fastg through parties and events?

[lizbar]

I want to do an extended juice/master cleanse fast, but there always seems to be an event or party to attend. I wonder how you veteran fasters manage to go through holidays and gatherings without drinking or eating.
I guess it's a frame of mind, but I have a difficult time with it.
Thank for any advice,
liz

[Aleesha Sattva]

I take a LOT of juice with me. That's what I do. Usually 4-6 litres... closer to 6 if it's a longer event. I can always bring it home... but if I need it, then it's there.

I've gone to weddings, potlucks, sit down dinners, buffets... all kinds of things and made it through them all with flying colours.

Of course you head has to be in your fast to be successful. If you want to eat... you will.

[GoodCat]

I totally agree with Aleesha.. I put off doing any long fast for the reason you stated and then I realized I would never be able to do a long fast. So I decided I was just going to do it and let the chips fall....

I went through the month of June last year and made it through a few birthdays, my children's recital, a few friends coming over for dinner, and going to a few friends houses for dinner.

Like Aleesha said... If your head is in it, then you'll find ways to do it.

I too would take or have at least 4-6 qt. of juice available when at these outings.

Cathy :heart:

[lizbar]

I guess I just need to get my head in it and realize with a big family and two kids there probably won't be a full month or month and a half with absolutely nothing going on.
I also need to realize that I don' need to eat and drink to have a good time which is why I need an extended fast in the first place.
thanks for your replies,
liz

[Aleesha Sattva]

It's mind blowing how much people socialize around food and so freeing when you stop using food as that modality and begin socializing with people for the value of the company and conversation alone.

I know it doesn't sound like it's a big thing... but it is once you achieve it.

There is so much growth in a fast. So much. Like our addiction to checking to what is in the fridge or the pantry. That was my first huge aha moment when I did my first fast. I was surprised how much I went into the kitchen every day to do just that. Life changing... it was simply life changing for me. *lost in the memory of that gift*

[k8sl8]

It's mind blowing how much people socialize around food and so freeing when you stop using food as that modality and begin socializing with people for the value of the company and conversation alone.

I know it doesn't sound like it's a big thing... but it is once you achieve it.

There is so much growth in a fast. So much. Like our addiction to checking to what is in the fridge or the pantry. That was my first huge aha moment when I did my first fast. I was surprised how much I went into the kitchen every day to do just that. Life changing... it was simply life changing for me. *lost in the memory of that gift*

You are absolutely correct about socializing around food; my big problem is I don't "do" socializing well. I am not a 'smalltalk' person so in reality I'm hiding behind the food. Bet that's true for many. I do raw, but have not done an extended fast - so I can still hide in my rawness at functions, lol.

Guess I need help in more ways than one.

[Aleesha Sattva]

Ah... then perhaps not having that food to hide behind would be a gift for you! Perhaps you could try it sometime, even if you are not fasting.

[areilla10]

Just caught the title of this thread. I had made big plans for a full 30 day juice fast last summer. So far my longest fast has been 7 days. My body said it was time to eat...so I listened. But I do remember one fast in particular. It was August, and my grandmother's birthday. Great. I was starting a master cleanse fast that time, and so I was "splurging" on orange juice instead of zippy lemon water with syrup. So yay, I get to sit sandwiched between fried chicken on my left and meatloaf with mac and cheese on my right on day 5 of my fast, and the worst part? I get to be the subject of disapproving remarks, rolling eyeballs, and blurted comments like, "Why do you always have to be so extreme? Just eat something!"

Needless to say my extended family is less than understanding of such things. I would have to say the biggest thing would be to remind yourself why you are doing this in the first place. Like Aleesha said, you'll experience profound growth. The uncomfortable contrast between the world of the eating and world of the fasting is where you find it. When I shut off my eating machine and it fell silent, I could suddenly hear all the gears gnashing around me. Food is freakin' EVERYWHERE! People can't socialize properly (apparently) if there isn't food to gather around. Commercials, newspaper ads, grocery stores, restaurants, street vendors, markets, on and on and on. We are so inundated with food food food everywhere we look that we are virtually blind to it. I think that was my gift, seeing the world as it really is: obsessed with food, abusing it to make ourselves feel safe and secure. Really, are we that terrified that we're going to starve to death? Is that why food is prevalent in our society? Or is it that we are all hiding behind our food, afraid to be ourselves and afraid that we are not enough? Methinks we fill the holes in our faces trying to fill holes in the soul.

