Long time, no "see".

Hi y'all!!! Here's what's going on.

I started yoga. I love it and I am going to stick with it. It is a full body workout, and if it's hot yoga it's a really good detox. I think I've mentioned this, but I go to Yoga One Studio.

I ordered my box from Absolute Organics. This time I ordered a fruit box, because I am experimenting with a fruitarian lifestyle. I am trying to figure out how to do it organically and affordably  I'm sure it's possible, but I just have to figure it out. The other issue that has caused me issues in the past was having to cook. I'm thinking that I may have to leave my food in a box and only eat what's in the box. Another idea is that I'll eat BEFORE I cook. I have to get healthier, because I still have major fails periodically.

Tonight we are beginning again with turning everything off at 7pm. I am going to try to do it Sunday-Thursday as a compromise. I may even start using candles to light the house; a suggestion given by The Iyalosa. That may be too much too fast for these folks around here, but it's something to try in the future. Tonight I will help my Sun practice his lines for a play he is in, read, and then go to bed if my husband hasn't decided to talk. My goal is to get up at 5am to have time to meditate/pray, drink water, and tea prior to yoga class. I need more hours in the day. I'm thinking about waking Babygirl up earlier, because she says she doesn't sleep through the night. Getting up earlier may help that.

I'm also thinking about adding hiking to my routine. I really enjoy walking at the parks, but I don't really enjoy walking around tracks or up and down the street. I guess this will be something we do after out two bonus babies leave, because they don't like to hike and I'm not going to carry anybody.

Chef Ahki, starch, flotation device bellies

Hello my name is Morenike and I am a starch addict.

I'm almost certain that I have posted on this topic before, but because I have an addiction I have to post about it again. It doesn't seem to matter than I am a pretty healthy eating vegan/vegetarian, I can't seem to lose weight namely around my middle. When your niece asks you why you stomach looks like a float, it's time to make some changes.

Meet Chef Ahki. She is about to change my life with her simple 3 week /21 day cleanse. I know at this point y'all are like, "This chick is so wishy-washy." What can I say? I'm a Gemini with Cancer tendencies. The only difference between you and I is that I'm posting my dirty laundry to help you. lol I will keep at this until I find something that works FOR ME. Anywho, she is the anti-starch sista, who made it crystal clear why some vegans are fat in this video.



Now that you have watched the vid, if you even realized that I was still writing down here, my dawta and I have decided to get rid of our flotation device-like mid sections. We will start back exercising and nix the starch. I write about the slackness with the exercise later. I am also going to order Chef Ahki's detox tonic to assist me when I start the cleanse. I was tempted to do the renew cleanse, but it seems like just another imbalanced cleanse. It just gets rid of parasite, but doesn't deal with all the other stuff. I know I have an issue with yeast because I have these fierce cravings for starch which is the same as craving sugar.

"The best way to detox yeast? That's the key. Most people have no idea how yeast and candida affect their health. The pharmaceutical companies wan to sell us drugs to rid us of yeast. None of their drugs work. Only way to kill yeast is to STOP FEEDING IT. What do yeast eat? Starch/Sugar...As long as you put starch in your body you are going to have yeast. The problem is yeast is a brilliant parasite. When it is starved for sugar it triggers cravings for sugar in its host. It's not YOU that wants a plate full of brown rice under your vegetables. It's the yeast. There is very little useful nutrition in brown rice. The only reason we eat is to satisfy cravings of the yeast parasites. The key to escaping the yeast trap is to reduce the cravings and to starve the yeast." ~Chef Ahki 

I am very excited about trying the detox, although I know my starch cravings are going to be cutting a fool. Idk, how my daughter is going to do since she got jacked eating a freakin' HUGE pork chop Sunday. Yes, I snitched on you publicly! lol Our plan is to begin working out again Monday. I will be focusing on weights rather than cardio. I'll let you all know how everything goes as usual.

