#17 Cleanses : Boss 3, Kidneys

Boss 3, and the completion of Quest #17

Three days of no solid foods.... This is teaching me to really appreciate the joy of solid,  chewy foods.

I'm not taking any supplements during these detox diets... So perhaps I am not being as effective as I could be.  But,  this week has felt pretty good on my digestive system,  overall (feels cleaned out.....  But it is also making me dream of burgers and drool over my co-worker's chicken pot pie).

My overall conclusions from doing these detox diets:

1) Do the diet when it's warmer out.  Drinking all these juices (generally cold) without much in the way of warm,  high carb/calories makes my body temperature drop.

2) Having a day or two of fresh juices and veggies helps my digestion and energy levels.  I'd like to continue having a day of "rest"  like this for my body.

3) I don't feel as changed and refreshed as I thought I would.  This was maybe a good start,  an intro into the world of detox diets.  But,  maybe next time I need to do them exactly as the book says (and with supplements). Maybe doing the diet during time off or a vacation would be best.

For anyone interested,  this is my constructed schedule/menu,  recipe list,  and grocery list (based on the book,  called Juicing,  Fasting, and Detoxing for life: Unleash the Healing Power Fresh Juices and Cleansing Diets by Cheri Calbom and John Calbom).  The excel document is here.

#3 Tithing (time): Rebuilding Together

Quests in Humanities

Rebuilding Together

This month I spent time helping repair a deck at a home in my (expanded) community with Rebuilding Together, a non-profit focused on improving the quality of life for people through improving their existing homes:

"Our Vision : A safe and healthy home for every person.

Our Mission : Together we transform the lives of low-income homeowners by improving the safety and health of their homes and revitalizing their communities.  "

I was serving at the local affiliate, Rebuilding Together of the Triangle -  this is their Facebook page and this is their website.  It sounded like a lot of their recent projects have been focused on improving the safety of homes where more senior folks are living,  putting in things like railings on decks/stairs,  adding handlebars in the bathrooms and interior stairs,  replacing broken windows,  things like that. For course,  when you go to a home with an owner who hasn't had the ability to keep it maintained as much as they'd like,  you'll see about a hundred things you want to fix.  But,  even focusing on these few things (like handrails /bars)  can make a big impact in the life of the homeowner.


Although there is something very satisfying about 1) doing something good for other people and 2) seeing concrete evidence of all that hard work (as an office job can rarely do),  I also loved being out there to meet and work alongside that group of people.  In fact,  they have had a more lasting impression on me and my happiness than the work did.   Being around them reminded me how similar and wonderful people from all income and cultural backgrounds,  and various ages,  can be -  which is a very valuable lesson to be reminded of when I'm  constantly being bombarded in social media by all the decisive political games and soundbites.

They were Everybody.  The homeowner who served in the military when he was younger,  later working a couple decades as a correctional officer (working with his boss/coworkers was more challenging than working with inmates,  according to him); the volunteer who did contractor work on his own before,  and loved it, but went to work for a larger construction company for the salary/better pay to support his new family; and the volunteer who is an avid biker, logging on average 60 miles a week.  It was even satisfying to listen to the 'regulars'  (mostly retired folks,  staying active) at lunch.  They were talk about getting together later to do last little finishing adjustments for homeowners at previous volunteer sites. Their tone of voice and way they talked about the homeowners was like that of a fatherly/motherly type neighbor.  It made me really happy to see that there are good people around,  who care about the wellbeing of the people around them; people committed to helping others.

Go volunteer! Everyone nowadays should be reminded of how many good,  caring people are just around the corner from them.  ^^

#17 Cleanses: Boss 2 is a Jerk

Quests for Health and Fortitude

Beets.  So many Beets that all the things are tinged magenta.  Although I actually like the juices I'm drinking better than last week's,  I took a break from the cleanse today* to give my digestive tract a break (and return to a normal color).  Also,  I can't for the life of me find organic celery anywhere right now.  All the grocery stores are out of stock.  I am aware of the current cauliflower shortage (thank you mom and NPR).  Maybe there is also a celery shortage? Darn you global warming.... 

