Live on Juice

I have been away for way too long :( I promise to update you on where I am at, what I am doing and where I have been.

In the meantime, I will be attempting a 30 day Juice feast and I am hoping to document it along the way.... so, here some preparation:

I have been bringing a collapsible cooler to work this week. I bought it last year when I was juicing a lot, but forgot about it until I cleaned out my garage this weekend :) I'm sure I didn't pay any more than $10 for it! It is nice and light weight to take to work!

It easily stores enough greens and fresh ingredients to make possibly three 32 oz mason jars of green goodness. I have been bringing enough to make two juices this week. I am also fortunate to have brought an old juicer of mine to work, so I can make fresh juice daily..... two meals replaced this week, and hopefully three next week :)

And the front pocket is great for all my loose leaf teas that I will also be enjoying on this feast (caffine free) :)

Please keep in touch and cheer me on...

Karen Knowler LIVE!!!

If you struggle with sticking to raw, you are going to LOVE this!

Karen Knowler's The Journey of Raw Transformation:

"The 7 Key Secrets to ULTIMATE Raw Success That You Absolutely Need to Know"


Don't miss out... I always get extremely inspired by Karen's teleseminars. This is the first one she has done in a while, so sign up today. Even if you can't make the call live, the teleseminar is available in a recorded version immediately after the call has ended.

I will be curling up with a nice smoothie by my computer tomorrow night to listen to the recorded call, hope you can join me :)

Never enough time....

Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed with life? We all have. There is the kids, the laundry, the overtime at work, the groceries, the cleaning, the driving, the “non-cooking”... the list goes on and on.

I have to admit, I’ve always been one to put myself last. I think that is the definition of a mother. Although there are different needs with teenagers versus babies, or any other ages, I find myself just as busy, but just in different ways.

My life has evolved over the years; from the stay at home mom with a two year old and three in diapers, to the part-time working mom with every other day off to volunteer at the school, to the single working mom of four teenagers. At each stage of motherhood, I have found my joys and my challenges, but the nice thing for me, is somehow when I look back, the joys far out weigh the challenges.

The biggest challenge that I find in my life at this moment is finding time for me. Being a single mom, there is no one around to share in the car pooling, sporting events, school meetings, driving to friends houses, etc. Please don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t change my life for anything, but somehow doing all of this on your own, I think that sometimes “I” get lost in the shuffle.

The odd time that their father takes them for the night (he lives out of town), I find myself with more on my “to-do” list than physically possible. They are all of the “for me” things that I want to get to, but never have time. My list would consist of “trip to the farmers market, start that book I just bought, pull out the dehydrator and “cook” for the day”. But the simplest pleasure on these days is to fill up a bubbly bath, and soak in there until the water goes cold :)

It seems to be a challenge at best to work “me” time in.

There are a few things that I have on my “to do” list at the moment. The first is the WISH Summit, starting on March 8th. There are so many inspirational people lined up, I will make a list of my favourite, and make sure to listen to those calls. If you have never signed up for an event like this before, I strongly suggest that you do. The benefits are amazing. This event is free to register before March 8th.

And speaking of Inspirational people, the top of my list right now is Terilyn. Please check out her latest video. This gal is truly an inspiration to us all. One of the things that I am thankful for in life, is the “online” friends that you develop along the way. There are a few people that I am happy I can call “online friends”, if that is politically correct - hmm, think they are real or imaginary friends? Terilyn is also offering a free give away on her website, who can resist that???

I think that maybe someday, “meeting my online friends” would be a great thing to put on my “to do” list :)

Back to Basics...

Sorry Tim, but I have to admit, nothing beats a mason jar to carry around my green smoothie in my books :)

I have even made it an adventure to find unique and antique mason jars. I remember years ago, my mother buying me one for my birthday because it had my year of birth on it. Haven’t gotten out to quite as many antique or flea markets as I would like to, but the nicer weather is coming :)

I’ve met a woman in the area that makes and sells raw food, and her website inspired my cupboards as well (although I have to admit, mine are still a work in progress). You should check out the photos! Now if I could only find someone to put up the old rustic shelves for me I’d be all set!!!

