This page is evolving!

 I've already published something similar in my facebook group but for those who aren't a member, here is a copy:
 What I've been doing for the last 2 months is building a site behind the scenes of my inspired by jason vale blog. It is a forum based site and will be private and members only. Free of course.
It will be divided up into forums to make it easier for us all to keep track on what we're interested in the most.

Other features:

* Section showing inspiring videos
* Gallery of inspirational quotes that you lot have been posting
* A link to a friends recipe site.
* A place for people to put links to their blogs
* A section with peoples inspirational stories, before and after photos etc
* Raw Food forum for those who are interested in that side of things
* Growing your own fruit and veg
* Events section where we can set up individual group detoxes and you can keep all the posts related to that detox in one place
* Calendar showing the above
* Jason Vale related news
* Links to useful websites
* A whole directory of advice and information that previous people have asked. (It will link to the original post in the facebook group and then will have bullet points of what was recommended)
*...and more!!!

That is just the tip of the iceburg but if there is anything else you would like me to add then please mention it here.

Once its up and running there will be a "jobs" board where I shall be asking for people who would moderate each section. This is because I'm not clued up on the whole raw food thing and there are certain people (who spring to mind) that might like to run their own section (posting their own questions to people, photos, advice etc).

This will lessen it a bit for me and would make it a darn sight easier for ppeople to keep up with what's happened in the past. No more scrolling down a very long facebook page!

Should be up and running very soon. What do you reckon? x

Out To Sea

I'm writing this blog post on my phone whilst sat on an extremely rocky sea crossing home from a weeks holiday in the Isles of Scilly. Even though it won't be published for several hours, I need to distract myself because I feel so sick! All I can think is how a nice ginger shot would help (1/2 apple, 4cm of ginger).

I dread to think how much weight I've put on. I even considered taking my juicer in the cargo hold! I didn't however. I bought carton after carton of Innocent smoothies and juices. I figured it was the next best thing to go with eating solid fruit. I've got so used to juicing that the habit lies in the drinking of fruit and veg rather than the eating of it.

It was a slippery slope. I started off the week concentrating on making my food as low HI as possible but then little one wanted an ice cream. Just one would do no harm right? Wrong. One ice cream opened the flood gates for me.

We had arrived on a Saturday and I didn't go shopping until the Sunday. Big mistake. The Isles of Scilly shop is very small and their next delivery wasn't until late Monday. No fruit or veg!!!

We had a few grapes, some strawberries and an apple left over from our journey. Little one claimed those naturally. We headed out for a meal and the veg that was served up was so microwaved that the yellow from the sweetcorn was stained onto the cauliflower! So mushy. Bleurgh!

The next day (sunday) didn't improve fruit and veg wise. I had a salad out which was nice at least. On Monday I raided the local shop!

I've lived having no mobile phone signal though. I've not been on facebook, in the group or blogged in over a week. It's been quite liberating! I'm going to have a lot to catch up on when I do go in the group.

So, how has no juicing and the slippery slope of bad eating affected me? Not good. I've been bloated, irritable and groggy. I've not slept and when I have its not been of any quality.

I really need to get back to my juicer. We've got another hour on the boat, then 6 hours in the car. By the time you read this I'll be home. Until I go shopping the only fruit and veg in the house is 2 frozen avocados, frozen berries and frozen parsnip. Hm....

Day 4 - Losing Momentum (Plus update to include a recipe)

Well, I'm not posting what I thought I would be posting today. I'm losing momentum. It's Day 4 of 5 days. I'm over half way but feel like giving up. It's not because I don't like the juices. It's not because I'm not losing weight. It's all because my eczema is not improving.

When I did this back in January, I did it to lose weight. I was 2 stone overweight and my eczema was hideous. As the 7 days went on, the weight dropped off (lost 9lb in the end) and my eczema by Day 3 was so much clearer and by Day 7 had pretty much gone.

This time however, it's not happening. I've added a photo below of my progress day by day. As you can see there isn't much difference. I had a breakout last night which I'm assuming is down to the berries in one of the juices. Today I had the same juice first thing and just now. (Juice 1 and 2 were both a green juice). I decided not to have the orange one today as planned because I know oranges would irritate. Anyway, a few minutes ago I had a big flare up. I'm so upset again now. I don't understand. I had a juice at 10am and this flare up came before the 1pm juice (which I had at 3pm instead). I just don't get whats caused it.

***UPDATE*** Todays recipe was Nature's Super Blend. 2 apples, handful of baby spinach leaves, 1/2 courgette, 1 lime, 2 carrots, 1/4 cucumber, 2 cm broccoli, 1/2 stalk celery, 1/4 green bell pepper, 1/2 avocado. Juice all but the avocado and then blend with the avocado.*****

I was going to go in the facebook group and post how I felt but I'd just said I would stay away for a few hours as I'm always in there. I love the group and helping people, supporting them etc but its taking over. There is nothing I can do about it because I want to read everything! It's not an administration problem if you get me. I can't share the load because the "load" is just me wanting to read every single word. lol

We reached over 300 members this morning. Wow! I never thought it would take off like this.

