Fasting vs. Feasting

I've been a raw vegan for a year now. In that time, I've been an avid lover of Give It To Me Raw and We Like It Raw. The blog and community support is unparalleled, in my experience. I have thoroughly enjoyed Raw Fu, but there is something about GI2MR that keeps me coming back. Perhaps I am just a loyalist; it was my first raw vegan community network, after all.

While reading the many posts at GI2MR, I've noticed differing opinions on whether to call this process a juice fast or a juice feast. Usually, people who call it a juice fast also dislike the use of words like 'rawkin' or 'rawsome' or any other cutsiepoo word to describe our lifestyle. While I respect their opinion and right to use the words they choose, I feel that the word 'feast' conveys what I want to experience.

I want this to be love, joyous, harmony, life, and brilliance.

This will be vibrance. My cells will dance. My cells will feast.

Shhh! Be vewy, vewy quiet.

The past few months have been interesting, to say the least. So, it is what it is and let's leave it there! Mind you, it's been pretty fantastic with just a few ew's and some minor ugh's, I just don't feel like rehashing month after month when I have something more important to embrace..

My NOW. My JOURNEY. Whee!

Where is my journey taking me? For the past few months, I have been drawn to juicing. I am going to start a juice feast on June 7th, 2008. The day before, my darling Jeremy and I are going to NYC to celebrate seven years of wedded bliss at a raw restaurant and pick up my shiny Angel Juicer. I got a wicked good deal on it! I love how the universe provides. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Over the next few days, I am going to scour the internet and find some yummy juice combinations. I am also going to join the folks at www.juicefeasting.com for their insight, guidance, and community support. Wish me luck!

Sarah and the Pain Monster

Every month, women across the globe get a visit from a hideous beast. Without care for plans, activities, or intentions, this denizen from Hell holds tight, draws blood, and causes excruciating pain.

I don't know why there is so much secret surrounding the Pain Monster. We hide our oversized bandages and body plugs from view, and hope we get a female cash register. We don't talk about it in company, as it is far from polite. All forms of media politely explain its presence as a monthly 'friend' and never, never get into vibrant detail of its 'friendship.' And you never..

Never.

Never.

Never.

NEVER DISCUSS IT WITH A MAN! That, above all, is the most cardinal of sins and disgusting of offenses. Men, after all, do not get such visits and therefore need naught be bothered by it. They put up with any unfortunate incidents such as tantrums and complaining that might occur during this time, for they are our ever stalwart heroes in this desperate time of need.

As I write this, I am currently enjoying my visit with Aunt Flo. The past few days have been horrid. However, as I lay in my bed bemoaning life, I realized something - whenever I have my period, I have really, really bad days. Why is this? Why does it seem that my world falls apart? Why does it seem that I crave the most horrid foods? Furthermore, why do I eat them?

Then, it hit me.

I am sure other people have had this realization, but it is a new one to me. It seems that during these times of physical pain, I unconsciously seek to compliment the tangible with the intangible by creating emotional pain. Recently, I have gone through a very difficult time emerging from an abusive relationship. As much as I intelligently realize that this relationship was the spawn of pure evil, I find myself craving contact with that person during this time. That, of course, makes me feel small and worthless, which creates emotional pain that goes perfectly with my physical pain. I seek 'comfort' foods, which then provides me more physical discomfort to partner with my pain. I insert myself into this spiral of frustration and hate, all because I am seeking to justify the physical pain of menstruation.

Now that I have embraced this realization, the next time my period begins, I will take this knowledge and recognize these destructive thoughts for what they are - an unconscious effort to wrap my body in pain.

I will observe these thoughts the next time they come, but push them away from my mind and into colorless space. I will honor my physical pain, as it is this pain that signifies the beauty of my body's ability to create life. Thank you for these realizations, and those to come!

