Day 41: Back to Full Juicing

Tonight, I juiced two strawberries, an apple, and 1/4 of cauliflower. Then, I blended the juice with one strawberry, about 8 spinach leaves, 1/8 tsp of fresh ginger root, live sprouts and 1/8 c. of soy/rice milk.

This tasty treat hit the spot. Time for bed.

Days 38, 39 & 40: A Three-for-One Entry

Day 40--->For breakfast, I had two pieces of toast, buttered, three pieces of turkey sausage and 1/2 of a red grapefruit.

For lunch, we went to Olive Garden. I ate a salad and had Eggplant Parmigiana with a side order of Fettuccine Alfredo.

For dinner, I had chicken fajitas

Juiced/Blended Mixture: Orange juiced only

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Day 39---> January 28, 2011 FRIDAY

Got home late and went out to dinner. This night was an OJ only night. I juiced two oranges and called it a night.
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Day 38---> January 27, 2011 THURSDAY

I wanted fresh squeezed orange juice. After I juiced two oranges, I realized that the standard cup of OJ that Americans are used to drinking must actually contains more than two to three whole oranges. Wow that's a lot of juice and sugar.

While buying juice is easier, juicing or squeezing it will allow one to see the number of whole fruit needed to create one cup of juice. With that information, perhaps people will realize that it MAY be too much added sugar (even if it is natural).

37: The Story of Fiber...told by Me!

Posting for 1-27-11
GOOD Thursday MORNING...

**This post was posted on 1-27-11; however, it will only show up when I have RED lettering. **

On Wednesday, I juiced before American Idol came on television. I juiced three carrots and blended the carrot juice with about 12 spinach leaves, 10 blueberries and about 1/4 c. of soy/rice milk. It made about 8 oz. and the result was a slightly sweet blend with texture. Because I need the fiber, I choose to blend the spinach (and other kinds of green leafy vegetables). HOWEVER, I am finding that there is NO real substitute for EATING veggies.

I found that juicing eliminates the fiber altogether, while blending makes the fiber so minute that its bulkiness is reduced and does not give it a chance to cleanse the colon. Therefore, I will need to add a fresh salad to my lunch today to ensure that I get plenty of unadulterated, fresh fiber.

Day 36: Purple Passion Juice

Tonight's juice consisted of one apple, three celery stalks...juiced, then blended with 10 spinach leaves, two strawberries and three blackberries. I drank 1/2 of the 16 oz. beverage and save the remainder for the a.m.

It was delicious and all of the ingredients were grown in the United States. I am determined to find local farmers for my fresh produce. However, it is going to take a little time and effort to find them.

Day 35: Yesterday's Juice

ENTRY FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 2011

Yesterday evening, my juice consisted of an apple, 3 celery stalks, ginger root, 2 half slices of cantaloupe and honeydew melons, 10 spinach leaves (blended).

As I unwrapped my melons, I noticed that one package was from Honduras, while the other was from Guatemala. Although I believe that our world contains many different types of bounty, I also believe that there must be melons closer to my home and available for my juice right here in the good ole U.S. of A. I live about 10 miles from Ga's Farmer's Market. Why can't grocery stores work with local farmers for such produce.

By the time fruit travels from South America, arrives in the stores, await my purchase, then continue to await my consumption, I am sure that the quality of the produce suffers. How can we work to address this concern?

Day 34: Grape-Spinach Fantasy

Today's juice included a juiced apple with about 4 celery stalks blended with about 15 small spinach leaves, about 15 small grapes, a hint of ginger root and about 1/2c. of almond milk. The concoction turned a brownish-green color in the blender with the kick of ginger, it was delicious.

I only drank about 1/2 of the 16 oz. Mason Jar filled with juice. The remainder will be consumed in the morning as a pre-breakfast/post workout drink.

Day 33: Three Veggies & a Fruit Juice

Tonight's juice included juicing an apple and romaine lettuce, then blending that juice with collard greens, sprouts, ginger and soy/rice milk. Believe it or not...it tasted good. Surprise, surprise, surprise.

Day 32: Late Juice Delight

Tonight, I juiced an apple, romaine lettuce, kale, strawberries and 1/2 c. of soy milk. It's Friday night and boy am I elated that it's the weekend.

