Monday, December 1, 2008

New Journey Begins

Today, today is the first day of the rest of my life. I'm commencing my 90 day juice feast/fast! I've been eating like hell all year (off & on). I can't wait until the new year.

12/1/08 will be my sobriety date for cooked food. The last thing I ate last night was my wife's pumpkin pie. It was really good, but as I truly believe, cooked food is totally overrated. I'm a cooked food addict! I'm ready for change in my life.

Tons more news to tell later...gtg..

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

New spot for regular posts!

Until I can get consistent in my raw food eating, I'm going to start posting to a place that I'm more comfortable sharing the details of my struggles with food and other addictions! I will be back!!

You can find me here more regularly!

Thanks for checking in!! ;-)

Love,

Dougie Fresh

Friday, October 17, 2008

Long Day...abstinent... and Raw

Today was a long travel day for me. I managed to stay abstinent from processed sugar, refined flour, and starches--Feels really good. I read quite a bit from 12 steps to raw food by Victoria Buetenko! She's so awesome. I loved her first book and love this book even more.

Upate: 10/19/08 7:45am

So insidious this disease is! Is it really a disease like AA and OA claim it to be! A disease of the mind and a spiritual malady, that when I take that first bite of whatever it is I deemed to be abstinent from, I cannot control how much I'm going to eat! For me, I have a low pain threshold, so it doesn't take much, but I still feel the same way afterward. Bummed, remorseful, self pity.

My father-in-law came to visit today and brought some of his famous latvian rye bread, "my favorite"! I wasn't planning on eating any. But then came a thought that triggered something inside my head that said, "it'd probably be ok if you just had one tiny slice". I had two! I had it just before we went out to dinner. I told myself earlier that I was definitely just going to have a green salad with lemon juice, no matter where we went to eat! But that triggered thought eventually said that it was ok to have the bread and that I'd probably be able to control my intake tonight, so go ahead and eat, whatever, one last time! Famous last words!

Insanity, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results! I'm so fucked up! Oh well! I did it again! I over ate at dinner then at home late in the eve, then paid for it this morning. It was hard to get up. I felt slightly nauseous! But today was another day to start a new! And I did just that! I've been 100% raw and feel great for doing so!

I made a rather large salad tonight after the meeting! I was chuckling to myself, that I've never overate on a salad! I was a big salad and I was really trying to finish it, but couldn't! I was in San Francisco today and went to Cafe Gratitude for the first time! It was such a cool place! I had a bowl of coconut curry soup and a bagel with "lox" to go! I'm well on my way to a new start! I'm hopeful I won't have anymore slips.

I'm really going to try and make being abstinent as important as not drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana! I'm an addict and food fucks with my sobriety!! Cooked food is just another drug for me and I know it! I may use the OA meetings as a tool as well as trying to get reconnected with other raw foodies!

Until next time... Grateful Doug

Thursday, October 16, 2008

This is it...REALLY IT

So, it's 2:20am EST and I've had coffee, fast food, soda, and a piece of lemon bread! THIS IS IT!!! I've fucking had it! I'm so tired of being sick and tired! I'm so mad, and energized at the same time. I've got to post now! I've had shame, guilt, remorse, and overall sadness the last several days and weeks! I've been on such a roller coaster these past several months, it's finally time for me to get off and do what I really want to do: put a halt to my compulsive eating! I really am a true addict in every sense of the word. And of multiple substances. Ever since I got sober from alcohol and marijuana, other forms of addictive compulsive behaviors have reared there ugly heads. I guess it REALLY is a good thing! In the sense that I appreciate the journey! I'm so glad that I know the truth and know exactly what to do! My ego is a little pissed that I've surrendered! Fuck it! I heard it so eloquently put recently, "A defeat of the ego is a Victory for the soul!" I am powerless! I'm powerless over food! I'm powerless over cooked food especially! I am not a normal eater! I am not a normal drinker! I cannot have just one of almost anything!

I'm actually excited! I'm a little fearful, but a lot excited! I'm ready to have more energy! I'm ready to be a better Dad and Husband! I'm looking forward to not obsessing about what I'm going to have for dinner or to have that last piece of something! I'm ready to have better health! I'm so ready for a new start! Please god help me! I'm so grateful for my life and all of the my raw heros!

I should really change the title of this blog to My great BIG LIFE Adventure! I'm sure I'll be writing more! I love to write! So much going on in my life right now. I need the extra energy!

Love to all!

Monday, October 6, 2008

I'm so crazy...

I ended up fasting for 6 days! It was really nice to go that long! I didn't really set any goals and I guess I should have in retrospect. I was just testing the road again after such a very long break.

I'm such a cooked food junkie! It is so hard to get away from it...especially when the family is not on the same page as I am. My wife, has come a long way in a short amount of time! She recently read the book, skinny bitch and went vegan overnight! It was awesome to see her get it! I guess she was finally ready.

