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FRUIT FAST: 4TH DAY, 5TH DAY AND FINDINGS

By the morning of the 4 th day, I felt like I couldn’t care about food after facing the worst temptation the previous day.
I took my usual fruits, bentonite clay and Apple Cider Vinegar at different times, and felt really good.
By the fifth day, the hunger descended mightily. It was almost unbearable, but I kept reminding myself that it was ending that day.
By 12 noon, I went to weight myself, and realized I had lost over 5 pounds in less than 5 days. Couldn’t wait to go back to eating as I needed to gain necessary weight as my aim wasn’t weight loss, so I tried to limit whatever would make me lose weight and increase what could make me gain weight like eating bananas and so on; still, I still lost that much weight.
This means that those who want to lose weight would maximally gain from this exercise.
I went to bed after taking 3 large oranges.
The morning of the 6 th day, I wasn’t feeling hungry at all. I felt like I could for another 5 days again, but I wasn’t ready to deal with my mum (she would report me to my Pastor if I continued cuz of the weight-loss side effect) or the aforementioned side effect.
I took an orange that morning and then went out with my younger brother to pick up a Samoyed pup for him. It took longer than expected but I wasn’t hungry one bit, despite having had only one orange. Finally ate bread around 4pm, even though I still wasn’t hungry. This means I more or less fasted for about 5.75 days. Not bad, if you ask me.
FINDINGS
- The odds were high that I would get hungry or crave food strongly, on an odd day. This happened on the 1 st , 3 rd and 5 th day, whereas I was very fine on the even days- 2 nd , 4 th and 6 th days. Don’t know why this turned out so. - My skin complexion looked brighter. My face is some shades darker than my neck, but this reduced during the fast. - I’ve had this oh-so-tiny bumps under my right eye for a long time and they cleared off. - My urine was very clear and clean. Those who are interested in the urine therapy (I’m not!) would find that doing a fruit fast of about 2-3 days would give them easy to you-know-what urine. - My stool had this perfect look and texture (I know this is gross, but I have to mention this lol) - I felt oddly energized. - I had malaria symptoms about 2 or so weeks before the fast, but this cleared up during the fast. - It involves discipline and once accomplished, gives you a sense of self-belief and accomplishment. You can do it if you set your heart on it. - I learnt that one might feel sick during the fast, due to the body having too much toxin, but I didn’t experience this. I attributed this to recently cleansing my liver with some food supplements and also cutting off a few things off my diet (such as milk, soda drink, salt-based seasoning etc.) - No funky morning breath. My breath in the morning was funk-free. - I lost over 5 pounds within 4 days and inched closer to the underweight BMI. This was a side effect I didn’t need, as I was already slim enough, but I still had to face it. - Like I mentioned earlier, the odds were against me. Here’s what I mean: Like I mentioned in my post regarding my 1 st day fruit-fasting, I went to the mall, and in the food section of Shoprite, I saw one of my favourite store-purchased food- macaroni and minced beef, which I always bought since I tasted its yummy goodness a while ago and had to walk away with slumped shoulders. Now, I’ve gone to Shoprite 3 different times after that day, and they haven’t had macaroni and minced beef. Isn’t that strange? Also, we haven’t had any pizza feast in the office like the 3 rd day of the fast, and we had never had such before. Thirdly, my weakest days were only the odd days. See why I said the odds were against me? But I won (Yay!). - When I resumed eating, I felt stuffed on time, despite trying to eat a lot to gain lost weight. I learnt the stomach shrinks during the fast, which is a good thing in my opinion. The best way is to eat slowly, and avoid being tempted to rush your tasty meal, otherwise you run the risk of serious discomfort (unfortunately, I’m speaking from experience, despite being warned…yikes!). - For those who would like to lose some weight, you can eat healthy food in bits. Savour the yummy taste of food. Don’t fall back into your unhealthy way of eating, and do not allow your stomach to expand again, by eating so much food at once. - I realized I needed less sleep to feel energetic, despite loving sleep. This was a good one because I always slept late and had to wake early to catch the staff bus on weekdays. Still benefiting from this more than 2 weeks after. - I later learnt that I should have taken more cleansing fruits like orange, lemons, grapefruits etc., so I’ll be incorporating more of that during my next fruit fast. - I honestly can’t remember all the benefits and can’t look into my body system to see the dance steps displayed by my internal organs (maybe I would have learnt some steps from them, don’t you think?).
GENERAL THOUGHT ON FRUIT-FASTING
Fruit fasting, in my opinion, is the best form of fasting for cleansing and even weight loss. This is because you’re not just depriving your body of food, but you’re simultaneously feeding it necessary nutrients by taking fruits for optimum wellbeing and health. Your body is also taking in lots of fiber from fruits (which you wouldn’t get during a juice fast) which would aid in the flushing out of toxins by your liver (i.e fiber helps liver).
Also, if your goal is weight loss, you definitely DO NOT want your metabolism rate to slow down, which is what juice or water fast would cause. Taking fruits, regularly, during your fast, would result in increased metabolism, which every weight-watcher desires.
Finally, having sufficient calories for the day would be hard to meet when taking strictly juices, as against fruits.

FRUIT FASTING- DAY 3

CRAAAAAAAAVVVVVVVIIIINNNNGGGGS!!!

I’ve been having insane cravings.

Yesterday evening, I craved amala (yam flour) which I do not care for and then and rice with ata-dindin (stew that’s been fried with palm oil). Also, on this day, I craved toasted sandwich.

Then I had to experience the greatest temptation of my life- to abandon the fruit fast and start afresh the following week due to a departmental pizzafest. Yes, there was pizza, lots of boxes containing pizza of various flavours, flying all over the place, and all I had to take was a bowl of boring, tasteless (it became so after the aroma of pizza) fruit.

