DATE: 06/08/2007 12:02:55 / MOOD: other


Hi folks -- Just checking in. This is now the 63rd hour on my water fast, and while such a feat might look easy, it definitely is not.

The outpouring of worry from friends, family and colleagues almost knocked me off the water wagon last night, but I hung in there -- as I will continue to do this weekend.

(Contrary to popular notions, human beings don't drop dead after a week without any food; they can live for almost three months on nothing but water and sunshine. Kind of like plants.)

So, anyway, I am going to see this thing out. I'd love to make it a week (which means that I could switch to juice at 8 p.m. for my following 2 to 3 week juice fast). And think of the bragging rights! "Oh, so you think you're hungry? I haven't eaten for a week! And I haven't chewed for a month! Stick that in your craw, buddy!"

However, I'm getting tired of not being able to hit the gym nearly as hard as I want to; I kinda am trudging now as opposed to sprinting, lifting and kickboxing. But that's okay. I am also irritable, but you probably wouldn't know it unless we were really close. I kind of muffle that stuff because I don't like feeling that way.

But if you see me kicking a chihuahua, you know why.

Anyway, one last thought: If you try this water fast, expect a furry tongue. No matter how much water you drink, your tongue stays coated in underbrush for some reason. I take toothpaste to my mouth several times a day so that doesn't happen, but it's still kinda gross.)

That's all for now!
JennN


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DATE: 06/07/2007 09:34:58 / MOOD: happy

Okay! So I'm 36 1/2 hours into the water fast. Herking aside, it's been fairly easy to get through. I got a good night's sleep last night and woke up refreshed, which helped enormously. I also got a good workout in and I'm not hungry.
From everything I've read, the hunger goes away after the second day, which I am looking forward to.
[br} I am really enjoying the challenge, and I hope that this becomes comfortable enough for me to continue through the weekend.

That said, I think the Muslims have it right when they say that fasting encourages compassion; I can't help but think about the people who, throughout history, have had to fast with nothing but water, but didn't do so willingly.

Anyway, that's all for now. Will update more later.

-Jenn


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DATE: 06/07/2007 09:17:52 / MOOD: dont know

I didn't miss U Chuck. [b]
I haven't parlayed with you since the very first time I got (accidentally) intoxicated. You remember? We were in college at Florida State University and my friends mixed Hawaiin Punch with a large amount rum, and I didn't realize how much rum they put in? (Hunch punch, we called it).

That was the last time I saw you, when I ended up in the bathroom for an hour, hugging the porceline princess.

It was nice of you to visit today and keep me honest on my water fast. I guess you saw that I snuck 6 ounces of coffee, a vitamin pill and half a dose of a diet supplement this morning before I worked out.

Thanks for keeping me honest -- you better believe I won't be doing that again.

I don't like porceline.

-Jennifer

P.S. Tip to water fasters -- DON'T DRINK COFFEE ON AN EMPTY STOMACH and then work out. It will come right back up.


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DATE: 06/06/2007 09:43:39 / MOOD: happy

When character actors like Daniel Day Lewis, Christian Bale and Marlon Brando get ready for a role, they immerse themselves in their character's surroundings, habits and mannerisms.

I am a character journalist -- and before I write a story about some new lifestyle change, sport or hobby, I Like to test it out.


That said, enter: Extreme diet 101.

With a trip to Ireland, Greece, Crete, Cyprus and England looming, I am bound and determined to get myself into better shape. I haven't seen my family in those countries for at least five years and I don't want to disappoint.

So today is designed to kickstart a (healthy) diet clean up. Today is day one of my water fast, which will continue for three days.


After that: Nothing but fresh-squeezed veggie and fruit juice (with an occasional avocodo) until the end of the first week in July.

Now, before you critics start clucking your tongues, you should know that it is perfectly safe to do a juice fast because there are calories and vitamins in the juice. Not to mention, the human animal can live for 80 days just on the fat stored in his or her body. I'll be fine, but I could use some support.


If nothing else, come see my movie -- er, read my articles.


Wish me luck! Jennifer

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DATE: 05/31/2007 14:04:49 / MOOD: full of life

I have always been a fan of surreptitious slumber. You know -- sleep on the sly, shuteye in the shadows during lunchtime 'recess.' I don't always do that, just when my day is dragging and I didn't get enough sleep the night before for whatever reason.


