Feasting w/out much prior diet change?

[Christine]

Hi there!
I would like to direct this to those of you very experienced Feasters and Raw foodists ( like David ).
I would like to know what your experience has been in counseling folks who that would like to Feast but have not made the full transition to raw and who have not done much recently (back to bad habits for the last 2yrs) to clease their bodies. Do you find that the detox is too hard? Or are there are ways to soften the blows (like increased enemas and/or supplements) that will enable a person to succesfully Feast?
Thank you for your informed answers and experiences!!

[UtoPia]

Do not consider the lack of a gradually adjusting and cleansing raw diet a deterrent to feast! We can not postpone our life for perfect circumstances, we have to seize the opportunities as our passions align! There are feasters pursuing purification that have had a lifetime of bad eating habits, decades compared to your years and they are embracing this methodology with courage as should you.
Always, the most important thing you can do to assist in detoxification is to drink plenty of the best water available to you. Flush your system by providing it with rehydration and a flowing means for elimination. Regular enemas or a colonic (depending on your personal decision based on being informed of both sides of the colonic irrigation discussion) are a great assistance in clearing debris and excelarating the internal cleansing process. An herbal laxative tea can help initially and psyllium husk and bentonite clay are two additional natural agents that help to soak up and eliminate toxins.
The single most important thing for your detox ease is your attitude and positive mental space. When you come to obstacles presented by the potential discomforts of cleansing, see them as the manifestations of negativity you were harboring in your body and are now releasing! Successful feasting is the product of clear intentions manifested. Make bold statements to yourself and the universe about your path and move forward on it with determination and you will be successful.
Two friends you can carry with you daily are your two goals:
1. A large container of water, whatever you aim to drink a day. This should be several quarts at least. If you have a special bottle that is designated for your hydration it is easy to track how much you have and how much you need to drink. It also provides a great object of discussion for encouraging others to be better hydrated as well.
2. A written goal of your intention that you carry with you always and look at through out your day. Make a list of all the amazing things you want for yourself in this life. Realizing that your health is the obvious cornerstone of their manifestation, write several concise statements that will trigger for you the deep feelings you have for this journey. "I am feasting because...." This statement of positivity can serve as a support for you when you encounter symptoms of detoxification and a reminder of your path.
The one thing you need to release now as the first thing you are detoxing is your fear! "Do you find that the detox is too hard?" It was less difficult to get ourselves into negative states of health and well being but that doesn't mean we should have any fear of the difficulties of pursuing a better, more holistic and healthy life!

Love Light and Learning to you! Happy Now and Joy in the future present! Contact me if I can help at all :)
Namaste
Pia
xx

[Teresa]

Pia

Your wisdom is inspiring!

-Teresa

[Christine]

I just had to write you again because I am blown away! You have never met me, but you hit on what I have been allowing to stop me from success in every aspect of my life!
Fear...
Before reading your post I hadn't decided if I was "ready" to do this.
After reading it I made a big green juice and read a little more on the JuiceFeasting site.
Then I just knew! I got in my car, went to the market to get more goodies and I am off...All thanks to your insight!
Thank you sooooooo much :))))))))

[Christine]

Dearest Pia,
Thank you so much for your inspiring thoughts! You are very right about the fear(s)!!! I have so many some days! I have had a very bad habit of letting them paralyze me as inaction is safer (and easier) than the unknowns and what-ifs. I have had trouble committing to myself even though I am extremely fortunate to have a husband that supports me in whatever I choose. He is still a SAD eater and that is probably my biggest challenge aside from my self!
The 2 friends are a wonderful idea. I have found that if I read something everyday that is in alignment with my goals It is much easier to stay focused and motivated.
Sometimes it is the simplest things that are the hardest to remember! Thank you for your offer of continuing support!
Christine

[UtoPia]

