August 2012 Fasting Thread ..... Please join for support with fellow fasters :)

[GoodCat]

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:

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, my super amazing husband Parz, and anyone here who wants support.
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.

[mary_j]

Hello, I'm new here~~ I had joined a fasting community some little time ago, but it seemed dead :(. So I join here today, I love everyone's motivation on this site.

Well I began on a water fast the 23rd of July, so I hope it's ok to start posting here. I'm aiming for a 30 day fast, and I would like to break it raw. I'm on day 5. Honestly though I know nothing of raw food eating, nor juicing, so I'm hoping I can be pointed in the right direction. I have been doing some research here and there.
I need to detox BIG time. I severely mistreated myself in the past years. My body has just begun the process of toxin elimination, and it hurts. I've even lost sleep because the body aches are unbearable! But I don't wanna give up! I'm just hoping the pain will subside soon..

[halfsleep]

mary_j: look up "liferegenerator" on youtube. His name is Dan McDonald and he's sort of a raw food guru (at least in my opinion). I've been watching his videos for four months now and it's really been teaching me a lot about going raw and staying raw. Very inspiring.

I'm excited to be apart of a fasting community. I started a fast today (7/27). I don't like giving myself a set number of days. I find when I say, "I'm going to fast X number of days or until this day", I start to get overwhelmed. I'm going to just take it a day at a time.

[mary_j]

mary_j: look up "liferegenerator" on youtube. His name is Dan McDonald and he's sort of a raw food guru (at least in my opinion). I've been watching his videos for four months now and it's really been teaching me a lot about going raw and staying raw. Very inspiring.

I'm excited to be apart of a fasting community. I started a fast today (7/27). I don't like giving myself a set number of days. I find when I say, "I'm going to fast X number of days or until this day", I start to get overwhelmed. I'm going to just take it a day at a time.

Thank you, I'll definitely look it up! :)

I'm measuring the fast by it's intensity I guess. Like I know a 10 day fast isn't gonna be as effective on me as a 30 day fast should (I have a lot to clean up). I could even push it to 40... but I think that would be too much for my first long fast.

Best of luck on your fast!

--
Aaand today completes my day 5 as it is night-time. I lost 3 lbs today, which I found strange as I started with 2 lbs a day... still feeling pretty tired, but I had no desire to nap at all. I believe my body is also further moving into more detox process. But I don't wanna get graphic about it..haha.

[Hippo2Hippie]

I'm on my phone, please excuse misspells etc.

Im really excited to be joining you all. :) we started around the same time, me on the 26th. I Think that's pretty neat. Not much to report- I had been eating raw for almost 2 months before I started and I think because of that, I haven't detoxes too much. I am still pretty hungry though. Course it's first thing in the morning.

I haven't been on a scale since A month before I started this journey and I don't plan to. I love seeing the numbers Going down but those days/weeks that it doesn't move much is so discouraging to me and also, I start obsessing over the numbers. I am loving it.. Sometimes I wish I could step on, but I think " I feel great about my choices and myself right now. How will I feel if I get on and see that I've only lost ___ lbs instead of the number I'd envisioned?". That usually keeps me off. All that to say that I won't be weighing during this fasting journey.

I'm aiming for 100 days. As long as I can afford it, or as long as I can hold out. I heard this hunger is supposed to go away after today. Well see. That will help me stay the course.

I rambled. I can formulate posts a little better when I'm on the laptop.

Let's do this thing.

Eta: half sleep I love Dan the man. Lol. He's do real. I broke down and ordered his DVD set

Good cat- I could have copied your signature as my own. Well after the elf part. I have 6 also, and I'm a Jesus freak. :)

[oxKatNipxo]

Hey guys :) just coming to check in. Still on the wagon. Im not as chatty because it's Ramadan, and not only is the dry fasting a bit taxing, but its a very spiritual time. Between that fast and the juice fast, there's alot of emotional stuff coming up. Some days I am just miserable. Apparently I have very deep self esteem issues I didn't know I had( I've known I have some insecurities and such but not to this extent u_u). I'm not exactly sure how to work on them or what to do except have some good cries and of course prayer. I'm sure an answer will come eventually or I will just have an "Aha! moment".

I'm glad though that it's all coming to the surface now! :D Time to clean up everything. :)

Happy Fasting everyone!

