Soup Tip

Between the drinks and tea every 2 hours, juicing and making soup everyday, I was spending all my time shopping, cleaning the kitchen and cleaning & chopping veggies.

Then I realized I could make a lot of soup at a time and just reheat it. Now I make enough soup for 3-4 days so I cook only twice a week.

I still juice everyday- that has to be fresh. But I buy all the veggies for the week at one time and take 'em home and wash them all. That way I only shop and clean veggies once a week.

It's not rocket science but it works. These time savers have made it easier for me to stay on track.
I'm not tempted to eat something else when I'm in a hurry.

Day 12- New Jeans

This is day 12 on my 21 pounds in 21 days Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox journey.

What an interesting thing is detox.
I haven't eaten any solid food for 12 days and yet I feel great - better and better, in fact.

I'm getting the urge to do things I haven't done in years, like go dancing.

I no longer wake with a headache every morning and my post nasal drip is gone!

The 21 day plan also has given me enough time to break old bad habits like sugar & cheese. When this is over, I will have gone without sugar for 21 days. I'm sure I have never been sugar free for any length of time before. I have been trying to break my cheese habit all year. Finally, I have done it.

I was eating sugar & dairy and having headaches everyday. Now I'm not and the headaches are gone. What a valuable piece of knowledge. And there are other perks.

I got dressed this morning in some of my old (smaller) jeans - jeans I haven't been able to wear in years. But they didn't look right and didn't feel right. Finally it hit me- they were too big! It's been so long since my jeans were too big, I didn't recognize the signs.

I was so excited, I went shopping for new ones. I bought a new pair - 2 sizes smaller than the ones I was wearing 12 days ago.

It's almost magical.

Beware the Brain Fog

As I left the house, my hands were full.
I loaded the car and drove away.
When I returned, my neighbor dropped by to tell me I had driven off and left my front door standing open. Thankfully, he had closed it.Good grief.
A word to the wise,
pay extra attention to what you are doing.

Day 11-Thiner Every Day

This is day 11 on my 21 Pounds in 21 Days Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox journey.

10 pounds down, 11 to go!

Busy weekend. I had the best time pulling out all my old jeans and trying them on.
They all fit! I don't mean, lay down and zip 'em up fit. They really fit - comfortably. A couple of pairs were even too loose. These are jeans I'd outgrown in the last 4-5 years.

Now, I'm aiming at the clothes I was wearing 10 years ago. Yup, I saved 'em.
One thing I'm not saving - clothes that are too big now.
I've packed them up and will drop 'em off at The Salvation Army, today.

Everyday, I copy the schedule from the book (21 Pounds in 21 Days Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox), put it on the fridge and check off each drink so I'm sure to get all the nutrition. The next morning, I weigh and then write my weight on the bottom of the page.

It is very inspirational to look at the pages and see the numbers. It's great to see, in writing, the transition from large to small. When you compare the first page to the last page, it just seems unbelievable but it's true!

The pages have another use too. If you don't lose, you can look back and see what you did. Maybe you missed a drink or the walk. It's great feedback.

Well, I'm off to The Salvation Army.....

I lost it!

So 10:30 rolls around and it's time for my green drink.

I like earth's promise Kiwi Strawberry. I shake it up in a jar.
When you shake 'em, they get thick - like a smoothy.

I made one this morning. But now I can't find the Jar. I have looked everywhere.
I have no idea where it could be - where did I take it??

I found the lid in the kitchen ( like the pocketbook of a kidnap victim) but the jar- vanished.

This must be the "brain fog."

Day 7 - Back in the Pink!

This is day 7 on my 21 Pound in 21 Days Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox journey.

I woke up today and felt good, yea! I was a little worried this detox was too aggressive.
My husband made the observation that the maybe my body was working hard to deal with all the toxins I was dislodging. Makes sense. Like a fever, it doesn't feel good but it kills the bug that's bugging you.

Anyway, this is the end of my first week and I have lost another pound. Here's the weird part.

I took my husband to the airport this morning at 5AM. (It was still dark - who knew?)
When I got home, I thought I would peek at the scale. Yikes, I had gained 1/2 a pound!!!
Since I had only gotten 3 hours sleep, I went back to bed.

When I woke up, I remembered reading that you should always weigh yourself at the same time of the day and in the morning rather than the evening. Well, 5AM is really night time for me. (I stay up until the wee hours and wake in the late morning.) So I got on the scale at my usual time and, surprise - I had lost a pound. I guess my body is working hard.

I very happy to be improving my overall health but I have to say, the real thrill is wearing smaller jeans!

Day 6- Tough Day

This is Day 6 on my 21 Pounds in 21 Days Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox journey. Stepped on the scale this morning and had lost another pound.

That was the good news. The bad news-I felt weird, not bad in any particular way - just not myself.

