To The Extreme

We are doing something crazy this week.  We are going on a raw milk fast, along with limiting technology (phones, computers, TV) to a bare minimum.  We haven't had cable for more than 2 years, but Netflix and Amazon Prime can still suck us in.  Between TV, social media, computer games, etc. we find ourselves wasting hours that we had planned to use doing something constructive.  We had actually planned to start this last week but delayed it.  I had deleted Facebook from my phone/Kindle though, so I kept going with that hiatus and have already found myself more productive.  We built the first of our raised bed gardens this weekend, just in time for freezing rain... 

I won't lie, I am nervous.  But on the same page, I understand exactly why we need to do this.  All of us have become extremely lazy in the past year.  Our intake of junk is much higher than it should be, and our health has suffered for it.  We are sitting down at the TV much more than we should.  Despite being strictly gluten free for over a year (and mostly Primal for two years) I should feel better than I do.  We both have a good deal of weight to lose as well.  This all has crept up on us in the year and 1/2 since we left the RV life and went back to living in a house.

I am looking forward to this, as strange as it sounds.  This will be our opportunity to get out from under terrible habits, get more active and in shape, and lose a good chunk of weight in the process.  I can't wait to take advantage of the wonderful trails, rivers, lakes, etc. that are just out our back door, and I know I would be pushing myself in the shape I'm in now.  I want our garden to be big and productive, and feel well enough that tending it is a joy, not a chore.  I want to get chickens and a chicken tractor.  I have several books about backyard chickens that have been sitting on the Kindle for months, waiting to be read.  We have a million projects with the new house--building a compost bin, painting, etc. and I can see us completing those once we've gotten rid of the petty distraction habits and have more energy. 

The raw milk fast/detox is negotiable--we are giving it a shot because I've heard amazing things and it was used in the past to cure diseases.  Most people who have tried it are shocked that they aren't hungry (and when they are, they just drink more milk).  Basically it gives the digestive system a chance to rest and detox while still providing complete nourishment.  One of the best testimonials I've read is from Your Family Farmer.  Another good one here:  Our raw milk fast experience - TheSweetPlantain.  I am somewhat lactose intolerant, but haven't had a problem with raw milk, only pasteurized.  I have homemade kefir and kombucha on the counter, which we will also drink in addition to the milk.  If the raw milk diet doesn't work out, we'll switch over to a Whole30 or 21-day Sugar Detox style diet for the rest of the month.  Obviously we won't be subjecting our daughter to the raw milk fast, though I do plan on serving fewer processed gluten free treats.

I am going to document this here (part of the bare minimum of technology--email, blog, home school, Kindle books and educational apps) periodically.  Wish us luck!