10 Days Later

The Easter Holiday took it's toll on me. A couple of coctails here, a glass of wine there, vegan macaroons, lentil soup and lo mein. Ugh. I had a constant food hangover. And then, the cravings began. Even though I've steered clear of white sugar, my body was craving sweets and fat, and more sweets and more vegan butter. Thankfully, or regretfully, I've eaten all of the leftover vegan macaroons, so those are out of the way. Salt has continued to be an issue. I definitely crave it, and I definitely wake up looking like a boxer after the bell.

Moderation. I think what I forgot about over the holiday was moderation. I had big plates of veggies, and starchy veggies at that. Which would explain why 10 days off my fast, I've put 7 lbs back on. I don't think all of it is staying. I think some of it is the result of the weekend binge, but my guess is my previously estimated 5 lbs will linger. Today, in an interest to right my wrongs, I've had juice in the AM -- Spinach/Celery/Carrot/Pineapple/Strawberry -- and a Vega Shake for lunch. My snack was a plain whole wheat matzo bread. I particularly like the ingredients on the side of hte box: whole wheat flour, water. Can't get much simplier than that!

I am also having a bit of trouble getting out of bed in the AM. I really want to sleep now. I'm not springing out of bed. To be fair, maybe I never "Sprung" out of bed, but I was more chipper. Now, I drag. Though I've had my juice or Vega or both each day, I still feel like I'm missing something. I'm definitely having less juice, so maybe that's where the problem lies. I have to up my intake of micronutrients. (And lower my intake of alcohol. I haven't been having very much in reality, but the little I've been having has been kicking my butt.)

With 315 days until my next 40 day juice feast, I am going to focus on eating as many raw foods as possible, and kicking my salt cravings. Funny how something I never missed in 40 days, can become an obsession. "Okay, Lady! Take it easy. Back away from the popcorn!"

But enough about me . . . have any of you tried juicing? Are you at least curious?

I'll pop in with an update every so often. Just so you know whether I put it all back on or level off somewhere. Today is the first truly nice weather in NYC, so I'm hoping to get in more outdoor exercise. Biking to work has begun. I don't think I'll ever see the inside of a bikini in this lifetime -- but I haven't had that on my top 10 list either. I am just hoping that beach season means I'll actually get some time to lay on the beach this summer.

Happy Juicing, and talk to you soon!