I had a panic day the other morning; upon waking, I noticed that there were no bananas for my green smoothie! Guess I’ve inspired a few smoothie makers in my household. Uh oh, what was I going to do? I am becoming accustom to my breakie of choice. I guess maybe I am an extremist, I packed up my blender and off I went to work, stopping only long enough to pick up pineapple, bananas and spinach at the grocery store. I must admit that I forgot a mason jar at home to keep at the office, and contemplated going back just for one (strike two for extremist, or maybe that is just anal) :)

So, the day was saved, I now am the proud owner of two blenders; one at home and one at the office. The girls at work are getting quite used to me carrying around mason jars, so the addition of a blender full of green goop to the office kitchen really wasn’t much of a surprise. Just call me Vicky ;)
:)

If Mr. Horton only knew....

If Mr. Horton only knew that his insulated mug was being used for a cup full of goodness I wonder what he would think?

I know that in the times of the great hockey legend, a green smoothie had never been heard of. Mr. Horton will forever go down in history as a coffee, timbit and donut guy, at least by my generation. The former generation of Canadians will no doubt remember him for his hockey career, but unfortunately, or maybe fortunately for me, I'm not quite that old :)

My day usually begins with a mason jar full of greens or a coffee from Tim Hortons; unfortunately lately it has been the java in my mug. I remember when I first introduced green smoothies many years ago, the immediate results I noticed were incredible. I'm not sure if this is because my diet was lacking at the time, or maybe it is because I continually include greens in my diet now, but just like everything else, your body becomes accustom to what it puts in (good or bad) and we don't feel the results/consequences of our actions as well.

One thing I have always been grateful for, is that I can take or leave coffee. I do enjoy it, but when I stop drinking coffee, I don't get any of the usual side effects of the withdrawal. Maybe this is because I am replacing my morning drink with a green smoothie instead.

Today I am embarking on a green smoothie mission. I have to admit I love my green smoothies. I am not much of a reader, but if you have not yet read Green for Life I strongly suggest that you do. It just may change your attitude on your morning beverage. My mission is to start every morning with a green smoothie, and bring as many people along for the ride as I can :)


Today's smoothie is simple, a couple of bananas, some strawberries and a few dates in a blender, and then add the spinach.

I honestly believe that nothing can replace the ease and benefits of a green smoothie in the morning. Come join me on my adventure.... try and replace your morning coffee with a green smoothie, I would love to know how you do. Maybe even Mr. Horton would approve of the switch, although I'm sure the franchise would beg to differ :)

Some days are a challenge with the smell of microwave dinners in the kitchen at work, or the "left over" birthday cake that someone brings into the office. I also know that being a "Raw Mom" creates a different type of challenges.

Even though my kids are teenagers, which brings a whole new meaning to motherhood, I'm still signed up for the "Raw Mom Summit"... care to join me?!??! (simply click on the link above)

I have to stop shopping :(

Well, at least for clothing, and that is not a bad thing :o)

Quick update: I'm enjoying my lemonade still!!! I bring two jugs to work with me everyday, and enjoy one glass at home before I leave the house. I am enjoying a raw vegan dinner every night, and even some fresh fruit after 3:00 at work if I feel hungry (which I do in most cases)....

I did make one GREAT purchase lately. I took part in a survey at work a few weeks back, and was sent a gift certificate to Chapters. I, of course, bought the book attached to that link, which I have had my eye on for quite some time! Dinners in my house have been pretty tasty lately!

Oh yes, but the reason that I have to halt my clothes shopping, the two new pairs of jeans that I bought on the March break with my kids (March 17th) are now too loose. PS - they were "snug" when I bought them, but I wasn't about to go up a size. GO ME!!!!!

This has been a very interesting week!

I am still on a modified Master cleanse. I didn't think I could go the week with preparing meals for my kids and not eating myself, that seemed a bit torturous for me. I decided to "Cleanse" during the day, and enjoy an evening meal with my girls each night. This process worked really well. I am still "detoxing" (probably at a slower rate) and I'm still shedding pounds. Although, funny thing about detoxing, my daughter asked me last night if I was "letting myself go" from the new facial spots (I don't think I've had this much acne since I was a teenager!). I guess in a matter of speaking, I am "letting things go"... :o) I have to say that I really look forward to that first glass of lemonade in the morning; somehow there is a refreshing feeling to it. I'm not entirely sure what I am going to do over the weekend, but I am sure that next week from Monday to Friday I will be on the same path. I think I will try the full cleanse when I don't have the children for 7-10 days in the summer.

