Juice Fast, Day 5

Day 5 is almost over and I am feeling a bit like pigging out on this Friday night! But woooooooooooaaaaaaaa....... NOPE! Join me at Gibson Ranch for today's update and a little discussion on the topic of whether or not fasting is safe!

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Juice Fast, Day 4

Day 4 - and I can hardly believe I made it this far. I felt a little hungry today, but nothing my all-natural, home made Gatorade didn't take care of. Do I miss solid food- you better believe it!!!

Today I filmed my update video on a nature trail at the college I attend.

Checking in at lunch time:

Juice Fast, Day 3

My dogged joined me in my video this morning.

Day 3, and I am going strong! Love for you to join me or give a little encouragement with a comment or a thumbs up!!!

Savory Veggie Green Juice

Add the following to your juicer- strain, stir and drink!
(Note: I use powder spirulina. I mixed it a with a little water to make a paste and then slowly add more water. Its very concentrated and green and needs to be premixed before stirring into juice at the end.)

4 large, very ripe, deep red Roma tomatoes
4 large stalks of celery
4 medium carrots
2 large kale leaves
1 2-3 inch slice of fresh fennel root with leaves and stem
1 large clove of garlic
1/2 white onion
Handful of cilantro
Stir in:
Spirulina mixture
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

You can find the Jolt Juice Recipe I made this morning here. I added a very ripe pear and a tsp of spirulina. I also added about 50% water to dilute the juice a bit. Made enough for this morning and this afternoon.

Juice Fast, Day 1
Juice Fast, Day 2

Juice Fast, Day 2

Day 2 and doing good! Going to school with water, Kombucha tea, and honey today. The Kombucha tea will add probiotics to my digestive system and the honey is in case my blood sugar drops and I feel weak or dizzy. I may have juice tonight; It depends on what my body tells me.
It's going to be a beautiful day!

Juice Fast, Day 1

Ok- so its time for me to get serious about my "High Vibes Life" and start taking some drastic measures towards better health 

To make myself more accountable, I will be vlogging my progress as I embark on a cleansing juice fast. Anyone want to join me on the journey?

I found a couple helpful links to get me started:

The 7 Day Juice Fast Plan

Glowing Green Juice Recipes

Are You in a Codependent Relationship?

I. Codependency

1. Not found in the American Psychological Association’s (APA) DSM-V is a book of that is used to identify and define mental disorders. It is not considered a mental illness, yet it is a term that pops up frequently with a disparaging connotation behind it 
2. Originally, codependency was used to describe those who were enablers of alcoholics, particularly the marriage partner. Today, codependency has a much broader spectrum of analysis 
3. Break down codependency: 

• Co: joint, mutual, common 
• Dependency: subordinate, controlled by another 

So we have here two or more individuals that control some aspect of the other. This is usually in the form of emotional control. There is much role playing in a codependency relationship, rather than authenticity. We have the victim/rescuer roles and they can interplay between partners, or, in other words, one can be in the victim role then change over to the rescuer role as the other now plays the victim role.

An article in “Psychology Today,” describes codependency as a:
close relationships where much of the love and intimacy in the relationship is experienced in the context of one person’s distress and the other’s rescuing or enabling. The helper shows love primarily through the provision of assistance and the other feels loved primarily when they receive assistance. The intense shared experiences of the other’s struggles and disasters and the helper’s rescues deepen the emotional connection and feelings of intimacy. In the codependent relationship, the helper’s emotional enmeshment leads them to keenly feel the other’s struggles and to feel guilt at the thought of limiting their help or terminating the relationship. This motivates them to reduce the other’s suffering (and their own) by continued helping and makes them quick to back off of any limits they set.” (“Are You in a Codependent Relationship? Shawn M. Burn Ph.D, July 14, 2013, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/presence-mind/201307/are-you-in-codependent-relationship)

Signs of codependency may include:

1. Inability to find happiness or fulfillment outside the relationship 
2. Strong fears of abandonment 
3. Finding your self-worth in being that special someone to the other person 
4. Ignoring your own needs at the expense of taking care of the other person 
5. General feelings of addiction withdraw whenever you move away from the relationship 

Basically, an unhealthy relationship is when that relationship is more of an addiction, rather than a mutual, loving relationship. Addictive behaviors are seen in:

