Monday, January 20, 2014

I missed it!!

I flew right by my ten pound milestone!  I haven't been on the scales in three days and this morning I find out I have lost 11.1 pounds!!  Yeah!!
I have not been blogging the past few days because I have been working on a project hot and heavy.  And when I get started working on art projects, I forget to eat, cook, and blog!!!  It's actually been a lot of fun to have an opportunity to be creative.  It really feeds my soul.
Over the last few days, I have been packing in the proteins--black beans, chicken and eggs.  I did this for two reasons, I was only making juice twice a day at the most and because when I am being creative, I literally forget to eat.  I would all of a sudden realize it was three in the afternoon and I hadn't eaten at all, or juice!  The quickest way for me to get back to working on my art was to eat a protein!!  I hope this helps the hair fallout a little, but if it doesn't, oh well.
So, no worries!  I am still juicing and still losing!
Can't wait to show you what I've been working on!
Hang in there and have a great day!!

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Almost to my TEN!!

" One very important thing is that this is a matter of transformation, and as such, juicing is a very good beginning. However, if you ignore the transformation and only follow a 10 day Reboot and then return back to the old habits, nothing works properly. People should understand this fact."
 From the website:www.rebootwithjoe.com

What a hectic morning I had!!
I am having my juice and trying to reboot my day!!!...MENTALLY!!
I keep reading success stories on the reboot website and other places and wonder what my success story will sound like.  After ten pounds, my left knee improved enough that I could walk upstairs without pain and weakness.  That's just ten pounds.  I am going to be able to get on that treadmill any day now and start boosting my booting!!  
After the hectic morning I had, I realized sometimes life is going to throw you a curve ball and things won't go smoothly.  What I have to be prepared for is how to handle the chaos and not letting it sabotage my juice habit.  I have to find a way around doing what is easy, and instead, do what is best for me.  It is so easy to cave in, and what I have to do is understand that I am not going to miss out on anything if I do what is hardest now.  I cannot let myself fail.  I cannot afford to fail.  I don't want to fail.  I have to believe that I am stronger than I believe.
I think I'm going to make it!!
Have a juice on me!!  You'll love it!




Monday, January 13, 2014

Another Very Good day!

The scales stayed steady today, which is always encouraging.

This morning I made my first juice from 1/4 pineapple, one orange and one mango.  It was very good and very satisfying.

I used the pulp from this juice for dinner for my kids.  I put boneless, skinless chicken thigh strips in a pan with the pulp, added a couple tablespoons of brown sugar and balsamic vinegar and some Fiesta Lime Mrs. Dash seasoning.  It all cooked together very nicely in a bit of olive oil and gave them a wholesome, no salt, no preservatives dinner that was tasty.  They loved it!!!  We served it over rice.  Not the best choice for rices, but I have to use up what I have on hand.

I did notice today that my hair was coming out in an alarming quantity.  I have very thin hair to begin with and cannot afford to lose more.  So, I determined I would eat a chicken breast in the hopes that the protein would stem the loss.  I cooked it with garlic cloves and onions in a bit of olive oil.  It was tasty, but I could hardly eat half of it.  I'm just not sure I'll be able to eat chicken everyday in an effort to save my hair.  So, I may have to consider either a wig or scarves.  Once I can get to a healthy weight, adding beans and nuts for protein will be easier to do.

So, I am not sure what will happen with my hair, but for now, if I lose it, that's ok.  It will come back.  And if a few months with fewer hairs is what it takes, then so be it!  I'm loving the juicing.  I love being able to eat a salad if I feel the need and I love the freedom of not measuring and weighing my foods.  I'm juicing on!!

Tooodles!!

Sunday, January 12, 2014

It's a Bright Sunny Day!!


Good Morning!  It's a Bright Sunny Day!!!  That's how my three year-old used to wake us up every morning!!
  
I'm feeling better, the sun IS shining and I am down 9.2 pounds!!  I don't have far to go to an even ten pounds which is nice and then my milestone is to be under 280.  I definitely feel like I can do this.  More importantly, I have to do this.

So, I am starting off with some Pineapple Gazpacho, then I'll be going shopping to pick out a few more veggies.  Then, I'll be rolling out my treadmill.  It's not going to be a clothes hanger anymore!!  LOL!!  Actually, it's just been a very expensive space taker in my house.  Now, I plan to actually let it help me reach my goals!!

I'll probably catch up with you later!!  Make it a BRIGHT SUNNY DAY!

