I will start off by apologizing for my recent absence. It is for a good cause, though, I promisse. A while back when I stopped posting I noticed I was at my 99th post! In honor of my 100th post, I decided to do something special, so I committed to acknowledging all the amazing things in my life. At the same time however, I had to honor a time in my life where a lot of change took place. I have to admit, there have been times where I have lost touch with my ability to be grateful, and have payed for it. I recently uprooted from San Francisco, where I was very cozy, cuddled by the love of close ones and supported by them to grow into the person I wanted to be. Life has brought me to New York where I am trying to replant my roots, and continue growing. When the seed for this move was planted, my life was on a different trajectory. I had spent 6 years working towards becoming a fashion designer, while attending art school. By the time the 6th year came around, I had to start coming to terms with the fact that the lifestyle, as well as the industry, conflicted with my better judgement, happiness, health and soul. Still, NY was in the cards for me — so I had residual emotions resurface, much like those stemming from an unresolved break-up or feelings for an ex.  Needless to say, this has not been a time of much culinary experimentation. It has been a time of going back to comforting favorites, as well as a temporary straying from the healing path of this lifestyle, while I re-calibrated and let myself break down. It happens. Detoxing and growing as an individual is not a gentle, linear climb. It has been quite the roller-coaster, and I am happy to say that I am grateful for every up and down.

This lifestyle is very forgiving, and allows you to come back to it, no matter how much you think you have messed up, and continue healing. The most valuable aspect of long-term detoxification is the positive domino effect it has on every part of your existence. It is not limited to your body, mind, or soul. Cleaning your body at the cellular level, changes the measurable vibration of your cells, which in turn changes the energy vibrations of your body as a whole. These vibrations do not stop on the surface of your skin; every person’s energy extends several feet all around them. The cleaner your internal pathways are, the more receptive you can be to what is going on internally, but also what i going on outside of yourself, and the quality of events, opportunities and people you attract with your vibration. I know this may sound quite hippie, which I am completely fine with :) but don’t disregard it. Scientifically speaking.. like attracts like ;) There is so much healing and comfort in gratitude as well. In moments of less high vibration, listing off things that I was thankful for brought me up to a more objective, happy place. So, on that note.. these are some of the things that due to my increasingly cleaner cells and their vibration, I have been been able to enjoy and be thankful for:

(in no particular order)

1. Avocados — in general, they are just a little miracle fruit: creamy, fatty, satisfying yet helps with weight loss, it’s easy to digest, full of healthy protein, and combines well with fruit and carbs! 
2. Chocolate Avocado Pudding — it has been my savior as far as guilt-free indulgence goes.. I really believe that one big “no-no” part of indulgence is in the guilt that is attached to consuming something we feel is bad for us. Those toxic emotions make it twice as hard for your body to properly digest something, even if is is healthy.. which in this case it is, and I am so grateful for it! 
3. Young coconut cream raw yogurt — same guilt-free indulgence, different craving.
4. My Vitamix blender for making creamy treats so doable!
5. Creme-brûlée — before I fell into this lifestyle, I would have never dreamt of being able to enjoy dessert. I counted every bite of everything, and couldn’t remember how many years it had been since I enjoyed such a decadent dessert. I am so grateful for the Freedom that has come with food-combining and everything else in the detox lifestyle that allows for occasional indulgences like that. 
6. My boyfriend, Chris — before I get too caught up in talking about all my cravings and fixes, I have to acknowledge how thankful I am for this wonderful man coming into my life and embarking on this journey with me; curious and eager to experience all the things I preach about.
7. Chris’ patience and understanding — this has to go in a different category because with deep detox can resurface deep feelings, thoughts, and physical symptoms and he has braved through mine like a trooper.. always willing to listen to my rationalisation of why “detox is the reason” that I just had to go and “hang-out with a tree” for part of my day.  
8. Trees
9. Flowers
10. Nature
11. The rekindled, undeniable connection with Nature, and it’s mysterious ways of manifesting reciprocity.
12. Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco for making a little piece of Nature accessible in the middle of the city where I lived.. and the fond memories I have there.
13. Central Park, in spring, for memories that are to come.
14. Community, and the fact that it is not as lost as I had thought for a long time.
15. My mom for being such a cheer-leader for my endeavors and always supporting my inclination for doing things the “natural way”
16. My family —  my dad, my brother, sister, sister-in-law and 2 nephews 
17. My trusting friends, who have put their health in my hands on many occasions, whether it has been by asking me for advice, or by tasting one of the million concoctions I’ve experimented on them with. 
18. Special shout out: Katie!
19. Special shout out: Alex!
20. Special shout out: Audrey!                                                                     
21. Warm conversation over much anticipated vegetable-centric dinner, with loved ones and a glass of wine in hand.
22. Wine :)
23. The occasional long espresso w/ 2 drops vanilla stevia and a touch of cinnamon 
24. The abundance of delicious herbal tea
25. Carrots — their rich sweetness which does not feed yeast!
26. Carrot juice w/ Ceylon Cinnamon
27. Natalia Rose’s “Pumpkin Pie In a Bowl”: carrot juice, blended with raw sweet potato, cinnamon, avocado and stevia.
28. Natalia Rose, and the winding road that has led me to discovering all her wonderful, inspiring teachings which have helped unveil and shape the person that I now know.
29. Berries — they are low sugar, varied, and deliciously nutritious.
30. Photography.                                                                               
31. The availability of abundant knowledge.
32. Guided Meditation w/ Davidji, from the Chopra Center 
33. Story Waters’ “Welcome to Paradise” CD
34. My mini trampoline, and all the silly dance moves it allows me to bust on it, while having fun, sweating profusely and getting a workout.
35. The surge of LifeForce energy that comes w/ dancing spontaneously when a good beat comes on (furniture shopping at West Elm, for example)
36. One on one Pilates with Jen Bishop, at POP in SF, for helping realign my body with my breath, and grow 1/2” as a result of it. 
37. Cleansing my face with coconut oil and a hot, wet washcloth.
38. Coconut water for being so flavorful I can water it down with pure water and it can still taste great and last longer!
39. Walking in sunshine
40. Walking in fresh air
41. Night-time city-walks
42. Freshly made juice from my Breville 
43. Freshly made juice from my Omega Vert
44. The availability of both bottled cold pressed juices and centrifugal juice bars in NY.
45. Iphone Facetime for allowing me to feel close to Katie, one of my soul mates that is living across the country.
46. My bog
47. Awareness
48. Having reached a place in my life which allows me to open up, speak up and express things I didn’t know existed in ways I didn’t know I could.
49. Being less scared to talk about imperfections.  
50. Angora bunnies for bringing tears of joy to an unsuspecting moment :)

source: http://www.funzug.com/index.php/wildlife/very-cute-angora-rabbit.html

Every day I’ve worked on this post, has been a better one as a result of it.. so if you are wondering where the other 50 gratitudes are.. I will be posting a “I Am Grateful For..” feature on a regular basis from now on! I am also very eager to share some recipes with you, that have been piling on for a while :)

Let the grateful feasting begin! 

Love,

Ana, the brave lil juicer

PS. What are you grateful for today? :)