My plan is to make more juice today and stay 100% raw, all day! We'll see if I make it! I ALWAYS have big plans for the day ahead only to falter by evening!! Maybe I'll pick up the book 12 Steps to Raw foods!

Monday, September 22, 2008

I'm baaaack.... First Day

Not sure where to begin except that I soo want to fast and detox. I've decided to re commit to writing and communicating my feelings and experiences with my daily life and with my food. Actually, I've been so busy lately that I'm not sure that I'll be able to post daily, but will write as much as I can. I love writing and communicating. I miss reading and keeping up with my favorite bloggers. Feels good to be back and part of this small but growing community of raw bloggers....

But first I will fast....I need to fast to reset my palate. Today is the first day of at least 30 maybe 60 and possibly 90. Yes indeedy! I'd love to finally make the full 90! We'll see....done by mid December! Wow! What a goal! I know I can do it!! I just need to figure out the family/social dynamics part of fasting and make sure everyone is on board with me... We'll see...so far my wife thinks I'm fasting for a "few days"...

Day 2
10:30pm

I made it through day 2! Felt like a breeze, kind of! I tried to keep my intake up quite a bit, I'm sure it helped. Anyhow...it feels great to be fasting again. I found one blogger who's on day 46ish...it'll be fun to follow a fellow feaster/faster.

I've got a super busy day tomorrow! I'll be up and adam quite early and going, going, going till at least 10pmish...I recently started my own business and it has really revealed to me what kind of energy/time drain it takes to run a business--solo--for the most part! Oh well...it's fun...hopefully it will pay off in the long run!

I was counting all of the days that I fasted this year and it was somewhere around 40 days. All of the fasting I did this year was wasted on my poor eating over the summer! I'm soo ready to detox and reset my clock once and for all. I really need to "be the change I wish to see in the world"! I feel like this is finally it! My time is now! I'm soooo ready to do this!

Until tomorrow...Good night

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Day 32

Day 32
11:25am

Too pooped to write last night. I started getting tired around 2pmish. I got to bed early and had a well rested nights sleep. I guess my body is requiring rest; hopefully to heal and detox. I just wish I had more energy to do more stuff in the evenings when I get home from work. I assumed I'd start having more increased energy by now on this feast. Oh well. I'm sure the increased energy will come after I start back on solids.

I used to have these grand ambitions about what I was going to do later, only to decide to eat cooked food, whatever it was, then crash out! This is ONE of the things I want to change. After the kids go to bed, by 8:30pm, I could totally go to the gym and work out, go for a sauna, or to the climbing gym, do some yoga, read and or take Roxy for a walk!! I'm looking forward to being productive with my increased energy!

I actually contemplated taking a class or 2. The semester started January 28th, but I didn't want to not have the energy to read and study. This feasting takes so much time, energy, not to mention the monetary cost. I feel it's an investment in my health as well as my family's health! (Leading by example!) My kids are always asking me if this or that is "healthy"! ;-)

Did I mention that my mother-in-law is back on the fast/feast with me. She's doing a modified version. Since she's a diabetic, she's doing mostly greens juices and is also doing green smoothies. So far so good. I think she's on like day 10 now. I can tell her energy level is increasing since she started taking Roxy for a walk in the mornings. She's got at least 100lbs to shed. I'm hoping she stays with this for a while. I know I'm a motivator since I've got so much time under my belt already.

I trekked out to the elephant pharmacy last night and picked up some chanca peidra! Yeah! I'm stoked to continue with cleansing my liver. I had such a great experience when I did the Amazing Liver and Gallbladder flush, I wanted to continue until the stones are flushed out. Then I read that the chanca piedra is much more gentler, and the fact that I don't have to consume the epson salts and water is a plus. The great experience I'm referring to

Day 33
11:29am

Thought I'd comment real quick about how good I'm feeling right now. OMG, what a difference a day makes! I think I should really be saying is what a difference an enema make! I was unable to do an enema for the last day or so. I got a chance to do one last night and again this morning! My energy level is really I and I have an immense feeling of gratitude for this day, for this feast, for the love of my family, for the love of this amazing juice feasting and raw community! I want to keep going! I want to make it to day 92! I think I can, I think I can....

Day 34 update coming soon...

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Day 30...Feeling pretty good

10:24pm

It's getting late, but I wanted to post a little something before I retire for the evening. I'm stoked to have made it this far! Well, after not too much consideration, I think it's a good time for me break my fast! I feel compelled to eat and will start with some Indian food...........................NOT!!! I'm totally joking and couldn't resist!

