Sept 2011 Fasting Thread... join any time of the month!!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

PLEASE... feel free to join this thread any time ... we loooove having new friends to fast with!!!

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 (when I'm fasting):

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 tomorrow 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.
I'm here to feel whole. I'm here to give my beautiful, cherished body a break from digesting food!!!

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!

Ever wonder how the Fellowship began?

Back when I first began fasting there were the Fasting Bandits. This was a group of amazing people who fasted together all the time. The 'theme' was a convoy of truckers. I was the water tanker! :throwhearts: Over time the Fasting Bandits moved on with their lives and weren't around much at all. A few of the members are still here... but seldom fasting anymore.

I was missing the camaraderie of the FB and was always hoping to find a new group to fast with, find support with and to support myself. The Fellowship of Fasters began because Cathy and I watch the movie Lord of the Rings a LOT and we fast together a LOT as well. We began speaking to each other as though we were Golum - and our juice was our precious.

And then the Fellowship of Fasters was born!

So to be a member... you simply need to choose a name, put it in your signature line and love fasting. You can become a life-time member or one for a short time... it's up to you.

I'm here for the long haul. My water tanker is here beside me - because I'll always be a Fasting Bandit... but now my precious walks beside on a slower path than the truckers... enjoying the grass at my feet and the flowers growing out of the cracks and crevices in the rocks around me.

[Pop Tart]

I'm on day 3 and loving it! I'm starting my morinings with a fruit juice mix, and just today I added a another juice in the afternoon.
I'm really surprised that I'm enjoying it so much (so far!).
As I get used to the non-fruit juices, I'll be excited to try more green ones.
I've had:
cranberry/apple
strawberry/blackberry/peach/apple
watermelon/cranberry/peach
carrot/celery/cucumber

I'm really proud of myself :)
Hmmm....now I have to think of a fellowship name.....

[GastroparesisGirl]

I am starting my fast this morning. I am going to try for a week at a time. If I do one week and need to break it, then fine. My guess is that I will go longer than a week but this way I will have small, reasonable goals...

Anyway, I have gastroparesis, a condition where my stomach doesn't break up food efficiently. Recently it has been really bad and I have mostly been on liquids anyway. I am just going to give up some of the "trash" liquids I have been drinking and only drink the fresh juices. I am not a raw foodie, but I do drink a lot of raw juices and think I will be a lot healthier only on the raw juices than I am having the "trash" liquids thrown in the mix, too.

I watched "Fat, Sick, and Almost Dead" and have become inspired. I do worry that I will lose too much weight, but again, if I take it one week at a time I can always curb the weight loss.

SO HAPPY to find this group to fast with!!!

I have started some wheatgrass in a tray. It should be ready to juice in a few days (started it 2 days ago). I'll get another tray going on Tuesday probably so that I constantly have it to juice. Need to shop for other fruits and veggies but I have enough to juice the whole day tomorrow.

:juicy:

OH--and Aleesha--I am curious to hear how it was to fast for 209 days? I have wondered about pretty much juicing forever since gastroparesis will probably be a problem the rest of my life and solids are pretty much out of the question. But it seems like no one out there has done long-term fasts like this...until I now see that YOU have! Can you be my guru??? :)

[donnyandcathy]

WOW, Gastroparesis Girl, your post sounds so much like I wrote it.
I was diagnosed with gastroparesis in 2009 and also colonic inertia. I've had a few procedures done, but nothing has seemed to help. I decided not to take the medications due to all the side effects. Thankfully my gastroparesis pain and vomiting was subsided, and it seems like I can eat a lot more now without getting too full. BUT... the food choices have not been the best, or the healthiest. I also have thyroid issus, and an autoimmune disorder that really makes me feel wiped out, weak, and severe muscle and joint pain.
Anyways enough negative info. I'm ready to start my raw journey and start my path to healing.
I'm starting my juice fast tomorrow (Sept. 5th) but will probably do a water fast the first day, then transition to juice.
Like you, I'm not putting a time frame on my fast. Last time I tried to do that I felt like I failed when I had to break the fast early. I plan on taking it day by day, and if I do decide to break it I will continue to do juicing but add a little fruit.
I'm here to encourage you, and cheer you on ;)
Blessings,
Cathy

[donnyandcathy]

I do want to ask a couple of questions.....

