[If you missed earlier posts about Spent, just follow these: Part I (In Search of Vitality), Part II (Weekend Edition), Part III (Awesome, Awesome, Wall), and Part IV (Loving It, Even on a Sick Day).]

Well, friends, I did it! I (more or less) followed the Spent program for six weeks, and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to add a little vitality, energy, and health to their life. And really, don’t we all want that? If you’ve been following along, you know that I did not follow the program perfectly, but even with my (smallish) cheats, I reaped amazing rewards. Part of me wishes I had done even more of the program, but I did what I could at the time; there’s no reason I can’t implement the other pieces in the future. In fact, I’ve already started to increase my restorative exercise. Anywho, here’s the rundown–

• More energy. I’m still not at the level I’d like, but I think that’s largely due to my poor sleep. [The program does address sleep issues, I just found it hard to follow many of the recommendations given my living/work situation. Additionally, if I'd followed the restorative exercise program more closely, that would likely have yielded more energy, too.]
• Clearer focus. This was a huge one for me. I’m the queen of foggy brain, and I really didn’t suffer from it much during this program. Hurrah for that!
• Nudge closer to vegan. I do want to address the program from a vegan standpoint. (For the record, I am currently a pescatarian who tries to make vegan choices most of the time.) I really wish Dr. Lipman had recommended more vegan options. For example, like he recommends whey powder instead of a hemp or other vegan protein powder. Rice protein powder is offered as a “lesser” alternative. Similarly, he suggests taking fish oil, rather than promoting the greener, vegan flax seed oil. Grumble grumble. He also supports low-mercury fish consumption, and suggests people eat only organic meats. I understand that many people would walk away from a program that promoted a vegan lifestyle, but he could easily have suggested more vegan options. At this point, you’re probably wondering why I said it nudged me closer to vegan. 1) There’s a no dairy phase, and this helped me realize admit just how sensitive I am to the stuff. I’ve had a slice of cheese here and there, but far less than before, and want to cut down even more. 2) So much of what he recommends for healthy eating is, surprise surprise, a plant based diet. Green smoothies, big salads, fruit and nuts for snacks. Because I’d already given up meat before I started, this was a nice reinforcement.
• Much more aware of my food sensitivities. I am no stranger to elimination diets and cleanses and the like. But perhaps because I’ve been cleaning my diet bit by bit, and because this is a longer program than many, some food sensitivities really hit home. As mentioned above, it became very, very clear how much dairy and I don’t get along. I also knew I was sensitive to sugar, but hadn’t realized just how much. But that’s a story for another post.
• Stronger, leaner body. The program has helped me develop more muscle tone through restorative exercise (yoga yoga yoga), and also helped me shed some stubborn weight so I could actually see my muscle tone. And this encourages me to want to do even more. I have hit my dream healthy weight, something I honestly never thought I could or would do.
• Confidence boost. Even though this program was pretty manageable, with lots of little changes, I’m still really proud of myself for sticking through it. Believe me–holding out on the wine was not easy sometimes. But I got through the other side and reaped the benefits.

The question now becomes, will I keep it up? The short answer is yes, mostly. I might allow a few more treats here and there, but believe me, they will be in moderation. I’ll post soon about my transition off of the program, and how that affected me. In the meantime, I hope this inspired you to give the program a try! If you do, please let me know how it goes.

But for the last week, I just haven’t wanted them. Maybe it’s the cold, maybe it was PMS, maybe it was wanting to rebel a little bit against this program, and maybe I was just plain sick of them.

So I took some time off. I put flax seeds and maca into my oatmeal instead of a smoothie. I ate more salads instead of blending them. Green smoothies had always been something I enjoyed, so I didn’t want to lose that by forcing myself to have them.

