Day 64 - Peak 8

I've been doing a lot of different workouts lately just to keep things interesting.

The most rewarding and most difficult by far have been the Peak 8 workouts that I do 3 times a week.

You can watch a video and read about Dr. Mercola's article about Peak Fitness here.

I'm still juicing.

I'm still exercising every day.

I'm still dropping "el bees". 38 so far.

I've said goodbye to 3 pants sizes.

And 2 bra sizes.

I'm still grateful for my Enell sports bra because I can do jumping jacks and jump rope without hurting anyone.

Shake that body for me!

Radmamma

Day 47 - Papaya. Just say NO.

In case you've ever thought that juicing a papaya is a good idea, take it from me-

Bad idea.

It turns into this thick gooey slushy mess. Also, it has a really funky aftertaste.

I've got some pomegranates and I'm going to have to spend a few hours digging the perils out. But it's worth the work. Forbidden Juice (apple & pomegranate) is so good.

Yesterday, I did my workout and then we went on a family hike for 3 miles. It was so beautiful.

I loved being able to encourage the boys to keep going and carrying them when they got tired.

There have been so many times that I've stayed back while The Man took the boys hiking. I fooled myself into thinking that I was staying home because I had other things to do. I denied that it was because I was afraid of being too out of breath and too out of shape to actually enjoy it.

Here are some pix of stuff that I never would have seen if I did not have my A-Ha moment 48 days ago.... What are you missing out on?

Days 37-44

I realize that I haven't been keeping up as frequently.

But honestly, it's been really boring.

I am still juicing twice a day.

I've lost 29 pounds so far.

I've added P90x Kenpo to my workout routine to keep some variety.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I'm not in the least bit worried about it.

Peace, love, and juice,

Radmamma

Days 33-36

I'm still going!

It's just kind of boring right now (no complaints). I nearly ran out of produce and had to drink breakfast juice twice in a day, but I'm making up for it now.

I'm going to have to muscle through lunch today. In fact, that's the name of my lunch juice combo (ljc):

Muscle Through It:

1 ton of tomatoes

1 load of carrots

1 pound of spinach

That's it. juice it and drink it. I dare not say "enjoy it" because I'm sure you won't!

Here's the most asked question I've gotten when I tell people I'm going to keep juicing and sticking to my vow of no white flour, sugar, or prepackaged foods:

But what about Thanksgiving? And Christmas?

I am lucky this year since normally we have 2 Thanksgivings in a day. But, this year we'll go to my mother-in-law's on Thanksgiving and then to my Sister's on Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Easy for me to continue with my 1 meal a day. I usually bring the desserts so I will work it out to make sure my pies and such are friendly to my cause.

Christmas will be the same. I always host Christmas Eve (my favorite day of the year), and then we will spend Christmas Day with The Man's side of the family.

The last few days have been full of life for me.

We went to the Waldorf School of Atlanta's Holiday Fair. We saw a beautiful puppet show and the boys made jump ropes, beeswax candles, and had a lot of fun play time on the playground.

Then, I spent an extra long night out with my Sisters. I saw my niece's in a play production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Then, The Sisters and I went to see our dear friend play and sing at a sports bar.

We rounded out the weekend with our home school group on a Lantern Walk to celebrate Martinmas. I loved spending the weekend close to my boys, and my sisters, and my friends.

I have also upped my exercise to include The Biggest Loser dvd. I had no idea how intense the workouts could be!

I am proud to report that for the first time since I got boobs, I JUMPED. Jumping jacks, jump rope, those things where you are standing up then you walk your hands into push up position and then walk your hands back up to standing position, then JUMP.

So, yeah. Jumping.

Also, my super duper Enell sports bra is now too big! I'm going to have to sell a pint of blood to buy another one because they are kind of pricey. But absolutely worth every penny. It hasn't hurt to work out at all in my Enell bra.

But, since it's getting too big for me; the jumping was a bit too wiggly for me....

Now to change gears and start our school day. Today is all about the number 2.

Did you know that there is a singer named Juice Newton?

Well there is.

And I love her.

Radmamma

Day 32 - Because I'm sure you're curious

Here's some pix:

See, told you they turn stuff red.

These are a beast to peel

Before they were turned to juice...

It's a messy business

Ready!

Day 31 - Keep on keepin on

Today has been just a continuation of every other day.

I really feel like I've got my juicing in a good rhythm. So, I'm going to spend more time focusing on maximizing my workouts and working on my inner self.

The first 30 days really felt like a physical "getting through it", these next 30 days I think will be more of a "getting into it" journey (I'm kind of turned off by that word. It's been over used, but it fits here).

I also still have my homeschooling responsibilities to Arbuckle and Button so there will also be a lot of focus on Math and Handwork in the next few weeks.

I've been reluctant and fearful of the math aspect of schooling. I was a horrid math student and I'm hoping that I will find healing in Waldorf Math.

Part of the Waldorf way is to do a lot of cooking especially to teach the math concepts. 33 days ago, I would've been so excited to bake a different cookie everyday.

But, we're going to work on making equal slices of apples and tomatoes before we ram them through the juicer.

I can do this.

I can do all of this.

I also want to tell everyone that I am so grateful for all of your kindness. I have been able to walk away from a lot of No No's simply because you all have believed that I could. I love you. Every one of you.

Juice is the word,
Radmamma

Day 30 - I'm not done

23 pounds.

When I weighed this morning, and did the math (twice) I realized I've lost 23 pounds.

I have gone 2 days without getting angry at my seat belt.

I have been in several social situations where I didn't even scan the room to see if I was the fattest person.

I have decided that I am going to continue my intense juicing for 2 meals and daily exercise until January 1st, 2012.

I am not going to make special allowances for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I will simply eat my single meal, keeping my oath of no prepackaged, white flour, sugar, or otherwise UNfood stuff.

