If I have to take this journey…then you’re all coming with me

Inspired by the documentary “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead” and the beginning of our most recent “Biggest Loser” style competition among friends…today is Day 1 of heading in a better direction.

In the documentary, Joe completes a 60 day fresh juice fast and not only loses 100+ pounds but is able to eliminate all of the medications that he was dependent on. He calls it a "Reboot".

The film was inspiring and of course I turned to AJ and immediately proclaimed that I will be juice fasting…to which he laughed…understandably.  
Upon AJ’s suggestion (I'm guessing he gave this suggestion for his sanity and for mine) I decided not to go on a 100% juice fast but rather incorporate the juicing into my meals each day.

I have to imagine that a cup of fruit and vegetable juice trumps chips and salsa as a nutritional snack any day…though I am already am having chip withdrawals.

The recent addition of a juicer to our household brought me one step closer along with a lengthy trip to the grocery store where I actually had to pay attention to the signs in the produce section (Quite honestly thought Kale was a sea creature/plant until yesterday).

Today’s Juice: Green Lemonade

1 Green Apple
3 handfuls Spinach, 1.5 cup
6-8 Kale leaves, 2 cups
1/2 Cucumber
4 Celery Stalks
1/2 Lemon

Calories: 210
Protein: 10 g
Fiber: 1 g

Before:

After:

Let me first say…it blows my mind that all of that food can be condensed into less than a full cup of juice. Let me also just say…it would be quite the investment of both time and money to juice your meals 4 – 6 times a day. Yikes.

The juice was interesting...I imagine had I given it to husband he would likely have made a gagging noise and asked why I would ever do that to him.

Tomorrow I’ll try another recipe and perhaps I’ll stumble across an even better one. Regardless, it was a great way to get tons of veggies/nutrients into my system and it was a good snack option.

Oh and of course I can’t forget to explain the “Biggest Loser” Competition.
The Cliff’s Notes Version: Matt, AJ and Elyse (every man/woman for him/herself)…Who can lose the highest percentage of weight by Christmas (near there).

We all weighed in this weekend and I’m not sure if I’ve just been playing too much Wii Fit but I’m almost positive that our regular bathroom scale audibly gasped when I stepped on it. Inanimate objects can be so cruel.

If you feel like exploring some of the Reboot juice recipes: http://jointhereboot.com/reboot-program/recipes/juice-recipes/

There are also recipes for smoothies, soups, salads and other healthy foods on the site as well.
Let me know if you try any of them!

Love,

Elyse

The Mean Reds...

This Month's Theme: Be positive and Maintain Perspective.

I think Ms. Holly Golightly put it best when she said, "You know those days when you've got the mean reds.... the blues are because you're getting fat or maybe it's been raining too long. You're sad, that's all. But the mean reds are horrible."

Lately I've had been struggling to stay positive. It happens to the best of us and I doubt there is anyone who is ammune to it. Nothing bad has happened recently and yet when I allow myself to be negative it follows me around...it's like stepping in gum.

Yep...that's the best visual I can give you for negativity today...gum.

You step in gum (not a big deal) and you get annoyed. So you try to brush it off and move on with your day but you still feel the gum when you walk and that makes it even more annoying.
So you tell yourself that you'll get over it once you kick your shoes off at home to relax. Wrong.
The negativity gum has tracked its way through the house and that's it...gloves are off...you're spending the rest of the evening in Negativity Town...and you're taking anyone nearby with you (sorry husband). 

It is so easy to lose perspective and focus on silly little things that really aren't a big deal at all. We all do it...I'm as guilty as the next guy and I'm working on it.

A big thank you to Carla (my sweet mother-in-law) who recently handed me a page from a book she's been reading:

"It doesn't matter what you're going through, or how big your opponents are. Keep an attitude of faith. Stay calm. Stay in a positive frame of mind."

Good advise Mr. Osteen.

So in keeping with this week's theme (Be Positive and Maintain Perspective) I will share with you the idea I had awhile ago and that I finally put into action today:

http://fullofreason.blogspot.com/

I think this site is just what I need to stay positive and keep perspective....

Love,
Elyse

"Elyse...you have a butt chin."

Thank you Kristin for that little gem  :-)

I had every intention of making this post insightful, clever and very entertaining…but alas…I have lost said inspiration and instead will leave you with this:


Our Annual Girls Trip 2011

Highlights: Munds Park, Just Dance 2, Carlos, Flagstaff, Wine, Terrorizing Sedona, Shopping, Fabulous food and of course good company.

A few pictures of our shenanigans below.

On an unrelated note…I’ve had trouble sleeping lately…I think I’m on the verge of a really great idea…more to come soon.

Love,
Elyse