I was sorely tempted.

 But 2 things kept me going:

First, I had shared this on Facebook, and had others watching to see if this was practicable. I wanted them to know it was.

Secondly, I wanted to prove to myself that I could tell my flesh a resounding, reverberating NO.

It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.

My day didn’t even start with my usual drink of water and bentonite clay. I woke late and had to hasten my preparation. Had to even plead with my lovely mum to assist in cutting up some water melon and pawpaw for me, which she graciously did.

Once I got to work, I took some water and bentonite clay, mixed some fruit, ate them, then later took a cup of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and molasses.

At past 12pm, pizzas started flying around with fizzy drinks (which I haven’t had for over 3 months, so I don’t struggle with that at all. I usually just pick a bottle and give it out). I picked up 2 slices for my dog and brother, wrapped them up and kept it in my bag, while I watched others even having a large box almost full of pizza, after taking 2 or more large slices (as I’m writing this, one of the interns just came to tell me he’s marking his birthday today, but no temptation can hold light to the pizza’s.)

I was so hungry on this day that me not stopping told me that I could do what I set my mind on doing.

FRUIT FASTING- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Fruit Fasting

Simplicity and ease make fruit fasts a favorite.

A popular form of fasting is fruit fasting, ingesting only fresh, raw fruits. This is a good fast for beginners, especially the one-day fruit fast. It offers some choices as to the fruit to use, and like all fasts, you can create your own specific routine.

A fruit fast, like any of the fasting methods, will create an environment for your body to heal. You will experience an internal cleansing as the body's systems begin the housekeeping they've been unable to do before. Toxins stored in the tissues will have an opportunity to be flushed out.

This detox will come with symptoms resembling the flu. Headaches, nausea, diarrhea, sore throat, coughing, fatigue, body odor, body aches, and sinus discharge are all considered normal reactions during a fast. If you find yourself with any of these side effects, take heart! and know they are a sign that your body is healing.

Does the sugar content of fruit concern you? Don't let it. Fructose, the sugar in fruit, is slowly broken down and converted by the body through several complex processes, into sucrose and glycogen, supplying energy over a long period of time. Fruit is actually recommended for many with sugar-metabolizing disorders, such as hypoglycemia.

On the other hand, sucrose, or refined sugar such as table sugar, assimilates and enters the bloodstream much more quickly, supplying quick energy that depletes just as quickly, leading to those sugar highs and lows and stress on the pancreas.

There are generally two methods of fruit fasting most recognized:

The one-fruit fast

One-fruit fasting is a type of mono-diet or one-food fasting where you stick to one fruit for the duration of your fast. The most "cleansing" fruits are recommended -- apples, grapes, and citrus.

I first did a citrus fast back in 1985 at Kripalu Center for Holistic Health (see Rice Fasting for more on Kripalu). It was a three-day fruit fast, with one orange for each of my three meals each day. Two oranges at a meal was considered acceptable if you felt you needed it. At the time I remember being concerned because orange juice (from concentrate) on an empty stomach used to give me a stomach ache, but it turned out that fresh oranges did not. I believe it has to do with the pasteurization process killing all the enzymes in commercial juices. I did just fine, so if you have the same concern, try experimenting a little before ruling out a citrus fast.

Ayurvedic medicine says 3-5 day fruit fasting enhances nervous system function and aids memory. Recommended fruits for the different doshas:

Vata - papayas, prunes, mangoes

Pitta - grapes, pomegranates, apples

Kapha - apples, cranberries, pomegranates

These days, I find apple fasting to be the easiest fast to accomplish. Premeasured, in a neat package, you can eat it right off the core if need be (although I do cut mine), tasty, full of fiber (good for the bowels), it allows you to chew (unlike water or juice fasting), and apples are good in all parts of the country (unlike oranges, for example). Sometimes called an apple cleanse diet, see here for complete instructions for one to three day apple fruit fasting.

One of the best fasts for a first-timer is a one-day one-fruit fast. You can learn a lot about yourself and your body with a one-day fast. Without too much discomfort, you can do a couple days' worth of preparation prior, by eliminating the heaviest and most processed foods you usually consume. This will help you get more out of a short fast.

The any-fruit fast

The second method of fruit fasting is the any-fruit fast which says any fruit is ok, as long as all you eat is raw fruit. Grapes, apples, mangoes, bananas, citrus, melons and any other fruit you enjoy is fair game on this kind of fast. Melons, it is usually recommended, you eat alone as they don't combine well intestinally. While bananas are ok, they are starchy and considered not as "cleansing" in nature, and therefore, possibly not as beneficial as other fruits. As stated above, citrus, apples, and grapes are the most cleansing.

While this is a popular fasting style for many, others find the many fruit combinations don't digest well together; such as acid and sweet fruits, as well as the melons that don't pair well with anything. Keep combinations to a minimum, and eat melons and citrus by themselves.

2.2 pounds (1 kg) of fruit per day is usually recommended for an any-fruit fast, eaten in 3-5 meals throughout the dayNot strictly limiting quantities can lead to "fruit feasting". Watch your portions and eat slowly with an intention to notice when the feeling of fullness sets in. Don't go beyond this point. You might be surprised at how quickly you are actually physically satiated.

Even though this type of fasting can be a little less intense than others, that's ok , you will still cleanse and detox and have the insightful experiences fasting creates, but without as much discomfort.

Tips for fruit fasting:

Organic and/or locally grown fruit is, of course, the preferred choice for fasting. But since that's not always available, use the highest quality fruits you do have available. See here for a seasonal fruit chart and a nifty search tool to find local produce in your area. Some fruits are considered safe to consume non-organic, see here for the EWG's findings.

