Friday, February 26, 2010

Thursday, February 25, 2010.......Day 40

Day 40 of the Fruit Feast. 40 is a significant Bible number. It signifies a time of testing and spiritual contemplation. A time of trusting in the strength of the God of Heaven. Christ fasted 40 days and was tempted of satan. Moses communed with Christ for 40 days on Mt Sinai (twice). Elijah did as well. The children of Israel were in the wilderness for 40 years as the Bible says "to prove them" (Deut 8:2). Christ stayed with the disciples for 40 days following His resurrection. So to me, this is a  milestone of sorts. Its not alot of time in terms of life, but i am thankful to get to this point by Grace thru Faith. 40 months would be a great milestone, that would be nearly 4 years. 40 years would be something, but i believe way before  then i (if faithful) will be sharing of the fruit of the Tree of Life in the New Jerusalem with all the saints. What a Fruit Feast that will be!
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Breakfast:
4 bananas, 16oz sorrell, 20oz Celery-Honeydew Juice, 1 Durian Pod.

Lunch:
Large Non-sweet fruit salad with celery-lemon-sweet pepper sauce.

Dinner: 32oz OJ, 1 mini watermelon.

Spiritual Bread: Acts 25-27

Exercise: 100 Squats, 10 total pistol squats, 70 total weighted 1-leg hops, 45 weighted stair hops, 75 weighted jumping jacks.

Have a Wonderful Weekend.

Grace and Peace be multiplied.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Wednesday, February 24, 2010...Day 39

Day 39 of the Fruit Feast. i didn't work out today as i was expectedly very sore from the leg and upper body workouts i did earlier this week. i expect to hit my legs again tomorrow by God's grace. i am finding that i am seeking out more varieties of fruit. Thank our Lord Christ, that when He banished Adam from the Garden of Eden, He did not cut off his supply of fruit! So much and so many varieties in our world. i want to appreciate and enjoy them all for the blessings they are. Of course i do have my favorites. Today i had a sapote for the second time this week (and in my life). i find the fruit to be delicious though i was conscious that the ones i ate were not of the highest quality. i will be on the lookout for more of better quality if i can obtain it. Tastes alittle like a fruity chocolate to me. Very sweet and has a texture like a pear. i didn't use it in a smoothie but i can understand why people do as i believe it would be excellent in that type of drink. i am also curious about Tamarind. i did taste some of that last fall as a friend of mine was raving about it. But i really don't remember how it tasted. i have read its a combination of dates with raisins. Sounds rich and my local asian food stores sell it so it will be easy to obtain. i also had the best durian i tasted this year today. It was small (about 5lbs), but chock full of very creamy flesh. They say good things come in small packages, well this durian was a testament to that. Also, our bananas have hit their peak. They are spotted and perfectly sweet. i ended up over-eating for dinner. i had a taste for OJ, so i drank that first, then the bananas. By the time i got to the durian i was full. i let it set about an hour and ate it then. Truly i didn't need the OJ and could have waited until later to drink it, but we live and learn.

Psalms 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Psalms 103:5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Breakfast:
25oz Celery-Honeydew melon juice, 1 mini watermelon, 3 figs.

Dinner: 1 sapote, 32oz OJ, 7 bananas, 1 Durian.

Spiritual Bread: Acts 24-26

Exercise: Faith.

Grace and Peace be multiplied.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Tuesday, February 23, 2010.....Day 38

Day 38 of the Fruit Feast. Its become more of a Feast than a Fast at this point. Wonderful is the Grace of Christ. My legs were alittle sore today (they will probably be more sore tomorrow), so i focused on upper body exercise. As my energy level has risen, i pushed myself alittle more today. Felt great. i wanted to pass on a couple of things that i have noticed during this leg of the journey. From about my second week on this Feast, i have had mucous coming out of my nose daily. This week it has eased up, but it was coming out alot over the last 3 weeks. i remember when i first ate bulgar wheat after i had been on fruit for 7 months last year, the next day i felt the mucous in my system. i believe the wheat in all its forms gives me mucous. i believe this was not the original design of my Creator, but sin and processing has degraded the wheat products so that now this is the result. The blessing for me is, that since i have been freed from salt, i no longer crave the wheat. Soaked bulgar wheat with avocado and salt was my favorite meal. Its pull on me is greatly diminished now. But for those of you on this Path to the Garden of Eden, you may need the wheat until you get the victory over salt and sugar yourselves. If you have no inclination towards wheat, consider it a blessing. But still remember, the path to Fruitarianism in truth is a process that may take years (its been 6 years for me). So don't get discouraged if you still have cravings for other things. In time, the Spirit of Christ will guide you and show you what to do step by step, Victory by Victory until you reach your destiny. He will guide you in His time and at His pace, for He knows exactly what is best for you. As you learn to trust Him, Peace will be with you. We move Forward in Faith and Faith is the Victory:

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Today's activities:

Breakfast: 25oz Celery-apple juice, 1 mini watermelon, 4 figs.

