By Valerie Reiss, filling in for Amy.

I have two friends on a juice and salad fast this week, Organic Avenue’s touted five-day L.O.V.E. fast, based in New York City. You get small “meals” delivered all week. I thought their little exchange revealed a sweet, funny something about how people REALLY feel during a fast! (Names have been changed to protect the hungry.)

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From: Doe, Jane [mailto:xx@xxx.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 10:05 AM
To: Smith, Julie
Subject: Melon juice
Ok not as bad as it seemed..I’m feeling ok despite serious coffee needs this morning.

Wasn’t that coconut milk delicious? I offset the sweetness by saving my cabbage salad for then and having the milk as dessert.

How are you??

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From: Smith, Julie [mailto:xx@xxx.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 10:19 AM
To: Doe, Jane
Subject: RE: Melon juice
I put the coconut milk in the blender with some ice and made more of a smoothie– yummy (and also augmented the content!). Didn’t get my salad dressing today. Am very bitter.

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From: Doe, Jane [mailto:xx@xxx.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 10:32 AM
To: Smith, Julie
Subject: RE: Melon juice
laughing so hard tears running down face…I didn’t share with you, but they forgot my miso sauce yesterday, but I chalked it up to starting a day late…looks like it’s a real concern – I had to split the tahini extremely carefully (and then licked the container). Love the blender idea. I told a colleague of mine that I hadn’t heard from you this morning and was becoming concerned that you were enjoying a coffee with a bacon egg & cheese at your desk…but hurray, let day two/three begin! the “elixir” makes me gag – doesn’t seem to change day to day, either…

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From: Smith, Julie [mailto:xx@xxx.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 10:37 AM
To: Doe, Jane
Subject: RE: Melon juice
I hold my nose while I do the shot and follow by chugging a full glass of water.

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From: Doe, Jane [mailto:xx@xxx.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 10:39 AM
To: Smith, Julie
Subject: RE: Melon juice
Good thing the elixir “stabilizes mood swings.” i just ate a piece of the falafel b/c I felt lightheaded – it was SCRUMPTIOUS