I will still do weekly weight checks. But, I'm not at all worried about it. My body is going to catch up to my lifestyle one day.

I don't think I'm ever going to walk by a mirror and think, "I've arrived. I'm finally done with my "program"." I am just going to live.

I'm sure juicing will always be a part of my life. Perhaps there will be cycles of 2 juices and 1 juice a day.

There are definitely plenty of salads in my future. I have learned that one doesn't need salad dressing to dress up a salad.

I am beginning to rely on exercising. It is becoming my "go to" when I feel overwhelmed and antsy.

Day 30 was a good day.

I did interval training on the elliptical.

Rebel Yell came on. Super bonus round.

Bless you, Billy Idol. You always know just when I need you the most. Now what is up with that lip?


I'll close with a little ditty from Dee-Lite:

Splish smack on my lips
Apple juice kissin makes me roll my hips

Radmamma

Day 29 - Apologies to anyone whom I've ever enabled

My brother-in-law handed me A CAKE yesterday.

Did you catch that?

I SAID MY BROTHER-IN-LAW HANDED ME A @#%^$##$# CAKE!!!

A CAKE.

SEE. AYE. KAY. EEE.

Got it now.

Yes. A cake.

With flour.

And sugar.

And probably more sugar.

And he handed it to me because HE'S TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT.

Oh God.

I nearly cried. My heart sank.

The whole way home, I thought about that cake in the seat next to me.

"I'll let the boys have some and then I'll toss the rest."

It will be simple. I've turned down tons of stuff. This is no biggie.

Nope. I got this.

Except.

I know who made this cake.

She's organic.

And her cakes are nothing short of awesome.

Probably the best tasting cake I've ever had. Moist chocolate cake. It tastes like structured pudding. The icing is a pure sweet vanilla - think ice cream without the headache; and more fluffy.

Yeah. I'm going to have a problem here.

After lunch, the boys ask if they can have some cake.

Of course.

I get plates. Just enough for the boys.

I open the container. Oh God. It smells so good.

Better than Grandma's house.

*Is it possible to just ram a slice in the juicer and call it good*

It's all over my hands.

*DO NOT LICK YOUR FINGER OR YOU WILL FAIL*

I seriously considered that since I just finished working out my body would be able to process sugar with ease.

I closed my eyes and imagined just cutting a piece, sitting down at the table and calling it a meal.

*CALL SOMEONE FOR SUPPORT*

*YOU DO NOT NEED THAT TO BE HAPPY*

*YOU ARE MORE THAN A SLICE OF THE MOST DELICIOUS CAKE IN THE UNIVERSE*

I place the plates on the table. "Boys! Cake is on the table. Please clean any crumbs (because so help me God, I'm not strong enough not to lick the table)!"

The next thing I did was consider the icing on the knife. Just a teeny lick, right?

Does this count as a "special occasion"? Let's see. It's Monday. Daylight savings time? Does that count for anything?

I put it up really close to my nose and smell. It smells really good.

*YOU NEED SOMETHING ELSE IN YOUR LIFE TO MAKE YOU FEEL IN CHARGE*

*YOU ARE NOT GOING TO EAT THAT. YOUR BODY IS NOT A DUMPSTER. WALK AWAY. WALK AWAY.*

Then, I took the rest of the cake, and let it slide into the trash can. I felt like I was sinning. I hated throwing it away. I know how much work went into that cake. It's not like some faceless person added water to some grocery store cake mix. It had farm butter, organic sugar, eggs from chickens with names.

I had no choice. I had to get it out of my life.

I went back to the elliptical and worked out again.

That was hard. If I have ever offered a cookie to someone who is trying to quit, I'm sorry.

If I've ever offered a drink to someone who is trying to stay sober, I'm sorry.

Payback was hell.

Today feels like a brand new day. The sun even feels new. The air is fresher. I can even breathe deeper today.

I had my Harry Potter juice today. I added ice and ran it through my Tribest blender.

Very good.

I'm back in control.

My workout nearly broke me this morning.

I've been having an easier time so I decided to change things up a bit.

I upped the resistance on the elliptical. It felt like I was running in water with snow boots on.

I was sweating and rethinking my life after 10 minutes.

Thankfully, my sister was home. I talked to her and my niece for the last 18 minutes of my torture.

Then, it was done and it felt so good to be in my skin!

It is a good good day.

Day 28 - What's Harry Potter got to do with it?

I love Harry Potter.

The books.

I haven't seen the movies and I don't plan on it, because I've already got my own ideas of how everyone looks.

One thing that always baffled me was the pumpkin juice that the Hogwarts students always enjoyed.

I found a recipe for Rosmerta's Pumpkin Juice and modified it a little so as not to add any sugar.

Are you ready for this?

1 pie pumpkin
1 pineapple
3 small apples
2 pinches of cinnamon
1 pinch of ginger
2 pinches of nutmeg

Cut, seed, and deslime the pumpkin.

Peel and slice pineapple.

Cut apples.

I like to juice the most juicy items first and let the drier produce push the rest of the pulp through.

Add the spices just before you drink.

This is as close to pumpkin pie as I'll probably get this year.

Yum Yum.

If a carrot is juiced in the woods and no one's there to drink it, will it still taste like $hit?

Radmamma

Day 27 - Not much to report

I've finished my Forbidden Juice.

Stay tuned tomorrow for my attempt at Rosmerta's Pumpkin Juice from Hogsmeade.

I'm feeling a lot better and even though Carl was getting sick also, he's moving past it fast.

It has been a day of peace.

What did Freddie Mercury say to the apple?
We will, we will, Juice You.

Radmamma

Day 26 - I used to shower alone

Even though I'm not 100%, I feel like if I don't exercise - I'll fail.

So, I climb up on the elliptical and go for 30 minutes just to keep Fit Healthy Girl happy. She doesn't seem to mind the coughing and hacking.

And I carry on.