Then, this morning, I woke up after an amazing night’s sleep, and all I could think about was my smoothie. I had some romaine that was on its last legs and needed to be eaten, so I tossed it (about a cup and a half) into the VitaMix. I decided to get adventurous and open that bag of durian that’s been in our freezer. I snipped off the top and literally recoiled at the smell. Maybe another day… I went with the tried and true banana (1 frozen in chunks) and strawberry (about 10 frozen) combo. (That picture is an old one from a mango/blueberry/strawberry/kale smoothie.) Add my magic enzyme powder, Macro Greens, maca powder, flax seeds, flax seed oil, glucosamine and chondroitin, and bee pollen, then cover it all with fresh cashew milk, and I was ready to roll. (If you want to order any of these (or other) products from iHerb.com, aka my favorite online supplier, especially for international orders, you can use coupon code XIM000 for $5 off your first order if you’re a new customer.)

I know the smoothie is probably the least attractive part of that picture, but I promise it was delicious. I actually made so much I had three cups this size, but I admit I have been making them a little thinner lately. I find it’s an easy way to increase my water intake, and I wind up drinking them much more quickly, even though there’s greater volume.

This experience was a nice reminder that while it’s good to push yourself forward toward health, sometimes we need to step back and take a breather, even from something we know is good for us. Now I feel I’ve reconnected with an old friend, and my smoothie feels like a privilege, not a chore.

What healthy habits have you had to take a break from? What’s your favorite smoothie recipe? Do you add super foods?

At this point, I think I’ve got the diet part pretty much down (though I do still have to test my sensitivity to soy and corn when I reintroduce those after the program ends). No surprises here, but: fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, legumes, herbs and whole grains are all a-ok for me and my digestive system. I also realized with new understanding just how damaging sugar (Mom’s been telling me for at least a decade) and dairy are for me, and I don’t digest meat well, either. Gluten, as we well know, is my kryptonite, and you couldn’t pay me to ingest it at this point.

I think it’s important to not feel the need to be 100% perfect 100% of the time, though. Even Dr. Lipman says so! Seriously–it was one of the daily pulses: ease up. So, taking that advice, when we had our monthly TED talks evening over the weekend and a friend showed up with a delicious looking bottle of Montepulciano, I decided that I was going to give myself the OK to have a glass. Just one. And what happened as soon as I gave myself permission to do that? It lost the allure. I realized I cared more about feeling healthy than I did about sipping that robust 2007. Towards the end of the evening, I asked myself how much that glass of wine would have improved my experience if I’d had it earlier on. Would I still be enjoying the taste? Would I have been driven nuts by the fact that I couldn’t have a second? Would I have had a second or third? I realized that even if I enjoyed it while I was drinking it, the pleasure would soon be over.

Don’t get me wrong–I’m a big supporter of pleasure! Big time! But lately, feeling healthy and energetic is the real pleasure. Now that my tastebuds aren’t numbed by sugar and freaky oils and additives, fresh salad tastes really good. Long walks with friends leave me smiling for hours. The deep breaths and releases from yoga send me buzzing.

Which brings me to the part I really need to be working on. The food part, I get it. It’s the activity I need to work on. My darling man has been encouraging me to be more active since we met. And I really enjoy lots of physical activity. Hiking, kayaking, yoga, biking–all wonderful. I’ve definitely been better about physical activity since starting this program, but it’s going to be a while before I really make it a habit. I know the benefits, I have loads of inspiration, it’s just a matter of making time and getting off my butt.

And then there are days like yesterday and today when you just have to give in and accept defeat. I’m sick, my body aches and tummy’s funny and I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck. I’ve been spending a lot of quality time with my pajamas, tall glasses of water, and wonderful fella. I figure my body’s actually in a position to kick this bug quickly if I can keep giving it what it needs, so I’m trying to take it easy so I can get better. The universe must have heard my whining about having to go work this afternoon (truth be told, everyone must have. I pouted for at least an hour.), and just as I put on my coat, I got a message that my afternoon student wasn’t coming today! Oh hurrah! I stripped down and climbed back into my PJs in record time, grateful for this extra down time before my evening classes.

If you didn’t win, I still encourage you to pick up a copy of one–or all–of these books. They’ve each changed the way I live, and for the better. I would love to hear your thoughts on them. Or any other books you’ve read that have helped you shift your life into awesome.

