Happiness is...

...seeing a mother mouse scamper along the subway tracks, showing its offspring the ins and outs of finding food in the New York City underground system. Kinda' warms your heart, doesn't it?

See My Stunning Results!

Before the cleanse...

After the cleanse...

See how relaxed and stress free I am after the 21 days? Now, all I do is recline in hammocks all day because I feel so great.

Cleanse Update: Mission Accomplished!

That's right. I have officially reached the end of my food cleanse! After 21 days of no sugar, caffeine, alcohol, gluten or animals products of any kind, I have made it. Yahoo!

It has been a great experience, and I think it has definitely made me more conscious of what I eat on a daily basis. I also feel really great. Not just physically, but also mentally. It just feels good knowing you are nourishing your body with plentiful amounts of fruits and vegetables. I definitely will keep more veggies and fruits in my diet and I will probably eat much less meat than before.

I intend on doing this at least once a year. It is a good "reset" time and really brings the body back into a healthy balance. Now excuse me as I go celebrate with champagne, chocolate covered wheat bread and a side of ham...with an espresso chaser of course.

Cleanse Update: Day 15

Well, it is day 15 of the food cleanse and all is well. The past weekend was a bit difficult because we were at the beach and...well, you know beach food--hot dogs, chips, hamburgers, Italian ices, fries, ice cream, etc. We managed to escape however, staying firm to our resovlve (and our lentils and chickpeas).

It's been interesting to see people's reactions as we explain what we're doing. Most are intrigued and want to learn more, but many are also deeply perplexed. I was describing the cleanse to a work colleague the other day and she looked at me and said, "Oh, you're one of those New Agers, aren't you?"

I know many people associate veganism or vegetarianism with people who are a bit "out there," so the confusion doesn't entirely escape me, but when I explain it is a temporary way of eating for health purposes, they still look at me like I've completely lost it. It makes me realize how deeply attached we all are to our habitual ways of eating, and when someone challenges those habits by making different or healthier choices, we get very uncomfortable.

Well, don't you worry if you are one of those who are uncomfortable. The day we end our cleanse we have plans to attend a wine tasting class. I can't even imagine how toxified we're going to be then...and likely loving every minute of it.

Everything's Going to Be Alright

You know it's going to be a good day when, as you're waiting for your pick up at the train station, a man rides by on his beach cruiser singing showtunes at the top of his lungs. Fabulous!

Food Cleanse Update

Well, it's day 9 of the food cleanse and I'm telling you it's incredible! I think my body has really gotten into the groove of this way of eating. And the strange thing is that I don't even crave the foods that I have cut out. I feel really good about what I'm eating and I am becoming conscious of how my body responds to healthy, nutritious meals that don't include sugar, gluten, or animal products of any kind.

On Saturday we both had to go off of the cleanse a bit because we were at a hosted party. We did eat lots of fresh veggies and stayed away from alcohol, but we had some chicken and cake (it was a belated birthday party for myself). That night we also veered a bit since we had planned to go to a restaurant with friends which, unfortunately, didn't have any real good alternatives that aligned with the food cleanse. But we didn't do too bad...white fish and a bit of dessert.

I'm telling you, this has really made us both think that we may incorporate more of this way of eating into our regular eating habits once the cleanse has finished. We can both feel the effects it is having on our bodies. And we haven't had a bland meal yet.

Watch out. It won't be long before I'm wearing peasant dresses, insisting on being called "Cheyenne" and driving a VW bus while my partner croons Bob Dylan songs. And come to think of it, I don't recall the cleanse ever mentioning that we couldn't smoke grass. I mean, it's natural, right?

Flat Stanley: Rest in Peace

Do you know the cute little story and project called Flat Stanley? Children read the book and then create a Flat Stanley and send him all over the country to friends and relatives who take pictures of him in their city.

Well, Flat Stanley arrived from my little nephew recently. We've been photographing him on the subways, in front of the Statue of Liberty, taking a train ride, and enjoying an outdoor lunch (as pictured). It's been fun. It's so exciting for the children to receive him back with a description and photos of the cities he has visited, and me and my partner have been willing participants in such a great little adventure.

That was until last evening when we got home. I went to retrieve Mr. Stanley from the camera carrying case he was protected in when, to my utter shock, he was gone! Yup, that's right. Gone. Nowhere to be found. I checked the carrying case again and again, but to no avail. Can you believe it?

I am just beside myself with disappointed and frustration. Now I have to be that uncle who makes the call, "You know that cute project that your child's whole summer is built around? Well, I've completely ruined it. I couldn't handle the simple responsibility of carrying around a paper doll for two days and then putting him back in the mail."

Ugh. I just feel horrible. I've made calls to the one place I actually opened the camera case, but they say they don't see anything in the store. I'm going to try one last time later this afternoon before informing my sister-in-law that Flat Stanley is on the loose.

There goes the "uncle of the year" award. Sigh.

Say What?