I have to say that I was just slightly disappointed to know that some fellow feasters we ready to end their juice feast! Actually, I'm more envious than anything else! The committee in my mind couldn't help but to contemplate whether we were ready as well to end our feast as well! I told them sternly, "HEEEEELLLLLL NOOOO!" I'm not ready! No, No, No! Not yet! As much as I want to get back to solid foods again, I feel like I can keep going a little while longer. How much longer? I'd like to get to 60 days! I'm going to shoot for 40 days and re-evaluate where I'm at! I know I can make another week!

I'm totally on cruise control right now. I'm so into my juice feasting routine; it's really not that hard to keep going at this point. Sure, I have my challenges and difficulties at times, but all I have to do to get through them is to try any, if not all, of the following: drink more juice; take a nap; take an enema; pray; meditate; go to a meeting; or just got to bed! ;-) So far so good!

I was going to write much more, but I'm really pooping out here! I will try and write earlier tomorrow! Until then....

Be well!

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Day 24

The last couple of days have been kinda tough. I've said this before, but it's really tough living with cooked fooders and preparing food for them while fasting. Maybe that's why I've been thinking of cooked food so much lately. I wish this feast wasn't so hard mentally to do at this point. I keep thinking about a lot of my favorite foods I used to eat! Even the crappy stuff like Cheeze Its. What do they add to them that makes them smell so cheezy? I was really tired and cranky yesterday! I hate being cranky! "What's the matter Dad?" ;-( I guess it's a combination of a lot of things. I went out to my car today and napped for 20 minutes around noon time! I'm feeling better even after such a short nap. I woke up feeling depressed yesterday morning as well. It doesn't help that I wish I could afford to quit my job and go to school full time! That'd be a dream come true...I have some ideas about what I'd like to do to make me happy to get up and go to work!

Day 25

It's amazing what a 20 minute nap can do--Wow! I watched a great series of videos yesterday that We Like it Raw posted of Daniel Vitalis. I want to be like this guy when I grow up! Seriously! When I start thinking about eating my "favorite" cooked foods again then I watch a video like this guy, it really inspires me to strive to a higher level consciousness! I know it's only an emotional attachment I will let go of! I'm confident the longer I stay on this fast the stronger I will be when I'm finally ready to get back to ingesting whole foods again!

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Day 21

2:50pm

I'm really stoked to be here on Day 21! Tomorrow will be the longest I've ever fasted! I'm very proud of myself for getting this far and look forward to getting another week behind me! I'm also proud of the and the other feasters out there! THIS IS NOT EASY!

I feel like I'm just about acclimated to pacific time. I went to bed at 9pm on Friday night and slept until 7am the next morning. Ahhh.....blessed sleep! Yes it was wonderful to get some awesome rest. I felt so good, I got my butt back to the gym and worked my chest, bis, abs, and lower back. I was planning on going to yoga as well, but I got a pretty decent workout and decided against it! I'm glad I made that decision as I was quite tired last night by 9pm and could barely keep my eyes open.

Saturday weigh in: 177lbs (Very cool! 4lbs in seven days.)

I need to post a photo of myself just before I started this fast. You can see these two pronounced fat pockets just below my rib cage! They totally piss me off and are a huge motivation for me to stay on this fast until they are GONE--NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN!! Oh yeah, they will not be back! I will have that six pack I've always wanted! Yes, I admit it; I'm just slightly vain! Here's the photo:


This was actually taken on Day 2 of my fast, 1/2/08. Oh yeah! I'm sucking it in here. I'd have a nice little pot belly if I wasn't. I think I took a side pro of me back in November I'll have to search for and post. It's awful! And it's my motivation to stay thinner! I think I'm close to 194lbs here and yesterday I was 177lbs! I know I may have been closer to 196 or something, but didn't want weigh myself and get any more discouraged/disappointed with my weight than I already was! I know it's weird! Some men have the same issues as women when it comes to our weight! Anywho....

I got another solid 9 hours of sleep last night. I got on the stair master straight away and had a great sweat. It's a great way to start my day. I can feel I'm getting stronger and more in shape. Since I've started back on the stair master I've been on a level 1 (customized) and feel like I'm ready to increase the intensity a bit.

I have to give respectable shout out to David and Katrina Rainoshek juicefeasting.com! I was blown away with the data they have compiled as part of their juice feasting program! Very very cool! I have a few of the books they have referenced and posted for download on their site, but it's awesome the way it's format and compiled in one place! Bravo! I was hesitant to take the plunge and purchase the 92 day program, but I my curiosity got the best of me! I think it's well worth the money.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Hellacious Travel Day

Day 18
5:17pm PST

I just arrived at home! Have to write now before I finally run out of steam. OMG, I had my last 32oz of green this morning at 7:30am EST. Just before I walked into the security checkin at Boston Airport.