Day 31: Exhausted, but Juicing...

I am totally fatigued, so I am heading to bed. I only juiced two oranges; however, it still counts.
TTFN

Cindy

Day 30: Good Timing Juice and FOREIGN GROWN PRODUCE

Arrived at home about 6:15 and decided to go straight into exercising. Zumba really took the edge off and got rid of my "work" headache.

Dinner: Chix sandwich from Chic-Fil-A, a homemade salad with romaine lettuce, tomatoes and green onions with lemon as a salad dressing.

After-dinner juice: two 1/2 pineapple slices, an apple and two celery stalks, juice...then blended with about 10 spinach leaves. It really hit the spot.

NOTE: As a member of Georgia Organics, I pride myself on fresh fruit grown as close to home as possible. Today, I noticed that my pineapples came from Honduras and my cantaloupe came from Guatemala...What the HAY is really going on? Can't local stores buy local food or at least food grown in the U.S.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am not racist. I teach ESOL and love my kids, as well as the cultures that they bring with them. My concern is for the quality of the raw, "fresh" food that I eat. Why should I eat food from hundreds of miles away, when Mr. Local Farmer has quality produce down the street.

Is that crazy or is it just me?

Day 29: Orange juice ONLY

Breakfast: Pancakes, sausage and strawberries.

Lunch: California Pizza Margherita Pizza for one and a salad of Romaine Lettuce, tomatoes, and sunflower seeds

Dinner: Tuna sandwich (with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, banana peppers) from Subway, chips and a drink.

After dinner... two oranges, juiced...ONLY!

Today, I worked 'til 3:15, helped a student start her science project and worked with my environmental education kids until 6:00...whew...what a day.

Day 28: A Simple Juice with NO Apples

I decided to take apples out of the juice equation today, so my mixture included three celery stalks (small), 2 1/2 small cucumbers (equivalent to 1 reg. cuc.), two small carrots and 1/2 c. of almond milk. this juice was not nearly as sweet, but just as tasty. I think that I could get used to the decreased sugar in my juice.

Instead of blending, I shook the contents in my old Mason jar. Boy, do I love drinking from those jars. Being that I was raised in the "country", it helps me to reminisce about "down home" days.

Day 27: Off-Schedule

I had a lunch meeting with a new friend, Tracy, that almost turned into a dinner meeting...LOL. (We had a blast!) Therefore, dinner was eaten late, which forced my juicing to be late as well.

However, you know the old adage...better late, than never!

For after-dinner, my juice was simple. It included one apple, a handful of spinach and 1/4 cup of almond milk, shaken not blended.

Ciao for now.

Day 26: Oops: Forgot to Blog...

Entry for SATURDAY, January 15, 2010

Out of 25 days, this is the second time that I have forgotten to record my daily juice selection in my blog. (Excuse...I am working on a diversity paper that is due TODAY.) However, no excuse is really good enough.

Breakfast: Honey Bunches of Oats and Almond milk

Lunch@ Golden Corral: I ate a Caesar salad, broccoli without sauce, mashed potatoes with a small amount of chicken gravy, cauliflower/without sauce, Lima beans, two yeast rolls, sweet tea and water. Other than the chicken gravy, yesterday was a MEATLESS day.

My pre-dinner juice included: two celery stalks, two half-slices of cantaloupe and collard greens juiced and blended with three strawberries. Then, I ate a cucumber, onion and tomato half-sandwich. All in all, that meal has lasted until this morning without any signs of hunger pains.

Day 25: A Delightful Green Juice

Today's juice was a pre-dinner drink that included: two pineapple 1/2 slices, more than a cup of kale, and 3 celery stalks blended with 1/4 soy milk and about 12 small grapes. This juice was a delightful green color and tasty to drink.

Breakfast: four small hotcakes with 3 Jimmy Dean turkey link sausages and 1/4 c. syrup with added water.

Lunch: I went to Chick-Fil-A and ordered 3 chix. tenders, a small salad and steamed veggies (no bread)...Yeah for me!

Dinner was left over jerk chicken slices (from last night), sauteed onion, peppers with sundried tomatoes and cheddar cheese...heat between two flour tortilla halves.
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Exercise: Zumba (20 min.)
Pedometer: 1,524 steps

Measurements #3: Drum Roll, Please!