Dinner: Large Non-sweet fruit salad (5 roma tomatoes, 1 english cuke, 1.5 orange sweet pepper, 1 avocado), with celery-sweet pepper-lemon juice (quite good). 4 figs, 2 bananas.

Spiritual Bread: Acts 19-23

Exercise: 60 tricep presses, 210 pushups, 40 chins.

Grace and Peace be multiplied.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Monday, February 22, 2010...........Day 37

Day 37 of the Fruit Fast. We did a Raw Remnant presentation today in the home of some brethren in North Carolina. They had invited some friends of theirs to the presentation. It was a wonderful time. Whenever the Lord sends me to do such a presentation, i let it be known that this is not according to man's science. Its according to Bible faith. The Health message of the Bible is a very wonderful thing, for it is founded in Christ Jesus. When Christ is uplifted as He has said,

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

This is what was done by His Grace yesterday. It had its affect as people were blessed and encouraged in the Path of the True Light. As we opened up the Scriptures concerning God's healing plan for His people, the Spirit of the Lord dwelt among us. There was  an added blessing. Since i was in North Carolina, i went to the Super G Asian market in Greensboro. They had Durian in abundance there. i obtained 3 along with a tall stalk of sugar cane and some plum tomatoes. Two of the Durian are for me and one of them is a gift for a friend whom i know also loves this fruit. 
Had a tremendous workout today also. The energy is rising little by little each day. The body Temple is being cleansed and i am so thankful for the victory over salt that Grace gave me. i have a very long way to go and this Fruitarian journey is just at its very beginning, but i am very happy with everything at this point.

Breakfast:
25oz Celery-apple juice, 1 mini watermelon, 1 sapote (this fruit has potential. But i think i caught one of less quality. i would love to taste a fresh one one day), 1 avocado.

Lunch:
12oz of OJ, 1 mini watermelon, 5 oranges.

Dinner:
Chewed on alittle sugar cane, 32oz of OJ, 2 bananas, 4 figs.

Spiritual Bread: Judges 7-9

Exercise: 100 squats (warmup), 90 weighted stair hops, 30 weighted standing long jumps, 75 weighted jumping jacks, 30 total pistol squats, 100 pushups. (btw, "weighted" exercises are exercises in which i am holding either an 8lb or 12lb medicine ball).

Grace and Peace be multiplied.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Sabbath, February 20, 2010........Day 35

Day 35 of the Fruit Fast. Very beautiful day today. It was sunny and warmer than its been usually. We had great Light in our fellowship. i love our small home get togethers so much! i never want to be in denominations again. No offense to all you who are in organized religions mind you, but i am being so filled with Christ in the simple small group setting.Having freedom from the cold, formalism and dead philosophy to just trust in Christ and His Word alone makes things so simple and full of joy for me.

Since the discovery of the Celery Juice cure, i have been cruising on Grace. No cravings at all for anything but fruits. Gaining in energy, clarity and spiritual power little by little each day. This foray into Fruitarianism is definitely different from all the previous years. i am very excited at the prospects for the future and look forward to see what becomes of me this time. All glory, blessing, honor and praise to the Lamb!

Revelation 15:3 ..... Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Revelation 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.


Revelation 5:13 ..... Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.




Breakfast:
25oz Celery-apple juice. 3 bananas.

Dinner:
60oz of fresh delicious OJ, a Durian (glory!), 5 oranges.

Spiritual Bread: Romans 5-7

Exercise: the Faith of Jesus Christ.

