I juice/smoothie/soup fast every Monday since February. I feel that it is doable and smart -- a good way to super-charge my cells and keep me focused on healthy living. I have to remind myself every Monday that I love this lifestyle. It's more clear to me on Tuesdays, especially when I step off the scale. It also centers me for the week. My weight is down 25 lbs this year! I don't calorie count or worry about it any more. I just juice. And eat vegan. And lay off the wine during the week. Those are big lifestyle changes for me, but hey, I look much better in my clothes (and out) so it's worth it.
I'm in Sarasota, FL for the next month. I brought my spare juicer with me from New York. I carried it on the flight in a big purse. Of course, TSA had to run a million tests on it, but it passed. There are no blades, just a cheese grater-like plate and a motor. It's very compact: the pulp catches on the inside walls, which makes it highly portable. Great thing is I can juice when I'm down here and not behave like a wild woman on vacation for next month. Bad thing is, I never really did like this juicer much. It jumps around as I make juice and is kind of a pain to clean. I recently replaced it with the Breville Juice Fountain at home. Now I have two, which means I never have to be without :)
VID: Dan McDonald, hanging out yesterday
His site is liferengenerator.org. He's posted something like 1,300 videos on You Tube. Here's a nice one I just found. It's not like I necessarily learn something new every day. Rather, he keeps me in the conversation. Helps me keep my head on straight as I'm leaning in to a healthier lifestyle. I'm not raw by any means, but ... he makes me think about it and when I think, I make better choices.
VID: Lesson from Dan
I had oreos, chips and wine this weekend because...it was the weekend and I felt entitled. Entitled to what exactly, I'm not sure. My stomach has been feeling a wee bit off since I got here. Time to course correct.
I juiced a cantaloupe this morning. For lunch I made a concoction inspired by the Dan-the-Man Lemon Ginger Blast. Base is apple, ginger, lemon. Add to that celery and cucumber for fullness, and then any greens you want. I tossed in cilantro, parsley, kale, spinach...a little pineapple too. It's really good. I made a bunch since I'll be drinking it within the next couple hours. I used David's empty grapefruit bottle to store it.
.JPG)
Everything around here is closed down for hurricane Isaac, which isn't even a drizzle. They closed the YMCA and the workout room here at the condo. It's maddening because I need to run 6 EZ miles and now I have to push that off till tomorrow.
My mom called me this morning to tell me my Aunt Lori died at 5AM. She was 74. They couldn't pinpoint what caused her to get sick. She had low white blood cells, like my mom has. They call my mother's neutropenia. No one knows the cause. Or cure.
Looks like I'll be flying to Chicago this weekend for the funeral. I feel angry that my family is sick, old and dying. My Uncle Al - the healthiest looking guy I've ever seen -- was just given a year to live. Prostate cancer. I don't want to go back to Chicago. I don't want to accept any of this. It makes me feel hopeless. And angry. I want to make everyone change their diet right this second. I think there is a link. No one will listen. No one. No one. No one.
This is a great video from Dan the Man w/ healthy, easy recipes.
VID: Health and Rejuvenation Day with Day
Note to self for salad dressing recipe per video above:
- Apple cider vinegar, avocado, sea salt, basil, garlic, dill, dulse.
- Meat: walnuts, salt, hemp seed oil, liquid aminos, garlic, paprika.
- Cheese: pistacchio, sea salt and nutritional yeast.
Assemble in romaine leaf w/ jalepeno and black olives and tomato.
I know Dan sells DVDs to make a few bucks, and since this video was from a workshop he gave, I hope I'm not telling all his secrets. I don't have his DVDs, but I would like to get them. Recipes aside, he's fun to watch. Enjoy!
