Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Happy Birthday to me! 2 month update

It's been a long time since I wrote. I know, I know, I should have at least made an appearance, some small effort to keep up my good work. No excuses, but lots of reasons. I been busy man!

Ok, so how have I done so far after 2 months? I came off the fast right before Christmas and was afraid to eat much of anything for a long time. Actually, I only wanted to eat vegetables and drink juice. But by Christmas, I was ready to have all my traditional favorites and make a big meal. I made too many kinds of veggies, but that turned out to be fine. I froze some of the turkey for later use and made some turkey vegetable soup that lasted a while. I had too much meat in my freezer, from taking advantage of sales and such, so needed to use that up. Fortunately, my daughter and her boyfriend came to stay with me, arriving on New Year's Eve. She is a good cook and has helped to use up things and keep them from being wasted. She has dinner waiting for me every night. I would often skip dinner, or just make a sandwich and that is not good.

So, with the holidays and having regular meals all the time, I am happy to say that in 2 months, I have only gained 10 pounds back. Oh, and I am just getting over a rotten cold that took about 2 weeks and I didn't feel like doing much during most of that time. Before I got sick, we would go on a long walk almost every night, or do some other type of exercise. We will start doing that again. I expected to gain 5-7 pounds, so am not unhappy with the ten pounds, considering all the changes lately. I still drink lots of juice, mostly the Mean Green. It just makes me feel better in general, not that I feel bad. I still have plenty of energy and do not get sleepy at work like I used to.

Other good news.....I gave my other daughter a juicer for Christmas, not a Breville, but an ok one. I told her it was so she could make juice for the kids, because they like it and also hoped that she might give it a try. Without saying too much, she decided to go on a fast like I did. She has been on it for at least 2 weeks, I am not exactly sure when her first day was, but she has lost over 20 pounds, even though she was cheating almost every day. I told her not to eat and that it might eventually make her sick. It did. Besides, one of the reasons to do a fast, is to give your digestive system a break. Sometimes, ya gotta learn things the hard way. Other times, you should listen to your Mom!! I saw her this weekend and she looked great! People noticed it in my face first and it's the same with her. Also, she used to get headaches quite often and has not had one since she started juicing. She used to get heartburn all the time too, and that has gone away. I used to have that too, and mine went away and has not returned. It's been much harder for her with a family to feed, but she is doing well and I am very proud of her.

And, more good news.........daughter, who is staying with me, has said that she will do a fast with me. I still have 30 pounds to lose and she does too. We are going to do a 30 day one, and see how it goes. She says she is in for however long I want to go and she is looking forward to it. We plan to start on Sunday, Feb. 12th. I kind of forced them to watch Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead with me one night. They liked it. I wish the other one would watch it. That was the 5th time I watched it and it still gets to me and inspires me. Joe Cross did a really good thing by making that and continues to help people and promote a healthier lifestyle.

I have enjoyed eating a variety of things and lots of vegetables. I always liked vegetables, but didn't always make the effort to eat them. The only fast food I've had are some little weird tacos from Jack in the Box, because it was a special treat for my daughter, who could not get them in Florida. She doesn't eat fast food either, except for those things. Anyway, I am looking forward to the simplicity of a juice fast again. People say that it's so hard. I know that it is at first, but once you get used to it, at least for me, it wasn't hard at all. I still think that a juice is an amazingly easy way to get the nutrients from fresh vegetables into your system with the least amount of work. I know what to expect and how to handle it and I know what I will miss. Funny, I still haven't had the lasagna I used to think about all the time. But guess what? That is what I will be having for my birthday dinner, and.........with Homemade Pasta!! It will be soooooooo good. At least, I think it will be. Sometimes, things aren't like I remembered them, even after 2 months.

I do plan to blog again while on the next fast. It helps me keep on track....makes me accountable. This time, I am going to measure myself more and take better pictures. I'll let you know how things are going.

Sure I will!!! Juice on!!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Post Fast.....into week Three

Ah, time to relax! The main part of the holidays is over. I cooked too many kinds of veggies and had fresh ones too. I think I could have fed 20 people! I was so happy to be cooking again. Everything turned out well and everyone enjoyed the feast, more than once.

