Dear Dairy...

We need to talk.

They put you in almost everything, including things you really have NO business being in.  You lurk, skulk about, hiding in a deep and complicated list of ingredients and use false identities to conceal yourself.  In the human diet, you're a complete and total fraud.

Potato chips.  Why?  Why are you there?  It's not 'potato and milk chips,' so wtf are you in there?  It's a trap.  Good thing I'm not eating potato chips.

Thank goodness for an app on my phone I can use to scan any food that's processed, and not that I NEED to eat processed foods.  It just happens sometimes.  I should fix that.

As diligent as I am I'm not perfect at finding the hidden dairy in certain foods.  And OH... do I EVER pay the ultimate price when I do.  *sigh*

Dear dairy, I'm sorry.. but I broke up with you because you're a sadistic bitch who hurts me whenever I have to deal with you.  Our relationship over the years has been toxic, though I failed to see the connection between you and so much discomfort and misery.  This is the end.  We must part ways, completely and totally.

You should stick with the calves for which you were perfectly created.  And I know mankind has treated the life that holds you like garbage, living factories for human consumption.  And I'm deeply sorry for that.  So I will continue to do my part to not support the industry who do those vile and inhuman things we know happen.

As for last night---I forgive you.  I'm still breaking up with you.  But I forgive you, because you weren't meant for me.  Yes, I indulged in you unknowingly and paid a HUGE price for it.  But I forgive you just the same.

Goodbye, dairy.  I wish you well.

Crafty little devils

It's been an odd day of thinking, reflection, research and nostalgia.  I haven't a clue on where things will go once I get my liver biopsy.  Oh, yeah.. my Dr. decided we should go ahead and do one.  It's the 'gold standard' in diagnosing and staging NASH, and to also see if fibrosis, etc. is present.  I'm not expecting them to find fibrosis, but the biopsy is the only way to know what's what.  It's a risky procedure and one I'm NOT looking forward to.. which those of you already know if you've read the entries in Where Fireflies Dream.  Still, my entire diet will need to change, and I am glad I eat a plant-based diet because that's going to be my saving grace.  However, I will have to limit fruit and all forms of fructose.  C'est la vie.  Whatever it takes.

Things have to change.  Significantly.

Sorry this is short, but I spent all of my energy posting on Where Fireflies Dream and have so little left of me at this point.   No worries, because I intend on getting back here to talk about things later.  No promises.  But I do intend to...

Fell off the grid for a bit, didn't I?

It happens to the best of us.  Plus there's still a lot of house renovations going on.  And yeah, that was supposed to be finished, but you know how it is.  One thing is shiny and new, and the thing next to it looks like crap. lol  Yeah.  Really.

Juicy bits---plant-based diet works well for me, but DAMN it's hard to find stuff they don't add milk or eggs to!  Didn't eat for most of the day the other day, so yeah... was feeling a little woozy.  Stopped by a gas station to find something to snack on.  Found a bag of chips--no, NOT the best choice but better than most--dill flavor.  DILL.  Whipped out my trusty app, "Is it Vegan?" and scanned it.  NOPE.  NOT vegan!  Whey in the ingredients.  I mean, really?  Who puts milk products on potato chips?  It wasn't ranch flavor.  It was DILL! lol  Pickles and milk.  eeeeew!

Oh well. lol  I had a good laugh and moved on.

Other health issues are hanging out there and awaiting scrutiny by specialists.

Lung nodule still needs to be evaluated.  I opted for a second opinion due to the fact that the first pulmonary doctor didn't know the difference between 1.1 mm and 1.1 cm.  HUGE difference!  So that appt will come soon.  She did express deep concerns, as did the rheumatologist, with regards to the plethora of lab values that were out of range.  Most of these were associated with the liver.  Long story, that.  I see that specialist July 20th.  The symptoms and pain is getting worse, so we'll see if I can hold out that long.

Well, I plan to post a bit more often.  Right now there is SO much I need to say.  But I just can't at the moment.  Much to be done with regards to choosing paint, lighting, etc. to finish the front bath.  And there's the kitchen to be dealt with.

Till tomorrow....

Oh. My. GOURD!! It costs HOW MUCH????!!!

Day 17 and it's the end.  Yes, the end.  But not completely the end.  But don't break out the tissues and start playing Taps just yet!  Let me explain what made me decide to change up the fabric of what I'm doing...

No worries about juicing itself, because everything was fine.  It's a great experience that I am continuing, but not 100% as a juice fast!  And there's a damn good reason for this choice.

Cost.  Plain and simple.

At the beginning of this journey the cost was estimated to be somewhere around $120/week, roughly.  In that estimate certain factors were considered such as what was in season, not in season, local purchases (which would make things less expensive), and buying organic (which means more expensive).  All T's were crossed and all I's were dotted.  But what we didn't consider were shortages, and for any such shortages to include one of the main staples of juicing---kale.

Well damn!

While doing a bit of research yesterday I discovered a few threads on folks who had given up their juice fasts due to cost.  And I found as many discussions on those who chose to suck it up and continue despite the cost.  While this whole cost thing concerned me I wasn't all THAT worried.  But then, T insisted on doing the shopping since he wanted to use his credit card that gave this awesome cash back incentive for shopping at grocery stores.  Okay.  I'm down with that.  And what this translates to is this....

I had NO idea what juicing was costing us until last night!

OH.  MY.  GOURD!

So, how bad could it be, you ask?  $180.00 to $200.00 per week!  YES!!  I know!!!  OMG!

