Day 437 12/1/2014

Day 437

It's been a long time!!

Let me first apologize for taking so long to update my little blog. For a quick explanation or an excuse, what ever you want to call it. I had to downsize my company at the end of March. This meant closing 3 office locations, and laying off all but a few of my staff. As you can imagine this was a very difficult decision. I felt it was the only thing I could do if there was any chance of saving my company if that was even possible. This also meant that I would have to go back into building mode and 18 hr days. There was many factors that led to the downsizing; Obamacare, Gov. Jerry Brown, the Department of Health Care Services etc.

So to make a long story short that is what I have been doing the last 6 months or so.

On to more important stuff. Yes I am still juicing almost everyday. I have missed a few days here and there but not many. I really just don't feel good if I don't have juice. I've had to make some adjustments including juices large batches of juice and freezing it. You do loose some nutrients and flavor but its very minimal. I have also maintained a plant based vegan diet. So even though my stress level has been over the top, I still continue to feel amazing.

Something else I have done is joined a few vegan groups on Facebook to talk to other like minded people. It has been an amazing experience and I have met some really incredible people. Not to mention we have went to some truly amazing vegan restaurants. It just shows that you can eat 100% plant based meals and not sacrifice taste or flavor. I will list links to some of the them on the links tab. I think my favorite is Native Foods Cafe. Native Foods has several locations around California and a few in other states. A really close 2nd would be Sage Bistro in Culver City California. Talk about amazing! I have not tried one dish that I did not love. If you have a sweet tooth they have a huge selection of non-dairy ice cream. 

So I'm going to try and get back to blogging more often. Next entry I'm going to share my Thanksgiving experience this year and.....I have a huge announcement about Healthfest 2015. So I know its a lot to ask after such a long absence but please stay tuned!!!

A quick note. I have had a few messages from people saying they can't find my interview on the JuicingForHealth.com website. Here is the correct link. Jeff's 70-day Green Juice Clense

Day 183

Day 183    March 22, 2014

WOW day 183!!!!

Its been over 6 months since I started on a journey to a healthier me! And what a journey its been. First off I would like to apologize for taking so long to update the blog. It has been a rough month or so. Not for my health and juicing and plant based eating...that is going better than ever. Ive just had a lot of personal and business setbacks that have really just dragged me down and taken all my time. Aside from that I feel amazing and cannot be happier with my new lifestyle and the new friends I have made. 

So on to whats been going on, first some updates on some of the people that have been sending messages. 

This is the most recent message i received from my old high school friend Jim:

"Hey Jeff. Just wanted to thank you again for being the inspiration for one of the biggest thing I have done for myself in YEARS. I have completed the 60 days. Although I am gong to do another 14 days. In the 60 days I lost 55.5 pounds. I am at 198.5. I literally can't remember the last time I was under 200 pounds."

That is so awesome and I am so happy for him!

And this is a message that my friend Cathy just posted on Facebook yesterday:

"I'm so proud of my Family----We knew we had to get into shape to be around for our families!! Frank and Jeff took the lead and inspired the rest of us. Janell took over and she is doing Fantastic! You all have kept me going through January when I was changing my nutrition from junk to plant base. I love all you guys and I'm the luckiest person a live!!! Just a side note....last time I weighed myself, I was tipping at 230lbs. I couldn't do anything but sit on the sofa. Now I work with a trainer three times a week, bike and hike!! That girl I use to be is making her appearance. I can't wait to give her a big ole wet kiss!!"

A few people have sent me messages asking about my friend that was found unresponsive and had to be take to the hospital. I am happy to say that he is doing great. Not sure what the cause was but his doctors told him not to worry and he has a clean bill of health. And actually with his diet and workout routine he really looks great. 

I have received tons of new messages from people saying they have been inspired by this blog or have seen me recently and want to know more about how to get started on juicing and plant based eating. I really do love helping people and really never stop taking about it. So I have started a Facebook page:

Green Juicing Life Facebook

Please check it out and give me a like. I have also started a webpage:

Green Juicing Life

The webpage is not up yet but will be as soon as I can get some time. 