Another cleanse...smh

So, I'm going to cleanse again. I'm tempted to do MC again, but the truth is that it won't help me break my bad habits. That is really what all this comes down to. I have food addictions. I'm thinking of trying this http://www.lifeitdetox.com/7daydetox.html.



Now, let me be clear. I'm not doing the 28 day cleanse until I see how I feel about the 7 day cleanse first. It looks really promising and I know I need to do something because I feel sluggish, fat, and out of control in my relationship with food.

Whatever I do, I just know I have to do something...

Headache already...(The Remedy Day-1)

Okay, so I have a headache. This is what I think is going on. 1. My cycle is starting today and when I haven't been eating well I have headaches as one my PMS symptoms 2. This cleanse is working faster than I thought. It's not a migraine, to I'm happy about that, but not being able to take anything is a bit difficult. :(  This a totally normal part of detoxing. Just know you need to just ride this out and it will be better the next day.

This is just an update to allow others to compare notes now or in the future.

Master Cleanse Sept 22. Let's get it!

Okay, so I have to redeem myself because I didn't keep my word that last time I said I was going to do the Master Cleanse. I simply couldn't stomach the thought of drinking salt water and I won't say why so that it doesn't affect anyone else and the tea gave me MAJOR cramps. I am going to replace both with organic prune juice since I have about the same reaction to prune juice as I do to the salt water. I am actually really excited this time. I don't know if I will invite anyone to do it with me again as I was so disappointed not to have the support of all the people that said they wanted to detox, get healthy, and lose wait. I did have one of my favorite clients come and we hung out and I told her everything I know about healthy living. She brought a delicious treat and I ate almost all of them. I made vegan and raw food dishes that were really good. I don't think I'll be doing that again. If I do invite people and they want a lot of information I will charge about $5 just to make sure that they are going to show up, because I have learned that people don't value what you give them for free.

I will be getting up between 4:30am and 5am every morning to drink the juice (about 16oz) and go back to bed and wait for it to work. That is a lovely little tidbit of advice I picked up from Ajoke (my sista/teacher/guide). I am going to make all of my lemonade the night before so that I don't have any excuses the next day. I will try to keep a light schedule with my clients because the first few days can be kinda rough to say the least. I am doing a minimum of 10 days, but if my body says so I will do 15-20. We'll see.

REPOST: Yea, so about the Master Cleanse...

Okay, so I don't think that I am going to do the MC again. I need to learn portion control, and I think I want to do a raw food detox. What is a raw detox? It just means that I will be eating all raw foods to clean my body out. I don't plan on getting fancy, I will probably just make smoothies. I will continue with my vinegar water, add green tea, and prune juice etc. I know...I'm a failure. LOL I just don't want to do something that I can't keep up via incorporating it into my regular diet.

On a lighter note...hopefully. I am going to start going to exercise classes. There is a woman here in NC that offers the classes for $5. You can't beat that. Anyway, I am shooting to go to the classes 3 days a week and walk at least twice a week.

By the way, I don't know if you noticed the time stamp. My son has thrown up twice. As a mother, you know that I couldn't sleep after the first time. As I was laying there in bed there was another knock at the door. After the second time of getting up and cleaning up all that mess, I decided that we would just come and sit in the living room. I figured if I was up it would be less mess. Of course after watching Steve Urkel and Tim "The Toolman" Taylor he feels better. I made him some chamomile tea with and infusion of fresh ginger and a smidge of honey. HTH.

Don't really see me going to gather with the Saints in the morning, because his tea isn't quite ready yet. Then of course I have to make him sip it and sit around to see if everything stays down. I am yet praying.

REPOST: Almost, but not quite...

Okay, so two of my clients have decided to do the Master Cleanse. Why do they have to do it for the New Year? Did you not get the memo that I am the youngest child and I expect things to go my way? Excuse me? Anyway, I guess I should just be happy that they are cleansing their temples. I have one potential person that says she might do it with me. A friend of mine is upset because it falls right on her birthday. I will just be sipping my "lemonade" while everyone else is eating. That is assuming that I will be able attend the function at all.