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Success Jan 11

Finally, I have had a successful day!!  Yay!!  I had a very frank talk with my son and husband about how badly I need to do juicing and how badly I need to be successful.  I think it helped them understand a bit better what I am up against if I fail.

I had juices today and ate a pear when I got overwhelmingly hungry.  Made dinner for my family and honestly, it didn't even appeal to me.  Hamburgers with cheese.  Apparently, they enjoyed it.  I didn't hear any complaints.

Now that I have figured out that I can eat fruits or veggies if I feel the need, I feel a little more secure in the fact that I can succeed.

A very positive day overall-inspite of the weather!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Jan 9 A Revision to My Plan


"First, a Reboot is  defined as a period of time where you commit to drinking and eating only fruits and vegetables. That’s right, I said eating! You just have to figure out what works best with your body and your lifestyle. It’s different for everyone. You may lose weight faster if you juice only, but it is perfectly fine to eat your fruits and veggies too! Do what works best for you."


"Another question I hear is, “what if I just break down and eat a slice of my kids pizza during a Reboot?” Well, you probably won’t feel good physically or emotionally. But you did not fail! Listen to your body when it tells you it really didn’t like that slice of pizza and keep on Rebooting.  You do not need to quit or start over.  At the end of the day a Reboot is about flooding our body with nutrients, resetting our taste buds and learning to eat healthier. There is no failure in that!"


from:  http://www.rebootwithjoe.com/joes-journal-day-16/

I was having trouble with not eating while trying to make dinners for the family, etc.  So, my revised plan is to juice as much as possible and eat my fruits/veggies when I feel the need to do so.  I am absolutely loving the juices and definitely don't want to give up on this or on myself.  I am hoping the scales will help my mood and keep going the right direction.  

I honestly have been beating myself up for being weak-willed when I want this so badly.  I know I am the only one who can make this happen.  I am hoping that as I lose I will gain confidence, I will also gain some willpower.  I would love to be able to juice non-stop for an extended period.  I go to Tropical Smoothie when I am out and haven't had sodas.  I am drinking coffee but will be looking for some herbal teas.  I do feel better.  I want the health benefits of juicing.  I want to be strong.  I want to feel like I deserve this but hate myself for my lack of ability to stick to juice only.  I truly believe in this, I do.  I'm still going to try to eat (a salad) no more than once a day.  

I don't really know what it will take to make me believe in myself and my ability to be strong.  Hopefully I will find my strength among the fruits and veggies.







  


Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Jan 8

I did a little too much nibbling today.  But I did fit three juices in!  Today is the first time I tried the Mean Green Juice and I loved it!!  We'll see what the scales tell me tomorrow.  Nite

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Hmmmmmmm

This morning I didn't wake up hungry.  Made a juice, didn't want it.  Drank half.  Made a salad for lunch, ate less than half.  Still not hungry.  Hunnee brought home pizza for the kids.  Ate one piece.  Not what I wanted.  I may end the day with a juice, dunno.  Scales still say I am under 290 so no problem there.  Can't believe I don't even really want pizza.  Hopefully I will be back on track tomorrow.  See you then!!  Hugs!

Monday, January 6, 2014

First Milestone!!

This morning I hit my first milestone.  I am now officially under 290 pounds!  I have lost 8.2 pounds so far from when I started.  Everyday I am learning more about the philosophy behind juicing and nutrition. And yes, everyday I have popped some kind of real food into my mouth.
But I still consider each day a victory.  I'm eating far less food than I would have on any given day.  For the most part, I am sampling my family's dinner or actually eating a salad.

Today's juice has lots more greens than I have been putting in previously.  I think that at least 1/2 of my juices need to be green.  I also am backing off of having 5 juices and going back to the more manageable 3 or 4, knowing that I can always throw in an extra one if needed.

I am so excited to see 289 on my scales!!  It's been at least 10 years since I have been at this weight.  And I am never going back to the 290 mark ever again!!  I'm not gonna do it!!

So, tonight I am setting my sights on my next milestone--to be under 280.  I have to take my milestones in slow, short bursts or it will feel completely impossible.  I am looking forward to seeing the scales move in the direction of my goals!!!

Thank you for your support.  It means everything to me.  Love and hugs


Sunday, January 5, 2014

Focus

I was really hoping to wake up this morning under 290 pounds. It didn't happen.  I was disappointed but not defeated.  I focused on the fact that this has to be a lifestyle change in order to be effective.  I focused on the fact that I am still juicing and eventually my body will fall in line and begin to react the way I understand it should.  