The flight was supposed to arrive in SFO at 11:37am. No problem, I thought! I can handle this! I did great! I just had water, about ~32oz during the flight! The weather in the Bay Area was NOT GOOD! They had to reroute our plane to land in Oakland because SFO had dense fog and wind shear? I finally got to my car in long term parking @ 3:15pm PST! OMG, I was so ready for some nourishment. It's really storming outside and the commute to my neighborhood was a bear! I went straight to the produce stand! Got my veggies and made a b line for Jamba Juice, "I'll have a double shot of wheatgrass and a Power OJ please!" It had been ~12 hours after my last juice intake! I made it! I'm really stoked to be home! What an adventure! I have to say it was a breeze until about 3pm. Then I really started to poop out and was craving FOOD! No flippin way! NOT NOW! NOT YET! ;-)

Yahoo!

(Crap! Now I've got to make juice!)

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

I Am Legend...

...is such a cool movie! OMG, it was soo good! I had a great time--even without popcorn and a soda! I did enjoy a Kombucha tea during the movie, however. It was a nice treat!

I finally remembered to purchase some Kombucha tea from whole foods on Monday! Very very interesting elixir I must admit. I've heard so many people talk about it and sparked my interest some time ago. My first experience with it was on Monday morning--terrible timing. I got a little nauseous. I think it was because I just had some pasteurized apple juice then Kombucha; after not having anything for 7 hours! Not a good combo ! I didn't think I was going to try it til after my fast was over, but I felt really energized all day today and thought I'd give it another try. Funny smell, but I liked twangy taste and the carbonation! I'm not sure if it was a coincidence or what, but it seemed to perk me up a bit. Hmmmm.................

I had a weird morning because I'm still on Pacific Standard time. I got eight hours of sleep but couldn't figure out why my eyes were so heavy. Then it dawned on me that it's 3am in California right now. Oh well, off to a weird start, but gained momentum early and was very productive for work today!

I was in the kitchen again and I think I made enough juice for tomorrow. I sure miss my Breville juicer!

I need to stay on this fast. I need to stay away from cooked foods for as long as I possibly can! I don't want to go back to my old eating habits. The longer I can fast the stronger I'll be when I get back to whole foods again. Before I started this fast I had a hard time NOT eating out! I was driving to the theater tonight and I couldn't help looking at all the pizzerias and other eateries. I think it's just habit too!

Still feeling strong, but getting tired so I guess I'll wrap up this post.

Day 17
[3:17pm]

92 days! Man that sounds like a long flippin time to not eat. I feel like I'm on such a roll right now, that I could totally do it! Can I do it! I totally have a strong desire to get there!

For me, it's not just about detox and weight loss. I'm also doing this for spiritual and emotional reasons as well! I'm such an addict when it comes to so many things in my life. Actually, the really bad stuff I gave up some time ago! However, those addictions were only replaced with certain foods--not so bad, comparatively speaking some might say!

First I gave up alcohol almost 2 years ago, 4/1/06! I didn't think it was a problem for me until I tried to quit and realized I couldn't! OMG, it was true...I had become a pickle! A little less than a year later I gave up smoking cigarettes, 12/31/06! I also gave up all meat and tried to go mostly vegan! I ate some meat, experimentally speaking, a few times within the last year, but my body paid dearly every time I indulged! After not eating meat for so long it was so taxing on my body to process! It's truly amazing what our bodies get used to!

I want to be healthy! I want to have abundant energy! I want to be able to go backpacking and climb mountain peaks again without my knees hurting for days afterwards. I want to be able to work in the garden for hours on end without my lower back hurting. I want to run a marathon, and a triathlon. I want to LIVE for a long long time! I want to have the time and energy to play and be present with my children! I want to figure out what I'm going to do with the rest of my life! I want to get to figure out who I am and where I'm headed spiritually! Slowly and confidently I know I'm heading in the right direction!

Alpine Cheer

Day 18
[12:30am EST]

I did an amazing job on the amount of produce I purchased on Monday for exactly 4+ days of juice. I impress myself sometimes! ;-) Besides missing my family and being couped up in an apartment testing SW, this was a good trip for me! It was really easy to stay focused on my feast! I've got about a quart left over to down just before I get to the security gate at the airport. My flight is just under 6 hours back home! I'll be looking for Jamba again! ;-)

I just got back from seeing Juno. It was a great movie. I saw the Atonement last night. It was OK. I was expecting more however.

I can feel emotional detox starting to simmer in me! Hmmmm...............It will feel good when I get to release it! Not sure when it will happen!

Monday, January 21, 2008

Day 16

The last 2 days have been very tough! Sunday I was low on juice with lots to do on the schedule and no time to make any juice. Thank God for Jamba Juice! I had 3 Power orange/carrot (3 quarts) and 8 ounces of wheat grass total as well as the last bit of my own juice. I guess I planned it pretty well because I'm still here doing this thing.

