7th and final day!

I rolled over this morning, my disgruntled cat falling off its perch aka my chest.  9:03!  What?!  I'm not currently in the employed category, my youngest is still home schooled and my older daughter didn't have any college classes.  This means I didn't HAVE to have an alarm set like almost everyone I know.  Normally I do wake up earlier than this but for some reason I slept over 10 hours.  After waking up so late, I began my chores and daily routine but forgot to eat until nearly noon.


I ate a banana and had my Shakeology about 30 minutes before a 6 mile run and thankfully felt great after a brief feeling of sluggishness before heading outside.  No rain today was a nice relief from our monsoon-like weather in the last couple of days.  I had plenty of energy for my run.


Observations:  I am getting restless to chew on some food.  I don't think that's weird but it sounds odd when I see it in writing.  Today was a little challenging as I keep seeing Thanksgiving recipes and what people are making for the big day.  I'm thankful I am not having a party at my home.  We're going to a family gathering and if I'm so inclined, I can bring sweet potatoes.  I think I have everything I need except pecans and wonder if I'll find any tomorrow.


It occurred to me how easily it would be for me to eat and not tell.  I didn't, really.  I had moments of weakness in which a less strong-willed person would have caved.  When I am in races, there are opportunities to cut the course and sadly, there are people who do just that.  I feel that if I didn't follow through with my plan, it would be akin to cutting the race course.  


I'm conflicted about the benefits of juicing.  I wonder about all the fiber taken out when juicing.  I also feel it's not a sustainable way of living for me.  I'm sure in this crazy world of independent thinkers, there are juicers espousing the virtues of a juice-only diet.  


My energy levels are excellent but I am looking forward to increasing my protein intake.  Please someone pass the almonds!  Today I weigh 5 pounds less than when I started.  Will I gain it all back by tomorrow night?  No, but I'm sure I will feel like I did after eating so lightly for a week.  


My cravings for junk have dissipated and I am really looking forward to real food and nothing artificial.  Would I do this again?  Yes, if I am looking to score some chocolate-covered caramel and salty chips in a dark alley, it would be a good time to clean out the system.  


I will be juicing here and there just because I found out how good it can be and it's fun to make my own variations.


It's 8:00 pm and I'm looking forward to breakfast.  I'll be running a local 10k Turkey Trot and hope I can eat a piece of break with peanut butter and not have any stomach issues. I may opt for a banana since that is what I have been eating without issue.  


Pink Orange Juice
1 pear
2 oranges
1/2 lemon
1 cup cranberry
1 apple
1/2 inch ginger root


Good combination, pretty too!


Use it up Soup
Juice the following:
7 carrots
3 celery stalks
1/2 onion
1 garlic clove
4-6 cups spinach


Add juice to the following in blender:
1 avocado
Handful wheat grass
garlic salt and chili pepper to taste


I am down to lean pickings with my vegetables and ran out of tomato and red pepper.  This was a very green soup and wasn't as good as the soup last night.  

Day 6

Day 6!


Last night my stomach was gurgly after dinner.  Not hungry, mind you.  It was making obnoxious noises, like if you were to turn on a garbage disposal and you hear the food start to grind.  Food is on the super expressway of my intestines right now!


The rain has been unstoppable all day but thankfully it's a "warm" northwest rain.  It stayed in the 40s today and I'm grateful.  I bundled up and headed out for a 6 mile run.  I had my usual chocolate Shakeology pre-run and another afterwards.  My energy levels are excellent today and I felt light on my feet despite my water-logged shoes.  Tomorrow will be an easy 4-6 miles on my last day of this experiment.


Observations:  I'm daydreaming about mashed potatoes.  I realized how much I take eating for granted.  How little I really think about all the flavors, aromas, textures in the food I consume.  How amazing it is that God gave us this gift of flavor when it wasn't necessary for survival.  


I feel a little hungry today but have a high energy level.   Here are today's juices:  


Cran-apple
1 cup cranberries
3 apples


Simple and was a nice drink to hold me over to dinner.


Green Monster
2 cups spinach
handful wheatgrass
1/2 lemon
1/2 cucumber
4 stalks celery
2 apples
1 inch gingerroot


It's drinkable and definitely tastes healthy.  Not my favorite but it's tolerable.


Soup


2 beefsteak tomatoes
2 cups spinach
5 carrots
2 stalks celery
2 cloves garlic
1/2 onion
1/2 lemon


In blender:
1 avocado
1 handful wheatgrass


Blend juice with avocado and wheatgrass.  I added 1 tsp. garlic salt and chili pepper.  


Basically tasted the same as last night's soup with minor variations.  Again, love the avocado.  I think my body is craving the natural fat in this amazing fruit (yes, they are!).


We have an avocado plant in our house!  We threw a pit into soil in a pot and let it grow.  Simple.  And pretty!  


