Day 1 - 9/18/06
Well this is the first day of my raw foods diet. Lets see how this goes. I went out and bought over $100.00 in raw fruits, nuts, raw honey, etc. I don't know if I can succeed at this diet since I have failed at so many others. However, this one is supposed to be different since it is supposed to help with food addiction issues and I can see how it might work since I don't believe I will be over binging on raw fruits and vegetables. In the past I would be lucky if I ate 1 piece of fruit in a whole month so I think this will be pretty difficult. However, I believe God is calling me to try this for 1 month so I will try it. Quite frankly I am desperate. So I pray that the Lord will strengthen me through this journey and I will get the support of my husband and family as I will need it. Don't know how it will be eating out at restaurants either. I guess I will be ordering lots of salads.

What I hope to achieve on this diet:

Improved health
Better Relationship with God
More energy and not being tired all the time
A huge Weight loss and huge drop in clothing size
Food addiction broken
Return of Self Esteem
Snoring gone for my husband
Sweating to be gone and not smelling
The ability to exercise easily
My husband to be proud of me and really attracted to me

Joint pain gone
Heal spur to stop hurting on my foot

My weight today is 230
Measurements are
Bust 46
Under bust 40
waist at belly button 43
Hips 47
Butt 49
Neck 14 1/2
left and right thigh 29
Left arm 15
right arm 15 1/2
left and right calf 16 1/2
let ankle 9
right ankle 9 1/2

Food ate first day:
pineapple
1 peach
10 olives
trail mix of raw nuts raisins, pumpkin seeds, etc.
dinner salad
apple
a couple spoonfuls of hummus.

By early afternoon I started getting a headache from no caffeine.

Day 2 - September 19, 2006
Woke up with a huge headache from caffeine withdrawal.


Foods eaten:
olives
dinner salad
trail mix of nuts raisins, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds
orange

Day 3 - September 20th, 2006
Had a huge headache all day from caffeine withdrawal.

Food eaten:
Banana
Sushi
dinner salad
honey dew melon
water melon
a slice of kiwi
Date and walnut brownies I got from this site Yummy!

1 glass of juice from the following that me and my husband shared:
orange
apple
carrots
pineapple
pear
strawberries
banana

Felt great today and had 3 BMs which is huge because sometimes I can go a whole week before having a bm. Also down 2 pounds

Day 4 - September 21st 2006

Woke up with a 4 pound weight loss - Yeah!!!. This is good because I am on my monthly. Headache from the caffeine withdrawal finally gone.

Food eaten:

trail mix of raw nuts seeds, raisins
garden salad with oranges
banana
Hummus with cucumber and carrots
pineapple
Date/walnut brownies

Had 1 bm

Day 5 - September 22, 2006

Had the day off so I finally had a chance to post my pictures and my journal entries that I had written down. Also trying to learn how to navigate around this site.

I feel pretty good today not tired. I made raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing from scratch and it was great. I am a little overwhelmed at how much I have to learn to stay on this diet. When I look at the recipes in the raw foods cook book half the foods are foreign to me and I don't know what they are or look like and how and where to get them as the regular grocery stores don't seem to stock a lot of raw/unprocessed foods. I ordered Alissa Cohens book and DVD and I hope that will help. Also I don't have a dehydrator and will not get one until I decide after the 30 days to stay on the diet. Boy this 30 day challenge is really a challenge. I can see variety will be the key to staying on this and I need to since I have so much weight to lose. So I hope I can endure longer than the 30 days. I have never had so much fruit in the house before. But what is nice is God had created so many varieties of fruit to enjoy.

Foods eaten:

Garden salad - with cucumber, tomato, and green peppers with raspberry vinaigrette
1 pear
Date and walnut brownies
Salad with ginger dressing
sushi

Had 2 bms. I was never regular on eating cooked foods, so this is amazing to me. So far a 5 pound weight loss.

Day 6 - September 23, 2006

Woke up a little tired today, probably because I stayed up to late with friends. Went to work and had a headache. Don't know what the headache was from. After work I went to check out a whole foods grocery store I found on the internet which was pretty far from my home and Good foods where I found cocao nibs which and some other trailmix snack that were terrible, but were labeled raw foods. I am a little frustrated today because I feel most of this food is not really satisfying on its own and I need some new ideas. Had 2 bms today and didn't lose anymore weight yet.

Foods eaten:

trail mix of nuts and raw fruits
1 apple
cucumbers and carrots
fresh juice from pear, carrots, apple, orange, strawberries, banana
2 tsp. of Hummus
garden salad

 
Day 7 - September 24, 2006

Woke up with a headache today again. But Lost 2 more pounds yeah, 7 total so far. Yesterday was a real struggle but I am feeling a little more optimistic today. I was doing a little bible reading today and was led to read about John the Baptist and how he existed on Locusts and Honey so I shouldn't complain. Then I read about how Jesus fasted for 40 days and Nights and was tested by satan and He responded "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God". Then I realized that to be successful at this raw food challenge I will also need God's word to help sustain me through the tough spots.

Foods eaten:

Juice from raspberries, oranges, strawberries
10 olives
Hummus
almond/honey cubes
1 pear

Day 8 - September 25, 2006

Woke up with a 1 pound weight loss. 8 pounds total. Yeah. Got my book and DVD today so that is great. Had a BM this morning. Went to the cidermill today with my daughter's preschool class and slipped up by eating a donut. I am not going to beat my self up over it since I did have a 1 week at a perfect raw record.

Foods eaten:

1 banana
1 Cinnamon donut from cider mill
2 glasses of apple cider
hummus
pineapple
dinner salad
date nut brownie
trail mix of nuts and raisins

Day 9 - September 26, 2006

Woke up and weighed myself and I gained that pound I lost yesterday. Must of been that darn donut I ate. It seemed small and harmless but obviously not.

Foods eaten:

trail mix
date nut brownie
dinner salad
sushi
honey dew melon/fresh pineapple
golden delicious apple

Day 10 - September 27, 2006

Woke up and and still at a 7 pound weight loss. Still have not taken off that pound I lost. Had a big bm so I was surprised. Just started reading alissa's book and seem helpful but really need to get more things at the store. I feel overwhelmed with all the food I need to buy that I don't have. Would like to try a fettuccini alfredo recipe and hope my food processor will process the squash like a saladacco so I don't have to buy something else.

Foods eaten:

watermelon
hummus
almond honey cubes
juice from kiwi, mango, apple, carrot
golden delicious apple
nut date brownie

Also just watched Alissas DVD and was helpful. I am little confused still about sprouting. I hope I at least lose another few pounds this week. I need more variety and need to get some more staples fast. After watching the DVD I can see now I had a few misconceptions and screwups. Hopefully I will be able to make it at this diet. I am looking forward to ordering the dehydrator. I hope my 30 day picture looks just as good as the women on the video. I would like to make some serious headway this month cause I know the weight loss will slow down after the first month.

Day 11 - September 28, 2006

Woke up and lost a few pounds so down to 9 Yeah! Today I went to the good and whole foods store to buy some of the suggested items on Alissa's list to buy and spent about $80.00. Wow are almond butter and macadamias expensive. I don't know I will be making a lot of recipes with macadamias. They were hard to get and at $17.95 a pound I feel like I have lost my mind buying them. I am frustrated because the nearest store that sells most of the specialized things on this diet is an hour away so this is taking a considerable amount of effort to be on this. But I did make the Marina sauce over zucchini noodles. The sauce rocked this world but eating it over zucchini will take me a while to get used to. I also don't have a saladacco so I did the noodles though a small hand grater which took forever. I thought my food processor would do it but it won't so I am bummed. My husband even tried it and liked the sauce not so much the zucchini. Both daughters also tried it and didn't like it. I was smart because we all went to wendy's and had dinner there first and then I made it for everyone to try. I don't think my whole family is ready to eat a raw meal with me. But that is ok. I am not going to let that get in my way. The only other thing was the with that marina sauce I think I will have to reduce the garlic. It tasted so good eating it but the taste in my mouth later was disgusting and I had to gargle with mouthwash and it was still there. Had 1 bm today.

Foods eaten:

1 banana
pineapple
small dinner salad at Wendys
Marinara sauce over zucchini noodles
trail mix of raw nuts, seeds and raisins

Day 12 - September 29, 2006

Woke up with gaining the 2 pounds I lost yesterday. How discouraging! I think my body stubbornly tries to hang on to weight. I am a slow loser on every diet and I hoped this one would be different. I know this may sound shallow but I am in this for losing weight and if I don't see either inches of weight come off what would be the point because I am not using this diet to heal myself of any health ailments. Although I am overweight I am fairly healthy. I think to not get discouraged from day to day I should not weigh myself until the end of each week because It is driving me crazy. I also keep comparing myself to others on the website and I know this is wrong to because each person is unique but I really would like to lose 20 pounds in the first month cause I know in the later months this will substantially decrease. Well enough rambling. I have to go to work. Had 1 BM. Well I am now back and I must say eating this way you never feel full like when you eat cooked foods or bread. We went out to the Middle Eastern Restaurant by my house and I am proud to say I stayed on the straight and narrow. No bread which is my favorite. I order a fresh squeezed lemonade with honey and hummus with vegetables. usually when I leave this restaurant I feel stuffed. I was comfortable and felt good. I am hoping to see some more results soon. I told my husband that if he buys me a food dehydrator I would commit to staying on this for 90 days instead of just the 30. I need one so I can start making new things in my cook book and some crackers. Yesterday I also started sprouting with alfalfa seeds. No sprouts yet - I guess in the book it says it takes 4-6 days so hopefully this will work. All of this is new to me so I hope I am doing it right. I have the seeds in a sprouting bag and am rinsing them 3 times a day. Well enough for now - I am tired and need to go to bed because I work early tomorrow am.

Foods eaten:

fresh pineapple
1 banana
zucchini noodles with marinara sauce
date/nut brownie
hummus with celery and carrots and peppers
garden salad
fresh squeezed lemonade with honey and small strawberry smoothie with honey

Day 13 - September 30, 2006

Had to work today so most of my day was at work. I know I shouldn't have weighed myself before I left because no change and I was discouraged. However, I ate the same way. I will give this the 30 days I promised I would. Had one BM. Tried the broccoli soup recipe was ok. I think it was passable but eating cold soup was a little undesirable.

Foods eaten:

fresh pineapple
1 banana
hummus with tomatoes, celery and carrots
date/nut brownie
broccoli soup
trail mix of raisins, nuts, seeds

Day 14 - October 1st, 2006

Woke up with a 2 pound shift back into the good direction so I am finishing week 2 with a 2 pound weight loss for a total of 9 pounds. I wish it were more. I am tired of losing and regaining the same 2 pounds all week. I think I will try to wait til next Sunday to weigh myself. But that will be hard. The scale has not been a friend to me. If I lose I am happy, if I don't, I get discouraged and upset. I have committed to the 30 days so what is the point anyway? Well 2 weeks down. I guess that is an accomplishment. Especially when everyone around me is eating other foods I would love to eat but won't. It is nice to regain some self control. I went roller blading and for a fall swim. We turned our pool heater on and made a fire in our pit. Was a nice day at church and then hanging out at home. Tomorrow will be a busy day because I have to pay bills which stresses me out and I have to cart my kids back and forth to two different schools and then work tomorrow. Had 1 bm.

Foods eaten:

salad with honey mustard
2 small slices of watermelon
grapes
honeydew melon
handful of trail mix
fresh juice of carrot, apple, orange, banana, mango
bowl of broccoli soup (which tastes better today)

Day 15 - October 2nd

Woke up and made the mistake of getting on the scale, I was just curious to see if those two pounds I have been struggling with were still off since yesterday morning and sure enough 1 back on again. So far if this is the way this is going it will take me forever to get off all the weight. Well I have bills to pay and work tonight. I am tired and my day hasn't even really begun even though I have done laundry, dishes, play chauffeur, garbage collection, etc. FUN FOR ME. There are not enough hours in the day plain and simple. I have to still get ready for work, pack my lunch, and pay bills, ETC. 3 BMS

Foods eaten:

mixed fruit juice made from yesterday
broccoli soup
garden salad with raspberry vinaigrette
trail mix

Day 16 - October 3rd

I Know I said I wasn't getting on the scale but I had to end on a positive note, now I will wait till next Monday to weigh myself. I am down another pound for a 10 pound weight loss. YEAH finally an even number. I woke up with a headache and don't know what that is from. Had 1 BM

Foods eaten:
watermelon
1 banana
1 pear
Hummus with celery
trail mix of nuts and raisens and seeds

Day 17 - October 4th

YEAH AN ACCOMPLISHMENT - I DIDN'T WEIGH MYSELF. Today I want to experiment with making crackers in my oven. I am so happy that my Jenn-aire will go down to a lower temperature so now that I have a day off I finally get to try it. I miss bread so much, probably more than meat or cheese. Anyway, I also opened up a young coconut today which was a challenge and made a smoothie and some icecream for later out of it which was a suggestion in one of the posts. I can't wait to eat it. I am also thinking a lot about whether I want to make a lifestyle change with this way of eating. I believe that God led me to Alissa's site because I prayed that I would get my eating under control as in the past I had many food additions. Now I am learning about the enzymes and it makes a lot of sense. God put Adam and Even in the garden and gave them fruits and vegtables to eat. I have so many years of conditioning and eating of non nutricous dead foods and I loved eating it all and as a result I have gained so much weight. I am pretty motivated right now, but I am worried about 6 months from now and staying commited. This lifestyle requires so much of me in shopping often, going to stores not anywhere near me, the expense of it and so on and now it seems it is more difficult to eat as a family because no one else wants to eat this way. It is also difficult when I have to prepare dead cooked food for the family. It still somewhat appeals to me especially the smells of cooked food. But God has given me a new lease on life and I am going to the bathroom at least once daily if not more and before I might not go for a whole week which I know wasn't healthy. No wonder I have gained so much weight. I probably have so many toxins stored up in me for years. The one positive is my husband seems to be behind me and that is a positive. I am afraid to tell his mother though cause I know she will be negative and I can't handle that right now. Had two BMs

Foods eaten:

1/2 of a pear
a large coconut, pineapple, banana smoothie
mashed potatoes (califlower and mushroom gravy recipe out of Alissa's cookbook) Yummy

 
Day 18 - October 5th

Today was ok, I had to work so a busy day. I also went out to Big Boys with the family. This diet is hard because it seems it is not promoting family meals together, plus I don't really want to cook food that will tempt me to go off the diet. But again I didn't weigh myself today and that is positive. The flax seed crackers I made yesterday were also finished (after 2 days of dehydrating). What a disappointment to taste them, they were nasty, disgusting, gross, etc. I really wanted to have some bread, but if all I had to eat were these, I would give up eating altogether. AGAIN CAN I SAY NASTY. I DEFINITELY NEED A DIFFERENT RECIPE WITH SOMETHING OTHER THAN FLAX SEEDS for crackers and bread or I don't know if I can stay on this! Had 1 BM

Foods eaten:

mashed cauliflower with mushroom gravy
trail mix
apple
pear
dinner salad with grapes
a bite of flax seed crackers (how nasty)

Day 19 - Friday, October 6th

So Glad It Is Friday. I am a little tired today. I had to work at my daughters preschool today and was up late reading Alissa's book. These last 3 Weeks Have Been A Crash Course Education In Raw Food Eating. I Have Learned About New Fruits And Vegetables, Grains, Seeds, Etc. (and Where To Go To Shop For Them), Opening Up A Coconut (wow Was That Hard!), Sprouting (yes I Even Made Alfalfa Sprouts For The First Time Successfully And Feel Like Now I Have A Green Thumb), And Making New Recipes. I Am Reading A Lot On This Site And In Alyssa's Book, And Watching Her Dvds. A Month Ago I Knew Nothing About Raw Food At All Nor Did I Eat Very Much Of It. Overall This Has Been An An Incredible Eyeopening Experience.

I Also Made My First Flax Seed Crackers But They Tasted Awful. I Guess I Don't Like Flax Seeds, But I Tried. That Was Hugely Disappointing After Waiting For Them For 2 Days. I used to be a carb addict so I really need something that resembles bread. I Guess I Will Have To Make Another Bread Alternative Out Of Something Else. But Today I Made A Shake Out Of The Frozen Coconut Milk And Meat That I Blended Together With Cocoa The Other Day And Then Today I Added 2 Bananas. It Was The Best Milkshake Ever And I Had No Guilt.

The Hugest Improvement I See So Far Is Me Going #2 Daily And Sometimes Multiple Times In A Day. Before It Could Take Me A Whole Week To Go And Most Of The Time I Had To Drink Espresso To Help Me Go. This Is Huge Because I Have Been This Way All Of My Life. No Wonder I Am Overweight, I Have So Many Toxins Stored Up For So Long. And Secondly I Have More Energy And Don't Have To Sleep As Much.

So Overall, This Way Of Eating Is Not Easy And Takes Lots Of Planning, Etc. But I Feel Good About Taking some Ground back In My Life And Getting Back Some Self Control.

I Have Lost 10 Pounds So Far And Maybe More (I Won't Know Until Monday Morning Cause I Had To Stop Weighing Myself As It Was A Hinderance To Me). One More Week And I Will Have Completed My 30 Days- Yeah! I Have Also Committed To October's Challenge. I want to lose at least 20 pounds by the time I go on vacation with my husband in November.

Ok it is almost time to go to bed and I am tired and have to work tomorrow. But it just occurred to me that I am going to change my life. I can do this with God's help and grace. I looked through Alissa's cookbook and can't wait to try so many receipes in there. I wish I had more time to experiment. I now feel that a person can really live this way. I can hardly believe it. I am really excited and once I get time under my belt maybe I can convince my husband to join me. I just need more time to get acquainted with recipes and so on. I was hungry and every time I get this way I get worried about what am I going to eat and eating too much. I guess when I started this I thought I was going to have to eat salad every day and now I know this can be so much more lively - its like an adventure. I made Alissa's stuffed portabella mushroom caps and they were decent. Whats strange is I hate every ingredient in them except for tomatoes so that is a huge compliment. I hate onions, avacodo, and mushrooms but when you are hungry you will try anything. Well I ate like crap for 37 years so I am trying to expand my horizons and try the things I didn't like. I can wait to make it for Blair my husband. I actually think he will like it and it looked so pretty and gourmet!

I had 2 BMs today.

Foods eaten:

shake made from coconut milk, meat, cocoa and bananas
salad
sushi
mixed fruit - a few strawberries, a few chucks of honey dew, a few chunks of canteloupe
portebella stuffed with avacodo, onion, tomato and topped with alfalfa sprouts (that I made!!!)

Day 20 - Saturday October the 7th

I had to work today but overall it was a good day. I was able to get some time to finally go to the gym yeah! It felt so good to work out and difficult at the same time. No pain no gain right! It will be interesting when I weigh myself on Monday. I hope I lost a few pounds. I also got a chance to go back to the good food store to buy some things for recipes and the fruit market. I can't believe in the frozen section of Good Foods, they had bread that was made from seeds/ grains in small loaves that had been sprouted and cooked at a low temperature to keep it alive. I was so excited as I am waiting for my wheat berries to still sprout so I can make zucchini bread and the flax crackers didn't work out. It was yummy and kind of wet/soft inside. I wonder if that will be how my bread turns out. I also am waiting for my saladacco I ordered off ebay so I can't wait to make some more marinara sauce over zucchini noodles. I also bought some honey dew and cranberries to make cranberry relish with oranges and I think honey. Had one BM

Foods eaten:

1 small banana
pineapple
trail mix of nuts and raisins
2 small pieces of seeded bread with almond butter
mashed cauliflower with mushroom topping

Day 21 - Sunday, October 8th

Well this officially marks the end of three weeks. Yeah! Went to church today and a guy from work and his girlfriend came to check it out and they seemed to like it. Also the message revolved around Jonah and our idols. In Jonah 2:8 it says those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. Interestingly enough, I feel like as I am trying to get rid of the idol of food in my life, I am totally surviving on God's Grace. It his grace that led me to try another way of eating (which is raw), after many failed diets. I totally believe that cooked food is addicting and don't seem to overeat on raw food. So while it is hard watching my family eat ham sandwiches in front of me, I can do this because of God's wonderful grace. I think that is pretty cool. There is a strength that I have been given that I know is not my own. On my own I showed little to no self control and that is now why I am so overweight. Praise the Lord - I know it is the prayer that has helped. Anyway, today the temperature is supposed to be in the 70's so we are planning to go out on the boat for a fall boat ride. It always seems like a lot of work to get out there but once I am out there I am happy to see all of God's creation. I have to go and pack some sandwiches for my family and some living food for me (I wonder what that will be).

Well we went on the boat and it was a little cold but fabulous. We boated into Canada and checked out a town off the E-cart River but all the businesses were closed and it was a ghost town. Anyway it was fun exploring a new city. We think we may go back there and see if there is a hotel to stay at. That would be cool. It was a little hard eating the almost tuna when everyone else was eating sandwiches and chips. Then later everyone had Wendys and I ate celery. Seemed a little unfair. Although this isn't easy, I am committed. Also I received confirmation today that my husband will never go on this diet with me. He emphatically said no. He also didn't like the mushroom I thought he would and he is worn out of trying all the recipes I make. So it will be a lonely path.

Foods eaten:

trail mix of nuts and raisins
small piece of seeded bread with almond butter and raw honey (yum!)
almost tuna (taken on the boat with me)
apple
1/2 of a tomato dipped in raspberry vinegarette
hummus with celery

Day 22 - Monday, October 9th - 4th week

Well I woke up this morning pretty tired. I weighed myself and I lost another 3 pounds yeah for a total of 13 pounds. I just hope that I can lose another 2 pounds this week. It would help if I could get to the gym a few times this week. Well I am depressed, as I was typing this, my doorbell rang and I excitingly opened up my saladacco to find out the top was cracked. After waiting a week, I am bummed. Plus the aggravation of dealing with the company that is off the internet. How frustrating. Anyway have to work later and have lots to do. I did also manage to get some zucchini bread and banana bread mixed and they are dehydrating. Cant' wait to eat them. I know it will take a few days to finish. Had 2 BMS

Foods Eaten:

seeded bread with honey and almond butter
a cup of apple cider
watermelon
trail mix
salad with raspberry vinaigrette
orange
small slice of zucchini bread

Day 23 - Tuesday - 4th week

I have to work today so I have limited time. Have to go and get my daughter from school soon and then off to work. Feeling kind of funky today. I really haven't gotten hungry yet and I don't know what I want to eat when I get hungry. I can't stand putting in a lot of effort making things that when they are done I don't care for. If you put a little time into making cooked food and it tastes good and then when you spend days on recipes (because with raw it takes planning, shopping, and sprouting time, etc.) and then something doesn't turn out right it is so disappointing. I guess I haven't so far found a lot of recipes that have been wonderful or appealing. I get worried every time my stomach growls because I don't know what to eat and I am tired of eating salads.

I spent 3 days sprouting wheat berries to make the zucchini bread that was in Alyssas book and it doesn't taste good. I can't pinpoint what I don't like about it. But definitely not what I thought it would be. Also I detested the flax crackers. Right now I am in the middle of making banana nut bread out of her book and I don't have high hopes for that either. But it will probably take another 24 hours for me to know for sure.

I guess today I am struggling because I don't have enough time under my belt to have tried 100's of recipes and my time is very limited because my life is so busy. I feel I am putting 100% into this and I want to enjoy what I eat. I have tried vegetables and things I didn't like before hoping maybe my tastes have changed but it seems I really don't like these things still. I guess I have to keep trying new things. I am frustrated cause I know this will be a long journey and I need to find things I like. Had One BM

Foods eaten:

A couple bites of my yucky zucchini bread
small piece of seeded bread with almond butter and raw honey
watermelon
red grapes
blueberries
trail mix of nuts and raisins
hummus

Day 24 - Wednesday - 4th week

Well today is my day off from work. So I think I will try a new receipe. I want to try Alyssa's fetticini alfredo recipe. I hope it turns out good since I can't take another failure after the zuccini/banana bread disappointment. I tried making the banana nut bread in my oven at 105 degrees as it instructed but it think it fermented and doesn't taste right. It may of had something to do with me putting it in a metal loaf pan the first 24 hours. The problem is the texture was so runny, I couldn't put it on the cookie pan by itself. So now it will all go in the garbage.

I also worked out yesterday night - yeah! So hopefully I will find time to do at least one more day this week. It is hard working out but I like the way I feel afterward. I also bought some cool glass jars to put my bulk food in from Wally world. They look like fishbowls with metal lids. They are pretty nice for only spending $3.00 each on them. Tonight is LOST - something my husband and I look forward to all week. Had one small BM

Foods Eaten:

large dinner salad with raspberry vinegarette and pine nuts
fettacini alfredo (recipe from Alissa book)
pineapple
banana cocoa smoothie with agave nectar

Day 25, Thursday October 12th

Today was a busy day. Had to work, eye appointment (6 months from having lasik done and still 20 20 yeah!, I can't believe I used to be so blind), meeting at Coop nursery, chauffering kids, etc. But I did manage to squeeze in a workout at lunch and that felt good. I am tired. I need a nap before my meeting tonight. Tomorrow is my day off yeah! I will have a little time to shop for a present for my mother in laws birthday after I get my daughter from preschool and then we will be off to mongolian (the meat place!). This will be interesting since this will be the first time I don't order a meal. At least I will be able to eat off the salad bar. It is snowing for the first time in Michigan and we don't even have our pool winterized. Not cool. I guess we are to have 2 cold days and then it will warm up again. Had 1 bm
 

Foods Eaten:

pineapple
leftover fettacini Alfredo
an orange
seeded bread with honey and almond butter

Day 25, Thursday October 12th

Today was a busy day. Had to work, eye appointment (6 months from having lasik done and still 20 20 yeah!, I can't believe I used to be so blind), meeting at Coop nursery, chauffering kids, etc. But I did manage to squeeze in a workout at lunch and that felt good. I am tired. I need a nap before my meeting tonight. Tomorrow is my day off yeah! I will have a little time to shop for a present for my mother in laws birthday after I get my daughter from preschool and then we will be off to mongolian (the meat place!). This will be interesting since this will be the first time I don't order a meal. At least I will be able to eat off the salad bar. It is snowing for the first time in Michigan and we don't even have our pool winterized. Not cool. I guess we are to have 2 cold days and then it will warm up again. Had 1 bm
 

Foods Eaten:

pineapple
leftover fettacini Alfredo
an orange
seeded bread with honey and almond butter

Day 26, Friday October 13th Week four

Today is my day off and we are going to the mongolian restaurant tonight. This should be interesting as I struggle to watch my family gorge themselves on bowls of meat with rice. They do have a salad bar so at least I will have something I can eat there. I read the part in Genesis yesterday where God gave Adam and Eve all the fruit in the garden and seeded and green plants to eat. I wonder if God really designed our bodies to eat only these things. Of course he also gave adam charge over all the animals but specifically it is noted that he gave fruits and vegtables to us for food. This is an interesting thought. I also read about how the Isrealites were complaining in the dessert because they wanted something other than manna so god gave them their meat but also gave them a disease to go with it. It makes me think that if God is wanting me to do this right now I shouldn't complain cause at least I have a variety of fruits and veggies I can eat from. I think it also solidfyed for me that God is giving me the very best to eat just like he did for them in giving them manna and this is what I should do. I did pray for something different than the same old diets and this is sure different. Anyway a few more days and I will have my 30 days down under my belt. Whew what an education!

