Pure. Earthy. Allure.

F asting Chronicles Day 18: Tired, tired, so friggin' tired. I dragged myself out of bed to greet the day. Weak, stomach is feeling queasy, can't st op spitting and I am totally nauseated. If I didn't know better, I would think I was pregnant...but I know better. The husband dropped off the kids this morning as I was too tired to move. I pretty much relaxed on the sofa, until he came home. Later on in the morning, I gathered up the energy to go to back to the kids' school for an assembly. Our youngest received an academic award. So proud of him. Made a delivery to a store and it was back home to rest before picking up the kids and the children's treat for my son receiving his award. Deep fried chicken wings. What did I learn from this fast? I have a deeper relationship with food than I realised.   The foods I love to eat as opposed to what I can do without.   An even greater relationship with my body and its mechanics.   There is more in my mind and in...

Fasting Chronicles Day 17: The day started off busy. The usual lunches, snacks and breakfasts, but right away I could tell the energy was not there. I think some of it has to do with knowing that this is almost over. I am not going to lie, I am looking forward to it ending. Many errands to run today, so I really need something to get me going. In addition to water, I decided to make coffee to take with me, so I can sip on it. So many stops to make. Health food store, grocery store, stationery store. I was so happy to come home throw myself on the sofa for literally 5 minutes, before starting work. While working and writing emails, I was clear in my thoughts and I felt I conveyed my messages very clearly. The information just seemed to flow and all I had to was type it. As weird as this experience might sound, it is an event many people who fast have confessed to. There is a common misconception that fasting only involves starving yourself and that it entails days and weeks of...

Fasting Chronicles Day 15: I really wish I could sleep in today. So tired. So sleepy. Didn't help that I went to bed late, but this morning I am feeling more tired than usual. Made my way downstairs and quickly put together lunches, snacks and breakfast. Had water and then I had to have a seat. Lack of energy very quickly is what I am battling right now. I have an appointment this morning, so I have to drop off the kids and quickly make my way there. On the way to my appointment, I had to stop at the grocery store to pick up some items for my mother. Took the opportunity to pick up some things for home as well. It never ends. At my appointment, I could have slept. Let me sleep...please. I am so tired. Silly me, I did not bring any water, which could come in real handy right about now. My stomach is starting to act up. Made our way to my mom's to drop off her goods. The flight of stairs up to her place was brutal. I have never been so tired before. I was huffing and pu...

Fasting Chronicles Day 14: The day started out quietly. Nothing exciting. Went through the morning routine and felt strong enough to take a shower. Had idle chit chat with the husband about genes and the role it plays in our physical features and how lack of or too much body fat affects posture. The reality is, many people would be slightly taller if they had slightly less body fat. Went downstairs and warmed up lunch for the kids. They are having leftover burger and fries. Still drinking water, but I am feeling for coffee. I think I will have some as I prepare dinner. The husband kept me company as I prepared dinner. We talked as we usually do and had a very enlightening conversation on what some people think of fasting, health, wellness, and priorities. For us, health and wellness ranks at the top. I see many people who (and you can tell) rank the value of their material possessions - cars, houses, jewellery, etc.- at their top. The reality is, when you no longer have the val...

Fasting Chronicles Day 13: Started the day just lying in bed, conversing with the husband, about what else? How fasting makes us feel and that when you are in a long fast, you almost feel like you are in a world of your own. During this fast, I have not and am not getting together with friends, going out socially or anything which requires lengthy periods of concentration. It's not that my mind is not there, believe me, it is very much there, it is just that the energy required to do some of these is taxing. I get tired easily and I know to take care of myself, I need to do what I need to do for me. I have told my friends, and they all have understood. Came downstairs to get some water and season the chicken for tomorrow night's dinner. My balsamic vinegar water routine came and went several days ago. I no longer have it and I just have plain water. Tossing the seasoned chicken took a bit of effort. I had to take a break. Something which I could do with no problem, now took...

Fasting Chronicles Day 12: The day started out pretty emotional. A particular friend has been on my mind lately. I haven't spoken to her in several years, and I think it is time I made a call to her. Whether she will speak to me or not, I don't know, but I owe her and myself that call. Talking about the situation with my husband, I just cried and cried. It felt good to let out all those emotions I (guess) had been bottled up. I actually had a dream last night about this friend, and it brought everything to the forefront. I don't know if I had mentioned it in any of my previous posts, but I had broken out on my face, especially the cheeks. My skin definitely d oes not look like what I am used to. Anyway, daily care, my skin is starting to clear up. It looks pretty good. I also shaved my armpits (I usually keep winter pits - not shaved) but the odour is beginning to kill me and family slowly. I could not contain the smell as deodorant, tea tree oil, nothing has been wo...

Fasting Chronicles Day 11: The morning started with tears. Not for or about anything in particular, just tears that needed to be shed. I am purging, detoxing, cleansing, call it what you want and this process is not just physical, it is emotional. I figure these tears represented things I have inside that need to be released. I welcomed this emotion and I embraced it. My husband reminded me that not all tears are bad, and gave the example of someone who is really excited or surprised - tears of joy. I seized this feeling, allowed the tears to flow as they did and was ready to carry on with my day. You would think that after 4 children and having them in school for as long as they have been, I would be pretty proficient and efficient at preparing snacks and lunches. Nope. It still baffles me, confuses me, frustrates me, even at times, angers me. Not when I am fasting though. Oh no, when I am fasting, lunches, breakfasts, snacks and dinners are all on point. I am clear, I know what t...

