Residual Results

Had the most unusually cleansing weekend that felt like a mirror of the juice fast - only in a household way.  We made a major change that we've been considering but avoiding for some time, and once that was done it was as though the accelerator had been pressed.  I suddenly rearranged all the furniture in the living room (okay, there's not really that much furniture, but still) and I felt so energized by the space that had been opened up that I took on some other cleaning and technical projects.  Overall it's been a stabilizing few days.


Cooked black beans, zucchini and tofu for dinner this evening.  I marinated the tofu in balsamic vinegar and sort of stir-fried it; it didn't exactly come out right but it was edible.  The flavor was great, just didn't get the texture I was going for.  I cooked the beans with water only, no seasonings or other vegetables, and I ate them just like that.  It was a surprise how delicious they were - I've gotten accustomed to eating them with nutritional yeast and Bragg.  I was really craving simplicity today in the food department, and the plain black beans satisfied that craving.  Between the beans and the tofu, my protein intake was solid, and that's hopefully a focus this week.


In this month following the fast I can see how much food affects my energy and mood.  It's not that I've been on the straight and narrow ever since we completed the fast, but I've been much more aware of how my choices are dragging me down or lifting me up.  I must always remember that it's never the wrong time to take a positive step.  

Another Week Done

We've dropped our juicing down dramatically, not intentionally but probably a result of getting a little tired of juices after the fast and because we've been just plain lazy.  We're getting back on track though.  I think it's important to drink at least one juice a day.  We're still eating pretty well and keeping off the weight we've lost.  It's time to step up the food tracking though and get creative about lunches again.  Definitely a work in progress.


I found another great recipe, this time at cooks.com, using black-eyed peas which are very popular in our household.  It's really delicious and I think it's going to become a fallback.


That's all for now.  I'm off to the Puyallup Fair later today to table at an informational booth for Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest.  I'm glad I can get the word out to the community that planning is the key...

A Week After

It's been a little over a week since we finished the fast and I'm still feeling great.  I have been drinking coffee again, but no more than a cup a day and not every day.  I'm still finding that once I get out of bed in the morning and get past the initial brief grogginess I feel plenty alert without the caffeine.  It's quite remarkable!


Since I came off the fast, I've continued to track my food using SparkPeople and seeing what nutrients I need to boost. Of course, I've been tracking calories as well, and I'm still amazed by how easily I can get by on few calories when I'm getting the best nutrition.  It's a work in progress and I'm finally getting to be able to accept that - I may never be effortlessly eating the perfect balance of nutrients and calories every day, but I definitely won't if I don't try.  


I'm exploring many ways to prepare cabbage recently, and ways to prepare quinoa.  Although it's important to eat a variety of different foods, sometimes one or another catches my attention and I'm taking advantage of that by trying to learn new ways to prepare those foods and also to start keeping in memory what foods provide me with which nutrients so I can reach my daily intake goals with a minimum of time spent tracking and researching!


I went for a walk last night, which hasn't been happening in quite a while.  The energy pick-up since the fast has  evidenced itself in a number of ways; got the compost bin started, unpacked our camping gear as soon as we got home (this may be a first!), met up with a friend I hadn't seen in ages, traded in that ridonculous long hair for a manageable and healthy shorter style...well, a new season is coming in and it's a good time for change!