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