The end

So, to celebrate the end of the sixth day of starvation, Nick and I ate.  Yep, six days was all we had in us.  And you know what, I am perfectly fine with that.  

I <3 food

So, I think I want food today more than the previous four.  Maybe it was because I talked to Nick about how much we both MISS food, and then there was the movie popcorn smell...  Ugh, I can't wait to eat, even a big green salad or a bowl of Kashi.

While I don't feel like I've lost weight, I was thinking today that my face looked thinner, and that just so happened to be the first thing Nick noticed when he saw me.  Great news, because you can put clothes on your body, but the face is a little harder to hide...  

A new thing that occurred today was what I am convinced was a heightened sense of smell.  I felt like I was going to vomit all day because of hypersensitivity to smells.  I was made nauseous several times, including while drinking the "lemonade."  I've grown to hate it.  So, I've become great friends with water and herbal tea instead.  

You know you want food when...

... you are dreaming about it, two nights in a row. Yes, both last night and the one before, I woke up two or three times with dreams of being at a social occasion of some sort, eating with everyone else, and mid-bite, I spit out my food and start panicking. I'd forgotten that I was fasting. What should I do- forget it happened? Start my fast again? Make myself vomit? Really bizarre...
I have definitely had bad breath, or at least a nasty taste in my mouth, for the past two days. I'm still not really hungry, and even when I went to the grocery today to restock on lemons, I just missed eating. I really, really like food. I continue to feel pretty good- no headache, plenty of energy (though I'm not doing too much), fine mood- except my sore throat persists. It's been six days now, so if it hasn't disappeared by day eight, I think I'm going to have to end my fast at a week (which has the convenient added bonus of allowing me to eat on my birthday).

Can I just have some orange tic-tacs please?

After day 4 here, my mind is starting to come up with creative ways to make me give this cleanse up. The best arguement it has made, came about 2 hours ago. While enjoying a movie (Cloverfield was pretty good, I have to say!), I usually love to enjoy ice cream or candy of some sort. I knew I could not do this, so my mind came up with another high impact option: orange tic-tacs. Why couldn't I have them? They are pretty much "nothing" as far as calories go (37 calories in the entire box). Damn it! I just need something solid in my mouth (wow that sounds pretty attractive and straight). I'm going to pose this question to a "lemonade diet" message board of some sort.

Also, I feel tired today. I've got a headache, and I'm starting to feel canker sores starting to creep their way into existence. I have to nip this in the bud with salt water. Not excited about working tomorrow, althought things are starting to slow down now that schools are in graduation mode.

Yesterday was tough

I can second the "meal comraderie" notion. I had lunch with a business guest yesterday, and I felt extremely awkward drinking my tea while he ate a country bacon cheeseburger with french fries. A small part of me was obviously salivating because I love french fries and cheeseburgers. However, more importantly, our conversation was not as robust as in previous meetings. Maybe because I as self-conscious about having tea in front of him. In any case...I can appreciate a nice meal with friends and family that much more.

Interesting thoughts on fasting

Last night, I read a story about two guys who tried to fast for 40 days (and only made it 20). One of the guys was Christian, one was not. The Christian had some interesting thoughts in his journal entries, so I am going to post bits of them.

On Day 3, he has a business lunch out, and he sits among them drinking tea, but still feels detached from the group.  "I am in the same restaurant, engaged in the same conversations, yet something about the shared experience of a meal brings a level of camaraderie that I feel excluded from.  The whole experience makes me ponder all the biblical references to shared meals.  I don't think that it's a coincidence that the early Church ate together.  There's something almost mystical in the fellowship of breaking bread together.  In Revelation, John even goes so far as to paint a picture of heaven including a seven-year feast.  It's interesting that the same God who encourages the act of communal feasting also admonishes us to fast.  Perhaps it makes us appreciate the feasting all the more, though I still can't say I've figured it out."