Grace and Peace be multiplied.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Thursday, February 18, 2010......Day 33

Day 33 of the Fruit Fast. Yesterday i had intended to buy some whole durian. Usually our local asian markets don't start carrying them until about May. But i know of this very large market in Greensboro, NC (about 2 hours from me) that always has them. i called down there and confirmed that they indeed carried them by the caseload. But something impressed me to stop by my local market first. The couple that own the store are elderly (i'd say in their 60s) and from Cambodia. They are always telling me of the delicious fruit in their homeland and how i should go and visit (i think they are understandably alittle biased). Anyway, their business has been struggling very badly in this economy. So i stopped in there and said hello to them. i asked them when they thought they would be getting durian this year. They told me they had some on hand! i was glad to be able to support them alittle bit. They had 3 of them at $1.69/lb. i bought all three. They also had some sapote. i have read much about sapote but have never had one. So i bought two of those also. That saved me a two hour trip. Now someone may say 'you mean you'd drive 2 hours for durian?'...........Yep. Lately my children have had no taste for durian and my wife's taste has faded so that she never eats more than one pod. So today i had pretty much a whole durian to myself (Glory!). My knee and back were sore today having pushed them pretty hard the day before yesterday, i tried a few deep 1-leg squats yesterday, not a good idea. i should have rested completely. So today i focused on upper body stuff and had a nice workout. Did 200 pushups and 40 tricep presses in 13 minutes. Wonderfully intense and efficient. Later after dinner i did 6 sets of 8 chins. Good day overall. Still no salt cravings at all. This is very good.

Breakfast:
30oz celery-honeydew-orange juice, half a mini-watermelon, durian.

Dinner:
2 bananas, Non-sweet fruity salad (avo, cuke, tomatoes, sweet pepper) with celery juice as a light sauce (pretty good). 

Spiritual Bread: Judges 1-6

Exercise: 200 pushups, 40 tricep presses, 48 chins. 


Grace and Peace be multiplied.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Tuesday, February 16. 2010....Day 31

Day 31 of the Fruit fast. i ate a third meal today. i wanted to see if i could get along with two, but after an intense workout this evening i was really hungry. The problem was, i ate at 11pm; not good. Even if it is all fruit i want to practice being temperate in all things. So i think i will have a third meal when i think i need one, especially as my fruit-driven energy makes my workouts more intense. As i have seen in other long term fruitarians, eventually i expect to need to eat less as my body becomes more efficient. But this is only my second year really seeking out Fruitarianism so i probably need a couple of more years until that's the case (i think). i don't expect the third meal to be anything heavy though. Oranges, orange juice, watermelon or its juice would probably be my choices at this time. Also, today i didn't have an avocado as i didn't think i needed one. i find the avocado a nice 'training-wheel' type of support during the early process of Fruitarianism. i am not intending on completely dropping it by any means right now. That again, is probably something that my body will naturally tell me to do as i continue on this path. One of the many things i have learned over the last year is that the process of becoming a Fruitarian is just that----a process. It takes time and i believe for me, rushing into it would be reckless. During the process, i must allow my body and the Holy Spirit to guide me at each stage. i believe these two work in perfect harmony. Harmony between my body, my mind and the Holy Spirit in this process is important to me. Science is not very important at all to me. This is why some well-meaning people suggest things based on what they have learned scientifically which i may not appear to have a desire to follow. i move as i am led to move. Some raw vegans totally depend on science and believe Bible-based faith is a joke. Actually, i respect their choice. But for me its visa versa. This Fruitarian move is a very spiritual thing to me and i treat it as such as i walk by faith.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

My workouts lately have been lighter on volume and more on intensity. Today i did a lighter workout (resistence-wise) that included more cardio but did it in 40 minutes. i wanted to do it in 30 minutes but hey, one step at a time.

Today's activities:
Breakfast:
25oz celery-apple juice, half a mini-watermelon (a mini watermelon is about 7lbs), 5 bananas.

Dinner: 32oz OJ, 5 oranges, 5 bananas.

Midnight snack: half a mini-watermelon, dried plantain (home-made, delicious), 2 bananas.

Spiritual Bread: Joshua 21-24

Exercise: 75 weighted step hops, 45 1-leg squats, 30 chins, 30 handclap pushups.

Grace and Peace be multiplied.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Monday, February 15, 2010..........Day 30

Day 30 of the Fruit Fast. Still no salt cravings at all. Is this permanent? Maybe so. With my new freedom the possibility of this Fruit Fast becoming a permanent Fruit Lifestyle becomes more of a reality. But i may be getting ahead of myself. Indeed, this particular Fruit Fast is just beginning. Even with the salt cravings i wanted it to last at least a couple of months. If i am truly freed from salt (as i strongly perceive that this is the case), then i should continue to see improvements in my taste buds and overall well-being. i am feeling spiritually and physically terrific, but that was expected.