1. Feelings of euphoria- A fix for everything distressing and bad; Those feelings are very transient 
2. Panic over losing or not having the “fix” 
3. Unable to cope without the “fix” 
4. Little or no sense of self, or self-worth without the “fix” 
5. Isolation from friends and family due to the over obsession with the “fix” 
6. The “fix” having complete control over your emotional state 

 The beginnings of any addiction is when we experience something that makes us feel really good, joyful, happy and we are relieved of intense distressing feelings of depression, abandonment, loneliness, pain or illness. But when this experience fades, the undesirable feelings resurface and overwhelm us. We don’t know how to alleviate these negative feelings and aspects of our lives and the only relief we have found was in the experience. So we seek it out, again and again, each time becoming more habitual and more needed to bring the desired relief.

Sooner or later we begin to realize that the “fix” although it may bring temporary relief from anxiety, depression and other unwanted feelings, it can never, ever take the pain completely away. In fact, the “fix” begins to become part of the problem, because it keeps us from recognizing, acknowledging and seeking help for the real issues that are causing our discomfort and unhappiness. It is not until we realize this that we begin our road to recovery.

Facing the real issues our pain is coming from can be one of the bravest and yet most life-impacting steps we ever take. Learning how to turn and face our pain, to validate it and to take care of our needs will little by little, eradicate the addiction.

Sometimes, what we are addicted to, is not in and of itself, harmful. But the addiction to it renders it harmful- such as a food addiction, or a relationship addiction. The food, or the person (unless the person or food is unhealthy) are not bad- in fact, they are very needful to self-care. But when we grab onto anything in order to evade dealing with those aspects of life that are scary and uncomfortable, that becomes unhealthy.

So the short-hand of recovering from codependency is you have to deal with the core of your own wounds. If you break your foot, taking pain pills will only go so far. You have to deal with the break before you are going to heal. Otherwise, the pain pills will eventually cease to work. Emotional trauma and injury is just as real, and has just as much devastating effects and physical trauma and injury.

In my scope of understanding, I see all relationship as being somewhat codependent. If you think about it, why else would you be in a relationship? If there is absolutely no dependency for comfort, validation and feeling needed, what is the need for an intimate relationship? If every relationship that was co-dependent broke up, we would have no more relationships. A relationship becomes unhealthy when it becomes addictive- when one cannot find other sources for their basic emotional needs, and they hold the person in the relationship responsible for their needs being met.

Many people have had childhoods where their developing emotional needs were ignored and/or denied. Perhaps certain emotions such as anger or crying were unacceptable. Whenever I cried, my dad would call me a baby and tell me I was feeling sorry for myself. My mom would become very nervous and agitated if we cried and she was not comfortable with her own emotions. Anger was absolutely unacceptable and could result in punishment.

Many very religious homes hold emotional expectations on their children that are way beyond their emotional development, such as teaching them to ignore their own needs at the expense of others. This is cloaked in “nice” terms such as “self-sacrifice” or “unselfishness.” In a child who has not even completely developed his or her sense of self, this can have devastating effects. Teenagers bred under this type of pressure may become very unhappy, sometimes reckless and even suicidal.
Whenever you press down who you are- your needs, your desires- you become DE-pressed!

Parents, who have not healed of their own wounds may project what they personally want or think they should be, onto their children, not accepting their child's uniqueness and autonomy. This is very prevalent in religious-based homes. It is one thing to teach a child about God, and another to insist they render themselves to this unseen and unknown God, to pacify the fears of parents. How can a child give their life that they do not fully yet possess, to and entity they cannot fully comprehend? Many times parents demand of their children the pious life that they themselves have not been able to master. Children are denied curiosity, self-exploration and expression and the space they need to be authentic; it’s all sacrificed at the religious altar of their parents.

Many parents believe they are raising a pious individual and find out too late that instead, they have created an insecure, self-destructive, shell of a person. The beautiful authentic child was lost long ago in the barrage of over-zealous and ignorant projections. The child, now in a grown up body, yet still very emotionally under-developed, enters into relationships with the familiar aspects of control and manipulation.

Key- AWARENESS

The more aware we become, the more we are able to live our life with intention and purpose. Relationship should be entered into with agreement by both parties, rather than stumbled upon and waded through.

