Since it's been so long since my last post, I'll stick with the important events that have accumulated post-master cleanse.
First, I had some home-made pizza with my new friends on day two of re-entry to the eating world. The cheese did not feel nice. Since then, I don't think I've had any major dairy products, save for a blueberry cheese danish I enjoyed at the local hippy joint. I also haven't eaten any significant portions of meat. I tried bites of chicken and prime rib at work, and a bite of my roommate's lamb gyro. I will probably treat myself to some sushi soon, and have dinner plans next tuesday to a western meat restaurant. Because this includes free-range indigenous animals, (bison, elk, etc), I have no problems consuming flesh. Obviously since I'm in the desert that does not include fish, but as I am a native island person, I have no desire to cut that out of my diet. Only to significantly reduce it.
After weighing myself before writing this, I realized that I have gained 4 pounds since the cleanse ended. Because the vast majority of the fuel consumed has been organic fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts-- and since I've been exercising every day-- I can happily say it's been lean muscle.
My first glass of wine was day 2 post-cleanse. I had two glasses of chianti while discussing future music endeavors, and had a decent buzz. I also went to "ladie's eighties" last Wednesday, where beers were 25 cents, and got drunk enough off 3 beers to dance like a hot fool with some gay dance majors (much to my pleasant surprise, the nearby university has a dance program).
This past weekend, I took advantage of a yoga studio's summer solstice celebration by taking two yoga classes in exchange for some canned food donations I took from cupboards of roommates past. I've decided to join their studio next week. There is also 5 dollar bikram classes on wednesday and sunday at the bikram studio, which I am checking out tonight in a few hours. My endurance has doubled since eating again, which I'm taking advantage of by re-starting my yoga obsession.
By day two post-cleanse, I realized how much more sluggish I was now that my digestive system had to do work again. While cleansing, I had no need to ever think about needing caffeine to continue my day. Although it's only been organic mate and a soy chai, I've noticed dips in my energy levels coinciding with ingestion of food. My daily food intake is now less but more frequent, with much healthier choices. I have taken full advantage of the bulk food section at the natural food store, and am eating as cheaply and healthily as possible.
My new favorite snack post-cleanse: curry chickpea nibblers. I take dried chickpeas (~$2/lb), soak them overnight, and boil them until soft. I then stick them on a baking sheet, add a little olive oil, curry powder, and sea salt, and bake at 400 for about 45 minutes. They take some planning ahead, but they're cheap little nuggets of protein I can carry with me anywhere, and they taste great. Whenever I go grocery shopping now, I aim for different fresh fruits and veggies, and bulk nuts, beans, rice, grains, and spices. My body craves a simple, basic, and balanced diet, and because of nearby facilities I am able to consume everything organically.
I can't think of anything else to add about my post-cleanse experience, other than to say I am still planning on cleansing again before Allie Morgan's wedding in October. This time, my boyfriend said he'd join me, since we'll finally be living together again. It will be nice to have a partner in the endeavors.
If you have any questions about the cleanse, my experience, or anything else, either leave comments or gmail me:
iamadiscoverer@gmail.com
Thanks for following, and good luck in the preservation of your fleshy vessel.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Real food again. Post-cleanse day 1
This morning, I woke up and didn't have to drink lemons syrup and cayenne. How nice. Instead, I squeezed two glasses of orange juice. Once I was hungry again, I bit right into a ripe, organic Hawaiian papaya. I ate the entire thing in the backyard, juice dribbling joyfully down my chin. It tasted amazing.
I started making a vegetable soup to feed me for a few days. I cooked some spit peas in vegetable broth, strained them and blended them with some coconut milk I whipped up, and blended in raw carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower with some curry spice. I tried to eat slowly, but I ended up getting a stomach ache from eating too much. I also munched on strawberries and cherries throughout the day. I brought a bag of strawberries to work, and ate them throughout the night. I finally tried my first strudel, and again my stomach wasn't very happy. My boss also tried to give me some pork for dinner, but I had to decline and instead ate some spatzle and wild rice. I've been eating a ton of papaya enzymes today, just to give my stomach some assistance. I think I will keep them on me for awhile in case I decide to eat something my stomach doesn't appreciate. But I think the point is to keep up the willpower and not eat things that upset the stomach. I probably could have been smarter with my food choices today.
