Sunny Apricot Juice

I made this juice up myself after I started thinking about Apricot's. I adore them. I have very fond memories of Apricots growing up. My aunts used to make apricot cobbler, jams, and turnovers from apricots growing in their yards. Actually, my Aunt Janice planted two apricot tree's when I was born. One for me and one for my twin brother. So I was inspired to try something new!
The apricot juice is tart and earthy at the same time. I love the combo. I'll probably use more sweet potato next time. I hope you give it a try! The recipe is called Sunny Apricot b/c of the beautiful orange sunset color it makes.


Sunny Apricot Juice
4-5 Apricot's pitted
1 large sweet potato (I actually used half of one, but I think a whole one would be best for this recipe).
1/2 Navel Orange.
dash Nutmeg/Cinnamon (optional)

Juice and ENJOY!

Just FYI, apricots really help get things moving down south if you feel a little blocked up. I hope you guys try this and love it as much as I do.

Keep Juicing, Keep living

till next time!

Sunset Blend Juice and Orange Sun blast Juice

I love this juice. Its normally one I drink at the end of the day b/c is just comforting. I'd say its my comfort juice (like all those really high fat things we call comfort food, I've replaced it with this juice). Don't let the beets or sweet potatoes scare you. You don't have to cover sweet potatoes with sugar and marshmellows to enjoy them.

Sunset blend Juice
I large Sweet Potato (not a yam a sweet potato. Their is a difference)
1 medium carrot
1 large bell pepper (red, yellow, or orange)
2 large beets (I normally use 1.5)
2 apples
1 orange (this is optional but I'd so put it in the recipe. It changes how things taste)

The next recipe I have yet to try, however since its similar to the above recipe, I wanted to share it. I'm excited to try it!

Orange Sun blast Juice (this would be a morning juice)
1 beet
1 carrot
1/2 cup pumpkin
2 chilis (optional)

Hope you'll get past the fear of the beets and sweet potatoes and give these a try! They're really good and filling and just make you go "ahhhhh"

Cherry Limeade Recipe

One of my all time favorite drinks pre-jucing was Sonic's Cherry Limeade. It's ingredients are Sprite, cherry syrup and limes. Can we say FULL of SUGAR and nothing good? My friend, Jenni, found a blogger, who made a juice out of cherries and limes and it's fantastic! No its not totally like Sonic's b/c its REAL juice not syrup but it definitely hits the spot. Here's the recipe

2 Cups Cherries (pits discarded)
2 Limes (peeled)
5-6 Kale Leaves
2 Pink Lady Apples (I didn't have those, so I just used whatever).

Juice the Kale first, then the rest. Put over ice and enjoy!

MIA no longer

Hello fellow juicers and people changing the way they view food to improve their health! I've been MIA for over a week due to my massive presentation and the emotions that came with it plus the end of my journey for school is dwindling down. I have three weeks to go (GASP) and one more massive test in September to pass then I"M DONE! Life sometimes gets in the way when we want to do changes in our lives and I will say I totally didn't live up to the concept of changing my eating behavior while away for a week. I flopped right back into OLD behaviors b/c it was easy. When I came out of my fog Wednesday, I was like oh WOW this really sucks! I've gained oh about 3lbs back from the 19 I've lost. Today I have scheduled in juicing time to get back on track. My fridge is stocked still and I can't let it go to waste. I'm glad to be back I will say that.
My next post will be a recipe I found, thanks to a friend, that I adore and wanted to share b/c its nowhere on the reboot website. It even has GREEN juice and is yummy.
Till then! Keep juicing, Keep changing, Keeping moving!

I'm BACK!

