As some of you know, last April I did a Raw Food Detox.  I was so amazed by the positive changes that I have continued to live the raw lifestyle.  Wisconsin winter has made it a challenge; however, I can say I maintain the raw lifestyle about 50-75% of the time.  No, not everything I eat is raw.  Yes, I do eat meat on occasion and it is cooked.  Basically, I have increased my whole food intake and limited my processed food intake.  Included is an increase in my raw vegetable, fruit, and nut intake and changing to sprouted grains, raw cheese, organic eggs, raw honey, and other whole foods in their purest form.  You increase the amount of food with real nutrients and decrease the food that has to add nutrients or has little to no nutrients.  Part of this belief is to eat foods with beneficial enzymes and nutrients that the body needs.  We have over processed our foods so much that now they have to add nutrients.  Any time you see fortified it really means, “We stripped all the good shit out of it for you and now we must put it back in.”  We are so concerned with bacteria that we have stripped the good stuff out including the bacteria our body needs.  Not a shocker that we are adding probiotics to our daily intake considering we took all of the good stuff out in the first place.

Enough about my ranting because I can go on for days about the sad shape of our food supply.  However, my lifestyle change has resulted in increase energy, a sexier slimmer body, reduced wrinkles, reduced cellulite, vibrancy, and a kick ass love for my health.  Needless to say I feel Grrrrrreat!  This is why I continue to eat these foods especially when the second you eat crap you feel like crap.  Don’t worry I do eat plenty of crap as my holiday trounces left me feeling bloated and blah.  However, the new year brings new adventures.

My girl, Angel, in Bama has many similarities to me; football being one of them and a love for food being the second.  When she started to see my results, she started asking a ton of questions.  I shared my information willingly and purchased the Raw Food Detox Diet and Raw Food Life Force Energy books for her birthday.  She bought herself a juicer and started living the raw lifestyle.  Although she did not go as hard core as me, she incorporated the aspects that fit into her lifestyle.  Really that is what it is about.  It is not about deprivation; it is about meshing it with your lifestyle to create a more vibrant you.  She started to see plenty of results and became as enthusiastic as me. 

I was blown away when she told me that she tried a 1 day juice fast this past weekend.  She got her husband on board, who has been very patient in her lifestyle change and yet not fully embracing it.  I give him kudos for trying; however, just going along for the ride does not give you an experience.  An experience is ignited when you truly open your heart and mind to the possibilities.  After that, you can tell me it is crap.  If you go in assuming you aren’t going like it, you miss out on the best stuff in life.  As her juice partner support system, he sucked as he started talking about hallucinations.  All I have to say is if I’m going to hallucinate on a 1 day juice fast bring it on.  It is nice to see pink elephants every now and then.  Needless to say they stayed strong for the day and topped the night off with Chinese food.  Mmmm to Chinese food, but probably not the perfect end to a juice fast.

When she told me her story and how she wanted to try it again, I said game on.  I told her I would be her juice fast support system, and asked when do we start?  We decided on a day and Juice Fest 2010 was born.  The day before the fast I went shopping to pick my juice menu for the day.  I chose my typical morning delight of Life Force Power Ade with kale, lemon, apple, celery, beet, and ginger followed by The Oxygenator with carrots, beet, ginger, and Serrano pepper for lunch.  I finished the night off with a delicious sweet Holiday Anytime, which has carrot and pumpkin spice.  I was excited to try some new juice choices as well as enjoy this great experience with a friend. 

I woke up the next day ready to prepare my juices for the day as I knew I wouldn’t get home until late.  I wanted to make sure I would have enough to make it through the day especially since I love food.  I tend to energy crash if I don’t eat.  This was a tremendous concern for me.  On my way to teach Pilates, I called my girl up and left a voicemail in my most hyped up tone, “Juice Fast!”  Really, I was psyched to have this experience.  The day was filled with juice fast updates and both of us screaming “Juice Fast!”  The day was easy, but we both knew the night would be a challenge as warm food would be calling.  We stood strong and checked in one last time to complete our juice fast challenge. 

The experience was f*ing awesome.  First, I tried some new juices.  The Oxygenator rocks if you like spicy food.  I may have never tried it without this wonderful experience.  I am a routine girl when it comes to food.  When I find what I like, I stick with it.  If I get bored, I move on for a short period of time always returning to my comfort.  I now have a new juice to add to my repertoire.  I have been trying to open my food choices more and more and this was just one more way to break my comfort zone.  Second, I accomplished a new challenge.  I was able to see yet again my connection to food.  Looking at the peppermint bark and cookies on the table didn’t make it any easier on me.  However, I was able to see that I didn’t need them.  They may taste good, but it is not a need.  If I want one, sure I’ll have one.  It just doesn’t control me.  Third, I realized how much I inspired my friend.  People tell me that I have inspired them; however, I always struggle to recognize my role.  I downplay role because I struggle with self confidence.  I have been working hard to change that, and this was a moment where I fully accepted my role in the juice fast.  More importantly, I am damn proud to play the role I did.  Lastly and the best part, I was able to support my friend and have an awesome time.  We had so much fun in our conversations.  At one point, she said she would have done the juice fast just for all the fun we were having.  We were traveling a new road together and enjoying all the beauty that was around us.  We are now bonded in a new way,  the Juice Fast way.  I may have inspired her, but she is the one who took the first steps on the road.  I was just able to bring the convertible with the top down.

Where will Juice Fest 2010 go?  The possibilities are endless.  For now, it will be a monthly travel for us.  We will pick one day every month to participate in our juice fast.  We already have a couple of friends ready to join us on the journey.  Come join the Juice Fest with us for a kick ass time.   We will help support you on your journey!  Details on the next date will be coming soon.