Boss Battle 2: liver detox.  Time to clean out that (overused?)  filter! It's been difficult this week to stay focused,  and keep my strength.  My temptation to eat a cheeseburger or some hot,  cheesy pizza is getting pretty overwhelming. 

*Sunday Note: the momentum for that cleanse died that day (Wednesday).  I'll need to look into alternative liver detox plans.  All the lemon I was consuming was hurting my stomach,  and the beets were kinda freaking me out.  From what I've read so far,  the lemon was mainly to get a massive dose of vitamin C...  I've also heard of a vitamin C diet/cleanse,  which maybe I should look into as an alternative (as long as I'm consuming the vitamin via tablets or plant-based objects that are not lemons/limes). 

Preparing as many juices as I can for this second detox diet (focus: the liver) 

Messy,  but kind of pretty,  and surprisingly yummy (cucumber,  carrot,  beet,  ginger,  lemon,  and parsley) 

Such pretty colors! 

#25 Skin: Making Body Butter

Quests for Health and Fortitude

With the cool weather and the heater going,  my skin is drying out.  With the help of the YouTube,  I found a DIY whipped body butter recipe.  Here's to healthy skin and self-care skills!

#1 Biographies: A list

Quests in Humanities

The goal is to read ten biographies (memoirs and other similar types count). About one a month.  I haven't quite decided yet which ones to read -  and probably won't until the moment I get the book and sit down to read it -  but I have two general guides.  One,  is that I want to read stories about other women and their lives. Another is to try to match a theme with the month as much as possible.

1. February (Black History Month)
    Negroland: A Memoir  by Margo Jefferson

Or Martin Luther King,  Jr: A Life  by Marshall Frady

2. March (Women History Month) 

   Bachelor Girl by Betsy Israel

Or Heroines by Kate Zambreno

Or Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science -  and the World by Rachel Swaby

3. April

   The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson 

4. May (National Comic Book Day)  

      You're Never Weird on the Internet by Felicia Day

Or Just a Geek by Wil Wheaton 

Or The Only Pirate at the Party by Lindsey Stirling     

BONUS:

Excelsior! By Stan Lee

5. June (World Refugee Day) 

   The Girl With Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee

6.  July (US Independence Day) 

    Eleanor Roosevelt by Blanche Wiesen Cook

Or Martha Washington by Patricia Brady

Or Michelle Obama by Peter Sleven

7. August 

    My Fight/Your Fight by Ronda Rousey

   

8. September (Day of Democracy and Constitution Day) 

 Undaunted by Tanya Biank

                  

9. October (Halloween) 

    Unabrow by Una LaMarche 

Or I Am America (and So Can You)  by Stephen Colbert

Or Neil Patrick Harris : Choose Your Own Biography  (by NPH) 

10. November (US Thanksgiving) 

      The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin by Gordon S.  Wood

Or The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin  (by Benjamin Franklin) 

I'm sure there are some I'll want to add to this list (I'd like to read Pope Francis' autobiography!),  but I don't want to overwhelm myself in this quest too much. I'm also up for suggestions.  I think especially there must be more out there for numbers 1, 5, and 9,  and I welcome any more ideas :)  

However,  as it is,  ten books already seems a daunting task ... 

K Jets

#17 Cleanses: Boss 1 Defeated

Quests for Health and Fortitude

So! One detox completed.  I can't say that I feel much different,  but I'm glad I tried it.  I also didn't really follow the directions to the "T."  I'm more of a "spirit of the law"  kind of person,  so,  maybe I would feel more cleansed if I had followed all instructions.

If anyone is interested, and for my own recording purposes,  the book I've decided to follow is called Juicing,  Fasting, and Detoxing for life: Unleash the Healing Power Fresh Juices and Cleansing Diets by Cheri Calbom and John Calbom. 

Next up is a liver detox diet.  

