Breaking the Fast April 2, 2012

So this is incredibly late. I was supposed to post this over two weeks ago, but a lot of things have happened in that time and there will probably be a post about that soon as well. I apologize if you were anxiously awaiting the conclusion to our juice “feast” experience.

This fast was more than just a physical cleanse for us. We kind of took a reboot to our home, spiritual journey, and re-organized our thoughts towards health, food, and living. It was a wonderful experience. It was the longest I have ever fasted and it is really awesome knowing that I am strong enough to do it!

Coming off of a fast is the most important part of the entire thing. How gently you break your fast determines how well your digestive system will respond and work from that point forward. Since the body has been mostly cleansing and not digesting, you need to be gentle with your digestive tract. The best way to break a fast is with some fruit. Citrus is usually the best fruit to start with. Just eat one orange or grapefruit in the morning. Take it slow and easy. Don’t forget to keep drinking water! Juice some fruits and veggies once or twice while eating fruit throughout the day as well.

The following days kind of depend on how long your fast was. If it was only between 1 and 3 days, it will be a little easier to add more back into your diet. Proteins like nuts and seeds can be added in next, along with heartier plants like squash and sweet potatoes. Healthy fats (like avocado, coconut oil, yogurt, raw milk, and other nutritious oils) are next, and carbohydrates should be added last. Make sure to keep getting enough water each day for the rest of your life. I should for a gallon a day, or a minimum of 2 quarts (half a gallon).

I will post some links at the end that are some of my favorite sources for this information.

Remember that every body is at a different point in its health and you may or may not need to do a fast now. There is SO much information out there on fasting and cleansing. Just be sure to do your research and seek for what your body needs. The most important thing for our bodies that we have learned recently is to LOVE your body and your mind. You can’t love anyone else fully until you love yourself. You are awesome.

Love, Alisha

http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/

http://www.drfostersessentials.com/store/juicing.php

http://www.hungryforchange.tv/

“Juice Feast”: Day 5 March 6, 2012

Well, I have been feeling pretty great, but today has been difficult as far as cravings go. I have been wanting weird things that I haven’t eaten in years, and didn’t even necessarily like either. Like, school lunch chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes. Gross. I did some research on this because I am a curious cat and want to know what this means. Your body stores toxins in fat, so while you fast you are burning fat and the toxins are released into the bloodstream. The toxins could be from addictive substances that are found in food we used to eat and we associate the feeling of the substance with a food we ate containing the substance. Amazing, huh?

My yummy apple blueberry juice!

We also decided to do this “juice feast” for more than just our physical health, but for our mental and spiritual health too. We have done 1 to 3 day fasts before, and something we always gain from it is appreciation and gratitude for our food. It is so easy to forget that we are blessed to have such easy access to so much food and that we can eat as soon as we are hungry. We get used to expecting food and relying on it for our emotional well-being.

I love having dinner with family and friends and enjoying really wonderful food with people. That always makes me “feel better” no matter what mood I start out in, and I think that is a great thing. But, I also think there is a balance between eating to “feel better” and enjoying food for what it is and being grateful. I, too, am guilty of almost always rushing to get the food done and then eating while doing other things (especially as a mom). This week has been a time to realize that food is a blessing to our bodies and minds and to not take it for granted.

We are learning so many other things too, like being present, and being strong in our minds. Like tonight, we have a friend staying a couple of nights with us and I made him the yummiest smelling italian food and an incredible dessert that I’ve never done before. Every time I got something on my fingers from preparing the food it was all I could do not to lick it off my hands. I just held my face over the sauteing onions, garlic, and mushrooms and inhaled the glorious aroma. We watched him eat it as we drank our juice. It was rough and challenging, but so awesome because we grew a little stronger in our self-control.

Our minds are also growing in our thoughts towards health and food and we are really excited about it, but I will save all of that for another post.

Another bonus of a fast is how incredibly amazing good food tastes after a time of not eating. I can’t wait for that moment!

Love, Alisha