Day Eleven: Be Careful What You Eat

Eating is kind of weird now. I haven’t done it in five days. I might have made a mistake in my dinner.

But before I go there…

This morning, I had a smoothie, banana, strawberries, blueberries and mango. It was nice, but I was still just drinking my food.

For lunch I had an apple and a cup of baby carrots. It was okay. Nothing major.

I juiced in the late afternoon.
Late Afternoon Juice
Yellow Squash (1)
Cucumber (1)
Granny Smith Apple (1)
Carrots (3)
Celery (4)
Ginger (just a little bit)

It was a fairly pleasant juice.

For dinner, I fixed myself some of those sweet potato fries like I had last week. Oh yeah, they were good. My wife likes them so much I had to make some for her too! They were quite filling, and I was glad to get to eat them.

I went out late to bring Holy Communion to a lovely lady living in an assisted living community so I didn’t have time to eat more for dinner – I had planned to eat a salad.

At about 9 p.m., I fixed another smoothie, just strawberries, banana and a fresh peach.

As I was drinking it, I got really sick to my stomach and had to take care of business. I think that the sweet potato might have been a bad choice to add to my diet on my first day back on solid foods.

Lesson learned.

Day Ten: Thinking Different(ly)?

I made it through day ten! Woohoo!

It was kind of a rough day, at least from a food consumption angle. I had hot water (no lemon left!) this morning followed by two cups of water.

The I made a nice morning juice. Yesterday, the grape juice overpowered the drink and made me a little nauseous. Today I used grapes again, but added a secret ingredient – oranges! Yumdiddlyumptious.
Yummdiddlyumptious Juice
Navel Oranges (2)
Grapes (2 c)
Granny Smith Apple (2 small)

So, I didn’t have many veggies for my lunch juice until my wife got back from Costco. I didn’t have time to juice though, as I had to run off to a meeting. It was a great meeting, by the way. Good friends and acquaintances from the city – a local group of pastors meets each month to pray for one another and the city, in hopes of unity, spiritual, racial, temporal, etc. It’s a blessed group of individuals, striving to honor God’s call to honor Christ’s prayer in John 17, that we all “may be one”.

Anyway, they always have lunch at the meeting. I stayed for lunch, but didn’t partake. It was a nice one too, lasagna. Mmm….

Strangely, I didn’t miss it so much. I guess I’ve gotten to a point where my stomach has shrunk and doesn’t crave as much food. It’s rather nice actually. I think I’m approaching a point where food isn’t as important psychologically.

Don’t get me wrong. Tonight I want a nice beef roast with gravy made from the drippings and smothering some butter-laden mashed potatoes. Oh yeah, that’d be nice.

The thing is… I don’t think I could handle it. It sounds too heavy and would probably make me sick. I am fully intending to have one of those Artisan Ranch Chicken Sandwiches from Wendy’s though as soon as possible; however, I’ve told the wife, she’s gonna have to split it with me because I’m sure I won’t be able to eat the whole thing.

Anyway, back to the Reboot dialogue: I didn’t have lunch, but I drank a coconut juice/water around 2 p.m. I am not all that hungry throughout the day. If I think about it and concentrate on food, I feel a bit hungry, but overall, it’s not bothering me (right now!).

I got home after work and fixed myself a nice mostly veggie juice. I had to experiment a little as I’m out of kale now. I used a yellow squash this time. Not bad at all.
Mostly Veggie Juice
Yellow Squash (1)
Cucumber (1 small)
Granny Smith Apples (2)
Carrots (4)
Celery (5 stalks)
Ginger (a small amount – about the size of a nickel)

I drank about three liters of water (give or take a cup).

Tomorrow I return to eating. Truthfully, I am not that “excited” about it. I mean, I’ll be glad to save the time and not have to juice, but I’ve gotten to a point where eating isn’t necessary. I wouldn’t mind juicing a little longer, but I think with the move coming up, it would be best for me to transition to a primarily “eating” diet with juicing just once (or twice) a day.

I have seen some really good weight loss, but it’s not showing all that much. That’s okay. While I want the weight to go away, I think the most important thing is to get my mind somewhere else in regards to food. If I can continue to adjust my thinking when it comes to food and putting it in its proper place, then I think this whole experience will have been well-worth it.