- KatNip

[Gianni]

I am still pretty hungry though.
It's normal to have some pangs in the first couple of days, but whenever you are hungry feel free to have another juice or two. Remember this is a juice feast as well as a juice fast.

When I was fasting, if it were late in the evening (after 10pm) and I was a tiny bit hungry, I would drink some ginger tea (sometimes with apple shavings) which would tide me over until the morning. I'm not a breakfast person so I would usually start the day with some ginger tea as well, and then around mid-morning I would drink a liter (quart) of freshly made juice.

Don't restrain yourself. You should drink as much freshly made fruit, vegetable and plant juice as you want, whenever you want. The weight will still come off plus you'll get a host of other health benefits from it.

[Gianni]

Ramadan, and not only is the dry fasting a bit taxing, but its a very spiritual time. Between that fast and the juice fast, there's a lot of emotional stuff coming up. Some days I am just miserable. Apparently I have very deep self esteem issues I didn't know I had.
Ramadan is a time of reflection and thought, and it must be very difficult trying to juice fast through it. You sure chose a difficult time to do your fast. Be very proud of yourself for succeeding in continuing your juice fast through it all.

I think once you get through Ramadan and can drink at will again, you will feel much better. Your mind will be clearer and the weight you will have lost will do wonders for your self-esteem.

[Lady Green Jeans]

Hello all. I have been back to raw and have been building up to do another raw juice feast for that great healthful energetic feeling that it brings. Will be starting tomorrow and look forward to going through the 25th at least and maybe beyond.

[rawmom2006]

i am still water fasting and doing well . I plan to continue in August.
mary j look for other raw food people who have been around longer then Dan he has a good marketing thing going but there are lots more people who have
been around longer.
I want to wish everyone happy fasting in August.

[Hippo2Hippie]

It's nice to have this thread and group to check into. :D. I'm feeling very energized today and definitely less hungry. I'm learning that a lil hunger isn't the end of he world. When I was eating sad, hunger was very intense if (I ever let mysel get hungry that is.)

Gianni- thx for that! It is usually late evening when I'm hungry. It's when I've kindof put the juicer away for the day, cleaned up from making dinner for my family, et cetera. Ginger tea sounds Devine. I think I'll some. Thx for helping out! Oh, I did drink a bit more today. I'd say half a gallon or more. I don't think much more Would fit. I'm having a hard time getting my water in anyway.

Much love and I wish the best for all of us. (hug)

[Juicin' in Houston]

Hey everyone! I'm breaking my fast today but I will see you all pretty soon! I'll be started again, next tuesday or wednesday, and after that...a 30 day raw food challenge! I'm ecstatic about it :D Keep on trucking people!

[happylife]

Just got my new juicer today and would like to do a 3 day fast. I know I will be needing a lot of support.

[Hippo2Hippie]

Welcome happy! What juicer did u get? What had you been using?

Its day 7 and i feel like I'm starving today. Where did this come from? I'm makin non raw dinner for the other 7 people in my family and oh my goodness it looks great! It's always this one certain food that gets me every single time. I'm lucky ( I suppose) that it depresses my mind and my body when u eat it and it takes me days to recover from that. This too shall pass and I'm realizing that every time I overcome these things in life, I get another notch in my confidence belt. I need that. I was made for more than a life of overindulgences, self hatred and depression that leaves me in bed for days. That is what cooked food gets me. 2 months and one day raw. I am doing this!

[happylife]

HI Hippo2Hippie,
I got a Jack La Lanne's Power juicer express. Didn't know a juicer could ever run as quiet as this.. I'm totally happy with it. I'm on a very low budget so I couldn't afford any other.
I made my first juice today of carrots, cucumbers, apples, and celery..Oh my gosh, I could feel my body thanking me. Have not had a juicer for a few years. THe last one was one of the high end ones and very loud, that was 4 years ago.
Made it through the first day with no problems at all 2 1/2 hours into the second day. When I was full raw about 14 years ago I had a cooking service ,so I know how hard it is to do that for a large family.. You sound like a very strong person, good for you :) Thanks for the welcome..