But there are definitely differences this time than when i did this last year or at any previous time. For example, sunday afternoon i had a non-sweet fruit salad. It conained 3 roma tomatos and one haas avocado. This is not unusual except that i had no seasoning at all with it. No basil, no cayenne, no other non-salt seasoning. i found it totally delicious and satisfying. i could hardly believe it since i have never been a big fan of non-sweet salads and always needed some sort of seasoning to enjoy them. Never in my life could i eat something non-sweet without something on it. Either the afore-mentioned seasonings or salt or oil.....something. It was so unbelievable to me i did it again today. Only this time i also added a chopped yellow sweet pepper. Not only was it delicious, it actually tasted like it had something in it! It has only been a week of drinking celery juice and my taste buds are changing very rapidly. Right now i am treating the celery juice as my medicine. Which really it is, as its doing a wonderful healing work in me.

Ezekiel 47:12 And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.

i weighed myself today. 30 days ago i was 213lbs. Today i am 206lbs. Now the loss of weight is in no wise the primary concern in this journey, so i don't rejoice or depress over whatever is happening. But i know that over time my weight will diminish and as a matter or record, feel it would be good for others to know where it settles at when its finished. Last year it was around 175-178lbs in July 2009. That was with much salt struggles. i am curious to see what happens this year. Last year i received some complaint about losing too much weight. i must admit that also played a role in my ending the 100% Fruitarian journey then. But this time i want to listen to the Spirit alone and just go where Christ bids me. Not concerning myself with man (or woman as the case may be). For i truly believe i am being led to an eventual Fruitarian lifestyle. i believe this has been where i have been headed my whole life, but i just didn't realize it. i wonder if this is the year it will manifest permanently? We'll see.

Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.


Things flew by me again and i lost a day. Here are today's activities.

Breakfast:25oz celery-apple juice, dried mango & bananas (homemade and delicious), durian.

Dinner:32oz OJ, 2 bananas, half a watermelon, small non-sweet fruity salad (no seasoning, imagine that).

Spiritual bread: Job 33.

Exercise: 30 tricep presses, 200 pushups.

Grace and Peace be multiplied.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Sabbath, February 13, 2010.........Day 28

Day 28 of the Fruit Fast. We are spirituality blessed in that every week we have very rich and very sweet fellowship with our brethren. But this Sabbath was even alittle more. The reason was i had this joy inside me for the knowledge that the Lord may have finally freed me from my salt addiction. i mean i know it seems like i am going on and on about it. My apologies for that, but please bear with me. It was to the point where i thought 'well, maybe my body just needs it and i will always have it'. Thinking back to March of 2004, i remember praying silently to the Lord and thinking 'Can You deliver me from sugar and salt?'. i knew it was a tall order because i knew i was totally addicted to both of these things. As i blogged a few days ago, the sugar went first. But here we are, nearly 6 years later, and now the salt is going. i have learned much from this. Very much. But one of the main things is not to try and bring people to where i am and at my pace. i see this in many people both in the religious world and in the raw vegan world. i have found it to be a fanatical spirit. Some read a statement from some authority or another and expect everyone to conform to what they have learned...........immediately; and if people do not agree and conform then the fanatical feel obligated to offer some sort of condemnation. People like that are sad and dangerous indeed.

The process of growth in Grace both in Christ and in the area of health reform is a progressive one. i believe the the diet Christ gave Adam in his sinless state was fruitarian.  i believe the Spirit is leading those that are sincere in heart to that end. But they will get there over the course of years. It takes much time, patience, endurance and perserverance. It takes falling and getting back up. People walking the path of Light in Christ (He is the Light of the World and there is no darkness in Him at all) are not all at the same place on the path. They will be going in the same direction but some are farther along than others. i have learned that i should be patient and forbearing with myself and everyone else as we all must choose the path we will walk. If some choose to walk the same path i am on, then i must respect their pace and their place in that path and be of encouragement to them. If others choose to walk a different path than my own, i must repect their freedom to choose their path. For the God of heaven has given every human freedom to choose what path they want to take. As i see it, fanaticism both in the world of Faith and in raw veganism, have caused more problems, wars, arguments, debates, discouragement and ultimate failure then anything else. i admonish all, avoid it at all costs, both for your own good and the good of others.

But i am indeed, very excited. Today a sister made some raw gourmet onion rings and my wife made some raw pizza. Now usually i can smell the salt in them and it would attract me. But not today. Although i did smell the salt, i was not drawn to it at all. i was perfectly satisfied with what i consumed. Wonderful Saviour!

Today's fare was:
Breakfast:
1 mango, 20oz celery-apple juice, Durian.

Dinner:
32oz OJ, Half a watermelon (btw, most watermelons i purchase these days weigh about 10lbs), 1 avocado.