Signing out.
krbj+

Day Nine: Almost Through The Hard Part

Wow. I can’t believe I’ve made it this far. Nine days down. I woke up very tired. I drank a cup of hot water with lemon juice from a quarter lemon and two cups of cool water.

This morning’s juice was really good, but also really strong. Lots of grapes gave it a wonderful flavor, but it was almost overpowering.
Morning Grape Juice
Red Grapes (2 cups)
Granny Smith Apple (2 small)
Pear (1)
Lemon (one half)

I’m about to run out of my staples for veggies, and I used up a few at lunch today.
Green Lunch Juice
Kale (about 6 ounces)
Cucumber (1 small)
Celery (4 stalks)
Carrots (3)
Granny Smith Apples (2 small)
Ginger (a little bit)
Radishes (2)
Yellow Onion (about one eighth)

I had a hard time drinking it, but I made it through.

At work I had a liter of water (bringing me up to two on the day). I drank a two cups earlier after working outside for about thirty minutes.
The family had pizza for dinner again. Man, I miss pizza. They had Oreos for dessert. Sheeesh.

My mind craves these foods, but my body could care less, for the most part. I’m really wanting that Asiago Ranch (Spicy) Chicken Sandwich from Wendy’s, but I can endure. I’m starting to think about the post-fifteen day Reboot. I think I’ll continue the veggie and fruit thing for breakfast and another meal while allowing the other stuff for another meal (lunch or dinner) for about five days, then I think I’ll start the standard Reboot again. I really enjoy seeing the weight loss and clearer thinking that seems to be a part of this micronutrient boost.

After smelling the pizzas, I decided I had to juice or I might cave. I’m nearly out of veggies, so I had to improvise. This one was a little different.
Interesting Dinner Juice
Zucchini (1)
Sugar Snap Peas (1 c)
Tomato (1)
Granny Smith Apple (1)
Carrots (3)
Celery (5 stalks)
Radishes (3)

This juice was close to the worst so far. The zucchini wasn’t bad, it just didn’t provide any flavor – though it did give a good amount of juice. The peas didn’t juice well, so I got chunks of snap peas in the juice, and the radishes gave it a bite. Not repeating this recipe.

I’ve got to get to sleep.

Later.

Day Eight: Hardest Day Yet

Today has been the hardest of the reboot days, by far!

It’s the third day of five for exclusive juicing, and I really crave some substantial food. Funny thing is that most of the food I’m desiring is generally really unhealthy food. I know there are healthy versions of most of what I’m wanting, but I’m mainly imagining fast foods. You know… fried foods like fried chicken or even friend chicken sandwiches (like Wendy’s wonderful Spicy Chicken Sandwich, or their new version with Asiago cheese and bacon!) Decadent. Really, all that grease and fat is just not good for the body in regular doses. Perhaps as a “splurge” once a month, but it should definitely be moderated.

Regardless, that’s the kind of food that’s on my mind.

I’ve been very lethargic today. I figure I’m not getting enough calories. Doubtless, I’ve not been getting my usual amounts of calories, and I’ve seen a great deal of weight loss over the last eight days (almost ten pounds). I’ll be able to consume more calories, or at least have more food filling my stomach in a few days to make me feel a little more satisfied.

Now let me clarify. I have not been feeling hungry as much as I’ve been craving food. I desire to eat and consume those foods I’ve previously deemed “good”. I am sure that any of the foods I’ve been thinking of would most likely make me sick now because they are so rich and full of not-so-good-for-me things.

The juices have given me plenty of energy along with “filling me up.” It’s just that I’ve grown up “eating” to supplement more than hunger, and I’m missing some of the comfort of food. Hmm… perhaps that’s why we call it “Comfort Food”.

Anyway, I didn’t juice until the late morning. I had two cups of water after I awoke, but had to get out and run errands without time to juice.

Late Morning Juice
Navel Orange (1)
Pears (2)
Granny Smith Apple (1 large)
Cherries (about 1 cup)
Cucumber

I love to eat cucumbers. The addition of it to the juice seems to help mute the somewhat overpowering sweetness of the fruits. It’s a good solid drink.

As the juice was late morning and I had to be out of the house for several hours, I went by the health food store and bought a coconut juice which I drank around 1 p.m.