The boys have no idea how much I love them. They are being so supportive without even realizing it. While I'm exercising they have been playing together (read: trashing the house and yelling at one another) and solving their problems on their own (notice the correct usage of "their". I wish there was a grammar test before getting your Facebook license).

However, this loveliness usually expires after about 45 minutes. So when I'm trying to get in the shower, I have at least 1, sometimes 2, and often 3 naked screaming boys running at me shouting "Shower time!!"

My overly optimistic self tells me not to sweat it. That soon there will be plenty of room for us to wiggle around in the shower with a little more dignity.

So that's the Good News.

The Other Good News is I've still got some apple pomegranate juice for day 27!

I've decided to name it the Forbidden Juice. I've heard that some people think the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden was an apple. I've also heard that it was most likely a pomegranate. I figure I've got it covered by drinking both.

But I reckon that I'm drinking it so I can wear less clothes in the long run instead of piling fig leaves all over me.

And finally, the Other Other Good News is that I'm pretty sure that I'm going to carry on with the 2 juices and 1 meal until January.

I'm just feeling really good inside my body. And I feel really clean. And I feel in control of myself.

The Man has graciously said he would be supportive emotionally and financially if I continue on.

The main reason I've almost decided to carry on is that I just don't feel "done" with this phase yet. There is more for me learn about myself. There is more for me to glean from this.

Sippin' on gin and juice,
Radmamma

Day 25 - Insert Witty Title Here

Exercise - check
Shower - check
Breakfast for boys - check
School with Arbuckle - check
Snack for boys - check
Lunch for boys - check
Pick up The Man's drycleaning - check
Look each boy in the eye and tell them I love them - check x3
See a good friend without swapping germs - check

The best juice so far is Apple Pomegranate. Lunch juice was good, too. I'm glad I'm having a repeat of those for Day 26.

I'm feeling a lot better though I've still got a cough and just a general run-down feeling. And then my precious Carl woke up in the night with an earache. Bless his sweet heart.

I think the juice is the main thing propping me up.

I'm still leaning toward staying this course until January. I can't really think of a reason not to.

Follow me into history, if i juice for you would you juice for me...
Radmamma

Day 24 - The Mall

I had to go to the mall today for The Man.

Besides seeing Christmas being bastardized all over the place, it was somewhat amusing walking through. I kept thinking, "One day I will be able to walk in here and buy something from the Regular People's Section."

Not that I wouls though. I'm too cheap. I am looking forward to having myself a long afternoon at the Goodwill buying up new little lovlies for myself. Nothing too trampy. Just some nice ass jeans and such.

Today's breakfast and lunch was a repeat of yesterday.

It's possible that one day I'm going to hate being in the same room as fennel. It got warm and the licorice taste was almost unbearable.

But, I muscled through it.

I am grateful to be smelling and tasting again, so I'll try not to complain so much.

In the car today, I didn't have my usually seatbelt battle. It just sat across my body without riding up and choking me.

So that's progress.

I'm also noticing that a lot of random aches are gone. I'm getting more agile in my knees, I don't mind bending over to pick up stuff, and I do have a lot more energy.

Besides the occasional cup of misfire juice, this is absolutely fun and very exciting.

With Liberty and Juices for All,
Radmamma

Day 23 - Smell that? Well, now I can, too!

It was a low key day with the boys.

I can finally taste, hear, and smell!

Breakfast juice was:
Kiwi
Pear
Spinach
Green Apple
Cucumber

It was really good. The cucumber made it taste really clean. I'm having it again tomorrow.

Lunch was:
PEELED beets
Carrots
Celery
Kale
Fennel (bulbs and frondy tops)
Spinach.

The peeled beets made such a big difference. I didn't want to throw up even once!

Winning.

One of my littles had an earache today, so I put him in the sling and worked out. He fell asleep.

It was an uneventful day. A lovely, wonderful uneventful day!

I'll leave you with a poem that I learned in 4th grade...

Love In The Garden

Do you carrot all for me?

My heart beets for you.

With your turnip nose and your radish face.

You are a peach.

If we canteloupe.

Lettuce marry.

Weed make a swell pear.
-annonymous

Radmamma

Day 22 - Oh, so that's what a Plethora of candy looks like

I'm slowly getting my senses back.

Every one in awhile, I'll catch a taste of juice or a wiff of the air.

But it's still not enough to actually discern what I'm eating and drinking.

I could absolutely tell a difference in the peeled beets. It was way less earthy tasting than previous days.

So progress, right?

As of this morning, I've lost 17 pounds.
And, I think coughing can be considered exercise if you do it for 30 minutes and keep that heart rate up.

I'm sure you wonder how I fared with the Halloween temptation.

I'll start by saying this was the boys most exciting Halloween ever. As we started out to do our trick-or-treating, our neighbors drove by pulling a hayride with their Mule (like a golf cart that took Monster Truck vitamins). They invited us to come along and it was. So. Much. Fun!

I loved watching the kids' faces as they looked around and into the woods; they looked up at the stars in amazement.

And the candy! Carl was dragging his bag (and I died a little inside because I'd just made it today!)!

We are so grateful to our awesome neighbors for inviting us along. The night was cold and crisp and the hay was really soft and squishy. Baby Jesus himself would've snuggled right in!

The boys were collecting candy for a little Goblin called the Candy Goblin. He has a horrible diet. He eats trash and never brushes his teeth. And on Halloween, he LOVES candy! He will eat as much as you're willing to share. If you want to invite him in, leave a piece of candy on the doorstep before you go to bed. Then, in the morning when you wake up you'll find a trail of smashed up candy wrappers that lead to some sort of prize; perhaps an organic treat or a little toy.

The boys were really excited to give their candy to the Goblin. They went to bed easily tonight in anticipation.

Now, about all that candy.

Did I have just one teeny tiny piece?

I mean, just one half of a fun size kit kat would be okay, right?

HECK NO!!!