I thought I did well with eating too. I just took a very small portion of everything and didn't over eat at all. Of course I had had juice everyday too. That is just part of life now. I did not have any ill effects, either. Here's something interesting, maybe. My dinner was on Christmas Eve, and the next day, I spent over at my daughter's house. In the middle of the afternoon, her husband made a fresh pot of coffee. They have a coffee pot that grinds the beans fresh for each pot and it makes great coffee. I decided to have a cup. It's been at least 3 months since I have had any. It was tasty all right. A little while later, I had to visit the little girls' room. Here's what I found on the 'wiki", "The stimulative effect of coffee consumption on the colon is found in both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee." It's for sure true. So if you are feeling kind of full in general, you might try a cup of coffee. Just don't go out for a run for awhile after!

In a few days, or maybe next week, I will be making a vegetable turkey soup that I have been making for years. We all love it. This year, it will be even better because I will be using as many fresh ingredients as I can. I said that I would post it and I have found it, so will do. Just wanted to mention, that I cut all of the meat I wanted, off the turkey the night it was served and put the rest of it, (bones and stuff) in a 2.5 zip top bag. Stuck it in the freezer that night, because I knew it would be a little while before I could make the soup.Warning: This makes a LOT and you can't freeze it, well you can,  but it will be yucky, so give some away if you can't eat it all in a few days.


Victoria’s Turkey Vegetable Soup
Adapted from a recipe from Theresa Randall


Leftover turkey carcass….with most of turkey cut off, legs and wings whole, all stuffing well cleaned out
2/3 tsp. garlic powder
2/3 tsp. Lawry’s Seasoned salt
½ -1 tsp. black pepper
1 medium onion, sliced
1 large can tomatoes (diced is nice)
1 15 oz. can stewed tomatoes
2-3 large cans of Swanson’s chicken broth, or 2 boxes
16 oz. frozen mixed vegetables
10 oz. frozen green beans, regular or French cut
1 lb. small peeled baby carrots or 6 medium, peeled and cut
½ medium sized head of cabbage, chopped
4-5 medium-small potatoes, cubed about 1 inch in size
3-4 stalks celery, cut into small pieces (optional)
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. Tabasco sauce, adjust to taste, but Do Not leave out!
2 tsp. sugar

In a LARGE pot, boil turkey in 8-10 cups of water, along with garlic, seasoned salt, pepper, and onion, lowering the heat to a simmer for about an hour until the meat is falling off the bones.

Using a slotted spoon, remove the turkey, being sure to get all of the bones out and set aside to cool, saving the stock.

Add all the rest of the ingredients to the stock and bring to a boil. Add enough chicken broth to cover all the ingredients with a little bit more, as this will reduce during cooking time. Turn heat to low and simmer 2-3 hours until potatoes and carrots are cooked through.

Pick all the meat off the turkey and add to soup. No need to stir, but break up tomatoes, if using whole.

Good served with sweet cornbread! (I will probably not be making the cornbread this time)

I so love having the energy to do things again. I got plenty of exercise yesterday, too. Santa brought the g-kids and family an X-box Kinnect. It was Crazy. There was a dance game too, not easy. It's all a ton of fun and I don't even know how long we played. It takes pictures of you while you play. It was nice not to cringe when I saw myself. Really nice. 

Juice on!!!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Post Fast, Day 13

Almost 2 weeks since I finished the fast. Time sure goes by quickly. Going to really busy the next couple of days, so thought I'd write a little bit now while I can.

Yesterday was odd. I had juice for breakfast and lunch as usual, but all day there was a whisper in the back of my mind, "I want "real" food." I thought about this and couldn't figure out what it was that I really wanted. Before the fast ended, I used to think one of the things I would want would be some pasta. Lasagne, mmmmm. But, I haven't had any and don't seem to want it right now. I was trying to figure out what "real" food is to me these days. I started thinking of different restaurants I liked. Crossed all off the list as having nothing that I wanted. Still, the whispering continued. I wasn't even hungry.  Pizza seemed out too, because I like mine with plenty of things on it. That would still be too much for me. I have only been eating vegetables, hummus and crackers. Did have 2 scrambled eggs one day and they tasted ok. On top of all this, I didn't have time to cook much of anything last night. Finally, since I had to stop at the grocery anyway, I decided to get a California Pizza that I used to like and it doesn't have much on it, the BBQ chicken one. I added extra Mozzarella, of course. It was tasty, but, surprisingly, not as much as I remembered. I only ate 2 pieces of it. No ill effects, but the whispering went away. Now, I do not think pizza is "real" food, unless I make it myself and I plan to do so. But, I had to do something for my own peace of mind yesterday. From now on, I will need to think about making some healthy "real" food for myself, so no more whispers hit me.