Foods eaten:

a dish of Blueberries
a few red grapes
salad bar at Mongolian
date/walnut brownie

Day 27, Saturday, October 14th

Well I had to work today and am a little tired. Lots to do and not enough time to get it all done. I am behind at home and laundry, etc. Other than that I am doing ok. Went to work out after work and that always feels good. So I met my goal of working out 3 days this week, yeah! Hopefully it will help me lose this weight quicker. Had 1 BM


Foods eaten:

date/walnut brownie
banana
trail mix of nuts seeds, and raisens
Large salad of lettuce, walnuts, cranberries, mandarin oranges, with balsamic vinergarrete

Day 28, Sunday, October 15th

Well today was a beautiful fall day in Michigan. It was about 55 degrees and sunny. It gave us the opportunity to get some things done outside that we needed to get done. We got the grass cut, painted our shed, and winterized our sprinkler system. Thursday we will winterize the pool and who knows when we will get around to the boat. I am always stressed out at this time of year at how much we need to do to get ready for winter.

This morning before working in the yard, I did manage to make a few things to eat tomorrow. I made Alyssas marinara sauce and used my saladacco for the first time to make the zucccini noodles. I also made the honey mustard salad dressing. Then my husband and I juiced carrots, apples, an orange, kiwi fruit, and banana and enjoyed a huge smootie from it that kept me going all day without eating. In the late afternoon I ate a banana and evening a large dinner salad with raspberry vinegaratte dressing.

When will I ever feel like eating this way isn't a sacrifice but a priveledge? My husband tonight at the restaurant said "Wow that salad looks good with all of those flavors in it". While he was stuffing down fish and chips and my daughter was eating nachos and the other one was eating my favorite chicken dumpling soup with the bread that came with my salad. Anyway I wanted to slug him as I ate my lettuce with green peppers and tomato.

Well tomorrow I weigh myself and I hope to get some sort of reward.

Foods eaten:

fresh fruit juice (mentioned above)
banana
salad with raspberry vinegarette
small slice of living rye bread with honey and raw almond butter

Day 29, Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:47am

Today I woke up today with a 2 pound weight loss. So now after 4 weeks I have lost 15 pounds. I wish it were more but I am ok with it. It is always better to lose slowly so Everyone says. Today I had to work in my daughter's preschool and tonight I have to work. So I have to go and take a nap. Had 2 BMs but didn't have one yesterday which is strange.

Foods eaten:

small slice of living rye bread with honey and raw almond butter
fruit juice from yesterday
tabolueh
marinara sauce with zuccini noodles

Day 30, Tue Oct 17, 2006

Day 30- Well I never thought that this day would come. This has been the longest 30 days in my life! I woke up and weighed myself and lost another pound. My workout last night must of helped. I still need to measure myself but I will wait till tomorrow when I officially complete my 30 days. I have to work later and want to get some laundry done before I leave. I also want to stop at the pool store and get what we need to winterize the pool. Tomorrow is my day off so I will measure myself then. The extra pound today was a bonus though Yeah 16 pounds total! Also tomorrow I want to post a new picture of myself so I can compare the 2 photos of me. had 1 bm. I also received the coolest card from my husband last night. I couldn't believe it. It had a sliced orange on the front and said your the best. On the inside it said:


I am really proud of your commitment, dedication, and the clear sense of discipline you have put forth on this quest.
I am also blown away with your determinations to succeed at thwat must be extremely difficult.
Thanks for listening to God and being obedient to his direction.
With His help you can do anything.

Then on the back it said:

I created this card for you in Draw to celebrate your 30 days on Raw.
No animals were killed, maimed, or fried to bring this card to you my bride.
You've done great so continue the fight - Desserts on me, grab an orange, take a bite.
A Peel cards, inc.

Foods eaten:

1/2 of a honey dew melon
small piece of living rye bread w/ honey and almond buter
red grapes
tabouleh
trail mix

Day 31, Wed Oct 18, 2006

Today is the day where I will take my new measurements. I did have a chance to work out last night and Monday night so that is great. I plan on working out on Thursday next. I am a little tired and have felt like I am battling a sore throat. I am trying to ward it off. Tonight is LOST and can't wait to see it. Had 3 BMs

My weight today is 214

Mesurements are

Bust 45 1/2
Under bust 39
waist at belly button 41
Hips 46 1/2
Butt 48
Neck 13 1/2
left thigh 27 1/2
right thigh 28
Left arm 14 1/2
right arm 15 1/2 15
left calf 17
and right calf 16 1/2
left ankle 9
right ankle 9

Down 9 1/2 total inches.

Foods eaten:

small piece of living rye bread with honey and almond butter
hummus
banana
trail mix of nuts, seeds and raisens
dinner salad with homemade honey mustard dressing
fudge (made from cacoa nibs, almond butter, etc.)

Day 32, Thu Oct 19, 2006 9:02am
 

Today I was tired from staying up so late being on this website, posting my new picture, etc.

Well we did get the pool 75% winterized still 25% stuff left to do. I did manage to squeeze a quick workout in after work. A very busy day. I worked today, then went to the gym to squeeze in my 3rd workout this week (yeah a 2nd week that I met my goal), and went home to winterize the pool. Luckily instead of spending $350.00 it usually costs to winterize my neighbor who does pools helped us for free - yeah! So we got 75% done. Tomorrow or Saturday I just need to fill up the water bags and miscellaneous stuff. Winterizing the beast is a big relief off my mind. After working for several hours, I was famished. My husband wanted to know what was for dinner and of course I didn't have a clue so he ordered a pizza for him and the girls and I made almond milk for the first time and some corn chowder out of Alyssa book. It was awesome and very filling (what I needed, cause today as busy and stressful as it was I could easily have caved in and eaten the wrong food). So I am glad I had corn on the cob on hand to give me a meal idea. I had a salad with grapes for lunch and some honeydew for breakfast.

I feel good and tired. Thank God I don't have to work tomorrow. I really need to get some things done around the house.

Foods eaten:

1/2 honeydew melon
salad with honey mustard dressing
red grapes
banana
corn chowder out of Alyssa's book (filling and good)

Day 33, Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:37am

I felt pretty tired today so after taking my oldest daughter to school I slept in. I also did the fatal error of stepping on the scale. I am up a pound. This is why I tell myself to only weigh weekly because I become so discouraged. It seems my body is a constant yo yo. I am up a pound and down a pound etc. When will I learn? I am so stupid sometimes.

Anyway tonight is family dinner night out with my hubbys mom. With eating this way it is always a challenge to go out to eat. I still haven't shared with my mother-in-law about what I am doing because I am afraid of her negativity. I ordered salads a lot in the past at dinner so maybe so doesn't notice. I did tell her I was on a diet and watching what I was eating cause I need to lose weight. But now that it is past my 30 days and I have decided to stay on eating raw, it will only be a matter of time when people start noticing. I have shared with a few people who I have felt safe to do so but I think most will think I am crazy. (I say this because when I first heard of people eating raw I thought it was impossible and crazy). Now I am one of them. Anyway I am also anticipating Thanksgiving dinner because annually I always cook and it will be awfully noticeable to my mother in law if I don't eat any of it. Also this will be a challenge for me to cook all of it without slipping somehow. I guess I am going to have to think about what I want to do for the holidays and if it will kill me to go off for one day. I just don't want to sabatoge myself. I am also anticipating going on vacation next month and staying raw. I am a little worried how this will work. Had 1 BM

Was also successful at the movies again. No popcorn. I brought a bottle of water and a brownie with me. Movie was great.

Foods eaten:

small piece of living rye bread with honey and almond butter
a bowl of corn chowder
salad
pear
date/walnut brownie

Day 34, Sat Oct 21, 2006 9:06pm

Today was another work day. We winterized the boat which was a big job out of the way. And the tigers lost their first game in the world series.

Foods eaten:

a pear
1/2 a banana
corn chowder
salad
blueberry pie

Day 35, Sunday October 22- end of week 5

Finally finished winterizing the pool, filled all the water bags, etc. Tried to make corn chips yesterday and they were nothing like a corn chip (actually kinda gross so I through them away. However, the blueberry pie I made yesterday was the bomb and loved it! Can't wait to buy more blueberries to make more. Foods eaten:

blueberry pie out of Alyssas book
salad
couple small chunks of honey dew melon and watermelon
vegetables (a couple baby carrots, peppers, cucumber, celery)
a couple bites of hummus
fudge (made from raw ingredients)

Day 36, Mon Oct 23, 2006 10:14am

I have to work later tonight so it is a tight day. I still have to get out the garbage, do laundry, etc. I did do my Monday Morning weighin and I lost 2 more pounds. Yippy! A total of 18 pounds. Hopefully by next Monday it will be 20 pounds even. So far it hasn't been noticeable to too many people but I can tell a difference in my clothes. It will be nice when someone who doesn't know me well asks if I have lost weight. It will be a big motivator. Until then I guess I need to keep plugging along. Had 1 BM

Foods Eaten:

very small piece of living bread with honey and almond butter
pineapple and strawberries
cashews with nutritional yeast and sea salt
zuccini noodles with marina sauce
tabaloeh
pear

Day 37, Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:23pm

Today was experimental day. I made Alyssa's Mock Salmon and some ginger vinegarette salad dressing. Both were pretty good. I am going to make a small dinner salad for dinner and put some of the mock salmon on it with the dressing I just made. I also decided to tell another person at work that I am on this raw foods diet, and I expected to get a negative reaction and now she wants to try it. She thought the website was cool and thinks it is a good support mechanism (which I wholeheartdly agree). Anyway I also made icecream today and it was the bomb! I didn't know how much the texture would be like real icecream. I froze a banana and put organic cocoa and a little agave nectar and had chocolate banana icecream. Next I want to try squeezing a lime and making lime sherbert (someone else's suggestion). Anyway have to work later and I will be bringing my book in to show my coworker. She is excited and quite frankly it would be good to have a friend that I know doing this as well. Had 1 BM

Foods eaten:

Taboleh
mock salmon with ginger vinegarette
banana/cocoa icecream yummy!
dinner salad
pear

Day 38,Wed Oct 25, 2006 4:27pm

I was tired today from working late and having broken up sleep. I Love this site because it is so informative and I can get a lot of answers. Today was mom day. Had a lot to do around the house but mostly spent time with the girls. Drove them both back and forth to school, made them dinner and then helped Evelina and neighbor kid with gymnastics and then helped her learn how to skate. Not a very productive day but it felt good just being home and being a mom. Anyway Had 1 BM.

Foods eaten:

hummus
taboleh
salad with ginger vinegarette
mock salmon
banana/cocoa icecream
raw fudge

Day 39, Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:04pm  

Had to work today and am a little tired because I had a hard time falling asleep yesterday due to the midweek schedule shift. Anyway I went to the good food store today after work and got more manna bread and some lara bars that I have heard people rave about. Also I got a few bottles of Kombucha tea and after tasting the first one it was a little like drinking apple cider vinegar. Not real good but I will drink what I bought cause they are supposed to be really good for you.

Foods eaten:

trail mix of nuts, seeds, and raisens
a pear
garden salad
1 Kombucha tea
strawberries/pineapple
carrot/pecan burger with curry sauce
brownie of nuts and dates

Day 40, Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:10am

Happy Friday! Glad to be at the weekend. The pecan/carrot burgers I made out of Alyssas book were decent tasting and the curry sauce for the top of them was wonderful. Definately a great compliment to one another. The only thing was the carrot burgers didn't seem to stick together well and crumbled really easy.


It was a trip yesterday watching my family eat rotissie chicken and stuffing and me eating stawberries/pineapple that I didn't eat earlier from my breakfast that I brought to work. I didn't know what to eat since my carrot pecan burgers needed to dehydrate for 8 hours and I already ate salad for lunch. Sometimes it seems so hard to be eating this way when so many of the recipes take so long to make. You have to plan so far in advance and I am still not used to that.


Anyway tonight is the imfamous family dinner night out which seems like always a battle for me (more mental than anything). I guess I still havenot forgotten what most cooked food tastes like. But really the worst part is the darn smells that smell so good.


I also dehydrated some potatoes to make vinegar chips that were in Alyssa's book. Don't know if I like them or not. They do sort of resemble potato chips but definately more chewy. It seems I find 1 in every 10 recipes that I like. However, I am picky and it could be due to my cooking. Had one BM and haven't gotten my monthy visitor yet. I wonder if it is because my body is losing weight it has thrown off my cycle?

Foods eaten

carrot/pecan burgers with curry sauce
fruit smoothie
large dinner salad with honey mustard
chocolate banana icecream
a couple bites of cranberry relish

Day 41, Sat Oct 28, 2006 5:22pm

Made some grawnola from stratch last night and ate some this morning. Was like a little bit of heaven. My husband also loved it. He also thinks now he can see that I am losing weight so that is a positive. It always seems like it takes 20 pounds for people to know you are losing weight but you put on 20 and they notice right away (seems kinda unfair). Anyway also made some broccoli soup for lunch and was good. Had 1 bm.

Foods eaten

grawnola with almond milk
broccoli soup
dinner salad and few very small piece of watermelon and honeydew melon
raw fudge

Day 42, Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:49pm

Today has been an extremely frustrating day. Trying to plan our vacation in a few weeks and it has been very stressful. Before in the past when I was stressed I would run to food for comfort. Now on this way of eating I have no where to run. Also today was pretty cold in Michigan and I ended up having some unsweetened hot tea. Other than that it was ok.

Foods eaten:

huge garden salad
orange spice tea
trail mix of nuts seeds and raisens
sprouted living bread with almond butter and honey
cranberry relish

Day 43, Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:05pm

Today has been a horrandous day trying to plan our vacation. We decided we are going to Arizona and wanted to use up our our free hotel days and air miles we accumlated. Thumbs up to HYATT. NO problem booking our nights through their program. Thumbs down to Northwest (I mean Northworst airlines). After spending thousands of dollars with them they want to put us on a connecting flight home with a layover which is going to make us spend another 3 1/2 hours in travel time. Boy do their customer service people suck!!!!!!!!!!! I spent all day yesterday and today on the phone with them getting no where and their website is terrible as well. Well enough of my stress. I am moving on.

I have been wanting a vitamix (been saving my money up) and well I stopped at Costco on the Way to work and they were their (the vitamix people) doing demonstrations and the price was $40.00 less. They were only there this week and so I bought it even though I was $150.00 short, but thought I am going to get it and explain to the hubby later (plus I knew I could return it). Well after a short verbal beating from him he said he was proud of me and how committed I have been and will donate the $150.00 to my cause and I don't have to repay it! Yeah! So I am so happy! My blender and food processor just aren't powerful enough for a lot of these recipes. I know you guys know what I mean but other people don't understand. He said he would have a hard time spending $150.00 dollars for any blender.

So I as of today I lost 20 pounds (another 2 pounds)!Yeah! .

Foods eaten:

2 pears
grawnola
couple spoonfuls of hummus
garden salad

Day 44, Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:55am

Well tonight is halloween so we take the girls out to a harvest party. I am glad I am on this diet because before I would want to eat half of the candy they would bring home and now I am certain I won't be desiring it. It seems like this day has snuck up on us. Well anyway I took the day off which will make me work on Saturday this week (also due to half days at my daughters school).

Well the kids looked great tonight. We dressed up Ariana in the Cat in the Hat costume and Evelina as a princess and she won first prize! I have a feeling it was cause she is just too darn cute. Had one BM. Foods eaten:

Grawnola
hummus
a few baby carrots
a banana
dinner salad
raw fudge

Day 45, Wed Nov 1, 2006 11:12am

Well Today is November 1st. I got my monthly visitor today (finally, I was getting worried). I think because I am losing weight and adding back activity in my life it was late. Anyway I am glad even though I am exhausted. I got up early to take my daughter to school, had to write bills, do laundry, etc. I am tired and I still have to work tonight. The bad news is I feel like I need caffine and I haven't had a diet coke since 6 1/2 weeks ago. Anyway these days are a blur. They are so packed I can't even breathe sometimes. I also still need to pick up my daughter from school and take the other daughter to gymnastics (then off to work). Had 1 BM.

Foods eaten:

Grawnola
hummus
trail mix of nuts and raisens
salad with mandarin oranges and veggies
a banana

Day 46, Thu Nov 2, 2006 12:08pm

After being up 21 hours yesterday straight and working I feel exhausted! Luckily this morning I was able to squeeze in 6 1/2 hours of sleep, so I am still a little tired but I am going to stay awake and try to squeeze in a little exercise. I joined November's exercise challenge (I know I am crazy but it is better to try than to never try at all right?) I don't know how I am going to squeeze the time in when I feel like I can't breathe to begin with but I need to do this for myself. I always feel better when I exercise as it seems to give me more energy. So enough said for now.

Just got back, did my 45 minutes+ of floor pilates. I am tired.

Foods eaten:

Tabouleh
large dinner salad with raspberry vinegarette
1 very small piece sprouted bread with raw honey and almond butter

Day 47, Fri Nov 3, 2006 9:32am

Today is Friday - yeah! I am going to do another exercise tape at home and then I need to clean and make something to eat. I also want to try a different honey mustard recipe. I wish I had more time to experiment with recipes. I also need to get my new toy out of the box. I wish I could multiply the hours in the day and duplicate myself. I drank some fresh juice made from oranages, apples, part of a lemon, carrots, pears, and banana to get some energy to do my workout.

I did 25 minutes of taebo and 10 minutes of abdominal workouts both at home. I can't remember them being this hard. I know it just means I am more out of shape than before. I am tired!

I hope to stop at the gym tomorrow after work to get in some more exercise!

I now need to take a shower - I am sweaty!

Foods eaten:

a handful of grawnola
fruit juice mentioned above
Huge dinner salad with all of the fixings

Day 48, Sat Nov 4, 2006 3:44pm

Had to work today but after work I went to the gym and did a 1/2 hour on the eliptical machine then a couple other machines to work my inner/outer thighs, chest, and then did some floor work on my abdominals. It is a little discouraging when working out because I realize just how out of shape I am and how long this road will be. Had one bm.

Foods eaten:

a small amount of grawnola
fresh pineapple
broccoli soup
huge dinner salad with all the fixings/grapes
brownie made of dates and nuts

Day 49, Sun Nov 5, 2006 8:49pm

Today marks the completion of 7 weeks raw. Yeah! I can't hardly believe it. I just made some blueberry pie out of Alissa's book and can't wait to eat it.

All I have had today was the Salad Bar at Big Boys. Ate mostly raw except I did eat the honey mustard dressing off the salad bar (it was so yummy but probably not very good for me).

I am proud of myself for not eating the mashed potatoes I made with my family's meal tonight, or the baked chicken, or cooked green beans. But the biggest challenge were those whipped potatoes with butter. Boy did those look so good. I tend to be a carb addict and I really miss those starchy things like potatoes. I made some dehydrated potato chips last week but they were not good at all and alot of time and effort to make (so I guess I will have to live without potatoes altogether). Owell at least there is chocolate (cacoa beans yeah)! Had 1 BM.

Foods eaten:

salad bar with honey mustard dressing
a couple small chunks of honey dew and cantelope
a piece of blueberry pie

Day 50, Mon Nov 6, 2006 6:55pm

Today I did my weekly Monday weighin and lost another 2 pounds yeah! This week is a busy week cause I have a million things to do before I go on vacation. This also marks the first day of my eighth week. After this week it will be 2 months raw. Also did a half hour on the eliptical machine and another 20 minutes on the stationary bike and 10 minutes of abs and stretching. Had one bm. Foods eaten today:

Alyssa's blueberry pie
hummus
large garden salad with honey mustard dressing
handful of trail mix of nuts and raisens

Day 51, Tue Nov 7, 2006 1:39pm

Today I have to work and later hope to get to the gym.

I did get to the gym so I did 1/2 hour on the eliptical machine, 20 minutes on the stationary bike and stretching and abdonminal work. Had one bm.

Foods eaten:

Alyssa's blueberry pie
couple bites of hummus
small piece of sprouted bread with honey and almond butter
broccoli soup
small apple/small banana
trail mix of nuts and seeds (after workout cause I was hungry)

Day 52, Wed Nov 8, 2006 9:17am

My day off and I have lots to do with little motivation. I have to clean, pack, book rental car for trip etc. Thinking about it all makes me tired. Had one bm.

Foods eaten:

Alyssa's blueberry pie
dinner salad with almonds and apple vinegarette
fruit cup of grapes, pineapple, honeydew melon
banana icecream with cocoa and agave nectar
hummus

Day 53, Thu Nov 9, 2006 6:46pm

Today I worked a short day (again), good for me being able to workout, bad moneywise. So I went to the gym and did a yoga/pilates class for an hour. Now I need to go so I can start packing. We leave very early Saturday a.m. I will miss this website and all the people so much. I pray that I will have the strength to stay raw all week. I know it will be a challenge with eating out everyday. In 3 more days I will have been raw now for 2 months and don't want to throw all my efforts away in a week. Looking forward to some warmer weather and some relaxation. Had One BM.

Food eaten today:

trail mix of nuts, seeds, and raisens
a small banana
an orange
dinner salad with my homemade honey mustard dressing
hummus with celery

It seems I eat way more than all you guys! But I do try to eat only when I am truely hungry.

Day 54, Fri Nov 10, 2006 5:48am

Well this will probably be the last day that I post before vacation and 2 days from now marks the end of two months so I thought I would take my measurements early. I also weighed in another pound less for a total of 23 pounds down. Hopefully by Monday I will have another pound gone. Had one bm.

Bust 45
Under bust 39
waist at belly button 40
Hips 45
Butt 46
Neck 13 1/2
left thigh 27 1/2
right thigh 27 1/2
Left arm 14
right arm 15
left calf 16 1/4
and right calf 16 1/2
left ankle 9
right ankle 9

Down another 6 inches.

Total down 15 1/2 inches from start

Foods eaten:

Broccoli soup
cashews with nutrional yeast and olive oil
a couple bites of cranberry relish
Kombucha tea
dinner salad

Day 55, Saturday November 11th

First day of Vacation in Arizona - Wow does everything look so different here. I saw my very first live catus' some taller than me. They were incredible to see! Very long day because of traveling and time change. Arizona is 2 hours behind Michigan and the flight was 4 hours. We left 5:00 a.m. and flew out at 7:00 a.m. arriving at 9:30. We rented an exterra at the airport. Foods eaten:

Dinner Salad with Balsamic Vinegarette
8 cucumber sushi rolls
dinner salad with cucumbers and ginger dressing
trail mix of raisens, seeds, and nuts

Day 56, Sunday, November 12th

Went to McDowell Mountain Regional park. We hiked 2.8 miles through the dessert until dark and the went to Sapporo's for dinner. Great Scenery! Great Weather! Sunny in the 80's not to hot. Had 3 BMs. Foods eaten:

Sushi Rolls (8 vegtable and 5 seafood rolls)
Salad with ginger dressing
hummus
Lara raw apple bar
trail mix of nuts, seeds and raisens

Day 57, Monday, November 13th, 2006

Today we went to Sedonna. All I can say is gorgeous! The red rock formations were so awesome. We took our rented exterra which had 4 x 4 up a mountail trail that went up 2,000 ft. of elevation from the city. Foods eaten:

1 orange
1 apple
Lara raw bar
Trail mix
raw plate of beets, sprouts, almond Pate, raw slaw, hummus, greens, veggies, curry flax seed crackers, etc.

Day 58, Tuesday, November 14th

Went through some off-road trails and saw some great scenery. Then went to a wesern town called Raw Hide. Went on a mechanical bull and watched some shows. It was semi-entertaining. Had 1 BM Foods eaten:

1 Banana/pineapple chunks
Salad with lime cilanto vinegarette (lettuce, stawberries, mandarin oranges, corn, black beans, mango salso)
Dinner at P.F. Changs (peapods, carrots, water chestnuts, celery, red pepper in a curry coconut sauce)

Day 59, Wednesday, November 15th

Went to more off road trails in the Tonto National Park and Saw Needle Rock and a beautiful river. Blair even went off road a bit into the river. Then went to workout at Lifetime in Tempe, AZ and have a 1 hour massage. Did 1/2 hour on the eliptical machine and 5 minutes of ABS. Also checked out AKIA which is a store that has a ton of furniture and organizational stuff. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten.

Mexican salad like yesterday
veggie sushi
cucumber sushi
salad with ginger dressing
leftover curry flaxseed crackers and hummus from raw plate.

Day 60, Thursday, November 16th

Went shoppping for souveniers, played putt putt gulf and lost a game to blair and won a game.Then went to the movies. Went to a new restaurant Sweet Tomato and was in salad heaven. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

Pineapple chunks/1 Banana
huge salad
few bites of cooked vegetarian chili
apple
trail mix
hummus
lara raw bar

Day 61, Friday, November 17th

Last full day in Arizona. Took it easy most o the day. At night we saw Beauty and the Beast show in a community Theathre. A great show! Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

Lara bar
trail mix
carrots, peapods, celery, waterchestnuts, redpepper in curry coconut sauce from PF Changs
dinner salad with ginger dressing
cucumber and veggie sushi with fresh ginger

Day 62, Saturday, November 18th

A travel day. Spent most of the day traveling to airport, flying, driving home, etc. Sad to leave Arizona and the beautiful weather but thankful for the opportunity to have gotten away. I thank vacations put perspective in your life because you have a chance to slow down and reflect about your life. God was so incredible to bless us with the opportunity to travel alone without kids. It was sort of like a second honeymoon after 14 years of marriage. It was really nice! Foods eaten:

an apple
salad with balsamic vinegarette - raisens, tomatoes, apples, almonds
raw lara bar (lemon) yum
trail mix
(cranberry/apple juice Not raw)
dinner at ruby tuesdays - salad bar with all the fixings and honey mustard dressing

Day 63, Sunday, November 19th

Slept in cause didn't get home till 1:00 in the morning and went to bed at 3:00. Had lunch with mom, Larry, and the kids and gave them all the gifts we bought them. The kids loved everything we got them. Gave Ariana a t-shirt, porcelin indian doll, necklace with feather and bead, globe with catus and sand, and a gummy snake. Evelina we got a Mexican Dress, an indian feather headdress for dressup, indian barbie doll, and a T-shirt and gummy snake. It was cool seeing them excited about their new treasures. I bought a cactus bowl with rocks and dirt and put that together. Had 1 bm. Am afraid to weigh myself from being on vacation and all the eating we did. I will weigh myself tomorrow. I need to unpack and do laundry and get mentally ready for the week ahead. I want to stay on vacation. Had 1 Bm. Foods eaten:

salad with all the fixings at Big Boys
a few chunks of watermelon, cantelope, honeydew melon, apple
raw fudge
sprouted bread with honey and almond butter

Day 64, Mon Nov 20, 2006 11:51am

Well the moment of truth after the vacation was a loss of 2 pounds (total 25 pounds) - Yeah! I was so afraid. However it just goes to show me that you can eat out on this diet and lose weight. It was frustrating at times though to find (restaurants) things to eat. It seems like I looked at a lot of menus and walked right back out when the restaurants didn't meet my needs. Luckily my husband was supportive and patient. So I will say that it is easier eating at home. Well today I ate some raw grawnola that I made last night. It is yummy. It is so good freshly warmed from being dehydrated. Had one bm. Foods eaten

Raw grawnola
redpepper, waterchestnuts, peapods, celery, carrots in coconut curry sauce
orange
trail mix

Day 65, Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:10pm

I have a lot to do today with thanksgiving being tomorrow. I need to shop for my SAD family dinner that I am cooking and a few other things. It just occurred to me that I started my diet on September 22nd and today would be officially 2 months. I was going by weeks again which screwed me up. So officially I have lost 25 pounds for the two month mark. Had one BM

Foods eaten:

hummus
salad with basamic vinegarette

Day 66, Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:56pm

Today was Thanksgiving. A lot of work so I am glad I am done. Was up late making Alyssa's blueberry pie and up early to get the turkey in the oven for my SAD family's meal. Did pretty good staying raw. My newest additiction is green tea (which I just pour hot water over tea bags and cool in fridge with pomagrante juice). Not sweet at all but more flavor than just water. Foods eaten:

garden salad with mock salmon on top with raspberry vinegarette
cranberry orange relish
hummus
blueberry pie
green tea with pomagrante juice

Day 67, Sat Nov 25, 2006 7:57pm

Day after thanksgiving and went out very early to do that shopping with the inside crowd of shoppers. Didn't sleep last night so I took a nap in the afternoon. Very tired today. Foods eaten:

salad with honey mustard
few chuncks of watermelon, honeydew, canteloupe
hummus with vegtables
stawberry banana smoothie
dinner salad

Day 68, Sat Nov 25, 2006 7:59pm

Had to work today - a long day. Still not caught up from vacation. Then Chris and Debbie came over. The whole cooking thanksgiving thing and early shopping thing on Friday wore me out. Had to work a long day today. I am tired. So personally I consider it all a victory. I sure have eaten a lot lately and have been so busy catching up from being on vacation that I haven't had a chance to exercise all week. This is sad because I am in the exercise challenge and I blew it big time. (I am a little afraid to weigh myself next Monday.) But I must say I have had to put in some 12 hour days and being on my feet the whole time, I feel like I am going to die at the end of the day. Funny thing is I didn't think losing 25 pounds was that big of a deal until I lifted a box at work around that weight and realized "wow I was carrying this around on my body all the time." Now I can see why people who are overweight have problems with there joints, knees, etc. Had one BM. Food eaten

blueberry pie
hummus
dinner salad with raspberry vinegarette
tabouleh
trail mix/raw grawnola

Day 69, Sunday November 26th

Today was another busy day. Went to church and then my husband says while it is warm outside, why don't we decorate the outside of the yard with Christmas lights. Since we have never done this before, we were a little niave at just how long this takes. I think he thought we could do this in an hour and then four hours later we still weren't done (and realized we needed to buy extension cords which costed me $100 more dollars and took another 3 hours to find everything). Now I know why we never did this in the past. Way too time consuming and for what a month? O well this may be the last time we do this. My neighbor was out there for 3 days doing his. Now we are less than 50% done and my husband has meetings everynight afterwork so we wont get this done till next weekend. Tis the season to be jolly! HA Had 1 BM

Food eaten
Salads and fruit
Hummous

Day 70, Mon Nov 27, 2006 6:40pm

Well to my surprise I lost two more pounds for a total of 27 yeah! Have to work at night so another busy day. Had 2 BMs

Foods eaten:

Large garden salad with all the goodies
green tea with pomogrante juice
trail mix
Raw grawnola
grapes

Day 71, Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:53pm

Had to work today. Plugged in the first set of lights for the Christmas display. Now we just have to finish the bushes.