Just a quick apology that I've been MIA the past few days. With a birthday and finishing my huge massive presentation that I present the next two weeks (beginning tonight), it's been a little difficult to post and update everyone on my progress or my favorite juices/meals. Since July 11th, I've pretty much indulged and even ate *gasp* Fast food *face palm*. However, I haven't beat myself down about it. I looked at the reasons that led me to eat something I really wasn't craving...emotions and lack of sleep. Part of the Reboot is learning about why you eat what you do and teaches you that sleep is so important (other than planning). I'm a work in progress and never will I say I am perfect on this journey. I will share the pitfalls b/c we all have them. The hamburger made me feel greasy and sick to my stomach. I drank Senna tea that night to combat it. It did nothing to meet my emotional need or my need for food. It was like eating empty crap. I still felt bad afterwards (physically and emotionally). I still felt tired...and it wasn't even tasty!
Yesterday I had a salad at Panera. It had chicken on it but I caught myself digging around for the veggies and fruit and bypassing the chicken. It was like $13! I'm like uh dude I so can make this at home for cheaper :)
My plan is to continue to juice and eat veggies/fruit and start learning more about other nutritious ways to eat that will benefit my body and my mind...not just feed it. My cousin (3rd I believe) has been oh so helpful and sending me different links to look into. She's so supportive and we've just now found each other. God sends people into our lives at the oddest times. I'm looking forward to learning more about how to really eat for our bodies and mind and not eat just to feed our emotions.
I really love pasta and bread. However the last few days I've had my share of it and my stomach feels awful. I feel lethargic and I'm wondering if maybe its the wheat in the food. I'm going to look into alternatives to processed wheat. I truly believe, we as Americans, eat too many processed foods or chemically engineered food. We don't know how to read labels or really know what we are putting into our bodies b/c we eat just to eat. We don't care about where our food comes (not all of us) just that its easy to get and convenient.  I'd prefer to be one of those people who LIVE to EAT (in the good way) not EAT to LIVE.
Till later...I have new juice recipes to try and share!
Wish me luck
Keep on Living, Keep on Juicing.

Birthday happiness and questions

Yesterday I turned the ole 32! After a day of counseling and supervision I was off to Chatvegas to see friends. I drank three juices before I went knowing I would indulge in one of my favorite restaurants food, that was nowhere near my juicing journey. I guess I took part of a day off. Its 2:14 the next day and I'm still stuffed and drinking juice doesn't sound so fabulous. More to that in a minute. I glutinously shoved my face full of salad (iceberg is so not filling) and garlic rolls. Then ate one of my favorite dishes, which didn't taste all that great but was still wonderful. The dessert was drool inspiring though. My stomach happily rebelled 30 minutes after ingesting the heavy food. At least I could tell what was coming out of me! That's definitely a first. I know TMI but hey part of juicing and eating vegetables and fruit really changes that part of your life and finally you can tell what you've eaten! I burped garlic, felt queasy and a little out of it on the drive home. My stomach didn't feel all that great either.
Fast Fwd to 12 hours later. I'm awake and still not hungry. The though of juicing makes me tired. The thought of eating something horrible for me and easy to get sounds nice because I have so much to do. WHY? I just feel sluggish and would love to just indulge some more because its easy. I've lost 17lbs and have felt wonderful. I've done this before (been there, done that). It made me think to myself when I stopped by the grocery store to get kale and celery. Why do I get to a goal then get in my way and revert back to old ways? The change I've seen in my body, my clarity, energy, and mind have been startling (in a good way). I want to change, not go back to what I've done before. Yes I've lost 17 lbs and gained a lot of good things however I'm still far from my weight goal and the other goals in my life. I don't want to eat McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Sonic or some high caloric food that doesn't give back to my body and mind. It would be so much easier to do something easy and give in, but I wouldn't get where I want to be. HEALTHY. I just wish I understood why (emotionally, intellectually I sorta understand). Thoughts?

I'm going to drink my wonderful Green Lemonade. I'm happy to have it here even if I don't feel hungry. I need its boost to get rid of the loads of butter, bread, and pasta I stuck in my body last night.

Keep Juicing, Keep Living.

 

Cherry Cinnamon Apple Bake

My cousin (Angela the great) asked me for the Cherry Apple Bake Recipe after I posted a picture on FB. I will definitely share it with everyone.

1 cup Cherries (cut and discard pit. Cut it around the middle. Easier to get the pits out)
2 apples chopped
3 tbsp raisins (I didn't use any b/c I didn't have any)
1 Tbsp Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp Nutmet
I used pumpkin pie seasoning from last year. It has the same stuff in it

Pre-heat oven to 375. Place fruit and seasoning into baking dish and cover. Cook for 40-45 minutes, until the apples are soft.

This taste like pie filling but oh so much better for you! I don't even miss the crust!
Hope you try it and enjoy!