I have a Champion Juicer, and wanted to know if that would be a good one if I was wanting to juice kale, chard, and spinach with my fruits.
Or would I need something like a Omega Vert, or a Breville?

I was also wanting to see if I just added celery, cucumbers, beets, carrots, and apples, if that would be a good juice or do I need to make sure I'm adding some type of leafy green? I'm just worried that my juicer won't be able to do the leafy greens.

Anyone else do a long term juice fast without leafy greens?

Could I add powdered greens like Barleygreen to the juice?

Thanks so much!!

[donnyandcathy]

Made it through day 2 of water fasting. Will probably add juice tomorrow afternoon.
I did have some straight coconut water tonight which helped a little.
Not really hungry at all, just feeling really ugh tonight.
The thing with fasting at my house is that I have 4 kids, and was running around with them all day, then to the grocery store, came home cooked a big meal for the rest of the family, and haven't had time to rest at all. I know that is important, but it's hard to do. We also homeschool so I can't rest while they are at school ;)
I also went and ordered me a juicer today, and hopefully it will be here early next week. I have a "Champion" juicer now, but treated myself to a "Omega Vert 350" YAY!! I figured that if this is going to be a lifestyle, then I need 2 good juicers ;)
Hope I sleep good and hard tonight!!
Hope everyone had a great day!!

[GoodCat]

Hi Cathy,

When I do juice feasts, I use my champion for everything. I juice all kinds of leafy greens in it. But since you got an Omega Vert, you won't have to worry about that!! Congrats. And congrats on fasting/feasting... Its sooooo good for our bodies.

Cathy

[donnyandcathy]

Thanks Cathy!!
I'm still doing the water and coconut water today. That makes 3 days of just the waters. Is it more beneficial to do the water fast or the juice fast? I thought maybe the water, and as long as I was doing ok, I was going to continue the water till I felt like I needed juice. BUT.. if it would be better and help some of my issues heal faster with the juice, then I will switch over to the juice.
Any thoughts??
Thanks!!

[Pop Tart]

Wow, I'm have a rough day 7! I've had a few emotional ups and downs today and now I'm a real grump. And for the first time this week, I'm actually hungry.
I've been enjoying fruit juices this week with a lot of watermelon :)
Tomorrow I'm going to dive into some beets!
Happy fasting:)

[donnyandcathy]

Completed day 4
Today I did a honeydew and the rest water.

What is up with the hiccups?? I NEVER get hiccups, and I have had them off and on ALL day, and they are the ones that hurt and last for an hour or more :(

Hope everyone else is having a good day!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

water fasting is more healing than juice fasting... period. hands down deeper fast for detox and healing.

that said... you are drinking coconut water so it takes your water fast and makes it equal to a juice fast because your body won't go into ketosis in a deep way like it does with water. so... drink whatever brings you the greatest bliss and will assist your body to stay fasting.

i've done extended fasts with virtually no greens at all... i've done others with more greens added in. i've never done a heavy green laden fast ever. so... again... follow what's yummy to your palate. it won't lead you in the wrong direction. i find that juicing what my body is asking for is the best way to fast. some times i'd do nothing but watermelon for days and then change it up to apple... then pineapple with spirulina is all i'd want. i'd just go with the flow. :hug

as for juicing greens with a champion. if you slice up the greens like you would for a salad, it'll juice them up nicely! just don't leave them in big pieces like you can with a greenstar.

all the best to all of you!!! (((hugs)))

[Aleesha Sattva]

and g-girl... i released 50 pounds in 209 days of fasting. as you fast longer your weight release slows. if you don't want to release much... drink more juice!

if you want to release more... increase your water and keep your juice around the 3-4 litre mark for the day (or less but only if your body is asking for less).

