Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

The Trial and Error of Liquid Fasting: Part I

Well last week I started a liquid fast. I was going to shoot for five days but only made it for three!  I am no expert, but this is my experience, my trial and error of fasting! 

Weight before: 120 lbs. 
Weight after: Unfortunately unknown!
Height: 5 Glorious feet of beauty. No inches added.

Drinking Schedule:
After I woke up, I took a few supplements: Emergen-C, Elderberry Extract, and Gummy Vitamins (the only "food" I had while fasting) and mannn were they savored.
Then scatted throughout the day:
A cup of green tea
One Liter of water
Half a Naked Juice
Second Liter of Water
Second half of a Naked Juice
Third Liter of Water
Cup of Tea

Journal:
Sunday (The Day Before the Fast): Had the illogical mindset that I should eat crappy food because I won't be able to have some for almost a week. Hmm, okay Shannon. Lacked that healthy good stuff.

Monday (Day 1): Attempt to go cold Turkey. Made it until 4:00pm. The hunger was a crazy beast, I could not control it. I heard of people eating a piece of fruit at night, so I thought I'd compromise and I ate an apple. Quickly I felt guilty. Later my boyfriend came into my room, and thought something was wrong and that I was acting strange, which I was! I was anxious and kinda spastic. That's when he convinced me to eat dinner with him, but only a little bit. So I ate a salad and a roll. Then later around 9:00pm I had a Larabar. This is how my Sunday should've been.

Tuesday (Day 2): So technically day one of my fast. This was the first day I went without any food (minus two gummy vitamins.)The hunger is the most intense on the first day, and so are the gurgley noises. In the mid afternoon I began to develop a headache and became a bit dizzy. After that I also got nearly feverish. But by later that night, everything subsided. Also I was not bloated!

Wednesday (Day 3): Hunger was not as intense as the two days beforehand. However at moments I felt sick. Dizziness, feverish, headache, extremely tired, and hard to focus (spacey.) Also when I got up my vision would start to become black and I'd take a moment to regain my vision. But with a nap, most everything cleared up, just had a little headache. Also I would drink a Naked juice and that would also make me feel more whole. Food itself is not longer a craving, just a nice idea. However mentally I was incredibly distraught. I was miserable. Later that night I went on a walk with my boyfriend, and we talked it through and I broke my fast that night. It was for the best.

I broke my fast with a Larabar. Literally, I never enjoyed food as much in that moment as I did any other. I was actually laughing as I ate it because I was so excited and so thrilled to have food. It was strange, yet the experience was nearly immaculate. The taste was amazing, but it was the texture that I longed for. I had an apple and some chips and salsa later on.

Would I fast again?
Without a doubt. I am anticipating the moment when I am ready again! While my boyfriend and I discussed my fast, we went over the mistakes I made and why my fast made me emotionally distraught. I did not mentally and physically prepare myself accurately. Fasting is a spiritual journey, a vision I had, but it was lost quickly. I focused on weight loss. I focused on food. It was harsh. There are so many things I learned through this process that will help me more in the future.

Tips:
1. Do your research. Seriously, be educated about the subject before eliminate food!
2. Be open optimistic.
3. Use it as a spiritual tool. Focus on mind and strive for tranquility and enlightenment. Be Peaceful and be mindful of your soul.
4. The day before you fast, only eat small meals.
5. Maybe a week or so before you fast, try one day only consuming liquids.
6. Mentally prepare for the questions!

I'll let you know how my next fast goes when the time comes! I'm excited!
Any questions or if you care to share your story and experience, feel free! I am always open to advice!
 

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Door County 2014

The last couple weeks of August are always crazy regardless of age. Rushing to fit in the last few summer adventures and activities before gathering the school supplies or packing up bags for college. For me, I was able to fit in a few adventure; from camping with my boyfriend to visiting my friends, work did not completely suck the fun out of my summer. But this past weekend my mom and I went on one final trip, one I have been looking forward to all summer, our trip to Fish Creek, Door County!



Now if you don't know where Door County is, it is the peninsula of Wisconsin that stretches into Lake Michigan. Fish Creek in particular is on the north side. It is a small quaint town that has a great amount of history, beautiful scenery, and plenty of shopping!


And the FOOD! 

Cheese and onion pizza loaded with Garlic from the Bayside Tavern. Delish.
If God were a food, dark chocolate PB cup from The Confectionary. I had one or two, or maybe three. No shame.

Don't forget to go to the White Gun Inn, a restaurant/hotel that has been standing and in service for more than 100 years! Plus it is only a block away from the lake. While waiting to be seated, I obtained myself a glorious cup of tea. If you don't know already, I am a tea junkie! One sip and I was in love. I chose "Paris" by Harney & Sons. It was the most unusual flavor I saw in the mix, so I tried it and was far from disappointed. It was sweet but not fruity, I thought I picked up a hint of lavender. Definitely keeping my eyes open for this brand. 

While the tea was amazing, the breakfast was insanely majestic. The White Gull Inn is actually famous for their breakfast. Since Door County is cherry country, especially this time of year, many of their dishes contain cherries! I got their cherry creamcheese stuffed french toast with a side of hash browns. This dish, mind you, won an award from Good Morning America. This is the second time I've had this dish. It is amazing beyond belief. This meal itself, should be put on your bucket list.

In the midst of eating, shopping, swimming, boating, etc., take in a moment to take a walk and enjoy the scenery.



 Shopping in Fish Creek is always fun. You can anything to quirky products to the essentials. Myself, a few of my favorite things I purchased were a green Stormer Kromer hat, a new pair of mocs, and well, I'd be a liar if I didn't put Peanut Butter Cups on this list...

But on the way home my family always stops at a shop completely devoted to cherries, and well, I think our last purchase was a perfect ending to such an amazing gateway.







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