Some times I really like "Crazy people". There was a few incidents in a near by town where someone had into at the grocery store. Well, they weren't exactly lunch meat packages I guess, but the news reports on the radio were saying they were. My children have never been big "sandwich" eaters, but this week, we tried a new tactic to replace the lunch box sandwich.... fruit. Now, they always get fruit in their lunches, but this fruit came with a twist, it was the main focal point of the lunch, so it was a fruit salad, or dehydrated apple sandwiches or chopped apples in cinnamon. So far, no complaints. I think this will be a continuing trend in my house, just hope the creativity keeps up on my part.

I have also successfully eliminated Milk this week... the cheese is still there... baby steps right? But I replaced the regular cows milk with a commercial Almond Milk. Eventually I hope to make nut milk that will be the main form of milk in my house, but I haven't gotten there yet... baby steps for me too.

Have a safe and happy weekend.... I'm out of Maple Syrup and have to make another trip to my favourite store!

When life gives you lemons....

I quit smoking almost four years ago. It was probably the fourth or fifth time that I had tried to quit. There are some things that you can try and try again and never be successful, and then that one time you are.

I think that you have to be ready, and you have to be doing it for the right reasons. A person will not quit smoking successfully if their heart is not into it; they will not quit if they are pressured or if it is a New Years Resolution or if someone threatens lung cancer. They have to come to a place in their mind where they are empowered by the decision.

The reason that I am telling you this, is that I feel the same way with my cleanse. On day two, I feel empowered by the process, I know I am going through this for me. I’m cleansing because I want to detox and get a fresh start, not because the entire world is doing it, or because it is the latest fad. I think that when you have that empowerment, whatever you are concurring becomes easy. Empowerment is such a powerful thing, I wish I could bottle this feeling!

I was surprised at how much energy I had this morning when I woke up. I felt awake and alive, not sluggish as I normally do in the morning. I have a good start under my belt, and I am still surprised at how satisfying the lemonade is, although I will confess that I did have a handful of cashews yesterday afternoon. Funny thing about those cashews, I could have taken or left them, I think it was more of a need to put something in my mouth and chew.

I have not done the saline flush yet. I thought I would be able to avoid that because I have never had a problem with my system :o) but on day two, I’m starting to think that my initial hopes were wrong. I think that I will try the flush tonight, when I am at home, safe and close to everything required at the time.....

So, looking ahead to this weekend, I’m making lemonade....

Spring is in the air!

There is something about that first warm breeze in the air. This past weekend I had my clothes on the line and began raking the lawn and cleaning the gardens. I remember thinking when I was younger that it was a funny thing to "spring clean", but I think that maybe there is something inherent about it.

Even though the air has a slight chill, I am the first one to open my windows and throw caution to the wind.... something about the long cold winter being gone and new sunny warm days ahead.

I think there is something about wanting to clean and renew both inside and out, both our surroundings and our selves. This year I have opted for the "Master Cleanse". Last year around this time it was the "Global Juice Feast" (or at least a mini version of it).

I am starting today, with lemons in my system and spring in the air and a new bounce to my step, a good cleaning from the inside out is exactly where I need to be right now.

I enjoyed my tea last night, I had my first glass of lemonade today. I was surprised at how good it tasted, and even more surprised at the fact that it was satisfying (hmm, lets see if I still think it is satisfying on day three when I am starving) :o)

The kids have gone to their fathers for the next five days (spring break); therefore, by the time they get home (hopefully) I will have the first five days under my belt.... I think that by the time they get home, my kitchen cupboards may be detoxed too, they might not like that too much :o)

Happy Spring Cleaning!

My Journey

I have been invited to join the "Raw Food Transition Carnival" and I was thinking about what type of article I would contribute to this forum.

I have decided, that just like Nathalie at Raw Food Switch maybe it would be a good article to write about how I started with Raw Food, and what changes have occurred in my life as a result. I found it co-incidental that Nathalie began her raw food journey on a quest after a tragic event in her life. The same can be said about me, but for different tragic events. Things happen in life for a reason, and we need each stage and excitement and disappointment to carry us on our journey and to learn and grow from and ultimately make us the people that we are and will become.