[donnyandcathy]

Thanks Aleesha, you are awesome!!!
I'm glad you mentioned that about drinking different types of juice, because the fruits make me feel better, and for some reason the veggie makes me feel really yuck!
I've loved doing the honeydew juice, and today I'm craving some type of fruit juice, but haven't decided which one yet.
I feel GREAT today, lots of energy, and the guy at the store thought I was a little "crazy" because I was talking his ears off ;)
Very busy morning, and about to start a very busy afternoon/evening. I think I will juice some pineapple, and take it along with me.
I'll check in tonight once we get back home.
Have a great day!!
Cathy

[Zennifer]

This was SO helpful!!! I am at the end of Day 2 of my fast and came home from walking my dog to find my family at the dinner table enjoying a meal that I used to enjoy and that was really hard for me.

I don't want to break my fast so early, so finding out that I can do more fruits make me feel like I can continue. The support here is wonderful! I now feel that I can go on.


water fasting is more healing than juice fasting... period. hands down deeper fast for detox and healing.

that said... you are drinking coconut water so it takes your water fast and makes it equal to a juice fast because your body won't go into ketosis in a deep way like it does with water. so... drink whatever brings you the greatest bliss and will assist your body to stay fasting.

i've done extended fasts with virtually no greens at all... i've done others with more greens added in. i've never done a heavy green laden fast ever. so... again... follow what's yummy to your palate. it won't lead you in the wrong direction. i find that juicing what my body is asking for is the best way to fast. some times i'd do nothing but watermelon for days and then change it up to apple... then pineapple with spirulina is all i'd want. i'd just go with the flow. :hug

as for juicing greens with a champion. if you slice up the greens like you would for a salad, it'll juice them up nicely! just don't leave them in big pieces like you can with a greenstar.

all the best to all of you!!! (((hugs)))

[Pop Tart]

I had a really nice juice today:
carrots
beets
wheatgrass
spinach
collard greens

yummy!

[donnyandcathy]

Made it all day yesterday with coconut water, water, and a yummy juice with pineapple, kale, celery, red grapes, and pear.
Like I said in above post, I was feeling good and then 3:30 hit and I hit rock bottom. We were out with my daughter and din't get home till after midnight. I slept in this morning.
Today I didn't have the morning energy like I did yesterday, but stuck with the juice fast. I juiced one of our watermelons that my daughter grew in her garden. I also drank coconut water, and then a juice with pear, granny smith apple, celery, rainbow swiss chard, and red grapes.
Nothing seemed to help with the weakness and fatigue, but I decided to keep going and praying that the energy will return.

I think I may know why I'm feeling so tired and toxic. Hopefully this isn't TMI, but I haven't been able to go to the bathroom. I still have everything I ate the week before I started the juice fast. I am drinking Smooth Move and taking a lot of magnesium and Vit C, but nothing is helping it "move" along :(
Enemas are not helping at all either.
As some of you remember, I have colonic inertia and gastroparesis, and my colon does not move like normal. In fact it is to the point where my doctor says I need to think about removing most of it. That is why I came back to juicing and raw, hopefully to keep that from happening. I can drink 6 bags of Smooth Move a day and nothing. There is no over the counter or supplement that will help. I was taking up to 14 Shaklee Herblax, and not much was going on.
Do you think maybe I should switch over to a green smoothie feast so I can have the fiber to help "push" things through? I'm just concerned that even though I'm doing this juice feast for better health, am I really helping by not getting rid of the toxins in my colon?

But, on a happy note... Today is a full 6 days of water and juice feasting. As Alisha knows from the last time I tried to fast, this is a big accomplishment.
And I like what Alisha also does, she never breaks a fast at night but allows to break it if she still feels like she needs to the next morning. So I will see how I am feeling tomorrow morning. I would like to make it to Monday so it will be a complete 7 days.