I have been not only truing more juice recipes but also more vegan plant based dishes. It still seems so funny to me that I will sit and eat a plate full of vegetables. And Ive almost perfected my hummus recipe using no silt oil or sugar. 

I'm getting ready to start my first vegetable garden as well. I can't wait to start eating and juicing my own vegetables. 

Thats all for now

Day 145

Day 145    February 12th, 2014

Hello all!
I had a pretty great week this week. My friend Jessica took me to a great vegan restaurant in Palm Springs. Nature's Health Food and Cafe. I had the blacken tempura tacos, they were incredible. She really is amazing and I have already learned so much from her.
Then as you probably know the interview I did with Juicing for Health was posted online. The response has been so overwhelming. Sara Ding told me the response was so good that it crashed the server. I have no idea how many people read the interview but when it was added to Facebook it received over 4000 "Likes", shared over 500 times, and over 200 comments. It also brought over 5000 hits to this blog, which by the way has now went over 25,000 hits. I want to thank everyone for taking a look and for leaving all the great comments. And of course thank you Sara for sharing my story.
I received some great messages this week:
Hi Jeff!
So, I read your blogs last night. WOW! what a transformation! You've really inspired me to change my eating habits. I've kicked around the idea if becoming vegetarian or vegan before but never took the plunge. Juicing never even occured to me until I read about your journey. Like you, I feel I don't know if I can become fully vegan ( I mean come on, I like my steak and chicken) but I'm willing to give it a shot. I ordered my juicer last night ( same as yours) and am excited to use it. Probably won't start a fast until beginning if April though because we are going on vacation and I  can't take the juicer with me, but I plan on a shorter fast...maybe 10 days or so to begin with. Maybe I can inspire Joe to do the same. I'm so looking forward to all of this energy you referred to...thanks so much for sharing and keep it up. You look great!
Followed by:
Hi Jeff
Just a quick note to tell you that today is the day I started my juice fast! I made your recipe that you shared in your interview and I have to say, IRS very good! My 2year old grandson said, with wide eyes, "Yummmm!" Lol. I've titled that juice as 'Jeff's juice' with other juice recipes. Anyway, I promise not to bother you, but just wanted to let you know and I hope I am as successful. Til next time...
I am so excited to hear how she is doing.

The next message really blew me away. I've lived in Southern California most of my life. I've met many TV, Movie Stars, Athletes and other famous people. I've even worked on movie and TV sets. I tell you this not to brag but to let you know that I'm not starstruck easily.

amazing mate....have you spoken to my team?? Please send your story with photos to xxxxx@rebootwithjoe.com Thanks for letting me know...Joe

As in Joe Cross from Fat Sick and Nearly Dead! I sent Joe a message to say thank you for the inspiration and he took the time to reply. That is pretty awesome. Now if we could just get him to come speak at New Year New You in Marshall Tx next year.

So after a great weekend hanging out with Jessica on Sunday I went to a cooking class at Chef AJ's house. AJ is so much fun, I encourage anyone that lives in Southern California to get to one of her classes. And definitely buy her book Unprocessed. She also travels and does events all over so check out her website. At her intro class we learned how to make:

• It's Easy Being Green Smoothie
• Nutrient Rich Chocolate Smoothie
• Fresh Almond Milk
• 8-Minute Split Pea Soup
• Quick 6 Fat-Free Salad Dressing
• Hail to the Kale Salad
• Nutrient Rich Smokey Black Bean Soup
• Chocolate Fundue
• Peanut Butter Fudge Truffles
• Fresh Banana Ice Cream
• Raspberry Coulas

All the recipes were not only Vegan Plant Based meals and desserts but they were all Salt, Oil, and Sugar Free. 

I met some really great people there including Amanda who drove all the way from Bakersfield to be there. Can't wait until the next event. 

