blend for myself.

and lady winday, i can't and won't force anyone to eat/consume anything they don't choose to eat. i've tried for 3 years to get him to eat raw, do GS etc. to no avail. not the doctor and i are concerned about what it's doing to his body... so he's on meds now and needs to learn how to eat SAD properly.

cause it's his body... not mine. his choice... not mine. his life... not mine.

[Aleesha Sattva]

brother bear... i love your store.

[kjduf]

Brother Bear- I am envious at all the produce you have at your finger tips! I cant wait for spring to start my garden. I am looking into what fruits do good here and plant those. I use to hate to garden but last year I found it so rewarding to plant and weed my garden. It was so beautiful!!

Aleesha you definitely have the right attitude with hubby. I feel exactly the way you do. His journey and you can only lead by example. So let your light shine bright!

[Aleesha Sattva]

which i do!!!!!! when we took this class over three years ago i was just starting my raw food journey. literally... i had been raw for a few days. now i'm 170 pounds lighter, no longer diabetic... feeling amazing. healed all my other health issues...

;)

[EternityRider]

Brother Bear- I am envious at all the produce you have at your finger tips!

kjduf - If it's any consolation, the other costs in Calif (cost of living ratio) far outweigh that of buying produce. Destiny just seems to have me here, for now. I know it must be very cold in beautiful Michigan right now, but much more humane on costs. (CA is ridiculous.) I was raised a northerner. My mom grew up in Grand Rapids, and I was from Long Island. So I'm still a northerner at heart.