Moving Through Emotional Pain

In this video I talk about ways to move through emotional pain rather than getting stuck in it.

Raw Food Recipe Reviews, Week 1

A Berry Delicious Drink

 I gave this smoothie 3 stars:
*Easy
*Simple
*Visually Appealing

Personally I felt that the banana overpowered the other fruit. The recipe called for 1-2 bananas and I added 1 and a half. I also think this recipe would have much more appeal if the bananas were frozen ahead of time, and possibly the other fruit.
Overall, I enjoyed it and felt satisfied for a couple hours.

African Spicy Sesame Soup

I was actually excited to try this recipe as the ingredients sounded so good. However, my daughter and I ate only a couple bites and then dumped it. I'm not sure what went wrong, but it was horrible. The consistency was more like a pudding than soup, the garlic was way too strong, and it just was not palatable. It seemed to me more fitting as a condiment for something. Sadly, it was a great waste of some awesome ingredients.

I did not give this any stars.

Avocado Burritos

 This was my favorite recipe I made this week from the book. I love avocado, it was quick and easy to put together and tasted very refreshing. I did add sea salt and granulated garlic to the avocado mixture. I gave it five stars:
*Easy
*Uniqueness
*Taste
*Presentation
*Simple




Banana Bites

Listed under the breakfast section, these were another quick and simple meal to prepare. I served them up to my son and I with some fresh squeezed orange juice. Satisfying! I gave it 4 stars:
*Taste
*Presentation
*Easy
*Simple

Banana Tahini Drink

Like the Berry one above, this would have been much tastier if made with frozen bananas. I found the taste a little insipid and the color drab. I added a pinch of cinnamon to give it a little more zip.
I gave this one 2 stars:
*Easy
*Simple













Five-star system: 

*Easy- preparation can be prepared within 20 minutes
*Uniqueness 
*Taste- very palatable
*Presentation- visually appealing
*Simple- Common and easily obtainable ingredients

Expectations and Assumptions

Expectation is the mother of all heartache. Assumption is the Father of all war! Two words that pack a lot of power- born in the seat of the ego.
Ego is that part of us that feels separate from all others, including God, and does not perceive the true oneness of all things. Ego is what makes us unique in this physical world. Ego is self, and all the labels, judgments, and beliefs about self that comes with it. Ego is the part we are playing in this world; but it is not our true identity.

In John 17, Christ prays,

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. "

Sit with yourself for a while. Write down the last time you felt deep heartache and what the cause was. Evaluate the expectations that were there and how they were disappointed. Then write down someone who you feel very angry with or have a difficult time liking. Evaluate the assumptions you have made about this person. Now consider this person a part of you- "cut out of the same cloth," so-to-speak.

How might awareness of expectations and assumptions increase your joy and contentment?

Nothing is abnormal when taken in it's context. "Scatter Brain Syndrome" is a term I have made for the way my mind operates. For years I beat myself up over it, but through healing have come to realize, it's just the way I am wired and acceptance and love for that part of me has set me free to just keep moving up and on. I also want to share with you a yummy, healthy, clean eating Sunday morning breakfast to kick-start your day!

New Name! New Look!

Hope you are all having a great Saturday! I have spent a large part of my day making some changes on my blog and Face Book. The name was changed to "High Vibes Life" to better express the central focus of the blog.
Over the past couple years I have learned so much about following the path of your JOY and how everything we think and feel falls somewhere on an energetic vibrational scale, from the lowest vibes of sadness, anger and depression, to the the highest vibes of happiness, love and JOY! Coming to understand this has revolutionized the way I live my life and has produced a major paradigm shift within. I am learning more all the time, and have come to see that following the path of your joy is the way to manifest more and more happiness and personal fulfillment in one's life. Also, the more we create a life of happiness from within, the higher vibrations we put out into our universe~ it has a rippling effect on our world at large. In fact, I believe it is the number one most powerful tool we have to change the world for the better.
I thank all of you who have loved and supported me this past year; it has meant a lot to me.
Please feel free to leave comments and questions. Also, it helps me out if you "like," "share," and/or comment on the blog posts that resonate with you.
This year I want to try and increase my blog followers; after all, I am writing to reach out!
I have an initial goal of hitting 100 likes on my Face Book Fan Page; I plan on celebrating with a give-away to one of my followers, by random drawing.
I appreciate helpful comments and suggestions on how I can make my blog more meaningful to you.

