Day 33 Juice Feast -- Sunday Morning

I rearranged my weekend a bit and since I was going to stay local I called in Friday for a colonic appointment only to find all of Saturday was booked. Although I could live with that, Kathy kindly offered to let me come in Sunday morning (even though she isn't open) while she was doing some cleaning. This was my third colonic on this JF.  I feel incredibly clean.

On the way home I did produce shopping in three stores. I don't stop in Whole Foods as often as I used to but when I saw this sign today I may be showing up there more than before. There are so few places in the area that actually make juice fresh that I am super excited!

I also picked up a case of coconuts at the international market and then plenty of celery and lemons at Trader Joe's.  Outside of the coconuts and very few items I just can't get otherwise--everything is organic.

Last night I saw one of my lemons was starting to mold on the tip so I decided to cut that part off and squeeze the rest into enough organic sugar (from the kombucha days--I still love this stuff but I've taken a break with it) to make a scrub. After a trip to the sauna I quickly rinsed in the shower, made the scrub then got back in the shower and applied a full body scrub. I left it on for a couple of minutes (I felt like a sticky caramel apple!) then rinsed it off. My skin has never been softer.

Not All Products are Equal (Pt 3: Best Skin Ever - Seabuckthorn)

Credit: Botticelli Venus

I haven't spent a lifetime looking for the best facial care, rather in the last few years (when I've merely scratched the surface of what is possible for health and beauty) I've experimented with several increasingly natural organic facial products.  I quite like Tonya Zavasta's green clay mask and moisturizing cream.  I used these products exclusively on my first Juice Feast. All things considered, my facial skin was beautiful. I especially like that she adds in the techniques of dry skin brushing before the mask and using a separate brush to remove the mask--this makes a huge difference.

I am still using up some of her products. I have also been using up some highly fragrant, chemical-free, beautiful moisturizing creams from Mountain Rose Herbs. The Cucumber Skin Cream had an amazingly calm effect on my skin. I liked to use it at night for an extra oomph. Mountain Rose Herbs offer a variety of different creams to target different needs. These are organic, pure and unbelievably low priced.

For roughly the last two months I've used Nadine Artemis's Best Skin Ever --Seabuckthorn as a moisturizer as well a cleanser. My skin has become soft, the tone has evened out and I have been (nearly) blemish free. Since I've started using it I no longer want to wear even minimal amounts of mineral makeup (I still wear a dusting to work but as it makes me look worse! I suspect I will stop altogether in the near future). On the weekend I never wear makeup up and may apply two or three additional squirts of the oil throughout the day and rub gently in my face while reciting my mantra.

As I prepare for a Spring cleanse next week I thought to brush up on Annie Padden Jubb and David Jubbs' suggestions for a blended fast in their awesome book  LifeFood Recipe Book: Living on Life Force. What struck me as interesting was how they talk about a "dead oil test". The test consists of pouring some oil from the grocery store on your finger. Then rinse your finger in water. Finally try and wash it off with soap. How long does the oil stay on your skin?

I saw similar advice in David Wolfe's  book Eating for Beauty. He invokes the image of a used bottle of saturated oil. Try and wipe off the drippings that have over spilled and sat on the outside of the bottle.  He articulates the use of dead oil on skin and its consequences.  The results of organic, cold-pressed oils are regenerative and healing.

Not only do I do my very best to consume only organic, living oils in my diet but now I demand the same for external benefits to my skin.

Organic Clothing

Owning organic clothing used to be a far off fantasy. As I have pushed myself with this blog to keep my commitment to good health during a time in many people's lives (graduate school) where it is easier to throw in the towel and pack on the pounds, this added commitment is another juggling event I add to the seam stress of my new wardrobe. There are few organic clothiers in my area, so trying on clothes before buying did not fit into my 7 month slow-but-sure purchases.

I have been wearing predominantly organic clothing from head to toe for the last month. Over a short staycation, I spent a day washing and drying everything carefully, packed up most of my conventional clothing for charity, and then launched overnight into my new wardrobe. I felt gawky and as unsure of myself as a newborn colt.

Over the last month I've grown comfortable mentally and physically with my new digs. These organic cotton and bamboo numbers feel good on my skin. My goal was to have a complete organic wardrobe prior to starting the Juice Feast, I am glad I didn't wait as I am delighted to have the awkwardness behind me. I relish taking another big step.

Initially, I found it challenging to find organic clothing. But now I know exactly what I want.

After 8 months of research, a few of my favorite online ecoboutiqies for unique pieces:

Nancy's Gone Green
Fair Tribe
Indigenous Design
Fashion and Earth


A few of my favorite online shops with organic basics are:

Gaiam
Sierra Trading Post
Fair Indigo
Green 3


Aventura
GGO Clothing
Gramicci
Sanuk (Organic Hemp Shoes)