On Day 7, when he admits to being ravenously hungry, he writes, "I think there is something bigger to this fast than just denying myself food.  It's becoming apparent just how much of a culture of instant gratification we live in.  Every commercial for food seems to be based on the premise that when we feel the hint of hunger, we must immediate gorge ourselves, not just out of necessity, but because we somehow deserve it.  In light of this, fasting seems practically countercultural.  It refuses to give in to the prevailing sentiment that we are entitled to fulfill our desires the very moment we feel them, and that the experience of eating will fill some kind of deeper spiritual hunger.  After all, food has become more than sustenance in our culture.  It has become another consumer good.  Fasting doesn't seem like such an ancient discipline in that context.  It seems like something Americans desperately need to embrace."

Day 14: "I got sick today at work for absolutely no discernible reason.  First thing in the morning, I came in feeling fine, went to the bathroom and immediately threw up on myself.  Gross, I know.  The strange thing is I felt fine for the rest of the day.  I have to think that it's the process of my body purging itself of all the trans-fats and preservatives I pump into it.

I'm definitely hungry now.  I keep thinking back to the brief time I spent in Africa last year.  There I came face to face with actual hunger.  Maybe part of fasting in modern-day America is to actually have some context, however small, for what real hunger is like.  I've always been one to bandy about meaningless phrases like "Man, I'm starving" when 11:45 rolls around.  In a society of rampant excess, very few of us know anything about starving.  I cannot even claim to know it now, because I still have access to food whenever I feel like ending this fast.  But perhaps fasting can somehow teach me a little bit of empathy for the vast number of people in the world who really do understand hunger."

Sea-sick...

So, this morning I decided it was time to subject myself to this imfamous saltwater flush, and I must say, starvation is cake compared. It is like chugging a Nalgene of warm ocean. Plugging your nose doesn't help mask any of the yuck either. I really don't think I can do it daily. As long as solids continue to work their way through me, I think I am good in the saltwater department. I'll drink all the tea necessary, just please keep that stuff away.  I did visit the restroom an extra time today, though.  I continue to have white tongue, and Nick confirmed that I am not the only one who has noticed a new yellow hint to my "eliminations."  Can't say that my sense of smell, weight, energy, or attention has changed much, though.  I am struggling to drink my ten servings of lemonade, so I need to make an effort to drink water since I am pretty sure I am dehydrated; I have had a "hang-over" headache most of yesterday and today.

Good news for me- When Nick finishes his week of cleansing, Ten (roommate) is going to join me for the second half of my trial.  It will help to not have any food or cooking going on at the house and to still have someone to talk to about the strange things our bodies do.  

feeling pretty decent

I feel pretty solid...nothing out of the ordinary. The one thing I do not look forward to is the salt water flush. I can tell my breath is horrible...awesome.

Tomorrow will be the biggest challenge for me yet. 2 weeks ago I scheduled a business lunch with a professor, and I'm trying to figure out how I can just have a tea or water while making him eat alone! I don't know how this is going to happen. Also, according to wikipedia and other lemonade diet "blogs", I'm supposed to smell horrible tomorrow. I wonder how these academics will deal with that! Especially, these very conservative, Mormon academics!

1/7 of the way behind me...

So, yet another day of excessive lemon consumption down.  Today, I learned (the hard way) that the cayenne should not go in the mixture until just before you pour it down your throat.  I am quite certain the heat picks up speed as it soaks.  

Not really hungry today either.  Energy was fine, but I did have a headache the last quarter of the day, which could be due to any number of sources.  Some mild "white tongue," though my mouth feels great and no one appears to be put off by bad breath (I even had a random passerby at the park tell me he loved me, ha).