I have decided not to work from Dec. 24 until Dec 28 at least. This may not sound like a big deal, but this is a much needed break. I look haggard and worn. My daughter even commented on my less the attractive appearance. Let's just say that this comment did nothing for my self image.

REPOST: Master Cleanse, March 20, 2009

I will be doing it again! I am hoping that I will get some support this time. I hope even more that some of you will join me in my March madness. I am going to do the cleanse again. The start date will be 3/20/90 until 4/3/09. Yes, this time I am going for 15 days. I figure that my body can cleanse even more and more weight loss. Now, if you choose to do this cleanse you must understand the weight loss is a nice side effect, but not the main point. This a detox that will improve every area of your body including liver, skin, kidney, and colon to name a few. I found the link below to be extremely helpful.

http://healthandlight.com/TheMasterCleanse.pdf

Please let me know if you are interested so that we can support one another

REPOST: Running?

I have often had dreams that I am running. Not running from anything, just running. Carefree. Locks fully extended riddin' on the wind. Arms pumpin'. Brow sweatin'. Sexy as all get out. Yet, I am never breathless.

I walk 2 miles in the neighborhood. On the last 1/4 of the 2 miles I walk/run. This simply means that I speed walk to the light pole and run, not jog, to the next light pole. Why do I do this madness all the way home? Because I am 5'2 about 160 and this is down from 180 (thank you master cleanse). Now that I am lighter than I was a few months/years ago I feel more energetic most of the time. Well, today I really pushed it. When I got home I told my husband how hard I ran (bout to die, but feeling proud), he looked at me heaving for breath and sweatin' like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs, and simply says, "Okay Mae Bell, Anna Bell", something like that. He was looking at me like I was old and had better be careful. If I wasn't so tired I would've thrown one of my three sweaty shirts at him. Anyhoo, I felt really good, but really tired.

I want to do this everyday, but I need a tread mill. Why? Because I need variety. I also need to be excuseless on rainy or extremely hot or cold days. Last summer I fell off the wagon, because it was hot as Satan's breath outside and I just wasn't ready to see Jesus.

REPOST: Keep On Keepin' On

Honey, let me tell you keeping weight off is SO much harder than losing it. I have started run/walking, but sometimes I just feel lazy and big. I have been eating pretty well...well, except for Thanksgiving. I didn't eat like I normally would have though.
I have this reverse anorexic disorder. Seriously. My mom and I both have it. When we look in the mirror we think we are skinny, but when we see a picture or anything else we are shocked because we seem to be much heavier. Where most people think they are fat, we think we are skinnier. Go figure. Never underestimate the power of a positive self image. LOL

REPOST: Update!!!

Well, I am still within my desired weight range. Now, these are my guidelines. I am still vegetarian, with rare occasions of fish consumption. I walk 2 miles almost every day. Recently I have started what I call walk running. I walk to a light pole and run to the next light pole for one or more of my laps. By the way, I am walking in my neighborhood not a track. My goal is to be able to run the whole thing. I have continued to eat smaller portions, but I haven't lifted weights in quite a while although I feel that I need to. Just thought I would let you know. Oh, and I don't exercise to be skinny I do it because I would like to die from old age rather than the plethora of diseases African Americans tend to die from at early ages. If you want to measure a distance that is not on a track. Use google maps to measure the distance.

REPOST: I've been tagged

I have been tagged by http://nubianlockedprincessnyc.blogspot.com
THE RULES!
1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share 6 non important facts/habits/quirks about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blog.
5. let them each know they have been tagged by leaving a comment.
My 6 things. I hope you don't become too bored. LOL

1. I only eat certain things in even numbers such as cookies (Oreos count as two), Skittles, and M&Ms.
2. I have a fascination with things that most people will find gross.
3. I love knowing random useless facts.
4. I talk to myself, but I don't answer. I don't feel bad about it though, because most psychologist find this to be a sign of intelligence. I don't have a psychologist by the way, I am in school for it.
5. I love the sound and smell of rain.
6. I think that the ocean it representative of God, because we will never truly know the depths of it.