Evening Treat: 32oz OJ.

Spiritual Bread: Romans 4 & 5

Exercise: Faith.

Grace and Peace be multiplied.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Friday, February 12, 2010.......Day 27

Day 27 of the Fruit Fast. Preparation day for the Holy Sabbath. Glorious Blessing! The celery juice is really doing me good. i drank half a gallon of juice for breakfast. It held me all day with much energy. i worked out late in the afternoon. Nice half hour workout. i am so excited about the possibility of not needing to eat salt at all. This is the first time in my life that i can honestly say it may be possible. Its still too soon to tell, but man, it feels good. God's simple remedies always work best. Simple, yet powerful and life changing. Christ makes things plain and simple, but human beings make things complicated.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

Today's activities were these:
Breakfast:
2 bananas, 64oz of Celery-watermelon-orange juice.

Dinner:
16oz of celery-apple juice, Half a watermelon, Durian(yummy), 1 avocado,

Spiritual bread: Joshua 17-19, 1Kings 22-23

Exercise: 150 pushups, 24 chins, 75 weighted hops, 75 weighted jumping jacks.

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Grace and Peace be multiplied.

todd

Thursday, February 11, 2010...........Day 26

Day 26 of the Fruit Fast. i am cautiously very optimistic about the workings of the celery juice. i am having absolutely no salt cravings. But today i suffered out of a habit. i overate on my non-sweet salad big time. The only reason i really was eating the non-sweet salad in the first place was to have the taste of something savory. This taste for the savory i attribute to my want for salt. But now, with the advent of the celery juice, i don't have a taste for anything savory. But out of habit i made a non-sweet salad anyways. As is my bad habit at times, i made way too much. i don't generally like to leave leftovers of raw salad, but i like to eat what i prepared. Tossing out good salad is out of the question (perhaps if i had a good compost pile it would not be so bad), but i have a real peeve about wasting any food (especially fruit). So i made way too much sauce with the celery juice (probably 24oz) and way too much salad (3 tomatoes, 2 large english cukes, 1 large avocado, 1 stalk of celery, 1 orange sweet pepper) and i had the nerve to eat 2 bananas while preparing it. Yes, i ate the whole thing and i was totally overstuffed. Now the good thing about raw foods is that within say 90 minutes it was digested. But, i felt the energy my body used to deal with it drain from me. i could not work out later the way i wanted to as my energy seemed sapped. But by the Grace of the Lord Christ, i have learned my lesson. By His grace i don't want to do that again. If, by chance this experiment with large quantities of celery juice is successful in freeing me from any need of salt, my meals will become much simpler. This scares me alittle as it gives me a mental picture of want, but the reality is that i would be totally satisfied. What a journey this is indeed!

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Today's fare was:
Breakfast: 44oz watermelon-celery-OJ juice, 6 bananas.

Dinner: Way too large non-sweet fruity salad with avocado-celery dressing, 2 bananas.

Spiritual Bread: Acts 13

Exercise: 5 sets of 10 clappng pushups, 36 weighted step hops.

Grace and Peace be multiplied.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Wednesday, February 10, 2010.....Day 25

Day 25 of the Fruit Fast. My strategy for the next 2 weeks is to include about 16oz of celery juice in my daily intake. i really am not thrilled with the taste of if alone so i will be combining it with other juices (like watermelon & OJ). It does make me feel fantastic though. Today i put about 20oz of it in my smoothie. The thing actually tasted too "salty". i feel this may be the answer going forward, but, again we'll see. At this point i am no longer feeling any salt cravings. So far so good.  i popped up this morning at about 6am with energy. Which is one of the great benefits of the Fruitarian diet (at least in my experience). i feel like the celery juice will probably work optimally vis-a-vis the salt cravings in juices rather than smoothies and sauces.

Today's fare was:

Breakfast:
30oz smoothie with Celery juice, bananas & alittle OJ. Half of a watermelon.

Dinner:
3 bananas followed by large non-sweet fruity salad with celery-avocado dressing.

Spiritual bread: Acts 12.

Exercise: Faith.