Just got home from work and working out. I went to the gym (luckily it is open 24 hours) on my way home from work. I have finally caught up from the backlog of me being on vacation - Yeah! So I did 30 minutes on the eliptical machine and 40 minutes on the stationary bike and 5 minutes of abs for a total of 75 minutes. Today I just bought some new exercise DVD's to inspire me if I get a chance to work out at home.
Foods eaten

red pepper hummous with carrots and celery
Alyssa's blueberry pie
grean tea with pomogranate juice
a banana

Day 72, Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:24pm

Today I am going to do my new yoga booty ballet dvd. After working out last night I weighed in for the last November exercise challenge weighin and I am down another pound. So I did meet my goal weight by the end of the month of eight pounds. Yeah! That rocks. So hopefully by next Monday I will be down to 200. That would be sweet. We'll see though cause that would be a 3 pound weight loss by next Monday. I am tired and tomorrow I work the day schedule so will be up early and my body will be in shock. Had one BM. Foods eaten:

Raw grawnola
red pepper hummous with carrots
blueberry pie
grape tomatoes with spices/olive oil
banana

Day 73, Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:49am

Had to work today. Am tired. May be due to the monthly visitor that hasn't checkin in yet but is due to come.

Ok now I am back and the visitor has come. Ok I must confess that I slipped up today. The day started so good with my regular good intentions of staying raw and then because I wanted to get out of work earlier I pushed myself and had a late lunch. The problem was that I was overhungry and when I got to the restaurant I ordered salad bar and then decided to eat a plate of salad with a few spoonfulls of macaroni salad (mayonaisse based). It just looked so good and I had to have it, I was so hungry and wasn't thinking rationally. What a bummer. I did however go to the gym after that and try to burn it off. Just disappointed that I gave into the temptation. I am trying to be so careful to not fall like this since I have an addictive personality and others have warned about it. I just knew I should have packed my lunch. O well I just had dinner and it was raw. But I can totally see how it is just best to fight the temptation and try to stay raw.

Foods eaten:

a banana
grapes
salad with veggies
a few spoonfuls of sad macaroni
grape tomatoes with tomato, pesto seasonings and olive oil
green tea with pomogranite puree

Day 74, Fri Dec 1, 2006 2:44pm

Had to work in my daughter's preschool today. I was pround of myself because I made cupcakes for my daughters school and for the first time in my life I didn't eat any. I think the pull to sweet empty calories has way lessened for me since I have been on raw. We are going to olive garden for dinner. I guess I will be eating the salad cause I think this is all I can eat there. O well sometimes we have to go where are family and friends wants to go.

Update - we ended up eating at Uno's and I had a large dinner salad with balsamic vinegarette there and it was only $4.00. Foods eaten:

red pepper hummous
an apple
salad with balsamic vinegarette

Day 75, Sat Dec 2, 2006 9:08pm

I am feeling so stressed for time lately. I feel like my head is spinning and I don't have time to breathe. I seriously need to be better at prioritizing my time. I feel pulled in a hundred different directions and don't feel like I am getting anything accomplished. Would love to try some new recipes but can't find the time. Had 1 Bm Foods eaten:

salad with balsamic vinegarette
red pepper hummus with veggies
very small piece of sprouted bread with almond butter

Day 76, Sunday, December 3rd

Busy day today. We spent a bunch of time trying to clean up our garage a bit and winterizing power tools, getting gas for snow blower, etc. I did however finally make that tropical lime pie that I had gotten all the ingredients for. It was a lot of work to make but it was pretty good. The crust was made out of agave and dried coconut. Anyway, I also cut open my first pineapple that was going bad. I tried to salvage what I could from it but it was very little. Then I ate some of it and felt deathly ill. The wierd part was my daughter ate some too and she was fine (but she had pizza in her stomach first) and I had a dinner salad prior. So I don't know if that made a difference. I probably should have thrown it away but I love fresh pineapple and wanted some. Had 1 BMFood eaten:

a slice of tropical lime pie
small piece of sprouted carrot/raisen bread with almond butter
dinner salad with raspberry vinegarette dressing
pineapple

Day 77, Mon Dec 4, 2006 11:17am

Well I did my traditional Monday weighin (I have to weighin on Wednesday too for the exercise challenge), but I started on a Monday so I continue to weigh every Monday. I am down 4 pounds from last Monday (and total since raw is 31 pounds). I am actually officially under 200 (199 but it's still under 200!) for the first time in about 4 1/2 years. I think the exercise has helped even though I don't exercise every day due to schedule. My goal is at least 3 times a week and I did meet my goal last week. With help from Di and the exercise thread.

Anyway I have to work tonight and I will bring my workout bag if I get off at a decent time. Most likely though it will be a long night as Monday's generally are. had 3 BMs My food intake for today is:

Hummus with carrots

Later for dinner:
large garden salad with veggies and strawberries on top
tropical lime pie (for dessert)
red grapes

Day 78, Tue Dec 5, 2006 1:06pm

Have to work tonight. I am a little tired from my 12 hour day yesterday at work. Hopefully I can get out of there sooner tonight. Had one Bm. Foods eaten:

Hummus with carrots and celery
tropical lime pie
dinner salad with tomatoes and dried cherries
banana

Day 79, Wed Dec 6, 2006 5:21pm  

Was wiped out from the last two days at work. So needless to say I didn't get a lot done today. Had to play taxi to the kids and then to gymnastics and finallly I did a workout for me. I did a 50 minute tape of my yoga bootie ballet tape - hip hop abs. Then my daughter wanted me to do it again with her so I did another 20 minutes of it for a total of 70 minutes. Foods eaten:

banana
a handful of nuts/seeds
garden salad with mandarin oranges at Wendys
tropical lime pie
hummus with carrots

Day 80, Thu Dec 7, 2006 6:15pm

Had to work today and then went to work out. Did 40 minutes on the eliptical machine, 10 minutes on the stationary bike and 5 minutes of abs and 5 minutes of chest presses. Also went to Good Foods and Whole Foods today to restock up again. Even tried a wheat grass shot for the first time (was very interesting, can't say I liked it but I have heard of the many health benefits so I thought I would see if I could stomach it). had 1 BM Foods eaten:

carrot raisen sprouted bread with almond butter
salad with mandarin oranges from Wendys
small package of raisens
raw pastastio nuts
spinich salad with strawberries and tomatoes
coconut/banana/cocoa shake
cashews with nutrional yeast and sea salt

Day 81, Fri Dec 8, 2006 9:50am

Ok just finished my yoga bootie ballet tape of cardi (36 minutes) and my abs of steel tape (10 minutes). The whole yoga (meditation) thing to me is a little out there but the rest of the tape is fun as far as the dancing. Had a flat tire in between taking my #1 daughter to school and #2 daughter to her school. Luckily I didn't break down on the express way and noticed it and got it to Discount Tire. Took a short nap today and went to a holiday christmas party from Blair's LE group at church. It was a little strange eating a formal dinner and me not eating. The only thing I could strounge that was safe food was 3 baby carrots and a small piece of celery. I also found some almonds I had a few of. At dessert time I finally got hungry and asked the hostess if I could eat a banana. But it was nice to have me focused on people and their company versus being obsessed with food. Also I didn't inhale the million calories around me so that was good too. Anyway today was also good cause my husband took some pictures of me and I am starting to see some progress. However, I will know I have made real progress when others start noticing on their own. Until then I will keep my head high and know that I have reward enough by the way I feel. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten

A few cashews with nutrional yeast and sea salt
Tropical Lime Pie
Spinach salad with tomatoes, stawberries and gogi berries and raspberry vinegarette dressing
handful of almonds
banana
a couple baby carrots/1 celery stick

Day 82, Sat Dec 9, 2006 12:23pm

Well today is the first post under my new picture. Did my abs of steel tape today and some house cleaning. I also will be doing some shopping later at the mall. I am in the middle of sprouting my chick peas to make red pepper hummus. Hopefully by tomorrow they will be ready. Can't wait to try to make it in my new vitamix. Last time I made hummus it totally almost killed my last blender. Foods eaten:

raw pastacios
tropical lime pie
banana

Later I will eat a salad when I go out to eat

Day 83, Sunday December 10th

Today I had to teach the kids at church so it was an early day. Then I went to a fruit market that is on the way home that I have been wanting to go to for some red peppers that I heard were inexpensive there (1.19 a pound which is wonderful compared to meijer at 3.99 a pound). But the cool thing was that on the way in this guy said he got a whole box of bananas for $2.00. So I rushed in and got one also (this box was big and heavy and I got a whole box of red apples too for $2.00). I couldn't believe it. I was so geeked. I guess I will be juicing a lot of apples for some fresh apple juice. I will also be freezing lots of bananas too for icecream and smoothies. I think I will do all of my produce shopping there from now on.
Then we went shopping and out to eat and didn't get home till almost 9:00 p.m. Wow did my feet hurt! Had 1 BM Foods eaten:

salad at bigboys and few chuncks of watermelon, pineapple, honeydew
stawberry, banana, orange smoothie
dinner salad at Lashish
hummus with veggies (yellow pepper, carrots, celery)

Day 84, Monday December 11th

Well I just got done making the red pepper hummus and it Rawks. I used a recipe that was posted on this site but made some adjustments (cause I wanted to make a bigger batch and will bring some to work). Hopefully next time I can replicate it to make it similar cause I put a little in here and in there. I know you know what I am talking about. I also diced some red pepper up in my food processor to add little bits after I was done. I am very happy with it. The real test will be when other SAD people try it at work. I sprouted the chick peas since Friday night so they were good and ready.

Also I made a great drink this morning out of a juiced pomogranate, a pear, apples,and mostly grean tea (that I made with tea bags and hot tap water and then put into the refrigerator). It was refreshingly wonderful! But boy pomogranates sure are messy to juice. However, it was worth the hard work! Also I lost one more pound so I am down to 32 pounds now. A little disappointed but glad to be at least down.

I feel so healthy!

My foods for the day:

Green tea with juice of pomogranate, pear, & apple

Later to bring to work:
Red Pepper Hummus with carrots, celery, & yellow pepper
A banana (cause I have like a million of them)
some trail mix with nuts, raisens, sunflower seeds & goji berries

Day 85, Tueday, December 12th

Today was a hard day after being up for 22 1/2 hours straight and getting off so late from work. Then I went in and worked another 9 1/2 hours. So I am home earlier. I feel like my body is fighting off something (but whats interesting is I haven't come down with it). So today I wasn't that hungry. Food for the day:

Greentea with pomogranate
garden salad with almonds
small fruit cup
trail mix of nuts raisens and sunflower seeds & goji berries

Day 86, Wednesday, December 13th

My day off but I was too tired to do much after the last two days of working. So I played taxi to the kids for school and then to gymnastics, etc. I am a little stressed cause there is a lot to do before christmas and not enough hours to do it all. Plus I still need to squeeze in an exercise tape this evening (I am going to do my yoga bootie ballet tape). Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

1 banana
vegetable sushi with ginger
dinner salad
greenbeans (lightly cooked)
raw fudge

36 minutes cardio caberet
10 minutes abs of steel tape

Day 87, Thu Dec 14, 2006 8:28pm

Well after work today I went to the gym on the way home and worked out on the eliptical machine and stationary bike. I also did some ab work and inner and outer thighs, and chest presses. Then we went to my daughter's school Christmas concert and out to eat. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

an orange; 2 small bananas
salad with tomatoes, and olives
minestrone soup (yes it was cooked - it had a tomato base with beans and celery and onion and other green veggies, but no meat or noodles).
trail mix of nuts, raisens, sunflower seeds, gogi berries.
salad again for dinner with a light balsamic vinegarette dressing

Day 88, Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:46am

just finished my 27 minute tap of taebo and 10 minutes workout of abs of steel. I am tired and sweaty. A few years back (before Evelina was born) when I was in karate these tapes would have been a breeze. Just goes to show how extra weight and being inactive for so long does take its toll. I also am still under the weather with a cold (but what is strange is it isn't a full-fledge cold). Foods eaten:

apple juice (from fresh apples)
dinner salad with veggies
banana
raw fudge
seeded bread with almond butter and banana

Tonight I struggled with this whole raw diet thing. I went to a mexican restaurant and was upset to find practically nothing on the menu for me. Part of the problem was I didn't eat anything earlier and I was hungry. I had a large dinner salad but was not full (satisfied) after eating it. This was a night that I wanted to throw in the towel. You know just out of frustration. But I am now ok. Now I am going to the movie to see happy feet with my 4 year old. The good news is I am going to get her some m and ms before the movie and my husband won't be next to me eating his popcorn (as he went to see another movie with my older daughter) cause I think it would have put me over the edge. Can you tell tonight I am missing sad food.

Day 89, Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:52pm

Today I have also struggled but have stayed raw. I think part of this is because I need to spend some time (which I don't have right now) going through new recipes and buying the necessary ingredients. I am also out of some stuff. I just sent the hubby to the store for some strawberries and an avacodo to make Alyssa's pea soup as I just used my last one at lunchtime to make the cucumber dip for my veggies. He is going to pick up a pizza and wants me to be happy. Last night I froze 76 bananas (small ones) in ziploc freezer bags as they started to get ripe and I didn't want them to go bad. Funny I gave away about 75 of them to friends, work mates and family so the box I bought for $2.00 had 150 bananas in it. I also cut up a bunch of apples to juice that were going bad too that I bought for $2.00. I was surprised as I thought the apples would last longer than what they did (as I only bought them last Sunday). I had to throw out a bunch, gave some away too and still have a few in the refrigerator. Anyway stessed out cause there is alot to do at the home front (a huge mountain of laundry, wrapping, decorating, cleaning) and I don't have enough hours to get it all done. I still don't even have all my Christmas presents bought yet or my tree up yet. Can you tell I am getting a little panicked. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten today:

raw apple juice
seeded bread with almond butter and raw honey
a couple bites of hummus
cucumbers, carrots, and cherry tomatoes with Alyssa's cucumber dip
Pea soup
Lara Bar
fresh juice

Day 90, Sun Dec 17, 2006 11:00am

Today I am feeling a little better today. The pea soup last night was decent - it kinda filled me up real full. The hubby bought me organic strawberries (ouch were they expensive) so I am going to juice some oranges and make a orange, strawberry, banana smoothie and maybe eat a few stawberries.

My husband also juiced last night some carrots, celery, apples, kiwi. So at some time today I will probably have more juice. I heard celery and carrot juice helps desolve bone spurs (which I have a heal spur so I wonder if it will work). I am going to try to get the tree up today and I have soooo many gifts to wrap and laundry to do. I will wait till the week to do more shopping cause I don't want to be out there with everyone else today. Had 1 BM Foods eaten:

a banana
strawberry, orange banana smoothie
small piece of seeded bread with almond butter
carrots with Alyssas cucumber dip
large dinner salad with pinenuts, and veggies and homemade raspberry vinegarette dressing

Well I got the tree up (a 3 hour project) and now I am off to wrapping. I could wrap for 2 days. Anyway still trying to get through all the laundry but that won't happen today. At least I made a dent in it and I have clothes to wear to work next week.

Still haven't had the hubby's juice yet but maybe later.

I am anticipating a way full week next week between work, shopping wrapping, christmas party, etc. so I have to eat well to keep my energy going.

Day 91, Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:40am

Well I have to work in a few hours. I did my Monday weighin and lost 2 pounds for a total weightloss of 34 pounds. I am tired from being up late wrapping gifts yesterday. Had one bm. Foods eaten:

raw fudge
carrots with Alyssa' cucumber dip
dinner salad with mandarin oranges
red pepper hummus
greentea with pomogranate juice

Day 92, Tuesday, December 19th

Had to work today and got off at 4:00 am. Am exhausted. Had 1 BM Foods eaten:

banana stawberry, and orange smoothie
red pepper hummus with carrots
lara bar
dinnersalad
handful of trailmix 

Day 93, Wednesday, December 20th

Today was a busy day. I had 3 hours of sleep before I had to take Evelina in to preschool and I had to make brownies and come in for her party just to leave early and rush to Ariana's school cause she had a half day there too. I love when I need to be in two different places at one time. Anyway came home and took a 2 hour nap then off to gymnastics. So needless to say 5 hours of interrupted sleep didn't quite do it for me. Then I went christmas shopping tonight and I only have a few more gifts to get. Foods eaten today:

raw pastacios
lara bar
a couple bites of hummus with a couple carrots
an apple
pea soup

lightsout cause I have to work early am. tomorrow.

Day 94, Thu Dec 21, 2006 11:19pm

Thursday, December 21st

Another filled up day. Had to work earlier today, then went shopping at Costco, Sams Club and my favorite fruit and vegtable market where the produce is so inexpensive compared to everyone else (like 5 green peppers for a buck, baby carrots $1.00, cored hole pineapple $1.69, etc.). Today I got 3 seedless cucumbers (3 for $1.00), a couple pears, a fresh beet, seedless watermelon (medium sized), package of bagels (for the kids), 2 lemons, and a bag of small golden delicious apples for 7.19. Unbelievable huh? (none of it was organic but I am fine with that). I just wish the market was near my home (it is about 40 minutes away). Then my husband and I went out to the mall and got my Christmas present. He has been doing the research for over a month and actually ordered it online through EBAY and then the company couldn't deliver cause they said the product was damaged. Are you ready for this????? I asked for a $50.00 hamiliton beach food processor and he got me a $300.00 cuisanart 14 cup food processor (boy is this sucker heavy) with an 840 watt motor. I got a workout getting it to the car. Now this might be overkill but I did need something larger and more powerful (cause all I had was a two cup capacity and everytime I made recipes I would have to do them in 2 or 3 batches and some of the recipes shook my food processor across the counter). Anyway I am really excited (I don't get to use it till next week though).

I am pretty much finished with my shopping - (only have one more gift to go). So tomorrow I will again wrap my heart out. Saturday is my family's christmas party. I was asked to bring the cheesy potatoes I made last year but squirmed out of it so my sister asked If I could buy some desserts at Costco. So I did and got a Atlanta cheesecake and triple chocolate bundt cake. I am concerned there will be no food at the party that is safe for me to eat so I told her I would make a salad and also a veggie tray too. This way if the party runs long I have something to eat. She asked if I was going to take a break from my raw diet for a few days and I said no. She is definately the type that will try to sabatoge me so I will have to be very persistent on my stand with her.

Boy is this time of year busy. I can hardly breathe. Anyway foods eaten today:

very small piece of seeded manna bread with almond butter
green tea with pomogranate
lara bar
orange
pea pods, carrots, redpepper, waterchestnuts, celery, & cashews in a coconut curry sauce & hot tea
a couple bites of taboleh (just to taste for flavor)

Oh I also stopped by the health food store for some MACA everyone has been raving about and took 3 today.

  Day 95, Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:52am

Well today marks the end of a 3 month raw journey. I am trying a persimmon for the first time for breakfast. Boy is it sweet! It is good but a little rich and a little too sweet for me (I can't finish it). I am glad I tried it though. I think it would be a fabulous fruit to juice with other things. Isn't God creative. I was thinking about that as I was walking around the fruit and vegtable market yesterday. I can't believe all the varieties of fruits and vegtables (there are so many I haven't ever tried before and wouldn't even know what to do with if I bought it). But since I have been raw (and by the way today marks my 3 month journey on raw) I have tried for the first time mangos, avacados, pomogranates, portabella mushrooms, young coconuts, gogi berries, fresh beets, and now persimmons. (retried cauliflower, fresh spinach, zuccini, and onions, which I never liked so I never ate them) and found a few to be palletable if combined with other things in recipes. I also use fresh garlic which I never used before and my whole pantry has been transformed with every nut and grains like buckwheat and oat groats, and flax seeds, etc. I have invested the most time, energy, and money in my health than I ever did before and I feel good about it. You know how when you go on a fad diet you feel like you are getting ripped off? With raw I have improved my health, had more energy, influenced my family for the better to eat more fruits and veggies, and have convinced my husband to stop drinking (or extremely minimize drinking diet pepsi). He said not to buy it anymore after we run out! Yeah! Had one Bm.

Bust 43 1/4 (down from last month 1 3/4)
Under bust 38 1/2 (-1/2)
waist at belly button 39 3/4 (-1/4)
Hips 42 (down 3 inches)
Butt 44 (down 2 inches)
Neck 12 1/2 (down 1 inch)
left thigh 25 1/2 (down 2 inches)
right thigh 26 1/2 (down 1 inch)
Left arm 13 1/2 (down 1/2)
right arm 14 (down 1 inch)
left calf 16 (down 1/4)
and right calf 16 (down 1/2 inch)
left ankle 9 same
right ankle 9 same

Down another 13 3/4 inches from last month.

Total down 29 1/4 inches from start yeah
Total weight down 36 pounds! Yeah

Foods eaten today:

I just finished up shopping for my last gift. Now I will have more wrapping to do. I just wanted to post what I ate today.

1/2 of a persimmon
taboleuh
salad with walnuts and apples
redpepper hummus with baby carrots
green tea with pomogranate juice

Day 96, Saturday December 23rd

Well today was my family's holiday party. I did really well staying raw at the party cause I brought my own salad and veggie tray. I also stayed away from the incredible desserts that I brought but did end up eating some salted peacans cause I started getting really hungry. However the fallout was when I got home and started separating food to keep for us and give to a friend (my sister sent home mostacolli and sloppy joe meat). Of course I had to sample each one! Darn it! I did good all day and blew it in the last few minutes of the day and now I think my stomach hurts. Probably because I really haven't had any beef or hamburger in my system for 3 months (and the worst thing is it wasn't very good). Well I think this is a good thing in the end cause next time I will remember this experience and I can say to myself you aren't missing out! Anyway I am now tired and need to go to sleep. Christmas eve is tomorrow and I am wiped out from the week. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

lara bar
salad with raspberry vinegarette
couple carrots and cucumbers
pineapple chunks
peacans
Taboleuh
a couple bites of mostacolli/sloppy joe meat

Day 97, Sun Dec 24, 2006 7:33pm

Today was pretty filled up. Went to eat earlier, then when shopping, to a Christmas concert at the church to see Valor and then back out to eat again. Now I have a few more gifts to wrap. Foods eaten:

salad
lara bar
salad
green beans
vegtable sushi with ginger
piece of raw fudge

Day 98, Mon Dec 25, 2006 11:23pm

Well I am exhausted. It seems common that I am posting way to much at this time of the morning. Had a wonderful Christmas! We were blessed with way too many gifts. Very busy at home and then went to my mother in laws house. Had 2 BMS Foods eaten:

mixed fruit salad - stawberries, watermelon, honeydew, cantelope, pineapple
2 bananas
bowl of garden salad w/ raspberry vinegarette dressing, a couple baby carrots
raw cheesecake (boy was it rich! but yummy)
taboleuh

Day 99, Tuesday, December 26th

Spent the day returning Those Christmas gifts that weren't quite right. Then had to work at night.