But I have this weekend to relax about my food intake. Yay! ^^ 

As I'm writing this,  I'm watching The Neverending Story,  which is *still* one of my favorites.  I'm such a sucker for fantastic adventures,  and good books.  I still cry when Artax dies.. And the scene with Atreyu and the Empress near the end ::sniffle:: "Bastian! Why don't you do what you dream,  Bastian?!"..... And really,  what was the name he calls out?? 

And when will my Luck Dragon show up? I want an exciting ride on the jolly Falcor ^^ 

K Jets

#17 Cleanses - Started

Quests for Health and Fortitude 

Number 17: Cleanses
Progress: Started


I spent a good chunk of this weekend buying groceries and preparing for my first cleanse: the colon. I'm excited but... kind of not. I'm feeling good about doing something healthy for my body, but I am dreading the hangry person I may become... and also, who actually gets excited about a *colon* cleanse? I suppose it's a necessary part of the body though... and a byproduct I am hoping to have from these "Quests for Health and Fortitude" is to have a better love, understanding, and respect for my body. Even the "ew" parts.
(did you catch the pun? eh? -_^)

I spent a little over two hours on Sunday prepping my salads and juicing my meals for three days of this week. I decided to only prep food for three days (although, the cleanse is five days), since most of the articles and books I had read stated that three days is about the maximum I should store fresh juice, before it loses too much of it's live enzymes and nutrients.

Couldn't find clear, wide-mouth, pint jars in my city - they were all sold out, except these purple ones. But! It's my birthstone color, so that's a good sign, right..?

Mom's Juicer, from her juicing days in '90's Portland, OR

The leftover bits ( I need start on my compost goals!)

Finished Product! Two jars of juices, three jars of salad, and some sides

As I juiced my veggies into a green goo, I couldn't help but think of the green blood in Troll 2 (which, if you haven't seen that movie yet, it is probably one of the most hysterical  B horror movies out there. An absolute **Must See**  ;-) )

Going to Turn into a Plant!~~

It's getting close to the end of a work day now, first day of consuming nothing but herbal tea, solid fruits & veggies, juiced fruits & veggies, and water, and I'm feeling a little... light? Maybe a little dizzy, definitely a little bit of a rumble in my tummy, and a little hard to focus on work (but, that one's maybe not so odd I suppose). All these fluids are sending me to the restroom more often than usual, which is probably good for my body too, to be somewhat active. I'm so sore though from last night's Jazzercise, that it's less of a dignified, brisk walk, and more of a desperate, ungainly hobble to the ladies' room each time I go. :,-(  At least I'm entertainment for my brother (he works down the hall from me).


K Jets

Welcome! Stay a While and Listen...

The Beginning 

2016 is the year I turn 29. One more year until 30.  Which brings to mind all the ideas of what my life would be like, when I was in elementary school wondering what I would be when I grew up.  I moved back home this year after living abroad for over two years,  and although the reverse culture shock has faded,  I'm still struggling to deal with being back (not out adventuring,  living a life more dreamy). In an effort to bring more meaning to my life back home,  and to bring  back some adventure,  I decided 2016 will be a year of "quests"! A fairly typical " thirty before thirty, " but phrased to appeal to my geek side, with "quests,"  "secret levels,"  and "boss battles." This is my chance to be the real life bard-class I've always enjoyed playing. The following are the 30 quests I must complete before I turn 30.

Quests in Humanities

1. Biographies -  learn about life from those who came before me.  Quest completion: read 10 biographies. (completed: 10)

2. Finances -  better understanding and control of finances.  Boss Battle: Create a functional budget.  Hidden Level: first investment.(complete)

3. Tithing -  donate 10% of time and money. Quest completion:  One charity focus a month to donate money to.  Three days a month volunteering. (1 of 2 parts complete)

4. Spirituality - this one may be a challenge for me.  The idea of delving into spiritual things makes me uneasy,  with so many people getting violent,  angry, judgmental,  and particular about "which religion is correct"  or "this is the Truth,  this you must believe".  However,  I do think faith and spirituality is important for understanding life and finding internal peace.  Will have to come up with a goal for this as I go along... (1/2 complete : went to a couple churches and spiritual meetings. An attempt, and better than the year before)

5. Performances -  opera,  symphony,  concerts,  live comedy,  music festivals, *folk festival,  *reenactment,  talks / speeches / seminars.  Quest completion: attend 6 performances.(completed: 7 of 6!)

