Feeling the love

It's a funny old world.  My parents (lovely, kind, considerate people) got left a particularly condescending and arrogant note for parking in a neighbours car park space.  Whilst I understand it can be irritating (I'm not immune to the odd 'they're in my space' sigh, temporary grouch - and then moving quickly on) I've always felt it's really important to be relatively reasonable (in fact even to the people who were parked for a considerable period of time blocking the road exit from my work recently - maybe that's taking the British politeness too far I wonder?) but especially to my neighbours in our little community.

Anyway it got me around to thinking about telling people what we think of them.  I think so often we cruise through life on autopilot assuming everyone knows what we think it because we know it.  So, armed with the one rule my dad drilled into me and my sister growing up (Thumper's daddy's rule - if you don't know it it goes 'If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all') I thought I'd do just that.  And told a few people what I thought about them.

It was a great feeling - I did get some lovely replies (which wasn't the point of the exercise but a nice added bonus) and to feel that I was able to be honest and open with people for no reason other than I was feeling gratitude for having them in my life.  Some people I texted, some I spoke to - it ddn't really matter I just felt an overwhelming urge to say thank you.

Yes my parents 'shouldn't' have parked there but I'm very glad they did and inspired me to feel this way. And yes, I've written to the person concerned to thank them too.

The stuff dreams are made of (well mine anyway)!

I'm 10 days into my raw food 21 day transition and have to say (well OK maybe I don't HAVE to say but it's my blog and I'm going to) I feel fantastic!

I decided to go with a slower approach for a few reasons but probably one of the main ones would be that I've some veggie meals from leftovers in my freezer that I'd like to use - and as I have a feeling that I'm moving towards a way of life as opposed to a temporary diet then there's no time like now.

I think also it's probably hard going to tell myself that's it - no more cooked food but now that I'm allowing myself this time for cooked evening meals I'm chomping at the bit to get going on 100% raw (which if I stick to my plan is this Saturday onwards).

So this week which is my week 2, I'm having a green smoothie for breakfast (largely fruit - bananas, peaches, blueberries, strawberries or mangoes - mixed with greens - most days baby leaf spinach) and then a raw meal for lunch. Today's lunch was spaghetti (made with grated courgette) marinara and a tomango soup - both of which were delicious.

Week 1 was merely swapping a breakfast for a green smoothie - all of which I enjoyed. I can tell that my tastes are changing as they seem even more delicious second time around.  They were also filling and I was never hungry - an easy way to start the process.

The last couple of days I've woken at 6 (once from my alarm and once just before 6) and felt really energised and ready to start the day.  It's a feeling I remember well but I've not had for some time (maybe juicing detoxes excepted).  I feel energised - and more motivated to get out and do things. Such as run at lunchtime in the rain.  Liking it. A lot.

It might be raining outside but it's sunny in my kitchen :)

Juicy Lucy?

Juicy Lucy? Not here (although with 24,000 people in 45 countries taking part I imagine there must be a few) here though Juicy Em is loving the World's Biggest Juice Detox.  The great news is it's not too late to join in - or if you wanted to start and go from a Monday to a Sunday just get going on Monday 14th January for an insight into how light - mentally and physically, how nourished and toxin free you can feel.

For some the first couple of days can be tough as you withdraw from caffeine (not lots of fun but when I did it it really showed me what a powerful drug caffeine is), maybe also from drug-like foods such as sugar and overly processed morsels.  However this behind you, the energy boost, clarity and general all round well being is phenomenal.

I've been juicing on and off for a few years now which you'll probably know if you've read my blog before.  The World's Biggest Juice Detox ran for the first time last year and, taking part this year I can really recommend the motivational videos, inspiring messages and support from, not just Jason Vale but other's taking part on the facebook and twitter pages. Stepping away from the 'norm' can be hard and everyone wants to know if you're getting enough food, if it's healthy, where your protein is coming from and a multitude more questions.  Having this reinforcement through these channels goes a long way towards not feeling so isolated.

So if you're sick and tired of feeling sick and tired and looking for a spring board into better health and an amazing 2013 consider joining in.  Having followed the same program before I know I've felt amazing, my eyes have sparkled, I've had lots of energy and felt GOOD!

Simply raw, juicy goodness. Thank you world :-)