Ok well that's enough for today. Happy Juicing  :)

Day 139

Day 139    February 6th, 2013

Hello fellow juicers and soon to be juicers,
Some exciting news, today Juicing-for-Health.com posted an interview that they did about my journey.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

Happy Juicing

Day 132

Wednesday January 29, 2014  Day 132

Well day 132 has arrived and what a day it was. I have so much to talk about. Last week I attended the New Year New You event in Marshall Texas. It will take me a few posts to talk about that.

But first off let me tell you about my day. I met the most amazing woman today. A close friend had met her at our local coffee shop. After finding out that she was a vegan, told her all about my blog and journey to get healthy. After exchanging a few messages we met for coffee. (tea for me) She told me that after reading my blog she has been inspired to work on a blog of her own. She has really had a rough couple years including getting really sick after being bitten by a Brown Recluse Spider. Despite many setbacks she still has such a great positive attitude. It was so nice to sit and talk about life, health and living a plant based lifestyle. I look forward to getting to know her better and learning more about her vegan life style. I will post a link to her blog when she starts it.

Then this evening I received a message from an old high school friend Jim. He had contacted me a few weeks ago after hearing about my weight loss. I spoke with him for a while and told him about my blog and the Fat Sick and Nearly Dead movie. He sent me a message a couple weeks later letting me know that he had watched the movie and read the blog. He was motivated to start a juice fast. The message I received today was just awesome:

"Hey Jeff. I completed the second week this morning. I really miss food but haven't cheated at all. And down 23 pounds. Thanks again I wouldn't have even considered this if I didn't see your post."
How awesome is that!! Congratulations Jim, I'm so happy you made a choice to get healthy. 

Another message I received was also pretty inspiring. I was messaging with another friend that I have know for years. Again I told her all about green juicing, my blog, and Fat Sick & Nearly Dead. This was the response I received:

"So, I watched the video. I have exactly what he had. The rashes are just starting to clear up, but they still itch a little. The rashes were al over but those cleared up. I'm starting my juice Monday, Going to use my bullet until I can get the juicer. So I will talk to you when the reboot is done and let you know. Wish me well! Thanks, I think you just saved my life!"

I spoke with her today and although she wasn't able to do a green juice fast, she is still having juice every day! That is just awesome and I know she is going to feel so much better just by adding the juice to her life.

And now for a bit of scary news. Last week I received a message from my friends wife. She had come home to find him completely unresponsive. He was taken to the hospital and the first messages I received were that they had no idea what was going on. They ruled out a stroke and a heart attack. Then I received a message from his daughter that maybe it was a stroke. Finally after several hours I received a message that he was showing improvement. What they found is that he was suffering from a chemical in-balance and had high levels of ammonia in his body. (Hepatic encephalopathy) I spent the next several hours researching into the night what could cause this. Now I am not a doctor but what I found is ammonia is found in animal proteins and normally the liver is able to render it harmless. If your liver is not processing it correctly then it contaminates the bloodstream. What could cause this? Eating large amounts of animal proteins to the point where the liver is unable to keep up. For example following an Adkins type diet plan. I can't say for sure that is what caused this, (and for legal reasons won't) but he has been following an Adkins diet. Although he has been juicing as well so I'm really surprised. If you google search just high ammonia levels or liver problems with diet, you will see tons of hits on the Adkins diet, just saying. I'm happy to say that he is doing better and recovering. He goes back to the doctor next week I think so hopefully we know more then.

That is all I have for today, Happy Juicing

Day 115

Day 15     January 12th 2014
Well the new year is really starting off amazing! First off I want to give a big shout out to my friend Frank. I have mentioned him a few times in my blog. Frank and I have been friends since we were 10 years old. Even though we live on different sides of the country, we still talk on a regular basis. We have both struggled with our weight since our early 20's. He has been super supportive of me trying to get healthy and even tried juicing himself. Well even though it didn't go well the first time, he has started a fast again and is on day 10! He is already talking about how much better he feels and of course losing weight. I am so excited for him and his family!
I'm also really excited about going to Texas in a few days for the New Year New You Health Fest. Can't wait to see my cousin Amanda, she has been one of my biggest supporters. She has also introduced me to some amazing people. I'm a little bummed that that my friend Lisa can't make it, but I know that she is even more bummed than I am.
I have continued to spread the word to anyone that will listen about the benefits of juicing and a plant based diet. This blog has not had over 16,000 hits so I must be talking a lot! In the process of dishing out advice I came across a Facebook page called Juicing for Health, which led me to the website Juicing for Health with Sara Ding. What an amazing Facebook page and website. Sara has so much great information on juicing on her page. She has also written a couple books in what she calls the Healthy Pretty Happy Lifestyle Series.

