Well, the cleanse is over people! THANK GOODNESS is all I have to say. :) And in case you caught it, yes, technically it shouldn't be over until tonight at midnight, but yesterday put me over the edge. Let's just say my digestive stimulators caught up with me, and I felt like I was dying by night's end. I decided to throw in the towel, and gleefully fixed some raw, homemade, cinnamon applesauce this morning in my Vita-mix, and savored delicious guacamole for lunch. Eating solid food is the best.
I will still do cleanses in the future, but this Blessed Herbs one was rough! It definitely cleans house, per say, but it's a little harsher than I like. I feel great doing the lemonade cleanse, but the satisfaction of getting rid of some old junk-in-the-trunk isn't as good. At any rate, giving your body a rest from digesting food is never a bad idea - if even for a day - and I feel really good having done it for a solid 7 days.
And how's my skin you ask? Well, that's another story. Of course now I begin the 6-8 week anti-inflammatory diet. Aka, it will mildly suck, but no where near the cleanse! :) My skin is doing OK. Of course I forgot that cleansing usually draws out and helps your body eliminate impurities, so naturally my skin as been worse than ever! Perfect. That said, I am hopeful that it will slowly start to improve over these next few weeks as I fail to ingest dairy, wheat, processed sugar, etc... I will certainly keep you updated.
On a small note, I may continue eating tomatoes and on the rare occasion, corn - but only in the form of the spicy corn salsa at Chipolte... I just can't enjoy my chicken bowl without it! But chocolate, peanut butter, and rest of it will go.... at least for now. :o)
Tomorrow Curt and I head to the beach and Santa Monica for some fun shopping and dinner out at a raw restaurant. I am way excited. Curt, sort of excited - but a trooper to be sure after what I have put him through in complaints, wicked cravings, and stomach episodes this last week! I will have to buy him some trans-fat laced pizza rolls as a reward, haha. Well, maybe...
Until next time. :)
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Half way there.... :o)
Well, I am a little over half-way done with my 8 day intensive cleanse! (Thank goodness!) I did the Lemonade Diet (aka: Master Cleanse) for 3 days to prepare me for the Blessed Herbs cleanse, which I am on day 2 of. It's pretty intense, although I must say, so far, is going MUCH better than last time -- where I was miserable, and practically sprinted to the grocery store on the eve of the 5th night to get a can of organic veggie soup.... lol. I was reading my cleansing notes from last time too, and it looks like I broke the all liquids diet a couple times, once to indulge in a sprouted cinnamon-raisin bagel w/honey. MMmmmm... honnneeeeyyy.
The hardest part of this, other than the occasional stomach cramping due to the digestive stimulator's (if you know what I mean...) :) and frequent trips to the restroom due to drinking 90 ounces of water and juice a day (insane!), is just plain missing food. I torture myself at night inhaling whiffs of the dinner's Curt whips up (a cheesy, broccoli, pepper something last night...); and crazy enough, just about EVERYTHING sounds good. Two days ago, I would have committed murder for a fish-fillet sandwich from McDonald's, which is more than weird considering a) I haven't eaten at McD's in about 4 years, and b) I have never even so much as looked at a fish-fillet, little-lone eaten one! Ha. Soooooo yeeaahhh. Just like last time, cleansing is nuts!
I've decided to prepare myself this time with planning how I will come off the cleanse on Friday, and with the meals I'll make for the few days after as well (no grains or meats at least for a couple days). Then, onto the anti-inflammatory diet -- which, to be honest, I might slightly modify... (I just don't know if I can live without tomatoes for 6+ weeks!!) Until next time, pray I make it through this!
Also, I'll be adding a few pics of the Blessed Herbs cleanse either later tonight or tomorrow :o)
The hardest part of this, other than the occasional stomach cramping due to the digestive stimulator's (if you know what I mean...) :) and frequent trips to the restroom due to drinking 90 ounces of water and juice a day (insane!), is just plain missing food. I torture myself at night inhaling whiffs of the dinner's Curt whips up (a cheesy, broccoli, pepper something last night...); and crazy enough, just about EVERYTHING sounds good. Two days ago, I would have committed murder for a fish-fillet sandwich from McDonald's, which is more than weird considering a) I haven't eaten at McD's in about 4 years, and b) I have never even so much as looked at a fish-fillet, little-lone eaten one! Ha. Soooooo yeeaahhh. Just like last time, cleansing is nuts!
I've decided to prepare myself this time with planning how I will come off the cleanse on Friday, and with the meals I'll make for the few days after as well (no grains or meats at least for a couple days). Then, onto the anti-inflammatory diet -- which, to be honest, I might slightly modify... (I just don't know if I can live without tomatoes for 6+ weeks!!) Until next time, pray I make it through this!
Also, I'll be adding a few pics of the Blessed Herbs cleanse either later tonight or tomorrow :o)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Spring Cleaning & the Anti-Inflamatory "Diet"!