Foods eaten:

raw cheesecake with stawberry sauce
trailmix of nuts raisens and seeds
taboleuh
hummus with carrots
a couple bites of watermelon chunks
greentea with pomogranate

Day 100, Wed Dec 27, 2006 4:09pm

I am completely overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done at the house all the clutter. I totally need to do some major thrifting and drop off stuff to the Salvation Army. My husband is in a thrifting phase and is anxious about getting rid of stuff which is stressing me out cause I don't have the time to go through everything. I totally agree with him but I need more time to do it. I WANT TO KNOW HOW TO ADD MORE TIME TO THE DAY? Oh and I am up one pound after all this good holiday eating (195) and haven't still exercised a stitch yet this week. My goal was to finish out December at 194 and I was there last Friday. Hopefully I can get back there in the next few days. Also my face is so broken out. I bought a burts bee tomato soap bar that my friend at work suggested. I hope this will help. Foods eaten so far:

chunks of cantelope, honey dew and pineapple.
carrots and celery with hummus
cheesecake with stawberry sauce
Juice of apple, pear, carrot, kiwi, & banana smoothie
__________________

Day 101, Thu Dec 28, 2006 4:53pm

Today I had to work and now I am home and a little tired. I just realized why I had the weightgain and breakout all over my face. The unwanted visitor (Aunt Martha) just came to stay with me and it is causing all kinds of havoc to my body. The cramps this month are really bad. I had to take pamprin at work just to finish my day. Well at least it explains some things as I started getting perplexed about the weight gain. I always fluctuate a little up in my weight at that time. I was beginning to think it was all the raw cheesecake I have been eating. Since I made it, it is so yummy, I have had a slice every day for dessert. I have to say it is one of the best raw recipes I have every made. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

small piece of manna seeded bread with raw honey and almond butter
greentea with pomogranate
red grapes
small dinner salad with raspberry vinegarette dressing
a couple handfuls of trail mix of nuts, raisens & seeds
redpepperhummus with celery and carrots
rawcheesecake with strawberry sauce

Day 102, Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:38am

Well I am glad to report I am back down in my weight and even down a pound to 193. So that is a total of 37 pounds. Now I won't weigh myself until Monday so I won't drive myself crazy. Well I have to go and do housework and eat something. I also need to drop off stuff at salvation army. Later we will go out to dinner. Also went to a movie. Had 2 BMS. Foods eaten:

chocolate shake (made of young coconut milk/meat, pineapple, banana, and agave)
salad bar at ruby tuesdays
raw cheesecake with strawberry sauce

Day 103, Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:08pm

Had to work today and spent some time tying up some loose ends for the year end. Also spent the day visiting friends. Foods eaten:

small piece of seeded bread with honey and almond butter
raw cheesecake with strawberry sauce
dinner salad
pineapple
cherries, a couple veggies, patasious

Day 104, Sunday, December 31

Well we ended the year going to my mother in laws house and watching 4 out of the 6 starwars episodes. A very different new years idea. Anyway, had lots to snack on and my husband even made me a fruit smoothie to ring in the new year which was really sweet. Had 3 BMs. Foods eaten:

dinner salad
carrots and celery with hummus
raw lara bar
couple handfuls of trail mix
dinner salad
cherries, olives
fruit smoothie

Day 105, Mon Jan 1, 2007 11:36am

Well this is the year I want to getmy weight down to a healthy ideal weight. I would like to get this accomplished by September of this year. I say September cause that would be a full year raw. But for now I will take it month by month. I joined the Janauary 30 day challenge as well as the exercise challenge. I also would like to get more order established in my home and spend more quality time with the kids. Another goal would be to spend more time with the Lord (praying, and reading his word as I know this will help direct every other area of my life).

Well I think we will be going over my mother in laws house to finish watching the next 2 star wars movies and hopefully getting down the christmas lights in front of the house. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

small piece of rye manna bread with honey and almond butter
hummus with carrots and celery
lara bar
trail mix
dinner salad

Day 106, Tue Jan 2, 2007 8:01pm

busy day today. Had to do bills (oh how so fun) and all that goes along with it. Also had to work. Foods eaten:

rye manna bread with almond butter and honey
stawberry, banana, kiwi, pineapple, and orange smoothie
fruit salad made of canteloupe, honeydew melon, cherries, pineapple
dinner salad
trail mix of nuts, seeds and raisens

Day 107, Wed Jan 3, 2007 4:20pm

My day off - Yeah right! Well today I had to volunteer in my daughter's preschool this morning after only getting 4 1/2 hours of sleep but the good thing is that now that it is knocked out I don't have to do it again until February. Now with only one parent helping in the room it is alot more work. I had to be drink and snack parent and help with crafts, clean up after all projects and snack, and then clean the bathroom and vaccum. After getting next to no sleep it wasn't a lot of fun. I think the whole coop nursery concept is great so I can be in the classroom watching what is going on however, it is a lot of work. But the cool thing is Evelina really likes school so I guess it is worth it. Then I was off to pick up the A girl at school, randevou with the hubby so he could get her to go to church tonight and then I picked up a few more fruits at my favorite vegtable market. This time I was excited to get strawberries. A whole quart for $1.19. I couldn't believe it. They also look so good. After that I stood in line to return my husband's razor and buy another and now I am off to exercise so I can get my 3 days in to meet my goal. This hasn't been a totally raw day as my daughter had to have a happy meal at McDonalds for dinner and then she didn't finish her fries. So the temptation won and I ate some cooked french fries. They weren't even that good like I remember them to be. I could taste the coating of grease and heavy salt on them. O well maybe next time I will be stronger. The biggest problem was that all I had to eat before the temptation was a lara bar and I was hungry. Did 45 minutes of my yoga bootie ballet tape. Had 2 BMs Foods eaten:

lara bar
greentea with pomogranite juice
frenchfries
hummus with carrots
strawberries

Day 108, Thu Jan 4, 2007 6:36pm

Today I had to work and after work I did some returns and came home and exercised to my hip hop abs tape. Had 1 BM. Food eaten:

tangerine/black tea
an orange
dinner salad
small golden delicious apple
lara bar
handful of trailmix of nuts and seeds and raisens
hummus with carrots
another lara bar

Day 109, Fri Jan 5, 2007 10:11am

Ok I just got done making lunch. I was looking through the cookbook as I wanted something other than salad and a bunch of the recipes I either have to wait to sprout or I didn't have all the ingredients on hand so I made the broccoli soup for the first time in my vitamix and wow what a difference the vitamix makes. You don't even realize the almonds are in there. Before with my old blender you would get bits of crunchy nuts. Also the whole thing was just more smooth and the vitamix actually warms the soup up a little. It was hard for me to eat cold soup before. Anyway later is family dinner night out and that means a salad for dinner. I really need to do some meal planning and try more of the recipes Simple eating is fine when you can't squeeze time in making receipes but I can't live like that all the time. I guess my old patterns and behaviors (habbits) still want more (especially when my whole family and everyone around me eats sad). Had 2 BMs Food eaten today:

watermelon
small piece of sprouted rye bread with honey and almond butter
small bowl of broccoli soup
lara bar
large dinner salad

I just finished my taebo basics tape (30 minutes) and my abs of steel tape (10 minutes). I have to work tomorrow and if I get off at a good time I will hit the gym on the way home

Day 110, Sat Jan 6, 2007 1:52pm

Had to work today and then stopped by the gym to work out. Foods eaten:

lara bar
orange, banana, and stawberry smoothie
small golden delicious apple
dinner salad
broccoli soup
Juice of carrots, apples, limes, oranges, banana, stawberry,pineapple, ginger

My workout:

30 minutes on the eliptical machine
10 minutes on the stationary bike
chest presses - 50 reps - at 60 pounds
inner thighs - 50 reps at 80 pounds
outerthights - 50 reps at 80 pounds
abdominal floor work

Day 111, Sun Jan 7, 2007 8:33am

Well on the way out to go to church today, I told my 4 year old to go downstairs and put on her shoes. I come down to find that she threw up all over her dress, the stairs, and kitchen floor. It took me an hour to clean it all up. Since I have beeen focusing a huge amount of my freetime to this diet, forum, exercising (and believe me I don't have a lot of freetime), my house has severely suffered. It seems like when I try to find anytime for me and working on my issues, there is no time and if I take the time it affects all the other stuff that doesn't get done. It is frustrating. There is just not enough hours in the day! I guess I won't be exercising today except for all the housework I will need to do. The bad news is I am extemely tired but now the whole floor needs to be washed. So today my exercise will consist of picking up after everyone else (so I can find the floor and counters), and putting away everyone's christmas presents so I can clean. So now I pray for me (and the rest of the family) that I don't get sick as My mother in law got sick yesterday and gave it to my daughter today. I really can't afford to get sick right now. So I am wondering today if I should just fast or eat extremely light, or juice. I guess I will play it by ear. Had 1 BM

Well I decided to take a break from cleaning and decided to have some leftover juice from what we juiced yesterday and now I am eating some baby carrots with hummus. I am so wiped out and haven't even made a dent yet in my house cleaning. I have been doing laundry all day and still is not caught up. Plus I am trying to figure out my family calendar for the next three months so things don't slip through the grate. It seems to do one task I have 5 others to do before I can accomplish that one. It is the story of our lives as women and caregivers. I wouldn't trade my life though. I love being a wife and mom. It is just overwhelming sometimes though with all that is on the agenda. This is why we need to take care of ourselves and eat well. Because if we don't do it no one will and how can we take care of others if we aren't healthy and strong? My biggest excuse before going raw was I don't have time to tackle this issue in my life so I will just accept that I will be heavy for the rest of my life. (So glad I am taking the time cause I know that if I hadn't I would be headed for some serious health issues down the road.) Foods eaten:

Leftover juice from yesterday
hummus with baby carrots
handful of pastacios
lara bar
greentea with pomogranite juice

Day 112, Mon Jan 8, 2007 12:19pm

Just a quick check in. I have to go and clean the floor and do more laundry before I go to work. But wanted to let you know that I lost 2 more pounds (39 pounds total). Another week and hopefully I will bridge the 40 pound mark. I want to lose another 40 by the end of May (which is my birthday month). I hope I can do it. Anyway I had another wonderful present to wake up to. My daughter got sick again in her bed. So I had to strip the bed. Wash the wall, clean the carpet and her dolls, toys, etc. Not fun at all! I think it will actually be good to get out of this house tonight for work. It feels all germy. But so far so good (I am not sick yet). I haven't eaten anything yet today but I am going to get some green tea now. Foods eaten:

large dinner salad
small piece of seeded rye manna bread with honey and almond butter
lara bar
carrots with hummus

Day 113, Tue Jan 9, 2007 11:36am

I just got done doing my yoga bootie - caberet cardio tape and abs of steel tape (total 46 minutes). I was going to work out last night when I left work and forgot my workout bag at home. I was so bummed! Well anyway have to work again tonight. Had 2 BMs. Foods eaten:

greentea with pomogranate juice
small piece of seeded rye manna bread with honey and almond butter
trailmix of nuts, seeds, and raisens
hummus with carrots
watermelon

Day 114, Wed Jan 10, 2007 4:18pm

Well my day off was today so I worked out (did 30 minutes of taebo and 10 minutes of abs of steel) and then chauffered the kids around (school, gymnastics, wendys). I also got to Randazzos and got a ton of produce for under $20.00. I am so excited about that place. Totally worth the drive. Anyway now I need to spend some time in the kitchen and prepare some food. I am hungry! Had 1 BM. Foods eaten today:

broccoli soup
a small apricot
small piece of manna bread with almond butter and raw honey
orange, apple, pineapple, carrots, lime, banana, stawberry smoothie
small bowl of tabolueh

I just got done making some raw fudge so now I will have my chocolate fix ready for the next few months. Also I am soaking oat groats so I can make some more raw grawnola - Yum - can't wait!

Day 115, Thu Jan 11, 2007 2:38pm

I had to work today, but it was a light day so I got a chance to run over to the Good Food Store and Whole Foods. I also stopped in at the health club on the way home and worked out for an hour (I did 35 minutes on the eliptical machine, 10 minutes on the stationary bike, ab work, chest presses, inner and outer thighs). Next I have a meeting to go to for my daughter's preschool (how fun - not!). Anyway Had 3 BMs. Foods eaten:

dinner salad with cucumbers and dried cherries
tabolueh
trail mix of nuts, seeds and raisens
lara bar
hummus with carrots
chicken noodle/rice soup (my stomach started hurting and wanted something to make it feel better)

Day 116, Fri Jan 12, 2007 3:10pm

A strange day. Heard about a funeral of a close friend's wife at the last second and drove 1 1/2 hours away to support him. Seemed like the other end of the world to me (and it was). Anyway then had lunch with my brother Ted who I hadn't seen in over a year and in a little while am leaving to go out to dinner with my family. Foods eaten:
pomogranate/greentea
Lara Bar
small dinner salad
mandarin oranges
large garden salad

Just got home and put together the raw grawnola in the oven. Can't wait til tomorrow morning to have some!

Day 117, Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:30pm

Today is my holiday work party at a wally ball place. I know they are going to have pizza (beer and pop) and all kinds of junk food there so I will have to eat before I go. I am looking forward to playing wallyball though as it has been a lot of fun in the past. Plus I can use the extra exercise as I still have one more pound to lose before Monday (I cheated and weighed a little early). The good news is that I am at an even 40 pounds lost now the bad news is I have to really watch what I eat the next to days to lose another pound (which adds a little pressure). Had 1 BM Foods eaten so far:

raw grawnola (yum)
carrots with red pepper hummus
dinner salad
carrot, stawberry, apple, banana, ginger, pineapple, orange juice

Day 118, Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:59am

Today we did some shopping with our gift certificates from Christmas. Foods eaten:

carrot, stawberry, apple, banana, ginger, pineapple, orange juice
salad bar at Ruby Tuesdays
raisen carrot bread with almond butter
tangerine/tea
raw fudge

Day 119, Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:24am

Had to work today. Also a little tired since I didn't sleep too well last night. So after work came home and took a nap and dreamed of pizza. My husband was making a frozen pizza for the kids and I just couldn't control my desire for it. It won and I ate two slices. The temptation was just too great. It has to be my #1 favorite food that I miss and it has been 3 3/4 months since I had any. It wasn't very good though. I can't believe I broke my diet for some frozen pizza. I kept thinking as I was eating it that with each bite it would get better and then it didn't. So I didn't even satisfy that pizza craving cause it tasted bad. All I know is if I am going to endure for the long haul on this diet I have to give myselft some leaway occasionally or I will go crazy. The good news is I don't think I will be tempted again to eat Digiorno pizza again. Later at night I did some floor exercises (butt/inner/outer thighs). Also watched shall we dance. Great movie. Would love to learn how to ball room dance with Blair. Had 1 BM. Food eaten:

strawberries/pineapple
raw granola
3 baby carrots dipped in red pepper hummus
tabouleh
2 small pieces of frozen pizza (not very good)

Day 120, Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:30pm

Had to work tonight but took my lunch break to see the opening of American Idol. Had 1 BM Foods eaten:

strawberries/pineapple
carrots/red pepper hummus
fruit and nut manna bread with honey and almond butter
salad with balsamic vinegarette
handful of nuts
raw fudge

I just got done with work and I hit the gym on the way home. Workout:

40 minutes on the eliptical machine (barely broke a sweat)
25 minutes on the stationary bike
5 minutes of abs

Kinda funny was talking to this guy at the gym and he said I looked healthy cause the whites in my eyes were really white. I had read about this in another thread so I thought it was kinda funny, but cool!

Day 121, Wed Jan 17, 2007 11:34am

Today is my day off. Soon I have to go and get Ariana from school and then take Evelina to Gymnastics. Cause I had to work late yesterday, I am a little out of it. Finally took my food processor out of the box and it was awesome! Had 2 BMs. Foods eaten:

nut and fruit mannah bread with honey and almond butter
lara bar
1 small banana
small dinner salad with almonds
Alyssa's Chili with Barley

Day 122, Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:41pm

Had to work today and on the way home stopped at the gym and worked out for an hour and a half. Foods eaten:

salad with balsamic vinegarette
Alyssa's onion dip with carrots
Alyssa's chili
raw granola

Work out:

40 minutes eliptical machine
5 minutes stairmaster
15 minutes stationary bike
inner and outer thighs 75 reps at 80 pounds
chest presses/triceps
back/bicep machine
abdominal floor exercises

Day 123, Fri Jan 19, 2007 10:40am

So today I am off work yeah! But of course that just means a million things to do around here at home. Anyway I just made a orange/apricot/banana/strawberry smoothie to share with my little one. It is delish! Tonight we are going out to eat at PF Changs with the family. I can't wait as I am craving some fresh peapods (snappeas). Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

stawberry/banana/orange/apricot smoothie
small piece of fruit and nut manna bread with almond butter
peapods, waterchesnuts, redpepper, celery, carrots & cashews in a coconut curry sauce
a small piece of raw fudge
cherry tomatoes

Workout:

Did my Taeboe tape - 30 minutes
abdominal floor work 10 minutes

Day 124, Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:22pm

Trying to get stuff done around the house today. Not enough hours in the day. But feels good to be home and getting some things done. Went to see The Queen at the movies and caved into eating a small popcorn. I was really battling wheather or not to eat the popcorn and then decided to eat it. The good news was I was in control and was able to stop when I was satisfied. I didn't eat until I was sick like I used to and I felt no guilt either. I felt like God was allowing me to have it, so I was fine with the whole thing. Foods eaten:

cherry tomatoes
small piece of fruit/nut manna bread with almond butter
strawberry/orange/banana/carrot smoothie
raw grawnola
dinner salad
movie popcorn

Day 125, Sun Jan 21, 2007 3:17pm

Had church today then went to Louis Chophouse for brunch. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

large dinner salad
mixed fresh fruit plate (2 strawberries, cantelope pieces/grapes)
dinner salad with mock Alyssa's salmon
small banana
piece of raw fudge
lara bar

Day 126, Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:25am

Well today marks officially that I have been raw for 4 months. Wouldn't have thought I could have made it this far. I weighed myself and lost another 2 pounds for a total of 43 pounds. Yesterday we opened up my new digital camera I received for Christmas this year. I was discouraged to see just how terrible I still look (even after losing 43 pounds). I still have so far to go and it is just so frustrating. I guess I didn't gain it overnight so it will take probably a year or so to get it all off. I wanted however, to take a professional photo with me and my family at the end of May (but I know I still won't be down to where I want to be by then) since we haven't had one done since my oldest (who is 11) was 3. What's funny is a few months back I would have been jumping up and down about being 187, but now I am there and I still look and feel extremely fat! I don't know why I am in such a funk about this but it may be the realization of just how out of control I was and how I let myself slip so bad. Having food addiction issues is not a lot of fun. Sometimes I wish my issues wouldn't affect me directly. Its funny, I didn't set out to conciously self destruct but that is what happened. As I turned to food for all different reasons, it robbed me of so many things and the temporary comfort or escape food provided left me feeling more depressed, unhappy, unhealthy, etc. It was a constant vicious cycle that affected so many areas of my life and not for the positive. Well anyway I thank God I am on a better path now however, I can't help to feel sad about where I am still currently at. It is probably a good thing so I can continue to stay focused and motivated. I must admit lately, I have been getting a little weary.

Measurements

Bust 43 (down from last month 1/4)
Under bust 37 ( 1 1/2)
waist at belly button 38 1/2 (1 1/4)
Hips 42 (same)
Butt 44 (same)
Neck 12 3/4 (up 1/4)
left thigh 25 1/4 (down 1/4)
right thigh 25 1/2 (down 1 inch)
Left arm 12 3/4 (down 3/4)
right arm 13 1/4 (down 3/4 inch)
left calf 15 3/4 (down 1/4)
and right calf 16 (same)
left ankle 9 same
right ankle 9 same

Down 6 3/4 from last month
Total down 36 inches from start
Total weight down 43 pounds

Foods eaten:

watermelon
Lara bar
very small banana
small side salad from wendy's
small mandarin orange cup from wendy's
small piece of raw fudge
some trailmix of nuts and seeds, and raisens

Day 127, Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:17am

Had to work early into the morning so I just got up about an 2 hours ago. I also have to work tonight. I am not sure why I was so depressed yesterday (maybe the mothly visitor is coming to visit soon). I know I should be celebrating and I will keep on keeping on. In Church on Sunday (in KidStuf) their theme was on discipline - which is doing what you know you need to do even when you don't feel like it. Eating this way for me is somewhat of a spiritual battle and discipline since my flesh would love to just do what it wants to do. However, I know if I choose to keep drawing on God's strength I can do this! Also a friend at work said that I need to just keep focusing on the next goal not the overall picture so I don't get so discouraged. I think that is wise since I have been worrying if I will ever make it to where I want to be (and where my husband wants me to be) and this has been stressing me out a bit. So with this in mind I now focus on the next 2 pounds to complete the month and to get in my regular exercise and eat raw! Had 1 BM. Today's food intake:

juice of 3 oranges, banana, organic cacoa, squirt of agave (pretty good)
lara bar
large dinner salad
hummus with carrots and celery
cherry tomatoes & 2 bread sticks

Day 128, Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:42pm

Today was a busy day as always. I am really just sitting down to eat. I ate a lara bar earlier to tide me over til now but thats it. So I went to my favorite fruit market today and got a box of cluster tomatoes (25 large tomatoes for $2.00). Yeah! So I will give some away but the majority I will keep and eat. So I just sliced one up and put olive oil and seasonings on it and it is yummy. I am thinking about eating another or eating some cherries I bought (maybe I will be greedy and eat both). I love tomatoes. I just wonder if they are a fruit that is high in calories. Anyway, tomorrow I have to work and then I am watching a friend's husband that has had cancer and several rounds of chemotherapy so she can go out and do errands. I am going to bring a pizza (at their request) and salad and then I thought I would bring my juicer over and juice up some fresh oranges and make him a orange, banana, strawberry, pineapple smoothie. I hope he will like it. She said he has become extremely picky with his eating so I am not sure what will taste good to him. I am trying to get some nutrients in him as he looks so frail. It is so depressing to me as he can't even talk now. It sucks seeing so many that are so close around me getting sick. If anything it keeps inspiring me to eat raw! Now I have to figure out what exercise tape I will be doing before the hubby gets home. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten so far:

pomogrante/greentea
lara bar
2 tomatos with olive oil and seasonings
cherries

Exercise: circuit training DVD 25 minutes
10 minutes abs of steel tape

Day 129, Thu Jan 25, 2007 7:49pm

Well today I had to work and then I worked out and then went to a my friend's house to watch her husband (who has had several rounds of chemo). It went fairly well but at one point I ended up having to call her home cause I ended up having a situation and his speech is not clear and he can't really talk now. I am glad I finally got over there so she could have some time away. Had two BMs. Foods eaten:

tangerine/blacktea smoothie
raw granola
cherries
dinner salad with mock salmon and balsamic vinegarette
orange, pineapple, strawberry, banana smoothie
lara bar
handful of trail mix
redpepper hummus with celery

Exercise - Hour and 10 minutes

10 minutes stairmaster
30 minutes eliptical machine
10 minutes stationary bike
chest presses
abdominal floor exercises

Day 130, Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:01am

Well my monthly visitor is here. I guess that explains why I am tired. I just made a nice waldorf salad and it is pretty good! I am also soaking sunflower seeds to try the refried beans everyone has been making. I needed to try some new things. Boy is it snowing hard outside. This would be a good day to be next to a fire or snuggled up in bed. I just have too many things to do and soon I will have to leave to go and get daughter #1 from school (yuck - I hate driving in snow and freezing rain). Anyway, tonight I am planning on going to our first ball room dance lesson with my husband. I don't know how good it will be cause it is through the city of New Baltimore but I figure it will be more exercise for me and a fun night out together. We already missed 1 class, but the teacher said we could register late and join tonight. So we will have dinner with the family first and then go to our lesson. Yeah! I love dancing cause it doesn't seem like exercise and it's fun. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

a bowl of waldorf salad
salad bar at Ruby Tuesdays
tangerine/passiontea smoothie

Day 131, Sat Jan 27, 2007 8:19am

Last night's dance lesson was great! We danced for only an one hour but believe it or not I was able to work up a small sweat! My poor husband was so sore after class I had to give him leg massages. He said he would continue to take the classes but going forward I have to massage his legs every week afterward. We actually did pretty good (considering we missed the first week). We did the fox trot, waltz, and cha cha with variations. I was super excited after class about it. It is nice to do something different together and get exercise at the same time. Now we need to figure out how to get some of that classic music so we can practice together! I have been talking about doing this for years so it is finally great to get a chance to do it!

Now today I have to try to make those refried beans. My seeds have been soaking since yesterday so I can't wait to try to make them. I wonder if there is some cheese I can make for the top! Well back again. Had to take Ariana to basketball practice and then we went to a resale shop. It was fun as I found more asian dishes there for when I make sushi night. Had 1 BM Foods eaten:

Refried Beans Recipe - Yum!
tangerine tea
Salad at Applebees

Day 132, Sun Jan 28, 2007 11:41am

Well today was good as I had church and had to teach the 5th grade girls. It was a good overall message about discipline - doing what you need to do even when you don't feel like it and our bodies not belonging to us but to God so we need to take care of them. This message just confirms to me that I need to stay on the raw path and even when I don't feel like eating healthy, I need to keep perservering because I need to do things to bring health to my body. Foods eaten:

tangerine tea
salad with lemon olive oil dressing
hummus
dinner salad
a few mixed vegtables with salsa
a banana
a small piece of raw fudge

Day 133, Mon Jan 29, 2007 11:50am

Today I have to work and today I weighed myself and I am extremely bummed that I only lost 1 pound (down 44 pounds total). It could be because I am on my monthly but I don't know for sure (as I generally gain a little weight during that time). I guess I will know next week if I lose extra weight. But I really hate missing goals. It is reallyhard when you put forth a ton of effort all week and all you lose is a pound. O well I guess anything in the downward position is good. It will just take me longer to get to my goal. Had 1 BM Foods eaten so far today:

Waldorf Salad (yummy)
refried beans
sliced tomato with olive oil and spices
Lara bar
grapes

Day 134, Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:43am

Have to work today and will be leaving soon. Foods eaten:

orange, pineapple, stawberry, banana smoothie
a couple tablespoons of hummus
garden salad with balsamic vinegarette and olive oil
trail mix of nuts, seeds, and raisens
refried beans
 

Am sprouting some quonia for tabolueh. Today was a rough day as my neice who is 20 and has cancer is in intensive care and just had a colostomy bag put in her. From the stress I was tempted to go off of my raw food diet and eat things that I thought would comfort me but I remained strong. It is funny how old habits are so engrained in us that that is the first thing we think to do instead of turning to God. I hope she will make it to the weekend as I am planning on going to be with my brother then. With a young family of my own it is hard to get away. I am tired and drained emotionally and now must get some sleep.