I am finding out more information everyday about the foods I should be using in my juicing routine and making the adjustments as I go.  In a day or so, I WILL be under 290 then I can look forward to the next milestone, totally doable--280 and so on. I want desperately to succeed at this because I totally believe that consuming raw, natural foods is, without a doubt, a healthier choice.  So I am going to focus on the goal of being healthier and not so much on the numbers.  That is why I am not down today, that is why I didn't give up.  The numbers will come and so will the healthier, happier me.

I'm still juicing!!!

Saturday, January 4, 2014

1/4/14 A Successful Day!

I am having Pineapple Gazpacho from the www.rebootwithjoe.com website. It is made just like you would expect red tomato gazpacho but with pineapple in, less tomatoes and spinach
 for the greens.  For this drink I put in half a bag of spinach.  I don't think I've been using quite enough greens into my juices.  The next time I make this I will put in 1/4 lemon instead of half just to let the pineapple come through a little more.

I am counting today as a success!!!  I did do some nibbling and I have to be more mindful of that but my sweetie made me a really nice salad today at lunch time and other than that, I have had 4 juices and not quite as much water as I should but I still have several hours to get them
in.

I am gonna make this work!!!  Love and hugs!

My Juices Recipe Book

ALL OF THE RECIPES IN MY BOOK WERE DOWNLOADED FROM THE www.rebootwithjoe.com website

Once I decided to do this juicing project, I went through every page of juice recipes on the Reboot website and copied most of them.  I copied the EXTREMELY helpful chart on how to prepare veggies for juicing as well.  I printed the pages on heavy cardstock.  Then I found heavy chipboard and covered it with colorful paper.  I covered the edges with Washi tape and then applied Mod Podge to the inside and outside covers.  This will help me be able to keep it clean.  I added a pocket for recipe cards.  What I like about this book is it has a lot of space in the margins for me to be able to make notes on the recipes and the reverse sides of the pages can utilized to write down new recipes!

front cover

inside pocket page

inside page

back cover

Jan 4

It's cccccold here!!  Our two inches of snow is still on the ground and the sun is shining and it is freezing!!

When I woke up this morning, I had the thought in my head that I would stop juicing today and just go back to eating and hope for the best.  And then I came to my senses!!!!

I cannot keep eating the way I have been.  Granted, for the past several years, I have not gained or lost any weight.  But my knees are starting to really hurt, and I sit in my chair on my computer or at my art desk and do no exercise.  I have started sleeping a lot and I don't like the trend.  I see my dad in a lot of what I am going through.  He gave up.  I refuse to give up.

I learned some important stuff over the last week and I am going to make it work for me.  Instead of indulging in foods like pizza and crackers, I am going to only put raw veggies into my mouth.  I love veggies and I am juicing them, so I will indulge in that instead of junk.  That is my goal.  I didn't do very well yesterday at juice only, I did have a salad.  I'm ok with that, I don't have much dressing on it. Though, I do need to find an all natural dressing for salads.

I really, really want to be able to juice everyday, even if I eat a salad along the way.  I want to have the health benefits and lose weight along the way.  As of this morning, even after my handful of fries and a salad, I am down 7 pounds.  And the nice thing is, I haven't felt bad.  No caffeine withdrawal, no sugar withdrawal, no sluggishness, nothing.  I feel good.  I really, really do.

Thank you for your support on my journey, it means the world to me.

Love and hugs!

Friday, January 3, 2014

End of the Day 1/3/14

What I would like to know is, when stress rears its ugly head, why do I suddenly want to devour everything in the house?   I've also noticed through this that when I am angry I tend to want to eat anything I can find.  Why is that?  That nasty habit is 50 years old and now I finally  recognize it.  But it is fighting the new habits I want so desperately to take over!!  
Today was a pretty emotional day.  Someone I love very much got bad news but not enough information to know what is going to happen.  Waiting is awful. I hate being powerless to help in these situations.  I just hope I can help bolster this person's spirit and help them through it.  
Juicing today was just ok.  I am down 6.2 pounds so far.  I am getting a little low on variety of veggies available in my fridge.  I did go to Tropical Smoothie the last two days while I was out. 
I love the tomato-based juices so far.  I hope it doesn't matter what food we gravitate to in our juicing.  I am still putting in greens, yellows, oranges into my juices.  Today what I did do was eat a small salad at lunch time.  I am trying to make different choices than I would normally. (Like eating the leftover pizza, or a bagel with cream cheese. ) I am trying to nibble only on fruits and veggies.  
One thing I have had no trouble going without is soda.  Usually, anytime I get in my car, I get a soda.  Today, I went to the Smoothie Cafe first before going through the McDonald's drive thru for my kids.  I was tempted to take a big bite out of a hamburger but I ate a handful of fries instead!!!!  LOL.....like that was such a great choice!!!!  Baby steps!!!!!
Here is hoping tomorrow I am stronger knowing what I know about myself now.
Love and Hugs!  Charlene