Don't juice these:
Apricots
Avocados
Bananas
Blueberries
Cantaloupes
Coconuts
Honeydew melons
Papayas
Peaches
Plum/Prunes
Strawberries


Avocado Fun Facts


Mayo Clinic article on juicing.


Is Juicing overhyped?

Do your research and make your own decision about juicing.  There is ample information available on the internet.  Be aware of who is promoting the website as that MAY (will) taint their viewpoint

40 Marathons!

10 years ago this past October, I ran my first marathon in Portland, Oregon.  At the time, running another marathon was possible but I wasn't committed to it until after the new year began.  I didn't run after the Portland Marathon until the new year.  And then the idea of trying another marathon pricked at my brain for a couple of months until I gave in and signed up for the Seattle Marathon set for November.


It has dawned on me recently that I will be running my 40th marathon this Sunday in Seattle.  That's a big number for me!  How should I celebrate?  Do I wear something on race day that signifies this milestone or do you think that's bragging, showboating, hotdogging, etc?  


Without the Marathon Maniacs, I'm sure my marathon count would be about 10 or less.  Thanks to my Insane Running Club for supporting my healthy habit!  And if you didn't know, there will be a BOOK about this amazing group coming out soon.  I will post a link to the book when it becomes availble.  

5th day!

For those considering juicing, take note:  This could get expensive!  It takes a lot of fruit and vegetables to make juice.  Seriously.  It's great and healthy but not for the pocketbook unless you have your own garden (which can be expensive to set up and maintain, too...and time-consuming).  I can't imagine the entire family juicing with me.  

I didn't sleep enough last night and has kept me from being more active.  A chocolate Shakeology and Pink Lady before my run today should give me enough energy.  I also did a 10 minute ab workout which really doesn't require a lot of "energy".  

Observations:  Each day I wake thinking this will be the day I cave.  But instead, I find that I am not suffering in any way, am not "starving" and feel great.  That doesn't mean this is a permanent way of eating for me, but I know I can still maintain a good level of activity as long as I time nutrition with my workouts and listen to what my body is saying.  I'm getting nervous about Thanksgiving, only because I don't want to go back to my old habits.  I'm hoping to remember this feeling of energy and lightness when that chocolate candy starts its siren call.  I also notice I have to focus on drinking more water.  I also need to make more vegetable juices and ease up on the fruit.  Gah.  


Today's 8 mile run was easy and I did notice I felt hungry a couple miles in, something I had noticed on my run 2 days ago.  The hunger dissipated after a couple of miles.  I have had 2 Shakeology-s today along with 3/4th of a banana.  These are the juice and soup recipes on tap for today. 


I have 3 avocados remaining so I will probably make the same soup as I made last night but may tweak it...but I don't want to- it was so yummy!  I am sure I'm getting enough energy from my drinks as I'm thinking clearly and am not lacking energy.  Protein has been a concern and adding Shakeology has helped.


A side note:  my daughter is making home-made garlic fries as I type.  Sigh.  I am slightly craving potatoes, bread and BUTTER, maybe a toasted cheese sandwich.  Why Why Why?  


Soup Recipes: This site has been helpful in giving me more vegetable combinations.

Pink Lady

1 grapefruit

1 orange

1 apple

1 pear

1/2-1 cup cranberries

Refreshing breakfast juice and the apple/pear/orange cut the bitterness down enough for me to drink.  As much as I should love grapefruit, I am not able to eat them as they are so bitter and sour for my taste. 



Citris Kick!
2 oranges
1/4 lemon
1 apple
1 inch gingerroot

Wow, this turned out spicy!  A little less ginger next time.  Otherwise good and citrusy.



My Own Gazpacho- take 2
6 carrots
4 celery ribs
1 beefsteak tomato
2 cups spinach
1 red pepper
1 garlic clove
1/2 onion
1/2 lemon


In blender:
1 avocado
Handful of wheatgrass
Basil - to your taste

Juice first 8 ingredients and add to 1 avocado and a handful of wheatgrass and basil in blender.  Season to taste.  

This was so tasty and filling.  Definitely appreciated the avocado's ability to satisfy my hunger.  The lemon added a nice kick.  Drawback was the ugly mustard color.

Day 5 starts tomorrow - Modified Juice Fast

I'm not "hungry", but I do miss eating and chewing hot food.  I have been lightly heating my soup so that has helped with the cravings.  

A 4 mile run today, kept it easy and felt great again.  Shakeology and 1 1/2 bananas about an hour before my run was perfect.  I made the fruit juice after the run and had Gazpacho for dinner.  I probably should have had more juice today but I wasn't really hungry.

Observations:  Energy levels are excellent.  Sleeping well.  My ring is loose and I'm not as bloated in my stomach.  I am wondering how I will handle the cravings in the next few days.  Watching my family eat has been the most difficult.  If I stay busy, it's not much of an issue.  Food Network is off limits right now (unless it's Bizaare Foods or something equally gross).