My body is no longer a trash can.

I'm only fat on the outside.

Happy Halloween!
Have a glass of Beetlejuice,
Radmamma

Day 21 - And the beets go on

I still can't smell or taste.

But the good news is my teeth did not fall out and my face doesn't hurt!

The other good news is that I figured ouit what was making my lunch juices taste so ($hitty) earthy.

I wasn't peeling the skin off the beets and that was giving my juice a disgusting taste.

If my senses come back tomorrow I'll be able to test it to confirm.

Speaking of beets.... I've got a couple of things to say about the matter.

The juice is RED. It stains your hands. It stains your cutting board, it stains your counters. It will also (tmi warning) turn your peepee pink. Kinda creepy.

Slicing up the beets today made me really reminiscent of Provino's salad. They have those pickled beets in there. I really tried to use my magical powers to turn my juice beets into pickled beets without having to wait a month.

Didn't work.

Thinking of Provino's reminded me of a few really really good times I had there. There was this one time with a group of girls. *censored by Radmamma to maintain a sense of integrity and good decision skills* and it was one of the most fun restaurant experiences of my life.

The other time that I hold dear to my heart about Provino's is when I was pregnant with Arbuckle. I was close to my due date and was ready to bring on labor. My midwife said to try 'some' garlic.

The Man & I hit the Provino's. I probably pounded out 15 or so of those garlic rolls. I didn't even eat the dinner I ordered. If I hadn't been so pregnant, I would've been rolling around on the floor with those rolls because that's how much of a spectacle I was making of myself.

My water broke the next day.

When Arbuckle was born, that precious baby smelled like a little garlic roll himself!

And so today. Day 21. I guess that means 9 more days before I add a meal back in.

I'm really teetering here. I'm considering perhaps keeping it up for longer.

You know, just for kicks.

And because I'm sure I still have about 8 of those rolls on my hips.

If you can't eat 'em, juice 'em!
Radmamma

Day 20 - Chicken soup for the soul and sinuses

I'm definitely on the road to recovery.

Last night and this morning was the worst of it. I had so much sinus pressure that I had nightmares of my back teeth being pushed out of my head because of the pressure.

I still can't smell or taste. And I'm okay with it. Sort of, I've got some chicken soup simmering (not from a can) and I'll bet it smells lovely.

I'm too zapped to work out, but our elliptical is going to get a beating when I'm better.

Speaking of exercise. As I mentioned before I like the Pandora station "Hungry Like The Wolf". There are 2 things that I have added just for kicks.

1. If a commercial comes, I call it a bonus round. I go as fast as I possibly can without passing out for the duration of the commercial.

2. If Billy Idol's Rebel Yell comes on, that is the Super Deluxe Bonus Round and I have to push it as hard as I can for the duration of the whole song.

After it's over, I usually want to french kiss Billy Idol and then poke him as hard as I can in his side ribs until he cries. Then I make fun of his crooked lip.

Yeah, so Day 20 and what am I learning.

I'm not nearly as impulsive as I was 21 days ago.

I can live without prepackaged food.

I don't have to go to Starbucks all the time.

While I'm a really awesome baker, I'm a shitty juice maker.

I don't miss sugar.

I know this is going to take a long time. But here's the deal:

God willing, 2 years is going to come and go. In 2 years from now, I can still be hooked on sugar and chocolate milk and being sedentary; or I can get off my ass now so that in 2 years I can look at myself and say, "I'm so glad I got control of my life 2 years ago."

If you think you need to get healthy and you are disgusted that it's going to take a long time to do it, just consider that. The time will pass.

What are you going to do with it?

Day 19 - The good news is I'm an optimist!

I have always been told that I'm very optimistic.

And someone even said that I'm optimistic to a fault (cough, cough, The Man).

It is actually true.

The good news is I can't smell anything. This is awesome when you have a little one in diapers!

The OTHER good news is I can't taste anything! So, today's V8 went down as easily as well- it just went down easily *sly grin*

But seriously. I was so scared that I wouldn't be able to keep it down that I sort of bent my non-prepackaged rule. Tobasco only has 4 ingredients and all of them are very basic. No chemicals or weird words. So I thew some dashes in.

I'm so clogged up that it wasn't even spicy.

I couldn't even tell if I was drinking a melted milkshake or lava flavored slop.

Hooray!

I'm hoping I get my senses back tomorrow because I worked hard on breakfast juice. I think it's going to be a winner.

Oh yeah. And I'm down 16 pounds.

I exercised sick yesterday but I don't think I've got the strength today.

Tomorrow The Man is running a 1/2 marathon and I'm wishing him Godspeed and lots of yum yum juice!

Word to your Radmamma.

Day 18 - Juice helps a cold

Normally a cold will knock me down for a week or more.

Yesterday I spent most of the day in bed. The boys all took turns coming in for a snuggle and then proceeded to trash the place.

But, I'm feeling so much better today.

I did skip the breakfast juice of kiwi pear though. The kiwi juice is really thick and it tastes too sweet.

So, it's another version of V8:
tomatoes
parsnips
celery
spinach
carrots (I know. But they are cheap and juicing organic is really pricey)
beets
parsley
something else. I can't remember...

It tastes pretty disgusting. But if also tastes really healthy if that's possible.

It helps that I'm drinking it out of a Starbucks cup.

Day 17 - Sick

I've picked up a little cold along the way.

But, I figure all the juice is keeping me from feeling as crappy as I normally do.

The Man was fabulous at getting dinner on the table. He's my sunshine.

Day 16 - Still at it

Nothing new to report.

Still at it.

Still exercising.

Day 15 - How I do what I do

Half way mark came and went without a hitch.

I did have to make another trip to Whole Foods because now I'm juicing for myself & The Man.

Lunch juice today was the rest of my Meen Green from yesterday.

I had some encouraging dialogues today. Honestly, everyone's warm wishes and kind words fill me with joy and determination.

