Started off the day with fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice. It was so refreshing! Haven’t started juicing the greens and veggies yet. Plan to do so later.

I think I’ll be easing into the juicing throughout the holidays and then get really devoted starting January 1st. Seems like the perfect time for a truly FRESH start.

My doggy companion Rexford still seems to be doing better after his first chiro & acupuncture treatment yesterday. He’s happily chewing on a bone right now.

Just found out today that Kim Peek, the savant the movie, “Rain Man” was inspired by, died a few days ago. I didn’t know much about him and was surprised that he had spoken in front of nearly two million people in his life. He was a human google. You could ask him just about anything and he knew the answer. He read books voraciously; two pages at a time. The left eye reading the left page and the right eye the right page. And he retained everything. All this and he was originally believed to be mentally retarded. But he couldn’t dress himself. Needed his father’s help all day every day his entire life. What a story of extreme genius paired with disability and complete dependence.

Makes me wonder how much more I could be capable of if someone else dressed me, made all my meals and took care of all my basic needs. I don’t think I would trade, but the decision of what to wear each morning can be quite vexing.

Seriously, though. I’m fascinated by Peek and also by people with Asperger syndrome (a sometimes highly-functional form of autism) who have so much to contribute but often have major challenges with day-to-day life, especially socially. It seems we should do more as a society to support them and, in turn, gain the benefits of their wisdom. Geez…not everyone should have to know how to operate a door.

We can divide and conquer. We have much more important issues to figure out in this world and some of our best brains are being medicated and hospitalized. Sad.

Kim Peek’s case is an exception. Peek’s father dedicated his life to his son, so the world got to know this magnificent human.

Check out this video about Kim Peek:

Kim Peek - The Real Rain Man

And more information about him on Wikipedia:

Kim Peek’s Bio on Wikipedia

And there’s a great, fairly new movie out with a character with Asperger’s. I’ve had significant personal experience with people with Asperger’s and this film paints a pretty good picture of it.

Adam Movie Trailer

Wikipedia on Asperger’s

And, speaking of Wikipedia, I made a donation today. I realized how much I rely upon the site almost every day of my life. And I really appreciate that it doesn’t run distracting ads. So I felt compelled to do my part to help keep it pure. Humanity’s collective brain right at our fingertips. Wow! With Peek no longer with us, we really need Wikipedia.

To your radiant health!
Jenna

Jenna Norwood

P.S. Get your very own copy of my award-winning raw food documentary, “Supercharge Me! 30 Days Raw.” Viewers call it entertaining, educational & inspiring. And film sales fund my life mission of spreading the good word about the power of getting back to nature. http://www.JennaNorwood.com

My sweet dog Rexford Tugwell (Rex) has had a shaky back leg for the past few months that was getting progressively worse. I took him to his vet who gave him a series of tests and couldn’t find anything wrong. He said Rex seemed very healthy. His only guess was that it might be Parkinson’s. It’s been a real bummer thinking that my 11-year-old companion might have a degenerative disorder. Recently, a neighbor of mine noticed Rex’s shaky back leg and told me of the great success she had with a vet in town, Dr. Richard Funk, who does acupuncture and chiropractic. She said her little dog had injured his back leg and was dragging it behind him. One session with Dr. Funk and her dog was perfectly fine. So I got on the phone that day to schedule an appointment for Rex. After a few days of phone tag, we finally got our appointment, which took place this afternoon. Dr. Funk makes house calls! So he came to my home to see Rex. He did some spinal manipulation, most of which Rex didn’t mind. He did cry out a couple of times with spots under his shoulders. And then Dr. Funk put several needles in Rex, from head to toe. Rex didn’t even notice those. Check him out with his purple needles.

The needles stayed in for 15-20 minutes and Rex seemed tired afterward. But as Dr. Funk was leaving, Rex was very affectionate with him, as if he knew that all the bizarre activity was in his best interest.

The awesome thing is that, for the first time in months, Rex’s back leg is not shaking. I am praying that whatever tweaking happened today was just the thing that was needed to eliminate the problem.

The sky was certainly encouraging right at the end of Rex’s session. Wow! What a brilliant sunset this evening. Such a treat to catch it.

Now I know I’m supposed to be talking about the start of my juice feast, but apparently I’m easing in very gradually. Had to try it on first; starting with the fennel. Just love my new, green mermaid hair! Can’t believe how long the feathery tops are.

Today was about Rex. Tomorrow is about the start of my juice feast. Tomorrow. Tomorrow. I love you tomorrow!

To your radiant health!

Jenna

P.S. Get your very own copy of my award-winning raw food documentary, “Supercharge Me! 30 Days Raw.” Viewers say its entertaining, educational & inspiring. And film sales fund my life mission of spreading the good word about the power of getting back to nature. http://www.JennaNorwood.com

O.K. So I had planned to start my juice feast yesterday, then found out at the last minute about a great veggie potluck that was taking place right near the organic farm where I was going to purchase my produce. I picked up my juicing produce & also some fresh, organic cherries and strawberries to bring to the potluck & headed over there.

Those are the feathery tops of fennel bulbs sticking way out of the box. LOVE fennel! I juice the fennel bulb and the greens too. Or use them both in salads. Or blend them both in a soup.

As soon as I arrived at the potluck, I was asked to make a salad from some beautiful, fresh greens my friend Vincent had hydroponically grown on his roof. I used what was around. Apples, red onion, slivered almonds. And a dressing of lime juice, olive oil, fresh garlic, fresh ginger and sea salt. Nice and fresh and light. And I served up the cherries and strawberries on top of two fanned-out kale leaves on a platter. The red against the green backdrop looked quite festive. Should have taken a photo. Raylon Smith took this photo with the salad.

The variety of foods at the potluck was so good, that I ended up sampling several things; all vegan, but several cooked. Lucky me that one of the guests had watched one of my videos on YouTube about how to make a raw collard burrito wrap & she brought a tray of those.

Here’s the entertaining video with BD Freeman from when I had my restaurant, Veggie Magic/Vibe Cuisine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww5TIVgT1YE&feature=PlayList&p=B93C3830CEF5979A&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=8

They were delicious! I give her a lot of credit because she had to do some improvisation. The exact recipe isn’t revealed in the video.

I did manage to avoid the dessert table, until I found out that our Peruvian hostess had made a traditional corn cake, vegan-style. I’m always interested in authentic, ethic foods, so I just had to try it. And it was yummy! But the fiesta of food had its effects. I woke up this morning feeling groggy and my eyes were puffy.

I dragged myself to my church for our holiday celebration service and was immediately buoyed by the spirit of the people there. It was a packed house! Funny how everyone shows up for the holidays. My church celebrates all faiths. I love the inclusivity of it. We lit candles and it was so beautiful from the balcony.

Afterward, the chorus invited my mom (a musician) and me and friends to brunch with them. I ordered a salad, which tasted like pesticides. Once you’ve eaten the pure thing, you just can’t enjoy pesticide-laden veggies anymore.

Now, I’m REALLY ready for my juice feast. Starting first thing tomorrow. I’m all stocked up and motivated.

It’s Simply Grateful Sunday and I am grateful that tomorrow brings another day and another chance to do what I know is best for my health.

To Your Supercharged Life!

Jenna

P.S. Get your very own copy of my award-winning documentary, “Supercharge Me! 30 Days Raw.” Viewers say its entertaining, educational & inspiring. And film sales fund my life mission of spreading the good word about the power of getting back to nature. http://www.JennaNorwood.com