REPOST: Finally I can Chew

Honey, I can chew! Thank ya! I tried to drink the diluted orange juice this morning. Let me tell ya, it still gave me the trots. Then I ate an egg sandwich on dry toast and that was pretty good. I used olive oil to fry it as usual, but I used less salt. Then I ate a veggie stew that I made last night. It was so good. I had tomatoes, lentils, brown rice, tomatoes, and red potatoes. I want to add spinach, just because I like it so much. I also ate some yogurt with fruit and granola that Titus bought me, yum. Now mind you, I ate half of the cup of yogurt and a small amount of the stew. Please for the love of God don't over eat after an extended fast. You will make yourself sick. Anyway, I am grateful to have made it. I am really happy about this, because most of the people I talked to never completed the cleanse. Thank you Lord!

REPOST: Yesterday (Day 10)

Sorry I miss you yesterday. I was just trying to make it. I made breakfast for dinner since my daughter has been asking for it forever. They were happy and so was I. Nothing eventfull happened, but this is what I have learned.

1. Follow the plan to the letter.
2. Drink at least the minimum amount of lemonade prescribed.
3. If you are stubborn enough, you can do anything---including this.
4. Tell other people so that you will be embarrassed if you cheat or fail.
5. If you have children or a husband you can't let them starve, you still have to cook.
6. Ask you husband or somebody to do it with you for support.
7. Keep incense in the bathroom.
8. Have something to put on your butt, because cayenne doesn't not break down in your digestive tract.

I think that's all I have on that note.

REPOST: Forget today...tomorrow is day 10

Hallelujah! I have come this far by faith...and stubbornness. I am going to make it! Thank ya Jesus! Thank ya Lawd! I will be able to chew once again. HE's a keepah, yes He is. Okay, I'm done...well not quite, got a little more left. See, I got to praise 'em. You don't know what I been through...well you kind of do if you have been reading the blog, but still. Thank ya Jesus! Now let's take up a love offering and we can receive the benediction.

Just in case you were wondering...yes, this cleanse has driven me over the edge.

REPOST: Day 8, I hate lemonade

Well I hate the "lemonade" at this point, so I took the other option of the using lime. It is pretty much the same, but it will do. I just have to make it through Wednesday and then...well I will once again be able to chew.

Honestly, I haven't really been drinking the "lemonade", water, tea, or anything for that matter. I am just tired of all of it, but I am too stubborn to give up. I just want to finish. I may drink some of the tea tomorrow, but I don't know. Right now, I don't think so. Honestly this morning I drank water before our workout and it worked like the SWF. I guess that is because I am so very empty. This is turning into a water fast very quickly. If I could stomach the saltwater flush I would be much happier, because it doesn't come with the stomach cramps like a stimulant laxative.

Anyway, thanks for praying. I know that someone is praying, because I am still going. Oh, and I bought about 5 different kinds of beans today. I have been craving beans. I will probably make soups and beans. I may even try to get my mom to make me some slaw so I can make some pintos and just eat them with slaw. Please excuse the drooling...I can't help it.

REPOST: Day 7, but not complete.

Usually seven is known a the number of completion. Well, in this instance, not so much. I only have 3 days left until I can have orange juice. I have never been so happy about orange juice. Today wasn't bad at all. We had the youth for youth church and as usual we bought them something to eat. Usually it is Bojangles, but this time we bought 2 extra large pizzas. Did you even know that pizza came in XL? Anyway they ate it up, but it smelled funny to me. UGH! Strangely, I didn't want it. All I can think about is eating a salad and some veggies. That sounds like heaven right now.

Now, let me admit something. I did take communion. In all honesty, I didn't even think about it until afterwards. I was really praying that my stomach didn't start bubbling. By the by, did you know that if you take a laxative and don't have anything on your stomach that you will immediately enter the eighth circle of hell? I did that very thing last night. Now, it seems that I would know that the nature of a laxative is the stimulate the intestines to contract. These contraction are not contingent upon food being present. Well, I thought I was giving birth. My stomach was a train wreck with no results to put in nicely. So I'm up and down all night with these horrendous stomach cramps and no elimination. So please, for the love of all that is holy, DRINK THE "LEMONADE"!!! If not you won't have anything to poop out.