Anyway, so my eczema is rubbish. I can tell I've lost a couple of pound but as I say, the weightloss isn't important any more. (I shall still be pleased believe me. lol).

I've not done a video diary for today because well, it will just be a big moan. I SHOULD feel happy today. I SHOULD feel the juicy high. I SHOULD have clear skin.

Why? Why haven't I??
 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Day 3 - Video Diary And An Eczema Improvement?

Well today is Day 3 and I'm starting to come back from the dead! I've done another video diary. It was filmed at the end of Day 2 but unfortunately I hadn't realised how dark it was!

I film it but I don't watch it back because I hate seeing myself on camera.

I definitely feel better today so I would guess tonights video will be a bit more bouncy.

I've done a motivational video for the facebook group, so if you're a member head over to this link to view it and this link to join the group.

I've done an updated photo of my eczema (scroll to the end of post) and you can already see a slight improvement. You can also see this by clicking here.

Anyway, here's the link to my video diary. Click here to view the whole channel. 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

 

Day 2 - Video Diary And An Important Tip

ARGH! Last night I ended up with such a bad head. I'd made the mistake of not hydrating myself. I'd got the mentality that I'd had 4 juices as in drinks and only drank one glass (maybe 2) of water.

So here's my tip....DRINK WATER!

I've done a motivational video for the facebook group, so if you're a member head over to this link to view it and this link to join the group.

I've done an updated photo of my eczema (scroll to the end of post) and you can already see a slight improvement. You can also see this by clicking here.

Anyway, here's the link to my video diary. Click here to view.

Click to enlarge

Day 1 of The Big Juice Spring Clean - Mental juice

Well, it's Day 1 of The Big Juice Spring Clean. It's 4pm here and I'm going to have juice number 3 when I've posted this.

I've called this post "Mental Juice" because the whole mental problems have kicked in already! What I mean is I've got to adjust to just juice again. For example, I went out with friends this morning to a coffee shop. I don't drink coffee anyway but when they got something to eat I was drooling! I sat there with my water and told myself I could do it.

Then we went out shopping. Again we walked through a cafe and all I could see was FOOD! I had another bottle of water to keep the hunger at bay.

I did all the juicing last night as an experiment. Usually I juice fresh but as hubby had to leave at just gone 7am I figured I'd do them the night before and freeze all but the first one. Hubby nearly went to work without his flasks! Luckily he remembered and came back. Oops.

I've found that juices with citrus in tend to taste stronger after a period of time cold or frozen. The first two of the day were fine but I'm yet to find out what the 4pm juice tastes like. I'll let you know tomorrow.

I'm also wondering on the whole mental side of it whether the headache is all in the mind. I can feel it beginning and it doesn't make sense. Last time I had it on Day 2 and that was detoxing from a life of sugar, crisps, fizzy, sweets, processed food etc. This time I'm not so maybe its just a coincidence?

The facebook group has gone loopy! We've swelled from about 180 members to 232 today alone! It just took one mention. It's great to have so many new members. :-)

I started the day off with a motivational video for the group. I'm thinking that every night I shall do a video for the blog. A video diary if you like.

I'm also considering taking twice daily photos of my eczema to watch it improve (do you like my positivity?)

Also I weighed myself and I'm on 10st 2 lb. I've lost 16 lb since January 7th 2013. My waist measurement was 33 and a quarter inches. 

Anyway, is anyone else out there doing this at the same time? If so, please comment below on how it's going for you also.

DAY 0 - The Day Before The Detox - Before Photos

It's that time again. Tomorrow I start the Big Juice Spring Clean detox organised by Jason Vale. It's also known as the 5lb in 5 days programme. This time I couldnt give a poop about the weight loss. I just want my freedom back.

After the 7 day detox back in January, I had my freedom back. Freedom from the food trap and freedom from the 35 year eczema trap. For the first time in my life I could proudly hold out my hand for change in a shop. I could proudly shake hands with someone and I could deal with food for visitors without feeling the need to put gloves on. I wasn't ashamed for the first time in my life and I am eternally grateful to Jason for giving me that freedom.

However, after nearly 3 months of eating solid foods. (occasionaly unhealthy ones but 95% healthy) I am right back where I started. I'm coming to the conclusion that maybe strawberries are a culprit? I LOVE strawberry and banana smoothies you see.

Anyway, I've decided to upload the before photos for this detox. Please look away now if you're easily repulsed. (Click to enlarge...if you dare)