The Cleansing Trinity

Almost 24 hours into my cleanse, I'm feeling pretty good. Whenever I feel a little tinge of hunger, I drink more of this concoction. How the hell else am I going to drink the 120 oz. or so of this stuff a day! (That's a lot of liquid, mostly water, which is good since it's important to stay hydrated.) It's actually a pretty flavorful drink I would consider drinking regularly. The maple syrup sweetens it (and gives you the caloric intake so you don't pass out) and the cayenne stimulates your system. (I definitely feel pretty warm and mildly energetic.)

For someone like me, this routine is forcing me to sit still and keep things simple. It's a little like being sick, except not. For those of you who know me, you'll be glad to know that my idea of productivity this weekend involves taking showers and trips to the organic grocery down the street.

This "lemonade detox" has apparently been around for 30+ years, and Beyonce used it to lose 20 pounds before filming Dreamgirls. I'm pretty sure that my yoga instructor, who made me aware of this detox, wasn't doing it because of B.

However, weight loss isn't my goal here, although I will gladly accept it. In my 30-something years, I'm pretty sure I've built up a fair amount of "toxic junk" in my system from stress, less than pure eating habits, breathing in imperfect air, and drinking and bathing in imperfect water. My body has withstood a lot, and I'm beginning to feel it more and more in my joints, digestive system, energy level, and see it in my skin, hair, etc. I do yoga, dance, lift weights, and walk everywhere. I eat reasonably well. I don't eat a ton of processed food and refined sugars or caffeine. I try to buy organic. I could probably increase my fruit and veggie and fish intake, but all in all, I live a healthful life. Still, I feel like I could feel better.

Hence...the cleanse which I think I'll do for a few days before integrating other juices and smoothies back into my routine. Since Wood and I have our anniversary date at a fave restaurant, Red Ginger (Caribbean), I'll need to get back on the solid food wagon before then so as not to shock my system. It's not exactly lightweight fare. I'm sure it will be more delicious than ever.

Another Friday Night: Brow Waxing and Fasting

Check out my tidy eyebrows. I just discovered an unassuming "spa" in Adams Morgan. Kudos are in order for Joy at Joy's Spa for being the first in three aestheticians in DC to get my eyebrows right. I had such a fabulous eyebrow lady in Salt Lake, Rina at Estilo Salon, that I had just about given up hope for the District. Rina still holds the number one spot. (As does my former SLC-based massage therapist Evonne.)

I started my detox fast tonight, so it leaves me a lot of time on my hands to take pix of my eyebrows.

I Looked Up and....

On my way to walking to the Metro today, walking down Columbia Road, I looked up and ....

So, I guess winter will end, after all.

I've come up with a book title. I've always thought I had a book in me, but could never settle on a specific idea I'd want to commit to for more than a little while. So this week the book is: Reality is Overrated: The Power of the Imagination. I'm inspired by this idea because Friedman points to the imagination as the source of hope for all societies. I probably need more significant credentials to pull a topic like this off. Or I could write fiction.

Things are in bloom.

Happy Cows Come from California

Today I dealt with some stereotypically passive-aggressive and negative East Coasters.* These attitudes put in stark relief my sunny California attitude. (My friend Jessica has even called me "easy-going.") I realize that I am probably considered either "hippy-dippy" or Pollyannish to those "smart" Atlantic coast cynics who "know better." This rift always makes me think of these TV commercials:



*There are many exceptions to this personality profile in New York City, but Washington is full of them.

And to support my point, this car was parked on my block... on a VW, no less.

:)

65 Degrees: Unexpected Signs of Life

While I've been running from the cold and running for the 42 Mount Pleasant bus lately, tonight I enjoyed a leisurely and comfortable stroll home. The unintended effect was that I caught the sights you only notice when your heads not down as you brace yourself from the cold and as you mutter to yourself. (I'm beginning to understand why East Coasters are often portrayed this way, being a pedestrian culture that has reliably crappy weather.)

So, things I noticed at approximately 8pm tonight:
1) These completely bare trees, lit up everywhere but where you'd usually find leaves. And then a few steps away....

2) A middle class black woman sitting on the ground across from the homeless guy who lives between the Krispy Kreme and the south entrance of the Dupont Circle Metro stop. She appeared to be visiting with him. He was staring off into space and she was looking right at him. It didn't look or sound like they were having a conversation.

3) A guy in cycling garb who had stopped his bike on the edge of the Dupont Circle fountain and was using old-style resistance equipment (like the metal kind with coils) to do bicep curls.

I'm happy to report these signs of life.

Hey, Texas! (And Ohio)

The national Hillary Clinton HQs being just around the corner from my office, I worked the phone bank with my boss John today. We (and a few dozen others) were calling voters in Texas. I have to admit, it's pretty exciting to be in the midst of all of those ringing phones. Many people who we called "habla Espanol" making it a rewarding cultural bridge-building kind of experience.

Give 'em Hill!

And the latest from SNL....

The Exchange Rate

This post is for my boyfriend who is worrying about the exchange rate (as he rightly should.) We both wonder where in the world in the presidential debates is the falling value of the dollar. And we fantasize about cashing out and moving abroad. This sign is posted at the Amsterdam Falafel House in Adams Morgan.