My advice, try and stick with liquid vegetables and raw fruits the first day. The book exclaims you should only drink fresh squeezed orange juice for the day, and for most of the next day. I just couldn't wait that long. But maybe you should.
I started making a vegetable soup to feed me for a few days. I cooked some spit peas in vegetable broth, strained them and blended them with some coconut milk I whipped up, and blended in raw carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower with some curry spice. I tried to eat slowly, but I ended up getting a stomach ache from eating too much. I also munched on strawberries and cherries throughout the day. I brought a bag of strawberries to work, and ate them throughout the night. I finally tried my first strudel, and again my stomach wasn't very happy. My boss also tried to give me some pork for dinner, but I had to decline and instead ate some spatzle and wild rice. I've been eating a ton of papaya enzymes today, just to give my stomach some assistance. I think I will keep them on me for awhile in case I decide to eat something my stomach doesn't appreciate. But I think the point is to keep up the willpower and not eat things that upset the stomach. I probably could have been smarter with my food choices today.
My advice, try and stick with liquid vegetables and raw fruits the first day. The book exclaims you should only drink fresh squeezed orange juice for the day, and for most of the next day. I just couldn't wait that long. But maybe you should.
Friday, June 11, 2010
The last day.
Today is my last day on the master cleanse. That means, tomorrow I need real food. So my roomate and I went to the grocery store after my salt water bath cleared out (as must as I appreciate how it simply flushes everything out, the flushing process isn't the most enjoyable experience). I spent the last of my moving money on all the essential bulks, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, spices, and some organic fruits and vegetables. I'm going to maintain a predominately alkaline diet, and really try not to rely on tofu for all my sustenance answers. I've realized how little of what we're told we need to eat actually matters in the least bit to our well-being. Even though I thought I pretty much knew the best way to eat healthy, I now realize I still had to much to learn. I feel like a shroud has been removed from over my head, and I am almost completely wide-eyed and bare-faced (except when I put my proverbial sunglasses on to blend in with the herd).
After grocery shopping I realized that once I brought food and refrigerated items to the kitchen, the disgusting conditions the fridge and kitchen were in would negatively impact any future eating endeavor. I told my roomates I was cleaning the kitchen, and asked if they would help me. Because both of them had days off, we all ended up cleaning together. I bumped a quickly strewn together playlist and we jammed while we cleaned out the refrigerator, washed all the dishes, swept, mopped, and picked up the common areas. They apparently cleaned for at least another hour after I left for work. Now they can appreciate the satisfaction of productivity, and having neat surroundings. It really can make you crazy.
At the restaurant, I got to wait my own tables, finally. They only let me take one at a time, though. I still ended up making 40 dollars in 4 tables, meaning I rocked it. All the banter about short attention spans was just lack of experience in the routine. I nailed it tonight, even while not eating solid foods. Oh ya, and I've only worked there for 4 days.
When I got home, I celebrated my last glass of lemonade. I still have one lemon left. Maybe I'll bake something with it. But I successfully completed the mono-diet portion of the master cleanse. I didn't eat anything but lemons, agave, and cayenne, and I feel awesome on the 10th day. Although my toungue is still white (displaying that I still have toxins leaving the body), I am ended on the minimum number of days.
My end weight:125
Weight goal: gain the two pounds back as muscle, not muffin-top. I'm hoping to match yoga and running with some P90X drills from my roomate's routine.
Reflection: I think I have discovered a great reset button, for both my mental and physical health. This was definitely a preliminary study. I am already planning on doing another one in October (so I know for sure my waist will fit into my bridesmaid's dress). I proved it was possible, and healthy (or at least not unhealthy for all the disbelievers out there...), and I am continuing to suggest it to people in need of a reset. I've learned since moving here that it's a pretty popular thing. Almost everyone I've talked to out in Flagstaff either knows someone who master cleanse(s) or has done so themselves. I'm going to get my boyfriend to be my cleanse buddy next time, so we can conquer our accumulated toxins as one!