As long promised... the "horrible" cleanse is about to begin! I figured spring was as good as time as any to do a little cleaning, shall we say, and so starting today, I am in cleansing mode (though I barely stayed motivated through Curt's egg's benedict, left-over Chipolte burrito, and asparagus-cous-cous-mango chicken stir fry today... you are killing me sweet, loving hubby!) But here it is, 8:15 pm, and as promised, today was the lemonade cleanse for breakfast, lunch, and snacks, and steamed veggies for dinner (trust me, veggies have never looked so good in my life). Tomorrow will be much the same, and the lemonade "diet" will gradually turn into the fresh squeezed apple juice Blessed Herbs concoction Sat. morning....
And why, you ask, would anyone put themselves through something like this? All I can say is that doing a cleanse once or twice a year is not a bad idea, and it's highly motivating to eat healthy afterwards. I just love giving my body a clean-slate in a sense... and all liquids for a few days gives your digestive system a chance to rest and recoup! Something that has definite benefits for me and my whacked out stomach. Not only this, but I am now embarking on a whole new "diet" (not for weight purposes people!)... The anti-inflammatory diet! This way of eating is meant to test whether or not eating non-inflammation causing foods will have a profound effect on my skin (i.e. NO MORE BREAK-OUTS ALREADY!). Basically, I will be really happy if it helps, and really sad at the same time, because guess what's on the no-eat list?? In case you were wondering, the tragedy follows below:
Inflammation causing foods (no-eat): White potatoes, peanut butter (NNNNNNNNOOOOooooooooooooo!), citrus fruits (lemons OK, don't ask me why), wheat, dairy, all refined sugars, tomatoes (boo-hoooooo), corn, non-organic meats, pork, beef, chocolate (I practically live off of chocolate... or should I say, did live off of chocolate...), and caffeine - which I don't consume anyway. Brutal huh? BUT, perhaps it will be worth it! I just figured, after being on prescription drugs for my skin for 14 + years, isn't it time to give the natural route a chance? So here is your chance natural route!
The Master Plan:
Thursday & Friday: Lemonade cleanse, digestive stimulator, non-caffeinated herbal teas, steamed veggies, and tons of H20!
Saturday: Lemonade, digestive stimulator, herbal teas, and H20
Sunday-Wednesday: Fresh squeeze apple juice with the Blessed Herbs cleansing packets (about 5 a day), digestive stimulator, tons of H20, and herbal teas
Thursday: Fresh squeezed veggie/fruit juices, steamed veggies, tea, and H20
Friday: Much the same, except fresh fruits and veggies added as well
Sat.: More of a normal day, healthy eating.... following the anti-inflammatory "diet" for the next 6-8 weeks!
....... WISH ME LUCK! and of course I will be updating frequently and explaining more about the cleanses and eating plans as I go along. For now, how about a tall glass of lemonade before bed?
Friday, March 13, 2009
March upDate!
Hi all! Nothing too exciting to report as of late... just continuing on with student teaching and Curt is as busy as ever with teaching and coaching these days... Things are going well for both of us, but it will be nice when next week is over and we are on spring break! yipeeee! A week for Curt, and dare I say, two weeks for me, which is fabulous. One exciting piece of news was that I had a job interview two weeks ago that went really well, but because none of the school districts in the area are hiring next year due to budget cuts, I won't hear anything about a potential job until this summer, when enrollment numbers come in, etc. Such is life, but I am optimistic, despite the state of our economy! (just don't watch the news.... it's dreary enough to depress anyone, and it's made me see why I need to start reading more again!) :)
On the health front, that scary cleanse I talked all about when I was doing my raw experiment will be making its way out of the box and into my tummy during the second week of my spring break (starting two weeks from today). If you want to be tremendously entertained by someone else's experience, or rather, experiment, please tune in! It's sure to be quite the undertaking, if it's anything like the last time. Oh! And just three weeks ago, Curt and I signed up to begin receiving these amazing boxes of organic produce from local farmers off a semi-truck that comes through our area. The produce has been AMAZING... truly yummy. It's so satisfying to eat something that tastes so darn good, and is good for our earth, AND supports local farmers. It's "win-win-win" if I were to quote Michael Scott ("The Office" people! If you don't watch, you must start now!)
All for now... and on to writing grad papers and lesson plans! The fun never ends :) hehe.
Cheers!
On the health front, that scary cleanse I talked all about when I was doing my raw experiment will be making its way out of the box and into my tummy during the second week of my spring break (starting two weeks from today). If you want to be tremendously entertained by someone else's experience, or rather, experiment, please tune in! It's sure to be quite the undertaking, if it's anything like the last time. Oh! And just three weeks ago, Curt and I signed up to begin receiving these amazing boxes of organic produce from local farmers off a semi-truck that comes through our area. The produce has been AMAZING... truly yummy. It's so satisfying to eat something that tastes so darn good, and is good for our earth, AND supports local farmers. It's "win-win-win" if I were to quote Michael Scott ("The Office" people! If you don't watch, you must start now!)
All for now... and on to writing grad papers and lesson plans! The fun never ends :) hehe.