6. Exhibits - gallery,  art walks,  craft fairs,  *folk festival,  *reenactment.  Quest completion: attend 6 exhibits. (completed: 9 of 6!)

7. Reunion -  me and five of my closest university friends plan to have a reunion, the first time all six of us will be in the same place at the same time in over six years.  We plan on Europe in October (possibly France? Italy? Some time in Switzerland for sure).  This is a very big Boss Battle: prepare for and make sure that this reunion happens.  June Update: Three of the six of us won't have the money for this reunion.  We are rescheduling this joyous occasion for next year. Instead, I will travel to England, Switzerland, and Korea to reunite with friends.(Complete)

Quests for Skills

8. Musical instrument -  currently,  I'm a passable tin whistle player,  which is beautiful,  but not great when making piercingly loud mistakes during practice.  Quest completion: learn three songs on a new instrument which can be played in social gatherings. Hidden Level: record three songs on YouTube for bonus points. (somewhat complete-ish: learned one song on the ukulele, then recorded and put on YouTube)

9. Languages- when I was living abroad,  one of my favorite things was to be surrounded by so many different languages.  My goal is to foster an enjoyment for languages.  This goal can be achieved by completing two (2) of the following mini quests: learn three songs in another language,  become involved with a multicultural /multilingual club,  take a language class. (did not attempt :,-( )

10. Writing - a handy skill to have.  Boss Battle: complete a short story ; Hidden Level: submit an article / story to be published; FINAL BOSS BATTLE: complete this blog. Hopefully show some improvement in my writing...  ;-)  (2 of 3 complete)

11. Photography -  also a handy skill,  and a hobby I've always enjoyed. Boss Battle 1: submit a photo for publishing or competition ; Boss Battle 2: photograph products for sale,  pet portraits,  or (eek!) people portraits for someone other than me to see and enjoy. (complete)

12. Utilize Pinterest -  I'm obsessed,  so I should find a way to make it a tool,  use it to help me complete the other quests.  Use as a source for writing prompts,  recipe ideas,  gardening and photography ideas,  and the like. (complete)

13. Garden -  I've always loved the idea of a house full of plants,  and of having fresh picked herbs and veggies to use in my meals (but have always had a bit of a black thumb).  Boss Battle 1: create an herb garden ; Boss Battle 2: create a veggie garden. (complete)

14. Compost -  I hate the smell of food trash,  and love the idea of using the (usable)  leftovers in a constructive way.  Boss Battle 1: acquire a composter (bonus points for constructing one by hand)(complete) ; Boss Battle 2: use compost on the garden. (1 of 2 complete)

15. Housework -  do the sort of "honey do"  list,  since I love projects and fixing things... And need to be a more helpful / productive roommate. Boss Battle 1: Assist in the renovation of the upstairs bathroom; Boss Battle 2: assist with one more major house project. (complete)

16. Job work -  new job,  lots to figure out.  Need to be more efficient and crank through the tasks.  The great (and bad)  thing about working on commission : the amount of work I complete = the amount of money I can earn.  I need to get rid of these school loans and debt I've accumulated.  Goal for this quest: keep improving. (complete)

Quests for Health and Fortitude 

17. Cleanses -  after being diagnosed with IBS a couple years ago,  I started reading more about gut health and it seems like there are a lot of internal organ cleanses that can be very good for overall health. Boss Battle 1: complete one colon cleanse; Boss Battle 2: complete one liver cleanse; Boss Battle 3: complete one more cleanse.(complete)

18. Exercise -  things like yoga,  going to the gym,  jazzercize,  or other active muscley things.  Quest completion: exercise 3 Days a week during this year. (somewhat complete : Did well until about August 2016. Huge improvement over the year before.)