I RARELY see The Oprah Winfrey Show anymore, but yesterday, I caught an episode (The Five Things You Need To Do in 2011) with my favorite M.D., Dr. Oz. He did this amazing demonstration about the ways in which hypertension effects the human body. When I tell you that it was the FIRST time that I really understood the concept, I am not exaggerating. After years of personal reading, research & my doctors' explanations, I finally got the reason why it's important to maintain a healthy systolic/diastolic pressure!
Also in that show, Dr. Oz stated that losing inches is more important than losing weight, especially for me because I carry extra weight in my midsection...which is very bad for my heart.

Well, this morning, I realized that I am 14 days into 2011 and I have not taken any measurements. So, I hopped out of bed, took care of some personal needs and whipped out my handy-dandy tape measure.

Here are the results:
* Bust: 42 3/4"----------------decrease of 1/2"
(under bust: 35" --------------decrease of 3/4"
* Waist (at navel): 34 1/4" ----decrease of 2 1/4"
GOAL of 30" or lower
* Pooch (under waist): 38" ----decrease of 1/2"
GOAL of 30" or lower
* Hips: 44" ------------------- decrease of 3/4"
* Left thigh: 28" --------------decrease of 1"
* Right thigh: 28 1/4"--------- decrease of 1/2"

Overall, I decreased inches on ALL parts of my body AND maintained a morning weight of 184.6!

Go Cindy...Go Cindy...Go Cindy!

Day 24: Back to Good tasting Juice

Fourth day off and back to making combination of juices that taste good. Tonight's pre-dinner juice included an apple, a small cucumber blended with three strawberries, a handful of spinach and almond milk (which has less calories, fat and sugar than my regular soy milk).

Exercise: Zumba (20 minutes)

Day 23: Late again...but Juiced up

I juiced about 6:30 on Wednesday, but completely forgot to blog. I created the most awful tasting drink that I have ever made. It consisted of an apple, 1/4 head of cauliflower, and a pineapple...all juiced. Then, I blended it with spinach, another pineapple wedge and a tangerine.

As I pulsed the blender, I remembered that I left the seeds in the tangerine...TOO LATE. The juice turned out to be the most bitter tasting juice that I have made...and the least enjoyable. Next, time I will remember juice the tangerine, even though I am positive that I have blended the tangerines (seeds too) the other times that I used this fruit in my juice...

Oh well. You live and learn.

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weight: 184.6
Exercise: mini Trampoline (20 min.)

Setting Healthy Goals: A Meeting with My Nutritionist

Chandra Carty, Nutritionist Extraordinaire

The new year is the perfect time to begin new habits and I have decided to make time, each month, to visit with Chandra Carty, my nutritionist. Chandra also happens to be an overall genuinely nice person, which is becoming a rarity in this day and time. We met in a one-on-one session to discuss my past successes and new goals for 2011.

Current Exercise habits: Zumba twice weekly, Power walking - once with one day of Jillian Michael's video thrown in on a GOOD week. Total of three days

Goals for 2011: Increase exercise to a definite four (4) days per calendar week (Sun. to Sat.); use a pedometer with the goal of walking 10,000 steps twice weekly...Good Luck, girl!

Food Goals:
1) decrease added fat (try for under 200g. per day)
2) decrease added sugar (track added sugar...try to keep it under 50 g. per day)
3) keep blogging...(add tidbits about emotional state before, during and after meals)
4) increase water intake (increase from 16 oz. to 32 oz. per day)
5) Eat out in restaurants ONLY twice per week

Having someone with whom to talk about my goals is a great release. Chandra helps me to analyze my eating habits and the attitudes that I have about food. This year, I am planning to join one of Chandra's healthy eating groups for monthly meetings.

Thanks Chandra!

Day 22: Another Snow Day, Eggs and Pre-dinner Juicing

Yesterday marked my 21st day of juicing. Yeah! They say that it takes 21 days to create a new habit. I say that thanks to juicing/blending at night, I am assured of a clean kitchen in the morning. :)

Breakfast included: an egg from The Country Hen (filled with Omega 3), Jimmy Dean turkey sausages (3), and one flaky Pillsbury biscuit with 1/8 tsp. of HONEY!