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Tonight's Juice

So, tonight I made my family dinner--a roast with carrot potatoes and onions.  So my juice was inspired by their dinner!

4 celery stalks
4 carrots
small amount of onion
4 handfuls of spinach
one apple
one inch ginger
one cherry bomb

I sprinkled the top with fresh dill.

Day two reset

Day two of my Reboot Reset has been successful so far.  I started my day having to run to court as a witness, first day back to school for kids was utter chaos.  No time for a juice so I grabbed a banana on my way out the door.  On my way, I would have stopped at McDonald's for breakfast--I did not!   Afterwards, I had to run to the commissary, where I would get a soda and cheese straws--I did not!  It was now 11:30am.  Normally I would buy lunch on the way home--I did not!  Soon as I got home I had the equivalent of three juices.  I have had lots of water and have now made dinner.  This is my tempting time, so I need to go make a juice!  Take care!

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

My sweetie loves me!

My sweet husband brought these home for me yesterday from the commissary.  This flat of tomatoes (which was full) only cost about $20,  I think that is very good.
To give you an idea, this morning my juice (which made 2 1/2 16 ounce juices) consisted of the following:  (I won't lie, it was SPICY!) 8 tomatoes, two carrots, one beet (plus leaves), two cloves of garlic, one large cucumber, one jalapeno,  one cherry bomb, one yellow pepper, 1/2 red pepper, 2 scallions, small amount of white onion, a medium handful of cilantro, and three handfuls of spinach.

Reboot Reset

Good morning everyone and Happy New Year! I am starting off the New Year with a Reboot Reset--I broke down and had pizza with my family and some cheese and crackers. I have to tell you a little more about that though. I started off the day in a terrible mood.  I realized I had hurt my best friend and I was kicking myself.  I figured I was a terrible person and why even try to live and feel better when I was just so self-centered.  
I yelled at my kids--all of them.  I got mad and started making an omelette with all the stuff in it that I love and realized it wasn't even tempting me, I was not hungry and I was not craving it.  So I gave my son the omelette and made a juice.  Then I also drank a lot more water than I had been the previous days.  I also still feel lousy with my sinuses, ears, and throat and now my asthma is kicking in.  Dinner time is my tough time.  I have to come up with some strategies to help me through that time of day.  I have to make dinner for my family daily which is a little like torture.  So, I have to find a way to help myself get through the evening.  I have been making dinner and then making my juice.  I also have not been able to get in FIVE juices.  
I knew my hubby was bringing the kiddos pizza for dinner and that is a weakness for me--there is no BAD pizza pretty much!  So, I decided I had done remarkably well for my first three days without the amount of foods I usually consumed and was going to have pizza.  Dinner arrives and I take my first two pieces of pepperoni pizza.  First bite and I kind of recoiled.  It was sooooo salty to me.  I can't believe how much taste buds can be affected in such a short amount of time.  I am someone who eats three pieces of pizza at dinner and then one more before bed.  I had to put the second piece back and immediately started downing water.  Crackers and spray cheese had the same effect.  I couldn't consume anywhere near the amounts of these FAVoRite foods as I normally would have.
So, I am juicing again today having learned a valuable lesson.  I also watched a documentary called The Beautiful Truth. It is well worth watching and I highly recommend it.  I am not, by any means, turning into a salesman or preacher of philosophy.  I am just sharing what I am up to.  I hope it doesn't bore you and if you don't want to get the emails from my blog anymore, please let me know.
 I also got to sleep til 9:45! That doesn't happen very often. I also am starting off the new year with a familiar trend.....I have to find my phone!!! Yes, it's dead and yes...I have no idea where it is!!!! 
Here is hoping this New Year is filled with love and miracles. I am hoping for the miracle of a strong will to stay on my Reboot Juicing faithfully for at least 60 days.