Work Toward a Stress Free Sabbath!

Are You a Dreamer?

 Many years ago a very successful and well known man, W. Clement Stone, asked what manner of a parent would present a child an ice cream cone and then snatch it away?

Stone's reasoning is simple....God doesn't do that either! When you are inspired to take a certain action, design a certain item, follow that prompting......God would not provide the dream and then snatch it away from you.
Renowned heart surgeon, Russell M. Nelson, tells of a time he was called upon to solve a patient's heart problem. A major stumbling block, however, was that the technology did not yet exist to resolve this patient's challenge. Dr. Nelson describes how the solution came to him fully developed  in a dream! He was able to perform the surgery applying his new technique with confidence and success.
If, as in my case, you feel inspired that NOW is the time to make a change to lifelong habits, if you ask Him, God will show you a clear, concise path to achieving your plan.

In this case, perhaps the ice cream cone example, relative to picking up better health habits might offend some. Sorry, it's really not about ice cream cones at all!

One Week Already?

I began my juicing adventure last Saturday, one week ago! While I am yet far from perfect in following a "juice only" plan, I am on the path to that. I have been doing one "old-style" meal per day (with better portion control). Sometimes I have snacked on fruit (an apple or orange) or chomped a carrot or celery during the day. It's been two weeks without a carbonated or caffeinated beverage! That, of its own in a huge step! I am still improving in my mobility. That's an area where I need to apply more effort. As previously discussed, mine is a very sedentary job, sitting at this same computer, in my home, talking on the phone to some really nice people around the country, wanting to donate to our client's charity!
I need to be out, moving, walking etc.! Now that my techie issues are overcome, I can focus more on that habit change.....clock out then walk out!

I haven't taken to opportunity to further my potato juice project. From the one experiment, it is clearly apparent that it should be consumed immediately for two reason. The color changes, and most people don't like the thought of a black drink! Also, the starch settles from the juice into a pretty layer of firm paste at the bottom. I may do more testing tomorrow after church.

I've mentioned a couple of my mentors, here is another.....John Kohler, DicountJuicers.com. Not only does John sell juicers, he has a severalYouTube channels. They all have a central focus on healthy eating (or drinking). I've seen a lot of his Growing your Greens videos. As we creep into spring, you may find these of interest!

How is Your Vision?

Throughout my life, there has never been a lack of people who can tell you why what God has inspired you to do just won't work!

Sometimes it is better to restrict your "Mastermind" group to those who see the benefits of your plan. Perhaps they may make positive suggestions for changes. But their focus needs to be on helping you achieve your goals!

If you feel inspired to follow a new eating plan with your body as the director and producer of the show, just know that you will be beset from every direction by well meaning people who will point to example after example of how your approach is just another fad, how Aunt Sabrina died trying your plan, etc., etc.! God actually does live and He loves each of us greatly. He does put things into our minds and thoughts, and into our paths daily. If we will use our vision to recognize those gifts, we will succeed beyond our expectations!

Wrapping up Day 6!

For the moment, my techie issues have been overcome. I actually spent time "on the clock" this afternoon. Saturday I will actually spend time on the phone helping serve our client's members!

One portion I had not included into my plan was physical exercise. Even with my present mobility issues,I need to be more active. 

Techie Junk Still Happens!

Keep Your Head Up, Even Under Stress!

Life tosses things at us sometimes, that we think we would rather not experience just now!

I have spent much time over the past ten days chasing down tech issues, phone challenges, Skype problems, etc. to be able to get back to work, serving our clients needs. It can be frustrating and stressful.  Have any good things happened during the same period? How many of us are so wrapped up in the challenges, we fail to see, or even look for, the benefits derived from the challenges?

The day my telephone issues began I learned that I needed to help my sister get to the hospital. Much of the time lost from my work has allowed me to research health improvement opportunities to improve and extend my own life! I can, if I look, find many positive effects of my recent stressful techie issues. I was even able to sell my Suburban for exactly what I was wanting from it, rusty bumper and all!

Mid-day Day 6!

Still chasing down techie issues. It's one of the benefits of living rural! My juicing adventure is doing well.I am still feeling better overall. I am more mobile than before starting, with improves sustained energy throughout the day. As has been mentioned before, I am presently doing juice only, in the morning and evening, with my mid-day meal being juice with other foods in reasonable helpings. Monday (Day 9) I will drop that mid-day thing and do just juice for another week.