So thank you all for that.

For those who are curious about how this has been working, I'll try to break it down here.

Though I feared I would feel like I was fighting a war, it has actually been more like walking outside barefoot. Stepping on the occasional sweetgum ball and rock; though for the most part nice and squishy!

I haven't really followed anyone's plan, rather just pieced together what I have understood about food combining and nutrition in general.

I always juice the night before so my juices are ready right off the bat.

I make a breakfast juice and a lunch juice.

Breakfast is always mostly (if not all) fruit. This gives a gentle wake up call to your digestive system and the fruit sugar gives you some inspirational energy to get moving.

I drink about 10-12 oz of morning juice and about 16oz of lunch juice.

I sip the juice about as slowly as I'd eat a meal. My favorite way is through a straw with a lid on my cup. I don't know why this helps, but it does.

Lunch is always 90-100% vegetable. My favorite so far has been my Meen Green, which is:
1/2 bunch of kale
3 ribs celery
2 cucumber
1 fennel bulb with stalks
1 apple
1 pear

I've omitted the pear without noticing, but the apple takes the edge off the licorice taste of the fennel.

I usually have lunch around 12-1.

For dinner, I make sure there is plenty of vegetables and proteins.

I like to do grilled chicken over a spinach salad with raw nuts and sometimes with a boiled egg (I boil a doz at a time and keep them in the fridge).

The dinner ratios I strive for are:
3 different proteins
2 raw vegetables
1 lightly cooked vegetable
1 tablespoon fat (either walnut oil for salad, coconut oil for sweet potato,or butter for cooking) If I need to break up the fat, I do a teaspoon for salad, a teaspoon for cooking, and a teaspoon for topping a cooked veg)


Because I'm exercising so much and I don't want to go into ketosis, AND I don't want to ever see any of the lost pounds again; I'm eating the protein meal. One could lose a lot more weight faster by doing another juice for dinner. But, your stomach will have to be gently started again. And I believe there will likely be some type of repercussions when you do finally have 3 regular (healthy) meals again.

As for exercise, it's easiest for me to do it in the afternoons. After school time with the boys, and before The Man gets home. Sometimes, the day gets crazy and I can't exercise until after The Man gets home- but I make sure to just do it. I will sacrifice a shower for exercise. And I've found a way to figure that the price for peace and quiet is a little sweat and fatigue. A fair price in my book!

Wishing everyone the best night filled with love from someone who loves you back,

Juices wild!
Radmamma

Ps: this post is from my geniusphone, and we all know geniuses can't spell for $hit. So, if my geniousphone has made any errors, kindly look the other way and know that I was the 5th grade spelling bee champ and I normally take spelling very seriously. Reely.

Day 14 - Felt good to be in those jeans

Breakfast juice was so good! I didn't want it to end. Pineapple, coconut, lime; colostrum of the gods...

I made waffles with coconut & almond flours for the boys. I added a little coconut oil to their maple syrup to cut out a little of the sweetness.

They liked them. But I have no idea how they tasted.

I was pretty excited about lunch. I'm calling it Meen Green. It was:
Kale
Fennel (stems & bulb)
Celery
Cucumber
Granny Smith Apple
Pear

It was really good. Better than V7. I made granola bars for the boys lunch. We went outside for a picnic. Everyone had finished and was starting to play.

When I wasn't looking, Carl dumped all of my juice on the ground!!!

I almost cried.

Luckily, I have more.

But that little booger owes me about $8.

Day 13 - I'm not alone

Last night The Man decided to (for the most part) join me in my (for the most part) juice fast.

This morning, we had watermelon, mint, lime juice.

I made strawberry muffins for the boys using almond flour and amaranth. Once they cooled they held their shape nicely.

We packed the rest of the muffins, some fruit and our lunch juice and headed out to a small fall festival held at one of the elementary schools nearby.

It was very strange to be in a school again. I remember being so scared and excited about school when I was in first grade. I also felt sort of sad being in a school again. Some of the most frightening things happened in my life when I was so young. I thought back to my own elementary school's fall festival 30 years ago. I remember just never quite fitting in properly. You know what? Nevermind. I decided I don't want to go there now.

The younger boys played at the petting zoo and Mr. Button rode a pony.

After that, we had a picnic lunch before going home.

The Man and I had V7 and it was pretty good while it was cold. But, I didn't drink it fast enough and it began to get warm.

I had to choke down the last 2oz.

My mantra has become, "I've done worse, I've done worse"

Bottoms up!

I'm so excited for breakfast tomorrow.

The Man and The Boys cracked a coconut for me. I ran it through my super fabulous juicer and saved the perfectly shredded coconut pulp for later.

We will have pineapple, coconut, and lime juice for breakfast.

I think I'm going to throw it in the blender with a frozen banana to make it go further since I have company now.

My energy is great. My attitude is (overall) great.

I'm not feeling as stupid and absent- minded as I was last week.

I got a haircut last night!! The Man was so generous and offered to watch the boys and pay for it!

Good man, good juice,
Radmamma

Day 12 - 12 pounds

I'm fully aware that the weight loss will slow down once I'm all detoxed and in a routine.

But- I'm riding this ride with my hands up and screaming with glee at the moment. So just be happy for me. Wether it's 12 lbs of fat, water, sugar, or bones; I'm just excited that my favorite skirt is loose on me!

This morning, I made watermelon (from our garden), lime and mint for breakfast. It was pretty good, but I think it would've been better with some sparkling water added. It needed some bubbles.

For lunch, I made my own version of V8. But it was more like v7. I used tomatoes, beets, green peppers, garlic, onion, spinach, and kale. It was actually good. If you wanted to jazz it up, a pinch of salt and a shot of Tobasco would really do the trick.

If I don't exercise right this very second, it won't happen- so...

Just juice it.
Radmamma

Day 11 - Whole Foods

Today I went to Whole Foods and restocked.