There's something illicit and sweet about checking my eyes for pinholes for a few minutes in some parking space somewhere in the shade where I can doze and nobody will see my mouth fall open.

Although I usually wake up refreshed -- I may never do that again.


That's because today, I discovered something much more energizing! The lunchtime sweatfest!


I dragged into Gold's Gym today on Andrews feeling a little sluggish and a lot committed to getting beach-ready by the time I leave for Greece (and other destinations) at the beginning of July. I wasn't feeling it, but resolve got me on the elliptical and boredom cranked up some old-school punk on my headset.


Forty five minutes later, I was bright-eyed, energized, and sad that I didn't have more time to, say, kickbox a heavy bag or even go clubbing.

After a quick shower and a mad dash to work, I realized how much more awake I felt than I had after even the longest nap.


And that left me wide awake enough to notice just how many EZRider buses there are -- and to wonder if Jimmy Patterson was on one of them. Or maybe all of them. He's magical, I hear.


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DATE: 04/13/2007 15:13:31 / MOOD: disapointed

Am I the only person that didn't know there is a National Turkey Federation?

It's a bonified, corn-fed, nationally recognized association.

I, Jenn Ed, crack deputy lifestyle editor, decided to investigate. What would I find? Are the fowl allying against us? Have they set up their own republic, deep in the heart of Big Bend country where they can flap at will and scratch in the dust for no reason whatsoever?

After an extensive, two-second investigation (executing by glancing at the link), I am sad to report that the NTF is anything but a true federation or republic for these oppressed gobblers.

It's an association of turkey producers. How sad.


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DATE: 04/12/2007 16:36:43 / MOOD: happy

Okay, so Lent wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be at first. I didn't die, ram my car into Chicken Hut, cheat or even, near the end, crave meat that much. After the first two weeks, people, I guess you cauld say it's smooth sailing. In fact, I plan to keep up this only-on-Sundays lifestyle. I feel peppier; I feel less guilty about the cruel factory-farm methods that produce our food, and it costs lests to chow on meatless dishes. Bring on next Lent, baby! I'm ready for you.

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DATE: 03/29/2007 13:51:16 / MOOD: happy

I've been in a fowl mood lately —— and not just because I've given up fried chicken for Lent.

I'm in an even fowler mood this week because I've decided that, instead of fricassing the sweet little birds, I'm instead going to buy a living pair for my ever-expanding garden.

As the warm air warms the soil, my tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, artichokes, corn, beans, and countless herbs are shivering with expectation. By contrast, I was shivering with expectation of more worms and beetles and aphids to pick off my plants. (I don't use pesticides or chemicals, period.) Being a tender-hearted person, I usually just flip them over my garden wall instead of squishing them, but they always come back.

A+ Master Gardener June Russell, during a gardening class at the CAF, recommended controlling the bugs by buying guinea hens, which greedily snap up all the bugs they can find.

Brilliant!

But since guineas are noisy and look too much like army helmets (I don't like violence), I'm trying to search out a better breed for a small home garden in a big backyard. They should lay a lot of eggs, too. I get hungry in the morning.

Anyone have an opinion about which is the best type of chicken? I'd love to hear them.

E-mail me at jedwards@mrt.com and I might even include them in an upcoming article. Or, call me at the MRT chicken hotline: 1-432-687-8871.


P.S. Anyone who recommends the following, silly looking chickens, will receive a booby prize.
The poodles of the chicken world, aka "Silkies." /[/img]

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DATE: 03/09/2007 17:47:05 / MOOD: happy

While doing some research for upcoming Easter articles, I came across this charming Austrian Easter song. The little tykes used to sing for their Easter eggs -- but they made sure to put a little muscle behind their request:

"We sing, we sing the Easter song:
God keep you healthy, sane and strong.
Sickness and storms and all other harm
Be far from folks and beast and farm.
Now give us eggs, green, blue and red;
IF NOT, YOUR CHICKS WILL ALL DROP DEAD."


Hmmmmm ... hope it doesn't catch on here in the States. ( ;

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