Grace and Peace be multiplied.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Tuesday, February 9, 2010....Day 24

Day 24 of the Fruit Fast. Something came to me today regarding my salt issues. i was brought back to the time when i had serious sugar problems. Up until 2004, i was addicted to sweets. Especially cookies and fruit pies. Candy bars (especially mounds and almond joy) also were great weaknesses. By 2004, i was desperate to get freedom from sweets and i prayed to the Lord admitting my weakness and love for sweets and my inability to free myself from them. That was April 2004, i had begun the raw diet, but still felt strong pangs for sweets. In May of 2004 i was led to do a two week fast on just fresh squeezed OJ. All my friends and family thought i had lost it. But i felt led to do it. As a result of that fast, not only did i lose weight and feel tremendous, but i was over the sweet addiction for good. Since that time i have always had the majority of my intake be fruit whether or not i was 100% raw.

When i first did the fast, i had what some described as diabetic symptoms. i was drinking up to a gallon of OJ per day, 32-48oz at a time. i would guzzle the drink and the sugar rush would cause me to be really high and then suddenly crash. i would have to lay down and if i was driving sometimes pull over and close my eyes in the middle of the day. This is one of the things that caused concern from those closest to me. But i kept going anyways, trusting that i had been led this way. The sugar rushes only lasted about 3-4 days then my body seemed to adjust and the sugar in the OJ had no effect on me. So it appeared to be the serious deluge of the natural sugar in the orange that the Lord used to free me from my addiction to processed sugar.

This brings me to the salt cravings. Last year i was eating alot of whole celery. i ate it almost daily, especially as the salt cravings continued after my fourth month on fruit. It always seemed to ease the craving, but never totally eliminate it for too long. Then yesterday a thought hit me. Maybe i wasn't ingesting enough of the celery. To eat more than i ate last year would be nearly impossible. But, suppose i juiced it? By consuming it in juice form i could intake much, much more than by just eating it. So that just as a deluge of natural sugar from the OJ was used to deliver me from sugar addiction, perhaps a similar deluge of natural sodium from celery juice might deliver me from salt cravings. So today, i tried an experiment.

i juiced enough celery to make about 14oz of juice. Then i made a sauce out of it. i added an avocado, basil, cayenne and other non-salt seasonings. i wanted something sweet in it, my first choice is usually honey, but we had none so i used a very ripe banana. i poured half of this blended mixture on a non-sweet fruit salad of sweet pepper, cucumber and tomatoes (i added one chopped celery stick for good measure). It was not only delicious, but i got the sensation that i had just eaten something salty, though it didn't taste salty. i felt no inclination to crave anything salty at all. i was so excited! i bought four bunches of celery (my wife thinks i have lost it again, thats a good sign.)

So here was todays activities:

Breakfast: 32oz apple smoothie, Durian.

Dinner: Non-sweet fruit salad (1 sweet pepper, 1 english cucumber, 3 tomatoes, 1 stick celery) with avocado-banana-celery sauce (1 haas avocado, 14oz celery juice, 1 banana, organic non-salt seasoning, cayenne, basil). Durian.

Later: 32oz watermelon-oj juice.

Spiritual bread: Joshua 11-15, Acts 10-11

Exercise: 3 sets of 12 tricep presses, 3 sets of 12 incline pushups.

Grace and Peace be multiplied.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Monday, February 8, 2010........Day 23

Day 23 of the Fruit Fast. Working independently has its perils. But it also has its joys. One of them is being able to work from home. i had business to take care of today on various fronts. All done from home between my computer, my fax machine and my phone. i know that come March i will be hitting the road pretty hard, but being able to work leisurely from home on cold, snowy days is a good thing to me. As my wife was preparing the days school activities for our children, i was in the kitchen eating breakfast with them. i am so thankful to the Lord Christ that, although i grew up in a broken home, He has blessed me with a wonderful family. It is such a joy to be laughing with my children, sometimes they almost make me choke on my food and cry tears i laugh so much. i owe it all to the Lord Christ, in Whom we have Eternal life and eternal joy.

Psalms 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Psalms 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Psalms 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Psalms 127:4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Psalms 127:5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Today i ate well, although i did have some salt cravings. By God's grace i didn't give in though and i have some experiments to try and see if they help. We'll see and we move forward.

Breakfast:
1 whole watermelon (about 7lbs).

Dinner: 6 large bananas, 18oz of OJ, 3/4 of an avocado.

Snack: 32oz of OJ.

Spiritual Bread: Joshua 9-11, Acts 7-9

Exercise: 180 pushups, 40 chins, 75 step hops, 50 1-leg squats.