Let’s start with the awesome.

• In fact, let’s start with vanity: my skin looks brighter and I’ve lost the last bit of weight I wanted to lose. You know, those really stubborn few lbs that bug you? Gone.
• I’m waking up more easily. Some days I still feel really groggy for a while, but I have had more days when I wake up feeling (gasp!) awake than I have in a long time.
• I have more energy. I’m slowly working a little yoga back in, and I actually thought about going for a run the other day. Of course, I didn’t go for a run, but the last time I even thought about it? Maybe in September? Maybe?
• It helped inspire screenless nights, which have been beyond fun. In fact, last night we turned the TV off early and then spent over an hour huddled around the puzzle.

But now for the not so awesome, or the hitting of the proverbial wall.

• Half of that stubborn weight came back. I’m trusting that at the end of the next four weeks it will be gone again though. Right?
• Sunday I was essentially on a high from how amazing I felt, but for the past three days I’ve felt pretty lousy. Foggy headed, fierce headaches, grumpy tummy, the whole bit.  I can’t figure this out–the sugar has been gone for two weeks, I only drink a cup or two of green tea a day, haven’t had meat in weeks, and generally, I’ve been eating really well. (Aside from cheese. That goes out this weekend, but I’ve been indulging a bit.) I don’t feel stressed, and in fact, have been working to add joy to my life. Could this just be the result of so many changes? When will it stop? (And, for the record, it’s not PMS headaches.) I have really been trying to wean myself off of Motrin except for when I really need it, but I have definitely been knocking back a few each day.

So that’s where I stand. I’m definitely not quitting, and the good far outweighs the bad. I’m sure I’m just in a lull, so I’ll stick with the next four weeks, but I’m really looking forward to another surge of energy. Or, at the least, a break from headaches. I’m not being a saint on this program–the portions that require fairly regimented schedules just don’t work for me in my current work situation, but I am trying to do modifications. For example, I’ve tried to eat bigger lunches when I can and not to sleep in even on days when I don’t have morning classes. There are also parts I need to be better about and can be better about, like increasing the restorative exercises and doing more calming practices before sleep, which I think will really help.

If you’re curious about the Spent program, you can enter to win a copy of the book–and a free email consultation with the author, Dr. Lipman, my entering here. (Deadline is this Friday.) If you already own a copy or would prefer a different book, you can also choose from The China Study or Eating Animals, too. Good luck!

We were inspired to do this by two sources. First was watching No Impact Man, about Colin Beavan and his family who go without electricity for six months. We are not that hardcore. But stepping away from TV and computers a few times a week? Yes please! Also, as part of this Spent program, I’m not supposed to be around a screen after 10p.m. This isn’t entirely practical for me as some days I get home after 10 and have work to do, or if I want to talk to anyone Stateside, it has to be late given the fourteen hour time difference. But less screen time is certainly good, and I try to step away from screens by 11:30p.m., unless I’m talking to family. For example, last night I spoke to my sister and her family on Skype around midnight, but seeing my niece wiggle and tell me about “snow that came up to [her] belly!” was well worth any sleep disruption. As I’ve said before, for me, it all comes down to balance.

The great discovery has been how much better I feel after our no screens nights. It gives us a chance to really connect because I’m not half watching a movie while clacking away on my computer. We sit down to a real meal, bust out a board game, or a puzzle, or a crossword, and catch up while doing something fun, face-to-face.

I also can be a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to TV. I don’t like them, I don’t want one, and when I lived on my own, mine sat in my closet, unplugged, until I finally gave it away or sold it, I don’t remember which. That said, you give me access to a host of TV shows, good and bad, and I can easily spend hours staring at the screen like a zombie. Our apartment in Seoul came with a giant TV, though, and my darling man did a stint as an actor in Hollywood and loves movies. As a result I wind up spending far more time in front of the boob tube (usually all too willingly) than I would otherwise.