Looking fwd to activity again

Overall things have been exhausting. Writing for most of the day to get this all finished has been difficult. I thought, well hey it'll be easier to juice regularly b/c I can make my juices right then. *facepalm* EPIC FAIL. Prior to this weekend, I would make all my juices for the day (6 total) based on plans and recipes. This weekend, my schedule was so off from staying up uber late and waking up uber late in the morning that I missed my first 2 juices of the day! Yesterday I believe I only had 3 juices, 1/2 of what I am supposed to have. I had crab legs for lunch with a friend and for the first time ever no BUTTER! They tasted divine. I even said no to fried pickles which before I would have dived into them with relish. My friend was like wow you've changed! I will definitely juice tonight so I can be prepared for tomorrow and have to go to bed at a regular time. This up till 1-3 am isn't cutting it for me.
Right now I'm having Apple-Carrot-Ginger juice. I haven't had this one in awhile and I love it. Planning is important on any type of life style change (I didn't say diet b/c this isn't a diet to me. Its a life style change). With juicing, I think you get the most bang for your buck if you follow your recipes instead of going willy nilly and making whatever juice. I can tell some of my veggies aren't getting used b/c I'm making the same juices over and over. I'm like ugh why did I do that. Now I'm stuck with drinking ones I'm not so excited about without the ones that make my taste buds go ziiiiiinnnnnnnnggggggg! I'm listening happily for the "beep beep" of my oven. I made cherry and apple bake for later today. I hope its as good as it sounds. The baker in me is like where is the crust? I'm like can I crush graham crackers over it? Of course I'm not going to b/c I want to see what it'll be like without all that.
Well off to type away so I can get done with the blasted paper. I still have the recording to transcribe (ugh) but hey I just want the paper out of the way. Oooo I hear beep beep!
Keep Juicing, Keep Living. Till later!

Weight loss plateau and how to kick it to the curb

I posted today on the Reboot forum about how my weight loss has stopped for the past few days. After reviewing the following taken from Stacy Kennedy, a nutritionist as part of the reboot team, I wanted to share what she posted. It was posted on 7/11/2011 and titled, Break Through A Weight Loss Plateau. 

  Bump up your water intake. Getting adequate hydration is very important for weight loss. Our bodies are 70% water and the metabolic process of burning fat requires the compounds water offers us (those good ‘ole Hs, and Os).


Drink more juice. Taking in too little in terms of nutrients and calories can lead to weight refusing to budge. Essentially we are hardwired to prevent starvation. We gain weight easily and taking it off is difficult. This prevents starvation in lean times. Our environment has changed much faster than our genes. Lean times are rare for most of us, although let’s not forget that hunger remains a serious problem for men, women and children across the world and often right in our own towns. (I digress from our weight loss tips but want to mention this important topic).


Balance out your juices. Be sure to add some veggies to most if not all of your juices to keep calories and carbohydrates balanced.


Get moving. Walking is a great way to boost metabolism and weight loss. If longer walks are not feasible doing 3, 10 minute walks is a great and effective option. Moderate pace is best too, no need to be an athlete, just active. Cycling, stationary bike, water aerobics, tai chi and yoga are other good ideas for exercise.


Cut the sh*t. Some folks experience constipation during their Reboot. As a nutritionist we talk about these sensitive topics all the time but many are not comfortable discussing potty talk. Stool weighs a lot! When weight loss screeches to a halt it may be that you’re backed up. Check out our tips for constipation in the FAQ section. A bowel movement, especially if it’s been a few days can lead to a 2-5# drop in weight!!!


Hit the sack early. Poor sleep and lack of sleep are correlated with difficulty losing weight. Addressing sleep is often enough to get the scale moving again.

Check your weight weekly. While it’s tempting to get a daily number, this can do more harm than good. Everyone’s weight will bump up and down a few pounds day to day. It’s not meaningful in terms of actual weight lost or body composition changes but it’s very meaningful in terms of being discouraging and playing mind games.

Think big picture. Are your clothes fitting looser, have you lost inches? It is not unusual to see body composition changes before weight loss.

Practice patience. Research shows that our body’s internal environment will often change faster than our weight. Your blood pressure may be less, your cholesterol or blood sugar may be lower, you may have more energy, clearer skin or stronger nails and hair but that darn scale doesn’t show any of these achievements. Don’t despair! Your weight will move in time. Weight loss is a very complex process.