One other thing. Today, I am wearing a Christmas shirt that I bought to wear last year. I never tried it on at the store, but when I got home, it was obvious to me that I would not be wearing it. I kept it anyway, left the tag on, and stuck it in the closet. I pulled it out this morning, and not only does it fit, it's actually loose!! I am happy! Since I have started wearing clothes that fit better, more and more people have noticed that I am not the woman I used to be. It feels good to wear things that fit, too. So, don't hide in those baggy jeans. Show off a little. It's fun. Not only that, finding my old favorite things I used to wear and being able to wear them,  makes me feel more like "me" again, which was the main point of my quest, originally.

So, enjoy the holidays, be smart, and remember to......................

Juice on!!!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Post Fast Update, 12/20/11

Wow, almost Christmas. I can't believe this year has gone by so quickly. Sure did end up good for me. I hope it does for everyone!

I am cooking the traditional dinner on Christmas Eve. At this rate, that may be the first time that I eat any amount of meat. I am still craving veggies. I caved and made some more butternut squash, roasted and turned into thick soup, to have for dinner the next few nights. I also decided to go back to juicing for breakfast and lunch, but with a few additions. Hey, Kroger had Kale on sale again for .59 for a big lovely bunch! It was a sign, what could I do?

But for breakfast, the rest of the week, I am having a third of a pineapple, 2 oranges, and then blend that with a banana in the blender for a smoothie. (Hey, pineapples and oranges were on sale too!) It is so good, except odd to have the small chunks of banana in there. 

I am writing this at lunch. The addition to my Mean Green is the black olive hummus and wheat crackers. (Hey, they had the hummus, buy one get one free! I had to do it.) The Mean Green still tastes better to me all the time.

So why am I still doing so much juice when I don't have to? One reason, especially for breakfast, is that I think I would fall back into my old habits of skipping it altogether or eating crapola. The juice is good for me, tastes good and takes hardly any time in the morning. I still get cold after my Mean Green, but I like it and I still think it gives me a good boost of energy to get through the afternoon. Once I run out of the "on sale Kale", I may go to some of the other juices I like for awhile. Eventually, I am sure that for lunches, in the winter, I will move on to some yummy soups that I make. The first one will be turkey vegetable that I have been making for years. I plan to change it just a tad, and use as many fresh ingredients as I can, instead of frozen vegetables. It's a family favorite and I will put the recipe on here in a couple of days. Great for leftover turkey and the bones. Makes a ton, also.

Today, I am wearing a favorite shirt I found in my closet. Haven't worn it in a very long time. It fits just like it should. Also, pulled out a smaller pair of Levi's. I thought, "no way", but guess what? They fit too. I haven't lost any more weight but I think I might still be changing. Fine with me.

I haven't gained more than 3-4 pounds either, it varies a bit from day to day. I have been eating, really I have. Last night I ate too much of the butternut squash and was too full. Another night, I did the same thing with the steamed veggies/rice/sausage. Things are moving along as well, though the watermelon/apple/pear juice I had yesterday helped and sent me to the ladies room, 3 times, just in the morning!! I was about to take a laptop in there with me, if that kept up. Have to work sometimes!!

Ok, out of time and have to play a little bit, before lunch is over.

Be Strong!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Post fast.....One Week

It's been a week today since the last day of my fast. I think I've gained 3 pounds back which is very good. I still haven't eaten any meat other than that little bit of sausage. I am still drinking juices and eating vegetables mostly, because that is all that I want.

This morning, I was tired from staying up late, lots later than normal, on a work night. I made a juice first thing and it made me feel just fine. I never will get over how it just seems to be absorbed so quickly and fix you right up.

My routine still isn't one. I am still eating the leftovers from the steamed veggie buffet I made several days ago. That's fine. I like leftovers and it still tastes really good. I didn't exercise as much this week as I should have. Have to work harder on that as the days fly by.

