Juice Fast Day Three: The End?

I broke my fast last night by having some grapes... then a couple of vegan Boca Burger patties. Oh well, so much for easing back in to solid foods. Today (end of day 3, start of day 4) I had a mix of juicing and soup. My stomach was fine, but tomorrow I have a party to attend so I am sure all hell will break loose. We'll see.

For anyone who is thinking about starting a juice fast, here are some thoughts:

• Buy a quality juicer. I found mine at Best Buy for $100.
• Buy as much organic produce as you can and wash everything thoroughly.
• Plan to make a mess when you first start out. Period. I had parsley flying everywhere and juiced twice without the cup in place.
• Believe it or not, you can add lemon, lime, salt and/or pepper to almost every juice to make it more palatable.
• After juicing you will have lots of pulp- perfect for the compost bin!
• And, most importantly... If you want to stay out of the bathroom, ease into a fast by having juices once a day, then twice, and so on. If you can, schedule your first full day of juice fasting when you will be at home. Preferably alone. 

Overall I'm really glad I tried this fast. I learned a lot, and now I have an excellent juicer and ideas for recipes. I definitely plan to incorporate juicing into my diet, especially green ones.

I lost a few inches from my waist but those may come back with water weight. Still, I really think this is what I needed to jump-start some healthy eating habits and more weight loss before school starts... since we all know how things tend to fly out the window when school starts...

Juice Fast: Day Two

48+ hours into my juice fast and I am definitely more hungry than yesterday. I had some broth, so that was kind of like eating soup. Kind of.

Today I looked decent in a bikini (what?!?) and discovered I don't like fennel. It tastes like licorice.

I'm not sure if I'm going to make it 72 hours. I may add raw fruits/vegetables tomorrow. We'll see.

Kthanksbye!

Juice Fast: Day One

Ok, so it's been 24 hours since I started my 3-day trek of eating (drinking) nothing but the juice of raw fruits and vegetables. I was inspired to juice after watching Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead on Netflix. Not surprisingly, I was also inspired to purchase a juicer like the one in the film. :)

Breville Juice Fountain Compact

I have to say the machine is amazing. Ridiculously powerful and really easy to clean. Very happy with the purchase.

Anyway, yesterday I went to Sprouts and spent $50+ on produce for the next three days. That is insane for me; $50 usually lasts a week. And to be honest, money will probably be the reason I don't continue the fast longer. The recipes I am following are from Reboot Your Life.

My first juice was made primarily from kale and tasted like eating a salad. I suffered through it. My second was made from sweet potato & beets- I really enjoyed that one. My third had too much cucumber. I'm learning. I'm also making a mess.

All day yesterday and this morning I had no real side effects. I'd heard stories about people not being able to leave the house because of all the "cleansing." I figured because I had been eating a primarily vegan diet my stomach would be used to all this.

Um, no.

I won't get into the details (you're welcome) but let's just say I'm glad I don't have any errands to run today. Surely it will be better tomorrow.

Otherwise I feel great and very, VERY full. The plan I'm on offers five recipes a day... I think three is my limit. Each recipe yields around two full pints (32 oz) of juice. 

Ok, back tomorrow. Bye!

I don't want to do this anymore.

Rant:

I don't want to do this anymore. And I don't have to. It's not my job. My graduate advisor can't "fire" me. I don't have to write the 10 page prospectus about the 30 page final project I will complete yet don't have to complete. I will not lose my job if I don't finish my master's degree. I will certainly not lose my life. And you have to know if I quit I will gain time and money, two things that are very precious to me that I presently severely lack.

I want to quit. Surely 36 hours toward a master's degree on a résumé is just as good as a master's degree. Or–highly more likely–it will be seen by future employers as a clue someone doesn't finish what she's started. Plus, whether I finish or not, I've still got these things called student loans...

But what about the raise I will get? Oh, you mean the $900 more a year? Yes, that's definitely worth the constant anxiety that I won't finish my prospectus for yet another semester and will have to fork out another $1000 and push my graduation date back. Again. Or the inability to really enjoy my summer because I feel I should constantly be working on my prospectus. Or the fear of the fall semester because I know I will once again be balancing work and school along with everything else in my life.

I started this degree because I wanted to show future employers I was serious about my career change into education. Now with 36 graduate hours in education and 3 years teaching under my belt I feel confident my principal understands I'm here to stay. Yet here I am, slowly trying to complete this thing. It's taking a lot longer than I expected.

I know I have to finish. I've put all together too much time and effort and money into this to quit without a degree. I get it. I just don't have to enjoy it right now.

Update: I completed my prospectus and it was approved by all committee members. The final step is one last (huge) project and I graduate!

Wants vs. Needs

What I WANT to do this summer:

1. Create themed art
2. Blog
3. Get a little tan
4. Keep a mani/pedi
5. Learn how to play tennis

What I NEED to do this summer:

1. Finish four (possibly five) commissioned portraits
2. Finish my prospectus
3. Write my final paper
4. Lose weight
5. Clean/organize my apartment

How great would it be if I could do all ten?!? We shall see. I have 74 days.