Fruit fasting is easier and more comfortable in warmer months or warmer climates. For the winter, try Rice Fasting.

Avoid eating on-the-fly. Give conscious attention to your mealtime. Just because it's a small meal doesn't mean it deserves any less attention. Actually, you are apt to feel fuller if you remain conscious of and focused on the sensations of eating.

For either citrus or apple fasting, consume 1-2 fruits per meal, preferably just one. What works for many is to plan on 4 fruits total for the day.

For all fasts:

Preparation - Eat fewer and lighter meals for a couple days prior. The length of preparation is based on the intensity and length of your planned fast. The longer and/or more intense the fast, the more days of preparation you should make. For a one day fast, you can just eat a light dinner the night before.

If you drink caffeinated beverages, wean yourself off during the few days prior to your fast and you'll avoid the withdrawal headache.

Water - Drink at least 2 quarts of water. Fresh squeezed lemon may be added to your water, as it not only imparts a bit of flavor, but will contribute living beneficial enzymes.

Activity - Plan for a light workload during a fast. Don't overdo. Moderate exercise is ok, even helpful, but save the more strenuous workouts for another time. Walking and yoga are particularly well-suited to fasting.

Aid Detox - Take time to do dry skin brushing to enhance the body's ability to detox through both the skin and the lymphatic system, as well as breathing exercises to help cleanse the blood.

Rest - Get plenty of rest -- allow yourself naps during the day if you ever feel the need.

Tips - Read the Water Fasting Tips page as most of the information there can be helpful during any type of fast or cleansing diet.

Colon Health - Many recommend enemas during any kind of fast, but it isn't necessary. If the bowels don't move for the duration of your fast, that's ok. The bowels will move when you resume intake of regular foods.

You can add the psyllium cleanse to your routine by adding 1-2 tablespoons of psyllium husks (available in most pharmacies, in the laxative section) to a glass of water. Do this one or two times per day. Psyllium is a natural fiber laxative that is excellent for cleansing the intestines. Be sure to drink plenty of water with psyllium as the package will tell you. Or see here for a colon cleanse recipe that utilizes psyllium. Or here, for other colon cleansing options.

Breaking the Fast - Give special attention to the breaking of a fast. Do so slowly, easing back into regular foods (but making better choices about which foods!). Again, the length and intensity of the fast performed will dictate how many days you take to re-acclimate your body to regular eating.

For a 10-day fast, three days of easing back in is recommended, eating normal foods on the fourth day. For a one to three-day fast, spend about a day or a day and a half taking it easy with foods. See the Guidelines for Breaking a Fast page for information on the order of re-introduction of foods, quantities, and frequency.

After the fast - Pay attention to the subtle signals from your body as they can guide you to the foods most appropriate for your needs. Check out the Recipe Section of this site for ideas.

http://www.allaboutfasting.com/fruit-fasting.html

7- day Detox Plan

Juliette's 7-Day Detox Plan

By Dietitian, Juliette Kellow BSc RD

Rather than following an extreme detox plan that limits just about every food except fruit and veg while at the same time getting you to down a nasty ‘detox’ drink every day, this plan is safer and more sensible and shouldn’t leave you short on nutrients if you follow it for just one week.

Foods to include in the plan

Your plan can include:

• Fruit – your plan can include any fruit including fresh, frozen, dried or canned in natural fruit juice. This includes apples, bananas, pears, oranges, grapefruit, satsumas, sultanas, raisins, pineapple, mango, kiwi fruit, strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, nectarines, peaches, melons, star fruit etc
   
• Fruit juice – either make homemade fruit juices or smoothies from fresh fruit, or drink ready-made juices. Make sure ready-made juices are labelled as being ‘pure’ or ‘unsweetened’.
   
• Vegetables – eat any vegetables including fresh, frozen or canned in water (without salt added). This includes carrots, onions, turnip, swede, sprouts, cabbage, peppers, mushrooms, sweetcorn, peppers, leeks, courgettes, broccoli, cauliflower, salad, tomatoes, cucumber, spring onions etc
   
• Beans and lentils – eat any beans, including those that have been dried or canned in water. This includes red kidney, haricot, cannellini, butter, black eye, pinto, red lentils, green lentils and brown lentils
   
• Tofu and Quorn
   
• Oats – sprinkle oats over fresh fruit or use to make porridge, sweetened with honey and fresh fruit
   
• Potatoes – all types
   
• Brown rice and rice noodles
   
• Rye crackers, rice cakes and oatcakes
   
• Fresh fish – eat any fresh fish including cod, plaice, mackerel, salmon, lobster, crab, trout, haddock, tuna, prawns, Dover sole, red mullet, halibut, lemon sole, monkfish, swordfish etc. Canned fish in water is suitable too eg salmon or tuna
   
• Unsalted nuts – eat any including Brazil, peanuts, almonds, cashew, hazel nuts, macadamia, pecans, pine nuts, pistachio, walnuts etc
   
• Unsalted seeds – eat any including sunflower and pumpkin
   
• Plain popcorn – without sugar or salt
   
• Live natural yoghurt
  
• Extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar
  
• Garlic, ginger and fresh herbs
   
• Ground black pepper
   
• Honey
   
• Water – at least 2 litres a day. Tap or mineral water is fine.
   