[Hippo2Hippie]

Congrats on making it a day! cool! sometimes I wish I had a centrifugal juicer for the days I dont want to stand in the kitchen forever, feeding a carrot through one at a time. does yours have a big mouth that fits more than one carrot? lol Is it fairly easy to clean? Mine is easy, just time consuming to clean.

tonight my "life regenerator recipe' juice for dinner was just nasty. It used quite a it of produce so I sucked about 1/3 of it down (it made about a quart) while thinking about the weightloss.. lol and how good it is for me. sigh.. so far I haven't liked any juices I've tried that had tomatoes in it.

I'm exhausted today. I feel an early bedtime comin on. I'm excited for good sweet juice tomorrow.

[happylife]

My juicer is very easy to clean. At the most it took maybe 3 min's. Yes, it has a big mouth, I put in 3 large carrots and 1/2 apple at the same time. I got a lot of greens today so will be using some tomorrow. I find that I like fruit in my juices or at least carrots to make them taste really great. Sleep well my new raw food friend.

[Juicin' in Houston]

Welcome happylife!

Great job Hippo2Hippe! Keep up the good work! Can't wait to join you guys next week, just saying goodbye to some old friends ;^)

[happylife]

I made it for 1 2/3 days. Either having a huge detox or one of my TIA's is about to happen. I hope that it is a detox.

[LightrayMN]

I'm starting my first day of juicing...I'm shooting for a "juice fasting" regime for 30 days. My longest was 20 days without eating, doing a master cleanse, so I'm thinking this should be easier than that. At least there will be more variety in juicing!

I don't know how long I will last as i have a family to feed. But I sure would love any support thrown my way!:woot:

[Hippo2Hippie]

Lightstray, welcome-good to see you here!I hear ya on having a family, it's hard! The smells etc. not helpful!

I've noticed that all I the more hearty soupy-tasting juices I've tried, I havent loved them. My body is craving something v8-ish and I'm not ure how to go about that. I'm scared to try because I threw out a big batch of juice last night. I can't affor to keep doing that. What do you guys make around dinner time? I'm doing fruity juice w light greens at breakfast, light green juices w less fruit for lunch and I really want heavier tasting meals for dinner.

I've been extra grumpy today. I don't know that I buy into the whole "your body is detoxing old feelings and emotions" stuff, I think it's just a crazy day and I can't eat. Lol. Today juicing feels less like a beautiful thing and more like a chore. I hope tomorrow is better.

How is everyone? I don't wanna hog this thread.

[happylife]

Good luck Lightray MN.

[drraw]

Allright. I'm in on this for 14 days. This is my first juice-only fast, so we'll see how it goes. I'm getting ready to have my mercury fillings removed and want to be squeaky-clean before potentially releasing more mercury into my system.

--drraw

[Raw Angel Mom]

All the best on your journey, i will join you today with a water fasting. I find this is easier for me to do, result are faster, no need to prepare any juice just filling my water bottle before going to work.

So day 1 water fasting, i woke up very exciting about doing this, it is like giving a treat to my body and i am giving myself permission to claim my power back and proclaiming "I am free and happy". Knowing that all is well.

[GreenT]

Hi everyone!! Its been a while since i've popped in. Decided to do another juice fast, i feel sooooo good when i do them! Today is day 1. Started out with my favorite for breakfast, cantaloupe juice...mmmm mmm yum!

Happy fasting everyone!! :throwhearts:

[Lady Green Jeans]

Made several kinds of juice last night and enjoying them today--tomato blend (made for supper and had pt. left over--note to self that it tastes better same day when made), pineapple cucumber gazpacho, and carrot and dino kale with a little lime juice which came out quite tasty. Have added taking chlorella tablets and will start adding spirulina to some of the blends.

Feeling so energized and lighter.

Hope everyone is doing well. Great to be here.

[Raw Angel Mom]

Congratulation everyone for making another day!

Day 2 water fast: Yesterday was easy except to have to deal with a migraine. It went away after an enema. I started to have hunger in the evening but it went away after i affirmed: "I AM free now". Today i want to connect more with nature, feel the wind, the sun and will go for a swim today if the weather allow it. I love it so much not to have to make a lunch for work, yeah....I can spend more time to do spiritual healing.

All the best!