Happy New Year! 

May your future be bright- and may you always find yourself living the "High Vibes Life!"

Your Greatest Impact on This World

As knowledge increases and we, as a whole, are beginning to understand this universe at a more profound and deeper level, we have come to recognize that everything, when broken down to its very origin, is light.
"And God said, "Let there be light . . ."Genesis 1:3
At an energetic level, we are discovering, that what we put our mind to, with great feeling and desire, we will manifest in our life.
"As a man thinketh, so is he." Proverbs 23:7
So it stands to reason, being like God, we are creators of our own reality.
"I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High." Psalms 82:6
Therefore, it behooves us to set our minds on good things- things that bring us JOY and happiness!
"whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8
And also, to abstain from every form of evil-  things that bring hurt and sadness. (1 Thess. 5:22)
The greatest thing we can do for our world is to give our attention to the good- to be a generator of good vibrations. Instead of focusing on and fighting what you hate, start propagating, building and emphasizing what you LOVE!
"for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Galatians 6:7

See: Quantum Physics: Sensing Unbroken Wholeness
by Judith Bluestone Polich

Mid-Life Fun!

So I asked the "Good Neighbors of Roseville" for some ideas on how mid-lifer's in our area can have some inexpensive fun. While some of these were not so inexpensive, the colorful variety resonates so much fun!

• Visit some local wineries- particularly the Placer County Wine Trail- I was concerned about having an appointed driver and was informed that there is a small bus that drives you around. The Old Sugar Mill Winery in Sacramento was also suggested. 
• Sacramento River Boat Cruise- There is also a stationary "Murder Mystery' dinner where you can become part of the crime scene.
• The Tokyo Steak House was recommended as a unique and flavorful experience that is reasonably priced. 
• Ice Skating
• Bowling
• The all-new 'Studio Movie Grill' in Rocklin, serves dinner while you watch a movie
• Sky High- bounce house
• Indoor Race Cars
• Miniature golf
• Lazer tag
• Horse Back Riding in Granite Bay or Gibson Ranch
• Bike ride; try the trail from Lake Natoma all the way down to Sacramento
• Wine and Paint
• Take the train to San Francisco for the day
• Find other couples to switch off hosting a game night with differing ethnic food themes
• Visit the Opera House in Roseville. They offer dance classes  
• Food-truck night down town Roseville, the fourth Thursday each month
• House of Oliver, for dinner and live Jazz music
• Paint and Wine
• "The Place" is an Italian Restaurant - first Thursday of the month offers free appetizers with purchase of drinks and live Jazz music.
• Kayaking at Lake Natoma
• Roller Skating
• Indoor rock climbing
• Petroglyph in Roseville-
• Hiking to one of the many beautiful waterfalls in our area
• A drive and picnic in a local wildlife refuge such as Grey Lodge
• Last but not least, here is a link with 100 great and inexpensive date-night ideas!

So glad I asked that question. This year may just well be a year of new experiences!

The Empowered Woman

New Year's Reflection

So thankful for the gift of life here this past year- the health, the abundance, the friendships and the valuable lessons learned. Some of these included:

• Learning to be my own best friend 
• God is so much more than my "religious" mind  was ever able to wrap itself around 
• Individuals are responsible for their own journey here- I am only responsible for mine 
• There is beauty everywhere if you just look for it 
• Religion is not a stepping stone closer to God- listening within is 
• Water and walking is a simple way to good health
• Good friends will misunderstand you and hurt you, but they are still good friends 
• Religious people are just that- religious! They have nothing over anyone else 
• People can say and preach so much; But when the rubber meets the road, its what they do, that speaks loudest
• Life is a mystery~ and I'm okay with that
• No two perceptions can ever be exactly the same, that is why conformity is never the answer
• Two things can always produce JOY- keeping a list of "thankfuls," and focused random acts of kindness
• You do not have to try and explain your-self  to anyone; you are you- and that needs no explanation
• God is LOVE! Pure and simple!

Happy New Year to all! May you be blessed with many beautiful new experiences that take you to greater heights and clearer vision!

Love, Joy and Goodwill to all of you!