This won’t be a surprise to many of you, but our no screens nights have proven to be much more relaxing than our couch potato evenings. I find it easier to do yoga, I don’t mind doing the dishes (as much), and I have time to take a long, hot shower. (I know, I know, very un-green of me, but I only shower every other day in the winter (my hair and skin get too dry otherwise), so that means I get to shower twice as long, right? Right?) And when I crawl into bed, not only is my seratonin production not all whacky from the screens, but I also feel that I’ve had a real chance to share my day and hear about the fella’s, which makes me feel nice and fuzzy inside.

If it’s all so great, why don’t we give up screens all together? Part of the reason is where we live. Sometimes, we just need to escape to a mindless, English-speaking world, and our laptops are how we stay close to our friends and family. Part of it is that we really enjoy sitting down and watching a movie or TV show (um, have you seen The Wire?! Crazy good!) together. If we really like this Monday/Wednesday no screens thing, though, there’s a very good chance we’ll add more. Or, at the very least, stop making it our default activity.

In fact, I’m typing this early and posting from work because tonight I have a writing project I want to (finally) get started on–using good old fashioned paper and pen–but I’ll save that for another day.

Don’t forget to enter my very first giveaway if you haven’t already done so! You can enter to win a copy of The China Study, Eating Animals, or Spent (which comes with a complimentary email session with the author, Dr. Frank Lipman, a special offer for The View From There readers!). Click here for details and to enter.

I can’t believe this is my 100th post. Thanks so much to everyone who reads this blog–especially those who leave comments! To show my appreciation for everyone who follows along and gets engaged, I’m giving away a copy of one of my favorite recent books. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents, Kindle users, and very patient residents of the R.O.K.

If you’re a regular reader, you know that The China Study (T. Colin Campbell), Eating Animals (Jonathan Safran Foer), and Spent (Dr. Frank Lipman), have all made a big impact on me in the last six weeks. The winner of this giveaway will get to select one of these amazing books. This blog is largely about shared experiences, so I want to share these reads with you. I originally thought about selecting just one book, but didn’t want to exclude readers who already had/read it, and I couldn’t pick just one that I would recommend over the others. So the choice is yours!

To enter, leave a comment telling me which book you’d like to win, and why. Once you’ve done that, you can also use these additional ways to enter, just be sure to leave a comment for each telling me what you’ve done:

• Follow my blog in Google (or a similar) Reader
• Link to this giveaway on your blog
• Add my blog to your blog roll
• Mention and link to this giveaway in Twitter

I will randomly select a winner on Friday, February 12. Winner will be contacted via email and announced on this blog. U.S. readers can choose between a print or Kindle copy, international Kindle users will receive a Kindle version, and South Korean residents can choose between a print or Kindle version, but will have to wait until late April to receive the print version. (Sorry–international shipping is expensive!)

Thanks again, and good luck!

The whole night was a wonderful affirmation for me. To start, the ladies so positive that I asked if I could record them for whenever I need a little added encouragement. (Seriously–not only did they want to look at Spent so they could think of doing it, too, but when they tried my green smoothie, it was followed with, “That’s really good!” and “I would drink that every day!”) It was also nice for me to be reminded that I could go out for dinner and drinks with friends and not just sit there feeling deprived. Did I want some sangria and to nibble the fries or try the gratis creme caramel? Heck yes I did! But I also got to split a delicious salad with my fella, snack on some yummy cheese with the girls, and drink two pots of tea–rose and thyme–out of super cute glasses. And yes, the fact that the teapot and glasses were adorable definitely helped things.

On Sunday, I went to my favorite street in Seoul (post coming soon) to get some work done and enjoy some peace and quiet. The Spent part of the outing came when I was at a great little coffee shop and ordered a wasabi latte. I figured that wouldn’t be laden with sugar, right? I was wrong. Unfortunately my Korean is awful so I couldn’t go back and explain, or ask what drinks aren’t sugary. While I do know how to say “No sugar,” most of the options looked naturally sugary or processed, which is a no-go. So I sat at my table, overpriced wasabi latte by my side, and instead drank all the free water I wanted while I edited a friend’s (really good) grad school essay and looked over my new poetry homework. (I’ll post about that soon, too.)  The point is, I was victorious. Lindquist: 1, Sugar: 0.