I talked a little bit the other day about Potato juice. I actually tried it yesterday. Some interesting observation....just like fresh cut spuds, the juice oxidizes quickly. When I finished juicing a half dozen small spuds for the test, I received a series of distracting phone calls. When I finally got back to my trial, I noticed a serious separation. I had a 1/2 layer of what I presume to be starch on the bottom of the container! I cut the thick, paste-like layer into small cubes and mixed it back in to the juice. As for taste, it didn't drive me away. The "jury" is still out on this. I will continue with research and experimentation on potatoes, including various blends with other juices.

Pre-order Joe Cross' book

Fully Charged 

Joe Cross did an interview today with CBS in LA. Here's a link to that clip!

A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory.  LLAP 
~Leonard Nimoy's final tweet from mortality!~

A Brief Side Journey, if You Please!

A very emotional message from one of my mentors....

This morning I received an email from Ka Sundance at http://TheRawfoodfamily.com with a strong message I wish to share with you. I apologize if the common word for "pooh" is grossly offensive to you. It's the message that matters here...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRKeR3ojyXU&feature=em-subscription-upload

It's a New Day!

Because my "forced vacation" is hopefully over Wednesday,  I will be doing my juicing the evening before, thus eliminating a morning rush.

OK, I'll briefly explain. I serve as a call agent for a company whose primary client is a major national charity. Nowadays, most of those call agents work from home, except when there are communication challenges between the local rural phone service provider and the computer's national interface. It's taken a week to get things up again. Unless there's a lot of noise (kids screaming, dogs barking) you never know if you have reached that major company in a high rise office, or a call agent in his home. My juicing adventure, however, should actually be easier while working! 

To this evening's batch for Day 5, I've added beets and spinach the to the other ingredients!  So, I've got kale, celery, carrots, garlic, ginger, cucumber, jalapeno, broccoli, lemon, and apple. I will also be using carrot juice alone as a "snack".

OK, I am finished with the Day 5 juice batch! So much for "green juice"! Adding a small beet turned the juice to red. It looks like tomato juice.  It tastes great. I am certain that I'll enjoy it all day tomorrow!

Day 5 begins.....

I was up actually  1 1/2 hours before my alarm. I wanted to do some reading this morning. I was distracted by a  facebook post. This I'll have to try! Something new I've never seen before...Potato Juice.  Actually, it showed up  on my facebook this morning. So, I did a minor amount of research. It sounds reasonable. Perhaps I could video that process and post it tomorrow! am certainly not displeased with the flavor with the addition of beets and spinach! I increased the garlic from two cloves to about 3/4 of the whole garlic, so there is a little garlic residual taste. I'll likely reduce it to 1/2 of the garlic. That seems to be the only voice that stands out from the choir.

In my apartment I have two grow boxes made from a 50 gallon water barrel cut in half the long way and one three gallon pot. Last year (pre-apartment) I was able to grow a few Serrano peppers and some Cayenne, Anaheim, and Bells.

When I departed the homestead to the present man cave, I brought the pepper planters with me, along with the second half-barrel and enough soil to fill it. As the frost began, I dragged my planters inside. When I set up the second planter, I planted four dozen garlic cloves. So, indoors, over fall and winter, I have had a supply of peppers and garlic greens.  I am presently preparing these planters to start afresh. For now I think I will focus on kale, spinach and garlic.

...and the Adventure Continues!

Midpoint 

Day 4

going well!

I was up 30 minutes before my alarm today. My blood glucose level was still high; however, lower than yesterday. This was before my morning medications. Perhaps a brief confession....my insurance coverage has managed to screw up some of my prescriptions at a time I was between paydays. Thus, I've been very slothful, and am out of each, except for long acting insulin. A half hour after taking that dose, my glucose was in the high end of normal range. 

Prior to my morning juice, I started preparing ingredients for a dinner with my boys, later in the week. I began cooking pork sausage which I will combine in a filling for stuffed jalapenos! Again, as discussed yesterday, HABITS always play into life's daily equations! I love to cook, it has always been a happy and creative activity. Although I did nibble as I cooked, the snitching was definitely less than in previous "normal" cooking events.

A blogger friend in Costa Rica posted a great graphic today, introducing us to a new, and very successful weight loss product! This goes well with my point yesterday, my habits, attitudes, and emotions are far more a determinant of success in restoring my body to a more functional and desirable place!

Just got back from shopping. It's interesting what folks notice...I purchased a 25# bag of carrots because I enjoy carrot juice. A few folks asked what I would be doing with that many carrots! Other notice the sizable packages of kale, broccoli  and spinach and asked how big a salad I was making. Nobody asked about the cheese, or other stuff for the few old style meal, or dinners with my boys, or when my college student son stops in for lunch (it's closer than mom's place).Since I enjoy his company, I try to be prepared. So, it presented many opportunities to share my project and maybe expand my audience!

