Organic Avenue LOVEdeep: Day 2

Read about Day 1 here.

Well, now I see why they call it Veg 8. It tastes like a better version of V8. Although I generally don’t prefer tomato in my juices, in this case it seems to mask the taste of the romaine. Always a good thing.

Day 2 is upon me and I will now grace you with the menu:

• LOVE DEEP #1. (approx. 8/9am) Chlorophyll Elixir FYI: An interesting benefit of chlorophyll is its amazing healing effect on cells such as skin and the intestine. Chlorophyll, taken internally, topically or injected, has shown no toxicity what so ever. This means that it can be used virtually anywhere in treating the body. (read article)
• LOVE DEEP #2. (9/10am) Fresh Pressed Grapefruit Juice: FYI: It is well established that citrus and citrus products are a rich source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber (non-starch polysaccharides) that are essential for normal growth and development and overall nutritional well-being. However, it is now beginning to be appreciated that these and other biologically active, non-nutrient compounds found in citrus and other plants (phytochemicals) can also help to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases.(read article)
• LOVE DEEP #3. (11/12pm) Fresh Pressed Young Love: (Spinach, cucumber, celery) FYI: Due to its high content of minerals, vitamins, pigments and phytonutrients, spinach supports healthy eye function and can prevent age-related macular degeneration. (read article)
• LOVE DEEP #4. (1/2pm) Masters Tonic: (Lemon, Purified Water, Yacon, Cayenne)
• FYI: Lemon water is a good morning drink to start the process of removing impure chi in the body and cleansing the digestive system. It relieves symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching. Controls constipation and diarrhea by eliminating waste more efficiently.
• (read article)
• LOVE DEEP #5: (3/4pm) Cucumber Basil Soup (coconut meat and water, cucumber juice, avocado, garlic, basil, sea salt) FYI: Cucumber has a cleansing action within the body by removing accumulated pockets of old waste material and chemical toxins. It might help in the treatment of arthritis since it helps eliminate uric acid. Its liquid has the reputation of being a rejuvenator and makes us feel and look young. (read article)
• LOVE DEEP #6. (5/6pm) Veg 8* (Swiss chard, spinach, kale, cucumber, celery, romaine, carrot, tomato, green apple, lemon, lime) FYI: Celery contains coumarins, phytochemical compounds that have shown to be effective in cancer prevention, as well as in elevating the activity of specific white blood cells. Coumarins also lower blood pressure and reduce migraines. (read article)
• LOVE DEEP #7: (7/8pm) Coconut Water FYI:Coconut: promotes heart health, promotes weight loss, supports immune system health, supports a healthy metabolism, provides an immediate energy source, helps keep skin healthy and youthful looking, supports the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. (read article)

I really like how they vary the menu a little. I am excited to see what tomorrow will bring.

So I left you last night while I was eating my soup. I never did finish the soup. Or Veg 8. Or Coconut Water. Or Masters Tonic. It was past 9:00 and honestly, I wasn’t feeling so hot. I could barely move from the couch. The prospect of bringing the day’s bottles down to the doorman to return to Organic Avenue was more than I could handle. I couldn’t even stand up, let alone make a trip downstairs. The boy said I looked very ill; ghostly. I was crashing. I knew I wanted to run this morning, but how could I if this is how I felt? And I wanted food. And I yelled at the boy for not talking me out of doing a 5 day juice fast. What was he thinking, letting me get involved in this?!

The boy had ordered a salad for dinner and it came with a very little roll. I knew what needed to be done.

Sorry to all of you who were cheering me on. I am human. I took a bite from the roll and it was like heaven on earth. Almost immediately I got some strength back and was able to get up to start packing up the bottles. I’m not sure why I never had this issue with Blueprint Cleanse, but I suspect it had a lot to do with the mental aspect. That one was 3 days. Practically nothing! But the prospect of 5 days, of 4 MORE days of this. More than I could handle. I also suspect it had to do with the deliciously satisfying cashew milk that served as both treat and nourishment at the end of the day. Looking forward to and drinking that milk got me through it. Now, I contemplated quitting. I even started composing emails to Organic Avenue to inform them of my decision not to continue the juice fast.

And then I had another bite of bread. And I felt stronger yet again, and it was such a small piece of bread but it made such a huge improvement in my condition and attitude. I decided I could do this. I was not going to quit. The boy made a great point to me. He said, “why do you need to do this 100%? Why can’t you do 80%? Isn’t that still good? Who says one little piece of bread undermines all the hard work you put in today?” And then he asked, “Is following this perfectly worth how you were just feeling?”

The answer, of course, is no. Although there are some people who would disagree. But the boy was right. Why did I feel like if I let a morsel of food pass through my lips during these 5 days, it meant automatic failure. That is ridiculous! I was setting myself up to fail.

But it is impossible to hold ourselves to standards of perfection. Always remember that. All we can do is our best.

That got me through the rest of the night, and I slept deeply and well (I noticed the same thing from BPC). This morning I woke up feeling great. I recalibrated my Polar on a track and then I went on a much more accurate 2 mile run! And I was back on the juices! A minor setback was not going to toss this entire week down the drain.

I started with a grapefruit juice which wasn’t bad at all, although it took me a long time (read: 4 hours) to finish. I once again loved the Young Love – cucumber, spinach, celery juice. That one I drank quickly because it was just so delicious. And I waited until the afternoon to attempt the chlorophyll again, since I had a filling put in this morning and was concerned about the greens mixing with my gums! I also sipped it through a straw to lessen the impact to my mouth.

Now I am drinking the Veg 8. It is going slowly, but it is going. I am VERY excited for the cucumber basil soup, with coconut meat. Mmmmm. I don’t care for coconut water though, but I found someone willing eager to take it off my hands. And while my stomach is still bloated, it does not hurt.

Only 3 more days. 3 more days. I can do this. Even if it means having another small roll tonight. 3 more days. I can do this.

And what are you waiting for? Just one week left to take my survey for a chance to win a Physique 57 or Core Fusion DVD!