• Herbal or fruit teas

Foods to avoid during your detox

• Red meat, chicken, turkey and any meat products like sausages, burgers, and pate
   
• Milk, cheese, eggs, cream
   
• Butter and margarine
   
• Any food that contains wheat including bread, croissants, cereals, cakes, biscuits, pies, pastry, quiche, battered or breadcrumbed foods, etc
   
• Crisps and savoury snacks including salted nuts
   
• Chocolate, sweets, jam and sugar
   
• Processed foods, ready meals, ready-made sauces and takeaways
   
• Alcohol
   
• Coffee and tea
   
• Sauces, pickles, shop bought salad dressing, mayonnaise
   
• Salt
   
• Fizzy drinks and squashes, including diet versions

Detox Plan Breakfasts

• Banana porridge
  Porridge made with water and topped with natural yoghurt, banana, raisins and sweetened with honey.
   
• Fruit salad with yoghurt and oats
  Fresh fruit salad with natural yoghurt and a sprinkling of oats.
   
• Fresh fruit smoothie
  Fruit smoothie made from fresh fruit, natural yoghurt and honey to sweeten if needed.
   
• Muesli and yoghurt Homemade muesli made from oats, seeds, nuts and dried fruit served with natural yoghurt.
   
• Fresh fruit and yoghurt
  Fresh fruit and a pot of natural yoghurt sweetened with honey.

Detox Plan Lunches

• Vegetable soup and oatcakes
  Large bowl of vegetable or lentil soup (either homemade or supermarket ‘fresh’) with oatcakes.
   
• Tuna and sweetcorn jacket potato and salad Jacket potato topped with tuna (canned in water) mixed with sweetcorn and natural yoghurt and served with salad.
   
• Mediterranean salad with rice cakes
  Rice cakes served with rocket, avocado, tomatoes, fresh basil and black pepper. Plus a handful of unsalted nuts.
   
• Guacamole with crudités
  Homemade guacamole made from avocado, lemon juice, fresh chilli, tomatoe and garlic served with vegetable crudités and oatcakes.
   
• Tzatziki with crudités
  Homemade tzatziki made from natural yoghurt, garlic, cucumber and lemon juice served with vegetable crudités and oatcakes.
   
• Avocado and prawn salad Fresh avocado served with prawns, salad, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice.
   
• Jacket potato with grilled cod
  Grilled cod fillet served with jacket potatoes and lightly steamed vegetables.

Detox Plan Dinners

• Chinese vegetable stir fry
  Stir fry a selection of vegetables such as bok choi, spring onions, mushrooms, bamboo shoots and beansprouts in a little olive oil with garlic and ginger. Serve with brown rice.
   
• Baked salmon with jacket potato
  Bake a salmon fillet and serve with a jacket potato and steamed vegetables.
   
• Tuna and prawns with noodles
  Gently fry a selection of vegetables such as onions, mushrooms, peppers, courgette and leek in a little olive oil. When lightly browned, add a handful of prawns. Cook for a few minutes, then add canned tomatoes, tomato puree, black pepper and tuna canned in water. Bring to the boil and simmer until the sauce thickens. Serve with rice noodles.
   
• Sweet and sour stir fry with rice
  Gently fry a selection of chopped vegetables such as onions, peppers, baby sweetcorn and mushrooms. Add canned pineapple (in fruit juice), canned tomatoes, tomato purée, white wine vinegar and honey. Bring to the boil and simmer until the sauce has thickened. Serve with brown rice.
   
• Potato and bean casserole
  Gently fry a selection of typical casserole vegetables such as onion, carrots and parsnip in a little olive oil with garlic. When browned, add diced potato and fry for a few minutes. Add fresh vegetable stock, black pepper and your favourite beans. Bring to the boil and simmer until the casserole thickens.

Detox Plan Snacks

• Fresh fruit or fresh fruit salad
• Natural yoghurt mixed with honey
• Plain popcorn
• Handful of unsalted nuts or seeds

Create Your Own Detox Plan

You can create and calorie count your own detox plan using the tools in Weight Loss Resources. Keep an online food diary, set a weight loss goal and see how many calories you need to get there. Try it Free for 24 hours

http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/detox/plan.htm

Nutritional benefits of Watermelon Seeds

When you think of the health benefits of watermelon, the seeds probably don't come to mind. It can be a quite frustrating experience when you’re eating the sweet refreshing fruit and have to pause to take out the tiny seeds scattered in the fruit.

Growing up as a child, I was told not to eat fruit seeds as the seeds could germinate and grow in my stomach, very funny claim that was! I guess the myth was told because if not well masticated or broken down before swallowing, the seeds can easily pass through the digestive tract undigested.

According to nutritionists, roasting watermelon seeds creates a crunchy snack filled with various food nutrients which provide a wide array of health benefits.

In Nigeria, the dry watermelon seeds are used to prepare soup and sauces.

Watermelon seeds are very high in protein, a vital nutrient for overall health which helps build and maintain muscles and other tissues.

One cup of the dried watermelon seeds is said to contain about 30.6 grams of protein, which constitutes about 61 percent of the daily recommended value.

The protein in watermelon seeds consists of several amino acids, including tryptophan, glutamic acid, and lysine.

Watermelon seeds are also loaded with several of the B vitamins which are necessary for converting food into energy and other important bodily functions.

The most prevalent B vitamin in watermelon seeds is niacin. A cup of dried watermelon seeds is said to contain 3.8 milligrams of niacin, about 9 percent of daily value.

Niacin is important for maintaining the nervous system, digestive system and promotes skin health. Other B vitamins in watermelon seeds include thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid.

Minerals also abound in watermelon seeds. Magnesium is the most abundant mineral, weighing in with 556milligrams, making up 139 percent of the recommended daily value in a cup of dried seeds.

Magnesium helps regulate blood pressure. Other important minerals in watermelon seeds are phosphorous, iron, potassium, sodium, copper, manganese and zinc.

The most surprising thing about watermelon seeds is the amount of fat they contain. A cup of dried seeds contains 51 grams of fat, with 11 of those being saturated fat.