The rest of the day was spent watching Full Metal Jacket, which I decided was just a little too much for my sensitive self, and No Impact Man, which was awesome. This was one of the recommended documentaries, and I’d been wanting to see it for a while now. If you haven’t already, I highly encourage you to watch the movie and check out Colin Beavan’s No Impact Man website. We talked a bit about what more we could do to green our lives, and, to be honest, decided that given how many comforts we’re doing without while living in Korea, decided to delay any major overhauls until we’re Stateside. But we already made the switch to fewer animal products, we recycle and compost far more than we throw away, and most of transport is on foot or using buses and subways (though we do indulge in the oh-so-cheap Seoul cab rides when the situation calls for it).

One change we did talk about–and hurray for my awesome man for suggesting it–is instituting screenless nights a few evenings a week. We used to play cards (M kicks my butt) and board games (see previous parenthetical) and do crosswords (solid team effort) all the time, but with crazy work schedules, laziness got the better of us. Seeing as time in front of screens interferes with melatonin production, not to mention isn’t real quality time, I’m pretty excited about this change.

What are your favorite activities that reduce your carbon footprint and allow you to better connect with others?

(This is post #98, so we are getting awfully close to the Post #100 Giveaway–be sure to check back this week for details!)

That’s not what I’m going for—necessarily. What I care about is living a full, vibrant, energetic life while I’m alive and kickin’. I’m not just after longevity, I’m after vitality. This explains my latest reading choices (The China Study, Eating Animals), as well as my latest health adventure: following Dr. Frank Lipman’s Spent program, as outlined in his book. (I think his marketing team changed the title to the Revive program in later editions, but I’ll stick to calling it Spent if for no other reason than that’s how I think of it.)

This program seems to have a nice balance of regimentation and flexibility, which really appeals to me. I’m (pretty) good at following rules, and do much better with directives like don’t eat gluten than I do with general pronouncements about how it’s best to limit your intake of x to y servings a week. Dr. Lipman sets out forty-two changes—one each day for six weeks—designed to recalibrate your body and help you feel vibrant. It’s not all about food, either. He talks about sleep (something I’ve struggled with my entire life), environmental stressors, and the like.

Right now, I’m on Day 2, and so far, so good. I think (hope!) that yesterday’s change is the most difficult for me. Day 1 means No. More. Sugar. For six weeks, I’m not to have any added sugar, though fruit is fine. I’ve done a good job of weaning myself off my candy habit, but wine remains one of my greatest pleasures, and six weeks without any imbibing of any kind does not sound fun. It also means no refined carbohydrates, like the ubiquitous white rice and my favorite spring roll wrappers. But I’ve done this before (once on a 4 month candida cleanse, and then for multiple 3-4 week detoxes and elimination diets), and I can do it again.

For me, the trick is not feeling deprived. To that end, I went out yesterday and spent way too much money on healthy indulgences. I stocked up on sparkling water, which costs an arm and a leg here (but is cheaper than wine, right?), herbal teas (because caffeine is getting yanked at some point, too), and yummy fruits and veggies.

The Day 2 “change” was easy for me, as it’s already my favorite healthy habit: make a green smoothie for breakfast every day. I actually cheat a bit and make a massive green smoothie every other day and drink it over two days. It might lose some nutrients that way, but it’s what works for me at this point, so that’s good enough.

I don’t know all the changes ahead because I’m really trying to focus on the tasks at hand and take it one step at a time. 2009 was the year of getting my finances in order; 2010 is the year of finding my optimum health. I’m content to go slow and steady on this one, because I want these changes to stick. Feeling rundown all the time isn’t good enough for me. I want to live a big life, and that can’t happen when I feel completely depleted most of the time. That is why I am giving this plan a shot.

I would love to hear from anyone who has done this before, or anyone who is thinking of starting it soon. What do you do to feel vibrant?

(And stay tuned for my very first giveaway coming up in celebration of my 100^th post.)