The Pah-Zone

What my transformation and health looks like

Week 1

   Week 2.5 (-19lbs)  Week 3 (-25lbs)

 Week 1

 Week 2.5 (-19lbs)  Week 4 (-25lbs)

My hard work is beginning to pay off.  The last month has been quite challenging, but incredible. I can't wait to see how far I take this. I'm not buying into a specific amount of time or weight loss number.  I'm just going to listen to my body and do what it tells me.

I feel lighter today...

Today is going to be a great day.  I can feel it in my bones.  Yesterday is gone.  All traces of it and I welcome its exit.  Bring on the greatness of the day.  I invite it in.

Be well.

It's been one of those days! Argh!

You ever have one of those days where everything is going normal, yet you feel uncomfortable in your own skin? That was me today.No matter the positive things around me, I felt like I was attracting negative energy. I argued with David today and ever since then I've been up and down.  I had an amazing yoga session today where I really focused on my breathing and form.  All the while I was casting out positive thoughts to the universe to keep me calm and loving.  I think the juice feast is bringing up a lot of crap.  Smelly, dark, sticky mind gew that's been around for a long time.  I think I've been able to rid myself of most of it today because allowed myself to cry tonight.  I haven't cried in some time and I'm exhausted.

But what I do know is that a good night sleep will do me wonders.  I know I'll be better tomorrow.  Today gave me perspective.  And I thank myself for that teaching moment.

Be well.

Day 28 of my juice feast

Well I thought I was going to be better able to keep up with my blog during my juice feast, but I haven't.  Time to focus and get back to it.

The last 28 days have been filled with challenges.  Both physical and psychological.  By far, it's been the most profound experience of my life.  Never have I thought I would be so in touch with my body and be able to remain so focused on its transformation and healing.  My hunger for energy has shifted from food to balance and spirituality.  Don't get me wrong, I still miss cooked food.  Even stranger, I'm craving flesh and dairy which is something I haven't touched in almost a year since I went vegan.  I know it will pass, but it's interesting how my food detoxing is really drudging up deep rooted taste memories.  However I will rise above.  I must, for me.

The wonderful feeling on the inside is finally manifesting on the outside.  My skin looks more youthful, my clothes are starting to loosen and I'm down almost 26 lbs.  That's amazing and all in one month!  My body is full from the more than 5 quarts of fresh juice I consume everyday.  However my mouth and throat want to chew and swallow food. It's all very strange.

If anything, this experience has taught me to listen to my body.  Listen to what it needs, listen to what issues it has with specific foods, and to find the time to balance your body and mind through meditation, stretching and yoga. You need an outlet for some of the negative toxins.

Be well.

Day 3 of my Global Juice Feast

Well it's officially my third day on the Global Juice Feast and so far so good.  

Day 1 was an exciting day filled with experimentation.  Trying to see which fruits tasted best with what veggies.  There were a lot of hits and some very big misses.  Kale can easily be your friend at one point, then turn on you in a second.  It's one of those greens that can knock you on your ass.

Day 2 - down 4.4 lbs - YAY!  Got a massive migraine at the end of the day - BOOOOO!.  I didn't have the appetite to even fix my fifth juice of the day so I went to bed at 9:30 p.m.  I awoke on my 3rd day with so much energy that I jumped out of bed to juice.  

Day 3 - down 3 lbs - YAY!  Felt great all day - YAY!  Feel like last night was my body doing some serious cleansing.  Still have energy at 8:45 p.m. and am beginning to listen to my body a bit more. What interesting about my journey thus far is my stomach isn't telling me it's hungry, my mouth is.  I crave chewing and cooked vegan food.  However it's easier for me to recognize the craving as a behavior vs. hunger.  Wonder how being a liquidarian will impact me down the road.  Guess we'll just have to see.

How Green Is My Fridge?!