Aside from that everything is good. I have energy, I have lost some weight, and my skin is clear. I am very happy with myself and I will continue to improve my diet and exercise routine. Although this was not done for weight loss, that is definitely an added benefit.

REPOST: Over the Hump

Today is a little weird. I don't want to eat or drink anything. I don't want the lemonade, tea, or even water. I think I am acting like a little kid. You know when they can't get what they want, they act like they don't want anything? Well, that's me. I am absolutely sick of the lemonade and the tea. I am thinking of using limes (which is allowed) just for a little different flavor. I am still going to finish the cleanse since I have made it over the hump. If I were going to quit, it would have been yesterday. This is day 6 so I have 4 days to go until I can first have orange juice, and then...drum roll please...I AM GOING TO COOK EVERYTHING IN THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have two clients that day, but if I had been thinking, I would have taken the day off. I am going to eat veggie, but honey, I'm gone eat the whole garden. Maybe, we will have a finishing the Master Cleanse dinner/cookout. We look for any reason to cookout. Anyhoo, I am happy with myself thus far. I am going to have to try and maintain discipline. I feel really good and I want to make sure that I continue on that track.

I didn't drink the tea this morning, because I had a meeting to go to and I didn't want to embarrass myself. The poop tea a steeping as we speak. My stomach is completely empty so it will probably work pretty fast. Yippeeee! I get to start my toilet marathon (read with complete sarcasm). Although I am in a Master Cleanse funk right now, I still have to say that it is totally worth it.

REPOST: The 7th Circle of Hell

Well Fam, tonight I entered the 7th circle of hell. I cooked a veggie dinner for the children and 3 pieces of my famous butter toast for my husband. I wasn't hungry and I was sure to drink the "lemonade" before I started cooking. It was a simple meal. I cooked what I knew the kids liked. Corn, greens, and those purple potatoes that you season and put in the oven. Anyway, let me tell you I forgot that I have a weakness for potatoes. Let's just say that God stayed my hand, because I have never wanted to lick my fingers so bad in my life. Licking my fingers isn't a big deal is it? YES IT IS! If I lick my fingers then I will have to sample to make sure that it taste okay, and then after I tweak the meal I have to taste it again, and before I knew it I would have been sitting down at the table with a plate. I am going to finish this 10 days if it is the last thing I do. I am determined. I will probably cook every vegetable, noodle, and grain of rice in the house on Thursday. I will not eat green eggs and ham. I will not eat them Sam I am. Oh sorry. I dazed out for a minute. LOL The conflict for me is that I am in no way hungry, I feel great, I look marvelous, but ME WANT FOOD! At this point this fast/cleanse is a total competition with myself and I WILL WIN! Okay, that sounded crazy, but I just needed to vent. Hope you all continue to enjoy the documentation of my self inflicted torture-- I mean my cleanse. LOL

REPOST: It's Thursday

Well, we've come this far by faith. Indeed. Replacing the saltwater with the tea has made this so much easier. At this leg in the journey, there is nothing stopping the "lemonade" from going through when I drink it. As for my daily mile walk, it is must that I keep my clear bowel track in mind. An "oh shoot" moment half a mile from home wouldn't be to easy to live down, especially since I take these walks with my children. My son would never let me forget.

No headaches yesterday or today, and that is a big deal since I have had them almost every day for months. Oh, there is one difference with replacing the SWF with the tea. The SWF is very predictable, but the tea...not so much. It has a delayed result. The package says that it may take some hours. At this point it doesn't take hours, but it might catch you a little of guard. Remember: If you think you have gas, IT'S NOT GAS! By making this my mantra, I have avoided any embarrassing moments. But by the grace of God, there go I. LOL