Navaratri Chronicle
When I heard PM Modi keeps complete fasting during Navaratri, I was kind of inspired. Yet, living on hot water for nine days seems daunting. Then again the Bengali Association food festival during Navaratri also came into mind. Who will miss the delectable sweets and chicken curries that we get only once a year in Trivandrum? The temptations were too many and my resolution was week.
But this year, things are different. I m calmer and freer than ever. And I really need to lose weight. Fasting during Navaratri seemed to be a good idea. But only hot water? No!! I got reminded of the headache on the second day of GM Diet. I can't risk that ever again. Milk works good for me. So I decided to go for a fruits and milk diet even if I don't lose weight.
Day one
I got up at the usual time though I had resolved to get up early. While making tea for my husband I was tempted to have a cup myself and gave in. Well, its for the smooth bowel movement. I drank half a cup. Later I had a couple of bananas and milk and then a pomegranate. I was tempted to eat some cashew nuts but thankfully couldn't find any. During lunch time I had anther two bananas and a quarter papaya. Oh! the potato curry and the dal never looked so tempting. But I reminded myself of another person's experience how the first and the second days are the most difficult. I decided not to succumb to temptation. I tried to keep myself full by eating bananas to keep hunger at bay. To tell you the truth its actually not about feeling hungry. It is the game our mind plays. craving for food is more habitual than need based. We are just used to eating particular things at particular time. The body automatically longs for them whether or not we need them. With this enlightment dawned on me, I refrained myself from food all day. when I made the evening tea, was again tempted to have a cup. However, after the third sip, didn't feel like having it and gave up. Bought 1/2 liter cow's milk for dinner. wanted to drink it without sugar. so added some jaggery to it. No, I didn't drink 1/2 litre milk all by myself. shared it with my husband and daughter.
Day two
I must have eaten 7-8 bananas yesterday. The bananas I bought for today are not ripe. Had half a cup tea in the morning. Not feeling hungry.
Around noon felt hungry and had a glass of milk, a banana with jaggery and a table spoon of soaked chia seeds. I actually don't feel hungry, but there is a tendency to put something into the mouth. I drink water and eat quarter of a papaya. In the evening I drink a cup tea. Made veg biriyani for daughter on demand and came across a packet of cashew nuts and raisins. Ate some. That kind of put off my food cravings for hours. Had a big glass of milk for dinner.
Day three
Woke up a little tired. Husband and daughter wanted breakfast immediately. Got involved in kitchen work and my fatigue was gone. Had a banana and a cup of tea (wish I could do away with it!) Neither was hungry nor tired. But was worried about having a headache. Popped up a piece of gooseberry. Had read somewhere it helps in controlling acidity and hence we don't get headache during fasting. I think it works. Drank coconut water at noon and that was refreshing. As I have said earlier, its not about food and hunger. Its more like a habit. We have to eat because we eat. had a small glass of lemon juice which was entirely uncalled for. Had milk and banana for dinner.
Day four
I am happy that I am inching towards the end even though I am not even half way through. Today I woke up tired but I won't count that. I wake up lazy everyday. Had tea and made a special breakfast as it is a Sunday. No stock of banana today. So had coconut water with coconut cream, an apple and a piece of papaya. Didn't have milk in the morning. Had to go out and when I came back felt really tired. Slept for an hour. Had to go out again and by evening was feeling dizzy. Had a big glass of milk with sugar. Feeling better now. will have another piece of papaya and a banana (if I manage to buy some) and a glass of milk again. Have a slight headache.
By the way, I have decided to keep fasting for seven days only. So I will end it on the Saptami.
Day five
I got up very fresh. Wasn't feeling any urge for drinking tea. Cooked breakfast and had a cup of light coffee as it was going waste (housewife!!!) Later had a piece of papaya and a small glass of milk. I do not have much work today. Hence feeling bored. That boredom is making me restless. Helped our domestic help to clean the kitchen. After that again feeling restless. I am counting days for this fast to get over. I think if we keep ourselves occupied we won't be bothered by hunger. I don't feel hungry any way. Felt a bit dizzy and slept for an hour. Had a piece of water melon but wasn't actually inclined towards eating. Had good cow's milk and also a cup of tea in the evening. Didn't feel like eating any fruits for dinner even though my stomach was empty. When I went to bed, couldn't get any sleep. My mind was full of images of non vegetarian food. Succulent chicken in thick creamy sauce, fish in mustard sauce, egg biriyani, prawns and a series of delicacies. I just wanted his fasting to be over and binge on food. I tossed and turned in bed. No idea when I fell asleep.
