Not Feeling Well

Not sure what is happening to my body, but for the last few days I haven't been feeling well at all. I do not any energy to get up and do things. I am suppose to move today, but I have low energy and I haven't even finish packing my boxes. I had my first cooked meal yesterday and I think my body did not appreciate it at all, so today I will eat only raw foods and juice. I haven't had any meat nor do I desire it, but I think I am sick or my body is going through another detox flu like experience.

One think is for sure my mind is going through something. My mind is tell me that I cannot do this, I should just give up now. I have to face it for this feeling shall pass too. It is very interesting how the mind will fight to keep hold of bad habits. My body says otherwise and I have all intent to listen to my body. There is a psychological fight going on right now and I will detox out all the negative emotions and come on top as a winner...smiles.

I thought this struggle was important to share because learn new habits is not a 'walk in the park' it is like a fight for survival. I will survive this stage of my new behaviors for I am facing it!

I will keep you posted.

Day 7 90% Raw Juice 10% Cooked Clean Eating

      Today marks one week of my juice cleanse and I can say that it is easy at this point in the process. The cleanse is not for the purpose of losing weight only, but to get back control of my health. I believe the experience has been a spiritual transition for me more than anything I would imagine.

     By day 3 I wanted my meats, potatoes, bread and sugars. I had to stay to course because my future health was based on what choice I made presently. If I am to feel great I must put things in my system that will allow me to absorb for nutrient to use now and later and bad foods do the complete opposite.

     Let's talk about the energy!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow do I have energy to get out of bed, cooking, cleaning, studying, working, and still have more energy to do other things. Now I want to run and exercise everyday, which I do not presently. I read many online articles that I need to reserve my energy so the body can use the surplus to work on the detoxing process...smiles. I did purchase a new road bike and I signed up for yoga classes for 2 months. I am doing some form of movement just not anything that will use too much energy.

Here are a few of my juice favorites that I enjoyed in the last week:

• Green Acid Flush (48oz) -- 4 Green Apples, 1/2 stalk of celery, 2 bunches of baby spinach, and 2 large carrots
• Nasty Blood Cleanse (48oz) -- 2 beets (peel skin), 1 stalk of celery, 4 apples, 2 cucumber (peel skin), 1 bunch of kale, and 4 red carrots
• Tropical Smoothie (32oz) -- 12oz of Almond Milk, 1/2 cup pineapples, 2 mango flesh, and 2 bananas then blend
• Ginger Berry Kick Azz (32oz) -- 2 Bananas, 1 thumb size of peeled ginger, 12oz frozen mix berries, 12oz of Almond Milk
• Green Giant (32oz) -- 1 bunch of spinach, 1 bunch of kale, 1 stalk of celery, 2 large cucumber, 1 handful of basil, 2 cups of green beans, and 4 apples (your choice)

Day 2 90% Raw Juice 10% Cooked Clean Eating

Something inside me has been egging me to start juicing again. My intentions are to Juice for 21 days. Mentally I am not at the point where I can just consume juice only for 21 days, yet I know I can consume it for most of the day. I will eat 1 cooked clean meal each day. I will not confine myself to just eating a cook dinner vs. breakfast. I wild listen to my body. I am praying that I will not want to eat anything as the fast progress. Yesterday I consumed mainly juice and water and for dinner I ate a avocado sandwich made on Ezekiel bread along with raw cucumbers, red onions, and tomatoes. My only dressing for the sandwich was balsamic vinegar...smiles. I did have 3 bananas throughout the day for my snack.

Today was a great day. I started the fast with 32 ounces of raw citrus juice, for lunch I had 32 ounces of green raw juice, took my yoga class at 4:15-5:30, then for dinner I enjoyed a black bean burger on gluten free bread with balsamic vinegar, avocado, onions, and tomatoes. I did eat a few of the corn chips that came with the burger. I did notice that my stomach inflated a tad bit, which leads me to believe that dinner was too heavy for me...smiles. It did feel heavy, but tasted so good. Tomorrow the goal is to fast on juice all day with no cooked meals. If I am hungry I will eat raw fruit instead...smiles.