On Sunday, we also had a social engagement I had to attend with the rest of the family. We went to see our god son, whom we haven't seen in 2+ years! (Way overdo) The mom had quite the spread (food) out when we arrived! Everyone was eating and drinking and drinking and eating and as I was watching them, drinking my pelligrino. I swas trying to focus I really tried to be present and enjoy their company; and I did! I think the worst part was the aroma of fresh baked bread she pulled out of her bread oven and the baked ziti! Oh well. It's over and I toughed it out! I kept thinking about how tired all of them are going to be later after the heavy foods everyone was consuming.

Later in the eve; I packed my Omega 8005 juicer in my suite case along with my trusty knife, a cutting board, and a wash cloth! I caught the red eye at 11:10pm and arrived in Boston 4.5 hours later. I got a little shut eye, but not much. I had explicit directions from google maps to the closest whole foods from the Boston Airport! Thank god for the Garmin navigator I got with my rental vehicle; otherwise it would have totally sucked trying to navigate that city! I think I got enough produce for the 4.5 days I'll be here for! I picked up some pasteurized apple juice which held me over until I got settled and was able to prepare some fresh juice for today and most of tomorrow! Ahhhh.............you gotta love the greens BABY!! I was totally running out of steam, but the green juice saved me. I was pretty tired all day. I could have totally taken a nap,but I had to get some worked done, so I just worked through being tired and hit the hay early.

I'm feeling much better after a good nights rest.

Be well!

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Day 13

Day 13

10:49pm

My wife asks me, "how many days do you have now?" I tell her, "13", matter of factly. You guys are crazy! Referring to me and her mom! I remind her I've got quite a few online friends that have about 20 days!! It doesn't seem to impress her! I don't care! I think she was a little cranky tonight!

Today was rather tough for me! I don't like weekends. There was too much weekend food eating around our house today. It's way easier for me to make it through most of my day when I'm at work! We went for a walk today and the aroma of barbecue was very desirable to me. I was a big barbecuer and I still associate that to weekends and good times. I realize it's the burning flesh of some poor animal and will try and think of that next time I catch a wiff of someone's cue. I watched a disturbing video this evening that reminded me why I quit eating meat. Thank god I'm a raw vegan!

I need to keep fasting. I need to keep up with my momentum! It's getting pretty easy; I guess I'm just bored with only drinking juice. I was stoked to EAT some bee pollen tonight! ;-)

I went to the gym today and weighed in. I was 184lbs last Sunday and 6 days later I was 181lbs. Not bad. I think I'll weigh in every 6 or 7 days. Looking forward to getting into the 170 range! I think I was there earlier this year but only for, maybe, a few days! I also had a great workout. I did the weights again as well as work on my abs, I also had a really tough yoga workout! It was awesome. I'm looking forward to being fit and in shape again!

Anyway.....more later!!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

More good energy today!

1/16/08, 9:53pm

I was very inspired by Courtney's beautiful post today! It was the perfect beginning to what transpired to be another fine, fine, fasting Wednesday. I had good energy all day!

The only complaint that I have right now is that I've got "The Tongue"! That's what I've dubbed my tongue when I wake up and it's has that whitish film that stays there ALL DAY LONG! It really doesn't matter if I brush or not, it's always there. Actually, I take that back, brushing does help; but it's just short lived. I do hope "The Tongue" clears up soon. (I'm sure it will. I just felt the need to complain about something. lol)

The weather today was awesome, the sky was so blue and clear! The wind was steady most of the day! I love the wind! I took a break from the cubicle and went for a nice brisk walk. The wind was cutting through my jacket, but I warmed up quickly. Ahhh....it was great to get some fresh air and sunshine! I'm grateful for my life and where I'm at today!

1/18/08
Day 12

So far so good today; I actually had a low point around 2:00pmish. I think I was just hungry. I couldn’t help but think about how bored I was just drinking juice. I finally had some green juice and I got positive again. I’m so looking forward to eating something……SOMEDAY………….not so soon in the distant future!! It’s really too bad I’m so committed to doing the juice feast especially with work sending me to the east coast. Alissa Cohen’s new restaurant, Grezzos, just opened in Boston!! I’ll be working about 45 minutes from Boston! Since work pays for my meals while I’m away, they will only be paying for my organic produce from Whole foods! Oh well! I’m sure I’ll be back! I’m only SLIGHTLY disappointed!

Made juice again for 2 this morning! I think we made enough for 2.5 days only! I’m tired of making juice! OH Well! I’m happy though! My body is slowly transforming! My mind is certainly clearer! My eyes are finally getting whiter. I still have some redness, but not nearly as much as I used to! I sooooo want clear white eyes; I don’t think I’ve ever had totally white eyes.

OK…just wanted to get this post out tonight.

Happy Friday!