Tomorrow I will post my post-cleanse diet, and I will probably have a few follow-up posts in the next week. But I am officially done with my cleanse.
After grocery shopping I realized that once I brought food and refrigerated items to the kitchen, the disgusting conditions the fridge and kitchen were in would negatively impact any future eating endeavor. I told my roomates I was cleaning the kitchen, and asked if they would help me. Because both of them had days off, we all ended up cleaning together. I bumped a quickly strewn together playlist and we jammed while we cleaned out the refrigerator, washed all the dishes, swept, mopped, and picked up the common areas. They apparently cleaned for at least another hour after I left for work. Now they can appreciate the satisfaction of productivity, and having neat surroundings. It really can make you crazy.
At the restaurant, I got to wait my own tables, finally. They only let me take one at a time, though. I still ended up making 40 dollars in 4 tables, meaning I rocked it. All the banter about short attention spans was just lack of experience in the routine. I nailed it tonight, even while not eating solid foods. Oh ya, and I've only worked there for 4 days.
When I got home, I celebrated my last glass of lemonade. I still have one lemon left. Maybe I'll bake something with it. But I successfully completed the mono-diet portion of the master cleanse. I didn't eat anything but lemons, agave, and cayenne, and I feel awesome on the 10th day. Although my toungue is still white (displaying that I still have toxins leaving the body), I am ended on the minimum number of days.
My end weight:125
Weight goal: gain the two pounds back as muscle, not muffin-top. I'm hoping to match yoga and running with some P90X drills from my roomate's routine.
Reflection: I think I have discovered a great reset button, for both my mental and physical health. This was definitely a preliminary study. I am already planning on doing another one in October (so I know for sure my waist will fit into my bridesmaid's dress). I proved it was possible, and healthy (or at least not unhealthy for all the disbelievers out there...), and I am continuing to suggest it to people in need of a reset. I've learned since moving here that it's a pretty popular thing. Almost everyone I've talked to out in Flagstaff either knows someone who master cleanse(s) or has done so themselves. I'm going to get my boyfriend to be my cleanse buddy next time, so we can conquer our accumulated toxins as one!
Tomorrow I will post my post-cleanse diet, and I will probably have a few follow-up posts in the next week. But I am officially done with my cleanse.
Day 9. I can almost taste vegetables!
This morning, I infused 5 Tbs of cane sugar with warm water to hold me over until the agave arrived (although now I feel like most of it will be used in post-cleanse cooking endeavors). I drank two glasses and got ready for my lunch shift. I squeezed 2 lemons and added them to the rest of the liquified cane sugar, and brought my baby-food jar of cayenne. I've noticed the lemons yield much more juice when freshly acquired and left in the sun, so in the mornings I always put at least 4 lemons on the back porch, and buy lemons for no more than two days at a time.
I came back from work and errands to find my package on the doorstep. Finally. I had time to mix up enough concentrate for the rest of the day and night and head back out. My first destination was the interview for my second job (because I want some job security and day shifts). During the interview, I convinced the girl to join my future side-career female assassin group after both deciding to destroy the system. All she had to do was mention the oil spill and the conversation gained momentum in the right direction. She said my chances are pretty good. What was affirmed: It pays to be YOURSELF.
The German restaurant had a catering function happening, which meant my first experience with the owner's famous barbecue meatballs. As his wife told me, "I don't eat meat, but I could take a bath in that barbecue sauce." All I needed was the smell to enjoy it. Thankfully I left early as it was slow, because he ended up letting the employees eat the leftover sandwiches, chicken, fondue and strudel.