Bring it Farmer Ted!  Tonight I prep for the next 30+ days as part of a Global Juice Feast.  Crazy?  I don't think so. Can you think of a better way to infuse your body with wonderful nutrients and energy?  Again, I don't think so.  I'm pretty jazzed about this journey.  I have NO idea what it will bring, how I will feel, or if I can seriously can keep it up.  I plan to do my best.  I have the support of David, a close friend of mine who will join me on this juice feasting adventure, and me.  That's all I need.  I plan to fully document my journey - all ups and downs.  Here's hoping for more ups.  Wish me luck!

Back to reality...sorta.

Today is the day we prepare to head back to Brooklyn after a long and much needed vaca in Olive Bridge. As usual, David worked his magic to make this week so wonderful.  I'm excited to start 2009 on the right foot - even starting my Global Juice Feast tomorrow.  Jumping back into life after a long break can be like those Polar Bear enthusiasts who jump in the ocean on New Year's Day.  A tremendous shock, but you get used to it after a few minutes.  The comforting reality is that I know I'm not the only one feeling this way.  So here's to a smooth transition back into reality y'all!

Something made me smile today...

It was like the Universe was saying, "hey VK read this!"  Enjoy.

"be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars;  to be satisfied with your possessions;  to despise nothing in the world except falsehood and meanness, and to fear nothing except cowardice;  to be governed by your admirations rather than by your disgusts;  to covet nothing that is your neighbor's except his kindness of heart and gentleness of manners;  to think seldom of your enemies, often of your friends...and to spend as much time as you can with body and with spirit. these are little guideposts on the footpath to peace."

henry van dyke

A Cleansing Moment

So New Year's Eve and Day did a number on me.  Not only did I sleep a ridiculously long amount of time, but I managed to stay in bed ALL day.  Guess it's not that bad if you don't do it everyday.  However when you're used to being active during the day, you can't help but feel like a sea slug.  So in order to ignore the kryptonite under my bed, I went to bed early with the help of chemistry.

Today I awoke to light snow falling outside my window.  Being away from the city can be a magical and transformative experience.  The daily pressures of life tend to numb or sleep while new memories and senses reveal themselves for you to enjoy.  Sure...there are times when work thoughts still pop to the front of my mind, but the impact feels less.  Think it would be great if I could strengthen this muscle to help manage thoughts to ensure the relevant ones are being taken care of at the appropriate time.  Not when I'm taking pictures of nature.  That blows.  I mean why would I even allow myself to conjure that up?

So today is our last day in Olive Bridge.  We've been here for about a week.  A wonderful blessing and great time to chill.  I'm ready to get back to Brooklyn.  I'm also ready to start my Global Juice Feast. The Feast itself begins tomorrow, January 3.  However I'll be on the road driving back home that day so I'll begin my Feast on Sunday, January 4.  I still have to shop for all my produce and stuff.  I'm not sure if I know what 2lbs of fresh greens a day looks like. Might need to empty out our guest room to accommodate a farm stand.

So Sunday is the day that begins my Global Juice Feasting and self transformation.  I'm looking forward to giving this gift to my body.  I'm sure I will be flooded with various emotions and my body will be speaking to me in unique and new ways.  I plan to document my journey for myself.  Daily pics and weight amounts - eesh.  Time to be open and honest I guess.  It's the only way to be, especially for this to work!

Speak to you on Sunday when I drink my first quart of Green Juice.  Until then, have an abundant day.

A Winter Wonderland

I woke up this morning with a fresh blanket of snow on the ground.  Such a change from Brooklyn or Manhattan snot.  It feels much more tranquil, quiet, and natural when you're up-state.  It's something that immediately triggers the need to cocoon and restore your body and mind.  David and I always feel so blessed to stay in Olive Bridge.  It recharges our souls and give us time to openly share togetherness.

It's New Year's Eve and I'm so ready for 2009.  Three day left before I transition into a 30 to 90 day global juice feast.  I'm rather excited and quite nervous at the same time.  I know there's a 60 day gap in that time frame, but I'm giving myself permission to truly listen to my body and see what this journey brings.  I'm jazzed as hell to be doing it for me.  I've never felt this way before and plan to document my journey.  But for now, I plan to enjoy the rest of my holiday.  

Happy New Year and may the universe fill you with abundance!