Grace and peace be multiplied.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Sunday, February 7, 2010.........Day 22

Day 22 of the Fruit Fast. We were digging out of the snow from mid-morning until early afternoon. Shoveling snow is an excellent workout. i was out there alittle over 2 hours in the crisp open air. It was a sunny and clear day which is excellent. Even if the weather is cold, when the sun shines in his strength it makes everything better. i had a bit of a feast today because i was able to obtain some durian. A day with durian is always a good day. i made a non-sweet fruity salad today and did a sauce experiment. i used alittle oj juice with half an avocado and some non-salt seasoning. i must admit the lack of salt was  starting to get to me today, but i am seeking to go as long as i can without it during this fast. i have not determined to totally discard it forever, but i do want to see what happens in my own person as i attempt to live without it again. i am also having cravings for grains also but again, i will take a wait and see attitude. It could be a form of withdrawal or a particular need my body is having, but i want to wait and see. To my friends in the raw food community i request that you please do not bombard me with the evils of salt and all the so-called scientific evidence blah, blah, blah....


Breakfast: 38oz of watermelon smoothie, 3 bananas, 1 avocado.

Dinner: Non-sweet fruity salad with orange sweet pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, half an avocado and a stalk of celery. This was topped with a sauce blended with the juice of one orange, basil and a non-salt seasoning with cayenne. It was pretty good i'd say. Then i had some durian.

Spiritual bread: Joshua 7-9, Acts 6-8

Exercise: 2 hours of snow shoveling.

Grace and Peace be multiplied.

todd

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Sabbath, February 6, 2010............Day 21

Day 21 of the Fruit Fast. We received a blizzard today of over a foot of snow. So it was another cozy & warm Sabbath in home. We did an online bible study around noontime. It was great and we could feel the Spirit of God move among us as the sense of Joy, peace and Love permeated our home. The watermelon i have been getting lately has been of not the best quality. But the thing i love about the watermelon is, even when the flesh is not of the highest quality, the juice always seems to be. i had about three quarters of a watermelon in the fridge and decided to juice it all up for breakfast. It was a smoothie made from the watermelon juice, about 8oz of OJ, 3 bananas and 4 strawberries. Delicious. My wife had about 16oz and i drank the rest (it was about 64oz). Needless to say, i didn't need anything else to eat for breakfast. Even though we stayed in today, the day still seemed to fly by way too quickly. For Dinner i had 32oz of OJ, 3 bananas and 1 avocado. My family usually fixes a treat for saturday night. This night my oldest daughter made some vegan cinnamin rolls. While the children enjoyed that, i drank an additional 24oz of OJ. Honestly, i was totally satisfied. My wife is on a 100% raw foray also and she is on day 21 as well. She is using some raw gourmet dishes and yesterday she had some delicious looking raw tacos. i am very happy for her and she seems very happy with her progress so far.

We have just pretty much completed our Paltalk study of the book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel is a book that i would say contains mature subject matter. If the Bible had movie ratings, it may be rated R. i can understand why nobody i ever met in the christian world really studied it indepth. Its a book that shows how the God of heaven really feels about things going on upon the earth and what He intends to do about it. Its like when someone vents in a torrent and another person may sarcastically say "Well, tell me how you really feel". That's Ezekiel.. But, as all books of the Bible, it not only tells it like it is, it also gives powerful promises to those Faithful to the Lamb of God. We'll be studying the Book of Romans starting Sunday evening. Very Powerful gospel book indeed.

To summerize todays fare:

Breakfast: 64oz watermelon smoothie.

Dinner: 32oz of OJ, 3 bananas, 1 avocado.

Snack: 24oz of OJ

Spiritual Bread: Joshua 4-6, Acts 5

Exercise: Faith

Grace and Peace be multiplied.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Friday, February 5, 2010.......Day 20

Day 20 of the Fruit Fast. Yesterday flew by so fast that i didn't get to post at all. i could hardly remember what i ate. i know it was all raw fruit, but that was it. i was seeking to get some things done in anticipation of a coming blizzard that will keep us snowbound for 2 days. Today, the anticipated storm arrived and indeed we were snow bound. It was a warm and cozy day inside. i was able to get a good workout but i didn't have much of an appetite. i drank more than i ate today. As i was reading the Bible today, in Acts 5 i am always amazed at the pureness of the apostolic church. A professedly christian couple promised a certain thing to the apostles, then tried to lie about it. When the apostle Peter told them that they had not lied to man but to the Holy Spirit, both of them dropped dead. How pure and filled with the Spirit the early church was that hypocrites dropped dead trying to gain access. i suppose if that were to happen today, there would be few professed Christians left.

As i said, i drank more than i ate today.

Breakfast:
50oz of watermelon smoothie (watermelon juice, 4 bananas, 5 strawberries), 1 avocado.