When I got home, I went for a run. I am using the uphill forest trail behind the house. It is amazing. It's only about a mile and a half, but a majority of the trail consists of rock hopping, steep inclines, and mesmerizing views of mountains. I started out a little too strong, but it was a consistent, energizing run. I made plans with my roomate to go on a longer run tomorrow. I also convinced him to get a pair of vibrams... It's the barefoot revolution!
I made a list of what foods I plan to eat Saturday. I CAN'T WAIT FOR (non-lemon) FRUIT. And vegetables and couscous. But mostly fruit. I plan to grocery shop tomorrow before work, and I already have my food schedule ready. My first food back from the cleanse (assuming they have it)= papaya. It will be transcendental.
Right now, I feel empowered. I'm not watching tv, I'm not surrounded by sights and smells of food, and I am content. I feel like I've achieved a new level of understanding involving my own life and my surroundings. I'm already planning on doing another cleanse in the fall. Throughout my research I have learned of other methods, most interestingly ones involving vegetable juices. It's not just about the change in diet. It's about shifting your daily life enough to give you another perspective, and the ability to alter it.
I came back from work and errands to find my package on the doorstep. Finally. I had time to mix up enough concentrate for the rest of the day and night and head back out. My first destination was the interview for my second job (because I want some job security and day shifts). During the interview, I convinced the girl to join my future side-career female assassin group after both deciding to destroy the system. All she had to do was mention the oil spill and the conversation gained momentum in the right direction. She said my chances are pretty good. What was affirmed: It pays to be YOURSELF.
The German restaurant had a catering function happening, which meant my first experience with the owner's famous barbecue meatballs. As his wife told me, "I don't eat meat, but I could take a bath in that barbecue sauce." All I needed was the smell to enjoy it. Thankfully I left early as it was slow, because he ended up letting the employees eat the leftover sandwiches, chicken, fondue and strudel.
When I got home, I went for a run. I am using the uphill forest trail behind the house. It is amazing. It's only about a mile and a half, but a majority of the trail consists of rock hopping, steep inclines, and mesmerizing views of mountains. I started out a little too strong, but it was a consistent, energizing run. I made plans with my roomate to go on a longer run tomorrow. I also convinced him to get a pair of vibrams... It's the barefoot revolution!
I made a list of what foods I plan to eat Saturday. I CAN'T WAIT FOR (non-lemon) FRUIT. And vegetables and couscous. But mostly fruit. I plan to grocery shop tomorrow before work, and I already have my food schedule ready. My first food back from the cleanse (assuming they have it)= papaya. It will be transcendental.
Right now, I feel empowered. I'm not watching tv, I'm not surrounded by sights and smells of food, and I am content. I feel like I've achieved a new level of understanding involving my own life and my surroundings. I'm already planning on doing another cleanse in the fall. Throughout my research I have learned of other methods, most interestingly ones involving vegetable juices. It's not just about the change in diet. It's about shifting your daily life enough to give you another perspective, and the ability to alter it.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Day 8. More temptations.
Last night I didn't sleep much, as the abandoned cat I made friends with decided to try meowing me back outside all night. It made me realize how well I've been sleeping since on the cleanse, even when in a totally new environment. When I woke up, I drank some leftover senna tea and a glass of lemonade when I decided I wanted to do a salt bath as well. Because I'm so late in my cleanse, I feel like it's a good idea to have that rinse all the way through your system.
I ordered more agave online, and because I paid way too much to ship it in two days, I expected the package today. However, it did not come, so I dissolved the granulated cane sugar in warm water (it was out of necessity I finally came up with that idea). Some advice, make sure you have enough syrup before you start, especially if your ordering online, as it's normally cheaper than nearby stores. It's not fun not knowing how your going to be able to carry out your day because you don't have enough syrup! To make sure I had enough for my second day of work, I rode my bike to the New Frontiers and filled my nalgene with 6 oz. of the bulk b grade maple syrup. It put me back over 5 dollars, which is the perfect example as to why I use agave ordered in bulk from amazon,com.