The e-books The Healthy Pretty Happy way to Juicing and 100 Healthy Pretty Happy Juice Recipes are available for just $6.95 for both at Healthy Pretty Happy Lifestyle Series. I recommend that everyone checks our her site and Like her Facebook Page. Not that she needs my help, her page has over 500,000 likes.
The other kinda cool thing that happen this weekend, I tried a new Farmers Market new my house in Wrightwood CA. It's only about 7 miles from my house and I had no idea it was even there. I met some really great people there including the people from the family farm that sponsors the market. They gave me a lot of pointers for starting my garden in the spring. There was also a woman that I was telling her all about  my juicing and plant based diet. It turns out that she is has been a vegan for many years and a big fan of Dr. McDougall and went on trip to Costa Rica with the McDougall group this past summer. If you don't know who Dr. McDougall is click on the link to his page. The McDougall Health & Medical Center's slogan is "It's the food" I can do a blog entry just on Dr. McDougall (good idea)  She was so excited to tell me all about her trip. She went zip lining, river rafting, and snorkeling which sounded pretty incredible, especially when she told me she is 78 years old! Just amazing, and she give all the credit to her healthy plant based lifestyle.

That's all for now, Happy Juicing!!!!

Day 107

Day 107    Jan 3rd, 2014

Hello Juice Friends, 

Well it's a new year and it has already been pretty good. New Year's Eve was very cool. My good friends asked if I wanted to go hiking with them on the 1st. They have seen the results I've been having and after reading this blog, wanted to pick my brain a little. Then I received a message on Facebook from someone I went to high school with. She is on her own path to getting healthy and checked out the blog. Hopefully we can share and help each other along the way. I've also received lots of messages from friends of friends as well as strangers asking for advice and giving support. 
The night got better as I rang in the new year with some really awesome people. I'm really looking forward to 2014 and hope they are part of it. We had such a great time although some may not of been feeling to good the next day. 
The next morning I woke up and decided to check the scale. 199.8! This is the first time I have been under 200 lbs in over 20 years. What an amazing feeling! It was also pretty great the night before to not be able to find anything to wear because all my 2x and 3x cloths just hang off me. I even ordered a new Buddhist Boot Camp T-Shirt because the one I had was too big. Well I ordered a XL and it was still to big. I've been able to buy some shirts in size Large. 
In addition to paying it forward with what I've learned about juicing and a plant based diet, I've given out several copies of the Buddhist Boot Camp book. I really think it's a great book that can help you live a little happier in your everyday life. I've received nothing but positive feedback. 
While I was sitting updating the blog I noticed a Facebook message from another friend from high school. He said he is in the same boat as many of us and ready for a lifestyle change. It is just so cool to have people ask you for advice and be able to give it. 
Well I've also had some great food this week. MA PO Tofu at PF Chang's, it's spicy garlic-red chili sauce with crispy silken tofu in a ring of steamed broccoli. It was so good! I also made my own garlic Hummus that was oil free. It came out a little fluffy instead of creamy without the oil, but tasted yummy. 

So going into the new year I would like to continue on my path to a happier healthier me. I would also like to continue to help others get on tract to do the same thing. I had said earlier in the blog that I wasn't sure if I would be able to go completely plant based but so far I have and it's not really that hard to do. And I also want to learn to live without the Salts, Oils, and Sugars. That is a challenge because almost everything you buy in a store has all 3 of those  in once way or another. 
Happy Juicing