A Note about the eggs.: The eggs from The Country Hen are the best that I have ever tasted. I can taste the richness of the yolk and I simply love the fact that they are organic. Inside every carton is a note from the farmer that tells the importance of adding Omega 3 to the diet (to help prevent strokes). If you have never tried it, do yourself a favor. They come in 1/2 cartons. I found my eggs at Publix.

I was a little hungry for lunch, but I really didn't feel like cooking or fixing anything. So, I drank 8 oz. of soy milk with about a TBSP of chocolate syrup. It made for a pretty good shake-substitute.

*My stomach felt a little unsettled after drinking the chocolate soy mix. Perhaps, I went too long between meals. I will need to make sure that I eat SOMETHING every 3-4 hours. Being at home, makes me forget to eat.

My pre-dinner juice contained an apple, a handful of kale, two carrots, four Romaine lettuce leaves and almond milk.

For dinner, I made two jerk chicken quesadillas with flour tortilla shells. To the chicken, I added sauteed onions, bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes with garlic and grated sharp cheddar cheese .

Day 21: Snow and Ice and Breakfast...Oh My!

No School today... That means a slow and thoughtful breakfast for me!

I greeted the morning with:

*2 mini bagels (240 cal./6 g. of sugar/2 g. of fat/ 0 trans fat)
*with about 1tsp. of Land-o-Lakes butter/canola oil (33 cal./ 4 g. of fat/0 g. trans fat/5 mg. cholesterol/
*3 Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausage links (120 cal./2 g. sugar/7 g. fat/ 0 g. trans fat) and
*1/2 of a grape fruit (60 cal. /10 g. of sugar/ 0 g. fat/110% DV Vitamin C/15% DV Vit. A/6 g. fiber/230 g. potassium/1 g. protein)

Total Calories: 453 calories for breakfast

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Lunch consisted of a peanut better and jelly sandwich with water.

Dinner included three small tuna cake that I made from Zatarain's tuna cake mix and brussel sprouts. The cakes were edible BUT lacked the onion flavor that I love in my Mom's salmon cakes/croquettes. I will definitely have to add onions IF there is a next time.

Post-dinner juice was made up of one apple, juiced and blended with one plum, 8-10 spinach leaves, three strawberries and 1/2 c. of Almond milk. Because I blended more items than I juiced, the drink was a little thicker but just as tasty as a juice-only mix.
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Exercise: During commercials between Law and Order, I bounced on my mini-trampoline and did inverted push-ups on my exercise ball.

Day 20: Home Sweet Home & Juice for Dinner

I spent yesterday afternoon between the grocery store, the airport and my Mom's house. I stayed the night with my Grandmom and Mom. My reward was a breakfast with an old-fashion, southern ho down of grits, cheese/eggs, biscuits and salmon croquettes...and I enjoyed every minute of it.

I attempted to repent with a late lunch that included lemon-pepper chicken wings and a romaine, spinach and tomato salad. I drank sweet tea.

Finally, for dinner, I had a simple juice that included grated ginger root, 1/4 of a cabbage, three strawberries, kale and an apple.

With the exception of breakfast, today was a good day. (My breakfast was GREAT!)

Day 19: Introducing My GINGER GREEN GODDESS Juice

This morning got off to a wonderfully slow start. I slept 'til 8 a.m. and started juicing about 9 a.m.
I decided to try some a new ingredient for this morning's juice...cauliflower (chou-fleur in French).
I juiced about 1/2 cup of cauliflower (stem and all) with 3 strawberries and one Granny Smith apple. The cauliflower juice only made less than an 1/8 of a cup of juice and it looked like low-fat milk. I was surprised to find that it had a slightly sweet taste to it. After checking my vegetable wheel, I found out that cauliflower has 5 grams of carbohydrates and 2 grams of sugar. I never thought that it contained any sugar, until now.

Along with my base juice, I blended 1 strawberry, a handful of spinach leaves, 1 plum, 1/8 tsp. of ginger root and 1/3 cup of almond milk. It made about a cup and 1/2 of liquid. I'm officially in LOVE with this juice! The taste made me return to the blender to get every delicious drop!