Other fats are monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and omega-6 fatty acids which can help in the reduction of high blood pressure.

If you're an active individual engaging in regular exercise or just have a high metabolism, the high calorie content of roasted watermelon seeds can be beneficial.

One cup of roasted watermelon seeds provides 602 calories, which is 30 percent of your daily caloric intake.

If you're an athlete, roasted watermelon seeds can be a good choice for supporting your activities; one cup of roasted watermelon seeds provides enough calories to fuel 2 hours and 45 minutes of weightlifting.

While roasted watermelon seeds are high in total fat each cup contains 51 grams with most of the fat being polyunsaturated. Polyunsaturated fats may help improve your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of both heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

This may come as good news to weight watchers because watermelon seeds are low in carbohydrates! If you're following a carbohydrate-restricted diet, consuming roasted watermelon seeds can be beneficial.

Each cup of roasted watermelon seeds contains only 17 grams of carbohydrates!

It is rich in iron! A cup of dry watermelon seeds provides 44 percent of the daily suggested intake. Iron is a vital nutrient your body needs for proper oxygen delivery throughout your body and cell growth.

So the next time you grab a pulp of watermelon, make sure you do not throw away the seeds, you just might be losing rich nutrients needed for the proper functioning of your body. Spare some time, get the seeds out and you just might be on your way to getting something healthy into your system.

Culled from

http://www.citifmonline.com/?id=1.746455

It's hard to remember good

It's almost midnight of Children's day, and I decided to call my cousin's kids via viber. After chatting with their mum for a while, I spoke with the last child, who is 7 years old. Her immediate older brother, is the one I usually refer to as my son, because he would call me "mummy" when he was a baby. Characteristically, she always antagonised him, and he usually picked on her. I decided to ask about him. She went on a rant about how he's been naughty and has dealt with her and so on. I then asked about the oldest one, she then said something like"he's been mostly kind".
I asked for examples, and she told me about how he "banished" her from his phone. I told her she should share stories about his kind acts, and she said he helps her and does nice things for her, but she couldn't give a particular example.
I decided to ask her about the kind acts done by her immediate (that boy has got a kind heart, even though he's boisterous), and she said "I can't remember". When I probed further, she then went on to say "it's hard go remember the good things. It's easier to remember the bad ones".
What a revelation!
Like they say "from the mouth of babes, the truth is established".
No matter what you believe, the girl has said the truth; everytime you are unkind or inconsiderate towards others, it's magnified in their eyes. They would easily remember that unkind act/word than the other kind words/acts you said you've said/done , especially if that isn't an overwhelming number.
Il be posting some things on effects of negative words later.
Do have a splendid week.

5 DAYS FRUIT (& VEG) FAST- DAY 2

DAY 2
Woke up to the knowledge that I hadn't prepared for today's fruit fast. After my time with Him, I took a TBS of bentonite clay and then drank about half a litre of water (my tummy refused sipping more). I then pleaded with my sister to help me cut up 1 half of a watermelon, and she was so kind to wake up to assist, while I jumped into the tub. By the time I was done with my bath time, she was also rounding up.
I quickly packed up the ones she had cut, the one that was remaining yesterday, a strawberry and 3/4 of a bunch of bananas, into a bag, and flew out the door. Caught up with the staff bus just in time.
Once I got to the office, I took another TBSP of clay, alongside water and then mixed up the fruits, including the bananas and strawberry. I was more efficient in getting the fruits ready, today.
By past 8am, I was eating a bowl of fruits.
Around 10am, I took a cold glass of ACV mixed with molasses. This healthy combo tastes like malt without the 'soft poison' (aka Sugar).
Some minutes past 12 noon, I was with another bowl of fruit. By this time, I had taken close to a gallon (if not a gallon, yet) of water.
Been having cravings for food I don't usually eat! Yesterday evening, I had a craving for Amala (which I don't particularly like), while today, I had a craving for toasted sandwich *rolling eyes at self*.
Anyhoo, Aunt Flo came to say hello, but I wonder if this stuff is getting on her nerves or somethang (shrug) cuz I'm barely aware of her presence..well...
I intend preparing the smoothie I've put off making, since Sunday. I'll be picking up some ugu leaves (aka Fluted Pumpkin) in the market, add an aloe leaf, some basil leaves and ginger, to the fruits I'll be blending.
Around past 3pm, I took my last bowl of fruits.
Drank much more than a gallon of water, today.

5 DAYS FRUIT (& VEG) FAST- DAY 1

5 DAYS FRUIT (& VEG) FAST

I decided to embark on a 5-day fruit (and veg) fast, last week. After I felt a bit constipated last week, I decided it was time for me to do a kind of cleanse with bentonite clay. Besides, I think my liver has been overworked lately with a lot of carby and fatty meals and it needed to relax. Initially, I set it for 3 days because I didn’t believe I could sustain it for a full working week, but I later decided to fix 5 days, tentatively.

When I posted it on Facebook, I received a good amount of encouragement, and was advised to document each day, so I decided to do so.

Below is my Day 1 experience.

DAY 1

Woke up on this day with a feeling of excitement mixed with innate joy (been happening lately because of the strong awareness that I'm a Princess of the Most High), despite having little sleep cuz I was gisting with my friend into the early hours of the morning.

Spent some time with my Father, after which the First day of my fruit fast became fully activated.

The previous night, I had cut up a small watermelon, half a pawpaw (papaya), and cucumber, into biteable sizes. I also grated some carrots, rinsed some red grapes and kept them all in the fridge.

All I then did was to take them out and place into a bag which I took to work.

I also poured out a quantity of liquid bentonite clay into a small bottle so that I could keep that in my drawer, at work.