Updates - Day 1 90% Raw Juice 10% Cooked Clean Eating

OK,

After posting my before and after picture on Facebook (see below) I began receiving emails from friends and family on how I am losing the weight. I am excited to learn that others are motivated by what I have accomplished so far...I am still on my journey to a better me and I am happy that I am facing it...smiles.

Today marks the 1st day of my 21-day juice detox...smiles. OK first let me just make this clear. My goal is to consume juice for 21 days. I might change the process up a bit, which means I might not do 21 day straight of juice fasting. I have all intention of doing so, yet I will certainly juice for 7 days then eat raw foods for 3 days along with broths/soups then back to 7 days of juicing. I plan to give myself 3 days of solids in between. I would like to go the entire 21-days without solids then gradually go to solids. Either way you start your detox it is important to have a plan in place and to consult you doctor so ensure the best care through your journey.

I am going to shop for another juicer (Jack Lalanne Juicer) so that I can have one at work and one at home. No excuses! I also decided not to workout to much during my detox so that I can preserve my energy. I will continue with my ballroom dance class and yoga, but no running or Zumba until after the detox period has ended. I know I will be moody and sick for my first week, yet I must bare the pain and face it. I think the pain is a reminder of the hurt we have caused our bodies. When I go through that pain during detox I don't like it, so when I am in a place in which I want to make a bad food choice that pain of detoxing comes right back to me and I make the right choice for my mind, body and spirit. I am eating to live because healthy foods is the medicine to cure diseases.

I am facing it today, one meal at a time. The picture to the left was taken in September 2012 (220 ls) and the picture on the right was taken April 2013 (185 lbs) standing at 5 feet and 3 inches. I am still on my journey to better health. Why don't you join me and share my blog with others.

*****The intention of this blog is to share information that will help you on your journey to better health. All products that I feature are products that I use. I am not suggesting that you purchase what I have used. The products and materials only serve as a resource for information. I do not endorse products nor am I affiliated with the products...smiles. If there is something I am endorsing I will state that clearly next to products. I do not make money off this site nor am I interested in doing so. I will always encourage you to purchase the best products for your body. You know what your limits are in terms of fiances, but do not look at yourself a fast, cheap or unworthy...smiles. Eat the best and buy the best for it is an investment in you...smiles.*****

Day is the first day of my raw juice cleanse. My intention was to start on Sunday, but today was the day that my body decided to cleanse...smiles.

Breakfast -- 32 oz of Citrus Raw Juice (2 pink grapefruits and 5 navel oranges)
Snack -- 2 bananas and 64 oz of lemon water
Lunch -- 64 oz green smoothie (4 green apples, 3 bunches of baby spinach, 2 bunch of kale, 6 large carrots, 2 bunch of Italian parsley
Dinner -- Avocado Sandwich (2 slices of Ezekiel bread, 4 slices of avocado, red onion, cucumber slices, kale leaves, ripe tomatoes with a drizzle of balsamic)

4 month update

So it has been 4 months since my last update...smiles. I was near death it seemed when I completed 7 days of the Master Cleanse 4 months ago. Today I feel alive! I stop trying to change everything at once because doing so was only setting me up for disappointment. The courage to fail gives me the will to try again...smiles.

I lost several pounds since my last post, 30lbs to be exact. I was in Singapore in September attending my best friend's wedding. There were pictures and video taken to capture the realness of those moments. What was also capture was how badly I looked and the internal spirit I felt. I was 220lbs at only 5'2-3/4". I weighted less when I was pregnant with my daughter. I had been lying to me! I looked awfully sick and I could not stand it any longer because it was me that I was killing slowly.

In January my neighbor and I decided to meet at 6 am each morning for a yoga/aerobic routine. After 1 month I could see the results of my work, but due to my work/life schedule I would not keep to our meeting times. So I fell behind in my workout and gained back 9lbs of the 30lbs I had lost.

I decided to take a dance class that a friend had been stressing me to take. Once I started the class I felt that I cannot do this for I had no energy, yet dancing use to be what I was once passionate to experience. I paid for 1 month in advance so that I would have not excuse to not return. I still was not eating right, but now I was moving.

As time passed I made friends in the class and they encouraged me because they were much older than I, yet they had all the energy in the world. I desired to be like them. So I began to watch what I ate more. I increased my veggie intake and ate at least 1 piece of fruit a day.