Happily, I skipped right over the carrots, radish, and grapes.

Here's my shopping list:
Parsnips
Pears
Green apples
Cucumbers
Kale
Onions
Garlic
Tomatoes
Limes
Lemons
Strawberries
Beets
Celery
Fennel
Green peppers

I didn't have any trouble staying away from the samples today at Whole Foods.

I'm going to meet one of my favorite people for dinner tonight. I'm really looking forward to a yummy salad that I didn't have to make!

I haven't seen my friend in a few weeks, so I can't wait to hear all about how she's been.

Drink your veggies,
Radmamma

Day 10 - 11 pounds

It's been one of those days that just started and then ended.

Breakfast juice was pineapple, kiwi, and raspberry.

My faith in breakfast juice is now put to rights.

I still cringe when I think of carrots.

I'm now completely out of produce to juice.

I'm going to try out some new combinations in the next week.

I'm excited to try coconut, pineapple, and lime. For lunch, I'm going to try celery, cucumber, and spinach.

I got this.

Day 9 - HOME

Thank you Dear Sweet Baby Jesus.

This morning was the last time I'll ever drink my bjc (breakfast juice combo).

It is finished.

And I took the boys to Goats on The Roof. They had a caramel apple and a homemade chocolate chip cookie.

I gagged 3 times on my lunch juice.

But, I finished it and I kept it down.

And now I'm home!!

And, I've lost a total of 10 pounds.

That's 10 pounds of junk that I'll never ever carry around again.

That's 10 pounds of sucking it in for pictures.

That's 10 pounds of laying on the bed to zip a pair of jeans.

I'll have fresh juice tomorrow and I'll feel like a million bucks.

And I even managed to work out today after unpacking and cleaning up.

Watch out Day 10, You're totin' an ass whoopin'.

Day 8 - Still Camping

I believe with my soul that I'm pushing the limits on the shelf life of my juice.

I had to choke down my breakfast.

I am dreading lunch.

I am ready to get ANY other type of juice.

Add carrots and grapes to the list of things I'd like to kick in the balls.

Muscle through it.

You can do this.

You've done worse than drink possibly rotten juice before.

Just think of it as wine in it's early days...

Day 7 - Tallulah Falls

Still camping. Having a lovely time with the boys. I am starting to get a little disgusted by my juices that I premade and packed.

Had my BJC for breakfast.

So far on this trip I've turned down:

Chick fila breakfast
Hot dogs
Smores (3 times so far)
Pancakes with butter and maple syrup
Biscuits & sourghum syrup
Lemonade
Kettle corn
Hamburgers
Chocolate Newman O's
Fig Newmans
Sourgham lollipops
Hot boiled peanuts
Ketchup

I have really not had any second thoughts about any of these.

Until tonight.

The Man was holding Carl while he slept so I helped the big boys make their smores.

I broke up the graham crackers. No problem.

I put their marshmallows on their little sticks. No problem.

When I opened up the new dark chocolate cherry bar. I had to stop and consider. Then I touched it. Sleek and smooth. Then I turned it over. Perfect little satin shiny squares. I broke off the top row. The perfect snap. No crumbs, no melting.

If you take a bite right now, you may as well get in your car and leave your family. Because you don't love them if you eat that. You don't care about what will happen to them when you get diabetes, or heart disease, or stroke out. If you eat it now, give up and consider yourself the most selfish person on the planet. Leave your family. Be just a memory to your Children and husband.

This is not about self control. This is about changing the way I think and feel about the things I cram into my body.

This is about being aware of what I want for my life.

I gave everyone 2 squares of chocolate and delicately, reverently wrapped the devil back in his golden foil paper. Placed him gingerly into the box, and then it was time to help Arbuckle with his blackened marshmallow.

I put on a pot of water and made myself a nice friendly cup of tea.

And it was good.

I used to have a weakness for chocolate. But I can look at it; touch it, smell it, hear it now and appreciate it for what it is. But it does not control me anymore. .
Went on a small hike to Tallulah gorge.

Ran for the first time in 20 years.

I remember a gym class where we were supposed to run a mile in 10 minutes.

It took me 30.

And I walked it.

Barefoot.

While reading a book.

And eating an ice cream.

I used to say, "If you see me running, shoot the guy behind me because I'm being chased."

I'm no longer that girl.

If you see me running, give me a wink or a high 5.

Now, if I'm screaming and freaking out; go ahead and shoot the guy behind me for good measure.

I will not be outran.

Day 6 - Sorghum Syrup Festival

Breakfast juice combo. Saved some chickfila cups to have my juice. It goes down best through a straw.

Lunch was better because it was carrots, leafy greens, lemongrass, beets, and peppers. NO RADDISHES!

It was perhaps the most testing day to endure. We went to the Sorghum Syrup Festival in Blairsville, Ga. . There was funnel cake, kettle corn, barbecue, you name it. I drank a cup of water before we went in.

The family had biscuits with sorghum syrup, kettle corn, lemonade, and burgers..

It was awakening for me to actually see the things I would've scarfed down without a thought.

I wasn't really tempted. I didn't want any of those things. I figured my biscuits were probably better, the kettle corn would be jammed in my teeth and I wouldn't be able to get it out since I cut my fingernails really short so I could play my new Martin guitar. The burgers weren't appealing because all I could think about was the cattle in the movie FOOD, Inc.

So, Day 6 was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I've got lots of energy and I'm feeling like I own my body.

Day 5 - Camping

I didn't have internet for a few days. I'll be updating my progress based on my log that I kept while we were camping. So in case you were wondering, I didn't quit, give up, give in, nor did I have a grain of sugar!

I'm Camping for a few days. I'm still going to juice.

I've packed what will now be called Breakfast Juice Combo (bjc) an Lunch Combo (lc). BJC is apple, grape, carrot, cucumber; lunch is 3 types of leafy greens, carrots, radish, and I've already forgotten what all.