My early evening juice was a nice change. I took some ideas from the Reboot website and put this one together.
Early Evening Juice
Sweet Potato (1)
Carrots (2)
Celery (4 stalks)
Red Pepper (one half)
Ginger (just a little)
Granny Smith Apple (1 large)
Lemon (1)

This was actually a very hearty juice. I enjoyed it. The sweet potato added a nice under-current of a flavor. I think I’d like to use one again.

I took a nap while the family ate dinner. I couldn’t stand to be around them eating tonight. It was “Taco Night”. I so desperately want a tortilla with ground beef, cheese and salsa. My mouth is watering thinking about that wonderful little treat.

When I got up, I drank some more water (2.5 liters on the day) and fixed another juice.
Main Dinner Juice
Kale (about 6 ounces)
Cabbage (6+ leaves)
Celery (6 stalks)
Carrots (2)
Granny Smith Apples (2 small)
Pear (1)

Nothing amazing about this juice seemed to strike me. It still had a surprising back bite from something. I didn’t miss the radish or ginger; although I’m sure they would have given it an interesting character.

I recognize that I only want those other foods because I have positive emotional attachments to them, not because I’m hungry. It’s gonna be a long road ahead to change my thinking from eating from desire to eating out of necessity. This diet’s incredibly helpful with that road.

May you be blessed.

Day Seven: Philosphizing on Food

I woke and started getting ready for Church and drank my two cups of water.

Church was nice. My mother joined us for worship today, as she was visiting the family for the birthday celebration yesterday. Right after the service, we had some cinnamon rolls (the Little Debbie kind) and a pound cake in the parish hall for anyone who wanted to gnosh something before taking off. I really wanted one of those little rolls, but I somehow persevered and ignored them.

After Church, my mom took us all out to a nice Chinese buffet. I’ve not had cause to mention this before, but my favorite ethnic food would be classified as Chinese (really Far Eastern, I suppose). I thoroughly enjoy a good kung pao chicken, lo mein, sushi, and the like. In addition, the buffet we went to had all kinds of “American” foods, like fried chicken, donut holes, tasty dinner rolls, etc.

If I could eat anywhere often, I would probably choose this particular restaurant because of the variety, and my penchant for Asian-style foods. The kids loved it and got lots of various foods – nearly all of them got watermelon along with whatever else they put on their plate (which I hope is a good sign).

Smelling the food at the restaurant was a treat in itself.

I suppose now is the time to share my current “thoughts” about food.

I’m gaining some greater perspective and awareness regarding my relationship with food. I think I’ve always used food as an expression of my emotions and desires. This process was never a conscious thing, just simply a way of living. I didn’t eat “because I was depressed”. I may have just eaten because I was “hungry”, but I think that my body might have said, “You’re hungry”, when in fact I was depressed.

Likewise, food also presented a kind of satisfaction similar to sexual gratification. I think I coined a phrase, or at least when I said it I had never heard it before, back in college. I ate a fantastic cheesecake brownie from The Great American Cookies store in the big shopping center in Chattanooga (this is back in like 1993). I still remember how good it was. Anyway, I commented that it was like having an orgasm of the mouth. My point is that I believe food has been a vehicle towards pleasure.

As I’ve been thinking about food over the last few days – especially as I’m juicing – I’ve realized that one really can “lust” after food. Those Doritos, that Kraft Green Onion Dip, the pizza, the donut holes or the kung pao chicken all represent in my mind not just sustenance, but a flavor, a sensation, a particularly pleasurable experience associated with all of my senses. I can hear the crunch of the chips, feel the creaminess of the dip, smell the unmistakable mélange of mozzarella, tomato sauce and bread of the pizza, taste the sweetness of the donut hole, and see the various colors and shapes of each food. Food has meant so much to me throughout my life. Multitudes of memories are associated with so many different foods. I have become what I ate in body and soul.

So, as we sat at the restaurant, I watched my wife and kids eat their foods with a new sense of detachment. While deep inside parts of me really yearned to snarf the same foods they were eating, I calmly watched them eat with no need to partake of it. I did not have to eat it. I sat and enjoyed their eating the food, even remembering my own enjoyment of it, but at the same time, I was able to say honestly that I had no need of it right now. Truthfully, I plan to eat some tasty food similar to what I’ve missed out after I finish my reboot, but I may not. I can feel my body changing. I actually do not have a great compelling to eat those foods. Yes, smelling them attracts me, but that’s sort of an autonomic response. I’m not immediately drawn to them.

I drank a tall glass of ice water while they ate, and I thought about all this stuff.