The first enticing thing about this juice was the alluring smell of the ginger that greeted my nose(and cleared my nasal passage), even before my first sip. It provided a smooth tingling feeling, as I drank this juice. All of the ingredients created the perfect green juice that I dubbed my Ginger Green Goddess juice, since it made me feel invigorated, beautiful (from the inside out) and alive! It will definitely become a staple (regular) juice on the weekends.

Breakfast is the best meal of the day for me because it is truly a break from my overnight fasting. It gives my morning the boost that I need to have a wonderful day. This Ginger Green Goddess juice satisfied my hunger until breakfast can be cooked. This morning, I am simply having pancakes and fruit, which should get me to lunch.
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P.S. - I timed my juicing/blending this morning. It took about 1 hour for me to prepare the fruit/veggies, take pics, juice/blend/drink and wash dishes. That is comparable to preparing a regular meal; however, FOR ME it was so much more FUN and rewarding!!
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Off- schedule today--Family business will cause me not to blog anymore today.

Day 18: End-of-the-Week Juicing

"The best laid plans of mice and men, often go awry." What a very prophetic quote. After visiting my nutritionist, Chandra Carty**, this afternoon, I thought I would come home, juice, eat dinner and blog...blog...blog. Well, after leaving Chandra's office, I managed to bypass the local restaurants (unlike after my last visit with her...see SATURDAY, May 1, 2010 blog entry) and return to work/school. I ended up in an evening meeting with another teacher without stopping for any "real" food. Just so happen I remembered that I stashed a nutrition bar (Nature Valley Apple Crisp) in my classroom. It gave me the much needed energy to continue with my day AND it had zero trans fats!

**See tomorrow's entry for a blog about my visit with Chandra and my latest nutrition/exercise goals.

During the after-school meeting, I checked the time frequently because I knew that IF I stayed at school too long, I would get hungry and irritable. Luckily, that bar allowed me to stave off hunger until I made it home.

As soon as I made it inside my little townhouse, I dropped everything and prepared to juice. Because of the nutrition bar, I didn't feel jittery or anxious to eat. My stomach held out until the juice was ready. Halfway through the drink, I remember that I was suppose to take a picture of this last concoction. That's the reason the photo for this blog entry only shows a half-serving of the juice. (The rest was heading for my stomach...LOL.)

Tonight's juice consisted of 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks with leaves, 1 roma tomato, a large green bell pepper and about 1/8 tsp. of minced ginger root. These ingredients made for a slightly sweet spicy drink. (If you are new to juicing, I would recommend an apple to add a little more natural sugar to this juice.) This mixture allowed me to prepare my dinner without the slightest bit of hunger.

Friday night's dinner included: four (left over) Mardi Gras chicken wings from Publix and a tomato/cucumber salad. It was all that I needed for the night. The last thing that I wanted to do was to over eat before preparing for bedtime. This quick meal was over by 7:30 p.m.

Mid- afternoon snack was a small to-go-cup of Mott's cinnamon applesauce.

Lunch was a California Pizza Kitchen Margherita pizza from the frozen food section and Green Giant veggies.

Breakfast included: 2 mini bagels lightly buttered with two Jimmy Dean's turkey sausage links and water. Oh yeah, I had a small helping of grits and three small bite-sized pieces of Salmon croquettes.
*Once-a-month, we have breakfast for our faculty and staff at school. There was NO WAY that I was going to miss out on Ms. Shaffer's grits and croquettes. :)

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Today, I only drank about 16 oz. of water.

Day 17: Quick & Easy Green Juice

Today was another late day. However, I managed to whip out the juicer, wash the food and juice away. I juiced an apple, a cucumber and spinach. It was a quick juice that encouraged me to try to explore more triple juice recipes. By juicing with a trio of fruit/veggies, I can make this part of my day effortless.

Day 16: As Expected...

...juicing during the week is proving to be really difficult. IF I can work through this week, I know that the rest of the year will be easier, as I make this a part of my regular routine.

Tonight, I ate a light dinner that consisted of a grilled turkey sandwich and baked beans (that I just HAD to eat). My juice was a light-colored one that included celery, strawberries, apple and romaine lettuce. I believe that I am used to juicing because all of them seem to have a pleasant taste and are proving to be extremely enjoyable.

Time for bed...

