Dry fasting (DF) is so fun and so Free-ing! I mean when else can you have no requirement for anything except air? ! I’m at hour 22 of no food, no water, no juice, (I know you want to say no fun) but…YES fun! I don’t feel hungry, I am not thirsty, and I don’t have to pee every hour like I do on juice or water fasts.
Love is in the air here at Pure Joy Culinary Academy. Ever since I got myself into raw food (many Valentine’s days ago), it has been my mission to share Love everywhere I go — through acts of kindness, inspiring words, simple sharing with friends, and most especially through the food that I prepare.
I just finished teaching at Whole Foods in Tucson. Here’s a quick video on how to make Gorgeous Green Juice with just a Vitamix.
Know more about Medicine Flower flavors and how I use them and why I LOVE them!
Today is my intermittent fasting day. I fast 2x per week for 32-36 hours each time (or longer if I’m feeling like it). Sundays and Wednesdays are the best days for me. What have I noticed over the last 6 weeks of doing this? 1. I am getting very lean again, especially around my abs and waistline (yay!). 2. I am not as hungry on my fasting and non-fasting days, so I am eating less overall. 3. I feel happier and more energized all the time.
I have been practicing a clean, plant based diet since 1997, and Intermittent fasting has been a big part of my healthy lifestyle. The first fast I ever did was my when I did an Arise and Shine Intestinal Cleanse in 1997. Back then I had no idea what I was really doing, I just followed the instructions that came in the box. Needless to say I do not look back on that cleanse with fondness as I went in blind and had no guidance (other than the book). In 1997 there was no google, no place to research these types of things or to get any kind of support online. Because of my first experience without support, it is my intention to help and support others as much as I possibly can, and to make your journey easier as you cleanse and fast your way to a healthier, leaner and more joyful life.
When you eat foods that are growing right now and that are local, it helps your body to adjust to the climate you are living in. If you live in the desert (as I do) then nopal cactus, prickly pears, wild greens (otherwise referred to as weeds) can be some of the best foods on the planet when it comes to comforting, healing and nourishing your body. Did you know that mesquite (you’ve probably experienced it as a super food powder that you put in smoothies) is a pod that grows all over Tucson and Phoenix AZ (among other warm/hot places such as Costa Rica) and helps cool the body down? That’s why it’s important to eat them when they are in season (in the summer vs. winter).
Today is day 13 of my zero sugar green juice fast. I have days of feeling super great and energized and loving everything about my progress, then I have days where I want to lay on the couch and do nothing. It just depends on how deep in ketosis I am. Ketosis is when the body switches from burning glucose to burning fat. This is a good thing because the fat is where the toxins hang out, and it is also a direct competition between the good cells and the bad bacteria, parasites or fungus and if you keep at it, the good cells will win! Not to mention the side benefit of getting rid of excess fat and cellulite.
Well, I’m at it again! After a big move to Tucson, lots of life changes, stressful times, and too much eating, I decided to take some time just for me and do a long green juice fast. Little did I know that I would also include dry fasting this time, which I have never tried before. I’ve known about it for a while now and even teach about it in my detox classes. I found the information in one of my favorite books: Quantum Eating by Tonya Zavasta. She has a chapter where she talks about the amazing healing benefits of a dry fast.
Eating is such a passion and a pleasure…especially for us foodies. It’s not just about swallowing something down because it’s good for me. I choose to experience my food with all my senses. If I don’t really enjoy my food, the way it smells, looks and feels in my mouth, then I feel something in life is missing, and I don’t feel as passionate about anything.