When I told Cori (friend) about my fast this morning, she said, "Maren, I thought you were smarter than that.  Starving yourself not only eats away at fat, it eats away at kindness, too.  I know, I went to school with those girls"  (= the "Anos" in L.A.).  Then, she texted midday to say, "Starving yet?"  Love the support :)

One down... (day, not contender)

So, I survived my first day, and I must say, it was easier than I anticipated. I am sure the third and fourth days will be worst, but I wasn't really hungry today. I passed on the salt flush, only because I used the restroom upon waking, and I didn't have my first serving of "lemonade" until 1:30pm. I ran errands, cleaned house, took the pup to the park, had my second serving before I left to hang out with my Somali friends. It was only there that I became ravishingly hungry, which is standard for their house since the dinner Hindia prepares for after our departure always smells like a piece of Heaven. Luckily the kiddies and my black & white photo project distracted me until the craving subsided. I had my third helping when I returned and laid low most of the evening. I am going to have my fourth dose now, take Cole for a stroll, then cuddle up in bed with some nice, warm LAXATIVE tea. haha
The lemon concoction is not half bad, and if it weren't for the burning sensation it sends shivering down my sore throat, it might almost be good. I haven't measured out the cayenne, so maybe I am being a little reserved there (but is a pinch not a pinch? 1/10 t. can't be much...), but if it's primarily purpose is heat regulation and I'm not cold yet, I won't worry too much.
My energy was fine today, got a lot done. I am feeling pretty confident about this. Cass might have to pull out for a wedding Thursday, but at least she'll be with us in spirit.
One day down, thirteen to go...

Day 1-i already want to quit

So Nick and I did the lax tea last night--after a huuuge meal of mexican food. Can't say that was the greatest idea ever... I think it worked but i poop pretty regularly in the morning, so i can't make any judgements on that. Then we went to trader joes this morning and all i could think about was food. Everything looked delicious and we hadnt even really started. Nick wanted to buy a million lemons and i just about gave up right then. So many lemons....drink them all? really? Seems virtually impossible.. And we just did the salt water cleanse. We chugged like champs and i was so proud of us- until i realized we are supposed to do that every morning! I think we are gonna change it uip with some tea. In any case, my intestines are already saying "whats up" and i am curious as to how long it will take to go to the bathroom again. Ill keep you posted.

Day 1

OK, the laxative tea definitely worked.

Cassandra and I got a late start today, she needed to catch up on sleep. We just chugged the salt water "flush"...I can already feel it trying to pull some bullshit maneuvers in my intestines. I have to say, that salt water was some of the most disgusting shit I've ever drank.

Just rented a couple of movies to take our minds off of food...but I sure could go for another tamale like I had last night.

More to come!

And here we begin...

Tonight, I picked up my "last supper" at Whole Foods, a salad without dressing or meat from the fresh bar. I said no to ice cream at the airport (a small miracle in and of itself, I know) and denied the urge to gorge on pizza or something equally as guilty, as a last hoorah before starvation, I mean fasting, but better judgment told me I should use this final meal as a last-ditch effort at transitioning into my new meal mode. I actually started getting disgusted eating the salad and didn't even finish it, perhaps another attempt by my body to make this a little less painful and start the hunger during the night, so I can rise to a numb pain.
While at Whole Foods, I also picked up all the mixings for this magical experiment. I realized that not eating costs more than I'd imagined (just under $13/day, I figure), though I'll end up saving a small fortune not eating out, a habit (or a broken one) I hope to keep when the fast comes to a close.
I woke up this morning with a sore throat, but first dismissed it as the result of the air conditioning I slept in last night. Much to my dismay, it persisted all day. Less than thrilled at the idea of doing this sick, but hey, maybe it will help speed the healing, and it will make tomorrow morning's salt water flush all the more exciting. Who wants to eat with a sore throat anyway? Maybe this will help me.
I took just drank the laxative tea. It smells nasty but has an almost pleasant citrus flavor. Hopefully the warm mug will help me forget about the daily coffee I'm denying myself...
My stepdad wants to bet on how soon I'll quit. Blake (brother) thinks not eating for a few hours is hell on Earth. Mom wants to get on the plan. Should be an interesting fourteen days...

Getting nervous...

Cassandra, Maren, and I have made a commitment to "cleanse" are bodies this weekend. I have to admit, I've been excited to test out my discipline. I'm also glad to have 2 hardcore health "addicts" with me to slap me if I start to become a pussy.