Today I found myself right smack in the middle of a comedy routine. Either that or I was on some hidden camera show. As I was eating lunch, there was an elderly couple sitting at the table right next to mine. They seemed lovely enough and were quite gentle with each other--the man holding the chair for his wife, the wife dabbing up some food that the husband spilled on the table. It was all quite charming.

But when they talked, I could swear I was in some sort of twisted Abbott and Costello routine. The following is a sample of their conversation:

Wife: "So what did Ethel say she was going to bring for the party?"

Husband: "Yes, I completely agree...How do you like the food?"

Wife: "I think she's lovely. She seemed a little quiet today, though, didn't she?"

Husband: "Oh, the car's fine. Don't worry about that. We just took it in, remember?"

Wife: "No, I fed him this morning."

It was actually quite beautiful, if not at the same time a little sad. Their conversation continued the whole meal. I don't think they had the faintest clue as to what each other were saying the whole time, but they so wanted to connect with each other that they just kept on speaking as if all were right with the world.

Of course, what I'm portraying as a romantic, love-story setting between two life-long partners could actually be the scene of two mentally deranged escapees who forgot to take their medicine or two spies talking in a secret code, plotting to take over the world (or least New Jersesy).....Naw, I think for today I'm going to stick with the love story.

21-Day Cleanse Update

So it's day two of the cleanse and I have one word that sums up the experience thus far...gas. That's right, my body is adjusting to the influx of precious fruits and vegetables in quantities formerly unknown. It's a common occurrence that I'm told will subside in a day or two...please God.

And here's an update, my partner threw caution to the wind and decided to join me on this adventure. Now that's love! I had to laugh when I asked him today how he was feeling. Since I'm feeling more energized already and can tell my body is responding rather favorably (okay, minus the temporary gas thing), I had to laugh when he said, "I feel like crap!" It seems his system is protesting the detox a bit. But he marches forward. What a great trooper!

Okay, it's time to check on the lentil pilaf, the spinach saag (Indian) and the string beans sauteed with red peppers and garlic sauce. Dessert will include some fresh, organic raspberries, blueberries or pineapple. Or maybe I'll get really wild and combine all three. Now that doesn't sound that bad, does it? Shall I set place for you?

'Splain This One, Lucy

Okay, what is going on here? Yet again today I passed a homeless person sitting on the ground, tattered and torn, begging for money, scribbled sign at side...and talking on their cell phone. Am I missing something here?

Oprah Says I Have To

While watching and episode of "Oprah" the other day, I saw Kathy Freston talking about conscious eating. I have long considered myself to be a conscious eater, taking care of what I put into my body, but seeing this show really re-sparked my intent to be mindful of my food choices.

As part of the discussion, Kathy encouraged people to do a 21-day cleanse to reset their body's chemistry and help it rid itself of built up toxins. So...I have decided to do it and to blog about it. That's right. You are going to be privy to all my bodily functions for the next 21 days. Aren't you glad?

The cleanse involves eliminating the following things from your diet: sugar, alcohol, caffeine, gluten, and animal products. So, starting tomorrow, I will be trying my best to follow this plan. Kathy tells people to "lean into" the cleanse and do the best you can without being harsh with yourself if you falter. I like that approach.

I'm pretty sure my partner thinks I have lost it once again (I went vegetarian for nearly a year a few years back), but he's trying to be supportive. I invited him to join me since it's only 21 days, but I get the strong sense he's not that interested. That's okay. It's certainly not something to be undertaken without really wanting to.

So, get ready. I'll be keeping you up to date about how it's going and what effects I notice. Now excuse me while I load up on last minute sugar, alcohol, caffeine, gluten and animal products...it's going to be one wild day!

Mid-life Crises Averted...I'm Back

After some time away, I have decided--like all great divas--to make a grand return. That's right, I'm coming back to the blogging world. I slowed down to focus on some other projects, but it's time to blog once again. Too many times have I encountered circumstances where I turn to my partner and say, "This is SO blogworthy" that I just can't hold back any longer.

Take today for instance. We returned from a weekend away and decided to catch "Hancock." We went to a local theatre and found ourselves sighing when, once again, a theatre employee comes in as the previews begin to ask for financial contributions to the Boys and Girls Club. Now I certainly have nothing against boys or girls or the clubs they belong to, but this lady is just downright nuts.

She is a disheveled elderly woman who, for reasons unknown, waits until the previews begin and then starts shouting her pleas for help. She brings along a canister and passes it down every aisle for donations, all the while decrying the state of society and warning of the impending doom of the Boys and Girls Club organization.

Today, as the glares of the audience penetrated her, she actually took two children out of their seats and dragged them down in front of everyone saying, "Now see these children. Don't you care for them? Don't you want them to have a place to play?" All this while previews for end-of-the-world fantasy, action films are flashing across the screen above.

After finally returning them to their seats, she ended her plea with, "There are alot of bad people out there who will take your children. Have a nice evening." And then left with her canister in hand.

Does anyone else find this a bit strange?