Connect with your supports. We are all in this together! Whatever your Reboot goals we are all here to support each other. When you are feeling down about your weight or any other aspect of the Reboot process please remember to reach out. You are not alone.


I totally see where I've gone off track. I'm not drinking enough water, enough juice, not getting enough sleep and not connecting with the supports I need more frequently. *facepalm* I haven't drank as much juice because I haven't felt hungry. I started off drinking 5 juices a day and now I'm down to 3-4. Not enough. The water is always low for me b/c I hate tap water. I don't like adding the packets from crystal lite b/c it just taste gross now after real juices. I need to add more veggies. Fruit ones are so much easier but it doesn't catapult the weight loss. Lack of sleep has always been a problem for me. I have more energy so I stay up later and I fight through my medication that helps me sleep. I loose track of time oh so easily. Time to get back on track. I've also started browsing others blogs for support and posting on the forums. Its already 4 pm here and I've only had one juice, the acorn squash I made last night and now going to make Green Lemonade. This helped me. I hope it helps you!


the faery is out to juice and type away. This paper isn't going to write its self. Lets see the change happen!

Emo-eating rears its head

Today has been difficult. Emotionally I've had some things hit and that normally leads to emo-eating, as I like to call it. I've been craving Sonic's Cherry Limeade and pizza of all things. PIZZA! Really? I've not stuck to just juicing but fixed acorn squash with mushrooms, leeks and sage last night. I had kale chips yesterday. I'm very hungry today and want to emo-eat but can't bring myself to do it. What is Pizza gonna do for me? Just add to the ample extra baggage I carry and not really satisfy me at all. Other diets (W.W.) would say hey its okay give in and have a slice. However that's how I've been stuck in this pull of gaining and loosing. Its time to stop! I don't need Pizza. My brain keeps saying I do but I know I don't. Its just very difficult today. I'm going to make some Green Lemonade and slug it back. My brain and my will are at a battle. Any support would be appreciated! Struggling....

Calories and Protien

Many people I've talked to recently continually ask me, "What about protein?" as if meat is the only way we can get protein in our diets. I think we are so tuned into the whole, "must consume meat/diary to achieve protein" thought process that we forget that vegetables/fruits do provide us with protein and ample enough calories and calcium. We don't have to get a salad covered in bacon/ham/eggs/cheese to amp up the protein/calcium then drown it in dressing. Its interesting how different my taste buds are during this process. I've not covered them in processed foods, sugary drinks and meat. I can actually taste the vegetables and fruit. I've come to like somethings that I hadn't before and appreciate other ones, especially in the combinations. Below you will see some juices I drink and their caloric, protein and FIBER (remember FIBER is as important as protein) intake. They're not recipes just the names of the juices I enjoy. The greens ones are getting easier by the day!

V28 Juice
Calories 340
Protein 17
Fiber 2

Blackberry Kiwi Blend
Calories 458
Protein 6
Fiber 18

Green Juice
Calories 180
Protein 12
Fiber 1

Sunset Blend Juice
Calories 436
Protein 9
Fiber 2

Green Lemonade
Calories 405
Protein 7.5
Fiber 2

Sweet N Tart Citrus
Calories 280
Protein 8
Fiber 2

I'm not withering away and starving because I'm not having animal products every day. As Joe Cross, the guy who completed the documentary Fat, Sick & nearly Dead said (I don't quote), I carry enough steak, fast food, cheese on my stomach/thighs/butt. Its all stored there. Through this process, I plan to eliminate some of it.
Hope everyone enjoys their weekend.

Till then.....

Epic Weekend...Juice clarity influenced

This weekend is a big one for me. I won't be working like normal, running around after dogs. Instead I will be shut up in my house typing and researching. On the 17th of this month I do my final and last presentation for school to get my degree. The last 10 months are all riding on this one paper I have to defend based on what I choose to do with a client (how I counseled etc). Normally, I would eat willy nilly to just keep going, throwing back Red Bulls and Dr. Pepper, eating Sonic or whatever food I could locate in my house. This time, I need the mental strength and clearness that I have experience in the past few weeks. An abundance of Red Bull and caffeine will only make me totally amphed up jittery and fast food will make me sluggish. How in the world did I live like that before?
Hippocrates said, "Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food."  I fed myself crap and my brain gave me back crap as well as my body. I feed myself good stuff and I get clarity and energy back. Hippocrates must have been on to something. Anyone else think that?