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Increased mental clarity....and alertness


Day 8 & 9

Day 8 was a great day for me! I was so pumped almost all day. I really noticed how clear my mind was as well as my overall energy!

I only brought 2 quarts of juice to work with me and I finished it pretty early on. I was getting rather hungry/tired by 5:00pm. I had quite a bit to do after work as well and I knew I'd be heading off to Jamba Juice for a power orange/carrot and a double shot of wheatgrass! Sure enough, that got me through the rest of my evening errands until I got home to more juice! Ahhhh............

My mother-in-law informed me this morning that she was ready to join in on our juice feast love fest! LOL ;-) I love her to death and I'm back to making juice for 2, crap! I was hoping to go a little longer without having to make juice for 2! It is sooo much work! Oh well! She knows how much time and energy it takes to prepare the juice and I know she appreciates it! I sooo want to see her lose a ton of weight. She, like my wife, have come a long way. I, kind of, spoon feed them little tid bits of information on nutrition and health and slowly but surely they're changing their diets and eating habits. It's really cool to hear that they're feeling better and healthier.

Back to my mother-in-law. She's a diabetic and will be drinking mostly greens juice. The green juices really don't affect her blood sugar. Actually, the last time she fasted with me, she was amazed at how normal her sugars were! I'm hoping she'll follow my lead and eat mostly raw when she gets off this fast. I purchased the new book from Gabriel Cousins: There is a Cure for Diabetes and gave to her for a xmas present. I also recently got the in mail Raw for Life dvd and I'm looking forward to sharing it with friends and family!

2:49pm:

I've got to stop cruising the raw recipes of some raw blogs/websites I regularly visit. I found this recipe I have to share. I need to remember to make this when I'm all done with the fast:
http://vegannosaurus.com/2008/01/06/raw-veggie-burgers-2-ways/
I'm craving raw goodness: avocados and tomatoes with garlic and jalapeños...yummm!! In do time! All in do time! I'm totally into my fast and this experience!

I had a great workout this morning on the Stair Master! No pain in either of my knees! A little winded, but overall I was so stoked to sweat before the sun came up!

9:44pm

Good thing I wrote all that stuff earlier today, because I am POOPIED out! Speaking of POOPY! LOL ;-) I didn't have a BM on Sunday after my liver flush. I had a small one today and yesterday. I'm always amazed at how much is in our bodies. I think I'll start the enema program tomorrow. I'll do mine with coffee as suggested in the book I read on the liver cleanse. I guess the caffeine has a cleansing affect on the liver? OK enough bathroom talk!

Yes, I'm getting slimmer. I purchased 3 pairs of cords with a 32" waist last November. They didn't fit at the time, but I knew they would in the New Year!! I tried them on yesterday and I'm happy to say that the waist was a little snug, but nowhere near as snug as they were in late December! OMG! Hopefully in another week or so, they'll fit just right. I just hope I don't need to buy a 30".

Final comment! Work is sending me out to the east coast for a week! OUCH!! I will not break my fast! I have a plan in the works....more later!

--Dougie Fasting Fresh

Sunday, January 13, 2008

What a difference a day makes...

Day 7

Up at 6:50am. I felt really great upon awakening this morning! I got up and went straight to the gym. I was only planning on doing a relatively light workout with weights. It felt sooooo gooood to be back in the gym again. It's been so long since I've had a decent work out! There was a yoga class scheduled for 9:30am and I wasn't planning on attending. I thought I'd just stick with the weights for today, but I was feeling so good by 9:15 I thought it would be good for me to do some stretching and I told myself I wouldn't push it! It was great! I'm so glad I went! I LOVE YOGA!

I think the liver cleanse really did a number on me because I feel so much better today compared to my full day yesterday! I'm glad it's behind me!

I weighed in today and I must have really tubbed up prior to the end of the year! I'd guess my weight was close to 194lbs. My weight today is a little over 184lbs. I'm thinking my optimum weight will be in the right around 168! Looking forward to that day!

9:33pm
I'm pretty pooped right now and ready to hit it--nice and early. I guess I knew I'd be ready for bed early since I worked out pretty good today. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention I also hit the sauna for 30 minutes and had a great sweat. I love saunaing while fasting. Anyhow....I'm outie!!

Until next time my fellow feaster/fasters!!

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Feeling Bloated and Getting Thinner

Days 5 & 6

Up at 6:30am today.

Yesterday was an interesting day for me! I've been preparing for a liver cleanse that started last night. I had my last bit of apple juice ~20oz around 11:00am. It was my first juice of the morning! I couldn't believe how distended my tummy felt. Oh, I was so bloated I felt as if I was going to puke! OMG it was awful. It was like it was just sitting above my stomach and hadn't gone into the hatch just yet. I did the long walk to the bathroom (i was at work) and had the runs. That helped a little bit but not much. I think I went to the bathroom one more time and finally started to feel good again! Ouch! For the rest of the day I had great energy! I didn't have that much juice considering maybe 2 quarts ++.