After grandmama paid the bill, I left the buffet and went to one of the local health food stores where I bought a 100% coconut juice which I quickly consumed. Then I went and bought a pint of raspberries, three apricots, four “on-the-vine” tomatoes and a red pepper.

When I got home, I juiced the raspberries and apricots with some other fruit. It made a pretty nice drink.
Sunday Afternoon Juice
Raspberries (1 pint)
Apricots (3)
Pineapple (chopped one-half cup)
Pear (1)
Cucumber (1)

For my dinner drink, I used some of the tomatoes which had me a little nervous.
Nervous Dinner Drink
Tomatoes (2)
Red Pepper (one half)
Cucumber (1)
Celery (3 stalks)
Carrots (2)
Cabbage (4 leaves)
Granny Smith Apple (1)
Yellow Onion (one-eighth)
Ginger (a small amount, about the end of a pinky’s worth)

The onion was a little strong, and the texture was a bit thick due to the tomatoes I think, but all in all I liked it. It was surprisingly sweet.

Finally, I just juiced some watermelon – because my wife was eating Lay’s with Kraft Green Onion Dip and a croissant sandwich from Costco. I just love those sandwiches, and Nancy introduced me to the dip several years ago. Yum Yum.

But I digress. I juiced watermelon and enjoyed it too. Someday I’ll have green onion dip again, but I’m not in any real hurry. May the juicing continue.

Oh, by the way, I had three liters of water today.

Day Six: What a Day!

It started off with a bang.

I had a lot to do first thing, so I boiled some water and added juice from half a lemon. I could only choke down a few drinks of it. Prior to the hot water, I drank two cups of water.
Because of the hectic day ahead, I had to “hurry” and fix my juice. It was yummy to my tummy, fruit-filled splendor.
Yummy Tummy Juice
Navel Oranges (4)
Cherries (about 20)
Lemon (one half)
Bartlett Pear (1)

Wow. What a treat. The orange wasn’t nearly as prominent in flavoring the drink as I thought. The pear actually stood out from the other flavors; although I could taste each one except the lemon. My thoughts are that the lemon muted the bright sweetness of the orange and the pear’s unique flavor took over the drink.


So, I had to go running out to borrow some tables and chairs for the big celebration that would take place later in the day. On the way home with the furniture, I had to pick up a couple of bags of ice.

I got home, unloaded the van, tested the sprinkler for the water festivities and then took a shower. As I dried off and dressed, people started showing up.

We were overwhelmed and blessed to have a large crowd of the children’s close friends and their parents show up (while we had a few adults show up who have gone out of their way to help our family watch over the kids, etc).

The wonderful surprise of the day was the kids’ godparents who live in Georgia showed up without notice. They posted a notice on Facebook earlier in the day that they were doing something “crazy” today, but gave no further information. As I was showering it occurred to me that they might be coming to the party (three hours away), but I was afraid to say anything. They showed up as I was walking into the living room after the shower! Great friends… good times.

So after they arrived, it was time to go get the pizza and some more ice. I prepared to leave but several of the men at the party asked if they could help. I didn’t think I needed the help, but I eventually said to them, “Let’s all go!” So four men huddled together in a Toyota Corolla and took off for Little Ceaser’s to buy some pizza. We had to wait about ten minutes once we got there (seven pizzas), but we had fun talking.

We stopped by for some ice and drove back to the house. As we arrived, I noticed most everyone else had shown up, including the kids’ other godparents. Woohoo! What a blessed day.

So… I’m sure many of you are wondering. How’d he do!?!? Did he make it?

I mean really. Pizza?!?!? Terrific croissant sandwiches with the most incredible pesto mayo dressing?!?!? All sorts of chips? Fruit? Veggies? Cake? Ice cream?!?!

How in the world could I not forget it all and just jump in and shovel it down the hatch. I mean I _love_ this stuff. And, it’s such a special day, kids’ celebration of their birthdays in one big shebang with a load of family and friends to join us.

Somehow, I managed not to eat a thing. I’m not quite sure how I did it. I loved the smell of the pizza. I picked up a Dorito, sniffed it and pretended to eat it – not to shock anyone else – simply because I wanted to pretend for my own benefit. If I couldn’t eat it, at least I could pretend to consume it, right?