Before leaving home, I drank about a half a litre of water alongside a tablespoonful (TBS) of Bentonite clay.

When I got to work, I took the clay again alongside water, after which I went about mixing the fruits, and dishing some out to eat.

Later, that same morning, I mixed a TBS of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) mixed with half a TBS of molasses (pinching it cuz I've almost run out…hehehe).

During lunch time, I craved the sun, so I decided to go to the mall to get some strawberries. Now, whenever I’m in the office and don’t want the canteen food, Shoprite is where I go to since I like their chicken and seafood paella. I passed by those food items and the smell was tempting. Also, when I looked and discovered they had Macaroni and minced beef sauce, which I enjoy a lot, but they haven't had in a while, I wish I hadn't started this fast :D. I gently took myself away from that section; checked the fruit aisle but no strawberries, so I settled for Nectarine.

Around 2pm, I took another bowl of fruits, with some slices of nectarine added.

I had to struggle to finish this portion, as I felt stuffed. It was shocking.

By the time it was COB, I had already drunk over a gallon of water.

I was surprised that I still had a bowl still filled with fruits.

Now, I had to face my trip home, in the staff bus which I didn't look foward to as I always feel hungry and a bit uncomfortable, and usually left something hanging around that I could munch on. This happened only in the staff bus, so I figured I was reacting to the smell of the bus or the air freshener or something along that line.

Instead of this happening, I still felt stuffed and didn't even take anymore fruit for the day.

Bought a few strawberries, bananas, ginger and garlic on my way home.

Mum tried to talk me out of doing this for 5 days, because I'm way too skinny to her (I hope she knows that according to the US's Fashion Industry, I'm plus-sized lol)  but I gently explained to her that I needed to do it once and for all.

After Bible Study, I felt too tired/lazy to prepare some smoothie for the next day, so I hit the pillow.

Day 1 was over, and I knew Aunt Flo was gonna come say hi the next day. I was ready for her.

By the way, the reason I embarked on this fast (which I initially set for 3 days because I didn’t believe I could sustain it for a full working week)

FRUITS AND OTHER THINGS TAKEN

Carrots (I don’t like them, so I grated it which is easier to consume)

Pawpaw (aka papaya contains loads and loads of Vitamin C, so I’m not taking any Vit C during this fast)

Watermelon (I chewed the seeds as well, and they are so yummy. You need to read up the amazing nutrients contained in the seed, and you’ll probably go shopping for the seeds)

Grapes

Cucumber

Nectarine

Apple Cider Vinegar (you need to read the amazing benefits derived from taking this)

Molasses (similar to honey)

More than a gallon of Water

I was selfish

I wished snapping my fingers would miraculously bring me a car, no matter how rickety/slow, to take me home. Few minutes before, I had hopped down from the staff bus to go into the market to get some things, as I love shopping- be it grocery, vegetables, shoes, clothes, hair accessories, herbs etc. The snag now is that I'm not so good with lugging heavy stuffs around.
After buying some pumpkin leaves (you need to read up on its amazing benefits), dried prawns, a piece of liver for my dog etc., I went to buy what i dreaded- 2 5-litre kegs of vegetable oil, which made it 10 litres. Now I had a bag that contained my work shoes (No way would I be found walking round the market in my heels) and other stuffs, then my ghana-must-go bag (thats what my sister calls my huge bag) which had lots of stuff in it and the things I had bought.
Determined to be strong, i picked up the kegs, squared my shoulders and marched on. I was blessed to suddenly see an empty commercial tricycle (rare) and i was the only one at the bus-stop(very rare). i quickly flagged him down and got in. I placed the kegs on the seat, as well as my bags.
As we moved on, I prayed that no one would flag him down before I alighted. Immediately, I felt shame.
Why would I want to profit from the ride, while he doesn't?
Would I feel good if someone wants me to have low turnover if I were in his shoes, simply because they want to feel comfortable?

I believe if we ask ourselves this selfless questions whenever we feel selfishness coming to the fore, the world would be a better place.

***He got 2 passengers, with 1 sitting beside him in front ( extremely rare if theres a space behind), so i was still comfortable, although, with my readjusted mindset, I wouldn't have minded if it didn't tunr out that way.

The dog that keeps malice

Max, my dog, was giving me the palm big time!
On Easter Monday, I had muzzled him, as I needed to bathe him with some liquid prescribed by the vet, that mustn't make contact with his mouth, and also trim off the hair that covered both eyes so that he could see properly.
Now, he hated the muzzle, hated being wet and hated the scissors so much he could smell it metres away; this made it a triple offence.
After the muzzle was off, I decided to appease him by giving him what he loved the most- going out.
I quickly leashed (his fav word) him up, and took him to get roasted corn, which he likes a lot.
He seethed as he walked reluctantly behind me. He refused playing with his leash as we walked neither did he enjoy it.
When we got back home, he ignored me.
In the evening, I went to church and came back with my parents. As usual, he came up excitedly, to greet us; on seeing me, he turned back and went to greet my parents. In his excitement, he came towards me again, but on seeing it was me, he immediately turned back to play with my dad.
Throughout that day, he gave me the side-eye.

Next morning, he ignored me as I prepared for work.
When I got back at even, he came out to welcome me, although he still held back as he didn't react in an excited manner, go crazy with happiness, alert my sister that I was back or await my arrival by sitting outside.
I then took him for a drive to the cash machine and the filling station. He refused sitting alone on the seat as he wanted to be close to me after missing me so much.
I laughed.
Funny, how he was the one who had missed me, yet caused the missing by keeping malice.

