Plucking Fruit - What Do You Bear?

"One's failure to love | Is a tree which yields no fruit | Leaving all hearts starved" 

  Heart of a Queen - Poetry and Prose from the Soul, 

© 2013 Write Right Publications

We've all heard it countless times. From our mother and auntie to girlfriends and co-workers and some of us, have even uttered the words ourselves.

"Oh my goodness! He is plucking my last nerve!?"

In those moments when we find ourselves utterly annoyed or aghast at someone's behavior, it is easy to give them control over our emotions, lending our last slice of peace.

Lord forbid we "wake up on the wrong side of the bed", then every little thing rubs us the wrong way as we project negative energy on any and everybody who crosses our path.

So, what are we to do about these nuances? Are we to give every person who plucks our nerves a piece of our mind or...

...maybe if we change what we make available for plucking.

Think of it like this: If we are the branches that were created to bear fruit, we have to be mindful of what fruit we're bearing.

If the Fruit of the Spirit are "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control" then, why is it that our nerves are so easily exposed?

If we learn to consistently take the time to consume those same wonderfully nutrient rich fruits daily, we will find that our FRUIT is being plucked instead of our nerves.

This is not to be unrealistic. It is only natural for life's dramas and all the players in it to potentially frustrate us to a certain level of aggravation. But what does being quick to speak and react do for a situation?

A change of perspective can make all the difference. Although our emotions are real, we must not be ruled by them. When those moments in life arise, stop and ask yourself, "what fruit am I bearing?"

A Wrinkle in Time

These lines aren't mere evidence of a woman and all her imperfections.

These lines tell the story of a life worth living and a smile worth giving. With age comes wisdom and with wisdom we find our true beauty.

Learn to give thanks for all the years that have made you and embrace the years to come!

Did You Know that You're Beautiful?

I’ve often shared with my students, sister-friends and others I speak with, the importance of wearing confidence along with everything else we put on from day to day. Dove has created a short documentary that shows us just how important this is. Perhaps you’ve seen it but if not, here it is. 

I encourage you all to take the time to watch it and share it with every woman you know so that we can begin behold our own beauty. 

The Gospel of Now (0500)

This is that moment in life when clichés are more than mere rhetoric

"Just do it"is gospel

That moment when
Excuses sound easier than the plan
When sleep soothes better than the pain

That moment when
Yesterday's failure is either a costly, wandering stream of spilled milk seeping into today
Or the breath of every possibility at birth
May your cry be a declaration

Less than 100 won't be enough today
Yes you awake with barely twenty

Where is your passion?
Did you waste its value on a lover who was never yours to have?
Or did you bury it

Beneath the weight of every regret you've ever consumed?

No

Neither was it in the yesterday you left behind

That spark abandoned

Extinguished by haunting doubts

As the sun so graciously rises on your tomorrow

Passion inspires from within
It breeds infinite possibilities waiting to take their first breath
Procrastination kills progress but, you're no murderer
Do not abort your dreams before you ever feel them kick

They are alive withinyou
Purpose made love to faith
Creating your vision
Just because you have yet to see them
Doesn't mean that they don't share your heart beat

He's not coming back,but you're still here

Your regrets aren’t as strong as the life within you
It has no hands with which to hold on with
If it's close, it's because you refuse to release it

Run with all your might
Press with all you've got
Passion isn't meant for tomorrow
It's purposed for the moment you wake

Dreaming is meant for sleep

Life is meant to belived with passion
As passion needs life to live
Rediscover yours
Let it breath, rekindling it's fire
Then, walk on out the gospel
Just do it

They Are - Afternoon in Spring - National Poetry Month - 1/30

She lies

Basking in his light

Her moist, warm earth yearning for more

They are new like spring

Her love flowing free as the soft, sweet breeze

Until he runs away as the sun into dusk

She being a promise

Ever present until his desire fades to black

And night consumes their day

They’re left longing

For summer's heat

Straight Juicin' - FAQs

Soooo...I have recently added solid food back into my diet due to the cost of feeding myself three times a day on produce AND still feeding Mr. Brewton. I have decided to continue keeping it light when I do eat (minimal meat, if any) and LOTS of fruit and veggies. I am maintaining my juices for dinner and some breakfasts.

I initially chose to do a full juice fast, cutting out all solid foods, in an attempt to give my digestive tract a rest and to take the time to pay attention to my body and take note of how different foods effected my body. For example, I am the type of person who suffers from sinus issues year round. Every. Single. Morning. I'm hacking up phlegm and fighting post nasal drip for the first two hours of my day. On the fifth morning of my  juice fast, I noticed that there was no phlegm in my head or chest. Even after getting out of the shower, when everything really gets to moving, I experienced no drainage whatsoever.

Now that I've began adding meat and other foods back to my diet, I've found that I'm back in the throngs of my sinus struggle. Now, to just take note of what exactly is causing the problem (I haven't had any dairy or soy so, that's not it although I know that dairy products are a leading culprit in such reactions).

Moving on...

I had taken a video answering all the questions I've been receiving about my juicing experience but, my technology life is a struggle so...

Here you go! Feel free to post more questions here in the comment section and I'll do my best to answer them or find you the answers you need!

Why juice? Why not just eat the vegetables/fruit?
Think of all the nutrients you'd get eating three pounds of fruit and vegetables. You can't imagine eating that much green stuff in one sitting, right? (I know I couldn't) Now, imagine getting those same nutrients by drinking 16-24 ounces of juice created from the same three pounds of produce! It WORKS!

Are you hungry or tired while you juice?
Not at all! I was amazingly energetic and was never hungry! I would generally have 16-32oz of juice in the mornings, 16oz for lunch and another 16oz as a snack in the late afternoon and maybe 16oz for dinner. Normally by the time I got home in the evenings, I wasn't hungry!