Fasting Chronicles Day 10: My alarm clock went off way too early. As I was shutting it off, I couldn't help thinking, "but I just fell asleep". Anyway, I got up and started to wake the kids up. This is usually a 30 minute ordeal. I was really feeling for water, and luckily I had left a glass of it on my husband's dresser last night. I really got excited about this because I didn't have to fumble my way downstairs to get some right away. Once I drank it, I felt the difference. I felt more energized and awake. This helped me get downstairs to start the day. I was pretty energetic as I made 4 grilled sandwiches, a turkey-egg salad sandwich, scrambled eggs, packed snacks and lunches. I was pretty proud of myself. Got the kids ready to go and already thinking about dinner, I told my husband I was going to make a trip to the grocery store to pick up a few things. I usually make 3 to 5 trips a week to the grocery store. I know...right?! The husband is not doing w...

Fasting Chronicles Day 9: The day started okay. Breakfasts, snacks, lunches and drop off. After, we made a quick stop to Bulk Barn, or what I imagined would be a quick stop. Conversation with the employees was a bit too long and I really started to feel the effects. I ended buying some teas (orange pekoe, peppermint, apple cinnamon and vanilla rooibos) . I could us e the variety and headed home. I didn't have the energy to make my tea and my husband ended making me two cups of mint tea. I feel awful. I already know how today is going to go and I just have to take it easy. It's funny, but during long fasts, a lot of bargaining with yourself goes on. Should I continue? Can I continue? Why am I continuing? Why am I even doing this? But in the end, you resolve to go on and take it day by day or if the body calls for it, you stop the fast altogether.         Tips for a successful fast: Fasting has a definite start and a definite end Drink wa...

Fasting Chronicles Day 8: It's a school day, so my day started a lot earlier than the weekend. At 5:45am my youngest son jumped into bed with me for cuddle time. While cuddling, I had to remind him that today was a school day. Lying down, you don't really feel the effects of the fast. It's not until you get up, that's when the body starts speaking. The start of the day was pretty good. Took a shower and got ready to greet the day. In the kitchen, I threw back a shot of vinegar water rather than sipping it and got to work on making breakfasts, snacks and lunches. I turned on the broth to warm up in the slow cooker and the thought of having broth today crossed the mind again. Anyway, I will continue to think about it. The plan this morning is to collect water from the spring, get eggs and prepare packages for shipping. I needed to do these things while my energy levels were still high. I dropped off the kids at school, while the husband got ready. I came back from t...

Fasting Chronicles Day 6: Even before I got out of bed, I knew I had to get out of bed. A general feeling of slight unwellness was coming over me . It was remedied once I got out of bed and started to do my morning routines. After I took my shower, I took a drink of water and was surprised to find that I was actually thirsty. That was enough to get me going. I made pancakes and bacon for the kids. It did not tempt me nor annoy me. After, I made lip balms for my daughter and I and underarm deodorant for myself. Truth is, I am really smelling my detox through my armpits. Had my shot of honey ginger balsamic vinegar and water and then boiled some water for coffee. I am not a committed coffee drinker. I can actually count on my one hand how many times a year I have coffee and when I have my coffee, I am not apologetic. Lots of cream and lots of sweetener and it usually accompanies a dessert (as if the coffee was not dessert enough.) So you could imagine how difficult it is for me to...

Fasting Chronicles Day 5: The day started with a surprise - bowel movement. This is surprising as I have not had any such action in 4 days and thought I wouldn't until after the fast. I guess this is part of my detoxification and let me tell you, it is welcomed. Short shower and I was ready to start my day. Balsamic vinegar water as per the ritual, followed by preparing and packing snacks, lunches and breakfast. My husband's morning appointment took 2 and 1/2 hours. No complaints here as it gave us the chance to really talk about what fasting means to us (and try and ignore the delicious smells coming from the hospital cafeteria). The husband is having a hard time today with the fast, and the conversation was good distraction. Fasting means different things to different people. Why you fast is not why I fast and vice versa. In my intro on Day 1, I touched lightly on why I fast and what it means to me. I think more than anything, it's about the challenge and the disc...

Fasting Chronicles Day 4: The morning started out well, although I didn't take a shower this morning. When you fast, once your body has depleted its glycogen stores, the body now looks for stored fats to get its energy from. These fats that the body is feeding off of, also helps in keeping the skin moisturized. Showering everyday will dry the skin, as it does not help the skin to retain its oils. Honey ginger vinegar water was the drink this morning. It actually took me longer to finish it as usual. The afternoon brought on a really good conversation with my husband on how food is a big part of peoples lives. He shared an experience that he entered the kitchen to do something and he thought he was in there for food. That's what stirred the conversation. Food plays such an important part of our lives and I don't really think we realize how much. Are you sad? Eat! Are you in mourning? Have something to eat! Got a new job? Let's celebrate by going out to dinner. Ha...

Fasting Chronicles Day 3: Day 3 started off not so good. I woke up feeling drained and slightly dizzy. Any quick and sharp movements would cause dizzy spells. After brushing, I made my way to the kitchen to drink half a glass of water and then a shot of honey ginger balsamic vinegar. After a few minutes, I felt a little better to take my shower but kept it short. Making my way b ack downstairs, I knew it was time for a seat. I made some rooibos tea and sipped it slowly on my couch, enjoying mindless chit chat with my eldest son. Shortly after the tea, I felt energetic enough to help the kids with snacks, lunch and prepare breakfast. Once again, nothing complicated, milk and cereal. The kids took lunch with them, as I felt I would not have the energy to prepare anything to drop off. Normally, the husband would come with me to drop off the kids, but he too had started feeling the effects of the fast and was feeling dizzy. I advised him to take a seat and that I was fine dropping th...