[oxKatNipxo]

Hello fellow fasters :)

Came to check in... I'm still trucking along although I haven't been active at all in here. I feel bad cuz I know some of you could really use support, especially the ones in their first couple of weeks. I will be more active after these next 2 weeks. For now I'd like to say, Just keep it ONE day at a time. Shoot for small goals, because when u accomplish those, it will keep you going. :) Congrats to all of you for making it another day! Remember not many people are willing to do this kind of stuff, it takes alot of will power and determination. :)

- oxKatNipxo

[Raw Angel Mom]

Congratulations on your 42 days fast oxKatNipxo! Pretty good and amazing.

Wow Lady Green Jeans, great juice.....

[Raw Angel Mom]

Day 3 water fasting:

I got a box of fresh produce yesterday, and i could see them as great potential for juicing but i am doing the water fast. I could smell the mint and so sweet. My family will have a fest instead, lol.... My sensitive enhance with the water fast. It was tempted to brake my water fast into a juice fast but no way, i want my freedom more then anything.

I started to detox more yesterday. I got those migraine again but it was more toward the end of the day. Again the enema, took care of it. I started to have them again before going to bed and being very tired, so i just slept. I woke up with short of breath and i saw that my lungs are releasing more junk. So glad about this. Anyway, i am feeling better. I have to remember to take deep breath before i get up to avoid dizziness. The blood pressure lower during a water fast and this is totally normal. I am so happy about this water fast and affirming that i am free and happy.

[Bagalamukhi]

Hi everyone
I will not make a presentation here since I just did it in the 'who are you?' forum. Shortly I will just say that I'm a women from Dk which is healing my breast cancer naturally, and now I decided to go on 40 days juice fast which I might prolong to 60 days depending on how I feel. I am on the 10 day now, and I feel great!! Every week I'm fasting only with water and teas for 2 days, and today I'm finishing my second day with water. I added a bit of honey to my tea today to get a bit more energy. I'm alternating with water both to increase the detox and to save some money.. its not cheap to juice 3-4 liters organic juice every day.
I thought it would help me to join this monthly thread with fellow fasters :)

[Raw Angel Mom]

Hey welcome. You are doing great.

You can consider to juice the wild edible, they are more pack in nutrient.

The other option is to start sprouting and you juice it. Some on this board do that.

I second you with water fasting. One of thing with water fasting, is that if you did a lot of medication or took toxic drug such chemo, it could cause problem on your kidney. Your best option is juicing. If you are doing ok with water fasting, you should aim for 7 days. So much bad stuff get release on the seven day. I can speak for myself on that one. Research to make sure you are ok with water fasting. I was doing raw food, so even thought i tend to have low blood pressure, i knew i would be fine. I did three water fast so far and i only witness great miracle in my body.

Don't forget to make time to laugh, it is important to restore balance and to hold on good thought. Someone had breast cancer and it went away just by taking time to laugh and watch funny movie (from the secret).

All the best during your fast!

[Bagalamukhi]

Thank you Raw angel mom :)

I'm juicing sprouts, both the ones in jars and sunflower/pea greens. But not so much, I still need to get into a good rhythm, so that I have all the time. I also drink 2-3 ounces fresh wheatgrass every day. I didn't do any conventional treatment, and I never take medicine, so I don't have these toxins in my body.
For the moment I can't take 7 days out of the calendar for water fast, but I would like to do it, when it fits. I don't know so much about edible wilds, so I would have to study that a bit... can you juice nettles?
I'm very focused on emotional healing, and keeping good states :)

[Lady Green Jeans]

Bagalamukhi--wishing you every success with the natural fight. Am a 15 year survivor myself. Cannot go back and redo but wish I had found the raw path and had the confidence a little sooner than I did.

Doing well with the juices--didn't bring enough today so I went down to the organic juice bar at the hfs and got two Emerald Bliss' with extra ginger. Overall being more satisfied with the green drinks and feeling more energized with the chlorella. Will start adding spirulina with tonight's juicing. Not exactly sure how the powder will blend so was hesitant. Anyone have some feedback--would be most welcome.

Dual prong to this juice feast--feeling better and having less of me. Every day it is better and better.

[Raw Angel Mom]

Sadly, i broke my water fast yesterday for personal reason but i will take advantage of all the fresh produce that come in seasons and juice.

All the best in your fasting.

[Bagalamukhi]

So I just finished my 3 days water fast ( incl green tea and a spoonful honey :) ) , and now I'm preparing for making juice again. It was much easier than expected, maybe because of the tea. Yesterday I went to my yoga class, and despite some dizziness, my energy was fine. What I really enjoyed was not having to shop and make juice. My plan is to do this 3 days weekly, but lets see.