I'm starting to get nervous. This all hit me yesterday afternoon while driving back from work. I will not be eating solid food for 7-10 days. Am I serious? Food is one of the most important things in my life. Let me explain why.

First off, I'm Italian. I did not grow up in a health food environment, I grew up going to DiNardo and Scenna family reunions in Pennsylvania and Ohio eating meatballs the size of my face. I grew up looking forward to eating out at great, local restaurants. Instead of blood pumping through my veins, its replaced with homemade pasta sauce. Basically, you look up the word "carbohydrate" or high blood pressure", and you'll see a picture of my extended family or James Gandolfini...depending on the dictionary.

Second, I love iced coffee. I don't know if I love it because it tastes SO good in the morning, or because its become a morning ritual. In any case, I probably drink an iced coffee a day. This can't happen on the cleanse. I am not anticipating myself to go through withdrawals, because I have ceased drinking the beautiful brown beverage in spurts before. However, I will keep you posted on this blog.

Well, less than a day away now. Should be interesting. Lord knows I have plenty of garbage that needs to be expended from my chubby body. Here goes nothing!

The Recipes for Elimination and the "Science" Behind the Secret

The Recipes

Salt-Water Flush Recipe 

Each morning, upon rising, drink a mixture of:

2 t. uniodized sea salt
1 qt. lukewarm water

If this can't be stomached, substitute a morning dose of herbal laxative tea.


"Lemonade" Recipe

Over the course of each day, consume the concoction below by drinking some every hour or two:

10 fluid ounces of FRESH lemon or lime juice (1 1/4 cup; the juice of 5 lemons)
1 1/4 cup of organic Grade B maple syrup
1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
10 cups of purified or spring water (NOT fluoridated)

You can also drink some additional purified water, if you feel it necessary.

Herbal Laxative Tea

Each evening, just before bed, drink an herbal laxative tea.


The Spiel

The details of the "Lemonade Fast" are laid out in The Master Cleanse, by Stanley Burroughs.  The cleanse originated in the 1940s and reportedly "allows you to maintain a moderate level of energy while cleansing your liver and bloodstream and eliminating toxins from your deep tissues and vital organs."

The theory behind this fast is that lemon and lime juice, while high in vitamin C, potassium and other minerals, are also astringents, which cause tissues in your body to contract, squeezing out toxins stored deep within.  It is also designed to help your body eliminate much of your old fatty acid tissue, at an average rate of 2 lbs./day (with a very low risk of negative side effects), releasing the toxins stored in the fatty tissue through its usage and breakdown. This fast is said to eliminate and dissolve accumulated mucus throughout your body, helping to clear up the flu, hay fever, sinus or bronchial troubles, as well as colds and various allergies harbored within mucus.  Cholesterol deposits in your arteries and veins also supposedly respond well to the cleansing power of lemon juice. Most of your internal organs are constantly striving to filter, process and digest food, so in its absence, your organs are given a chance to rejuvenate themselves.


Extra notes and instructions

Avoid heavy exercise during the fast, opting instead for light yoga, walking, etc. to stimulate your metabolism without straining your body.

You are clean and ready to come off the fast when "white tongue" goes away and you stop eliminating solids.

Break your fast by drinking orange or grapefruit juice for two days to prepare your stomach to assimilate other foods. On the third day, drink citrus juice for breakfast, raw fruit for lunch, and fruit and salad for dinner.  Resume normal, healthy eating on the fourth day.  

Symptoms include:
Cravings 
Tiredness — When your body fights toxins, it diverts energy into healing and away from energy used for work & play 
Irritability — Boredom and the desire to "just chew something solid"
Chill — Your core temperature may drop, which is supposed to be counteracted by the heat of the cayenne

Physical aches, pains, nausea, vomiting, etc. — The most severe reactions, occur in a small percentage of people
Hot bowel movements — Your body wastes are acidic and when you eliminate more toxic ones, they can feel anywhere from warm to burning

People with caffeine addiction may experience headaches for the first 2-4 days.