Weeks went by and I noticed that I was eating 4-5 pieces of fruit and about 2 pounds of veggies each day. At work my co-workers encourage me to join a exercise challenge. We would exchange our accomplishment (body lifts, push ups, squat, water intake, and veggie/fruit) through email. I am a bit competitive so I wanted to show I could do it. When I first started I could barely do a body lift let alone a squat. Now I have hang with the most experienced employee.

Due to my diet shift I craved more workout experiences. I started taking Zumba classes on Mondays and my co-workers decided to start running together every Wednesdays after work. When I first ran I knew my chest was going to explode, but the cheer-on of my co-worker motivated me to push through the pain. I made it to the finish line. Wow in that moment, I remember I use to run in school. My first run reminded me how much I love being active. Now I run 3 days a week and I don't necessarily need a workout buddy. I am done giving myself excuses. I am facing it!

2 Week Update

I am still facing it indeed. I completed 7 days of my Master Cleanse and I felt the benefits immediately. I do still have cravings for the wrong things, but I decide to make the right choices...smiles. This journey has just began and I am committed to see it through successfully for my life depends on it!

Weakness

So we are born human and with that position we inherit faults right? Yes, so yesterday I did great all day with my mater cleanse. True I did leave all my supplies at home, but I had the lemons at work and just sipped on the lemon water all day. I began to get dizzy spell (My co-work reminded me that happen before) and I wanted to crawl under a blanket and sleep.

Yet, I made it through the day, while until I got home. Instead of consuming the master cleanse I made me 3 dollar sized pancake, ate about 2 oz of cheddar cheese, and drank juice, which we know has tons of sugar. I mean I was loving it when I was eating, telling myself that I am not ready to be healthy.

Can you believe I was siking myself out of being healthy! Where do they do that at? In the land of weak minds and will power that's where...smiles. I was so disappointed at myself yesterday and ashamed that I was feeding myself destruction. I witnessed it last night. I am my own prison guard detaining me in this unhealthy body. I want to be free if this unhealthy mind, body, and spirit. So today I am facing it...smiles.

Day 1 of Master Cleanse 11/26/2012

OK,

So it has been some time now since my last posting. I guess each time I say I am ready, really I am not. I do feel that the Master Cleanse will help me get back on track. I need that feeling of renewed energy again. I am being weighed down by my excess emotional fat that I have been carrying around for years. I need to really forgive and really move on. I am a prisoner of my own body and I have the key to set me free; eating healthy.

Last night I took the laxative tea, yet I did not do the sea salt flush today because the tea worked well indeed. The last time I completed the Master Cleanse, I was not working and I felt that it was better for me. Today I am working and it appear more challenging indeed. The funny part is that when I am working and not fasting I barely ate and did not think of eating. Now is appears that my mind is focus on food all day...smiles.

Today I experienced cramping at extreme measures, which I am accepting of the process. The cramping gives me the indication that my body is working to correct the wrongs I have done over the years. My tongue has already begun to change in taste. I thought it would take a few days to develop film, but it started today. This lets me know that I have my work cut out for me for sure. I will not give up indeed because my life depends on me doing the right thing for my body. I am done living as a prisoner in my own house!

Step by Steps

OK, it has been more than a few months since my last post. I figured that my struggle has a lot to with my mental state of mind. I mention to my mother that I have an issue with food and she brushed it off like my problem does not exist. This is typical of most parents. I hope I do not do the same for my daughter...smiles. Anyhow, I need to correct a few unbalanced things in my life in order to move forward successfully. Today I am facing it!

Reality hits the surface

Today I realize that I must make changes to my life style and overall health and stop making excuses.

Moving Forward

I learned from a holistic doctor what foods to eat and what foods to avoid. The great thing is that the list of foods to eat is unlimited and the foods to avoid are less than what my expectations were. My holistic practitioner is Dr. Kumar, who is third generation Ayurveda doctor and he gave me plenty insight to the cause of my illness.

I was taught that the human body has 5 elements; Air, Space, Fire, Water and Earth. When a human is born they are born with one of these elements then as they grow they develop the others. I learned that I was born with Air. When the body if off balanced it means that there is one of the elements that are off-balanced. I discovered that my Fire is low and was given ways to bring it to balance.