Lady green.. I'm adding a big spoonful of mixed chlorella and spirulina to one of my juices. I mix it well with spoon, but I think a shaker would be better. Then I hold my breath and drink without tasting.. the chlorella taste so bad for me.

I was aslo wondering about adding these things, I have suspicion that they awaken the hunger because of fibers.. I think I will open a thread about it :)

[Lady Green Jeans]

Bagalamukhi, I bought both of these in powder form and have been using up the chlorella tabs before I begin using. Yesterday I had a cleansing crisis of sorts--have been doing lots of greens in my juices but I upped it and kept the same amt. of chlorella and whammo--really got my system cleared out. Dizzy and sick to my stomach. Today is MUCH better but unsure if I will add so much greens to today's juices.

I also responded to your general question on this as I went to it first.

[Bagalamukhi]

Today was a great day, although I didn't manage at all to drink enough juice, which would have been good after the 3 days water fast. I went to see my brother and my cute little 2 month nephew. I thought I would stay few hours but spend the rest of the day there, so didn't bring enough juice with me. I made my last juice mix, with all the things I could find in his fridge :)

Today I had:
600 ml green juice, made of a cabbage ( which I don't know the english name of.. but its shaped like a cone and mild tasting.. anyone?), cucumber, 1 handful sunflower/pea sprouts, 1 apple, a bit celery, wheatgrass, and asparagus.
450 ml carrot, beat
350 ml 1 carrot, 1 red peber, 1 mini romaine, 1 pear, a chunk of pineapple, few grapes.

[Juicin' in Houston]

Hey everyone, great jobs on your fasts! I'm excited to be joining you all starting today!

Here are my goals:
I don't have a certain amount of days in mind, I'm going to go until my body tells me other wise.
After I come off the fast I'm going to do the 30 day raw challenge. While fasting I'm going to finish up Alissa's book.

I echo back the foundation goals of the thread in that:

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 thing...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 anyone here who wants support.
I am here to continure to be mindful - focusing on this moment and not anticipating the next one.
I am here to share my expereince and gain knowledge from what other share.
I'm here to feel whole. I'm here to give my beautiful, cherished body a break from digesting food!!!

[PintSizeParmour]

Hi everyone!
I'm new to this site, this is my second juice fast. The last one I did, probably three months ago, lasted 4 days.
Today is the first day of my second juice fast. I'm going to try and do only water/tea today. I am allowing myself raw fruits and veggies, as well as juicing.
Wanted to pop in and say hello and read of everyone's experiences.
Good luck!

[halfsleep]

deleted.

[Lady Green Jeans]

Hi all. Had to go on business travel and stayed juicing until the second day and went raw anyway. Vacation at the end of this week so my airm is to stay juicing until then. Feeling absollutely fantastic and glowing.
hope all are haring in there and doing the same.

[cnlangr]

I start my water fast tomorrow. I have done a 7 day water fast in the past my hope is to do 21 days I will take it one day at a time. Thanks for being here everyone! -C

[Lady Green Jeans]

Have been feeling really energized on the juicing. Have created a couple new blends to shake it up and spice it up with cayenne. Nice.
Will be sad to end on Saturday but will be shifting to all raw and TONS of salads while on vacation. Can hardly wait for some of the Ohio produce when I get there. Wowzers--look out tastebuds.

[Ilse W.]

Hi,
Haven't been on the forum in a long time, but I am about to start a fast and it's so much easier with support. I'll be starting tomorrow and will take it one day at a time.

[Bagalamukhi]

Hi fellow fasters :)

So I didn't really manage to write her how much I wanted.. never been good with things like that.. Would also have loved to keep a journal, but that also only happened the first days :) Anyways I'M ON MY LAST DAY OF 40 DAYS NOW.. WUHUUU :dance:
I didn't manage to drink enough juice at all, so it was more a juice fast than a feast like I first planned. But I feel great, and very ready to eat again:)
I just ordered my first dehydrator and also a tribest personal blender, so I'm very excited.The last days I have done nothing else than looking at different recipes I want to make :eat. The next 4 days will be only with fruits/smoothies, and I will start very slow.

[Gianni]

40 Days!!! Fantastic!:wow:

Congratulations!