Day 135, Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:42am

I am sprouting quinoa right now to make tabouleh later tonight. I still have 6 large tomatoes I need to do something with and I just bought some fresh parsley last night. Tonight I will also be writing the bills out for the first of the month (a task I cannot stand!) I haven't eaten anything yet but will soon. I don't know what I feel like having yet. Had 1 BM Foods eaten:

taboleh
lara bar
grapes
raw fudge
salad

Day 136, Thu Feb 1, 2007 8:32pm

Today I had to work and it was exhausting dealing with the hospital and emotionally draining to try to deal with the new issue of Bill not being able to see his daughter. It truely amazes me how incensive people can be. Anyway at the end of the day we ended up with a resolve. Thank God he is in control and a hospital couselor got involved. It also makes me want to hug my kids more and love them as I realize they are a gift from God that could be taken away at any time. Anyway it felt good to fight on my brother's behalf and win a small battle for once! Foods eaten:

tangerine tea
grapes
salad with Alyssa's ceasar dressing
very large garden salad
raw fudge

I also got a chance to work out at the gym today. I did 30 minutes on the eliptical machine, 20 minutes on the stationary bike and about 10 minutes doing abdominal floor exercises. I needed that big time as it was a temporary distraction to my temporary trials of my neice

Day 137, Fri Feb 2, 2007 6:45pm

Today I had to work in my daughter's preschool. We also had family dinner night at a steakhouse and I ate a dinner salad. Then we went to our dance class which is an hour. We did salsa with variations, waltz, and rhumba at the end of class. I am having a blast and breaking a sweat at the same time! I wish I could do this everyday! Had One BM. Foods eaten:
tangerine tea
salad with ceasar dressing
salad with honey mustard dressing
green beans
peanuts

Day 138, Saturday February 3rd

Drove out to Kalamazoo to see my niece in the hospital that has cancer and to show support to my brother Bill. She was doing amazingly better in comparison to her near death experience the other day. Her and her mother both liked the gifts I gave them and I was happy since I prayed first. had 1 BM Foods eaten

tangerine tea
lara bar
small piece of manna bread with honey and almond butter
salad
orange
trail mix of nuts, raisens and seeds

Day 139, Sun Feb 4, 2007 5:43pm

Was tired today from not getting a lot of sleep the last few nights and all the travel to Kalamazoo and back. Also good to be home again. It was a white knuckle drive in sections because of the blowing snow and new snow coming down. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

hot tea
raisens
couple tablespoons of peacan chips
couple tablespoons of (frozen/thawed) peaches, pineapple (at hotel)
a small orange
a small apple
dinner salad
lara bar
hummus with carrots

Day 140, Mon Feb 5, 2007 12:02pm

I have to work today and get some stuff done from being away. It seems I am always on the go. Also weighed in today and I am at a plateau. It kinda sucks and I am a little frustrated. Last week I only lost 1 pound and this week none. This is the first time this has happened. I didn't get my three days in of exercise last week either so I know that makes the difference. I have to do that as well as add more exercise in. I just don't know how I will find the time to do it. Tonight will be a long night at work so I won't be exercising today. I guess I will do what I can do. I just wish I had more time. I also need to get grocery shopping. My house is pretty depleted and the husband is feeling slighted. So I need to get more fresh foods for me and sad food for them. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

watermelon
couple tablespoons of red pepper hummus/carrots
lara bar
small dinner salad
trail mix of nuts, seeds, and raisens
orange, strawberry, banana smoothie

Day 141, Tue Feb 6, 2007 12:25pm

Today I have to work later and with as busy as it was yesterday, I won't be getting off early (as I left modems on the shelf from yesterday and still have more to do plus the new ones from today. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

banana/blueberry icecream
celery/carrots with hummus
an orange
watermelon
5 small cherry tomatoes

Day 142, Wed Feb 7, 2007 4:40pm

Today I did 40 minutes of high low aerobics and 10 minutes of abdominal floor exercises. I only got 3 hours of sleep last night so I am exhausted but proud I pushed myself to exercise even when I didn't feel like it. I have to work early a.m. tomorrow and was going to go to bed early but then I heard lost was back on tonight so I am in a dilemma. It is the only t.v. show my husband and I really watch. What to do what to do? Had 2 bms. Foods eaten:

tabelouh
1/2 cup of cooked food that I made for Evelina
fruit and nut bread with honey and almond butter
huge salad with pinenuts, cherry tomatoes, peppers
small piece of raw fudge 

Day 143, Thu Feb 8, 2007 5:14pm

Had to work today and then went to the gym after work and did some shopping. After the gym and shopping I felt famished and ate non-raw stuff. Also with it being so cold out I decided to get some soup. Tomorrow I will do better. Foods eaten:

tangerine/tea
lara bar
garden salad
orange
salad
garden vegtable/tomato soup
piece of bread

Today's exercise an hour and a half total:

40 minutes eliptical machine
10 minutes stairmaster
10 minutes stationary bike

50 reps at 90 lbs inner thighs
50 reps at 90 lbs outer thighs
50 reps at 60 pounds chest presses

abdominal floor exercises
stretching

Day 144, Fri Feb 9, 2007 8:34am

I just finished with my circuit training tape that has high and low aerobic movements and weights and then my abs of steel tape. I can't believe I am sweating more today from 30 minutes of exercise than the hour and a half from yesterdays exercises. Hum! I think I need to add on more time on the stairmaster cause that makes me sweat. Mentally it is hard though.

Tonight is my ballroom dance class with the hubby. I just went out and bought some ballroom/big band dance music so hopefully we can practice. So it will be another hour of exercise tonight of doing what I love. We will spend probably at least a half hour before class practicing though since we didn't do it together since last friday night and there were a lot of variations. I hope we can remember. I am now soaking some oatgroats to make raw grawnola for the morning. Can't wait!

After dance class we went to Lifetime to soak in the hottub. Was a great evening out!

Foods eaten:

handful of raw cashews
pineapple/banana/organic cocoa smoothie
lara bar
dinner salad
dinner salad
pomogranate with black tea

Day 145, Sat Feb 10, 2007 7:59pm

Today we went and watched Ariana play basketball and then did some shopping. We are also thinking about planning a party for Ariana's 12 birthday party. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

raw grawnola
garden salad
hummus with carrots
raw fudge

Day 146, Sun Feb 11, 2007 9:47am

Today will be spent mostly on cleaning and then I will be going to small group. Foods eaten:

Raw grawnola
banana
garden salad
another huge salad with raspberry vinegarette dressing

Day 147, Mon Feb 12, 2007 1:29pm

Today I have to work. But I lost 2 more pounds yeah (for a total of 46 pounds Had 1 BM. foods eaten:

handful of raw grawnola
hummus with carrots
pineapple
small banana
garden salad

Day 148, Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:16pm

Had to work today. Plus a ton of errands. Foods eaten:

waldorf salad
hummus with carrots
garden salad
cherry tomatoes
banana

Day 149, February 14, 2007

A big snow day. The kids are off school today. Completed 40 minutes of pilates. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

waldorf salad
hummus with carrots
raw grawnola
small cup of mac and cheese

strawberries

Day 150, February 15, 2007

Tangerine/Black Tea
Raw grawnola
Strawberries/pineapple
Garden salad with balsamic vinegar/olive oil
Vegetable sushi with ginger 

Did 1 hour of 50/50 aerobics – 30 minutes step/30 minutes weight training
Had 1 BM

Day 151, Friday, February 16, 2007

Today I had parents day at school and then had to rush and get Evelina at her school for her Valentines party.  Tonight is ballroom dance lessons with the hubby.  I love it!  Had 1 BM.   Foods eaten:

Waldorf Salad
Vegtable Sushi
Dinner salad with ginger dressing
Miso soup
Tangerine/Passion Tea

Day 152, Saturday, February 17, 2007

Trying to get ready for Ariana’s party on Saturday so spent most of the day cleaning and shopping.  Foods eaten:

Raw grawnola
Couple bites of waldorf salad
Hummus with carrots
3 small cherry tomatoes
Green tea with pomogranite juice
 

Day 153, Sunday, February 18, 2007

Well Today is officially 5 months raw.  I wasn’t going to weigh myself until tomorrow as I normally do but I like to post my actual weightloss on the day.  So I lost another 2 pounds for a total of 48 pounds.  I kept thinking my anniversary was on the 22^nd of September, but when I went back to my journal it was actually the 18^th.  So I am doing this 4 days early from last month.  Also a lot of people are actually starting to notice my weightloss.  Someone at work told me she thinks I look like a different person.  It is funny that I had to lose almost 50 pounds before people started to notice. 

Measurements

Bust 42 1/2 (down from last month 1/2)
Under bust 36 (down 1 inch)
waist at belly button 37 1/2 (down 1 inch)
Hips 41 3/4 (down 1/4)
Butt 43 1/2 (down 1/2)
Neck 12 3/4 (same)
left thigh 25  (down 1/4)
right thigh 25 1/4 (down 1/4)
Left arm 12 1/2 (down 1/4)
right arm 13 (down 1/4 inch)
left calf 15 3/4 (same)
and right calf 16 (same)
left ankle 9 same
right ankle 9 same

Down 4 ¼ inches from last month

Down 40 ¼ inches from start

Foods eaten:

Salad with honey mustard
Fresh pineapple chunks with honey dew melon
Salad with tomatoes, pinenuts, cucumbers & raspberry vinegarette
popcorn (I decided to have this and am ok with it)

I am trying to figure out the long-term aspect of this way of eating. When I think that I will never eat any cooked food again, it doesn't seem realistic to me, but I want to stay raw. So I am taking it day by day. I still have a long path ahead of me and figure it will still take me another 7 months or more to get down to where I want to be. And the stange thing is I may not ever even get there. Only God knows where my body will end up. But the point is is that I don't want to drive myself crazy so occasionally I am ok with not being 100% raw everyday. I am very careful though as I know some cooked foods could trigger me to getting out of control. But I feel proud of myself from where I was to where I am now and with being around SAD people 24 hours a day I feel good about what I have done and am doing. Don't get me wrong, I am not setting out to eat cooked food - my goal is to be all raw but I guess what I am saying is that to keep myself eating raw I will occasionally allow myself some latitude on certain things. Ok enough babeling.

Day 154, Monday, February 19, 2007

Had to work today.  Foods eaten:

Pear, strawberry, banana, orange, carrot, & apple smoothie
small amount of raw grawnola
dinner salad with tomato and pinenuts with raspberry dressing
lara bar
raw pastascios

Day 155, Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Had to work today.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten: 

Leftover Pear, strawberry, banana, orange, carrot, & apple smoothie
dinner salad with tomato and pinenuts with raspberry dressing
lara bar raw pastascios

Day 156, Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Did 20 minutes of circuit training and 10 minutes abs of steel.  Lost night yeah!  Had 1 Bm.  Foods eaten:

Young coconut milk/meat with pineapple and banana and organic cocoa shake
Hummus with carrots
Baby argula and romaine lettuce with pinenuts and tomatoes and greenpepper
Larabar
Apple

Monthly visitor also came late tonight.  I am tired.

Day 157, Thursday, February 22, 2008

Had to work today and then I worked out at Lifetime for an hour and a half.  Foods eaten:

Tangerine/tea
Very small piece of manna bread with raw honey and almond butter
Baby argula salad with tomatoes and pinenuts and balsamic vinegar and olive oil
Red grapes
Greenpepper stuffed with avacodo, seasalt, tomato, and red onion/braggs

Workout included:
 

30 minutes on the elliptical machine
20 minutes on the stairmaster
10 minutes on the stationary bike

Abdominal Floor exercises

Inner thighs
Outer thighs
Chest presses
Triceps/biceps

Day 158, Friday, February 23, 2007

Ariana’s 12^th birthday.  Very busy trying to get ready for the party tomorrow at our home.  Can’t believe she is 12 already.  Foods eaten:

Lara bar
Large Garden salad With Balsamic Vinegarette
Small piece of manna bread with almond butter and honey
1 Hour of Ballroom dancing with Husband

Day 159, Saturday February 24, 2007

Today is Ariana’s party.  A lot of time prepping for today so I can’t wait till the event is over so I can breathe again.   Weighed myself and am finally at the 50 pound mark.   Had 1 Bm.  Foods eaten:

Orange, strawberry, banana smoothie
Garden Salad
Small piece of Raw fudge
½ glass of white wine

Day 160, Sunday, February 25, 2007

Busy day with Church and then Small group.  Definitely not a 100% raw day.  Foods eaten:

Piece of Ariana’s Birthday cake
Piece of pizza
Large garden salad with raspberry vinegarette
Couple handfuls of Trail mix of nuts seeds & raisens
Tangerine/Black Tea

Day 161, Monday, February 26, 2007

Well today I have to work later.  I am tired after the long weekend of events.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Small piece of manna bread with almond butter and raw honey
Fresh Squeezed Orange juice
Handful of raw macadamia nuts
large garden salad with raspberry vinegarette dressing
a pear
trailmix of raw nuts and seeds and raisens
lara bar

Day 162, Tuesday, February 27, 2007

I just got off work so now I am tired and ready to lay down and calapse. Foods eaten:

tangerine/blacktea
large garden salad with raspberry vinegarette
a pear
trail mix of raw nuts seeds, & raisens

Day 163, Wednesday, February 28, 2007

My day off consisted of household shopping and trying to recooperate from yesterday.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Lara bar
Small wendy’s side salad w/mandarin oranges
Carrots and red pepper hummus
Red grapes
Also did my circuit training tape and abs of steel tape

Day 164, Thursday, March 1, 2007

Worked today and then went to Good Foods and Whole Foods to pick up some more stuff.  On the way home I stopped at the gym and worked out for 1 ½ hours. Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Lara Bar
Tangerine/black tea
Peapods, carrots, redpepper, waterchestnuts & celery in coconut curry sauce
Large garden salad with raspberry vinegarette
Grapes
Redpepper hummus with flax seed crackers 

Work out: 

30 minutes elliptical machine
20 minutes stairmaster
10 minutes stationary bike
Inner thighs – 50 reps on weight machine
Outer thighs – 50 reps on weight machine
Chest presses
Abdominal floor exercises

Day 165, Friday, March 2, 2007

Had to work in my daughter’s preschool today and I am tired.  Stayed up too late last night and up too early.   The good news was we took some 5 month pictures and I finally uploaded my new avatar.  Unfortunately I don’t have time to take a nap but I need one.  Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

Fruit and nut bread with almond butter and honey and a strawberry on top
Peach, strawberry and pear smoothie
Raw cashews
Large garden salad
3 small dark chocolate kisses

Day 166, Saturday, March 3, 2007

Filled out the bills the first part of the day.  I will be doing some exercise later.  I also need to make some more raw fudge for the freezer.  Hopefully I can do this sometime today. I had a huge chocolate craving last night and no raw fudge. So I ate 3 small dark chocolate kisses to get me past the hump. Its funny, I can make a pan of raw fudge and it lasts me a few months cause generally I don't crave chocolate too much but last night I did and felt like I had to have it. That is why we must be prepared with stuff already made.  Foods eaten:

1 Pear
Apple, carrot, lime, pear, strawberry, banana, & orange smoothie
Red Pepper Hummus with flax seed crackers
More hummus with veggies
Garden salad

Exercise:
The Firm Total Scult plus abs – 1 hour

Day 167, Sunday, March 4, 2007

Had church today and then got home and made some raw fudge.  It didn’t turn out like the last time.  I think I blended it too much and then I ended up overheating my vitamix and it shut off.  The good new was that it came back on 45 minutes later as it said it would.  Foods eaten:

Garden salad
Few chunks of pineapple, cantelope and honey dew melon
Red pepper hummus
Flax seed crackers
Lara Bar (pecan pie yum!)
Raw fudge
Handful of pinenuts

Day 168, Monday March 5^th , 2007

Have to work later.  Still sore from working out on Saturday.  I have lost two more pounds and am finally out of the 180’s – Yeah!  Had 1 BM. 

Foods eaten:

Young Coconut, banana, pineapple, organic cocoa smoothie
large garden salad with pinenuts and raspberry vinegarette
an orange
trail mix of nuts,seeds and raisens
Lara Bar (to eat later)
Pomegranate/green tea

Day 169, Tuesday, March 6^th 2007

I have to work later.  I am still a little tired!  Foods eaten:

Fresh squeezed orange juice
Vegetable sushi with ginger
Large garden salad with raspberry vinegarette dressing
Couple handfuls of pinenuts
Went to Randazzos and got whole pineapples for $.99 cents each!

Day 170, Wednesday, March 7^th

My day off.  Spent a big part of the day getting ready to  go to Kroger and shopping with their double up to a $1.00 coupons.  I ended up saving $100 dollars in coupons.  Yeah!  Had 2 BM’s.  Now I need to do an aerobics tape before lost starts.  Foods eaten:

Large dinner salad with raspberry vinegarette
Small piece of raw fudge
Redpepperhummus with carrots
Handful of raw macademia nuts
Lara Bar
A banana
Taebo workout & abs of steel

Day 171, Thursday, March  8^th

Had to work today and then after work stopped by to see my friend Ernie who has cancer and is on Hospice and then went to workout at the gym.  I worked out for over 1 ½ hours and then went to a meeting a my daughter’s preschool.  Full day!  Foods eaten:

Pineapple
Tangerine/tea
Large garden salad with pinenuts and raspberry vinegarette
Vegetable sushi with ginger
A banana

Workout:

30 minutes elliptical machine
30 minutes stationary bike
20 minutes stair master

Inner thighs – 50 reps at 80 pounds
Outer thights – 50 reps at 80 pounds
Chest presses – 50 reps at 60 pounds
Floor Abdominal work

Day 172, Friday, March 9^th 2007

Just got done making banana papaya pudding (Yum!) and then I plan on making pizza later after the buckwheat sprouts.  I am going to use the calzone dough for the pizza (as rawkinlocs recommended) and use the mozzarella cheese recipe instead of the cheddar.  I can’t wait to get started!  I also found out that I like papaya.  I have been waiting for it to ripen.  I didn’t like mango the last time I tried it so I am glad I like paypaya.  We are hosting our small group meeting from our church on Sunday and I have to get the house cleaned tomorrow.  But so far I have no where to go on Saturday so I hope to get a full day of cleaning in.  I will  have to cook SAD for the group though.  I am making taco stuff and Mexican rice.  If I have time, I may make some refried beans for me from the recipe on rawfood talk. 

Went out to eat at Carabbas and all of there salads dressings had cheese in them.  So they suggested this tomato/onion/red pepper/olive oil mixture that they serve on top of their bruchetta.  I ate that on top of my salad.  The only thing was that the red peppers in the mixture were roasted.  O’well, I am fine with that.  When I got home I started making the pizza and all of the toppings for it.  The crust is in the oven now dehydrating.   Boy do I love, love Alissa’s marinara sauce – it is the bomb!   I think I will make it sometime and just pour over some colored peppers for dinner –             or maybe I will just eat the sauce by itself as I am not crazy about zucchini!  I can’t wait for that pizza to be done!  Foods eaten:

Banana paypaya pudding
Handful of Raw cashews/pinenuts
Garden salad with a tomato/onion/red pepper/olive oil mixture
A glass of merlo wine (yeah I know not raw but I was craving some red wine) It has been almost 6 months now since I have had any alcohol
Taste testing of the mozzarella cheese & marinara sauce to go on pizza for tomorrow

Workout Today:

55 Minutes of the Firm 2 Mximum Cardio Burn Plus Abs

Day 173, Saturday, March 10^th 2007

Saw the movie The Gift today.  Was a great movie.  Also spent time cleaning and getting ready for tomorrow’s meeting.  Worked out also for an hour to the Firm Complete Aerobics & weight Training.  Foods eaten:

Orange, banana, papaya, & pineapple smoothie
3 pieces of Living Pizza
1 piece of raw fudge

Day 174, Sunday, March 11^th, 2007

Well today we had our small group over our home.  It was nice having company over.  Had 1 BM Foods eaten:

Glass of fresh squeezed orange juice
Large garden salad with raspberry vinegarette     
1 piece of living pizza
Fresh pineapple

Day 175, Monday March 12, 2007

Have to work later today.  Got the kids pictures and prints done through Chesterfield Twp. Police department.   Weighed myself and it looks like I have gained a pound.  I don’t know how this could have happened as I worked out an extra day last week.  I don’t know if it is because I have been working out with weights instead of straight cardio or if it is the pizza I have been eating.  This is the first time this has happened.   Foods eaten so far:

3 pieces of living pizza
Dinner salad
Orange, banana, strawberry, & pineapple smoothie

Day 176, Tue March 13, 2007

Had to work today.  Stopped at Sams club and got some beautiful strawberries and cherry tomatoes.   On the way home from work I had a very strong urge to stop at White Castles or Taco Bell.  I know - I don't know where that came from (I think it was the memory of previous late night eating excursions that I used to indulge in on the way home from work - you know "fourth meal").  But I stayed strong even though it was tough and tried to think of that PETA video I saw.  I was extremely hungry for some reason.  So when I got home I didn't see a whole lot to eat that was ready to consume and I caved and had some mexican rice.  So I won one battle but lost another.  I was doing so good earlier though.  O well another day!  Had  1 BM. Foods eaten:

1 piece of living pizza
Pomegranate/green tea
Grapes
Garden salad with pinenuts
Lara Bar
A little bit of Mexican rice

Day 177, Wed March 14, 2007

Today started off a little rough as I made my daughter nacos for lunch and ended up taste testing them.  Then I went shopping at Big Lot and found some cool columns and went to Costco and got some more Lara Bars and dried apricots.  I also got a new pair of jeans for $9.00 and they fit great.  I don’t want to be buying a lot of clothes cause I know I will be going down from here but I wanted a pair of jeans that fit.  My last pair are now falling off of me.  Yeah Raw! Then I went to my favorite fruit and vegetable market and they didn’t have any kale.  I wanted to get kale to start making green smoothies.  I did however get a $2.00 box sale on some apples that I will juice up.  Then I came home and did Windsor Pilates DVDs and watched Lost.  I just got done making coleslaw with apples, raisens, apricots, & sunflower seeds.  It is pretty darn good. Had 1 BM  Foods eaten:

Taste sampling of my daughters nachos
Lara Bar
Hummus with carrots
Trail mix of nuts, seeds, dried fruit
Coleslaw as mentioned above

Day 178, Thr March 15, 2007

Today I had to work but I got my hair done on the way home and stopped at the gym and worked out for 1 ½ hours.  I also stopped at the bookstore and picked up rawvolutions cookbook and the China Study.  I also ordered Green For Life so I can make my green smoothies.  I made the ranch dressing out of rawvolutions book (it was pretty good and it surprisingly did taste like ranch.  However, I added dill to it.).  Had 1 BM.    Foods eaten:

Tangerine/black tea
Lara bar
Huge bowl of coleslaw
Large dinner salad with ranch dressing and pinenuts  
Small piece of living pizza

Workout included: 

30 minutes on the stairmaster
20 minutes on the elliptical machine
10 minutes on the stationary bike
50 chest presses at 60lbs.

Floor exercises for abdominals, inner and outer thighs, and buns
A great all around workout!

Day 179, Fri March 16, 2007
 

Fun Friday.  Everyone in my house seems to be sick.  Anyway it hasn’t been a very productive day so far and in a few hours we will be going out to dinner, ballroom dance lesson and maybe a movie.  I have so much to do and not enough time to get anything major accomplished.  O well I guess some days are just like that.  Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

Tangerine/green tea
Carrots/baby cucumbers with hummus/ranch I made yesterday
Dinner salad
6 vegetable sushi rolls with ginger
Chunks of Grapes/cantaloupe/honey dew melon
Handful of pinenuts
Update – didn’t make it to ballroom dance lesson cause hubby was sick.  But did see the movie.

Day 180, Sat  March 17, 2007

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Today I will start to work on my personal story.  An exercise we are doing within our small group.  It is an exercise that I dread doing because some the past events of my life are very traumatic and emotional.  For me I tend to not want to go there because it takes so much out of me. I also got my exercise in today.  Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

Young coconut, pineapple, banana & organic cocoa smoothie

Cucumbers and carrots with hummus

Handful of pinenuts

Large garden salad with sliced almonds and homemade ranch dressing

Piece of raw fudge

Green tea with pomegranate juice 

Today's exercise:

high lo aerobics tape
abs of steel tape
inner/outer thighs and buns floor exercises
25 push ups

Well today officially marks 6 month into my raw journey.  Amazing that I have done this for ½ a year and I didn’t know if I could last one month.  I am proud of this accomplishment.  Well to celebrate the event I guess I should indoctrinate myself with a green smoothie!   Foods eaten:

Juice of apples, carrots, kale, oranges, strawberry and banana
Hummus with carrots, baby cucumbers and a few cherry tomatoes
Handful of pinenuts, macadamias, cashews
Lara bar
Carrots with Rawvolutions ranch dressing

Measurements:

Bust 41 (down from last month 1 1/2)
Under bust 35 (down 1 inch)
waist at belly button 37 1/4 (down 1/4)
Hips 39 3/4 (down 2)
Butt 42 (down 1 1/2)
Neck 12 3/4 (same)
left thigh 24  (down 1)
right thigh 24 1/2 (down 3/4)        
Left arm 12  (down 1/2)
right arm 12 3/4 (down 1/4 inch)
left calf 15 1/2 (down 1/4)
and right calf 15 1/2 (down 1/4)
left ankle 9 (same)
right ankle 9 (same)

Down 8 ¼ inches from last month  
Down 47 1/4 inches from start
Down 54 pounds total

Day 182, Mon March 19, 2007

I have to work later.  I hate Mondays as it is always back to the grind time.  I made refried beans today.  O my gosh I feel full.  You don’t have to eat a lot of those to feel full. Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Refried Beans
Green smoothie leftover from apples, carrots, kale, oranges, strawberry and banana
Dinner salad
Banana

Day 183, Tue March 20, 2007

Have to work later today.  Today I am struggling with figuring out what to do with all my clothes that don’t fit me anymore.  The good news was I tried on a bunch more clothes today that do fit me and some that are too small still.  I am so excited about it.  It seems I have had about 4 sizes in my closet cause over the years I go up and down.  But it has been a long while since I have been down this low.  So anyway I want to give all my big clothes away but I am scared to.  I think the reason for this is because maybe I haven’t fully dealt with the reasons I got this big to begin with.  I watched someone who had the stomach stapling surgery talk about this.  She lost the weight but didn’t deal with why she put the weight on to begin with.  So here I am debating about whether or not to hold onto these clothes.  I don’t know what is wrong with me.  I think I need perspective on this issue.   Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Strawberry, orange, & banana smoothie
Refried beans

Carrots, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and hummus

An apple

Lara bar

Handful of raw macadamias

Day 184, Wednesday March 21, 2007

My days off seem to fly.  I did however, make it to the fruit and vegetable market and get tons of great produce so I am set for a little while.  I also made the zucchini hummus out of the raw table’s website and it is pretty good.  I think I need to experiment with the vegetables I dip into it.  My throat is a little scratchy so I hope I am not coming down with a cold.  Had 1 Bm.  Foods eaten:

Small side salad at Wendys with mandarin oranges

Small Orange, banana, strawberry smoothie

Zucchini hummus with veggies

Exercise

Taebo Basics tape

Abs of steel tape

Day 185, Thursday March 22, 2007

I am tired today (most likely due to the monthly visitor). I am just finishing up work (yeah an early day) and later will have parent teacher conferences. I can't believe I forgot my purse today. So I was going to stop at the gym and now I don't have my membership card or license to get in.  I don't know how this happened as I have never done this before.  Anyway, I am looking forward to going to Muskegon for the weekend.  I will be seeing a raw food chef and afterwards will get to sample the yummy raw food.   Foods eaten:

small piece of sprouted manna bread with honey

grapes

zuccini hummus with carrots, tomatoes & cucumbers.

Lar Bar

Salad bar a Ruby Tuesdays

Piece of raw fudge

Day 186, Friday March 23, 2007

Ok today I am tired from staying up late taking my 6 month photograph and updating the website, etc.  I have to pack today and I have another meeting in a half an hour to get Evelina tested for her speech.  Foods eaten so far:

Orange, strawberry, and banana smoothie
Small slice of manna bread with raw honey
Lara Bar
Hummus with peppers and tomatoes
Dinner salad

Day 187, Saturday March 24, 2007

This was a truly wonderful day.  The hotel was great, weather fabulous and the Raw Food Chef event in Muskegeon was the bomb.  I also got to meet a few people on RFT (that were super nice) and get some things I needed at the Health Food store. 

Later we drove home and went to the Movies with a friend and saw a great movie.  I ate a ton today but mostly just sampled small amounts of all the food at the demonstration.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

A banana
Tomato soup/Miso Soup
Broccoli Salad, BockChoy Salad with Raw Kombucha
2 Nori Rolls with a few bites of Kumute and wild rice
Green beans with red pepper salad
Apple pie/energy balls
Garden Salad
Green Tea with Tangerine
Piece of Raw fudge

I know a long list of all raw stuff.  I ate great today!  The raw chef was very good!  I am glad to have gone to the event.  I also got to meet Girlsmiley (Lori) from our challenge and Bryant (who paid for our tickets) who is also from RFT in person!  I feel so spoiled and blessed!  A perfect raw day!

Day 188, Sunday March 25, 2007

Today was church earlier and I taught the kids during the service and on the way home I stopped at my favorite fruit and veggie market to get some peppers for my salad I am bringing to small group this afternoon.  I am tired from the traveling and staying up late the last few nights.  I think it is finally catching up with me.  Was doing good until after small group and then my mother-in-law give us pizza to take home.  This is still my number one thing I miss.  So I crumbled.   Foods eaten:

Lara bar
Veggies with hummus
Garden salad (Raw Thousand Island dressing homemade)
Slice of pizza
Chunks of Pineapple, cantaloupe, grapes  

Day 189, Monday March 26, 2007 

I have to work later tonight and I really detest Mondays as it is generally my heaviest workload day and a long evening.  It seems a lot of people around me are dying.  This is strange as the older I get it happens more and more.  It is funny at one time it was everyone was getting married, then having babies, and not this is all I hear about.  I guess it is just the natural progression of life.  I lost one more pound today.  I guess it is ok because I missed my goal of working out last week big time!  I only worked out 1 day.  I haven’t eaten yet today but will eat later at work. 