Dr. Kumar informed me that Ayurveda is a way of life not just a one day fix, but a choice of life changes to bring self (soul) back to its balanced center.

How I came to learn about Dr. Kumar was due to my mother introducing me to a Netflix video called Ayurveda: Art of Being. I was compelled that day to make this connection for it snag to my soul. Everything bit of information I listened to made sense and called me to act on that feeling.

I will take these wonderful gifts of wisdom and begin to apply in stages until I have formed a new habit.

Real Talk

My later postings talked of how I would face my health-destroying demons. It seems as though they won the first round. I struggle to maintain the level of health my body and spirit needs in order to have complete balance. It seems like it's a constant fight. Then I had to reflect, "Who am I facing in battle in order to safe guard my health?" It is me! I was not facing my demon. I talk and wrote about what I wanted to do. Instead, I should have proclaim, "I am facing it!" Real talk; dealing with the good as well as the bad only supports future understandings. Bad experiences in life are greater in lesson, for in them wisdom brings back the control of a losing self.

Revitalized Feeling

After my 1st week of cleansing I feel anew and I still have a long way to go. I have learned a bit more about the importance of removing toxins from the body. It is best to rid the body of toxins so that the body's cells can have enough oxygen to help operate at its optimal levels. One important purpose for me is to have better kidney and liver function due to my family's history of diabetes on mother and father side of family. My father passed away almost 6yr ago due to liver cancer, which was the result of diabetes complications. He observed a poor diet with very little to no exercise. I want to change my family's inherited bad eating and living habits. My journey thus far has not been easy and I understand that I have a long way to go. I will take each moment at best and continue to move forward in creating a better and healthier me.

I was introduce to Bikram Yoga last week and will work to incorporated into my lifestyle. Bikram Yoga is a 90 minute heated room session that will challenge the body into various poses to improve the body's strength, flexibility and balance while bringing clarity to the mind and spirit.

I located a popular studio in Farmington Hills, MI http://http//www.bikramfh.com/.

Five Tibetan Rites

Day 3-

Wow! I compare this day to a long drive to the shore with a rough road along the way. I think this was the hardest day. My body on day 1 welcome the cleansing process that I decided, yet I do not think that my body anticipated that I was in it for a journey. I began to develop strong cravings for things that I know I do not need. My body fought against my well and at one point I thought my body was winning until I began to meditate to strengthen my will against my old habits. I went to my room and prepared a soft blanket to dress the corner, so that I could relax, breath and find a center of control. I remember a good friend from Paris gave me a book a few years ago on the Five Tibetan Rites that was very helpful in learning the importance of balancing one's chakras (vortexes of energy). After I performed the 5 rites I really felt a bit more self-controlled and focus on my long term goal of becoming a healthier me from the inside out.

Day 4-

Last night I enjoyed the best sleep in a long time. I rose this morning excited to cleanse. I made it through a test of desire yesterday and today I will concur the unknown gifts of self enlightenment...smiles. I decided to begin the day with the Five Tibetan Rites. I learned that the 5 rites have amazing health benefits for the body such as aiding in increased energy, relief of joint soreness, slowing down the aging process, increase memory, improving body strength and many other benefits to discover. I am not able to preform all 5 rites at the recommended levels so I decided to start much lower than the 21 recommend repetitions. I began at 3 and will work my way to 21 repetitions. Remember to never overwhelm yourself when beginning any form of activities or exercises. Most importantly, always consult a qualified health care provider before beginning any nutritional or exercise program. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read in this blog. This is my journal of experience to cleanse of hidden energies that seek to destroy my future life. You must learn to discover you path and I hope you are inspired by those who share their stories.

Finally cleansing my body

Yes, I am facing it. I am staring my fears right in the face. I always spoke about getting healthy and now I am doing something about it. I am in full swing of doing the 10 day master cleanse. I must admit that it is not all me. My girlfriend encouraged me to do this with her and I told her that I have been meaning to do so.

I have spoken about doing the master cleanse for a few years now, but I have never mustered up the strength to follow through with it. Now that I have someone to help pull me through, I am accomplishing this. Even with her, it is still no easy task.