19. Live active -  hiking,  camping,  horseback riding,  racing ; making my life one where I enjoy the abilities of my body.  Boss Battle: participate in a race (or similar). (complete, technically)

20. Meal plan -  time to start taking my health and nutrition seriously.  Quest completion: plan for one workweek of one meal (breakfast,  lunch,  or dinner for five days a week) every week. (Worked on, but only truly attempted a few times, so I don't feel like it was quite a success, this time)

21. Dental exam -  haven't had my teeth checked in about four years or so,  and need to maybe get some of the things looked at.  Apparently the new dentist mom went to is hot and tech savvy.  Sounds like a good place to break my fast at. Quest completion: have a dental exam /cleaning. (did not attempt :( )

22. Contact lenses -  found out this year that my eyes (especially the left)  have a bit of a sensitivity to contact lenses and will need to switch to daily disposables (or remain as a glasses wearer... Or get surgery.  Don't particularly like either of those options).   Quest completion: acquire contact lenses. (complete)

23. Knee -  somehow I hurt my knee this autumn.  It's always been the weaker knee,  and with regular,  careful exercise it's gotten a bit better,  but it really should be looked at.  Can't do much adventuring with an out of control  bummed knee.  Boss Battle : visit a doctor about the knee,  and then do as the doctor says. (complete)

24. Floss -  best way to keep what you've got is take care of it.  Quest completion: Floss at least four times a week for a year. (three times a week... but, still, it was consistent, and three time more often a week than the year before! ;-p  Complete)

25. Skin -  same as above.  I'm getting to the age where I need to pay attention to these things.  Boss Battle: create homemade,  healthy body butter. (complete)

Plus: five extra points to grow on -  points to add to my preferred Quest or Class:

(1)----> 26. Friends - keep in better communication with friends. If possible, actually get some face time or physical presence time. Write letters, video chat, and simply send messages checking in on them and their lives, and letting them know that I am thinking of them (because I do, often. I just don't say it). (Quests in Humanities) (Quest complete)

(2)----> 27. Family - do activities and events with the family. Boss Battle 1: Beach trip in June. Boss Battle 2: Go do something fun with dad!  (Quests in Humanities) (1 of 2 complete :,-( )

(3) ----> 28. Acquire Transportation - my 1991 Toyota Camry was a tough little tank, but needed some new major parts. I prayed for my safety and continued life  of that car every time I ventured out onto the highway (dramatic! not really that bad). I rarely drove highways at night, and never for more than 25 minutes at a time. Didn't want to push my luck. Quest Completion: purchase a newer, more reliable vehicle.  (Quests for Health and Fortitude) (Quest complete.)

(4) ----> 29. Acquire a Computer - My seven year old MacBook is no longer functional, and although I can get by with a tablet at home and using the computer at work... I would feel more self-sufficient if I had my own computer again. (Quests for Health and Fortitude) (Quest complete.)

(5) ----> 30. Be Open to Companionship - It's one thing to be single to focus on rebuilding myself and achieving my goals. It's a completely other thing if I am doing it to be a stubborn scaredy-cat who doesn't want to go through all that heartbreak again. So, now that I've rediscovered who I am, I am now allowing myself (::ehem:: pushing myself a little) to experience and explore exciting possibilities with someone new. -_^ (Quest in Health and Fortitude) (Quest complete! ;-D)

I plan to post updates on my progress on this blog. My posts will serve as evidence of the success of my quests (and to hopefully keep me motivated to complete all these things). I'll consider this all a success if I've completed at least 2/3 of what I've laid out above.  I know that doesn't sound very enthusiastic or inspiring,  but when  was the last time you completed ALL of your New Year's Resolutions? I'd hate to set myself up for too much disappointment.  Better to be a little bit realistic  ;-)

Looking forward to a great new year!
K Jet