Day Six
Got up earlier than usual and got up fresh. Unlike usual days I didn't want to linger on the bed. Felt hungry and made a cup of tea for me. Yesterday evening when I had my tea I was really scared. Sometimes, tea gives me severe headache even though i am tempted to have a cup. I didn't want to go through that. Thankfully, i didn't have any headache. Today I am feeling normal. I am slightly hungry but don't want to eat. Had a small cup of milk and two small bananas. I have tried fasting earlier also and know my body. Hence I try to prevent acidity and headaches before their unset. My water intake has reduced. Planning to drink more water today.
Had milk and banana for dinner but by the time went to bed, my stomach was completely empty. Tossed and turned in the bed. Thankfully there were no images of food in mind. felt thankful that it's going to be over in a day.
Day seven
Yoo Hoo! Last day. Well, its only Saptami but I have decided to end it on the seventh day. Have to chill out with family for the next three days.
Woke up energetic and made elaborate food preparation for daughter and husband. Felt hungry half way through and had a cup of tea. However, had difficulty in bowel movement. All these days I was happy and relieved that I neither had headache nor constipation. But today was an ordeal. Can't figure out the reason. I didn't have papaya yesterday. Could be that or the quality of milk I had. One can never trust the store bought milk. Was very very tired after the struggle in the loo. wanted to eat something to regain energy. But what the heck! Can't I pull through the last day? So had hot milk and banana for breakfast. Life seems normal.
Pulled through the day without much difficulty. There was a kind of excitement for ending the fasting. Though I didn't complete nine days, I know I can do it and I will do it next time.
When I heard PM Modi keeps complete fasting during Navaratri, I was kind of inspired. Yet, living on hot water for nine days seems daunting. Then again the Bengali Association food festival during Navaratri also came into mind. Who will miss the delectable sweets and chicken curries that we get only once a year in Trivandrum? The temptations were too many and my resolution was week.
But this year, things are different. I m calmer and freer than ever. And I really need to lose weight. Fasting during Navaratri seemed to be a good idea. But only hot water? No!! I got reminded of the headache on the second day of GM Diet. I can't risk that ever again. Milk works good for me. So I decided to go for a fruits and milk diet even if I don't lose weight.
Day one
I got up at the usual time though I had resolved to get up early. While making tea for my husband I was tempted to have a cup myself and gave in. Well, its for the smooth bowel movement. I drank half a cup. Later I had a couple of bananas and milk and then a pomegranate. I was tempted to eat some cashew nuts but thankfully couldn't find any. During lunch time I had anther two bananas and a quarter papaya. Oh! the potato curry and the dal never looked so tempting. But I reminded myself of another person's experience how the first and the second days are the most difficult. I decided not to succumb to temptation. I tried to keep myself full by eating bananas to keep hunger at bay. To tell you the truth its actually not about feeling hungry. It is the game our mind plays. craving for food is more habitual than need based. We are just used to eating particular things at particular time. The body automatically longs for them whether or not we need them. With this enlightment dawned on me, I refrained myself from food all day. when I made the evening tea, was again tempted to have a cup. However, after the third sip, didn't feel like having it and gave up. Bought 1/2 liter cow's milk for dinner. wanted to drink it without sugar. so added some jaggery to it. No, I didn't drink 1/2 litre milk all by myself. shared it with my husband and daughter.
Day two
I must have eaten 7-8 bananas yesterday. The bananas I bought for today are not ripe. Had half a cup tea in the morning. Not feeling hungry.