Thanks!!
Cathy

[michigan roman]

d and c maybe nut and seed mylks would give you energy . a long term liquid diet with green juices for calcium / iron / vita a , citrus juices for vita c , nut / seed mylks for proteins and fats . if can find a rich liquid diet that works long term it gives body more time to flush out pollution / damage at cellular level then rebuild . and theres all kinds of nut / seed mylks to make : hemp - pumpkin - almond - sun seed - etc etc etc . if can find the mylks that give you energy your tract doesnt have much work to do , and without solids it can just work slowly . just look at it like whats normal diet for others isnt good for you , youve got to find own way . also have you tried changing water sources or getting the good water filter types like reverse osmosis , as ive seen smart healers say many times water has been a persons problem and they never thought to change it

keep looking for a super rich liquid diet you can energize on , babies live on liquids , while in the mean time more can be learned about your ailment . who knows maybe its caused by a deep sub concious block and can be cured by hypnosis . thats just wild guess but point is search hard for a rich liquid diet to thrive on

also thinking ever try accupuncture for ailment . ecspecially an eastern trained therapist from asia as theyve longest history on earth in the field and maybe ideas western healers dont know of

also ever drink alot of apple juice as that causes many peoples tracts to function quickly ;-)

[michigan roman]

also wondering if doing stomach exercises to strengthen area

and have you ever taken a vibrating sander while wearing thick sweatshirt and held sander on gut to really message area , maybe you've some built up toxic mucous on intestines causing your ailment and messaging like this would help break it loose and evacuate it

[Aleesha Sattva]

love mr's suggestions. *waves at mr!!!* especially the vibration. i was going to suggest massage and a colonic or seven.

also apple juice is a great way to get the bowels moving. how about doing straight apple/ginger/lemon or lime juice for a few days? see if it assists.

the only thing about adding in nut mylks is that your digestion will restart and it may be harder (hunger-wise) to continue fasting.

i've also read that taking too many things to help stimulate a movement can actually prevent it. so i would suggest (and i'm not a doctor) that stopping everything and trying apple for a while would be a good start WITH a colonic.

[donnyandcathy]

Thanks MR and Aleesha!!
I appreciate your suggestions and advice, and will look at all the options you suggested.
In fact I felt so good today that I did not want any juice, just water and my coconut water. I did drink some herbal tea, but no juice.
I felt like my blood sugars were more stable than yesterday.
On the other hand nothing has changed at the other end ;) but I will take your suggestions and pray that it helps. I have some organic granny smith apples waiting in my fridge to be juiced, so I will do that tomorrow.
Really had a great day today and praying that all of you did too!!
Cathy

[michigan roman]

hi aleesha , miss hanging out !!!!!! trying to get back into fasting mode so hopefully
some future trucking is to be here . i gave my champion juicer to my mom so without
juicer these days which is holding my fasts back . but soon going to buy a new one
so getting back into fasting shortly

[mpure]

Beginning my first ever juice fast today and very excited! My boyfriend is joining me as well, which is very exciting, and a bit shocking too! We plan to fast for 10 days, but promised not to cut it off before 7 days. So we have a lot to look forward to and experience this week! just made our first juice meal of the day, a favorite of ours, simple and delicious.. apples, carrots, ginger, lemon and kale. m mm ! Hope everyone is enjoying today as much as we are!!!

[donnyandcathy]

Continued the juice fast today with apple juice, pear and apple juice, then tonight I had pineapple juice. I had run out of my apples ;)
It's crazy how I can feel on top of the world and so strong one day, and then the next day feel right the opposite :(
Hope everyone has had a great day.
Welcome...mpure!! Hope you have a wonderful juice fast!!

[michigan roman]

i started my usual 24 hours of water sunday 6pm and i guess i'll try pushing it a few days because its time for me to get back to fasting work , happy trucking everyone ;-)

[mpure]

so far so good, day two, having the expected ups and downs..and learning a lot about my body, feeling hungry and weak at times, but great at others.. its so interesting to listen to what your body has to say, and trying to make sense of it. Off to the farmers market today to get a barrel of apples...! the juice is so delicious this time of year.
& thanks for the welcome D&c !!