Foods Planned for later:

Fresh Fruit Juice – apples, carrots, strawberries, etc.
Garden Salad
Trail mix of nuts, seeds & fruit

Day 190, Tuesday March 27, 2007 

I have to work later today and of course it is rainy and grey outside.  Yuck not a nice day compared to yesterday’s weather.  Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

hummus with carrots/cucumber/cherry tomatoes

Lara bar

6 Raw Luna Nori crackers (Awesome!)

tangerine/green tea

Work out

50 minutes stationary bike

30 minutes stair master

30 minutes elliptical machine

50 reps of chest presses at 60 pounds

50 reps of inner and outer thighs at 80 pounds

Abdominal floor exercises

It felt good to workout!

Day 191, Wednesday March 28, 2007 

Well today I finally got my windshield replaced.  Yeah!   It was my day off so I also got some other things done around the house like dishes and laundry, errands.  I hope to squeeze in some exercise here shortly.  Later I would also like to make some coleslaw before I watch LOST with my wonderful husband!  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Fresh Papaya

5 Raw Nori crackers with hummus

Young coconut milk, pineapple, banana, cocoa smoothie

Apricot Coleslaw

Exercise:

½ hour of taebo

10 minutes Abs of Steel

Day 192, Thursday March 29, 2007 

I had to work earlier today and then had a meeting at my daughter’s school.  Luckily I was able to get off work early enough to get in some exercise in between.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Tangerine tea

Banana

Sweet and Sour Cole Slaw

Lara Bar

Dinner Salad

Handful of Macademia nuts

Piece of Raw fudge

Exercise:

½ hour on stairmaster

50 chest presses at 50 lbs.

Abdominal floor exercises

Butt floor exercises

Day 193, Friday March 30, 2007 

For some reason today I was tired and needed to take a nap.  Later we will be going out to dinner for family dinner night.

After dinner went to the mall with Ariana and then friends of ours came over (Chris and Debbie).   Foods eaten:

Banana, papaya, orange, and pineapple smoothie

Garden salad

Hummus with veggies

RP’s Raw Brownie

Day 194, Saturday March 31, 2007 

Was a good day.  I juiced a big batch of juice to make green smoothies in the morning.  Later in the afternoon I finally conquered making vegetable sushi (nori rolls).  I made some with rice for the hubby and mine I put barely in as rice.    I definitely need some more practice but I think overall I did pretty good.  It is a lot of work though.  I also made miso soup to go with it and it was ok.  Next time I will have to leave out the ginger in the soup and do less miso.  I added too much miso to cover up the strong ginger taste.  It was nice to have an evening alone with the hubby and break in my new cool oriental dishes for the first time.   I just also got done finishing putting raw grawnola in to dehydrate overnight for tomorrow.  It has been a while since I made some.  Overall it was a pretty good day.  I even went through more  of my closet to get out the stuff that is too big for me now.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Apple, carrot, Kale, banana & orange smoothie

Hummus with carrots, celery, & cherry tomatoes

8 nori rolls (filled with barley, yellow/orange peppers, carrots, asparagus, & avocado & sunflowerseed,celery, & lemon paste) topped with ginger & braggs

Miso soup

Day 195, Sunday April 1, 2007 

Went to church earlier and then went to my favorite fruit and veggie market, got all my goods, waited in line and realized I had no wallet on me.  So needless to say they wouldn’t take a check without a liscense and I went home empty handed and frustrated.  I also didn’t get to go out to eat with the hubby cause I was so panicked and had to go home to try to find it.  Anyway I had my grawnola in dehydrating and it was done and I ate that.  It was yummy.  The weather was nice today so I did some rollerblading and pushed my daughter in the jogging stroller (who is 4). Pretty soon she will be too big for it, but I may be able to squeeze in another summer with it.    Foods eaten today::

raw grawnola

3 vegtable nori rolls (leftover from last night's feast)

raw nori/flax crackers with hummus

Day 196, Monday April 2, 2007 

Today was a busy day. Earlier today I had to fill out the monthly bills. I hate, hate this time of the month! Good thing I only pay them once a month. Anyway then I had to work. I am also at a plateau it seems. Don't know why, it is frustrating. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

raw grawnola
large garden salad trailmix of nuts, seeds and raisens
greentea/tangerine

Day 197, Tuesday April 3, 2007 

Worked earlier today and was a long day. Had 1 Bm. Foods eaten:

Handful of raw macadamia nuts
Lara Bar
Garden salad Trailmix of nuts seeds and fruit
Greentea/tangerine RPs brownie

Day 198, Wednesday April 4, 2007 

My day off today. Of course it doesn't much feel like a day off as I have to recuperate from Monday's and Tuesday's work schedule and I didn't get up until 12:30 p.m. then I had to go to both of my daughter's schools and went out to the New York deli for a bite to eat with the family. Of course the only thing I could find to eat there was a dinner salad so I ordered two small dinner salads while my husband and daughter ate their hamburgers with frys. I must confess I ate 2 french fries off my husband's plate. I do miss potatoes. Anyway, what was interesting was I think I am finally losing my desire for eating hamburgers (which I used to love). It was funny that they didn't even look good at all. I think watching that PETA video has helped me subconsciously equate meat with sick and diseased animals that are not healthy. Now if I could just find a cure for desiring pizza! I will be doing some kind of exercise tape tonight as I seem to be getting no where lately with my weight loss goals. I don’t know if it is because I have been eating more or the type of foods I have been eating. But I really want to make some serious headway by summer so I can look decent in a bathing suit. Foods eaten:

Young coconut, pineapple, banana, cocoa smoothie
Garden salad
RPs Brownie
Hummus with carrots

Today’s exercise 45 minutes of Pilates

Day 199, Thurday April 5, 2007 

I had to work today and then after work I did some shopping and hit the gym. I just got home a little while ago and decided to make Alissa’s marinara sauce and put it over multicolored peppers. I don’t care too much for zucchini. It was a great idea and I loved it. Well the temperature has dropped here in Michigan. It was in the 60s a few days ago and now it is in the 30’s. And it has been snowing. O well so much for spring! Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

Tangerine greentea Raw grawnola with a couple pineapple chunks Salad and vegetable soup Lara bar Marinara sauce over multicolored peppers

Exercise – 1 ½ hours

30 minutes on the Eliptical machine 32 minutes on the stationary bike 50 chest presses Abdominal floor work Butt floor work & stretching

Day 200, Friday April 6, 2007 
Today we went to a Good Friday service and then out to dinner with the family. I haven't been real hungry today. But I had an incredible salad at dinner. Foods eaten:

strawberry, banana, orange smoothie
lara bar
large garden salad
hummus with veggies

Day 201, Saturday, April 7, 2007 

Today I woke up and did my exercise tape and now I have to spend some time cleaning and doing easter eggs with the kids.  Foods eaten:

strawberry, banana, orange smoothie
raw grawnola
hummus with vegetables
miso soup with mushrooms and green onions
handful of raw macademia nuts

Exercise today includes 55 minutes:

50 minutes of Yoga Bootie Ballet hip hop abs
5 minutes of inner thighs and bun floor exercises

Day 202, Sunday, April 8, 2007 
Happy Easter.  Went to church and then went out to eat at the “Meat” Place (Mongolian Barbeque) for lunch.  Was ok I ate off the salad bar.  Then we came home and did an easter egg hunt with the kids and finally put up my swag in the bathroom.  Yeah!  Had 1 BM:

Foods eaten:

Lara Bar
Garden salad
Raw Grawnola
1 timbit
Hummus with celery
Leftover marinara with colored peppers

Day 203, Monday, April 9, 2007 

I am a little discouraged today because I have been at a plateau for 2 weeks now and this has never happened to me.  Ugh!  The scale has not been my friend.  But that’s ok I will keep pressing forward to the goal at hand.  It is definitely at times like this that I do need to turn to Christ to help me with my attitude.  I would have to say that I am personally struggling right now. That is why I try to only weigh once a week.  I am also considering weighing once a month as there is more than one way to measure the results of raw.  Ok my fears are this.  That I will have to drastically watch my intake and start eating a lot less, or do more exercise (which I don’t have time to do) or something I have no idea.  I have also been really resisting the idea of fasting as well.   This is probably because I feel like I have given up so much already and number 2 I really don’t believe in fasting purely for trying to lose weight.  I feel if I am going to fast is should be for spiritual reasons.   I also feel the pressure of what it seems are now 2 wasted weeks.  Another factor that could be contributing to all of this is I do tend to gravitate toward heavier foods that make me feel more full.  I did meet my exercise goals the last 2 weeks so that hasn’t been a problem.  O well Heres to another week on raw!  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Strawberry, orange, & banana smoothie
hummus with celery
large garden salad
trailmix of nuts, seeds & raisens
apple
lara bar
tangerine green tea

Day 204, Tuesday, April 10, 2007 

Today I got a few things done around the house and then had to work. After work I was listening to Pastor Bogel (who is a precious and awesome prayer warrior) and I called in to give an update/praisereport on how God has been so good to me helping me overcome in the area of my food addictions.    Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Mannabread with honey and almond butter & 1 strawberry
large garden salad
an apple
trail mix of nuts, seeds & raisens

Day 205, Wednesday, April 11, 2007 

I hadn’t eaten yet today so I just got done juicing & blending a fabulous drink for me and the kids that I am now enjoying. I made a orange, apple, carrot, strawberry, banana, & blueberry smoothie. The color of it is really nice. I am also soaking sunflower seeds to make the refried bean recipe and I am going to hopefully make up some raspberry vinegarette dressing. I am waiting for my raspberries to thaw. This will be the first time making it with frozen raspberries. I hope it turns out. I am also thinking about making a waldorf salad to eat for lunch tomorrow as I just bought some beautiful red grapes. I need to also squeeze in some time for exercising before Lost tonight.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

orange, apple, carrot, strawberry, banana, & blueberry smoothie
Refried beans
Large Garden Salad

Oh and I got on the scale today (I know I shouldn't have cause I only like to weigh once a week and I lost a pound.  Now I am down to 174! So hopefully I will keep it off until Monday until I weigh in again. I am hoping this is a sign that my plateau is broken.)  Yeah!

Exercise today 1 hour:
Circuit training/high/low aerobics
Abs of steel tape

Day 206, Thursday, April 12, 2007 

Had to work today and then went to a yoga class and a vegetable market.  Foods eaten: 

Grapes
Garden Salad
Tangerine/tea
Lara bar
Vegetable wraps

Exercise 1 hour of yoga
 

Day 207, Friday, April 13, 2007 

Today was my day off and I ended up making some recipes that I have been wanting to make.  The first recipe was Alissa’s banana crepes.  I am going to eat those for breakfast tomorrow.  I am just not sure when the banana leather will be done. The second recipe I made is a waldorf salad.   We went out to eat at Uno’s pizza and I had to sit and watch as my children and hubby ate my favorite non-raw food “pizza”.  I had a large garden salad and I was pretty hungry since I had little to eat before I went to the restaurant.  Then we decided to go see a movie and 2^nd struggle of I want that popcorn.  I almost don’t even want to go to the movies anymore due to the internal struggle that goes on with this issue.  My husband knew I was struggling so he tried move the bag away from me and then I think he felt guilty about eating it altogether and he ended up only eating a little bit.  I feel bad cause I don’t want to ruin it for others.  But I know right now with me not losing weight the last few weeks I have to be extremely anal about what I am eating.  I would also like to keep off the pound I lost the other day and make some more headway.  Oh well I am tired now and I still have to post more on RFT and respond to some emails.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Strawberry, banana, & orange smoothie
Lara bar
Large garden salad with blueberry/pomogranate vinegarette
Waldorf Salad

Day 208, Saturday, April 14, 2007

I finished my strawberry crepes this morning and they are good but very rich and filling.  My DH didn’t like them but he tried the waldorf salad I made and thought that was ok.  Today I have to go to visitation for my friend at the funeral home and we have to finish up our taxes.  Foods eaten:

Strawberry/banana crepes
Waldorf Salad

Day 209, Sunday, April 15, 2007

Today was church and small group.  I also have a lot to do to get ready to go away for tomorrow and have another funeral in the morning before we go to my niece’s funeral on Tuesday.  Had 1 BM Foods eaten today:

Lara bar
Strawberry/banana crepes
Garden salad
Hummus with carrots
Waldorf salad

Day 210, Monday , April 16, 2007 

Today is Ernies Funeral and Melanie’s viewing.  I can’t believe how crazy it is just handling the day to day life and adding a few unexpected events in.   I am stressed out just trying to get all the details managed to get ready to go.  Foods eaten:

Waldorf Salad
Salad/fruit bar at Big Boys
Salad with avocado, cilantro, blackbeans
Trail mix of nuts seeds & raisens

Day 211, Tuesday, April 17, 2007

A very full day with Melanie’s funeral and then driving home from Kalamazoo and work at the tail end.  Was up 22 hours straight.  I ended up drinking coffee for the first time in 7 months to get through the night. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

2 oranges/raisens/peacan chips
Salad bar at Big Boys
Pomegranate green tea/coffee
Hummus with carrots
A banana

Day 212, Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - 7 Months

Today is Evelina’s first day at her new preschool.  So I need to pick up Ariana early from school so I can be back to pick up Evelina.  Then I need to squeeze in some exercise and Lost is later tonight.  Also today marks my 7 month anniversary on raw food.  Woke up and weighed myself and I am back up the one pound I lost again.    UGH!  I am not too surprised as I have been away for the last few day and have been primarily eating out and no exercise.  So I guess its not too bad.  But as I am looking at this I feel like a whole month has went by with very little progress.  This is completely discouraging!   Had 1 BM.

Foods eaten:

Lara Bar
Young coconut, pineapple, banana, organic cocoa smoothie
raw macademia nuts
Hummus with carrots
½ of a paypaya 

Exercise 20 minutes of circuit training
10 minutes abs of steel

Measurements:

Bust 39 3/4 (down from last month 1 1/4)
Under bust 35 (same)
waist at belly button 37 1/4 (same)
Hips 39 ¾  (same)
Butt 41 1/2 (down 1/2)
Neck 12 3/4 (same)
left thigh 23 1/2  (down 1/2)
right thigh 24 1/2 (same)    
Left arm 12  (same)
right arm 12 3/4 (same)
left calf 15 1/2 (same)
and right calf 15 1/2 (same)
left ankle 9 (same)
right ankle 9 (same)

Down 2 ¼ inches from last month
Down 49 1/2 inches from start
Down 55 pounds total

Day 213, Thursday, April 19, 2007

Worked a 12 hour day today.  Didn’t get a chance to workout like I normally do.  Also got my monthly visitor.  Foods eaten:

Tangerine tea
A banana
Garden salad with raspberry vinaigrette
Homemade Trail mix of nuts seeds, and fruit
Hummus with carrots and cucumber

Day 214, Friday, April 20, 2007

My day off and I need to run some errands, grocery Shopping etc.  Had 2 Bms

Foods eaten: 

Strawberry, orange, paypaya and banana smoothie with berry greens added
Raw macademia nuts
Salad
4 veggie sushi with ginger
Green beans
Chunks of Strawberries, honey dew melon
One small piece of raw fudge

Day 215, Sat, April 21, 2007

Had to work today since I took off Monday for Melanie’s funeral. On the way home I stopped off at the gym and worked out for an hour and a half. It is a beautiful day here in Michigan. Warm and sunny! It really helps my mood when it is this nice.  Later we went to the movies.  Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

Tangerine Tea
Red grapes
Garden salad with raspberry vinegarette
Trail mix of nuts, seeds, & raisens

Salad bar at big boys
Small piece of raw fudge

Exercise:

30 minutes Stairmaster
20 minutes stationary bike

Leg extensions
50 reps at 110 pounds
50 reps at 90 pounds

Chest presses
50 reps at 60 pounds

Floor abdominal work

Day 216, Sun, April 22, 2007

Was a beautiful day again.  Went to church in the morning and then we packed up a picnic lunch and went to Lake Port and sat on the beach and played horseshoes while the kids played in the sand.  The we had dinner out at a Mexican restaurant.  Foods eaten:

Strawberry, orange, banana, apple, carrot, & kale smoothie
Lara bar
Garden salad with raspberry vinegarette
Salad with pico de gallo, guacamole, fresh salsa & veggies
Raw fudge

Day 217, Mon, April 23, 2007

I have to work later tonight.  Just got done cutting up and freezing a huge lot of strawberries I bought yesterday for $2.00 (some of them were bad but I got 8 quarts of strawberries – a box sale at Randazzos and the majority of them were perfect still.  I finally lost the pound I gained last week plus an additional pound so I am now down 57 pounds to 173.  Yeah.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Strawberry, orange, banana, apple, carrot, & kale smoothie
Some strawberries while I was cutting them up
Hummus with carrots
Garden salad with raspberry vinegarette
Lara bar
Watermelon
Trail mix of nuts, seeds, and fruit

Day 218, Tue, April 24, 2007

Worked today and was a decent day.  Still working on trying to drink my water.  I am hoping this makes a difference on the scale.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Sweet and sour coleslaw
Hummus with carrots and cucumber

Day 219, Wed, April 25, 2007

It rained most of the day here in Michigan so kindof a bummer cause my daughter’s zoo trip got cancelled.  But I did get a couple other things that have been on my to do list done.  Overall there are too many tasks and not enough time to get things done.  The next big thing is to work on my personal story which I am dreading.   Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Coconut, pineapple, banana, cocoa smoothie
Small side garden salad at Wendys
2 Handfuls of raw pistachios
Sweet and sour coleslaw

Exercise: 

45 minutes of step aerobics
10 minutes of abdominals

Day 220, Thur, April 26, 2007

Worked today and then worked out after work at the gym for 1 ½ hours.  I feel it.  I definitely pushed myself hard today.  Foods eaten:

Tangerine/tea

Banana

Carrots, waterchestnuts, peapods, celery & redpeppers in coconut curry sauce

Redgrapes & 4 strawberries

Hummus with cucumber, & celery

Shot of wheatgrass

Frappachino made with brazil nuts and cocoa nibs

Today’s exercise:

30 minutes stairmaster

25 minutes treadmill (20 minutes running)

Chestpresses 50 at 50 pounds

Leg presses 100 at 90 pounds

Hamstring curls 20 at 50 pounds

Floor abdominal work

stretching

Day 221, Fri, April 27, 2007

Today I am trying to get ready to leave for the retreat.  I Made icecream out of my leftover frappacino last night.  I added a few frozen bananas and some agave.  It is pretty good but I will have leftovers to freeze again.  Tonight will be a rush to get there and the first session will be at 7:00 p.m.  It will be tight getting there on time and checking into the hotel.  Had 2 BMs.  Foods eaten:

½ of a cantaloupe

Frappacino icecream

Hummus with veggies

Trail mix of nuts, seeds, & fruit

Pineapple chunks

Exercise at Hotel:

1 ½ hours

40 minutes on treadmill walking and running

150 reps on leg Press at 105 pounds

15 legpulls

20 chest presses at 60 pounds

20 leg curls

Floor exercises:

Inner and outer thighs & buns

Abdominals

stretching

Day 222, Sat, April 28, 2007

Today was the retreat and everything worked out foodwise.  Was happy because they gave me one big salad instead of chicken for dinner. So between what I brought and was able to get earlier at the restaurant I was fine.  Was pretty tired all day because we stayed up late talking and then I couldn’t sleep the night before probably because I worked out so late and then got energized.  But overall a good day and the speaker was decent.  We also walked around for a few hours and walked to a restaurant and did some shopping.

Foods eaten:

Lara Bar

Trailmix

Garden salad

Large garden salad

orange   

Day 223, Sun, April 29, 2007

The finale to the retreat was good.  Finally the speaker had a message that was more geared for me so I was pretty happy.  Overall it was a nice weekend away but tiring cause I didn’t get a lot of sleep and it was an emotional weekend.  Then we went to small group and got more emotional.  So now I am really tired.  I would like to start to fast tomorrow but I haven’t completely decided cause I have a lot of produce in the refrigerator.  I guess I will decide tomorrow.  Overall I did good with my eating while away.  So that made me happy.  We also did some shopping at an outlet store on the way home.  Foods eaten:

Lara Bar

Dinner salad

Fresh cantelope chunks and strawberries

Edamane dip with celery

young coconut, banana, cocoa smoothie

Day 224, Mon, April 30, 2007

Today I woke up and lost 2 more pounds.  Yeah a total of 59 pounds!   Today is my first day of the Mastercleanse.   I am planning to do the Mastercleanse for 10 days and then fresh squeezed orange juice for the 2 days after. This will be somewhat a birthday present to my body as I had abused it for so long prior to being raw and I will turn 38 on the 12th of May. Also it seems for me that I will need this time to do some deep self exploration as I write my personal story (an exercise we are doing in our small group) and this will be a timely process. It just seems between this assignment and just getting home from a spiritual retreat it is good timing. In order to get all that God wants for me to get (revelation) I think fasting will be a huge benefit. Also I know a lot of emotions will be stirred during the writing of it so it will be good that I will have nothing (like food) to turn to as I experience this (except of course God).  Well I am now off to make my water mixture!  Had 2 BMS

2 liters of the lemonade water

1 bottle of water

1  cup of the laxative tea in the morning

Day 225, Tue, May 1, 2007

Well I finished my first day successful. THe Mastercleanse lemonade is actually pretty decent.  I don’t know if that is just because I mostly drink water all the time and it is a variant but I am sure after 10 days of drinking it I will be tired of it.  Well today is day 2 for me. I felt hungry a few times yesterday but just drank the lemon water mixture and a little bit of water. I know I need to do both but when I am working it is tough to keep running to the bathroom as it is on the other side of the building. But I did drink 2 liters of the lemonade and  one bottle of water. Today I will try to do better but I still have to work later. Right now I feel a little dehydrated so I need to get in some water. I have already lost 1 pound since yesterday. It will be interesting to see how much I lose in 12 days.

Well 1 day down! This is mentally not easy as I thought about eating a few times yesterday especially as I was preparing dinner for my family last night. But I remained strong!  I am hoping we can figure out our water purifier system so we can start using it. We have stored it in the cupboard the last few years and it would be nice to start drinking good water again.  Especially on my fast.  I also need to get to Costco today and buy some more pure maple sryup and lemons cause I can see what I have will not last long. Had 2 BMs

Laxative tea

2 bottles of water

Approx. 48 oz. Of lemonade (couldn’t finish cause didn’t feel well)

Day 226, Wed, May 2, 2007

Well 2 days down! I am down another 2 pounds and I have the white pasty tongue.  It is good to be out of the 170’s.  I just hope that I can stay there after the fast is done.  I am currently at 168 and I know I will gain a lot of the weight back after the fast but I would like to keep some of it off.  Because of the mix being off yesterday there was too much cayenne red pepper and it made my stomach feel weird.  I spent most of the night with a stomach that was gurgling and hurting.  I think it may also be due to the laxative tea.  So today I will drink the balance of yesterdays mix (24 oz) and add to it.  I am already not fond of the idea of drinking it.  But I will continue to drink it because I want to get all the full health benefits from this cleanse.  It will be nice to know that I am truly cleaned out inside.    Today will be a busy day because I have to pay the bills, get to the post office, squeeze in some exercise, etc.  I hate the first of the month.  Everything around me in the house is in shambles and I look at the yard and there are dandelions everywhere in the back yard (I spent time pulling the ones in the front but I think it is a losing battle).  I spent time outside trying to weed and pick up some of the shrub clippings that were left out there.  Everywhere I look there is stuff to do.  I am overwhelmed.  I wanted this fast to be more spiritually oriented but haven’t had the time to even really press into God.  Also I still haven’t started my narrative and probably won’t for awhile cause there is quite frankly no time.  Had 1 BM.

Consumed:

Laxative tea

1 bottle of water

2 Liters of the Lemonade

Exercise: 30 minute bike ride

Day 227, Thr, May 3, 2007

Well 3 days down! I woke up and weighed myself and I gained back one of the pounds I lost.  I am the only one who can gain a pound while fasting.  Pretty funny.  I still also have the pasty tongue.    Anyway, I had to work earlier today and then stopped by the gym and worked out for an hour and a half.  Then I did a few errands, and then sat by the lake for 20 minutes (praising & praying to God for such a gorgeous day).  We don’t get too many of these days in Michigan.  Then I went to Salvation Army and found a white blouse for my daughter’s play for next Tuesday.  She is going to be Fannie Crosby in it.  It was so incredibly cool because I prayed God would help me find one that was at a reasonable price but looked nice.  I went to two clothing stores and couldn’t find one I liked so then I finally popped into Salvation Army and there was a perfect shirt there for 50% off brand new with the tags still on it.  So I paid a whole $1.50.  I was pretty excited as most of the white blouses I was looking at were around $20.00-$25.00 each.  So that is my blessing today.  I am a little tired as I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.  The last 2 days I had a hard time finishing all of my lemonade but today it is already gone so I hope I don’t get too hungry tonight.  I still need to drink my tea today too.  But boy does it make my stomach churn and hurt. 

Consumed

2 Liters of Lemonade

Water

Exercise: 1 ½ hours

40 minutes elliptical machine

20 minutes stationary bike

Abdominal floor exercises

Inner thigh floor exercises

stretching

Day 228, Fri, May 4, 2007 

Day 5 and I am down now another 3 pounds for a total of 5 pounds since Monday. I am feeling pretty good although I took the laxative tea last night and nothing has happened so I am not sure if that means I should be stopping since I am cleaned out?  I also don't feel hungry either which is good. Tonight is family dinner night out but I don't think I will go since I am fasting. I feel bad not spending time with the family though. I was half thinking about bringing my lemonade with me but it may be too hard watching everyone around me eat.  I really need to catch up on cleaning/laundry at the house but I also want to get some exercise in.  Again it is another beautiful day in Michigan. Sunny, etc. I dreamed last night that I got a tummy tuck and my stomach got even larger than it was. I looked like I had a budda belly.  Don't know what that means.

My husband updated the website last night with my new 7 months pictures and journal entries. The pictures were taken before I fasted and since I had a huge plateau from month 6 to month 7 not a lot of change.   But I was glad and thankful to him for updating it. Also went rollerblading for 45 minutes for exercise. Consumed:

2 Liters of Lemonade

Water

Exercise:  45 minutes of rollerblading in the sun!

abdominal floor exercises

push ups

Day 229, Sat, May 5, 2007

Day 6 so far on my fast and I am feeling good. I haven't had any bms though for a few days. Don't know if this is normal or not. I think I lost another pound too so I am down to 165. Overall feel great and not hungry.  Yeah!  Oh and I did start my story early this morning and got 4 pages done.  Still a lot of work to do on it though.  Consumed:

2 liters of lemonade

Exercise:  20 minute Bikeride

Day 230, Sun, May 6, 2007

Just got home from church. I had to teach the 5th grade girls today. They are a riot. The lesson was on Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9, NIV

Bottom Line: Stick with what God wants you to do even when it’s hard.

A very appropriate message for me while I am fasting and trying to eat raw and lose weight.

