I would like to tell you of my 22-day juice fast. It began on September 9, 2011, right before I was about to begin school at my community college. I lost a total of 13 lbs. I had diarrhea on day 8 or so. After two weeks, when I climbed the stairs at my school, I felt my legs were a little weak, but I took my time and it was not too difficult to get up. Even meat started to smell good, which is a big statement coming from me. That semester, i earned high grades in five college classes. There were times that I really wanted to eat, but I would hear my mom say to eat bitterness and my grandma repeating her words. Most of the time I was able to continue from feeling very high and excited. It was at first a water fast, but after four days I decided to go on juice. First three days I had extreme heartburn and I was also throwing up. That was from eating a lot most of the time. A remedy for throwing up is cooking ginger or orange peels and drinking the water from that. There were the food dreams I had, thinking that I had already eaten. Each week I went to my little brother, asking whether I could eat, and he said "no," so I continued because of that. I was simply very receptive and sensitive.

After the fast, I suddenly hated processed Sugar and high fructose corn syrup. I avoided cakes, candy, sweets, and junk food. Processed Sugar no longer tasted good. It has been four years and I still avoid these foods and eat very little flour or oil.

It is peculiar how I wanted to tell you of my success story while I am starting on a religious, humbling water fast. I think it is a way to bring closure to that fast and open up a new chapter to fasting in my life. God bless you. Peace unto all.