It's Time for a Reboot!

Our lives have taken a new direction. I have currently set aside my goal of cooking recipes from my inspiration: The companion book from the movie “Forks Over Knives”. As of Monday August 8^th, my husband and I stepped up our consumption of fruits and vegetables dramatically and have started juicing.

Some of you will probably think this is extreme, but I think eating the way we were before we converted to plant-based eating was extreme. And we have paid a high price with our health.

We found a short-term program to follow that we hope to reap a “bushel full” of benefits. For anyone interested, it is the Reboot program. We are following the Entry program: Five days of eating juiced fruits & vegetables and whole veggies (salads, soups, etc.), five days of juice only, and then a repeat of the first five days. It sounds boring, but there is a menu for all 15 days and the recipes are, for the most part, very good. Each day it is something different. We have not been disappointed.

Why the Reboot? We wanted to retrain our bodies into actually CRAVING fruits and vegetables, and to stop thinking about high-fat treats (plant-based cookies anyone?) and processed foods. In other words, we wanted to stop the madness. And we were both hoping to kick start weight loss.

Why juicing? Fresh juice provides us with minerals, vitamins, essential fatty acids, carbohydrates, proteins and much more. When removed from the fiber, the highly concentrated nutrients enter our bloodstream very quickly. The benefits are supposed to be increased energy, a glowing complexion, strengthened immune system, stronger bones, and a reduced risk of disease.

I have never eaten such a variety of vegetables in an amazingly short time as I have the past five days. In fact, I have never really been a vegetable fan at all. I avoided them as much as possible. Now we eat or juice a rainbow of colors every day. Right now, I am starting to wonder what else is out there that I haven’t tried. What might it taste like? How would it taste with some juiced apples and ginger?

I actually ate seaweed salad! It sounded so disgusting and didn’t exactly smell great. But it tasted pretty good. The portion was huge though and while I liked it, half the salad was enough. In fact, portion size is an interesting part to the program. The portions are HUGE. My husband and I can’t eat it all. In fact, we finally decided to start sharing one meal.

So what benefits have I reaped from this experiment?

• · My ankles are not swollen any more. Hallelujah!!!!
• · My whole body feels different. It’s easier to move around and it feels lighter.
• · My face has cleared up. In fact, I think my skin looks great!
• · The eczema on my hip is almost completely gone.
• · I have lost over 5 pounds in 5 days. My hubby has lost 8 pounds (men!). I know, I know…..It is mostly water, but you have to start somewhere.
• · My hands are REALLY clean. (Washing hands after frequent trips to the restroom.)
• · Lots of exercise walking back and forth to the restroom and to our garage refrigerator for more fruits and veggies.
• · During the first five days of mixing meals and juice, my energy level had never been so high. Starting the total juice plan has made me lose some of that energy. I have heard this is temporary. We shall see.
• · I feel happy! My mood is perked up.
• · My husband and I are working together for a common goal. We shop, prepare everything, and clean up together.
• · I have a brand new appreciation for vegetables.

Unfortunately, there are negatives.

• · I have a second office at work. It is the restroom.
• · I miss bread.
• · I would be lying if I said I wasn’t hungry on occasion.
• · I think it is expensive. My husband disagrees. (But he never was a cheap date.)
• · It is a lot of work. There are tons of veggies to prepare for juicing, frequent shopping trips, and lots of planning.

This program has already exceeded my expectations by giving me the gift of a new appreciation for vegetables. You will hear more about other rewards as time goes on.