I asked, "WHY didn't you tell me it was costing this much??!!!"  And T's reply was... "I didn't want you to worry, and I knew it was helping you."  *sigh*  Super sweet, yes?  Of course it is.  Still, we have a lot going on and really, a Reboot doesn't HAVE to last 30 days to receive great benefit from all the micronutrients you take in!

I said... "It's time to Transition out."  And so last night I had lentil & veggie soup (vegan, gluten free, organic), and began my transition back into solid foods, and I feel great about my decision.  :)

I had 17 awesome days where my body was flooded with pure, fresh vegetable and fruit juice, free from packaged food, fried food, sugar, gluten, and any other form of garbage that most of us humans put into our systems on a regular basis.

I sleep better than I have since I don't know when, my hair is growing faster, my nails as well, and my skin looks great!  And... I don't crave junk food or sweets!  And trust me, I used to LOOOOOVE sweets.  Not that I wouldn't eat desserts, mind you.  They're just not a temptation anymore.  Also, the allergies that have plagued me over the past two years are GONE!!!  I couldn't breathe before this cleanse, and now I can breathe normally!

And it took only 17 days.  Actually, it took less than that, but I continued my cleanse for 17 days.

What's next?  My next goal is to go vegetarian/vegan.  I didn't grow up this way, and I didn't have this environment ever in my life.  So it's not going to be a "cold turkey" situation (no pun intended).  At least I don't think so.  I still have weight to lose as the prednisone monster and subsequent effects will take some time to correct, but it's okay.  I've come this far and have lost 17 lbs during my Reboot.  :)  I'm good.

So this is really where the fun actually starts!  Phase two is where the works begins, and "the work" IS the fun part, because the journey is going to be fun...  because nothing's really changes, has it?  I mean, all we really want is to look good naked, so... having said that... let's get to work!

Day 14 - Wake Up, Kick Ass, Repeat

Day 14 -  I tried standing like that and I think I pulled something and scared my family.  And my dog.  But the good news is that I've lost 14 lbs so far and I'm one day away from my first 30 day goal!  30 days of juicing, and I'm half way there!  Yay!

Funny ad, but I have to say there's a little truth in it.  These days people are shallow, and unless your significant other truly loves you, he/she will hit the dusty cow pie trail and you'll be left in a fatigue-laden, dust-clouded aloneness.  But then, maybe that's for the best.  Either way, this goofy ad speaks about a "vegetable compound," so there IS a little truth in this advertising, after all.  They just didn't tell the whole truth.  Of course, they were just trying to sell something.

Juicing is still the best way to get an abundance of the good stuff into your body.  Plain and simply put.  And... you'll be peppy too, for yourself, your family, your LIFE!

Life.  My life.  That's really what it's all about anyway.  I have to wake up every day and face myself, who I am, where I am, no matter what, and tell myself that I am okay!  :)  Now, if you're like me you may know you're a bit on the 'not-so-normal side,' and that's even better!  ha!  So go with it. I do, and I plan to keep doing so.

I embrace my not-so-normalness!;p

So today I got out of bed and I told myself that I'm going to take it easier than I did the last few days.  I over extended myself a bit and now I'm paying the price.  But that's not a bad thing, because it just means that my energy is up and that my body is in a state of "WTF??!" lol

Now it's just about taking it a step back and easing into things a little bit at a time and deciding not to conquer the world in one day.  Dang it.  I was so hoping to do that in a day, too!

Another thing I need to remember is to stop being so impersonal about things when I'm making my entries here.  As I was typing I realized I was going down the road of disassociating myself, personally, from my entries (for the most part) and had to go back and change some wording, phrasing, etc.  Old habits, I guess, not wanting to expose myself too much.

Bad habits are meant to be broken, and I'm going to make that one my bitch.

So, what bad habit are you going to make your bitch today?

Noodles!

Day 13 - Big Girl Panties OR Action Pants? Which are you?

Day 13 - and not one f**k shall be given today.  Ha!  Did I just say that? ;)  Yes I most certainly did, and I save that kind of talk for special occasions, honey! lol

Bad mood?  No way!  Just feeling ornery is all.  I do find myself wondering how many more layers of 'skin' I have to grow to be able to handle the smell of cooking food and all those spices!  I still don't have cravings, and I'm not ravenous.  But I miss spices.  I really do.

My tongue is unhappy.

Then... I look at the juices I have to make for tomorrow and see the dreaded.. "Celery Root" recipe!  EGHADS!  NOOOOOOOO!  Seriously, that stuff leaves an aftertaste in my mouth like... oh trust me.. you really don't want me to say that word.  Do you?

I'm not kidding.  And I won't use that word, because I'm really not sure who can or cannot handle it.  I don't know who's wearing their big girl panties, or if any guy who stumbles upon this is wearing his "Action Pants." lol

I mean, 16-20oz of ice cold after-taste of "THAT" in my mouth was too much for me to take, my friends... and it was ALL I could do to gag it down.  ((( shivers )))  Some things should not be cold or in that large of a quantity when you swallow it.  That is all I will say on the matter.

Needless to say I promptly set about looking for an alternative for that particular juice.  Luckily, so far I've come across only two I've disliked.  And "dislike" is far to weak a statement to fully explain my, er, distaste for that particular recipe.

So now what is one to do after learning of that particular unpleasant experience?  Well, my dears, you simple go out and juice yourself a glass and taste it for yourself. lol

Enjoy! ;p

till next time!

Noodles!