Sometimes in life, we get hurt by a friend or family. It's understandable to feel hurt by their action, but don't overkill it, especially after they've repented. Let the hurt go. Don't keep thinking about it. This, of course, doesn't mean you should put yourself in the hands of someone that would constantly break you, without repenting (apology is different from repentance). If you know this person keeps doing that particular thing that hurts you, without making any effort at changing, forgive them and readjust your relationship with them.
For Max, he knew I'd always been good to him, so he had no reason to forever block me out.

Also, if he wasn't thinking like a child, he would have noticed he could see better, as the fur blocking his view had been trimmed off. Same with us, we sometimes could feel hurt by some actions, which would benefit us in the long-run; if only we could look beyond the present, we would show more appreciation.

On a final note, I'll like to say: Start seeing where others stopped.

I beat F.E.A.R with all I had

Some people say FEAR means Forget Everything And Run.

This was exactly how I felt, as I stood, representing my group, in front of the Head of Risk Management and other members of the panel.

We were the most ill-prepared group in the entire training school.

We started preparations early, but due to one thing or the other, we were not ready.

That morning, while others polished their presenting skills, we were preparing (not even editing) our slides.

We hadn't finished when we were told to go to our classes, for the presentation.

We started zooming through the slides.

Suddenly, the guy in charge of the overall presentation came to our group and told us to use another financial data, which meant we had to discard the ones we had prepared several days ago.

Due to being pressed for time, we couldn't go through it, to check for completeness. If we had, we would have seen that the current year's data wasn't filled, and stuck to ours.

We went into the class, while some of us went to print copies of the slides, as stipulated, and got embarrassed by the man in charge, as others had done theirs much earlier.

There was still a bulky form to submit, and we hadn't filled a thing; neither had we gone through the new financial data, which we had just been instructed to include in our slides.

Like these weren't bad enough, we were yet to select the two members that would present, on behalf of the group.

Then the panel members entered.

Fortunately, we were going to be the 3rd to present.

While others were presenting/listening, we were hiding behind others to talk in hushed tones and pass notes on our plans.

It was a horrible experience!

My group members wanted another group member and me, to present. I acquiesced.

I then started going through the printed copies of the slides, when I realized that the financial data of the year being examined, was incomplete.

I lost my confidence immediately.

I told my group members I wasn't going to present anymore (I was the one to present the financial data) as standing before a crowd wasn't my cup of tea, then to now have to present incomplete financial data, which would make me appear clueless, would simply bowl me over.

The group before us were already presenting, so we had to decide fast.

My colleagues encouraged me to still go ahead.

I quickly scanned through the data, chose to be proactive about the missing data, by telling them that I'll have to use the previous year's data, as the current year's unavailable, and prepped myself up, to be ready.

Our turn had come!

With uncountable butterflies in my tummy, I got up, alongside my colleagues, and walked to the front.

When it was my turn to present, I stepped out and continued from where my Co-presenter stopped.

At a point during my presentation, F.E.A.R descended upon me, and I took a look at the door.

I kept talking, while thinking about how good it would be to just bolt out the door, and forget the presentation, but I carried on.

At the end, the financial data I was scared of was not faulted, since I had been proactive about it, instead of reacting to a complaint.

My group members and other colleagues kept congratulating me and telling me I did a fabulous job.

They said I looked so confident and well put-together, like I had been used to presenting.

When I told one of them about the FEAR situation, he found it hard to believe.

The results were announced soon after, and we came second!  

I was shocked!

Before the presentation, I expected our group to come last, but God helped us to beat the circumstances we were in, as well as the poor preparation, and we came second.

Incidentally, the group I had expected to come first, and seriously envied, based on their early preparation, team members with specialised skills, and eloquent presenters, came last.

I had learnt a great lesson.

LESSONS LEARNT

• It's been proven that most times, what we worry about never comes to actualisation, so shelve worry on the shelf.

There's a quote I read in a novel, and have held on to, for close to 2 decades; it goes thus "trying beats not trying". Better to try, fail and learn, than never to have tried at all. Take a step today.

If you're shaky when facing a crowd, never mind. The important thing is for you to have mastered the art of keeping a calm exterior. A lot of accomplished orators/speakers still get experience stage fright, but they've learnt to keep it hidden, while maintaining a calm, confidence exterior.

Believe in yourself. You can succeed. Instead of envying the gifts and blessings of others, sharpen and fully utilize yours and you will end up surpassing your self-expectations.

Put aside unhealthy comparison. Focus at being better than who you were, yesterday. Even the bible says that a wise man doesn't compare himself with others.

Be proactive, rather than reactive. If I hadn't explained the missing data, we would have been marked down, as I'll be questioned on it, and anything I would say thereon would seem to be mere excuses.

Never lie! There's no point. Asides the fact that it alienates you from God, who detests lying.

Never forget that with you holding on to God, you can never fall without rising.

WILL YOUR WAY OUT!

My sister was having one of those lazy days. She had taken tomatoes and pepper to the local grinder, and was back home.
Dad then told her to put the blended TomaPep in the freezer. She said she couldn't as the freezer was full.
An idea immediately sprung to mind: "I had to get her to 'will' a way out". I quickly chipped in and told her to go and boil the pepper to preserve it since the freezer was full.
I knew she was smart enough to figure out which method was easier.
She did!
Within minutes, her creative mind came alive, and she created room for the bowl of TomaPep.
I laughed and told dad I knew she would find room for the bowl; I just had to give her a tougher alternative.

Sometimes we need to be pushed to will a way out of tough situations by being given a tougher alternative.
Like the old saying goes "when there's a will, there's a way". You just need to be given a chance to have the will, once you do, you'll use that 'will' to find a way out of seemingly impossible situations.
Most times, we don't know we are able to do greatly, until a great task is forced upon us. It's then the strength that lies in us, unutilized, becomes useful.
Push someone today, by offering them a tougher alternative, and watch them beat their expectations.