Family had biscuits and bagels. I had my bjc.

And hot tea.

I saved my Starbucks paper cup from the other day. So there's that.

Also, I weighed again. I've lost another 4 lbs. That makes 8 lbs since I started 5 days ago.

Lunch today was really nasty. I've decided that radishes should be wiped from the face of the Earth. Since we're camping, the family had hot dogs.

I've never looked so forward to dinner. The Man does all of the cooking in the woods. He is supportive of my commitment and he's doing his own variation of Getting Reel, but while on vacay- he's a little more lax. My dinner was a cheeseburger without the bun, broccoli, potatoes, and homemade dill pickels.

I've been really stoic all day. I did talk to Boompa last night about my fast. Naturally he was supportive. He has always been the most supportive person in anything I've ever done.

I also told him that I need him to be healthier.

My kids need him to be healthier.

We will see how this unfolds.

Peace, love, juice.

Day 4 - V8 (sort of)

Boompa is visiting and I haven't told him about the juice fast.

Yet.

I'm actually hoping to have a "Git REEL PEE PULL" talk with him.

And I'm hoping that the dvd of 'Fat Sick and Nearly Dead' arrives while he's here.

The juice for today tastes very earthy. I think I used too many raddish from Farmer Chad.

But, I'm just going to plow through it and keep going.

I'm finding it harder to carve out time to update here. So I may do a few days worth at a time.

If I don't update for a day or two, just know that I haven't quit, slacked, or given up.

Just probably cleaning little boy poop off of something.

Peace & Juice,

Radmamma

Day 3 - Beet, Chard, Carrot, Apple

Last night was a good test for me.

I went to Starbucks.

Seriously, that is my favorite place.

I love their coffees, cookies, their birthday cake pops, and I usually spend 90% of my allowance there. Did you know that you can order just a chocolate milk with whipped cream? Well, you can. And it's one of the cheapest drinks.

There is more than one person who knows my voice at the drive thru. At 3 different Starbucks.

So there it is.

I was hooked on Starbucks.

I was hooked on the thrill of getting something delicious that I didn't have to prepare for myself.

And I can honestly say was because I'm not hooked anymore.

Last night was a test, and I freakin' aced it baby.

I punched Starbucks right in that beautiful mermaid lady's throat (but in a nice way, because I still love the smell of that place and I'm not going to remove Starbucks from my life forever).

From Starbucks, I ordered a Venti hot water.

And I bought a box of tea.

I read the ingredients. No sugar, nothing refined, just dried up flowers.

Hells yeah (dorky rockstar scrunched up face with the "I love you" hand sign waving)!

The best part of last night, though, had nothing to do with the delicious hot tea, or the fact that I was non-guiltily sipping from a paper cup with the little cardboard sleeve.

I got to spend some long uninterrupted hours with an old friend. And while the circumstances are crappy that brought her to me here in Georgia; I loved, adored, relished every single second of her presence.

There have been countless people that have come into my life that I've loved dearly, passionately- but for a season. They go their way, or I go mine. I look back with fondness, but I'm seriously okay with the distance and can love the friendship for what it was. I am content to leave some friendships in the past because I know it helped to shape my present.

But, there are a handful of others. The friends who I have loved fervently and steadily. Time has passed, we have parted ways but the kinship is ongoing. It is never "goodbye" with these friends. Years can pass and the reunion is still as simple and pure as the very first time when I realized that one was a lifer. You know who you are.

Saying hello to her after such partings always fills me with such joy that I'm a crying mess.

And I thought yesterday was going to be one of those days that I never looked back on again.

(cough, cough, bull$hit)

As for today, it's barely 10am and I've already conquered breakfast with the boys, had circle time, and did our Main Lesson with Arbuckle. They are having snack time right now and I know I'm going to pay for this stolen moment with my blog and my juice. I've already been told that "the brown stuff in the sink isn't doo-doo, just peanut butter so Mommy don't freak out".

We pick up milk today. Fresh from the farm .

And 9 years ago today I married The Man.

And today is my favorite Uncle's birthday.

I am going to be a good day.

Day 2 - Fennel, Carrots, Lemon / 5 lbs lost

It's been one of those days that I'll probably never look back on.

It was nice and boring.

I cooked for the boys and was able to keep my hands off their leftovers. I nearly forgot several times and without thinking I almost ate their random crumbs.

Good grief, I sound like a scavenger.

I exercised for 30 mins on the elliptical and I gotta say, "Hungry Like the Wolf" is a really good Pandora station to sweat to.

Not much for today. I'm feeling good. I'm clean. I'm ready for Day 3.

Love.

Day 1 - Juicing what I've got

I'm so grateful for the comments that I've received both publicly and personally. Thank you for such beautiful words.

And now, here's my official DAY ONE:

I got a new juicer today. It is an Omega 8006 masticating juicer. I already have an Omega centrifugal juicer. The masticating juicer is really quiet and the juice doesn't get heated from the fast spinning metal blades. It also does nut butters (that word still kinda grosses me out), wheatgrass, pine needles (we'll see about that), and pasta (big NO NO).

I haven't got my week's supply of veg yet so I had to juice what was available.

Pineapple, ginger, and sweet potatoes.
I can do this. I'm hard core.

I know ginger is supposed to give you energy, and give you the feeling that you're having sushi: Good.

Sweet potatoes are good for some other stuff: Good.

Pineapple goes great with chicken: Good again!

So, I got about 10 oz of juice. I'll have to wing it until The Man gets home with our Whole Foods bounty.

I'm going to try some leafy greens from the garden, tomatoes, onion, and peppers for lunch.

I still have responsibilities to the boys. And I'll update here probably daily because this is my way of being accountable.

I will not take routes that pass Starbucks.

I will not have any alone time treats when The Man is out and the boys are asleep.

I will not eat the boys' leftovers.