Growing Speenach

So, I've officially decided to change my dining room into a green growing jungle of spinach. I am in the process of researching the how-to, and will post pictures of the upcoming transformation. I've also decided to do my own 30 Day Challenges - for fun! My first is to dance every day for 30 minutes a day..by myself or with my kids and husband! Maybe I will post those pictures or, heaven forbid, a video?

I'm still raw, I still love it, I'm still vibrantly giddy!

See you guys soon!

<3!

Smoocing!

Recently, I've felt extremely drawn to juicing. Hours upon hours have been dedicated to researching juicers; which is the best, and which is most cost appropriate. I thought I had decided on a Breville, but several close friends told me they have difficulty yielding a high amount of juice from their greens. If I was going on a fruit juice diet, that would be great - but it is my intention to do a high green juice feast! Back to the drawing board!

After talking with quite a few people that have done juice feasts and own a juicer, I've decided that I want an Angel Juicer 3500. The only drawback is it costs approximately 900 dollars and, well, I don't have 900 dollars quite yet. I have decided to tuck away $300 bucks a month for my juicer, but I still really, really wanted to juice.

I can't juice quite yet but I can smooce! Smooce? Smoocing is feasting upon smoothies! I have been taking in a pound to two pounds of greens a day while smoocing. This is my second smooce feast - the first lasted 24 hours and it was a breeze! I am going for 48 hours this time around. I have been alternating between kale and spinach smoothies. Mmmm.

I love kale, but it's definitely a bit gloppier than spinach. My baby spinach gives me a nice, smooth drink with little fiber grains. Kale is good because it reminds me to chew!

I may purchase nut milk bags and strain them, but right now - I'm really digging the smooce! If you're looking for a good way to get more organic greens in your diet, try it out!

Pimpin' Lavender

So, last night, Jeremy made me a piping hot cup of peppermint tea. While this was very kind of him, somehow I didn't quite hold the tea right as he gave it to me and..splash.

Ouch! It hurt like nothing I've ever experienced. (Obviously, I've not had my own children!) In the midst of my crying, I managed to tell my husband to get my lavender. Since then, I have applied the oil liberally every twenty minutes or so.

I wish, wish, wish I had taken pictures of my stomach and legs before and at 3-4 hour intervals. Last night, my skin was so red and angry as the blisters formed. Today, about 15 hours later, my skin is calm and the blisters are growing smaller. They do not even hurt. It is AMAZING.

I heart lavender.

Winner!

Things have been busy! Today was the last day José was with us, which although sad, was an ending to a fantastic month. We really enjoyed having him with us, most of all Ester - it's been quite a long time since she's been able to live with her biological brother. Keep your toes and fingers crossed for us to buy a home with at least four bedrooms in it so he can live with us!

I've spent a lot of time with the kids these past few days, which is always rewarding. Two things happened, independent of each other, which made me feel so vindicated. On Friday, my oldest foster daughter Aileen, made two beautiful fruit salads for me. We were going on a picnic with my parents and she wanted to make certain we all had something beautiful to eat. I was humbled at her thoughtfulness.







They were delicious^nth.

Then, today, Ester felt hungry and asked to make her very own smoothie. She put an apple, grapes, a banana, blueberries, strawberries, and spinach in it. It was yum! Best of all, it was HER idea, HER creativity - you can see the pride beaming on her face.





I feel like the universe has won. Healthy living is starting to become normal in our family. It nearly brings tears to my eyes. They want living, vibrant food. Ester, Aileen, and Jeremy go into our garden and pick a tomato off the vine and eat it like an apple. We serve all vegan meals at our home now. Supper is cooked, but that's fine - I am more than pleased to serve them.

It's finally started.

This post is to all of you who feel frustrated at the ridicule you feel from your friends and family. Be the change you want to see in the world, let the light of truth shine from your soul, and the warmth of acceptance be found in your embrace. Eventually, their fear of change will melt away. Keep your chin up and your pockets filled with sunshine.

<3