Before I forget, Tuesday I returned to dance. I get a lot of low aerobic exercise at work Fri-Mon however it really doesn't do much for my body other than keep me moving. I'm thankful I've had at least that int he past 10 months because who knows how big I'd be, how tired etc. I quit dancing 3-5 nights per week when I started this process of getting my masters. Tuesday's schedule changed some and I was able to go to a beginners Ballet Class. My legs felt like jello when I was done. BUT I MADE IT THROUGH IT! I was so chuffed! I wasn't sure if I'd be able to. I still have some doubts about will my plant based diet sustain me during a work out, even an easy one? Well it did. I'm excited to try to fit it in on Tuesday's between my last counseling session and class.

till next time.

Pineapple extravaganza!

Bought my first ever pineapple today! No, not the kind that's already cut up and sliced and diced. A whole pineapple with all its outside beauty. I'm excited to try new recipes today with it. Hopefully I won't slice off a finger trying to get the bloody thing cut.
Here's a few recipes I"m going to try since this sucker is a big pineapple!

The Watering Pineapple
1 cup watermelon
1 cup pineapple
2 carrots
2 celery (I may go with just 1)
ginger (as I want for Zing)

Pineapple and Beet
4 cups pineapple
1/2 beet

Apparently pineapple goes well with cucumber, apples, celery from the research I've done. I hope it's tasty as it sounds! It can cut down on some of the "greener" tasting ones if I throw it in and make it a bit sweeter.

The following are other juices I'll have today.
V28 Juice
2 beets
2 carrots
2 celery (one most likely)
3 tomatoes
4 cups parsley
1 jalapeno

Bountiful Brassic Juice <---not looking forward to this one
2 Broccoli Stalks
2 wedges of Cabbage (I have to use whats in the fridge)
2 cups Kale
1 apple (I think I"ll put two)
1 Lemon
Ginger

Sunset Blend Juice
1 large sweet potato
1 medium carrot
2 beets
2 golden delicious apples
1 red bell pepper

I've had this before and love it, however I don't have red bell pepper or golden delicious apples, only granny smiths but it should work fine.

Just so everyone knows, I'm down to 198! I have about 43 lbs more to go to be at the weight I'd like to be. I'm going to figure out how to post pictures on here eventually so look for those to come!

Till then

Experiement gone bad

It's been a total of 11 days since I began my juicing journey. Today, I gave into a craving but also wanted to do an experiment on returning to food after a juicing. I like to live on the edge ;) Well lets just say, it went awry quickly into the experiment. I started my day off with three good juices and then decided to head out for lunch to the Stir Fry Cafe. I bought what I thought was a good lunch...tofu, rice noodles, broccoli, red peppers, mushrooms....man oh man did my stomach regret it as did I in the end. It wasn't all that tasty. I automatically noticed that it had oyster sauce or juice in it and it was deemed "vegetarian". It was amazing the amount of things I could taste and it was just way too "oily". I ended up feeling like I had a bowling ball in my stomach. It felt very expanded and full with an oily feeling to it. I kept burping and had stomach cramps. I just wanted to heave it into the toilet and get it out of my system. I felt groggy, foggy and other oggies throughout the rest of the night at work. Drunken Noodles...and boy did I feel drunk.  Its 11:20 pm and I still feel "full" but not in a good way. I'm hungry but my stomach just feels heavy and gross. I don't want to put anything else in my stomach. I had repercussions for eating it trust me. The bathroom and I at work were well acquainted today. I can't wait to get back on my juicing after this experiment gone bad. Giving into my craving ended badly. Later on I'll post about how to ease out of a juice fast or any fast for that matter without ending up like I have. Gassy, bloated, bowling ball feeling and "oggies". Tomorrow is another day and I'll embrace my juice! Fresh, good, that gives me real energy instead of this crap I experienced today. Fennel will be in the picture since it helps with bloating due to increase of salt (OMG can we say there was tons of salt in that food) and helps with gas. I don't want to scare my clients by farting every few minutes which I can safely do in my own home.

For those thinking of beginning a juicing journey, be warned. Experimenting without knowledge is bad idea. *facepalm*

till then....