I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at an early age, but it wasn’t until I went to a Naturopath that I realized the correlation between what I was eating and what I was feeling. Seems pretty easy to understand, but when you put your faith in the medical community, sometimes you lose your common sense. I knew that I couldn’t tolerate wheat/gluten or dairy, I was tested for Celiac disease and Lactose intolerance. Both turned up negative and I was told that I could continue to eat those foods, which I did for years. It took a naturopath to take out the food groups and introduce them gradually for me to realize that a piece of paper with a test result on it didn’t matter. I even remember telling her that I COULD eat dairy because I was tested and I wasn’t lactose intolerant. It was the lightbulb moment when she said "but why would you want to if you know what it does to your body, regardless of what the test results showed".

I had been experimenting with food for a number of years, I was also experimenting and questioning my spirituality. Much of this was happening during the later years of my marriage. At the time, things were bad at home and I believe that I was "looking" for something I could put my faith in and then it was what I clung to after my marriage fell apart. It gave me something to focus on and learn about.

I discovered Raw Food by doing an internet search about detoxing; After about two years of being a vegetarian, eating whole grains and making healthy diet choices, I was hospitalized with a bowel obstruction and told that I would have to eat meat, white rice, white bread, basically anything that was "processed" because it was easier for my system to digest, no more "raw" veggies or fruit, everything had to be cooked. I was devastated. How could a medical community that I had put my trust in be telling me such things? They also put me on prednisone.

While I was searching for a "detox" to get the drugs out of my system from that week in the hospital I came across The Raw Divas’ Detox Program . I had never heard about "Raw Food" before..... this discovery changed my life, my diet, how I viewed the world and everything in it. That week in the hospital changed my life, be thankful for everything in life, even the "bad". Sometimes we don't see the forest through the trees.

I hope to get to write another article about the benefits that I have experienced on a Raw Food Diet.... I’ll save that story for another day.

Happy Carnival,
Kathy

Flaxing Away!!!

I finally did it!!! Yes, I ordered my dehydrator.... I was having one of those "down" weeks, where everything was seeming to go wrong. For a gal with a credit card and a wish list, there is definitely one way to make her feel better. I ordered my dehydrator from Upayanaturals and once again, I was very impressed with their service. If you need to order items, and live in Canada, I strongly suggest them.

I have to say, that dehydrator ran non-stop for the first week. Apples and Bananas were the first to be tested, along with grape tomatoes and mushrooms. I know, mushrooms seem like an odd choice. I was in the grocery store, explaining the wonders of the dehydrator to the kids and told them they could pick out something to dehydrate that weekend. Kristen picked mushrooms. I had my doubts, but I have to say that they reminded me of pizza. Strange but true... try a few for yourself and you will see what I mean.

After over a year of trying to be totally raw, falling on and off the bandwagon a few times... I must admit that having a dehydrator is a must for anyone who truly wants to be raw. I know it is an expensive purchase, and one that I contemplated for over a year, but also one that I am 100% satisfied that I purchased, and one that I know will keep me on my raw journey.

My favorite experiment (and great for guacamole or salsa):

1 cup flax seeds soaked in 1 1/2 cups water

3 vine ripened tomatoes

3 green onions

2 cloves garlic

4 soaked sun dried tomatoes

Sesame seeds

Process all through a food processor and dehydrate on Teflon sheets. I have found, through trial and error, that the thinner you can make these crackers the better (although there is such a thing as "too thin") :o)

Happy Dehydrating - can't wait to have my next batch with some home made sauerkraut!

PS - Still looking for a REALLY GOOD homemade salsa recipe... let me know if you have one, please

And humbly, I must say, that I am honoured to have made the "Top 50 Raw Food and Lifestyle Blogs". It is an honour to be mentioned alongside such amazing blogs! I think that maybe I shouldn't stay away so long next time.... so although it is well past New Years, here is to a New Year of Raw Food and Blogging....

Who wants chocolate pudding for breakfast?

Well, I can tell you that got a very excited response in my house. However, it was soon followed by a "this must be raw isn’t it"... which didn’t have the same exciting ring to it.

I can proudly say that two of my children enjoy a healthy lifestyle, at least food wise, one is a meat and potatoes type, and the other is a sugar junkie. As long as they have an open mind and are willing to try new things, I am proud of all of them. My chocolate and banana pudding was eaten by two and tried by two. A mother couldn’t ask for more.