Anyway day 7 has been good so far. I am not really that hungry with drinking the lemon water mixture. I also lost another pound today for 7 total pounds. It seems I am averaging a pound a day. Well I can't say that I am not looking forward to eating again. Especially when I have had to make food for my family. I am dreaming about a LaShish Salad right now. Next weekend I will get one! Anyway I haven't had the tea for a few days but plan on having a glass tonight as I haven't had a BM for a few days. I also juiced all of my lemons for the next 3 days so I don't have to do it when it gets busy over the next few days.  Consumed:

Not quite 2 liters of lemonade (spilled a huge glass of it)

Laxative tea

Day 231, Mon, May 7, 2007

Day 8 for me and I have a long work night ahead of me so I am dreading that. But overall I feel good and have good energy. I feel really blessed that God has given me the strength to do this and it has been very manageable. For me I know I could go longer than the 10 days but I won't cause it is my DH's birthday this Friday and mine is on Saturday and then of course Mother's Day on Sunday and I want to be able to go out with my family to celebrate these events. Also we are going to a marriage seminar on Saturday. We have Gary Chapman (the author of the 5 Love Languages coming to our church on Saturday to do the seminar) so I think it should be really good. A nice weekend ahead to look forward to! Also down another pound.   Had 1 small BM.  Consumed:

2 liters of lemonade

Laxative tea

water

Day 232, Tue, May 8, 2007

Today is day 9 for me and a very busy day ahead. I have my daughter's soccer game and show at her school later tonight and then I have to work so it will be a long day. I am doing good so far but I must say I am looking forward to eating yummy food again. My tongue is also looking more red and the last two days the tea has also done its job. Lost 1 more pound and am down to 162  Had 1 BM.  Consumed:

2 liters of lemonade

Water

Laxative tea

Day 233, Wed, May 9, 2007

Day 10 for me and I still feel great! My mother in law was shocked I was still doing this as she thinks this can't be healthy. I told her I felt great and totally satisfied with the lemonade I was drinking.  I told my husband I could continue and he was also shocked but with our birthdays this weekend and mothers day on Sunday I am deciding to come off the fast.  I only wish I had gotten more of my story done.  So Saturday (my birthday I will be ready to eat normal food again.) Tomorrow will be straight orange juice/water all day. I still consider that fasting as it is still just drinking liquid. But I guess it gets your body ready to transition back to eating again. Don't know why.  Had 1 BM

2 liters of lemonade/water

Exercise:  25 minutes of circuit training 10 minutes of abs of steel

Day 234, Thr, May 10, 2007

Day 11 is all orange juice and water for me. I am trying to get my system ready for digesting food again. Tomorrow I will do orange juice as well most of the day. Tomorrow night we are going out to eat for my husband's birthday. I was considering breaking my fast a hair early from the orange juice and having a salad tomorrow night at dinner. I felt great on my fast and today I feel awful. I think the orange juice is making my stomach sick. So I stopped drinking it and now and back to drinking just water.   I really don’t know what is the best food to ease back into eating again.  Anyway worked all day today and I was proud of myself because my back was killing me and my stomach felt ill but I still made it to the gym. I decided to do a yoga class and my back did feel better after that but my stomach is still queasy.  Consumed:

Orange juice and water

Exercise:

30 chest presses at 50 pounds

100 leg presses at 130 pounds

1 hour of yoga

Day 235, Fri, May 11, 2007

Today is day 12 for me. My stomach hurt all day/night long. I tossed and turned all night and had terrible sleep. Well I lost 10 pounds in 12 days. It would be nice to keep it off, I guess time will tell. I am excited about eating again but it has been really nice not having to. With my life being so fast paced it has been nice not having to worry about shopping, preparing and eating meals. It was really nice to have the time to focus on other things. Can you tell I am sad to stop.   I wish I could fast longer but I am feeling a little pressure from family to stop.   My husband keeps asking me do I feel ok. I felt completely wonderful up until yesterday when I drank that OJ.  I think next time I will have to plan a little better on the calendar.  If I would have started this after our birthdays I could have went longer. Oh well at least I know I can do it now fairly easily and still continue to work and exercise (which was what I was concerned about).   I may decide to do a few short fasts (like a day here and there) until I get my story done. Today I am afraid to drink the OJ as I don't want my stomach to hurt again so I will water most of the day until tonight. Then that salad I was talking about. Someone mentioned bananas being an easy food to eat while transitioning so maybe I will try one of those right before dinner. We'll see.   I am pretty excited I just bought a pair of Capri jeans and they are a size 10!  Consumed:

Water

Large garden salad

Couple spoonfuls of hummus

Tangerine/tea

Day 236, Sat, May 12, 2007

Today my 38^th birthday.  The marriage seminar with Gary Chapman was incredible.  I also had an amazing connection with my husband – something I haven’t felt for a long time so it was really nice.  We also went and bought a rebounder for me for my birthday so I can’t wait to start using it.  I hear the health benefits are wonderful and you begin to sweat quickly.  So I am planning on using it on the days I don’t have a lot of time to work out but want to sweat.  Anyway we also went to PF Changs and had my favorite dinner and it was fabulous.   I was able to talk to the restaurant manager to make sure he didn’t cook my veggies.  He said he would just flash them for 10 seconds in the pan and they were perfect, crunchy and yummy!   We also got to go over some more of the material from the seminar together while we were still there.  I think we learned we need some more us time without friends.  It was a nearly perfect day!  Had 1  BM Consumed

Salad bar at big boys

Peapods, celery, waterchestnuts, redpepper, cashews in a coconut curry sauce

A glass of merlot wine (I treated myself since it was my birthday!)

Day 237, Sun, May 13, 2007

Mother’s day.  We ended up going to church and then Kidsstuf and then out to O’Charlies for lunch.  I decided to have a piece of salmon today.  Partly because it has been a celebration weekend but partly because I wanted to see how my body would react to having some fish.  It was very good but I can see how I will have no problem going completely raw again for a long while.  This is what I want to do right now.  It is funny how I want to do raw now because I want to and I don’t feel it is a sacrifice like I did in the beginning.  Funny how it only took me almost 8 months to feel this way.  I liked having the freedom to order it though.  And I feel good eating it but I was a little tired after lunch and that doesn’t generally happen to me when I eat all raw.  I felt like I almost could have used a nap!  But I am going to exercise instead since I haven’t met my exercise goals yet for this week.  Between Ariana’s show, Our birthdays, and mothers day and the marriage seminars this week has been busy.  Was also funny to think about the things my body was craving while I was fasting like a Lashish garden salad.  That makes me smile when I think about all the other terrible things it could have desired but it wanted a salad.    Had 1 BM  Consumed:

Dinner salad

Salmon & broccoli

Handful of raw macademia nuts

Hummus with cherry tomatoes and carrots

Exercise – ½ hour or more of rollerblading with my jogging stroller & Evelina outside a gorgeous day!

15 minutes of rebounding

Day 238, Mon, May 14, 2007

Today I have to work later and I am up 2 pounds still from the fast.  I am fine with this as I knew I would go up.  So I am happy if that is all I have gained back from eating especially after having a few indulgences over the weekend.  But I am back to being serious again.  So it is my goal to have those 2 pounds back off again by next Monday.  I had to use up the young coconut I had in the refrigerator so I made a smoothie for me and the kids with it.  I am not looking forward to tonight as tonight will be a long night at work.  Oh well.  I did get some more rebounding in today.  I decided to do it to music today as it makes the time go by faster.  So I twisted with chubby checker!  Had 2 BMs Foods eaten:

Pineapple, banana, young coconut smoothies with organic cocoa & agave

Large dinner salad

Hummus with carrots and cucumber

Lara bar

Exercise – 20 minutes+ of rebounding

Day 239, Tue, May 15, 2007

Had to run around doing errands to find products for Ariana’s Michigan project and then worked at night.  Also got my monthly visitor and was pretty tired and sore all day.  Had 2 BMs.  Foods eaten:

Orange, banana, strawberry, smoothie with berry greens

Hummus with carrots

Large garden salad with pinenuts and raspberry dressing

Day 240, Wed, May 16, 2007

Did some more grocery shopping for a few things we were out of and the ingredients to make home made salsa.  I am going to make homemade salsa, rawvolutions taco meat and rawvolutions onion bread today.  Plus I need to squeeze in some exercising and chores around the house before LOST.  Had 1 BM. 

I just ate and now I feel full but happy! The raw taco's with fresh homemade salsa were out of this world! I wish I would have tried them earlier. With everyone on RFT  talking about them I had to finally give in and try it. The store I was at earlier didn't have collard leaves so I just put them in big lettuce leaves. I even got my husband to try one. He tried to hide when I wanted him to try it so the fact that he at least finished one was a plus.  Anyway, I loved them and he said it was ok. But I tend to like things not spicy and he likes things really spicy and he also doesn't like uncooked garlic and the recipe called for 4 cloves. So now I am probably really stinky  But I feel fabulous. I also got the onion bread mixed up and dehydrating. On Friday it will be ready to try. I hope I like it. I also got my exercising in.  Foods eaten:

Handful of raw macademia nuts

3 Rawvolutions taco’s (walnut meat with seasonings) with salsa and wrapped in a lettuce leaf

Exercise:

30 minutes of rebounding

10 minutes abs of steel

Day 241, Thr, May 17, 2007

Had to work earlier today and then I stopped at the gym on the way home and a vegetable market.  I also stopped at Kohls and tried on a ton of clothes and was able to get on most size 10’s so I think I am officially a size 10.  Yeah!  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Tangerine/greentea

1 banana

Large garden salad with raspberry vinaigrette

2 Rawvolutions taco’s with salsa

Banana/cocoa icecream

Exercise 1 ½ hours

30 minutes on the stairmaster

35 minutes running/walking on the treadmill

100 leg presses at 110 pounds

15 extended leg curls at 50 pounds

40 chest presses at 50 pounds

Floor abdominal work, buns, & inner thigh work

Day 242, Fri, May 18, 2007

My day off today and It is my eight month anniversary today on raw food.   I decided to spend it garage sailing.  Found some decent deals and then went out to family dinner night and shopping to try to exchange some clothing my mother in law bought for me in a size 12.  The thing is that the size 12’s fit but now that I started fitting in a 10 I wanted things in that size because I have nothing in a size 10 since I never thought I would get back to this size.  I had lost hope I guess.  Anyway, nothing could go simple as they didn’t have the same things she bought in stock in my size so I ended up shopping longer trying to spend my merchandise credits.   I can’t believe I am in a 10 now and I can actually wear medium shirts.   I have been an extra large for like forever and it was before I was pregnant with Ariana (my 12 year old) that I wore a 10.  I am really tired now. Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Fruit and nut Manna bread with almond butter and honey

Large salad with guacamole, Pico de Gallo and red pepper

Measurements:

Bust 39 3/4 (same)
Under bust 35 (same)
waist at belly button 35 ¾ (down 1 1/2”)
Hips 38 ½  (down 1 ¼”)
Butt 40 1/2 (down 1”)
Neck 12 1/2 (down 1/2”)
left thigh 23  (down 1/2)
right thigh 24 (down ½”)    
Left arm 12  (same)
right arm 12 1/4 (down 1/2”)
left calf 15 1/2 (same)
and right calf 15 1/2 (same)
left ankle 9 (same)
right ankle 9 (same)

Down 5 ¾” inches from last month 

Down 55 ¼” inches from start

Down 13 pounds from last month

Down 68 pounds total

Day 243, Sat., May 19, 2007

Today I am going to make something with the onion bread and I have to make raw grawnola from the oats I soaked and sprouted.    I was thinking about maybe a raw pizza or making a tostada with guacamole on top.  Either sounds wonderful!  I have to take Evelina to a birthday party today and work on my story.  Plus I need to spend time picking up the house and doing laundry so I have a full day ahead.  I did however already squeeze in some time to do my exercising.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Onion bread sandwich with cucumber, red pepper, lettuce & guacamole (yummy)

Hummus with veggies

Chuncks of watermelon, honeydew and cantelope

Exercise:  25 minutes of rebounding and 11 minutes abs of steel          

Well the party was really really nice. The hostess had one of those homes that should be in a magazine. It was incredible. But definately not what I expected for a kid party. She went all out! They barbequed several different meats and had a huge spread. I told her about my raw food diet this past week because she has been having lots of health issues and I told her I eat hummus a lot. I couldn't believe it she said she wasn't going to do any vegetables at all and she had them special there for me and made me hummus too. Also she had some fresh fruit salad. I didn't expect to eat there at all so it was nice.

Then I got home and mixed up my raw grawnola and put it in to dehydrate. It should be ready tomorrow for breakfast. It has been a long time since I have had any so I can't wait. (Of course I had to eat a few bites raw while mixing it together).    

Day 245, Sun., May 20, 2007

Today I worked on my story and got a lot further.  I figure a few more hours and I will have it done.  I have to have it ready for next Saturday to share with my small group.  My raw grawnola is done and Evelina and I ate some.  She thought it was so good!  It is a definite part of a must have in my raw diet.  We also took the kids to the park today and played a little soccer so I got a little cardio in.  Foods eaten:

Raw grawnola

Salad

6 Large strawberries and a few chunks of pineapple

Day 246, Mon., May 21, 2007

Had to work today but before I went to work I stopped at Kohls to spend more of my merchandise credit and ended up buying 2 dresses. I couldn't believe I bought 2 medium dresses from the Junior Department. I was shocked! I haven't wore a medium of anything since before my first daughter was born. Now if I could just get my arms skinnier to look better in them. They are passable as is but I still need to work out to look my best in them. But Yeah raw!  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

onion bread with leftover gaucamole
a banana
large garden salad with raspberry vinegarette
tangerine/green tea
grawnola

Day 247, Tues., May 22, 2007

Had to work today and another long day. Was getting way too low on my veggies and fruit. So on the way to work I stopped and got a few things until I can get to my favorite veggie market. I hate paying more for stuff when I know what I pay for it there. Anyway I made a pizza out of the rest of the onion bread I made and had that for lunch the only problem was I was out of veggies to put on the top so it was a mozzarella/tomato sauce pizza. Both recipes were out of Alissa's book. It was pretty good. And I still have some left over for tomorrow. I also did my rebounding today! Had 2 BM’s  Foods eaten:

raw pizza made out of onion bread
large garden salad
tangerine tea
raw grawnola

Exercise:

25 minutes of rebounding
10 minutes of abs of steel

Day 248, Wed., May 23, 2007

It is my day off today so I need to work on my story for Saturday and get some exercise in and get some stuff done around the house.  Also Lost’s Finale is on tonight.  I am getting very stressed about presenting it on Saturday as I am a private person and this is WAY out of my comfort zone.  Also I don’t feel like it is very well written and I need to spend a considerable amount of time editing it to get it to even sound presentable.  It is pretty scattered right now.  I also woke up and weighed myself and was 2 pounds up.  I think it is all the dehydrated food I have been eating.  So I am panicked about that and now my throat is also sore like I am coming down with a cold or something.  So overall not a great day for me so far.  Had 2 BMs.  Foods eaten:

Raw pizza

Handful of grapes

Orange, banana, strawberry smoothie

Hummus with veggies

Exercise – 25 minutes of rebounding

10 minutes abs of steel

Day 249, Thurs., May 24, 2007

Had to work today then stopped by the gym on the way home from work.  Also stopped by and got some new clothes at the thrifty store. Today was their 50% off sale.  I got 2 pair of jeans, 2 pair of capris, 1 pair of dress pants, 2 shirts, 1 pair of shorts & two spring jackets for just under $20.00. I couldn't believe it I brought home everything without trying it on and it all fit.  Since I am now a perfect ten  ha ha (I mean a size 10!) I went purely by size. I have never been able to do that before.  I can now see that it will be easier as I lose weight to just buy my size and it should fit.  The other cool thing is there is plenty to wear at the thrift stores that are in smaller sizes not so much in the larger sizes.  Especially with me still wanting to lose weight I don't want to spend a lot of money on my clothes. Cause hopefully I won't be in them long enough as I still have a lot of weight to lose.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Tangerine tea

Raw grawnola

Garden salad with guacamole

Vegetable sushi

Exercise 1 ½ hours:

30 minutes on the stairmaster

35 minutes on the treadmill

40 chest presses at 50 pounds

100 leg presses at 110 pounds

Abdominal floor work

Day 250, Fri., May 25, 2007

Day off today and spent it working mostly around the house.  You know the fun stuff like cleaning, laundry, dishes, etc. 

My friend gave me a compliment today saying he saw someone with blond hair with her blond haired little girl and thought it was me. Then he said she got out of the car and she was heafty and then realized that it couldn't be morn anymore because now he thinks of me as skinny. That is too funny as I don't consider myself skinny yet but I like that comment as opposed to being the fat girl. There is also a guy at work that is now calling me Slim. I must admit I like it!  It gives me motivation to actually live up to the name! It will be a while though! The main thing is my husband is attracted to me again and that is cool! He said if I keep losing weight he will never be able to take his eyes off of me!  He also liked me in my new pair of jeans and shirt I got from the resale shop yesterday.    Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten

Raw macademia nuts (couple handfuls)

Orange, strawberry, banana smoothie with berry greens

Salad bar at Ruby Tuesdays

Raw fudge

Exercise:

20 minute bike ride

10 minutes of abs of steel

Day 251, Sat., May 26, 2007

Today I presented my personal story at small group and I am glad that I am done with that project.  I felt sick all day and didn’t eat anything until after small group since I was stressed out.  Because raw food was a big part of my story I made a raw apple pie for everyone to try.  It didn’t come out as good as I wanted it to.  I also bought fresh strawberries and cut open a fresh pineapple.  It was a big day for me as I am a pretty private person and more of a closed door person.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Raw apple pie

Chunks of Strawberries and pineapple

Veggies – carrots, cucumber and redpepper

Day 252, Sun., May 27, 2007

Spent the day tackling “THE ROOM”.  It is the junk room in my house that since we have moved in has had boxes, and stuff.  We emptied the room, and painted it.  We also went to get some flowers for the outside of the house and put them in my outside pots.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Garden Salad

Veggie sushi

Green beans (cooked)

Salad with corn, tomato & guacamole & squeezed lime

Raw apple pie
 

Day 253, Mon., May 28, 2007

Today is Memorial Day.  Had to do some touchups on the paint in the room and am planning on barbequing later after we put all the shelving units that we bought for the room.  So I am going to make some apricot coleslaw, and a nice salad for me but I need to figure out all the other food I need for the rest of the family.  My husband is going to barbeque hamburgers.  He also wants to try to smoke some veggies for me.  He has a section of the grill that he can close off (that has a temperature reading) that he will watch and keep below 115 degrees.  It is an experiment.  So I am going to make up some vegetable kabobs for me.  Foods eaten:

raw apple pie
3 veggie kabobs of green/red peppers and onion
fresh salsa from Rawvolutions book ate on top of veggie kabobs
apricot coleslaw from Alissa's book with modifications
2 strawberries & a few chunks of pineapple
raw pistachios

 

Day 254, Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Have to work later.  I am still up a few pounds since fasting a few weeks ago. My body has not started releasing yet. But I am ok with that. I expected to gain back about 5 pounds and I only gained 2 so that’s pretty good. We took my 8 month photos last night so hopefully in a few days we will have my website updated. They were taken at the end of the day and didn't turn out the greatest but there just candid shots. Maybe I will update my avatar as well! Had 2 BMs.  Foods today:

pineapple chunks & a few strawberries
apricot coleslaw
garden salad with raspberry vinaigrette & veggies & pinenuts
lara bar
trail mix of nuts, seeds & raisins

 

Day 255, Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Have a party to go to tonight and have to get to the store so I can make something.  I will probably bring a garden salad with raspberry dressing.  I also need to get my exercise in today and figure out what pictures I want to post on my website.   Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Strawberry, orange, & banana smoothie

Garden salad with pinenuts & strawberries with balsamic & olive oil

Handful of cashews

Handful of raw grawnola

5 cherries

Exercise:

25 minutes of rebounding

10 minutes of abs of steel

Day 256, Thursday, May 31, 2007

Had to work today and was going to workout after work but I ended up having a pretty serious health issue that I ended up going to the doctor for so I didn’t get to workout.   Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to exercise again.  Then I had to wait forever for my prescription.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Raw grawnola
Cherries
Garden salad with raspberry vinegarette

Day 257, Friday, June 1, 2007

Today I went to a specialist to get my hemorrhoid removed.  I begged them to get an appointment since I was still in a lot of pain today and couldn’t sit or exercise.  So they did an emergency appointment and got me in.  Thank God!  So now I am in pain from the laser surgery and hopefully it will feel better and heal well over the next week.  I am not going to push myself with the exercise.  I will just have to take it a little easy over the next few days.   Oh and another thing I forgot was I officially hit a new low today and am down to 160 which is officially at the 70 pound weight loss mark.  Had 1 BM.   Foods eaten:

Garden salad with pinenuts & raspberry vinegarette dressing

Dinner salad

Hummus with veggies

Tangerine green tea

Day 258, Saturday, June 2, 2007

We took off our pool cover today and our water was completely green with tons of algae.  Completely disguisting!  And of course our pool pump went out the same day.  Also all the cabinets we are building for the library have tons of screwed up pieces so we are at a standstill with that project too and have to wait for the company to ship us out new pieces.  My whole house is torn apart and I am behind on laundry and behind on writing out the bills.  Everywhere I turn is another project.  I feel swamped.  I was also happy today as my neighbor told me congrats on losing weight.  He said he noticed it when he tried to figure out who was in my backyard and figured out it was me!  I was beaming!   Had 2 Bm.  Foods eaten:

A few Veggies with a couple spoonfuls of hummus

Raw cashews

cherries

Veggie sushi rolls with ginger

Small garden salad with ginger dressing

Miso soup

Day 258, Sunday, June 3, 2007

Had to fill out the bills today and work on laundry.   I also made butter peacan icecream for the first time.  It was so easy just bananas, peacans, vanilla and some raw honey.  Fabulous!  Today I also tried on an outfit my 12 year old daughter bought.  It was medium pants and a tight shirt and they fit!  My daughter was so mad saying there is no way you can fit into my clothes and so I tried them on right in front of her.  She said wow you look really good.  It was a great moment for me as she keeps telling me I will never be smaller than her or weigh less than her.  I am about 6 pounds more than her right now so I feel I am in striking distance.  HA! Had 1 BM. Foods eaten:

Butter Peacan Icecream

Tangerine tea

Corn Salad (revised from Rawvolutions recipe)

Handful of raw cashews

Raw cheesecake

Day 259, Monday, June 4, 2007

Had to work today and I officially washed my last load of laundry earlier today. So now I just have to stay caught up. It is a miracle. I never thought it would happen ! I also stopped at Costco and got some seedless watermelon I am bringing to a picnic in a few days, a pineapple, walnuts, and some peapods. Not sure what to do with all the peapods. I think I will try to make a dipping sauce out of almond butter, etc. and just eat them. Was thinking of trying to create a raw version of a Thai sauce that I had when I ate Thai Food before. Had 1 BM. Foods eaten so far:

raw cheesecake
large garden salad with pinenuts and raspberry vinegarette
tangerine tea
cherries

Peapods & hummus

Handful of tortilla chips

I ended up eating a few tortilla chips when I got home from work tonight. The bad part was I don't even know why I ate them. They were sitting out on the counter and I was a little hungry but usually I am not attracted to eating them. I had a 3 handfuls (most likely due to the salt). It was a weird feeling as I remembered what it was like when I ate SAD food and was out of control eating potato chips. You know the Lays commercial You can't eat just one! Oh well a new day and I won't be making that mistake any time soon. I just didn't like the way it felt.


 

Day 260, Tuesday, June 5, 2007

I made a raw cheesecake the other day so that is what I had for breakfast today. My 12 year old daughter even likes it so I guess I won't be alone eating it. I am also bringing some for a girl at work who loves it. She was so excited when I told her I would bring her it today. (She appreciates most of the raw food I make. I periodically bring in things for her to try. It is nice because my DH hates almost everything I make).  I have a ton of work to catch up on at work so it will probably be another late night.    Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Raw cheesecake

hummus with carrots
garden salad with raspberry vinegarette
tangerine tea
watermelon
lara bar

Exercise 25 minutes of rebounding

10 minutes abs of steel

Day 261, Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Today I had my daughter’s preschool picnic and got sunburned.  It was a nice day but kind of chilly from the breeze off the lake.  It seems that more I lose weight the colder I get.   I cooked breakfast for my family tonight for dinner.  It was funny because I didn’t even know where to look for my waffle maker since I hadn’t used it in so long.  I have a ton of appliances that I never use anymore – rotisserie, toaster, waffle maker, griddle, breadmaker, etc.  Also my pantry has been taken over by raw food so it was even hard to find the regular oil, and bisquick.  It is strange how so much of my life has changed.  I also need to find time to do some thrifting of my closet and dresser, etc. of all the stuff that doesn’t fit.   Almost all my shirts were an extralarge and I wore them out since they looked horrible tucked in.  So now I wear them tucked in because they are pretty big.  However, I can’t wait to start replacing them with smaller sizes since I can now wear them.   Ok I had a huge appetite today so I ate!  Had 1 Bm.  Food eaten:

Mixed Fruit Salad

Hummus with carrots

Watermelon

Raw cheesecake with strawberry sauce

Large garden salad with OO & balsamic vinegar

Pomogranate/green tea

Day 262, Thursday, June 7, 2007

Had to work today and stopped at the gym on the way home from work.  They measured my Body Fat percentage and I was at 37% body fat and on the high end of the overweight category and almost tipping into the obsese category.  Very depressing!  I lost 70 pounds and I am still in the overweight/obese category.  Wow!  When I got home my husband looked up height and weight scales as BMI.  If I lose another 6 pounds I will be within a normal BMI category so that at least gives me a little hope.  Food eaten:

Tangerine tea

Raw cheesecake

Watermelon

Garden salad with balsamic and Olive oil

Guacamole with flax seed crackers

Today’s workout: 1 ½ hours

30 minutes stairmaster

30 minutes treadmill (10 minutes walking 20 minutes running)

Seated leg press 100 reps at 110 pounds

Chest presses 50 reps at 50 pounds

Inner thighs 50 reps at 100 pounds

Outer thights 50 reps at 90 pounds

Abdominal floor work

Buns floor work

Stretching

Day 263, Friday, June 8, 2007

Happy Friday.  My day off, but never feels like it because there is just so much to do around the house and just managing the kids.  My husband got a motorcycle yesterday so we got the insurance up and running today and our pool is finally clear again.  Now we just got to get it vacuumed thoroughly now that we can see to the bottom again.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Watermelon

Handful of pinenuts

Large garden salad

Raw cheesecake

Exercise:

Rebounding 25+ minutes

Abs of steel 12 minutes

Day 264, Saturday, June 9, 2007

Today is Saturday and it is a beautiful day here in Michigan.  Sunny!  I just made a great drink - a tropical concoction to share with my daughter.  I did 2 small bananas, 2 oranges, 1 lime, some pineapple, handful of strawberries, and a couple spoonfuls of shredded coconut.  I also made rawvolutions eggless egg salad and some brownies for our church picnic/baptism service tomorrow. Had 1 BM.   Foods eaten:

Banana, orange, lime, strawberries, pineapple, & coconut smoothie (fabulous)

garden salad with a little leftover gaucamole
eggless egg salad with raw flaxseed crackers

Today’s exercise:

25 minutes rebounding

Abs of steel 10 minutes

Day 265, Sunday, June 10, 2007

Today is the picnic at Stoney Creek and my daughter Ariana is getting Baptised today.  Should be a nice event since the weather is pretty and sunny here in Michigan.  Had 3 BMs.  Foods eaten:

Eggless egg salad with raw flaxseed crackers

Fruit – watermelon, red grapes, & a banana

A couple celery sticks

Piece of chicken

Refried beans

Day 266, Monday, June 11, 2007

Ok I am totally stressed out (with life) today and my weight is up 3 pounds. I was up 1 pound on Friday and now 2 more pounds not good. I am freaking out internally about this. It seems I keep losing and regaining these 3 pounds. This is not a way to reach my goal to be back to my prewedding weight by my 15 year anniversary (August 15th). I would love to get into that dress again for my husband.