How I beat my expectatio​n

I worked 13 days without a day's break!
I could have made it 20 days, but I decided to give myself a day's break.
I barely had time to think what I thought later "Is this me?"
If someone had told me I could wake up by 4am, get back home around 11pm mentally and physically exhausted, play with my dog, chat with my family before heading to bed, and waking up by 4am, the following morning, I'll have said that person didn't know me well.
Any other person, with a tougher personality could have easily achieved this, but I thought I couldn't. I didn't just think I couldn't, I had this self-assurance that I couldn't.
Honestly, I never believed that was possible.
I do have wild imaginations, but I couldn't even think this up!
But I did, but this time, it was reality.
I'll begin my day with E-learning lectures, of which I had to take notes, take an exam and score 80%. Besides that, we had almost unachievable deadlines. Once it was 9am, I'll go for classroom lectures, till 5pm (this could extend beyond that time) and sometimes, we would have tests after this. This was another achievement. I didn't believe I could sit and listen to another person go on and on, and I wouldn't sleep all through the class. Yes, I dozed, but I sat in front, always, so that was limited. I had to invent ways to stay awake...and doze a bit, uncaught (embarrassed look).
After that, I'll quickly get a system, and begin my exams or e-lectures till 9 or almost 10pm. Then there was book reviews and presentations between that time. It was a loaded 4 weeks of intensive training. This is the only time I've seen the word "intensive" used aptly.
That was the period I knew what brain saturation meant, experientially; my brain couldn't take a thing anymore.
Couldn't believe how much I had been under-utilizing my brain all these years!!!
Guess how I felt?
I felt fly!
It was cool being able to do all these, bending, yet not breaking.
To you all, I say: beat your expectations, break your personal bounds and watch yourself achieve greatness.

ARE YOU LIKE MY SIBLINGS? TRUST AgAiN

My siblings avoid buying bread from the market, as they've been deceived into buying bread that's almost stale, a number of times.
Last Sunday afternoon, my mum said she was going to buy bread there, and a chorus of disapproval rose up from them.
Even though I had also been 'bitten' I didn't mind as I'm always open to giving others/things, second or more chances.
Dad reasoned with them that my mum's good at selecting fresh bread and all, but they didn't believe him.
They were of the opinion that until the bread was tasted, one couldn't prove it's freshness.
It was finally proven that mum got 2 perfect loaves!
Funny, but a lot of people are like them.
Some go through life expecting the same thing that once happened to them, to happen again.
Thinking in absolute terms, rather than relative terms, has become the order of the day.
Let me give an illustration of what I mean by thinking in absolute terms, rather than relative terms.
It's common knowledge that daughter-in-laws (DIL) are said not to get along well with their Mother-in-laws (MIL).
THINKING IN AN ABSOLUTE TERM: Now, if I got married with the determination that I have to battle my MIL before I can have a peaceful marriage, then I'll hold on to that mindset, not minding if my MIL is a wonderful woman or a difficult woman, who can be softened, greatly, by care. Instead of this giving me the peaceful marriage I crave, I'll get the exact opposite, especially if the woman falls into either of the 2 aforementioned categories.
THINKING IN A RELATIVE TERM: If I go into marriage holding on to the belief that despite the widely-touted belief that DIL and MIL are like oil and water, I will get the best from the relationship once I do the needful. A lot of people may come and feed me with "you're not going to have a peaceful marriage because you haven't put your MIL in their place" but the exact opposite would happen based on factors I'll discuss another day.
Based on the above illustration, thinking in an absolute term involves "I've been IRREPARABLY hurt by bad friends, so I WON'T have friends anymore"; while thinking in a relative term involves "Even though I've been BADLY hurt by bad friends, I know good friends abound, so I'll be careful not to choose bad friends next time, and if I do, I choose to choose, again".
There's someone hurting, who's reading this post; I ask that you give TRUST a chance, again.
Give Life a chance, again!
Give Love a chance, again!
Give Laughter a chance, again!
Cheers.

Review on Jane Carter's "Nourish and shine"

Once upon a not-too-distant time, curlmart.com and I were great buddies.
I regularly visited it to check out products.
I would scan through reviews just to discover magic products that could get my hair looking nice and manageable.
During one of my numerous 'lust & get sessions', I came across Jane Carter's Nourish and Shine. The reviews and product description, tallied.
Tightly curled, as well as loosely-curled sistas, raved about how great it was and all that, so I added it to my cart.
I wasn't disappointed one bit!
The amazing thing is that it could also be used on the skin, and the ingredients are all natural.
USAGE:
After applying my leave-in, I use it to seal in moisture, concentrating on the ends. My ends immediately feel supple.
I just need a little, and Bam! my hair is all shiny, and soft.
I sometimes apply it in between washes.
It blesses my hair with a nice fragrance.
My palms also love it, cuz once I'm done with my hair, my palms rejoice in the paradise of 'softness'.
The ingredients are: Shea butter, kokum butter, Illippe butter, Mango butter, Vitamins A, D,& E, pear and grapefruit essential oils.
The only drawback this product has is that it's a tad expensive at $22 for a 4oz tub, but I got it during the '25% off' promo (yay!)
I'll like to add this: always remember that a little goes a long way. If you use too much, you run the risk of having greasy hair.
I'll definitely be buying again.
*whispering* shhhhh!!! let me tell you a secret. Whenever I'm going out, I stop by our reflecting window, and admire my hair as the sun highlights the shine (sigh of contentment).

***I wrote this review for my friend, Emmanuella's blog and decided to share it here, also.