Kind of tired & weak, I guess would describe it best. I had to take some breaks during the day and spent the evening on the couch.

Could be why people go to a spa for this program.

Maybe this is "the healing crisis."

DAY FIVE- ANOTHER POUND GONE!

Wow, this thing really works. I've lost another pound, my headaches and sinus drip!

I had to go to Wholefoods today for tea - right across from the bakery full of vegan chocolate chip cookies- and I wasn't tempted. No solid food in 5 days and not tempted by cookies!!!

I'm like a shark in aquarium - I can swim all around the food and not eat it.

I think the 2 hour schedule, the live juice and soups are the keys.

Just when I start to feel hungry, it's time for another drink. The juice and soup come right at regular meal times and are pretty filling.

I recommend juicing instead of the optional green drink.
The routine is nice. It's like making a meal. If you like to cook, this is a good replacement.

Veggie juice is really good. I'm a picky, picky eater and even I like the juice.
Juicing is not as expensive as you might think. I have the cheapest juicer around, the Juiceman Jr. It works fine and even juices parsley and other herbs. There is no need to buy a $300 juicer.

You could visit a juice bar - sort of like going out to lunch! Test the juice before you buy a juicer.

I made an appointment for my first colonic today. They charge you if you cancel - so no backing out. I wonder if my results would have been better if I had done one one day one?

Time for a green drink...

The Scale- Happy Surprise

As the young Dr. Frankenstein said, "This ...could... work!"

I've lost 4 pounds ......and I haven't killed anyone yet. In fact, I feel fine.
I went to Wholefoods yesterday. It smelled like cookies - vegan chocolate chip.

I didn't even browse the bakery.

I stuck to plan. It didn't really take much will power.
Which is a good thing, because I have none.

Maybe I should get out my old jeans....

Day Four- Headache Free

This is day four on my 21 pounds in 21 days Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox journey.

My headache and runny nose are gone! I feel good. I really do. I have no food cravings either.

I'm having no trouble sticking to this plan at all - most of it anyway.
I have been copying daily schedule (pg 174) from the book each morning and putting it on the fridge. I check drinks & supplements off as I have them. That Seems to keep me on schedule.

While making my copy this morning, I discovered that on page 176 is a daily list of treatments I'm supposed to be doing. I forgot about these.

I have a rebounder and have been using it each day anyway so I have been getting the exercise but I haven't been brushing my skin. I also missed coffee enema day - darn.
I copied this additional schedule and posted it on fridge as well.

Today was a busy day but I managed to get it all done. I even had time to rev up the juiceman and make a fresh juice. That thing sounds like a Cessna taking off but it can can turn anything I throw in there into liquid.

I also made the Spicy Beans soup on page 208. I didn't like it. I strained all the veggies out and put 'em in the blender with a lot of garlic- much better.

Today was also the day I intended to start my new Total Body Cleanse. I opened it. It has three numbered bottles. You take 2 capsules from # 1 in the morning, from number 2 in the afternoon and finally from #3 in the evening. My box has two number 1's and no number three. I will have to return it tomorrow and start another day later. I hope this won't make a difference.

Tea Tip- You've Burned Your Tongue For the Last Time.

If you drink your tea from a coffee mug you have probably been waiting an half-hour to drink the stuff or burning your tongue- like me.

Save your taste buds and find a porcelain tea cup. You can likely borrow one from your grandmother. These are the kind that come with a saucer - handy for holding teabags and spoons.

A friend explained to me that tea cups made of porcelain allow the teas to cool to drinking temperature quickly so you can drink it in a few minutes. It works!

It seems odd since porcelain is a well known insulator but my tea is quickly drinkable in my porcelain teacup. Maybe it's the shape and not the porcelain in any case, bottoms up!

Day Three-Tabouli Juice

This is Day Three of my 21 Pounds in 21 Days, Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox journey.

My husband has come home from a business trip to find the kitchen counters piled with
rishi teas, earth's Promise drink mixes & distilled water jugs. When I explained my 21 day plan, he was happy to help. He made his own meals, hid his cheese crackers from view, even drank juice with me.

The Juice we shared was a recipe I got from the Big Book of Juices and Smoothies, # 178 called Red and Green. I changed it a bit though. It tasted just like tabouli, without all that pesky grain - yummy!

Here's the original recipe:

1 bunch parsley, 1 lemon, 5 tomatoes.

I added a clove of garlic and switched out half a bunch of parsley for half a bunch of cilantro. These juices are way more fun and tasty than I ever imagined they could be.

I feel OK. I still don't miss food. ( My husband probably could have eaten his crackers in plain sight.) But I have a headache all the time and a runny nose.
In all fairness, I normally get headaches often. They just don't last all day.

I found a new cleanse today, Organic Total Body Cleanse. It's a complete internal cleanse in 14 days. Which is good for me because I'm a little behind on this. I'll start that tomorrow.