Day 15: Exhausted ...but Still Juicing

Well, after working an 11-hour day, I am beyond tired. My green juice tonight was simply an apple, kale and a yellow squash. It made about 3/4 cup of juice and was rather tasty.

All through the holiday, I have had bouts with painful swelling of my mouth (lips) and itching on the roof of my mouth. It coincided with the beginning of my juicing program. I can't help but wonder if the two are connected. However, this is the time of year when my eczema really begins to get aggravated due to the dry heat of my home and the cold air of winter.

I have an appointment with my nutritionist at the end of this week and one with my general practitioner, next week. Hopefully, I can find out what's going on.

Day 14: It has begun...Working & Juicing

Preparing to return to work today was grueling. Because I am a procrastinator, things have a tendency of being put off to the very last minute. Looking for a kitchen island with Tim, yesterday really took a lot of time out of my Sunday. I should have waited until another day. I took my measurements yesterday too; however, I didn't share them in the earlier blog.

On 1-2-11, my weight was 185.4.
Measurements were...
bust - 43" (decrease)
navel- 35 3/4 (decrease)
pooch - 39 (increase) ?
hips - 44 (decrease)
Left thigh - 28 1/2 (decrease)
Right thigh - 29 3/4 (increase)

All in all, things appear to be working out well.

Today I ate pretty well. Breakfast was an egg & cheese sandwich with sausage. For lunch, I had five chicken tenders and a salad. Pre-dinner green juice consisted of kale, an apple, a cucumber blended with sprouts and almond milk. It was surprisingly delicious. When kale is juiced, it creates the darkest shade of green. From reading the package, it has huge amounts of Vitamin C. (picture taken, share later). For dinner, I have 7 chicken wings and broccoli.

**Must increase my water intake from one container of water to two containers of water. **

Day 13: 1-2-11 Missed an Entry

Entry for Sunday, January 2, 2011

Well, I missed entering my information yesterday; however, I did NOT miss juicing. My green juice for yesterday included: a tangerine, 2 carrots, a handful of Spinach, and 1/2 of a yellow squash. To my amazement, it had a pretty good taste.

Instead of blending the Spinach for this juice, I juiced it. Even though some say that juicing and blending have about the same result, I whole-heartedly deny that allegation. The juicer did not yield much liquid from the Spinach. Had I not been pressed for time, I would have blended that ingredient.

I am glad that I decided to start juicing/blending at night because it appears that my a.m. schedule will be too hectic to juice/blend and clean-up the equipment.

Day 12: A Wonderful New Year with My Two New Friends

Many people make new year's resolutions only to have their hopes and dreams smashed by March. I surely hope that I am able to follow through with this blog for another 353 days! I know that my juicer and my blender will be used daily; however, I am noticing that each day's juice serves a different function. As a novice juicer, I don't really have much to guide me because my body and nutritional needs are different from other people and I am try to be flexible enough to meet my daily needs.

Last night, after consuming my green juice, I felt hungry. Granted...my night did last beyond midnight; however, I was still hungry around 9 p.m. Instead of going to the Steak & Shake restaurant and getting a hamburger, I simply toasted a mini-bagel and gave my body some complex carbs. It did the trick and allowed me to make it through the early a.m. of January 1, 2011.

My menu for the day included: Honey Bunches of Oat with Almonds, 1/2 cup of soy milk and three large strawberries for breakfast. For lunch, I was just a little bad...We went to Golden Corral where I ate: a caesar salad with dressing & Parmesan cheese, ONE yeast roll with honey butter, lima beans, mashed potatoes with a little gravy, grilled onions/peppers, sweet tea and about 3 small chicken wings. I drank a 1/2 cup of green juice (1 med. apple and 1 small head of Romaine lettuce) as a pre-dinner juice...instead of making it dinner. For dinner, I ate 8 lemon pepper wings with a cucumber, tomato salad. The dressing consisted of a small amount of Parmesan cheese, sea salt, fresh ground pepper and fresh lemon juice. I'm not expecting to get hungry tonight... :)
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Before my pre-dinner juice, I exercised for 20 minutes to my Zumba DVD. (I included protein in my dinner because it is needed for muscle repair, after exercising.
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For this new year, I am predicting that I will be among the FEW people who fulfills their health resolutions thanks to my juicer and my blender. Go Cindy!!!