Around noon felt hungry and had a glass of milk, a banana with jaggery and a table spoon of soaked chia seeds. I actually don't feel hungry, but there is a tendency to put something into the mouth. I drink water and eat quarter of a papaya. In the evening I drink a cup tea. Made veg biriyani for daughter on demand and came across a packet of cashew nuts and raisins. Ate some. That kind of put off my food cravings for hours. Had a big glass of milk for dinner.
Day three
Woke up a little tired. Husband and daughter wanted breakfast immediately. Got involved in kitchen work and my fatigue was gone. Had a banana and a cup of tea (wish I could do away with it!) Neither was hungry nor tired. But was worried about having a headache. Popped up a piece of gooseberry. Had read somewhere it helps in controlling acidity and hence we don't get headache during fasting. I think it works. Drank coconut water at noon and that was refreshing. As I have said earlier, its not about food and hunger. Its more like a habit. We have to eat because we eat. had a small glass of lemon juice which was entirely uncalled for. Had milk and banana for dinner.
Day four
I am happy that I am inching towards the end even though I am not even half way through. Today I woke up tired but I won't count that. I wake up lazy everyday. Had tea and made a special breakfast as it is a Sunday. No stock of banana today. So had coconut water with coconut cream, an apple and a piece of papaya. Didn't have milk in the morning. Had to go out and when I came back felt really tired. Slept for an hour. Had to go out again and by evening was feeling dizzy. Had a big glass of milk with sugar. Feeling better now. will have another piece of papaya and a banana (if I manage to buy some) and a glass of milk again. Have a slight headache.
By the way, I have decided to keep fasting for seven days only. So I will end it on the Saptami.
Day five
I got up very fresh. Wasn't feeling any urge for drinking tea. Cooked breakfast and had a cup of light coffee as it was going waste (housewife!!!) Later had a piece of papaya and a small glass of milk. I do not have much work today. Hence feeling bored. That boredom is making me restless. Helped our domestic help to clean the kitchen. After that again feeling restless. I am counting days for this fast to get over. I think if we keep ourselves occupied we won't be bothered by hunger. I don't feel hungry any way. Felt a bit dizzy and slept for an hour. Had a piece of water melon but wasn't actually inclined towards eating. Had good cow's milk and also a cup of tea in the evening. Didn't feel like eating any fruits for dinner even though my stomach was empty. When I went to bed, couldn't get any sleep. My mind was full of images of non vegetarian food. Succulent chicken in thick creamy sauce, fish in mustard sauce, egg biriyani, prawns and a series of delicacies. I just wanted his fasting to be over and binge on food. I tossed and turned in bed. No idea when I fell asleep.
Day Six
Got up earlier than usual and got up fresh. Unlike usual days I didn't want to linger on the bed. Felt hungry and made a cup of tea for me. Yesterday evening when I had my tea I was really scared. Sometimes, tea gives me severe headache even though i am tempted to have a cup. I didn't want to go through that. Thankfully, i didn't have any headache. Today I am feeling normal. I am slightly hungry but don't want to eat. Had a small cup of milk and two small bananas. I have tried fasting earlier also and know my body. Hence I try to prevent acidity and headaches before their unset. My water intake has reduced. Planning to drink more water today.
Had milk and banana for dinner but by the time went to bed, my stomach was completely empty. Tossed and turned in the bed. Thankfully there were no images of food in mind. felt thankful that it's going to be over in a day.
Day seven
Yoo Hoo! Last day. Well, its only Saptami but I have decided to end it on the seventh day. Have to chill out with family for the next three days.
Woke up energetic and made elaborate food preparation for daughter and husband. Felt hungry half way through and had a cup of tea. However, had difficulty in bowel movement. All these days I was happy and relieved that I neither had headache nor constipation. But today was an ordeal. Can't figure out the reason. I didn't have papaya yesterday. Could be that or the quality of milk I had. One can never trust the store bought milk. Was very very tired after the struggle in the loo. wanted to eat something to regain energy. But what the heck! Can't I pull through the last day? So had hot milk and banana for breakfast. Life seems normal.
Pulled through the day without much difficulty. There was a kind of excitement for ending the fasting. Though I didn't complete nine days, I know I can do it and I will do it next time.
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