We decided that the holiday weekend that just passed would be the best time for us to begin. My reasoning behind this was the 3 day weekend. It would allow us to be home during the most trying time of the fast. So Saturday morning, we woke up and started with the sea salt water flush. Boy was that ever an eye opener! I was thoroughly disgusted by what had been building up in my body.

Soon after the first step in the process (elimination) was over, I felt as this was something I could definitely do. Everyone who spoke of going through the cleanse before said this was the worst part. I assumed that it too would be the most trying aspect of this experience. Wrong.

After an hour and a half of liquid poo, we got out of the house for a while. Running a few errands and saying hello to a friend, we felt strong enough to go to my friend’s barbeque. At first, it was not as challenging as I expected. A few folks in attendance were experienced in the cleanse and were very supportive, as well as my friend.

Of course, there is always a joker at every party. Another buddy thought it would be funny to work food into every conversation we had. So far, this was probably the biggest test for me on the cleanse. But, surprisingly, I didn’t cave in. I even thought I would fold and take a bit of food here and there. When my girlfriend wasn’t looking, of course.

This led me to thinking that I would only be cheating myself. Sure, my sweetie might be disappointed in me but this is an exercise in discipline as well. Not only is this a chance to clear my body of toxins that have been there too long, but it is also a time to show myself the power my mind truly possesses. Having this realization on the first day was crucial.

The down side of picking that weekend, though, was everybody was having a grill party. On the second day, July 4^th, my next door neighbors were having one, right on their stoop. It was more trying than the party the day prior because all the smoke came right in through my front window. Every room in my house, except mine, thank goodness, smelled of charcoal briquettes and grilled meats.

We needed to pick up some maple syrup, so this gave us the perfect excuse to take a nice long walk to avoid the smell of barbeque. Again, everyone was having a grill party. It was trying but after getting the maple syrup a mile from my house, I treated it like scotch and took a shot. Suddenly, I felt no desire to eat. At this point it was just a game of mind over matter.

Disclaimer: The preceding story is about my journey through the 10 day master cleanse. In no way does this mean you will have the same results. I do encourage you to cleanse yourself but make sure you are in the proper health to attempt this. You should also read a good variety of books on the 10 day master cleanse so you better understand the process. Please feel free to ask me about any aspect of the cleanse. Good luck and good health!

Day 2 "How I am Feeling"

7/6/2010

6 am- I woke up this morning not feeling sluggish like I normally do, hey there are a few good things from my 1st day of a new me...smiles. I have to say that my mouth was dry. My tongue felt like there was something on it and I was scared to look, but I had to and there was nothing there. When I brushed my teeth I brush a white film from my tongue, ewwwh! I checked online and learned that toxins will exit the body from any means. I thought this is cool, but then I began to think of other ways these toxins can exist and decided to learn as much as possible about cleansing. Don't want to be in a situation that I can control you know what I mean...smiles.

OK dandelion tea for me this morning and I am taking some for the road as well...I will check back with you later today. On my way out and will update later today.

Day 1 "The Dan De Lion"

7/5/2010 Events of Cleanse

8:00 am- I began to prepare the dandelion tea.

Ingredients included:

-64 oz of hot distilled water

-25 dandelion leaves

-1/4 cup of grade B maple syrup

I recommend using only glass to store you tea in and stir with stainless steel ladle. Keep away from plastic because they contain chemicals

Let the water come to a boil in a stainless steel pot or if you have a stainless steel water dispenser you can pour hot water directly in to glass pitcher (this is what I did). Infuse the whole leaves into water and cover the pot with clear glass top when you're using a pot to boil water. If your using the pitcher technique and it does not have a cover, I found using a small saucer worked just as well. I did not want to use plastic...smiles. After 20-30 of steep time the tea should turn a semi-amber color. It is not going to be that dark within that time unless you allow to steep long and then I am still not sure that it will darken. When you remove the cover there will be a wonderful earthy aroma that is very pleasant. Somewhat like the smell of fresh greens of spinach...not the taste. I was happy to learn that the taste was agreeable. I can tolerant many different taste, but I suggest that you stir in some pure maple syrup to help balance the taste. I prefer you to take the courage and bare the inviting taste of the dandelion's wonderful gifts of healing...smiles.