Anymore.

I've already exercised, had school with the boys, cleaned the kitchen twice, and talked it over with Sister #3, #1, my hetero life mate, and The Cousin That Should've Been Born To Me (tctshbb2m).

I'm feeling great. Resolved. And I'm sending some time released gusto in case the difficult day comes.

Also, there's something else that is looming.

I don't want to do it. But I'm gonna.

The Before Pictures.

I'm not going to post them here. But, I'm going to take them and they will also give me strength.

And now Carl is awake!

Later.

My "A-Ha" Moment

It seems I have it all together.

I feel good about my parenting style. My boys are treated gently, peacefully, and always with unconditional love. I play with them, I sing songs with them, dance with them, read them long stories, and sing their favorite songs while I wait for sleep to come to them at night.

I'm a good friend. I listen without judgement. I will tell my friend all of my favorite things about them. I am very giving. If a friend likes something I have, I'll either hand it over; or get them one of their own (you know, like stuff-wise; not people-wise: I don't hand out free babies).

I'm a fantastic wife. I am one of very very few wives who still give their husbands; you know. *wink wink* On a regular basis. Not just birthdays either. I could go on about other ways that I'm an awesome wife, but does it really matter? That alone puts me in the top ranks.

I am kind to strangers, soldiers, police officers, firefighters, and the occasional bastard. I once brought an old man to tears when upon noticing his Remember Pearl Harbor hat, I walked over to him and thanked him for his service to our country. I have bought a Police Officer's coffee at Starbucks, I give gift cards out to ANY officer I see in a restaurant as a way of thanking them for keeping us safe. My boys and I made muffins and delivered them to our local Fire Station just because. And, once I was in line behind a lady in the craft store who seriously had 3 buggies slap full of stuff. Her total was $600!! I only had 3 items and I helped her out to her car AND took her buggies back into the store.

So, I think I'm a pretty awesome person.

And I'm sure you think I'm awesome, too.

Except, if you saw me at a gathering of people and you were pointing me out to someone; you would most certainly describe me as "That Fat One".

And that's what kills me. I am so much more than my fat ass.

And so much more than my gut.

And so much more than my chafing thighs.

A medical professional would even go so far as to say I'm Morbidly Obese. Now, no one has ever actually uttered those words to me; thank you Dear Sweet Baby Jesus- because I would eat that person like a midnight snack. But, we all know it's true.

I'm so fat, my seatbelt pisses me off in the car. I'm too short to reach the pedals but too fat to get much closer to the steering wheel.

I'm so fat, that if I wear skirts; my thighs rub together so violently that I get blisters on them.

I'm so fat, that I hate eating in front of people because I think they're judging me.

I'm so fat, it physically hurts to run because my skin jiggles so bad it feels like someone is dropping bowling balls on me.

So, yes. I do pretty much have it all together except that I'm Fat.

I sometimes wish I took as fervent care of my body as I do my boys, my husband, strangers, and the kitchen floor.

I'm still working through the inner guts of why I screw myself up so badly.

Now, before you think that I like to pound cheeseburgers from McDonald's, or guzzle down Coke; let me be clear- I'm a nutrition FREAK. I don't ever ever ever consume corn syrup, caffeine, atrifical flavors, colors, or hydrogenated stuff. I live pretty clean.

I know my problem.

I know it like only I could know.

I over eat.

I am an excessive person. By nature, I go overboard on anything I set my mind to.

When I decided that I wanted to learn to knit; I bought the best yarn, the best needles, and learned the most difficult stitches.

When I decide I want to do ANY craft, I just leap in with both feet. I buy all of the supplies. And not just all the supplies; I buy enough that I could start a business selling said craft.

If someone I love shows an interest in something that is dear to me, I'll be excessive for them, too.

Here's the thing; I think that part of my charm is my excessiveness (is that even a word? Screw it, I'll find out when spell check gets a hold of this. Not that I'll change it, I'm just curious). People really like being around me. Except assholes probably. But then again, who cares what assholes think?

So, in keeping with my excessiveness (seriously, I hope it is a word because it's the only thing that works here); I am going on a 30 day juice fast.

There I said it.

But, since I'm going to also be exercising, too- it's going to be sort of modified. Here's my plan:

I'm going to juice 50 oz a day and eat one protein rich meal.

I will exercise for a focused 30 minutes a day.

I am eliminating all sweets, white flour, and anything prepackaged.

I am going to do this for 30 days and will add back a meal after that.

In 30 more days, I will add back another meal while continuing to avoid the sugars, flour, and prepak's.

The next 90 days will be a defining chapter for me.

I have always been That Fat Girl. I have never felt like that, but I know how I look. Further, I want to have my energy levels so tuned up that the boys have to ask me to slow down and stop running through the kitchen.

I did something today that I haven't voluntarily done in 15 years. I weighed myself. Now, I've been weighed at the doctor's office for each of my pregnancies. But, I don't ever wonder what I weigh.

In fact, the only reason I weighed today is because I have decided to take Dr. Phil's advice and "get real, people". Only when he says it, it sounds like, "Git REEL PEE PULL". But, annoying as that fat bastard is; he's right.

I'm only fat on the outside. Inside is a skinny bitch waiting not so patiently to get out and be seen. She wants to wear semi slutty clothes (not that I'll let her) and run with one of those ipod arm bands because she's too busy being fit to actually put her ipod in her pocket.

She wants to sprint up a flight of 40-11 stairs.

She wants to wear button-fly pants even if they are passe'.

She wants to enjoy just being a regular person in a crowd without comparing to see if anyone is fatter than she is.

I'm going to go overboard with me.

I'm going to put a shit ton of hard work into this body.

I'm going to treat this body like a good friend who really needs some help.

And I'm still going to be the same beautiful girl who loves her boys, husband, friends, and that occasional bastard.

Day 1 is coming soon.

I am ready.