Christine, you're a doll! I am so glad that my suggestions were of use to you!
I am sharing form personal revelations about food and emotions. Feasting is an amazing opportunity to really examine your motives for eating. I found that as I was hesitant to begin a project, that I had fear as a cause of procrastination, keeping me from starting something. I would feel moments of discomfort, which at a depth were my own issues and insecurities regarding perfectionism and fear of failure, and instead of being with the feeling and coaching myself toward progression to start and do it now, I would delay and distract by mindlessly s consuming unhealthy foods. This was a way of punishing myself for my inadequacies. Therefore these feelings of negativity toward myself were swallowed down with food that most likely manifested as unwanted fat, which means I was carrying an extra layer of negativity that literally shields me from feeling the external world. The feeling with which you consume gives energy to the reaction of your body: negativity becomes negativity.
It really is simply issues of self love. Accepting you for who you are and taking full responsibility for how you got to the state you're in. No one else is responsible for your current state of health and well-being than you. Sure, it's functional, and has all the outer signs of a fortunate lifestyle but is it divine, empowering, truly alive? Once you make the decision to live life to the fullest and be true to all your feelings, raw just enhances that bliss and momentum. Regain a sense of responsibility for who you are starting on a moment to moment basis because that culminates into who you become.
It's great that your husband is supportive but realize that your attitude and the way in which you communicate your intentions will be reflected back onto you from other people. If you're unsure and lack confidence about your choice than naturally others will judge or harshly question but if you are bounding with happiness and are excited to talk about your intentional detoxification then others will share in the spirit of your journey. The best way to garner more support and positivity from your husband is to first be more supportive and positive with yourself. He wants to see you the best and brightest person that he's in love with. Learning to love yourself is learning to love others more as well so he will share the benefits of your shining.
To strengthen the power of your written goal that you look at throughout your day, make a list of "I wants." It's best if you have a special notebook or journal where you can compile all the information you are discovering and especially to reflect on your journey and feelings. Make 3 lists: 30 things you want to DO in this amazing lifetime, 30 things you want to HAVE, and 30 things you want to BE. (1. I want...) Then you can free verse other "I wants." Wow. When you're done imagine all the awesome experiences you want to have, and the multi-faceted person you want to become. What is the cornerstone for you maximizing your life? Yep, your health. Where does health come from? Yep, what you put in your body; food and thoughts. If you need a more in depth reminder for why you are pursuing this period of detoxification, simply review you lists and imagine the energetic, motivated, beautiful you that is going to accomplish these things. See this feast as a trial, an empowering "yes I can" that will be the example and beginning of your next triumphs.
With Love & Blessings.... xx Pia

[David Rainoshek]

Hi Christine,

Great question. Juice Feasting is designed to be doable for everyone - even those of us coming from a McDiet. You are getting excellent guidance from UtoPia, so there is not much I need to offer here.

Shortly, remember to support your organs of elimination with Morning Water, daily enemas, skin brushing, hot/cool contrast showers, walking/rebounding/yoga, and adequate rest. Check out the first few days on the 92-Day Juice Feasting Program for detailed info on cleansing reactions and detoxification. Doing these things, the cleansing will move right along as we designed it to.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
One thing I would add is that I like to tell new Juice Feasters that the most important thing is that you feel successful and happy with your first Juice Feast. The reason is that we are establishing a fundamental Life Practice that you will access periodically, and as needed, for the rest of your life. It is therefore very important that your first experience be a positive one, even though some challenges will inevitably arise - but all as part of a growth process that is positive...

Have a great Juice Feast - and don't focus on the number of days, but the quality of the love and care you are now offering yourself, and those you love.

I am so glad you are with us - and aren't we all lucky to have friends like UtoPia here!

With peaceful steps,

David Rainoshek, MA, www.JuiceFeasting.com

[Jean Weiss a/k/a Miss Green Jean]

I'm new to this site...and I just had to send out a Big Kudos to you, UtoPia, for your intensely informative, wonderfully kind insightful way of expressing yourself...it is a breath of fresh air and very appreciated...I almost feel like you should be a psychologist the way you calmly, logically and motivationally get across your support, which I'm sure I will need from time to time on this juicy transformative healing journey ~

Of course to David and his other 1/2 as well...

I am blown away by the scant few things I've read on here in my 2-3 days navigating....

Namaste, MGJean