9:18 am- I don't really know what is happening, but I have already consumed 5(10oz each) glasses of the tea and I can feel something moving around in my head. Weird, I know but this is the best way for me to describe what is happening to my body. I do feel like I have a bit more energy that normal. I love this feeling. When I stand up usually my right leg is a bit stiffed and it was not as stiffed as it normally is. I am not saying that this is from the tea, yet I can tell a huge difference since drinking the 5 (10oz each) glasses earlier today...smiles.

11:07 am- I was still feeling better. I don't think that day 1 of my journey is all I need. I will be travelling down this new exploration for 30 days. I can tell you that it is not easy learning something new and form different habits from which that you are comfortable with, yet my life depends on this. I have to grow strong into my purpose and I do not think I can get there with a wasteland growning inside of me.

12:00 pm- Lunchtime! OK, I have been drinking and eliminating all day and I do not have the usually food cravings. Nice, I hope it is the dandelion for sure...smiles. OK, time to create the afternoon meal. Let's see, chives, garlic, bok choy, basil leaves, black pepper, cayenne pepper and carrots. Ah this is a good mix. I went shopping at the eastern market on Saturday and only Michigan grown organic choices for me in my dishes.

Ingredient List:


1/2 cup of chopped chives, 2 cups of bok choy, 1 cup of chopped basil leaves, 2 medium sliced carrots, 1 teaspoons of black pepper and cayenne pepper and 3 cloves of diced garlic, 1/4 (divide) cup of Olive Oil and 1/4 of lime.

Pour half of you olive olive in stainless steel pan and saute garlic, chives, basil leaves and carrots until the aroma perfumed from the pan (1-2 mins) and toss with wooden utensil. This is a great time to add spices. Remove veggies from pan and arrange onto plate. Pour the remaining oil into pan and saute bok choy for same amount of time mention above and add the juice of the lime to the bok choy.

Wonderful taste indeed! Wow, maybe I can become a decent cook after all...smiles. Enjoy!

2:20 pm- I a more hungry than when I rarely ate...smiles. My lunch seemed to has digested within 45mins. I am still a bit hungry and have the sounds of my stomach to prove it. So, I popped some pop corn. Not the microwave brand. Nope I did it old school. I heated up about 1/8 cup of olive oil in my stainless steel pan and added kernels until it covered the entire surface of the pan. I then added black pepper, Cayenne pepper and garlic powder then I stirred the kernels with a wooden ladle until the oil began to pop. Covered with glass lid until the batch of pop corn was completed. The batch lasted until dinner time and I drank more of my dandelion tea.

5:00 pm- fruit smoothie that I purchase at a Mediterranean cafe. All natural ingredients.

6:30 pm- fatoush salad that I purchased at a Mediterranean cafe. All natural ingredients.

Inside is a wasteland

I cannot be an example to anyone if I cannot be a model to myself. I have decided to take a journey today 7/5/2010 to improve myself for myself. I have decided to clean out the parts that are unseen to me, but certainly felt. I am learning about cleansing the insides of my body. I was working backwards by caring for the outer me and not liking the results.

During my cleanse I will learn form others and post all my results good and bad so that others can learn to improve. All body's are not alike and understand that this is my journey. I hope that my experiences will inspire you to tailor a self-improvement movement for yourself.

I began the day with a the drinking of a wonderful tea made of Dandelion leaves where I found on an informative site: http://http//www.iron-clay.com/herbal_remedies/dandelion.html

I am still learning about the Dandelion plant, but what I am discovering is that the plant is great from head-to-toe. I use to walk pass the flower with hate because it would take over my lawn. Little did I know that this wonderful life is a natural free grown cure for just about everything.

Dandelion have more vitamins and minerals than most vegetables, very high in vitamin A/C and more beta carotene than carrots. More potassium than broccoli or spinach as well as good measurable levels of iron and copper. Who would have known that this flower which is so accessible would have great values for your body.

More Helpful Links:

• http://http//www.ehow.com/how_2188348_herbal-digestive-aid-tea-blend.html
• http://http//www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/d/dandel08.html