Cheers!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
February Update
I can't believe that it is already March! As usual, time is flying by as life seems to always be so busy. Katie's student teaching at Cottonwood Elementry School (6th grade) is going well, and despite huge budget shortfalls in almost every school district in the State of California, she recently had a job interview - awesome! Teaching is also keeping me very busy as well (5 Advanced Placement World History classes, and 1 AP US Government and Politics class) and Track season has also just began so my days are quite long! The weather in SoCal is great this time of year...sunshine almost every day, and usually in the high 60's...although it is 73 today! I talked with mom and dad earlier this week, and it snowed 4 inches or so in Bellingham, so I know all of you folks in the PNW are jealous of our weather!
On the political front...well what can I say. Looks like we are headed back in the direction of Big Government. Personally I don't trust the government to do anything right, so more government is never good. The stimulis bill and outrageous new budget of the current administration is just unfathomable to me. I just don't see how increasing social spending, creating more entitlements, and nationalizing anything is going to cause a new generation (or anyone for that matter) to be more creative, develop a better work ethic, and get us out of this hole we are in. I'm going to refrain from getting on my soap box though, and direct you to read a great article about all of this: http://www.cnbc.com/id/29434104. By all means the President is still my President and I will respect him and continue to pray for him, but it is not looking good folks!
The week of February 15-22 was the annual Missions Conference at our church, and what an awesome week it was - we had an opportunity to meet, talk with, and hear from missionaries all over the world - Japan, India, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Jews for Jesus, an amazing speaker from the Voice of the Martyrs, and a great band - Fronline Generation. The theme of the missions conference was "The Persecuted Church." It was really a great opportunity to see how great we really have it here in the United States, yet how so many of us take our freedoms for granted. There are 40 countries in the world where faith in Christ is illegal, the Bible is outlawed, and the Church is greatly persecuted. Did you know that more people have died in the name of Jesus Christ in the 20th and 21st centuries than all other centuries combined? A pastor from Ethiopia spoke to us about being imprisoned and tortured for his faith, watching loved ones murdered before his eyes for their belief in Christ, and the incredible trials he has been through and witnessed. It made me question...how many of us have had to put our faith to the test like that? And if we had to (and the way this country is headed, believe me, the day will come) how would we respond? Matthew 5:10-12 says..."Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of rightousness, for there is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Some cool websites to check out in regards to what our missions conference was all about if you are interested:
Voice of the Martyrs: http://www.persecution.com/
Jews for Jesus: http://www.jews-for-jesus.org/
Frontline Generation: http://www.frontlinegeneration.com/home/
We also had the privilige of hosting one of the missionaries, Paul Chandran for a weekend. Paul and his wife Leela work with Christians In Action in Kerala, South India, where they care for poor and orphaned children, care for the elderly, teach English, plant churches, and of course preach the Gospel. Getting to know Paul and spend time with him was a real blessing, and Katie and I both hope to make it to India sometime soon to visit Paul and help out with his ministry and efforts!
On the political front...well what can I say. Looks like we are headed back in the direction of Big Government. Personally I don't trust the government to do anything right, so more government is never good. The stimulis bill and outrageous new budget of the current administration is just unfathomable to me. I just don't see how increasing social spending, creating more entitlements, and nationalizing anything is going to cause a new generation (or anyone for that matter) to be more creative, develop a better work ethic, and get us out of this hole we are in. I'm going to refrain from getting on my soap box though, and direct you to read a great article about all of this: http://www.cnbc.com/id/29434104. By all means the President is still my President and I will respect him and continue to pray for him, but it is not looking good folks!
The week of February 15-22 was the annual Missions Conference at our church, and what an awesome week it was - we had an opportunity to meet, talk with, and hear from missionaries all over the world - Japan, India, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Jews for Jesus, an amazing speaker from the Voice of the Martyrs, and a great band - Fronline Generation. The theme of the missions conference was "The Persecuted Church." It was really a great opportunity to see how great we really have it here in the United States, yet how so many of us take our freedoms for granted. There are 40 countries in the world where faith in Christ is illegal, the Bible is outlawed, and the Church is greatly persecuted. Did you know that more people have died in the name of Jesus Christ in the 20th and 21st centuries than all other centuries combined? A pastor from Ethiopia spoke to us about being imprisoned and tortured for his faith, watching loved ones murdered before his eyes for their belief in Christ, and the incredible trials he has been through and witnessed. It made me question...how many of us have had to put our faith to the test like that? And if we had to (and the way this country is headed, believe me, the day will come) how would we respond? Matthew 5:10-12 says..."Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of rightousness, for there is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Some cool websites to check out in regards to what our missions conference was all about if you are interested:
Voice of the Martyrs: http://www.persecution.com/
Jews for Jesus: http://www.jews-for-jesus.org/
Frontline Generation: http://www.frontlinegeneration.com/home/
We also had the privilige of hosting one of the missionaries, Paul Chandran for a weekend. Paul and his wife Leela work with Christians In Action in Kerala, South India, where they care for poor and orphaned children, care for the elderly, teach English, plant churches, and of course preach the Gospel. Getting to know Paul and spend time with him was a real blessing, and Katie and I both hope to make it to India sometime soon to visit Paul and help out with his ministry and efforts!
Katie, Paul, and I
Red = nations that restrict Christianity and the Bible by law
Dark Grey = countries in which Christians are often victims and targets of violence
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