[michigan roman]

48 hour point on water , feel weak here after work but from hour 48 to 96 is the toughest . after that i'll get more energy

[mpure]

Day three, and goodmorning to all! I have been sleeping more than usual, my body seems to be tired out at the moment. Its 10:30 and i just woke up! But, I have noticed that mornings are the easiest for me. Right when i wake up I haven't felt hungry at all, but once the day carries on is when the cravings start to push their way through and i begin to feel weak. But if everything i hear about the first three days being the worst is true, I'm definitely looking forward to tomorrow!! he-he ! Let me tell you , working at a restaurant and being around food is very difficult! I began craving things that I would never normally eat! But then i go back and think about how bad I felt when I actually did eat those foods, and It helps me stay on track and be happy about what I'm doing. We had peach juice for dinner and ate it out of a bowl with a spoon, it was really satisfying!! Today we are going to try tomato juice, as well as concord grape juice. Bought a watermelon yesterday too, exciting! Hope today is going great for everyone else!!

[donnyandcathy]

Made it to day 10!!
Yesterday was just water, and coconut water.
This morning at 10:00 I broke the juice/water fast by drinking some homemade almond milk.
Good luck to all of you!!

Mpure, watermelon juice is soooo yummy, but my favorite was a ripe honeydew juice. It was so sweet and hit the spot.

[Aleesha Sattva]

congrats on 10 days!!!!

and mr... you know i love ya! :heart ever since i left my marriage and started my 'new life'... i haven't got the slightest desire to fast. i do miss it though... perhaps i'll get into the swing again soon??? either way... i can't imagine i'll stop fasting forever. :wuv

[Aleesha Sattva]

Did a one day dry fast. Broke it with half a watermelon. Lots of hydration with the watermelon and it restarted my bowels nicely.

Ahhhh I miss fasting.

[mysticshore]

Day 1 here of a 10 day fast. This thread sure has become quiet since you've taken a fasting break Aleesha. I hope your new life is working out for you. Any other fasters going to join in for the rest of the month?

[Hanneke]

I'll be doing another 10 days in October. I'll start October 3rd. I'm excited!

[mysticshore]

That's great! I hope I can join you then. Day 2 here and I can feel my addiction to cooked foods falling away. They are losing their power over me and I can really notice the difference. I made fresh watermelon juice for dinner and it was divine. I am ready to embrace being raw again. I'm so glad winter is over here. Bring on summer and it's bounty of fruity goodness.

[Aleesha Sattva]

mmmm watermelon juice. so yummy and wonderful for your kidneys too!!!

i am hopeful you will all hold up the light and continue with the fasting threads without me... they are soooooo amazing and supportive!!!

[Mary Kay]

dannyand cathy,

Are you still here? If so, in looking at your juices, it seems like an awful lot of sugar to me. I know, some feel this is okay, but perhaps you were creating a lot of insulin to counteract all the sugar, and then crashing? Just a thought. HTH.

Mary Kay

[donnyandcathy]

Mary Kay,
I'm still here, but not fasting.
I've added in raw foods, and some nuts and seeds.
I agree with you, my juices were high in sugar, but I did not enjoy the green juices or the lower sugar veggies.
I know it's not all about enjoying the taste, but it does help to be able to swallow what you are drinking ;)
I do fine with a high fruit diet, but I'm sure it's the fiber that helps the blood sugars.
Thanks for thinking about me!!
Cathy

[Aleesha Sattva]

I do high fruit juices as well and it doesn't cause me to crash. You can always add just a little greens and/or spirulina or chlorella into your juices IF you are having issues.

*dancing and spinning around the room* :excited:

[climbing]

I'm joining. Easing in today, will be full fasting by tomorrow...

[climbing]

Yo! :) Anyone else on a fast? Day two here. :)

[Hanneke]

Hellooooooo! am I alone? Is there going to be an October fast thread?????

[climbing]

Should I start one? Usually Aleesha does it but she seems to be busy with other things.

Youre not alone, though. I'm on day 6 here, been master cleansing it up since yesterday. :) But I think I'll go to watermelon ginger lemon juice by tonight. :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

go ahead and start one!!! :)