so last week was my first week of the raw detox. it kicked off swimmingly, i learned how to make all kinds of delicious raw treats: nut butter, gazpacho, many many juice concoctions, etc. i even learned how to order sensibly in restaurants and resist the temptations of my friends, loved ones, and coworkers. despite a few hurdles (dinner parties, sushi date, drunk food) i made it through the week probably at about 75% raw, which is great!! even during the 25% cooked portions i was still able to stick to my rules and make proper combinations (no mixing meat with starch, nuts with fruit, etc.) the weekend was very social, and therefore hard to stay raw, and so today my stomach is like, "wtf? where's the bread and the beans and the chips, dude?" i'm having a very very difficult day.

on the plus side, i'm drinking less caffeine, i feel energized and awake after eating instead of sleepy and sluggish, i'm sleeping better, and i've lost 3 pounds. i'm also recognizing some of the detox side effects, which is the whole point of this two week "diet". be gone toxins!

so it's the start of week 2 and i have some yummy recipes on the menu this week, and lots of fruit and veggies in the fridge. later this week i plan to post a few of the recipes that i'm planning on adopting into my diet permanently once i'm done detoxing.

but now i'm off to eat jicama salad and gazpacho when i'm really really craving a giant piece of pizza. and some sushi rolls. and spaghetti with meatballs. sigh.

how come every single summer i get sick? like winter cold flu like sick? like i want to bundle up on the sofa with tea and soup but it's 80 degrees outside and sunny which makes me even more miserable? it is terrible, i tell you. simply terrible.

so there's lots going on this summer despite my best efforts to have a relaxing and calm season. not much travel (for me, anyway) but lots of parties and weddings and get togethers and such. my social calendar is booming. no offense to my wonderful friends and family, but i want some time to myself, too. i have a laundry list (growing by the minute) of home improvements, gardening initiatives, crafts, recipes and weekend jaunts i'd like to start crossing off. plus a few painting commissions and some research into new venues to display and sell my art. any ideas?

even though chile was only less than two months ago, i'm feeling like i need another vacation. a real long vacation to somewhere exotic and magical. i've decided on paris for our next wedding anniversary. only 10 months to go, plenty of time to dream and save and plan and learn french.

a bientot, paris.