The reason I did a liver flush was I read an eye opening article sent to my email inbox from News Target! After reading the article, I went to amazon and purchased the book by the author, The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush. It was quite spendy at 24.95, but I thought it was a small price to pay for my health! Actually, I could have followed the directions from the following link and saved some money because they are the directions given in the book.

Anyhow...I'm here to tell you that it totally worked. So far I've had 5 bms since my liver cleanse commenced last night at 10pm and have observed ~40 pea size gall stones & 50+ smaller (<1cm-2cm). I was skeptical that it would produce any results for me, but knowing my history and the abuse I've done to my body over my lifetime, I was pretty sure I fit the bill to have a lot of gallstones in my liver! I'm just so relieved to on this road to better health and happiness the natural way!

9:58pm
Finally sitting back down to finish this post. What a day!! Man-O-Man the Epson Salt water concoction was brutal! OMG!! That was the worst part of the flush. Oh yeah, and being a slightly nauseated this morning for a short time! But very stoked to know my liver has almost 100 less stones clogging it's ducts!!!

I took a nap today and that felt really good to do! I think the flush took a toll on my body. I guess that's why they suggest you start it on a Friday.

I was going to write more, but I'm all pooped out and need to hit the hay!!

Be well!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Day 4


2:04pm

Thought I'd write a little bit before I get tired. Up at 6:45am. I had a great sleep. I actually stairmastered for 25 minutes. A few days ago I could only go 17 minutes before the outside of my right knee started bothering me! I was really stoked to sweat today! I know I need to sweat at least once per day!

I've been off caffeine since last Saturday! Hurray! I love coffee. I love the flavor and aroma of coffee. I also love the effect of caffeine! Too bad it's not healthy for you! So, so many side effects of caffeine, it's really a bad addicting drug! Oh well! At least I didn't have to suffer through terrible headaches like my wife did! I just get real lethargic for a few days. I often will have a nap around the noon hour. My energy is good now! No nap needed! I like that! Hurray! I'm not saying I'm never going to have a cup of Joe again, but if I do I'll drink it purposefully and really savor it!

10:22pm

Finally sitting down to read some blogs and thought I'd better write now before I get too tired to wrap up my day. I'm finding more juice feasters blogs as well as raw blogs. I love reading about peoples experiences! I sware I can't get enough! I'm totally into a lot of other things too but I love reading your blogs. I'm sure I'll venture out from here at some point, but I especially love the feaster's blogs because that's what I'm doing today!

I drank a lot of juice today! I've got about 10oz of apple juice left and it looks like I'll be juicing tomorrow morning before work. Typically I prepare enough juice for a couple of days because I loathe having to make it EVERY day!

I had a pretty good day overall! I had great energy. I remember thinking around 6pm tonight that I have a ton of energy; I wonder when I'm going to crash!

That's about all I got today!

Be Well and Good night!

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Ouch...it's really only Day 3...

That title was hard to write. But maybe this is just what this homeboy needs, humility!!

What can I say; but I've got to reset my fasting clock! I was hoping/praying this wasn't going to happen but it did! I've been thinking about what I was going to write. I was actually going to not be honest and just pretend like nothing ever happened! But then I went back to my first entry here. "This is where I come to be completely honest about my eating NO MATTER WHAT!" It's true. Just because I have a couple of readers that I don't want to let down, I need to stay true to what my original intention was for this blog—to be honest! FUCK! ;-)

I was more worried about letting Jack or Jill down than anything else! I'm fine! I had a weak moment and I put something in my mouth and enjoyed chewing! Yes in deedy! I enjoyed chewing!

Many a times when I first started fasting; after several days, I would put food in my mouth and chew then spit most of it out at the sink! And that's just what I did! Oh well, I am back on track now. I'm a little melancholy about not being at Day 9, but hey it's a journey and I'm totally ok with where I'm at today! It's not the destination; it's the journey getting there that I have always loved!

It was a combination of many factors that led to my slip, but the biggest factor may have been this really great book I'm reading right now: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert! She's such a great writer! At the time I was reading on Saturday she was in Italy doing a lot of eating and drinking. She's so descriptive, I wanted to fly to Italy and find that highly suggested pizzeria that made the world's best pizza! Too funny! I remember reading and thinking to myself "so I really have a strong desire to go raw?". LOL

Deep down I know the answer to my question is yes, I do have a strong desire to eat 100% raw! All I have to do is think about where it would take me! I can never have just one of anything! I'd eat until I was over full, most likely, then I'd crash and want to take a nap! I hate that crash. I'm sick and tired of it. I'm sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. I'm tired of doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results! (I once heard that was the definition of insanity!)