I also think that I am going to update this weekly instead of every day. If that is not ok, let me know. If I feel like I have something interesting to contribute, then of course, I will. I feel like, even though I haven't eaten hardly any of the kinds of things I used to eat, that I will be just fine. That's good news, but you can't write about it every day. It's plain boring.

The holidays are upon us. I hope everyone enjoys them and stays healthy. I know that I will.

Juice on!!!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Post Fast...Day 6

Today was the first day that I had no juice at all since 65 days ago. It wasn't intentional. I managed to turn my alarm off without really waking up. Luckily I did wake up just in time to barely make it to work on time. I did grab a yogurt, the figs, hummus, crackers and steamed veggies, so I was well supplied for the day anyway.

Then last night, I decided to do something after work tonight, so had no time at all tonight, except to take care of the pups and rush back out. It seems odd not to have made or consumed any juice. But tonight, I did something that I haven't done in over 5 years. I went to a show and had dinner with friends!

The isolation is of my own design. It's partly because of life events, partly because of the way I felt about my body, but most recently,  because I didn't have the energy to do anything after work. Even on the weekends, doing the shopping and taking care of the house was about all I could accomplish. Sure, I would have the occasional outing on the weekends, but I always suffered from whatever crazy thing I had attempted. But now, things have changed.

The 7th day of the fast, was when I spontaneously decided to drive into downtown Dallas to see Joe Cross after work on a Monday night. I stayed up late that night, but was just as alert all day as if I had gone to bed early. I've said this before, but at that time, it wasn't the weight loss giving me the energy. It was the juice. Now, I am starting to feel more confident about being able to do things for 2 reasons. One, I know I won't be exhausted. Two, because I feel better about my appearance. That's a good combo.

I had such a good time tonight. What a difference a day makes. It rained much of the time as I was driving, but I had a better idea of the "lay of the land." Besides, I was going out and doing something with Friends! I saw belly dancers. My friend's wife is one. They are truly amazing. Dinner was enjoyable too. Love the fact that things have so much more flavor. I was very thankful for the opportunity. I told my pal that it made me feel like a person again. That sounds a bit pathetic. It isn't. I was happy enough the way I was. The thing is, you don't realize you have fallen in a hole sometimes. Why you can't tell you are in a hole, no idea, but that is what I had let happen to me. I am coming back to life due to changes that I decided to make and it feels good. No one could have done it for me and that is good too, because I know what I did and I can take the confidence boost and use that well. Shoot, I may even go on a date someday.............wouldn't hold your breath on that one.

Thanks BigDaddy/2. You are an inspiration to me. So is your wife. Great kids, too. Lucky man. Lucky me, to call you my friend.
(he even texted  me to make sure I got home all right! Not used to that, except from family.......so cool)

Stay strong!!!!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Post Fast...Day 5

I can't write much tonight for 2 reasons.

1. The past 3 hours have just been absolutely horrible. Making it worse, is that it's my own fault, and now I am in a terrible, terrible mood, with no one to take it out on but me. So, I plan to enjoy the dark depths of my anger at myself until it wears off, or I can distract myself. No, no, no, I didn't eat something I shouldn't have. And, I am fine, as fine as a dope can be.

2. I don't have that much to report. The only new things I ate were the yogurt I finally remembered, and the figs. I guess they are called "dried" but they were pretty mushy. What surprised me the most, was that they tasted just like the inside of a good fig newton, which I love and rarely have. I would like to try to make something with the figs. Tasty!!

Other than that, no weight gain, no loss of energy. Especially right now, when I could bite the heads off nails!! (Insert mean angry emoticon here) I'm still sleeping very well, too. I am wondering if the lack of meat has anything to do with how I feel? I did have a tiny little bit last night and today, and I mean tiny. I can't see myself ever eating a big ole steak again, but I think I will have some meat when I feel like eating it, if I ever do. We'll see. I don't want to lose my energy! My freezers have lots of meat in them, too. It'll last a good long time. Luckily, I will have my daughter and her BF staying with me soon, so they will help me use it before it goes bad. Except they like healthy eating also. So, it'll last a good long time.

Juice on, and sorry for the lack of info today.  
wish i had one of those punching clowns or somethin..............i'd put my own lovely face on it and pop myself a few times........i don't get in bad moods often..............but when i do..............i like to make the most of it........