[RawBrue]

Very insightful conversation. I have struggled with this issue, never having completed more than 15 days on a juice fast even though I wanted/planned to go longer. It seems easier at times to just avoid large family gatherings or dinners, etc

[Aleesha Sattva]

it can be. i seldom go to events in the first 21 days of my fast. once i'm beyond that i find a greater sense of ease.

it's also about experience. now that i fast so often... i'm used to it. i don't crave the food anymore. i know it'll be there when i'm done fasting... if i want to eat it. most of the times though... i wouldn't eat it IF i wasn't fasting LOL

it's all about your mind-set.

[RawBrue]

Thank you for your insight, I know you have great experience in fasting. I am beginning to believe that for myself it is not so much about the food as it is about pressure from people. I am figuring out that it has been easier to just "give in" and eat rather than have the discussion about fasting, about my health issues. I'm extremely private and do not like to be on display AT ALL. So when in a large gathering of people it feels easy to just go ahead and eat rather than face the loads of questions, people staring, judging, etc...

I have wanted to go off and fast in solitude so many times, life just seems to prevent it.

Do you have any advice?

[areilla10]

Hi RawBrue,

I share that feeling. I think I am hard-wired for solitude anyway, probably designed to be alone at least 50% of the time. I have always like my own company and find the company of others - while often entertaining - is usually draining. My life is over-obligated and hectic (entirely my own fault), and as such it is virtually impossible to set aside a weekend, let alone an entire month, to disappear and recharge. I AM going to build that recycled eco-bunkie up on the ridge on our property. Just a little escape pod with a view, with a bed, a desk and chair and maybe even a tiny kitchenette and closet-sized bathroom (with waterless composting toilet, of course). Someplace to escape to. I'll tell my husband he can....*grumble, grumble* use it as a hunting cabin...occasionally. But otherwise, it's MINE. I'm also daydreaming about a treehouse for grown-ups in one of the 200 year old maples in the back woods...

I think there was a reason that Jesus disappeared into the wilderness before his crucifixion. People are distracting and confusing. Even when they don't mean to, they lay stumbling blocks right where you'll trip over them. If you can get away, you should. But otherwise, I'd suggest turning forced socialization into an exercise in developing inner quietude. There's a quietness in fasting that appeals to me, once you get your head around the discomfort of detoxing.

[Aleesha Sattva]

I have a suggestion... just tell people that you aren't eating because a) you aren't hungry b) you have a test at the drs and he wants you to fast c) just don't draw attention to the fact that you aren't eating. Spend your time away from the buffet table and instead visit with people... mingle... no one will notice you haven't taken a bite!

It's on a big deal if you make it one. No one even cares that I'm fasting most of the time.

[RawBrue]

Areilla - your little getaway sounds fabulous :)

Thank you both for sharing your thoughts on this subject. I am so appreciative! I will try to avoid the subject more and your ideas on other things to say was good Aleesha.

Maybe fasting is also to help us (ie. ME!) work through other things besides just food issues and removing toxins...

Honestly I would really LOVE to go away somewhere for a month or two and fast. Lucky are the ones that can....

[Aleesha Sattva]

It would be lovely to go to a retreat... but I just make a home retreat. I clear my schedule for a few days. Spend heaps of time in meditation and my sauna. Pamper myself to spa treatments (do exchanges with friends)... facials... just lots of rest of reading...

costs me very little compared to a retreat.

[areilla10]

It would be lovely to go to a retreat... but I just make a home retreat. I clear my schedule for a few days. Spend heaps of time in meditation and my sauna. Pamper myself to spa treatments (do exchanges with friends)... facials... just lots of rest of reading...

costs me very little compared to a retreat.

Ohhhhh, you have a sauna. We now have a deck: step two is putting a sauna on it.

I have always done the same, Aleesha (except for the sauna that is). I spent my two weeks vacation last year focusing on detoxing and fasting. It certainly helps to have cleared one's schedule. I'm choosing my vacation time for this summer and while the bulk of it will be spent with the Fam, I'm toying around with the idea of stealing away for at least a few days. Something crazy cheap. Maybe even camping. I don't know. Even just daydreaming about it seems to reduce my blood pressure. :D