Day 12

Not much to report in the way of our juicing journey. Cravings have died back down for me, they reared their ugly head this weekend and it was really hard. It wasn't hard to resist eating them, I know I won't do that. It was hard to resist WANTING them.

But I'm back down to normal craving levels. Andrew and I are going strong, and we are so excited about our journey. We notice small things all the time, and it's great. I noticed slight definition on my face the other day, and this morning I noticed that I could better feel my collar bone (although still can't see it defined under my neck: hopefully soon!). Little things like that are great.

Even the lady who has been thinking I'm not smart for doing this started to come around a little bit this morning, haha. But she had cookies for breakfast the other day, so I'm not inclined to take her eating habit advice. ;)

Andrew doesn't weigh himself nearly as often as me, so I just know he was at 23 pounds a few days ago. I had been hovering at 16 pounds for a few days, but I was busy over the weekend and I have found on days when I'm busier I don't lose. It's VERY weird. Yesterday was relaxing, I sat around a lot after work: and I lost a pound. So I'm at 17 pounds lost, which just feels awesome. Doesn't look too shabby either, if I do say so myself. ;)

I have heard that our journey is inspiring a number of other people to try a similar version of our lifestyle change for themselves, and I am SO EXCITED. Changing our diet really IS going to change our lives, make it better because we'll be healthier than we were and more energetic. I of course want that for other people, so I'm so proud of anyone brave enough (or crazy enough, haha) to do this to reclaim their life. It's the easiest, and most difficult, thing I've ever done in my life. So many things I miss! Sweets, pizza, burgers, dairy, BREAD AND PASTA!!! Chicken and beef and seafood and salad and fruit and crackers and chips/salsa and Mexican food...everything. I realized today that 12 days means I'm 20% of the way through the 60 days (that sounds so much better than "12 days down, 60 to go"...haha), and soon enough I will be able to incorporate the healthy stuff back in, and find healthy ways to make the rest of it. I went shopping with my friend Sara this weekend, and got a few vegetarian cookbooks to use for inspiration in our future cooking habits. I even found a whole book on salads/dressings, and there are so many ways to change up the ones in there to make even MORE salads.

A recipe we saw that we were excited about was a veggie shepherd's pie. For those that don't know, shepherd's pie is ground beef (or lamb sometimes) with veggies in a pie plate-type dish, covered in mashed potatoes and baked. It's a British dish. The veggie one has just a ton of veggies in it, and the mash on top is cauliflower (which gourmet places use all the time in place of mashed potatoes: and if Gordon Ramsey likes it, it's okay in our book, hahaha). It looks - and SOUNDS - delicious. Things like that, we are anxious to have a healthier option for.

I realized that one of my favorite dishes, chicken pot pie, will still be relatively acceptable. At least once or twice a year, haha. Just load up on even more veggies, maybe even leave the meat out altogether. The veggies are the best part anyways. =)

For anyone that has been referred to this blog by someone we know, if you are considering doing this juicing thing and have ANY questions for us (we had lots before we got started), please leave a comment and I will gladly reply and help anyway I can. I'm certainly no expert, but we've gotten advice from our friend that did this, from Joe Cross's interviews on the subject, and we just have learned little things along the way that help.

To those that keep encouraging us (especially Zach and Andrea, who tell us almost daily, haha): your words do a lot to keep us going. Hearing you guys say how proud you are of us really makes this journey easier. It makes pizza look less and less like something I just HAVE to have.

I can't imagine doing this by myself: Andrew, I'm so thankful you are doing this with me. I am watching you change before my eyes, and it's such a wonderful thing!! I know there are hard days, but you and I supporting each other is the main reason why we're still doing this, and I am so thankful the Lord turned both our hearts towards this. I LOVE YOU.

I also can't imagine doing this without the support I mentioned above. Thank you, everyone, from the bottom of my ever-healthier heart. You make this easier, even if you don't think you do by just saying a few words. Telling me changes you see and saying how proud you are does a world of good for my resistance to temptations. =)

That's it for now! Check back in a few days for another update!