I'M BAAAAAACK!!!

I went to get my lab work done for my semi-annual physical today. I only weigh myself at my physical. The rest of the year, I am observing inches gained and lost, so I don’t get hung up on it and have a depressive reaction to something that is not as important as other health factors. Anyway, there is a scale at the lab, so I weighed myself and the number is saw was 161. Pounds, that is. That may not mean much to you, but my at my last weigh in, I weighed 177, and the weigh in before that, I weighed 193. So over the course of one year, by juicing and exercise, plus limiting the amount of meat I eat and replacing it with beans (red beans, garbanzos, black beans, pinto beans, etc.), I have lost a total of 32 pounds in one year. I’m only 5' 6" tall, so I’m feeling pretty good about that!

Here are some other thoughts and observations I’ve had. Getting your protein from beans instead of meat allows you to lose your taste for meat, and the fat that goes with it. Getting your juicing done allows you to eat the right amount of fruits and vegetables and also cuts your appetite, especially for fats, sugars and salt. And one great result is more energy, better memory, and overall sharper brain function and mood. The final third of this health equation is exercise. To
be honest, I’m failing at being able to sustain a consistent exercise program. Working nights has something to do with that, but I haven’t given up, and when I solve it, I’ll let you know.

Let me talk a little about my routine. In the morning, when I come home from work, I take my multi-vitamin plus my other medications and go to bed. I wake up, usually 2 to 4 hours later, and eat a whole grain cereal—usually either raisin bran or shredded wheat—then I go back to bed for 3 to 4 hours. Depending on my schedule (it’s always shifting), I may go back to bed for an additional 2 to 3 hours or stay up. Sometime during the day, I’ll have a fruit smoothie (made from juiced fruits—berries, plums, red grapes, pears, etc.—and a small amount [maybe 1/4 to ½ cup] of yogurt, and a handful of crushed ice. I whirl these all together in a blender and then I drink it down. When I know I’m up for sure, I’ll have two cups of freshly ground coffee, which kick-starts my awake mode, and I will eat 6 to 8 ounces of protein-rich food (reduced sodium tuna, beans, or maybe even some chicken), accompanied by juiced veggies (usually beets, celery, carrots, etc., mixed with low sodium V-8). After all that, I feel like I’m stuffed, and away I go to start my workday.

Some people have contacted me and asked for more recipes. I guess my attitude about that is I don’t know what you like. But you do. Mix the veggies and fruits together that you like and remember the stuff that tastes good. One of my favorite combos is granny smith apple, carrots, and beets. I drink that a lot.

So here it is. Either this discussion is worth your time, or it isn’t. If you’re getting something out of this blog, let me know.

THE JUICED AVENGER!