At work, the availability of food, and it's constant presence, made me struggle the urge to eat it. I was even offered a full meal from the owner, but had to decline. I also had to decline on more strudel. I told them to save a big piece for me for saturday (although it will probably be a small one). Another thing I feel I must note is the conversation I had with the waiter who trained me. He told me my attention span seemed short, and it was probably because I don't eat food. Now, for anyone who knows me, this really isn't that abnormal of behavior. But it did make me think back to the issue of protein deficiency. I really didn't seem as on top of things as I usually do working. But then again, I am in a totally new environment and completely new workplace.
Tomorrow I have a very busy day. I finally get to make some cash tomorrow afternoon! I hope to have time to list the herbal infusions I've been drinking, but I am also planning out a grocery list for Friday. I am deciding on what to put in a vegetable soup as my first real meal Saturday evening.
I ordered more agave online, and because I paid way too much to ship it in two days, I expected the package today. However, it did not come, so I dissolved the granulated cane sugar in warm water (it was out of necessity I finally came up with that idea). Some advice, make sure you have enough syrup before you start, especially if your ordering online, as it's normally cheaper than nearby stores. It's not fun not knowing how your going to be able to carry out your day because you don't have enough syrup! To make sure I had enough for my second day of work, I rode my bike to the New Frontiers and filled my nalgene with 6 oz. of the bulk b grade maple syrup. It put me back over 5 dollars, which is the perfect example as to why I use agave ordered in bulk from amazon,com.
At work, the availability of food, and it's constant presence, made me struggle the urge to eat it. I was even offered a full meal from the owner, but had to decline. I also had to decline on more strudel. I told them to save a big piece for me for saturday (although it will probably be a small one). Another thing I feel I must note is the conversation I had with the waiter who trained me. He told me my attention span seemed short, and it was probably because I don't eat food. Now, for anyone who knows me, this really isn't that abnormal of behavior. But it did make me think back to the issue of protein deficiency. I really didn't seem as on top of things as I usually do working. But then again, I am in a totally new environment and completely new workplace.
Tomorrow I have a very busy day. I finally get to make some cash tomorrow afternoon! I hope to have time to list the herbal infusions I've been drinking, but I am also planning out a grocery list for Friday. I am deciding on what to put in a vegetable soup as my first real meal Saturday evening.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Day 7. One week in.
One week, no solid food! And I still feel great. Plus, I start my new job today. Meaning an income and new people to meet!
So starting this morning, I began having cramps, even before the morning laxative tea. It feels like the bad stuff is starting to go, but not comfortably. I drank alot of ginger tea today, as well as some red raspberry leaf. I also drank some yerba mate after some morning errands on my bike, but I didn't have any memorable caffeine reactions. During this week, I've been drinking an assortment of loose herbs in my tea scoop. I'll list all of them at a later time.
I've been thinking alot about food today. Mostly fresh vegetables, and for some reason I have re-occuring fantasies of couscous with quinoa cooked in vegetable broth. Definitely on the list for my first dinner. It was even worse at work today. It's difficult cutting warm apple strudel and having to turn down a slice. But, like it's been all week, it feels empowering to not do so.
I noticed my midsection being nice and lean today. Normally, the only place I ever put on weight is my stomach and love handles, which gets awkward those rare times when I'm out of shape. My torso is as trim as it was when I was playing volleyball, except not as much muscle tone. I'll work on that. I'm still at 125, so I'm not worried about this change in figure.
Thankfully, everyone at my new job is cool with my cleanse, one's even tried something similar. It's nice to not have to hide it from new people, not to mention having confrontations with ignorance. Before work, I juiced 3 lemon halves and mixed it with maple syrup and kept it in a container. The book explains that if you can't make your lemonade fresh, you can create a concentrate that keeps the enzymes active by mixing the lemon juice and syrup. I carried the cayenne in a little jar, and mixed 2 glasses while at work.
On the way home, I got lost walking and ended up taking an hour and a half to get home! (as opposed to 10 minutes...). At least I know it's safe to walk around at night. Even though I probably should have mixed another glass before bed, I only made some senna and chamomile tea and went to bed hungry.