Did I mention that my wife was fasting with me for a few days? Well she made it 4 whole days and broke her fast on Saturday. I know she was feeling a little guilty leaving me behind to fast. I also know she was really pumped to eat! She pretty much met her goal! I'm very proud of her and I fully supported her decision to break her fast! It was probably when she was making a tomato based soup and I tasted it for her to give her my expert opinion! ;-) It was such a tiny taste, I thought to myself, "I'm strong, I can handle this"!

I also quit drinking coffee on Saturday. Hmmm…..normally when I quit caffeine I get sleepy and lethargic! I wasn't doing too bad, but with the all the rain we were getting and being cooped up in the house with the whole family eating and kicking back. I was obviously testing myself pretty good! I've always had a tough time fasting and being with my family on the weekends.

But all that I behind me now! I'm only a little bummed I'm now set back a few days, when my fellow feasters are ahead of me! It's all good! It's the journey and not the destination that I appreciate so much!

So here I am at Day 3! It feels like day 3 too! I'm happy to be back too! So there you have it! I'm feeling good right now so I'm going to go ahead and post this. I'm confident I will make my goal. That reminds me I will be posting my list of reasons and goals for fasting. I'll start working on that for my next post!

Good luck all and congratulations on making to wherever you are! This is not an easy task to undertake!!

Love Doug

Friday, January 4, 2008

Day 4

AM/PM Post:

Up at 7amish. The power had gone out at some point early this morning! It was fun to light candles and think about folks that lived before there was electricity!

I think I'll start writing throughout my day because when I sit down to write at night, just before bed, I haven't enough energy to put into a proper post! I'm going to try harder!

6pm
Well that was a nice thought! Too bad I didn't get a chance to write more earlier in the day. It got busy at work and never found the time again.

I'm doing well overall! So far I've consumed about:

32oz of fruit juice (orange|carrot|pineapple|pear)
48oz of green juice and about (celery|cucumber|spinach|apple)
20oz of coconut water

I love coconut water! I love it, love it, love it!!!

Time for TMI talk: So far I've had BMs every day. Today was much lighter than Day 1. When I stop having them every day is when I'll start the enemas. Probably every other day! I certainly appreciate getting rid of extra crap inside of me! (pun intended) ;-)

I purchased the following supplements:
Bee pollen
MSM
Pure Synergy
E3 Live
Renew Me

I'm taking E3 Live, Renew Me, and MSM every day. I'm alternating the green powders every day as well. I think I'm doing the bee pollen every other day as well.

That's about it for me today! I think I'll post a photo or 2 tomorrow!

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Day 3

Hannah & Emily setting the table for Thanksgiving Dinner!
You can see Roxy cruising the table for food. She's such an opportunist!

It's about time for my favorite part of the day; sleep! I get to got to bed, yeah!! I love my sleep when I'm fasting. It's always soo restful, especially when I get to bed earlier than my norm.

Today was a pretty uneventful day! I had to go out to my car and nap around 3:30pm. I think I napped for about 30 minutes. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have better energy! Not too much to report at this time, except that I'm happy to be on this fast.

-Doug

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Day 2



New Years Eve with Anita! (My Wife)

We spent the evening in San Francisco with friends. It was a great evening with food, fun, and good friends!

Day 2 is just about over and I'm poopeid! I spent about 3.5 hours in the kitchen preparing our juice. My wife is fasting with me, but only for a few days! Maybe she'll go 5-7, but I don't expect her to get much further! (I would never tell her that however!) I'm sure she'll go as long as she needs to go! ;-)


About done juicing the greens!


Then Anita came in and made something sweet for the kids! OMG, it smelled awful....YUCK!! (Not!) Maybe someday I'll be repulsed by the aroma of freshly baked cookies! (That's my large vat of fruit juice next to the pan of cookies.)

Anyhow...I'm glad this day is about over! Looking forward to getting to sleep! I love my sleep while fasting! It's just so restful!

OK, good night then! I'll write more soon! (Hopefully tomorrow!)

--Dougie Fasting Fresh

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Get Ready, Get Juice, Get Fast, GOOOOOO........Day One

Happy New Year!

This is it; today really is the first day of the rest of my life! I've written these words before! I'm sure I wrote them on the first day I started this blog! I've wanted to become 100% Raw ever since I read the book by David Wolfe, The Sunfood Diet Success System, last xmas 2006! A whole year later, I'm finally ready!

I've got many goals for this year and the first goal was to be 100% Raw starting 1/1/2008! The next goal was to complete a 90 day Juice Feast which starts today! I'm soo stoked to be here!

So much more to write about in the coming days as my mind clears!

Thanks again to all who have visited and sent to me well wishes, positive vibes, kind and encouraging words!

More later....