I have every-other weekend "free" (the children are at their father’s house), so I enjoy trying new raw food recipes during those times. I recently ordered recipe books from Kristen’s site. I am looking forward to an experimental weekend in the near future to try some of her recipes. It has been an uphill battle getting back to raw, but one worth striving for.

I may not know where protein comes from...

... But I KNOW a Vegan does not eat eggs!!!!

Funny thing, I had my yearly physical a few weeks back, and my nurse practitioner always has you back for the results. This week I had that appointment....

When she was looking at my blood results, I did inquire about my iron levels as they were low last year, and I happened to make the comment that I don't eat meat.... Hmm, well she asked if I was a vegetarian, sometimes I think it is just as easy to say yes to this question, so that is what I did. She asked if I ate fish or eggs? I told her I was actually more of a vegan than a vegetarian. Well that was okay, she told me, because vegans ate eggs, so I should eat more of them to get my protein. Funny, this lady thinks I should see a nutritionist to make sure I get all I need, but I had to have a ten minute discussion with her and explain the difference between a vegan and a vegetarian.... and for those that don't know, a vegan does not eat eggs.

I do not know exactly where my protein comes from, or the carbohydrates, or the iron or the vitamins, I never have been very knowledgeable in that aspect of food. All I know is that my blood levels were great, including my iron, cholesterol and triglycerides. The only thing that was on the low side was my Vitamin D, and I'm pretty sure I don't get that from food anyways, but I have to research that one some more....

Happy Saturday Everyone, I'm off to lay in the sun....

A Healthy Start!

"Always be prepared" I think that is the boy-scout motto, I think it should also be a raw foodist’s motto. However, I must admit, that phrase has me thinking about cookies lately, thanks to Rawdorable’s website.

My 30 days started out rocky, so I figured a new week, a new beginning and a fresh start! Also, it gave me the chance to get "prepared" over the weekend.... plan some meals, make some "emergency" food and stock the fridge for the next week (or the next few days at least).

Also, I think that Monday is always a good start for anything new regarding food, at least for me. I don’t have the distraction of the weekend, or the kids, or having to prepare three meals a day for everyone. Day number three, which is always the hardest for me, will hit mid-week, when I still only have to make one meal at home (unless Grandpa is feeding the kids this week, which he often does for me *smile*), and by the time the weekend hits again, I will have five days under my belt, so temptation is not as strong. Plus, this upcoming weekend, I am "kidless" and therefore, I can prepare all the raw pasta I want, with no scrunched up noses; although I will miss looking at those scrunched up noses.

I have also loaded the fridge with lots of "treats", because for this to work for me, I can’t feel deprived at all, therefore there is raw chocolate, nuts, seeds and a variety of other things to help me feel satisfied to get this "kick-start" I need. I will wean these foods out down the road.
Also, this upcoming weekend, I have a date, with my little step-sister Robin, we finally going to have lunch at one of the Raw Food Restaurants in Toronto... its been a long time coming for us, and I’m looking forward to it! Now, do I attend Live Organic Food Bar or Rawlicious???

Who put the Guac in the Guacamole?

This weekend was spent trying lots of recipes to fill the fridge with yummy treats and snacks for the following week. Guacamole and Salsa are some of my favorite things, and of course, a dehydrator would come in really handy to make some chips to go with that dip!!

The chip in the dip is not raw, but it is a healthy alternative to the regular processed chips. Kristen is about to enjoy her "requested" chips and dip cuddled on the couch with a nice movie. I got a nice compliment from her today, one that put a smile on my face. She said "this is what I love about your house mom, we always get healthy food".... sometimes in life, there are signs along the road that tell you that you are headed in the right direction. Thanks Kristen <3

For those who are interested in getting compliments for the best Guac around, here is my (not so) secret recipe: Groovy Guacamole. It is nice to hear your kids fighting sometimes "hey, pass me some, you have had more than enough... hey, come back here!"
PS - my 30 days will start tomorrow, November 10th... :o)

Dangle that carrot!

I will admit, sticking to a raw food diet is not always easy...