Dinner: 32oz of OJ, 3 oranges, 4 figs.

Spiritual bread: Deut 32-34, Joshua 1-4, Acts 5

Exercise: 150 pushups, 30 tricep presses, 75 step hops w/medicine ball, 50 1-leg squats w/medicine ball.

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Grace and Peace be multiplied.

todd

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Wednesday, February 3, 2010......Day 18

Day 18 of the Fruit Fast. Whirlwind day today. It flew by so fast, before i knew it i fell asleep on my easy chair shortly after family worship. i had a dream that awakened me from my sleep. i get dreams from time to time and i believe its one of the ways the Lord speaks to me.

Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

Others have also reported to me that they also receive dreams. Over time i have learned to interpret what they mean so that i know what i am being told. Last night i had a dream that indicated some sort of betrayal by someone close to me. Then this morning i was led to Psalms 55.

Psalms 55:12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

Psalms 55:13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.

Also, the point of the dream was in the same Psalm 55.

Psalms 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
Psalms 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
Psalms 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Psalms 55:23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

i thank my God for teaching me that it is only He, the Creator of all, that i can trust. Human beings will let you down every time. The Lord Christ never does. i believe the Lord is preparing me so that i will remain at peace and always show Christ and not myself, regardless of how i am treated. By the Grace of the Lord i always want to be honest with Him and with myself regarding my spiritual condition and life. He will always be with those that love Him in sincerity and Truth. He will destroy all deceit and deceivers forever.

Today's meals were:
Breakfast:
4 oranges, 1 avocado, 38oz watermelon smoothie.

Dinner: Half a watermelon, 1 banana, 9 figs, 1 avocado.

Spiritual bread: Acts 3-5

Exercise: Faith.

Grace and Peace be multiplied.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Tuesday, February 2, 2010. .....Day 17

Day 17 of the Fruit Fast. Lately i have been on the theme of Patience. It has been said that Patience is a virtue. i wholeheartedly agree as the bible lists it as the first attribute of true Love:

1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind;

i realize that each time i seek for more Patience, i am brought into situations where i lose Patience. Again, the bible helps me here:

James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

So that i must be tried in order to develop Patience (most assuredly i must develop it, because there is not enough naturally occurring in me). It is sometimes a frustrating exercise because i always seem to be lacking. But i am assured that, if i continue with the process of development, i will finally attain it perfectly. As it is written:

James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

So that when the Lord brings situations, circumstances and people across my path that bring with them provocation and irritation, i should rejoice because it is for my eternal good and the glory of my Heavenly Father.

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Romans 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Today was such a day, having several irritations that made there way to me. One such was that i had to take a day off because the weather didn't permit me to travel. Being self-employed, when i don't work, i don't get paid. But glory to the Christ! i was able to get in a pretty good workout. i am getting more cleaned out and more energetic. Also, my mind is becoming clearer still. So far so sweet.

Breakfast:
Half a watermelon, 4 oranges, 1 avocado

Dinner:
48oz watermelon-mango-cantalope smoothie, 1 avocado, 7 figs.

Spiritual Bread: Deut 30-31, Acts 3

Exercise:
100 step hops w/ medicine ball, 40 chins, 20 incline pushups, 50 1-leg squats.

Grace and Peace be multiplied.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Monday, February 1, 2010..........Day 16

Day 16 of the Fruit Fast. i felt alittle sluggish today. It is totally understandable as the sanctuary is being cleansed. What a beautiful thing the body is in that the Creator made it to clean itself out. As the Word so righteously puts it:
Psalms 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

This day did seem to fly by faster than usual. Had a clogged toilet to attempt to fix (unsuccessfully so far), a bible study and some other errands to run, then some business calls to handle also. Feeling generally sluggish i was glad i was able to knock out some pushups and tricep presses before getting ready for bed. Interestingly, my wife, youngest daughter and myself were getting ready to watch a dvd on the life of William Tyndale. i instantly thought about popcorn. Its something how we can be conditioned to do certain things without really thinking about it. i didn't have the popcorn because of the fast, but even if i wasn't on this fast i wouldn't because i want to stick to eating twice per day. Its working out pretty well for me at this point.

Today's fare was:
Breakfast:
half a watermelon, 5 oranges, 4 figs, 1 avocado

Dinner:
45oz apple smoothie, 4 bananas, 5 figs, half an avocado.

Spiritual Bread: Acts 1, 2

Exercise: 200 pushups, 33 tricep presses.

Grace and Peace be multiplied.