Overall I had a good day. As for progress, I yielded my juice meal to enjoy an evening meal out with some of my boys. We had Mexican and all enjoyed. I didn't over do it and even only had water with my meal.

I found a you tube video that I thought you might enjoy on sticking to the task! When I encounter people like we see in the video linked below, it makes me feel like I've been too focused on the challenges in my life. and selfish for my complaints. The things Arthur overcame

 in the video are nothing short of spectacular!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

Thank you to Arthur and our many, many more Wounded Warriors who have sacrificed so much for each of us!

Today IS the First Day of the Rest of Your Life!!

It's a Challenge of Habits!

For me it's way more about my habits than my nutrition!

*wrapping up Day 3*

As today progressed, I've took note of a few things as they presented themselves. I got out of bed, visited with Heavenly Father, and went to the kitchen with the thought in mind of, "what should I cook for breakfast today?" Habit has been -- out of bed, cook breakfast.  It's not like I was starving. It's just the habit. 

Instead, I assembled the juicer, collected the components, and went about other morning things before juicing.....turn on my computer (since my office is here also) and got ready for the day. I checked a few Internet places, and THEN returned to my juicing adventure. When you shake things up, change the dance steps, habits start changing!

I enjoyed juicing today's portion, cleaned up the juicer, and then enjoyed about 20 ounces of delicious "green" juice (I went a little heavy on carrots as a stretcher). I had increased the ginger and garlic, and may need to again next batch.

Come 12:30 pm I consumed about 12 ounces of my juice, along with a helping of pasta, some sunflower kernels, and two fresh carrots. I didn't run out of steam through the day. 

I needed to run some errands for family, and myself. As 

I mentioned yesterday, I needed to purchase a new glucose monitor , which I did (and forgot until just now to check blood pressure while at the pharmacy).  I had a few morning distractions today and forgot to take my meds this morning. Yet at 5 pm today, my blood glucose level, albeit a little high, would have made my doctor smile.

Back to habits -- I needed fuel for my vehicle. Fuel is sold in C Stores. C Stores sell soda. As I walked into the Maverik store to prepay my fuel purchase, even without my refill cup in hand, I found myself at the fountain before I turned and walked back to the cashier (without a soda!) Not that I was even craving a Diet Dr. Pepper! I went there for gas, it's the stupid habit.

I will end my consumption today with my evening juice and maybe sit back and watch a movie.

By the way, I checked my blood sugar 30 minutes after my evening juice and it was lower than earlier!

~Have a restful night!~

GROWING YOUR OWN MONEY

Are you living in an apartment or college dorm room?

Be researching ways to provide your own food, even if you live in an apartment! It will be healthier, fresh from the plant to the table tastes a whole lot better! As a society, we have become disconnected and unaware of how our food is brought to us. (Ask your neighbor's kids where milk comes from!)

 Example - Tomatoes from Mexico, picked green, gassed to prevent spoilage in transit, Their color does finally shift to red by the time they eventually get to market. But the taste is still that of a green tomato! Most of our "fresh" fruits and veggies are in (ON) the same boat.

One of the garden blogs and vlogs I enjoy is Luke at MIgardner. Luke has a lot of Youtube videos on gardening. I just found one talking about this very topic! 

Watch it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCJSauKCoj8

I can feel it!

It's 5pm on "Day 2".

 I'll soon be consuming my "evening meal".  I woke before my morning alarm today (by 25 minutes!). My energy level has been pretty good. I arrived at Church early enough to greet several friend and still restfully enjoy the prelude music. I stayed alert during services, and even participate in class discussion! Some would say that is very unusual for me. My mobility seemed better, as well. I was able to stand from the classroom chairs (regular steel folding chairs). I've really had trouble with that. And getting up did not seem to leave me gasping for air and short of breath.  I seem to be breathing more easily. Coincidence?  I think not!



As I travel along this new path, my daily consumption will be approximately 40 ounces of juice and one "normal" meal, along with about 40 ounces of water for the first few days.  If I feel OK with things, I plan to eliminate the "normal meal" for the next segment. My morning meal today was an 18 ounce juice consisting of a mixture of green juice with a little tomato juice.(I am using up left-over stuff where it fits.) After church today, I enjoyed an 10 ounce green juice, a reasonable serving of pasta and a fresh avocado.

