Rachel's Page

I have completed my first week of juice feasting and I am feeling fantastic! In fact, my friend Aimee (who is also doing the juice feast) and I were just talking about how it does not even feel like we are fasting. I mean, sure there are the occasional hunger pangs (when I am not drinking enough juice), and sometimes a little fatigue but usually that just means I haven't done my enema and once I have, I am ready to roll! This has actually been a lot easier than I was expecting and I have felt more energy than when I was eating ;-)
I have been also teaching and practicing Bikram yoga while on this juice feast and was unsure how that would go. So far, I have been enjoying both teaching and practicing and find that the Bikram actually really supports well-being on a juice feast. I think I have avoided many of the common detox symptoms because I detox so much in yoga class. The heat gives me a great sweat, the pranayama breathing helps detox my lungs, the postures detox and feed every cell in the body in 90 minutes, and the focus and concentration required push out any negative or doubting thoughts. There is just no room for toxicity mentally, physically, or emotionally.
In terms of emotions, I have not yet experienced any big emotional shifts but I'm fairly certain I will see some down the line. I feel like these things for me may take a few more weeks to dredge up and release. So far, I am feeling much more capable of connecting with those around me emotionally and have felt, at certain times, overwhelming feelings of love and joy. I was sitting on the Q train the other and couldn't wipe the grin off my face...I just sat there smiling at nothing in particular and felt such joy and peace. Wow!
I am journaling every day and that has been very important to help me process. I also noticed I am much less willing to procrastinate on this feast. When I know I need to do something, I just do it. I think I used to have food as a tool of procrastination and now as it is unavailable, I am getting lots done in a very positive and proactive way.
Friday was my first big social event while feasting. My roommates and I had a party at my house (we have a stage in our living room and throw music events almost every weekend). Everyone was eating and drinking around me and it was no problem. In fact, I even made a lot of the food! I was really happy with my savory green juice and was able to focus more on the interaction with my friends. I had great conversations I may not have been open to in other circumstances.
I am tracking my daily intake of juice and supplements...
So far I drink about 4qt juice/day (mainly green/low glycemic since I have history with candida)
I am also using E3Live, green powder, kelp granules, B-12, bee pollen, coconut oil, hemp seed oil, MSM, and cayenne. David and Katrina's Juicefeasting.com site has been such an inspiration!
Later this week I am going upstate NY to camp out at a folk festival. I think I have worked out all the juicing logistics but stay tuned for details on how that goes. I'm really excited to get out of the city and into nature for the weekend.
Love,
Rachel