So starting this morning, I began having cramps, even before the morning laxative tea. It feels like the bad stuff is starting to go, but not comfortably. I drank alot of ginger tea today, as well as some red raspberry leaf. I also drank some yerba mate after some morning errands on my bike, but I didn't have any memorable caffeine reactions. During this week, I've been drinking an assortment of loose herbs in my tea scoop. I'll list all of them at a later time.
I've been thinking alot about food today. Mostly fresh vegetables, and for some reason I have re-occuring fantasies of couscous with quinoa cooked in vegetable broth. Definitely on the list for my first dinner. It was even worse at work today. It's difficult cutting warm apple strudel and having to turn down a slice. But, like it's been all week, it feels empowering to not do so.
I noticed my midsection being nice and lean today. Normally, the only place I ever put on weight is my stomach and love handles, which gets awkward those rare times when I'm out of shape. My torso is as trim as it was when I was playing volleyball, except not as much muscle tone. I'll work on that. I'm still at 125, so I'm not worried about this change in figure.
Thankfully, everyone at my new job is cool with my cleanse, one's even tried something similar. It's nice to not have to hide it from new people, not to mention having confrontations with ignorance. Before work, I juiced 3 lemon halves and mixed it with maple syrup and kept it in a container. The book explains that if you can't make your lemonade fresh, you can create a concentrate that keeps the enzymes active by mixing the lemon juice and syrup. I carried the cayenne in a little jar, and mixed 2 glasses while at work.
On the way home, I got lost walking and ended up taking an hour and a half to get home! (as opposed to 10 minutes...). At least I know it's safe to walk around at night. Even though I probably should have mixed another glass before bed, I only made some senna and chamomile tea and went to bed hungry.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Day 6. catalystic benefits.
Last night, before my run, my roomate came home with some powdered digestive enzymes (Garden of Life Omega-Zyme digestive enzyme blend). I tried it in some lemonade but it didn't mix very well, and tasted gross. The book mentions using these to help aid in breaking down all the crud (I've noticed a difference in substance being eliminated), but I thought capsules would make my digestive system turn on. I've decided to just scoop it in my mouth and wash it down with lemonade a few times a day. I also have some chewable papaya enzyme. It was strange feeling chewing something...
Today, I got my stuff from home in the mail, including my cleaning supplies. I meticulously cleaned the entire bathroom (shared with boys who seem to be allergic to cleanliness), and began unpacking. I took a break to go thrifting for bedroom furniture and carried a heavy floor lamp down a street.
I ordered more agave syrup online as I am running out, so to hold myself over I bought some raw cane sugar (the book mentions the use of raw cane syrup as a maple syrup alternative). I also bought a gallon of distilled water. It is recommended that distilled water be used the entire cleanse to ensure no chemicals from the water source interferes with the cleanse. However, I have been assured that Flagstaff has one of the cleanest aquifers, so I wasn't concerned about using tap water. But because I'm ragin' at the prime of my cleanse, I though it was time to go all out.
Later in the day, I did some yoga and went for another run. Felt awesome! I cleaned some more, had 2 more glasses, and watched a movie.
Today, I got my stuff from home in the mail, including my cleaning supplies. I meticulously cleaned the entire bathroom (shared with boys who seem to be allergic to cleanliness), and began unpacking. I took a break to go thrifting for bedroom furniture and carried a heavy floor lamp down a street.
I ordered more agave syrup online as I am running out, so to hold myself over I bought some raw cane sugar (the book mentions the use of raw cane syrup as a maple syrup alternative). I also bought a gallon of distilled water. It is recommended that distilled water be used the entire cleanse to ensure no chemicals from the water source interferes with the cleanse. However, I have been assured that Flagstaff has one of the cleanest aquifers, so I wasn't concerned about using tap water. But because I'm ragin' at the prime of my cleanse, I though it was time to go all out.
Later in the day, I did some yoga and went for another run. Felt awesome! I cleaned some more, had 2 more glasses, and watched a movie.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)