I will be replacing my glucose monitor tomorrow so I (and others,) will feel more at ease. For the first time, I'll actually be journaling  my intake and glucose levels, as the doctors have been telling me for a long time! Mostly, I'll be monitoring how my body feels, more than the numbers, and hopefully the numbers will bear out the results as well.

I hope you had a blessed Sabbath Day.

Prep for Day 2....

I can do this #juicefast! I’m getting a head start on Day2. Tonight (end of Day 1) I will prepare my Sunday juices. A little variety is good. This batch will contain some additional veggies….ginger and garlic in small amount at first and broccoli. I will use less of the jalepeno pepper. Last time I used a whole large pepper. It was actually still slightly within my tolerance. So, apples, celery, cucumber, kale, lemon, ginger, garlic, and a half pepper.

When I was done with the juice for Day 2, I realized that I had only done 1/2 the cucumber. I'll use it on the next batch! I didn't detect the garlic or ginger. Overall it seemed a little sweeter (and a bit less peppery). I'll better evaluate it in the morning!

I even made an attempt at a video of the process. I'll try again another day! You know, "practice makes perfect."

In the documentary film, Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead, Joe Cross went 60 days on just juicing. He did great, as did his friend, Phil. Both were under "close" medical supervision. Joe stresses this fact in follow up information on his website and facebook. I will be working in five day increments. As long as my energy continues upward, and my weight downward, my blood sugars and blood pressure are in maintained levels, I will be self managing this initial part of the journey. My desire is to be free of the medications presently prescribed!

A New Beginning!

This is a learning opportunity for me. For a very long time, I have recognized the value of #FRESHjuices. One huge excuse is Social Pressures. Are you going to do the juice fast thing when, all around you people are "eating normal"? Unless you live alone, it's not always easy

* Today I bought a $60.00 juicer, some kale, celery, carrots, lemons, apples, and cucumbers. I have commonly used fresh jalepenos in a lot of my cooking. I have several large peppers in my fridge.
* Prepped the machine and the produce.
* I juiced one bunch of kale, two apples, one lemon, one j-pepper (if anyone asks, no, I don't remove the seeds!), four stalks of celery and one cucumber.
* It was about 37 ounces of green juice, pretty tasty! (Next time, I'll use perhaps a 3rd the pepper.)

*So far, that's all I've had today. I'm feeling ok. My energy has been at zero. So far today it's doing OK...it's noon.

* Mid-afternoon we did enjoy a birthday celebration for my dad (89 next week). So, had a big salad and a little lasagna, and a small strawberry shortcake. Great progress for me.

* I found a you tube video from a user of the same juicer I bought  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4--OvJXLXw
* My juicer purchase was based on "the best quality within my budget! I need to #beginjuicingnow, not wait until I can afford the best!

.*Now to apply other learning...I've heard that we should not consume our meals, etc, after 5 or 6pm. Let's see how I do this evening.

The Winds of Change...

Often "change" is good.

It always presents new, exciting opportunities! Whether or not you view change as good, change always presents an opportunity for learning! The past 18 months has been unique from numerous points of view! Some of the changes, I will discuss herein. Some of it is way too personal.


Over the past several years, I've experienced numerous health  challenges. But, never to the extent of total disability! I was involved in providing personal support to two disabled adult siblings. One afternoon, as I had just finished lifting the brother into his wheelchair, getting him buckled, I turned to continue with the next item, I found myself on the floor! I had not tripped on anything. My left leg just failed me. I just got up and continued with the evening. As time progressed, so did the challenge. Often, in the falling, other muscles were damaged, as well as surface damages. .

Most of my challenges can be traced to all those little choices over the years.....what I've eaten, my choice of beverages, my level of physical exercise, etc. For quite a while, I've recognized a need to change my habits..."just not yet!" "YES, Today! Right now!"

Have any of you seen the Joe Cross documentary, Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead? Today, I begin my journey. Aside from Joe Cross (https://www.facebook.com/joethejuicer) and (http://www.rebootwithjoe.com/tag/joe-cross/) I've also connected with several other health-related blogs and such. Another I enjoy is Ka Sundance (https://www.facebook.com/TheRawfoodfamily). Some are pretty sensible; some are out a bit far for me! For the present, this blog will be about my journey!

P.S. I actually did shoot a couple of pictures of the "before" me. I've buried them so deep into my hard drive that even the FBI would have a hard time finding them.Yes, they are that disgusting!  In the interim, I'll ponder showing them as a comparison when I'm closer to my goal!