Fruity Fun

3 apples, juiced

2 cups frozen fruit medley mix from Costco (mango, pinapple, papaya and strawberries)

Mix in blender.

Loved it.  Sweet and turned out like a sorbet and ate with a spoon.

My Own Gazpacho

6 carrots

4 celery ribs

3 roma tomatoes

2 cups spinach

1 red pepper

1 garlic clove

1/2 lemon

Juice ingredients and add to 1 avocado and a handful of wheatgrass in blender.  Season to taste.  

This was so tasty and filling.  Definitely appreciated the avocado's ability to satisfy my hunger.  The lemon added a nice kick.

Day 4 - Juicing

I feel like I've cheated.  For dinner, I cooked a sweet potato and mixed it with juice in a blender.  I know, it isn't that big of a deal.  I will admit that this cannot be a "juice" fast when I do stuff like that.  So it's a modified juice fast.  I also have eaten whole fruit so there ya go.  Running leaves me wanting more sustenance.


Today started off with a chocolate Shakeology and 1 1/2 bananas again.  I got in my 13 miles, the longest run before Seattle next weekend.  My cell phone was secured in my belt and off I went.  The day was sunny but cold.  Scarf, gloves, hat, sunglasses, underarmor, shorts and knee high socks to keep me warm but not hot.


At mile three, I took a 1-2 minute walk break as I was suddenly feeling a wave of tireness wash over me.  My plan was to get in the 13 but I prepared myself if I lacked energy.  Not to worry, this has happened when I eat a lot of food.  After the walking, I picked it up again and decided to walk a minute as needed but I felt like I could get the miles done.  I thought of friends who have completed ultramarathons of 100 or more miles (ok, a marathon is a pretty big deal, too) and found a way to get through it.  Just get in the miles.


Each mile I felt surprisingly better and never needed to take a walk break.  I think I ate my banana too soon before running and maybe it didn't have time to do its work.


Today's recipes:

Liquid Sunshine

2 oranges

1 lemon

1 inch gingerroot

1 apple

1 pear

2 cups chopped pineaple

Yum Yum Yum.  The original recipe called for the first 3 ingredients.  It was too sour for my taste so that's why I added sweeter fruit.  This made 32 oz.

Mean Green Juice

2-4 cups spinach

1 cucumber

2 apples

1/2 lemon

1 inch gingerroot

4 stalks celery

Forgot to add the apples and wondered how I would ever force it down.  Looked at the recipe again, sighed with relief and added the apples and it was much better.  Phew!

Sweet Potato Soup

4 celery ribs

6 carrots

1 red pepper

1 clove garlic

2 tomatoes

1 sweet potato, baked or microwaved

Fresh basil leaves

1 tsp. garlic salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

Juice the first five ingredients.  Add juice to the basil and sweet potato in blender.  Mix and heat. 


This was delightfully wonderful!  I like sweet potato soup so that helps.  If you don't like sweet potatoes, you would hate it.  Just sayin'.  My husband would gag with every bite.

Juice Fast - day 3

I'm starting my third day of a modified juice fast today.  The first day I added an apple and a banana to my menu.  Yesterday, I ate 1 1/2 bananas and Shakeology before my 10.6 miles run, 1/2 banana after the run and an apple after dinner.  

I had plenty of energy to complete my run yesterday and I attribute that to timing my food with my workouts and Shakeology has always provided me with a lot of energy in the mornings before exercising.


Observations: 


I haven't had the insatiable feeling I assumed I would be experiencing.  My energy levels are great so far.  


I experienced some stomach cramping yesterday but nothing serious.  A low-grade headache appeared last night which isn't surprising since my caffeine consumption has been cut significantly.  Limited coffee and no pop.  I am counting on the headache to dissipate in the next day or two.


Bedtime came an hour earlier than normal for me.  I was so sleepy.  I did wake up an hour earlier than normal, so there was a nice balance.


Here are day 2 recipes and my thoughts on them.


Sweet Sludge

2 carrots

2 apples

1 pear

4 cups spinach

thumb-size peeled piece of gingerroot

Yum.  Really liked it.  It was sweet and gingery, like me :)

One Potato Sweet Potato

1 sweet potato

2 carrots

1 orange

1 pear

I forgot to add the orange.  My husband sipped it and said it tasted dirty?  Maybe I should peel the sweet potato next time?  I wash all my ingredients so I'm not sure what happened.  Maybe it was the missing orange.

Soup Experiment #2

1 tomato

4 carrots

1 red pepper

1/2 onion

2 cups spinach

1/4 cabbage

1 clove garlic

1 avocado

Blend avocado with other ingredients. 

I added a tsp. of salt, basil and pepper.

Flavorful and filling.  Will make again.  Avocado wasn't ripe enough.