Day Two - I Don't Even Miss Food.... Yet

Yesterday was day 2 on The 21 Pounds in 21 Days, Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox.

I made the soup (Ginger Carrots page 207 of Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox).
I was really surprised - It was good. I had never made soup before, in fact I really dislike soup haven't eaten it since I was 5, until this morning.

This morning I started with the internal cleanse. Not a good idea. I felt very queasy after that.

I had the berry drink (earth's promise). It tasted great mixed with tea ( rishi Tangerine Ginger) but still felt weird. I had an important meeting I couldn't miss so I had to carry on.

Luckily, I had set the meeting at a vegan restaurant where I could get a green drink & an herbal tea. Instead I had the vegan pea soup ( 1/2 a cup- vegan so no dairy or flour) my first soup since kindergarten. It was great and I felt better right away.

So I was encouraged about eating soup.

I think I need to adjust the time I drink the cleanse. All that fiber at once maybe too much for me. .. also realized I'm not drinking enough distilled water - lots of tea but not so much plain water.

Too keep better track of the diet. I photo copied the schedule page and put it on the fridge. I check off the drinks/supplements as I have them. This works pretty well.

I feel OK but my nose is running like crazy, I'm thirsty often and I have a headache all the time. I know these are detox signs so I'm not worried - just a bit uncomfortable.

Oddly, this is my second day with no solid food and I don't miss it.

Day One - Found Green Drink with Great Taste!

This Martha's Vineyard 21 Day Detox Diet attracted my attention- first with it's title and then with the stated results.

So I'm giving it a whirl. What Have I got to lose but pounds and toxins, right?
I'm a vegetarian so I eat pretty well. I was an ovo-lacto vegetarian until this year-
(which means I ate dairy). I have come to the conclusion that dairy may not be good for me.
I have been slowly gaining weigh although nothing in my routine or diet has changed.

So I have given up wonderful cheese and creamy ice cream. I miss them. But in a way, I think they are probably around. It's possible that they have left a lot of chemicals and hormones, and who knows what else, in my system. And so the detox.

I read the other blogs and almost changed my mind. It seemed people had a hard time getting to the end because the drinks tasted so bad and the eating (drinking) plan was boring.

I didn't want a diet version of Fear Factor. I know myself. I am the original picky eater. I am very unlikely to eat or drink anything I don't like the taste of - especially something green!

Then I read a blog that suggested combining the drink mix with herbal tea. Genius!
I also went to Wholefoods and asked which green & berry drinks were the tastiest.

Here's what I learned:
earth's promise makes green, purple (berry), red and orange fruit & vegetable drink mixes. They are vegetarian and have no sugar. (They include everything Dr.Roni requires and more!) The powders come in great tasting flavors - totally drinkable. The green veggie drink comes in mint or kiwi/strawberry flavors. The berry in berry/ pomegranate.

I took them home and mixed 'em with a very bold herbal tea, rishi organic Tangerine Ginger. I also added 2 packets of stevia, just in case. Both tasted great - yea! I knew I could do this program. ( Today I mixed one and forgot to add the stevia. It still tasted great.)

I added the mix to hot tea. The berry version dissolved easily. The veggie version required a little wire whisk action but both remained dissolved. They didn't settle at the bottom of the cup - eeewww.

If you are having trouble with the drinks, don't give up yet. Give earth's promise a try. They can also be found online here.

I found all the other supplies at Wholefoods, too, right down to distilled water and epsom salts.

All except Inner Cleanse, that is. Which is fine with me. I am very pro-active with my health and so have tried "cleanses" before. They are not for me. The laxatives in them just keep me busy all day. I chose Tri-Cleanse Complete Internal Cleanser. This one works gently with all the colon cleaning bulking agents and no (habit forming) laxatives. We'll see if this makes a difference later, I guess.

I have a Juiceman Jr. juicer. Not too fancy but it will do the job. I usually use it to juice fruit. I have never really juiced any veggies. I like to eat them. Today, though, I made my first veggie juice. I was worried I would hate it (picky eater) but it was actually good.

I used a recipe from the Big Book of Juices by Natalie Savona. She rates all her recipes with 1 -5 stars for energy, detox, immunity, digestion & skin values. I choose # 177 Creamy Green - sounds just awful but tastes great and it had 5 stars for detox.

Here's the recipe: ( I don't think Natalie will mind)

1 bunch parsley, 1 handful of watercress, 4 carrots, 1 lime - get a big lime. Lime makes all the difference, I think. The carrots hide the greens and the lime adds a real zing. I happily drank it all.

I was hungry at juice time and this did the trick.

Tomorrow, I will tackle the soup. I don't like soup (picky eater). I hope I can come up with something I can eat...uh..drink :)