In addition to the juice, I would drink hot Yogi's Ginger or Healthy Fasting Tea. I also keep a 20oz bottle with me for consuming water regularly. I maintained a tally of how many bottles I drank throughout the day drinking no less than six 20oz bottles (1 gallon).

Can you workout while you're doing a juice fast?
You can workout while juicing but be certain you're listening to your body (especially women during your cycles). ***Remember***DRINK PLENTY OF WATER***

What type of juicer do you use? 
I use the Breville Fountain Compact. It's 700watts and although it's not the "best" juicer out there, it's a great tool for people who are just starting out juicing. It's relatively easy on the pockets, sturdy and it gets the job done without *too much* waste!

I don't have time to juice. Cleaning up is so time consuming. 

Tell yourself what you want. :-) The truth is, we make time for the things we want to make time for. I also chose this type of fast to exercise greater discipline when it came to actually taking the time to prepare each "meal" and clean up. This meant getting up a little earlier in the morning and/or staying up a little late at night.

I found that it took me all of 3-6 minutes to clean up after I finished juicing. Juicing itself takes another 5-10 minutes depending on how much I'm juicing.

During the weeks that I knew I had a full schedule, I was able to juice enough 16oz Mason jars to last me for two days. From what I've read, you do not want to keep your fresh juice longer than 48 hours as to not waste any. Even in tightly sealed Mason Jars (available anywhere from Walmart to Target and even Big Lots) shouldn't hold juice for longer than 48 hours.

What if I'm not ready to do a total juice fast?

No problemo! Maybe "detoxing" or fasting isn't for you right now. That's just fine. The key is that you begin to include more nutrients in your daily dietary intake. So, instead of eating a late dinner when you get home from a long day, replace that meal with some fresh juice! Or instead of a soda, tea or processed juice with a meal, replace it with fresh juice!!!

The idea is that you replace "bad" food with good food. You'll eventually find that you won't even crave the same foods/drinks after juicing for a week or so! (I promise!) 

How do I get started?

1) Purchase a juicer. The one I mentioned above is only $99 and you may be able to find it on Amazon or Ebay for even less. If you're unable to purchase a a juicer, perhaps start with a blender and go from there. The consistency will be different (of course) and hard to swallow (pun intended) but you're still on the right track. 

2) Dive into information from people who have experience in juicing! I follow @straightjuicin on Twitter and FB. They are always doing "challenges" and giving tips for better juicing! 

Check out the following documentaries (available on Netflix) for more insight and actual medical expertise! *whispers* Start with 'Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead' which gives a first hand account of someone who changed their entire life through juicing!

Juicing (and eating healthy) is too expensive!
Consider this: In one week I spent about $90 on only fresh produce. Is eating healthy expensive? It can be. But think of all the other things we spend our money on frivolously. Also, I've had to consider, do I want to spend more money now on healthier foods or later on the cost of healthcare. For our own sake  we MUST start thinking long-term! 

It's nothing for us to spend $35 on pizzas and sodas for a night or $70+ for dinner for two on any given night. This $70 of produce will last me for at least the next week. It's really all about prioritizing. Eat to live! Don't live to eat! ;-)

What are some of your favorite recipes?

OOOOKAY! This is the good stuff!  Check out these FREE eBooks from Breville!

+Ras Idric Durden put me on to:

• sweet potato juice
• (Fuji) apples
• Ginger 
• THIS is my go-to when I'm suffering from a sweet tooth! It's so rich and wonderful...YUM! He actually adds pineapple as well but I have yet to do so.

Post workout:

• Swiss Chard
• Cucumber
• Granny Smith apples
• Lime

Citrus Blend:

• Grapefruit
• Orange
• Lime

Beet Treat (Yes, I named it! Lol)

• 1 Beet (I don't measure much of anything. Even when I cook, but I can tell you that you won't want more than one beet. Ha! Quite a strong, earthy taste.)
• Carrots
• Fuji apple
• Ginger (If I'm feeling fancy)

Hydrating Juice:

• Celery
• Cucumber
• Granny Smith
• Kale (or spinach...or chard...any green will do! *wink*)

I think that's it! For now!

HAPPY JUICING!

Change Isn't Easy

Today is day 17 of my 40 day juice fast. I haven't been able to share the information I wanted due to technical difficulties BUT I am going to fill my blog up with all the information I can today. For now, here are some thoughts from today (I'll share a confession post later this afternoon):

If you are seeking to live a healthier lifestyle, perhaps in unconventional or seemingly "trendy" ways, do not get discouraged when friends/coworkers and loved ones don't always provide you with the encouragement you need. Especially if they're close minded to new ideas/habits. 

Continue to do what you know/are learning to do. Don't give up or consider yourself a failure if you eat a meal of veggies when you're juicing or eat meat while attempting to eat vegetarian/vegan. 

When it comes to living a better life and being a better you, do what it takes and continue to be an example for those who have yet to find the strength you're gaining!

I've had a terrible tension headache all day. I'm stressed, frustrated and want junkfood. I want cupcakes, something fried and some bread. 

I don't want these foods because I'm actually hungry for such foods but because out of habit, these are the things I allow myself to eat for "comfort" when such feelings come upon me.

INSTEAD I am standing fast and will remain disciplined. When I crave something sweet, rich and comforting, sweet potato and apple juice with ginger has been my go to. 

I'm learning that the key to replacing bad habits is to find good habits that triggers the same feel good emotions. This takes a conscious effort on our part as change begins first in the MIND. When we find ourselves discouraged or down in the dumps because of stress, laying around sulking or pigging out on our favorite junkfood is not conducive to permanent change. 

To BE the change you want to see you have to DO the things that need to be changed! (Wow! What a concept!)

*BEAM*