I did drink two more cups of water, and when everyone started having cake, I did fix a juice for lunch.
Party Juice
Kale (6 handfuls)
Cabbage (5 leaves)
Granny Smith Apple (1)
Lemon (1)
Carrots (3)
Celery (5)
Radishes (3)
Pear (1)


It was pretty much like what I’ve been drinking for the last few days, and it was alright. Nothing “spectacular”, but it was good.

What was hilarious was that all the guys were gathered around my new toy (the juicer) to watch it do its thing. I must admit I love the sound of the thing as it spins down from juicing. It sounds kind of like a jet engine – at least it’s fun to picture it that way.

So, I handed out about five glasses of juice (with just about a couple of tablespoons in each) to the guys and one of the ladies who was venturous. None of the men were too impressed, but the lady liked it well enough.

The party lasted another hour or so, and then everyone started to go home.

Finally, it was all over. I was exhausted and took a nap.

Upon getting up, I knocked out another liter of water.

Not too long after that I fixed myself a dinner juice. I was a bit terrified of this one, because I had determined to use some tomatoes and possibly some onion. I used to despise tomatoes, but over the last few years I’ve come to appreciate them more. (Check out this previous post: Please Hold the Tomatoes.)

Dinner Juice
Grape Tomatoes (about 30)
Yellow Onion (about one-sixth of a medium size)
Celery (4 stalks)
Carrots (3)
Lemon (1)
Cabbage (4 leaves)

It made a decent amount, about a full quart. I actually somehow enjoyed it. I could taste the onion, but the tomato was not too prominent. In fact the carrot and celery really seemed to overwhelm the drink – not in a bad way.

While I enjoyed the drink and I was feeling rather full, I still felt “deprived”. I mean, seriously folks, this was the party I was holding for my own kids, and I couldn’t eat a single darn thing!

So, I fixed myself a dessert juice to end the night.
Dessert Juice
Strawberries (about 12)
Pineapple (about 1 cup)
Red Grapes (about 1 cup)
Fuji Apple (1 small)

It was a fantastic juice. In fact, I’d say it was better than the morning one.

As I write this, I’m drinking some herbal tea (again, the Aztec Sweet Chili).

Today was a success on many levels. The diet went great. I’ve philosophized about the meaning of what’s going on in my head or whatever – and I’ll share it later. Most importantly though, this day was a success because of the great family and friends who joined us in making a celebration for the kids a day of real friendship and love.

Thank you all. Thank you God. Well done all of you!

Day Five: Ready for the Real Thing?

So, I’ve had five days of the Reboot program. I’ve eaten fresh fruits and veggies only now for five days – some of them, I cooked. But tomorrow starts the wild phase of this little dietary experiment. I begin the “juice fast” tomorrow.

What’s rather amusing about that is that tomorrow we’re having our special birthday celebration with a few of the children’s friends and a couple of relatives. We bought a sandwich tray from Costco and a big sheet cake with all the chidren’s names on it. We’re also going to have lots of various chips and some fruit.

So, while I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s celebrations, I must admit I think it’s going to be a little frustrating.

Today was a good day. I had another smoothie for breakfast.
Morning Smoothie
Frozen Banana (1)
Frozen Mango (one half c)
Frozen Blueberries (1 c)
Frozen Strawberries (8)
Frozen Peach (one half peach)
Honey (1 T)
Water (3 c)

I made extra to share. It was good.

For lunch, all I had was a juice.
Typical Veggie Juice
Granny Smith Apple (1)
Lemon (1)
Carrots (2)
Celery (4 stalks)
Cabbage (3 leaves)
Kale (rest of the bag! – about 8 handfuls)
Cucumber (1 small)
Radishes (3)
Romaine Lettuce (5 leaves)

This juice was pretty good. I enjoyed it. It made more than I thought it would – an entire quart. I gave a half cup to Nancy, and I drank the rest.

It completely filled me up.

I had some watermelon in the mid-afternoon, probably about two cups worth.

For dinner, my wife sautéed some yellow squash with onions (adding some garlic pepper for flavor). I put the remainder of the marinara sauce over it and licked my lips as I finished it.

I also fixed some sugar snap peas by boiling them for two minutes. Once out, Nancy added some kosher salt. They too were delicious.

That’s it for the day. I may still have some honey or some fruit tonight, but I feel full and satisfied for the moment.

I’ve had about two and a half liters of water so far today.

Later,
Krbj+