When I first went raw I took it day by day not really making a decision as to if this would be a lifestyle change for me. After yesterday's debacle I realize that the way I feel eating cooked food makes me feel like I am out of control and brings back those feelings of being in bondage again and being consumed by food. I made the mistake by giving in and eating a cooked food item yesterday and all I could think of was "well you already screwed up so why not have more and more". Luckily I only had a little and stopped but wow the temptation was really really strong and I can see how easy it would be to go back to my old ways. So I think for me it will HAVE to be a lifestyle change if I want to stay thin and healthy. I have to totally eliminate certain things out of my life because I am seriously addicted to cooked food (almost like an alcoholic or drug addict - some have to completely sustain from it totally to stay free). Also with being stressed out today I also wanted to run to food to alleviate the stress like the old days of how I used to deal with stress. It is just interesting that now I actually see it and am very aware whereas before I was stressed but just grabbed something to stick in my mouth before I even realized what I was doing.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

pineapple, banana, orange, lime, strawberry smoothie
refried beans (made with sunflower seeds)
tangerine tea
large garden salad with raspberry vinegarette

Day 267, Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Today was a long day at work and I am tired.  Oh I wanted to share something else today that was cool. I brought in some raw cheesecake to a girl at work and she gave me back my tupperware container today with a little gift inside. It was a green ceramic leaf that had a face on it. She said because she remembered I was a leaf online she thought I would like it. I love it! I ziptied it to my rearview mirror on the way home. It will be my happy reminder of my raw lifestyle where ever I go.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

A Banana

Tangerine tea

Hummus with carrots

Large garden salad

Raw pistachios

Day 268, Wedsday, June 13, 2007

Later today we will be going to a Tiger’s game.  I got 4 free tickets from work so we will be taking the kids.   Update – they lost the game.  But overall it was a great event.  Took the kids on the baseball ferris wheel and tiger carousel.   Foods eaten: 

Apple, carrot, pineapple & spinach green smoothie

A couple spoonfuls of avocado soup (yuck I dumped it out)

Lara Bar

Large garden salad with raspberry vinegarette

Today’s exercise:

30 minutes of rebounding

10 minutes of abs of steel

Day 269, Thursday, June 14, 2007

I had to work today and then on the way home stopped at the gym to workout.  Oh and I got my monthly visitor.  How fun.  Hopefully that explains the weight gain.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Tangerine tea

Banana

Garden salad with pinenuts and raspberry vinegarette

Lara bar

Hummus with carrots and celery

Today’s exercise: 1 ½ hours

30 minutes stairmaster

30 minutes stationary bike

Chest presses 50 reps at 50 pounds

Leg presses 100 reps at 110 pounds

Floor work of abdominals, inner thighs, buns

Stretching

Day 270, Friday, June 15, 2007

Well I am back down to 160 again.  Happy about that but it seems I can’t break the 160 mark.  It is funny how everytime I get to a new ten count I have a hard time getting over the hump.  I hope to get into the pool tonight and do some laps.  I haven’t had a chance to get in my own pool since we have had it opened.  Just to darn busy all the time.  Also tomorrow we want to spend the day out on the boat and Sunday is Father’s day and another church picnic so I have to figure out what I want to bring and get to the store. Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Raw macadamia and cashew nuts

Green smoothie – Apples, carrots, pineapple and spinach

Garden salad with strawberries

Pizza

Banana icecream with coconut and peacans and cocao

Today's exercise and approximately 1 1/2 hours

25 minutes of rebounding
10 minutes of abs

approximately an hour of swimming 100 laps in my 40 foot pool. Yeah my first swim of the season! It was really nice. I did an evening swim and it was nice seeing all the fireflys out and swimming under the big sky. Not a lot of stars out tonight but it was still peaceful and nice and quiet. Not even dogs barking!

Day 271, Saturday, June 16, 2007

Today we spent the day out on the boat.  I also bought a new bathing suit as well.  It was beautiful weather in Michigan today.  Foods eaten:

Strawberry, orange, banana smoothie

Refried beans (sunflower seeds recipe)

A small plum

Red grapes

Garden salad

Day 272, Sunday, June 17, 2007

Had to teach the kids at church today and then went to a small group picnic.  Was a beautiful sunny day.   I also stocked up on my fruits and veggies by finally getting to my favorite vegetable market.  I am geeked because I also got 3 young coconuts too (at a $1.49 each).   Foods eaten:

Lara Bar

Tangerine tea

Garden salad with some chunks of melon fruit salad

Refried beans

Raw cashews

Garden salad

Red grapes

Some of my good buys today were:

6 cucumbers for $1.00

red & yellow peppers .99 cents a pound

3 green peppers for $1.00

a bunch of cilantro - .39 cents      

Kale - .59 cents a pound

green grapes - .77 cents a pound

young coconuts - 1.49 each

Kiwi – 5 for .85 cents

I also bought some papaya, oranges, and apples

   Day 273, Monday, June 18, 2007
 

Have to work later today and have a bunch of cleaning to do around the house.  Today is my 9 month anniversary on raw foods. Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Young coconut, pineapple, banana, cocoa smoothie

Rawvolutions taco meat wrapped with romaine leaves and tomatoes

Tangerine tea

Large garden salad with raspberry dressing

Red grapes

Handful of Trail mix of nuts, seeds and raisins

Measurements:

Bust 39 3/4 (same)
Under bust 35 (same)
waist at belly button 35 1/2 (down 1/4”)
Hips 37 ¾  (down 3/4”)
Butt 40 1/4 (down 1/4”)
Neck 12 1/4 (down 1/4”)
left thigh 22 1/2  (down 1/2)
right thigh 23 3/4 (down 1/4”)       
Left arm 11 1/2  (down ½”)
right arm 12  (down 1/4”)
left calf 15 1/2 (same)
and right calf 15 1/2 (same)
left ankle 9 (same)
right ankle 9 (same)

Down 3” inches from last month     

Down 60 ¼” inches from start

Down 2 pounds from last month

Down 70 pounds total

Day 274, Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Woke up and finally lost another pound so just finally dipped below 160 to 159.  5 more pounds to go and I will be within my BMI weight range.  Had to work today.  Was a crappy day at work and I hope this isn’t the new trend.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Ravolutions taco meat wrapped in romaine leaves and tomatoes

Large garden salad

Trail mix of nuts seeds, and raisins

2 small plums

Tangerine tea

Day 275, Wednesday, June 20, 2007

My day off today so I washed the floor and did my exercising.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Green Smoothie – Apples, spinach, carrots & pineapple

Raw cashews

Rawvolutions tacos with fresh salsa & romaine leaves

Today’s exercise: 53 minutes

25 minutes of rebounding

28 minutes of thighs of steel & stretching – focusing on inner/outer thighs & buns

Day 276, Thursday, June 21, 2007

Had to work earlier today and then stopped off at the gym on the way home.  Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Tangerine Tea

Grapes

Trail mix of nuts seeds and raisens

Garden salad with balsamic vinegar & olive oil

Hummus with carrots                             

Exercise: -  1 hour

cardio kickboxing – 35 minutes

floor work – abdominals, inner thighs & buns

Leg presses – 100 at 90 pounds

Chest presses – 50 at 50 pounds

Day 275, Friday, June 22, 2007

Was overall a nice day.  Went to Gibralter Trade Center and then out to dinner to Bone Fish Grille with the Family.  Had a beautiful salad there that was really good.  Then came home and did a night swim under the stars and then sat by a fire.  Was awesome!  Foods eaten:

Banana peacan icecream

Rawvolutions tacos with fresh salsa & romaine leaves

Large salad with mango, avocado, pinenuts, & tomatoes

Exercise:  Approximately 1 hour & 100 laps in my 40 foot pool

Day 276, Saturday, June 23, 2007

Another nice day out.  The weather is perfect today.  Not too hot or cold.  Went to some garage sales and just hung out.   Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

¼ of a paypaya

1 banana

Tangerine tea

Lara Bar

Pineapple

Large garden salad with raspberry vinegarette

Exercise:

Ok here is the scoop for today. Beautiful day outside so I decided to go for a bike ride. I did about a 40 minute bike ride. I am very sore for the last couple of days of exercise and needed something easier on my muscles.

Day 277, Sunday, June 24, 2007

Happy Sunday!  Went and got a new vacuum cleaner and new Waring Professional juicer.  The juicer is stainless steel and is really cool looking.  Can’t wait to try it!  Had 1 BM.  Also swam in the pool with the family and had a fire afterwards.  A nice evening!  Food eaten:

Strawberry, orange, papaya, pineapple, and banana smoothie

Sweet & sour coleslaw

Hummus

Garden salad

Exercise:  100 laps in the pool – 1 hour

Day 278, Monday, June 25, 2007

Had to work today and went through some clothes of Evelina’s that didn’t fit anymore earlier.  Got out of work a little early cause cable data went down.  Had 1 Bm.  Foods eaten:

Sweet and sour coleslaw

Young coconut, pineapple and banana smoothie

Tangerine tea

Garden salad with raspberry dressing

Lara bar

Raw cashews & macademias

Day 279, Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Had to work today and it was a long day. Also Stopped by Good Foods and Whole Foods.  I went to P.F. Changs for my “last supper before fasting”.   Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Carrot, beet & apple juice

Celery, carrots, redpepper, waterchestnuts & cashews in a coconut curry sauce

Tangerine tea

Large garden salad with raspberry dressing

2 very small plums

Handful of raw cashews

Day 280, Wednesday, June 27, 2007

My day off pretty uneventful.  Just gearing up in my head for the upcoming fast.  Had 1 Bm.  Foods eaten

Young coconut, pineapple, cocoa and banana smoothie

Raw bar

Tabbouleh & hummus

Garden salad

Beet, carrot and apple juice

Exercise: 

25 minutes of rebounding

10 minutes abs of steel

Day 281, Thursday, June 28, 2007

Had to work today and then stopped by the gym to workout on the way home.  Had 3 BMs.  Foods eaten:

Strawberries

Garden salad with raspberry dressing

Sweet and sour coleslaw

Hummus with celery and carrots

Tabouli

Exercise:  1 ½ hours

1 hour of cardio kickboxing

Abdominal and buns floor work

50 Chestpresses at 50 pounds

100 leg presses at 110 pounds

Day 275, Friday, June 29, 2007

My day off today.  Well I am trying to use up a bunch of my produce before my fast so I made a wonderful green smoothie. It isn't pretty - but it is green!  It is terrific! I tried to share it with my 4 year old but she said something like Ackk!!!! So she only had 2 drinks. I made her drink a second hoping that maybe she would change her mind!  Then later we went to family dinner night out. Had 1 BM.  Foods eaten:

Green smoothie - Kale, carrots, apples, paypaya,1 lonely strawberry & ice
garden salad bar

Raw cashews

A plum

Day 276, Saturday, June 30, 2007

Went to a friend’s house for a party and then later out to see a movie.  I took my daughter to see Ratatoue.  Decided since I didn’t have any dinner and was starting my fast tomorrow to have some popcorn at the movies.  Felt a little yuck afterward.

Foods eaten:

Garden salad with raspberry dressing

Tangerine tea

Popcorn

Lara Bar

Exercise:  an hour of playing catch with a softball

Day 277, Sunday, July 1, 2007

It was a beautiful day weather wise.  We went to visit Highland Park Baptist church today came home and then took my nine month picture.  Then we went for a ride on my husband’s new motorcycle.  Decided today to do a fruit juice fast and tomorrow I will start my master cleanse lemonade.  I am pretty hungry today.  Mentally I know the first three days will be the hardest so hopefully I can get through them ok.  I think this fast will be timely since I have some things I need to pray about.  Also I would like to lose at least 15 pounds before August 15^th.  It is my 15 year wedding anniversary and would like to be at my wedding weight and size.  I would also like to get back on my wedding ring that is in the drawer for years not being worn.     Had 1 Bm.  Foods eaten:

Juice with greens

Orange juice

Laxative tea

Day 278, Monday, July 2, 2007

Day 2 of fasting.  I have to write out all the bills and work later today.  I am hungry still today and feel a little stressed for time.  Hopefully after tomorrow I will not be hungry anymore.

2 quarts of Mastercleanse lemonade

Laxative tea

 

Day 279, Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Day 3 completed. Today was a little easier than yesterday but I still felt a little hungry. I think it just takes time to mentally get into the game. I exercised today for 45 minutes (just some rebounding, and floor work for abs and thighs). Felt fine through it. I think working also helps cause I was so busy at work I didn't have much time to think about food.  Down to 158 today.  Consumed:

Mastercleanse lemonade (couldn’t finish the whole 2 quarts)

Laxative tea – one cup

Water

Exercise – 45 minutes

30 minutes rebounding

10 minutes abs of steel

5 minutes inner thighs

Day 280, Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Day 4 – down another 2 pounds yeah!  - down to 156!  Finally Had 1 BM after not having one for 2 days.  It is kind of difficult fasting on a holiday where everyone is eating around you but I will not surrender!  I also am making a birthday cake for my daughter who will be turning 5 on Friday. I don't have any frosting in the house so I will have to wait to decorate it tomorrow.  But is smells really good and tempting.  I am also trying to stay out of the cupboard cause just looking at all my nuts and raw goodies is tempting me also. But I am determined not to eat and the weight loss is motivating me.  Well have to go - we are going to my mother in laws house and will be playing games this evening!  Consumed:

Mastercleanse lemonade

Water

Day 281, Thursday, July 5, 2007

Day 5 – down another 1 pounds to 155!  75 pounds down and ¾ to my goal.  Had to work and then stopped at the gym on the way home.  Consumed:

Mastercleanse lemonade

Water

Exercise: 1 hour and 10 minutes

40 minutes Eliptical

20 minutes stationary bike

5 minutes abdominals

5 minutes inner thighs

Day 282, Friday, July 6, 2007

Day 6 – down another 1 pounds to 154!  Today is a big day because I am finally within my BMI weight range for what is considered heathly for the first time in 15 years so that is really cool.   I am at the top of the range but am still there.  Soon I hope to be at near more of the bottom of my range.   Also today is my daughter’s 5^th birthday so we are off to the Rain Forest Café and then Jeepers.  I will maintain my fast and drink icewater with lemon.  Consumed:

Mastercleanse lemonade

Water

Day 283, Saturday, July 7, 2007

Day 7 – I am down another pound to 153 and I have a white tongue.  Yuck!  The evening went well last night but I did struggle as I was feeling hungry on the way home.  So when I got home I had the rest of my lemonade and I felt better.  Today we are going out on the boat so I need to juice some more lemons so I have my lemonade to go out on the water with.  I also need to get to the store so I can get some lunchmeat to make my family some sandwiches.  I tried on my wedding dress yesterday and it is still tight but can almost get it on.  A couple more inches and maybe I can get it zipped up.  The sash is a different story though.  I think my body weight is distributed differently now and I am more chesty now so it is pulling up where the waist used to lay and now the sash is fitting more around my rib cage.  So I don’t know if I will be able to get back into it again.  If I lose another 9 pounds I will be at my wedding weight and we’ll see.  I would be so cool to take a picture in that dress with my husband again.  Just the fact that I could get into it would be a miracle!  Well it is good to have goals!  It helps motivate me to keep focused.

Today was a near perfect day.  We went into Canada on the Ecart river and all I could think was wow this is the life.  It is so beautiful!  Then we went home by sunset.  I was thanking God the whole time for such a beautiful day.  The weather was sunny and just right temperature wise.  Then we went to a movie and for a midnight swim in the pool under the stars.  It was awesome!   I am struggling though mentally with not eating.  I think I am just overwhelmed at the thought of how long I want to fast and don’t know mentally if I can do it.  I didn’t realize how much of my life revolves around eating and food and how much I am seeming to miss it.   Consumed:

Mastercleanse lemonade

Water

Exercise:  100 laps in the pool

Day 284, Sunday, July 8, 2007

Day 8 – I am down another pound to 152.  It seems like I am averaging a pound a day.  The taste in my mouth is terrible.  I think toxins are trying to escape out of my tongue.  Yuck!    It has been another beautiful sunny/hot day in Michigan.  Spent part of the day by the pool hanging out with the family.  It was a nice day overall.  Consumed:

Mastercleanse Lemonade

Water

Laxative tea

Exercise:  30 laps in the pool

Day 285, Monday, July 9, 2007

Day 9 – I am down another pound to 151.  It seems within the last few days my legs are getting smaller which is good.  For those that are overweight you know what I mean when I say that the top of my thighs would brush together when I walked and now there is space there.  I faintly remember those days.  I am so happy that I am making good headway on my fast.  It will be nice to be out of the 150’s.  Had 1 Bm.  Consumed:

Mastercleanse Lemonade

Water

Day 286, Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Day 10 – I am down another pound to 150.  Yeah 80 pounds!  I hope tomorrow I will be in the 140’s.  I can’t wait to see the 140’s again.  I have to work later but I am glad as it keeps me busy and my mind off of food.  I definitely have been more tired during this fast but I am thrilled to put on clothes that have been tight and now I can get into them.  I know soon I will be truly in a size 8 as now a few of my jeans are getting a little baggy.  Consumed:

Mastercleanse Lemonade

Water

Exercise:  Abdominal work

Day 287, Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Day 11 and mentally I am really struggling this time! That is all I could dream about last night was me being overwhelmed with how much longer I have to go until this fast is over. I just wish I could fast forward my life a month into August! But time will keep going and either I will achieve my goals or not.  As time waits for no one.  It would be nice to achieve my goals and have something to show for this time.  So I will keep on keeping on!  I am still feeling decent physically so I know from that standpoint I am doing fine.  A little less energy but that is to be expected. Oh and I am down another pound to 149!  We also got all of our shelving units stained in the Library!  Glad that is behind us.   Consumed:

Mastercleanse Lemonade

Water

Exercise: 

30 minutes of rebounding

10 minutes of abs of steel

Day 288, Thursday, July 12, 2007

Day 12 and I am back up to 150.  I am the only one who can gain back weight after a fast.  But someone at work asked me if my cycle was near and it is so I am hoping it is that.  I worked all day and then stopped at the gym on the way on from work.   Consumed:

Mastercleanse Lemonade

Water

Laxative tea

Exercise – 1 hour

45 minutes of cardio kickboxing

Inner thighs 50 reps at 80 pounds

Outer thighs 50 reps at 70 pounds

Chest pulls 20 at 30 pounds

Abdominal floor exercises

Day 289, Friday, July 13, 2007

Day 13 and my monthly visitor is here as suspected.  But I am back down to 148 which makes me happy.  Tonight I am going to a raw food potluck just to meet up with some other likeminded folks in the area.  I can’t wait to meet them as I don’t know very many people like myself living this lifestyle.   Had 1 small BM. Consumed:

Mastercleanse Lemonade

water

Day 290, Saturday, July 14, 2007

Day 14 and feeling good.  The potluck yesterday was a lot of fun.  Met some really nice people who I hope to connect with more.  Today we are going to a graduation party but I will still be on my fast.  The weather is overcast and yucky so I did my exercising indoors.   It is cool because I can really feel the difference being in the 140’s.  I feel so much lighter and better!  It is exciting.   I can really tell the difference in my clothing and how it fits.   Oh and I tried on a couple of my "goal" dresses yesterday and they look great on me. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited to wear them. Now I just need an excuse out to wear them! My husband said I actually looked like a 10 in one of them! That is a huge compliment as he has never said that before and he is a tough critic! He is the type of person if you ask how you look in something he will give you a REAL answer! In the past that was a real detriment to me as I was WAY overweight.  Also down to 147.  Consumed:

Mastercleanse Lemonade

Water

Exercise:  30 minutes of rebounding

10 minutes abs of steel tape

Day 291, Sunday, July 15, 2007

Day 15 and still at 147.  I hope to be at my wedding weight this week to come.  I think I am getting a little tired of this lemonade and not sure how much longer I want to be on it.  I may do another week of this and then maybe move to just juices.  Not sure but I want a little more variety.  We went on the boat today and went into Canada to Belle River and found a nice marina.  It was a great trip.  We walked around the town and my husband and friend got icecream.  I just love exploring new places.  We also found out they have cottages to rent there so I hope to book maybe a weekend there.  We could go by boat and then stay a few days.  That would be a blast!   Had 1 BM  Consumed:

Mastercleanse Lemonade

Water

Day 292, Monday, July 16, 2007

Day 16 and still at 147.    I am really getting worn out of the master cleanse thing and the bad news is my body doesn’t seem to be losing over the last 3 days.  I really need to get down to my wedding weight + a few extra before this fast is over so I think I will finish up my lemons that I juiced and move on to doing fruit and vegetable juice.  Trying to make some headway on the house and then I have to work later today.  Consumed:

Mastercleanse Lemonade

Water

Day 293, Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Day 17 - still on MC lemonade and had to work. Today I officially went shopping and bought 2 pair of calvin klein jeans in a size 8. I am so excited to finally be in a size 8. Yipee! Of course I went to the thrifty store so I only paid $6.00 a pair for them. My kind of deal. Don't want to spend too much for my clothes cause I still want to go down one more size. I also lost another pounds so I am down to 146.   Consumed:

Mastercleanse Lemonade

Water
 

10 Months - Day 294, Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Day 18 of my fast and down another pound to 145 and at a size 8! This is cool cause I only have 15 more pounds until I reach my goal weight and one more dress size. Today is also my 10 month raw anniversary. So I have lived this lifestyle for 10 months and have reached a ton of my goals so I decided it is time to think of some new ones! Oh and my new juicer already died so I have to take it back to the store. I was debating if I wanted to keep it or not so I think this is God's way of telling me to take it back! I think it had a faulty plug. One more pound to go and I will be at my wedding weight!  Which is one of the goals I set for this fast.  Did 40 minutes of exercise:

Exercise:

30 minutes of rebounding

10 minutes of abs of steel

Measurements:

Bust 38 ½  (down 1 ¼”)
Under bust 34 (down 1)
waist at belly button  33 ½  (down 2”)
Hips 36 ½  (down 1 ¼”)
Butt 38 ½ (down 1 3/4”)
Neck 12 1/4 (same)
left thigh 21 ½  (down 1”)
right thigh 22 (down 1 1/4”)
Left arm 11 (down ½”)
right arm 11 ½  (down 1/2”)
left calf 14 1/2 (down 1”)
and right calf 15 (1/2”)
left ankle 9 (same)
right ankle 9 (same)

Down 12” inches from last month   

Down 72 ¼” inches from start

Down 15 pounds from last month

Down 85 pounds total

Current weight 145 pounds

Day 295, Thursday, July 19, 2007

Day 19 and still mastercleansing. I am tired of it but it is just so easy especially on the days I am working. I just mix up my lemonade for the day and I am done so that part is nice. I am still at 145.  Did 40 minutes of exercise:

Exercise:

30 minutes of rebounding

10 minutes of abs of steel

 

Day 296, Friday, July 20, 2007

Day 20 of my fast and still mastercleansing.  Yesterday I bought some fruit for juicing on Monday and I can’t wait to consume it.  I am down another pound to 144 which is officially my wedding weight and I tried on my wedding dress today and I can finally zip it up.  So cool!  The only thing is the sash around my waist is way too tight I need another couple of inches for it to fit properly.  I can’t believe what a few pounds can do! 

Today's exercise:  a couple mile bike ride with my daughter - 1/2 hour

Consumed:  Mastercleanse Lemonade, Water

Day 297, Saturday, July 21, 2007

I am on day 21 and I am still at 144 pounds. I am still doing the MC lemonade today and we are going to see the airshow by my house. The weather looks great so I think it will be a nice day!

The weather and airshow were nice.  We must have walked several miles so I count that as my exercise today.  We also went for a long drive up to Lexington and found a marina and cool town.  IT was really really nice!

Consumed:  Mastercleanse Lemonade, Water.

Day 298, Sunday, July 22, 2007

I am on day 22 and I am still at 144 pounds. I really wanted to be at at least 142 before I stopped master cleansing cause I am not sure how my body is going to respond to the transition of lemonade to fruit/vegetable juices.  But I guess I will see.   I am still doing the MC lemonade today but tomorrow I think I will try juicing cantelope first as that sounds like it will be good!  Anything will be good as far as I am concerned.  3 weeks of the MC lemonade is enough for me!  I need some variety.  I still hope to lose another 5-6 pounds over the next 9 days.  I hope so.  I might need to up my exercise to get there.  Today we are going on the boat and the weather is nice again.  Not too hot but sunny. 

Consumed:  Mastercleanse Lemonade, Water.

Day 299, Monday, July 23, 2007

I am on day 23 and I lost another pound to 143.  I have to work later today.  This week I will be working extra so it will be a busy week!  Today I juiced cantaloupe and a few strawberries.  I still have some lemonade leftover from yesterday so that will be what I drink today. 

Day 300, Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Day 24 of my fast and I lost another pound so I am down to 142! yeah! I had to work today and there is a lot of work to do so I am really swamped.   I am estastic to be achieving my goals though. I am 88% there! Anyway today I juiced carrots, beet, apples and kale and drank that earlier. Later I drank the rest of my MC Lemonade.

Day 301, Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Day 25 of my fast and I am down another pound to 141. It is my only day off this week so I plan to get some exercise in and do some stuff around the house. I bought some tomatoes yesterday so I plan on juicing them along with some veggies to make a vegetable juice like V-8. We will see how it goes since I have never done anything like this before.  My complexion is also doing really really good.  It has cleared up tremendously over the last few months on raw foods and fasting.  It amazes me that for years I struggled with being overweight and having break outs and now somehow my complexion is great!  Consumed:

Juice of tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, celery, & beets

Todays exercise:

30 minutes of rebounding

10 minutes of abs of steel

5 minutes of inner thighs

 

Day 302, Thursday, July 26, 2007

Day 26 of my fast and I have to work all day and then plan on stopping by the gym on the way home. Today will be a variation of the MC lemonade but I will use limes instead. I juiced up a few batches for today and tomorrow. I find it is just easier on the days I am working to go that route cause I am more busy and juicing gets time consuming.  Anyway I am still at 141 and I will be fasting another 5 days. So hopefully I can still squeak out another 4 pounds. But if not that is fine. I am just trying to get some leeway for when I transition back into eating.

Today’s exercise:

1 hour of cardio kickboxing

Abdominal floor exercises

Day 303, Friday, July 26, 2007

Day 27 on my fast. I am working today.  Today I am drinking the leftover lime juice I had yesterday and then I will be going out to dinner tonight with the family and they have fresh juice there. So I will be having an apple, beet, & carrot juice later. Anyway still at 141 so I am a little bummed about that.

Day 304, Saturday, July 27, 2007

Day 28 on my fast and I am finally down another pound to 90 pounds lost!  I can’t hardly believe it!  Now I need just a few more pounds so can maintain this number when I get off of my fast.  Anyway we are going to a friends cottage today to play on the lake.  Should be fun!  I plan on bringing my MC limeaide with me so I need to go and juice a few more limes.  Oh and early this morning I did 50 laps in the pool.  Had 1 BM.