It has many difficulties... the biggest I find is the end of the day "dinner" meal, when I am cooking for my family, and a big green smoothie isn't going to cut it for them. I am thankful (in a strange sort of way) for the Listeria outbreak this year in Ontario. I send my condolences to all of those people who lost loved ones in this ordeal, and I am truly thankful that this incident did not touch me personally; however it did make my children "vegetarians"... although, I keep telling them that "vegetarian" means that you eat vegetables, not that you just don't eat meat :o)

The Raw Food Diet is an uphill battle, but one that I have personally seen the rewards of getting to that summit and staying there... not always easy, but definitely worth the fight.

Sometimes it is necessary to dangle a carrot in front of this rabbits nose, so I have made a deal with myself.... ready, don't tell anyone, it is a secret, although it would be nice if you send some encouraging words my way....

FOR THE NEXT 30 DAYS, I WILL REMAIN 100% RAW... IF I CAN ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK, I WILL BUY THAT CARROT (DEHYDRATOR) THAT I HAVE HAD MY EYE ON FOR AWHILE NOW! (**lets hope the sale lasts for the next 30 days).

Now, with any goal, it is always easier if you tell someone, then you are accountable, and I know I have my internet friends here to support me, and provide me with lots of company, reading, and great recipes in the next 30 days!!!

I also think it is important to have small goals... so, if I can resist the chocolate cookies in the kitchen at work for the next couple of days, I'm going to order some peppermint truffles from Alissa Cohen, they are my favourite, and will be a well deserved treat!

I am also going to be re-reading Rawdorable and picking a few favourite recipes to satisfy my sweet tooth over the weekend!!!

I'll keep you posted... lets get on with "day one"....

Who ever said raw food was boring...

.... doesn't know Heidi!

Well, actually, I don't KNOW Heidi either, but she sends me emails everyday to inspire me and help me along on my raw food journey (boy, I must be important)!

Actually, Heidi from Raw Food Right Now has started a new raw food support system via daily emails and encouragement. I must admit, I am very impressed with the content and effort that she puts into each one. I can also ask her anything I want, and she always responds!

If you would like to see what I am talking about, go check out Raw Success Right Now and Heidi can be your best friend too! Look what she helped me make for dinner on the weekend, can't beat having a friend like Heidi!

Also, great pod-casts being heard this week, go check them out... they are free and very inspiring: Rawkathon. You know, I think my new best friend Heidi should have been a speaker too :o)

Oh, and can't wait to hear from my friend Elizabeth, aka Tigerlily about New York....

An Apple a Day.....

Kristen, my daughter always makes the best salads. I love her "kitchen sink" approach to salad making, and I often wonder why people stick to the standard lettuce, tomatoe, cucumber, when there are so many more exciting things to add flavour and texture to a salad. I am happy to report that the 'Standard salad' never makes an appearance in our house. There is always the addition of nuts or seeds and fruit. Kristen's favourite addition to a salad is apples or strawberries. I remember the first time that she put an apple into the salad, I thought to myself "that is an odd thing for a salad", but if you never have added a cubed apple to your salad, I suggest you do it soon!

Today, we took a nice walk to the grocery store together. We brought our own cloth bags, had a nice talk on the way there, did our groceries, and had a nice chat on the way back home. The grocery store is probably a twenty minute walk from my house. It was great to enjoy the fresh air and the company. I hope this is something that we continue to do with each other, but we are enjoying probably the last "nice weather weekend" of the year, cold weather will approach soon.

My friend Elizabeth is off to New York next week, can't wait to hear about her trip! When she gets back, we will be partaking in the Raw Divas Detox program again... it has been a long summer, and I'm looking forward to getting back on track, with good friends and good salads in tow.

For the love of Green Juice

Well, I'm happy to report that my juicer was once again making the familiar "varoom-crunch-crunch-varoom" noise, this morning. I bet if the world knew the potential of "green juice" the coffee shops would be put out of business!!!!

I remember drinking green juice in the evening of my juice feast, and I also remember being WIDE AWAKE all night long!!! I have never forgotten that lesson. So, what better time of the day to have green-juice then upon rising... the coffee drinkers of the world don't know what they are missing.... (I also remembered, what a bunch celery can do to your body too!).

Today was a great day!!! Green Juice in the morning, Carrot Juice for lunch, I had an apple mid afternoon, and then a salad for dinner... I feel better already!!! No sugar in this blood-stream today, and I am happy to report that no pulling out my hair looking for it either!!!

Off to the cottage for the weekend... that could be a challenge... wish me luck, juicer in hand!